17 Best Things to Do in Metro Phoenix This Week

Phoenix, now's your chance to get creative. Whether you're looking to take up collage art, contribute to a community arts conversation, or come up with a costume to wear to Bike Prom, you'll have more than a few chances to show off your DIY side. (And for more things to do, see our curated calendar of events.)

Board Game Night
Board games aren’t just for kids, especially when carefully-thought-out strategic maneuvers are involved. Camaraderie with fellow gamers, the chance to learn new games and share your own, and an extensive library of store games make the Unnamed Association of Gamers’ weekly game night a fun respite on a busy Monday. On any given week, you can play different tabletop games, including trick-taking, deck-building, and worker placement games.

The game night also caters to more casual gamers with party and miniature games. Held at the Imperial Outpost, 4920 West Thunderbird Road, #121, the weekly event runs from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. There is no cost to take part in game nights or become a member of the group. See details on Facebook. Laura Latzko

"Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera"
Talk about a power couple. Married Mexican artists Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera are widely regarded as two of the most significant artists of the 20th century. And now their artwork is enjoying a world tour, with just one North American stop: the Heard Museum.

See “Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera” between 9:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. on opening day, Tuesday, April 11. It includes 33 artworks, plus more than 50 photographs — some taken by Kahlo’s own father. The show also includes clothing and jewelry that reflects Kahlo’s own iconic style, from the region where she lived.

Tickets to “Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera” cost $7, on top of general admission, which is $18 for adults. The exhibition continues through Thursday, August 20. Visit the Heard Museum website. Lynn Trimble

Jurassic Park Movie Party
Jurassic Park’s relevance remains 24 years after its release because it doesn’t matter how high the wall or fence, nature will find a way around it. Director Steven Spielberg imagines what happens when a Tyrannosaurus rex with bad eyesight and a couple of clever velociraptors escape their enclosures and eventually destroy one rich man’s dream of making an overpriced amusement park out of bad science.

Alamo Drafthouse makes the war between carnivorous dinosaurs and their less bite-y contemporaries a party by giving audience members miniature versions of the on-screen lizards. Attendees will also receive a flashlight to lead that T-rex away from helpless children and smell-along cards to so they can more fully immerse themselves in the triceratops’ stool sample.

The Jurassic Park Movie Party takes place at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 11, at Alamo Drafthouse Chandler, 4955 South Arizona Avenue. Admission is $14. Visit the Alamo Drafthouse Phoenix website for more. Jason Keil

Cut + Paste PHX
Reasons Cut + Paste PHX Collage Night is awesome:

• no drawing or painting anxiety for self-defined non-artists
• automatic therapeutic channeling of passion and message
• fulfillment of “get out of the house and see people” goal

To make it entirely clear, you will be creating a collage, which is a delightful activity. Cut + Paste has hosted monthly events at a series of fun locations for a couple of years now (which means you can also get acquainted with some fun locations you don’t already know about). This month, the free snip-athon will take place at FilmBar, 815 North Second Street, at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 11. Ages 21 and older for this one. You may bring your own materials, but it’s not required. Visit Facebook for details. Julie Peterson

"Dreaming a New World"
Although artists are playing with the dream theme for a free exhibition at the Herberger Art Gallery, there’s no need to pinch yourself. Instead, you can see works by Sarah Kriehn and Kathy Taylor in “Dreaming a New World” from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, April 12.

They’ll be showing monotypes, collagraphs, and mixed-media paintings that “explore pathways for the mind to discover new and hidden worlds.”

The show continues through Sunday, April 30, and is accessible through the Herberger Theater Center box office. Visit Herberger Theater Center's website for details. Lynn Trimble

"New Prez, Who Dis?"
How in the hell are artists supposed to cope with a presidential administration that only values creativity by way of alternative facts? Great question. It’s one of many topics on the docket for Emerging Arts Leaders’ event “New Prez, Who Dis? Prep for the Worst, Advocate for the Best.” Phoenix’s creative community will sit down for an “open space” format chat, which means you can talk about whatever’s on your mind that pertains to the topic, whoever shows up is who shows up, and whatever happens happens. Bring to the McKinley Club, 800 North First Avenue, your opinions on the possible defunding of the National Endowment for the Arts, how to be a good arts advocate, and what the future might hold.

The community talk runs from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 13. Complimentary beer, food, and wine will be provided. See details at Facebook. Becky Bartkowski

Latino Cultural Center Town Hall Meeting
The City of Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture is planning a new Latino Cultural Center, and they want your input on everything from what the center should provide to where it should be located.

