Despite the moniker that's been affixed to this local artist showcase being put on at Scottsdale's favorite hipster dive bar by Free Sushi Records, we somehow doubt that bands such as The Whisperlights and Beatnik Bombers will make the eighth anniversary of 9/11 with any renditions of Lee Greenwood's "God Bless The USA." Truth be told, Americana-laced pop/rock songs are more likely rather than the American-centric jingoism. Bonecookie, Will and I, and Dearspeak are also scheduled to perform. 9 p.m., $5. 423 North Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, 480-947-3580)
Sketching in Stereo at Hot Topic/Tempe Marketplace (Friday)
As much as we hate promoting anything associated with the loathsome kiddie-punk mall chain (which always brings up visions of the Dead Kennedys song "Anarchy for Sale"), the chance to catch a free show by the radio-friendly rockers of Sketching in Stereo is too good to pass up. But for the love of Chuck D., please resist the urge to buy a Public Enemy hoodie. 6 p.m., free. (2000 East Rio Salado Parkway, Suite D2, Tempe, 480-557-9828)
23 Retail Collective Grand Opening at The Firehouse (Friday)
Whenever we step on the light-rail platform at Central and Roosevelt and look east, we lament that the original Thought Crime isn't across the street. The chaotic collective, artist residence, and gallery was headed up by downtown art-scene vet Michael 23. Luckily, M23 had established The Firehouse before Thought Crime's unceremonious booting from the sweet Central Avenue property more than five years ago. The collective spirit continues with the 23 Retail Collective, which celebrates its birth tonight. Made up of 23 individuals with rotating shop-keeping responsibilities, the endeavor represents Phoenix's latest outpost for locally produced arts, crafts, and threads. During the shop's grand-opening shindig, a fashion show featuring creations spawned by collective members will be soundtracked to live music by Firehouse favorites and music deejayed by the collective's preferred selectas. 8 p.m., free. (1015 North First Street, 602-300-7575) -- Jose Gonzalez
The Strong Dollars at The Lucky Devil (Friday)
Mark Zubia might as well start calling himself "King Midas," because it seems like anything the renowned local musician is involved with turns to gold. Just look at his track record: Back in the day, he was involved in the Pistoleros (who got signed to Hollywood Records in the '90s), followed much later by stints in the Zubia Brothers and his current gig at the leader of the ultra-talented ensemble Los Guys. His latest project is the "bad ass country" foursome Strong Dollar, which also features the musical efforts of Paul Cardone, Tony Martinez, and Gary Smith. 9 p.m., $3. (1212 East Apache Boulevard, Tempe, 480-446-7468).
Obscura at the Ruby Room (Friday)
None of the Valley's L.A. runoff, faux-Ray-Ban-wearing hipster dance nights would exist if not for Panic!, Phoenix's original alternative dance party. While the days of the $2.50 Long Island iced tea at Anderson's Fifth Estate (and Anderson's itself) are long gone, the good people who brought you Panic! are at it again with Obscura, the divey dance night that happens every second Friday and features DJ Roya spinning Brit-pop, '80s, mod, soul and (current) indie rock. This month's special guest will be Shake! spinner Funkfinger, and organizer Robden Brethauer will be handing out both tickets to David Cross' upcoming gig and copies of Yo La Tengo's latest disc. 9 p.m., $5 (717 South Central Avenue, 602-258-6900) -- Adriane Goetz
Jake La Botz at Incision Tattoo (Saturday)
For the fourth straight year in a row, Chicago bluesy roots-rocker Jake La Botz is doing what no other musician has done before: staging a nationwide performance tour of tattoo parlors, making stops at needle joints from sea to inky sea. Like the last three years, La Botz will be paying a visit to the West Valley's Incision Tattoo, where he's likely to perform songs from his latest album I'm A Crow. 8 p.m., free. (5414 West Glendale Avenue, Glendale, 623-937-5666
The Room Screening at MADCAP Theaters (Saturday)
The Midnite Movie Mamacita screens Tommy Wiseau's love-triangle turkey, which she refers to as "Floor Plan 9 from Outer Space." Others have called it "the Citizen Kane of bad movies," and the flick, which belly-flopped on its first run, has become a sensation in L.A.'s midnight-movie circuit. 9 p.m., $7. (730 South Mill Avenue, Tempe, 480-634-5192) -- Clay McNear
Snow Songs at Icehouse Tavern (Saturday)
If you're one of those types who believes recorded music is far better than witnessing a live performance, go see Snow Songs and then tell us if you still feel the same way. We're guessing you won't. The Phoenix-based rock group, fronted by longstanding local musician Yolanda Bejarano (formerly of Slugger, Mariachi Colonial, and other punk-focused projects), has been playing shows for about five months now. And though Bejarano's hard-charged, punk-singing stylings of the past aren't present in this group, the wow factor is still there, especially during live gigs, which reminds us, in terms of energy, tone, and color, of Odelay-era Beck hanging out with PJ Harvey. Cage Match, Said Gun, and Halema'uma'u share the bill. 9 p.m., $6. (3855 East Thomas Road, 602-244-1179) -- Steve Jansen
The Shakedown Sunday at Famous Sam's Glendale (Sunday)
You might not of heard of local hip-hop artists Boogeyman and Quota, which is a shame really, considering both Westside MCs exhibit some fairly tight rapping skills and lyrical flows. They're celebrating the release of their latest CDs Street Legal and Why Do I Write? this coming Sunday over in Glendale with a phat fete that also features performances by Bugzy, So Realistic, Lutenit Lux, Uneek, Cuzin Ice Lecta, and other rhyme spitters. A variety of drink specials ae also available, including $2 Kamikazes, $3 Heinikens, and $4.25 double vodka cranberries. 9 p.m.; $3 pre-sale, $5 at the door. (4343 West Glendale Avenue, Glendale, 623-337-2911)
Domestic Arsenal at Mesa Contemporary Arts (Sunday)
Artist Eileen Doktorski used (and twisted) everyday household objects such as toys and furniture to create a heaping mound of a memorial to victims of family violence. Check out her work, which are on display until January 3. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., $3.50. (1 East Main Street, Mesa, 480-644-6500)
