august 29
Ronnie Dawson: The Texas hellbilly, self-proclaimed "Blond Bomber of the Monkey Beat," has been cutting sizzlin' sides since 1958--starting with "Action Packed" and "Rockin' Bones," both recorded under the alias Ronnie Dee. The latest disc from Dallas-born Dawson, Just Rockin' & Rollin', kicks pretty hard, too. Definitively action-packed, the Upstart album includes 16 hilarious and seriously planet-shakin' tracks, from "Fish Out of Water" to "Club Wig Wam" to "Sucker for a Cheap Guitar." Dawson performs on Thursday, August 29, at the Rhythm Room, 1019 East Indian School. Elgin shares the bill. Showtime is 9 p.m. The cover is $6.50. Call 265-4842.
"Traps": The wonderful installation by light heavyweight Al Price, a former Arizona State University instructor, comprises a series of kinetic sculpture that create changing patterns of shadow and movement. It comes down this week; check it out before it's gone. Viewing hours are noon to 5 p.m. Thursday, August 29; noon to 8 p.m. Friday, August 30; noon to 8 p.m. Saturday, August 31; and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, September 1, in Lower Gallery at Scottsdale Center for the Arts, 7380 East Second Street. Admission is free. Call 994-2787.
BR5-49: The hard-core contemporary honky-tonk group has created a soft buzz among the alternative in crowd with its take-no-prisoners traditionalism. The house band at Robert's Western World in Nashville--a pedal-steel factory turned smoky nightspot--is on the road in support of its Arista debut, Live at Robert's. Flathead opens the shows at 8 p.m. Thursday, August 29; and the same time Friday, August 30, at the Rockin' Horse, 7316 East Stetson in Scottsdale. Tickets are available at the scene and Ticketmaster. Call 949-0992 or 784-4444.
Six Women With Brain Death or Expiring Minds Want to Know: Theater League presents a tenth-anniversary revival of the oft-revived all-woman musical, a parody of soap operas, tabloid journalism and other by-products of pop culture's ascension. The long-running reincarnation wraps this week. Final performances are at 8 p.m. Thursday, August 29; 8 p.m. Friday, August 30; 8 p.m. Saturday, August 31; and 2 p.m. Sunday, September 1, at the Scottsdale Playhouse, 7219 East Main. Tickets are $19.50, available at Dillard's. For details call 952-2881 or 678-2222.
friday
august 30
Linda Ronstadt: Believe it or not, Tucson's favorite daughter just turned 50, and pigeonhole-defying Linda's done more in her first five decades than most musicians who make it to the century mark. She's applied her bell-tone vocals to incarnations as varied as coffee-house folkie, neocountry singer, pop star, rocker, big-band chanteuse, Broadway balladeer and crooner of Spanish canciones. Her 29th album, Dedicated to the One I Love (Elektra), is a collection of--of all things--nontraditional lullabies, including the Beatles' "Good Night" and Queen's "We Will Rock You." Ronstadt performs with the San Diego Symphony Orchestra on Friday, August 30, at Desert Sky Pavilion, 2121 North 83rd Avenue. Showtime is 8 p.m. Tickets range from $15 to $50, available at Ticketmaster. For details call 254-7599 or 784-4444.
Phoenix Firebirds: The Valley's Triple A affiliate of baseball's San Francisco Giants wraps up its regular Pacific Coast League season with games against the Salt Lake Buzz at 7:05 p.m. Friday, August 30; 7:05 p.m. Saturday, August 31; 6:05 p.m. Sunday, September 1; and 6:05 p.m. Monday, September 2. All games are at Scottsdale Stadium, 7408 East Osborn, except for Saturday's, which is at Peoria Sports Complex, 16101 North 83rd Avenue. The 'birds, first-half champs of the PCL's Southern Division, kick off the playoffs with matches against the second-half Southern Division winner at 7:05 p.m. Wednesday, September 4; and the same time Thursday, September 5, at Scottsdale Stadium. Tickets range from $3 to $7. Call 275-0500.
