Cheap Thrills

FRONTIER FREEDOM: The setting is Brazil, the date 1641. After a revolt, groups of runaway black slaves have escaped to mountainous jungle strongholds, where they begin forming self-governing communities. That's the gripping premise for Carlos Diegues' Quilombo, a 1984 film showing as part of The Screening Room's Cine Latino Festival. Diegues' tale plays out against a stirring fusion of folklore and politics, and a powerful musical score.

Quilombo shows at 8 p.m. Thursday, September 30, 7 p.m. Saturday and 5 p.m. Sunday, October 2 and 3, at The Screening Room, 127 E. Congress St. Admission is $4, $3 for matinees. For details, call 622-2262.

WEE STEPS: Tots can get a taste of foreign culture when the Tucson Mall's Club Kidz hosts Ballet Folklorico San Juan.

This colorful troupe dishes up all the spicy flavor of Latin America, performing traditional dances from various regions of Mexico. And children are invited to join in the fun, along with costumed students from various local schools.

The performance is 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, October 5, in the Tucson Mall Food Court. For information, call 293-7330.

BUSH BASH: Join green thumbs galore at the Tucson Botanical Gardens' Fall Plant Sale.

Highlighting this year's floral gala are small thornless trees, along with Lipstick salvia and Beebrush. The newly expanded nursery also contains cacti, succulents, herbs and low-water use varieties. Local tree experts and docents will be on hand to provide selection and planting tips, and there will be lectures from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sunday.

The sale runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, October 2 and 3, at the Tucson Botanical Gardens, 2150 N. Alvernon Way. Call 326-9686 for details.

RIDING HIGH: Willcox revels in the spirit of its favorite son with the 48th annual Rex Allen Days.

This hometown celebration honoring the cinematic cowboy crooner will feature a parade, a country fair, rodeo and Tribute of the Century -- a stage show by Rex Allen Jr. Visitors can also "partake of the agricultural bounty" at numerous pick-your-own produce farms near the town.

Rex Allen Days runs Thursday through Sunday, September 30 through October 3, in Willcox, one hour east of Tucson on I-10. For a schedule of events and other information, call (800) 200-2272.

FAIR RETURN: Get your mitts on some timeless goods when Pima County Parks and Recreation hosts an antique fair.

These gatherings showcase goods from across the country and throughout the decades, ranging from jewelry and furniture to china, collectibles, "bric-a-brac and more!" And best of all, it doesn't cost you one thin buffalo nickel to take a gander at so much history.

The fair runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, October 3, at the Lew Sorensen Tanque Verde Center, 11100 E. Tanque Verde Road. Call 740-2680 for information.