Imagine Darth Vader without his gleaming black helmet and dark robes. The effect would be considerably less intimidating and fearsome. And what would Dorothy be without her ruby red slippers? Definitely not as dazzling. Though audiences may not always realize it, costumes play an integral role in the success of…
Looking for a little vacation from big-city living? If so, it might be worth checking out Smithsonian Magazine’s recently released list of “The 20 Best Small Towns to Visit in 2014,” which features our very own Sedona, Arizona, alongside nationwide notables like Chautauqua, New York, and Williamsburg, Virginia…
Leading up to this year’s Big Brain Awards, we’re checking in with past winners. Up today: Kim Porter. Kim Porter wants to do something new this year. The playwright is planning to push her story about strangers trying to not fall for each other, The Condom, to the max. Maybe…
A picture is worth a thousand words. Or, in this case, $504 million. At least, that’s what it cost to build the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO), NASA’s robotic spacecraft that is currently orbiting the moon and carrying with it one of the most innovative pieces of photography equipment yet, ASU’s…
Leading up to this year’s Big Brain Awards, we’re checking in with past winners. Up today: Joseph “Sentrock” Perez. Joseph “Sentrock” Perez may have moved to Chicago since winning a Big Brain Award in 2011, but the artist’s presence in Phoenix hasn’t waned. He returned to town for “Generations: Inspiration…
If you’ve driven through Old Town Scottsdale recently, you may have noticed some new changes on the horizon, starting with Sip Coffee & Brew House at the southwest corner of Scottsdale and Osborn roads. The new eatery is just a first taste of The Creative Center of Scottsdale, a community…
Leading up to this year’s Big Brain Awards, we’re checking in with past winners. Up today: Safwat Saleem. For Safwat Saleem, sleep is overrated. The artist, graphic designer, and filmmaker just-plain doesn’t have time for eight hours a night. That’s because the 2011 Big Brain Award winner has been hard…
Courting Disaster is Jackalope Ranch’s weekly column of dating horror stories, observations, how-tos, and more by Katie Johnson. Names of ex-boyfriends, past hookups, and bad blind dates have been changed to protect the guilty. They say there’s someone for everyone. Not true. Some people are dicks. And, as someone who’s…
If you happen to be a diehard Marvel fanatic or totally grok Captain Malcom, Richard Castle, or Captain Hammer, get ready to squee. Comic book legend Stan Lee and Nathan Fillion, the actor behind the aforementioned roles, will be attending this year’s Phoenix Comicon in early June. Better dust off…
Big changes are happening for the north Phoenix resaler, Pearly Mae’s. In addition to the spring launch of its own repurposed menswear fashion line, Dad’s Rags, the vintage boutique is packing its bags and moving to a new location…
Azain Brito used to be a very patterned man. “My motivation,” he says, “was to be as loud as possible. I would wear patterned pants with a patterned button-up and throw a patterned bow-tie on top. It was very Marc Jacobs three years ago.”…
Last week we announced the finalists for Phoenix New Times’ 2014 Big Brain Awards. Today we’re back with another announcement. In celebration of the fifth Big Brain Awards (time flies, huh?) — an honor that recognizes emerging creatives just beginning their careers — New Times has decided to also give…
Leading up to this year’s Big Brain Awards, we’re checking in with past winners. Up today: Dulce Juarez. You might call Dulce Juarez a two-for-one. The performer and activist transitions between (and blends) the worlds of art and politics in compelling and creative ways. That’s a major reason why she…
Nerd Wallet, you’ve done it again. And by “done it again,” we mean missed the mark entirely. The financial counseling site that aims to help its users with everything from finding the right bank to finding Mr. Right has just released a list of the “Best Places for Homeownership in…
Calling all artists: Scottsdale Public Arts has once again partnered with City of Tempe Public Art and City of Chandler Public Art Program to bring back the second installment of the public arts project, platFORM, and they’re looking for a new batch of artists to make that happen…
Leading up to this year’s Big Brain Awards, we’re checking in with past winners. Up today: Jon Ashcroft. Jon Ashcroft’s on the move. The illustrator and designer won a Big Brain Award in 2012 and moved to Seattle soon after. Since then, he’s ventured back several times — only to…
Sure, the high-tech features and high-definition graphics of the Xbox One and PS4 are great. But sometimes, it’s hard not to get nostalgic for running and jumping with Mario and Sonic or crushing your friends in Mortal Combat and Street Fighter. If you want to relive some childhood memories or…
Phoenix has come a long way in recent years, largely thanks to the light rail, which has plans to further expand into Tempe, the Northwest Valley, Gilbert, Mesa, and downtown Phoenix. But with those projects years in the future, it doesn’t hurt for the community to start lending its efforts…
The workshop is tucked away in a tiny corner of a kitchen in a downtown Phoenix apartment. An array of glass containers has been arranged neatly on top of the refrigerator, some tall and skinny while others are fat and bulbous. Where most would entertain a window-side breakfast nook, a…
Courting Disaster is Jackalope Ranch’s weekly column of dating horror stories, observations, how-tos, and more by Katie Johnson. Names of ex-boyfriends, past hookups, and bad blind dates have been changed to protect the guilty. Where are all my single ladies at? On their way to Phoenix, apparently. A recent report…
When it comes to picking a place to party, a lot of things need to be factored in: the venue, the driving, and of course, the potential number of douchebags you’re going to encounter While douchebaggery isn’t that hard to spot — what with the man jewelry, tight shirts, and…
A funny thing happened in 2013. Both of us — two curmudgeonly writers who between us have lived in Arizona way closer to 100 years than either would like to admit — came to a shared conclusion. We like Phoenix. That’s funny because for years we’ve loved to hate this…
