CHERISHED OPPORTUNITY: Recently, as part of its annual pledge drive, local PBS station KUAT-TV, Channel 6, aired Riverdance, that spectacular celebration of Celtic music and dance that's received such wide acclaim here in the U.S. over the past year. If you missed it, that probably means you aren't watching enough public television. Tune in. But you're in luck, because Riverdance--The Show has made its way to the retail shelf on video ($24.95) and CD ($14.95), both recorded live from the Point Theatre in Dublin, Ireland. The cast of 80 features stars from America, Russia and Spain in addition to some of Ireland's finest traditional musicians and high-steppers. The video is more than a taped performance, however. Artfully directed and edited, it's destined to become a time-honored classic. Incidentally, you can get a taste of the Riverdance experience live at 7 p.m. Sunday, April 20, when the all-female Irish ensemble Cherish the Ladies makes its Tucson debut at the Berger Performing Arts Center, 1200 W. Speedway. The eight-piece group features a variety of traditional instruments and vocals with the percussive sounds of world-class stepdancers Sinead Lawler and Lianne Wick. (In fact, some of the original members of CTL left the group to join the Riverdance Company.) Tickets are $15 and $17, available in advance at Hear's Music, Antigone Books and the Harp & Shamrock. Call 327-4809 for tickets and information. GET BRAINWASHED: It's spring, meaning it's time to clean out your closets. While you're in there, dust off that homemade masterpiece (provided it's less than 13 minutes long and transferred to VHS) and send it post haste to the organizers of the third annual Brainwash Movie Festival in San Francisco. At least if you do that, there's a chance your short may land in the hands of the Bravo network, the BBC, or even MTV London; which beats the hell out of having your roommate unwittingly use it to tape the latest episode of Friends. Send $10 entry fee and your tape, clearly marked with your name, address and phone number, to: Shelby Toland, P.O. Box 881911, San Francisco, CA 94188. All entries must be postmarked by May 1. CAPT.'S ORDERS: Meet the men behind the neuroses between 5 and 7 p.m. Thursday, April 17, when revered Weekly cartoonists Joe Forkan and Max Cannon turn out for an off-the-cuff comic book signing at Capt. Spiffy's, 944 E. University Blvd. The long-time friends are even funnier in the flesh than their twisted comic caricatures are in print, so stop by for a fresh perspective on Forkan's Staggering Heights, and Cannon's Red Meat collections. While you're there, check out the New Room Extravaganza. Call 624-4643 for information. DIG THIS: If you missed your chance to visit the Arizona State Museum's Open House a few weeks ago, all is not lost. Authors Jefferson Reid and Stephanie Whittlesey return to sign copies of Archaeology of Ancient Arizona from 3 to 5 p.m. Friday, April 18. Recently published by UA Press, the book provides a general, narrative overview of our region's ancient peoples, places and things. The Arizona State Museum is located on the University of Arizona campus, just inside the main gate at University Boulevard and Park Avenue. Call 621-6302 for information.

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