Kodo, a group of drummers performing in the traditional Japanese Taiko style, makes simple percussion a vibrant art form. Heralded as the "Artists of the Year" by New York magazine in 2001, the group is recognized for both preserving and re-imagining traditional Japanese music. This performance promises to include loincloths and animal-like movements and dancing. At the very least, this "visual sound" will be worth seeing ... er, hearing. (Wed., 7:30 p.m., Fine Arts Center Concert Hall, UMass. For more information, call (545-2511.)

With the world's attention focused on the Middle East, Smith College Hillel will be presenting an Israeli Film Festival highlighting the personal struggles surrounding the Arab-Israeli conflict. The festival will feature Director Duki Dror's "Raging Dove," (above) but more importantly, Israeli food will be served. All are encouraged to attend. (Wed., 7:30 p.m., 101 Seelye Hall, Smith College.)

Spring is right around the corner (hopefully!), and Mount Holyoke College is warming up the season with their flower show, "Down the Garden Path." Thousands of blooms are ready to be viewed. The show displays a dazzling presentation of hyacinths, narcissuses, pansies, daffodils, crocuses, magnolias and more. MHC also has a permanent greenhouse open to the public that features bamboo, banana plants and palms, the closest thing to a spring break vacation for some. (Mar. 1-16, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. daily, MHC Talcott Greenhouse.)

In weeks when "Ohio," the Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young ballad lamenting four deaths at a Kent State University Vietnam War protest has gained new relevance, singer-songwriter David Crosby of CSNY and the Byrds is coming to Northampton. Woodstock performer and biological father of Melissa Etheridge's two children, the show will be, if nothing else, interesting, even if the sixty-something crooner's voice is little more than a rasp. (Sun., 8 p.m., The Calvin Theater.)

Winner of three Oscars, for "As Good as it Gets," "Terms of Endearment" and "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," Jack Nicholson is nominated this year for "About Schmidt." Four fine films, certainly, but none measure up to Roman Polanski's 1974 neo-noir "Chinatown," in which Nicholson stars as a fast-talking private eye who gets caught in a whirpool of conspiracy surrounding the Los Angeles water department. The stunningly beautiful Faye Dunaway plays the mysterious widow who seduces him.