Today
Lions – This hard rocking indie band from Austin earned a spot at the South by Southwest (SXSW) Festival this year, and also has a song on “”Guitar Hero III.”” Not sure which one’s better. 9:30 p.m. $5. Plush, 340 E. Sixth St. (21+)
UA School of Dance: “”Premium Blend”” – The dancers will be performing ballet, modern and jazz pieces. 7:30 p.m. $23, students $10. Stevie Eller Dance Theatre
La Scala Opera’s “”La Traviata”” – This Verdi opera about a tempestuous and sexual woman is one of the most popular operas of all time. The Fox Theatre will show a tape of it being performed at the La Scala Opera House in Milan, which is also pretty popular. 7-10:30 p.m. $22. Fox Tucson Theatre, 17 W. Congress St.
Tomorrow
“”Youth Without Youth”” – This sounds like one of those movie trailers where a voice whispers the title over and over while they show steamy sex scenes. Unfortunately, it’s a bit classier because it was directed by Francis Ford Coppola and stars Tim Roth from “”Reservoir Dogs.”” It’s about an old guy who gets in an accident and turns into a young hottie who’s all of a sudden really good at linguistics. Times vary. The Loft Cinema, 3233 E. Speedway Blvd.
“”Encounters with the Middle East: True Stories of People and Culture That Help You Understand the Region”” – The editor and a contributor to this travel book will be on hand to answer questions and help you understand the region better. The book contains 30 stories that “”capture uplifting scenes from everyday life.”” 7 p.m. Free. Antigone Books, 411 N. Fourth Ave.
Saturday
Ladysmith Black Mambazo – This is a group of over a dozen South African singers who do a-cappella in the style of mbube. Peculiarly, their main claim to fame is being featured on the Paul Simon album Graceland. 8 p.m. $37 in advance, $40 day of show. Rialto Theatre, 318 E. Congress St.
Aztecs dance in honor of Cuauhtémoc – The Nahui Ollin Aztec dancers will perform a special ceremonial dance as a tribute to their last Aztec emperor. Even more importantly, they’ll have empanadas, red chile and green corn tamales. Noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Free. Tolteca Tlacuilo in Old Town Artisans courtyard, 186 N. Meyer Ave.
Time Machine – The L.A. hip-hop trio will be playing for Congress’s weekly Bang Bang, which is actually starting to get better than Optimist Club as of late. I can say that in the calendar because, of the three people who read it, only one likes to go out on the weekends. (Me?) 10 p.m. Free. Club Congress, 311 E. Congress St.
Sunday
Schaeffer Memorial Guitar Competition – At first glance this seemed like a Battle of the Bands thing, but the Web site says they’ll all be playing classical guitar. Even better. 2:30 p.m. Free. Holsclaw Hall
Oscar Night America 2008 – I thought this was kind of nerdy, but who am I to say so? The Fox Theatre will be broadcasting the Academy Awards so people in Tucson can wear prom dresses and sit in a movie theater downtown. If we’re lucky, members of an old folks home will give a special performance of their hit song, “”My Teeth a’ Hurtin’ “” for the finale. 6 p.m. $10, $50, $150
“”The Miracle Worker”” – This play by the Arizona Repertory Theatre is about Helen Keller, and was created by William Gibson, who is not to be confused with the science fiction writer. I guess this play could be about a robot Helen Keller though. 1:30 p.m. $19 for students. Marroney Theatre
Monday
“”September 11 Revisited”” – This documentary is about the attacks, and might just tell us something we don’t already know. Deep Throat did it! 7 p.m. Free. UA Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering Auditorium
Tuesday
Bone Thugs-N-Harmony – See you at the crossroads of East Congress Street and the pile of dirt and rubble for this special concert. They’ll be playing with someone called Intrinzik. 8 p.m. $34 in advance, $35 day of show. Rialto Theatre, 318 E. Congress St.
Wednesday
“”Silent Choices”” screening and discussion with the filmmaker – This movie explores abortion and birth control from the perspectives of African Americans. Afterwards, the filmmaker will be there to answer complimentary questions that boost their ego. 6 p.m. Free. Center for Creative Photography
