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Local Entertainment News
| 'Mind of Mencia' comic coming to Valley in September | |
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The popular yet heavily criticized stand-up comedian Carlos Mencia, best known for his Comedy Central series "Mind of Mencia," is returning to the Valley 8 p.m. Sept. 12 at Jobing.com Arena in Glendale. Read more... |
| 'Music Builds' tour featuring Third Day and Switchfoot, to make stop in Valley |
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Third Day, Switchfoot, Robert Randolph & the Family Band and Jars Of Clay have teamed up for “Music Builds,” a tour benefiting local Habitat for Humanity chapters that will make a visit to the Cricket Wireless Pavilion on Thursday, Sept. 25. Read more... |
| Brooks & Dunn and ZZ Top to co-headline Valley show |
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Superstar country duo Brooks & Dunn will team up with blues rockers ZZ Top for a tour that will make a stop at the Cricket Wireless Pavilion, 2121 N. 83rd Ave., Phoenix, on Saturday, August 2, it was announced Friday. Read more... |
| Headliners Judas Priest bring 'Metal Masters' tour to Valley |
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Pioneering British metal bands Judas Priest, Heaven and Hell and Motorhead will bring their “Metal Masters” tour to the Cricket Wireless Pavilion, 2121 N. 83rd Ave., Phoenix, on Thursday, August 28, it was announced Friday. Read more... |
| Tickets for Tina Turner's concert on sale Monday |
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Tickets to Tina Turner’s Oct. 24 concert at Jobing.com Arena go on sale 10 a.m. Monday, May 12, at Ticketmaster outlets and the Jobing.com Arena box office. Read more... |
| Crispin Glover wonders out loud: 'What Is It?' | |
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One does not interview Crispin Glover without certain expectations. Specifically, I expect the interview to be alternately weird and amusing. Read more... |
| Southern vampire scribe steps into the light |
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Charlaine Harris is a happy kind of nervous these days. Read more... |
| DPS cites rapper DMX for high speeds on Loop 101 | |
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State authorities have arrested rapper DMX on suspicion of driving at speeds exceeding 100 mph on Loop 101 through Scottsdale. Read more... |
| Chandler Cinemas owners hope venue catches on | |
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There are a lot of movie theaters in the Valley. If I wanted to see “Iron Man” tonight, there are about 10 places within a 20-minute drive of my home where I could do just that — all lovely, relatively generic multiplexes owned by chains like Harkins, AMC and Cinemark. Read more... |
| Tom Waits opens tour with Valley dates | |
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Tom Waits — the longtime singer/songwriter known for his throaty voice, compelling lyrics and songs that span genres from jazz to folk to blues to Tin Pan Alley pop — will kick off his brief "Glitter and Doom" tour by playing two shows at Phoenix's Orpheum Theatre, 203 W. Adams St., on Tuesday, June 17, and Wednesday, June 18. Read more... |
| 'Idol' contestant White thanks East Valley fans |
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“American Idol” contestant Brooke White may have been “living in a bubble” for the past few months while making her run for the title, but said she wanted the East Valley to know that she appreciated all the support during her time on the show. The Mesa native was eliminated Wednesday after making the top five. Read more... |
| Review: Blues Traveler rocks McDowell Mt. Music Fest | |
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Australia's John Butler Trio may have been Saturday's headliner at the McDowell Mountain Music Festival, but it was the blues-harp histrionics of Blues Traveler frontman John Popper — one of the greatest blues harpists to ever throw down on the harmonica — that stole the show on the final day of the popular two-day jam band fest at West World of Scottsdale. Read more... |
| The Nuge to play Celebrity in June |
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Legendary rocker Ted Nugent — who parlayed his wild-man image into a reality TV show (VH1’s now-defunct “Surviving Ted Nugent”) and guest spots on talk shows where he espouses his right wing views on gun control — will perform a show at the Celebrity Theatre, 440 N. 32nd St., Phoenix, on Monday, June 9. Read more... |
| Hometown hero Dierks Bentley shines at Country Thunder | |
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Valley native Dierks Bentley won a Country Music Association Horizon Award, given to a country artist who has “shown significant creative growth” in their young career — and if the singer’s performance as Saturday's Country Thunder USA headliner is any indication, Bentley may be taking home the prestigious Entertainer of the Year award in the future. Read more... |
| Sugarland, Fogerty rock day two of Country Thunder | |
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Reigning Country Music Association duo of the year Sugarland may have been the headlining act on the main stage at Country Thunder USA on Friday, but John Fogerty, the former Creedence Clearwater Revival singer/songwriter and solo artist who played a nearly 90 minutes set before Sugarland, proved he’s still a tough act to follow. Read more... |
| Photos: Hot bodies at 2008 Country Thunder |
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A collection of photographs documenting hot bodies on display at Country Thunder, April 17-20, 2008, in Florence, Ariz. Read more... |
| Neal McCoy livens up first night of Country Thunder | |
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Country Thunder USA 2008’s opening day could not have been more pleasant, as Thursday’s moderate temps and bright sunshine invigorated the announced crowd of 15,000 country fans (way up from last year’s opening-day attendance), and with nice weather predicted through Sunday and a handful of popular headlining acts set to perform at Canyon Moon Ranch in Florence over the next three days, the party is off to a great start. Read more... |
| Country Thunder 2008: Blogging the festival | |
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Music writer Chris Hansen Orf and multimedia producer Chris Page blog all four days of the 2008 Country Thunder music festival, April 17-20, with headliners Dierks Bentley, Sugarland and Phil Vassar. Check back for photos, videos and special reports. Read more... |
| Motley Crue brings “Crue Fest” to Cricket |