The first of three free town halls on the topic happens from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 13, inside Memorial Hall at Steele Indian School Park, 300 East Indian School Road. It’s being moderated by Evonne Gallardo, a consultant working with Phoenix to explore ways to move the center from concept to completion.

The town hall is your chance to learn more about Latino Cultural Center efforts to date and have a say in the Center’s future. Visit Facebook for more. Lynn Trimble

Read on for more of this week's best events, including Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, Bike Prom, and Party Hard Wrestling.
Aspen Santa Fe Ballet
Freshen up your dance prowess as Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, a contemporary ballet company based in Colorado and New Mexico, performs three dance works created by choreographers who use physical movement to explore the inner flux of feelings at the heart of human existence.

Aspen Santa Fe Ballet performs at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 13, at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, 7380 East Second Street. The lineup features Cherice Barton’s Eudaemonia (2017), which explores the universal search for happiness. Barton’s design and choreography experience includes working with Spider-Man Turn Off the Dark on Broadway and Cirque de Soleil.

The evening also includes works by Spanish-born choreographers Alejandra Cerrudo and Cayentano Soto. Cerrudo’s Silent Ghost (2015) is a meditation on loss, and Soto’s Huma Rojo (2016) is an homage to the strong women in his life.

Tickets, available online or at the box office, are $39 to $69. Visit Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts for more. Lynn Trimble

Wine and Unwind
What do you say when someone wants to pile on a couple of extra components of relaxation to your peace-inducing yoga class? “Hell yeah” seems appropriate.

At Wine and Unwind, it’s not just the complimentary post-yoga glass of vino that’ll help maintain your loose and blissful state, it’s also the beautiful views you’ll soak up from the terrace lawn at the Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North. Alex Hristov’s live flamenco and world music performed during the yoga session also work to keep you in a chill state. Uncork your inner peace from 4 to 6 p.m. on Friday, April 14, at 10600 East Crescent Moon Drive. Admission is $20. Space is limited. Call the resort’s spa at 480-513-5145 for information and to register. See details at Facebook. Amy Young

Remote Control
Local playwright Janet Burruel’s Remote Control is funny and weird, featuring a homebound woman who spends too much time and money on televised home shopping programs. Millie befriends her Meals on Wheels worker, Bud, while on the other side of the TV screen, the shopping hosts grow more surreally competitive as each day passes. But there’s more to it than funny and weird, as you may have guessed already. At least one of these people has a problem, and the words “remote” and “control” display all their shades of meaning. According to Space 55’s website, the show even “contains some cursing and imagery that may not be suitable for children under 12.” So work that out on your own.

The play runs through Sunday, April 30, at 636 East Pierce Street. Tickets are $15, with senior and VIP specials available. Showtime on Friday, April 14, is 8 p.m. Visit Space 55's website. Julie Peterson

'80s Retro Revival Dance Party
If you’re just now discovering that the 1980s are back in style, it’s likely that you were a post-adolescent participant in them the first time around. Either way, the ’80s revival of today isn’t all that new. For several years now, modern producers have been leaning on the drum machines, Junos, Moogs, and synth basses that characterized the decade. Don’t be hard on yourself though — you’ve moved on. It’s those musically omnivorous youngsters who have only recently discovered what you helped make great, long before your waistline expanded and your musical appetite contracted. Turn back time when Crescent Ballroom, 308 North Second Avenue, hosts an ’80s Retro Revival Dance Party, at 8 p.m. on Friday, April 14. Admission to the 21-and-over event is $8 at the door. Visit the Crescent Ballroom website or call 602-716-2222 for details. Rob Kroehler

Party Hard Wrestling: Cheap Thrills
It’s the goal of many pro wrestlers to make it big in the WWE. Colt Cabana, however, didn’t need Vince McMahon’s one-ring circus to get himself over in the wrestling world. Instead, he used his sense of humor. Over the last several years, the indie superstar and host of the popular Art of Wrestling podcast has become famous for his comedic antics in the ring, including goofy moves and oddball characters like the masked “Matt Classic.” In other words, he’s the perfect fit for the hilarious action of the Valley’s off-kilter indie promotion, Party Hard Wrestling, which frequently mixes humor with headlocks.

