Events for the week

thursday
july 20
Moving The Fire: Removal of Indian Nations to Oklahoma: There is nothing more haunting about the infamous "Trail of Tears"--the U.S. government's brutal relocation of American Indian tribes to Oklahoma in the 19th century--than the fact that so many settlers left their belongings behind but brought with them bundles of ashes and cinders from their sacred fires. An exhibit of 37 photographs from the early part of the 20th century documents not the trail itself, but the makeshift lives these Americans were forced to live in the decades following their expulsion from native lands. Moving The Fire: Removal of Indian Nations to Oklahoma opens with a reception July 20 at 7 p.m. that features various American Indian agencies as well as a live program produced for cable access on issues related to Indian culture. The show is free and runs through August 18 at Cable Access of Dallas, 1253 Round Table. Call 631-5571.

friday
july 21
2 Hours of Sex For Only $8: Anyone who relishes a good dirty joke should appreciate the new prudishness that rules America today. Since it's suddenly hip for everyone to run around wringing their hands about sex on TV and in movies and music, the horizontal rhumba is once again shrouded in darkness and shame--just the right ingredients to make it truly interesting again. The (Unnamed) Comedy Troupe has found unprecedented success with its comic revue 2 Hours of Sex For Only $8, playing so consistently to packed houses that the show has had to jump venues just to fit in with everybody else's schedules. They deserve a collective spanking for the wide variety of topics addressed--orgasms, marital aids, condoms, lingerie, personal ads, massage parlors, etc. The show opens for another month-long run Friday and Saturday at 11:15 p.m. in the Pocket Sandwich Theater, 5400 E. Mockingbird Lane. The show is also performed every Wednesday at 8 p.m. in the Addison Improv, 4980 Beltline in Addison. Tickets are $8. Reservations are advisable. For more information call 821-1860.

Dances To Celebrate: The hundredth anniversary of the births of two great American composers is being celebrated this year with performances and events all across the country. In Dallas, a group of independent choreographers headed by Amanda Stone have assembled their own tribute to the eclectic genius of Leo Sowerby (who died in 1968) and William Grant Still (who passed away exactly ten years later)--one which involves original choreography set to various pieces by the composers. Grant and Still represent a vision of the American artist at its most romantic--both were born in the heartland and retained strong ties to their birthplaces, yet both rose to prominence with their mastery of a wide range of international musical forms, including choral music, ballets, jazz works, and chamber music. Various guest artists from out of town perform on the bill, which also includes locals Stone, E. Donnette Durham, and Lisa Ann Webb. Performances happen July 21 & 22 as well as 28 & 29 in Theater On Elm Street. Tickets are $7-$10. For information call 828-4788.

saturday
july 22
Conspiracy Theories: Now that the phrase "right-wing militia" makes regular appearances in taxi and kitchen table conversations, the conspiracy theorists have renewed gristle to chew on. You can scare yourself silly by believing any number of scenarios about the Oklahoma bombing, including that it was only the first guerrilla attack on the fascist government officials who killed the Branch Davidians or that it's part of a government conspiracy to trigger the disarmament of gun lovers. The North Texas Skeptics, an organization of folks who like to puncture other people's most cherished balloons, doesn't cotton much to either view. In fact, they think the popularity of conspiracy theories surrounding JFK, the United Nations, and countless other phenomena is a rather frightening trend for American thought--a lazy reliance on fantasy and pure conjecture to keep ourselves entertained. The Skeptics meet at 2 p.m. in the Center for Community Cooperation, 2900 Live Oak, to talk about various conspiracy theories, their historical role, and their psychological purposes. It's free, and the public is invited. Call 558-1047.

Big D Super Collectibles Show: When you come to the Big D Super Collectibles Show, be prepared to pine for the joys of a childhood drowning in pop culture arcana. Indeed, it's a little sad that what for kids were super-cool toys energized by the imagination become, for adults, "collectibles," but such is the inevitability of the loss of innocence. Silver and Golden Age comic books; movie posters from the silent era right through till today; board games, toy cars and whole armies of toy soldiers; wind-up creatures; vintage and contemporary Disney stuff; cap guns and cowboy hats and other Western-related materials--all of it gets crammed under one roof for your nostalgic pleasure. Hours for the Collectibles Show are Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Sheraton Park Central, LBJ Freeway at Coit. Tickets are $4 for everyone. For more information call (817) 261-8745.

4th Annual Peach Festival and Bake-Off: The peach enjoys a special place of honor among fruits--its name was co-opted into American slang decades ago to indicate everything that is dreamy, wonderful, irresistible, enjoyable, etc. With this in mind, peach devotees are converging on Grapevine for that city's fourth annual Peach Festival and Bake-Off. Although the peachy feelings should reach a crescendo, don't underestimate the level of competitiveness inspired by a baking competition--people are facing off with recipes they either invented themselves or were handed after generations in the family (with this in mind, also remember that the fruit being honored doubles as a handy projectile. Keep your eyes peeled!). There's a cobbler and a non-cobbler division (any other baked good that contains peaches). There's also a yummy-sounding ice cream "Crank Off," live music, stories for kids by the Tarrant Area Guild of Storytellers, and the Grapevine Farmers Market. The event kicks off at 9:30 a.m. in the Grapevine Heritage Artisan Center, 701 S. Main St in Grapevine. If you want to compete, call (817) 481-0516.