Foxcatcher
To remain unspoiled by the ending of Foxcatcher, avoid the real-life story of chemical fortune heir and fanatical athletics booster John du Pont and the wrestling Schultz brothers. Why fanatical? Well, if somebody has a doctorate in natural science from Villanova and founded the Delaware Museum of Natural History single-handedly but also hangs around with swimmers and wrestlers all the time . . . okay, du Pont could have been some kind of genius polymath, but the film demonstrates why we chose "fanatical."
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Showtime's 4:30 p.m. Monday, February 23, for audiences 21 and older, at FilmBar, 815 North Second Street. Admission is $9 for screenings continuing through Thursday, February 26, at www.thefilmbarphx.com or at the door. Call 602-595-9187 if you wish -- but messages aren't monitored. Julie Peterson
Tig Notaro
Tig Notaro was a favorite in comedy circles and had already popped up on The Sarah Silverman Program, Community, and The Office prior to August 3, 2012. That night, she unspooled an instantly legendary set at L.A.'s Largo, detailing having been diagnosed with breast cancer the day before and the previous year of tragedies and darkness. Props from Louis C.K. may have widened her exposure, but we think that the fiercely funny and fearlessly personal comic would have been on the rise regardless.
Tig Notaro: Boyish Girl Interrupted is at Crescent Ballroom, 308 North Second Avenue, on Tuesday, February 24. Admission is $25 in advance and $28 at the door. To purchase tickets or for more info, visit www.crescentphx.com or call 602-716-2222. Jose Gonzalez
Anything Goes
Music and lyrics from the legendary Cole Porter take the stage again in Anything Goes, a production of Phoenix Theatre's spring lineup. The Tony Award-winning musical tells of a voyage from New York to London, aboard an ocean liner where love triangles and witty shenanigans run rampant. Set in the art deco era of the 1930s, the ensemble, tap-heavy production highlights colorful costumes, swinging musical numbers, and an amusing and approachable storyline. Directed by Robert Kolby Harper, the Valley's production stars Debby Rosenthal, D. Scott Withers, Jon Gentry, and Trisha Hart Ditsworth.
Opening night is Wednesday, February 25, at 7:30 p.m. at Phoenix Theatre, 100 East McDowell Road, and performances continue through Wednesday, March 25. Tickets range from $50 to $90. Visit www.phoenixtheatre.com or call 602-254-2151 for details. Janessa Hilliard
"Unfixed: New Paintings"
Less than a month ago, the Balley was ground zero for the convergence of all of the athletes, celebs, and hoopla surrounding the Super Bowl. Heavy hitters of a different kind will be gathered together for "Unfixed," the latest exhibit at ASU Art Museum.
Well known in the art world, Katherine Bernhardt, Hugh Scott-Douglas, Jeff Elrod, Daniel Lefcourt, Eddie Peake, Avery K. Singer, Josh Smith, and Brad Troemel explore the boundaries of paintings while attempting to redefine them. "Unfixed: New Paintings" is on exhibit at the ASU Art Museum, 51 East 10th Street in Tempe, on Thursday, February 26, from 11 a.m to 5 p.m. and continues through June 6. Admission is free. For more information, visit www.asuartmuseum.asu.edu. Jose Gonzalez
MicroDwelling 2015: Alternative Spaces for Simple Living
The tiny house movement returns to the Valley this month with "MicroDwelling 2015: Alternative Spaces for Simple Living." The showcase features about a dozen projects, including four built by ASU students in design and sustainability programs. Returning architects Dan Dwyer and event creator Patrick McCue will also show their small spaces. Other highlights include a Geeza-inspired pyramid and colorful, lens-heavy room. All are less than 600 square feet, making this a fun event for minimalists and curious lookers alike.
The big show of little spaces is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, February 27, behind Shemer Art Center, 5005 East Camelback Road, and continues through Sunday, March 1. Weekend hours run until 6 p.m. Tickets are $5 at the door. Visit www.microdwelling.net for details. Janessa Hilliard
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