august 6
"Arizona" and "ice hockey" aren't exactly terms that go together like a horse and carriage, so perhaps to raise consciousness about the chilly sport here in the land of dry heat, the Phoenix Coyotes present the second annual Power Play Tour, which kicks off from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, August 6, in the food court of Arizona Mills, Priest and Baseline in Tempe. The activities, all of which are free, include autograph sessions with Coyote goalie Nikolai Khabibulin, and with local sportscasters Doug McLeod and Barry Buetel, as well as various hockey-related games and "challenges." The tour continues through Sunday, August 16, at various locations statewide, including Yuma, Tucson, Globe, Prescott, Flagstaff, Holbrook and Payson. 473-5600.
Starting at the point when it was decided that just because God hadn't given us wings, it didn't mean we weren't meant to fly, the new IMAX movie The Magic of Flight traces the history of aviation, from Kitty Hawk to the Blue Angels. The film opens on Thursday, August 6, at the IMAX Theatre at Arizona Mills, Priest and Baseline in Tempe. Tom Selleck narrates. Daily showtimes are at 1, 3, 7 and 9 p.m. The runs of popular IMAX features Everest--which has actually been showing up on the Top 20 in national box office recently--and Into the Deep have been extended indefinitely. 945-4629.
For all us frustrated Kerouacs, Glendale Parks and Recreation Department kicks off another Armchair Travel Series. The video series begins at 1 p.m. Thursday, August 6, and the same time most Thursdays. This week's program is on the land to which the misinformed Rick relocated for the waters: Morocco. Admission is free. Glendale Adult Center, 7121 North 57th Avenue. 930-2196.
friday
august 7
Comic genius and multiple Police Academy veteran Bobcat Goldthwait takes the stage for two evenings only, 8 and 10 p.m. Friday, August 7; and 8 and 10 p.m. Saturday, August 8, at The Tempe Improv Comedy Theater, 930 East University (at Cornerstone mall). Tickets are $15. By phone from his home, the Shakes the Clown auteur described his latest pet work-in-progress, a feature film he's writing called Teen Jesus: "You know, it's the rebellious teen years. He and Joseph have a lot of conflict 'cause He knows he's not His real dad. He makes wine at the keggers, and He walks across the pool at the swim meet. I might even lose a few Shakes fans on this one." 921-9877.
saturday
august 8
Between the Rat Pack show (see feature left) and the Teen Idols Tour (see feature right), it's a big weekend for retro re-creations and resurrections. More of the same can be had a couple of hours north of the Valley, when Yesterday performs at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, August 8, at Yavapai College Performance Hall, 1100 East Sheldon in Prescott. The band, which has been touring since 1986, is a re-creation of the Beatles with, to quote its press materials, "authentic instruments, costumes and a visual impact that can only be described as incredible." Admission is $10. 1-520-776-2033.
All parents and grandparents of babies that aren't particularly cute--and especially of babies that are a little on the butt-ugly side--can skip this item. Now, for all you parents of cute babies: Bring 'em to the Arizona edition of the America's Most Beautiful Baby contest, starting at 10 a.m. on Saturday, August 8, at Los Arcos Mall, 1315 North Scottsdale Road in Scottsdale. It's open to kids of both sexes from newborn to 6 years old. Happily, no experience is needed, but preregistration is recommended; call 1-330-644-7660 for more information, or pick up a preregistration form at the mall's Center Court.
sunday
august 9
The cheery, cheeky tunes of Dylan Hicks found on his No Alternative Records album Poughkeepsie show the pop-folk rocker at his wry best, with snappy, lighthearted rhythms and funny yet emotionally complex lyrics: "When we first got together/The load seemed a whole lot lighter/And most of the things we said were mostly true/As the years slide by/I don't feel a whole lot brighter . . ." Hicks takes the stage at 9 p.m. Sunday, August 9, at Hollywood Alley, 2610 West Baseline in Mesa. The cover is $4. 820-7117.
"Black Magic Woman" man and '60s survivor Santana is always worth a listen. So is that splendid wolf pack Los Lobos, who open for Carlos at 8 p.m. Sunday, August 9, at Desert Sky Pavilion, 2121 North 83rd Avenue. Tickets range from $17.25 to $28.75. 254-7599 (Desert Sky), 784-4444 (Ticketmaster).
monday
august 10
The social/discussion group SingleTalk, for singles "from 21 to 121," meets from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Mondays. On Monday, August 10, the topic is "Who Are You?--Differences Between Your True Self and the Roles You Play." The guest speaker is Stacey Oamra of Life Plan Alternatives. Admission is $7. The venue is Har Zion Congregation facility at 6140 East Thunderbird in Scottsdale. 494-0900.
Those in treatment for, recovering from, or otherwise coping with breast cancer are invited to Reaching Out, a self-help group that meets at 7 p.m. Monday, August 10--and the second Monday of every month--at the American Cancer Society, 2929 East Thomas. 553-7129.
tuesday
august 11
Yet another entry in the current nouveau-swing boom, San Francisco's The New Morty Show also incorporates rock influences, most notably in a swing-style cover of Billy Idol's "White Wedding." The band performs at a release party for the compilation CD Swing This Baby--which it shares with the likes of Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, the Brian Setzer Orchestra and the Cherry Poppin' Daddies--at 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, August 11, at the Cajun House, 7117 East Third Avenue in Scottsdale. Tickets are $5 in advance, $7 at the door. 945-5150.
wednesday
august 12
Gang Starr (see story on page 92) is only one of the big-time hip-hop acts featured in House of Blues' Smokin' Grooves Tour 1998--others include Cypress Hill, Wyclef Jean and the Refugee All-Stars (featuring Canibis), Busta Rhymes, Black Eyed Peas, Praswell, the pneumatic Mya, and the old fighters of the Power themselves, Public Enemy. The show starts at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, August 12, at America West Arena, 201 East Jefferson. Tickets are $15 and $25 in advance, $18 and $27 the night of the show. 379-7800 (AWA), 503-5555 (Dillard's).
Wrapping up a series of Wednesday workshops for those between the ages of 8 and 12, Phoenix Museum of History offers "Selling Sunsets, Nonsense," an exploration of the early promotion of the Phoenix area--kids try their hand at luring starry-eyed Easterners to the Valley "by creating brochures, commercials and jingles." It's held from 9 a.m. to noon Wednesday, August 12, at the museum, at Heritage and Science Park, Seventh Street and Washington. The cost is $15, $13 for museum members. Snacks and materials are included. Space is limited; reservations are required. 253-2734.
Rumba-flamenco guitarist Jesse Cook signs his new CD Vertigo and performs at 7 p.m. Wednesday, August 12, at Borders Books & Music at 1361 South Alma School in Mesa, and again at noon Thursday, August 13, at Borders Books & Music at Biltmore Fashion Park, 24th Street and Camelback, Suite 200. Admission to both performances is free. 833-2244 (Mesa), 957-6660 (Biltmore).
