From devilish dance performances to the darkest dark humor, your weekend plans are here.
A Vampire Tale @ Phoenix Theatre's Little Theatre This season Scorpius Dance Theater choreographer Lisa Starry will bring her popular Halloween-themed performance to the stage for the tenth time. Starry's A Vampire Tale combines contemporary dance and sultry, blood-sucking showmanship for a performance that's become affectionately known as "the Nutcracker of Halloween."
See also: Five Must-Attend Events at the Fifth Annual Grand Avenue Festival in Phoenix
The show tells the story of an innocent girl's seduction by the fascinating and frightening world of vampires, as she falls in love with an undead king. The cult classic show juxtaposes dark, dramatic scenes with comedic episodes, all tied together by fluid dance and impressive aerial feats. In honor of the show's tenth anniversary, this year's rendition will feature the biggest cast ever, with guest artists and a new scene added to the performance. The show will also include new musical scores by local composer, Kristofer Hill.
A Vampire Tale comes to the Phoenix Theatre's Little Theatre, 100 East McDowell Road, at 7 and 9:30 p.m. on Friday, October 18, and runs through Saturday, October 19. Tickets cost $35 per person, and VIP tickets are available. For more information call 602-254-2151 or visit www.scorpiusdance.com. -- Lauren Saria
"Hot Plate!" @ R. Pela Contemporary Art From shopping to sightseeing, our tastes tend to veer toward vintage. Hence, Best of Phoenix 2013's Vintage Phoenix theme. Because of our love of oldish stuff and said theme, New Times and R. Pela Contemporary Art co-present "Hot Plate!"
It's an exhibition of Phoenix-inspired plates, reminiscent of commemorative dishes you'd find while thrifting, made by local artists Michael Allen, Cheryl Brandon, Sue Chenoweth, Eric Cox, Kathleen Engstrom, Jeff Falk, Todd Grossman, Halldor Hjalmarson, Sarah Hurwitz, Christopher Jagmin, Peter Kuttner, Janet Deberge Lange, Annie Lopez, Melissa McGurgan, Ronnie Ray Mendez, Kim Sweet, Melany Terranova and Paul Wilson.
The show is on view from 6 to 10 p.m. during Third Friday, October 18, and by appointment through the end of the month. Admission is free. Visit www.rpelagallery.com or call 602-320-8445 for more information. -- Becky Bartkowski Anthony Jeselnik @ Ovations Live! Showroom at Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino It's hard to find anyone tackling taboo topics as smartly & sickeningly funny as Anthony Jeselnik. The stand-up comic and host of Comedy Central's The Jeselnik Offensive goes for the jugular live October 19.
Jeselnik has been on a roll since his no-holds-barred performance in the 2011 Comedy Central Roast of Donald Trump. That gig led to the development of his dark take on talk shows, The Jeselnik Offensive. Opening Saturday night's show is comedic dynamo Cameron Esposito. In addition to hosting the weekly L.A. comedy show and podcast, Put Your Hands Together, Esposito recently had a killer set on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson and has bolstered her profile with appearances on Chelsea Lately.
Jeselnik and Esposito perform starting at 8 p.m. at Ovations Live at the Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino, 5040 West Wild Horse Pass in Chandler. Tickets to the 21-and-over show range from $27 to $60. For more info, visit www.anthonyjeselnik.com. -- Jose Gonzalez
Scottsdale Showdown @ WestWorld of Scottsdale Reach for the sky, Arizona. One of the "best buckin'" events in the West is wending its way to North Scottsdale for an evening of cowboys, country music, and championship bull riding. The Scottsdale Showdown, presented by the Ak-Chin Community, is a nationally televised showcase of some of the best bull riders in the country. Featuring 90 minutes of championship bull riding from 20 riders, as well as a pre-show Chevy Silverado tailgate party and post-show Bud Light Bullpen concert series with musical acts including Jerrod Niemann, Maggie Rose, and Montgomery Gentry.
The 2013 Scottsdale Showdown kicks up the dust Saturday, October 19, at WestWorld of Scottsdale, 16601 North Pima Road. Tailgate begins at 4 p.m., championships start at 6, and the concert opens at 7. Tickets start at $55. For more details, visit www.scottsdaleshowdown.com or call 480-990-2977. -- Katie Johnson
Rainbows Festival @ Historic Heritage Square The Phoenix Pride Festival is a blast, both for the LGBTQ community and its straight allies. Downtown Phoenix turns into a joyous display of rainbows and acceptance for one fun filled weekend -- but the fun doesn't stop there. In addition to Pride, there's the Rainbows Festival, Arizona's second largest LGBTQ event. Rainbows returns for the 11th year in a row, hot on the heels of National Coming Out Day (October 11). The two-day to-do features DJs, live music, burlesque, and oh-so-fabulous drag queens. The event boasts over 150 booths that are both educational and entertaining, so expect a free condom or two.
Have a kiki at the Rainbows Festival at Heritage Square Park, 115 North Sixth Street on Sunday, October 20, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. This free event is open to all ages. Call 602-277-7433 or visit www.phoenixpride.org/events/rainbows-festival for more info. -- Melissa Fossum
