Arts & Culture

Meet the abstract artist and former television-graphics pro. Mon., Dec. 1, 7 p.m., 2008…

Check out the fair-trade crafts, coffee, and chocolate goods at this unusual giftery. Gift-wrapping materials will be provided, and proceeds benefit artisans in need. Sat., Nov. 29, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., 2008…

Some artists who’ve been touched by the Universe have the ability to make a lovely place look lovelier than it is. Obvious choices would include Ansel Adams, Eliot Porter, and, closer to home, painters Ellen Wagener and Ed Mell. Another Arizonan with that special knack is photographer David Muench, who…

More than 1,000 cars are expected, from lowriders to Model Ts. Fri., Nov. 28; Sat., Nov. 29; Sun., Nov. 30, 2008…

The host of KMLE Country’s Dave Pratt in the Morning signs his new memoir, Dave Pratt, Behind the Mic: 30 Years in Radio. Proceeds from book sales benefit the American Cancer Society. Sat., Nov. 29, 5 p.m., 2008…

Live entertainment, handcrafted holiday gifts, kids’ activities, a visit from Santa, and the lighting of the 1.5-million-strong light display. Fri., Nov. 28, 5-10 p.m.; Sat., Nov. 29, 5-10 p.m., 2008…

One of the top events of its kind in the Valley, to our way of thinking, the annual fest features some very realistic snow, arts and crafts, live entertainment, a visit from Santa, and the lighting of the official Scottsdale Christmas tree. Sat., Nov. 29, 3:30-6:30 p.m., 2008…

If it’s December and Patti Hannon is wearing a habit and cracking wise about frankincense and little altar boys, you know you’re watching Sister’s Christmas Catechism: The Mystery of the Magi’s Gold. The third, holiday-infused installment in Mary Pat Donovan’s Late Nite Catechism series is back like a bad fruitcake…

Globetrotting population geneticist Spencer Wells speaks. Wed., Dec. 3, 7:30 p.m., 2008…

This game represents the first professional clash of the Lopez twins (the Suns’ Robin, the Nets’ Brook) in Phoenix. Bro Robin and the Suns bested Brook and the Nets back East on November 4 in the 7-foot sibs’ first-ever head-to-head NBA meeting. The twinkies are pictured in their Stanford days…

O, what a tangled web! Shawn Marion’s in a Heat uniform and the Suns continue their funky slow dance with Shaq. D’Antoni’s in Gotham, but Boris Diaw’s not yet, and we’re shocked to say that we’re kinda happy about that at the moment. D-Wade’s still a fave, and it’ll be…

Recent works by the young cross-disciplinary visual artist from Rio de Janeiro. Sat., Nov. 29, 4-7 p.m., 2008…

Ever since Willow House closed in August, many downtowners have been at a loss for a late-night place to hang. And because downtowners can be a tough crowd (us included), they’re sometimes resistant to trying new spots. Thankfully, there was a newish, supercool place to defect to: Conspire. (To be…

If Jodi Picoult’s characters were real, The Oprah Winfrey Show would have no shortage of guests. The acclaimed author of the bestseller My Sister’s Keeper specializes in family legal dramas on the outer fringes of believability. Also, her people tend to be chronically ill. Picoult’s latest novel, Change of Heart,…

If Jodi Picoult’s characters were real, The Oprah Winfrey Show would have no shortage of guests. The acclaimed author of the bestseller My Sister’s Keeper specializes in family legal dramas on the outer fringes of believability. Also, her people tend to be chronically ill. Picoult’s latest novel, Change of Heart,…

On its Web site, the Mukilteo, Washington-based band The Fall of Troy prides itself on being “impossible to classify.” However, at first listen, it wouldn’t be unreasonable to blurt out “screamo” and be done with it. Then again, upon further investigation, it becomes apparent that this Northwest trio is speaking…

What are your top five albums of all time? Betcha they’re not as cool as ours. Says who? Says us. Okay, then, let us see your list. Uh-huh. No Mississippi Delta blues in there. Typical. And what’s this? Limp Bizkit? Are you for serious? That whole rap-rock craze wouldn’t exist…

“Oh, the humanity!” cried WKRP in Cincinnati reporter Les Nessman as 25 turkeys plummeted to their splatty deaths after being tossed from a helicopter. Unfortunately, our consciousness always takes a dive similar to the publicity-stunt-cum-fowl-tragedy following Thanksgiving dinner. Luckily, Redmonkey’s Work That Turkey is here to save the day. Redmonkey…

Normally, we’d never urge anyone to mimic George W. Bush (except in jest, of course), but we’re making a one-time exception: Ape the soon-to-be-ex-President’s annual tradition of pardoning a turkey by refraining from ripping through the usual 10-pound Butterball on Thanksgiving Day. Instead, give your karma a major boost by…

Okay, Thanksgiving’s come and gone, so even the Grinchiest humbuggers should be ready to feel Christmasy. It helps to wait for evening, when there’s that nip in the air. Get out of the car. See pretty lights. Not there yet? Here’s the prescription: a loading dose of cheer at the…

We dig events that feel like some nice person’s living room: free admission, mingling, new stimuli, maybe some snacks. Our perfect storm: the screening of Inside Creative Minds Episode 16. ICM is a nifty local TV show that’s accessible on most Valley cities’ channel 11 and online at www.phoenixartspace.com. But…

The annual holiday lights displays kicks off with a grip of arts and crafts booths and vroom-tastic Harleys. Sat., Nov. 29, 6 p.m., 2008…