january 30
Eugene Chadbourne: "Dr. Chadbourne" is one of the last standing champions of noncommercial alternative music; if gonzo was a sound, it might sound something like his. The absolutely unpredictable and artistically unfettered guitarist has made forays into free jazz, acid rock, avant blues and faux-redneck noise (with his band Shockabilly and without). It's hard to predict what will go down at any one of the musician's gigs, as Eugene's been known to compose sets that include mingled and brilliantly mangled works by the likes of Duke Ellington, Johnny Paycheck, Charles Manson, and one-time Chadbourne collaborator John Zorn. Son Huevos Borrachos share the stage. Showtime is 10 p.m. Thursday, January 30, at Nita's Hideaway, 1816 East Rio Salado Parkway in Tempe. Call 967-9531.
Hello, Dolly! at the Orpheum: The Orpheum Theatre, preserved by a revival movement that began with the facility's purchase by the City of Phoenix in 1984, has reopened its doors with a short run of Dolly!; Carol Channing stars in the Theater League production. Final performances are at 8 p.m. Thursday, January 30; 8 p.m. Friday, January 31; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, February 1; and 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday, February 2, at the theater, 203 West Adams. If tickets are available, they're at Phoenix Civic Plaza and Dillard's box offices; call 262-7272 or 503-5555.
Parada del Sol Rodeo: Scottsdale's annual roundup, sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and the Chute Out series, is one of the world's top outdoor affairs. Rounds are scheduled at 1 p.m. Thursday, January 30; 1 and 7 p.m. Friday, January 31; 1 and 5:30 p.m. Saturday, February 1; and 2 p.m. Sunday, February 2, at Rawhide, 23023 North Scottsdale Road. Tickets range from $6 to $15, available at Ticketmaster; call 784-4444. Two rodeo dances are planned. Friday's starts at 9 p.m., and features music by Rick Trevino, and Mogollon. Mark Curtis Middleton and Western Bred perform at Saturday's, which begins at 8 p.m. For general information, call 990-3179.
Henry Louis Gates: The author of Colored People and director of Harvard College's Afro-American Studies program speaks about race and ethnic-relations issues at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, January 30, at Arizona State University Music Theatre, Mill and Gammage Parkway in Tempe. Admission is free, but tickets must be picked up in advance; call 965-1441.
The Compleat Works of Wllm Shkspr (abridged): Jess Borgeson, Adam Long and Daniel Singer penned this Pythonesque parody, brimming with pot shots at the Bard and performed by Actors Theatre of Phoenix's "Reduced Shakespeare Company," comprising three actors and a prop list that includes "1 butcher knife, 2 daggers, 1 dinosaur (inflatable), 1 head (severed), 1 skull (rubber), 1 vial poison and 1 vial potion." Act one features snippets from 36 Shakespearean pieces; the centerpiece of act two is Hamlet--performed "three times forward and once backwards." See the review on page 55. This week's performances are at 8 p.m. Thursday, January 30; 8 p.m. Friday, January 31; 8 p.m. Saturday, February 1; and 2 p.m. Sunday, February 2, in Stage West at Herberger Theater Center, 222 East Monroe. The production continues through Sunday, February 9. Tickets range from $16 to $26, available at Herberger and Dillard's; call 252-8497 or 503-5555.
friday
january 31
Star Wars: The Special Edition: The 20th-anniversary rerelease of director George Lucas' outer-space shoot-'em-up Star Wars: A New Hope (PG) includes enhanced visual effects and new scenes. It opens Friday, January 31, on the Imperial-scale screen at Harkins Cine Capri, 24th Street and Camelback, and on those at other, lesser cinemas Valleywide. For information about Cine Capri screenings, call 956-4200; for details about showings at other locations, see Showtimes. (Note: Similarly spiffed-up versions of Star Wars sequels The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi are due soon.)
