The Entertainer! Magazine - November 2019 by Times Media Group

PHX METRO Â» NOVEMBER 2019

MAPLE & ASH

fires up the steak and seafood scene

C I T S I R TU

FROM SCHOOLS TO THE

ARIZONA HIP-HOP FESTIVAL

Elvis PRESLEY. JOHNNY CASH. CARL PERKINS. JERRY LEE LEWIS.

mILLION DOLLAR QUARTET A four legends. one unforgettable night. December 18 - February 16

Experience the Best Live Entertainment in Arizona With Craft Cocktails, Small Bites and Free Parking All Year Long.

PHOENIXTHEATRE.COM | 602.254.2151 On the NE Corner of Central + McDowell

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2019

CONTENTS

C I T S I UTUR FROM SCHOOLS TO THE

COMING HOME

Jose Mangin set to keynote the Mesa Music Festival

ON THE COVER

30 ONE FOR THE KIDS

Pianist Alpin Hong is a ‘normal dude with an extraordinary job’

Rapper Futuristic just wants to be happy on the cover: Futuristic Cover photo courtesy Brandon Menace, @Bmenace

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2019

INTENSE FLAVORS

Maple & Ash fires up the steak and seafood scene

Times Media Group 1620 W. Fountainhead Parkway Suite 219, Tempe, AZ 85282 Phone 480.348.0343 Fax 480.348.2109 entertainermag.com

publisher

Steve T. Strickbine

steve@entertainermag.com

Managing Editor

Christina Fuoco-Karasinski

christina@timespublications.com

Assistant Editor Connor Dziawura

cdziawura@timespublications.com

designer

Shannon Mead

production manager Courtney Oldham

production@timespublications.com

circulation director

CONTENTS

UPFRONT

Aaron Kolodny

aaron@entertainermag.com

contributing writers

Alan Sculley, Alison Bailin, Brandie Bosworth, Carson Mlnarik, Chris Fahrendorf, Eric Newman, Haley Lorenzen, Kristine Cannon, Laura Latzko, Natalie Urquiza, Octavio Serrano, Randy Montgomery, Samantha Fuoco, Samantha Molina

Top 25 • Futuristic • Hip-Hop Festival • The Maine • ARTrageous Gala • Harlem 100

CITY

International Auto Show • Jose Mangin • Sleater-Kinney

TRAVEL

Oh, So Calistoga!

ARTS

Arts Calendar • James Carter • “American Psycho: The Musical” • Alpin Hong

DINING

Staff Photographer Pablo Robles

A NEW MISSION

Contributing Photographers Annika Tomlin, Barry Gossage/Phoenix Suns, Brandie Bosworth, Dirk Mai, The David Hockney Foundation, Eduardo Patino, Jacob Tyler Dunn, Jaun Patino, Nikko LaMere, Richard Schmidt

The Bayou Bandit’s Joshua Strickland remembers late colleague on album

Dining Calendar • Diner Insider: Fido Frisbee Meals • Macaroni and Cheese Fest • Maple and Ash

BEER AND WINE

ONE COPY PER READER

38 The Entertainer! is circulated throughout the Phoenix Metro area, especially concentrated in entertainment districts. ©2018 Affluent Publishing, LLC. A free online subscription is available to all readers simply by going to entertainermag.com/subscribe.

Beer and Wine Calendar • Trapp Haus BBQ • SanTan Brewing Tour

CASINOS

Casino Calendar • Cheech and Chong

SPORTS

Sports Calendar • Jagger Jones • Phoenix Suns

FAMILY

Live Music Calendar • Bayou Bandits • Austin Burke • Lisa Loeb • Cold War Kids

ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

BURNING IT DOWN

Luna Aura uses her new songs to incinerate societal expectations

Best Family Events • Michael Pollack • Phoenix Zoo Lights • 24th Annual Arizona Asian Festival

MUSIC

For calendar and news items, the deadline for submission is the 15th of the NOVEMBER prior to publication. Submissions are included based on available space and are used at the discretion of the editor. Unsolicited manuscripts, photographs or illustrations will not be returned unless it is specifically requested and submission is accompanied by a properly addressed envelope and sufficient postage. The Entertainer! makes every effort to authenticate claims and accurate times and event locations. We encourage readers to verify information prior to attending events or purchasing tickets.

NIGHTLIFE Best Nightlife Events • Luna Aura

IN CLOSING

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5,000 YEARS OF CIVILIZATION REBORN

A journey through 5,000 years SHEN YUN presents an epic production that

expands the theatrical experience across time and space. We invite you on an inspiring journey into one of humanity’s greatest treasures—five millennia of Chinese civilization. Featuring one of the world’s oldest art forms—classical Chinese dance—along with patented interactive backdrops and all-original orchestral compositions, Shen Yun brings to life ancient China’s enchanting beauty and profound wisdom.

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“The energy, the precision, the beauty... I’m just overwhelmed. It’s so beautiful!” —John Anthony, retired judge

“ I’ve reviewed about 4,000 shows. None can compare to what I saw tonight.” —Richard Connema, theater critic

FEB 22–23 Tucson Music Hall

MAR 3–8 Phoenix Orpheum Theatre

MAR 12–15 Mesa Arts Center

ShenYun.com/AZ 800.880.0188

Get the best seats & waive fees by NOV. 30, 2019 Use Code: EARLY20

TOP25 Carson Mlnarik » The Entertainer!

“The Mystery of Irma Vep”

NOVEMBER 1 TO NOVEMBER 9 The Southwest Shakespeare Company presents “the funniest two hours” you’ll ever see on stage with a gothic murder mystery that’s hysterical and jaw-dropping. Only two performers portray every character in this melodramatic spoof about a perplexing domicile and a haunting legacy. Mesa Arts Center, 1 E. Main Street, Mesa, 480.644.6500, mesaartscenter.com, times vary, $38-$48.

The Pancakes and Booze Art Show

NOVEMBER 8 Booze, art, and pancakes—what more can you ask for? Phoenix plays host to one of the art world’s most anti-art-show art shows, as up-and-coming artists display and sell their works alongside body painting, live music and free flapjacks. The Duce, 525 S. Central Avenue, Phoenix, 602.866.3823, pancakesandbooze.com/ phoenix, 8 p.m. to 2 a.m., $13.

Bob’s Biker Blast

NOVEMBER 8 TO NOVEMBER 10 Motorcyclists, cagers and wanderers alike unite in the name of charity for this annual three-day party. HarleyDavidson of Scottsdale hosts a weekend of vendors, charity rides, food, drinks and fireworks to benefit children and families of Phoenix Children’s Hospital. The event—and the music—is not to be missed, with some of the city’s biggest names and country crooner headliner Darius Rucker. He plays November 9. Harley-Davidson of Scottsdale, 15656 N. Hayden Road, Scottsdale, 480.428.3259, hdofscottsdale.com/ bobsbikerblast, 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, $20.

Canal Convergence

NOVEMBER 8 TO NOVEMBER 17 The Scottsdale Waterfront glows with a light unlike any other during this 10-day art festival and demonstration. The free event combines water, art and light for a display about Arizona history with public art installations, workshops, artist talks and outdoor performances. Downtown Scottsdale, 4420 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, canalconvergence. com, 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday to Thursday, and 4 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, free.

Chiles & Chocolate Festival NOVEMBER 8 TO NOVEMBER 10 The Desert Botanical Garden plays host to this annual sweet and spicy weekend attuned to many tastes. Arizona’s top chile and chocolate vendors are out to play with gourmet chocolates, fire-roasted chiles, sauces and other handcrafted goodies. Live entertainment throughout the scenic gardens is aplenty with special Latin, Brazilian and Caribbean dance performances. Desert Botanical Garden, 1201 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, 480.941.1225, dbg.org, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., $16.95 kids and $29.95 general admission.

UPFRONT

PHX » CITY » LOCAL » PRIDE » DO » SEE Daniel Tosh

Arizona Pinners Conference

NOVEMBER 8 AND NOVEMBER 9 Pinners unite! Pinterest comes to life for a packed weekend at WestWorld of Scottsdale. The annual event features 108 Pinterest-based classes, as well as nearly 300 businesses specializing in photography, cooking, party planning and other creative works. Put a pin in your calendar and get ready to get crafty! WestWorld of Scottsdale, 16601 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, 801.822.1333, az.pinnersconference.com, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, $10-$139.

Matt & Kim

NOVEMBER 9 “We cut the legs off of our pants / Threw our shoes into the ocean.” If you know the effervescent music of this Brooklyn duo, then you know. The artsy indie pop group tours in honor of the 10th anniversary of its sophomore album, “Grand,” performing the fan favorite in its entirety in addition to other beloved bops. The adorably named Beach Goons will open the show. Marquee Theatre, 730 N. Mill Avenue, Tempe, 480.829.0607, luckymanonline. com, 8 p.m., $29.50-$99.

The Color Run

NOVEMBER 9 On your mark, get set, get colored! This fun run markets itself as the Happiest 5K on the Planet, and it’s easy to understand why. Runners decked in white shoot through a 3.5-mile course, getting blasted with sprays of color along the way. Of course, it ends with a party. Entry starts at $30 for a medal and number, and runners can opt for additional T-shirt and hoodie packages. Rawhide Western Town, 5700 W. North Loop Road, Chandler, 480.502.5600, thecolorrun. com, 9 a.m., $29.99-$54.99.

NOVEMBER 9 Comedian Daniel Tosh has curated his own corner of comedy with his controversial clip show, “Tosh.0,” pushing the envelope every chance he gets. Audiences can get their firsthand fill of button-pushing and dark humor when the Germanborn funny man comes to Phoenix for one night only. If you’re feeling outraged, he’s doing it right! Comerica Theatre, 400 W. Washington Street, Phoenix, 602.379.2800, comericatheatre. com, 8 p.m., $39.50-$95.

“Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” in Concert

NOVEMBER 15 TO NOVEMBER 17 Accio, tickets! The Phoenix Symphony is hosting a special screening of the fifth chapter in the iconic Harry Potter franchise. If you’ve been following Symphony Hall’s series, you’ll know the screenings are not to be missed—partnering the beloved movie with live orchestration for a magical viewing experience. Don’t forget your robes, and have wands at the ready! Symphony Hall, 75 N. Second Street, Phoenix, 602.495.1999, phoenixsymphony.org, times vary, $30-$98.

T-Pain

NOVEMBER 16 T-Pain is an artist of many chapters. In 2008, he was the mastermind behind hit singles like “Buy U a Drank” and “Bartender,” going on to feature on more than 50 chart-topping singles. His reign continues after winning this year’s “The Masked Singer” TV competition. You can catch the multifaceted man performing fan faves as well as cuts from his new album, “1UP.” Marquee Theatre, 730 N. Mill Avenue, Tempe, 480.829.0607, luckymanonline.com, 8 p.m., $34.50-$84.50.

Phoenix Pizza Festival

NOVEMBER 16 Nothing brings a community together quite like its affinity for pizza. The Phoenix Pizza Festival hosts 20 pizza makers selling $2 to $4 slices for maximum pizza

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2019

Vocalist

Kandace Springs

Anniversary Celebration

BLUE NOTE

THE STATE OF JAZZ

Saxophonist

James Carter Organ Trio

Pianist

James Francies

NOV 16 7:30PM $17 - $44 tempecenterforthearts.com

$50 VIP PRE-PARTY

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consumption. The fest also offers the best in craft brews, wine, lawn games and live music. Make sure to snag your tickets ASAP—the annual fixture always sells out! Margaret T. Hance Park, 1202 W. Third Street, Phoenix, 602.534.2406, phoenix. pizza, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., $10.

The Arizona Hip-Hop Festival

NOVEMBER 16 AND NOVEMBER 17 Downtown Phoenix gives it up for the underground with this two-day festival devoted to Arizona’s bustling hip-hop scene. With performances, vendors, food trucks and an art walk, it’s every fan’s dream. Futuristic, the Tempe rapper behind “The Greatest,” is set to headline. The Pressroom, 441 W. Madison Street, Phoenix, bit. ly/2m0KN6k, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., general admission $30 and kids under 12 free.

Fiesta Dog Shows

Mac and Cheese Festival

NOVEMBER 16 AND NOVEMBER 17 This festival is not to be missed— and we’re not just being cheesy. Your favorite comfort food is elevated to new heights when the best restaurants in the Valley compete for the Golden Noodle Trophy. Over 25 cooks will serve $2 samples featuring their own distinct twists on the classic, alongside cooking demos and lawn games. Bon appétit! Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, 7555 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, 480.270.5000, bit.ly/313z3yU, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., $5-$75.

NOVEMBER 21 TO NOVEMBER 25 Fido is going for the gold! Dogs from across the country come together to compete for top titles at one of the biggest dog shows in the Southwest. From puppies to pee wees and everything in between, breeds will compete in conformation, rally and obedience. So many good boys! Rawhide Event Center, 5244 S. 48th Street, Chandler, 480.502.5600, rawhide. com, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., free admission and $5 parking.

PHX Pheast

Arizona Honeybee Festival

NOVEMBER 16 This festival is un-bee-lievably buzzing! Connecting local beekeepers with the community, this family-friendly event features local honey, beekeeping clubs and educational activities. Learn about how these fascinating insects contribute to our ecosystem, how we can protect them and, of course, try something a little sweet. North Phoenix Baptist Church, 5757 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, 602.391.9966, azhoneybeefest.org, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., free.

The Black Keys

NOVEMBER 16 The Black Keys are back and ready to rock! After a hiatus, the indie blues-rock band has returned with its ninth album, “Let’s Rock,” and an extensive tour to support it. Fans can expect faves like “Tighten Up” and “Lonely Boy,” as well as new ground-shakers like “Lo/ Hi.” Modest Mouse, the indie rock virtuosos behind 2004’s “Float On,” are set to open the show. Talking Stick Resort Arena, 201 E. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, 602.379.2000, talkingstickresortarena. com, 7 p.m., $34.75-$500. ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

NOVEMBER 17 Valley farmers are the focus at this true farm-to-fork experience, which partners 12 chefs with 12 farmers to create unique dishes from Arizona’s finest produce. Attendees will mingle from booth to booth to the tune of live music and pourings from local breweries and wineries. You’ve never gotten this close to your dinner before! Phoenix Public Market, 721 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, 602.253.2700, bit.ly/2IFnvM0, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., $65-$125.

NOVEMBER 17 What is it about donuts that are so addictive? Their shape? The missing middle piece that we don’t quite understand? Whatever it is, festival goers can dine to their heart’s delight with over 20 donut connoisseurs setting up shop with $1 donuts and samples. Add craft beer, mimosas, live music, lawn games and savory treats, and ain’t that the frosting on the pastry? Margaret T. Hance Park, 1202 W. Third Street, Phoenix, 602.534.2406, bit.ly/2oxiheq, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., $8-$10.

Lindsey Stirling’s Warmer in the Winter Christmas

NOVEMBER 23 Gilbert’s resident violin prodigy Lindsey Stirling returns home for a special holiday performance. Let your seasonal spirits soar as Stirling dances her way through Christmas classics from her winter album alongside stellar production and lights. Snag a premium ticket for access to a special preshow party and private performance. Comerica Theatre, 400 W. Washington Street, Phoenix, 602.379.2800, comericatheatre. com, 8 p.m., $39.50-$99.50.

Trevor Noah

NOVEMBER 22 Sitting at his desk on Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show,” Trevor Noah might as well be sitting on top of the world. The South African comedian and political commentator has carved a name for himself in pop culture with his satire, sarcasm and downto-earth observations. He brings his one-man show to Phoenix for a night of laughs and lessons. Talking Stick Resort Arena, 201 E. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, 602.379.2000, talkingstickresortarena.com, 8 p.m., $30.25-$90.25.

Lights at the Farm Opening Night

Downtown Donut Festival

Wingfest is Arizona’s celebration of the fried favorite, featuring 25 restaurants, food trucks, a chicken wing-eating contest and an epic competition to find the best wing in the state. The deliciousness continues with breweries on hand and local live music. Margaret T. Hance Park, 1202 W. Third Street, Phoenix, 602.534.2406, wingfestarizona. com, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., $15-$50.

NOVEMBER 22 Walk right into the holiday season at the opening night of Mesa’s Christmas light display extravaganza. The walk-through event features displays and decor synced up with holiday classics for maximal seasonal spirit. Brave souls can test their balance with the farm’s 4,000-square-foot ice rink under the desert sky. Vertuccio Farms, 4011 S. Power Road, Mesa, 480.882.1482, lightsatthefarm.com, 5:30 to 10:30 p.m., $8-$15.

AZ Wingfest

NOVEMBER 23 Pizza and burgers get all the attention, but where would we be without chicken wings?

“An Evening with C.S. Lewis”

NOVEMBER 23 TO NOVEMBER 24 The wonderful world of “The Chronicles of Narnia” writer C.S. Lewis comes to life in this biographical living room play. The British author is hosting a group of American writers for an evening of discussion, covering the events that shaped his life, his pal J.R.R Tolkien, writing his iconic children’s series, and of course the story of the American woman who changed it all. Mesa Arts Center, 1 E. Main Street, Mesa, 480.644.6500, mesaartscenter.com, times vary, $55.

Thanksgiving at Rawhide

NOVEMBER 28 Put down the oven mitt! Rawhide kicks off its holiday season with a Thanksgiving buffet to write home about. Featuring turkey, ham and other dinner faves in addition to desserts, salad and a kids’ corner, you can give the ol' oven a break. Rawhide attractions and stores will also be open. Snag your family’s reservation online now. Rawhide Western Town, 5700 W. North Loop Road, Chandler, 480.502.5600, rawhide. com, seatings at 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., $29.99-$54.99.

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Rapper Futuristic just wants to be happy Octavio Serrano >> The Entertainer!

ach Beck has been writing raps since he was 6, long before he became the Forbes-approved rapper Futuristic. He recalls recording music in his father’s studio and then hawking his albums to his classmates. “I’d go to my dad’s house on the weekend. I’d record an album and then sell it for two weeks, go make another one, come back and sell it,” he says. “I would literally go up the lunch line at school and see who wasn’t getting free lunch and I would be like, ‘Oh, you’re going to buy lunch? Why don’t you buy this CD?’” Now, the 28-year-old Warped Tour veteran is headed out on tour to share sounds from albums like his latest collection, “Zachary Lewis,” and in the hopes of continuing his mission. Futuristic headlines the Arizona Hip-Hop Festival at 8 p.m. Saturday, November 16, at The Pressroom. The festival continues Sunday, November 17. He says the show is a journey through his catalog. He’ll perform about two songs from each album he’s made since he moved from Illinois to Arizona during high school.

GRASPING YOUR ROOTS Beck was born in Bloomington, Illinois, where he was one of eight siblings, to his African-American DJ father and Caucasian mother. His dad, Joe Beck, opened for the likes of Snoop Dogg, so music was a natural part of the fledgling rapper’s upbringing. “From early on, I was always rapping while he was playing drums and he’d have bands come over, so I was always around music,” says Beck, who describes his dad’s studio as having an ’80s drum machine that sounded like Eddie Murphy’s “Party All the Time.” He began writing at 6, and two years later he laid down his first track: a remix of Michael Jackson’s “P.Y.T.” Music was in his blood. “I felt it from the very beginning,” he says. “Literally the first time I wrote a verse, I was like, ‘This is it. This is what ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

I’m going to do my whole life.’” Inspired by Will Smith, Nelly and Ludacris, Beck enjoyed recording sessions with his father, who jumped on the drums as they wrote and recorded verses. The two recently toured together, bringing Beck’s career full circle. “He drummed and DJed,” he says. “We were in New Orleans and he’s having fun. I just took a step back and I was like, ‘Man, this is what we talked about when I was 6.’”

DO IT YOUR WAY Beck has had a strong indie, DIY approach since he began touring in 2012. He eschewed a booking agent and that proved to be a learning experience. “My only expenses were the car and the gas and then I would just stay at my fans’ house,” he says. “I would just get on stage and be like, ‘We don’t got nowhere to go. What’s up?’ and we would just have parties with our fans and stay at their houses, and it was fun as hell.” That approach may have not been ideal, but it helped create a relationship with his fans. “I think that as an artist you should do as much stuff as you possibly can by yourself,” he says. “You should do everything. You should sell your own merch. You should book your own shows because if you do that, you’re going to learn the process and then nobody can screw you over.”

SPREAD THE WORD Lyrics are important to Beck, as he’s adamant about spreading a message like his favorite artists. “I’m into lyrics,” he says. “I like the artists for what they’re saying and the energy that they bring to a track. Sometimes you can get that through a beat, but most of the time it’s through the lyrics. “I’m not a huge fan of artists who don’t say anything. I like people who make you think, so I’ve always prided myself on providing lyrics, providing a story and providing things of significance in songs.” Beck is all about positivity as well. He encourages personal growth and

speaks about making dreams a reality. “I’ve always preached that if you believe in something, do that and do it relentlessly,” he says. “Because if you really believe it and have passion for it, you’re going to be happier doing that than anything else.” With experiences under his belt, Beck says people should be grateful for what they have. Success and money don’t always lead to happiness. The happiest people he’s met aren’t wealthy. “I tell people all the time, no matter what’s going on in your life, there are millions of people who have it worse than you,” he says. “They wake up with

a smile on their face every day. I was just in Mexico and Costa Rica a couple of months back and there were people living in villages and tents, and they’re the happiest people in the world. So how can you sit there in your house, with your car and your job and hate your life?” Although he never really lost sight of his goals, he admits he could have been happier and more stable.

TAKING CONTROL Beck considers himself passionate, someone who struggles with holding

Futuristic continued on pg. 14

Futuristic continued from pg. 12

back harsh words during arguments. It didn’t help that some of those were alcohol-induced arguments. “I realized every dumb decision and every time I’ve gotten in trouble in my adult life had been while I’ve been drunk,” he says. “I thought, ‘When was the last time I didn’t have a drink?’ and I couldn’t remember.” Calling himself a tad antisocial, Beck says he no longer wanted to rely on alcohol to loosen up. He challenged himself to go 50 days without drinking and chronicled the mission on his social media accounts. He did not necessarily believe he had a problem with alcohol. He just wanted to take control of his body. “I needed to prove to myself this isn’t a real addiction to a point where I need this,” he says. “I need to know I can stop anytime I want to.” He admits to going through minor withdrawal symptoms, like the chills and sweats, but after a week, he says, he learned he could kick the habit. “I had to do some things sober that I was used to doing drunk, so now I know I can do those things,” he says.

