SOUTH KOREA: If you're looking for something a little different for your next beach vacation, check out the Boryeong Mud Festival July 12-20 at Daecheon Beach on the coast of the Yellow Sea. Boryeong's beach-mud is widely touted for its cosmetic properties, and the annual celebration includes all things muddy from mega mud tub to mud wrestling to mud slides. The children are going to love the kid-size mud tub while the grown-ups indulge in mud massages. Organizers suggest you bring a change of clothes.
Details: Festival info at www.mudfestival.or.kr. For info about South Korea: 800-TOUR-KOREA or www.tour2korea.com.
SARASOTA: YOU'LL JUST FLIP FOR THIS
The Chinese acrobatic troupe Majestic Ma Xi Tuan will be in Sarasota June 25-July 24 for a series of family-friendly performances at the Historic Asolo Theater. Presented by Circus Sarasota and the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, acts will include lion dancing, hoop diving, Chinese pole climbers and contortionists.
Details: Performances are at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays; 2 p.m., 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Sundays. All daytime performances are $12 for adults, $10 for ages 12 and under; tickets for the 8 p.m. performances are $13 for all. 941-360-7399 or www.ringling.org.
WASHINGTON, D.C.: CRIMINAL INTENT
The National Museum of Crime & Punishment opens Friday chronicling the sordid history of everything from pirates to Wild West outlaws to serial killers and gangsters to white-collar criminals. Along the way, the museum explores investigative techniques, including a realistic forensics lab. While you're there, catch a live taping of the TV show America's Most Wanted. Host Adam Walsh is one of the museum's partners.
Details: Admission, $17.95 for adults, $14.95 for ages 5-11. The museum is open daily 9 a.m.-7 p.m. in the summer, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. in winter; www.crimemuseum.org or 202-393-1099.
LAS VEGAS: YOU CAN TURN BACK TIME
If you just couldn't get around to saying good-bye during Cher's seemingly endless farewell tour, you've got another chance. The diva just opened her three-year stand at Caesars Palace with 17 live songs plus three video performances during costume changes and of course the de rigueur encore of Believe.
Details: Cher performs 200 shows over the next three years at the Colosseum, rotating with shows by Bette Midler and Elton John; tickets $95-$250. www.caesarspalace.com or 866-510-CHER (2437).
