Awesome Things to Do for $20 or Less in Metro Phoenix This Week

New Times picks the best things to do in metro Phoenix from Monday, February 8, to Thursday, February 11. 

Big Hair Bingo
Down south they have a saying: “The bigger the hair, the closer to God.” At Kobalt, Phoenix’s buzziest gay bar, they have a similar saying: “The bigger the hair, the closer you are to winning Big Hair Bingo, where those with massive manes get $5 off their entry fee ($10) and proceeds benefit the Phoenix Pride Scholarship Program.” It may not be as compact a phrase, but it sure is a lot more useful.

Tease out those follicles and head to Big Hair Bingo at 8 p.m. Monday, February 8, at Kobalt, 3110 North Central Avenue. Call 602-264-5307 or visit kobaltbarphoenix.com. Zach Fowle

Misery Loves Comedy
“I'll be telling vulgar stories and singing bleak songs from my wasted, alcoholic life — and you will laugh because you're a terrible person. It's gonna be great!”

If that quote from Mishka Shubaly doesn’t inspire you to get your in-need-of-some-laughs ass to the touring Misery Loves Comedy show, nothing will. The event features both Shubaly and another out-of-towner, JT Habersaat. The humorous shindig is presented by comedian Doug Stanhope’s Celebrity Death Pool, and Matt Micheletti’s Comedy on Fire, and includes local comedians Rob Maebe and Anwar Newton, as well as area musician Andy Warpigs. Laugh at the expense of others at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, February 9, at the Firehouse Gallery, 1015 North First Street. Admission is $7. Call 602-300-7575 or visit www.facebook.com/firehousephoenix. Amy Young

Checkmate, Bey-otches
Everything old is cool again, and this grown-up version of chess club is no exception.

Checkmate, Bey-otches is a weekly meet-up where novices and tabletop champions alike join together for friendly matches. Think bearded hipster rather than after-school activity.

Select food and drink specials will help feed the brain. Plus, those playing can take advantage of $15 bottles of Aradon wine. Choose a white or red from the Rioja region of Spain: Both make for unfettered drinking, which should pair nicely with the palate of one busy scrutinizing over their next move.

The 21-and-over chess team meets from 7 to 11 p.m. on Tuesday, February 9, at Valley Bar, 130 North Central Avenue. Admission is free, and the bar’s entrance is in the alley between Monroe and Adams streets. For details, visit www.valleybarphx.com. Janessa Hilliard

Wednesday Night Trivia
It's easy to pat yourself on the back for guessing correctly while watching Jeopardy pantsless on your couch, but the truest test of the function of your gumption is to rock quizzical queries around others in public. Or rather in Volstead Public House, where every Wednesday night, the vegetarian and vegan-friendly restaurant gathers nearby Einsteins of all ages to battle it out. Whether you're rolling squad deep or solo, sweet prizes await for being a fountain of knowledge. Don't forget your trousers though, genius.

Wednesday Night Trivia is at Volstead Public House, 105 West Main Street in Mesa, on Wednesday, February 10, from 6 to 8 p.m. Admission is free. For more details, visit www.facebook.com/volsteadpublichouse. Jose Gonzalez

Passing Strange
Stew, mononymous founder of The Negro Problem (source of wonderful album titles like Welcome Black and Post Minstrel Syndrome), decided several years ago to write a play, something he’d never done before. Frequent collaborator Heidi Rodewald co-wrote the songs, and the resulting rock opera, Passing Strange, won Tony and Drama Desk awards and became known as the musical for people who don’t like musicals — as well as those who do.

The story follows a young man in search of The Real through music, drugs, travel, and relationships. Is there something bigger than art? Find out at 8 p.m. Thursday, February 11, at Herberger Theater Center, 222 East Monroe Street. iTheatre Collaborative’s production continues through February 13. Tickets are $20 at www.itheatreaz.org or 602-252-8497. Julie Peterson

Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show
Let’s just say, this isn’t your average rodeo. The Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show, now in its 61st year, is the largest event of its kind in the world, featuring over 2,000 horses. The show takes over WestWorld, 16601 North Pima Road in Scottsdale, from February 11 to 21. In addition to a series of exciting competitions, the event features parties, educational seminars, an international food court, and more than 300 vendor booths.

The Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show will be open open all day on Thursday, February 11. Tickets are $10 general admission, $7 for seniors, and children 12 and under get in free. Additional ticketing options are available by calling 800-745-3000 or www.ticketmaster.com. For detailed scheduling, visit scottsdaleshow.com. Katrina Montgomery