Welcome to the weekend, Phoenix. From a limited-run dance performance and comedy to hip-hop-inspired art and derby dames, it's going to be a busy one.
The 1980s were a magical time. You could buy leg warmers without visiting an American Apparel. New episodes of The Cosby Show were being made. And Simon LeBon's babe status was unquestionable. Scorpius Dance Theatre revisits the era with its summer production of Catwalk... I Love Duran Duran.
See also: Noelle Martinez Blends Art and Hip-Hop with "Back in the Daze" at Phoenix's Willo North Gallery Fashion, pop music, and modern dance collide in the program, whose three-show run kicks off at 7 p.m. Friday, July 11. With 10 new dance pieces by choreographer Lisa Starry and live accompaniment by L.A.-based Duran Duran tribute band Rio, the production will feature music video-style light shows and the dance company's trademark aerial movement with the added features of a trapeze and rope.
Remaining showtimes are 7 and 10 p.m. Saturday, July 12, at Phoenix Theatre. Tickets are $30 for general admission and $45 for VIP. Due to mature content, the program is recommended for those 13 and older. Visit www.tickets.phoenixtheatre.com or call 602-254-2151. -- Becky Bartkowski
Carmen Lynch has traveled the world, first as the daughter of a naval officer, and now as a comedian, entertaining troops abroad. The Last Comic Standing finalist pops up in Scottsdale on Friday, July 11.
With a Spanish nurse for a mom and a childhood spent in Spain, Lynch is able to drop jokes in English and Spanish and is equally as funny in both tongues. Currently based in New York, the comic's easygoing delivery and left-field punchlines have grown her following. Lynch's recent performance on The Late Show with David Letterman marked her as a comedian on the rise.
Lynch appears at Stand-Up Scottsdale, 6820 East Fifth Avenue, through Saturday, July 12. On Friday, she'll perform at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m., with tickets priced at $15. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.standupscottsdale.com or call 480-882-0730. -- Jose Gonzalez
"Back In The Daze: An Exploration of Afrocentric Music of the '90s"
"They say the blacker the berry, the sweeter the juice/I say the darker the flesh, then the deeper the roots," Tupac Shakur raps in his hit 1993 single, "Keep Ya Head Up."
Phoenician Noelle Martinez touches on similar ideas in her upcoming solo exhibit. "Back in the Daze: An Exploration of Afrocentric Music of the '90s" covers all the greats from East Coast to West, Notorious B.I.G., Nas, and Shakur among them. Martinez's show includes vibrant paintings and installations with the goal of going beyond the surface of hip hop culture, focusing on deeper implications while bringing back memories for gallery goers. The collection is the initial installment of Willo North Gallery's summer series, and the first presented by new Willo curator Nicole Royse.
The opening reception will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, July 12, at Willo North Gallery, 2811 North Seventh Avenue. Admission is free. Check out www.willonorth.com and www.facebook.com/events/590575274390348. -- Janessa Hilliard
It's hard to believe, but the ninth season of Arizona Derby Dames is nearly in the books. Only two teams remain in contention. Those two teams will face off for the title on Saturday, July 12, at the Arizona Derby Dames Warehouse, 2517 West McDowell Road, Suite 118.
On one side will be the Brutal Beauties, captained by skaters Kimber Slice and OMG Killin' Mae Smallz. The Beauties made the path to the title bout look easy by winning every meaningful game they had this season.
The season wasn't quite so easy for the Runaway Brides. The Brides, captained by Ellie Mayhem and Nova Kane, stumbled out of the gates with two losses in their first three bouts (including a heartbreaker to the Brutal Beauties) but got hot at the right time and made it out of the June playoffs in dominating fashion.
The Beauties, who haven't had a bout since May, will have the fresher legs, but that may work against them if they come out rusty.
The bout will begin at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15. Visit www.arizonaderbydames.com. -- Ed Kummerer
Whether you enjoy Jane Austen classics or old reruns of Gossip Girl, chances are you enjoy a romantic scandal as much as the next drama queen. Lucky for you, a story of lies, sex, and secrets is making its way to the main stage in the dangerous romantic comedy The Cottage. Inspired by the works of Noel Coward, The Cottage tells the tale of a married women bent on exposing her love affair with her husband's brother.
The Cottage is part of Actors Theatre's first-ever Summer Series at Black Theatre Troupe Center for the Performing Arts, 1333 East Washington Street. Showtimes are 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday, scheduled on the weekends following Thursday, July 10, Thursday, July 24, and Thursday August 7. Tickets are $41 for reserved VIP, $36 for general admission, $31 for seniors, and $18 for student. For more information, visit www.actorstheatrephx.org or call 602-888-0368. -- Katie Johnson
