may 15
Seven Guitars: Arizona Theatre Company concludes its 30th-anniversary season with the state premiere of August Wilson's literary memorial to a fictional, star-crossed bluesman named Floyd "Schoolboy" Barton; San Francisco's Benny Sato Ambush directed. This week's performances are at 2 and 8 p.m. Thursday, May 15; 8 p.m. Friday, May 16; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, May 17; 1 and 7 p.m. Sunday, May 18; and 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 21, in Center Stage at Herberger Theater Center, 222 East Monroe. Wednesday's show is interpreted in American Sign Language. The run continues through Sunday, May 25. Tickets range from $19 to $32, available at Herberger and Dillard's; call 252-8497 or 503-5555.
Love! Valour! Compassion!: Terrence McNally (Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune, The Lisbon Traviata) penned this work about the "lives and loves of gay men in the '90s." The Actors Group presents performances at 8 p.m. Thursday, May 15; 8 p.m. Friday, May 16; 8 p.m. Saturday, May 17; and 2 p.m. Sunday, May 18, at Phoenix Theatre's Little Theatre, located at the intersection of Alvarado and Coronado streets. The production continues through Saturday, May 24. Tickets are $16, $14 for students and seniors, available at Dillard's. For details call 252-8497 or 503-5555. (A touring production of playwright McNally's Kiss of the Spider Woman: The Musical opens Saturday; see below.)
Little Murders: In Mixed Company presents the vintage satire of urban family values and random violence by Jules Feiffer. Final performances are on Thursday, May 15; Friday, May 16; and Saturday, May 17. All start at 8 p.m. in the Studio Theater at Herberger Theater Center, 222 East Monroe. Tickets are $16.25, $13.25 for students and seniors. Call 252-8497.
friday
may 16
Tommy Davidson: The In Living Color alum and movie star--at least if you accept the notion that the execrable Booty Call was a movie--will undoubtedly nail his favorite targets, Michael Jackson and Sammy Davis Jr., to the comic wall on Friday, May 16, at the Celebrity Theatre, 440 North 32nd Street. D.L. Hughley, Shang Frobes, and Damon Williams share the stage. Showtime is 8 p.m. Tickets are $27.50 in advance, $28.50 the day of the show, available at the scene and Dillard's; call 267-1600 or 503-5555.
Arizona Rattlers: The arena-football squad takes on the Anaheim Piranhas at 7 p.m. Friday, May 16, at the "Snake Pit": America West Arena, First Street and Jefferson. The Rattlers' next home game is at the same time Saturday, May 24, against the San Jose SaberCats. Tickets range from $9 to $37, available at the arena and Dillard's. For details call 514-8383, 379-7800 or 503-5555.
Queen Ida and Her Zydeco Band: Ida Guillory, a school-bus driver turned Grammy winner, brings her accordion and her San Francisco-based crew (formerly known as the Bon Temps Zydeco Band) back to the Valley on Friday, May 16, for the band's traditional spring concert 'neath the stars at Scottsdale Center for the Arts Amphitheater, 75th Street and Main. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $18 in advance, $22 the day of the show, available at the center and Ticketmaster; call 994-2787 or 784-4444. (A cooking demo by the Queen is scheduled Thursday, May 15, in the center's Cinema; call for details.)
"Rodeo at the Rodeo": The inaugural event, centered on the toasty asphalt of the west-side parking lot at Rockin Rodeo, 7850 South Priest in Tempe, features bull-riding, games and rides, the Tempe Arm-Wrestling Championship and lots of music, including a concert by Steve Wariner (see Saturday in the Music listing). The hot fun in the sun starts at 5 p.m. Friday, May 16; 2 p.m. Saturday, May 17; and noon Sunday, May 18. For tickets and other information, call 496-0799 or 496-0889.
Little Murders: See Thursday.
Love! Valour! Compassion!: See Thursday.
