Over-hyped pretentious film festivals of the world, listen up: You Cannes all just go to hell and watch us Sundance on your graves. Make way for the upstart film fanatics of the Gadabout Film Festival, who visit the Trunk Space, 1506 Grand Avenue, on Tuesday, October 5, and promise more bang for the buck. Their 17 "low to no budget" films beat your pompous studio-films-masquerading-as-indie-films' asses. Organizer Eric Ayotte doesn't need exclusive parties or ritzy gift bags to attract cineastes; he uses a tour van filled with musicians -- "hyper-pop favorites" The Kiss Ups -- and literary types -- Jacinta Bunnell, co-author of Girls Are Not Chicks coloring books. Plus, he's got subject matter. Witness Bush Boys (pictured) and Strikes Against Corporate America Part II: From the Fry Daddy to Your Car, which examines the method of running your car on "bio-diesel," or recycled vegetable frying oils. You don't see that stuff in Park City.
Admission is $6. Call 602-256-6006 or see www.gadaboutfilmfest.com. -- Joe Watson
Worth the Cause of Admission
The Susan G. Komen Foundation raises funds for breast cancer research
10/2-10/4
Every year, the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation raises tens of millions of dollars to help fight breast cancer. This month, it's your turn to help. Chasers Night Club, 8005 East Roosevelt in Scottsdale, will be hosting a benefit concert at 10 p.m. on Saturday, October 2, featuring the Sciannas, Outliers, and Haven James. Donations are $7 at the door. If guitars aren't your thing -- but goodies are -- visit Gold's Gym, 14843 North Northsight in Scottsdale, on Monday, October 4, for an all-day silent auction benefiting the Komen Foundation from 5 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Call 480-661-1022. --Erika Wurst
"Down" With Puppets
No sock monkeys here
10/1-10/2
With all the adult puppet extravaganzas going on locally, we can reach one of two conclusions: Either P-Town is home to hundreds of freaks who get off on sticking their hands up puppets' asses, or maybe these folks are on to something. We prefer the latter.
At 8 p.m. Friday, October 1, and Saturday, October 2, the Great Arizona Puppet Theater, 302 West Latham, gathers all the freaks, er, geniuses in one place for the "Fallin' Down Puppet Slam." The slams, "part of an ongoing series of puppet shows for grown-ups," bring together puppeteers from Phoenix and Tucson for an "eclectic mix of hilarity, loss, political satire, penguins and more!' The slam features Elastic Theater's "Penguin Week" -- teased with the oh-so-intriguing tag line, "Can't go wrong with penguins" -- and Rude Rabbit Productions' "No Mother," an interpretation of the Old 97s' song. Tickets are $8 in advance, $10 at the door. See www.azpuppets.org. --Joe Watson
3's Company
Galleries host benefit show
Fri 10/1
Underground icons such as Henry Rollins and Jello Biafra have contributed to the cause célèbre of the West Memphis 3, a trio of Arkansas youth who -- with debatable evidence, i.e., a coerced confession and Pink Floyd lyrics -- were convicted of murdering three children in 1993. Rollins and company have even donated signed merchandise to be sold during a monthlong exhibition at Perihelion Arts, 1500 Grand Avenue, and the Trunk Space, 1506 Grand Avenue, which also includes paintings and photographs from artists Liz McGrath, Lydia Lunch and Jason D'Aquino. It begins with an opening reception Friday, October 1, from 6:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. Call 602-462-9120 or 602-256-6006. -- Benjamin Leatherman
Booty Pageant
Scottsdale sends one lucky lady to Hawaii
Sat 10/2
Score cheap tacos, cheap beer and live music on Saturday, October 2, at the Hawaiian Tropic Ms. Salty Señorita Pageant. Just don't plan on scoring with the contestants.
"This is not a wet tee shirt contest," says Stephanie Eglin, one of the event's organizers. "There's an evening gown competition,swimsuit . . .all that. It's a bona fide pageant."
Got it. Ogling -- yes.
"Show us your tits!" -- not so much.
More than 35 contestants will compete for the title of "Ms. Salty Señorita," $1,000, and an all-expenses-paid trip to Hawaii, where they'll represent Scottsdale in next year's Ms. Hawaiian Tropic national competition.
Meanwhile, downtown Scottsdale's Señorita -- one block south of Second Street on Scottsdale Road -- turns its back parking lot into an 18,000-square-foot outdoor party from noon 'til 2 a.m., with food and drink specials and live performances from Metalhead, Dimonet, and Knee Deep.
Admission is free. For more information or to register in the pageant, see www.saltysenorita.com. --Joe Watson