Storm Surge

Brace yourselves ladies and get ready for a night of the dirty south — and we’re not talking Louisiana and Mississippi. That’s right: Australia’s popular male revue show, Thunder from Down Under is coming to the Valley.More country than Chippendale’s and more classy than a strip joint, the traveling Aussies…

Design Within Reach

Central Gallery, an art space located inside downtown Phoenix’s Burton Barr Central Library, continues to host an exhibition of multimedia works this month. The two-month long display features the art of architect and designer Steve Valev. The artist, who earned a master’s degree in architecture from Arizona State University, has…

Going South

“I’ll stay in Memphis,” Elvis Presley famously declared. The Southern city, a hotbed for blues, gospel, and soul, has been revered by everyone from Johnny Cash and Aretha Franklin to Otis Redding and Justin Timberlake. The Tennessee town’s contribution to modern music is the topic of Phoenix Theatre’s newest production,…

The Ironic Lady

One of rock music’s most noted albums comes to life onstage this week.“Jagged Little Pill” chronicles the journey of a woman, Mary Jane, on a trip through Alanis Morissette’s Grammy-winning album of the same name. Released in 1995 and featuring a ball-busting hit single that may or may not have…

Phil Up

It’s a world premiere of something Phoenicians — a lot of Phoenicians — have already been talking about: innovation. Think part TEDx (but less stuffy), part Ignite PHX (but longer), and part NerdNite (but not so niche).The P.H.I.L. Talks — which stands, appropriately, for Phoenicians Have Ideas Live — takes…

Downtown Mesa Debuts Flash Park Friday on September 19

Downtown Mesa is bringing the park to the people. An outdoors-inspired affair, Flash Park Friday hits the streets this week, with miniature parks taking over vacant parking spaces and sidewalks, promising a night of reprieve from an otherwise sweltering September. The central event and activities will take place on Main…

Wigstock

“My sex-change operation got botched / My guardian angel fell asleep on the watch / Now all I got is a Barbie Doll-crotch / I got an angry inch.”A surgical nightmare becomes a terrifying reality, and so begins the fated tale of Hansel becoming Hedwig. The drag-centric rock musical Hedwig…

Felt With You

We know, we know: “a puppet show”?Think Comedy Central’s Crank Yankers or the Tony award-winning Avenue Q on a smaller stage with equally ill-behaved marionettes. Because while it’s likely been years since Jim Henson’s famed Muppet collective entertained you, puppet shows aren’t just for children anymore — and the edgy,…

Yes, Beer

The patio becomes a pop-up beer garden at Ingo’s Tasty Food this Labor Day. The newest addition to La Grande Orange’s Arcadia corner is celebrating summer with an extensive beer garden for experienced drinkers and newbies alike. Dozens of beers from Lagunitas Brewing Company, Black Market Brewing, North Coast Brewing…

Sunburned Out

Summer ends with a splash this Labor Day weekend at downtown Phoenix’s Hotel Palomar and Lustre Rooftop Garden bar. The CityScape staycation spot is hosting two parties on Saturday, August 30, and Sunday, August 31.Bringing the “100 Days of Summer” three-month-long event to an end, the Last Day’s of Summer…

Park Ages

It’s a nationwide birthday celebration, and you’re invited. The National Parks Service marks its 98th birthday with a free entrance day for visitors of its parks and recreational areas across the country. Our Grand Canyon State is home to three, including its namesake. The Petrified Forest National Park and Saguaro…

Fresh Prints

For most writers, style means the words used and line toed between one metaphor or simile too many. For the rest of the world, it means structurally savvy, fashion-forward outfits. This week’s writing workshop at boutique and craft corner Frances aims to marry both. The round-table focuses on tales of…

You Can Surf at Downtown Phoenix’s CityScape Through August 31

It sat dormant in the courtyard of downtown’s CityScape, inflated but unused, during the early weeks of summer. Despite the hype and anticipation, the shopping center’s summer surfing attraction seemed in danger of bailing out before it even got off the ground. But the slow start paid off, bringing the…

Three Pointer

John Avedisian has led a rich life. A life brimming with the fine art he is known for painting, and a life filled with the three themes of his new show, “Wine, Women, and Song” — on view through Friday, August 29, at the Alwun House.“In all of my work…

Chapel Show

Always a bridesmaid, never a bride. For those “stuck” in that glorified, taffeta prom dress of life, there’s hope — or at least, in the theater. Fountain Hills Theater presents Always a Bridesmaid, a comedic tale of four friends enduring their own journeys down the aisle and the trials and…

Your Guide to Holbrook, Arizona

Jackalope Ranch is hitting the road this summer — and you’re coming, too. Well, sort of. With Going Places, our writers recommend the best things to do and see during your travels. Whoever said “it’s not the destination, it’s the journey” may have been talking about the drive to Holbrook…

Teen Choice

Since his debut was released in 2010, author Tom Leveen has been busy. Five novels and one mention on Young Adult Library Services Association’s Best Fiction for Young Adults list (2013 for Zero) later, the Arizona native, who still calls the Grand Canyon State home, returns to Changing Hands Bookstore…

Abstract Questions

Phoenix artist Daniel Shepherd brings solo work to Willo North Gallery for an upcoming show entitled “an idea of why.” The artist, who works in abstract paintings and collages using old magazines and photographs, uses these repurposed materials to create work minimalist in style and complex in message. The goal…

Hump Day

Think air guitar, but with more thrusting, more head banging… more banging in general. The 2014 Air Sex World Championship Tour comes to downtown indie theater FilmBar.Hosted by comedian Chris Trew, the raunchy roadshow — now in its sixth season — encourages air coitus between exhibitioners and their imaginary partner(s)…