Get your ears spanked when the thick whip of verbal science comes crashing down Friday, April 1, at the PHiX gallery, 1113 Grand Avenue. A group of 15 Valley poets congregate to stir your minds and souls while laying down their collective abilities of articulation for the first volume of a greatest-hits CD featuring local spoken word artists. The "P-Squared" event, organized by Kevin Patterson and the Phoenix Poetry Project, includes poets Phil Murray, MCMG, Brandy Lintecum, The Klute, Laurel Ann Porter, Julie Elefante and David Tabor. Start time is 8 p.m., and if that's too early, a repeat read happens at 10 p.m. Call 602-252-7449. Admission is free. -- Amy Young
Twang Loose
George Kinney plays from the Heart
THU 3/31
Some people might wonder how country became cool. Was it Garth Brooks' fault? Shania Twain's? Loretta Lynn's and Jack White's? The truth is, "new" country might be the mainstream, but classic country has always been home to some cool cats, like Texas crooner George Kinney, an old friend of Johnny Cash. Kinney prides himself on playing twangy, old-school country, with some folk and Americana thrown in for extra flavor. Kinney takes the stage with his band, The Golden Dawn, on Thursday, March 31, at the Paper Heart, 750 Grand Avenue. Admission is $5. Call 602-262-2020. -- Niki D'Andrea
Show of Force
Symphony plays Star Wars
SAT 4/2
A long time ago -- approximately 1976 -- the career of George Lucas was crumbling under attacks by ruthless Hollywood executives. His project needed some soundtrack punch. So he called upon composer John Williams, who scored and scored again. After nearly three decades of dorks, Darths, and droids, the Phoenix Symphony summons the sci-fi set for "Orchestral Star Wars," at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 2, at the Dodge Theatre, 400 West Washington Street. Selections from the Star Wars series, E.T. , and Close Encounters will be performed, along with similarly spacey selections like Gustav Holst's The Planets. Concertgoers are encouraged to come in costume, and dancers from Ballet Etudes will be featured. Tickets, $9 and $15, are available at www.phoenixsymphony.org or by calling 602-495-1999.-- Benjamin Leatherman
