D.O.A.: A Right of Passage
When rock historians discuss the implosion of The Sex Pistols, they often reference an interview with Sid Vicious and his girlfriend Nancy Spungen that’s featured in Lech Kowalski’s film D.O.A.: A Right of Passage. In the infamous scene, Spungen is trying to keep the bassist awake and coherent while discussing Johnny Rotten’s less-than-stellar performance that evening.
This bizarre and haunting moment is one of the many highlights of this raw 1980 documentary that chronicles The Pistols and the punk movement at their ferocious peak. Re-released and restored, this snapshot of the movement that changed culture forever features The Clash, X-Ray Spex, and Billy Idol’s old band Generation X.
Never mind the bollocks when the doc screens at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 16, and again at 10 p.m. on Friday, November 17, at FilmBar, 815 North Second Street. Admission is $9. For more information, visit the Film Bar website. Jason Keil
Learn the fine art of flash memoir writing from Phoenix Poet Laureate Rosemary Dambrowski.
\Ofelia Montelongo
Ever had a flashback to a moment in your life filled with indelible joy or pain? Maybe you wished you’d written it down, but never picked up the paper and pen. Be ready next time a poignant memory strikes, using strategies from Phoenix Poet Laureate Rosemarie Dambrowski.
She’s leading a free flash memoir workshop at Tempe History Museum, 809 East Southern Avenue, on Thursday, November 16. The free event kicks off at 7 p.m. It’s all about writing flash memoir pieces of 1,000 words or less.
It’s a chance to brainstorm topical ideas, read, and discuss a recent work of flash fiction, and learn the basic tools of flash memoir writing. Visit the Tempe History Museum website. Lynn Trimble
Phoenix Suns vs. Houston Rockets
There are few adjectives that adequately capture how badly the Phoenix Suns began their 2017-18 season. Abysmal, putrid, and godawful come close, but “historic” feels particularly damning.
The Suns performed historically badly in the season’s first three games, which is precisely how long it took for them to sack head coach Earl Watson. Whether it’s a searing indictment on Watson or ringing praise for interim head coach Jay Triano, the Suns have since shown incredible cohesion and effort.
This newfound swagger hasn’t always translated to wins for the team, which is still young and often outmatched, but it has yielded a new adjective: promising. The Suns host the Houston Rockets at Talking Stick Resort Arena, 201 East Jefferson Street, at 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 18.
Tickets are $14 and up. Visit the Phoenix Suns website or call 602-379-2000 for details. Rob Kroehler
Weekly Mindfulness Sessions
Life can suck, but that doesn’t mean that your attitude has to. Practicing a little mindfulness can help change the way you think.
Take a moment to hit the reset button during Weekly Mindfulness Sessions. On November 16, you can try this in practice at the Dorrance Sculpture Garden at the Phoenix Art Museum, 1625 North Central Avenue.
This event recurs every Thursday at noon — rain or shine. Admission is free. For more information, visit the Phoenix Art Museum website. Lindsay Roberts
1984! New Wave Fridays
Whether you grew up in the ’80s, lived through the decade, or are just now discovering its pop-culture touchstones, there’s plenty of music to appreciate — and dance to. During the Rebel Lounge’s 1984! New Wave Fridays underground dance party, you can hear some of your favorites like Depeche Mode, The Pet Shop Boys, or The Cure, as well as deeper cuts from The Danse Society, Fad Gadget, or Book of Love.
On Friday, November 17, DJ Xam Renn will spin a variety of alternate, New Wave, EBM, and dark wave music. The 21-and-over dance party is free and starts at 11 p.m. at 2303 East Indian School Road. For more information, call 602-296-7013 or go to the Rebel Lounge website. Laura Latzko
Main Street Prototyping Festival
Springy pool noodles offer endless bendy, summertime fun. But that’s not all they’re good for.
The colorful, spongy toys are repurposed into an interactive installation called Noodle at the Main Street Prototyping Festival. It’s one of the event’s 20 temporary prototypes designed by a variety of creators, including artists, designers, architects, students, and urban planners. The pieces will activate public spaces in Mesa, bringing people together to enhance the vibrancy of the community.
Take a look at the innovations from 5 to 10 p.m. on Friday, November 17, at Mesa Arts Center, 1 East Main Street. Admission is free, and the event continues through Saturday, November 18. Call 480-644-6500 or visit the Mesa Arts Center website. Amy Young
“NOT”
Phoenix artist Ann Morton has done the math. If he serves a full term, Donald Trump will be president for 1,460 days. It’s inspired a new piece of fiber art, made with strips torn from “Make America Great Again” T-shirts.
Morton has used the strips to create ropes and knots, and netting in the image of the American flag.
They’re all part of Morton’s “NOT” exhibition for Phoenix Institute of Contemporary Art. The free show is on view from 6 to 10 p.m. on Third Friday, November 17, in a shipping container gallery at 425 East Roosevelt Street.
