Independence Day brings a host of family-friendly events, festivals and fireworks to dazzle the eye. But if you're not busy blowing up melons at the Arizona Science Center, sweating it out in the JCC Triathlon or taking in the glittering spectacles of Fabulous Phoenix Fourth or the Tempe Town Lake July 4 Festival this weekend, here are a few non-holiday events to consider:
Summer Massive @ The Venue Scottsdale
Considering the flyers for this year's start-of-summer DJ and dance party readily advertise Designer Drugs, we can only imagine what kind of crowd it might draw. But the sensational moniker is actually the name of the music festival's headlining DJ duo, who spin a funky, eclectic mashup of house music and electronica. Le Castle Vania (props for the geeky goth video game reference) aka Dylan Eiland, 2ToneDisco and more will also spin at the event, which kicks off at 8 p.m. this Friday night. Tickets are $20.
CO+HOOTS 1-Year Anniversary Party
Most 9-to-5ers
think that creative, work-at-home jobs are the shit. That's because they
don't realize at-home gigs require serious self-discipline (and
that those who work them for too long risk their social skills degrading and their
wardrobe becoming limited to chocolate-stained sweats). For the last
year, CO+HOOTS has offered plush office space and human interaction to
local creative enterprises without the major overhead that comes with owning your own place. In celebration of their first year, the community
workspace is hosting a free bash from 7-11 p.m. this Friday night with
One Hope wines, a self-portrait station and tunes from DJs DEEPFREQ and
HALFACAT.
Stoked to see bloody, graphic grindhouse flicks and indie cinema come to downtown Mesa? To ensure that dreams becomes a reality, Midnite Movie Mamacita Andrea Beesley-Brown is throwing an epically cheesy benefit bash with the help of carrot-topped comic Phycus Malloy and bands Three Point Posse, LA's Fault, Joy World, and 36 cents and a Dream. Doors open at 7 p.m. $8 will get you in, with all proceeds benefiting The Royale.
Paul Frank Road Show @ W Scottsdale
If
Lisa Frank was the poster child for cute graphics in the '80s, designer
Paul Frank (no relation) is clearly her successor. His bold, colorful
characters have graced everything from wallets to bikes to iPhones, and
they don't seem to be going out of style anytime soon. Frank's
monkeymobile -- an old-school Winnebago plastered with images of his
signature character Julius the Monkey -- will make a pit-stop at the W
Hotel this Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. Look for ping-pong games, swag
giveaways and a pop-up museum with Frank's best pop art graphics.
Admission is $25, which also allows you to don a swimsuit and take a
dip.
Cannonball Pool Party @ Lexington Hotel
On the
other side of the proverbial pool party coin is local DJ and promoter
William Fucking Reed's new gig, which runs from 1-9 p.m. every Sunday
throughout the summer. While Scottsdale's pool parties are all martinis
and silicone, the Lexington's tiny vintage pool is more likely to draw
PBR-swilling hipsters with black-rimmed glasses and beat-up Keds. That's
no prob for Reed and fellow turntablists Dr. Drea and World Famous Rani
"g," who plan to rock this soon-to-be-renovated house with lounge and
electro beats. Tickets are $5 (the hipster-cred is free).