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Hair-metal pioneers Motley Crue will bring their Crue Fest tour — billed as “The Loudest Show on Earth” — to Phoenix's Cricket Wireless Pavilion (2121 N. 83rd Ave.) on Thursday, July 31. Also on the bill: Buckcherry and Papa Roach. Read more... |
| John Mayer coming to Cricket Pavilion | |
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Grammy winning singer/songwriter John Mayer will perform at the Cricket Wireless Pavilion (2121 N. 83rd Ave., Phoenix) on Wednesday, July 30, it was announced Friday. Read more... |
| Improv troupes making it up as they go |
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With the National Comedy Theatre opening in Mesa and theseventh annual Phoenix Improv Festival coming this weekend, we can't help but notice: Improv is thriving in the Valley. Read more... |
| Death Cab For Cutie to play Mesa Amphitheatre |
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Alt-rock “it” boys Death Cab For Cutie will return to the Valley for the first time in two years when the band plays an outdoor gig at the downtown Mesa Amphitheatre (263 N. Center St.) on Thursday, June 19. Read more... |
| Fergie closes Tempe Music Fest with “Fergalicious” bang | |
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The so-called Dutchess of Pop herself, Fergie, closed out the most successful Tempe Music Festival in its six year existence Saturday with a set consisting of a Black Eyed Peas medley, tunes from her 2006 solo disc, “The Dutchess,” and a host of surprising covers during her hour and fifteen minute set. Read more... |
| Photos: Hot bods from Tempe Music Fest |
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A collection of skin-baring, hotness-exuding folks from the 2008 Tempe Music Festival, March 28-29 at Tempe Beach Park. Read more... |
| Blogging the 2008 Tempe Music Festival | |
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Check out our continuing coverage of the 2008 Tempe Music Festival (March 28-29, at Tempe Town Lake) with regularly updated blog, videos and photos. Read more... |
| Karaoke cool at Scottsdale's Geisha A Go Go |
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Karaoke night finds 22-year-olds Ashley Grobmeier of Scottsdale and Lauren Almeter of Tempe tackling a Madonna classic, but their rendition of "Like a Virgin" isn't for everyone. That's because not everyone can hear them — only six other friends, all celebrating a birthday inside a private karaoke room at Geisha a Go Go, the Asian-themed nightclub than opened last month in downtown Scottsdale. Read more... |
| Artist Laurie Anderson cancels Scottsdale gig |
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Performance artist and songwriter Laurie Anderson has canceled her April 6 show at the Scottsdale Civic Center Mall Amphitheater, according to organizers, citing "unforseen technical difficulties" in taking Anderson's touring show "Homeland" to an outdoor venue. Read more... |
| Gaffigan again: Comedian returns to Valley in September |
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Comedian Jim Gaffigan will be returning to the Valley September 13, this time performing at the Dodge Theatre in downtown Phoenix. Read more... |
| George Michael to play US Airways Arena in June | |
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George Michael, the former leader of ‘80s Brit pop duo Wham! and a multimillion-selling solo artist, will bring his first American tour in 17 years to Phoenix's US Airways Arena on Sunday, June 22, it was announced today. Read more... |
| Hits ‘Lion King,’ ‘Wicked’ return in ‘08-’09 Gammage season | |
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Stage musical versions of television’s “Happy Days” and Disney’s “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang,” plus returns of hit musicals “The Lion King,” “Rent,” “Cats” and “Wicked,” headline the 2008-’09 Broadway Across America season at Tempe’s Gammage Auditorium. Read more... |
| Q&A: 'Prairie Home Companion' host Garrison Keillor | |
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Garrison Keillor, host of public radio's "A Prairie Home Companion," will perform a solo show March 19 at Phoenix's Dodge Theatre. Two weeks before the show date, Keillor responded to interview questions via e-mail. Read more... |
| 'Daily Show's' Dan Bakkedahl cancels Scottsdale gig |
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Dan Bakkedahl, a comedian best known as a correspondent on Comedy Central's "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart," has canceled a March 22 performance at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts. Read more... |
| Robert Plant and Alison Krauss to play Valley in July | |
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Concert promotions giant Live Nation have announced that Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, whose album “Raising Sand” landed on many music critics’ best albums lists for 2007, will perform at Phoenix's Dodge Theatre on Tuesday, July 1st. Tickets go on sale March 10. Read more... |
| 'Idol's' Jordin Sparks, Alicia Keys play Valley encore in May | |
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“American Idol” winner Jordin Sparks will open for Alicia Keys on tour beginning in April – including a May 12 concert at Jobing.com Arena in Sparks’ hometown of Glendale. Read more... |
| SMoCA gets new curator, sculptures |
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The Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Arts has announced two recent acquisitions. The first is a new senior curator, Claire Schneider. The second is a 27-piece collection of modern sculpture featuring artists Jean Arp, Gary Beals and Fletcher Benton. Read more... |
| Irony-free: Tempe's Yucca Tap Room brings back taps |
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It's an end to the irony: After more than 20 years of going tapless, Tempe live music hangout the Yucca Tap Room, 29 W. Southern Ave., will add 12 taps to the bar this weekend and live up to its name once again. The bar offered taps when it debuted 35 years ago. Read more... |
| Local TV's ‘My Dating Place’ evicted |
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Local dating show “My Dating Place” has been canceled, confirmed by a call to Fox 10, the station that aired the program. Ratings weren’t high enough to justify the expense of the show. Read more... |
| The Police returning to Valley in May; Costello opens | |
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Before last June it had been two decades since ‘80s hitmakers The Police had played a show in the Valley, and now, with the announcement that the band will play the Cricket Pavilion on May 24, they’ll give their fans a second local gig in less than a year. Elvis Costello opens. Read more... |
| Valley singers make the 'Idol’ cut | |
