5/21
A confession: I sing to the cat. The songs are simple but catchy numbers--"You Are My Kitty (My Only Kitty)," "Have I Told You Lately You're a Kitty?," etc. etc. Not exactly Billboard material, but from the way the cat reacts to the songs--clawing, meowing, peeing outside the litter box--it's clear the serenade has some emotional effect. And that makes it art, right? Well, at least I can testify that the pets we love easily turn into muses, which may be the case for the artists on display at the PAWS for ART show at Victorian Gallery, May 21 through June 18. The exhibit features 50 pieces of local artists' work inspired by animals of all kinds--from dogs to ducks. Ten percent of the show's proceeds benefits the SPCA, and at Saturday's gallery opening (11 a.m. to 9 p.m.), 100 percent of silent auction proceeds goes to the SPCA. SPCA orphans will be available for adoption as well. If you love your pet, it's something to check out. And if you really love your pet, sing him a little song, wouldja? Call 214-871-2474. --Sarah Hepola
No Place Like...
5/21
Ideally, to be read aloud by campy E! Fashion Policeman Robert Verdi: Ohmygawd, Kathy, could there be a better theme for the Resource Center of Dallas' GayBINGO? Seriously, for all those friends of Dorothy out there, Over the Rainbow GayBINGO sounds like a perfectly colorful event. This is fun the Judy lover in everyone can really click their heels about, and you know we mean ruby red stilettos! Sorry, but mary-janes and chunky heels make your ankles look fat! Bring the wizard from behind the curtain--curtain, closet, same thing!--and play crazy bingo for a good cause Saturday at the Lakewood Theater, 1825 Abrams Parkway. Doors open at 5 p.m. Reservations totally required. Call 214-540-4495. --Merritt Martin
Shooting Stars of Tomorrow
5/21
You just point and shoot, right? With the ease of digital photography some people feel qualified enough to hire out as part-time photographers. While Photoshop has become the saving grace for many, it takes more than tinkering with the color contrast and damage control at Wolf Camera to make a prize-winning conversation piece. The McKinney Avenue Contemporary hosts Surfacing: Work by 4 SMU Photographers from May 18 through June 11. After 40 years studying under photographic masters like Ansel Adams, Imogen Cunningham and Robert Heinecken, instructor Charles DeBus now hones design senses in his SMU students. Recent grads Jeffrey Junkin, Billy Mabrey, Sara Luxen and Whitney Jenkins demonstrate the photographic image as texture-rich memory with works featuring the interplay of man-made and natural landscape, theatrical vignettes and scaled-down "real" world alternatives to the "big picture." A reception will be held at The MAC, 3120 McKinney Ave., on Saturday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Call 214-953-1MAC or visit www.the-mac.org. --Danna Berger
