10 Best Things to Do in Metro Phoenix This Weekend

New Times picks the best things to do in metro Phoenix from February 12 to 14.

Love Me Tinder
Ain’t no shame in your Tinder game. We’ve been there. Some loved, most lost, but we always came back with a good story or screenshot. Whether you’re single and ready to mingle or have found true love, what better time to commiserate with friends (and six stand-up comedians) than Valentine’s weekend?

Look no further than Love Me Tinder, a stand-up comedy show at the Lounge in the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art — and the museum’s first foray into the world of funny. Local comics Anthony Desamito, Leslie Barton, Michael Paul Kohn, Genevieve Rice, Steve Maxwell, and Pauly Casillas deliver tales of broken hearts, winning lines, and finding — let alone keeping — love in the iPhone age.

The tough love starts at 7 p.m. on Friday, February 12, at SMoCA Lounge, 7374 East Second Street. Tickets are $10, discount for museum members. Cash bar available. For details, visit www.smoca.org or call 480-874-4666. Janessa Hilliard

Lasso of Truth
Any comics nerd worth her salt knows Wonder Woman was invented by psychologist William Moulton Marston, who developed the blood pressure test for use in polygraph exams and based much of his behavioral work on, um, submission – which all seems kind of Wonder Woman-y. There’s more to know about Marston, but was the dude himself a chill hang or a snooze?

Find out at Lasso of Truth, a play about the man, the Woman, and their legacy, presented by ASU’s school of film, dance, and theater. Land your invisible plane at the Lyceum Theatre on the Tempe campus through Sunday, February 21. Showtime on Friday, February 12, is 7:30 p.m. For tickets, $8 to $16, visit www.filmdancetheatre.asu.edu/events or call 480-965-6447. The play contains mature content. Julie Peterson

Amazing Arizona Comic Con
Valley comic book enthusiasts won't be hard to find this weekend with the release of long-awaited Marvel Universe flick Deadpool, centered around the wisecracking assassin. When fanboys and girls aren't in the theater, you'll probably find them at the Amazing Arizona Comic Convention, where Deadpool co-creator and superhero publishing iconoclast Rob Liefeld will be in attendance. Other significant guests include legendary X-Men writer Chris Claremont and Kevin Eastman, co-creator of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Between autograph signings and panels, attendees are invited to get dolled up in cosplay and for the zombie beauty pageant.

The Amazing Arizona Comic Convention kicks off this Friday, February 12, running from 3 to 8 p.m. at the Phoenix Convention Center, 100 North Third Street. The con’ continues through Sunday. Single-day admission is $25, with three-day passes and VIP packages available. Kids 10 and younger are admitted for free. For more information, visit www.amazingarizonacomiccon.com. Jose Gonzalez

When Harry Met Sally & The Notebook
If we are to take away one life lesson from the great romances portrayed in When Harry Met Sally and The Notebook, it’s that even if a lady pretty much hates your dude guts, you stand a pretty fair chance of getting married and dying all synced-up like. Think about it. Actually don’t — because it’s way more fun if you avoid overanalyzing it. Which is exactly how you should proceed when CityScape screens the pair as an outdoor double-feature starting with The Notebook at 5:30 p.m. and When Harry Met Sally at 7:30 on Friday, February 12, at One East Washington Street. Admission is free, and you can bring your own blankets and chairs for lounging. See details at www.cityscapephoenix.com. Becky Bartkowski

Arizona Gay Rodeo
Time to track down those cowboy boots: The Arizona Gay Rodeo Association is holding its 31st annual weekend of bucking broncos and honkey tonks.

The all-ages event features classic contests like bull and steer riding, roping, and live entertainment from country artist Ty Herndon. Novices can sign up for barrel riding clinics ($50) and calf-roping lessons ($20) during rodeo school events, and rodeo-goers will want to stick around for the crowning of Rodeo Royalty, including kings and (drag) queens.