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Two singers with Valley ties — Mesa native Brooke White and Glendale’s David Hernandez, both 24 — were voted to the Top 24 following Wednesday’s “American Idol” results show. Read more... |
| Fergie, My Chemical Romance play Tempe Fest | |
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The 2008 Circle K Tempe Music Festival is breaking out the big guns this year. Fergie and My Chemical Romance are set to headline the sixth annual fest, scheduled for Friday, March 28 and Saturday, March 29 at Tempe Beach Park (Northwest corner of Rio Salado Parkway and Mill Avenue). Read more... |
| Napolitano charms 'Wait Wait' quiz show |
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Governor Janet Napolitano may not have done well answering quiz questions during her guest spot on National Public Radio's "Wait Wait ... Don't Tell Me!," but she did manage to win over the show's host, Peter Sagal, and a panel of comedians during Thursday's taping at the Mesa Arts Center. Read more... |
| Film fest asks: Make a movie in 48 hours? |
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Part scavenger hunt, part gonzo filmmaking, organizers of the Almost Famous Film Festival challenges participants to write, shoot and edit an original short film in just 48 hours. The event begins Friday, February 15 and ends Sunday, February 17. Read more... |
| 'Prairie Home Companion's' Keillor performs in March | |
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Garrison Keillor, host of public radio's "A Prairie Home Companion," will perform a solo show March 19 at Phoenix's Dodge Theatre. Read more... |
| Jackson Browne plays Mesa in April | |
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Singer/songwriter Jackson Browne, who is synonymous with the laid back "Mellow Mafia" movement in 1970s L.A., will make an appearance at the Mesa Arts Center on Monday, April 14. Read more... |
| They got the funk: Clinton and the gang | |
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When George Clinton brings Parliament Funkadelic to the Marquee Theatre, Valley fans can expect to get funked up by a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and a man who is regarded by many to be the most important link between rock and funk. Read more... |
| Mexican wrestling hits the Valley | |
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The Sets, a multipurpose bar and nightlife venue in a Tempe strip mall, is no stranger to the weird world of professional wrestling. Every other Tuesday, performers with local group Impact Zone Wrestling show off their choreographed yet high-risk craft in front of fans. Read more... |
| The Format disbands 'for foreseeable future' | |
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Pop duo The Format, whose 2006 disc “Dog Problems” is one of the greatest discs produced by a local act, has disbanded “for the foreseeable future,” according to the band’s publicist. Read more... |
| Tom Petty summer show on sale Feb. 9 |
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Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, with opening act Steve Winwood, play Jobing.com Arena Aug. 20. Tickets go on sale Feb. 9, following Petty's Super Bowl XLII halftime show. Read more... |
| Tom Petty announces tour, Jobing.com Arena show |
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Classic rocker Tom Petty, who will perform the halftime show at the Super Bowl in Glendale with his band The Heartbreakers on Sunday, Feb.2, will return to the Valley this summer as part of his 2008 tour. Read more... |
| Stay in the loop: Get Out entertainment blogs | |
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A guide to Get Out's entertainment bloggers, covering fashion, dining, television and pop culture. Read more... |
| Rush returns to Valley in May | |
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Canadian hard rock/prog trio Rush will return to Phoenix's Cricket Pavilion May 1, it was announced Friday. Read more... |
| Dame Edna cancels tour, Scottsdale dates | |
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Sorry, possums. Dame Edna, the Australian housewife turned self-proclaimed “giga-star,” has canceled a string of performances, Feb. 5-10, at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, the center announced. Read more... |
| Local music notes: Scotty Johnson, Last Exit, more | |
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Scottsdale nightclub Sugar Daddy’s (3102 N. Scottsdale Road), which is under new management and taking big steps to bring in a roster of the Valley’s best groups, has added a new open mike night Wednesdays hosted by Gin Blossoms guitarist and solo artist Scotty Johnson. Read more... |
| Year-end best-of list round-up |
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The Get Out critics have compiled their favorite movies, music, theater productions and new restaurants of 2007. Read more... |
| Frank Caliendo is living the comedian’s TV dream | |
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Frank Caliendo is living most comedians’ dreams — starring on his own TV show. Read more... |
| Local dining notes: R&B Ribhouse owner re-emerges |
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Barbecue lovers, rejoice. Reggie’s ribs are back. Reggie Payne, former owner of R&B Ribhouse, is back in Mesa, serving up his delicious spare ribs, beef brisket and fried catfish at Home Plate Café. Read more... |
| Local music notes: EastonAshe, more | |
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Cave Creek based alt-rockers EastonAshe took home the independent album of the year award (for their disc “Can I Drive It?”) at the Hollywood Fame Awards, held Nov. 28 at the legendary Whiskey A-Go-Go. Read more... |
| Local music notes: Roberson, Johnson, more | |
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Valley singer/songwriter Robby Roberson, who is an associate professor in the School of Life Sciences at ASU, will give a lecture and display his art show, titled “The World Within: Visualizing Cell Biology,” at the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, 7374 E. Second St., on Thursday, Nov. 29. Read more... |
| Local music notes: 'Moon’ Kahele, Phunk Junkees, more | |
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Dana “Moon” Kahele, the Hawaiian-born guitarist who has made his home in the Valley for years, will leave what he calls “the island of Arizona” to return to his home state in early 2008. Read more... |
| Local music notes: Source Victoria, Shelby James, more |
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One of the Valley’s best bands (and heretofore best-kept secrets), Source Victoria, will celebrate the release of its new CD, “The Fast Escape,” with two local shows in December Read more... |
| Local music notes: Format to release new live material | |
