ART WALK: Take an inspirational amble through the Downtown Arts District between 5 and 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, with free docent-led tours of public art displays and participating galleries beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the Park Inn Suite Santa Rita Hotel, 88 E. Broadway. Stretch your legs and your historical perspective on Thursday, September 12, as Art Walk explores the Tucson Museum of Art's new exhibit, Symbols of Life: Ceremonial Art of the Amazon People. A TMA docent will have the inside track on arty facts addressing the myths and realities of America's last Bronze Age people, with objects ranging from the spiritual to utilitarian. Live music by the Homero Cerón duo highlights tonight's preview of household items, musical instruments, weapons, ornamental objects and ceremonial pieces, including "a spectacular array of feather regalia." Call 624-9977 for information and a listing of other participating galleries. MAMBO COMBOS: Lacking the fox-trot in your otherwise high-stepping existence? Luckily, you can glide vicariously as the Southern Arizona Ballroom Dancers kick-off National Ballroom Dance Week from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday at Park Mall's Center Court. These hoofers will run through everything from the aforementioned trot and mambo to Viennese waltzes and swings. They'll also be happy to give you the skinny on local dance clubs and studios. For information, call 292-9853. OL' RED, WHITE AND GREEN: Mexican Independence Day explodes into a full-tilt baile Friday, September 13, at Kennedy Park, 3700 S. Mission Road. The event will be sprinkled with mariachi and Tex-Mex music by follklorico bands Mexica and La Paloma, and Mexico City big band Carmen Jara. The action runs from 6 to 11:30 p.m. Friday, rumbles on from 2 to 11:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and wraps up Monday between 6 and 11 p.m. Admission is free, with plenty of food booths offering rebellious, capsicum-inspired chow. Call 623-8344 for details. El Mariachi Tapatio and Ballet Folklorico Sudoeste get into the act at Borders Books and Music on Sunday, with their 11-member Mariachi music and dance ensemble. The Mexican fiesta kicks off with flying colors at 5:30 p.m. Borders is at 4235 N. Oracle Road. Call 292-1331 for information. SOUND ADDICTED: One disgruntled, post-collegiate female hipster surveyed said Alastair Galbraith brings "spooky, beautiful, industrial ballads" from New Zealand to Tucson for an evening she predicts will be "probably dismal" (in her guestimate of local turnout). So go where everybody else isn't and lend an ear to the poignant Kiwi lyricist as he visits Sound Addict, the Old Pueblo's most dynamic new record hole at 714 N. Stone Ave., on Tuesday, September 17. The Mountain Goats kick up their heels with a serrated folk set (they graze on both sides of the electric fence, so whether they're plugged or unplugged we can't be sure) at 8 p.m. Cover for the all-ages show is $6. Call 882-5120 for information.

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