5 Best Things to Do in Metro Phoenix Memorial Day Weekend

"One-of-a-Kind"

In a world of Dubsmash videos, #nomakeup selfies, and misattributed inspirational quotes pinned and re-pinned to infinity, originality isn’t so easily encountered. But the photographic works by artists including David Emitt Adams and Betty Hahn found in Phoenix Art Museum’s “One-of-a-Kind” are not so easily duplicated. By virtue of process, these Polaroids, daguerreotypes, and drawn-on photos are succinctly singular. Take them all in at 1625 North Central Avenue, through Monday, October 19. Hours on Thursday, May 21, are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $15 for adults. Visit Phoenix Art Museum's website or call 602-257-1880. Becky Bartkowski

Where in the World

They say that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Well, the people and designers behind Sweet Salvage are basically the greatest treasure hunters alive. Starting the third Thursday of every month, Sweet Salvage opens their doors to reveal things like an antique washroom table, unique and well-loved frames of all sizes, and more rusty doorknobs, metal numbers, and old photos than you could fit on a Pinterest board. This month the shop’s theme is “Where in the World,” and we hear they’ve got a British phone booth and Moroccan woven baskets. The sale opens at 10 a.m. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 4648 North Seventh Avenue. For more information, visit sweetsalvage.net, and for sneak peaks inside, head to Sweet Salvage's Facebook page. Evie Carpenter

Christopher Titus

Like many successful comics, Christopher Titus has made a pretty good living off many years of bad living. A dysfunctional upbringing, a messy divorce, a tumble in a bonfire, you know, the usual. Titus’ material isn’t necessarily revelatory, but there’s a certain veracity in his wry commentary and his cautionary tales. The California native possesses the rare ability to embed heartfelt wisdom into profanity-laced rants and to be illuminating without pontificating. Even when he’s on stage, Titus never comes off like he’s above the audience.

Speaking of stages, Titus will be opening up a can of sardonic wit this weekend at Tempe Improv, 930 East University Drive. Sets include 7:30 and 10 p.m. on Friday, May 22, and 7 p.m. on Sunday, May 24. Tickets to an 18-and-over show are $25, and there's a two-drink minimum. Visit Tempe Improv's website or call 480-921-9877. Rob Kroehler

Short Shorts with Short Leash

It’s only May and the Valley has already reached triple-digit temperatures, so any good Phoenician knows what that means. Time to break out the shorts. Yep, bring on the drama, maybe a little comedy. Documentary, anyone? Obviously, we’re not talking about the clothing option. Head over to Stinkweeds, 12 West Camelback, for something to really get your mind off the heat during Short Shorts with Short Leash 2015, the fifth annual short film block party, on Saturday, May 23, from 6 to 9 p.m. Theater13 will be showing 13 short films, including several world premieres. Plus Short Leash Hot Dogs will be there, slinging gourmet sausages. Grab a blanket or lawn chair, and get your shorts on. See the Facebook event for more info. Evie Carpenter

Innovations

The relationship between dancer and choreographer can be inspiring — and a bit cyclical. The late George Balanchine saw something special in Ib Andersen when he was a principal dancer with the New York City Ballet and created several roles for him. Now, as artistic director of Ballet Arizona, Andersen is looking to the next generation of dancers to push choreographic boundaries. Andersen directs original choreography from Joseph Cavanaugh, Myles Lavallee, Tzu-Chia Huang, and Nayon Iovino for the second annual presentation of Innovations. See work from those who could be the next masters through May 24 at Dorrance Theatre, 2835 East Washington Street. Tickets are $25 to $55 through Ballet Arizona's website. Becky Bartkowski

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