"Delicate Beasts"
Fiber artists Christy Puetz and Ingrid Restemayer have created weird, beautiful things to exhibit both together and separately since they studied in North Dakota more than 20 years ago. The duo's current joint show, "Delicate Beasts," continues through Saturday, February 14.
See also: 6 Must-See First Friday Shows in Phoenix on February 6
Puetz sculpts life-size pets and small wildlife partially encased in sheaths of beads and other materials, while Restemayer etches tiny portraits of huge animals like buffalo onto discarded gift cards, then adds hand embroidery.
Rethink both craft materials and the species with which we share the planet at Modified Arts, 407 East Roosevelt Street. Admission is free. For more info about the exhibition, visit www.modifiedarts.org or call 602-462-5516. Julie Peterson
Todd Glass
Todd Glass isn't a household name, but he's been garnering laughs and respect from comedy fans and fellow comedians for over three decades. Norm Mcdonald called him a "comic's comics' comic" in advance of his 2014 best selling book, The Todd Glass Situation, and the Philly-born funnyman does indeed deliver, equally sharp with observations in polished bits or impromptu riffs. As the host of his own Nerdist.com podcast, he serves up engaging conversation and stirs up entertaining chaos with regulars and up-and-comers in the L.A. scene.
Glass performs at 7:30 and 10 p.m. on Friday, February 6, at Stand Up Live, 50 West Jefferson Street in Phoenix, and at 7 and 10 p.m. on Saturday, February 7. Tickets are $20 with a two-drink minimum. To purchase advance tickets or for more info, visit www.standuplive.com or call 480-719-6100. Jose Gonzalez
Phoenix Idiotarod
Racers, start your shopping carts. Around the Valley, teams of self-proclaimed idiots are greasing the caster wheels of their hijacked grocery carts for the Arizona Cacophony Society's ninth annual Phoenix Idiotarod. For one ridiculous day, 36 five-person teams will race through the streets of Phoenix with pimped out supermarket rides and far-out costumes, all the while stopping at drinking checkpoints. Sabotage will be planned, surprises should be expected, and awards will be handed out.
The 2015 Phoenix Idiotarod kicks off at 1 p.m. on Saturday, February 7. The location of the starting line will be revealed the day prior to the event. Registration is closed, but gazing, gawking, and cheering is free and greatly encouraged. For race updates and details, visit www.azcacophony.org/idiotarod. Katie Johnson
Renaissance Festival
Hark! It's that time of year again. The Arizona Renaissance Festival is returning to 12601 East Highway 60 in Gold Canyon, with the usual assortment of jousting tournaments, turkey legs, and wandering minstrels, from February 7 through March 29. The faire hosts 200 craft shop and 13 stages with entertainment scheduled throughout the day, with over 2,000 actors helping to create an atmosphere of authentic renaissance revelry.
The Renaissance Festival is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets are $22 for adults, $19 for seniors, and $12 for children ages 5 to 12 with additional season pass and group ticketing options available. For more information, call 520-463-2700 or visit renfestinfo.com. Katrina Montgomery
World Championship Hoop Dance Contest
Things might get a little loopy this weekend at the Heard Museum, 2301 North Central Avenue, when the world's most skilled hoop dancers face off at the World Championship Hoop Dance Contest. Top American Indian and Canadian First Nation men and women will be judged on the basis of precision, rhythm, showmanship, creativeness, and speed to win the coveted championship title.
The World Championship Hoop Dance Contest will take over the Libby Amphitheater at the Heard Museum on Saturday and Sunday, February 7 and 8, from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are $18 for adults, $13.50 for seniors, $12 for American Indians and museum members, and $7.50 for children ages 4 to 12. For more information, call 602-252-8840 or visit heard.org. Katrina Montgomery