The Late Great Ladies of Blues and Jazz: Actor/vocalist Sandra ReAves portrayed Buttercup in the film Round Midnight; these days, she's usually on the road in one of her self-created revues. In this one, ReAves, backed by Paul Ramsey's All-Star Jazz Band, enacts and sings the roles of Billie Holiday, Ma Rainey, Bessie Smith, Dinah Washington, Ethel Waters and Mahalia Jackson. Shows are scheduled at 8 p.m. Friday, January 31; and the same time Saturday, February 1, at Scottsdale Center for the Arts, 7380 East Second Street. Free lectures by writer Patricia Myers precede at 7 in the center's Cinema. Concert tickets are $20 and $25, available at the center and Ticketmaster; call 994-2787 or 784-4444.
Crumb: The unsettling masterwork by director Terry Zwigoff is the very definition of American tragedy. The 1995 documentary starts out as a fairly straightforward take on underground-comics king Robert Crumb, best known for his "Keep on Truckin'" and "Fritz the Cat" images, but metamorphoses into a darkly comic study of Crumb-clan obsession and dysfunction. The R-rated movie screens at 7 p.m. Friday, January 31, in Room 3 at Mesa Arts Center, 155 North Center, continuing the MAC Movies 3 series. Admission is a suggested donation of $2. Call 644-2242.
Eddie Pennington: The Kentucky-based guitarist was graduated from the Merle Travis school of thumb-picking--literally; Pennington and the late, great Travis shared the same teacher, Mose Rager. Eddie performs at 8 p.m. Friday, January 31, at Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 North Arizona Avenue; tickets are $5 and $8, available at the center and Ticketmaster (call 786-2680 or 784-4444). Pennington is also scheduled to give a hands-on demonstration from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Saturday, February 1, at Milano Hall, located at 45 West Main in Mesa, across the street from Milano Music; tickets are $8, available at the store (call 834-6581).
The Compleat Works of Wllm Shkspr (abridged): See Thursday.
Hello, Dolly! at the Orpheum: See Thursday.
Parada del Sol Rodeo: See Thursday.
saturday
february 1
"Art on the Edge of Fashion": Arizona State University Art Museum curator Heather Lineberry organized this unusual contemporary exhibit of unwearable wearables--i.e., clothing as metaphorical medium and jumping-off point for an examination of gender issues and "the nature of identity." The exhibit, which also includes photos, sculpture, and installation and performance pieces, features works by Beverly Semmes, Nick Vaughn, Kerrie Peterson, Elaine Reichek, Christine LoFaso, Charles LeDray, Anne Wilson and Jana Sterbak. It opens with a reception from 8 to 10 p.m. Saturday, February 1, at the art museum at Nelson Fine Arts Center, 10th Street and Mill in Tempe; performance-art pieces by artists such as Angela Ellsworth, Gregory Sale, Jennifer-Marie Wallace and others are planned during the gratis event. "Art on the Edge" continues through Sunday, April 27. Viewing is free; hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays, 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays. For details call 965-2787.
Dream Game '97: Frank Robinson, Sparky Lyle, Dick Allen, Bob Feller and many other former pros are scheduled to take the field in this annual benefit, which raises funds for children's services at Phoenix Memorial Hospital. The six-inning baseball game starts at noon Saturday, February 1, at Phoenix Municipal Stadium, 5999 East Van Buren. Tickets range from $8 to $12, available at Dillard's; call 503-5555. The free, interactive Baseball Experience precedes at 11 a.m., continuing 'til 3 p.m. For general information, call 238-3215.
Arizona Renaissance Festival and Artisan Marketplace: The ninth annual re-creation of a medieval village is populated by a cast of royals, peasants, thespians, equestrians, maidens fair, rogues, etc. It opens for the season on Saturday, February 1; and Sunday, February 2, continuing each Saturday and Sunday (and Presidents' Day--Monday, February 17), through March 23, at the festival grounds, located off U.S. Highway 60 east of Apache Junction. Village hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets are $10.95, $3.95 for children ages 5 to 12, available at Fry's stores; they're $1 more at the gate. Kids under 5 get in free. Call 1-520-463-2700.
World Championship Hoop-Dance Contest: About 40 dancers from the U.S. and Canada compete in this annual event. Grand entries are scheduled at 10 a.m. Saturday, February 1; and the same time Sunday, February 2, at Heard Museum, 22 East Monte Vista. The championship round starts at 2 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $3, $2 for seniors and those 13 to 18, $1 for kids ages 4 to 12, free for younger children. Call 252-8840.
