God love the fine thespians at Kitchen Dog Theater. When it comes time to throw a party, they don't mess around with some bizarre theme. Nope, they come right down to the point of partying--drinking. The repertory troupe, named Dallas' best theater company by the Dallas Observer last year, gets down to business this Saturday with its Fifth Annual Hooch & Pooch Gala fund-raiser. In addition to the hooch, the party will feature food from Nikita, tunes from DJ Mr. Rid, raffles and "mystery boxes" with merchandise guaranteed to be worth double the purchase price. Of course, it takes more than the promise of alcohol and prizes to turn the heads of theater lovers, so there's this, too. The party benefits a fine collection of artists, helping them produce shows such as the upcoming prison drama In the Belly of the Beast--which might be instructional for those who have too much hooch. The Hooch & Pooch Gala takes place 9 p.m. to midnight at McKinney Avenue Contemporary, 3120 McKinney Ave. Tickets are $50 per person. Call 214-953-1055. --Patrick Williams
4/2
Talk Show
It's a battle of words with some unarmed painters and sculptors as the Dallas Museum of Art bravely launches "Conversations With the Artists" as part of its Coming Forward: Emerging Artists in Texas exhibition that runs through May 11. Artists prefer visual communication to verbal; what they have to say, they say through their art. But go ahead and ask Brad Tucker about his slacker, low-tech, garage-band aesthetic for his found-object installation work. That'll get him going. He's first up in the "Conversations" series, speaking with Aaron Parazette, assistant professor of art, University of Houston. Chat them up at 12:15 p.m. at 1717 N. Harwood St. "Conversations" are free with museum admission. Call 214-922-1200. --Annabelle Massey Helber
3/28
Free Radicals
Viva la revolution at Pan American
Revolution, evolution and bare naked Cubans can be found this week in Turtle Creek, believe it or not. Expressive photographs by 10 Cuban artists will surely shake up the posh neighborhood around Pan American Art Gallery as Cuban Photography--Revolutionary and Contemporary is revealed beginning March 28. Featured photographers KORDA, Osvaldo Salas, Roberto Salas, Raul Corrales, René Peña, Marta Maria Perez Bravo, José Manuel Fors, Juan Carlos Alom, Cirenaica Moreira and Eduardo Hernandez make up the revolutionary and contemporary elements of the exhibit, but our money's on the radical-for-1920s impact of Joaquin Blez's nude portraits. Corrales' work figuratively undresses Fidel Castro, with photojournalistic panache. Check it out at the free opening reception Friday from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., at 3303 Lee Parkway, Suite 101. Call 214-522-3303. --Annabelle Massey Helber