Happy Feet

Thu 5/13
Contrary to public opinion, at least one Valley charter school isn’t its students’ last-ditch effort to make a go of this whole education thing. In fact, at Metropolitan Arts Institute, the kids are literally dancing in the halls. “I didn’t come [to Metro] to get away from public schools. It’s not an escape,” says April Sargent, a 16-year-old sophomore at Metro. “I came here because of the dance program.”

Sargent and her classmates will tap their toes on Thursday, May 13, as Metro’s Scorpius Young Dancers present their May Show, the final dance performances of the school year, at Scottsdale Center for the Arts, 7380 East Second Street.

Included among the ballet and modern dance performances is senior Melinda Faust’s solo interpretation of Tool’s “Parabola,” which, to Faust, is “an acceptance of moving on, of who I am and being ready to go out into the world.”

Advance ticket purchase, $10, is recommended. Call 480-944-2787. — Joe Watson

Death Warmed Over
Deathtrap takes over Sun City

5/14-5/23
West Valley retirees are sick and tired of Lawrence Welk reruns — and of falling asleep before The Sopranos. Thanks to 68-year-old Fred Bornhoeft and his Mountain Shadows Theatre Company, the Craftmatics should stay empty for a few hours when MSTC premières its production of Ira Levin’s black comedy Deathtrap, beginning Friday, May 14, at 7 p.m. Murder, deceit and a hetero/homo love triangle? According to Bornhoeft, there’s no such thing as “too hot” in the surrounding retirement communities of Sun City Grand, Happy Trails and Traditions. “Oh, that stuff goes great here,” he says. “We can’t get enough of it!” Deathtrap runs through May 23 at Willow Canyon High School at Bell and Citrus in Surprise. Admission is $10 to $12. Call 623-544-8466 for tickets. — Joe Watson

Red Snare
Elvises enter the building

Thu 5/13 The Elvises — who seem to have found a permanent home at the Rhythm Room, 1019 East Indian School — bring their rockabilly/surf/country sound to the Valley again on Thursday, May 13, for a 9:30 p.m. gig. The set includes material from the band’s 11 albums, including Surfing in Siberia, Shake Your Pelvis, and their latest, Lunatics and Poets.