For Morton, the work is an act of resistance. It highlights the personal and collective turmoil wrought by Trump’s torrent of inadequacies. Visit the Phoenix Institute of Contemporary Art website. Lynn Trimble
The River Bride
You’ve probably attended weddings where a couple of attendants smash. Or worse. We can’t disclose, even though half the folks are now dead or transitioned. But how about the one where a man emerges from the river to perturb the bride and her sister? That’s the setup of The River Bride.
Marisela Treviño Orta’s play, which won the 2013 Arizona Theatre Company National Latino Playwriting Award, takes place in Brazil.
ATC’s production continues through Sunday, December 3. Showtime for the final preview is 8 p.m. on Friday, November 17, at Herberger Theater Center, 222 East Monroe Street. Tickets start at $25, with discounts available for students, seniors, and military, at the Arizona Theatre website or 602-256-6995. Julie Peterson
Historic Roosevelt Neighborhood Home Tour
Amid all the strides that downtown Phoenix has made in the last decade — including the rapid proliferation of restaurants and hangouts, and the emergence of Roosevelt Row as the epicenter of the Valley’s artistic identity — it’s easy to focus on the city’s promising future.
But the truth is, no developer, investment group, or Valley-loving visionary can top the allure of the past. Which is why Phoenix’s most prized sections of residential history customarily host neighborhood tours. The Roosevelt Action Association invites you to the Historic Roosevelt Neighborhood Home Tour, a family-friendly tour of one of the Valley’s oldest neighborhoods, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, November 18. Ticket prices start at $13. Visit the Roosevelt website for details. Rob Kroehler
David Sedaris
David Sedaris writes spittingly funny essays. They’re even funnier when he reads them aloud. It’s hard to say which ingredient in the Sedaris breakfast burrito is more choice. You’ll also find palatable insight into issues of family, marriage, and identity within that tortilla. And something we call mordant pissiness, fortunately served on the side.
His depictions of his neighbors, parents, and siblings are not universally flattering, but they’re absolutely interesting and memorable, and maybe that’s the best they can hope for from a writer from the neighborhood. Sedaris himself admits to some non-exemplary behavior, which somehow warms our feelings about him. Though the world he observes is often bizarre (go figure), it’s an oddly cozy, relatable one.
Tickets are $29 to $69 for a reading, Q&A, and book-signing with Sedaris on Saturday, November 18, at 8 p.m. at the Orpheum Theatre, 203 West Adams Street. Visit the Phoenix Ticket Force website or call 602-262-6225. Julie Peterson
Be moved by history when the renowned Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company returns to ASU Gammage.
Liza Voll Photography
Choreographers Bill T. Jones and Janet Wong spent four years exploring memory, storytelling, and form to create a series of dance works called the Analogy Trilogy. See the final piece in the trilogy at 7 p.m. on Saturday, November 18, when Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company performs Analogy/Ambrose: The Emigrant at ASU Gammage, 1200 South Forest Avenue.
It’s inspired in part by the work of W. G. Sebald, whose 1992 novel The Emigrants shares the stories of four German immigrants in the context of memory, trauma, and forgiveness. Company materials liken Analogy/Ambrose: The Emigrant to origami that’s being repeatedly folded and opened.
Here, reflections on history aren’t linear. And movement is a meaningful way to explore its many interconnections. Tickets are $20. Visit the ASU Gammage website. Lynn Trimble
Dogs’ Day in the Garden
Maybe your dog needs a day off. Yeah, she sleeps a lot, poops outdoors, runs in the park, but those things are her job. Why not try something different for both of you? Hit Dogs’ Day in the Garden on Saturday, November 18, at Desert Botanical Garden.
The event is free to humans who pay garden admission, while the $4-per-dog fee benefits the Arizona Humane Society. Besides the thrill of unaccustomed trails and dogs, pupsters can enjoy doga (which is what it sounds like), live music, and a merch pavilion (of course!) called the Barketplace (of course).
Frolic at both ends of the leash from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 1201 North Galvin Parkway. Call 480-941-1225 or visit the Desert Botanical Garden website for more info. Julie Peterson
Crocheting Class
A hand-crocheted scarf can make a meaningful gift or a great accessory for your own wardrobe. To learn the basics, Galeana 38 will host a beginning-level crocheting class at 1736-A East McDowell Road on Saturday, November 18. Attendees will learn how to use a single-loop pattern to create a simple scarf.
Taught by Geraldine, one of the artists featured at the store, the session will run from noon to 3 p.m. and include all supplies for $40 per person. To find out more, call 602-559-7791 or visit the Eventbrite website to register. Laura Latzko
Navajo Weavers Marketplace
If marveling at the union of craftsmanship and beauty is something that puts a smile on your face, take a Saturday stroll through the Navajo Weavers Marketplace.
Navajo weavers from around the state will converge at the Heard Museum on November 18 to exhibit and sell intricate handmade creations, many of which tell stories from their lives and culture. Artists include Barbara Teller Ornelas, a fifth-generation master weaver, and her son Michael Ornelas. Sixth-generation Navajo weaver Lola Cody and her daughter, Melissa Cody, are another family representing multiple generations at this event. Also attending will be Jane Hyden, a master weaver who grew up in Tuba City and whose work often showcases scenes from Navajo life.
