The Best Things to Do in Metro Phoenix This Week

This week is all about you, Phoenix. Treat yourself to a slice at Charity Pie Night, shop local wares at Phoenix Flea, or experience life outside the city at Rural Route Film Festival. For more things to do, visit Phoenix New Times’ calendar.

Phoenix Turkey Trot
Burning Thanksgiving meal calories after you eat them is so old-school. Get ahead of the game this year with the Phoenix Turkey Trot on Thursday, November 22, at Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza, 205 South 17th Avenue. It’s a family-friendly race with scenic 5K and 10K routes around downtown Phoenix, plus a one-mile “gobbler dash” for folks who want a shorter run, and a “tot trot” for little ones. Registration is $8 to $50 on race day, and event times vary. Registration gets you a race shirt, post-race eats, admission to the finish festival, a finisher medal, and a photo with Turkey Tom. There’s even a costume contest. Visit phoenixturkeytrot.com. Lynn Trimble

Arizona International Auto Show
Let’s face it: The turkey is going to take forever to roast and the NFL matchups this year are not that interesting. Rev up the holiday by heading to the Phoenix Convention Center for the Arizona International Auto Show. In addition to getting a peek at next year’s cars, there will be exotic models on display, test drives, driving simulators, and activities for your future drivers. You’ll be home in time for dinner.

Start your engines from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, November 22, at 100 North Third Street. The show continues through Sunday, November 25. Tickets are $11 for adults and $7 for senior citizens, military, and children between the ages of 7 and 12. For more information, visit autoshowphoenix.com. Jason Keil

Jive Turkey
Work off that stuffing and shake a leg at Jive Turkey, the funky soul music dance party. DJs Gila Man, Mitch Freedom, and other special guests will be spinning the grooviest dance tracks from the ’70s. Grab a strong one and let the rhythm help you forget all the stupid things your drunk uncle said at the dinner table.

Shake your tail feather beginning at 7 p.m. on Thursday, November 22, at Valley Bar, 130 North Central Avenue. This is a free event and only available to those 21 and over. For more information, visit valleybarphx.com. Jason Keil

Alternative Black Friday Vintage Market
Planning on waking up before daybreak to find some deals at a big box store? Avoid the mob (and the mundane) and head over to CityScape to find unique gifts from local vendors. The Alternative Black Friday Vintage Market will feature over 30 local makers, artisans, and vintage stores selling truly special presents for everyone. There will also be live music and holiday-themed drinks to help you fly through that shopping list.

Shop till you drop from noon to 7 p.m. on Friday, November 23, at 1 East Washington Street. This is a free event. The first 100 shoppers will receive a souvenir tote bag. For more information, visit cityscapephoenix.com. Jason Keil

Charity Pie Night
Pie lovers, take note. You can shop and indulge your slice cravings on Friday, November 23, between 7 and 9 p.m. That’s when Practical Art, 5070 North Central Avenue, is holding its next charity pie night, with proceeds going to a nonprofit called Girls Who Code that’s working to end the technology gender gap. For $10, you can get unlimited slices of homemade pies, in traditional and more adventurous flavors. You can shop works by well over 100 artists while you’re there, with 10 percent of sales going to the charity as well. And you’ll get some fabulous pie ideas to try at home this holiday season. Visit practical-art.com. Lynn Trimble

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban in Concert
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, the third installment of the multibillion-dollar film franchise was originally scored by John Williams and was nominated for Best Original Music Score at the Academy Awards. Over the weekend of Friday, November 23, through Sunday, November 25, the Phoenix Symphony is putting on Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban in Concert, a screening the film with live music from the orchestra, at the Phoenix Symphony Hall, 75 North Second Street. Even though the Harry Potter series doesn’t technically count as holiday films, engaging in nostalgia is a typical way to spend the Thanksgiving through Christmas time period. If you want to partake in watching this classic, tickets range from $25 to $93. For more information, go to phoenixsymphony.org. Angelica Cabral

CitySkate
It’s not lost on the residents of our desert metropolis that outdoor ice skating is virtually impossible in our warm climate, but CityScape has somehow harnessed the power to give downtown Phoenix an open-air rink to enjoy for the holidays. The grand opening of CitySkate will feature the debut of the new 30-foot tall Unity Tree sculpture with an interactive light display.

