Chambers of Fear Haunted House @ Bell Mar Plaza

Graveyard Entertainment presents this horror house that includes a full schedule of events, ranging from live music and a car show to a pumpkin patch and business expo. Thursdays-Sundays. Starts: Oct. 1. Continues through Oct. 31, 2010…

Take Five

We can’t blame those folks who claim to hate musicals, considering the abundance of pop-culture pap that’s mashed up and wrung out to create glitzy yet thin tourist-trapping Broadway shows. Local company Class 6 Theatre alleviates all of that with its interpretation of the off-Broadway hit The Last Five Years,…

Beauty and the Beast

If you loved the Disney cartoon as a kid, relive your adolescent romance as Disney magic takes to the stage with this classic story. Oct. 19-24, 2010…

“The Trunk Murders”

She didn’t do it. Most folks forget — or don’t know — that Winnie Ruth Judd did not, in fact, hack up the body of one of her friends and shove it into a steamer trunk in October of 1931. Many of us are convinced, in fact, that she didn’t…

Deep Fried Fun

While the rest of the country is sipping cider and watching the leaves change color, Arizona’s gearing up for 18 wild days of music, barnyard animals, crazy exhibits, fried Snickers bars, and rides (that make us throw up our fried Snickers bars) at the Arizona State Fair. Starting Friday, October…

Greater Good

If anyone has a right to hold a grudge, it’s Eva Mozes Kor. As a young child, Ms. Kor and her twin sister Miriam were victims of Nazi Dr. Josef Mengele’s barbaric experiments at Auschwitz. And yet, in spite of the atrocities committed against her, Ms. Kor has carved out…

Ooze Man

While many know the Old Town Scottsdale art scene as upscale and culturally authentic, a mess of goo is about to descend upon Squeeze Gallery (formerly Soyal Gallery) when the new exhibit “Slime Wave” opens. The show features paintings and sculptures by local artist Andrew Hadle, who puts pop culture…

Tlingit Time

Art fans worried that Tlingit mythology would remain under-represented this season can breathe a sigh of relief: Preston Singletary has a new show at the Heard Museum entitled, “Echoes, Fire, and Shadows,” that brings together the symbols, patterns, and legends of his Tlingit heritage with the work of the Studio…

A Redesigned Harmon Park Opens Thursday Night

You know it’s October when we can start to redesign, re-open and dedicate public outdoor parks again (whew). Tomorrow night, the City of Phoenix and the Phoenix Office of Cultural Affairs will dedicate a new-and-improved Harmon Park, at Fourth Avenue and Yavapai Street in Phoenix. The park is part of…

Robert Brandan Martinez’ Geisha

Show us your ink! MARKED is our new series where we ask locals of all ages, professions and backgrounds to roll up their sleeves, pant legs, and so much more to reveal their marks. Here are their stories: Self portrait by Robert Brandan Martinez​ Name: Robert Brandan Martinez Age: Currently…

Bear Annihilator: Killer Boards, Bikes and … Yep, Bears

http://wearthebear.com/​ The artists behind Bear Annihilator, a local apparel brand, say they’re dedicated to producing the “highest quality mutant, robotic, over-sized and irate-bear related clothing in the world.” We’re just happy they blog about it, too. The Bear Annihilator brand was born in 2008. Its designs are a blend of…

Artists on Artists at SMoCA Grapples with SB 1070 (Among Other Things)

www.flickr.com/photos/hpzWe do?​SB 1070. Like it or not, the legislative act has become an integral part of our state’s identity. As Arizonans have taken sides and hotly debated the issue, our identity — on an individual and collective basis — has been shaken up.A situation like this will, of course, influence…

Modern Manor Hosts Mad Men Party (Decor Included)

Courtesy of Modern Manor​Time to break out the suits and pearls: Modern Manor (home of mid-century and modern decor in Phoenix’s Melrose District) is hosting a Mad Men party. You’re invited — provided you have an appetite for vintage. Modern Manor promises cocktails, appetizers, photo booths and prizes, in addition…

The Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch

Black-necked Stilt birds hang out at the riparian preserve.​The Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch just might be the coolest place in Gilbert. This idyllic, 110-acre preserve sits in the heart of the city, providing both a home for wildlife and a source of renewable water for the town.Located next to…

Local Artist Casebeer Brings Two New Art Spaces to Downtown Phoenix

October’s going to be a busy month for Phoenix-based artist Casebeer; this Friday, the artist and her partner Joe Myers are opening a “de-evolving art project” called Jones. According to Casebeer, Jones, located at 516 East Portland Street, is more of a see-where-it-goes project rather than a gallery. But she…

Zachary Parker’s Caduceus

Show us your ink! MARKED is our new series where we ask locals of all ages, professions and backgrounds to roll up their sleeves, pant legs, and so much more to reveal their marks. Here are their stories: photo by Jamie Peachey​Name: Zachary Parker Photo by Jamie Peachey​Age: (now and…

National Arts and Humanities Month, October 2010 — Get in on It

www.flickr.com/photos/marcnThis man takes your art seriously.​In case you haven’t heard, President Obama named October 2010 as National Arts and Humanities Month.Check out Obama’s White House proclamation issued at the first of the month to kick off the national celebration.And read on to find out how to help Arizona represent…

Flamenco Por La Vida at Gallo Blanco

Looking for something to do this week? “Night Owl” is a quick guide to special nights at bars and clubs around town. We’ll give you a few hints re: cover, dress code, music and atmosphere. Wednesday nights mark flamenco night with Flamenco Por La Vida at Gallo Blanco. Gallo Blanco and Flamenco Por…

Phoenix Fashion Week: In Review

Phoenix Fashion Week began six years ago as an amateur local production with DIY fashions shown poolside at the Clarendon Hotel.This year’s three-day affair featured an upscale, trendy venue (W Scottsdale), a thumping electro-soundtrack, a complex lighting and video system, attendance by a few pseudo-celebs (does Miss Arizona count as…

Embrace Fall and Make a Scarf (No Sewing Required)

Photo by Cyndi Coon​That’s right, the 80-degree days are around the bend, which, around here, means a few of us are more than eager to pull out the winter wear, boots and jackets. So for a thrifty fall project to get you in the mood why not make a no-sew…