Errol Morris can’t penetrate the man behind Iraq. As its subtitle suggests, one reason Errol Morris’ 2003 documentary The Fog of War: Eleven Lessons from the Life of Robert S. McNamara proved so resonant is that its subject was partly a proxy for his most notorious professional successor, the decidedly…
The promise of seeing Scarlett Johansson fully nude is probably enough to lure lots of people into Jonathan Glazer’s alien-among-us fantasy Under the Skin, and the vision doesn’t disappoint: Her figure, seen in long shot, is a grand and glowing thing; she has one of those butts shaped, adorably, like…
Locally filmed mini-series Voyage Trekkers is bringing its loving brand of nerdy sci-fi spoofs to the stage in a live performance at the National Comedy Theatre. The half-hour improv show will give audience members the opportunity to pick the setting, plot points, and twists and watch the series’ Doctor Rena…
Ludwig van Beethoven’s work is pretty dramatic. Just think of the emotional response triggered by arrangements like “Moonlight Sonata” or the Fifth Symphony. But not all of his work is brooding or plays out like the soundtrack to a great battle. In fact, Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony is full of levity…
Don’t be embarrassed that you’re unusually excited about Phoenix Art Museum’s “Hollywood Costume” exhibition. Take your cinematic apparel obsession all the way at PAM’s Hollywood Costume Party from 7 to 11 p.m. Friday, April 11. Dress as your favorite star or character, compete for prizes, and behave all red-carpety. As…
Under normal circumstances, we’d wish local club promoter Robden Brethauer and the DJs of Obscura a hearty “Happy Birthday!” in honor of the monthly dance night’s sixth anniversary party this weekend. Since such glad tidings run contrary to the mopey and melodramatic sentiments inherent to the Britpop, post-punk, and ’80s…
Between his spot-on impersonations of drunk chicks who just don’t care to Brits who are pissed, Chris D’Elia is gaining the laughs and attention he deserves. In 2011, D’Elia appeared in Variety’s “Top 10 Comics to Watch” alongside comedy notables Amy Schumer and Rebel Wilson. Since his days as the…
Katsina dolls — sometimes called kachina dolls by non-Hopis — are a frequent sight around the Southwest. These dolls represent hundreds of Hopi spiritual beings special to religious practices. The dolls are typically colorful and ornate, with or without masks, capes, and other accoutrements such as spears, knives or instruments,…
The best and worst of fringe sporting events are the gimmicks they pick up to attract an audience. On the one hand, you’ll at least have a story to tell if the game is boring. On the other hand, there’s probably a German word for the special type of guilt…
Paintings, and textiles, and jewelry, oh my! The semi-annual Sunnyslope Art Walk, which takes to the streets every April and October, returns this spring with artists of all media including illustration, photography, ceramics, wearables, and metal. Guests can walk, shop, view, and listen as live musical acts line the art…
If you’ve noticed a resurgence of flannel shirts and Doc Martens, you’re not in a time warp to the early 1990s — it’s the cycle of what’s old being new again. Space 55 Theater’s solo performance extravaganza A Bitch in Time abides and goes way old school on April 11…
It’s still a running joke in “more established” hockey towns: “Phoenix has a hockey team? You mean, like, ice hockey? In the desert? Are there actually hockey fans out there?” Yes, yes, yes, and a resounding yes. The Phoenix Coyotes, in fact, recently celebrated the attendance of the team’s 10…
Any good foodie knows to save the best for last, which is why the Scottsdale Culinary Festival is finishing off six days of fine wining and dining with the Best of the Fest. This pièce de résistance will feature eight five-course, wine-paired meals from restaurants and wineries including Alto Ristorante…
In 1980, Phoenix-based video game company Amstar Electronics released an upright cabinet called, what else, Phoenix. This vintage descendent of Space Invaders and cousin of Galaga will be right at home at the ZapCon Arcade & Pinball Convention on Saturday, April 12.Your smartphone has more processing power than any machine…
In 2007, Eufrosina Cruz Mendoza lost a mayoral race in Oaxaca, Mexico. It wasn’t because she lacked votes; she had plenty to be elected. But her win was denied because of her sex.Instead of admitting all-out defeat, Mendoza took the experience and used what she learned to begin working a…
Author Donnita Rogers leads the next conversation in the series, “Fearless Females: The Audacious and Feisty Women of the Middle Ages,” sponsored by the Arizona Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies.Hosted at Changing Hands Bookstore, Rogers will discuss her book Faces in the Fire: The Women of Beowulf: Book One,…
There are two major reasons to see the latest exhibition at Scottsdale’s Lisa Sette Gallery. First: It features new works be Phoenix artist Carrie Marill, whose shows are never to be missed. Second: It’s the last show to open at the longtime location of Lisa Sette before its owner and…
It’s fair to argue that science fiction hasn’t merely reflected popular culture; it has often shaped it. By engaging our imaginations with fantastical technological trajectories and visions of the future, it frequently serves as a template for life’s imitation of art. While often wildly inaccurate, is there any artistic genre…
Kacie North does most of her shopping in Los Angeles boutiques. The Arizona State University business communications major thinks spending money at the mall is fine from time to time, but her real eureka fashion moments come when she’s browsing unique pieces in local shops…
Pro wrestling legend James Hellwig, better known to WWE fans as the Ultimate Warrior, passed away suddenly last night in Scottsdale. He was 54 years old. Hellwig, a longtime resident of Paradise Valley, was escorting his wife to their car last night in the parking lot of the Gainey Suites…
Every month Kathy Cano-Murillo, a.k.a. The Crafty Chica, dishes crafty tips and tricks in La Vida Crafty on Jackalope Ranch. Image transfers are one of those timeless crafts that are always fun to revisit. While recently shopping in downtown Tucson, I came across a few stores that had walls of…
Trust Me is an indie dark comedy written and directed by Clark Gregg that tells the tale of a Los Angeles underdog and features such well-known actors as Amanda Peet, Sam Rockwell, Felicity Huffman, Allison Janney, Molly Shannon, and even a brief appearance by William H. Macy. Unfortunately for us,…
