Need plans? Here are Jackalope Ranch's top picks for ways to spend your weekend -- theater, comedy, art, and skateboarding included.
Nation, a play for youth receiving its North American première from ASU Tempe's MainStage, sounds not unlike The Blue Lagoon, but it's based on the novel by Terry Pratchett (Discworld). That's probably better, given Pratchett's knighthood, 70 million books sold in three decades, etc. Mark Ravenhill (who also wrote the definitely-not-for-youth play Shopping and Fucking) adapted the script for Britain's 2009 Royal National Theatre production.
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Adolescents Daphne and Mau are the only humans on a South Pacific island after a tsunami destroys her ship and his village. Coming of age amid anarchy and tribulation, they apply self-determination to their leadership roles, building a society from the ground up. A 20-member ensemble, puppetry, drumming, and cutting-edge media design share the epic story through Sunday, April 13, at Galvin Playhouse, 51 East 10th Street. The show opens Friday, April 4, at 7:30 p.m. For tickets, $8 to $16, call 480-965-6447 or visit www.asuevents.asu.edu/nation. -- Julie Peterson
You're looking good for 102, Arizona. So good, in fact, that local friends and photographers, Lisa Olson and Terry Pisel, have teamed up to produce a special exhibition to celebrate the newly developed but highly diverse 48th state.
"Century Club" is grand depiction of the Grand Canyon state, comprising 102 works of art including indigenous landscape photographs transferred onto wood panels. The wood paneled-photos are arranged to illustrate the various regional backdrops that Arizona natives call home. "Century Club" is on view through Wednesday, April 30, at Practical Art, 5070 North Central Avenue. Admission is free. An artist reception will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, April 4. For details, visit www.practical-art.com or call 602-264-1414. -- Katie Johnson
13th Annual Cowtown Skateboards PHXAM
According to Back to the Future Part II, we have hoverboards to look forward to next year. Until then, skateboarders will have a headstart on the sickest of tricks. The 13th Annual Cowtown Skateboards PHXAM gets fly Saturday, April 5.
Nearly 200 up-and-coming riders will hail from all over including Canada, Mexico, and the Netherlands but we'll have our eyes out for Arizona's own Dashawn Jordan, Steven Snyder, and Alana Smith. What would a full day of skating be without extra extracurricular activities? The official PHXAM after-party at The Pressroom in downtown Phoenix features protopunkers DEATH headlining. The finals on Sunday, April 6, also include the Red Bull Best Trick award.
The 13th Annual Cowtown Skateboards PHXAM hits the Desert West Skateboard Plaza, 6602 West Encanto Boulevard in Phoenix, today from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Gates open at 9 a.m. Tickets for each day are $5. For more info, visit www.phxam.com. -- Jose Gonzalez
Phoenix Urban Design Week
You're out and about and yet another cloned strip mall clogs the view, raising the question: "Why do these malls need to exist every couple miles?" Amid the Valley's sprawl, some are trying to make a difference. The third annual Phoenix Urban Design Week is a gathering of urban planners, builders, architects and other creative minds intent on examining Phoenix's issues while rethinking urban lifestyles and Valley options. Events and symposiums continue through Thursday, April 10, though Saturday's neighborhood tours offer a chance to get out and see how creative thinking and direct resident input recreated Central City South neighborhoods. That evening, loosen up a bit with PLAY+TASTE+PAINT, a street stencil making potluck party.
Take a trip at 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. Saturday, April 5, from the Harmon Library, 1325 South Fifth Avenue. Pre-registration is required at www.phxrevitalization.org. Stenciling runs from 6 to11 p.m. Visit www.facebook.com/phxudw for complete schedule of events. -- Glenn BurnSilver
Dave Ross is a busy guy. You may remember him as a co-host of the now-defunct Holy Fuck comedy show, or by his current project on Nerdist: Terrified, which takes a look at people's fears. Ross has also done some great work with the comedy troupe Women -- just take a look at their trailer for The Hangover 4 to see the group's shared frustration with the franchise. Ross' knack for situational humor comes through in his stand-up routines. His comedy is rooted in personal experiences and lessons learned. For example: Living with a gay man doesn't mean he's going to rape you and calling a girl a slut in bed is just plain mean.
Nerd out with Ross at 7 p.m. Sunday, April 6, at Monkey Pants Bar & Grill, 3223 South Mill Avenue in Tempe. Tickets to this 21-and-over event are $6 for a single, and $10 for couples. Visit www.smcomedy.com. -- Melissa Fossum
Editor's note: This post has been modified from its original version.