SUN 8/28
The Indian ballet troupe Mamata Shankar does not perform a subcontinental Swan Lake, nor does it include Native Americans en pointe. Rather, the group fuses classical Indian dance with modern dance steps, says Sarbari Chowdhury of the Bengali Cultural Association of Arizona, the organization sponsoring the troupe's local performance on Sunday, August 28. Shankar, the troupe's leader and namesake, is a well-known dancer/choreographer in her homeland and the niece of world-renowned musician Ravi Shankar. She and her troupe will perform the "Amritasya Putra," which Mamata describes as an innovative contemporary form "not shackled with the moors of rigid classicism." The program starts at 6 p.m. at Dobson High School, 1501 West Guadalupe in Mesa. Tickets are $20 ($50 for VIP seating), $10 for those ages 5 to 18. They can be purchased online at www.azindia.com or at Ashoka Indian Groceries in Chandler or Tempe's India Plaza. Call 480-705-7636 or 480-472-3000. -- Clay McNear
Mark Poutenis
You won't be sari. Or maybe you will. Either way is fine.
courtesy of chrisnj.com
Treasure Mammal
courtesy of Nearly Naked Theatre
Family members fight and make (each other) up in Marvin's Room.
Martin Fry
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Treasure Mammal shakes it up
SAT 8/27
"I want people to step outside of their box," says Treasure Mammal's Abelardo Gil III. At 8 p.m. Saturday, August 27, at the Trunk Space, 1506 Grand Avenue, TM, which "combines electronica, hard-core, and spazz into one giant hit machine," performs with Assacre, Father's Day, and others. Admission costs $5. Call 602-256-6006. -- Julie PetersonMake Room
Marvin's Nearly Naked
8/26-9/17
A 20-year family feud turns into a dark comedy in Nearly Naked Theatre's version of Scott McPherson's off-Broadway hit Marvin's Room, opening Friday, August 26, at Phoenix Theatre, 100 East McDowell, and continuing through September 17. Tickets cost $15 to $18. Call 602-254-2151. -- Niki D'AndreaThat Was Then
This is now
WED 8/31
For anyone born before 1975, it's incomprehensible that the music of the '80s is now considered "classic rock." But to younger ears, mid-'80s bands might sound brand-new, their catchy ear candy providing a stark contrast to today's Sturm und Drang pop. The "80s Flashback Concert" on Wednesday, August 31, spotlights two of the era's best bands in the English Beat and ABC, both from Great Britain. In its day, the Beat was simply unbeatable -- a 2-Tone fan favorite that also won critical laurels for tunes like "Save It for Later," "I Confess" and its evergreen cover of Smokey Robinson's "Tears of a Clown." ABC also warrants a fresh listen. Taking its cue from the Bryan Ferry/David Bowie school of synth-pop, ABC and its main man, Martin Fry (pictured), spawned a plethora of hits, including "The Look of Love," "Poison Arrow," "That Was Then but This Is Now" and "When Smokey Sings" -- another homage to Smokey Robinson. Colin Hay of Men at Work is also on the bill. Showtime is 8 p.m. at the Celebrity Theatre, 440 North 32nd Street. Tickets range from $27.50 to $45. Call 602-267-1600 or visit www.celebritytheatre.com. -- Clay McNear
