5 Best Things to Do in Metro Phoenix This Week

New Times picks the best things to do in metro Phoenix from May 2 through 5.

"Student Art Show"
We’ve all got hang-ups. But for art students at Mesa Community College, they’re objects presented on gallery walls.

The new MCC Art Gallery, located on the college’s Dobson campus at 1833 West Southern Avenue, shows off a big crop of student art works during its “Student Art Show.” It’s a chance to see 147 works by 82 artists working in ceramics, digital media, drawing, painting, photography, and mixed media.

The free exhibition will be up through Thursday, May 5. Hours on Monday, May 2, are 9 to 5 p.m. Visit www.mesacc.edu/arts. Lynn Trimble

The Nightmare of Henry VIII
It must have been a great relief for Catherine Parr, Henry VIII’s sixth wife, when King Husband died, thereby kiboshing his chief hobby: the murder of hundreds who impeded his plans. Honestly, it’s hysterical that Hank believed only a male heir could manage the kingdom, while he (also a man) spent maybe 10 minutes a day doing so and kept executing his closest advisers. Then his daughter reigned for 44 years.

The Nightmare of Henry VIII, a new one-act about the monarch’s deathbed visions, previews at 7 p.m. Monday, May 2, as part of the Herberger Lunch Time Theater series. Admission is $3. The play continues at lunchtime through Thursday, May 12; all shows are at 222 East Monroe Street. Visit www.herbergertheater.org or call 602-252-8497. Julie Peterson

Star Wars: The Music
Even without the scroll text and roman numerals, the opening scenes of each chapter in the Star Wars saga are universally recognizable for one chief thing: John Williams’ “Main Theme” crescendo.

On the holiday heralded as Star Wars Day — May the Fourth, naturally — The Phoenix Symphony presents Star Wars: The Music, a celebration of some of the most famous movie music around. Members of the orchestra will perform Williams’ acclaimed pieces, including “Imperial March” and new selections from the recently released Episode VII – The Force Awakens.

The galaxy far, far away takes center stage at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 4, at the Ikeda Theater at Mesa Arts Center, One East Main Street. Tickets are $31 to $77; purchase online at www.mesaartscenter.com or through the box office at 480-644-6500. Costumes are encouraged, whether you’re a Luke or Leia, or choose to channel your inner Darth Vader. Click on www.phoenixsymphony.org for details. Janessa Hilliard

Ultimate Captain America Marathon
Captain America: The First Avenger. The Avengers. Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Avengers: Age of Ultron. Captain America: Civil War. All together, these films tell an epic, 690-minute story of an American soldier who — thanks to a little Super Soldier Serum and a bitchin’ vibranium shield — became an American hero. And at the Ultimate Captain America Marathon, you’ll be able to watch them all. The $35 marathon package includes admission to all five films, a Harkins loyalty cup, a small popcorn, and a commemorative marathon badge and lanyard. You even get a nifty medallion if you manage to watch all five. Yes, you’ll be spending more than 13 hours in a movie theater. But Cap spent 70 years frozen in a block of ice. So you should be able to handle it.

The Ultimate Captain America Marathon begins at 8 a.m. Thursday, May 5, at Harkins Tempe Marketplace, 2000 East Rio Salado Parkway. Tickets are $35. Call 480-557-0027 or visit www.harkinstheaters.com for more. Zach Fowle

All Balanchine
When Ib Andersen, now artistic director for Ballet Arizona, became a dancer with New York City Ballet in 1980, he had to learn 35 ballets in three months – all by renowned choreographer George Balanchine. But now, it’s your turn to be the quick study.

You’ll know more than most about Balanchine once you’ve seen this year’s All Balanchine production, which includes a work even Balanchine protégé Andersen never performed. It’s "Symphony in Three Movements," which Ballet Arizona is performing for the very first time.

Dancers grace the stage at Symphony Hall, located at 75 North Second Street, starting at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 5. Be there by 6:15 p.m. to hear a pre-performance chat. Tickets start at $25, and All Balanchine continues through May 8. Visit balletaz.org. Lynn Trimble