Illuminate the holiday season starting at 6 p.m. on Friday, November 23, at 1 East Washington Street. Admission to skate is $15 and $10 for members of the military, seniors, and children 8 and younger. Skating sessions continue through Sunday, January 6, 2019. For more information, visit cityskatephx.com. Jason Keil

Capitol Steps
Walk away from the tweetstorms for a night, so you can enjoy political satire set to song. It’s happening at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, 7380 East Second Street, at 8 p.m. on Friday, November 23, when a D.C.-based troupe called Capitol Steps returns for a side-splitting dose of humor inspired by current events. Odds are, you’ve spent much of the last two years wondering whether you should laugh or cry. That’s an easy call when Capitol Steps rolls into town, because they’re all about poking fun with a political twist at all sides, and making sure laughter out-polls tears. Tickets to their Make America Grin Again show start at $49. Visit scottsdaleperformingarts.org. Lynn Trimble

Annual Ornament Marketplace
Everyone’s hangups seem to multiply over the holidays, but that’s not a problem over at the Heard Museum Shop, 2301 North Central Avenue, where hundreds of unique holiday ornaments hang on festive trees during their annual ornament marketplace. Get there on Friday, November 23, when the shop is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. That’s the first day of the free three-day event, which means you’ll have the best selection to choose from — including ornaments from elegant to whimsical, created with diverse materials such as metal, wood, fabric, and beads. There’s even a limited-edition sterling silver and turquoise ornament by featured Navajo artist Kee Yazzie. Visit heard.org. Lynn Trimble

Phoenix Flea
The Phoenix Flea market returns to Heritage Square, 113 North Sixth Street, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, November 24, which means you can take a bite out of your holiday shopping list while supporting Small Business Saturday. Five dollars cash gets you into the festive marketplace, where more than 175 vendors will be plying their wares — including fine art, fashion, vintage goods, culinary finds, and more. It’s a chance to shop local without running all over town, while you revel in good company and that fabulous Phoenix no-snow glow. Bring extra coin for food trucks and vendors, such as Waffle Love and Honey Bear’s BBQ. Visit Phoenix Flea on Facebook. Lynn Trimble

Saturday Morning Bird Walk
Odds are, you won’t encounter any turkeys during the free Saturday Morning Bird Walk, happening from 8 to 9 a.m. on November 24 at Nina Mason Pulliam Rio Salado Audubon Center, 3131 South Central Avenue, so you won’t have to look one in the eye and explain how you feasted on its kin just two days before. Instead, you’ll spot birds that are native to the desert habitat along the Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area, marveling at the lush landscape tucked under the freeway where nature’s calm is a welcome contrast to hectic holiday pursuits. Turns out, more than 200 types of birds call the region home. Visit riosalado.audubon.org. Lynn Trimble

David Spade
David Spade is probably best known for his movies Joe Dirt and Tommy Boy, but even when he was a part of the cast of Saturday Night Live (“buh-bye” was his signature catchphrase), he was taking shots at the celebrity lifestyle with a mocking tone and a snide point of view. Now the comedian, who grew up in Scottsdale, is bringing his sardonic wit to the stage with a set that pokes fun not only at the ridiculousness of celebrity but also at himself.

The laughs begin at 7 p.m. on Saturday, November 24, at StandUp Live, 50 West Jefferson Street with an additional show at 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $45 with a two-drink minimum. For more information, visit phoenix.standuplive.com. Jason Keil

Cholo Goth Night
Goths have been making a comeback in a big way. Crescent Ballroom, located at 308 North Second Avenue, is leaning into the trend with their Cholo Goth Night on Saturday, November 24 from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. The event will have a DJ set from Dave Parley, one half of the San Diego Chicano electronic rock duo Prayers, whose music examines street life. Recently, the band has played at Coachella and won for Best Alternative Band at the San Diego Music Awards. Tickets are $5 and the event is 21 and up. Visit crescentphx.com to learn more and see other upcoming events.? Angelica Cabral

Rural Route Film Festival
The Rural Route Film Festival Shorts Program contains an unusual warning: “Scenes of farm/rural practices and animated violence are realistically depicted and may be upsetting to some audience members.” But that’s how life is outside of the city, and this collection of films takes an unabashed look into that lifestyle. There are tales of UFO sightings, poachers, and stories that explain the impact global warming has on farmers. Alan Webber, who is the founder and director of the festival, will be answering questions via Skype after the screening.