The Lady's Not for Burning: Ethington Theatre at Grand Canyon University, 3300 West Camelback, has opened its new season with British "blank verse" playwright Christopher Fry's offbeat, Middle Ages comedy about a disillusioned soldier and a woman bound for the stake on a charge of witchcraft. Final performances are at 8 p.m. Friday, August 30; and the same time Saturday, August 31. Tickets are $8, $6.50 for seniors and children. For reservations and details, call 589-2871.
WestWorld of Scottsdale 1996 Summer Rodeo Series: The finals of the Southwest Professional Rodeo Association-sanctioned series are scheduled at 8 p.m. Friday, August 30, in Equidome Arena at WestWorld, 16601 North Pima Road. Tickets are $7, $3 for kids 6 and up, available at the scene and Dillard's. Call 483-8800 or 678-2222.
Road Trip: "Navajo Code Talkers" in Tucson: Arizona Commission on the Arts is the sponsor of this traveling exhibit, a collection of black-and-white portraits of the Code Talkers by Japan-born, Fort Defiance-based freelance photographer Kenji Kawano. Some of World War II's most unsung heroes, the Talkers concocted a code, using the Navajo language, that confounded Japanese intelligence and helped to turn the tide of the Pacific war in favor of the Americans. The installation opens Friday, August 30, and continues through Sunday, September 29, at Tohono Chul Park, located at 7366 North Paseo del Norte, west of the intersection of Oracle and Ina roads. Viewing hours are 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays. Admission is a suggested donation of $2. Call 1-520-742-6455.
BR5-49: See Thursday.
Six Women With Brain Death or Expiring Minds Want to Know: See Thursday.
"Traps": See Thursday.
saturday
august 31
Porno for Pyros, and Love and Rockets: Stock up on those earplugs and prepare yourself for a little night shriekback, courtesy of Perry Farrell's Pyros, who are touring behind their second Warner Bros. disc, Good God's Urge. Sharing the bill are Daniel Ash and the revivified Rockets, who are still out stumping for Sweet F.A. (American Recordings). The all-ages show starts at 8 Saturday, August 31, at Club Rio, 430 North Scottsdale Road in Tempe. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster. Call 894-0533 or 784-4444.
Juan Gabriel: The south-of-the-border superstar is the king of Latin America. Gabriel brings his orchestra and mariachis to America West Arena, First Street and Jefferson, for a show on Saturday, August 31. Showtime is 8 p.m. Tickets range from $25 to $75, available at the arena and Dillard's. For details call 379-7800 or 678-2222.
The Lady's Not for Burning: See Friday.
"Navajo Code Talkers" in Tucson: See Friday.
Phoenix Firebirds: See Friday.
Six Women With Brain Death or Expiring Minds Want to Know: See Thursday.
"Traps": See Thursday.
sunday
september 1
Cedric the Entertainer: Contrarily, this homespun, clean-as-a-whistle comedian is a past winner of Black Entertainment Television's Richard Pryor Comic of the Year award. St. Louis-born Cedric, a cast member of cable's All-Star Def Comedy Jam, performs on Sunday, September 1, at Celebrity Theatre, 440 North 32nd Street. Funnywoman Sommore, another Pryor award winner, shares the stage. Showtime is 8 p.m. Tickets are $24.50 and $30 in advance, $26.50 and $32 the day of the show, available at the scene and Dillard's. For more information, call 267-9373 or 678-2222.
Jazz, Rhythm and Groove Party: The annual fund raiser for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix features Dr. Bombay, Blaise Lantana, Desert Gumbo, the Groove Merchants, Patti Williams and Delirious, and Maxine Johnson and Blues Ratio featuring Lay De Ja. Showtime is 7 p.m. Sunday, September 1, at the Rhythm Room, 1019 East Indian School. For admission and other information, call 265-4842.
"Navajo Code Talkers" in Tucson: See Friday.
Phoenix Firebirds: See Friday.
Six Women With Brain Death or Expiring Minds Want to Know: See Thursday.
