SUE JEFFERS The peace activist-musician is part of antiwar show in Kent.

With seemingly no end to the occupation of Iraq and more Americans souring on the ill-defined "mission" there, Kent's ActiveMuse.org Peace and Music antiwar show returns for the fourth year with more urgency and more participants. Kicking off at 6 p.m. Sunday, May 4 at the Kent Stage (175 E. Main St., 330.677.5005), the event features an eclectic array of musical performers: veteran folksinger Gusti, singer-songwriter-guitarist Dave Ullman, songwriter-activist Sue Jeffers, energetic young performer Kristofer Carter, blues artist Ian Penter, Marky Ray's improvised musical oleo Iguanadonho, female punk band the Screaming Smoldering Butt-Bitches, Akron punk legends Zero Defex and dancable Kent rockers Root Doctor's Revenge. The event's being co-hosted by Kent antiwar activist and director of the Kent May 4 Center Alan Canfora, area writer Scott Lax and reggae musician Carlos Jones of the P.L.U.S. Band. Admission is free; donations will be accepted to cover expenses with the remainder going to the restoration of the historic Kent Stage. Go to activemuse.org for more info. - Anastasia Pantsios

SPONSOR A CHORUS

The North Coast Men's Chorus, Cleveland's gay-oriented choral group, plans to release its next CD, titled Think Pink!, in June, featuring upbeat songs of love, pride and survival recorded over the last several seasons. It's giving supporters a concrete way to show appreciation for the group by helping to underwrite the disc's cost, track by track. Sponsors can "buy" a track on the disc, donating $300 to lend their name to it, which entitles them to a dedication in the liner notes to honor a person or event of their choosing, as well as a free copy of the disc. Between 15 and 18 tracks will be available, with those acting first getting the best selection. Go to ncmchorus.org for more info. - AP

CLEVELANDERS HEAD TO NYC

If you're itching for a road trip now that the weather's nice, get your friends together and head up to the Big Apple to support some of Cleveland's best local bands. Seven of them will be showing Manhattan what they've got at the second annual ClevelandFest at the Knitting Factory (74 Leonard St., 212.219.3132) at 6 p.m. Saturday, May 3. The bands include Hot Cha Cha, the Dr. Teeeth, the Suede Brothers, Mr. Gnome, Roue, the Magpies and Cheap Tragedies. Tickets are $10 advance, $13 day of show. The show's a benefit for the AIDS Taskforce of Greater Cleveland and Life Beat. - AP

BLACK BINDS LYRICS

Area singer-songwriter Cletus Black has gathered the lyrics from the songs he's recorded on the seven albums he's released in the last 12 years into a volume called The Black Book. It'll be published by Cleveland-based vanZeno Press which has specialized in poetry books but, with this book, launches its Lyric Series. Black will host a signing at the John Christ Winery (32421 Walker Rd., Avon Lake, 440.933.9672) from 2-5 p.m. Sunday, May 4. He'll also perform some of the songs along with tunes from his upcoming CD, That's the Story. Go to cletusblack.com for more info. - AP

MARATHONS RETURN

For the 27th summer, Baldwin-Wallace College's radio station, 88.3FM The Sting, is spicing up its schedule with weekly marathons. Each Thursday starting this week and running through Aug. 28, the station will devote 18 hours (7 a.m.-1 a.m.) to a particular artist or band, with a knowledgeable host who will play rare and live tracks and interviews. This week's marathon on Thursday, May 1 features Bob Dylan with a focus on the recent Dylan-inspired film, I'm Not There. May 8 is devoted to the Rolling Stones, with Elton John following on May 15. Go to wbwc.com for full schedule. - AP

MUSICAL ROOTS CELEBRATED

Heights Arts is offering an entertaining way to introduce kids to classic American roots music by artists such as Pete Seeger, Doc Watson, the Carter Family, Robert Johnson and Johnny Cash. Three top area musicians - vocalist, guitarist and mandolin player Kevin Richards, fiddler and mandolin player Bill Lestock and acoustic bassist Raymond DeForest - calling themselves Down Yonder Quartet, will perform these tunes at the Heights Arts Studio (2340 Lee Rd., 216.371.3457) at 7 p.m. Friday, May 2. Tickets: $5 adults, $2 kids 12 and under at the door. - AP

LOCAL LABEL SHOWCASE

Cleveland-based Little Fish Records will be showcasing a couple of the bands on its roster at the Beachland Tavern (15711 Waterloo Rd., 216.383.1124) at 8 p.m. Thursday, May 1. Carlos Jones and the P.L.U.S. Band will preview songs from their album expected in the fall, while the newly signed Public Property from Iowa City will show Clevelanders the reggae-based jam-band sound that has made them a favorite at clubs and festivals. Kent's soul rockers Winslow open. Tickets: $8. - AP