Dos Equus is putting on a rather primo party in Scottsdale, the creators of local web comic Monster Commute are holding a celebration of their own, and there's a bit-time pop-punk shindig over in Mesa.
Read on for the full details.
The Most Interesting Show in the World at Venue of Scottsdale (Friday)
Freaks and geeks alike will likely both enjoy this whacked-out variety show presented by Dos Equus. It's an evening-long bazaar of the bizarre hosted by Angelo Moore of Fishbone and featuring burlesque singer Melody Sweets, renowned contortionist Mei Ling, comedian Mark Faje, the "Human Beat-Box" Butterscotch, and other entertaining oddities. Admission is free, but you gotta RSVP via this site in order to get in. 8 p.m. (7117 E. Third Ave., Scottsdale, 480-945-5150)
R.E.M: This Is Not A Show at MADCAP Theatre (Friday)
Back in July 2007, Michael Stipe and the other members of alt-rock legends R.E.M. traveled to Ireland and engaged in a five-night experimental "live rehearsal" series at Dublin's Olympia Theatre for its fans. These non-tradition performances yielded some interesting results, which were captured by filmmaker Vincent Moon in his 2009 documentary/concert film. 8 p.m., $6. (730 S. Mill Ave., Tempe, 480-634-5192)
Sixstitch at Copper State Tavern (Saturday)
After five years of unleashing hard rock upon the Valley's music masses, the members of Sixstitch are calling it quits. But before the band goes kersplat, its holding back-to-back farewell shows this weekend at the Clubhouse Music Venue in Tempe and Copper State Tavern over in Glendale. The later show boasts a cheaper cover charge and features support from Nefarious Way, Split the Enemy, Sacred Asylum, Army of Ghosts, One Dollar Death, and others. 8 p.m., $8. (5060 W. Bethany Home Rd., Glendale, 623-931-5729)
Steamcroween at Red Hot Robot (Saturday)
Not wanting to wait until Halloween, Steam Crow creators Daniel and Dawna Davis have put together quite a festivity for fans of their horror-pop art and stories. The two celebrate the first year of their much-praised local Webcomic, Monster Commute -- which chronicles a beastly duo stuck, like many Phoenicians, in a perpetual traffic jam -- during Steamcroween. Fresh handmade prints will be on display along with a full line of products including books, buttons, posters, plushies, and marvelous original accessories that hold a dark yet cute appeal. Attendees are urged to wear a costume from the Steam Crow stories or anything else, with special prizes awarded to the best-dressed persons at the affair. 7 p.m., free. (14 W. Camelback Rd., 602-264-8560) -- Gren Radcliff
Gabypalooza 2 at Badlands Music Venue (Saturday)
Their latest shindig at the bad-ass Badlands Music Venue is a pop-punk party on Saturday night featuring a half dozen or so bands, including Raina-Fire, Look Out Look, Adnauseam, Sparrow Misseles, Six Second Revival, and others. 5 p.m., $5. (5626 E. Main St., Mesa).
Conspire's Two-Year Anniversary (Saturday)
Conspire, the co-op espresso bar and boutique, has blossomed in its two years downtown. The DIY outpost has not only given a home to locally created art, clothes, and goods, but has also spawned a local currency named PHX Bux. The cooperative was formed when the C.O.L.A.B. crew - which included Joey Grether of Mob Action and Sticker Club Girl Lisa Jacobs - joined with coffee domo John Sagasta. "It's our project in that we keep the rent paid and the lights on, but we like everyone in the community to feel like they can come in at any given time and contribute to what's going on here," says Sagasta. The Conspire Two-Year Party will draw from a diverse energy like no other in town with music by Drunken Immortals, Haymarket Squares, Sonorous, and Djentrification. There will also be a fashion show by local designers, live art, a treasure hunt, and an open mic. 10 a.m., free. (901 N. 5th St., 602-237-5446) -- Jose Gonzalez
A Fall Mad Tea Party at Deus Ex Machina (Sunday)
You probably won't encounter the March Hare during this afternoon cultural salon and open house hosted by the Grand Avenue arts establishment, and the same goes for the White Queen or Knave of Hearts. But there surely will be plenty of madness and mirth as Michele Bledsoe, Jeff Falk, Steve Gompf, and the other eclectic types of Deus Ex will share their poetry, artwork, and tea. 2 p.m., free (1023 Grand Ave., 602-487-0669)
Ghosts of Phoenix Tour at Hotel San Carlos (Friday or Saturday)
The wretched figure of Leone Jensen has flung herself off the seventh-floor rooftop of the Hotel San Carlos, finishing like a broken doll on the dirty asphalt of Monroe Street. (Girl, he was not worth it!) Eventually, Miss Jensen's ghost - like many other lost souls -- found permanent work stomping through the halls at the San Carlos. The myriad reports of "crazy woman in my room" when Anne Heche clearly was not in town caught the attention of The Travel Channel, paranormal experts, and the travel czars at msn.com, the latter who named the San Carlos one of the "Top Ten Haunted Hotels." The canny San Carlos folks have capitalized on what some might view as pestilential with their popular Ghosts of Phoenix Tour, which features pit stops at various "paranormal hot spots" within the hostelry, including areas not normally opened to guests and/or visitors. 7 and 8:30 p.m., $6-$12. (202 N. Central Ave., 602-414-0004) -- Leslie Barton
Valley Fever at Yucca Tap (Sunday)
Johnny Volume and DJ Dana are forming an unstoppable tag team of badass proportions. Starting on Sunday, the dope duo will begin trading off DJ duties during the long-running outlaw/classic country night, each bringing in unique guests spinsters and rootsy artists for performances. Volume is first up and welcomes Mikey Skullbuster on the decks. 9 p.m., free. (29 W. Southern Ave., Tempe, 480-967-4777)
