Free Things to Do This Week: Wicked Faire, Ballet Under the Stars, Coronado Art Show

Get ready, frugal Phoenix, there's plenty to do this week. Hear from author Kerrie Droban, enjoy ballet under the stars, or visit The Hive for its annual Coronado Art Show. It's all free of charge. For more things to do, visit Phoenix New Times' curated calendar.

Kerrie Droban
Mom always told us to stay away from bikers. Valley author and criminal defense attorney Kerrie Droban must’ve gotten different advice.

Droban is a longtime chronicler of biker gangs, and her new book, The Last Chicago Boss: My Life With the Chicago Outlaws Motorcycle Club is an exposé following Peter “Big Pete” James, a real-life revered member of the Outlaw Nation who speaks out about the inner workings of the motorcycle club after receiving a terminal medical diagnosis. This expose provides insight on the world of extortion, contract murders, drugs and arms trafficking, and money laundering that exists in gangs.

Droban will discuss and sign the book at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, September 19, at Changing Hands, 6428 South McClintock Drive in Tempe. Admission is free, and the book costs $27.99. For more information, visit the Changing Hands website. Lindsay Roberts

“Frankenstein in the 21st Century: The Waking Dream, 200 Years Later”
Creation stories abound in world cultures, and they’ve long captured the imaginations of diverse creative types. It’s been a couple of centuries since Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley penned Frankenstein; or the Modern Prometheus. Now 20 Arizona artists are showing work inspired by the iconic gothic novel, in an exhibition titled “Frankenstein in the 21st Century: The Waking Dream, 200 Years Later.”

Be the first to see it on Wednesday, September 20, between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. in The Gallery at Scottsdale Civic Center Library, 3839 North Drinkwater Boulevard. The free exhibition, which continues through Saturday, December 30, includes works by Josh Brizuela, Luster Kaboom, Ashley Macias, Molten Brothers (Mike Goodwin and Ken Richardson), Katharine Leigh Simpson, Yai Vila, and Yuko Yabuki. Visit the Scottsdale Arts website for more information. Lynn Trimble

“Mechanization, Material, and the Matrix”
Artists have always relied on diverse materials to bring their creative visions to life. But today’s technology affords new ways of formulating ideas — and creating and sharing work.

Explore how creatives mesh technology with more traditional approaches in the new “Mechanization, Material, and the Matrix” exhibition at ASU’s Harry Wood Gallery, 900 South Forest Mall in Tempe.

Participating artists include Sydney Allendorf, Kimberly Callas, Madison Creech, Miranda Clark, and Stephanie Gonzales.

Collectively, these artists’ work reveals how technology is used and addressed by contemporary artists, and it explores the infinite possibilities for dialogue between technology and material. The exhibition is on view through September 29. Hours on Thursday, September 21, are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit the ASU Events page. Lynn Trimble

Melrose Third Thursday
The Melrose shopping district along Seventh Avenue shares its name with a popular Los Angeles retail destination. But theirs doesn’t have Charlie’s Phoenix or Wag ’n’ Wash.

That gay country bar and pet goods store are just a couple of the interesting local businesses on this strip. For a closer look at what the area has to offer, the monthly Melrose Third Thursday event offers extended hours at many of its shops and restaurants, as well as some added live music, family-fun events, outdoor vendors, and food trucks.

Kick off your weekend a day early at this neighborhood party from noon to 8 p.m. on September 21 in the Melrose District, which runs along Seventh Avenue between Indian School and Camelback roads. Admission is free. Visit the Melrose Third Thursday website. Amy Young