So much to do, so little time in the weekend to do it. This week you can celebrate
Silence! The Musical!
Stray Cat Theatre is nearly finished with its Sweet 16 series, completing the season with Silence! The Musical! The Silence of the Lambs musical parody sees Dr. Hannibal Lecter singing as a tenor and the story falls in a similar fashion to the source material: Clarice Starling works with cannibal Lecter to catch the serial killer Buffalo Bill.
Silence! began as
The Stray Cat production is directed by Louis Farber and runs from Friday, May 4, when showtime is 8 p.m., through Saturday, May 19, at the Tempe Center for the Arts Studio, 700 West Rio Salado Parkway. Tickets range from $30 to $40. For more information, visit the Stray Cat Theatre website. Tanner Stechnij
Ken Jeong
Ask parents if they’d prefer their kid grow up to be a doctor or a comedian, and they’ll most likely choose the former. One can do both, however. Ken Jeong proved that. He became a medical doctor in the mid-’90s while simultaneously honing his comedic chops. The sharp-witted and sarcastic comic started taking on some TV roles and really got on the world’s radar in the first — and subsequent — Hangover movies. That same year, he started a several-season role on NBC’s Community.
Ultimately, he ditched medicine for humorous performances. And you can expect that his stand-up show will have you in stitches at 10 p.m. on Friday, May 4, at Stand Up Live, 50 West Jefferson Street.
Admission to the 21-and-over event is $30, and there’s a two-drink minimum. Call 480-719-6100 or check out the Standup Live website. Amy Young
This is Happening!
Time to get hella spiritual. On Friday, May 4, from
The soundtrack for the night will be curated by Human Experience and Secret Sessions. Other elements of the event will include sound-bowl healing with Natalie Anne Hewitt, a Thai massage workshop with Jeremy W.
Troughton, an interactive art installation created by Jonathan Luther, a tea lounge hosted by Shannon Stapleton, and a guided intention-setting ceremony with Kate Swarm.
All you need to bring is a ticket and good vibes. Admission is $30 in advance and $35 at the door. For more information, visit the This is Happening! website. Lindsay Roberts
Sampling of street art spotted at Unexpected Art Gallery.
Photo: Lynn Trimble
Phoenix is already home to an impressive array of street art. But you can see about 50 new murals get painted during the Phoenix Mural Festival, a three-day affair that launches on Friday, May 4, at Unexpected Art Gallery, 734 West Polk Street. Several participating artists will be there from 6 to 10 p.m., with work on view and for sale. It’s a rare chance to meet them — and talk with them about their mural plans and larger bodies of work.
The free festival lineup includes new and emerging artists, painting over the weekend in more than a dozen neighborhoods. Participating artists include Isaac Caruso, Eric Cox, Dadsocks, Laura Spalding Best, Maggie Keane, and Ashley Macias.
You can find specific locations on the festival website, or just start exploring in areas where several artists will be working — including the Willo neighborhood, Grand Avenue, and Roosevelt Row. Visit the Phoenix Mural Project website. Lynn Trimble
Phoenix Rising v. L.A. Galaxy II
As some of the Valley’s more stalwart sports franchises regroup after disappointing seasons and set their sites on pivotal offseason decisions, it’s business as usual for the Valley’s youngest franchise. Despite being the new kids in town, Phoenix Rising have already displayed more stability, professionalism, and success than some of their more tenured counterparts. In just a few short years, the Valley’s top soccer squad has been both efficient and aggressive in building a formidable roster, netting a rabid fan base along the way.
Phoenix hosts the L.A. Galaxy II at Tempe’s Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex, 751 North McClintock Drive, at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, May 4. Tickets are $17 and up. Visit the Phoenix Rising website or call 623-594-9606 for details. Rob Kroehler
Science with a Twist
Nerd worlds collide on Friday, May 4, when Arizona Science Center hosts Science with a Twist. The monthly grown-up gathering at the museum blends a cash bar with pop culture pursuits, and this month, the hosts are going wide for Star Wars Day. Programming will include Star Trek, Star Wars, and Doctor Who references, with a time-warp to “Pompeii: The Exhibition” and a light-speed tour of the galaxy in the planetarium. Naturally, there will be themed cocktails, too. But we wouldn’t encourage experimenting with what happens when you mix your Make It So Margarita with a Sonic Screwdriver. We’d rather you live long and prosper.
Jedi cosplay is encouraged, and things get geeky starting at 6 p.m. at 600 East Washington Street. Tickets are $12 for nonmembers and free for members. “Pompeii” costs $11.95 extra for nonmembers, while members pay an extra $9.95. See the AZ Science center website or call 602-716-2000. Becky Bartkowski
Derby Day Club
Since the Kentucky Derby began in 1875, every first Saturday in May has brought with it the “most exciting two minutes in sports.” And a taste of the Kentucky Derby, which encompasses a full day of horse races, is making its way back to Turf Paradise for the third annual Derby Day Club. Attendees can expect everything from the bougie hats to sitting out by the race track. The all-day affair is the only party in Arizona that will host live races, betting terminals, a host bar, and special lounging.
