Erin Go Nuts

9/30-10/3
With everything Irish happening on campus this week, you'd think ASU president Michael Crow is tryin' to get lucky. The ASU Herberger Mainstage Theatre production of Dancing at Lughnasa wraps up at the Paul V. Galvin Playhouse, 51 East 10th Street in Tempe, Thursday, September 30, through Sunday, October 3. The play, written by Brian Friel and directed by Barbara Acker, "recounts two days in the life of the five Mundy sisters" in the summer of 1936. Throw in the "wild, uninhibited dances of the sisters, their memories of dances past . . . [and] the methodical steps of a ritual hat exchange," and it's like the second coming of Riverdance.

Speaking of which, Acker, inspired by the popularity of Riverdance, also organized "What It Means to Be Irish," a "cultural symposium" at 2 p.m. Friday at ASU's Lyceum Theater and 1 p.m. Saturday at downtown's Irish Cultural Center, 1106 North Central. Call 480-965-6447 for tickets to the play, $5 to $20. The symposium is free. -- Joe Watson

Exit Strategy

Desert Dance Theatre does it again

Sat 10/2
With a "sexy-like tango" as its lead, one can only hope for a stimulating climax when Desert Dance Theatre performs Next Exit at 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, October 2, at Scottsdale Center for the Arts, 7380 East Second Street. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and $10 for students. Call 480-994-2787. --Joe Watson

Shakespeare Schooled

Local high school students free Willy

Sat 10/2
Damn kids today! Rather than smoking crack, getting laid and shooting mom and pops the finger, they're performing the Bard -- for free! On Saturday, October 2, local high school students -- those good enough to gig at the Utah Shakespeare Festival -- perform "Shakespeare Under the Stars" at 7 p.m. at ASU West, 4701 West Thunderbird. Call 602-543-2787. -- Joe Watson