'The Tales of Hoffmann' at Clowes Hall. (Provided by Indiana University Jacobs School of Music)

"Lawnmower," an oil on canvas by David Finegan, is among the works featured in "R-value: Revive Restore Reuse." (Photo provided by the Harrison Center)

1. 'R-value: Revive Restore Reuse'

6 to 10 p.m. May 2, free, Harrison Center for the Arts, 1505 N. Delaware St., www.harrisoncenter.org

Fashion, near-nudity and endangered landmarks -- this will be a First Friday to remember. The Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana will unveil its 2008 Ten Most Endangered Landmark list; a group art show will tell the stories of these sites. Gallery No. 2 will feature "Recouture," an exhibit, complete with runway show, of fashions designed from alternative materials. And, see free screenings of "The Courthouse Girls of Farmland," a documentary about a group of 80 and 90-somethings from the Farmland Bridge Club whose near-nude calendar raised money to save the Randolph County Courthouse.

2. 'The Tales of Hoffmann'

8 p.m. May 2 and 2 p.m. May 4, $25-$110, Clowes Hall at Butler University, 4602 Sunset Ave., www.indyopera.org.

Deceived and manipulated by an evil genius. In love with a robot, a consumptive soprano who sings herself to death and a sadistic courtesan. Who hasn't been there? These are stories of an unlucky-in-love poet, told in Jacques Offenbach's marvelous opera "The Tales of Hoffmann." Sure, the plot is silly; it's an opera But the music is gorgeous, featuring rousing drinking songs, soaring arias and the "Barcarolle," the most "hum-able" tune in all of opera. What a great conclusion to Indianapolis Opera's season.

3. 'Comic Book Heroes'

Opens May 3, $8.50-$13.50, The Children's Museum, 3000 N. Meridian St., www.childrensmuseum.org.

Max Simon did what many of us would if our parents were fabulously wealthy: He amassed one of the largest collections of comic books and superhero memorabilia the world has ever seen. After Max's tragic death, his parents, Melvin and Bren Simon, generously donated his 19,000-plus comic books and related artifacts to The Children's Museum, where you can indulge your child -- or inner child -- through May 2009.

4. Sen. Richard Lugar's 'Indiana and the World'

7 p.m., May 4, free (online registration required), Indianapolis Civic Theatre auditorium on the Marian College campus, www.marian.edu.

Sen. Lugar's talks about "Indiana and the World" are more than penetrating analyses of foreign policy. They are masterpieces of wonky performance art. Speaking without notes, he provides a 45-minute tour of all the world's hot spots, followed by frank answers to questions from the audience.

5. Symphonic Sneak Peek

7 p.m. (snacks and lubrication), free, May 5, Hilbert Circle Theatre, 45 Monument Circle, www.indianapolissymphony.org.

Where do the cool kids go for fun discussions of serious music? To the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra's "First Monday Music Club." Join them -- along with ISO performers and conductors -- and get a sneak preview of the music that's on tap for the 2008-09 season, which is one of the orchestra's most ambitious ever.