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Valley-based pop group The Format, whose 2006 CD “Dog Problems” drew international raves, will release a DVD and a CD titled “Rarities and B-Sides” in the coming weeks. Read more... |
| Spektor’s songwriting spans genres | |
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Growing up in Moscow during the Cold War era, a young Regina Spektor was fortunate to have an amateur musician father who was able to obtain Western pop recordings by such artists as The Beatles and Queen while his impressionable young daughter was learning how to play the piano. Read more... |
| Stage blood isn’t just going to spurt itself | |
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Special-effects engineer Cory Starr walks into the downtown Phoenix offices of Actors Theatre carrying what may very well be the coolest thing ever invented. It looks innocent enough — a 2-foot or so assemblage of pipe and canister with a nozzle. And then he explains. Read more... |
| 'Full House’: Where are they now? |
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Weekly tabloids chronicle the Olsen twins’ every move and coffee purchase, and Australian TV viewers were treated to the sight of John Stamos off his rocker a few months ago, but what about the rest of the “Full House” cast? Read more... |
| 'Whose Line' stars bring improv show to Scottsdale |
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Four comedians from the improvised-comedy television show "Whose Line is It Anyway?" will perform Oct. 18 at the Scottsdale Center for the Arts. Read more... |
| Mountain Shadows Theatre cancels season |
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After losing its venue Mountain Shadows Theatre Company, the community theater in Surprise will cancel its 2007-'08 season, the theater announced today. Read more... |
| Intimacy forte of new Tempe Center for Arts | |
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Size is everything. The Tempe Center for the Arts’ first major event Saturday night, a black-tie gala culminating in a concert by jazz singer Natalie Cole, proved as much. Read more... |
| Get Out’s lively guide to best in Valley performing arts | |
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This is the year. The year you’ll want to jump headfirst into the Valley’s performing arts scene. If you hadn’t noticed — if you just moved here, or are only now beginning to consider entertainment options outside the multiplex — the arts are thriving here in the desert. Read more... |
| Valley comedians hone their acts at open mike nights | |
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From a Scottsdale bartender: “I’m so white, I know O.J. did it.” From a woman who works in admissions at a Valley technology school: “Do you guys read the tabloids and follow celebrity news? Do you know the girl that’s really skanky? That’s me.” Read more... |
| Ripe tomatoes, juicy targets ... DC Ranch will run red | |
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All hail the tomato! When diced or wedged, it provides a tasty accent to any salad; when stewed or sauced, it’s a spicy counterpoint to pasta. And, when thrown with aim and backspin, it covers your enemy with a humiliating goo. Read more... |
| Comic-hypnotist Orley sounds off about hits and misses | |
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“Make me lose 30 pounds.” “Make me stop smoking.” “Can you improve my golf game?” “Can you make me forget about my ex?” Comic-hypnotist Flip Orley has heard it all. And while hypnosis can aide people with certain aspects of life, the hypnotist says that it isn’t a magic wand. Read more... |
| Alan Jackson, Brooks & Dunn tickets on sale Aug. 25 |
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Tickets for the Alan Jackson and Brooks & Dunn concert at the Cricket Pavilion on Oct. 7 will go on sale Saturday, Aug. 25. Read more... |
| Jimmy Eat World announce track listing for new album |
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Mesa’s Jimmy Eat World announced the track listing for “Chase This Light,” the band’s follow up to 2004’s gold-certified “Futures,” which will be released Tuesday, Oct. 16. Read more... |
| Queen Latifah to play holiday show at MAC |
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Hip hop artist and Oscar nominated actress Queen Latifah will perform at the Mesa Art Center’s Ikeda Theatre, 1 E. Main St., Mesa, at 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 17, as the headliner of the Second Annual 2007 Holiday Art & Music Festival. Read more... |
| Reunited Van Halen to play Jobing.com Arena |
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After years of rumors and a series of fits and starts, seminal hard rocker band Van Halen has finally made it official, reuniting with original lead singer David Lee Roth for a U.S. tour that will bring the band to Glendale’s Jobing.com Arena on Friday, Nov. 23. Read more... |
| Scottsdale dancer eliminated on Fox show |
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Scottsdale dancer Lauren Gottlieb was one of the latest two participants eliminated from Fox’s "So You Think You Can Dance" Monday night. Read more... |
| Tempe Improv starts weekly open mic night |
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The Tempe Improv, 930 E. University Drive, will kick off a new weekly open mic night in its Cabaret Lounge, 95-capacity showroom adjacent to the comedy club, at 10 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 2. Read more... |
| Last Exit Bar & Grill starts new champagne ladies night |
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It seems like everyone is jumping on the complimentary champagne bandwagon lately, and Last Exit Bar & Grill, 1425 W. Southern Ave., is the latest to jump on the trend. Read more... |
| Valley porn dealer nabbed trying to blackmail Tom Cruise |
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According to gossip blogger Perez Hilton, Valley celebrity porn peddler and Phoenix-based agent David Hans Schmidt was arrested Tuesday for attempting to blackmail actor Tom Cruise. Read more... |
| ASU Art Museum attendance up, announces new shows |
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The Arizona State University Art Museum experienced a 40 percent increase in attendance during the 2006-'07 season, the museum said in an announcement for its upcoming season. Read more... |
| Gin Blossoms to co-headline Now and Zen Fest 2007 |
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Tempe's own Gin Blossoms, along with James Blunt and Joss Stone, will headline the 10th annual Now and Zen Fest 2007 in San Francisco. Read more... |
| Chipotle opens July 27 at Tempe Marketplace |
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Chipotle Mexican Grill gets the honor of becoming the first restaurant to open at Tempe Marketplace at 11 a.m. Friday, July 27. Read more... |