Get an up-close view of these traditional, handwoven textiles from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 2301 North Central Avenue. Admission is free. Call 602-252- 8840 or visit the Heard Museum website. Amy Young
Walker Lukens
Look up musician Walker Lukens and you’ll find a mild-mannered, bespectacled gentleman posing like a young Elvis Costello. Lukens has the appearance and irreverent attitude of the man behind “Alison,” along with an eclecticism that shows reverence for his influences, particularly Prince and Bruce Springsteen. His second album, the moody and experimental Tell It to the Judge, was produced by Spoon drummer Jim Eno after the two met in a bar, which says something about the Austin-based singer-songwriter’s talent and gumption.
Discover Lukens at 8:30 p.m. on Sunday, November 18, at Valley Bar, 130 North Central Avenue. Admission is $10 to $12. For more information, visit the Valley Bar website. Jason Kiel
Pie Social
Is there anything more perfect than pie? We don’t think so. If you’re feeling extra hungry (and can’t wait for the doughy windfall that is Thanksgiving), mark your calendar for the eighth annual Pie Social.
Sixteen Phoenix chefs — including Crystal Kass from Phoenix Public Market Café and Dean Thomas from Cornish Pasty Co. — will put their pastry skills to the test in a pie competition at Margaret T. Hance Park on Sunday, November 19. The event also will feature live music, collaging, live poetry, and a raffle.
Admission is free, and five tasting tickets cost $15, or you can bring two pies in exchange for five tickets. Visit the Roosevelt Row website for more info. Lindsay Roberts
“Fragments: Broken Bowls Tell More Tales”
Ever wonder about the rich diversity of cultures beneath the Phoenix skyline? It turns out that pottery is a compelling window to the past, which is why Pueblo Grande Museum is presenting the exhibition “Fragments: Broken Bowls Tell More Tales.” Check it out from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. on Monday, November 20.
The museum at 4619 East Washington Street is located on a 1,500-year-old archaeological site. Paying a visit is a great way to glean insights into ancestral O’odham people, more commonly known as the Hohokam.
“Fragments” uses broken pieces of pottery called sherds to explore connections between the Hohokam and neighboring communities in the Southwest and Northern Mexico during the time of the European Renaissance. It’s free with $6 museum admission. Visit the City of Phoenix website. Lynn Trimble
Seinfeld Trivia
If you know more about the lives of Jerry, Elaine, George, and Kramer than you do about your own family and friends, don’t beat yourself up. You’re not alone.
Valley Bar's monthly Seinfeld Trivia night offers a chance to compete with other know-it-alls who have the show’s scenarios and characters burned into their brains. Emily The Lewis will host, and Shane Kennedy will DJ. This is one time that knowing who the president of the Del Boca Vista condo complex was, or what personalized license plate Kramer accidentally gets at the DMV, could earn you prizes.
Sign-up to compete starts at 7 p.m. and trivia begins promptly at 8 on Tuesday, November 21, at 130 North Central Avenue. Admission to the 21-and-over event is free. Visit the Valley Bar website. Amy Young
Hannibal Buress
Hannibal Buress must love the desert in November. The comedian is back for a one-nighter just a day shy of a year from when he last took the stage at downtown comedy club Stand Up Live.
The Chicago-born comedian has been collecting fans with his observational comedy — delivered with a subtle and sometimes surreal style — since his career got rolling just short of a decade ago. In addition to his stand-up, he has appeared on a slew of TV shows, including Broad City, and co-stars on Adult Swim’s Eric Andre Show.
See if it’s really him at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 21, at 50 West Jefferson Street.
Admission is $35 for those 21 and older; attendance requires a two-drink minimum. Call 480-719- 6100 or visit the Standup Live website. Amy Young
ZooLights
It’s the time of year when the Phoenix Zoo gets decked out for the holidays. ZooLights has something to illuminate the hearts of the Scrooge-iest of curmudgeons. You may not see any actual animals during your nighttime visit, but you can still gaze upon wildlife constructed from thousands of multicolored lights. The seasonal event features a nightly snowfall, a three-story Christmas tree, and a timed light display by the lakeside set to your favorite holiday hits.
Get in the spirit from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m., Wednesday, November 22, and through Sunday, January 14, at 455 North Galvin Parkway. Tickets are $12.95 to $17.95. For more information, visit the Phoenix Zoo website. Jason Keil
Arizona Coyotes vs. San Jose Sharks
The early 2017-18 prognosis for one of Phoenix’s most fledgling sports franchises was, well, icy. Still, no one expected the ice to be this rough for the young Arizona Coyotes.
Just weeks into an 82-game season, the Yotes find themselves in dead last in the Western Conference. Certainly the addition of a new head coach, new general manager, and a largely revamped roster warrant a grace period. If the young pucks don’t start eking out more wins, however, we’ll find out just how gracious hockey fans are.
Arizona hosts the San Jose Sharks at Glendale’s Gila River Arena, 9400 West Maryland Avenue, at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, November 22.
Tickets are $21.50 and up. Visit the Coyotes website or call 623-772-3300 for details. Rob Kroehler
