5 Best Things to Do in Metro Phoenix This Week

New Times pick the best things to do in metro Phoenix from Monday, August 15, through Thursday, August 18. For more events, see our curated online calendar. 

Diamondbacks vs. Mets
By all accounts, the Arizona Diamondbacks should be better. Beleaguered by injuries, underachieving pitchers, and an abysmal home record, the boys of summer have been downright cold in 2016. Still, the team has some very good pieces in place and — with the right guidance — is likely to improve in the years to come. Infielder Jake Segura has been exceptional in his inaugural season as a Diamondback, and Jake Lamb has emerged as a complementary slugger to all-star Paul Goldschmidt. This season is a goner, but Valley baseball fans have plenty to be optimistic about moving forward. The Diamondbacks host the New York Mets, who are still fighting for their postseason lives, at Chase Field, 401 East Jefferson Street, at 6:40 pm. on Monday, August 15. Tickets are $14 and up. Visit www.dbacks.com or call 602-514-8400 for details. Rob Kroehler

"Faculty Fine Art Exhibition"
It’s popular nowadays to question a certain political figure's faculties, but the smarter bet is letting all that go for a bit of gallery time. Unplug anytime between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. on Tuesday, August 16, and you can explore the free “Faculty Fine Art Exhibition” at Scottsdale Community College, 9000 East Chaparral Road.

Chances are, you’ve seen works by several of their art faculty members in other settings. Eye Lounge presented Ashley Czajkowski’s “Vestiges” exhibition earlier this year, and Rachel L. Brace-Stille shows work at Tilt Gallery in Scottsdale.

This exhibition is a way to see works by several art faculty members in a single place. Check out works by student artists while you’re there. The exhibition continues through Thursday, August 25. Visit www.scottsdalecc.edu. Lynn Trimble

Free Ride Day
If it seems like there’s an arbitrary “day” for everything, that’s because there is. Want to celebrate National Ferret Day? Mark you calendar for April 2. How about National Talk Like A Pirate Day? It’s September 19, matey. And don’t forget to request November 12 off — that’s National Pizza With The Works Except Anchovies Day. Most of these are ridiculous, but August 16, National Roller Coaster Day, is actually worth celebrating, since Castles & Coasters will offer free rides on both the park’s roller coasters, Desert Storm and Patriot. (Incidentally, August 16 is also National Rum Day. You know what to do.)

Have a nice day from 5 to 10 p.m. Tuesday, August 16, at 9445 North Metro Parkway East. Visit castlesncoasters.com for more. Zach Fowle

Phoenix Fire Kickball
Sometimes you just have the urge to kick something. That’s where Phoenix Fire Kickball comes in. The local league, whose mission is to provide an inclusive space for the Phoenix LGBTQ and allied community, has a series of games every season, but you don’t have to fully commit to a team to play. Try out a pickup game this week at Encanto Park, 2606 North 15th Avenue. (And if you’re really into it, you still have time to register for the 2016 Inaugural Fall Season.)

Get your head in the game at the Phoenix Fire Kickball pre-season pickup game beginning at 8 p.m. on Thursday, August 18. For more information, visit phxfirekickball.com or call 602-888-4895. Katrina Montgomery

Bar Flies
The misspellings. The mispronunciations. The countless cups of coffee labeled with someone else’s name entirely. For those with less-than-conventional monikers this sounds all too familiar, and you’re invited to seek refuge amongst those with similar experiences during New Times’ Bar Flies.

Katie Johnson’s lineup for “What’s In a Name?” includes storytellers Anastasia Freyermuth, grants coordinator with Arizona Commission on the Arts; KJZZ senior producer Sarah Ventre; comedian and “The Storrs Objection” host, Matt Storrs; Evan Roberts, marketing and communications specialist at Musical Instrument Museum; and New Times layout and social media editor, Evie Carpenter. Kevin Vaughan-Brubaker will curate the evening’s playlist.

Stories start at 7 p.m. on Thursday, August 18, at Valley Bar, 130 North Central Avenue. Buy tickets ($5) at www.valleybarphx.com — or take your chances at the door. Janessa Hilliard