| Spices Mediterranean Kitchen opens in Chandler |
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Spices Mediterranean Grill — a new restaurant specializing in grilled meats, pita bread, hummus and falafel — has opened on the northwest corner of McClintock and Ray roads in Chandler. Read more... |
| Reuben’s Accomplice post new demo on MySpace |
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Jonesin’ for your Reuben’s Accomplice fix? The wait is over. Read more... |
| Kid and Ruben to debut morning show on 101.5 JAMZ |
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Valley radio personalities Kid and Ruben – who have been all over the radio airwaves over the last several years – will mark their return to Arizona radio in early August. Read more... |
| Bob Saget comes to Celebrity Sept. 14 |
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Bob Saget, former star of the long-running sitcom “Full House” and host of “America’s Funniest Home Videos,” will perform his adult-oriented comedy act Sept. 14 at Celebrity Theatre. Read more... |
| NV Lounge throws Christmas in July party |
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Scottsdale's NV Lounge, 7419 E. Indian Plaza, will transform into a Red Square, Moscow, winter wonderland Wednesday, July 25, for Christmas in July Passport Moscow. Read more... |
| Rock Guitar Hero and win prizes at Hard Rock Cafe |
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Valley residents will get the chance to rock the strings playing Guitar Hero when Phoenix’s Hard Rock Café, 3 S. Second St., kicks off a night of interactive entertainment at 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 31. Read more... |
| Majerle's Sports Grill coming in Chandler |
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Majerle's Sports Grill, the popular sports bar and restaurant in downtown Phoenix, is opening another location at Chandler Fashion Center this fall. Read more... |
| Tom Livingston leaves Thousand Yard Stare |
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One of the Valleys best alt-rock bands, Thousand Yard Stare, will say goodbye to bassist Tom Livingston after TYS plays the Sunset Festival at the Venue of Scottsdale on Saturday, Aug. 11. Read more... |
| Jesse Kongos scores top video on Will Ferrell's site |
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Valley alt-rock quartet Kongos, made up of brothers John J., Daniel, Dylan and Jesse Kongos, has scored a hit on Will Ferrell’s comedy site funnyordie.com with a short film titled “Lulu.” Read more... |
| New Scary Kids Scaring Kids CD on Aug. 28 |
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Gilbert-based post-hardcore screamo exports Scary Kids Scaring Kids will release a self-titled follow-up disc to 2005’s “The City Sleeps in Flames” on Aug. 28. Read more... |
| Valley musician John White seriously injured |
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Longtime Valley musician John White, who played in the Busticles, has been seriously injured in a recent attack by an acquaintance and faces a long recovery that will keep him out of work. Read more... |
| NY Deli & Pizza opens at Last Exit |
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Next time you’re checking out a Valley band at Last Exit Bar, do your taste buds a huge favor by stopping in at NY Deli & Pizza, which has leased the Tempe live-music venue’s kitchen. Read more... |
| Phoenix Art Museum hosts Cowboy Artists exhibit |
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The 42nd annual Cowboy Artists of American Exhibition, the most prestigious art show of its kind in the country, will be held at the Phoenix Art Museum from Saturday, Oct. 20, through Sunday, Nov. 18. Read more... |
| Urban Campfire replaces Tempe’s Greasy Tony’s | |
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Urban Campfire, whose menu focuses on smoked meats, has taken over the longtime Greasy Tony’s building on the southeast corner of University Drive and Rural Road in Tempe. Read more... |
| Jordin Sparks comes home for American Idols Live tour | |
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While most ordinary 17-year-old kids are working menial summer jobs at the mall before their senior year of high school, the Valley’s Jordin Sparks has found a pretty good summer gig. Read more... |
| Mesa's Stageworks to perform youth fave 'Holes' |
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Stageworks, Mesa's theater company for young audiences and families, will be both multicultural and multigenerational in its 2007-'08 season. Read more... |
| Pop singer Jewel, Cheech Marin come to Mesa |
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Pop singer-songwriter Jewel and comedians Cheech Marin and D.L. Hughley will perform at the Mesa Arts Center in the 2007-'08 season, center organizers announced today. Read more... |
| 'Hairspray,' 'Movin' Out' come to Mesa Arts Center |
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The musicals "Hairspray and "Movin' Out" headline Theater League's 2007-'08 season at the Mesa Arts Center, the national touring theatrical company announced today. Read more... |
| Arizona Jewish Theatre moves to Paradise Valley |
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Arizona Jewish Theatre Company will take its 2007-'08 season to the Paradise Valley Community College's new Center for the Performing Arts. Read more... |
| Carroll Shelby to appear at July 14 expo & auction |
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Carroll Shelby — the automotive industry legend who created one the greatest sports cars in history, the Shelby Mustang — will make an appearance Saturday, June 14, at the Men's Luxury Toy Expo & Auction at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. Read more... |
| Smashing Pumpkins will reportedly play Dodge Theatre |
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Reunited alt-rockers Smashing Pumpkins will play the Dodge Theatre, 400 W. Washington St., Phoenix, on Tuesday, Sept. 18, during their first U.S. tour in seven years, according to pitchforkmedia.com. Read more... |
| Artists' Theatre Project to reprise 'Debbie Does Dallas' | |
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Artists' Theatre Project will reprise its popular and critically lauded 2004 staging of "Debbie Does Dallas: The Musical" in the company's 2007-'08 season. Read more... |
| Hans Olson to host annual birthday show in Phoenix |
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One of the Valley's best blues artists Hans Olson, who has been a scene fixture since the early ‘70s, will host his annual birthday show at Phoenix's The Rhythm Room, 1019 E. Indian School Road, on Tuesday, July 3 Read more... |
