Look. We know plenty of people want to claim Aidy Bryant as their own. She lives in New York. She made a name for herself in Chicago. But we Phoenicians really should have first dibs on the Saturday Night Live performer. A few reasons: Her fam lives here (her mom…

In late July, playwright Kim Porter penned a tribute to Phoenix’s de facto improvisation headquarters, The Torch Theatre. Porter has taken classes at the theater, honing her improv skills and getting to know its seemingly normal crew of folks “who step onto the stage each week and pretend to be…

While we don’t particularly dig when folks chop up books and make them into “art,” we do enjoy the craftsmanship of Julie Chen. She doesn’t bother with the chopping, instead creating books that are readable tomes that double as works of art. Chen produces limited editions of books (usually in…

For Ben Ruiz, games aren’t just for playing. They’re his job. And, sure, being an artist and designer who makes a living by designing games is wicked cool. But it’s not easy. Ruiz has worked in the gaming industry for six years and contributed work to 14 games. He also…

Bears, beets, Battlestar Galactica. We share with Dwight Schrute an affinity for just two of these things. Members of the genus ursus? No, thank you. We saw Grizzly Man. There is no going back.But for art, we’re willing to bend our no-bears policy just a smidge, as the animal-centric exhibition…

Jackalope Ranch’s first-ever bingo night was such a smashing success we ran outta playing cards. This month, armed with three emcees, 200 cards created by Phoenix artist Sarah Hurwitz, and a load of prizes from local businesses, the culture blog brings weekly bingo to Crescent Ballroom, 308 North Second Avenue.Seriously…

Alexandra Bowers’ heart is in wood. The artist works with the medium, burning it, to convey the friction between natural elements and urban sprawl. On panels she reveals plant specimens, topographic lines, and animal skulls.”I am continually fascinated, yet saddened by the resiliency native plants and animals are forced to…

Get your smarty pants on; it’s time for some lectures. Take note: Here are three educational events you’ve gotta check out in the Phoenix area this month. Stephen Fried @ Heard Museum Author and journalist Stephen Fried explores the life and career of Fred Harvey, the entrepreneur who established a…

If the Miss America competition is Barbie, then Miss Native American USA is Skipper, lesser known and smaller in scale, but still very much in production. Its second-ever pageant brings together 10 native women from tribes across the U.S. to compete for a crown that represents how tradition and modernity…

Phoenix native and now-Chicago-based artist Joseph “Sentrock” Perez cannot contain his excitement when he talks about what’s going down this month.”Willo North Gallery is going to host a ridiculous art show with Luis Gutierrez, Martin Moreno[, and me],” he says, adding that he’s been inspired by both of the nationally…

Kelly Osbourne and Kate Moss can dye their hair gray all they want. Doesn’t change the fact that it looks better on a lady who’s earned her silver streaks, which signify strength and wisdom rather than a knack for trendiness.These are the qualities that make old women treasures, according to…

If the Miss America competition is Barbie, then Miss Native American USA is Skipper, lesser known and smaller in scale, but still very much in production. Its second-ever pageant brings together 10 native women from tribes across the U.S. to compete for a crown that represents how tradition and modernity…