The Best Things to Do This Weekend

If you're bored, you're boring. So fill your weekend with things like the Wild Wild West Steampunk Convention, the Iris van Herpen exhibition, or shopping at the Nile Record Swap. For more things to do, visit the Phoenix New Times' calendar.

Wild Wild West Steampunk Convention
Robots and dinosaurs are taking over Old Tucson, 201 South Kinney Road, as the Wild Wild West Steampunk Convention rolls into town.

Now in its seventh year, the convention features a variety of panels on costuming and character creation, make-and-take crafts, burlesque and fashion shows, and, of course, a thrilling round of tipsy tea dueling.

The climax, however, will be a Saturday night concert from the band Abney Park. Blending gypsy jazz, EDM, and steampunk style, the group has released 23 albums in its 20-year existence.

The convention opens on Thursday, March 1, with a meet-and-greet at the Doubletree Airport Tucson, 7051 South Tucson Boulevard, but the main programming runs from Friday through Sunday, March 2 through 4. Passes range in cost from $30 to $200, and some events may require additional tickets or fees. Visit the Wild Wild West Steampunk Convention website for more information. Michael Senft

Full Moon Festival
When it comes to the first Friday of the month, the festivities along Roosevelt Row aren’t the only art-filled action happening in Phoenix that night. There’s also the Full Moon Festival, which also offers a mix of art, music, and social rites, albeit with more of an underground feel.

This month’s edition of the festival takes place on Friday, March 2, and celebrates the coming of the worm moon. The eight-hour event will fill the District 8 Warehouse, 320 South 25th Street, with local artists, live performances, and vendors. The band lineup will include gigs by Fairy Bones and Jeremiah Christo while the DJ lineup will offer sets by Korey Wade, Nasty Humanz, Grackle Beats, and Uncanny Valley.

The festival runs from 8:08 p.m. until 3:33 a.m. Costumes reflecting the “magic and majesty of the moon” are encouraged, and the event is for the 18-and-over crowd only. Admission is $15. See the Facebook event page for more details. Benjamin Leatherman

Phoenix Suns v. Oklahoma City Thunder
It’s no secret that the Phoenix Suns aren’t having the best season. Less than 20 wins and more than 40 losses are where things stand as of this writing. They probably won’t take a championship title this go-around, but they still have 20 games to redeem themselves with some victories. The Oklahoma City Thunder’s March 2 visit is one opportunity. The team surpasses the Suns in wins, having 33 of them so far.

This battle’s buzzer sounds at 7 p.m. on Friday at Talking Stick Resort Arena, 201 East Jefferson Street. Tickets start at $21. Visit the TicketMaster website. Amy Young

Phoenix Chorale
The Phoenix Chorale is bringing the music of Scandinavia to the Valley with their latest offering, Nordic Songs. Guest conductor Joshua Habermann will bring together traditional Norwegian folk music with dance tunes that may conjure up images of the Muppets’ Swedish Chef.

There are two performances. One is at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, March 2, at American Lutheran Church, 17299 Del Webb Boulevard in Sun City. The other is Saturday, March 3, at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, 100 West Roosevelt Street. An additional performance begins at 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 4, at Camelback Bible Church, 3900 East Stanford Drive in Paradise Valley. Tickets are $35 for adults with various pricing for students, seniors, and military. For more information, visit the Phoenix Chorale website. Jason Keil

“If These Walls…”
Two artists with indigenous roots are revealing important steps in their own journeys, with an exhibition of new work in Scottsdale.

“If These Walls…” features work by Thomas “Breeze” Marcus and Douglas Miles. They’re well-known for creating murals and work that reflects Native American life both present and past. Marcus hails from the Tohono O’odham tribe and grew up on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. Miles is based on the Apache San Carlos Indian Reservation.

Marcus’ artwork references traditional basketry patterns, and Miles’ artwork incorporates skateboard culture. See their work at Royse Contemporary, 7077 East Main Street, #6, on Saturday, March 3. The free exhibition continues through Saturday, March 31. Visit the Royse Contemporary website. Lynn Trimble

First Encounters DJ Competition
Want to get noticed in the DJ world? It takes a little more than just a killer mix, yo. Just ask any of the contestants participating in this weekend’s First Encounters DJ Competition at the Monarch Theatre, 122 East Washington Street.

Competitors in the DJ battle — which takes place on Saturday, March 3 — are hoping to get a big break in the beat-slinging business and will attempt to earn themselves some honor, glory, and the chance to perform a killer gig. They’ll be judged on their technical prowess on the mixers, as well as their abilities at track selection, showmanship, bringing in a crowd, and getting the place jumping.

