The competing comics carried NBC's Last Comic Standing reality/talent show over the summer, which makes sense. Still, Jay Mohr, a fairly successful stand-up, proved a pathetic host--not funny, no sense of timing, too much fake hugging, weak writing, weak delivery, not funny. Everything about the show fairly sucked--ridiculous attempts to build cutthroat suspense, then go to commercial, and did we mention Jay Mohr?--but on the strength of stand-up comedy and some 16 eager contestants, a lot of people watched this show. That interest sparked the I'm Still Standing Tour, featuring Gary Gulman, Jay London and Alonzo Bodden from Last Comic Standing 2. Gulman is still one of the top five finalists on the show and has appeared on the big late-night talk shows. London was a boxer before deciding comedy was a less painful way to make a living. "I'm the fourth guy from the left on the evolutionary chart," he says. Bodden turned his jet aircraft mechanics class into a show-biz launching pad. "As a teacher," he says, "I was the class clown." They're coming to the Addison Improv, 4980 Belt Line Road, for eight shows September 29 through October 3. Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday tickets are $15; Friday and Saturday are $17. Call 972-404-8501 for show times and tickets. --Annabelle Massey Helber
Folk It Up
From Brazil--the contrasting land of rolling hills and severe deforestation--comes dance troupe Balé Folclórico da Bahia, the country's only professional folk dance company. The troupe performs its combination of dances, capoeria, samba and carnival during TITAS' season opener at 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Southern Methodist University's McFarlin Auditorium, 6405 Boaz Lane. Tickets are $10 to $55. Call 214-528-5576 or visit www.titas.org. --Mary Monigold
Shake Those Maracas
The mariachi band approaches with wide smiles and trumpets blaring. You request the song "Tequila" and order another round of margaritas. Unfortunately for many of us, our understanding of Hispanic culture doesn't extend far beyond the piñata and our favorite restaurant. While culturo Latino may dominate southern Texas, here in Dallas we are fortunate to have experienced Mexican cultural dance at its finest for more than a quarter of a century thanks to the Anita N. Martinez Ballet Folklorico. Come celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with the troupe at the Majestic Theatre, 1925 Elm St., and watch history swirl before your eyes. Youth matinees are 10 a.m. Monday and Tuesday, and the general admission show is 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. Tickets are $5 and $6. Call 214-828-0181. --Danna Berger
Be Frank
In death, Frank Sinatra has become more than his music, his acting or even his scary mob ties. He's now an ideology. Think about it: What is Queer Eye for the Straight Guy if not five young (but gay) Franks telling you to clean up your bachelor pad and put on a tie before the ladies arrive? Why is it that power and prestige in hip-hop are no longer displayed in the baggiest football jersey a platinum-teethed rapper can find, but the nicest three-piece suit one can have tailor-made for the MTV Music Awards? Why is it that The Fairmont Dallas will celebrate its 35th anniversary Saturday night with A Tribute to Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack? Simple: It's a very Frank thing to do. The hotel's valet parking, three-course dinner, 16-piece orchestra--all very Frank. The evening starts at 7:30 p.m. at the Fairmont, 1717 N. Akard St. Tickets are $75. Call 214-720-5340. --Paul Kix