Two bands loom large in recent New Times cover curse history. There's The Format, the early-aughts indie rock project from Nate Ruess and Sam Means. That duo broke up in 2008, two years after they reclined smiling on the cover of this publication. And you've got Dear and the Headlights, who packed it in two years after their 2009 cover. Both acts hit the big time — and members of both have gone on to found new projects. Dig a little deeper into the ol' memory bank and you might recall The Medic Droid, who broke up seven whole days after their cover. Will the curse continue? Well, we'd be the first to admit that it's not the most consistent of hexes. But it'll be worth checking in with Futuristic and Destruction Unit in a minute.

We've heard that wishing on a star is a surefire way to get what you want. But what star should you wish upon? Are there more prestigious stars with a higher success rate of granting wishes? Is that even a star to begin with, or are you wishing on a 747? Just to be safe, we recommend going to one of the Phoenix Astronomical Society's free public star parties, an all-ages event where you can look to the night skies in the company of some knowledgeable amateur astronomers and your fellow star neophytes. Events are usually, but not always, held at Paradise Valley Community College's Black Mountain Campus in far north Scottsdale, where the distance from the city lights helps you scan the heavens that much more effectively. You can bring your own telescope, or PSA members bring their own for the public to look through. Either way, you know you'll have an excellent view of the sky — the better to choose a star to wish on.