Cheap Thrills

CREATIVE QUERY: Peek behind the artistic curtain with Non-Objective Mark-Making: Images of Investigation and Immediacy, a new exhibit by Gary Swimmer in the Hacienda del Sol Gallery.

Swimmer's work plumbs concepts such as randomness, coincidence, physicality and presence through abstract mixed media on dura-lene. The translucent, slick plastic surfaces invite viewers to examine the presence of seemingly random marks. The physicality of these shapes and colors begin to coalesce as evolving, yet elusive images, intended to capture the paradox of non-object imagery -- in other words, the dynamic and interactive relationship between individual elements, and the visual field of marks as a whole.

Non-Objective Mark-Making continues through May 2, with an opening reception from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, April 2, in the Hacienda del Sol Gallery, 5601 N. Hacienda Del Sol Road. Regular gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Call 299-1501 for details.

BIKE 'N' HIKE: Get on the anti-smog bandwagon with several events celebrating Bike Fest 2000.

The county's Clean Air Program and the Tucson Transportation Department host Walk For Lunch Day on Thursday, March 30. Professional trainers lead a two-mile "walk for the health of it," starting at noon in front of the Tucson-Pima Main Library, 101 N. Stone Ave. For information, call 740-3343 for information.

The Greater Arizona Bicycling Association and Fourth Avenue merchants make cycling affordable with the April Fool GABA-Zoo Swap Meet on Saturday, April 1. All things bike-related are on the block from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Fourth Avenue between Sixth and Ninth streets. Call 323-9020 for details.

Finally, the city and county host Bike to School Day and UA Bike Day on Wednesday, April 5. The program urges students and faculty to pedal to work, and offers free bike registration for all Tucsonans from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the UA Mall. For information, call 740-3343.

WEE STRAINS: The Tucson Symphony Orchestra serenades the wee set with another Just for Kids concert.

This show takes tikes on the range with "Go Out West." The performance includes a cowboy sing-along, foot stomping dances, and a musical dramatization of Tucson author Susan Lowell's new book, Cindy-Ellen, A Wild Western Cinderella!

Held the first Saturday of each month, Just for Kids concerts are informal, interactive and designed to "introduce the wonders of classical music to children and families."

The free performances are 10 and 11:15 a.m. Saturday, April 1, in the Tucson Center for the Performing Arts, 408 S. Sixth Ave. Call 792-9155 for details.

GET FRESH: Catch a fresh crop of fine produce at the Downtown Farmers Market, held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Wednesday on the south lawn of the Tucson-Pima Main Library, 101 N. Stone Ave. Fresh breads, salsa, local honey and gift items top the list of great regional goods. Call 326-7810 for information.