| Free FM changes format to hip-hop, hits |
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After changing format from adult alternative to an all-talk no rock schedule a year and a half ago, KZON "Free FM" (101.5 FM) is moving on to hip-hop. Read more... |
| Hotel Scottsdale pulls plug on Rebound pool party |
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Call it the Get Out curse. Mere days after Rebound, Hotel Scottsdale’s successful weekly pool party, graced the cover of the June 21 issue of Get Out Magazine, East Valley promoter Brian Durkee was forced to pull the plug Read more... |
| Theater does unauthorized 'Princess Bride' in Valley |
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A musical theater adaptation of the 1987 film "The Princess Bride" may not be coming to Broadway anytime soon, but a Valley theater troupe is producing its own play version this summer. Read more... |
| Big Fish Pub changes format to blues |
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Tempe’s Big Fish Pub, 1954 E. University Drive, a longtime home for Valley hard rock, punk and alternative bands, has changed its musical direction and will now feature blues, jazz and reggae bands. Read more... |
| 4 Valley bands win spots on Warped Tour stage |
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Four Valley bands have won the chance to play the Vans Warped Tour at the Cricket Pavilion on July 11. Read more... |
| ASU grad Notaro returns to Changing Hands June 26 |
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Best-selling author and Arizona State University journalism graduate Laurie Notaro returns to the East Valley with an appearance June 26 at Tempe's Changing Hands Bookstore. Read more... |
| Scottsdale summer ArtWalk coming July 5 |
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If there's one thing Valley artists have in common, it's a love for throwing parties. From downtown Phoenix's First Fridays to downtown Chandler's first Wednesday monthly shindigs, the Valley's arts districts enjoy regularly throwing open their gallery doors for the casual public. Read more... |
| Actor injured in 'Bat Boy' performance |
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Nearly Naked Theatre had to cancel its June 7 production of "Bat Boy: The Musical" when, in an early scene, an East Valley actor suffered a knee injury after falling from a rope rigging. Read more... |
| Mardi Gras to host Legends of Rock tribute show |
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Scottsdale’s Club Mardi Gras, 8040 E. McDowell Road, Scottsdale, will play host to the Legends of Rock tribute show at 9 p.m. Friday, June 22. Read more... |
| Valley Ozzfest tour stop sold out |
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It only took four days for nearly a half million free tickets to the Ozzfest tour to be snatched up by metal fans leaving all 24 dates across the country, including the July 24 show at Cricket Pavilion in Phoenix, sold out. Read more... |
| Phoenix Symphony hires three new strings |
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The Phoenix Symphony has tapped three new string players to join for its 2007-2008 season. Read more... |
| Free Ozzfest tickets available now |
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Heavy metal fans wanting to attend the free Ozzfest show in the Valley this summer can now download tickets online. Read more... |
| Jimmy Eat World to play Mesa Arts Center Aug. 3 |
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Mesa’s Jimmy Eat World, who shot to national prominence in 2001 on the strength of their multi-platinum selling self-titled CD, will play a hometown show at the Mesa Arts Center, 1 E. Main St., on Aug. 3. Read more... |
| Deep Purple and Thin Lizzy to play Sun City West |
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The retirement community of Sun City West may seem an unlikely play for Deep Purple and Thin Lizzy – two of the loudest bands of the ‘70s – to book a concert, but the Maricopa County Events Center will play host to the classic rock giants on Aug. 17. Read more... |
| Valley Parrotheads must travel to Las Vegas |
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Valley Parrotheads are undoubtedly bummed that their spiritual leader, Jimmy Buffett, is bypassing the Valley on his 2007 “Bama Breeze” tour, but Buffett will play shows at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Saturday, Oct. 20, and Saturday, Oct. 27, which means that diehard Parrotheads in the Valley will get a chance to say those two magic words: road trip! Read more... |
| American Indian Film Festival begins Wednesday |
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See Native American filmmakers flex their artistic muscle this week at the traveling American Indian Film Festival. Read more... |
| Jimmy Eat World mixing new CD |
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According to blogs written by singer/guitarist Jim Adkins, Mesa’s platinum selling Jimmy Eat World is in the process of mixing its first CD since 2004’s “Futures.” Read more... |
| Art boutique to host book swap party June 23 |
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Three months ago, downtown Phoenix's Made art boutique attempted a quirky social project it called Trade at Made -- getting strangers together one night to swap mix tapes and CDs. Read more... |
| Glass Heroes in 'God Save the Pub' concert series |
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Construction on the light rail has not only messed up traffic all over the Valley, it is hurting local businesses as well. So the George and Dragon Pub, 4240 N. Central Ave., Phoenix is holding a free “God Save The Pub” summer concert series to see it through the construction. Read more... |
| Roger Clyne to headline Diamondbacks post-game concert |
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The Beatles made a big splash at Shea Stadium, home of the New York Mets, back in 1964, and now Tempe’s Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers will get a chance to play on a stadium baseball field when they headline an Arizona Diamondbacks post game concert on July 13 at Chase Field, 401 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix. Read more... |
| Actors Theatre announces 2007-'08 season |
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The Phoenix-based theater, known for doing thought-provoking and largely off-Broadway fare, opens its season with Martin McDonagh's "The Lieutenant of Inishmore" (running Sept. 14-30), the bloody Broadway black comedy about obscure factions of the Irish National Liberation Army and ... a supposedly dead cat. Read more... |
| John Pinette to talk about weighty issues at MAC |
