Before you start packing for nerdy adventures at San Diego Comic-Con next weekend or commit to seeing all of comedian Tommy Davidson's five sets at Tempe Improv this weekend, read up on all your options. Here are five top picks for what to do over the next few days.
Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Milwaukee Brewers @ Chase Field America loves home runs. Our cultural fascination with dingers is why the Steroid Era was so popular, why Luis Gonzalez got his own milk flavor, and why Denny's ultimately decided to rename the dreadfully unpopular "RBI Single Breakfast."
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It's also why Arizona Diamondbacks first-baseman Paul Goldschmidt is one of the most popular athletes in the Valley at the moment. Goldschmidt is on pace to hit more four-baggers than any D-Backs slugger since Gonzalez retired. There's a decent chance Goldschmidt will win the NL home run crown in the process.
Goldschmidt's power numbers figure to take a big step up this week when the D-Backs host the Milwaukee Brewers at Chase Field, 401 East Jefferson Street, on Friday, July 12. The hapless Brewers have served up substantially more homers than any other team in the league, so there figure to be plenty of base-clearers. First pitch is at 6:40 p.m, tickets start at $5 via www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 602-462-6500. -- Ed Kummerer
"Black Maps" @ Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art Though the exhibition title "Black Maps: American Landscape and The Apocalyptic Sublime" sure sounds like another Pirates of the Caribbean installment, let us assure you that serial-bumbler Johnny Depp has nothing to do with Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art's current showing of aerial photography. Sorry to take the wind of of your sails, but, instead of maps to buried treasure, these large-scale works by artist David Maisel look at landscapes of the American West with an eye toward environmental concerns and sustainability issues.
See the 28 seemingly-psychedelic pigment prints at 7374 East Second Street, through Sunday, September 1. No spyglass needed. Admission is $7 for adults and $5 for students. Call 480-874-4666 or see www.smoca.org. -- Becky Bartkowski
Caribbean Technology @ Arcosanti It's not every day that fire meets samba meets Caribbean-infused electronica. But then again, Flam Chen isn't your average performance troupe. For years they've been creating one-of-a-kind shows that fuse dance, stilt, and aerial performance. On Saturday, July 13, the troupe will première Caribbean Technology, a quintessential circus fire show with a unique island twist. It will be set to the beats of Richard Noel, originally from the island of Trinidad and Tobago, and his group, Sticks & Fingers.
The impressive vaults at Arcosanti, one of the few venues capable of accommodating the troupe's unique spatial needs, will serve as the stage. Tickets to Caribbean Technology at Arcosanti, located off Interstate 17 at Cordes Junction, cost $20 per person or $40 for the show accompanied by a Caribbean-themed dinner. Dinner will be served at 7 p.m., and the show will begin at 9. For more information call 520-272-9041 or visit www.flamchen.com. -- Lauren Saria
Arizona Rattlers vs. New Orleans VooDoo @ US Airways There's no point in dressing it up: the New Orleans VooDoo are bad. No team in the Arena Football League has given up more points than the VooDoo, no team has gained fewer yards, and only one team in the league has a worse record.
On paper, the VooDoo should prove to be little challenge for an Arizona Rattlers team that has been the Arena League squad to beat for the first four months of the season. The beauty of arena football, of course, is that the games are rarely so predictable when they're actually played. Sure, the VooDoo figure to be heavy underdogs when the two teams face off at US Airways Center, 201 East Jefferson Street, on Saturday, July 13, but a few lucky bounces at the right time are all it takes to turn an underdog into a prohibitive favorite. Kickoff is at 6 p.m. Tickets start at $10 via www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 602-514-8383. -- Ed Kummerer Sunday Cinema @ Brat Haus Watching Kanye West continue to boast about his opulent lifestyle makes some of us wish that the events which transpire in Trading Places could happen in real life. Who wouldn't want to swap their foreclosed home for a Trump Tower penthouse for a few days? Although, returning to your less-than-glamorous lifestyle would be a bummer, since not everyone can befriend a prostitute played by Jamie Lee Curtis, figuratively stick it to the man, and then walk away a millionaire thanks to an orange juice fortune. Nevertheless, it is fun to indulge in such a daydream.
Brat Haus brings the escapism in the form of '1980s and '90s hit movies as part of its Sunday Cinema series, which includes a brat, boot full of beer, and small order of fries for $20. Indulge in the Trading Places screening at 7 p.m. Sunday, July 14, at 3622 North Scottsdale Road in Scottsdale. Call 480-947-4006 or visit www.brathausaz.com. -- Melissa Fossum
