An in-state Tour de France

California

Feb. 19-26: The world’s premier professional cycling teams wend their way from redwoods to wine country to the beach during the Amgen Tour of California. The seven-stage race covers 600 miles from San Francisco to Redondo Beach. After time trials and stops in Santa Rosa, San Jose and San Luis Obispo, riders will roll into Santa Barbara early on Feb. 24, then continue on to Thousand Oaks and end with a circuit race in Redondo Beach on Feb. 26. At each city stop, a Lifestyle Festival will feature a health and fitness expo, cycling gear, a kids zone, BMX demonstrators and a finish-line big screen.

Festival locations: Embarcadero at Market Street, San Francisco; Santa Rosa Avenue at 3rd Street, Santa Rosa; Almaden Boulevard at Park Avenue and Santa Teresa Boulevard at Chantilley Lane in San Jose; Monterey Street at Oso Street, San Luis Obispo; West Cabrillo Boulevard near State Street, Santa Barbara; 1 Amgen Center Drive, Thousand Oaks; West Harbor Drive at Beryl Street in Redondo Beach. Free. www.amgentourofcalifornia.com.

*

Austin, Texas

March 10-19: More than 1,100 bands are set for the music part of South by Southwest, one of America’s popular media festivals. In one of the most anticipated events, Morrissey will be interviewed by Rolling Stone magazine’s David Fricke and will perform a set likely to include songs from his forthcoming album, “Ringleader of the Tormentors.” The film festival includes premieres of Robert Altman’s “A Prairie Home Companion” and “V for Vendetta,” written by the Wachowski brothers. The interactive program includes seminars with industry leaders. Among the musicians scheduled: Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, Robert Pollard, Goldfrapp, Beth Orton, the New Pornographers, Kris Kristofferson, Echo & the Bunnymen, the Drive-By Truckers, Rhett Miller and a host of SoCal bands, including Silver Lake’s Silversun Pickups and Long Beach’s ASVA. KCRW-FM’s Harry Shearer will be on hand for a live version of “Le Show.” And in between all that, there’s plenty of barbecue.

The interactive program is March 10-14 and badges are $275. The film program is March 10-18 and badges are $275. The music program is March 15-19 and badges are $525. Badges include admission to all category events (subject to capacity). (512) 467-7979 or www.sxsw.com.

*

Chandler, Ariz.

March 10-12: Competitors will stick their necks out to compete in ostrich races at the 18th annual Ostrich Festival in Tumbleweed Park. Races also will involve camels and zebras. A parade, carnival rides and concerts round out the merriment. If watching ostriches sprint makes you hungry, there will be ostrich burgers.

2250 S. McQueen Road. All-day passes are $15 in advance, $20 at the gate. (480) 963-4571 or www.ostrichfestival.com.

-- Blake Hennon