Anyone who loves Michael Mann movies, or even just the idea of Michael Mann movies, accepts that film style is a language and something more, a way of thinking, feeling, and looking that goes beyond basic plotting, dialogue, or character motivation. I can tell you pretty much everything that happens…
Aziz Ansari doesn’t want pictures of your baby. Screw that, he already knows how to walk. He also doesn’t want to see the latest dick pic that you’ve received. He already knows there’s no message. He will, however, take your money and applause. The actor and comedian, best known for…
Quick Spanish lesson: lucha libre, the form of professional wrestling that developed in Mexico, means free wrestling. The wrestlers are known as luchadores, and the decorative masks they wear are called máscaras. They sometimes compete in two-man tag team matches (parejas) or put their masks on the line against opponents…
When your reactions simultaneously include “Oh my god!” and “What the hell?” chances are strong you’re sampling something from the De’Lunula. This local coalition of contradictions aims to push our cultural palettes by offering alternative takes on art and social commentary, tackling everything from capitalism’s destruction of marriage to Russian spam tweets…
This could be the start of something good. The inaugural Arizona Vegetarian Food Festival is coming to the Scottsdale Civic Center Amphitheater, 3939 North Drinkwater Boulevard. The event will feature a series of activities and speakers, and, of course, lots of veggie food for sampling. Headliners include Madelyn Pryor, Jason…
Once a month, Mesa Encore Theatre hosts a play reading. The top-notch cast and director put in rehearsal time so that the public can expand its own knowledge of the world’s theatrical literature. This month’s selection is Third by Wendy Wasserstein, best known for The Heidi Chronicles. The title refers…
You can dance if you want to and you’re required to leave your pants behind during Improv AZ’s No Pants Light Rail Ride Phoenix 2015. On Sunday, January 11, groups around the world will continue Improv Everywhere’s 14-year tradition of dropping trou and hopping on their respective public transit, and…
From shih tzus to sheepdogs, the finest purebreds around will be on display at the Great Arizona Dog Show this Friday, January 9, at Glendale’s Camelback Ranch, 10710 West Camelback Road. Whether you’re a full-blown fancier or a casual admirer of man’s best friend, there will be plenty of canine…
If your New Year’s Resolution is to get out there and run Camelback rather than hiking it or to train for a marathon, Tempe’s Road Runner Sports has just the beginner course for you.The aptly named Ultra 101 offers a run-down of the basics, from training, racing, equipment, and safety…
Get ready to jump in to the shark tank, Phoenix entrepreneurs. The Arizona Commission on the Arts is hosting its second Arizona Art Tank during which about 10 applicants from each region will take a crack at making their dreams come true by pitching their art-based idea in just six…
Sometimes after a long day of work, all you need is to roll up your sleeves, grab a brush, and plunge your hands into some paint. Well, at least we do. If you’re like us, then you need to be at Art After Work at Tempe Center for the Arts,…
One of the best things about Arizona is that we have a ton of kickass women who’ve led the way in arts, politics, and business (especially in independent ventures and startups). “What It Means To Be American: Women of the West” on Wednesday, January 14, explores the reasons behind the emergence…
Phoenix’s art scene is certainly holding its own and after such a successful year we can’t wait to see what 2015 has in store. Topping our list in time for the second Friday: Jonni Cheatwood’s new solo show.“Don’t Lift Your Heroes Up So High” features the kind of eclectic combination…
The great thing about America is how well we take things from other countries and claim them our own. Just about all “American” food comes from overseas, the moon landing was made possible by German scientists, and every other member of our national soccer team was born somewhere else. This…
Lunch Time Theater’s latest production by Theatre Artists Studio moves from the casting couch to the backstage dressing room with Life in the Theater II. Take a trip behind the scenes as playwright, actors, and stage hands step behind the curtain to reveal the inner workings of the theater as theater. Life in…
We’ve all had that “what if” moment of wonderment when thinking about past lovers. That moment plays out yearly when former lovers Doris and George happen to meet again and rekindle their past relationship. First a play, then a movie, this laugh-out-loud comedy explores the passion of these lovers —…
“Why not do a remake with better-looking people?” is a trending topic on the Internet Movie Database’s Debbie Does Dallas discussion board. The question quickly devolves into a debate about shaving, but you’ll find contemporary cuties in Nearly Naked Theatre’s production of the musical version of Debbie. You’ll also find…
The 2015 Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale starts this weekend, and we’ve found the cars that we figure are most likely to cause problems with the missus. Below, find 10 cars available at the auction we guess can help accelerate the divorce process:…
What would you say to win $10,000 in six minutes? Well, the people behind 32 different ventures across Arizona are going to have to figure that out pretty soon when they participate in Arizona Commission on the Arts’ Arizona Art Tank: 2015. Split into four different regions, these participants from…
New year, new art. One of our cultural highlights of last year was easily ARTELPHX. So imagine our excitement when the The Clarendon Hotel announced that it would be brining in a new batch of multimedia art displays come May of 2015. The weekend show, set to open Thursday, May…
Jesse Frausto may have only left Los Angeles to move to Phoenix in July, but his tattooing has already built a following here in the Valley in just six months. After winning multiple awards at several conventions for his black-and-gray realism work, Frausto started to make a name for himself…
Poetry. Circus Performance. Improvisation. Sewing. Video projections. They’re all part of innovative projects moving forward thanks to funding from the Arizona Commission on the Arts, which announced late last month the names of 13 artists receiving 2015 Artist Research and Development Grants. Ninety-five artists applied for the grants, which provide…
