Erotic torture, submissive slaves, leather, latex, hot wax to the flesh, and other forms of fetish will arise on "Black Friday," April 29, at The Sets, 93 East Southern in Tempe. Evoking images fantasized by boys and girls yearning to be bound and gagged, the event, presented by Trash City, will showcase the scene of hardcore and industrial with sex, pleasurable violence, and vociferous live music. With two stages, the night remains constant, gagging showgoers with sounds by Hardwire, Domino Effect, Auralast, and Twin Towaz -- two sexy white boys performing only in Speedos. The Cut Throat Freak Show, and notorious club kittens the Pussy Posse will also expose devious acts to arouse every desire. "We're all about the kink," says Zen Cataldo, producer of the Pussy Posse. "We want to arise the power of the pussy. All women grab your pussy and shine." But also be prepared to delve into the dark and seductive future with tarot card readers willing to divulge all your dirty secrets. To access this insidious behavior, arrive at The Sets at 8 p.m. sharp, or you will be punished. The show is 18-and-older only, with a $10 cover. Call 602-953-2728 or see www.trashcity.com. -- Austin Head
Hail Ale
It's frosty brew season
FRI 4/29
Damn, it's hot here. Better have a beer. Better yet, have 50 different kinds of beer at the Spring Hop Beer Festival II at the Peoria Sports Complex, 16101 North 83rd Avenue. For $20 to $25, you get a collector glass, 14 drink tickets, and live tunes by Poor Alfred. Wash it all down on Friday, April 29, from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. Call 623-878-4337. -- Niki D'Andrea
Puppy Love
Steele Park goes to the dogs
SAT 4/30
When Lois Arnold was told that her dog, Carmel (pictured), had less than six months to live because of heart disease, Arnold said something along the lines of "bull" and took her beloved pup to Colorado to undergo open-heart surgery. Carmel's doing just fine now; in fact, she'll lead the two-mile walk that kicks off the "Heart to Heart Hustle," taking place Saturday, April 30, at Steele Indian School Park, 300 East Indian School. The event also features an animal adoption center, doggy dancing, and the Great Dane Drill Team. Registration for the walk costs $25 to $30. Proceeds benefit the research and treatment of canine heart disease. Visit www.hearttohearthustle.com. --Niki D'Andrea
All Talk . . .
All action at Mesa Slamoff
FRI 4/29
Whitman and Browning were lyrical wizards, but could they have scribed rhymes that pack a performance-art punch like the Valley's top poets? You be the judge on Friday, April 29, as 10 slam masters compete against one another in the 10th Annual Mesa Slamoff at Del Sol Reception Hall, 243 South Mesa Drive. The top four finalists of the event will represent the Mesa team in August's National Poetry Slam in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The crowd can expect a "totally unique and uncensored event," says participating poet The Klute. "You're going to hear a fair amount of political pieces, introspective readings, moody darkness and humor." Poet Corbet Dean, who finished second in the national competition in 2002, says, "The event promises to be the best poetry slam ever held in the Valley." Slam starts at 8 p.m. General admission is $7. See www.anthology.org or call 480-655-9100. -- Steve Jansen
