Cleese And Thank You

For some unknown reason, I have had the song "I'm a Lumberjack" from Monty Python's Flying Circus going through my head for the last several days. I don't mind it, especially, although even the best of songs can become grating and fill me with dread after more than a couple of days of brain airplay. But "I'm a Lumberjack" is different, because it is funny. Funny in and of itself, and also funny because it sparks seemingly endless strings of memories of that and other Monty Python bits. And it really doesn't get much better than Monty Python. The city of Grapevine seems to agree with me, as it gears up for the 3rd annual Monty Python Madness Charity Festival--in partnership with The British Emporium, a seller of British goods--with Monty Python Live at the Palace, a live tribute directed by Bill Fountain at the Palace Arts Center, 300 S. Main St. Proceeds from the stage show (as well as the festival events later this month) go to the Joey Wilkins Foundation, which helps individuals recently paralyzed by spinal cord injury continue to live with independence. Showtimes for the tribute are 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, with an additional 2:30 p.m. matinee on Saturday (the production encores later this month at 7 :30 p.m. July 30 and 31). Tickets are $15, $10 for children and seniors. Go to montypythonmadness.com for more information.
Thu., July 16, 7:30 p.m.; Fri., July 17, 7:30 p.m.; Sat., July 18, 2:30 & 7:30 p.m.; Thu., July 30, 7:30 p.m.; Fri., July 31, 7:30 p.m., 2009