Community at a glance

 

Today Sammons Jazz in Dallas presents Straight-No Chaser 7-10 p.m. The Stefan Karlsson Trio will lead off the evening with a straight-ahead jazz set. The Mike Drake Band will continue the straight-ahead theme in the second set of the show. The $25 ticket price will include complimentary wine, beer, soft drinks, coffee, light appetizers and valet parking. Call 214-520-7789 for tickets and more information.

Now-Oct. 4 The Pajama Game, an award-winning musical from the '50s, ends its run at Dupree Theatre at the Irving Arts Center. The musical comedy explores the hazards of workplace romance. Conditions at the Sleep-Tite Pajama Factory are anything but peaceful as sparks fly between a new superintendent and the leader of the union grievance committee. Performances are 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday and the last Saturday. Tickets are $15-$29 and may be ordered at 972-252-2787.

Now-Oct. 11 Kalita Humphreys Theatre in the Dallas Theater Center presents Shakespeare's Hamlet. The timeless drama is part murder mystery, part psychological thriller, part coming-of-age story. For ticket information, call 214-522-8499 or visit www.dtcinfo.org.

Now-Oct. 16 The South Campus art department opens The Darker Side of Whimsy in the Carillon Gallery in the Joe B. Rushing Performing Arts Center. The show features three professional artists: Jon Fontenot, Bill Haveron and Allison Hester. The gallery is open all day Monday-Thursday.

Now-Oct. 19 Stacy Schronk, former NE Campus drama director, appears as Mr. Bumble in Theatre Arlington's Oliver. The musical, based on Charles Dickens' classic novel, features a cast of 45 performing some of musical theater's most famous tunes. Performances are 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays. Tickets range from $17-$19 with discounts for students, senior citizens and groups. Call 817-275-7661 for reservations.

Now-Oct. 30 Native American costumes from Hollywood are featured in the current exhibit at the Cowgirl Museum in Fort Worth. Creating Hollywood's West: Historic Costumes and Reproductions from Cathy A. Smith includes examples of authentically detailed costumes featuring traditional beadwork. Her costumes have appeared in Dances with Wolves, Buffalo Girls and Geronimo. Admission to the exhibit is included with the museum admission: $6 for adults, $5 seniors, $4 students 6-18, members free. Also included is a hands-on activity center where children can do beadwork, create bead designs, play a trading game and read Native American tales.

Now-Nov. 16 Martha Simkins Rediscovered is on display at the Irving Arts Center in the Main Gallery. Born in Florida in 1866 and reared in Texas, Simkins lived and painted in both New York and Dallas until her death in 1969 at 103. The exhibition consists of more than 50 works and is comprised of portraits, figural images, still lifes and landscapes. Gallery hours are Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday 1-5 p.m. Exhibits are free. For more information, call 972-252-7558.

Now-Nov. 22 Stockyards Murder Mysteries presents Fallen Angel, an interactive mystery set in 1880s Fort Worth, featuring Marshal Jim Courtright as the investigator. Courtright is remembered today for his shootout in the historic Stockyard area. The $29.95 tickets include a barbecue buffet and the show. Tax and gratuity are not included in the price. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays. Attendees should meet at the Stockyards Visitor's Center at 7 p.m. To order tickets, call 817-626-5252.

Now-Dec. 31 Omni Theatre in the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History presents Lewis & Clark: Great Journey West. The film tells the story of the team's arduous expedition from 1803 to 1806, the wildlife they encountered, the punishing winters they endured, the diverse Native American tribes they met and the breathtaking vistas the explorers experienced on their legendary journey into uncharted territory, much of which remains pristine today. The 45-minute production illustrates the generosity of Native American tribes and dramatizes the beauty, danger and glory of the epic journey. Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for children (3-12) and seniors (60+). Call 817-255-9300 for times and advance tickets, or visit www.fortworthmuseum.org.

Now-Feb. 28 The Omni at the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History will take audience members out for a spin of a different sort with the new large-format film STRAIGHT UP: Helicopters in Action. Narrated by Martin Sheen, Straight Up celebrates the critical role helicopters play in a turbulent world. Various situations show the unique maneuvering and lifting abilities that make the helicopter an essential tool. Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for children (3-12) and seniors (60+). Call 817-255-9300 for times and advance tickets.

Oct. 3-5 Texas Ballet Theater (formerly the Fort Worth Dallas Ballet Company) presents Coppelia at Bass Performance Hall. Considered the great comedy of classical ballet, Coppelia tells the story of a doll so enchantingly life-like that she mesmerizes an entire village, captures the heart of a young swain and inspires the eccentric toy maker Dr. Coppelius to attempt to transform her into a living, breathing human being. Call 817-763-0207, ext. 302, for ticket information.