"Traps": See Thursday.
monday
september 2
Aquarium Rescue Unit: The Dixie-funk band out of Atlanta has much in common with Phish, Widespread Panic, Blues Traveler and other acts that trace their lineages to the loose-limbed jams of the Grateful Dead. ARU plays on Monday, September 2, at Gibson's, 410 South Mill in Tempe. Minnesota's Tina and the B-Side Movement share the bill. Showtime is 9 p.m. The cover is $5. For details call 967-1234.
Royal Crown Revue, and Storyville: The spirit of the late, great Louis Jordan inhabits the neo-jumpin' jive Revue. Touring behind its new disc, Mugsy's Move, the band performs on Monday, September 2, at the Rockin' Horse, 7316 East Stetson in Scottsdale. Tommy Shannon's Storyville opens at 7 p.m.; the Royal Crown crew goes on at about 9:30. Admission is free until 9, $7 after. Call 949-0992.
"Navajo Code Talkers" in Tucson: See Friday.
Phoenix Firebirds: See Friday.
tuesday
september 3
Sting: The Richard Gere of rock returns to sing more relaxed-fit songs about saving the world on Tuesday, September 3, at Desert Sky Pavilion, 2121 North 83rd Avenue. The famously languid Cowboy Junkies share the bill. The mellow show starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 and $27.50, available at Ticketmaster. For details call 254-7599 or 784-4444.
The Will Rogers Follies: Hollywood square John Davidson portrays Rogers--yep, you read that right--in Theatre League's production of the musical about the life of the bumpkin genius. Jamie "Corporal Klinger" Farr co-stars as Will's dad. Opening performances are at 8 p.m. Tuesday, September 3; and the same time Wednesday, September 4, at Symphony Hall, 225 East Adams. More shows are planned at 8 p.m. Thursday, September 5; 8 p.m. Friday, September 6; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, September 7; and 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday, September 8. Tickets range from $22 to $32.50, available at Phoenix Civic Plaza and Dillard's box offices. For details call 262-7272 or 678-2222.
"Navajo Code Talkers" in Tucson: See Friday.
wednesday
september 4
Demetria Martinez: Martinez, now based in Tucson, was a correspondent for the National Catholic Reporter and the Albuquerque Journal in the mid-'80s, and she was at the forefront of the journalistic battle to draw attention to the Sanctuary movement in El Salvador, whose goal was to expose the torture and murder of Salvadorans and Guatemalans by the U.S.-backed dictatorships in those countries. In 1987, the U.S. government tried Martinez on a conspiracy charge for allegedly attempting to smuggle two Salvadoran nationals into America; the writer was acquitted on First Amendment grounds. She reads from and signs copies of her first book, Mother Tongue, a fictional work that utilizes the Sanctuary movement as a backdrop, at 7 p.m. Wednesday, September 4, at Tempe's Changing Hands Bookstore, 414 South Mill, Suite 109. Admission is free. For details call 966-0203.
Reverend Horton Heat: Jim Heath and his Sub Pop rockabilly trio return for more unholy fun on Wednesday, September 4, at Electric Ballroom, 1216 East Apache in Tempe. Lunachicks, and Reacharound share the all-ages bill. Showtime is 8 p.m. Tickets are $15, available at Ticketmaster. Call 894-0707 or 784-4444.
Side by Side by Sondheim: Stage director Todd James Smeltzer and musical director Stephen Goodfriend collaborated on this Valley production, a snappy revue starring Lisa Fogel, Michelle Katzenbach, Kathy Edwards, George Pollard and Kathleen Ruhleder. Sondheim opens with a performance at 8 p.m. Wednesday, September 4, at Kerr Cultural Center, 6110 North Scottsdale Road in Scottsdale. More shows are planned at 8 p.m. Thursday, September 5; 8 p.m. Friday, September 6; 8 p.m. Saturday, September 7; and 3 and 7 p.m. Sunday, September 8. Tickets are $15, $13 for students and seniors, $7.50 for kids under 12, available at the center and Dillard's. For details call 965-5377 or 678-2222.
"Navajo Code Talkers" in Tucson: See Friday.
Phoenix Firebirds: See Friday.
The Will Rogers Follies: See Tuesday.
