Exotic Art Show at Alwun House, Feb. 10
Many people read the word “exotic” as “erotic,” and while there’s certainly plenty of sex-vibes and fetish-feeding at Alwun House’s annual Exotic Art Show, the shindig (now in its 32nd year) is far from a gonzo porn throwdown. Opening night is more like a cheeky old European peep show. Guests can expect two stages packed with performances (ranging from bellydancing by Bedouin Tribe and a talk by “Hip Historian” Marshall Shore to “slam sex poet” Lauren Perry and eclectic dance beats from DJ Reuben), bondage demonstrations, circus aerialists, body painting by Mark Greenawalt, complementary hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar, and um, “Rusty the Gender-Bending Clown.” Oh, and there’s an art exhibition, too (open through March 18), featuring two floors of flirty and dirty works by more than 60 artists. Opening gala takes place 7 p.m. February 10. Tickets cost $20 in advance, $25 at the door. Alwunhouse.org
“Fences” at Herberger Theater, Feb. 11
August Wilson’s Tony Award- and Pulitzer Prize-winning play about an African-American star baseball player whose career was cut short by racism in pre-Jackie Robinson America paints a poignant and often painful portrait of African-American life in the U.S. during the 1950s. Previews begin at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 11, with shows running through February 28. Tickets cost $33-$73. Visit arizonatheatre.org for showtimes.
Frank Caliendo at Talking Stick Resort, Feb. 13
The funnyman, known for his regular appearances on TV shows including “MADtv” and “FOX NFL Sunday,” performs stand-up comedy, complete with hilarious impersonations of Charles Barkley, George W. Bush, Morgan Freeman, and more. 8 p.m., Feb. 11. Tickets cost $30-$125. talkingstickresort.com
*Note: I wanted to include two music shows this week – Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers at Yucca Tap Room on Feb. 12-13, and The Hot Sardines at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts on Feb. 10 – but both events are sold out.
About the main image: Hoop dancer Derrick Suwaima Davis (Hopi/Choctaw), 7-time world champion. Photo by Lizard Light Productions.