Seven Guitars: See Thursday.
saturday
may 17
Kiss of the Spider Woman: The Musical: Argentinean superstar Sandra Guida enacts the title role--a fantasy figure created by a gay prisoner rotting in a South American cell--in the first national tour of this Tony-winning work. Kander and Ebb penned the score; Terrence McNally wrote the book, based on Manuel Puig's novel. Performances are scheduled at 8 p.m. Saturday, May 17; 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday, May 18; 8 p.m. Monday, May 19; 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 20; and 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 21, at Scottsdale Center for the Arts, 7380 East Second Street. Tickets are $32 and $35, available at the center and Ticketmaster; call 994-2787 or 784-4444.
Ricky Van Shelton: The soulful, Virginia-born country crooner with the golden--and platinum--baritone, misleading name (Van is his middle name, Shelton his last) and frequent-guest-star status on Baywatch returns for an all-ages show at the Celebrity Theatre, 440 North 32nd Street. It starts at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 17. Tickets are $15 and $25, available at the scene and Dillard's; call 267-1600 or 503-5555.
"Our Future in the Desert: Architectural Explorations": The Arizona VisionWeavers organization, which seeks to "harmonize commercial and private development with the Sonoran Desert environment by encouraging innovative architectural visions," sponsors this exhibition of conceptual works about desert habitation and conservation by architects from around the state. The exhibit opens with a public symposium--featuring a panel discussion and a keynote address by John Meunier, dean of the architecture school at Arizona State University--from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 17, at Scottsdale Center for the Arts, 7380 East Second Street; a gratis reception follows from 4 to 6. Symposium tickets are $25, and include lunch. The exhibit continues through Sunday, August 31, in the center's Mezzanine and Lower galleries. Viewing is free; hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays (to 8 p.m. Thursdays), noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. For details call 994-2787 or 949-5860.
The Last Angry Brown Hat: A kind of Chicano Big Chill, Alfredo Ramos' play concerns former Brown Berets who meet up again 20 years after to talk about politics, regrets and their roles in El Movimiento; actor Edward James Olmos co-produced the show. Shows are scheduled at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 17; and 5 p.m. Sunday, May 18, at the Orpheum Theatre, 203 West Adams. Also on the agenda: performances by actor/artist Zarco Guerrero and the band Trio Picoso. Tickets range from $20 to $30, available at Phoenix Civic Plaza and Dillard's box offices; call 262-7272 or 503-5555.
Road Trip: Los Angeles Chamber Players at Arcosanti: Paolo Soleri's futuristic settlement in the high desert kicks off its ever-marvelous outdoor summer concert series with a performance by the quartet on Saturday, May 17. Showtime is 8 p.m. at the facility's Colly Soleri Music Center; an optional dinner precedes at 6:30. Arcosanti is located off I-17 at Cordes Junction, near the town of Mayer, about 70 miles north of Phoenix. Tickets are $12.50, $25 for the meal and the show. Reservations are required for dinner; call 1-520-632-7135.
Little Murders: See Thursday.
Love! Valour! Compassion!: See Thursday.
"Rodeo at the Rodeo": See Friday.
Seven Guitars: See Thursday.
sunday
may 18
Robbie Conal: The New York City-born, L.A.-based artist, best known for his scathing satirical works that include "Sex Drugs Rock'n'Roll" and "Newtwit," concludes the "Raised on Rock and Roll" lecture forum with a free program titled "Art Attack: The Midnight Politics of a Guerrilla Artist." The presentation's held in conjunction with Phoenix Art Museum's "It's Only Rock and Roll: Rock and Roll Currents in Contemporary Art" (see the Art Exhibits listing). It starts at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 18, in the Whiteman Lecture Hall at PAM, 1625 North Central. For details call 257-1880.
The Grifters: "Ninety-nine percent of indie music sucks. . . . There's no feeling there," states Dave Shouse of this Memphis, Tennessee, combine, which started life at the dawn of the decade as a drunk-rock band in the Replacements mold and slowly grew up to be a pretty decent songwriting collective with some real chops; for proof, check out the tracks "The Straight Time" and "Last Man Alive" from the group's new disc, Ain't My Lookout. One of the album's reviewers labeled the band "a Southern-fried Television." Bingo. The Grifters perform Sunday, May 18, at Stinkweeds Record Exchange, 1250 East Apache, Suite 109, in Tempe. The Scud Mountain Boys share the bill. Showtime is 10 p.m. For details call 968-9490.
