The final performances of two French operas, Pauline Viardot's Cendrillon and Maurice Ravel's L'Enfant et les sortilèges, will be held at 8:00 p.m. Friday, Feb. 27, in the Hoerner Theater. And yes, you should be there.

I'm the first to admit that the totality of my opera experience was shaped not by evenings at La Scala or the Met, but rather by those master thespians of the animated age, Bugs Bunny and the Looney Tunes ensemble. Surely Wagner himself never conjured a scene of such villainy as Elmer Fudd's chilling litany of doom: "Norf winds bwow! Souf winds bwow! Typhoons! Huwwicanes! Earfquakes! Smog!"

Anyway, if Elmer and Bugs taught me anything about opera, it's that tradition holds the spectacle of an ample soprano flying above the stage like a zeppelin in chiffon far outweighs whatever linguistic or cultural barriers might exist between 19th century European composer and 21st century schlub just there to appease his missus (even if only because it reminds him of '80s hair metal shows).

Luckily for me and the rest of the ignoratti, the immensely talented and fit non-cartoon players in our productions took lessons in aerial performance, which you can read about here (I'd show you a video, but stupid YouTube is being stupid).

The musical and theatrical folks responsible have done some excellent work to create a pretty special show, so if you haven't already checked it out make sure you get out to see this one. This is probably your only chance to see your friends sing at the top of their lungs while flying -- at least without earning a Homeland Security beat down.

Of course, that wouldn't be too out of place. To quote Bugs: "Well what did you expect from an opera? A happy ending?"

It's not all fun and games here at Ithaca. For instance, at least five people have been dumped on campus since I started this post (some of whom have yet to actually hear the bad news -- my lips are sealed). But aside from those miserable few, yes, it is all fun and games.

To wit, the Acahti Players (fiddle with the name, you'll get it) will be doing their improvisational best to amuse you on the red carpet in Dillingham at 7:00 p.m. this Friday evening. It's free, it's (potentially) funny, and you might even meet the love of your life guffawing Snapple through his/her nose while there (yes, you too have been dumped in the last two lines).

And if you find yourself just completely overwhelmed with funny, Achati hosts an open improv session for the laugh-seeking among you every Sunday from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m., again on the infamous tapis rouge. Oy, if that carpet could talk....