You know how it is: Your lover is a gay porn star, you're the owner of a gay porno film company, and your lover wants to break into the "mainstream," so you contribute $100,000 to the California Repertory Theatre so your lover can get the leading role in Christopher Marlowe's Edward II. Okay, maybe you don't know how that is, but Ben Dover Productions owner Vic Patterson, the lead character in Porn Yesterday, does. It might seem like a gallant move, but Patterson doesn't tell his lover, Rex, that he bought the role for him. Rex thinks he got the role because the theater wanted to reach diverse audiences. So we can't blame him for ungratefully having an affair with his new acting coach, the married-but-separated Colin O'Hara. The Alternative Theatre Company brings us this "romantic comedy in two acts," ready for action beginning at 8 p.m. Thursday, March 10, at the Space Theatre, 4700 North Central. The show runs through March 26. Tickets cost $20 to $25. Call 602-279-1409. -- Niki D'Andrea
Rhythm Inspiration
Schmooze with the muse at evening of dance
FRI 3/11
Indulge yourself with the "Exotic Dance of the Muse" on Friday, March 11, at Alwun House, 1204 East Roosevelt. Opendance, Of the Earth Dancers, Kindred Spirit Dance Company, and Spell move to the grooves while hedonists munch hors d'oeuvres, beginning at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $10 to $15. Call 602-253-7887. -- Niki D'Andrea
Calling Bards
No hotcakes with this slam
WEDNESDAYS
As far as intimidating titles go, it doesn't get any better than "slam master." But published poet Bob Nelson won't be looking to thump on anyone when he hosts the weekly "Slamology Poetry Slam" on Wednesdays at Anthology Café, 51 East Main Street in Mesa. Young whippersnapper wordsmiths looking for feedback should bring three poems to read, a $1 entry fee, and an open mind. There are three rounds, judged by audience members. Weekly winners receive cash prizes. The slam starts at 8 p.m. Call 480-827-0999. -- Niki D'Andrea
Upper Krustá
Dance for the masses
THU 3/10
Elina Mooney (pictured center) says her dance concerts are accessible to everyone, but let's face it: You wouldn't know a plié from a Pop-Tart. Still, Mooney, associate professor of dance at ASU, insists that Krustá, a mix of music and modern dance, is for everyone. The Krustá ensemble will première three pieces choreographed by Mooney on Thursday, March 10, at ASU. "Spiral," Mooney's principal new work, is set to the music of Cambodian-American composer Chinary Ung. "Thin Ice," which highlights two pianists, is "abstract and completely evocative," Mooney says. Finally, "Fury" features beat-heavy Brazilian music. Krustá starts at 7:30 p.m. at the Evelyn Smith Music Theatre, 40 East Gammage Parkway in Tempe. Tickets are $5. Call 480-965-6447. -- Ashlea Deahl
Lady Liberty
Women in Tune cry "Freedom"
3/11-3/12
Freedom exists in the key of song this weekend as Arizona Women in Tune, the state's oldest and largest lesbian chorus, performs "Sing Me to Freedom," a show dedicated to "hope, justice, and liberty" on Friday, March 11, and Saturday, March 12, at Trinity Cathedral, 101 West Roosevelt. The performance was originally meant to honor Women's History Month, but artistic director Kim McCreary says the group decided to dedicate the show to all minority groups that have "struggled for peace and justice." McCreary leads the group of more than 40 women through songs ranging from toe-tapping jazz to a South African freedom song. "We all have experienced the same struggles, and when people leave the show, I hope they have an appreciation for that," McCreary says. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. General admission is $15. Call 602-487-1940 or see azwit.com. -- Lynh Bui
Chamber Plot
Classical jam at Modified
3/13-3/14
When you think of Modified Arts, 407 East Roosevelt, Sparks-drinking, alt-rock kids and indie rockers come to mind. Well, those hipsters should hang elsewhere on Sunday, March 13, and Monday, March 14, unless they wanna groove out to the sumptuous and dazzling viola playing of Nokuthula Ngwenyama (pictured) accompanied by the harmonious strumming of guitarist Michael Long. The two musicians, both members of the Phoenix Symphony, perform classical music selections from composers Vincenzo Galilei, Arcangelo Corelli and Miguel Corella, as part of the ongoing Downtown Chamber Series. Ngwenyama, a soloist and recitalist of Zimbabwe-Japanese parentage, has elated audiences around the globe -- from the Louvre in Paris to the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. -- with her prodigious skills on the strings. Long's talents, meanwhile, have taken him to Chicago -- where he studied at the city's conservatory of music -- as well as Germany, Korea and Argentina. Doors open at 7 p.m. Admission is $10. Call 602-254-1491 or see www.downtownchamberseries.org. -- Benjamin Leatherman