CHANGING HIS TUNE Beck describes his latest album, “Zachary Lewis,” as being more melodic than previous efforts. He used live instrumentation, something he had longed to do. “I wasn’t worried about making a hit,” he says. “I was just making music that made me feel good, and that is a little bit of like when I was a

kid making music.” When he is not spitting rhymes into the microphone, Beck plays basketball or spends time with his family in his “Space Jam”-themed game room. He doesn’t want to be a larger-than-life figure, like the characters in that room. Beck is humble. Futuristic is part of his community and enjoys being an Arizona resident. Charities are also part of his career, as he has contributed to causes such as the Make a Wish Foundation. “I just want to be known as a positive dude who did a ton of things inside and outside of music and that I helped people,” he says. “I see myself doing more and helping out a ton of artists.” He has his fans to thank for that. “The fans definitely impacted me,” he says. “It’s almost like having a family. “Some of them really live off the music, so I always try to give the right message and let people know it’s OK to party, to have fun. We all make mistakes, but the overall message is for fans to better themselves and to grow to be happy.”

The Arizona Hip-Hop Festival

The Pressroom, 441 W. Madison Street, Phoenix, azhiphopfestival.com, Saturday, November 16, and Sunday, November 17, tickets start at $30.

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Arizona Hip-Hop Festival fostered artist growth on a local level Laura Latzko >> The Entertainer!

ustus Samuel of Respect the Underground vowed to celebrate all aspects of hip-hop music when he formed the Arizona Hip Hop Festival. Now in its sixth year, the Arizona Hip Hop Festival—set for Saturday, November 16, and Sunday, November 17—will move to a centralized location, The Pressroom, with all the stages close together. That way, fans can have a fuller experience. “All of these stages will be within eyeshot of each other but far enough away that the sound won’t bleed,” he says. “I also don’t want people to walk a block, get to the mainstage and stay there because the other stage is half-ablock away. It will give people the ability to maneuver through the festival, and it won’t be as far of a walk.” During the two-day festival, more than 350 hip-hop artists will perform on six stages. Audiences can expect to hear all different forms of hip-hop, including gangster, Christian, electronic and punk-inspired versions. This year, the festival has expanded with the addition of a breakdance expo, organized by 602 Cyphers. The expo area will have a kids’ battle, popping and locking workshops, and a performance by the Monster Energy Breakers. The festival will also offer a live graffiti competition, sponsored by the Just Blaze art supply shop. The festival allows local hip-hop artists, including female artists, to perform for large crowds of fans. This year, female artists will headline on Sunday night. Samuel’s drive to uplift other artists inspired him to start the festival. “I want to create a platform that helps artists to reach their goals and fulfill their dreams. I want to give them the necessary tools and resources to create entrepreneurial businesses for themselves and turn their passion into a paycheck,” Samuel says. The hip-hop artist goes back 20 years. He was a member of the rap group Cut Throat Logic, and he just dropped a solo album last year. These days, he concentrates more on his work with Respect the Underground than on his career as an artist. He hopes, through the festival and other events hosted by his organization, to make others more aware of the talent in Arizona. “It has only perpetuated my ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

passion to help other artists. It’s only perpetuated my passion to make the festival even greater than it already is. I want to scale it out, take the show on the road and take Arizona artists to other cities and really introduce the world to what our beautiful state has to offer,” Samuel says. During the festival, artists have a chance to meet with others in the industry, including producers, engineers and videographers. Most of the artists come from Arizona, and a small contingent of outof-state rappers perform each day. The festival has helped to advance the careers of many Arizona hip-hop artists. Some artists, such as Anthony “A-Train” Ramirez, started out doing the open-mic stage and are now performing on the mainstage as headliners. Samuel says headliner spots are given to artists who have been working hard all year to advance themselves and their brands. “We are really celebrating the acts that climbed the ladder. They worked their asses off, and now they’re in a special place. Now, they are going to be doing our most coveted slots and our most coveted stage. It’s because they earned it,” Samuel says. Ramirez has been performing at the festival for the last four years, but he has been rapping since age 8. He

started performing in front of crowds in 2014 as part of Futuristic’s PROVE IT series. When he first started rapping, Ramirez didn’t have a lot of support for his music and was often bullied. He says his struggles helped to make him a stronger person and artist. “You can’t truly be a rapper, a poet or a musician if you don’t go through hardships in life. I feel like that’s what makes a better artist. If you are able to tell these crazy stories of what you went through, there’s beauty in the struggle,” Ramirez says. Last year was one of the busiest for the rapper. He released his debut mixtape and dropped eight remixes and 10 singles. He started out this year as a featured artist on Sincerely Collins’ “Fall Away.” Ramirez grew up listening to rappers such as DMX, Nas, Rakim, Dr. Dre, Ice Cube and the Game and blends East and West Coast and New School into his music. He has tried to avoid being boxed into one hip-hop style. “All of my music sounds different. I try to keep my music different, so I can catch the ears of different listeners,” Ramirez says. Hip-hop music has always been important in Ramirez’s family. Ramirez’s father was also a rapper and shared his love of hip-hop music with his son. “One thing that we really had to

connect with was rap. He wrote my first rap, gave me the name A-Train,” Ramirez says. Ramirez started to pursue music even more seriously after the passing of his little brother, who would sit in with him during studio sessions. “He believed in my dream when I was 12 years old, and I sounded like the worst rapper you can imagine. The fact that he was riding with me up until his death, I got to keep this dream going for him,” Ramirez says. In almost every one of his songs, he pays tribute to his brother. His newest album, “42,” which he will release in December, is dedicated to his brother. He plans to perform some of these unreleased songs during the hip-hop festival. Ramirez’s other little brother is also a fan of his music. This is why he always strives to be a good role model for him. “As much as I wish he didn’t look up to me, he looks up to me. At the end of the day, I have to be that person that can show him that anything is possible in the world,” Ramirez says.

AZ Hip-Hop Festival

The Pressroom, 441 W. Madison Street, Phoenix, azhiphopfestival.com, Saturday, November 16, and Sunday, November 17, weekend passes $30.

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2019

The Maine goes high-tech for its new tour Brandie Bosworth >> The Entertainer!

empe rockers The Maine have long been known for their live shows, festivals and relentlessly catchy songs. But this fall, they are breaking out of their comfort zones for “The Mirror Tour.” “If people have been to any of our concerts, this one will be unlike the other ones we’ve done or will probably do,” says Pat Kirch, The Maine’s drummer. The shows—including Saturday, November 30, at The Van Buren—will feature new visuals, audio components and fan experiences.

BEFORE THE SHOW The Maine posts info about each show on Facebook pages with meetups for fans—and the band—at local bars. Bassist Garrett Nickelsen says the meetups serve as alternatives for fans who don’t want to risk their health or well-being in long lines waiting for doors to open at clubs. Nickelsen says fans won’t have to fret about losing their spot in line, as wristbands disseminated at the meetups will hold their place in line. Keep in mind: The shows on this tour have a “gold” theme. The tour’s website recommends fans wear mustard-colored clothing and bring fake yellow flowers to the venues.

AT THE SHOW Kirch describes “The Mirror Tour” as a more “cohesive show” with topnotch production. The audio-visual elements tie into the entire set, a result of the musicians spending hours researching those effects. New equipment will provide a 360-degree sound experience to the crowd. Kirch enjoys the DIY approach to the show. “We have a specific way that we want things done,” Kirch says. “We can hire somebody else to do it, but it’s going to take probably longer to explain it and go back and forth to get it right than to just do it ourselves.” To continue that DIY vibe, The Maine is building its own merchandise display and is “super involved” in photo booths for the tour, Nickelsen says.

CLOSE TO HOME The Maine—which also includes singer/rhythm guitarist John O’Callaghan; guitarist Jared Monaco and lead guitarist Kennedy Brock—is proud to be from the Valley. “Our fans here, they have a sense of pride in us being from here,” Kirch says. That adds a little pressure to The Maine when they play hometown gigs. The shows interrupt pre-show routines and meet-and-greet lists. O’Callaghan is a big baseball fan. In August, The Maine traded the stage for the Arizona Diamondbacks’ field to participate in throwing the first pitch. “For us, every day we are on tour has reminded how cool this is,” Kirch says. “For our parents, it is a cool thing for them.” Baseball goes way back for The Maine. When Nickelsen met O’Callaghan in San Diego, the bassist referred to his future singer as “the baseball guy.” “This is John? The baseball guy?” Nickelsen says. The band formed in 2007 and took off from there. Their seventh studio album, “You Are OK,” debuted in March. THE MUSIC

songs would be featured. Nickelsen and Kirch agree “Slip The Noose” is their current favorite song to play live. When fans respond accordingly, The Maine’s musicians feel the love. “I remember being like, ‘How do we make every song feel like this?” Nickelsen recalls.

The Maine w/This Wild Life and Twin XL

The Van Buren, 401 W. Van Buren Street, Phoenix, thevanburenphx.com, 7 p.m. Saturday, November 30, $26-$30.

On “The Mirror Tour,” fans can expect songs from each era of “The Maine.” “This time I really feel like every era gets its due in the set,” Kirch says. “There’s at least a song from every album.” As is the trend, The Maine will break it down for an acoustic set during this tour. Kirch wouldn’t reveal which ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

Scottsdale Arts’ Starry Night Gala recalls Hollywood glamour Kristine Cannon >> The Entertainer!

scar De Las Salas and Scottsdale Arts are hoping to “bring pizazz to downtown” with its Starry Night Gala on Saturday, December 7, at the Scottsdale Arts Campus in Old Town Scottsdale. “We wanted to do something totally glamorous,” he says. “We’ll make it like you are at a major awards show.” When guests step out of their vehicles, cameras will flash, and they will make their way down a 300-foot red carpet. Emmy Award-winning journalist Carey Peña will be waiting on the other end, microphone in hand. “It will be a one-of-a-kind event to celebrate a one-of-a-kind museum,” De las Salas adds. This year’s gala will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA) and recognize those who were instrumental in the creation of SMoCA. “It will be interspersed with recognizing these extraordinary people and their great achievement and fabulous performers, but without a break in the party atmosphere,” says Dr. Gerd Wuestemann, president and CEO of Scottsdale Arts. At the gala, Scottsdale Arts will also debut the Herberger Award for the Arts, which will be given to Dr. Robert Knight, SMoCA’s founding director. De las Salas says the award was named after Billie Jo and Judd Herberger due to their “financial and emotional support” to the organization. “It is so important that that award have their name,” De las Salas says.

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“The Herbergers, today, are like my parents. (They) have opened their arms to me because they’ve seen my passion through the world of arts. I feel like their son.” The gala will also honor architect Will Bruder; former Scottsdale Mayor Sam Campana; Kathy Hotchner, former director of Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts; Frank Jacobson, former CEO of Scottsdale Arts; Carolyn Robbins, former curator of education for Scottsdale Arts; Randy Schilling, former director of development for Scottsdale Arts; Valeria Vadala-Homer, former director of Scottsdale Public Art; and Ellie Ziegler, philanthropist and former Scottsdale Arts board chairwoman. Starry Night Gala is broken into three experiences, held across the entire Scottsdale Arts Campus. “That’s the reason why we invited three different personalities, TV and media, from town to help us host it,” De las Salas says. Hosts include the aforementioned Peña of Inspired Media 360, Vanessa Ruiz of Cronkite News Borderlands, and Javier Soto of “Good Morning Arizona.” Guests will enter through “Knight Rise,” the James Turrell skyspace commissioned by Scottsdale Public Art for the SMoCA courtyard. Champagne in hand, guests will then make their way down the red carpet, under the lights of “Murmuration,” a dazzling installation by UK-based artist studio Squidsoup, as “American Idol” star Von Smith plays the piano. “For the first (experience), Carey Peña is going to host the red carpet. You’re going to walk under the Squidsoup installation

‘Murmuration,’ and then you’re going to get interviewed by Carey,” De las Salas explains. “It’s all that very E! Entertainment-like.” Next, guests are whisked past local performers and dancers and seated for dinner “under the stars” inside the center’s atrium. “Vanessa Ruiz is going to be the host for that portion,” De las Salas says. The awards presentation and a live auction hosted by Letitia Frye will also take place in the atrium. “That’s called ‘dinner under the stars’ because the interior is going to be modeled like you are under the stars bringing the outdoors in, since we can’t go outside,” adds Lauren Zapien, Scottsdale Arts membership and events manager. “The atrium will be truly transformed where you won’t recognize the space,” Wuestemann says. The performances also include collaborations with local musicians Geibral Elisha Movement and AJ Odneal, who have appeared at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, and students who have participated in programs facilitated by Scottsdale Arts Learning & Innovation, formerly Scottsdale Arts Education & Outreach). “The focus of this is really bringing our mission to the forefront versus bringing prominent artists. We’re working with our local talents and our students,” Zapien says. As for the auction items, they are just as extravagant as the gala. In addition to a luxury room makeover package valued at more than $60,000 by IMI Design Studios, three travel packages will be up for bid. To start, the Scottsdale Arts Santa Fe Package features exclusive art experiences with artist Betsy Ehrenberg, a tour and reception at Patina Gallery, a visit to Meow Wolf, and meals at local culinary destination. The Jazz Cruise package takes the highest bidder to Miami, Costa Maya, Cozumel and Key West, and includes over 200 hours of live musical performances by 100 jazz musicians. And, finally, the Art Getaway to

Pebble Beach includes travel and a two-night stay for four at La Playa Hotel in Carmel-by-the-Sea, where guests will take part in private art studio experiences with local artists Elizabeth Barlow and David Ligare, among other experiences. The goal of the gala is two-fold: raise money for Scottsdale Arts and its events and programs, and showcase the Scottsdale Arts umbrella, which includes Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, SMoCA, Scottsdale Public Art and Scottsdale Arts Learning & Innovation. Last year’s gala grossed $260,000. “The gala as our annual showcase is not just about raising money, (but) it’s also about showing people who we are and what we do,” Wuestemann says. “It’s about really taking a moment with our friends and supporters to say ‘thank you’ to them, recognize those who helped us get here, and really saying to people, ‘You may not know how much we work in this area and in this arena, so let us show you a little bit.’” While the gala will recognize and celebrate its past, the organization also has its sights set on the future. “It’s also about what the next 20 years hold,” Wuestemann says. “This gala is also a starting point for us to layout this vision of what the next 10 or 20 years will hold in terms of our future growth and to lay out a vision of what we will start working on immediately starting next year after the bond passes and opportunities for the future of SMoCA.” Wuestemann refers to possible upgrades to the SMoCA facility and a possible rebuild of the Civic Center. Dress code for the gala is black tie with the suggested colors of navy, gold and/or black.

Starry Night: An ARTrageous Gala

Scottsdale Arts Campus, 7380 E. Second Street, Scottsdale, 480.874.4662, gala.scottsdalearts.org, 5 to 10 p.m. Saturday, December 7, $500-$5,000.

EDUCATING THE MASSES Musicians from around the THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2019

world capture the Harlem Renaissance in new show Christina Fuoco-Karasinski >> The Entertainer!

usician Michael Mwenso has high hopes about his show “Harlem 100.” The performance, set for 7:30 p.m. Saturday, November 16, at the Chandler Center for the Arts, pays homage to the 100th anniversary of the Harlem Renaissance, its current resurgence and the performances made famous in the Apollo Theater and The Cotton Club. Starring Mwenso and the Shakes, Briana Thomas, Michela Lerman and Vuyo Sotashe, the show features the music of Fats Waller, Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, Bessie Smith and Ethel Waters, as well as a nine-piece band with three dancers. “It’s a musical celebration that is really subjected to the time of the Harlem Renaissance, its artists and history,” Mwenso says. “I want the audience to leave knowing how important these people were and the impact on the world. We do it through

song, dance, music and historical narratives, too.” Mwenso says the African-American story is seemingly unimportant to others and it’s frustrating. “Anything that is connected to the Afro-American story is something hidden in the mystery of the world,” he says. “I want people to know how intelligent and refined these people are and were. It affected the whole history of what is happening now and how that trajectory has shaped the arts of the world.” Mwenso has been a performer since he was 12. He was born in Sierra Leone and was raised by his mother and stepfather in London, where music took hold of him. “Harlem 100” isn’t just educational for the audience. It’s been a learning experience for Mwenso, too. Recently, he learned about the black migration. The challenge, he says, is trying to squeeze everything into the show. “For me, as the musical director and band leader, I shape the show to the people,” he says. “The rest of it is easy. Everyone can expect a great

“Harlem 100” time with a lot of joy, and to gain some knowledge about the Harlem Renaissance knowing more about these people and what they did in the world.”

Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Avenue, Chandler, 480.782.2680, chandlercenter.org, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, November 16, $38-$58.

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FROM HOT RODS TO CONVENTIONAL CARS

The 2019 Phoenix Auto Show offers everything a car lover could dream of Samantha Molina >> The Entertainer!

xotic cars, concept vehicles and cars installed with the latest automotive technologies will fill the Phoenix Convention Center Thursday, November 22, and Sunday, November 25, for the 2019 model Arizona International Auto Show. Nearly 500 of the latest cars, trucks, crossovers, SUVs and alternative fuel options from 35 different manufacturers will be shown. Show spokeswoman DeeDee Taft says the event was designed to engage car lovers around the state and show off what’s new in the automotive world. With over six football fields of car exhibits, it will be hard not to find something for everyone to enjoy. “Every car is completely unlocked and open,” Taft says. “They are ready for show-goers to climb on in and try them on for size. There’s nothing like physically sitting in your dream car.” The 2019 domestic models on the show floor include the Chevrolet Blazer, Ford Ranger, Toyota RAV4, Nissan Altima and Nissan Kicks. Taft says popular attractions are the lowriders from area clubs and vehicles dating as far back as 1920s. Exotic vehicles on display at the Penske Luxury Salon will turn heads, including models from Aston Martin, Bentley, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati and Rolls-Royce. At the show’s free, off-road indoor test center, visitors can take a spin and get a feel for the performance and handling of more than 75 new vehicles from such manufacturers as Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford and Toyota. A professional driver will give riders a firsthand experience of all that the

vehicles have to offer. “This is so great for car lovers, regardless if you are looking to buy or simply dreaming of buying one of the autos we will be showing off,” Taft says. “While you can’t buy a car at the show, it allows those looking to make a more accurate comparison of each of the car’s specs and features.” This year, the Arizona International Auto Show will feature a platform for car enthusiasts to learn more about the variety of fuel-saving and environmentally friendly options. This includes hydrogen fuel cell models, gas-electric hybrids and plug-in electric vehicles. “We are currently seeing a huge boom in electric and plug-in cars,” Taft says. “Visitors can expect to see a handful of these types of automobiles in the showcase lineup.” Family Day—Sunday, November 25—allows children 12 and younger to visit for free with a paying adult. Activities like the American Family Kids Test Track, where young ones are invited to test drive electric cars on a minitest track, will be sure to amuse a younger crowd. Thrilling racing simulators and a selfie station complete with a 12-foot tall Bumblebee Transformer will also be featured at the show this year. Courtesy of the Penske Museum, the 1984 Indianapolis 500 winning Indy car driven by race car driver Rick Mears will be on display. All attendees will receive a free one-year subscription to Motor Trend magazine with each online ticket order or box office purchase “We’ve made this show an annual tradition in Phoenix. We hope this event draws in returning visitors as well as new guests who are full of turkey and ready to have a blast,” Taft says.

Arizona International Auto Show

Phoenix Convention Center, 100 W. Third Street, Phoenix, autoshowphoenix.com, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, November 28, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, November 29, and Saturday, November 30, and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, December 1, $7-$11.

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A ‘SONIC PALETTE’

Sleater-Kinney’s Carrie Brownstein talks honest, urgent new LP Connor Dziawura >> The Entertainer!

ith its new LP, indie rock outfit Sleater-Kinney was looking to do something

different. While 2015’s “No Cities to Love” could be considered the influential feminist band picking up where it left when it took a near-decade hiatus, August’s “The Center Won’t Hold” sees the band treading expanded sonic territory. “I think with each album we want to make something that sounds different from the last,” vocalist/guitarist Carrie Brownstein says over the phone during a day off from touring in Chicago. “I think with ‘No Cities’ it was a little easier because we’d been gone for nine years. So, in some ways that album felt like it borrowed from the sonic lexicon of the previous seven records. And with this one it really felt like we don’t have to adhere to any preconceived idea of who we are. We’re not really interested in that. We just want to push ourselves and write songs from a place of honesty and urgency.” During the writing process for “The Center Won’t Hold,” SleaterKinney’s ninth album, the band also resorted to something different— writing separately and trading files via computer, because Brownstein and fellow vocalist/guitarist Corin Tucker

lived in different cities. And while Brownstein says the two of them are most comfortable playing guitar, they traded their instrument of choice for keyboards and synthesizers, sometimes even transposing them back to guitar at the request of St. Vincent’s Annie Clark, who produced the album. “‘You guys are a guitar band,’” Brownstein recalls Clark telling them. But the band—Brownstein, Tucker and former drummer Janet Weiss, who announced her departure in July—had mostly established the “sonic palette” of the record prior to Clark’s involvement, Brownstein says. Still, the musician challenged their ideas, inspiring them to rearrange and alter musical elements, continue to try to top themselves and let the best ideas win. Calling her “ingenious” and a “maximalist” and “perfectionist,” Brownstein says Clark would also encourage the band to record different takes on different days and in different moods and mindsets to get the best possible recording, putting emotion over technicality. “What we loved about working with St. Vincent—similar to when we worked with Dave Fridmann on ‘The Woods’—is just having someone at the helm with a prodigious imagination, who really sees the studio as an instrument in and of itself and can do lot of kind of flexing of that muscle,” Brownstein says. “That is something that we like to leave in the hands of someone else. I think we were

excited to bring in somebody to really collaborate with in that final stage of the process.” Just over a month after the release of the album, and only a week prior to the band’s tour kickoff, however, Brownstein and Tucker released more music. “Animal,” an additional, standalone single, serves as an extra treat for fans before the shows, and as an opportunity for Tucker—known for her powerful vibrato—to vocally let loose, Brownstein describes. “I’m such an admirer of Corin’s voice, and one thing that we have a lot of fun with on tour—we did this on the ‘No Cities’ tour—is when there are songs that she can just sing,” Brownstein explains. “I mean on the

record she plays guitar on it, but I think we wanted to put something out right before tour that was very specific to the performance of the song and at the shows. She just takes front-and-center stage and is sort of the much more traditional lead singer in that moment.” Fans can catch Sleater-Kinney’s tour at The Van Buren in Phoenix on Monday, November 11. The band’s newly expanded setlist has in recent shows featured nearly 30 songs including the entire new album, “Animal” and plenty of older cuts. Reflecting on the past 25 years of the band, Brownstein notes that “The Center Won’t Hold” may not be as different from past works as some have made it out to be, however. For 1999’s “The Hot Rock,” Sleater-Kinney toned things down compared to 1997’s “Dig Me Out,” and 2005’s “The Woods” was far heavier than its previous six records, she says. But at the end of the day, it’s all Sleater-Kinney. “People have always taken certain albums—specifically ‘Hot Rock’ and ‘The Woods’ and then this one—as if it’s these major departures, but in a live setting it all falls under the umbrella of Sleater-Kinney,” Brownstein says. “Quieter songs from ‘The Hot Rock’ have more teeth, more bombastic songs from ‘The Woods’ become more melodious, and the new record, too— it all falls under the same sort of beast of this band.”

