Try as you may, you can't have a social life through osmosis, introvert. But you can celebrate plant life on Thursday, May 19, by visiting Objects Gallery at Biltmore Fashion Park, 24th Street and Camelback, where Craig Pearson and Potheads International host "Tropical." The event kicks off a 30-day "organic installation" featuring artifacts from around the world, including pots and plants Pearson collected during a recent trip to Southeast Asia. Pearson will arrange "a variety of trees and other flora to create a one-of-a-kind arboretum" on exhibit at Objects through June 19. Tapino Kitchen & Wine Bar caters the event, which is free. Call 480-247-8090 to RSVP.
FRI 20
Thanks to the Phoenix Suns' playoff run, the Copper Square Film Series had to bail from its digs at the Seed & Feed Building south of America West Arena to make way for parking space. But that's not necessarily a bad thing, outdoor film fans. On Friday, May 20, the CSFS relocates to the Levine Machine Building at 605 East Grant Street, and moves the festivities inside -- with a cooling system -- for a showing of the 2005 Phoenix Film Festival "Best Picture" winner, Checking Out, beginning at 8 p.m. The film is a "slice of life comedy featuring an old Shakespearean actor who invites his three children to his suicide party." Of course, the kids end up proving to their father "why life is worth living." Ah, the sweet poetry. Live music from Ten Dollar Outfit kicks off the showing at 7 p.m. Admission and parking are free. Bring your own chair. Call 602-254-8696 or see www.coppersquare.com.
SAT 21
Rolling Stone and MTV News are giving his tattoo studio some ink. But Sean Dowdell knows the Club Tattoo 10th Anniversary Celebration likely wouldn't be national news without its star-studded guest list, which includes Chester Bennington from Linkin Park, Alien Ant Farm, Orgy's Ryan Shuck, the Phunk Junkeez, and DJ Switch. "Sure, [the coverage] is because of those guys," says Dowdell, who played drums for Bennington's former Phoenix band, Grey Daze, before opening up Club Tattoo. "But that's the point. That's why I got them out here. I want the media to cover the [positive] stuff that's going on in this community." Okay, we'll bite. And so will 4,000 others, the nice round number expected at Acme Roadhouse, 855 South Rural Road in Tempe, on Saturday, May 21. The Sobe Skateboard Team is bringing a half-pipe and eight of its own riders, and Dowdell will perform with Bennington, Shuck and "Cheez" Brown from TSOL. The party starts at 7 p.m., with "red carpet" arrivals at 9:30. Tickets are free, but must be presented at the door for admission. Call 480-221-8164 or see www.clubtattoo.com.
SUN 22
So they skipped past us -- 15 times -- for a season of The Real World. (Hell, they even pimped Philadelphia instead of us! And went to New York twice.) But MTV is giving Phoenix, or, rather, Phoenicians, a shot at its new reality show -- appropriately called The Reality Show -- on Sunday, May 22. MTV is seeking guys and girls at least 18 years old for a casting call at the Embassy Suites Hotel, 2630 East Camelback Road, from noon to 3 p.m. Bring a completed application, signed release forms, your best photo, and a two-minute videotape of you and your life, reflecting "your own unique personality or style." The winner, to be chosen from casting calls in seven cities including the 'Nix, must be available to be in L.A. from September through November. Get all the necessary paperwork and details at www.therealityshow.tv.
MON 23
Phil Western skips to the beat of a different drummer: himself. The Vancouver, B.C., Canuck started out more than a decade ago playing drums in live bands, but found himself wanting more -- or less, depending on your musical perspective. So he turned to electronic beats and blips, and ended up working with Skinny Puppy and Tranquility Bass, and helped produce or remix tunes by Metallica, Monster Magnet, and Nine Inch Nails. Now he's on tour in support of his third solo album, World's End, and his new project, Frozen Rabbit's debut album, 26000. On Monday, May 23, Western plays the Paper Heart, 750 Grand Avenue, at 10 p.m. Admission is $10. Call 602-262-2020 or see www.thepaperheart.com.
TUE 24
It was a little more than a year ago that IZW Wrestling was down for the count, without a home after leaving a dive bar in south Phoenix. But now, thanks to an impressive lineup of grapplers -- five former IZWers have signed contracts with the WWE in recent months -- and a growing fan base, IZW celebrates its one-year anniversary at The Sets, 90 East Southern Avenue in Tempe, on Tuesday, May 24. After being embarrassed by "Lynch Mob" boss/twerp Ryan Lynch (about 5-foot-6 and 90 pounds) a couple weeks back, IZW heavyweight champ A-Train (at 6-foot-7, 450 pounds) tries to defend his title against former champ "XXX" Lawrence Tyler, who hails from the "Red Light District" of Amsterdam. (Lynch won the March 10 match against A-Train by disqualification, so the champ kept his title on a technicality.) Pin down a seat to see the action, which starts at 7:30 p.m., for $7. Call 602-953-2728 or see www.trashcity.com/izw.htm.
WED 25
Gettin' freaky under cover of night doesn't offer the same anonymity it used to. So on Wednesday, May 25, Shepherd's Nite Club, 3114 East Cactus Road, helps drunk chicks face their co-workers the next morning by offering "Shadow Dancing" Ladies' Night. After throwing back a few 75-cent Miller High Lifes, ladies can test their flexibility -- and sobriety -- behind an "anything goes" (and usually does) spotlighted curtain as house DJs spin Top 40 until 2 a.m. There's no cover for guys or girls all night long. Call 602-482-0751.