At stake is an opening slot at next month’s Phoenix Lights electronic dance music festival in Chandler, as well as the chance to grab the spotlight.

Doors open at 9 p.m. and the event is 18 and over. Admission is $10. See the Relentless Beats website. Benjamin Leatherman

Dancing with the Stars: Live! Light Up the Night
Feed your obsession with the TV show that’s had us hooked for 25 seasons at Dancing with the Stars: Live! Light Up the Night. Get up close and personal for a lineup of your glitzy and glittery faves as they leap and glide.
The mix of performers includes Jenna Johnson and Val Chmerkovskiy, co-stars who are now romantically linked. Special guest stars are Jordan Fisher and Frankie Muniz. Fisher is a singer and actor who’s appeared on shows like Secret Life of the American Teenager. Muniz is a Scottsdale resident who is best known for his years on Malcolm in the Middle.

Twirl time is 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 3, at Comerica Theatre, 400 West Washington Street. Tickets start at $45. VIP packages are available. Call 602-379-2800 or visit the Comerica Theatre website. Amy Young

Please Send Nudes
Before waving goodbye to Vine, the app that allowed users to share six-second videos, we got to watch repeatedly the “send nudes” video that went viral for its hilarious and creatively unsubtle ways of asking to see someone’s junk. Phoenix comedians Mike Enders and Charles Engle have one-upped the six-second platform with their “mastermind” podcast Please Send Nudes.

On Saturday, March 3, the comedic duo will discuss topics that include dating advice and personal life stories for a live podcast episode at Valley Bar, 130 North Central Avenue. Doors to the 21-and-over event open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 day of. For more information and tickets, visit the Valley Bar website. Melina Zuñiga

Morning Bird Walk
Wanna learn more about birdwatching? Set your alarm early for the weekend and visit volunteer Joe Willy and other birders of various skill levels at the Nina Mason Pulliam Rio Salado Audubon Center for the Saturday Morning Bird Walk.

For an hour, they’ll guide you through the habitat and teach you how to spot the winged creatures along the Salt River. If you don’t have binoculars or a field guide, do not fret. There are plenty you can borrow at the facility.
Be on the lookout starting at 8 a.m. on Saturday, March 3, at 3131 South Central Avenue. This event takes place rain or shine. Admission is free. For more information, visit the Rio Salado Audubon Center website. Jason Keil

Phoenix Scottish Games
The Scottish are what you’d call a badass people. They’ve withstood centuries of English rule, live in harsh conditions in the far-flung reaches of the British Isles, consume the parts of animals no one else would dare touch, and wear skirts with pride.

Oh yeah, and their traditional pastimes involve toting around boulders and telephone poles for fun. Don’t believe us? See for yourself at the Phoenix Scottish Games this weekend at Steele Indian School Park, 300 East Indian School Road. The annual two-day event, which will run from Saturday, March 3, to Sunday, March 4, will feature such heavy-duty athletic contests as the hammer throw, tug-of-war, and the caber toss (where competitors toss the aforementioned telephone poles).

A variety of traditional and cultural activities, including performances by pipe and drum bands and traditional highland dancers, are also planned.

The games begin at 9 a.m. each day. Admission is $20 for adults, $15 for seniors and military, $5 for children 6 to 12, and free for kids 5 and younger. See the Arizona Scots website. Benjamin Leatherman

“Iris van Herpen: Transforming Fashion”
Now’s the time to haul out your far-out fashion, because Phoenix Art Museum, 1625 North Central Avenue, is showing work by Dutch designer Iris van Herpen.

Performers including Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, and Bjork have worn designs by the avant-garde creative, who’s known to make garments using materials like faux leather, gold foil, and tulle, with technology including 3-D printers.

“Iris van Herpen: Transforming Fashion” surveys 15 of the famed designer’s collections. Linger over her artistry from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday, March 4, as you take note of ensemble titles like Radiation Invasion. Tickets are $23 for adults, which includes museum admission. The exhibition continues through Sunday, May 13. Visit the Phoenix Art Museum website. Lynn Trimble

The Nile Record Swap
Digital music, games, or memes not your thing? Maybe you prefer something with a little more history. The Nile Record Swap on Sunday, March 4, invites shoppers to peruse vintage toys, records, tapes, and movie and show posters from different time periods. Vendors will have music from a variety of genres, including soul, punk, metal, and hip-hop.

In the past, vendors have had one-of-a-kind finds such as wrestling figurines from the 1990s and 2000s. During the sale, DJ My God Complex will spin music, and the Nile’s coffee shop will be open for business.
The free event runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 105 West Main Street. For more information, go to the Facebook event page. Laura Latzko