Labor day fun: Events, music, film...

EVENT
Salt River Tubing
Tubing on the Lower Salt River is still going strong, thanks to good water flow, which makes for a memorable Labor Day weekend. Festivities include beach-ball and prize giveaways, and music provided by local radio stations. Floaters are encouraged to participate in the "Salt River Heroes = Litter Zero" event to help keep the river clean and beautiful. Free litter bags will be distributed with the message "Stash it and bag it." Salt River Tubing reports that to date, 514 tons of trash has been bagged on holiday weekends. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday through Monday. Salt River Tubing is in northeast Mesa, 15 miles north of U.S. 60 on Power Road. Tube rental is $15 per person per tube and includes shuttle-bus service to the launching spot. 480-984-3305.

MUSIC

The Lettermen
The pop-music vocal trio has been around for almost 50 years, gaining its biggest following in the 1960s. They were known for their versions of The Way You Look Tonight, Put Your Head on My Shoulder and When I Fall in Love. Since then, the group has continued touring with new members and released greatest-hits albums. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 30. Symphony Hall, 75 N. Second St., Phoenix. $38-$78. 602-262-7272, ticketmaster.com.

EVENT

Hawaiian Luau
If you can't make it to Hawaii, then let Harold's Corral bring it to you at its annual Hawaiian Luau. "Maui Dan" hosts a pig roast and buffet featuring authentic island foods. Hawaiian luau dancers will perform their hip-shaking moves and get you up on your feet to join along. Sway to live reggae music from Grantman & the Island Beat to really get you in that tropical mood. There will also be a limbo and hula-dancing contests, and drink specials. Call for reservations. 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 31. Harold's Cave Creek Corral, 6895 E. Cave Creek Road. $12-$25. 480-488-1906, haroldscorral.com.

FILM

Phoenix Fear Film Festival
Prepare to be scared silly during this festival of horror features and shorts, including the world premiere of the feature film Death Factory: Bloodletting. Trash City Entertainment showcases the films through the day with question-and-answer sessions after each film by cast and crew. Count Smokula hosts the event, which features celebrity guests Brain Damage, Eben McGarr, Joth Andrews and Nadine from Death Factory: Bloodletting. Noon-2 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 30. Chandler Cinemas, 2140 N. Arizona Ave. $20. For age 17 and older. 602-953-2728.

MUSIC

RX Bandits
Ska punk band RX Bandits play two shows at the Clubhouse Music Venue in Tempe. In 1999, the band signed to Drive-Thru Records, launching the group into the mainstream with album Halfway Between Here and There. RX Bandits toured with bigger acts New Found Glory and Reel Big Fish. Two more albums followed on the label, and in 2006 the band moved to MDB Records. RX Bandits' latest album is Live From Bonnaroo 2007, which came out exclusively on iTunes. 6 p.m. Sunday and Monday, Aug. 31 and Sept. 1. Clubhouse Music Venue, 1320 E. Broadway Road, Tempe. $15. 480-968-3238.

THEATER

'Nunsense' in Spanish
Arizona Broadway Theatre is partnering with Bru's Theatre Company for a special Spanish-language performance of the musical comedy Sunday, Aug. 31. to benefit ALAC, Advocates of Latin Art and Culture. The play follows the Little Sisters of Hoboken, N.J., as they raise money to bury some of their fellow nuns - who were accidentally poisoned by bad soup - before the health inspector shows up. 5:30 p.m. dinner, 7:30 p.m. curtain. $68-$128. 623-776-8400. Performances in English continue Tuesdays-Sundays through Sept. 21; $46-$52.

EVENT

BOLD Phoenix
Director Karen Brody tells the stories of women giving birth in her production Birth, presented by BOLD Phoenix. Through more than 100 interviews with women around the country, the production focuses on eight individual stories, showing how women give birth today. The play is hosted by BOLD (Birth on Labor Day) Phoenix, which helps raise funds for local organizations, especially those dealing with maternity issues. There will also be a BE BOLD Birth Fair, featuring exhibitors with information and products about family, pregnancy and parenting. 1 and 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 1. Arizona Historical Society Museum at Papago Park, 1300 N. College Ave., Tempe. $15-$17. 623-547-0980.

EVENT

Litchfield Park Lights Up Labor Day
When a monsoon storm caused its Fourth of July festival to fizzle, Litchfield Park scheduled a do-over. Enjoy food, fun and dancing capped by a brilliant, if unseasonal, fireworks display. 6:30-9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 29 Fireworks at 8:30 p.m. Old Litchfield Road and Honeysuckle Street. Free. 623-935-9040, litchfield-park.org/index.asp.

ART

'My Voice, My Life, My Future'

This is your last chance to see this powerful exhibit of art and poetry by children in the state's foster-care system, presented by Children's Action Alliance, Free Arts of Arizona and Young Arts Arizona. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. through Sunday, Aug. 31. West Valley Art Museum, 17420 N. Avenue of the Arts, Surprise. $7. 623-972-0635, wvam.org.

DINING

Phoenix Cooks!
Wear an elastic waistband for this annual event, which brings together more than 30 of the Valley's top chefs for cooking demonstrations, classes and tastings. Visitors can sign up to learn from the experts, sample wines from Australia and enter a raffle with some great prizes. Proceeds benefit the Phoenix Children's Hospital. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 30. Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa, 2400 E. Missouri Ave. $80-$95. 602-955-6600.

EVENTS

OCB Arizona Natural Bodybuilding, Figure & Fitness Competition
This display of toned, bronzed and pumped physiques showcases the discipline, dedication and focus it takes to become an elite athlete. Preliminary judging is 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 30. with the finals at 5 p.m. at the Tempe Center for the Arts, 700 W. Rio Salado Parkway. Preliminary tickets are $10, $5 for children younger than 12. Finals tickets are $35 and $5 for children younger than 12. Prices don't include taxes or fees. Discounts given for those buying tickets to both the preliminaries and finals. 480-350-2822.

MUSIC

HoCo Music Festival
This annual three-day festival provides a chance for Valley residents to head to Tucson for a change of scenery and a wide sampling of challenging sounds. A pair of Arizona bands that rose to fame in the '80s, the Meat Puppets and Gentlemen After Dark, will perform on two stages Saturday, Aug. 30, night at Hotel Congress. Highlights on Friday, Aug. 29, night include an alt-country showcase featuring Texas' Mother Truckers, California's Dusty Rhodes and Oregon's Devil Makes 3. Sunday, Aug. 31, features an acoustic showcase (Amy Rude, Naim Amor and others), a fashion show and barbecue. 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday, 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. Hotel Congress, 311 E. Congress St. $5 daily. 520-622-8848.

From left, Martha Ramirez 23, Sarah Navarro 22 and Alicia Ramirez 25, (all of Phoenix) found a cool spot to relax in the Salt River Sunday, May 18, 2008.