Cowboy up with three days of events starting at 5 p.m. on Friday, February 12, with “Sophia Sinclair's Hootenanny Jamboree,” Country Idol, and a chili cook-off. Gates open at 9 a.m. Saturday, February 13, and Sunday, February 14. The rodeo starts at 10 a.m. each day at the Corona Ranch and Rodeo Grounds, 7611 South 29th Avenue in Laveen. Day tickets are $15, and weekend passes are $25. Visit www.agra-phx.com or call 480-577-5976. Janessa Hilliard

Galentine's Day
The legacy of Parks and Recreation looms large in the pop culture lexicon, your Netflix history, and made-up holidays. Yeah, yeah, you’ve done your own version of Treat Yo’ Self, buying cashmere socks and Batman costumes. But have you tried the Leslie Knope-approved Valentine’s Day spinoff, Galentine’s Day? Traditionally a breakfast-centered celebration of awesome women, this year The Grid puts a nightlife spin on hallowed day. Expect games, a make-your-own Valentine station, drink specials, team trivia, and a performance from The Love Me Nots. While men are welcome to attend the cover-free evening at 525 South Gilbert Road in Mesa, the drink specials are for gals only. Get details at Facebook. Becky Bartkowski

2016 Chinese New Year Show
It’s time to bid a fond farewell to the sheep and embrace the monkey. According to Chinese Zodiac, 2016, the year of the fire monkey, is all about ambition and adventure. Ring in the Chinese New Year and embrace your inner primate at the 2016 Chinese New Year Show at Mesa Arts Center, One East Main Street. The performance will include folk music, traditional dance, and seasonal songs.

The Chinese New Year officially begins on February 8, but you can continue the celebrations at 7 p.m. on Saturday, February 13. Tickets are $20 to $30 and can be purchased online at mesaartscenter.com or by calling 480-788-9584. Katrina Montgomery

Valentine's Day Massacre Cruiser Ride
Everyone celebrates Valentine’s Day a little differently. Most choose to go the love, candy and Hallmark card route. In 1929, Al Capone decided to gift seven rival gang members bellies full of lead during what became known as the Saint Valentine's Day Massacre. You can split the difference with the seventh annual Valentine’s Day Massacre Cruiser Ride. Hosted by TT Roadhouse and Ska Brewing, this boozefest on wheels is more about tequila shots than gunshots, and while all the pub crawl stops are still TBD, don’t worry—riders and lovers never venture far from TT’s.

The Valentine’s Day Massacre Cruiser Ride rolls out at noon Sunday, February 14, at 2915 North 68th Street in Scottsdale. Call 480-947-8723 for more. Zach Fowle

Dancing with the Stars: Live!
One of America’s favorite primetime pastimes is hitting the theater circuit, performing foxtrots and tangos — live — across the great US of A.

Dancing with the Stars Live! sashays into downtown Phoenix, marking the last stop of the “Dance All Night Tour.” Among the 11 dancers, fans of the Fall 2015 season will recognize dancer Sharna Burgess, who made second place with partner and former Backstreet Boy Nick Carter, as well as contestant Alek Skarlatos, who first made headlines when he stopped a gunman aboard a Paris-bound train.

There are two chances to catch the finale show at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Sunday, February 14, at Comerica Theatre, 400 West Washington Street. Tickets range from $28 to $234. Visit www.comericatheatre.com or call the box office at 602-379-2800. Janessa Hilliard

World Champion Hoop Dancing Competition
Sure, you’ve booked the restaurant, bought the gifts, and made all the preparations for the most romantic night of the year. Or you’ve disavowed social media (temporarily), bought some Ben & Jerry’s, and hunkered down for an epic Netflix binge. Either way, you’ve got some daylight to burn first. Here’s a compelling option: the World Champion Hoop Dancing Competition at Heard Museum, 2301 North Central Avenue. Surely the world’s finest purveyors of a beautiful Native American tradition will inspire you with displays of agility, grace, and athleticism involving lots of colorful hoops — regardless of your romantic prospects. It’s the perfect opportunity to feel like you’re doing something worthwhile with your life by watching others do something worthwhile with theirs. The competition takes place Sunday, February 14, at 9:30 a.m. Ticket prices vary. See www.heard.org or call 602-252-8840. Rob Kroehler