Arts scene: (3/27/09): Arts

Indian dance star Rimli Roy will headline Asian Culture Night, presented by the Asian Alaskan Cultural Center. There will be a variety of dances and music from different parts of India, including classical, folk, rap and the Oscar-winning number "Jai Ho" from "Slum Dog Millionaire," performed by Roy's accomplished dance team and various musicians. Showtime is 7 p.m. tonight at Atwood Concert Hall. Tickets are $15-$20 at centertix.net.

opera

Zarzuela

Huh? Don't try to pronounce it until you've seen it. Anchorage Opera will present "La Tabernera del Puerto," one of the best-known popular Spanish operettas and what may be the first production of a zarzuela in Alaska. In addition, famed flamenco dancer Omayra Amaya and guitarist Roberto Castellon will take part in the program, which also includes Juliana Osinchuk playing Spanish piano classics. "Hot Spanish Nights" opened Wednesday, continues at 8 p.m. today and Saturday and closes with a 4 p.m. matinee on Sunday. Tickets at centertix.net.

miscellaneous

Katrina lament

New Orleans performance artist JosÃ© Torres Tama escaped after Hurricane Katrina on a stolen school bus that had the mission of rescuing Creole families. In "The Cone of Uncertainty," he tells his story and explores the abandonment of people forced to beg for help on national TV. He also comments on larger issues of race and class. The multimedia show is "performed with a magical realist Latino voodoo aesthetic." Catch him at Out North, 3800 Debarr Rd., at 7 p.m. tonight and Saturday, and 4 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $19.25 at www.outnorth.org or call 279-3800.