Deep Dish, Dubai, and Bloc Party

Iggy Pop will show off his punk at the Caprices Festival in Switzerland this winter.

Does it really matter that the Ultra Music Festival features sets from the Cure, Tiësto , Miss Kittin , and Paul van Dyk ? Technically, yes. These are the bands that are supposed to justify the $99 ticket price. But a two-day party of toned, tanned, gyrating hotties in Miami at the beginning of spring is probably just as important as the music. For the neophyte who wants just a taste of the craziness of the city's epic Winter Music Conference , now in its 22d year, the Ultra Music Festival offers a sufficient appetizer. Two eight-hour shows feature sets from DJ heavy weights such as Deep Dish , Junkie XL , Carl Cox , and Ferry Corsten . Both shows run from 4 p.m. to midnight at Bicentennial Park.

ultramusicfestival.com.

This Sammy Hagar-led " Are We Having Any Fun Yet? " cruise seems destined to be renamed " Is the Hangover Finished Yet? " In addition to having once enjoyed a career as a singer (please note the use of the past tense), Hagar is now a tequila magnate and restaurateur who will lead the hard-partying masses around Cabo San Lucas before delivering cruisers to his restaurant for more booze and a show from his band , the Wabos. On the ship, there will be a special "Wabolympics," with the band and guest artist Michael Anthony of Van Halen fame. No word yet if these games of skill will involve burning a David Lee Roth effigy. Cabins for this week of madness range from $1,200 to $3,400.

888-491-7673. rosetours.com/sammy/main.

Unless you are fanatically enamored of Lilliputian British jazz singers, you may not immediately see the value of traveling to the Middle East for Jamie Cullum's live set. But the Dubai Jazz Festival also offers a convenient excuse to visit the incredible architecture (and sizzle in the sweltering temperatures) of the rapidly developing city. You can also impress your friends by bragging that you've traveled more than 6,000 miles to see Toto perform -- or not. The festival also features sets from Dee Dee Bridgewater , Freddy Cole , and Dubai Drums . A three-day pass is $135.

011-971-4-3911196. dubaijazzfest.com.

The posh Swiss ski resort becomes a night life mecca for the fourth installment of the Caprices Festival . In addition to the usual winter sports-music festival trappings (think snowboarders showing off to no one in particular) , the mountain hosts craggy punk legends Iggy and the Stooges. There will also be sets from British neo-soul sister Joss Stone , and cirKus featuring the woman who perfected the buffalo stance, Neneh Cherry. Tickets for the week range from $115 to $290. There are also packages available beginning at $290.

caprices.ch/2007.

The grandpappy of all music festivals, this year's edition of South by Southwest features break out artists such as Lily Allen , the Watson Twins , and Bloc Party . For those old-timers who walk around mumbling that nothing of musical value has been released since 1982, the conference also features chats with Pete Townshend , Emmylou Harris, David Byrne, Rickie Lee Jones, and Gilberto Gil. All levels of festival passes are available, beginning at $250 for students.

2007.sxsw.com.

Events sometimes are canceled, rescheduled, or sold out; call or check online to confirm. Contact Christopher Muther at muther@globe.com.