Most of us can't chalk up our blunders to "all the drugs we did in the '60s." Deadheads under the age of 50 have had to acknowledge that "acid" today is more strychnine than LSD, and since their parents did all the good drugs, they have no excuse for the bellbottoms they wore throughout the '70s. But there's a good excuse to bust those puppies out and drown our feet in denim once again, as the Cone Gallery, 1324 Grand Avenue, hosts "The Bohemian Festival 2005" on Friday, June 3, and Saturday, June 4. The soiree splices experimental rock with an all black-light art show. Friday's fete features the works of Phoenix "Black Light Artist Extraordinaire" Tom Cooper, the glow-in-the-dark art of Luis Gutierrez, and the body-pressed black-light art of Dr. P. Dirty. Also featured is "The Temple of Resolve" with Sage, the works of Mark Robert, and "Focusing on Fine Art Illustration" by gallery proprietor Kathy Cone. Photographer C.R. Vavkrek's "Downtown Phoenix Personified" and pop artist Ralph Brekan's "Sign Language Collage" are also on display. There will be "free frolicking dance," so you can wear a white shirt and totally bust out in Day-Glo a go-go under the black lights. Psychedelic grooves will be provided by Congabrain, Too Cute, and Spacefly. $3 nets an all-night pass.
On Saturday, the trips get cranked up by music from The Complainiacs, Hell on Heels, Andrew Jackson Jihad, Thee Illuminatix, Coitus, and Grey Matter.
For the munchies, forget granola -- think pizza, popcorn and caffeine. Admission costs $5. Get groovy from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. both nights. Visit www.conegallery.net. -- Niki D'Andrea
Gas Hogs
Can't dodge neon at this show
6/3-7/31
Plenty of gas will be passed at ICON Studio, 1205 West Pierce, starting at 6 p.m. Friday, June 3, but forget about bringing the Beano. We're talking 'bout neon, xenon, argon, and other noble glass-bound gases that'll trip the light fantastic as part of "Phototaxis: A Neon Art Exhibition." More than 20 luminous and neon-infused pieces from seven artists -- including reZurrection Gallery owner Damian Johnson, ASU professor James Richard White, Eric Franklin, and Corey Paisley -- will adorn the gallery through July 31. Several neon workshops will take place throughout the run of the show, and DJ Slick Rick will spin during the free opening-night fete. Call 602-253-8884. -- Benjamin Leatherman
Babes of Summer
Jump into the Pool Party
SAT 6/4
Female high school wrestlers toss boys around the mat like rag dolls, and many a Little League team has a girl batting cleanup. So it's only fair that men invade the most feminine of competitions: the swimsuit pageant. "Four buff men will compete with lone female bathing beauty Erin Gregory," says organizer Tim McBride. Proceeds from the event benefit local charities, but this co-ed competition for the gay and lesbian community is really all about good fun . . . and smokin' hot bodies! The Splash 2005 Community Pool Party runs from 2 to 7 p.m. Saturday, June 4, at the Hotel San Carlos, 202 North Central. Tickets are $10. Call 602-266-0550 or see www.echomag.com. -- Douglas Towne
Ray of Light
Madonna and other unexplained things
THU 6/2
Why are we here? To figure out Madonna, of course! Thankfully, we've got local "logotherapist" -- one who approaches therapy via the humanistic and existentialist schools of thought -- Leo Abrami, who kicks off "The Unexplained" series at Glendale Public Library, 5959 West Brown, on Thursday, June 2, with his presentation "Why Is Madonna So Interested in the Kabbalah?" Abrami has studied the Kabbalah for 50 years; we're not sure how long he's been a fan of the Material Girl, but he believes that "Madonna is sincere in her quest for spirituality." Whew, now we can rest easy. The free presentation begins at 7 p.m. Call 623-930-3573. -- Joe Watson
