etc. Forget about jogging, it’s waaay too hot. Exercise your funny bone instead while viewing Duck Soup, arguably the Marx Brothers’ comedic masterpiece. The political satire, set during the Depression, was the last film to feature all four brothers. Its cynical, slapstick take on the political and economic crises of the 1930s was controversial in its time—and we think you’ll find its jokes still ring true. Sample the Soup at 1, 4 and 7pm at The Paramount Theater, August 19. $4-6. www.theparamount.net.
etc. Think you’re lazy? Unless you spend your days lounging, singing and passing gas with your neighbors, you have nothing on the Pacific walrus. Wildlife photographer Hal Brindley takes you into the world of these cuddly (well, except for those big scary tusks), sociable beasts, along with other flora and fauna from the far north in his new exhibition, “Alaska: The Last Frontier.” This month at Creature Gallery, noon-5pm, Monday-Friday. 824 Hinton Ave. 284-1800. www.creaturegallery.com.
dance So you think you can dance? Prove it, or come learn how, at the Charlottesville Swing Dance Society’s Saturday dance at the Municipal Arts Center. Lessons in intermediate nightclub two-step and beginning rumba begin at 8pm; social dance begins at 9pm. There’s no need to bring a partner—just bring your dancing shoes and high-energy attitude. Saturday, August 19. $6-9. 1119 Fifth St. Ext. 980-2744. www.avenue.org/swing.
music Cross electronica with hip-hop and a Hasidic Jew with the progeny of an ex-nun and a seminarian, and you get Mad Happy. The free-spirited, romantically linked duo known as Mike iLL and Rivka draw on their devout religious backgrounds, folk traditions, and musical inspirations from Public Enemy to Nina Simone to make fun, funky, drum-machine-driven music. With The Falsies and Love Tentacle Drip Society at the Gravity Lounge. Saturday, August 19. $5-8, 9:30pm. 103 S. First St. 977-5590. www.gravity-lounge.com.
etc. Listen up, material girls and guys: Madonna wants to tell you a secret. She’ll be here (in spirit, anyway) to celebrate her birthday at Infatuation, an event to benefit the AIDS/ HIV Services Group of Charlottesville and the Piedmont Triangle Society. View her tour documentary I’m Going to Tell You a Secret at The Paramount Theater at 7:30pm ($20), and then get into the groove at a Madonna dance party at Club 216 at 9:30pm ($16). It’s all happening on Wednesday, August 16. Tickets for each venue sold separately. www.theparamount.net; www.club216.com.
