The Best Things to Do in Metro Phoenix This Week

New Times picks the best arts and culture events in metro Phoenix from February 22 through 26.

Workin' It Out
Find yourself with a constant case of the Mondays? Seek reprieve and laugh it off during Workin’ It Out, Ernesto Ortiz and Gene Moore’s weekly stand-up show.

As one of the only LBGT-themed comedy nights in the Valley, the show is known for featuring past guests like Leslie Barton and Jason Hill, offering a side of improv from the likes of Nathan Evangelista and Josh Graves, and giving their dynamic host duo plenty of stage time. Want to know what you’re in for? Past episodes of their Workin’ It Out podcast are at www.workinitout.podomatic.com.

Watch ‘em work at 8 p.m. on Monday, February 22, at The Rock, 4129 North Seventh Avenue. Doors open at 7:30 p.m., and prices vary. Call 602-248-8559 or visit www.therockdmphoenix.com for show details. Janessa Hilliard

"Confluence"
The world owes some thanks to great duos throughout history. Whether it’s Batman and Robin, Hall and Oates, or Key and Peele, there’s probably a two-person team you think is quite righteous.

“Confluence: Inter-generational Collaborations” is an exhibition of works made by seven pairs of American Indian artists from the Southwest region. Each of these duos includes an established mentor artist and an emerging artist who is 16 to 20 years old, giving the two a chance to learn generational perspectives from one another while creating work in mediums like fashion, painting, and jewelry. Check out the results of teamwork from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, February 23, at the Heard Museum, 2301 North Central Avenue. Admission is $7.50 to $18. Call 602-252-8840 or visit www.heard.org. Amy Young

"The 10 Most Exciting Photographers I Learned About This Year"
Think the “explore posts” section of Instagram is the best way to discover new photographers? Well, Geoff Dyer’s talk at Phoenix Art Museum, 1625 North Central Avenue, on Wednesday, February 24, likely will give that fun app function a run for its money. At 7 p.m., University of Southern California writer in residence and photo essayist will share the impressive work of artists during “`The 10 Most Exciting Photographers I Learned About This Year.” And we’re betting none of them will be included for perfectly employing the Clarendon filter. Admission is free. Get details at www.phxart.org or call 602-257-1880. Becky Bartkowski

The Amazing Acro-Cats
When the only cat band in existence comes to town, you go to the show. The Rock Cats, a band literally made up of domestic cats, is performing as part of the Amazing Acro-Cats, a touring circus troupe of everyone’s favorite felines, at Phoenix Theatre’s Playhouse on the Park at Central Arts Plaza, 1850 North Central Avenue. The Acro-Cats have already made a name for themselves, appearing in The New York Times, Los Angels Times, and BuzzFeed and performing on live television on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, the Steve Harvey Show, and the Sunday Morning Show. Cats are notoriously lazy in their own lovable way; but this troupe may challenge everything you thought you knew about nature’s best nappers.

The Amazing Acro-Cats are coming to Playhouse on the Park February 15 through March 6. Tickets range from $27 to $30. On Thursday, February 25, the show kicks off at 7 p.m. For more information, visit circuscats.com or tickets.phoenixtheatre.com. Katrina Montgomery

BLACKArtsMatter
BLACKArtsMatter is a conference of enlightening and inspiring events that’s part of ASU’s Performance in the Borderlands program. It continues through Sunday, February 28, with a rundown at www.facebook.com/events/546756685492919.

Thursday, February 25, offers a couple of choices:

•  Local Black Arts Panel, presented by cross-cultural collective Mujeres del Sol at Puente Human Rights, 1937 West Adams Street. Leading lights in visual art, film, and performing arts, including Fatimah Halim and David Hemphill, will discuss their creative experiences from 6 to 8 p.m. Admission is free.

• The America Play, by the Pulitzer-winning Suzan-Lori Parks, a play in which, among other events, a character known as the Foundling Father runs an attraction where, for a penny, one can re-enact Lincoln’s assassination. Showtime’s 7:30 p.m., tickets are $5 to $10 at 480-965-6447 or the Film, Dance, and Theater School's website, and the play runs through Sunday, February 28, at ASU Tempe’s Nelson Fine Arts Center, 51 East 10th Street. Julie Peterson

Filmstock Social
Do you watch your friends’ eyes glaze over when you start talking about your latest idea for a movie script? Maybe it’s time to get together with some industry folks who might actually want you to bend their ears.

The Filmstock Social, hosted by the people behind the annual Filmstock Film Festival, gives you a chance to network with writers, actors, filmmakers, producers, and plain old film fanatics in the relaxed setting of an arcade bar. Guests include Shepsut Wilson actress and host of the CW6 show, Politics in the Yard, and producer Cassidy Michael-Frank Torrey. Mix, mingle, and beat the top Centipede score at 6 p.m. on February 25 at Cobra Arcade Bar, 801 North Second Street, Suite 100. Admission is free. Visit the Facebook event page for more info. Amy Young

Stories with a Splash
The Scottsdale Waterfront will be alight with art again when Canal Convergence, an annual large-scale public art event, takes over the banks — and water — of the Arizona Canal, between Scottsdale and Goldwater roads.

The theme, aptly, is Water + Art + Light, and woven within the weekend takeover is a night of live storytelling: “Stories with a Splash: A Birthday Party!” in honor of Scottsdale Public Art’s 30th birthday. Tellers include young adult author Elizabeth Maria Naranjo, journalist Sara Palmer, New Times managing editor Amy Silverman, gallery owner and New Times contributor Robrt Pela, and R. Bradley Snyder, human development psychologist and writer. Katherine Stewart is the evening’s master of ceremonies. (New Times is an official sponsor of this event.)

Stories set sail at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, February 26, at Soleri Plaza at the Scottsdale Waterfront, 4420 North Scottsdale Road. Admission is $15. There will be a wine and beer garden on site. For tickets, visit www.scottsdaleperformingarts.org or www.canalconvergence.com for details. Janessa Hilliard