If Bob Ross were alive today, he'd be painting happy little trees all over the place in ecstatic fervor for all the arts and culture happenings in Phoenix. To help you see the forest for the trees, here's a recap of the top arts and culture stories of the week.
Cat Bearding: The Ultimate Feline-Human Bonding Experience
Let's face it, with Beard Nation alive and growing, and cats being the indomitable rulers of the Internet, it was only a matter of time before the two found each other across the worldwide web.
Cat bearding is the newest trending sensation among the feline-focused and selfie-centric. The intentional pet photobomb involves drawing the cat's attention upward (this is the hardest part, unless you have a laser pointer) and strategically placing your face behind it to achieve a full and fluffy cat beard.
See photos of the feline frenzy here.
--Katie Johnson
13 Favorite Phoenix Comicon 2013 Costumes
Simply put, there were two types of people who came to Phoenix Comicon this past weekend: those who wore a costume and those who didn't. The attendees who got into the spirit of the event and donned apparel were inspired by any number of comic books, cartoons, TV shows, video games, or movies. Some went the store-bought or lo-fi route, others spent a good chunk of their life building something killer.
In the midst of all the various versions of Doctor Who, Finn, The Joker, Deadmau5, or X-Men (all of which are commonplace at Comicon) were 13 different costumes that caught our eye and earned our respect. It was hard to whittle the list down -- especially with such worthy candidates as DIY samurais, game-inspired warriors, and clever genre-bending creations -- but here's a bakers dozen of our favorite outfits.
--Benjamin Leatherman
Give Up on These 5 Impossible Hair Trends
Hair chalking, pastel locks, and intricate braids can be fun to try, but they can also be hard on your hair and impossible to do without an extra set of hands. Yeah, your favorite pinners and bloggers might make these hair trends look glamorous. Unfortunately, unless you're a celebrity with a personal hair stylist or a collector of hair tools, these styles are hard to maintain. Here are five that you shouldn't even bother attempting.
--Gigi Arredondo
Phoenix Comicon 2013 in 26 Animated GIFs
Describing Phoenix Comicon 2013 as busy would be a major understatement. As is the case with each and every version of the annual geek free-for-all, it was a vast hive of activity spread across the entirety of the Phoenix Convention Center, as well as adjacent venues and hotels.
We attempted to capture as much of the action, energy, and movement of Comicon as possible -- including the hubbub of the Exhibitor Hall, the chaos of cosplayers, the frenzied Zombie Walk, and the after-hours verve at various parties -- in more than two-dozen animated GIFs. There's more than a few unforgettable moments from special guests, including the always entertaining John Barrowman.
--Benjamin Leatherman
Black N Blue Rockstar Clothing & Accessories Opens on Fifth Street in Downtown Phoenix
Mykel Sane and Rusty Workman say they opened Black N Blue Rockstar Clothing & Accessories because Phoenix needs it. The newest addition to downtown Phoenix's Fifth Street (just south of Roosevelt Row) is what the owners describe as a one-stop shop for all things cool -- vintage duds, edgy haircuts, and tattoos, too.
The bungalow space the boutique occupies at 906 North Fifth Street is divvied among three businesses. Black N Blue is in the front, and Space Magic Tattoo and Ultra Violet Salon are toward the back.
Check out the full story here.
--Becky Bartkowski