ASAP GETAWAYS\ART, MUSIC SPORT ITALIAN FLAIR IN SLO STREET FEST.

Byline: Daily News

San Luis Obispo will celebrate Italy's tradition of street painting with a rainbow of art, food and music at the 4th annual I Madonnari Italian Street Painting Festival.

Local artists, students and children will decorate 200 pavement squares in the Mission San Luis Obispo garden courtyard and adjacent streets with chalk drawings during the April 27-28 event. An Italian market and live music will be held adjacent to the painting, entertaining an expected 10,000 people.

Festival hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days; admission is free. The mission is at the corner of Broad and Monterey streets. Information: [phone].

Bakersfield: A jazz concert April 13 at the Fox Theatre, 2001 H St., will kick off the Cal State Bakersfield Jazz Festival. Ticket information: [phone].

Palm Springs: The Agua Caliente Cultural Museum Association will stage the sixth annual Indian Heritage Festival from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. April 13 at the Agua Caliente Reservation at the end of South Palm Canyon Drive. The event will include entertainment, food and crafts. Information: [phone].

San Juan Capistrano: The second annual Rite of Spring Mud-Slinging Festival will run from 2 to 4 p.m. March 30 and April 6 at Mission San Juan Capistrano. Locals are invited to help apply - by hand or brush - layers of mud and straw to the historic mission's adobe buildings to protect the 200-year-old buildings from the elements. Admission is $4 for adults, $3 for seniors and children. Information: [phone].

San Francisco: The Union Street Easter Parade and Celebration will bunny-hop down Union Street April 7. Information: [phone].

Napa and Sonoma counties: The Carneros wine region, which takes in the southern portions of the two counties, will present its ninth annual April in Carneros celebration of wine, food and entertainment April 20-21. Eighteen wineries will showcase some of their wines, offer tours and tastings. Information: [phone].

Temecula: This year's Balloon and Wine Festival runs April 26-28 at Lake Skinner, in the heart of Temecula's wine country, featuring balloon rides, a balloon glow (where balloons are tethered to the ground and lit from within), wine and cheese tasting, music and games for children. Information: [phone].

Nevada: A total of 20,000 to 30,000 motorcyclists are expected to roll into Laughlin April 19-21 for the 14th annual River Run, the West's largest ride-in bike show. The event offers visitors a chance to test-ride 30 different 1996 Harley Davidson motorcycles, see precision drill teams and the Harley Davidson traveling museum, participate in a miles-long parade of bikes, and enjoy a pancake breakfast. Information: [phone].

New Mexico: The Taos Talking Picture Festival will run April 18-21, featuring four days of cinema, media literacy discussions, expositions and receptions. Information: [phone]. Taos will also host the Spring Arts Collection April 19-May 12, featuring the works of local artists; opening events include an art show and a three-day arts and crafts fair and a closing ArtFest, May 10-12, will end the celebration. Information: [phone].

CAPTION(S):

PHOTO

Photo (Color) An artist works on a painting of a cow at the I Madonnari Festival.