Sleater-Kinney w/Kaina

The Van Buren, 401 W. Van Buren Street, Phoenix, 480.659.1641, thevanburenphx. com, 8 p.m. Monday, November 11, $32. ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

COMING HOME

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2019

Jose Mangin set to keynote the Mesa Music Festival Christina Fuoco-Karasinski >> The Entertainer!

iriusXM’s Jose Mangin loves any excuse to return to Arizona. The ambassador of all things heavy metal is the keynote speaker at this year’s Mesa Music Festival. “It’ll be cool to see family and friends and get to talk to Arizona music fans in a cool, different setting that’s not just surrounded by heavy metal,” Mangin says via telephone from San Francisco on his way to Metallica Headquarters. “It’s a cool festival with lots of different genres. I just want to say thank you to Arizona and to maybe even inspire Arizona kids to do something awesome with their lives.” From Thursday, November 14, to Saturday, November 16, the Mesa Music Festival will bring hundreds of bands from across the county and beyond to Downtown Mesa to learn from some of the best. From music publishers to record label executives, bands will get to meet one-on-one and attend workshops led by professionals who can help give them a head start in the business. Throughout the weekend, bands will perform at several venues throughout downtown Mesa where industry professionals can see them in action. Besides Mangin, the other industry experts include: • Mark “Weissguy” Weiss: Worldrenowned rock photographer for Circus magazine who has photographed Tom Petty, The Rolling Stones, David Bowie and Bruce Springsteen, to name a few. • Alex Gilbert, talent agent from Artery Global. Clients include Drowning Pool, Guttermouth and Taproot along with more than 250 other artists. • Stacy Nupoff, talent buyer for Mesa Amphitheatre. Mangin will speak at 7 p.m. Thursday, November 14, in room 3 of the Mesa Convention Center, Building A, 263 N. Center Street. For a complete schedule, visit mesamusicfest. com.

A FAMILY THING Mangin was born in 1977 at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix. He and his family lived in Phoenix, Sierra Vista and Tucson before settling in Douglas.

He was introduced to metal by older cousins when he was in kindergarten. “They had a room in the back shack with cool metal posters,” Mangin recalls. “I thought, ‘Wow. That looks awesome. What is that?’ There was a big metal scene in Douglas. “There were a bunch of long-haired dudes. There wasn’t anything in Douglas other than Mexican music, cowboy boots, Mexican language, and super, super Mexican dudes and chicks—then there were the inbetweens, who leaned toward rock and metal.” His first concert was Iron Maiden and Anthrax at Compton Terrace, south of Chandler, in 1992. Mangin left school and took a bus from Douglas to Tucson, where he met his cousin and a friend. They drove to Compton Terrace and took the same route back. “It was a big deal,” he says with a laugh. Mangin wanted to attend other shows, but his parents weren’t too keen on it. “I tried to go to other metal shows,” he says. “I wanted to go to Clash of the Titans, but I couldn’t go. I was too young. I didn’t have the means to do any of that. We were very poor as well.” To commemorate his first concert, Paul Booth’s Tattoo Parlor inked “Persistence of Time” on the back of his leg as Anthrax watched. It was during an episode of “Headbangers Ball,” which he has hosted since 2011. After graduating high school with a perfect GPA, he attended University of Arizona, where he earned a degree in chemistry, thanks to a full-ride scholarship. He then headed to Tennessee to pursue a doctorate. While at the UA, he served as music director of KAMP, the studio radio station. “Arizona is what made me into the metal person I am today,” says Mangin, who has family in the East Valley. “I love giving credit to Arizona. I wear Arizona jewelry. I always have my stuff that I bought in Bisbee or Scottsdale. I have Native American jewelry and turquoise jewelry. When people compliment me on my jewelry, I tell them it’s from Arizona. I’m proud—and quick—to point out where I’m from and bring it up in conversation.”

COMING HOME Speaking of conversations, Mangin

isn’t quite sure what he’s going to discuss at the Mesa Music Festival. “I never really prepare for anything like this,” he says with a laugh. “I just do it off the cuff. That’s always something that works for me. It doesn’t work for everybody. “I feel like I’m going to talk about how I got to where I’m at, how important Arizona was to that

mission. I’d also like to talk about how beautiful and life-changing heavy metal is. It might even ease some parents’ minds in the audience about heavy metal music. ‘This guy’s positive. He went to college. He could have been a pharmacist. Now he’s a metal guy.’ I’m a metal ambassador— pushing and promoting the music in a beautiful, awesome way.”

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TRAVEL

VACATION » SIGHTS » DAY TRIPS » ADVENTURE » EXPLORE » TRAVEL The views from Chateau Montelena are so lovely that they almost look photoshopped. (They aren’t!) (Photo courtesy Chateau Montelena)

! a g o t s i l a Oh, So C

Volcano, caves and vines define one of fall’s top destinations Alison Bailin Batz >> The Entertainer!

ore than 1 million years ago, a Mount Konocti volcano erupted in Northern California, spewing volcanic ash for miles. But unlike most volcanic events, this one was a good thing. That’s because the now-city of Calistoga was just about 20 miles from the site of the eruption. As a result of the eruption, naturally warm, mineralrich springs called thermal geysers formed and volcanic ash was deposited on the land. Natural hot springs like these have long been heralded for improving circulation, promoting sleep and relieving stress. And while the idea of sulfuric volcanic ash as a health aid may sound odd, it has been shown to disinfect the blood, aid the oxidation reactions in the body, protect cells and stimulate collagen production. Today, people come from all over the globe to experience the water’s and the ash’s medicinal, cosmetic and meditative properties via spa treatments, especially Calistoga mud baths. And though it’s not in our actual backyard, Calistoga is just a 75-minute flight from Phoenix Sky

Harbor International Airport into its sister city of Santa Rosa. It is easier for us than most to take advantage of the area and all it has to offer. To truly experience the area right, Indian Springs Calistoga is a must. The seeds for Indian Springs Resort, as it is known today, began with Calistoga founder Sam Brannan, who built the first version of the resort in 1861. All guests on property are able to take advantage of the resort’s complimentary bicycles, bocce ball courts, shuﬄeboard, croquet, fireplace lounge, walking labyrinth, hammockfilled garden and—of course—the private hot springs during their stay. The main mineral pool is Olympic size and open until midnight so guests can float under the stars. They also have an adults-only pool, which is smaller but offers all the same therapeutic properties. Then, there is the spa, where mud is a main attraction. Indian Springs is one of the only locations worldwide able to mine and hand-sift their own ash. Most spas that offer mud baths need to combine ash with peat as filler and import mineral water, but all of their ingredients are naturally occurring on property. For guests seeking more traditional takes on spa services, they also offer massages, facials and extensive body treatments as well as

chardonnay bubble baths and even goat milk baths. Beyond the space and spa, Indian Springs also boats one of the most popular eateries in the area. Named Sam’s Social Club in honor of Brannan, it features seasonal menus and one of the prettiest dining patios in the region. Every course is craveworthy, and many ingredients are sourced locally.

Indian Springs’ enchanting Buddha Pond is famous for its always-steamy appearance. (Submitted photo)

The Restaurant at Auberge de Soleil boasts a similarly impressive patio, with views that rival those in Sedona. There are vineyards and greenery as far as the eye can see as well as glorious mountain ranges in the distance. The only thing as memorable as watching a sunset from the restaurant is indulging in a meal onsite. Auberge offers a ever-changing standard menu as well as a chef’s tasting option that will take you on a culinary

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2019 The Restaurant at Auberge du Soleil showcases the grandeur of Calistoga. (Photo courtesy Trinette + Chris)

Indian Springs is known for its mineral springs, views and mud baths like this. (Photo courtesy Indian Springs)

Refined elegance and cozy appeal are the name of the game in Calistoga when it comes to accommodations. (Submitted photo)

adventure across the Western United States with thoughtful ingredients, interesting flavor profiles and absolutely sinful desserts. And while the wine pairings at each venue are exquisite, given Calistoga boasts from of the most acclaimed vineyards and wineries in the world, don’t miss the chance to experience them firsthand. Any trip should start with Schramsberg. Not only was Schramsberg among the first wineries in the region, it was the very first to dig into Napa’s hillside to create wine caves. Yes, caves. The vineyard offers daily cave tours, which culminate in a candlelit wine tasting underground. Each tour is limited to just 12 guests.

Nearby is Clos Pegase Winery, which is similar in that it also features a cave experience. The ultimate way to experience Clos Pegase, given its sheer size and seemingly limitless tasting options, is via an all-inclusive tour and tasting. This tour allows guests to learn about the winery’s history, visit the production area and conclude in the seductive and romantic cave theater for an intimate tasting experience. Chateau Montelena is another must. Many may know the name because it was featured in the 2008 movie “Bottle Shock,” starring Bill Pullman, Chris Pine and Alan Rickman. The showstopping Chateau is even cooler than the film portrays. Draped in bright green ivy, it resembles an English

Gothic castle, and its tasting room is perched on the top floor to allow for a true elevated tasting in more ways than one. From there, the next stop will get you even higher, but not because of California’s recently passed recreational marijuana laws. Internationally beloved Sterling offers guests a sky-high winery experience—literally. Perched atop a hillside, guests take an aerial tram to the winery. From the moment visitors depart the tram, they are greeted with wine. Elevated walkways, on-site art galleries and motion-activated flat screens that provide detailed information of all the vineyard has to offer abound.

And, finally, no trip to Calistoga would be complete without a visit to Prisoner. Though the winery space is relatively young—built just a few years ago, in fact—it is among the top destinations in Calistoga, given that Prisoner Wine has become a go-to option on menus across the United States, especially in Arizona. There are many on-site options, but one well worth an advance reservation is the Prisoner Makery Experience. Beyond a tour, it features a personal guide and access to the vineyard farm, copious tastings and then a multicourse winepairing lunch overlooking the open-air kitchen. For more information, visit visitcalistoga.com.

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ARTS

CULTURE » THEATER » DANCE » GALLERY » DRAMA » VISION

ARTS

CALENDAR Randy Montgomery >> The Entertainer!

Tony Award winner is theater at its most innovative and human. Phoenix Theatre Company, 1825 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, 602.254.2151, phoenixtheatre. com, times vary, $61-$108.

“The Pirates of Penzance” “The Mystery of Irma Vep”

TO NOVEMBER 9 Hold on tight for a Gothic mystery wrapped in comic absurdity. Producing artistic directors Betsy Mugavero and Quinn Mattfeld play all the characters in this hilarious whirlwind spoof of Gothic melodrama you will not want to miss. The show is inspired by the original principles of Shakespeare’s indoor winter theater of the same name. Presented by Southwest Shakespeare Company. Mesa Arts Center, 1 E. Main Street, Mesa, 480.644.6500, mesaartscenter.com, swshakespeare.org, times vary, $38-$48.

“The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time”

TO NOVEMBER 10 Wrongly accused of murdering his neighbor’s dog, 15-year-old math prodigy Christopher Boone takes matters into his own hands to find the killer. When the investigation takes a personal turn, Boone must leave the safety of his hometown to discover the truth about the murder, and about himself. Told through a stunning mix of multimedia effects and boundarypushing staging, this five-time

may be more than this cool cat can swallow. Recommended for ages 3 and older. Presented by Childsplay. Herberger Theater Center, Stage West, 222 E. Monroe Street, Phoenix, 480.921.5700, childsplayaz.org, $12-$35.

NOVEMBER 1 TO NOVEMBER 17 Gilbert and Sullivan’s most popular show is a rollicking, delightfully funny tale of a band of softtempered pirates. Mistakenly apprenticed to a pirate (instead of a pilot) by his nursemaid Ruth at the age of 8, the handsome Frederic is now 21 and, though quite fond of the group of joyous and fun-loving pirates, chooses to abandon his profession and “lead a blameless life henceforth,” dedicating himself instead to their eradication. Beloved since its premiere in 1879, the story is a delightful farce of a classic that is fun for all ages. Presented by Mesa Encore Theatre. Mesa Arts Center, Nesbitt/ Elliot Playhouse, 1 E. Main Street, Mesa, 480.644.6500, mesaartscenter.com, mesaencoretheatre.com, times vary, $29-$31.

“Chato’s Kitchen”

NOVEMBER 2 TO NOVEMBER 24 Gary Soto’s hilarious book comes to life in a charming new play about Chato, the coolest low-riding cat in the barrio. When a family of ratoncitos—or little mice—move in next door, Chato invites them over for dinner. What they don’t know is that they are on the menu! But things don’t go quite as planned for Chato. The mice bring a surprise guest of their own who

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Burger.

“The Art of Racing”

NOVEMBER 3 TO MARCH 15 Experience the first major exhibition of racing cars presented at Phoenix Art Museum, which features more than 20 legendary cars by Maserati, Mercedes, Alfa Romeo, Ford and more. An unprecedented collection of cars driven by some of the greatest drivers in the history of racing will be on display and were loaned to the museum by internationally recognized collectors from Arizona and across the United States. Phoenix Art Museum, Steele Gallery, 1625 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, 602.257.1880, phxart.org, free-$23.

2007 novel of the same name. Presented by Arizona Opera. Phoenix Symphony Hall, 75 N. Second Street, Phoenix, 602.266.7464, azopera. org, times vary, $25-$125.

“The Sound of Music”

NOVEMBER 13 TO DECEMBER 29 Just in time for the holidays, wrap yourself up in the musical that has inspired and delighted generations. Rodgers and Hammerstein’s romantic epic overflows with the indomitable spirit of survival and includes some of the most iconic songs of all time. Warm, funny and inspiring, “The Sound of Music” reminds us all of the sustaining power of family. Phoenix Theatre Company, 1825 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, 602.254.2151, phoenixtheatre. com, times vary, $41-$108.

“Fellow Travelers”

NOVEMBER 8 TO NOVEMBER 10 During the McCarthy-era Lavender Scare, communists weren’t the only government targets. Hostility directed toward abolishing “homosexual tendencies” in the government created a world of fear and shame. The story follows a chance encounter between an ambitious college graduate and a handsome U.S. State Department official. The powerfully compelling production is an ode to the importance of being one’s self and the bravery it takes to stand up to oppression. This moving tale is based on Thomas Mallon’s

“Silent Sky”

NOVEMBER 14 TO DECEMBER 1 Based on the true story of early 1900s astronomer Henrietta Leavitt, a brilliant, headstrong pioneer who struggle for recognition in the man’s world of turn-of-the-century astronomy. During this time of immense scientific discoveries, women’s ideas were dismissed until men claimed credit for them. In this exquisite blend of science, history, family ties and fragile love, a passionate young woman

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2019

must map her own passage through a society determined to keep a woman in her place. Arizona Theatre Company, Herberger Theater Center, Center Stage, 222 E. Monroe Street, Phoenix, 602.256.6995, arizonatheatre. org, times vary, $25-$77.

“Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” in Concert

NOVEMBER 15 TO NOVEMBER 17 Under the direction of Conductor Constantine Kitsopoulos, the Phoenix Symphony invites audiences to fight a dragon, swim with merpeople, and find out just who put Harry’s name in the Goblet of Fire! For the first time, the symphony will perform Patrick Doyle’s unforgettable score, while the film is presented on the screen. The movie is rated PG-13. Presented by the Phoenix Symphony. Phoenix Symphony Hall, 75 N. Second Street, Phoenix, 602.495.1999, phoenixsymphony.org, times vary, $25-$98.

Blue Man Group

NOVEMBER 15 TO NOVEMBER 17 The Blue Men return with a new touring show which features new and original compositions, acts and instruments alongside iconic Blue Man Group moments

based in joy, art, music, comedy, social commentary and profound absurdity. ASU Gammage, 1200 S. Forest Avenue, Tempe, 480.965.3434, asugammage. com, times vary, $30-$125.

Late Nite Catechism

NOVEMBER 22 TO NOVEMBER 24 To celebrate the Chandler Center of the Arts’ 30th anniversary season, Sister is hitting the venue’s stage. Don’t miss this uproarious piece of theater that takes audience members back, sometimes nostalgically, sometimes fearfully, to the children they once were. The irrepressible Sister teaches an adult catechism class to a roomful of “students” (the audience). Over the course of the play, Sister goes from benevolent instructor, rewarding the “students” for correct answers with glow-in-the-dark rosaries and laminated saint cards, to authoritative drill sergeant. Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Avenue, Chandler, 480.782.2680, chandlercenter. org, times vary, $38-$44.

A.I.M.

NOVEMBER 23 Internationally recognized dancer, artistic director and MacArthur “Genius” Fellow Kyle Abraham returns to ASU Gammage. A.I.M. intertwines sensual and provocative

vocabulary with a strong emphasis on sound, human behavior and all things visual to create an avenue for personal investigation and exposing that on stage. Representing dancers from various disciplines and diverse personal backgrounds, the performers create fresh and unique movement. Contains adult content. ASU Gammage, 1200 S. Forest Avenue, Tempe, 480.965.3434, asugammage.com, 7 p.m., $20. “Yosemite II, October 16, 2011,” iPad drawing printed on four sheets of paper, (46 3/8 x 34 7/8 inches each), mounted on four sheets of Dibond. Edition 1 of 12 92 3/4 x 69 3/4 inches overall. By David Hockney.

David Hockney’s “Yosemite and Masters of California Basketry” Jane Lynch and Kate Flannery: Two Lost Souls featuring the Tony Guerrero Quartet

NOVEMBER 23 Jane Lynch and Kate Flannery take the stage in Scottsdale along with the Tony Guerrero Quartet. The acclaimed singers and actors put their one-of-a-kind spin on songs from Broadway to The Barry Sisters to the Swingin’ Sixties. Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts. 7380 E. Second Street, Scottsdale, 480.499.8587, scottsdaleperformingarts. org, 8 p.m., $62-$98.

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TO APRIL 5 David Hockney’s exhibit highlights the impact that Yosemite has had over time and space on artistic production, from the Valley’s original indigenous inhabitants to one of the most celebrated artists of the 20th and 21st centuries. The exhibition marks the first showing of Hockney’s work in Arizona and will highlight the influence of the American landscape on his seminal work while illuminating how indigenous women inspired by the same landscape have made significant contributions to the field of art production. Heard Museum, 2301 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, 602.252.8840, heard.org, times vary, free-$20.

Gala Chairman Oscar De las salas

S AT U R D AY , D E C E M B E R 7 , 2 0 1 9 , 5 P. M . SCOTTSDALE ARTS CAMPUS Join us for a glamorous evening celebrating the 20th anniversary of SMoCA, and the people who made the dream of a contemporary art museum a reality. The honorees will be receiving the Herberger Award, named after our generous presenting sponsors. For more information and to purchase your tickets, please visit Gala.ScottsdaleArts.org or call Kelly Hicks at 480-874-4662. Squidsoup, Submergence, interactive LED light installation at Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, 2017.

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Feeling ‘Blue’

Three jazz musicians come together to celebrate a legacy label Christina Fuoco-Karasinski >> The Entertainer!

azz musician James Carter considers his situation “blessed.” He’s toured around the world on solo and band jaunts, but this November, the James Carter Organ Trio will tour with fellow Blue Note artist and vocalist Kandace Springs and pianist James Francies in celebration of the label’s 80th anniversary. The musicians will perform a set of their own music followed by a finale with all the acts coming together to perform a classic Blue Note tune. The show comes to the Tempe Center for the Arts at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, November 16. Carter says this is his first Arizona show since the 1990s. “I’ve recently heard of The Nash, which is in Phoenix,” he says. “I’ve been dying to get out there to see it.” The three musicians are stellar in their own right. Springs—a Nashville singer and pianist—will release her third Blue Note album, “The Women Who Raised Me,” in early 2020. After her head-turning 2014 selftitled EP (which caught the attention of Prince, who raved, “Kandace has a voice that could melt snow”), Springs released her Larry Klein-produced debut album, “Soul Eyes,” in 2016, followed by her 2018 album, “Indigo,” produced by Karriem Riggins. Francies was born in Houston but is now based in New York City. He released his acclaimed debut album, “Flight,” on Blue Note in

2018. Francies has played with jazz headliners like Pat Metheny, Chris Potter, Jeff “Tain” Watts, Stefon Harris, Eric Harland and Terrace Martin, and racked up equally impressive credits in hip-hop and R&B: from gigs with Lauryn Hill, José James, Common and Nas to studio time with Chance the Rapper and appearances with The Roots on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.” The Detroit-born Carter released his Blue Note debut, “James Carter Organ Trio: Live from Newport Jazz,” on August 30. On the album, he reinvented Django Reinhardt. He’s well known in the Motor City. As a fledgling musician, Harry Connick Jr. pulled Carter on stage during a gig at the Fox Theatre in 1991. “I’ve definitely been in a blessed situation,” he says. “I’ve worked with different heroes and musical people. I’ve enjoyed all the blessings that have come as a byproduct and continue to flow as a result.” Besides Connick, Carter has enjoyed hanging out with jazz trumpeter Lester Bowie, who died in 1999. “He was one of the individuals who really stressed diversity in terms of bands’ portfolios,” he says. “He brought different flavors while being artistically fulfilled. He was one of the main catalysts that stuck with me.” What has really stuck with Carter is Blue Note Records’ legacy. “The items that have been rolling off the assembly since 1939 have been the soundtrack to all of our lives,” Carter says. “That roster is very exhilarating. To be able to contribute something seminal in the near future is amazing.”

