Craftagious
Of the many events at maker space HeatSync Labs, the every-two-weeks Craftagious can inspire even creatives who don't see themselves carving stuff up with a laser, building a robot, or 3D printing what is absolutely not a death ray. Craftagious includes lots of knitting and crocheting, along with opportunities to use some of the rare or high-tech tools that live at HeatSync or just to brainstorm with other crafty people working in media from duct tape to jewelry.
See also: New Times' Complete Calendar of Events
Join the gang from 7 to 9 p.m. every other Monday at 140 West Main Street in Mesa. Visit www.heatsynclabs.org for more information. Julie Peterson
Uptown P.E.N.
Two decades ago, a brazenly hirsute singer named Paula Cole lamented, "Where have all the cowboys gone?" Hard to say, Paula, but judging by the prose that permeates today's popular culture, a more salient question for the braless divas of 2015 to pose might be, "Where have all the poets gone?"
Fortunately, poets and wordsmiths still abound, albeit almost entirely in a cultural distributary. They go to events like Uptown P.E.N. (poetry event night) at Practical Art, 5070 North Central Avenue. This month's free event features poet Bill Campana at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 14. Visit www.practical-art.com or call 602-264-1414. Rob Kroehler
LAGOS: KOOLHAAS
Nigeria's port city of Lagos, facing toward the Gulf of Guinea on the west coast of Africa, is one of the fastest growing cities in the world. By 2020, the burgeoning metropolis is slated to be the third most populous city on the globe, with 24 million citizens. The 2003 documentary LAGOS: KOOLHAAS follows Harvard University Professor of Architecture and Urban Design Rem Koolhaas as he immerses himself in the city life of Lagos to find answers for the challenges of booming populations.
LAGOS: KOOLHAAS screens at the Phoenix Center for the Arts, 1202 North Third Street, at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 15. Admission is $7 or $6 for students with ID. Visit www.nofestivalrequired.wordpress.com for more info. Jose Gonzalez
Welcome to Night Vale
Night Vale is a small desert town not unlike one that you'd find within miles of the California-Arizona border -- with a few exceptions. Those include its mysterious hooded figures who congregate around a forbidden dog park, its Sheriff who may or may not exist, and the Glow Cloud, the peculiar multicolored floating entity that now serves as president of the local school board.
Welcome to Night Vale is the bimonthly, über-popular podcast where that town's news of strange phenomena is delivered matter-of-factly by host Cecil Palmer (voiced by Cecil Baldwin). Written by Joseph Fink and Jeffrey Cranor since 2012, the live version of the podcast features a new story, special guests, and music by British singer-songwriter Mary Epworth. Welcome to Night Vale visits Mesa Arts Center, One East Main Street, on Thursday, April 16, and the live broadcast starts at 8 p.m. Admission is $28. Visit www.mesaartscenter.com to purchase tickets or for more info. Jose Gonzalez
Iliza Shlesinger
There's a lot more to girls than sugar, spice and everything nice. There's Uggs, glitter, and pumpkin recipe Pinterest boards, too. Just ask Iliza Shlesinger, winner of NBC's Last Comic Standing and star of her own comedy specials War Paint and Freezing Hot. Whether she's discussing the weather or dishing on dating, Shlesinger leaves no stereotype untouched in the battle of the sexes.
Shlesinger will perform at the Tempe Improv, 930 East University Drive. Showtimes are 7:30 and 10 p.m. Friday, April 17; 7 and 10 p.m. Saturday, April 18; and 7 p.m. Sunday, April 19. Tickets are $20 with a two-drink minimum for each 21-and-over show. Visit www.tempeimprov.com or call 480-921-9877. Katie Johnson