FRIDAY APR 30

Get a taste of Boston's best international food and music without even leaving the River's edge. The annual Fiesta Mondiale features a stunning collection of beats and bites form all corners of the globe. Dunster House Dining Hall. 9 p.m., $8 for food and dance, $4 for dance alone.

Return to childhood (with a sophisticated twist) at the current, European-style Big Apple Circus: Happy On! The big top shelters music, motion and artistry, in addition to clowns and animal acts. Big Top Tent, Boston Marine Industrial Park, Drydock Avenue, Boston. 931-2787. 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. $25.

Absolutely, positively, unbearably excited about the release of Episode I? If you're also itching to stand in line, you might stop by Skinner Auctioneers on your way to the theater for a preview of their "Star Wars Memorabilia Highlights" sale. The collection features a complete set of posters from the Star Wars trilogy, personally selected by George Lucas. Skinner Auctioneers, 63 Park Plaza, Boston, 350-5400. www.skinnerinc.com. Noon to 7 p.m. FREE.

On the other hand, if you wish you'd never heard of Star Wars--if you prefer films by people who can't afford to create their own universe--try the Boston Film-Video Foundation's 24th Annual Film Festival, which features the year's best independent films, as well as some local up-and-coming directors and actors. Tonight's line-up includes the premiere of "Naturally Native," the animated "Between the Lines" and the multi-award-winning "Floating." Coolidge Corner Theater, Brookline. 734-2500.

Another cinematic option: "Four Nights of a Dreamer" (1971), an interpretation of Dostoevsky's White Nights. The Museum of Fine Arts, 456 Huntington Ave., Boston. 267-9300. 6 p.m. $6.

If you're tired of trekking from concert to theater to dance hall, you might try picking one seat and seeing it all under one roof at Sea Revels. This springtime celebration features over 80 performers of all genres, including music of the Georgia Sea Islands and sword dancing. Emerson Majestic Theater, 219 Tremont St., Boston. 482-7570. 8 p.m. $17 to $26.

Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Philip Levine reads from his 17th collection of poetry tonight, this one centering on the blue collar worker in Detroit factories. Sackler Museum Lecture Hall. 8 p.m. FREE.

One Pulitzer man not enough for you? See beloved American poet Charles Simic read from some of his 60-plius books of verse. Waterstone's, 26 Exeter St., Boston. 859-8038. 7 p.m.

Even if you don't particularly wish to spend Friday night in the Science Center, HRTV invites you to their game show, "Survey Says!" This episode features a Tournament of Champions and will also be the last one hosted by HRTV veteran Mandel Ilagan. Prizes will be given to lucky members of audience. Science Center D. 7 p.m. FREE.