Movie theater proprietors are a pack of nervous nellies, and rightly so. Cineastes and buying up gigantic high-tech televisions left and right for their posh home theatres. Everyone seems to get their fix with Netflix these days. And, worse yet, Hollywood is practically itching to stream just-released movies directly to…
School’s out, summer’s here, and your (productive) schedule is looking a little … empty. Luckily, there are plenty of local and national galleries, theaters, and organizations looking to put your creative skills to use. 1. “Villains, Pick Your Poison” an open platform Vinyl Toy showPhoenix Comicon is around the corner,…
Since there’s really no better accessory than a cocktail in your hand, each week brings you a tasty adult beverage from one of our favorite drinking establishments, complete with recipe. This week: The No. 1 at Windsor Attention Valley Alts: Phoenix just got cooler. Thanks to Craig DeMarco’s newest restaurant…
The countdown to Best of Phoenix begins! Last year, we profiled 100 Creatives who made a mark on the local arts scene. This year, we’ll have 100 creative representations of Phoenix. No scope or requirement on medium or size — we’ll include photography, painting, sculpture, video, installation, literary, and more…
State Bicycle Co. – Valley of the Sun from State Bicycle Co. on Vimeo. Just in time for lunch break distraction, State Bicycle Co., the Tempe-based fixed gear/single speed shop, released a cinematic biking tour of local sweet spots. They say they hope the video “gives everyone a nice feel…
It’s so freaking cool when someone adapts a classic book or story for the stage and gets everything right while also helping the literature grow into a captivating multisensory experience. British writer Charles Way has accomplished this feat with The Borrowers, based on the first two of Mary Norton’s series…
Good thing Gary Parsel doesn’t live in one of those tract-home communities out in the Valley sprawl; If that were the case, the Phoenix-based artist would probably tick off his local homeowners association (who seem to get their collective panties in a bunch over the smallest eyesore). That’s because 61-year-old…
One new idea for every day in 2011. We’re talking big, small, local, international, in action and on the drawing board. Here’s today’s — what’s yours? Sometimes it’s OK to be a lazy — especially at Practical Art. The Downtown art space, at 5070 N Central Ave. in Phoenix, announced…
Bridesmaids is a high-profile test case. Directed by Paul Feig (a sitcom journeyman most lovingly known as the creator of Freaks and Geeks), it’s the first female-fronted comedy produced by Hollywood kingpin Judd Apatow, who has weathered criticism in the past for his brand’s dude-centric point of view. It’s also…
You know the economy’s in the toilet when the state’s largest professional theater is presenting a rerun. The Mystery of Irma Vep, the rather beautiful and amply staged Charles Ludlam farce that closes Arizona Theatre Company’s season, is one it’s done before — in a widely acclaimed 1999 production starring Bob…
Kids these days seem to be getting much smarter and faster. Not only can the average youngster reprogram your smart phone and calculate pi to 42 places, he can easily dispense massive pwnage on your ass with the latest edition of Mortal Kombat, even though the PS3 title was released…
Terrorist mastermind Osama Bin Laden is roasting in hell’s fiery embrace, there’s a renewed sense of patriotism sweeping the nation, and we even heard Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the U.S.A.” getting airplay the other day. Sounds like the perfect time to stage an all-American affair such as the Classic Cars…
“Fetish properties are not unlike porn,” stated record shop owner Rob Gordon (played by Jon Cusack) in the memorable 2000 flick High Fidelity. “I’d feel guilty taking their money, if I wasn’t, well, kind of one of them.” The fetish properties he’s referring to are vinyl records, and the folks…
It may be while before Arizona Cardinals fans see their team put together another winning season. Even if an NFL season actually takes place this fall (and right now that’s pretty sketchy), the Red Birds don’t have anybody on their roster that can play quarterback worth a damn. Fortunately, there’s…
Life drawing classes can potentially be an awkward affair. Artists have to walk a fine line between civility and curiosity while gazing at the nude college kid posing and preening before them, without getting distracted or gawking at the model’s junk for too long. There’s guaranteed to be no such…
From our food to our political dealings, Arizonans are used to things being hot, spicy, and full of flavor. And when it comes to the way we tear it up on the dance floor, the more caliente, the better. Let your hips sway to sexy Latin beats at AzSalsa.net’s 5th…
When you hear the word “illusion,” perhaps the grand magic of Criss Angel and David Copperfield comes to mind – or, if you’re deeper than a teaspoon, the Matrix-like concept that not everything we experience in the world is real. This mind-bending idea is the theme behind “Dis-il-lu-sion,” a group…
Whether we eat them, pet them or watch their antics on YouTube, we all love animals in our own way. Of course, the people who are bringing the first annual Phoenix-area Blue Planet Film Festival to town would rather you “don’t take a life, save a life” — but this…
It takes a set of big brass balls to call Angelina Jolie a “fucking bitch” in a stand-up act. Comedienne Chelsea Handler is one of the only professionals who’ve had the cojones to do just that. The author and late night talk show host brings her brash and sassy sensibilities…
Psst…can you keep a secret? Then head over to Merc Bar for this Tuesday night throwdown that’s put on for those “in the know,” not to mention 2,000 other people who get invited every week on Facebook. OK, maybe it’s not so secret after all. But, we’ve always liked how…
For the past decade, the lively Danny Howells has been at the forefront of the progressive house and later tech-house scenes in his native England. He’s offered singles and mixed collections for notable labels such as Jackpot, Obsessive, Renaissance, and Global Underground. He’s also a fearless remixer, unafraid to take…
Like most Valley baseball fans, we’re accustomed to writing off the Arizona Diamondbacks around this time of year. It’s an easy habit to maintain, considering the fact that the team is often out of contention by Cinco de Mayo. This season, however, the Snakes have done just enough to be…