The Compleat Works of Wllm Shkspr (abridged): See Thursday.
Hello, Dolly! at the Orpheum: See Thursday.
The Late Great Ladies of Blues and Jazz: See Friday.
Parada del Sol Rodeo: See Thursday.
Eddie Pennington: See Friday.
Star Wars: The Special Edition: See Friday.
sunday
february 2
Moscow Festival Ballet: The 50-member troupe, directed by Bolshoi alum Sergei Radchenko, is on its inaugural tour of the U.S. It presents a performance of Giselle at 7 p.m. Sunday, February 2, at Symphony Hall, 225 East Adams. Tickets range from $28 to $36, available at Dillard's; call 503-5555.
Joey Harris: The former Beat Farmer guitarist is now doing his own thing in the aftermath of the death of head Farmer Country Dick Montana in late '95. Joey's new band, the Motherfuckers, comprises fellow former Farmer Rolle Love and brothers Greg and Randy Larocco. Flathead opens at 9 p.m. Sunday, February 2, at the Rhythm Room, 1019 East Indian School. The cover is $5. Call 265-4842.
Arizona Renaissance Festival and Artisan Marketplace: See Saturday.
"Art on the Edge of Fashion": See Saturday.
The Compleat Works of Wllm Shkspr (abridged): See Thursday.
Hello, Dolly! at the Orpheum: See Thursday.
Parada del Sol Rodeo: See Thursday.
Star Wars: The Special Edition: See Friday.
World Championship Hoop-Dance Contest: See Saturday.
monday
february 3
Ames Piano Quartet: The unusually configured outfit performs at 7:30 p.m. Monday, February 3, at Sundial Auditorium, 103rd Avenue and Boswell in Sun City. The program includes Hummel's Quartet in G major; Brahms' Quartet in C minor, Opus 60; and Walton's Quartet (1919). Tickets are $14, $1 for students. Call 972-0478.
Star Wars: The Special Edition: See Friday.
tuesday
february 4
Friends of Dean Martinez, and Karla Pundit: Tucson's Friends are signed to Sub Pop and play here frequently, so local cocktail-core aficionados are probably familiar with their loving odes to the lounge sounds of yesteryear. Karla Pundit is a more exotic visitor. A former University of Arizona premed student named Lance Kaufman who's now based in Flagstaff, Pundit's stage persona is a drop-dead riff on "genie of the keys" Korla Pandit, the turban-wearing '50s master of magic-carpet organ music. The real guy, Pandit, is still with us, and recently inked a deal with the Sympathy for the Record Industry label; the fake guy, Pundit, is touring behind his latest platter for Dionysus, Journey to the Ancient City. Showtime is 9 p.m. Tuesday, February 4, at the Rhythm Room, 1019 East Indian School. The cover is $6. For details call 265-4842.
"Art on the Edge of Fashion": See Saturday.
Star Wars: The Special Edition: See Friday.
wednesday
february 5
Sonny Burgess: The rockabilly singer/guitarist was overshadowed by his Sun Records mates in the '50s, but Sonny's the marquee idol now--or he should be, given the masterful quality of his new, self-titled disc for Rounder. It includes tunes by Bruce Springsteen (the previously unrecorded "Tiger Rose"), Dave Alvin and Chris Gaffney ("Six Nights a Week"), Radney Foster and Mark Sager ("You Tear Me Up"), Steve Forbert ("Catbird Seat") and Henry Gross ("Bigger Than Elvis," which features guest performances by Presley mates Scotty Moore, and the Jordanaires). Elgin opens at 9 p.m. Wednesday, February 5, at the Rhythm Room, 1019 East Indian School. The cover is $6. Call 265-4842.
Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys: Bluegrass pioneer Stanley, one of the genre's last living giants since the recent death of Bill Monroe, brings his terrific band to the Rockin' Horse, 7316 East Stetson in Scottsdale, for a gig on Wednesday, February 5. Showtime is 8 p.m. Tickets are available at the scene and Ticketmaster; call 949-0992 or 784-4444.
"Art on the Edge of Fashion": See Saturday.
Star Wars: The Special Edition: See Friday.
