Race War

We aren’t allowed to tell you about Dagger Deathrace II. In fact, organizers would probably prefer it if you weren’t reading this, particularly if you’re a po-po. Why? Because DDR is a crazy-ass underground urban bicycle race (a.k.a. an “alleycat”) that will take to the streets on Friday, October 31…

Waiting to Exhale

Oppressed smokers of the Valley, cheer up: Dave Attell feels your pain. Whether surviving a smoking ban or forking over a fiver to satisfy a nic fit, the 43-year-old comedian, who lights up the Tempe Improv this weekend, is familiar with the trials and tribulations of tobacco use. “In New…

The Final Countdown

We were watching The Daily Show the other night when the comedy/news program’s corespondents screamed into the camera “Just End It!” And frankly, we’re inclined to agree. Witnessing this year’s race for the White House unfold is kind of like watching your favorite team in the seventh game of the…

Who’s Your Papa?

Stephen Strange should teach a class in time management. Not only does the local freakazoid co-produce the hilariously whacked Television Noir, but he also performs with the Strange Family Circus, raises his two daughters, and organizes the Phoenix Annual Parade of the Arts (a.k.a. PAPA). And he does it well,…

After Hours at Johnny’s Uptown

As any 18- to 21-year-old will probably tell you, our fair city is in serious need of places where underage types can party. The folks behind The Spot at Johnny’s Uptown, 40 East Camelback Road, must’ve thought so, too, as they’ve launched a weekly after-hours shindig that’s sure to pack…

Hip-Hop Hooray

We’re mere days away from one of the most important elections of our lifetime and it seems like peeps on either side of the race for the White House (be they supporters of McCain or Obama) are pulling out all the stops. For instance, the PHX’s hip-hop scene is putting…

Rap Session

When it comes to hip-hop, it doesn’t get any more old-school than KRS-One. The 43-year-old MC is an icon and living legend who’s spent the past two decades educating many rhyme-spitting rappers on coming correct. He’s had particular influence on PHX artists, including a recent collaboration with Cut Throat Logic…

Rap Session

When it comes to hip-hop, it doesn’t get any more old-school than KRS-One. The 43-year-old MC is an icon and living legend who’s spent the past two decades educating many rhyme-spitting rappers on coming correct. He’s had particular influence on PHX artists, including a recent collaboration with Cut Throat Logic…

Fright Nights

Life’s been pretty damn scary lately. Between the double-fisted drama of the über-contentious race for the White House and the roller coaster stock market, we’ve been hoping this is all just some titanically bad nightmare everyone’s gonna wake up from. Needless to say, some letting loose is most definitely in…

Veggie Boy: That’s A Wrap

By Benjamin Leatherman The oh-so-spicy “Buffalo ’66” wrap. I’ve got a somewhat scandalous confession to make. While I’m 100 percent heterosexual, I freely admit to having something of a man-crush on Damon Brasch. You can’t blame me, since the thirtysomething chef/restaurateur is the pimpest cat in the Valley’s vegetarian/vegan scene…

Sunday, Bloody Sunday

Chris Jericho is quite the cad. In recent months, the villainous World Wrestling Entertainment icon has decked another man’s wife, cheated his way to the World Heavyweight Championship, and been an all-around cocky prick. Frankly, the dude needs a major-league ass-whupping, and we’re hoping that 6-foot-6, 300-pound Dave “The Animal”…

Breaking Up with Breakbeats

Like the old saying goes, all good things must come to an end. So even though it’ll break their hearts to see it go, the DJs of the Salacious Beat Slingers are ending the long-running Fat’s Breaks night. Debuting last spring, the Tuesday-night affair (originally called “A Case of the…

Hairy Tale

Throughout human history, wigs have benefited mankind. The ancient Egyptians donned them to shield their melons from the sunshine, France’s King Louis XIII hid his premature baldness with a hairpiece, and now Valley barflies can use them to score cheap alcohol during Wigger Wednesdays. The weird watering hole called Monkey…

Fat’s Breaks Final Night

Like the old saying goes, all good things must come to an end. So even though it’ll break their hearts to see it go, the DJs of the Salacious Beat Slingers are ending the long-running Fat’s Breaks night. Debuting last spring, the Tuesday-night affair (originally called “A Case of the…

Night Frights

Life’s been pretty damn scary lately. Between the double-fisted drama of the über-contentious race for the White House and the roller coaster stock market, we’ve been hoping this is all just some titanically bad nightmare everyone’s gonna wake up from. Needless to say, some letting loose is most definitely in…

Veggie Boy: Z’s Greek

By Benjamin Leatherman They don’t fool you at Z’s Greek, they feed you. The cool thing about having someone of Greek descent as a relative is that you get to chow on a lot of sumptuous Grecian cuisine. And I’ve done just that. My nephew’s half-Greek, which means that family…

Concert Schedule for This Weekend

By Benjamin Leatherman Streetlight Manifesto is scheduled to perform tonight at the Venue of Scottsdale. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17: Back N the Day Concert [R&B/hip-hop] With Adina Howard, Case, H-Town, Troop, SHAI, Next, AZ Yet, and more 8:30 p.m. $25-$300 (visit www.celebritytheatre.com) Celebrity Theatre, 440 N. 32nd St., Phoenix, 602-267-1600. Guitar…

Help Keep The Light Rail Running Past Midnight

By Benjamin Leatherman Could this train be a post-midnight express? Would you like for light-rail to operate until 2 a.m.? You should, especially if it’s going to keep your drunk ass from getting a DUI one night. As I reported a few weeks ago, the Phoenix City Council’s Transportation and…