How come anything interesting that comes out of Australia fails to grab our attention for more than a year at a time? Think about it: Yahoo Serious, Paul Hogan, Silverchair and the Crocodile Hunter are a fraction of the 15-minute flashes that have used the convicts' island as a leaping point for short-lived fame. Why don't Australians notice this and figure out how to capitalize on our lack of attention span? Perhaps a sped-up hybrid of football, field hockey and mass murder would do the trick, and, oddly enough, such a violent bounty exists in the form of Australian-rules football. The game places teams on a soccer-sized field, and teammates can only pass the ball to each other by kicking or handing it off as they try to chunk it through goal posts at the opposite end. To make up for a lack of goalies, opponents can bump and smash into ball handlers as they please, and therein lies the, er, fun. If you'd like to watch a game of footy, as the sport is affectionately known to Aussie brutes worldwide, don't bother signing up for the global sports channel on DirecTV. Simply head to Crowley Park in Richardson at 5100 Lauder Road on Saturday to watch Dallas' own Magpies team divide for a special East vs. West match. Attendance is free; check www.dallasfooty.com for maps and details. --Sam Machkovech
7/16
Bend It Like Miss M.
Crow Collection presents the art of yoga
If you're anything like me, bending it like Sting or Madonna can be a bit intimidating, even though they sing their praises to yoga. But if you want to ease into the contortionist scene, the Crow Collection of Asian Art will offer one-hour beginner classes starting at 5:30 p.m. July 9. Led by Randy Just, a first-level Iyengar-certified instructor, these classes are designed for the novice, introducing the basic poses--or asanas in yoga lingo--while using props to help students of varying abilities. The eight-week series lasts until August 27 and will only set you back $120 or $20 per walk-in. The Crow Collection is located at 2010 Flora St. in downtown's Arts District. Call 214-979-6435. --Jenice Johnson