Cabana will be one of the special guests of its latest event, Cheap Thrills, on Friday, April 14, at the Nile Theater, 105 West Main Street in Mesa, where he’s scheduled to compete in a tag team match with Japanese wrestler Kikutaro. Six other matches will also take place. Bell time is 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10. See the Party Hard Wrestling website for more. Benjamin Leatherman

All-Star Comedy Explosion
The Wayans name has been synonymous with hilarity for decades now. So when one Wayans brother or more is performing, it’s safe to assume that maximum chuckles will ensue.

Marlon Wayans will be the only Wayans in the house for the All-Star Comedy Explosion, but he won’t be alone. The stand-up comedian has also had a busy career as an actor and filmmaker. In the latter career path, he’s been particularly successful with parodies like his recent Fifty Shades of Black, which spoofs the erotic Fifty Shades of Grey movies. On Saturday, though, Wayans shares the stage with a crew of comedians — all with lengthy resumes themselves. Michael Blackson, Rickey Smiley, DeRay Davis, and John Witherspoon will entertain with their individual brands of funny.

The night of many jokes gets going at 8 p.m. on April 15 at Comerica Theatre, 400 West Washington Street. Tickets are $75 to $125. Call 800-745-3000 or visit Comerica Theatre's website. Amy Young

Bike Prom 2017
Presented by Phoenix Spokes People, Bike Prom is a gathering of community cyclists twice the age of high school seniors coming together to don formalwear, dance, win prizes, eat from food trucks, and get, ahem, reasonably tipsy.

The 2017 Bike Prom’s theme is “Rumble at the Prom,” meaning attendees are encouraged to squad up and pick a “favorite non-threatening fictional gang to represent,” a.k.a. Pink Ladies, T-Birds, Jets, Hell’s Satans out of Bakersfield, or whatever comes to mind, really.

Prom is held at the warehouse-y Phoenix Ale Brewery, 3002 East Washington Street, from 7 to 11 p.m. on Saturday, April 15. There will probably be a group bike ride there. How attendees wearing formalwear can also ride a bike, we’re sure we don’t know.

Tickets are $15 for stag, $25 for a couple. See the Phoenix Spokes People website for tickets and more information. Lauren Cusimano

Spark! After Dark
In life, there’s rarely enough time to sit, enjoy music, and have a glass of wine. But Mesa Arts Center’s upcoming edition of spark! After Dark on Saturday, April 15, presents the opportunity to do just that. Experience the harmonic sounds of Bailen, a band out of New York, and other indie groups without other distractions. During the indie-focused night from 8 to 11 p.m. at One East Main Street, the center will also offer an interactive spin art activity. If you’re parched or craving something to nibble on, you can choose from a selection of beer, wine, and cocktails, as well as American fare and ice cream sandwich options. Held every month through June, the nighttime themed nights are free to the public. For more information, visit the Mesa Arts Center website. Laura Latzko

UFC Fight Night
Traditionally, most Americans spend April 15 rummaging for misplaced W-9s and screaming at TurboTax on their laptop. This year, however, the calendar has given taxpayers a stay of execution by dropping the 15th on a Saturday, pushing tax day back a smidgen. Understandably, the procrastinators among us will be looking to squeeze every drop out of their fortuitous reprieve. So, if you’re someone who might find comfort in watching other people beat the hell out of each other before you yourself have to take one on the chin from the IRS, stop by UFC Fight Night at Tempe’s Blasted Barley Beer Company, 404 South Mill Avenue. Enjoy craft beers and live, televised bloodshed on Saturday, April 15, from 5 to 8 pm. There’s no cover for the 21-and-over event. Visit the Blasted Barley website or call 480-967-5887 for details. Rob Kroehler

Jesus Christ Superstar
Jesus Christ Superstar has played on Easter a lot, no doubt. This year, it’s Peoria’s turn, as Arizona Broadway Theatre presents the closing performance of its production on Sunday, April 16.

The seminal rock musical has been praised for introducing the Gospels to the ’60s counterculture and vilified as the dank, sulfurous exhalations of Satan himself. What started as a concept album developed into a relatively glitzy and fabulous piece of theater known for its breakthrough pop hits “Superstar” and “I Don’t Know How to Love Him.”

Seating begins at noon for a 2 p.m. showtime at 7701 West Paradise Lane. Ticket prices, which may increase with demand, start at $76, including a nice meal. (Non-dining seats are also available.) Call 623-776-8400 or visit Arizona Broadway Theatre's website. Julie Peterson

Editor's note: This post has been updated from its original version.