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Portly comedian John Pinette, who performed last year at the Tempe Improv and is known for mocking his weight in his stand-up, will return to the East Valley to headline a performance Saturday, June 23, at the Mesa Arts Center, One E. Main St. Read more... |
| Tequila expert to mix margaritas at Salty Senoritas |
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Salty Senorita tequila expert Anthony Georgoulis, aka Senor Pablo Agave, will shake up the perfect margarita for guests while educating people about the drink at two of the bar and restaurant’s East Valley locations this month. Read more... |
| Saguaro grad writes book about son's addiction |
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A former East Valley prepster is poised to make a literary splash this summer. David Scheff's "Beautiful Boy: A Father's Journey Through His Son's Meth Addiction" examines the scourge of chronic drug use from a parent's point-of-view. Read more... |
| Chris Isaak returns to Valley for Aug. 22 show |
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Neo-rockabilly singer/songwriter Chris Isaak, known for his operatic, Roy Orbison-esque voice, flashy suits and piled up pompadour, will return to the Valley for a show at the Celebrity Theatre, 440 N. 32nd St., Phoenix, on Wednesday, Aug. 22. Read more... |
| Linda Ronstadt to play Celebrity on Aug. 25 |
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Eleven-time Grammy award winner and Arizona native Linda Ronstadt will return to her home state to play the Celebrity Theatre, 440 N. 32nd St., Phoenix, on Saturday, Aug. 25. Read more... |
| Ian McEwan documentary June 15 at Changing Hands |
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Fans of Ian McEwan's well-received new novel, "On Chesil Beach," can go behind the scenes -- or pages, so to speak -- of the English author's work with a 30-minute documentary that's being screened June 15 at Changing Hands Bookstore in Tempe. Read more... |
| Actor Caswell launches new Valley performance group |
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John Caswell Jr. doesn't have a home for his new theater troupe, per se. Read more... |
| The Format announce two dates in July, fire drummer |
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It’s been more than six months since Valley pop-rock favorites The Format took the stage, but the wait is finally over. The band will perform two shows – Friday, July 13, and Saturday, July 14 – at Phoenix’s Orpheum Theatre, 203 W. Adams St. Read more... |
| Former rocker says Zen maintains blunt honesty of punk | |
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Most folks think of Buddhism as a complicated practice, plied by holy men in far-off monasteries. “It’s really not,” says Brad Warner. “That’s a misconception. In fact, Buddhism is extremely direct and practical, and there’s no (expletive) to it.” Read more... |
| Gilbert filmmaker sells, screens horror flick |
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Former Arizona State University student Seth Landau may soon join the ranks of Wes Craven and other top horror movie directors. Landau's publicist reports that the one-time Gilbert resident recently sold his writing-directing debut, "Bryan Loves You," to film distributor Shoreline Entertainment. Read more... |
| Tempe Improv opens smaller room for more comedy |
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The Improv will officially debut the Sideshow, a more intimate room with a 95-person capacity that is adjacent to the comedy club, on Friday, June 8 and Saturday, June 9 with performances from political comedian Jimmy Dore. Comedian D.L. Hughley performed in the room during a less publicized show earlier this month. Read more... |
| Burlesque troupe Romantasy enters scene June 30 | |
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Move over, roller derby. The hot new show in the Valley of the Sun is burlesque -- old-style, sexy variety shows given a tattoo-and-piercings twist by modern performers. Read more... |
| Kongos to play Tempe’s Last Exit June 2 |
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One of the most promising bands in the Valley, Kongos, will be on the “Viper Room Presents” bill at Last Exit Bar and Grill, 1425 W. Southern Ave., Tempe, on Saturday, June 2. Read more... |
| Cherry Lounge offers free champagne, dance lessons |
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Tempe’s Cherry Lounge & Pit is following Zuma Grill and The Crown Room’s successful strategy – complimentary champagne – to bring in a larger crowd and stepping it up a notch. Read more... |
| Johnny Cash’s band to rev up Rhythm Room June 4 |
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Although “The Man in Black” passed away in 2003, Johnny Cash’s legendary backing band, The Tennessee Three, are still carrying on the spare “boom-chicka-boom” sound that made Cash a music legend and will make a tour stop at The Rhythm Room, 1019 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix, on Monday, June 4. Read more... |
| Tramps and Thieves kick off tour June 9 at Last Exit |
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Tempe country rockers Tramps and Thieves, whose debut full length CD “Spittin’ into the Wind” was one of the best Valley releases of 2006, will kick off a month-long tour with a show at Tempe’s Last Exit Bar and Grill, 1425 W. Southern Ave., on Saturday, June 9. Read more... |
| Jordin Sparks looks to post-'Idol' life |
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Attention, Brad Pitt: "American Idol" winner Jordin Sparks has a crush on you. "He's just really cute," Sparks, 17, said Friday, hastening to note that she doesn't know the actor. Pitt is currently involved with an older woman, Angelina Jolie. Read more... |
| Tempe Little Theatre announces season |
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Tempe Little Theatre, the all-volunteer community group, will open its first season at the new Tempe Center for the Arts with "Urinetown: The Musical." Read more... |
| Family Values Tour coming to Cricket Pavilion |
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The Family Values Tour 2007, featuring headlining hard rock acts Korn (korn.com) and Evanescence (evanescence.com), will make a stop at Phoenix’s Cricket Pavilion (cricket-pavilion.com) on Sunday, August 26, it was announced Thursday. Read more... |
| Jordin Sparks wins 'American Idol' |
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Jordin Sparks, the Glendale teenager whose fashion model looks, endearing personality and stellar vocals won over millions of fans across the country, triumphed over Blake Lewis Wednesday night to become the youngest winner in the six-year history of “American Idol.” Read more... |
| Jordin Sparks blows away judges in 'Idol' finale |
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It’s all over but the voting. Read more... |
