Writers are fun people (trust us), but we might be at our best one on one. In Theresa Rebeck's play Seminar, five writers convene in a Manhattan apartment. One is renowned author Leonard, a teacher whom each of the others has paid $5000 to, no surprise, verbally abuse them for 10 weeks in the guise of instruction. Because you're safely this side of the proscenium, the inevitable mind games, insecurity, sexual acting out, and don't-bring-the-kids profanity are entertaining, especially because this Actors Theatre production is helmed by director Ron May.
Seminar, as a non-musical that ran nearly six months on Broadway, is considered a smash. Rebeck also created late lamented TV show Smash. Whatevs. The play opens at 7 p.m. Friday, October 24, at 1333 East Washington Street, and runs through Sunday, November 9. Tickets are not $5000 -- they're $20 to $50 at www.actorstheatre.org or 602-888-0368. Julie Peterson
Pete Holmes seems like he's got more momentum than ever -- despite having his late night talk show canceled this past summer. The smiley faced comedian appears in downtown Phoenix on Friday, October 24, as part of his fall tour.
Being handpicked by Conan O'Brien to head up his own talk show, Holmes had to have a lot going on besides just being funny. Holmes' ability to connect with guests has been well honed on his long-running podcast, You Made It Weird. There, he encourages guests, a mix of comedy friends, up-and-comers, and legit stars, to open up and get personal. Holmes' various social media accounts show just how hilariously silly the man can get but his willingness to be an open book about his own life makes him a compelling figure to catch live.
Holmes is performing at Stand Up Live, 50 West Jefferson Street in Phoenix, through Sunday, October 26. Friday's shows are at 7:30 and 10 p.m. Admission is $22. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.standuplive.com. Jose Gonzalez
Bentley Scottsdale Polo Championships
This ain't no rodeo. The annual Bentley Scottsdale Polo Championships return to WestWorld, 16601 North Pima Road, this Saturday and Sunday with some of the top polo players in the world, including Sunny Hale, Sarah Wiseman, Paola Martinez, and Caroline Anier. The Women's World All-Star Team will take on the reigning champs, the Clogau Wales Polo Team, and the Arizona Polo Club will face the Gay Polo League, the nation's only organized gay sports team. In addition to these matches, there will be a fashion show presented by Phoenix Fashion Week, a live art auction, the world food championship, and a variety of vendor booths.
The gates open at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 25, but the first teams don't face off until 1:15 p.m. For the full event schedule and any additional information, visit thepoloparty.com. Katrina Montgomery
In The Walking Dead, the so-called survivors sure kill a lot of zombies. Don't you ever feel for them? We mean, the walkers are just trying to get by like anybody else in this crazy world. It's not their fault they love the taste of human flesh and brains. You can show your zombie solidarity at Zombie Walk 6, the annual undead outbreak held in downtown Phoenix. Last year, more than 20,000 undead limped and moaned over the two-mile route through downtown Phoenix. With live music, food vendors, and free zombie makeovers for the first 400 attendees who make a food donation, this year's horde may be the biggest the world's ever seen. Don't tell Sheriff Rick.
Zombie Walk 6 starts at 2 p.m. Saturday, October 25, with the actual walking part scheduled to begin at approximately 6 p.m. The festival's held at Heritage & Science Park, 115 North Sixth Street. Visit www.downtownphoenix.com/zombie for more. Zachary Fowle
Dia de los Muertos is making its way back to the East Valley a little early this year. A two-day celebration at Mesa Arts Center will feature performances by Maricahi Viva, Folklorico Lindo y Querido, Se se Puede Foundation Dancers, Mariachi Juvenil los Primos, Stella Pope Duarte and Liliana De Leon, Taylor Family Troupe Stiltwalkers, James Reid "Juggler Extraordinaire," Sherry Finzer, Orchestra Kaliente, Nuance Jazz, Unidos en Amistad, Mariachi Corazon de Phoenix, Fiesta Mexicana Dance, Mariachi Pasion, Noemy Esparza, and Sol Gitana. Guests can also enjoy a full day of eating, arts and crafts shopping, and beer sampling from Negra Modelo.
The Dia de los Muertos Festival runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, October 25, and from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday, October 26, at One East Main Street. Admission and parking are free for this all-ages event. For more details, visit www.mesaartscenter.com or call 480-644-6500. Katie Johnson
