What would it be like to compare your interpretation of a screenplay with that of its writer or director? With its new Scriptures script presentation night, the Miami Beach Cinematheque (512 Española Way) allows fervent movie buffs and aspiring filmmakers the chance to "see" a movie before it's made and get feedback on works in progress. Tonight Shalo Peñuela presents a reading of his work Femme and Foe, directed by Raquel Almazan, as well as a screening of Almazan's film Death of the Doll. There will be a discussion and reception after the performance and screening along with an exhibit of art by Peñuela, Homero Hidalgo, Luis Arnias, and Juan Pablo Garza. The event begins at 8:00. Tickets cost $10. Call 305-673-4567. (JCR)
FRI 23
Ninety-degree temperatures that really feel like 100 degrees make you want to do nothing more than see an "angry new comedy." That's how quirky local theater company Mad Cat describes Christopher Durang's play Betty's Summer Vacation. Mad Cat will present the work -- touching on reality-based amusements, postmodernism, and people's selfishness -- as part of Miami Light Project's Light Box Studio Performance Series, beginning tonight at 8:00 and running Thursdays through Saturdays until August 14. See it at the Light Box, 3000 Biscayne Blvd. Tickets cost $13 plus the roll of a die; Saturday shows cost $20. Call 305-576-6377. (NK)
SAT 24
'N Sync just isn't what it used to be. In fact it's barely a band. Justin Timberlake seems to be too busy gallivanting with Cameron Diaz. Joey Fatone is working on being a movie and TV star. J.C. Chasez tried to perform some shows with Britney Spears. And who knows what Lance Bass is doing after his attempts to become the first boy band member in space were aborted? As for the other guy, Chris, well, maybe he's the one responsible for getting the band back together -- to participate in charity events! Yes, it's time for 'N Sync's Challenge for the Children, a weekend's worth of nightclubbing and sports. Kicking off today at 1:30 is the Celebrity Skills Challenge at Collins Park (21st Street and Collins Avenue, Miami Beach), where the famous will break into teams and attempt to rack up points that will help them in tomorrow's Celebrity Basketball Game, tipping off at 3:30 p.m. at the Office Depot Center (2555 NW 137th Way, Sunrise). Of course, savvy celebrities will bank on Sunday hangovers and buy their opponents plenty of drinks at tonight's V.I.P. Party, beginning at 10:00 at Nikki Beach (1 Ocean Dr., Miami Beach). Tickets cost $35 for the skills challenge; $14 to $42 for the basketball game; and $20 for the V.I.P. party. Call 305-358-5885. (NK)
SUN 25
Among the objects Sao Paulo-based artist Jac Leirner is drawn to are stickers. All kinds of glue-backed paper, from bumper stickers to stamps from around the world, have gone into her collection. In "Adhesive 44," her first exhibit in the United States in more than a decade, Leirner has covered long rows of windows with sticky artifacts from her private stock. Her obsessive work juxtaposes the glossy and chic with the mundane to create stunning and graceful sculptural pieces. The exhibit runs through Sunday, October 10, at the Miami Art Museum, 101 W. Flagler St. Admission is free on Sundays. Call 305-375-3000. (JCR)
MON 26
A drag queen who hijacks a fashion show and takes the world's most expensive dress hostage, forcing magazine editors, models, designers, and various V.I.P.s to listen to his/her views on style. Now that's what we would love to see happen during Fashion Week in New York. Alas, that's just part of the plot of The Fashionist, a new play by local performing artist Natasha Tsakos. Juggerknot Theatre Company and the Makeshift Theater Company will collaborate to present a reading of The Fashionist during the second installment of Juggerknot's play-reading series, Homegrown. Visual artist Kristopher David Left will showcase his work as well, and Venus Transit will offer live music after the show. The fun begins at 7:30 p.m. at PS 742, 1165 SW Sixth St. Admission is free but donations are accepted. Call 786-877-8866. (NK)
TUE 27
Paul Verhoeven's 1995 cult classic, Showgirls, is one of those movies that you either love or hate. There's virtually no room for nuance. With its sexed-up Joe Eszterhas screenplay and attitude-heavy bitch scenes between Nomi Malone (Elizabeth Berkley) and Cristal Conners (Gina Gershon), the film is a timeless enigma that makes film lovers wonder, how and why did this seemingly bad film ever get made? Despite all that, Showgirls is fun to watch. It makes a one-night stand on the big screen tonight to mark the debut of the Showgirls VIP Edition DVD. There will be games such as "Pin the Pasties on the Showgirl" and gifts and fake money to throw at the screen during lapdances. Good stuff. The event starts at 7:30 p.m. at the Regal South Beach Cinema, 1100 Lincoln Rd., Miami Beach. Admission is free. For info go to www.mgm.com/showgirls. (JCR)
WED 28
Those who follow Madonna news are probably quite aware that supposedly she's been consulting her fertility specialist and her Kabbalah center rabbi about the possibility of getting pregnant with what would be her third child. Forget the doctor and the rabbi, how about talking to her husband? He's the one she's going to need most for that endeavor. From the looks of the schedule for her Re-invention tour, Madonna and Guy Ritchie should be making a date to do the nasty sometime around the middle of September. Actually they may want to schedule a couple of dates. Madonna is 46 years old and has admitted to screwing up her cycle with too much exercise. Poor thing, being on tour for five months can certainly do a number on anyone. See for yourself when the entertainment dynamo kicks off the first of four shows in South Florida, at 8:00 tonight and tomorrow at the Office Depot Center (2555 NW 137th Way, Sunrise), and then on Sunday and Monday, August 1 and 2, at the American Airlines Arena (601 Biscayne Blvd.). Tickets range from $47 to $302. Call 954-835-8000. (NK)
By Nina Korman & Juan Carlos Rodriguez