“Blue Note 80th Anniversary Celebration: The State of Jazz 2019”

7:30 p.m., Saturday, November 16 Tempe Center for the Arts, 700 W. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe $17-$50 480.350.2822, tempecenterforthearts.com tertainment ide to Arizona En The Insider’s Gu

.com

entertainermag ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

KINOBE

Fri., November 8 | 7:30 p.m. $33.50–$43.50 This kora master presents exquisite melodies that will enthrall and excite. “Some of the most exquisite music coming out of Africa today. Sublime and peaceful.” —BBC

Upcoming Concerts David Wilcox November 12 Portland Cello Project November 14 Over the Rhine November 22 We3: A Holiday Show Featuring Renee Grant Patrick, Suzanne Lansford, and Nicole Pesce November 26 A Night of the Miracles: From Motown to Holiday Sounds November 29 Nolan McKelvey and Muskellunge November 30 The Jacob Jolliff Band December 3 And many more!

2019 Concert Series sponsored by

MIM.org | 480.478.6000 | 4725 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix, AZ

One for t he Kids

Pianist Alpin Hong is a ‘normal dude with an extraordinary job’ Christina Fuoco-Karasinski >> The Entertainer!

lpin Hong is a selfproclaimed geek. The classical pianist is about more than concertos and suites. He has a background in extreme sports, martial arts and video games. Hong blends it all to present electrifying performances like his Friday, November 22, show at the Chandler Center for the Arts. At 10 a.m. that morning, he’ll perform for kids with his humorous storytelling and familiar pop-culture references. The 45-minute show will be followed by a question-and-answer period. “In a concert, I could be performing Beethoven’s Piano Concert No. 3 and I’ll include ‘The Imperial March’ into the cadenza,” he says. “I make a challenge to the kids. When I take a solo, they might recognize the themes. The audience went nuts when they heard it. I give the audience—those who aren’t fans—something to hang on to. It’s a wink. I’m just a normal dude with an

extraordinary job.” Hong enjoys sharing those references. His TED talks finished with a medley of video game and movie themes. “The centerpiece of my educational outreach is the fact that I’ve been able to infuse that into my normal repertoire,” he adds. The “Theatre Kids” performance is appropriate for youth in third grade and up. “I have so much history there now,” Hong says of Chandler. “Mainly because a lot of students I knew when I worked there have become colleagues. Some kids—I can call them kids—are the most exciting musicians I know. “It’s credible. It’s proof positive about the value of educational outreach and what the arts can do for young people. I can see that benefit first hand. It’s inspiring to see what I preached back then is put into practice. Not all of them have become musicians, but they’re incredible and independent people.” His love of comic books and pop culture have become staples in Hong’s shows, he says before quickly

correcting himself. “It’s not even a staple,” he says. “It’s become my career, in fact. I owe the fact that I still have a job to this idea I had back in the day of investing in the audience of the future. It’s morphed into many different things.” Next on his bucket list is a comic con in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, a community he has performed in about six times. The city offered him a venue in which to host an event. As a parent, he decided to capitalize on the appeal of Marvel movies, Nintendo games and Xbox games. “We could establish the connection between arts and STEM education,” Hong says. “It’s my experience that kids who take music have proficiency in STEM education, which are the industries of the future. “It’s very important for schools to identify and capitalize on those connections. Teaching a child music often leads to an appreciation for the art and the technical skills. We’re living in a world where we have to compete with an $11.99 a month subscription fee—to Netflix. Getting all of us off our couches to go do something live is a great challenge.”

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He offers daytime shows for kids so they and their parents can stay awake through them. “If you’ve never been to a classical music concert, my concerts are the ones to go to,” Hong says with a laugh. “That’s my selling point. Those people who don’t have that appreciation for it should take a chance and have a oncein-a-lifetime experience. Please come to my show.”

Alpin Hong: Theatre Kids 10 a.m., Friday, November 22 Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Avenue, Chandler $2 480.782.2680, chandlercenter.org

Alpin Hong Concert

7:30 p.m., Friday, November 22 Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Avenue, Chandler $32 and $42 480.782.2680, chandlercenter.org

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2019

PSYCHO KILLER

Stray Cat Theatre studies death in ‘American Psycho The Musical’ Laura Latzko >> The Entertainer!

efore audiences found themselves empathizing with serial killer Dexter, they got a taste of an allAmerican serial killer with Patrick Bateman of “American Psycho.” His story continues to draw audiences with its exploration of what drives someone to murder. Stray Cat Theatre will present “American Psycho the Musical,” developed by Duncan Sheik and Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, from Saturday, November 9, to Saturday, November 23, at the Tempe Center for the Arts. Based on a 1991 novel by Bret Easton Ellis, and the 2000 film, starring Christian Bale, the musical follows Patrick Bateman, a sleek Wall Street banker with a penchant for murder. He lives a life of excess filled with exclusive clubs, high-end restaurants and designer suits, but he is also fighting his own inner demons and slowly losing touch with reality. Directed by Ron May, the local production features a mix of familiar and new faces. This will be the first Stray Cat production for Toby Yatso, the actor playing Patrick Bateman, and Patti Davis Suarez, the actress playing Mrs. Bateman, Svetlana and Mrs. Wolfe. Yatso regularly performs with Phoenix Theatre Company, where he has played neurotic characters such as Orin Scrivello in “Little Shop of Horrors.” Yatso says while the sadistic dentist is more over-the-top and exists in a different reality than Patrick Bateman, there are some similarities between the two roles. “They are both characters that have an obsession, a fixation, an identity crisis, a duplicity of identity and a proclivity to violence. They are similar in that way, but I would argue that the way the dentist is portrayed in ‘Little Shop’ is more comically two-dimensional than how Patrick is brought to life in ‘American Psycho,’” Yatso says. With the character of Patrick Bateman, Yatso tries to explore the human side of the character and delve into what drives him to kill. “Patrick Bateman is a very complicated, troubled person. I think any actor who works hard at this is fascinated by those complicated,

challenging roles. This is a version of neurosis that goes into a different territory, vibe and mood than I’ve been able to do thus far,” Yatso says. The show explores how insecurities can be harmful and drive a person to extremes. “The sense of where it stems from, coming from a place of insecurities and having to compensate for it, everybody feels that way at some point. We all feel like an imposter at some point in our lives. I guess the question that this piece tries to answer is what happens when that goes so far?” Yatso says. Yatso says he was intrigued by the untraditional quality of the show. “I really love this artform a lot. I love how brave it can be, and I love when it experiments with itself and tries to get away with something uncharted or unexpected. When there’s an opportunity to take a risk like that, it’s very enticing and very attractive,” Yatso says. The show is set in 1989, a time in American history marked by excessive displays of wealth. This theme is explored in the show through Patrick Bateman and his colleagues. “Your wealth had to be conspicuous. If you didn’t see it, it didn’t count. So, your image and your sense of identity in other people’s eyes was easy to obsess over and challenging to maintain because you had to keep up with it,” Yatso says. The show touches on how certain brands, such as a Rolex watch, marked a person’s status. The production blends musical theater pieces with a new wave flair with well-known songs from the 1980s. Similar to the movie, the show tells the story through a dark comedy lens. “It is on many levels a satire of American cultural extremes in the 1980s. It shines a very bold mirror back at society. It’s meant to bring laughs at well as bring shock and awe,” Yatso says.

Saturday and Sunday November 23 - 24, 2019

of Scottsdale

Kevin DesPlanques

10: 00 am to 5:00 pm

Aasia Hamid

Stray Cat Theatre’s Production of “American Psycho the Musical”

Tempe Center for the Arts, 700 W. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe, 480.350.2822, straycattheatre. org, Saturday, November 9, to Saturday, November 23, $40 for adults, $35 for students and seniors, $15 for students on Thursdays.

John Domont

Marvin Blackmore

Lori Williams

• 26th Annual ArtFest™ of Scottsdale • Independent Fine Artists • Local Musicians and Authors • Variety of International Foods • Two Stages of Entertainment • Local Community Groups • YMCA art activities for kids • Kiwanis Used Book Sale

Scottsdale Civic Center Plaza - In historic Old Town Scottsdale 7380 E. Second Street, Scottsdale

At Civic Center Blvd., just south of Indian School Rd., from 75th St. to Brown Rd.

FREE ADMISSION & FREE PARKING For more information visit www.888artfest.com

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DINING

EAT » EXPERIENCE » INDULGE » SAVOR » DEVOUR » NOSH

DINING

CALENDAR Octavio Serrano >> The Entertainer!

Sabor: A Culinary Celebration of Baja

NOVEMBER 14 Guests can join this international chef collaboration inspired by the coastal flavors and wines from Valle de Guadalupe and Ensenada, Mexico. This year, the event will feature Phoenix chef Silvana Salcido Esparza from Barrio Café, and Ensenada chef Sabina Bandera from La Guerrense. Together, they will create a menu that will transport the flavors of Mexico to the Heard Museum. Heard Museum, 2301 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, 602.252.8840, heard. org, 6 to 10 p.m., $250.

Fundraiser for Craig Johnson

NOVEMBER 1 TO NOVEMBER 28 The Keeler Hospitality Group—the parent company of local restaurants Liberty Station American Tavern and Smokehouse, Keeler’s Neighborhood Steakhouse and Spencer’s for Steaks & Chops—is hosting a fundraiser to benefit a neighbor, Craig Johnson, who suffers from ALS. Throughout the fundraiser, diners will have the option to round up on their guest check, with funds directly benefiting the Johnsons. The funds will go toward covering a handicap van and medical expenses. Various locations, https:// bit.ly/2PrgKBw.

Barrage Cellars’ Winemakers Dinner

NOVEMBER 13 Keeler’s Neighborhood Steakhouse is hosting a winemaker’s dinner with Kevin Correll and his family-owned boutique, Barrage Cellars. Correll will describe each pairing designed to complement dishes prepared by Chef Anthony Apolinar. The five courses include a Maine lobster salad, pan-seated duck breast, venison tenderloin, prime baseball-cut top sirloin with confit red bliss potatoes, and other complementary additions. Keeler’s Neighborhood Steakhouse, 7212 E. Ho Hum Road, Carefree, 602.374.4784, keelerssteakhouse.com, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., $85.

Ghost Ranch Chef Series

NOVEMBER 13 Ghost Ranch launches its chef series with Samantha Sanz of Talavera Restaurant at the Four Seasons Scottsdale. She’ll collaborate with Ghost Ranch’s Rene Andrade and Roberto Centeno to bring guests a fivecourse dinner that goes back to their roots. The dishes will draw inspiration from the chefs’ hometown, Nogales, and will bring a variety of flavors to the table. Join in and try something different with these courses. Ghost Ranch: Modern Southwest Cuisine, 1006 E. Warner Road Suites 102-103, Tempe, 480.474.4328, ghostranchaz. com, 6 to 9 p.m., $75.

Lunch and Learn Series

NOVEMBER 17 Sanctuary’s award-winning culinary series returns with chef Aaron Sanchez, who will discuss his memoir, “Where I Come From: Life Lessons from a Latino Chef,” and his perspective on culinary philosophy. This is a great way for food aficionados to learn a bit more about the food culture and the history from a critically acclaimed chef. Sanctuary Camelback Resort, 5700 E. McDonald Drive, Paradise Valley, 855.421.3522, sanctuaryoncamelback. com, 11 a.m., $135.

head to the University of Arizona Yuma Agriculture Center to enjoy a gourmet dinner at a shared table, fueled by lively conversation. Each dinner will feature a local farm family who will talk about their lives and what the farm life is like. The dinners will be prepared by executive chef Alex Trujillo, who will incorporate locally grown winter vegetables and produce. University of Arizona Yuma Agricultural Center, 6425 W. Eighth Street, Yuma, 1.800.293.0071, visityuma. com, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., $80.

Adelsheim Wine Dinner

NOVEMBER 23 Be a part of this special dinner and sample drinks from one of Oregon’s most respected vineyards. Participants will enjoy five courses, which will be complemented with Adelsheim wine. A company representative will walk guests through each wine, while the chef will cover the food aspect of the dinner. The courses will include a salad, shrimp, ravioli, duck breast and dessert. Classic Cooking Academy, 10411 E. McDowell Mountain Ranch Road, Scottsdale, 480.502.0177, 6 to 8:30 p.m., $95.

Learn & Lunch Cooking Class: Pollo Saporito

NOVEMBER 16 Chef Marcellino will teach participants how to cook Pollo Saporito during this intimate cooking class at the restaurant’s Chef’s Island. This dish features chicken breast sautéed with pine nuts, sun-dried tomatoes, mushrooms and a touch of tomato. After the class, guests will enjoy lunch of Chef’s dish, a fresh organic salad and Chef Marcellino’s biscotti. Seating is limited, and reservations are required. Marcellino Ristorante, 7114 E. Stetson Drive, Scottsdale, 480.990.9500, marcellinoristorante.com, 1 to 3 p.m., $45 plus tax and gratuity.

Sunset on the Ranch Dinner Debut

NOVEMBER 21 Presented by Visit Yuma, this new specialty dinner will be offered five times during the winter. Guests

Tamale Cooking Class

NOVEMBER 30 Cooking is a daily activity that not everyone is familiar with. Urban Margarita’s tamale cooking class will feature the restaurant owner’s mother, Josie Borrego, teaching guests the fine art of tamale making. Get ready to surprise friends and family with the fine skills of tamale making. Urban Margarita, 6685 W. Beardsley Road, Glendale, 623.561.6674, urbanmargarita. com, 1 p.m., $30.

DINERINSIDER

Brunch Café is for the dogs Brandie Bosworth >> The Entertainer!

orth Scottsdale’s Brunch Café has gone beyond the typical entrees. It is supporting guests’ furry friends. For $5, pet parents on the cafe’s patio can order a “Fido Frisbee” meal of plain scrambled eggs on a take-home saucer. “I wonder if she liked it,” Katie Eubank says jokingly about the meal for her dog, Daisy. “I think she ate it all in under one minute.” The cafe has seven locations in Chicago, and it opened its Scottsdale restaurant in March. General manager Kevin Rasmus made the journey to Scottsdale to open the restaurant and stopped at a Northern Arizona eatery that offered his dog a meal of steak and rice. He says he thought it was a great idea and brought the concept to Brunch Café. Eggs are not only a treat for dogs but they are a great source of digestible protein that helps the pups have healthy, shiny coats. “The patio is first come, first served,” Rasmus says.

The owner of two chocolate labradoodles, Rasmus says Brunch Café welcomes any size and breed of dog as long as they are social and well-behaved. The patio can hold about eight dogs and has water bowls available. The cafe complies with all health department standards and regulations while accommodating guests’ pets, Rasmus says. “The staff can’t touch the dogs. It’s up to the pet owner to handle the Frisbee after the staff places it for the dog,” Rasmus says. North Scottsdale is the only Brunch Café that offers the Frisbee meals and the sole Brunch Café outside of Illinois—for now. A second Brunch Café is set to open off Via de Ventura and the Loop 101 in Scottsdale by the end of January.

Brunch Café

15507 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 100, Scottsdale, 480.398.7174, bunchcafe.com.

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HOLY MACARONI!

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2019

Indulge in cheesy comfort food at this festival Samantha Molina >> The Entertainer!

other’s mac and cheese won’t taste the same after a visit to the third annual Mac & Cheese Fest at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick in Scottsdale on Saturday, November 16, and Sunday, November 17. “This isn’t just your regular Kraft mac and cheese,” says Chantz Usery, event production president for West 54 Productions. “Being the first and only mac and cheese festival, our vendors are bringing out all the stops. Unique twists like pizza, green chile and barbecue mac and cheeses samples will be available for sampling. These cool variations on the traditional dish are what makes our festival different.” More than 20 mac and cheese vendors will serve 4- to 5-ounce samples of their versions of the creamy comfort food to the 1,500 expected guests. Guests can try the tastes at home, too, as the festival features live demonstrations of these creamy dishes. All vendors will compete for the Golden Noodle Trophy and bragging rights when local celebrities and influencers decide on the best mac and cheese in the Valley. Home chefs who believe they have a winning recipe can also take part

in the fun by entering the “Mac and Cheese S’Mac Down.” Those who participate can upload a YouTube video of themselves making their recipe. The videos with the most likes will advance to the live cook-off on November 16. Plenty of other activities are in store. A beer tent is equipped with televisions, games and an array of beers, Usery says. “This tent is really centered around adults,” Usery says. “It’s a space designed for guests to take a break between samplings. Guests can sit back, relax and watch some college football or join in a game of beer pong.” The Mac & Cheese Fest isn’t all 21-and-older, though. Families can enjoy music from local bands and a game area. General adult admission tickets are $15, while children under 12 are $5. Both include access to the festival and entertainment. Food and drink tickets are extra. VIP tickets are $75 and include access to a special lounge, private bathrooms, four drink tickets and five food tokens. After seeing a rise in demand for the savory dish at places like bars and restaurants, Usery says he was inspired to craft an entire festival dedicated to celebrating mac and cheese. “It’s a lot of work, to put on a festival like this,” Usery says. “The weeks leading up to the event are complete

chaos. My favorite part about being involved with this festival is when you see what you have created and see people having the time of their lives. It makes all hard work worth it.” The festival has donated a portion of its proceeds to charity in past years and this season is no different, Usery says. “We are all about bringing the community together, making memories and sampling some of the best mac and cheese around. I think people come back every year because

we always try to switch things up and there’s something for the whole family to do.”

Mac & Cheese Fest

Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, 7555 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, macandcheesefestaz.com, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, November 16, and Sunday, November 17, $5-$75.

ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

INTENSE FLAVORS

Maple & Ash fires up the steak and seafood scene Christina Fuoco-Karasinski >> The Entertainer!

ean Currid’s eyes light up when he talks about Maple & Ash, the new restaurant he leads at the Scottsdale Waterfront. He brags about the fire-roasted seafood tower, the “IDGAF” $155 menu and the selection of dry-aged steaks and premium seafood that give the restaurant its personality. “I love everything about this restaurant, from how chaotic it is to the stresses, and pushing through the challenges because anything that can go wrong will go wrong,” Currid says, wiping his forehead. “I come up with solutions on our feet. I find a lot of gratitude out of that and I get excited about that.” Open since August, Maple & Ash is part of the What If…Syndicate, a portfolio of brands that also includes Mavens & Aficionados, 8 Bar, Etta and Aya Pastry. Partner/executive chef Danny Grant, who formerly lived in Scottsdale, trusted Currid to care for Maple & Ash when he opened his first location outside of Chicago’s Gold Coast. Currid and Grant have history. The two worked together at Elements Restaurant at Sanctuary Camelback Resort & Spa. Born and raised in Southern

California, Currid graduated from high school in El Paso. Afterward, he entered college with the hopes of studying psychology. “I realized I had enough problems of my own,” he says. “I didn’t want to listen to everybody else for the remainder of my life. Cooking was this bug I got. It’s something that I found I was good at and I enjoyed.” That was in 1995, when he moved to the Valley to attend Scottsdale Culinary Institute through 1997. He went straight into the kitchen, working at the JW Marriott Camelback Inn, Michael’s at the Citadel, Mary Elaine’s at The Phoenician and Café Zuzu at the Hotel Valley Ho. “I’ve made a phenomenal living for myself out here,” he says. “I’ve had the chance to work for some great properties, great restaurants and phenomenal chefs.” But he walks in Maple & Ash’s kitchen to show off Josper, a grill/oven combo that works continuously at an average temperature of 300 to 350 degrees. The Josper and Maple & Ash’s wood-fired dishes are the keys to the restaurant’s success. “It really just intensifies the flavor,” Currid says. “It gives all this flavor to our seafood tower and to all the vegetables that we do in there. It’s just something that sets Maple & Ash apart from everyone else.”

Even the menu says so: “We believe cooking over a live wood fire simply tastes better.” The line is above the wood-fired steaks and seafood like 10-ounce filet mignon ($59); full rack of Australian lamb ($54); crispy pork Milanese ($28); fire-roasted chicken ($36); roasted dover sole ($38) and The Eisenhower, a 40-plus-ounce porterhouse cooked directly in the coals ($175). Notable as well are the four pasta dishes—ricotta agnolotti ($26); chanterelle and sweet corn ($20); short rib Bolognese ($22) and classic

pomodoro ($18). “We have a whole room separated in our kitchen where we make fresh pastas daily,” Currid explains. “I believe we have one of the best pasta programs in the state of Arizona, and I love showcasing all these beautiful, wonderful, fresh pastas and pasta dishes that we have on here. “Just like anything, we try to showcase everything. We believe in taking the highest-quality, best ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

ingredients you can get and adding just a couple of things—not too much fuss—and letting those ingredients speak for themselves. We let the cooking method speak for itself.” Maple & Ash is gorgeous inside and out. The restaurant features a dining room and lounge, along with a spacious outdoor dining deck that is surrounded by lush, overgrown greenery to offer diners privacy, along with stunning private and semi-private dining spaces. The space is expansive at over 10,000 square feet, with all the action centered around the massive 14foot wood burning hearth. Currid is just as enthusiastic about giving back to the community. He calls What If…Syndicate a “very gracious restaurant group.” “We don’t want people to feel that this is just a special occasion restaurant,” he says. “I want this to be one of your local places that you’re able to come to and hang out and feel like ‘I was born here.’ We remember our guests.”

Maple & Ash

7135 E. Camelback Road, Scottsdale, 480.400.8888, mapleandash.com 4:30 to 6 p.m. “golden hour” 5 to 10 p.m. (last seating) Sunday to Thursday 5 to 11 p.m. (last seating) Friday and Saturday

BEER AND WINE

SIP » BREW » RELAX » EXPERIMENT » REFRESH » TOAST

BEER AND WINE

CALENDAR Samantha Fuoco >> The Entertainer!

Center, 22407 S. Ellsworth Road, Queen Creek, 602.341.5724, baconsbluesandbrewsaz. com, noon to 9 pm, $10

attending this year’s NovemBEER Festival. Choose from 100 beers while hanging out in the heart of downtown Phoenix. Enjoy food from such vendors as Hogg Doggs, Taco Huicho and Que Chevere. Downtown Phoenix, 100 W. Washington Street, Phoenix, 602.229.8482, novembeer. com, 1 to 5 p.m., $30.

