Just about every local theater jumped on Spamalot the moment it became available. You could follow it around as some of us used to with The Grateful Dead -- or, in this case, Not Dead Fred. Inspired by Monty Python and the Holy Grail, the spectacular keeps the troupe's benevolent weirdness alive, with some production numbers dragged in from other films and sketches and some bits simply made a bit more Broadway-y. (Like the showgirls who back up the Lady of the Lake -- they're called the Laker Girls, because what else would you call them?)
See also: 14 St. Patrick's Day Parties in Metro Phoenix
Whether you've missed the madness until now or you just can't get enough, Fountain Hills Theater takes its shot at Lancelot through Sunday, March 16, at 11445 North Saguaro Boulevard. Friday, March 14's curtain is 8 p.m. Admission's $20 to $25 at www.fountainhillstheater.com; for senior discounts and more info, call 480-837-9661, extension 3. -- Julie Peterson
"Rhythm and History: Contemporary Cuban Art from the Collection"
There's an art oasis in the desert, and you can find it on view now at the ASU Art Museum. With one of the most pervasive collections of contemporary Cuban art anywhere outside the country, ASU first showed its impressive stockpile of Cuban works in 1998, and now it has much of the art from that historic show back on view along with some new additions.
Titled "Rhythm and History," the exhibition focuses on both Cuban roots and dreams, with about 20 pieces showcasing a variety of media including painting and sculpture and featuring such influential Cuban artists as Los Carpinteros and K'cho.
"Rhythm and History" will be on view at the ASU Art Museum, 51 East 10th Street, through Saturday, August 9. Admission for the exhibition is free. Hours on Friday, March 14, are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit the museum's website at www.asuartmuseum.asu.edu or call 480-965-2787. -- Heather Hoch
31st Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade and Faire
Whether your surname is of the Murphy or O'Brien variety or you merely have a closet full of "Kiss Me, I'm Irish" shirts, St. Patrick's Day is one indulgent celebration that everyone, regardless of heritage, can enjoy.
The Irish Cultural Center hosts its 31st annual St. Patrick's Day Parade and Faire in downtown Phoenix this weekend. The family-friendly event includes three stages of Irish music and dancers, crafters, face painting, traditional food, and the debut of the 2014 Arizona Irish Colleen and her court.
Celebrate the luck of the Irish in a sea of Kelly green from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 15, in and around the Irish Cultural Center, 1106 North Central Avenue. The Faire takes over Margaret T. Hance Park, where admission is $10 for adults and free for children. The free parade runs south on Third Street from Sheridan Street to McDowell Road. Both events are open to the public. Visit www.stpatricksdayphoenix.org or www.azirish.org. -- Janessa Hilliard
Cult Classics Presents Legend Labyrinth always steals the spotlight for 1980s fantasy epics. Neverending Story also has its merits, but it doesn't have Tim Curry portraying a demon that tempts the leading lady from Ferris Bueller's Day Off like the epic Ridley Scott film, Legend, does. This 1985 sci-fi fantasy flick stars a Risky Business-era Tom Cruise who loves unicorns and is kind of a sissy. He eventually gets his act together and helps defeat the wicked demon, Darkness, with some help from his goblin friends. Princess Lily (Ferris' Mia Sara) is tempted by Darkness but triumphs thanks to her purity. The film initially may have been a flop, but now it's a cult classic and, fun fact, it supposedly inspired Legend of Zelda.
Get tempted by darkness at Cult Classics' 9:30 p.m. screening of Legend at Pollack Tempe Cinemas, 1825 East Elliot Road in Tempe, on Saturday, March 15. All-ages tickets start at $11. Visit www.cultclassicsaz.com.
Miss & Mister Phoenix Gay Pride 2014
When the AZ GOP tried to send the state backward in time with SB 1062, we were already looking forward to the riled up crowds during Phoenix Pride weekend. The regressive ghouls behind the bill might have been beaten back, but we're still fired up for the ramp up to those festive days, including the Miss & Mister Phoenix Gay Pride Pageant on Sunday, March 16.
The NCAA might have March Madness, but the drag queens and drag kings that will appear as the 16 finalists in the pageant will have been on the road to the crowns since last November. In addition to putting their best faces forward during Pride weekend, the winners will represent the goodwill of the LGBT community year-round.
The Miss & Mister Phoenix Gay Pride Pageant glams up the Venue Scottsdale, 7117 East Third Avenue, this Sunday. Doors open at 5 p.m., and the festivities start at 6. For more info, visit www.phoenixpride.org/events. -- Jose Gonzalez