Oct. 3-26 Mr. Weaver's Backyard Circus Presents Hiawatha By Henry Wadsworth Longfellow opens at Hip Pocket Theatre in Fort Worth. Written by Johnny Simons, the story of Hiawatha is told around a roaring campfire by Mr. Weaver and his "tribe" of neighborhood kids and parents. Call 817-246-9775 for ticket prices and reservations. In addition, dinner service is available on the premises.

Oct. 3-Nov. 15 Pocket Sandwich Theatre in Dallas opens Fangs for the Memories. Hardboiled private detective Dirk Spatula returns for another chapter with the supernatural in mysterious New Orleans. Shows are Thursday-Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 7 p.m. Call 214-821-1860 for reservations.

Oct. 7 Jarred Daniel will perform musical selections 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. in the Node Court on NW Campus. Daniel's new album What You Could Have Had combines a variety of musical styles from country to pop to blues to folk to rock. The free concert is sponsored by student activities.

Oct. 7 The NE Campus art department presents Alice Neel, a video about the artist's life and work. Her unconventional life parallels the approach she took toward portraiture. Her images are unfailingly, often disconcertingly, honestly. The video will provide details on her unorthodox life and its influence on her professional work. Part of its free film series on women artists, the video will be shown at 2 p.m. in NFAB 1302.

Oct. 7 SE Campus music department presents its fall concert 8-10 p.m. in the North Ballroom. The free concert will feature several performers.

Oct. 9-12 Be Aggressive by Annie Weisman makes its Fort Worth premiere in Theatre NW on NW Campus. The dark comedy concerns the competitive nature of cheerleading, single parenting and loss. Directed by Brent Alford and Joel Ferrell, this production will serve as the NW ACTF entry. Performances are 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $5 for adults, $3 for seniors and non-TCC students and free for TCC students, faculty and staff. Call 817-515-7224 for reservations.

Oct. 12 Shankar and Gingger will appear in Carpenter Hall at the Irving Arts Center. The vocalists have a blend of pop and world music styling with main stream sensibility. The duo will perform pieces from their upcoming album Revelations and their CD One in a Million. Accompanists are Tabla maestro Swapan and percussionist Sivamani with an opening dance performance by classical dancer Nirva Shah from Dallas. Performance begins at 6 p.m. Tickets, from $20-$50, are available at 972-252-ARTS.

Oct. 15-18 Angel Street by Patrick Hamilton opens in the Roberson Theatre on SE Campus. The Victorian thriller is in the great tradition of Alfred Hickock and Agatha Christie and was the basis of the 1944 film Gaslight. Performances are 8 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday with a 2 p.m. Saturday matinee. Tickets are $5 for adults, $3 for seniors and non-TCC students and free for TCC students, faculty and staff. Call 817-515-3599 for reservations.

Oct. 16-18 The musical House of Blue Leaves opens in the Carillon Theatre on South Campus. Set in the '60s, the dark comedy should fit well in today's celebrity-driven culture. Performances are 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday with a 2 p.m. Saturday matinee. Tickets are $5 for adults, $3 for seniors and non-TCC students and free for TCC students, faculty and staff. Call 817-515-4642 for reservations.

Oct. 17-Nov. 16 Flyin' West by Pearl Cleage opens at Jubilee Theatre. The story revolves around three sisters, freed slaves, who move to Kansas and the land-grant homestead to meet their dreams. Surprises and laughter bubble up in this family drama that brings a unique milieu and era to life in ways not seen before. Performances are 8:15 p.m. Friday-Saturday and 3:15 p.m. Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Tickets range from $14-$20 with some discounts available. Call 817-338-4411 for reservations.

Oct. 17-Nov. 22 Circle Theatre presents the Southwest premiere of Desperate Affection, a suspense comedy by Bruce Graham. The action revolves around an actress whose perfect man has secret motives. The President is the "tie that binds" them as they travel on a roller-coaster ride of unpredictable twists and turns. Show times are Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 4 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Tickets cost $15-$25. Call 817-877-3040 for reservations.

Oct. 19 Schola Cantorum of Texas joins the A Capella Choir of The Oakridge School for a concert at 7:30 p.m. in the Bass Performance Hall. Celebrating the school's 25th anniversary, the evening includes works by American composer Randall Thompson, Kirke Mecham and Harry Somers. The combined choirs also will sing American spirituals. For tickets, call 817-283-5500.