North Mountain Blues Brews & Arts Festival

On Tap Beer and Bourbon Festival

NOVEMBER 2 Attend the first On Tap Beer and Bourbon Festival, which will feature samples from more than 30 breweries and distilleries. Each person who attends will get an On Tap glass that can be used throughout the samples stations. Sip on beer and bourbon from Four Peaks Brewing Company, 10 Barrel Brewing Company, Dark Sky Brewery and tons more. Sloan Park, 2330 W. Rio Salado Parkway, Mesa, 480.668.0500, mlb.com, 2 to 6 p.m., $40.

Bacon, Blues and Brews

NOVEMBER 2 A celebration of what everyone loves—bacon, music and craft beer. Come drink and relax to some live music while shopping from local vendors. The family-friendly celebration of craft beer, blues music and everyone’s favorite pork product will feature an array of inventive bacon-based dishes from chefs from around the Valley. Founders Park Community

NOVEMBER 4 Come help bring the local community together through food and art at the North Mountain Blues Brews & Arts Festival this year. Purchase artwork from local artists while drinking a craft brew and eating great food. You can find something to do for the entire family. North Mountain Brewing Company, 522 E. Dunlap Avenue, Phoenix, 602.861.5999, northmountainbrewing. com, 11 a.m., $15

Paint Your Pet Painting & Vino

NOVEMBER 5 Have you ever wondered if you could make a beautiful creation of your favorite pet? Look no further! Grab a few friends or family members to this 21 and older event that will show off painting skills. Master artist Erica Marr will guide how to make the perfect painting. O.H.S.O. Brewery, 10810 N. Tatum Boulevard, Paradise Valley, 602.900.9003, ohsobrewery.com, 6 to 9 p.m., $50.

NovemBEER Festival

NOVEMBER 9 Celebrate with over 50 breweries, food and entertainment while

BBQ, Bacon & Beer Dinner & Concert

NOVEMBER 10 Grub on Pitmaster Troywun Davis’s multi-course dinner with different variations of bacon and barbecue. Dinner will be accompanied by live music. Hang out at one of the remaining native Arizona farmers, Grandma’s Farm, which will provide various vegetables throughout the dinner menu. Grandma’s Farm, 8888 S. 19th Avenue, Phoenix, 602.237.3319, rockthefork.com, 6 p.m., $64.

Birds ’n Beer

NOVEMBER 21 Stop by the Rio Salado Audubon Center every third Thursday of the month to learn a few things about birds and other wildlife while enjoying a cold beer by Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co. and other drinks for purchase. Enjoy this happy hour inspired event after work or if you’re out and about. Rio Salado Audubon Center, 3131 S. Central Avenue, Phoenix, 602.468.6470, riosalado.audubon.org, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., free

when you mention Entertainer Magazine!

Offer valid through November 30, 2019. Restrictions apply, contact property for details.

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(602) 374-1733

NOVEMBER 22 Sip on many different wines and róse during the 65 Roses & Wine Gala this November. This event is teaming up with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation to help donate money to the cause by having delectable dishes and live auctions. Chateau Luxe – The Garden, 1175 E. Lone Cactus Drive, Phoenix, 602.224.0068, localwineevents. com, 5 to 10:30 p.m., $250.

Arizona Barrels, Bottles and Brews

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65 Roses & Wine Gala

NOVEMBER 23 Relax as you meander through Salt River Fields enjoying exclusive releases from Arizona breweries, perfect varietals from Arizona wineries and exemplary tastings of the finest spirits being distilled in Arizona. Sample beer, spirits and wine from around Arizona produced by more than 50 local breweries, distillers and wineries from the Copper State. Salt River Fields at Talking Stick 7555 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, 480.270.5000, azbottlesandbrews. com, 1 to 5 pm, $50.

Downtown Mesa’s Fall Folly Brew Fest

NOVEMBER 23 Attention, beer lovers: Come down to Mesa Amphitheater and enjoy delicious fall beer this November. Drink full pours from more than 20 breweries and over 60 beers on tap. Food trucks, live music, fall games and more will take over the event, which is also fun for the kids! Mesa Amphitheater, 263 N. Center Street, Mesa, 480.644.2560, mesaamp. com, 1 to 6 p.m., $5.

GREAT BEER PAIRINGS

TRAPP HAUS BBQ

Alison Bailin Batz >> The Entertainer!

“I grew up in New York and always grilled for friends during football on Sundays, but, you know, I also love a good, old-fashioned New York deli, too. When I opened my own spot, I wanted to do deli items, which are tailor-made for beer. This combo is inspired by my love of those delis—where you can grab an excellent, hot and fresh sandwich paired with an iced, cold beer. We have tons of options like this at the restaurant. Come in and try this one—or let me help customize one for you. —Phil Johnson, owner of Trapp Haus BBQ

BEER

BREWERY: HELIO BASIN STYLE: XTRA PALE ALE NAME OF BEER: FAYUCA RIZING Ranked the No. 56 best beer in the world and No. 3 best American Pale Ale, this beer is brewed in collaboration with and specifically for local Phoenix band Fayuca. Somewhere between an IPA and a pale ale is where this crushable, concert thirst quencher finds its home. The aroma is bright and clean with grapefruit and melon notes as well as a subtle hint of pine and spice. The initial flavor shows a soft caramel sweetness up front with a smooth transition to a pleasant citrus bitterness on the back end and finishes cleanly. 6.3% ABV 60 IBU.

DISH

Trapp Haus BBQ

511 E. Roosevelt Street, Phoenix, 602.466.5462, trapphausbbq.com.

PAIRING: NEW YORK REUBEN COST OF DISH: $14.99 This is house-cured pastrami, piled high and topped with creamy jalapeño honey coleslaw and thousand island dressing before settling between two buttered, toasted slices of fresh rye bread. When done properly, the sliced pastrami sandwich should first be cured, smoked and steamed. It is melt-in-your-mouth tender and often salty. Bits of the rub at the edge of slices are revered and bursting with flavors of pepper, ginger, brown sugar and coriander. Pale ale, with refreshing crisp characteristics with a slight citrus bite, will help balance the savory nature of the meat.

SanTan is offering weekend peeks inside its facility Eric Newman >> The Entertainer!

stalwart of local beer and whiskey, SanTan Brewing Company is allowing tours at its 35,000-square-foot production facility in Chandler. Patrons can witness the whole process, from grain to canning and distribution, in the large weathercontrolled area. Anthony Canecchia founded SanTan Brewing Company in 2007 to provide great product with a local twist. These tours give guests the chance to understand how SanTan Brewing Company’s drinks are made. The process is simple and could be done on a smaller scale. “We’re excited to open our doors and share what we have built here at the production facility,” Canecchia says. “Our goal with these tours is to educate the public about the craft of creating artisan beer and spirits including what ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

it takes to produce consistent, highquality and honest products.” With a drink—or two—in hand, visitors see the inner workings of the facility, while employees answer questions about each of the nine stops. It’s more of a casual conversation than a tour. Stops along the way include the mill, brewhouse, stillhouse, hop cooler, laboratory, barrel storage, tank farm, craft packaging and distribution. Each station shows a different part of the journey, and how the liquor is made in various state-of-the-art machines. The building holds about 100,000 gallons of beer or spirits. The tour guide says the facility in Chandler can brew about 10,000 gallons daily given the right circumstances. Throughout the tour, visitors can taste the products like cold glasses of beer and shots of vodka, whiskey and rose. The jaunt caps off with a glass of beer in the canning area. Brewmasters and employees are

available for a chat at the end, where guests can also purchase products. Among the products SanTan Brewing Company is recently most proud of are the Sacred Stave American Malt Whiskey (90 proof); Butcher Jones Arizona Straight Rye Whiskey

(cask strength) and Sacred Stave American Single Malt Whiskey (cask strength). Each won double gold in the New York World Wine and Spirits Competition earlier this year. Butcher Jones Arizona Straight Rye Whiskey (100 proof) took silver in its class.

SanTan Brewing Company Tours

Various times Saturdays and Sundays 495 E. Warner Road, Chandler $15, with a percentage of each ticket going to the nonprofit Chandler Compadres • santanbrewing.com, santanspirits.com

CASINOS

PLAY » SPIN » LAUGH » GROOVE » UNWIND » WIN

CASINO ENTERTAINMENT

CALENDAR Christina Fuoco-Karasinski >> The Entertainer!

NOVEMBER 1 Rhythm of the Sun

Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, caesars.com/harrahs-ak-chin

playatgila.com/events

NOVEMBER 9 Jukebox 6

Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, caesars.com/harrahs-ak-chin

Walkens

NOVEMBER 2

Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, caesars.com/harrahs-ak-chin

Route 66

JD Madrid

Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, caesars.com/harrahs-ak-chin

Mike Reeves Band

Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, caesars.com/harrahs-ak-chin

Freddie Duran

Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, caesars.com/harrahs-ak-chin

NOVEMBER 10 Dynamite Draw

Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, caesars.com/harrahs-ak-chin

Desert Diamond Casino Sahuarita, ddcaz.com

NOVEMBER 4 & 5 DJ Ray

Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, caesars.com/harrahs-ak-chin

Toby Keith

Casino Del Sol’s AVA Amphitheatre, casinodelsol.com

NOVEMBER 11 Western Fusion

Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, caesars.com/harrahs-ak-chin

DJ Ray

NOVEMBER 6

Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, caesars.com/harrahs-ak-chin

Michael Land Band

NOVEMBER 12

Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, caesars.com/harrahs-ak-chin

DJ Ray

NOVEMBER 7

Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, caesars.com/harrahs-ak-chin

Thaddeus Trio

NOVEMBER 13

Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, caesars.com/harrahs-ak-chin

Silhouette

NOVEMBER 8

Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, caesars.com/harrahs-ak-chin

Harry Luge

NOVEMBER 14

Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, caesars.com/harrahs-ak-chin

Cheech and Chong

Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino,

Norm Macdonald

Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino, playatgila.com/events

The Ultimate AC/DC Tribute: The Jack Lone Butte Casino, playatgila.com/events

NOVEMBER 16 Thaddeus Rose

Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, caesars.com/harrahs-ak-chin

Bret Michaels

Talking Stick Resort, talkingstickresort.com

Norm Macdonald

Desert Diamond Casino Sahuarita, ddcaz.com

NOVEMBER 17 Barry Manilow and Bette Midler Tribute

Bronco-Por Mas

Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, caesars.com/harrahs-ak-chin

Casino Del Sol’s AVA Amphitheatre, casinodelsol.com

Marble Heart

Neon Circus: Brooks and Dunn Tribute

Quantum

Wu-Tang Clan

NOVEMBER 3

NOVEMBER 15

Stanley Serrano Trio

Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, caesars.com/harrahs-ak-chin

caesars.com/harrahs-ak-chin

Rhythm Edition

Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, caesars.com/harrahs-ak-chin

NOVEMBER 24 Gimme 3 Steps

Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, caesars.com/harrahs-ak-chin

NOVEMBER 25 & 26 DJ Ray

Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, caesars.com/harrahs-ak-chin

NOVEMBER 27 Thaddeus Rose

Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, caesars.com/harrahs-ak-chin

Silhouette

Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, caesars.com/harrahs-ak-chin

NOVEMBER 28 Route 66

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Marble Heart

Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, caesars.com/harrahs-ak-chin

Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino, playatgila.com/events

NOVEMBER 29

NOVEMBER 18 & 19

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DJ Ray

Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, caesars.com/harrahs-ak-chin

NOVEMBER 20 Arizona Blacktop

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NOVEMBER 21 Marble Heart

Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, caesars.com/harrahs-ak-chin

NOVEMBER 22

Quantum

Brenton Woods and El Chicano Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino, playatgila.com/events

Gabriel Iglesias

Talking Stick Resort, talkingstickresort.com

NOVEMBER 30 Jukebox 6

Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, caesars.com/harrahs-ak-chin

Walkens

Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, caesars.com/harrahs-ak-chin

Western Fusion

Dan Schultz

Rodney Carrington

Piff the Magic Dragon

NOVEMBER 23

A Rocky Mountain Christmas: Tribute to John Denver

Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, caesars.com/harrahs-ak-chin Desert Diamond Casino Sahuarita, ddcaz.com

Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino,

Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, caesars.com/harrahs-ak-chin Talking Stick Resort, talkingstickresort.com

BlueWater Resort, bluewaterfun.com

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2019

LIGHT IT UP! Cheech and Chong bring multidisciplinary show to Wild Horse Pass Laura Latzko >> The Entertainer! ichard “Cheech” Marin may be best known for being one half of the counterculture duo Cheech and Chong, but there is more to him and his cohort than just their brand of stoner comedy. During their upcoming show at the Wild Horse Pass Hotel and Casino on Friday, November 8, Marin and Chong will showcase a range of talents during a multidisciplinary performance with music and comedy. “We have a show that fits all the corners, all the areas of our past. It’s a very good show, and people are digging it,” Marin says. Though best known for the eight

films they did together, including the box office hit “Up in Smoke,” they have their roots in music. Marin has been singing most of his life, with Chong playing guitar for most of his. During their shows, they showcase their abilities, and Marin brings a new flair by playing the ukulele. Over the years, the duo has performed regularly in Arizona, with Marin also showcasing pieces from his Chicano art collection at the Mesa Arts Center. Their live shows combine music and comedy routines touching on relevant political topics. Music has really become a major component in their performances. The two perform original material and covers from other artists, such as Bob Dylan.

5PM – 7PM

“We are doing a lot more music in the show, playing and singing together. It’s interesting to see how that evolves because we are so intuitive about what each other can do. It just blends naturally,” Marin says. Though Marin says their music has been well-received by audiences and he finds that older songs are still relevant to today’s audiences, their act has shifted due to changing laws and views on marijuana. “We always have our eye on what’s happening out there today, and we do our version of it,” Marin says. But there’s one subject they haven’t yet figured out how to approach. “I’m surprised and disappointed. We still haven’t figured out immigration. I just can’t believe it,” Marin admits. Between 1971 and 1985, they released nine albums, six of which went gold. In 1973, they won a Grammy Award for Best Comedy Recording for “Los Cochinos.” But they go beyond music. Marin has built a career as an actor spans four decades and includes roles in “Nash Bridges,” the “Cars” series, “Born in East L.A.,” “The Lion King,” “Jane the Virgin,” “Tin Cup,” “Lost,” the “Spy Kids” series, “Judging Amy,”

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“Desperado” and “From Dusk Till Dawn.” He is also a writer, director, author, musician, humanitarian and Chicano art collector. Although Marin and Chong have taken breaks from performing together, they always find their way back to each other. Their biggest break came after the release of their 1985 album “Get Out of My Room,” which featured the hit song “Born in East L.A.” The two reunited in 2008 for their Light Up America tour. Marin says when they come back together, they don’t have any trouble getting back their natural timing. Over time, he has begun to realize just how special their duo is. “As time goes on, we increasingly know that it’s very rare. That part we really guard. That part is holy, us doing our thing together. Nobody should get in the middle of it, and nobody does,” Marin says. The two met after Marin moved to Vancouver, Canada, to avoid getting drafted. He had been going for an English literature degree from California State University, but he never graduated. The two started performing together at a strip club owned by Chong’s parents, where he had a “hippie burlesque”/improv show. Marin says they had a natural chemistry from the start, but they had to work to build on it over the years. “We had natural timing right from the beginning because we understood each other. We understand where we came from. We had a lot of the same influences, strange influences,” Marin says. The two of them have always had a sibling-like relationship. There have been times when they have disagreed, but Marin finds they are always there for each other. And that dynamic has continued to evolve as the two performers have gotten older. “It changes according to how old we are, what physical condition we are in. It’s really good right now, me and him,” Marin says.

Cheech and Chong

Wild Horse Pass Hotel and Casino, 5040 Wild Horse Pass Boulevard, Chandler, ticketmaster.com, 8 p.m. Friday, November 8, tickets start at $50.

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SPORTS

CHEER » HIT » HIKE » LEAD » ROOT » COMPETE

SPORTS

CALENDAR Eric Newman >> The Entertainer!

Phoenix Suns vs. Philadelphia 76ers

NOVEMBER 4 The Phoenix Suns, fresh with new draft picks and an offseason of preparation for their young players, host Philadelphia for the lone time in the 2019-20 season. Talking Stick Resort Arena, 201 E. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, 602.379.7867, nba.com/suns, 7 p.m., tickets start at $17.

Phoenix Suns vs. Miami Heat

NOVEMBER 7 While the Suns are looking to make a name for themselves with a core of young players, the Heat also have a new rookie in guard Tyler Herro, who lit up the preseason and will likely be an exciting player to watch in this game. Talking Stick Resort Arena, 201 E. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, 602.379.7867, nba.com/suns, 7 p.m., tickets start at $12.

Arizona State Football vs. USC

NOVEMBER 9 The Sun Devils take on USC in Pac-12 football play. The alltime series record leans 12-21 in the Trojans’ favor, but Arizona State 38-35 last season. Sun Devil Stadium, 500 E. Veterans Way, Tempe, 480.965.5812, thesundevils.com, time TBA, tickets start at $50.

Phoenix Suns vs. Los Angeles Lakers

NOVEMBER 12 The Suns take on division rival Los Angeles, which boasts former MVP LeBron James and perennial allstar Anthony Davis. Forward Jared Dudley—a longtime Suns player—is also a veteran on the Laker squad. Talking Stick Resort Arena, 201 E. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, 602.379.7867, nba.com/suns, 7 p.m., tickets start at $81.

NiteFlite Golf Tournament NOVEMBER 15 The annual NiteFlite Golf Tournament hosted by the Scottsdale Active 20-30 Club Is Arizona’s longest-running golf tournament. The tournament has been held for 30 years, and proceeds go to local Arizona children’s charities. McCormick Ranch Golf Club, 7505 E. McCormick Parkway, Scottsdale, 480.948.0260, 2030nf.org, shotgun start 10 a.m., prepaid super tickets start at $100.

Arizona Coyotes vs. Toronto Maple Leafs

NOVEMBER 21 The Coyotes, who hope to make the NHL Western Conference playoffs in the 2019-20 season, host Toronto, another playoff team, for the only time this season. Gila River Arena, 9400 W. Maryland Avenue, Glendale, 480.563.PUCK, nhl.com/coyotes, 7 p.m., tickets start at $55.

Arizona State Football vs. Oregon

NOVEMBER 23 The Sun Devils take on USC in Pac-12 football play. The all-time series record leans 16-21 in the Ducks’ favor, and Oregon won last November’s matchup, 31-29. Oregon boasts potential NFL quarterback Justin Herbert as its star player. Sun Devil Stadium, 500 E. Veterans Way, Tempe, 480.965.5812, thesundevils.com, time TBD, tickets start at $54.

AIA Open Division semifinals

NOVEMBER 23 Watch as the top two teams in Arizona high school football face off in a semifinal game of the newly formed open division

playoffs at Sun Devil Stadium. Sun Devil Stadium, 500 E. Veterans Way, Tempe, 480.965.5812, azpreps365.com, time TBD, tickets start at $5.

Arizona State Football vs. Arizona

NOVEMBER 30 ASU hosts in-state rival Arizona in a game that is always exciting. Last season, the Sun Devils scored 20 points in the fourth quarter to make a historic 4140 comeback in Tucson. Sun Devil Stadium, 500 E. Veterans Way, Tempe, 480.965.5812, thesundevils. com, time TBD, tickets start at $71.

Scottsdale teen set to make his hometown debut at ISM Raceway Natalie Urquiza >> The Entertainer!

ost 17-year-old high school students are working, playing sports or preparing for college. Jagger Jones does all that plus is a race car driver in the Arizona Lottery 100, K&N Pro Series West Championship. The Notre Dame Preparatory High School senior drives the No. 6 Ford for the championship team Sunrise Ford Racing, which is owned by Bob Bruncati. Jones is the son of P.J. Jones, who raced in various motorsports, and his grandfather is Indy 500 champ Parnelli Jones. Jones will make his hometown debut at the Arizona Lottery 100, K&N Pro Series West Championship, at 4 p.m. Saturday, November 9, after the Xfinity’s Series race at ISM Raceway. Attendance is free, but fans are encouraged to donate nonperishable food items or new toys for the Valley of the Sun United Way and those in need. The event is a 100-lap championship race in NASCAR’s developmental league. “I think it is great for more people to come see our sport, to see our K&N Series, the race we put on and see the track,” Jones says. “I think once they go there, there is a good chance someone will really enjoy it. There is a higher chance they will come back the next year than never experiencing that. I think it’s a great thing for them

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to do.” Born in Charlotte, North Carolina, Jones has lived in Scottsdale since he was 4. He says Notre Dame Prep’s staff has been understanding and supportive of his occupation. “Of course, there are tough times with the whole going to school and racing full time,” Jones says. “It has actually been a pretty good experience. I enjoy going to a normal high school.” He was inspired by his father and grandfather, but he’s passionate about racing. As a youngster, he raced gokarts and frequently heard everything was handed to him and he didn’t have to work for it. “No matter what it looks like from the outside or not, that is really not the case between going to school full time and racing,” Jones says. “I definitely put all the effort I possibly can and I try not take things for granted. I try to use all the resources I can to make the most out of my career. “I think it really comes down to not really getting that in your head what other people think or what they say. I know who I am and I know what I am trying to do, which is win races and championships.” Jones has a positive attitude toward racing, and he makes it clear no one in his family forced him to race. “It was because I was around the sport and fell in love with it,” Jones says. “That is what motivates me to race—not my parents, my grandparents, legacy or anything like that. It really comes down to my

passion and my desire. It is really what I want to do.” That fiery devotion for racing began at age 6 when his father bought him a go-kart for his birthday. P.J. Jones thought it would be a hobby for his son. On his 9th birthday, he received a new go-kart and got serious about racing. “I think the next week, my dad was like, ‘Hey there is a race next week. Let’s just do it for fun and see how it goes,’” Jones says. “I think a month later we were starting to travel, going to the regional races, and about a year later I was racing in the national tour.” Jones competed in Europe, where gokart racing is popular. He represented the United States, racing against children from Asia, Europe, America, Canada and Australia. “That is super-cool to look back at now,” Jones says, “I went in there and got a lot of experiences that I wouldn’t have had racing in the United States.” After go-kart racing, he pursued stock car racing and made a name for himself in 2017 by winning his first race in Lake Havasu. “That was my first stock car win, so that was super-cool,” Jones says. “That was the beginning of my path to where I want to be in NASCAR, so just finding success in that and stock car oval racing.” The following year, he raced for Dale Earnhardt Jr. Motorsports No. 88 car. He won his first of three races for JR Motorsports at Myrtle Beach Speedway. “That was one of the most, greatest

highlight of my career so far,” Jones says. “To just drive the No. 88 car. No matter what car it is, it is pretty cool that not a lot of people get to do.” He’s now racing for No. 6 Sunrise Ford Racing and admires the owner, Bob Bruncati. He calls Bruncati nice and helpful to up-and-coming drivers like himself and teammate Trevor Huddleston. “He helps fund a great team, really puts in a lot of energy in having good cars and being really competitive,” Jones says. “Bob has given me a great opportunity and I am so grateful for that. Also, being able to work with (hall of famer) Bill Sedgwick, who has had success himself not only as a driver but as a crew chief.” The 2019 season is winding down, but the season’s last race has been on Jones’ mind for as long as he can remember—ISM Raceway. Previously, he only raced in a i-Racing simulator. “I am super excited,” he says. “I have raced go-karts in the Phoenix area but that was five years ago. Since then I haven’t. The closest I have raced is in Tucson once or Lake Havasu a couple times. I am excited to race in my home area.”

