Benise’s ‘Spanish Guitar’ Juices Up Jorgensen

Is Storrs sexy? More specifically, is it sexy enough to handle the Fabio of flamenco, the Latin Michael Flatley, the Spanish pied piper, and his dancers in rather skimpy, albeit Emmy Award-winning, costumes? That’s just one question surrounding the two-night run of Benise: The Spanish Guitar at Jorgensen this Friday and Saturday, March 18-19.

Roni Benise’s shows are music-and-dance spectacles a la Riverdance and Celtic Women, darkly lit, colorful and likely to put untold numbers of viewers into heat. This production got so hot, in fact, that it was closed down midway at Jaipur Palace (The Pink City) in India during the “Bamboleo” number, and the band and dancers were escorted offstage. Ironically, those costumes were awarded an Emmy in an earlier Benise production on PBS.

Benise is actually a Nebraska-born farm boy who fell in love with the guitar and went to LA to become a street musician before he developed a reputation as the Latino Josh Groban. His shows tour all over and have been featured on PBS. You may have seen him last season on “Dancing With the Stars.” Although not from Latin roots himself, his entourage includes a Cuban lead singer, performers steeped in the Spanish dances and band members with rock and video pedigrees.

The Spanish Guitar transports the audience to exotic locales in 10 countries on a quest for lost passion. The show starts at 8 p.m., but doors open at 7 for cash-only food and drink in Jorgensen’s cabaret setting.

Call 860-486-4226, or order tickets ($34, $38, $45) online at jorgensen.uconn.edu. Free parking across the street in the North Garage.

Judds at Foxwoods, in ‘Last Encore Tour’

The Judds, that mother-daughter country duo that won’t quit, are on their last lap of the concert circuit, stopping Saturday, March 19, at MGM Grand, Foxwoods. The victory lap, after break-ups, addictions, disease and reconciliation, is called “The Last Encore Tour.” That name does suggest an unwillingness to throw in the towel over their three decades of performing and appearing with greats such as Loretta Lynn and Johnny Cash. Even if there could be a second encore in the unknown future, Wynonna and her mother Naomi are just wanting to party with their fans, one more time. As Wynonna said recently while accepting yet another award together, “People who make it aren’t always the most talented. And I say that lovingly. They’re the ones who persevere and they just don’t give up.”

The Judds will perform at 8 p.m. Saturday in the MGM Grand Theater. Tickets are $60-85. For information, visit http://www.foxwoods.com/Entertainment.aspx.

‘Guys & Dolls’ a Safe Bet at Tolland High

Even if your kid isn’t in Tolland High School’s , March 18-19, think about going. The Frank Loesser musical favorite, based on Damon Runyon’s stories, affords hilarity, romance and, yes, even conflict, as all bets are off when love unfolds between a sweet missionary and a rakish gambler. But it’s the tunes that delight: “Adelaide’s Lament” (a person could develop a cold), “Luck Be a Lady,” “Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat,” and the wonderful standard, “If I Were a Bell.”

The students are directed by Patricia Micari, with vocal coaching by veteran actress/singer Linda Tracy. Romantic leads Sarah Brown and Sky Masterson are played by Kat Blair and Toby Bobey. Comic romantic leads Nathan Detroit and Hot Box headliner Miss Adelaide are played by Alex Noonan and Lindsay Cabaniss. Nicely Nicely, who gets to tell everyone to sit down, is portrayed by Nick DeCrosta.

Performances are Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. Tickets –  $10 generally, $8 for students and seniors – can be bought at the door or through a student. The school is at 1 Eagle Hill Drive.

St. Patrick’s Day Thievery

Early in the morning, the day after St. Patrick’s Day in 1990, crooks disguised as police officers made their way into the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston and perpetrated the largest art heist in modern history. Vermeer’s “The Concert” was one of 13 priceless artworks that have never been recovered. That piece was one of only 35 of his surviving works. On Friday, March 18, the Benton Film Series presents a free showing of "Stolen," the 2005 documentary about the crime that rocked the art world 21 years ago to the day.

Don’t go to the Benton, however. The free film series has been moved to the CUE Building, Room 134, for the season. The film starts at 12:15 p.m. Friday, followed by a discussion with Benton docent Amy De Flumere. For information, visit http://www.thebenton.org/.

127 Hours Between a Rock and a Hard Place

In its free film series featuring Oscar nominees, the Town of Somers Public Library is showing “127 Hours,” starring recent Oscar co-host James Franco, Monday, March 21. This true story is about mountain climber Aron Ralston, self-assured about his wilderness talent until he finds himself trapped and waging a battle for his life near Moab, Utah.

The film was written and directed by Danny Boyle of “Slumdog Millionaire” fame and based on Ralston’s book account, Between a Rock and a Hard Place. The film was nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor (Franco).

Sure, you can rent the DVD yourself, but this is one you’ll survive easier if you’re in a safe place, like a library, and not watching alone.

The movie is rated R and starts at 1 p.m. The library is at 2 Vision Blvd. For information, visit .

Sea Chanteys and More

The Navy Band Sea Chanters, the official chorus of the U.S. Navy, will perform traditional patriotic fare and, yes, sea chanteys at their stop on Tuesday, March 22, at Manchester High School. But this 55-year-old group also draws from opera, Broadway and contemporary music.

Making their home in Washington, D.C., the Chanters are commonly featured at inaugurations, wreath layings, foreign visits, military affairs and shuttle launches. In their free time, they go on national tours. Once an all-male group, the Sea Chanters began admitting women in 1980, and are directed by Senior Chief Musician Georgina L. Todd, an alto.

The Sea Chanters will perform at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Manchester High School. Admission is free. For information, call 860-647-3521 or visit http://mhsweb.ci.manchester.ct.us.