BIG HOWDY-DO: Heifer-chasing bards and back-country warblers do it up right in Sierra Vista this weekend, as the fifth-annual Cochise Cowboy Poetry and Music Gathering gets underway. Held in the shadows of the Thunder Mountains, the hoe-down will feature more than 60 western performers, ranging from the Lone Star State's Hays County Gals and Pals, to singer Suzi Lillman of Wickenburg and range-ridin' poet Chris Isaacs of Eager, Arizona. The action kicks off Friday, February 7, with a workshop covering Ramsey Canyon's medicinal plants, followed by a lecture on Native American folklore and customs with Kermit Smith. Poetry and song hit the afternoon stage, topped by a big evening round-up featuring a herd of performers. Open mike performances continue through Sunday, February 9, with headliner shows each night. Event begins at 10 a.m. Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday, in various spots throughout Sierra Vista, located approximately one hour southeast of Tucson. Take I-10 east, exiting south on State Route 90. Ticket prices range from $5 to $10 for workshops and performances, and are available at Spur Western Wear, 2217 E. Fry Blvd., in Sierra Vista; the Sierra Vista Chamber of Commerce, 21 W. Willcox Drive; or by calling (520) 458-2262. For more information, call (520) 458-6940. GLIMPSES OF HEAVEN: Several of Tucson's photographic heavy-hitters team up in Missions, Shrines and Holy Places, now on exhibit at Tohono Chul Park. Familiar names in the show range from José Galvez and Amy Zuckerman to William Lesch, Helga Teiwes and Elaine Querry, all focusing their lenses at Latino scenes of worship dotting this town and the entire Southwest. Also on display will be milagros, reverse-glass paintings from Magdalena, Sonora, and other holy objects, says Tohono Chul assistant curator Peggy Hazard. "Many people would never see these things unless they drove around certain neighborhoods in town," she says. "There will be several images of the San Xavier Mission, and of yard shrines, altars in homes and along roadsides. It's a great show." Exhibit runs February 6 through March 30 at Tohono Chul Park, 7366 N. Paseo del Norte. Gallery hours are 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. A $2 donation is requested. Call 742-6455 for information. CHEROKEE STANDOFF: Top-shelf western wordsmith Larry McMurtry has again joined forces with fellow writer Diana Ossana in a follow-up to their well-received Pretty Boy Floyd. But while in their previous offering they gave an historical account of Floyd's enigmatic and often brutal outlaw life, this time, the authors follow two fictional Cherokee warriors--the last of their kind--in their determined fight against Anglo incursion in Zeke and Ned. See Tom Danehy's review on this week's Books section for details. McMurtry and Ossana read from and sign copies of Zeke and Ned at 2 p.m. Sunday, February 9, in The Haunted Bookshop, 7211 N. Northern Ave. Call 297-4843 for information.

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