NASCAR Arizona Lottery 100, K&N Pro Series West Championship

ISM Raceway, 7602 S. Avondale Boulevard, Avondale, 866.408.7223, ismraceway. com, 4 p.m. Saturday, November 9, free.

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2019

A STEP FORWARD The Suns’ offseason acquisitions could make for an interesting season Chris Fahrendorf >> The Entertainer!

o say the Phoenix Suns have been unstable in recent years would be an understatement. The team has finished 10th or worst in the Western Conference in eight of the last 10 years. Former and current Phoenix Suns executives—Ryan McDonough and Robert Sarver, in particular—have been blamed for most of the team’s recent setbacks During his tenure, 2013 to 2018, McDonough used lottery picks on Alex Len, TJ Warren, Devin Booker, Dragan Bender, Marquisse Chriss and Josh Jackson. Of those, only Booker has proven to be an everyday NBA starter. In 2016 and 2017 the Suns believed they could land stars LaMarcus Aldridge and Blake Griffin, neither of whom signed with the team. From 2013 to 2018 the Suns went through five mostly inexperienced head coaches. After all the instability, the Suns have shown that this year may be

different. Second-year general manager James Jones has wiped the slate clean. Len and Bender were not re-signed, and Warren, Chriss and Jackson were traded. The Suns signed a true point guard in Ricky Rubio and traded for veterans this offseason. Phoenix locked down Monty Williams to be their head coach for the next five years. “I don’t think any of us are looking backward,” Jones says. “We have a really good group. A bunch of players who are excited about the opportunity in front of them. That’s not our history. We don’t really have a history. We’re fresh.” The Suns are indeed fresh, with only five returning players from the 2018-19 roster. The Suns have been one of the league’s youngest teams and with little veteran presence. This season, the Suns will look for new acquisitions Ricky Rubio, Aron Baynes and Dario Saric to bring their playoff experience to the locker room. “That was critical,” says Jones about bringing in players with playoff experience. “I admit last year we didn’t give the players every opportunity to be successful. It’s tough to ask young players to direct a team. It’s tough to ask Devin to do so many things. The addition of Ricky gives us a leader (who’s) established, proven and hungry. He’s just hitting his peak.” Rubio played some of his best basketball over the summer when he led Spain to a 2019 FIBA Basketball World Championship victory and was named the tournament MVP. Rubio compared the Spain international team to the Suns in the sense that no one expected them to succeed. “In the beginning of the tournament nobody counted on us. Nobody really believed in us. My mentality was the same from day one, which is, we are going to win it,” Rubio says. “The same thing when I come here with a mentality to put this team in the playoff race. Not a lot of people put us in that situation, but our mentality has to be that one. We have to aim for our best, so we bring it every day in practice and in games knowing that we have to bring our best to reach our goal.” Rubio and Booker say they believe this playoff experience will be able to eventually take the Suns to the next level. “The pieces that are here already have a lot of talent,” Rubio says. “If you put it all together and bring the experience that Monty had, myself, Dario Saric, Aron Baynes, with a lot of experience

on winning teams, I think it can help this team grow and put this team in a place where not a lot of people expect us to be.” “I think you have guys like Ricky and Aron Baynes that I still have to learn from,” Booker says. “Guys that have that playoff experience and knows what it takes in those meaningful games to get in one of those last few spots.” Besides the playoff experience, many Suns players believe the additions of Rubio and Baynes will be able to take some of the pressure off of Devin Booker and DeAndre Ayton. Since the departures of Eric Bledsoe, Goran Dragic and Isaiah Thomas the Suns have not had a proven true point guard. Booker had to take over point guard duties over the past couple of seasons. “He’s a guy who can put people in the right places and the right time,” Booker says about Rubio. “Having a guy who can take that stress off of me is going to be a big help. At the same time, I’m learning from him. The way he playmakes, I want to learn that aspect of his game.” Ayton is excited to have a tough

competitor like Baynes to learn from. “I think having a dude like Aron is good,” he says. “It’s about time I headbutt somebody in practice and just go at them, but also look up to them and respect them in the same way. For where we’re trying to go, I need it.” In the end, only time will tell what this Suns team will be capable of. Whether they take a giant step forward and make the playoffs for the first time since the 2009-2010 season or they miss the playoffs for the 10th straight year, one thing we cannot question is the coaches and the players newfound energy and will to win. “Our expectations are to be able to improve every month,” Monty Williams says. “We want to be able to look back and say we competed every single night, every single practice. The one thing you can’t account for is how hard a team plays. You can’t game plan for that. I think if we bring that to the floor, we’re going to have an exciting brand and we’re going to get better every night.”

Phoenix Suns

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FAMILY

FROLIC » DISCOVER » IMAGINE » FAMILY » FUN » CONNECT

FAMILY

CALENDAR Octavio Serrano >> The Entertainer!

asu.edu/west/2019powwow, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., free.

Chato’s Kitchen

‘Coco’

NOVEMBER 1 TO NOVEMBER 24 Childsplay is bringing one hilarious cat to the Valley to delight families. When a family of mice moves in next door to Chato, he invites them over for dinner. However, what the family of mice doesn’t realize is that they are on the menu. But things don’t go that easy for Chato, as the mice become quite the challenge for the cat. Make sure to check out this comedy before it’s gone! Herberger Theater, 222 E. Monroe Street, Phoenix, 602.254.7399, herbergertheather.org, various times, $12-$35.

Native American Heritage Festival

NOVEMBER 9 Celebrate Native American heritage and honor the contributions at the Native American Heritage Festival featuring the 19th annual Veterans Day Weekend Traditional Pow Wow on Fletcher Library Lawn at ASU. This family-friendly event will feature Native arts and crafts vendors, food trucks and art demonstrations. The Pow Wow is a traditional gathering of dancers, drummers, elders and family - it’s one guest won’t want to miss. Fletcher Library, 4701 W. Thunderbird Road, Glendale, 602.543.5300, asuevents.

NOVEMBER 9 Come and experience the movie everyone has been talking about for that past year. This free family event will include music games and tons of prizes. Make sure to grab a bite before the movie begins at dusk. OdySea Aquarium, 9500 E. Via de Ventura, Suite A-100, 480.291.8000, odyseaaquarium. com, noon to 5 p.m., Free.

Annual Children’s Business Fair

NOVEMBER 9 America is in dire need of entrepreneurs to break into the workforce. Where better to find them than in the nation’s youth. America’s largest entrepreneurship event is back for November for its fifth run. The event invites children in kindergarten to eighth grade to launch their business ideas by developing brands, creating products or services and building marketing strategies. A panel of local community business leaders will judge 125 entrepreneurs so join in and support them. Arcadia Neighborhood Park, 3402 N. 56th Street, Phoenix, childrensbusinessfair.org, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., free.

Annual Family Fun Harvest Festival

NOVEMBER 16 Join the crowd at OdySea

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Aquarium and enjoy live entertainment while the kids have a blast with the day’s activities. A live band will perform on the center stage while the kids decorate pumpkins, play in the bounce houses, get their faces painted, win prizes during fun contests and take in the festivities the event has to offer. While the kids are enjoying themselves, the parents are welcome to shop from the local vendors and eat food in the cool weather. OdySea Aquarium, 9500 E. Via de Ventura, Suite A-100, 480.291.8000, odyseaaquarium. com, noon to 4 p.m., Free.

Friday Night Live featuring Desert Dixie

NOVEMBER 15 Every third Friday of the month, Downtown Chandler Community Partnership will have two musical acts perform on stage. This free, family-friendly concert is held at the Dr. A.J. Chandler Park and will feature country music. Feel free to join and rock out to numerous cover songs. Dr. A.J. Chandler Park, 3 S. Arizona Avenue, Chandler, bit. ly/2J6qZY2, 6 to 9 p.m., free.

Phoenix Pizza Festival

NOVEMBER 16 Join the pizza craze with this annual festival, which will include around 20 pizza makers. The event will feature live bands, lawn games, desserts, local vendors, a kids’ zone and other entertainment. For adults, there will be plenty of local craft brews from award-winning Arizona Wilderness Brewery. Get tickets before they sell out. Margaret T. Hance Park, 67 W. Culver Street, Phoenix, phoenix. pizza, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., $10.

Hot Dogs & Jazz NOVEMBER 16

Bring the kids and learn about jazz together. The music, which was born in America, was found in hiphop and other popular music. At the Nash, accomplished musicians will demonstrate different instruments and styles of jazz while giving kids a chance to dance and sing along. All while enjoying an old-fashioned hot dog. The Nash, 110 E. Roosevelt Road, Phoenix, 602.795.0464, raisingarizonakids.com, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., free.

Theater Kids: Alpin Hong

NOVEMBER 22 Make reservations for Alpin Hong’s performance. With his extensive classical training in piano and background in extreme sports, martial arts and video games, Hong’s outreach performances offer students the opportunity for in-depth interaction with a performing artist. He will deliver his context and connect with the audience through humorous storytelling and familiar pop culture references. Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Avenue, Chandler, 480.782.2680, chandlercenter.org, 10 a.m., $2.

Family Afternoon

NOVEMBER 30 Bring the family to the Phoenix Art Museum and make memories together. Visitors of all ages are welcome to participate in art-making, games and handson activities, which include a scavenger hunt with prizes. Discover works of art from all corners of the museum. Phoenix Art Museum, 1625 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, 602.257.1880, phxart. org, noon, prices vary.

GET READY TO ‘GLOW WILD’ THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2019

ZooLights to kick off with new features Octavio Serrano >> The Entertainer!

hoenix Zoo created its own holiday tradition, one that guests look forward to every year. One of the Southwest’s largest holiday displays, ZooLights will begin its 28th season at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, November 27, and run through Wednesday, January 19. ZooLights will bring millions of sparkling lights, hundreds of dazzling displays, live reindeer, festive food and drink, and fun family attractions. ZooLights tries to do something different and new every year to keep guests interested, and this year it will be displaying large glowing lanterns that represent wildlife. “This year our theme is ‘Glow Wild’ because we’re adding a special element—lanterns,” says Linda Hardwick, the Phoenix Zoo’s communications director. “We have millions of lights and hundreds of sparkling displays, and this year we will have more than 60 lanterns, all aglow around the park. So, with your ticket, you get entrance into ZooLights to travel the trails that have all of the lights on them.” The Phoenix Zoo has transformed its nighttime spectacle into a local tradition. Hardwick says it’s common for people who have attended the event to bring younger generations and show them what ZooLights has to offer. “ZooLights has definitely become a holiday tradition for lots of people in the Valley, as well as people from out of town,” Hardwick says. “So, we love to hear about people making memories and having a great time.” In addition, ZooLights will incorporate real reindeer as part of the

event. The zoo included reindeer last year and it hosted a naming contest for the youngest reindeer, who was dubbed Noelle. She will return and Hardwick says it’s fun to see how she’s grown. “We are excited because a lot of guests who visited last year will be excited to see her again and see how she has grown,” Hardwick says. “Last year we had three reindeer. This year, we are actually getting four. “It’s just a fun added element because it’s the holiday season and it’s an animal that’s associated with Christmas and Santa and all of that fun stuff.” ZooLights is not a quick setup. Arranging the millions of lights is a process that takes months to complete, and proper planning and preparation are in order. Hardwick says the Phoenix Zoo added 60 people to its staff. “We have a five-person crew who works on the ZooLight’s team,” Hardwick says. “They started placing and putting up lights in July. The park looks amazing; the trees look beautiful. I’ve seen a couple of sneakpeek showings of them and our guests are really going to enjoy it.” Part of the fun is brainstorming ideas to add each year. Hardwick says there is always an abundance of possibilities on how to keep the event relevant. “There are lots of displays that are guest favorites that are brought back each year,” Hardwick says. “Our team is hard at work all year long, constructing new displays. It’s really exciting to see how creative they’ve been throughout the past several months, creating new pieces for the events.” The Phoenix Zoo is traditionally visited during the day, but when it’s transformed into a magical wonderland at night, it’s a Christmas

tradition. “ZooLights is a very unique location just because so many people come here during the day and they see all of our animals,” she says. “To come back during the evening and see it transformed into something that looks entirely different is really exciting.”

ZooLights: Glow Wild

Phoenix Zoo, 455 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, 602.286.3800, phoenixzoo.org, 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, November 27, to Wednesday, January 19, prices vary.

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LIGHT ‘EM UP

Michael Pollack promises a brighter-than-usual holiday season Christina Fuoco-Karasinski >> The Entertainer!

itting in his opulent Mesa office, Michael Pollack is proud of what he’s accomplished. Drive up and down Alma School Road and Pollack’s name is present in most strip malls. He’s refurbished and renovated shopping centers across the Valley, turning eyesores into viable business ventures. But there’s more to Pollack than that. He’s a frequent contributor to charities and he yearns to make the holidays happier by wildly decorating his Pollack Tempe Cinemas with more than a half-million holiday lights. At 5:30 p.m. Thursday, November 21, the real estate entrepreneur will flip the switch and offer free holiday movies at his cinema on the corner of McClintock and Elliot roads in Tempe. The movies—“Elf,” “Polar Express,” “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” and “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation”—will begin at 6:30 that night. “This is absolutely my favorite time of year,” Pollack says. “We are so excited for everyone to come out and enjoy the incredible holiday light display and the free holiday movies at Pollack Tempe Cinemas. This is always a festive time to kick off the holidays and get everyone into the holiday spirit.” Carolers will greet guests in front of the theater from 5 to 6:30 p.m. The holiday lights will be on display through Sunday, January 5. Santa will make a special guest appearance from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, December 21, for free photographs. “Families can bring their cameras and they can take their pictures and it costs them absolutely nothing for that day,” he says. “The amount of people who appreciate this is overwhelming because, even though the economy is good right now, unfortunately, there are still a lot of people in this state and our country who aren’t doing that great. Little things like this mean a lot.” One young couple told Pollack they

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hadn’t been to a movie theater before the holiday event. “The looks on their faces were priceless,” Pollack says. “They were probably spoiled after that because here they’re seeing a movie theater that’s all decked out inside and out with all this animation and lights. “The young lady said to me, ‘Is it always like this?’ And I said, ‘Well, we don’t always have as many lights. That’s for sure.’ It just goes to show you that what some people take for granted, other people truly dream about doing or appreciate.”

NEW VENTURE Successful in real estate, Michael Pollack never considered running a movie theater. “I never in a million years thought I would be running a movie theater,” he says. “We bought the plaza and we didn’t know until the very end of the escrow period that they were going to close this theater.” Pollack says he had three choices: retrofit it and turn it into something else—which was going to be “extremely expensive;” open a downhill bowling alley, thanks to the slanted floors; or keep the theater. “I was getting tons of calls saying the movie theater couldn’t close,” he says. “If I was going to keep it, it had to be something we could be proud of. So, I just had it completely renovated as it had not been renovated since the first renovation, which was about 20 years ago when we took it over.” In Pollack’s Mesa office is a memorabilia museum, so he had the wise thought to rotate in and out the theater pieces from his collection. “We can’t really open the museum to the public because we also work in this building,” he says. “So, we bring pieces from the museum over to the theater and we rotate them in and out. People get a chance to see a portion of what we have here in the museum. There’s a reason that people like the theater, though. It’s because it delivers first-class service and atmosphere at very reasonable prices. “Unfortunately, there’s no real profit in that business. We own the shopping center, so we’re able to keep it going.”

LIGHT ‘EM UP The holiday light display isn’t easy to set up at the 85,000-square-foot center. It requires an eight- to 10-man crew about six weeks to hang the lights. “People don’t realize how big of a job it really is because it’s hard to fathom how big the whole plaza is,” he says. “If somebody’s decorating their house or when I used to do my office—this office building was always spectacular, and we had tens of thousands of people who would come by—it’s hard to judge. It was nothing compared to what it takes to do an entire shopping center.” That doesn’t count the landscaping and trees. “It’s rewarding when people get really excited about it, though,” he says. “I get many letters or emails, and they say for those few hours, they were able to put all their troubles and all their concerns behind them.” Pollack’s holiday merriment goes beyond the theater. He and his band perform on a glowing float during the Tempe Parade of Lights on Friday, November 29, and the APS Light Parade on Saturday, December 7. Both parades start at 7 p.m. As a special treat, Pollack’s team of elves have been working for months and have just completed what he hopes will be his final float renovation. “We didn’t think it was possible, but we actually found a way to add twice as many LED lights to our float and make it even brighter than ever,” Pollack says. “We are pretty certain that our lights will be visible from outer space.” Again, this is really rewarding. “It’s fun to play with my band and do the parades, but when I see the kids along the parade route and they’re dancing to Motown songs, it’s great,”

he says. “Their parents might not even have been born when some of these songs came out, but they enjoy it.”

LONGTIME MUSICIAN Pollack has been into music since he was 10, when he hit the drums for the first time. At 18, he was invited on a musical tour abroad, but after weighing his options, he decided to follow his family into the construction business. He quit music in 1973, only to return to it in 2008 when he saw a rather unappealing band. “They were lower than a garage band,” he says with a hearty laugh. “My wife, Cheryl, knew I could play because she’d seen me play years ago when on our first date. The lead singer sounded like a cat that was getting its tail stepped on. “She asked me if I wanted to start a band. I said, ‘Start a band? Are you serious?’ The next thing I knew, I just formed this band. Back in the ’70s, when I quit, I said if I ever come back to music, I’m going to come back under my terms. I didn’t want to do it for money. I just do it for fun.” His bandmates are professional musicians, but Pollack just performs for the love of it. They play only charity events. “We did as many as 35 shows in one year and we never charged the charities anything,” he says proudly. “As a matter of fact, I pay the professional musicians I have myself. It’s just a good time for everyone.”

Pollack Tempe Cinemas 1825 E. Elliot Road, Tempe 480.345.6461, pollacktempecinemas.com

Avenue of Cult ures 19 cultures meet at Arizona Asian Festival Connor Dziawura >> The Entertainer!

he United States of America is often called a melting pot of cultures. Keeping true to that idea, but in a different way, the Arizona Asian Festival will once again bring an assortment of cultures to Scottsdale, where Arizonans can experience the customs and foods of a variety of cultures. Now in its 24th year, the two-day event—presented by the Arizona Asian American Association—will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, November 16, and Sunday, November 17, at the Scottsdale Civic Center Mall, 3939 N. 75th Street. An opening ceremony will take place at 12:30 p.m. Saturday. Admission and parking will be free. Nineteen cultures will participate over the weekend, representing areas like Bangladesh, Cambodia, Malaysia, the Pacific Islands, Pakistan, Palestine, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam and more. And there will be a host of food vendors, which as of print time will serve Burmese, Chinese, Filipino, Indian, Japanese, Korean, Lao and Persian cuisine. Much of the festival’s entertainment will be based around two stages: the World Stage and the Cultural Stage. “The World Stage is basically our main stage, and that’s the one near the water fountain,” festival spokeswoman Mai Le explains. “That’s where we host the opening ceremony, the ending

ceremony, and the highlight of the program is the International Culture Fashion Show.” She adds, “The Culture Stage is actually near the Avenue of Cultures and where the food court is—it’s a smaller one—and every year we select one culture to be the highlight culture.” Two years ago the festival’s producers put the spotlight on Vietnam. Last year they directed focus on Thailand. This year the majority of the entertainment will evoke Persian culture. But the

A highlight of the festival, however, according to Le, is its International Culture Fashion Show, which will showcase more than 150 models from various cultures at 1 p.m. Sunday. “It’s considered a highlight, because everybody loves to go watch the fashion show to see the beautiful and colorful outfits and learn about the cultures from each region, from each area,” Le explains. Attire will be “traditional,” she says. “You will see the colorful and the unique and the custom and

performances are “dynamic,” Le adds, with other cultures still represented, and the majority involving dance, singing or martial arts.

the traditional garments that they designed for each culture, and you also will see some similarities from culture to culture,” she explains. “For example, between Vietnamese outfits and Chinese, there are some similarities … But there are also some uniqueness and differences in each of the cultures.” Elsewhere, a Chinese tea garden will offer demonstrations of the “formal” ceremonies and traditions that go hand in hand with tea drinking, as well as provide information about and access to the teas, Le says. “It’s a way to learn about the culture, how before you drink the tea you have to show the respect to the earth and respect to nature,” Le says. In between activities and all throughout the weekend, however, attendees can roam the Scottsdale Civic Center Mall. There will be plenty of artisans comprising a marketplace, as well as booths for civic engagement, health screenings and veterans. But especially important at the Arizona Asian Festival will be what is called the Avenue of Cultures,

featuring informative booths from the various cultures. Each year, Le says, the festival picks a different word as a theme and translates it to each culture’s language. This year’s theme is “enchantment.” Festivalgoers—children in particular—can pick up a passport at the information booth, visit and learn from each booth, and receive prizes, Le says. The idea, she adds, is “to give the children the opportunity to interact with other cultures, to learn about other cultures.” But while the event as a whole is appropriate for the whole family, kids will also have a Children’s Wonderland. In the lead-up to the festival every year, the Arizona Asian American Association runs its Kids Art Expo, a contest where children submit artwork to represent various cultures. It is this youngster-friendly “wonderland” where the art will be displayed, Le says. There will even be activities like origami. Still weeks out from the event, however, its organizers expect it to be bigger than any of the 23 previous years. With more than 15,000 attendees last year, the Arizona Asian American Association has set a goal of more than 25,000 visitors for this year. “The event is growing bigger and bigger,” Le says. “We have more participants each year, from the performances, from the culture participants and then the culinary booths and activities.” But Le emphasizes that the Arizona Asian Festival attracts more than just those familiar with the customs of its various cultures. In fact, it attracts general audiences from a host of different races and backgrounds. “They also participate because there’s something there to learn from other cultures, especially Asian culture,” she says.

