THRILLS

Israel to reel: Three quirky and unusual young women provide the heart and soul of the movie Tel Aviv Stories, an anthology of intertwining stories that went absolutely boffo at Israeli box offices. Directed by Ayeleth Menahemi and Nirit Yaron, the comic film makes its Denver premiere tonight in a special showing sponsored by DU's Institute for Israeli Culture. Tiffany Plaza, at 7400 E. Hampden Ave., plays host for the 7 p.m. screening. To purchase your $10 tickets in advance, call 871-3045; or buy them at the door for $12. Monday April 18 Food for thought: Bookworms won't lose their appetites when Feasting on Fiction puts Diane Mott Davidson on the podium. Author of a string of mysteries with edible themes, Davidson will speak today at a luncheon benefiting DU's Penrose Library. Following the 11 a.m. talk, guests will wine and dine at noon; it all takes place at Butterfield Eight, the trendy new nightclub for the middle-aged--located at 175 Fillmore in Cherry Creek North--for an admission price of $40 ($65 patrons). Call the University of Denver Women's Library Association at 871-3405 for information.

Tuesday April 19 Steppin' out: How do those Texas two-steppers look so smooth on the dance floor when they've stuffed themselves into those skintight jeans? It's a mystery of modern science--but an act of will taking the country by storm. The best in the region will have a chance to strut their stuff for prizes at the Black Velvet Smooth Steppin' Showdown, a national contest boasting Tanya Tucker as its spokeswoman. Preliminary rounds will be held tonight at Spurs, 7301 N. Federal in Westminster, and at the Stampede, Havana and Parker Rd., on April 26; local competition concludes with final rounds on June 2. The area's winners get a free trip to Nashville for the national finals in August. For information call 1-900-