Ball Games

Nothing fully arousing your artistic interests? Come find a little, uh, release at the Blue Ball on Saturday, September 25, at the Alwun House, 1204 East Roosevelt. Self-proclaimed "Master of Hoopla" David Salcido has extended an open invitation to embrace the eccentric and indulge in excess. The Blue bill combines erotic art, book signings, adult puppetry, spoken word, musical and burlesque performances, and plenty of surprises. The Voodoo Betties and Lezbosagogo promise to show some skin, and Life Suspended has the hookup -- literally -- in "extreme body elevation" (pictured). Photographer/filmmaker Rick Castro provides a peek at his new book, 13 Years of Bondage, and titillating works by local artists remain on display through October 8.

Revelers, too, are welcome to flaunt their inner freaks. "We're asking people to come and be a part of the show," Salcido says. So strap on some pleather, and don't leave until you're satisfied. This ball, for the 21-and-over crowd, starts rolling at 7 p.m. For tickets, $12 to $15, call 602-253-2092. -- C. Murphy Hebert

Latin Lovers

Mist up the windows at Myst

Thursdays
The owners of Myst must be humming David Bowie, since the ch-ch-ch-ch-changes keep coming to the Scottsdale nightspot, 7340 East Shoeman. After transforming from Sanctuary in March, they've been continually one-upping the competition. The latest stroke is "Ritmo Joven," featuring Latin dancing that'll add some salsa (and merengue) on Thursday nights. DJ Maxx spins high-energy Latin tunes en español for both the young and the young at heart. Admission is $7 for ladies, $8 for guys, from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m., and $9 and $10, respectively, from 9:30 until close. Call 480-970-5000. --Benjamin Leatherman

The Great White Hype

Art for arctic animals

Sat 9/25
As much as we savor the occasional sniff, an entire evening devoted to Whiteout smells like trouble. But the folks at the Trunk Space assure us that "Whiteout" -- going down at the gallery this Saturday, September 25 -- is not a celebration of correction fluid, but "An Ode to Arctic Animals."

Tommy Cannon emcees the showcase of "alternative theatrical" performance artists, poets and humorists -- and presents a "dada-inspired puppet show with penguins, an octopus and space aliens." Other cold players include Wilson Scott, who shares an original short story, and Fatigo front man Mike Montoya, whose band boasts "over a half-dozen songs about polar bears in their set list," according to the Trunk Space's JRC.

The arctic blast begins at 8 p.m. at 1506 Grand Avenue. Cover is $5. See www.thetrunkspace.com for all the chilling details. --Jill Koch