MidPoint Music Festival

Buzz bands: The final night of the MidPoint Music Festival features emerging bands from all over the Midwest playing on 15 stages in 13 venues throughout the Main Street Entertainment District, 9 p.m.-2 a.m. today, between Liberty Street and Central Parkway, Over-the-Rhine. Here are some bands pop music writer Larry Nager recommends:

Messerly & Ewing: The local duo combines fine songwriting with solid musicianship for some of the region's best roots/Americana rock, 10 p.m., BarrelHouse Brewing Co., 22 E. 12th St. 421-2337.

Moth: Led by locals Brad Stenz and Bob Gayol, the moody and melodic modern-rock quartet just lost major label support and are fiery free agents again, 1 a.m., Cavern, 1120 Walnut St. 361-0036.

Clare Muldaur: The L.A.-based daughter of folk/blues great Geoff Muldaur has come into her own as a contemporary singer-songwriter, 10:20 p.m., Kaldi's, 1204 Main St. 241-3070.

Donal Hinely: Cut from the same cloth as great Texas songwriters such as Lyle Lovett, Steve Earle and Robert Earl Keen, he might be the next big thing, 11 p.m., Kaldi's.

Westside Daredevils: The Knoxville quintet out of the burgeoning Southern pop-scene is produced by Superdrag drummer Don Coffey Jr., 11 p.m., Jefferson Hall, 1150 Main St. 723-9008.

Royal Bliss: The Utah-based modern rock quartet is winning fans around the country with an infectious, hard-edged sound, midnight, Neon's, 208 E. 12th St. 721-2919.

Parking is available at many lots in the area. An all-club pass is $10; single club covers are about $5. For more information see www.mpmf.com

Be Irish at Coney

The Cincinnati Celtic Music and Cultural Festival takes over Coney Island this weekend with cultural goodies from all over the British Isles, noon-9 p.m. today and noon-7 p.m. Sunday, I-275 and Kellogg Avenue, Anderson Township. Highlights include musical performances by Scotland's Old Blind Dogs, Irish songstress Niamh Parsons and world-renowned West Clare-style fiddle player Kevin Crehan. There are also Highland dance competitions, Celtic storytelling, imported crafts, a family heritage center, regional foods and more. $8, $2 age 5-12. $3 parking. 533-4822.

Tour the bats

Get an up-close look at the Bats Incredible! public art project as representatives from Artworks, a "bat" artist and several enthusiasts lead a walking tour of some of the best designs around downtown, 11 a.m.-noon today starting at Fountain Square. Tour concludes with refreshments in the Machine Room at Great American Ball Park. $5. 333-0388.

Jason Nebel

Outdoorsy touch

Only eight cities across the country get to host this, and Mason's one of them. The Dannon Duathlon Series Championship pushes off at 7:30 a.m. Sunday at the Mason High School Complex and Community Center. The duathlon consists of a 5K run, 30K bike ride and 5K run. If that's not enough, the elite International Triathlon Union-sanctioned World Cup starts at 10:30 a.m. for women and 12:45 p.m. for men. This circuit includes a 10K run, 40K bike ride and a 5K run to the finish line. Two-member teams may be male, female or co-ed. $50 per individual, $60 per team. $20,000 cash purse. www.dannonduathlon.com or (504) 454-6561.

Shauna Scott Rhone