If you're still looking for more to do, here are a few of the best events the weekend has to offer:
Rugburn @ Dirty Pretty
Getting rugburn may not be high on the list of things you want to accomplish over the weekend (or maybe it is? we don't judge), but Dirty Pretty's Rugburn is more about slick beats than slick sheets. DJ Tricky T and turntablist DJ Radar, who developed a sweet musical notation system for scratching, will spin an eclectic mix of hip-hop and funk for the beautiful masses starting at 9 p.m. tonight. Admission is free and Effen Vodka will be liberally flowing at the cash bar.
Battle on the Bank IV @ Veterans Memorial Coliseum
The
difficulty and athleticism of roller derby might be a draw for some
fans, but let's face it -- what everyone really comes to see is hot
chicks in tight outfits beating the crap out of each other. Arizona's
own Derby Dames promise plenty of both brawling and beauties at the
three-day banked track battle kicking off at 2 p.m. on Friday at the
Arizona State Fairgrounds. The local league will battle eight top derby
teams from across the country, including Seattle's Tilted Thunder Rail
Birds, the San Diego Derby Dolls and the Lonestar Rollergirls out of
Austin, Texas -- the latter of whose skimpy outfits may give guests a
chance to find out if everything really is bigger in Texas. Tickets are $15 and up.
Lightning Octocon @ Gangplank
For a local geek, the post Phoenix Comicon letdown is a little bit like that feeling you get when Christmas has come and gone and you're left with nothing but fond memories and a huge credit card bill. Sigh. Local geek blogger Jonathan of Lightning Octopus is helping to ease the pain with Lightning Octocon, a free one-year anniversary bash taking place from 7-10 p.m. this Saturday. Along with the chance to geek-out with fellow comic book, sci-fi, gaming or anime nerds, the event promises epic Street Fighter II battles, movies, games, geeky photos and cake (no lie).
"Only Somewhat Grand" Opening @ Maker Bench
Want to learn how to weld steel? How about growing your own mushrooms, or soldering electronics, or crafting a puzzle, or sewing a tube top? Local businessman David Uhlman is opening a new haven for DIYers at 2010 E. University Dr. in Tempe that has all the tools you'll need to build your dream project -- from printers and cutting tools to a vintage sewing machine. At the kickoff party from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. this Saturday, you can score a beginner welding class or a laser cutter safety demo for just $10, or a basic puzzle making or soldering
tutorial for five bucks. Sure as hell beats working in a cramped, sweaty garage or landing in the hospital after making a homemade welding rig from instructions you found on YouTube.
Larry King @ Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino
Admit it, you always wanted to turn the tables on former talk-show host Larry King and put him under a microscope. Now's your chance. Since leaving his 25-year-long gig hosting CNN's Larry King Live, the acerbic journalist has taken to the road for a comedy tour that's part stand-up routine and part theatrical performance. And when he stops in Phoenix metro for a one-night-only gig, he'll be taking questions following the performance. Considering the dude had 8 wives, kissed Marlon Brando, and nearly made disgraced pageant queen Carrie Prejean walk off stage, it shouldn''t be hard to come up with a few doozies that will make King squirm in his chair. Tickets are $45 and up.
Follow Jackalope Ranch on Facebook and Twitter.