Gates at 1501 West Bell Road open at 7:15
Cinco de Mario
Your dream of sipping rosé with an early ’90s heartthrob is about to come true.
TV star, Emmy winner, New York Times best-selling author, and veritable hottie Mario Lopez will host a special twist on a Mexican holiday during Cinco de Mario. On Saturday, May 5, attendees can enjoy a farmers market, a Saved by the Bell look-a-like contest, a rosé-tasting tent, and live comedy at Scottsdale Civic Center Plaza, 3939 North Drinkwater Boulevard.
Admission for the event is $20 online in advance, $30 at the gate. VIP tickets are $100 online in advance and include five drink tickets, as well as access to a private bar. If you want to meet Mario, the price goes up to $250. Kids 12 and younger get in free. Visit the Cinco de Mario website. Lindsay Roberts
Arizona Comic Mini Expo
Free Comic Book Day is an annual event when new pannapictagraphists (a very long word to describe comic book collectors) gather and get familiar with a local store. Adding to this year’s festivities, Samurai Comics is hosting the Arizona Comic Mini Expo. Hobbyists can meet more than a dozen of the creators behind some of the most exciting titles in the medium today. Andrew MacLean, the mind behind Headlopper, will be sketching and signing comics along with Mitch Gerads (Mr. Miracle), and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ Andy Kuhn, to name a few.
Turn the page from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 5, at 1120 South Country Club Drive in Mesa. Admission is free. For more information, visit the Arizona Comic Mini Expo website. Jason Keil
Phoenix Flea After Dark
Talk about dynamic duos. CenPho boutique Phoenix General and the folks behind Phoenix Flea are teaming up to host a market that brings together desert-based creatives who make and design must-have items. During Phoenix Flea After Dark, shoppers can browse wares from about 60 vendors, including vintage clothing purveyor Vixen Valley, DIY maven Crafty Chica, ceramicist Tom Budzak, and everyone’s favorite pin-maker Jar of Buttons.
Shop till you drop at The Colony, 5538 North Seventh Street, from 5 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, May 5. Tickets are $5 via brownpapertickets.com. See the Facebook event page for details and a complete list of vendors. Becky Bartkowski
Cozy Con
Dick Francis may be more appropriate for Derby Day, but if you like your mysteries solved by friendly old ladies and their cats, then snuggle up at The Poisoned Pen, 4014 North Goldwater Boulevard in Scottsdale, for Cozy Con. The celebration of “cozy” mysteries runs from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 5.
The event features eight of the coziest local and international authors, including bestsellers Jenn McKinlay, Kate Carlisle, and Paige Shelton, sharing homespun mysteries about bookstores, restaurants,
Admission is free and refreshments will be served. For more information, visit the Poisoned Pen website or call 480-947-2974. Michael Senft
Cinco de Mayo Phoenix Festival
It isn’t a misprint: the Cinco de Mayo Phoenix Festival is actually on Sunday, May 6. To celebrate the Mexican army’s victory over the French Empire in 1862, this family-friendly party will have games, vendors, a 125-foot burrito, and lucha libre wrestling. Then, there is the stacked music lineup. Headlining the 25th anniversary of this event is the Grammy-winning group Ozomatli. The Los Angeles-based six-piece has been fusing rock, hip-hop, and Latin for almost as long as this festival has been in Phoenix.
Put on your sugar-skull shirt and get down from noon to 10 p.m. at Cesar Chavez Plaza, 100 West Washington Street. Tickets are $5 to $60. For more information, visit the Cinco Phoenix website. Jason Keil
Arizona Diamondbacks v. Houston Astros
Okay, it’s hard to hate the Houston Astros too much. They did prevent the dreaded Dodgers from winning the 2017 World Series. Young superstar shortstop Carlos Correa made the nation say “aww” when he proposed to his girlfriend during the celebration after Game Seven. Five-foot-6 second baseman Jose Altuve provided inspiration to short people everywhere by winning the American League MVP over 6-foot-8 Aaron Judge of the Yankees. And model Kate Upton and Houston pitcher Justin Verlander are sickeningly sweet newlyweds who have everything.
But dammit, our Arizona Diamondbacks are off to the best start in their history and want to prove they can beat the world champs in the three-game series that wraps with a 1:10 p.m. face-off on Sunday, May 6, at Chase Field, 401 East Jefferson Street.
So, go D-backs. (And if all that’s not enough, you can bring your dog to the game on Sunday.) Tickets start at $22 via Ticketmaster. Stuart Warner
Letterpress-Printing Workshop
Maybe you’ve been to Nancy Hill’s Hazel & Violet Letterpress for First Friday art walks. If so, you’ve likely marveled at her many printing contraptions — including a 1967 Reprex, 1935 Vandercook, and 1925 Potter. Turns out, you can try your hand at using them, during a letterpress-printing workshop from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, May 6, at 1301 Northwest Grand Avenue.
During the three-hour workshop, participants will learn the basics of letterpress printing and get to make their own coasters, posters, or stationery, using vintage designs. It’s $50 per person and space is limited. Visit the Hazel and Violet website. Lynn Trimble
