Calendar for the week

thursday
june 19
subUrbia: Tucson's upstart Upstairs Theatre Company, which features several Valley expatriates, travels north for this revival of a January '96 production of the Eric Bogosian play in the Old Pueblo. The work revolves around three guys in their early 20s who replay a communal past while bumming around in the dead-end present of a convenience-store parking lot. A preview is scheduled at 8 p.m. Thursday, June 19, in Center Stage at Herberger Theater Center, 222 East Monroe. The press opening is at the same time Friday, June 20. The rest of this week's performances are at 8 p.m. Saturday, June 21; and 2 p.m. Sunday, June 22. The production continues through Sunday, July 6. Tickets range from $9 to $17.50, available at Herberger and Dillard's; call 252-8497 or 503-5555.

Grand Canyon State Games: The fifth annual competition for recreational athletes of all ages and ability levels kicks off with opening ceremonies at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 19, at America West Arena, First Street and Jefferson. The event includes an address by Phoenix Sun and GCSG executive commissioner Danny Manning, appearances by Arizona Olympians Kerri Strug and Gary Hall Jr., the traditional parade of athletes and a performance by the Beatles-impersonation act Get Back!, which features original cast members from the musical Beatlemania; tickets are $5, $3 for kids under 12, available at the arena and Dillard's (call 379-7800 or 503-5555). Competition in 23 sports, including basketball, flag football, soccer, volleyball, diving, archery, cycling, bowling and swimming, is scheduled at various sites on the Arizona State University campus in Tempe and at other Maricopa County locales on Friday, June 20; Saturday, June 21; and Sunday, June 22 (viewing is free). For general information, call 517-9700.

"Elusive Nature: The U.S. Representation From the 1996 Cuenca Bienal of Painting": The exhibit, curated by Phoenix Art Museum's David Rubin and featuring nature-themed paintings and works on paper by New York's Katherine Bowling and Joan Nelson, Santa Fe's Michael Kessler, Chicago's Andrew Young, San Francisco's Eva Bovenzi and Connecticut's Timothy McDowell, makes its only stateside stop at the museum, 1625 North Central. The show's sextet of artists represented America at last year's Bienal in Cuenca, Ecuador. The installation continues through Sunday, September 14, in PAM's Orme Lewis Gallery. Viewing is free; hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays (to 9 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays). For details call 257-1880 or 257-1222.

friday
june 20
The Compleat Works of Wllm Shkspr (abridged): Adam Long, Daniel Singer and Jess Winfield penned this Pythonesque parody, brimming with pot shots at the Bard and performed by Actors Theatre of Phoenix's "Reduced Shakespeare Company," comprising actors Gerald Burgess, Jon Gentry and Scott Hopkins and a prop list that includes "1 butcher knife, 2 daggers, 1 dinosaur (inflatable), 1 head (severed), 1 skull (rubber), 1 vial poison and 1 vial potion." Act one features snippets from 36 Shakespearean pieces; the centerpiece of act two is Hamlet--performed "three times forward and once backwards." ATP presents an unusual summer revival of its high-season show; the second run starts with a preview at 8 p.m. Friday, June 20, in Stage West at Herberger Theater Center, 222 East Monroe. The official opening is at the same time Saturday, June 21; more performances are slated for 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday, June 22. The production continues through Sunday, July 13. Tickets range from $16 to $26, available at Herberger and Dillard's; call 252-8497 or 503-5555.

Let's Go Bowling, Hepcat, and Mustard Plug: The three hardworking ska-revival bands--which hail from northern and Southern California and Michigan, respectively--join forces on Friday, June 20, for the "Simply Rude Ska Spectacular," which also features sets by Kongo Shock, the Mad Caddies, and Jim Jones and the Tempters. The all-ages show starts at 7 p.m. at the Electric Ballroom, 1216 East Apache in Tempe. Tickets are $13.50, available at Ticketmaster. For details call 894-0707 or 784-4444.

"Elusive Nature: The U.S. Representation From the 1996 Cuenca Bienal of Painting": See Thursday.

Grand Canyon State Games: See Thursday.
subUrbia: See Thursday.

saturday
june 21
Blink 182: These kids are all right--fast, loud and listenable. The San Diego threesome of guitarist/vocalist Tom Delonge, bassist/vocalist Mark Hoppus and drummer Scott Raynor are to power-board-emo-pop what Philly's Bloodhound Gang is to socially relevant party-boy rap--which is, however it may sound, a good thing, indeed. Blink's fresh new disc and major-label debut, Dude Ranch, is full of grinning-idiot grace and shit-for-brains style, from the stellar youth-angst anthem "Dammit" to the Star Wars homage "A New Hope" ("Princess Leia, where are you tonight and who's laying there by your side?") to the punk-lifestyle ode "Apple Shampoo" to what may be the best tune ever titled "Untitled." 98 Mute, and Pivot share the stage on Saturday, June 21, at the Nile Theater, 105 West Main in Mesa. Showtime is 8 p.m. Call 649-2766.

American Motorcycle Expo '97: It's Harley heaven at this extravaganza, featuring about 150,000 square feet of hogs and hog-related gear. Hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, June 21; and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, June 22, in exhibit halls A and B at Phoenix Civic Plaza, Second Street and Adams. Admission is $7.50, free for accompanied kids age 12 and under. For details call 262-7272.

Save Ferris: Hot on the heels of No Doubt's big bust-out, here's another rising nonpunk outfit from Punk Ground Zero--Orange County, California--that sports a ska-tinged sound and a strong female presence at center mike: operatically trained Monique Powell. Touring behind the seven-song disc Introducing . . . Save Ferris, the band is scheduled on Saturday, June 21, at the Electric Ballroom, 1216 East Apache in Tempe. Warsaw, and the Surf Ballistics share the all-ages bill. Showtime is 9 p.m. For details call 894-0707.