Phoenix Comicon is definitely jam-packed with things to do. This year’s edition of PCC – taking place from Thursday, May 28, until Sunday, May 31 – is no exception, as illustrated by the four-day event’s enormous program guide. Besides all the hubbub and lively booths in the Exhibition Hall, there…
Phoenix Comicon is going to be big this year — really big. In fact, we’ve heard rumors that it will be the biggest year to date for the much-beloved geek bonanza and pop culture convention. Not only are there going to be more guests (read: actors, actresses, comic book creators,…
“Do you want to get a drink or see a show?” asks Charlie Levy. The local concert promoter stands in front of a pair of doors in the landing of Valley Bar, his new basement-level music venue and lounge in downtown Phoenix, as he poses the question. It’s more choose-your-own-adventure…
All About Books and Comics owners Marsha and Alan Giroux have their hands full these days, and not just with stocking the latest titles from Marvel and DC. The couple, who have run the renowned Phoenix comic book emporium for 33 years, are getting ready to leave their longtime location…
You’ll have to forgive Sam Groove if he’s been a little busy over the last couple of weeks. Its to be expected, considering the fact that the local DJ/promoter and others behind the scenes at Hades Entertainment have been busy getting everything ready for this weekend’s Dirty Disco out at…
Motown on Mondays is on the move. The DJs behind popular dance joint — which focuses on remixes of the Motown hits of yesteryear, as well as old-school soul, funk and disco classics — are planning to pack up their tracks and head across downtown Phoenix from the Crescent Ballroom…
According to our calculations, at least 176 days remain until Halloween rolls around, which might seem like an absolute eternity to some folks. Then again, if you’re the organizers of the the Mad Monster Party — the annual convention focused on horror flicks and slasher films — every day is…
When Valley jazz singer Margo Reed passed away last month at the age of 73, the beloved vocalist left behind an indelible legacy. And according to her friends, family members, and fans, its one filled with cherished memories and unforgettable performances by one the true gems of Arizona’s jazz scene…
There is no shortage of places around the Valley to party at on Cinco de Mayo, to say the least. Ditto for all the events that will transpire during the days and nights leading up to the big drinking holiday. For proof, look no further than our annual Cinco guide,…
The first thing you absolutely need to know about Cinco de Mayo is that — despite what your inebriated friends might claim — it isn’t a celebration of Mexico’s secession from Spain. And that’s a fact. (That particular holiday is in September, gringo.) You’ll have plenty of opportunities to set…
Jason Kron vividly remembers his first close encounter with the entity known as Space-Alien Donald. It’s understandable, since getting asked if you were a fellow extraterrestrial is something you don’t soon forget. As the local musician and frontman for Hug of War recalls the otherworldly experience, it happened in late…
There is no shortage of places around the Valley to party at on Cinco de Mayo, to say the least. Ditto for all the events that will transpire during the days and nights leading up to the big drinking holiday. For proof, look no further than our annual Cinco guide,…
If you happen to be a die-hard fan of Battlestar Galactica — well, the phenomenally popular 2004 reimagining of the classic sci-fi television series, that is — and live in Arizona, its safe to say you’re anxiously counting the hours until Memorial Day weekend rolls around. That’s no frakkin’ hyperbole,…
They certainly don’t make video games like they used to way back when. While modern-day blockbuster titles like Assassin’s Creed: Unity, Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare, and Grand Theft Auto V pack high-tech thrills, lifelike graphics, and sophisticated A.I., there’s a definite appeal to the games from the golden age…
Local concert guru Charlie Levy has something cool in the works for downtown Phoenix — and, no, its not an attention-grabbing festival à la Viva PHX or Los Dias de la Crescent. Instead, its a brand new music venue. Levy, who co-owns the Crescent Ballroom and runs concert promotions company…
Whenever DJ Akshen steps behind a pair of record decks, he tends to become a tempest of motion befitting his moniker. Such is the case on a recent morning in his Arcadia home, where the veteran turntablist is busy painting a small side room with a slew of scratching over…
For the last few weeks or so, Phoenix Comicon fans have probably been wondering if any other big-name special guests were going to be announced for this year’s event, especially since its organizers tend to do that sort of thing right around now. Like, for instance, the big guest they…
Maarten Hoogstraten has been through tumultuous times the last couple of years. In late 2013, Paul Bäumer, his fellow member of electro-house duo Bingo Players, passed away after a short battle with cancer, which was a devastating experience to say the least. Hoogstraten carried on, however, at the behest of…
The WWE superstar known as Stardust is what you’d call a colorful character, even by professional wrestling standards. Adorned in star-shaped face paint and his special “mevlar” bodysuit and gloves, he’s eccentric, enigmatic, and a bit other-worldly whenever he makes an appearance on such WWE television shows as Raw and…
Valley concert promoter Stephen Chilton (a.k.a. Psyko Steve) has been more than a little busy lately. Besides gearing up for a trip to South by Southwest and nailing down details on any number of upcoming local shows, he just got done helping out behind the scenes with Viva Phoenix this…
Right now, things are still nice outside as far as the weather goes. But if you’ve lived in the Valley for any stretch of time, however, you’re probably well aware by now that its not gonna last much longer. Like it or not, we’re on the cusp of warmer temperatures…
Downtown Phoenix is going to be more than a little busy this weekend, you might say. More specifically, its sidewalks and even an alley or two are going to be crowded with music fans on Saturday evening, as will 20 different venues scattered throughout a two-mile radius when the second…
