The Zona Rosa Project

The Department of Theatre and Dance opens its 2011-12 season with a free workshop production: The Zona Rosa Project, inspired by the true story of Francisco Estrada Valle, slain in Mexico in 1992 after taking an activist role in the gay rights movement and the AIDS crisis.

Michael Barakiva devised The Zona Rosa Project and directs it here as a Granada artist in residence.

According to a news release from the Department of Theatre and Dance, The Zona Rosa Project explores Valle’s work as it pertains to “the remarkable evolution” of gay rights in the deeply Catholic country of Mexico, and to Mexico’s developing attitude to people infected with the AIDS-causing human immunodeficiency virus.

AT A GLANCE

WHAT: The Zona Rosa Project, a workshop production from the Sideshow Lab in the Department of Theatre and Dance. Devised and directed by Granada Artist-in-Residence Michael Barakiva.

WHEN:

• Thursday-Saturday, Oct. 13-15 — 8 p.m.
• Sunday, Oct. 16 — 2 p.m.

WHERE: Wyatt Pavilion Theatre

TALKBACKS with the director, faculty and ensemble — after each performance.

ADVISORY: The Zona Rosa Project contains frank discussions of homosexuality, including intricacies of a sexual act. As a result, the Department of Theatre and Dance has designated this production as PG-13 (a Motion Picture Association of American rating that states: “Parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13").

ADMISSION is free, with seating on a first-come, first-served basis.

Read the complete news release.

Halloween costumes

For all your costume needs this Halloween, look no further than the Enchanted Cellar at the Department of Theatre and Dance.

Students, faculty, staff and community members may choose from dozens of detailed and whimsical costumes inspired by history, popular culture, fantasy, and more.

New offerings this year include Superman, Catwoman, Spectra from Watchmen, Captain America, Raggedy Anne and Andy, and a variety of costumes in larger sizes.

Click here for the details.

'The scary side of Shakespeare'

The arboretum announced a series of Halloween Walks with the Davis Shakespeare Ensemble.

The walks are scheduled at 8 p.m. six days in a row, Wednesday through Monday, Oct. 26-31, in the Shields Oak Grove, across from the gazebo.

"Join us in the Oak Grove for an interactive, theatrical journey through the scary side of Shakespeare, with ghosts, villains, and black magic. The audience must choose their path wisely, or they might end up ghosts themselves!"

Tickets are $12, or $8 for students, $5 for ages 12 and under, and can be reserved by calling (530) 802-0998 or sending an e-mail to davis.shakespeare@gmail.com.

More information is available online or by sending an e-mail to davis.shakespeare@gmail.com.

Follow Dateline UC Davis on Twitter.