Priority list includes a new music festival, a Grammy-winning quartet, more

May I suggest starting May with a new music festival? Here's info on that event and more.

Virginia Ave. Folk Festival

Showing yet another sign of the developmental vitality of the stretch along the Cultural Trail from downtown to Fountain Square, Virginia Ave. now has its own folk festival. Of course, the rest of us are invited to hear music from 10 a.m. until midnight on nine stages (most named for restaurants and drinkeries that didn’t exist five years ago). Performers include Luke Austin Daugherty, Tim Grimm, The Dapper, and Dear Lincoln. Pay-what-you-can proceeds benefit Trusted Mentors

May 9 Various locations  Details

Ying Quartet with Zuill Bailey

I jumped the gun on this one last week. The Ensemble Music Society presents the Billboard classical music chart-topping cellist (who was also featured on the TV series “Oz”) with the Grammy-winning quartet. The program includes music by Bach, Schumann and Schubert.

May 6 Indiana History Center Details

“Bigger Picture Show”

The idea for this annual one-night-only art show is that local designers re-imagine classic movie posters. This year, the rules are switched up a bit into a celebration of film’s greatest characters. As in the past, the work will be auctioned off to benefit the Indy Film Festival.

May 8, Speak Easy Details

 Also this week

“Hot Wheels: Race to Win” opens at the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis May 9 and zooms through Aug. 16.

Eric Wickens offers a lunchtime concert at the Artsgarden, May 6.

Kenny Chesney headlines at Lucas Oil Stadium May 9.

Q Artistry has assembled a sizable cast for “The Donner Party Opera” May 9-17. How many will be around at the end of the run has yet to be seen.

Jazz singer Spencer Day brings his “The Mystery of You” show to the Cabaret at the Columbia Club May 8.

The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra’s May 7-9 program includes Berlioz’s “Symphonie fantastique.” On May 10, the ISO turns Hilbert Circle Theatre over to the New World Orchestra.

Bestselling author Sarah Dessen speaks at Glendale Library May 9.

Wilco is joined by Steve Gun for a show at the Murat May 7.