We apologize for being haters, but we’ll probably never forget when, years ago, the Arizona Diamondbacks announced that they were increasing ticket prices. Yeah, so what’s the big deal? Well, friends, they did so during fan-appreciation weekend. Golly, did we feel, uh, appreciated. As the years have passed, we’ve softened…
As people’s papers dwindle, up jumps the swindles. You see, Wu-Tang affiliate Killah Priest was supposed to stop in Tempe this week while on tour. Thing is, the tour didn’t actually exist. It was just a scam propagated by some random schemers hoping to game on the promoters’ up-front money…
The 19th annual fest features continuous live entertainment, tasty eats, martial arts demos, lion and dragon dances, a Taipei Dragon Boat Display, a Children’s Pavilion, a Chinese Cultural Village, and more. Fri., Feb. 6, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sat., Feb. 7, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun., Feb. 8, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., 2009…
The event, which also kicks off the Phoenix Chinese Week Culture and Cuisine Festival, features live entertainment and lion and dragon dances. Fri., Feb. 6, 11 a.m., 2009…
Sous chef Bruce Patterson whips up a three-course “aphrodisiac” menu chock-full of stimulating delights for “an intimate group of three couples.” Reservations are (obviously) recommended. Fridays, Saturdays, noon. Starts: Feb. 6. Continues through Feb. 28, 2009…
I haven’t been overly enamored of local alt-country bands. The New Westerns had a nice sound, but spotty vocals, and suffer from occasional self-indulgence. Instant Hobo won points for being hobo-themed, but didn’t take the motif far enough, and their record seemed a little sloppy. As a long-time alt-country fan,…
The DVD (companion to the book of the same name by Meredith Dreiss and Sharon Edgar Underhill) looks at the 3,000-year-old history of the sweet stuff. Specialty chocolates will be available for nibbling. Sat., Feb. 7, 2 p.m., 2009…
The editor of the Spring Training Online and Ballpark Digest Web sites signs his new book, The Complete Guide to Spring Training, which covers both the Cactus League and Florida’s Grapefruit League. Sat., Feb. 7, 1-4 p.m., 2009…
The acclaimed documentary traces the rise of the Funk Brothers, the studio musicians who powered the Motown Sound. Fri., Feb. 6, 6 p.m., 2009…
The author of A Left-Hand Turn Around the World signs his latest, Righting the Mother Tongue: From Olde English to Email, in which the Wired contributor “untangles the twisted story of the English spelling.” Thu., Feb. 5, 7 p.m., 2009…
The 2008 mockumentary by marine biologist turned Hollywood filmmaker Randy Olson takes it to the environmentalists, as his 2006 entry Flock of Dodos shellacked evolutionary dunderheads. Olson will be present for the screening and discussion. Location: Murdock Hall 201. RSVP required. Thu., Feb. 5, 5-8 p.m., 2009…
The mockumentarist speaks about his own evolution from marine biologist to Hollywood filmmaker (Flock of Dodos, Sizzle). Thu., Feb. 5, 2:30-3:30 p.m., 2009…
Chances are, if you’re the type of person who might go see Sword of the Stranger, you’ve not only already decided to go, but you’ve downloaded a fansub of this modern-day anime masterpiece and know every line . . . in Japanese. For those who could care less that the…
If you’re looking for a new guilty pleasure, let us suggest Punk Bunny. The misleadingly named, Hollywood-based electro/sexual trio isn’t punk and isn’t necessarily even that good. But its appeal to the sex- and dance-crazed corners of our psyche is undeniable, and the band’s sexed-up show just may leave you…
The renowned artist speaks about her monumental new sculpture in the Downtown Civic Space — named Skybloom, the 110-foot work was inspired by the shape of a saguaro blossom — and other issues related to public art. Tue., Feb. 10, 7 p.m., 2009…
You may as well own up to it. We know you’ve got a few Ace of Base tracks on your iPod, which is why you avoid using “party shuffle” around others. It’s not so bad, really, because in some parts of Europe (and some clubs in AZ, evidently), that sound…
The workshop, hosted by musician and hip-hop statesperson Toni Blackman (pictured), uses free styling as a tool to encourage social responsibility. It’s held in conjunction with ASU’s MLK Day/Black History Month festivities. Tue., Feb. 10, 12-5 p.m., 2009…
Think there’s an absence of Martin Luther King Day/Black History Month events in the Valley? Wrong you are, my friend. So far, there’s been a reenactment of Dr. King’s march on Washington; a locally produced play chronicling the life of Bessie Coleman, America’s first African-American female pilot; a freestyle music…
Musician/teacher Toni Blackman speaks in Room 170 in conjunction with ASU’s MLK Day/Black History Month festivities. Mon., Feb. 9, 6 p.m., 2009…
Ivan Neville was almost famous once. His 1988 album If My Ancestors Could See Me Now featured the soul-pop gems “Falling Out of Love” and “Not Just Another Girl,” the latter which cracked the Billboard Top 40. His pop-star career stalled after that, but if you’re a member of the…
At times haunting and others saccharine, Los Angeles/Chicago-based singer/songwriter Anni Rossi is a one-woman orchestra. Armed with a killer set of pipes and a viola that she bows and plucks to perfection, her no-nonsense approach to her art reminds us of a less-sappy, more-headstrong version of Joanna Newsom. Rossi performs…
Christopher Pomerenke is a Valley music veteran who has always had a gift for grounding fun and funkiness with plenty of heart via projects like Less Pain Forever and Runaway Diamonds. As director of the documentary The Heart Is a Drum Machine, he shines the spotlight on other musicians and…
