Arts & Entertainment

This Week's Day-By-Day Picks

By Shannon Sutlief 

Thursday, April 10
We keep hearing the joke--a term we're using lightly here--that Turkey should change its name to Chicken for not shouldering its burden in America's war against Iraq. Those "comedians" who think Turkey's lack of involvement is about cowardice need to check out the premiere screening of the documentary Desperate Hours, which tells the story of how Turkey, a Muslim country, helped rescue Jews during the Holocaust. In addition to being the reason many generations are alive today, Turkey is also the first and only Muslim country to house a museum of Judaica, which honors its adopted citizens for their contributions to Turkey's culture, history and society. The museum will benefit from the proceeds of the screening, which will be followed by a reception and a discussion with representatives from the Turkish and Israeli governments. Desperate Hours will be shown at 7 p.m. in the Horchow Auditorium of the Dallas Museum of Art, 1717 N. Harwood St. Tickets are $8 to $10. For reservations, call 214-268-2731.

Friday, April 11
Cara Mia Theatre Company's new one-woman show, Mastering Sex and Tortillas!, isn't about special tips for the kitchen and the bedroom. And frankly, we're not sure how the two subjects even relate. But then we buy our tortillas in plastic bags at the grocery store and think they're good. The show was written and will be performed by the company's co-founder and former artistic director Adelina Anthony, a Latino lesbian who combines "stand-up comedy, political theater and a seminar" (maybe we're wrong about the cooking tips) for a play about "sexuality, race, gender and immigration." Mastering Sex and Tortillas! has been called sexy, postmodern and an intellectual orgasm, and has been performed in Los Angeles and in several queer Latino festivals. It will be performed 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday at the Undermain Theatre, 3200 Main St. in Deep Ellum. Tickets are $10 to $15 with discounts for students and seniors. Call 214-747-5515.

Saturday, April 12
If we could learn how to talk to our cats, we'd teach them how to wash the dishes. They've got paws; we have soap. It's a match made in heaven. Sonya Fitzpatrick probably wouldn't agree. Well, she does believe humans can communicate with animals, but we doubt she thinks pets should earn their keep by doing chores. Fitzpatrick, star of Animal Planet's series Pet Psychic and author of a new book teaching owners to talk to pets, uses her powers of telepathy to mediate between the species, asking hamsters why they won't run on their wheels and Fido why he pulls the squeakers out of his toys and eats them. She'll do two readings (based on photos) when she comes to the Borders Books & Music Spanish Village, 15757 Coit Road, to promote Sonya Fitzpatrick, the Pet Psychic: What the Animals Tell Me at 2 p.m. Call the store at 972-458-0400.

Sunday, April 13
For those planning on going native this summer, we suggest lots and lots of sunblock with an SPF of at least 45. Silly, it's for when you're gardening...with the native Texas plants purchased during the Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary's 14th Annual Native Plant Sale. During the two-day event, more than 300 varieties of Texas plants, including 60 new to the sale, will be up for grabs (or not, in the case of the many cacti). The selection includes trees such as the rare black walnut (not found in nurseries), flowers such as verbena and salvia, groundcover, vines, shrubs, sages and wildflowers including the Indian Blanket. Some of the plants are hybrids, but all are designed to withstand extreme heat and dry shade. In addition to the tax-free sale, Howard Garrett will discuss "edible landscaping," Mark Klym of Texas Parks and Wildlife will talk about designing a natural landscape and there will be activities for kids. The Native Plant Sale is 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at One Nature Place, McKinney. Call 972-562-5566.

Monday, April 14
There's nothing in the feminist handbook that forbids an equality-seeking woman from being happily married and having kids. Seriously, we've checked the fine print. But that didn't keep Dallas attorney and women's rights advocate Louise B. Raggio from being criticized by fellow activists. A little adversity never hurt Raggio, who shucked tradition and went to college in the '40s, eventually entering law school to help support her family and fighting to reform the legal status of married women in Texas. She'll discuss this and her new book Texas Tornado: The Autobiography of a Crusader for Women's Rights and Family Justice during the Women's Symposium at Southern Methodist University in the Hughes-Trigg Student Center, 3140 Dyer St. The event is free. For times and a schedule, call 214-768-4412.

Tuesday, April 15
As a welcome gift to the Dallas Cowboys' new coach Bill Parcells, we offer some kindly advice. Draft Gil Brandt. Brandt's not a rookie with the golden arm of Troy Aikman or the sticky fingers of Michael Irvin. He's the Cowboys' former vice president of player development, who along with Tex Schramm and Tom Landry built America's Team by drafting the likes of Roger Staubach, Tony Dorsett, Randy White, Ed "Too Tall" Jones and Aikman. But instead of being drafted, Brandt will talk about the draft and which of this year's college players will be hired by which teams during the Dallas All Sports Association's Hall of Fame Luncheon Series. The lunchtime talk starts at noon at Maggiano's Little Italy, 205 NorthPark Center. Tickets are $50. Make reservations by calling 972-868-1518.

Wednesday, April 16
Part scientist and part artist, Joseph Scheer spends his time photographing creatures of the night, showing details caught in light and enlarged for us day dwellers to see. We just want to know: Does the monster under our bed have fangs or claws or both? During Nocturnal Splendor, on view through June 22 at the Texas Discovery Gardens, Scheer's photographs will show unseen sights such as the fine hairs and the intricate patterns on moths. Featured in National Geographic and The New York Times, the photographs involve the use of high-resolution scanners and digital printing technology. The gardens are located at 3601 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in Fair Park, and are open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays. Admission is $1.50 to $3 daily except for Tuesdays when admission is free. Call 214-428-7476.