Native American Composers Apprenticeship Project
Composer, performer, and installation artist Raven Chacon has an impressive resume, including a showing at the 2017 Whitney Biennial while he was part of the Postcommodity collective. His eyes light up when he talks about assorted sound art installations created in desert and urban environments. But he’s especially passionate about working with indigenous youth. The Diné creative, who was born in Fort Defiance on the Navajo Nation, is helping youth develop musical literacy and music composition skills as part of the Native American Composers Apprenticeship Project. Hear them perform a free concert led by Chacon at the Heard Museum, 2301 North Central Avenue, from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, August 30. Doors open at 5 p.m. Lynn Trimble
Bearracuda
In the zoo of gay wildlife, no animal is more celebrated than the bear. What’s not to love? Bears are fuzzy, cuddly, and full of awesome. Whether you’re a bear or a bear lover, there’s no better place to be than Bearracuda at The Rock on Friday, August 30. This 21-and-over kink-friendly parking lot party will feature go-go dancers, Seattle’s DJ Freddy King of Pants, and over 500 handsome hairy men.Hallelujah, it’s raining men this Labor Day weekend at 4129 North Seventh Avenue from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Tickets are $6 before 10 p.m. and $8 after. Melissa Fossum
Saboten Con 2019
Prepare yourself, gaijin. Hordes of costumed teens toting ridiculously oversized weaponry will invade downtown Phoenix this weekend, particularly in the area surrounding the Sheraton Grand Phoenix, 340 North Third Street. Their intent isn’t to conquer. Instead, they’ll congregate inside for Saboten Con 2019, the annual anime and Japanese pop-culture convention.Every Labor Day weekend, the event serves up a mix of programming, panels, and activities related to anime, manga, import video games, and pretty much anything else that otaku are into. There are special guests, fashion shows, maid cafes, gaming sessions, a vendor hall, and an insane amount of costumes and cosplayers.
This year’s con runs from Friday, August 30, to Monday, September 2. Event hours vary. Daily admission is $20 to $35, a full event badge is $55, and the perk-filled “Otaku Pass” is $350. Benjamin Leatherman
Mike Epps
Mike Epps has been a scene-stealing sidekick for decades. In the early 2000s, Epps cracked us up as the sex-crazed pothead Day-Day in the Friday sequels. More recently, Epps appeared in another comedy trilogy as a hilarious minor character — Black Doug in The Hangover series.While Epps is great onscreen, he is even better on the stage. His controversial comedy is bound to get some laughs at Stand Up Live from Friday, August 30, to Sunday, September 1. Friday, the club announced that both Saturday shows were sold out, but that Epps added a second show on Sunday at 9:30 p.m.
Get your laugh on at 50 West Jefferson Street. Tickets start at $40. VIP tickets are $50 and include reserved seating. This 21-and-over event has a two-drink minimum. Melissa Fossum
Get ready for a slappin' good time.
Trill
Water Tower Slap Show
Graffiti is finally being appreciated for its artistic merits rather than being dismissed as vandalism. Street art has transformed over the last few years due to slap tagging, in which artists distribute their work by placing stickers in public places. Cristina Vanko dubbed the process as “smart vandalism.” Trill will make slap art available to everyone with the Water Tower Slap Show on Saturday, August 31. Attendees will be given their own paper water towers to decorate however they choose. This free, all-ages event features lots of giveaways and music from DJs Psychopat, Fact135, and REFLEKSHIN.Slap it on at 1817 East Indian School Road from 5 to 9 p.m. Melissa Fossum
Garbage Pail Kids
If we’ve learned anything from Mystery Science Theater 3000, it’s terrible movies can gain “so bad it’s good” status with a good roast. All Puppet Players will lampoon the 1987 live-action Garbage Pail Kids movie on Saturday, August 31. Widely considered to be one of the worst films ever made, the flick starts with the discovery of a strange garbage can from outer space. The Garbage Pail Kids emerge, fart a lot, meet some mutants, steal a Pepsi truck, and meet the “too fat” Santa and the “too bald” Gandhi.Shenanigans ensue at Phoenix Theatre, 1850 North Central Avenue, at 8 p.m. This 17-and-over event is $15. Melissa Fossum
Hatch Green Chile Roast
Hatch chile season is upon us! Chelsea’s Kitchen will celebrate the occasion with its fourth annual Hatch green chile roast by serving up over a ton (literally — 2,500 pounds are anticipated) of green chiles directly from Hatch, New Mexico, on Saturday, August 31. The themed menu offers unique appetizers, entrees, desserts, and drinks featuring the celebrated pepper. All guests who purchase an entree get a free bag of Hatch chiles to take home. There’s also an all-day happy hour and a green chile roast outside the restaurant.Enjoy enchiladas, green chile corn tamales, and many more at 5040 North 40th Street from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Call 602-957-2555. Melissa Fossum
Goldrush DJ Competition
The end of September can’t come soon enough for EDM fans. This year’s Goldrush Festival will be one for the books, thanks to the impressive lineup of Alison Wonderland, ZHU, and DJ Diesel, a.k.a. Shaquille O’Neal.Can’t wait? You’re in luck. On Saturday, August 31, local DJs will compete at Aura Lounge for a chance to perform at the event. Sets will be judged on technical factors (difficulty, musicality, ease of setup) and interactive judging (track selection, presence, crowd response). Tickets are $10 with proceeds benefitting Phoenix Children’s Hospital.
Show your support at 411 South Mill Avenue in Tempe from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. You have to be 18 or older to attend. Melissa Fossum
Need more Drake in your life?
Alexandra Gaspar
Drake Night: Summer ’19
Need a little more Drake in your life? Head over to The Van Buren, 401 West Van Buren Street, for Drake Night: Summer ’19, which kicks off at 10 p.m. on Saturday, August 31, and runs through 2 a.m. Tickets are $10 to $15, and you must be at least 21 to attend. Doors open at 9:30 p.m. Expect a night filled with the Toronto rapper’s hits spun by DJs Pickster and Nameless. Don’t be shy if you know the lyrics to every single Drake song out there. Singing along is celebrated. Lynn Trimble
Summer Breeze
Yacht rock walks a fine line between irony and timelessness. Toto’s “Africa” is catchy as hell, but Sugar Ray’s Little Yachty may have crossed the line. Skipper hats, bell-bottoms, and brightly colored tropical shirts will always be fun.Thunderbird Lounge will celebrate Yacht Rock during Summer Breeze by playing the good music from your dad’s record collection. Think Hall & Oates, Michael McDonald, and Kenny Loggins.
Enjoy saxophone, swagger, pizza, yard games, and drink specials at 710 West Montecito Avenue from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Sunday, September 1. This 21-and-over event is free. For more information, call 602-283-4621. Melissa Fossum
Dragalicious: A Drag Convention
Geeks aren’t the only ones having conventions these days. Drag queens have also gotten into the con action, presenting absolutely fabulous extravaganzas in cities around the country. (Heck, even RuPaul has one every year in L.A.) This weekend, the Valley gets its own event, thanks to the folks behind Dragalicious: A Drag Convention.Local female illusionists and drag artists can sashay over to The Cash Nightclub, 1730 East McDowell Road, on Sunday, September 1, for a day of performances, vendors, workshops, panel discussions, giveaways, an audience participation contest, and runway entrances. Shuga Cain from RuPaul’s Drag Race will be the guest of honor and will perform and conduct a special meet-and-greet (a $15 fee is required).
The convention runs from noon until 8 p.m. General admission is $20 and VIP tickets (which include the meet-and-greet) are $35. Benjamin Leatherman
