The Best Things to Do in Metro Phoenix This Week

It's the start of another event-packed week in metro Phoenix, and as a bonus, it's supposed to be slightly less miserably hot than last week. Celebrate by getting out and doing something fun, like watching a movie about octopuses, checking out a new art exhibit, or lending some moral support to the beleaguered Arizona Diamondbacks.

Skate Ramp Jam

You’re in luck if you’ve long harbored a fantasy of skateboarding away your days, Cowtown Skateboards is bringing the skateboard action to The Churchill, 901 North First Street, from 4 to 10 p.m. on Monday, June 21. Their Mini Ramp Jam/Free Skate is a community event that’s open to all ages, where you can check out an open skate, watch a best trick competition, try for giveaways, and more. The free event happens on this year’s Go Skateboarding Day organized by the International Association of Skateboard Companies. If you’re feeling inspired to explore more skateboarding culture, remember that several local artists, including Douglas Miles of Apache Skateboards, are doing intriguing work in the fine art of skateboarding. Finally, a fun fact: Skateboarding is scheduled to make its Olympics debut in Tokyo this summer. Lynn Trimble

Cephalopods: Aliens of the Deep

An octopus living in a lush South African kelp forest went viral last year, along with naturalist and filmmaker Craig Foster, who recounts his feelings of bonding with the creature in My Octopus Teacher. Released by Netflix in 2020, the film earned a 2021 Academy Award for best documentary feature, affirming the magic many felt learning how Foster turned to the natural world when facing his own work burnout and depression. If hearing about his experience leaves you curious about the underwater world of the octopus, head to the Arizona Science Center, 600 East Washington Street, on Tuesday, June 22, when they’ll be showing the film Cephalopods: Aliens of the Deep on the five-story screen inside their Irene P. Flinn Theater at 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. Get $19.95 general admission tickets for museum admission, and $9 tickets for the film, online before you go. Lynn Trimble

'Indigenous Americas'

Continuing its tradition of showing works by local artists, Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum is exhibiting work by several Arizona artists as part of its “Docents Select: Indigenous Americas” exhibition. The show features works from the museum’s permanent collection, which were chosen for this exhibit by the docents whose volunteer time ranges from researching artworks to talking with museum visitors about what’s on view at the museum. The museum is located at Mesa Arts Center, 1 East Main Street, where admission is free. Hours on Wednesday, June 23, are noon to 5 p.m. Arizona-based artists featured in the exhibit include Monica Aissa Martinez, Champ Styles, and Frank Ybarra. The show continues through August 8. While you're there, explore Something to Hold Onto by Cannupa Hanska Luger (Madan, Hidatsa, Arikara, Lakota, European), which is part of a collaborative, site-specific exhibition called "Passage" where you can also see work by prolific muralists Thomas ‘Breeze’ Marcus (Tohono O’odham) and Dwayne Manuel (Onk Akimel O'odham). Lynn Trimble

Moon Meditation

The moon has captivated human imagination since ancient times, with diverse cultures exploring connections between the moon and myriad human experiences such as birth, death, fertility, health, and enlightenment. Van Gogh captured a glowing crescent moon in Starry Night and an iconic Pink Floyd album references the dark side of the moon. More recently, artists Hsin-Chien Huang and Laurie Anderson transported people To the Moon via virtual reality. Of course, the moon is also central to Japanese culture, as evidenced in part by its annual moonviewing festival. If you share their fascination, join the Moon Meditation in the Garden happening from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Friday, June 25, at the Japanese Friendship Garden, 1125 North Third Avenue. Led by Biophilia instructors, it includes soothing sounds from chimes and ocean drums. Bring water and a yoga mat or blanket. Tickets are $50, which includes a Biophilia moon healing kit to take home. If you want more time to explore the garden, you can arrive as early as 5 p.m. Lynn Trimble

Van Gogh Vino

Maybe you’re eagerly anticipating the immersive Van Gogh exhibition that’s heading to Phoenix or dreaming of traveling to Amsterdam to explore the Van Gogh Museum. Either way, you can indulge your passion for Van Gogh’s expressive paintings by trying a little painting of your own at Carrie Curran Art Studios, 8300 North Hayden Road, Suite A100, Scottsdale. That’s where their next Van Gogh Vino class will feature painting a desert scene with its own starry sky. An instructor will guide you through creating an original work of art, and the studio will provide everything you need to make it — including canvas, paints, and an apron to wear while you’re there. The studio also has wine glasses and wine openers on hand, so you can bring your favorite bottle of wine and sip away while you make those broad strokes and detailed finishes in the evening desert-themed class. You don’t need any experience to enjoy the mix of wine and art, which happens from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Friday, June 25. The class costs $45. Take note: Painters have to be at least 13 years old, and an adult needs to accompany anyone under age 18. Lynn Trimble

New Moves

When creatives Julie Akerly and Matthew Mosher co-founded [nueBOX] in 2014, they sought to expand opportunities for performance and installations artists in the metro Phoenix area. Focused on research-driven and collaborative works, the nonprofit is elevating the voices of BIPOC artists, creating spaces for emerging and established artists to make and share work. As pandemic life put performance art on hold, several creatives involved with [nueBOX] programs such as their Studio/LAB Residency and Black Artist Cohort were making new works that they’ll be sharing during an outdoor event called nueWork Live Performance, which is happening at 8 p.m. on Saturday, June 26, at Park Central, 3121 North Third Avenue. It’s a great chance to see new work by Sam Arrow, Shaniece Brazwell, Dienae Hunter, Kraken Still & Film, Zarina Mendoza, Ruby Morales, and Halley Willcox. Admission is pay-what-you-want (suggested $25). Get tickets online, and remember to bring water and snacks for the show. Lynn Trimble

Glow Skate

Odds are, the men credited with creating roller skates never imagined glowing disco mashups of roller skates and sensuality a la Beyonce’s Blow video. Nonetheless, the technology they unleashed has fueled some fascinating fare, from Charlie Chaplin’s The Rink and Andrew Lloyd Weber’s Starlight Express. The ‘50s gave us carhops on roller skates, but the ‘70s and ‘80s brought the heyday of roller disco culture. Even Ronald Reagan took note, declaring October National Roller Skating Month back in 1983. And Nebraska has its very own National Museum of Roller Skating. Now, you can explore retro roller skate culture during glow-in-the-dark themed skates at your favorite roller skating rinks. Don your best glow gear on Sunday, June 27, when USA’s Skateland in Mesa presents a Glow Skate from 4:30 to 7 p.m. It’s located at 7 East Southern Avenue. Admission is $8 and skate/roller blade rentals are $4.50. If a night of skating kindles fresh appreciation for the sport, organizations like the Arizona Derby Dames can help you learn more about local skating culture. Lynn Trimble