Arizona Asian Festival

Scottsdale Civic Center Mall, 3939 N. 75th Street aaaa-az.org Free ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

MUSIC

LISTEN » JAM » INNOVATE » EVOLVE » ROCK » SING

LIVE MUSIC

CALENDAR

Patti w/The Sheaves, Disruptor

Vinnie Caruana

NOVEMBER 5

NOVEMBER 8

The Cadillac Three

Assuming We Survive w/We Were Sharks

Lunchbox, 8 p.m., $8-$10

Marquee Theatre, 7:15 p.m., $20-$40

The Rebel Lounge, 8 p.m., $12-$15

Death Valley Girls w/Crocodiles

Pub Rock Live, 8 p.m., $13

Keith Harkin

Ezra Bell

The Rhythm Room, 8 p.m., $10

Oingo Boingo Former Members

Guerilla Toss

Tempe Center for the Arts, 4 to 6 p.m., free

Belphegor w/Suffocation

Ski Mask the Slump God

Helmet

Tempe Center for the Arts, 6 p.m., free

Big Thief

Sorxe

Mac Ayres

Musical Instrument Museum, 7:30 p.m., $33.50-$43.50

Brockhampton

Sun Seeker w/Duncan Fellows

Luke Combs

The Van Buren, 8 p.m., sold out

Valley Bar, 8 p.m., $15

Penny and Sparrow w/Lily & Madeleine

Dead Ghosts w/The Exbats, Man Hands, The Rebel Set

Wovenhand

Club Red — West Theatre, 8 p.m., $15-$18

Musical Instrument Museum, 7:30 p.m., $23.50-$73.50

The Van Buren, 8 p.m., $36-$150

NOVEMBER 3

The Story So Far w/The Frights, Hunny, Just Friends Zac Clark

Roger Clyne & PH Naffah

NOVEMBER 6

Scotty Sire

Consider the Source

Sloan

Connor Dziawura >> The Entertainer!

NOVEMBER 1 Club Red — East Theatre, 6 p.m., $25 Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., sold out

Lunchbox, 7 p.m., $10-$12

Edge Happy Hour: Sandra Bassett & September Soul

Tempe Center for the Arts, 6 p.m., free

Last Exit Live, 3:30 p.m., $35-$75 Celebrity Theatre, 8 p.m., $40-$80

Marquee Theatre, 8 p.m.,$27.50-$47.50 The Rebel Lounge, 8:30 p.m., $8-$10

Black Mountain

Valley Bar, 8 p.m., $18

Micky & the Motorcars

Diggin Dirt

Miss June

Dinosaur Jr.

Phutureprimitive w/an-ten-nae

Francine Reed

The Raúl Yañez Quartet

Jam Session: Raúl Yañez

Rockbar, 7 p.m., $15-$18

Valley Bar, 7:30 p.m., $15 Last Exit Live, 9 p.m., $18-$22 The Nash, 7:30 p.m., free

Shawn James

The Rebel Lounge, 8:30 p.m., $16-$18

Tom Morello w/93PUNX The Pressroom, 8 p.m., $30

Too Broke for Cabo

Pub Rock Live, 8 p.m., $8-$10

The Wailers

Marquee Theatre, 7:15 p.m., $25-$45

NOVEMBER 2 The Black Moods

Rockbar, 8 p.m., $20-$25

Brockhampton

The Van Buren, 8 p.m., $39.95-$54

Chuck Redd

The Nash, 7:30 p.m., $11-$40

The Dave Riley / Bob Corritore Juke Joint Blues Band The Rhythm Room, 9 p.m., $10

decker.

Last Exit Live, 8:30 p.m., $10-$15

Gone Before Us

The Rebel Lounge, 1 p.m., $8-$10

Goon w/Citrus Clouds, Love Noka and Facadessey The Trunk Space, 8 p.m., $10

Last Exit Live, 8:30 p.m., $8-$10 Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $33-$40 The Nash, 3 p.m., $16-$36

The Rebel Lounge, 8 p.m., $13-$15 Last Exit Live, 8:30 p.m., $8-$10

The Rhythm Room, 8 p.m., $11-$13 Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $20 Valley Bar, 8 p.m., sold out

The Van Buren, 7 p.m., $27.50-$30 Pub Rock Live, 8 p.m., $14-$16

Last Exit Live, 8 p.m., $10-$12

David Cook

Musical Instrument Museum, 7 p.m., $38.50-$78.50

Bad News Blues Band

Edge Happy Hour: AJ Odneal

Edge Happy Hour: Tempe Sour Kinobes

Talking Stick Resort Arena, 7 p.m., sold out

Melanie Martinez Post Malone

Gila River Arena, 8 p.m., $98.75-$699 Trunk Space, 7 p.m., $30

Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $22-$249 The Rebel Lounge, 8 p.m., $20-$25

Starcrawler

Valley Bar, 7:30 p.m., $13

Sullivan King

The Nash, 6 p.m., $5-$10, or free for instrumentalists and vocalists who sit in

Elephant Gym w/Lite

Marilyn Manson

Fearless Kitty

NOVEMBER 9

Jack Harlow

The Franchise Band presents the Prince Tribute

The Van Buren, 8 p.m., $72.50-$77

Michael W. Smith

Chandler Center for the Arts, 7:30 p.m., sold out

Pow! w/RNA, No Lungs Lunchbox, 8 p.m., $8-$10

Summer Wars w/Calling All Captains

Pub Rock Live, 7:30 p.m., $10-$12

Tobe Nwigwe

The Pressroom, 7 p.m., $25-$85

NOVEMBER 4 Allah-Las

Valley Bar, 8 p.m., $28

Bad Wolves w/Fire From the Gods The Van Buren, 8 p.m., $25-$28

Dirty Honey

The Rebel Lounge, 8 p.m., $15-$18

Fobia

Marquee Theatre, 8 p.m., $45-$75

Good Morning

The Rhythm Room, 8 p.m., $13-$15.99

Melvins

Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $28

The Rebel Lounge, 8 p.m., $18-$20 The Rhythm Room, 7:30 p.m., $15 Pub Rock Live, 7 p.m., $17.50-$80

Lala Lala w/Cryogeysey

The Trunk Space, 8 p.m., $10-$12

The Pressroom, 9 p.m., $23-$32

Tempe Center for the Arts Theater, 7 p.m., $38

Full Moon Festival

Michael Seyer

The Pressroom, 8:45 p.m., $15-$30

Noah Gundersen

Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts’ Virginia G. Piper Theater, 7:30 p.m., $45-$65

Lunchbox, 8 p.m., $12-$15 Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $17

Summer Walker

Marquee Theatre, 8:30 p.m., $37.50-$199

NOVEMBER 7 Fit for an Autopsy

Club Red — West Theatre, 8 p.m., $15-$18

In Flames

Marquee Theatre, 7:30 p.m., $28.50-$150

Madeon

The Van Buren, 8 p.m., $30-$35

The Noodles: Music of the Grateful Dead and Jerry Garcia The Rhythm Room, 8 p.m., $7

PJ Morton

Crescent Ballroom, 6 p.m., $20

Jesse Cook

LeAnn Rimes

Chandler Center for the Arts, 7:30 p.m., $40-$78

Mary Stallings w/Eric Gunnison Trio, Javon Jackson

The Nash, 7 p.m. and 9:15 p.m., $16-$49

Matt and Kim w/Beach Goons

Marquee Theatre, 8 p.m., $29.50-$99

Mt. Joy

Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $24-$74

The Repeat Offenders

The Rhythm Room, 6 p.m., $10

San Fermin

Valley Bar, 7:30 p.m., $15-$75

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2019

Smooth Hound Smith

Nahko and Medicine for the People

Matt Maeson

Soul Power Band

Simrit

Pink Sweat$

The Rebel Lounge, 8 p.m., $12-$15 The Rhythm Room, 9 p.m., $10

A Tuba to Cuba: Preservation Hall Jazz Band w/Yusa and special guests

The Van Buren, 8 p.m., $35-$40

Tempe Center for the Arts Theater, 7:30 p.m., $35-$75

Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $18 Sun Devil Stadium’s Coca-Cola Sun Deck, 8 p.m., $18

Slaves

Tropic Vibration

Musical Instrument Museum, 6 p.m. and 9 p.m., $43.50-$63.50

Strung Out w/The Casualties

Union32

Two Door Cinema Club w/Peach Pit

Tim Reynolds & TR3

The Van Buren, 8 p.m., $39.50-$45

With Confidence

Pub Rock Live, 6 p.m., $16

Club Red — West Theatre, 8 p.m., $15-$17 Pub Rock Live, 7 p.m., $18

The Rhythm Room, 8 p.m., $20

NOVEMBER 13

Marquee Theatre, 6:15 p.m., $22-$37

Francine Reed & Friends

The Rhythm Room, 4 p.m., $15

Ice Nine Kills

The Van Buren, 6 p.m., $27-$30

Jam Session: Stan Sorenson

The Nash, 6 p.m., $5-$10, or free for instrumentalists and vocalists who sit in

Le Wolves w/Lone Control, Soul, Ring Finger No Pinky The Trunk Space, 8 p.m., $7-$10

Through the Roots

Stoop Kids w/Scattered Melodies

Last Exit Live, 8:30 p.m., $10-$12

The Sugar Thieves

Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts’ Virginia G. Piper Theater, 7 p.m., $18-$22

The Van Buren, 8 p.m., $25-$30

Issues w/Polyphia, Lil Aaron, Sleep Token

Talking Stick Resort Arena, 7 p.m., $54.75-$494.75

NOVEMBER 19

Blue Note 80th Anniversary Celebration: The State of Jazz 2019

The Rebel Lounge, 8 p.m., $15

The Rebel Lounge, 7:30 p.m., $16-$18

Demun Jones

Comerica Theatre, 8 p.m., $38.50-$102.50

Talking Stick Resort Arena, 8 p.m., $54.75-$875

The Dangerous Summer

Augustana

The Nash, 3 p.m., $10-$20

Young Thug w/Machine Gun Kelly

Maná

NOVEMBER 16

NOVEMBER 10 Bossa Brazil

Musical Instrument Museum, 7:30 p.m., $18.50

The Pressroom, 6:30 p.m., $20-$90

Jaden & Willow

Marquee Theatre, 8 p.m., $36-$66

Jidenna

The Van Buren, 8 p.m., $25-$30

Lucky Devils

The Rhythm Room, 8 p.m., free

The Menzingers

Club Red — East Theatre, 8 p.m., $25-$28

NOVEMBER 14

As I Lay Dying

The Black Keys w/Modest Mouse

Tempe Center for the Arts Theater, 7:30 p.m., $17-$50

Brook & the Bluff

Valley Bar, 7:30 p.m., $13

Built to Spill

Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $30

Carlene Carter

Mesa Arts Center’s Piper Repertory Theater, 7:30 p.m., $40

Christian Nodal

All Your Sisters w/Lana Del Rabies, tsone, Brooding

Comerica Theatre, 8 p.m., $70-$90

The Rhythm Room, 9 p.m., $10

Cold Shott & the Hurricane Horns

The Trunk Space, 2 p.m., $8

The Building

Valley Bar, 8 p.m., $14

Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $20-$30

Last Exit Live, 9 p.m., $10

Jeffrey Lewis & the Voltage w/The Exbats

NOVEMBER 18 Twin Peaks

Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $17

Acid Tongue

Bruce Cockburn

Musical Instrument Museum, 7 p.m., $43.50-$58.50

Cautious Clay

Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $18-$38

Oliver Francis

Valley Bar, 8 p.m., $16-$60

Simple Plan w/State Champs

The Van Buren, 6:30 p.m., $33.50-$37

Zurich Cloud Motors

The Rhythm Room, 8 p.m., $8

NOVEMBER 20

Last Exit Live, 6 p.m., $20-$25

Lunchbox, 8 p.m., $8-$10

NOVEMBER 11

The Aquabats w/PPL MVR

1349

Marquee Theatre, 7:30 p.m., $25-$125

The Bayou Bandits w/Haley Green, D.L. Marble, The Real Fakes

Tempe Center for the Arts, 6 p.m., free

Cold War Kids

The Nash, 7:30 p.m., $11-$31

Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts’ Virginia G. Piper Theater, 7:30 p.m., $22-$45

Harlem 100

Tiffany Young

The Dales

Chandler Center for the Arts, 7:30 p.m., $38-$58

Miami Horror

Hide

Portland Cello Project

Max Bemis

Club Red — West Theatre, 7 p.m., $15

Bethlehem Steel

Lunchbox, 8 p.m., $8-$10

Cat Clyde

The Rebel Lounge, 8 p.m., $12-$15

Dead Soft

The Trunk Space, 8 p.m., $8-$10

Immortal Technique

Club Red — East Theatre, 7 p.m., $25-$30

Little Miss Nasty w/Gina and the Eastern Block Pub Rock Live, 7 p.m., $12

Sleater-Kinney

Valley Bar, 7:30 p.m., $10

The Van Buren, 8 p.m., $26-$28 The Rebel Lounge, 8 p.m., $15-$18 Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $17 Musical Instrument Museum, 7:30 p.m., $38.50-$48.50

SWMRS

The Van Buren, 8 p.m., $32

Sun Devil Stadium’s Coca-Cola Sun Deck, 8 p.m., $17

The Trashcan Sinatras

NOVEMBER 15

Valley Bar, 8 p.m., $20-$70

1964: The Tribute

Edge Happy Hour: J. White

Fred Forney Quintet: Wayne Shorter, Re-Imagined

Lunchbox, 8 p.m., $10-$13 The Rebel Lounge, 8 p.m., $17-$21

Maxo Kream

Pub Rock Live, 7 p.m., $25

Soccer Mommy

Lindsay Beaver

The Rhythm Room, 8 p.m., $10

Roots Rising! w/Matt Andersen, Gaby Moreno and Liz Vice

Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $25-$200

Tribal Seeds

Marquee Theatre, 8 p.m., $26-$56

Vetiver

Valley Bar, 8 p.m., $15

NOVEMBER 21 4th Ave

Valley Bar, 8 p.m., $15

Sun Devil Stadium’s Coca-Cola Sun Deck, 8 p.m., $18

Metalachi

T-Pain

Pinback

The Rhythm Room, 8 p.m., $20 Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $22-$32

Celebrity Theatre, 8 p.m., $25-$45

Marquee Theatre, 8 p.m., $34.50-$84.50

The Jins w/Andy Warpigs, Carwell Project

Bad Bunny

Valley Jazz Cooperative The Nash, 3 p.m., $5-$15

Mesa Arts Center’s Piper Repertory Theater, 7:30 p.m., $43-$50

Charley Crockett

NOVEMBER 17

NOVEMBER 22

David Wilcox

The Trunk Space, 7 p.m., $15-$18

Musical Instrument Museum, 7 p.m., $30.50-$38.50

Dayglow

Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $25-$35

The Grouch

Edge Happy Hour: The Stakes

Club Red — West Theatre, 6 p.m., $12

The KVB

Fortunate Youth

The Rhythm Room, 7 p.m., $40

Mating Ritual

Lost in the Sun

The Nash, 6 p.m., $5-$10, or free for instrumentalists and vocalists who sit in

NOVEMBER 12 The Trunk Space, 7 p.m., $6

Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $22 Valley Bar, 8 p.m., $12 The Rebel Lounge, 8 p.m., $10-$15

Talking Stick Resort Arena, 8 p.m., $51-$450

Valley Bar, 7:30 p.m., $15 Tempe Center for the Arts, 6 p.m., free Marquee Theatre, 6:30 p.m., $25-$50 The Rebel Lounge, 8 p.m., $8-$10

Art Alexakis

Sheléa

Edge Happy Hour: La Luz de la Luna

Brojob

Tempe Center for the Arts, 6 p.m., free

BTR

Pub Rock Live, 7 p.m., $12

Jam Session: Beth Lederman

The Van Buren, 7 p.m., $26.50-$30

Fake a Home Ghostemane Icon for Hire

The Rebel Lounge, 7 p.m., $15-$199 ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

Valley Bar, 7:30 p.m., $15

Over the Rhine

Musical Instrument Museum, 7:30 p.m., $43.50-$48.50

Pennywise

Marquee Theatre, 8 p.m., $25-$45

Jeph Jerman w/Jimmy Peggie + Steve Jansen, Seth Kasselman + John Q, Chris Piraino The Trunk Space, 7:30 p.m., $8

Morbid Angel w/Watain

The Skatalites

Club Red — East Theatre, 8 p.m., $30-$35

Tyrone Wells

We3: A Holiday Show featuring Renee Grant Patrick, Suzanne Lansford and Nicole Pesce

The Rhythm Room, 8 p.m., $20 Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $20-$30

NOVEMBER 23 Carmela Ramirez y Más: A Latin Jazz Explosion

Tempe Center for the Arts Lakeside, 7:30 p.m., $35

The Chainsmokers w/5 Seconds of Summer

Talking Stick Resort Arena, 7 p.m., $44.75-$325

Cher

Gila River Arena, 8 p.m., $54.50-$675

Edge Happy Hour: Whitney Jones Tempe Center for the Arts, 6 p.m., free

Kizz Daniel

The Pressroom, 8 p.m., $65-$2,500

Koffin Kats

The Rebel Lounge, 8:30 p.m., $15

Lindsey Stirling

Comerica Theatre, 8 p.m., $39.50-$248.50

Lluvia Flamenca 7

Valley Bar, 7 p.m., $30-$125

Musical Instrument Museum, 7 p.m., $23.50-$28.50

Zhavia

Valley Bar, 8 p.m., $20-$99

NOVEMBER 27 Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys The Rhythm Room, 8 p.m., $12

Austin Burke

Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row, 8 p.m., free

Dead Hot Workshop

Crescent Ballroom, 7:30 p.m., $10

One More Time: A Tribute to Daft Punk

Lisa Loeb predicts why her landmark single has remained relevant

Thank You Scientist

Christina Fuoco-Karasinski >> The Entertainer!

The Van Buren, 9 p.m., $15-$20 Pub Rock Live, 8 p.m., $20-$22

NOVEMBER 28 HAPPY THANKSGIVING

NOVEMBER 29

Mayday Parade

A$AP Ferg

Snails

Meat Puppets

Turnover w/Men I Trust

A Night of the Miracles: From Motown to Holiday Sounds

Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $27.50 The Van Buren, 9 p.m., $25-$35 Marquee Theatre, 8 p.m., $23.50-$54.50

Voodoo Swing

The Rhythm Room, 9 p.m., $5

Wild

Pub Rock Live, 8 p.m., $12-$15

NOVEMBER 24 DaBaby w/Stunna 4 Vegas Mesa Amphitheatre, 7:30 p.m., $48.75-$56.75

The Van Buren, 8 p.m., $35-$38 Crescent Ballroom, 8:30 p.m., $20

Musical Instrument Museum, 7:30 p.m., $53.50-$78.50

The Old Firm Casuals

The Rebel Lounge, 8 p.m., $16-$19

The Sugar Thieves

The Rhythm Room, 8 p.m., $10

NOVEMBER 30 Heyrocco

The Rebel Lounge, 6:30 p.m., $8-$10

The Dead South

Jimmy Cobb Quartet

Dubbest w/Policulture, Something Like Seduction

Las Calakas

Marquee Theatre, 8 p.m., $24-$44

The Nash, 7 p.m. and 9:15 p.m., $16-$66

Last Exit Live, 8 p.m., $8-$10

Crescent Ballroom, 8:30 p.m., $15

The Get Up Kids w/Kevin Devine, The Whiffs

The Maine

The Van Buren, 7 p.m., $26-$30

Jam Session: Stan Sorenson

Club Red — East Theatre, 6 p.m., $25

Selwyn Birchwood

Musical Instrument Museum, 7:30 p.m., $21.50-$26.50

Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $24

The Nash, 6 p.m., $5-$10, or free for instrumentalists and vocalists who sit in The Rhythm Room, 8 p.m., $10

NOVEMBER 25 Big Bite

The Rebel Lounge, 8 p.m., $10

Nile

Nolan McKelvey and Muskellunge No Volcano

Valley Bar, 8 p.m., $7

Ryan Caraveo

Club Red — West Theatre, 7 p.m., $15

Souly Had

Pub Rock Live, 7:30 p.m., $12-$15 ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

STAYING POWER

rammy-winning singersongwriter Lisa Loeb can’t accept her hit song “Stay (I Missed You)” is 25 years old. The willowy pop song found its way to the top spot thanks to placement in the 1994 movie “Reality Bites.” Loeb became the first unsigned music artist to have a No. 1 hit, and that was quickly remedied with a deal from Geffen. “When I look at pictures, it seems like a long time ago,” Loeb says. “But it doesn’t feel as far away. The song ‘Stay’ has been so present in my life since it came out. I sing it in all my shows. People are big fans of the song. I still really connect with the song.” In honor of the anniversary, Loeb will perform at Tempe’s Zia Record Exchange for an exclusive Record Store Day in-store performance and vinyl signing at 1 p.m. Friday, November 29 (Black Friday). Loeb will also release the limitededition 12-inch vinyl called “Stay 25.” The clear red LP single will feature artwork inspired by the original single artwork and a number of extra live bonus tracks recorded with Loeb’s original band, Nine Stories in Japan. “I was a huge record collector back before vinyl was ‘vinyl,’” she says. “They were just records. The record store community connects people. People care about music. The artwork is detailed and it’s fun to be a part of that. “Now, my husband always goes to Black Friday to buy records. I’m not always there. He brings my kids. It’ll

be fun to see it in person.” In the last 25 years, Loeb has released 14 widely studio albums, both for grownups and kids, and her own eyewear collection. She also founded The Camp Lisa Foundation, which sends underserved kids to summer camp. She’ll add to her catalog next year when she releases an adult album. Loeb keeps busy, too, with voice-over work and raising her two children. “I’m always making music and touring and connection with people, whether it’s my family or my fans,” she says. Her new single is called “Sing Out,” a song she co-wrote with Eric Lumiere after she performed at Nashville Pride several years ago. She was inspired by the joy of the crowd. “It’s a special song to sing at pride events,” she says. “It really celebrates people being themselves. It has a special meaning for pride, but really it’s for all people who need a little encouragement to be themselves— their unique selves.” As for “Stay,” Loeb says the track has remained relevant because it has classic, universal themes of love and confusion. “People connect to it and have kept it around in their lives for the last 25 years,” she adds. “The song reminds them of something. It’s nostalgic. It takes them back to a certain place. It’s a timeless recording, and the video is a timeless way to tell a story.”

