Either way, there's gonna plenty of stuff going on. Third Friday is tonight (so make sure to peep Arty Girl's blog from earlier for a guide of what to see and do) in addition to the 10 cheap-ass events we're profiling in this post.
Check back on Wednesday morning, as Up on the Sun will present a special edition of "10 Things" for the T-Day vaction.
Social Finale at Incognito (Friday)
There's gotta be something in the water. First Shake! wrapped up it's five-year run, and now house music night Social is calling it quits. The resident DJs of the bi-weekly dance party (such as Steve Edwards and Spyder) have decided "the time has come to close this chapter of our lives and move on to what comes next," and are giving Social a "proper burial ceremony" tonight with appearances by guests Brook B, D-Frag, and NYC's BDC. Drink specials include $3 domestic pitchers and the $10 "Social Jug." 9 p.m., $5 after 10:30 p.m. (2424 East Thomas Road, 602-955-9805)
The Ghetto Was Never Enough Screening at Hollywood Alley (Friday)
Local filmmaker Marco "Polo" Saldana, a Mexico City native who works in Tempe, performs in two bands: Curse of the Pink Hearse, which he variously describes as "spy-rockabilly" and "Spa-ghetto Western," and Acapulco Five-0, which he describes as "James Brown in Spanish." His cinematic interests mirror his musical ones; his brain is stuffed with French, Italian, Japanese, and Mexican thrillers. He sold his car to produce The Ghetto Was Never Enough, intended as the middle segment of a "Crime Jazz" trilogy. Also scheduled: performances by Acapulco Five-0 and Green Lady Killers and a fashion show by Black Spy Killers. 8 p.m., $5. (2610 West Baseline Road, Mesa, 480-820-7117) -- M.V. Moorhead
40oz to Freedom at Chasers (Friday)
In case you aren't up on your music news, one-tome Sublime members Eric Wilson and Bud Gaugh have attempted to revive the legendary ska-rock band, which went kaput back in 1996 after frontman Bradley Nowell sadly overdosed. In essence, it makes the band no different than SoCal Sublime tribute act 40oz to Freedom, which will be gigging in the Scottsdale this weekend and does a pretty bang-up send-up to Nowell and his now-traitorous comrades. FOTF will be backed by the likes of Drout, Crossing Sarnoff, Celebrate Ne'Bra'Ska, and Jack the Cat. 7 p.m., $8-$10. (8005 East Roosevelt Street, Scottsdale, 480-945-4985)
The 46th Annual Dallas Welcomes JFK Luncheon at Deus Ex Machina (Saturday)
Depository. Single-bullet theory. Grassy knoll. Pink suit. On Saturday, Backward Theatre iconicizes the events surrounding a certain sunny, autumn day in Texas over four decades ago with its self-described "strange" and "experimental" The 46th Annual Dallas Welcomes JFK Luncheon. Since we weren't born yet, we watched the Zapruder film at least 20 times, Jackie lunging across the trunk of the midnight-blue Lincoln Continental, ostensibly to retrieve her husband's brains. The reel plays in a sorrowful loop in our head, alongside the Jack Ruby two-step. All we can say is that this performance-art bullshit better not disappoint. We need cheering up! Participating artist Jeff Falk tells New Times to expect "a couple of personal anecdotes from those of us who were around, and incredibly young, when it happened. And a folk song or two. And, as always, the unexpected." Other performers include Marcelino Quinonez, Chris Danowski, Annie Lopez, Michelle Bledsoe, Richard Bledsoe, Bill Campana, and The Klute. 8 p.m., $5. (1023 Grand Avenue, 602-487-0669)
Dinner and a Show at Famous Sams Glendale (Saturday)
If you feel like making a minor road trip this weekend, head up Glendale way where a slew of local acts will present a cornucopia of varied sounds, including the acoustic stylings of Daniel Acedo, the party rock of Sector Zero, and the pop music of Veyron Crash. Grab some chicken wings or a burger and you've got a perfect evening. 6 p.m. (4343 West Glendale Avenue, 623-937-6131)
CenPhoTV.com Anniversary Show at Ruby Room (Saturday)
Still regrouping after their equipment was pilfered, the team behind the city's premier video podcast has brought together some of their favorite local acts to play for what looks to be the first of many birthdays. The show is headlined by the Love Me Nots, probably the best garage rock band in the scene right now. They just released Upside Down Inside Out, produced by Jim Diamond, who brought the album a taste of the Detroit Sound he perfected at Ghetto Recorders. The lineup is rounded out by Surfside IV, an instrumental surf-rock outfit that's been getting as much love for their super-cool concert fliers as for their music and the Necronauts, an indie rock three-piece whose sound is all over the place, channeling the Magnetic Fields on one song and then Green Day on the next. 9 p.m., free. (717 South Central Avenue, 602-258-6900) - Brian Bardwell
Crossroads of the West Gun Show at Mesa Convention Center (Saturday-Sunday)
Hit it, maestro: Guns guns/Guns guns/We heart guns/Guns guns/Guns guns/We heart guns . . .Wait, what? Yep, that's right. Ever since that Obama character became president-elect, we've been stockpiling firearms like there's no tomorrow. Because we know (and you know) that it's just a matter of time before them Dems put a permanent safety lock on our God-given right to bear arms. That's why the Crossroads of the West Gun Show is so epic for both the hardcore collector and firearms novice wanting to get a piece, all while our main man George Dub is still in charge. (BTW, everything we just said is an exaggeration, but we still think the gun show will be cool or whatever.) 9 a.m.-5 p.m., free (263 North Center Street, Mesa, 480-644-2178) - Steve Jansen
Discover India Festival 2009 at Heritage Square (Sunday)
The subcontinental country gets a proper salute with an all-day extravaganza of music, cultural activities, parades, and various clothing and jewelry bazaars, as well as cooking and cultural demonstrations. 11 a.m.-6 p.m., free. (115 North Sixth Street, 602-262-5029)
The Haymarket Squares at The Lost Leaf (Sunday)
The three members of this local act titled their album Punkgrass for the People, which is also a pretty accurate description for their sound: heavy on the rootsy/Americana influences and brimming with contentious socio-political lyrics about the evils of society. Get an earful when they play The Lost Leaf this weekend along with psych-rockeers Mancub and Wooden Indian. 9:30 p.m., free. (914 North 5th Street, 602-258-0014)
Sunday Night Nonsense at Revolver Records (Sunday)
Steve Zimmerman and T.J. Jordan's used record emporium has proved to be a big hit since relocating to Roosevelt Street earlier this year, giving downtown Phoenix music buffs another spot to dig for vinyl treasures. The joint is getting that much cooler now that it's launching a weekly experimental and avant-garde music series every Sunday. The first edition features four local acts: QGC, drossSavant, Because is Not a Reason, and La La Lumberjack. 6 p.m., free. (918 North Second Street, 602-795-4980)