The program begins at 1 p.m. on Sunday, November 25, at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts’ Virginia G. Piper Theater, 7380 East Second Street in Scottsdale. Tickets are $14. For more information, visit scottsdaleperformingarts.org. Jason Keil

Fun Home
The musical Fun Home tells the story of Alison Bechdel’s life and how she discovered her sexuality, came to terms with her gay father, and everything in between. If that last name sounds familiar, it’s because the Bechdel test has long been used as a measure for female representation in media.

This current production of her musical, based on the graphic novel of the same name, is being held at Phoenix Theatre, 1825 North Central Avenue. The show runs through Sunday, December 2, and tickets are priced at $36 to $86. To buy tickets and get more information, you can go to phoenixtheatre.com. Angelica Cabral

Amy Schumer
Despite some controversy about whether or not she stole jokes and her recent arrest during a protest against Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination, Amy Schumer remains on the up and up. In 2018 alone, she starred in a film, started a podcast, and was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play. To round off the year, she’s on a two-month long tour, which is stopping at Comerica Theatre, located at 400 West Washington Street, on Sunday, November 25, at 7 p.m.  Tickets start at $53 and go up to $128.50. You can find out more at amyschumer.com. Angelica Cabral

ASU Musical Theatre Holiday Cabaret
The music theater and opera students at ASU are eager to see the bright lights of Broadway, and you can help them get there. They’re presenting ASU Musical Theatre Holiday Cabaret, an informal evening of music and merriment at Phoenix Theatre, 1825 North Central Avenue, from 7:30 to 10 p.m. on Monday, November 26. Show up at 6 p.m. to enjoy a silent auction and complimentary hot cocoa. It’s free, but with a suggested donation of $20 you’ll be helping students fund their travels to New York City. The evening features mature themes and language, with direction by Robert Kolby Harper, associate artistic director for Phoenix Theatre. Visit asuevents.asu.edu. Lynn Trimble

Phoenix Suns
Our dear Phoenix Suns are currently dead last in the Western Conference, while the team they’ll be facing, the Indiana Pacers, are fifth in the Eastern Conference, with a 7-5 win-loss record. But, like any good city, we support our home team and try to keep up the faith that they’ll bring home a win. The game takes place Tuesday, November 27, at 7 p.m. at Talking Stick Resort Arena, 201 East Jefferson Street. Tickets start at $9 on Ticketmaster and go up to $948 if you want to sit courtside in the first row. For more information, go to talkingstickresortarena.com or call 602-379-7800.? Angelica Cabral

So You Think You Can Dance
So You Think You Can Dance seems to be one of those shows that might never end. It finished up its 15th season this year and it’s still going strong. The live show offers audience members the chance to see the top 10 contestants from the past season perform routines from the show and original pieces choreographed specifically for the tour. The process is overseen by director Raj Kapoor and Emmy Award-winning choreographer Mandy Moore. On Wednesday, November 28, at 7:30 p.m., they’ll be stopping by Comerica Theatre, located at 400 West Washington Street. Tickets range from $48.50 to $128.50, but they can go up to $369 if you get the VIP package. Visit livenation.com to learn more and purchase tickets. Angelica Cabral

The House That Jack Built
Lars von Trier is one of those uncompromising filmmakers whose works are so emotionally draining, controversial, and disturbing that you can only stomach a single viewing. The House That Jack Built, his latest effort, continues in that tradition, which is probably why the unrated director’s cut of the movie is getting a one-time showing at FilmBar. The plot revolves around a failed architect and successful serial killer (Matt Dillon) who views the ritual of executing his murders through an artistic lens. This violent film caused walkouts at the Cannes Film Festival, so consider this a warning.

The film begins at 10 p.m. on Wednesday, November 28, at 815 North Second Street. Tickets are $14. For more information, visit thefilmbarphx.com. Jason Keil