Disheartening. There really isn’t another word to describe the feeling of walking in through the back entrance of UNION at the Biltmore. The last weeks of February have been warm, and unseasonably so — the kind of weather conducive to leisurely patio lunches and coffee catch-ups that morph into all-afternoon…
Bikers, get ready to show off your skills on wheels. CycloMesa, formerly known as The Great Arizona Bicycle Festival, is returning to the East Valley Friday and Saturday, April 4 and 5. And, in addition to the racers, vendors, beer garden, and live music, the two-day festival has announced it’s…
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. Sorry, Beyoncé. But hardly any women just woke up like dis. And the ones who do…
Notorious sleep-walker, self-professed pizza lover, and New York-based funny man Mike Birbiglia is no stranger to Mesa Arts Center. The award-winning comic, best known for his embarrassment-fueled monologues, came to the venue two years ago for his show, “My Girlfriend’s Boyfriend.” He returns Friday, May 2, with new jokes and…
In 2010, Phoenix native Lauren Pfingstag saw an article in the newspaper about Phoenix Fashion Week. Curious, the ASU marketing major jumped in and has been a part of the team that’s been pushing Phoenix fashion-forward ever since…
And you thought we at Jackalope Ranch were a bunch of negative Nancys with our tirade against spring’s worst fashion trends (which, for the record, are still repulsive). But, dear fashionables, you were wrong. Without further ado, we present our five favorite trends that will hit the racks this coming…
Do you have something you’d like to share with the rest of the class? How about the rest of the community? Ignite Phoenix is looking for innovators, thinkers, dreamers, and, most importantly, speakers to present at Ignite Phoenix No. 16, which is slated for Friday, May 2, at the Scottsdale…
Watching the stars walk the red carpet sometimes can be more entertaining than watching the actual award ceremony itself, if you’re crazy fashion-obsessed freaks like us. If you’re not and actually watching to see who wins, the red carpet can probably seem tedious and confusing. And with the Oscars slated…
Buffalo Exchange is turning 40 this year, and to celebrate its fittingly retro existence, the Tucson-based national chain is going on a cross-country promotional road trip in (what else?) a vintage Airstream trailer…
If you’ve ever wanted to get your hands on the long-forgotten arcade classic Turkey Shoot, you’re in luck. The ultra-rare Williams-produced game from 1984, which involves wasting villainous turkeys with a light gun, will be available for play at ZapCon 2014. Ditto for similar rarities like the practically Paleozoic 1972…
Welcome to the Phoenix Bucket List. Robrt Pela and Amy Silverman — two New Times contributors and longtime Phoenicians — have put together a list of 100 things to do in this city before you die. Each week we’re presenting another 10; in March we’ll wrap it all up in…
Attention all inventors, creators, Frankenstein makers, and mad scientists, a new event is coming to the East Valley to celebrate those who don’t just think out west, they think outside the box. In light of the DIY “maker” movement happening across the United States, the first-ever Southwest Maker Fest will…
When it comes to exploring Phoenix’s rich cultural history, we’ll admit that we’re visual learners. Which is why we’ve found yet another reason to attend the 26th Annual Art Detour’s Art D’Core Gala on Saturday, March 1. The creative kickoff party will be hosted by Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton, Downtown…
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. Love means never having to say, “Holy shit, you’re weird.” But secretly thinking it. There comes…
Bigger is just-plain better — when it comes to creative ideas, that is. That’s why every year since 2010 we’ve searched high and low for emerging creatives doing exceptional things in metro Phoenix. They’re on the cusp of something major, these painters, chefs, designers, dancers, innovators, and visionaries. That’s what…
They’re at it again. The Phoenix-based non-profit for startup businesses, Seed Spot, has selected its third batch of ventures to undergo its coveted four-month incubation program and, tonight, it’s introducing the chosen applicants to the rest of the Phoenix community…
Phoenix native Andrew Wesson — or as he’s known in fashion, Andrew Michael — says he didn’t come into his own style until he left the city. Now that he’s back, the 26-year-old stylist is ready to make a big impact…
I visited the new Mormon temple in Gilbert. The big, beautiful art glass windows were worth the trip. The wall-to-wall interior limestone was stunning; the crystal chandeliers were magnificent. The building’s castle-like, three-story neoclassic façade, layered with concrete and white quartz and topped by a 195-foot spire, is straight off…
In the midst of spring cleaning and home renovations, it helps to draw inspiration from something outside of a Home Depot. Fortunately, there’s the 27th Annual Coronado Home & Garden Tour plus Street Fair and Classic Car show…
You gotta have faith. Or, at least, that rings true for Phoenix Comicon 2014 organizers when it comes to this year’s guests. The annual massive nerdfest has added Eliza Dushku to its roster. Dushku played bad girl slayer Faith Lehane on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The chocolate to Buffy’s vanilla,…
It looks like this past weekend was less than stellar for Lawn Gnome Publishing. On Valentine’s Day, the store’s owner, Aaron Hopkins-Johnson, revealed some rather unfortunate news on his Facebook page: “The store was burglarized last night. Electronics, jewelry, window, the cash till and employees’ pay are gone. I feel…
Twenty-seven years ago, director Paul Verhoeven and company gave us the original Robocop, which gained cult status as an action movie with a sardonic wit and a lot of things to say about privatization, consumerism, and the human condition. Now, nearly three decades later, we have a remake directed by…