Zia Record Exchange Anniversary Party: The chain celebrates its 17th birthday with a free celebration at the Rhythm Room, 1019 East Indian School, on Sunday, May 18. The lineup includes Sweet Vine, Sludge Nation, Yoko Love, and Shoebomb. Showtime is 8 p.m. For details call 265-4842.
Kiss of the Spider Woman: The Musical: See Saturday.
The Last Angry Brown Hat: See Saturday.
Love! Valour! Compassion!: See Thursday.
"Our Future in the Desert: Architectural Explorations": See Saturday.
"Rodeo at the Rodeo": See Friday.
Seven Guitars: See Thursday.
monday
may 19
Laurence Juber: The England-born guitarist is best known for his three-year stint with the final incarnation of Paul McCartney's Wings; he's least appreciated for co-writing the lyrics and music to Gilligan's Island: The Musical with his wife, Hope, daughter of Gilligan creator Sherwood Schwartz. Touring in support of a new, all-acoustic disc, Winter Guitar, Juber performs at 7:30 p.m. Monday, May 19, at Boogie Music, 3552 West Cactus. Admission is $5. Seating is limited; call 978-6688.
Kiss of the Spider Woman: The Musical: See Saturday.
"Our Future in the Desert: Architectural Explorations": See Saturday.
tuesday
may 20
Susanna Hoffs: The former Bangle and new mom is touring in support of her second solo disc and first since '91; it's an eponymous effort that includes guest input from David Baerwald, former Go-Go Charlotte Caffey, Cracker's David Lowery, ex-Jellyfish member Jason Falkner and 4 Non Blondes' Linda Perry. Hoffs is scheduled on Tuesday, May 20, at Gibson's, 410 South Mill in Tempe. Showtime is 8 p.m. For details call 967-1234.
Mike Utley Celebrity Golf Classic: Various NFL players tee it up in the sixth annual fund raiser, named after the former Detroit Lion guard who was paralyzed during a game in November 1991. The public segment of the tourney starts at 12:15 p.m. Tuesday, May 20, on the Lookout Mountain Course at the Pointe Hilton at Tapatio Cliffs, 11111 North Seventh Street; the Utley Celebrity Long-Drive Competition precedes at 9 a.m. Admission is free; proceeds from related nonpublic functions are divided between the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix and various agencies seeking cures for paralysis and spinal-cord injuries. For details call 224-0909.
James and Salle Redfield: Author James penned the "spiritual adventure stories" The Celestine Prophecy and The Tenth Insight. Wife/partner Salle created accompanying audio tapes titled The Celestine Meditations and Meditations for the Tenth Insight. The Redfields share the vibe at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 20, at the Orpheum Theatre, 203 West Adams. Tickets are $25. For details call 970-8543.
Phoenix Firebirds: The Triple A/Pacific Coast League affiliate of baseball's San Francisco Giants continues its 34th--and final--season in the Valley with a home stand against the Las Vegas Stars. This week's games are on Tuesday, May 20; and Wednesday, May 21. More matches are slated for Thursday, May 22; and Friday, May 23. All start at 7:05 p.m. at Scottsdale Stadium, 7408 East Osborn. Tickets range from $4 to $8, available at the scene and Dillard's; call 275-0500 or 503-5555.
Kiss of the Spider Woman: The Musical: See Saturday.
"Our Future in the Desert: Architectural Explorations": See Saturday.
wednesday
may 21
Sneaker Pimps: The techno/trip-hop trio from Manchester, England, basically summed up its mission with the tune "Postmodern Sleaze," from the band's full-length debut, Becoming X. The group's named after a reference in a Beastie Boys tune. See the story on page 95. The Pimps perform Wednesday, May 21, at Electric Ballroom, 1216 East Apache in Tempe. The Josephine Wiggs Experience shares the bill. Showtime is 8 p.m. For details call 894-0707.
Kiss of the Spider Woman: The Musical: See Saturday.
"Our Future in the Desert: Architectural Explorations": See Saturday.
Phoenix Firebirds: See Tuesday.
Seven Guitars: See Thursday.
