Good sauce for a good cause

LAKE PLEASANT – Looking for a great way to spend a great day for a great cause? Just follow that tangy, smokey aroma to Lake Pleasant for The 1st Annual Lake Pleasant BBQ Cook‑Off for Autism Speaks on Saturday, Nov. 4 starting at 9 a.m.  Hourly giveaways begin at 9 a.m. Over $10,000 in raffle items include deluxe BBQ grills, artwork, sports tickets, hotel stays and much more. Come hungry and try them all. The grand champion will win a trip for two to Hawaii. (602) 550‑1932 or  visit www.LakePleasantBBQCookoff.com.

Cowboy poet takes  the podium

SCOTTSDALE – Cowboy poet Jeff Hildebrandt will read his work at Coolwater Christian Church’s Western Heritage Sunday, Nov. 5, at 10 a.m. at Desert Sun Elementary School. The event, which is open to the public, features western‑themed worship, music and poetry.

Desert Sun Elementary School is located at 27880 N. 64th in Scottsdale. (602) 821‑0086 or visit www.coolwaterchurch.com.

‘The Wiz’ hits Anthem stage

ANTHEM – Starlight Community Youth Theater’s production of “The Wiz” opens this weekend Nov. 3‑4 and continues Nov. 9‑11 at Boulder Creek Performing Arts Center, 40401 N. Gavilan Peak Parkway in Anthem. All shows are at 7 p.m. (623) 566‑7991 or visit www.starlightcommunitytheater.org.

Grand nights of singing in the Foothills

CAVE CREEK – Desert Foothills Theater begins its 2006‑007 season with a Rodgers & Hammerstein musical revue, “A Grand Night for Singing,” directed by “The Sound of Music” choreographer Dee Dee Wood at Cactus Shadows Fine Arts Center, 33606 N. 60th St in Cave Creek. Performances are Nov. 2‑5, 10‑12 and 17‑19. (480) 488‑1981 or visit www.desertfoothillstheater.com.