| Scottsdale Performing Arts announces 2007-08 season |
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Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts announced its 2007-08 season, featuring contemporary dance, jazz, classical and world music, theater and satire. Read more... |
| BlessTheFall singer injured at video shoot | |
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BlessTheFall has canceled the remaining dates of its tour with Four Letter Lie due to injury. Read more... |
| 'American Idol' finale: It's Jordin vs. Blake |
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One of the most shocking upsets in six seasons of “American Idol” opened the door Wednesday night for Jordin Sparks to advance to next week's final of the Fox singing competition. Read more... |
| Theater review: 'Piazza' charms as it aims for heart (A-) | |
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It would take a cold-blooded scrooge to deny the charms of "The Light in the Piazza," the unabashedly swooning, Tony Award-winning musical whose tour has swept into Tempe's Gammage Auditorium with all the grace and beauty of dried leaves in the autumn wind. Read more... |
| Jordin Sparks battles for spot in 'American Idol' finals |
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With only three contestants left after nearly a full season of “American Idol,” the competition heated up Tuesday night. Read more... |
| Ricky Martin cancels Valley concert |
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Latin pop star Ricky Martin has canceled his May 15 concert at Glendale's Jobing.com Arena due to a back sprain he suffered on stage during a performance in Laredo, Texas, last Friday. Read more... |
| Valley 'Idol' fans celebrate Jordin Sparks Day | |
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Hundreds of “American Idol” fans braved a heat advisory and triple digit temperature Friday afternoon to celebrate “Jordin Sparks Day.” Read more... |
| Jordin Sparks makes 'American Idol' semifinals | |
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The Valley’s Jordin Sparks easily breezed into the semifinals on “American Idol” Wednesday night, as she was the first of the remaining four contestants to be told she was “safe” for another week. Read more... |
| Valley 'Idol' Jordin Sparks appears headed for semifinals |
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After a rough performance last week on “American Idol,” the Valley’s Jordin Sparks rebounded Tuesday night to not only impress the “Idol” judges, but also celebrity coach Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees, who predicted that Sparks would become “one of our great recording artists.” Read more... |
| Kelly Clarkson: Sept. 23 at US Airways Center |
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Kelly Clarkson, the original "American Idol" who went on to sell more than 15 million records, will be making a stop in Phoenix to perform at US Airways Center on Sunday, Sept. 23. Mat Kearney will open the 7:30 p.m. show. Read more... |
| AZ Center hosts Ms. Hooters Pageant on May 10 |
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More than 60 Hooters Girls representing the eight Hooters Restaurants in Arizona will competing Thursday, May 10, at the Arizona Center in downtown Phoenix for the opportunity to represent Arizona in the Ms. Hooters International Pageant this summer. Read more... |
| E.V. theaters to show Linkin Park concert May 14 |
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Can't wait for Linkin Park's long-awaited new album, "Minutes to Midnight," to hit record stores on Tuesday, May 15? On the eve before, you can preview the album in two East Valley movies theaters. Read more... |
| 'American Idol' tour coming to Glendale on July 18 |
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Jordin Sparks will return to her hometown this summer when the "American Idol" tour comes to Glendale's Jobing.com on July 18. Read more... |
| Hootie & Blowfish: Aug. 4 at Jobing.com Arena |
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Hootie & the Blowfish will gear up and hit the road again this summer, but it’s not all about music. In conjunction with the Hootie & the Blowfish Foundation, the band's nationwide Homegrown Concert Series will spearheading an effort to collect school supplies for economically disadvantaged schools in each community it visits. Read more... |
| Diana Krall to perform at Dodge on Aug. 23 |
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Jazz powerhouse Diana Krall, who has been taking some time off recently to be with husband Elvis Costello and her twin boys, who were born last December, has announced that she will tour the U.S. this summer, including an Aug. 23 show at Phoenix's Dodge Theatre. Read more... |
| Phil Stacey, Chris Richardson voted off 'Idol' |
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Despite delivering her weakest performance of the season on “American Idol” Tuesday, the Valley’s Jordin Sparks made it into the final four during the results show Wednesday. Read more... |
| East Valley bars host Cinco de Mayo celebrations | |
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Nearly 6,000 revelers came through the door at downtown Scottsdale’s Dos Gringos last year for Cinco de Mayo. Owner Brian Roehrich — who recently opened a fourth Dos location in south Tempe — is preparing for another big day at his cantina-style bars. Read more... |
| Theater review: Drama queens spoil 'Girls Night' (D) | |
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There’s a particular kind of bummer-trip girlfriend — “Saturday Night Live” famously calls her Debbie Downer — that practically every group of gal-pals has in some form or another. Read more... |
| ‘Rocky Horror Picture Show’ enjoys new life in Chandler | |
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Statuesque and pale, raven-haired Monique Appella is dressed in a black corset, black capris and platform shoes. Her dark red lips sip from a bottle of water as she waits to attend a midnight screening of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” at Chandler Cinemas. Read more... |
| Is Jordin Sparks' 'American Idol' run about to end? |
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Without a true rock singer left among the final six contestants on “American Idol,” Tuesday's “rock night,” with guest coach Jon Bon Jovi, was bound to trip up a few singers. And it just may have been Jordin Sparks’ undoing. Read more... |
| Theater review: 'Pillowman' both creepy, fun (B+) | |
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When it comes to in-your-face drama, the Valley’s theater scene can be woefully lacking. So it’s a welcome oddity to find Martin McDonagh seeing such welcome reception here lately. |