Some Cinco de Mayo parties get started May 1

Break out the sombreros and celebrate! It's that time of year when Americans everywhere mark the Mexican army's unlikely defeat of French forces at the Battle of Puebla, back on May 5, 1862. (Got that?)

Here are some suggestions about where people may be remembering that victory (or at least raising a Corona to the holiday).

Restaurants, Events and Festivals

El Centro de la Raza — A fashion show, live entertainment, traditional foods, vendors and kids activities are all part of the popular Cinco de Mayo celebration at the Jefferson Community Center, 3801 Beacon Ave. S., Seattle, 3-8 p.m. Saturday, May 2; free (206-957-4602 or www.elcentrodelaraza.org).

Five Days of Cinco de Mayo — The Lost Lady American Cantina is celebrating Cinco de Mayo each day through Tuesday, May 5, with what the restaurant bills as the longest happy hour in Seattle (3:15-11:15 p.m.). At the Lost Lady, 621 Union St., Seattle (206-588-8520).

Mexico Cantina y Veracruz Cooking — The restaurant commemorates the holiday each year with a live mariachi band that starts serenading patrons at about 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 5. At 600 Pine St., Seattle (206-405-3400).

Tacos Guaymas — The restaurant's Greenlake location, 6808 E. Greenlake Way N., Seattle, is hosting a May 5 block party with live music, salsa girls and a jalapeño-eating contest. Tacos Guaymas' downtown location, 1303 First Ave., Seattle, is having a live mariachi band on Tuesday, May 5 (Greenlake: 206-729-6563; Downtown: 206-624-5062).

Agua Verde Café — Order enchiladas tricolores and guava margaritas made especially for Cinco de Mayo. The U-District Café, 1303 N.E. Boat St., Seattle, may have music in the park adjacent the cafe if the weather's good on Tuesday, May 5, but definite plans are yet to be announced (206-545-8570 or www.aguaverde.com).

Taco Frenzy at Brouwer's Cafe — Brouwer's in Fremont hosts DJ Delene Cion's Cinco de Mayo Gauntlet Showdown, starting Tuesday at 10 p.m., while the kitchen will serve yo tacos and serves Mexican canned beer. Brouwer's, 400 N. 35th St., Seattle; no cover (206-267-2437 or www.brouwerscafe.com)

Siete de Mayo Fiesta — Szmania's Restaurant will celebrating Cinco de Mayo on May 7 this year, but with all the Cinco de Mayo accoutrements — tequila margaritas, cervezas and maybe even piñatas. Patrons will feast on three small plate courses by Señor Ludger Szmania. 6 p.m. Thursday, May 7, Szmania's, 3321 W. McGraw St., Seattle; $32 for prepaid reservations (206-284-7305 or www.szmanias.com).

In the Nightclubs

Neighbours — The Capitol Hill club is celebrating Cinco all weekend, beginning with a Latino drag show tonight, May 1, at midnight, Corona specials and free chips and salsa on Saturday, May 2, and Latino Night on Sunday, May 3. Neighbours, 1509 Broadway, Seattle; $5 cover until midnight, $8 cover until 2 a.m. There's no cover Sunday, but a donation is suggested to benefit Entre Hermanos (206-324-5358 or www.neighboursnightclub.com).

The High Dive — Performances from Dyme Def, Big World Breaks and Theoretics beginning at 9 p.m. Tuesday, May 5, at 513 N. 36th St., Seattle; $8 (21 and over; 206-632-0212 or www.highdiveseattle.com).

Nectar — Rhythm Syndicate headlines the Fremont music lounge's Cinco de Mayo celebration at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 5, at Nectar, 412 N. 36th St., Seattle; no cover (21 and over; 206-632-2020 or www.nectarlounge.com).

Tiki Bob's Cantina — Cinco de Mayo fun at Tiki Bob's includes a bikini contest (with $500 in cash and prizes), at 166 S. King St., Seattle; (206-382-8454 or www.tikibobsseattle.com).

The Capitol Club — Live Flamenco with Eric and Encarnacion from Children of the Revolution, Tuesday, May 5, at 9 p.m. The Capitol Club, 414 E. Pine Seattle, no cover (206-325-2149 or www.thecapitolclub.net).