Lisa Loeb

Zia Records, 3201 S. Mill Avenue, Tempe, ziarecords.com, recordstoreday.com, 1 to 2 p.m., Friday, November 29, free.

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2019

Holiday Homeco ming Austin Burke returns to the Valley to debut new songs Christina Fuoco-Karasinski >> The Entertainer!

ustin Burke has a secret. He has a “huge” full band show set for January, but he’s not allowed to reveal any details. However, fans can get a sneak preview of new material at Dierks Bentley’s the night before Thanksgiving. “It’s going to be a really fun show,” he says. “I’m excited to go back the day before Thanksgiving. Everybody will be back in town.” Among the songs on his setlist is “Love You Most,” his ode to his fiancée, Lexy Kadey, whom he will marry on New Year’s Eve in Nashville. “A lot of people love her and think she’s awesome,” he says. “I had to write a song, putting a stamp on me loving her the most.” The show will have a feel of an intimate Downtown Nashville bar, where acts perform acoustic sets and tell stories. “It’s definitely going to be a more intimate show, rather than a full-band set,” Burke says. “There will be stories about the songs, like The Bluebird (Café) in Nashville. I want to bring that vibe, but it’s definitely a fun time. Before my big show in January, I want people to know the meaning behind the songs. I think a lot of people appreciate that.”

GETTING HIS DUE Burke’s last appearance in the Valley was to sing the national anthem at Chase Field. That is Burke’s forte. “I learned the anthem at 2, and I sang for the Diamondbacks, Rattlers, Coyotes and Suns—all over the Phoenix area,” Burke says. “I sang the national anthem at the first D-backs Spring Training game at Bank One Ballpark. I was used to singing in front of thousands of people early on.” Sports was equally as inspiring as music. Burke wanted to be like Garth Brooks, who participated in Spring Training with the San Diego Padres, New York Mets and Kansas City Royals. “I met Garth Brooks at a San Diego Padres Spring Training game when I was 4,” he says. “It was Garth’s lyrics that drew me to country music. That set up everything for me. I wanted to be like Garth, the singing baseball player. I sang all the way until I was 10, then I retired just like Garth and came back.” And he came back with a vengeance. His single, “Whole Lot in Love,” catapulted Burke to Spotify stardom, garnered nearly 600,000 streams on YouTube alone. He also released two other songs: “One Summer” and “Slower.” Burke’s hometown is Scottsdale. The fifth-generation Arizonan attended Desert Shadows Middle School and

was scheduled to attend Chaparral High School when his family moved to San Diego. Burke—whose father attended Saguaro High School, while his mom went to Horizon High School—played a short set at Country Thunder when he was 5. He performed at Parada del Sol and Rawhide, where his father filmed him singing the national anthem. He sent the video to Rosie O’Donnell and she invited him to cover “Friends in Low Places” on her program. “She had me on her show twice,” he says. “It was something else.” After high school, Burke played college baseball, but an injury cut his career short. He relocated to Nashville at age 19. “I wanted to return to my roots,” Burke says. “What I love is country music. I was lucky enough to have a couple songs breakthrough, so I could get out of the restaurant business.” For the next four years, he waited tables, wrote songs and saved money to record his debut song, “Sleepin’ Around.” It caught the attention of WME, who signed him to its roster. Soon he was opening for the likes of Vince Gill, Cole Swindell, Casey Donahew and William Michael Morgan. “There’s something special about country music fans and the genre as a whole,” Burke says. “Everybody’s in it together.”

Recently, he signed a publishing deal with Rhett Akins and his son, Thomas Rhett. “I have been writing a lot with Rhett, trying to get my songs to the best of my ability,” he says. “I want really good songs. “The fact that I get to write and learn from guys like that is such a cool experience. Rhett just scored a huge No. 1 with ‘Look What God Gave Her.’” Since moving to Nashville, Burke has felt inspired by the likes of Akins and Rhett. “There are so many incredible musicians and artists who live here,” he says. “I hardly go downtown, but when I do, it’s just unbelievable the amount of talent at these bars. I wonder why these people are not huge megastars. There’s so much talent it’s insane.” Burke feels blessed to be successful. “It’s been a dream come true, really,” he says. “The coolest part is there are so many people trying to do what I do in Nashville, hoping and praying for a break. A year ago, I was working at a restaurant. To do what I love is such a blessing. I think it’s cool.”

Austin Burke

Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row, 323 N. Gilbert Road, Gilbert, 480.476.8595, dierkswhiskeyrow.com, 8 p.m. Wednesday, November 27, free. ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

A NEW BEGINNING

Cold War Kids start new chapter with ‘New Age Norms’ Kristine Cannon >> The Entertainer!

old War Kids vocalist/ pianist/guitarist Nathan Willett loves the message of his band’s first track, “Complainer,” off the band’s new album, “New Age Norms I.” “You say you want to change this world/Well, do you really believe in magic?/But you can only change yourself/Don’t sit around and complain about it,” the lyrics read. “You can only change yourself: I love that message,” Willett says. “Complainer” is a funky earworm that kicks off the eight-track album released on November 1; it also happens to be the first song written for the album. “That’s my favorite line,” Willett continues. “If you look around social media and whatever the causes people promote, balance that with the idea that at the end of the day, you can really only change yourself. How you think about something will radiate to the bigger world because you just live out the belief of that.” And over Cold War Kids’ more than 10-year history comprised of one dozen releases, nonstop tours and a string of radio hits, the California-based quintet is entering a new chapter—a “New

Age,” if you will—of their own: Cold War Kids 2.0. “I feel like we spent a lot of time looking backward ... and now it’s just time to knock it all down and just put out all this new music and hopefully expand on the story of the band and our influences and the styles that we have shown,” Willett says. “New Age Norms” is a three-part album; part two is expected to release mid-next year, according to Willett, with part three following. Parts two and three are also expected to be similarly tight, eight-track albums. Following the summer of 2018 and inspired by the monthly releases of Kanye West-produced records, Willett worked with his longtime producer, Lars Stalfors, to create part one of “New Age Norms.” “The idea that those Kanye records were coming out every month felt so cool, very of the moment—eight songs, a very digestible amount of music that just keeps coming,” Willett says. Willett admits the band didn’t know what the album was going to become, but he did know that each of these three albums would have their own identity. “It felt like this kind of bookend on Cold War Kids,” he says. “So much of our life has been on the road and making our songs really dynamic live. It felt like we did a lot and now it’s

time to go heavy on the writing side and heavy on the creative and not be precious about it.” Willett’s most personal track on “New Age Norms I” is track four, “Beyond the Pale,” a stripped-down track that features a delicate balance of the piano and his vocals. “It’s personal for me being a guy that has a family, and that’s my great love; but then, music is another great love that keeps me away from my family a lot of the times,” Willett explains. Willett worked with producer Mikky Ekko, one of the producers of and guest vocalist on Rihanna’s “Stay.” “That’s one of the greatest songs ever written, and we wanted to have him in there and just see what happened,” Willett says. “I think he definitely had an effect on doing something really simple and really emotional.” Lyrics “how many nights have I been away/these hotel walls all look the same/I’m numb from all this traveling/ meanwhile, your life is happening” kick off the track—and they only continue to get more personal, ending with “I’ve already got somebody, somebody who love me more/ somebody waiting at home.” “I think most musicians, they ended up living a little bit of a double life, torn in two directions, and so that song definitely is about that,” Willett says.

“I can’t think of another song where it’s trying to dig up those feelings. I’m really proud of that because I think it’s unique.” For “New Age Norms II,” Willett says he worked with Grammy-winning producer Shawn Everett, who has worked with Alabama Shakes, Kacey Musgraves, The War on Drugs and Julian Casablancas, among others. “I’m always wrestling with this idea of how to be a rock band that incorporates everyone and we’re live in a room and playing off each other, but at the same time, have these songs that I also think are more contained. So, we worked with Shawn Everett, and he’s one of the raddest rock producers,” Willett says. For Willett, recording “New Age Norms” was a liberating and creatively fulfilling process. And the message behind it is a simple one: Cold War Kids aren’t going anywhere. “It’s a bigger existential question of ‘Is this our whole life? Are we going to be able to be a band that puts out records?’ I think we always really were resistant being all in, like it’s our whole life. So, for me ‘New Age Norms’ says, ‘Yes, this is our whole life.’ We’ll keep doing what we do and we love it and we want it,” Willett says. Cold War Kids kicked off their over 40-city nationwide tour in October and will stop in Phoenix on November 14. “I think it’s going to be really fun once we start playing all this stuff,” Willett says of their live shows. “To start, we’re going to be playing stuff from volume one and rotating from those eight songs.” Cold War Kids is comprised of Matt Maust on bass guitar; David Quon on guitar and backing vocals; Matthew Schwartz on keyboards, backing vocals, guitar and percussion; Joe Plummer on drums and percussion; and Willett. “New Age Norms I” is now available for purchase. “There’s a confidence that comes with doing it this long and feeling like we’re really good at it. It all feels like the new age norms to me,” Willett says.

Cold War Kids

The Van Buren, 401 W. Van Buren Street, Phoenix, 480.659.1641, thevanburenphx. com, 8 p.m., Thursday, November 14, $26-$28. ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2019

A N EW N O I S S MI

The Bayou Bandits’ Joshua Strickland remembers late colleague on album Christina Fuoco-Karasinski >> The Entertainer!

oshua Strickland sat down at his house and thought about his time with the U.S. Army. The missions in Kandahar City, Afghanistan, and the camaraderie between him and his fellow soldiers. He couldn’t forget his Army buddy, someone who, as Strickland says, “lost his battle with PTSD.” The lead singer/songwriter for The Bayou Bandits, Strickland wrote a song called “Kandahar,” set to appear on the Valley band’s self-titled debut album due out in November. “Whether you’re a veteran or soldier or not, this still resonates,” Strickland says solemnly. “Everyone can relate to that sentiment of losing someone close to them or someone who’s dealing with depression.” “Kandahar” includes the line: “Most of us, we made it home/but we never came back.” “After I wrote it, I knew what I was trying to say, but when I sang it and people heard it, the message was conveyed perfectly,” he says. “Someone recorded it at an open mic night, where

I was just hanging out. When they posted it on YouTube, it’s since been viewed 3,000 times.” But before it officially hits the streets, Strickland did his due diligence. He ran it by the soldier’s family and his fellow soldiers. “I called all the members of my old team I was with in Afghanistan,” Strickland says. “I wanted their input on it. It’s such a close-to-home subject. I didn’t want them to think I was trying to exploit the tragedy. “I got his wife’s blessing, too. The first copy goes to her. It’s a common occurrence with a lot of soldiers and service members coming home from the war. There aren’t a lot of resources out there to get the help they need.” Not everything on “The Bayou Bandits” is down key, though. The band has already released the single “Take Me Back,” which has received airplay locally. Then there’s “Kiss My Dixie …” “That was a song we wrote for some of our critics,” Strickland says with a laugh. “I’m a straightforward type of dude. That was a song about my upbringing. I’m a true Louisiana man.” The album crisscrosses genres, with some songs taking listeners back to the

swamplands of Louisiana, while others delve into Southern rock. Strickland balanced his day job as a registered nurse with the recording sessions. “I’d get off work at 6:30 p.m. and go straight to the studio and stay there until 10,” he says. “Then I’d go back to work at 6 a.m. It was horrible. It was worth it, though. “Having that single out for a while, it was building up anxiety from fans asking when were we going to release a record. That was really our next step as a band. It’s one thing to play covers and make a lot of money doing it, but it’s a completely different sense of euphoria whenever we get to play our own music in front of people. “The first time I heard the final mix of the songs, my first thought was, ‘That’s sexy. That’s the real job right there. Those are my words.’ It’s cool to see it brought to life.” The Bayou Bandits have made a name for itself already through its cover shows, but now Strickland and his bandmates—Jeremy Madig, Paul Williams and Jason Pataska— really have something to wrap their instruments around. “People are interested in what I have

to say,” Strickland says. “They want to hear the message I’m conveying. It’s not just me covering someone else’s songs. Don’t get me wrong. We love doing it. We made a lot of money doing it, but it’s not the same. “We put our thoughts, our feelings and our emotions in these songs.” That especially applies to “Kandahar.” “We went through everything together,” he says. “We ran missions every single day and every single night together. We were closer than brothers. He came back and fell on hard times. When you lose hope, you lose everything. He wasn’t able to get the help he needs, unfortunately, and couldn’t see another way out. He left behind a wife and four kids. At least, mentally, he’s at peace.”

Bayou Bandits Record Release Party w/Haley Green, DL Marble and The Real Fakes

Valley Bar, 130 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, valleybarphx.com, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, November 14, $10. ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

NIGHTLIFE

SIP » UNLEASH » MIX » MINGLE » PULSE » SHAKE

NIGHTLIFE

CALENDAR Haley Lorenzen >> The Entertainer!

Baauer

NOVEMBER 2 Along with Drake, this Brooklynbased producer is the only other artist to have topped 100 million streams in one week, according to Spotify. Baauer got his start at 13, producing out of his bedroom, but his big break came after his hit “Harlem Shake” went viral in early 2013. Since then, Baauer has continued to produce bass-heavy, hip-hopinfluenced trap, collaborating with artists such as Trippie Redd and Joji. Aura, 411 S. Mill Avenue, Suite 201, Tempe, 480.210.2872, auratempe.com, 9 p.m., tickets start at $15, 18 and older.

Madeon

NOVEMBER 7 In 2011, a 17-year-old DJ uploaded a mash-up of songs which he titled “Pop Culture” on YouTube, which gathered millions of views and catapulted him to international fame. Now, the French record producer, better known by his stage name Madeon, has performed at Coachella and Lollapalooza and has collaborated with artists such as Lady Gaga and Ellie Goulding. The Van Buren, 401 W. Van Buren Street, Phoenix, 480.659.1641, thevanburenphx.com, 8 p.m., tickets start at $30, 18 and older.

Sullivan King

NOVEMBER 8 This Los Angeles-based producer

and multi-instrumentalist is pushing the boundaries of the electronic music world with his unique fusion of metal and EDM. Sullivan King began his music career after discovering Van Halen, which led to his love of heavy metal, post-hardcore and screamo. A few years later, he discovered EDM, and the rest is history. The Pressroom, 441 W. Madison Street, Phoenix, 602.396.7136, thepressroomaz.com, 9 p.m., tickets start at $23, 18 and older.

Kaskade

NOVEMBER 9 With his uplifting, progressive house dance anthems, Kaskade is one of the most well-known DJs in the EDM world. The Grammynominated record producer, who was called the “new face of electronic dance music” by the New York Times in 2011, consistently sells out arenas throughout the United States and remains one of the most beloved artists in electronic music. Track Club, 915 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, 602.291.7844, trackclubphx.com, 9 p.m., tickets start at $75, 21 and over.

Malaa

NOVEMBER 10 Who is Malaa? No one knows. This balaclava-wearing DJ is an enigma in the EDM world. Since he came onto the scene in 2015, his identity has remained a secret. What’s not a secret is his talent. Malaa’s bass-heavy house tracks have racked up millions

of plays, with his breakthrough hit “Notorious” sitting at over 18 million streams. Even with his unknown identity, Malaa is making a name for himself, with his work being commissioned for Skrillex and Diplo’s Jack Ü track “Mind.” Track Club, 915 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, 602.291.7844, trackclubphx.com, 9 p.m., tickets start at $30, 21 and over.

remixes, including songs by Daft Punk, Porter Robinson and Justice. His EP, “Find Paradise,” was released last year, combining dubstep, hardstyle, and drum and bass—all showing off his own innovative style. Sunbar, 24 W. Fifth Street, Tempe, facebook.com/ sunbartempe, 9 p.m., tickets start at $15, 21 and over.

Dirt Monkey

Mark Farina

NOVEMBER 15 For almost three decades, Mark Farina has been DJing around the world, combining Chicago house, acid jazz and downtempo into his own style, which he dubs “mushroom jazz.” A major artist who emerged from the San Francisco house scene, the Chicago native began DJing at 15. Since then, he has been voted by multiple magazines, including URB, MUZIK and BPM, as one of the best DJs in the world. Shady Park, 26 E. University Drive, Tempe, 480.474.4222, shadyparktempe.com, 9 p.m., tickets start at $20, 21 and older.

K?d

NOVEMBER 15 Not sure how to pronounce this up and coming DJ’s name? It’s “kid”—which is fitting for this young producer. K?d began emerging in the EDM world after releasing several successful

NOVEMBER 16 The electric, high-energy beats produced by Dirt Monkey are reminiscent of old-school dubstep, but this Colorado native adds his own fresh, innovative twist to each track. As a popular artist in the Denver dubstep community, Dirt Monkey has held a residency at Beta Nightclub in Denver for the past five years and has performed at numerous other venues and festivals around the world. Aura, 411 S. Mill Avenue, Suite 201, Tempe, 480.210.2872, auratempe.com, 9 p.m., tickets start at $20, 18 and over.

Caspa

NOVEMBER 27 This London-born DJ once dreamed of being a professional basketball player. But when his career ended due to an injury, he turned to DJing—which turned out pretty well for him. Since 2003, Caspa began producing and experimenting with beats, and his career has grown. His influence in the dubstep community is not just as an artist, but also as a founder of many record labels, including Storming Productions, Dub Police and Sub Soldiers. Aura, 411 S. Mill Avenue, Suite 201, Tempe, 480.210.2872, auratempe.com, 9 p.m., tickets start at $20, 18 and over.

BURNING IT DOWN THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2019

Luna Aura uses her new songs to incinerate societal expectations Christina Fuoco-Karasinski >> The Entertainer!

inging was never a choice for Luna Aura. The talent was something special she possessed. This, she thought at age 10, was her calling. Now, the former Valley resident, born Angela Flores, is continuing her mission to win over fans with the single “English Boys.” “I’m just so excited about this new music,” she says. “It’s finally who I am. It’s almost like it’s so smooth. It’s the smoothest transition. It is who I am. For me, it’s about performing the hell out of these songs and playing them in front of as many people as possible.” Music almost wasn’t her career. Raised in a Mormon household in Gilbert, Aura considered herself “misguided.” “I had this love for music and a passion to pursue it, but I also had this little thing in the back of my mind to be practical and thank about the real world and what the smart options would be,” she says. She attended Basha High School, moved to Arcadia and then relocated to California. “After high school, I toyed with the idea of going to college,” she says. “I got accepted to Berklee (College of Music) and turned that situation down.” At a karaoke bar, she met her manager, Travis Alexander, whose clients also include Jared and the Mill. They’ve been working together since then. “We became fast friends and we’ve been working together ever since,” she says. When she was 21, her 15-year-old brother, Tony, died in a freak accident. That changed her life. “It made me realize life is so short,” Aura says. “You never know if today’s your last day. If you’re going to go for it, just go for it. Don’t look back. Life is not easy. You don’t grow from being comfortable and things not happening. “When I know something is right and it feels right, I just go for it. I’m at a point now where I know myself so well. I know this music is exactly where I am as a person.” She calls her brother her “biggest catalyst in my life.” “It took me a long time to process it,” she says. “I came out with a lesson learned. I’ve never really been the type of person to drown in my sorrows.” Her last song, “Crash Dive,” is about

her experiences with female sexuality, and what it means to be comfortable in your own body. “I grew up in a fairly religious area with a spiritual/religious family,” she says. “In that, there’s a stigma with how a woman should behave and who they should be—how they should dress, how they should show themselves to the world. “I always struggled as a young woman getting past that. This is my body. I want to have sex with people. I didn’t want people to think I wasn’t virtuous or moral. I needed to own my body and own my sexuality and who I am.” Both songs will appear on her new album slated for release in 2020 called “Three Cheers for the American Beauty.” The album is about the societal standards and pressures that are put on young women in American culture. “I grew up with all boys, never thinking I was any different,” Aura says. “I had different rules, though. You become a woman in high school. When you get out of high school and into the real world, there were a ton of rules put on me. “I was blind to it my whole life. I thought it was weird. Why should any girl have to live like this? I have a little bone to pick with American culture.” “English Boys” was inspired by a trip to London—her first time leaving the country. “I was having a conversation with my friends about how excited I was to meet an Englishman and get married,” she says with a laugh. “That feeling made me think about why I was doing that and the conditioning behind it— this feeling of needing to find a man and to have this white-picket-fence dream life. “In reality, it was a fraudulent dream put into young girls’ heads all the time—especially for me growing up religious in the Mormon church and having that archaic system

set in place. You know, women are meant to serve men. I realize how far that was carrying over into my life as an adult. I wrote this song to recognize that in myself and burn that bridge down and burn that part of my life down.” Aura will perform the song when she opens for Missio at 7 p.m. Friday, November 8, at Tempe Marketplace. “It’s a free show and it’s all ages,” Aura says. “I have a lot of young fans and they’re always so sad when I play 21 and older shows all the time.” Most importantly, the show will allow Aura to share her platform.

“There are so many strong female performers out there who could use a platform to crush all the conditioning and bullshit that gets put on us on a daily basis,” she says. “I’ll have to do it for them.”

Missio w/Luna Aura

Tempe Marketplace, 2000 E. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe, 480.966.9338, tempemarketplace.com, 7 p.m., Friday, November 8, free admission.

ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

IN CLOSING

FUN » FACTS » LEARN » SHARE » PLAY

ARIZONA TACO FESTIVAL

he 2019 Arizona Taco Festival is two days full of tacos, bars, lucha libre wrestling and the adorable Chihuahua beauty pageant. This fun event allows the whole family to devour delicious tacos while taking in all the live music, interactive photo booths and more.

Photos by Annika Tomlin >> The Entertainer! 1. Karl Fetterman, Romana Haskins and Nikki Haskins pose in front of a “TACOS” sign; 2. Derek Deutsch, Charlie Deutsch, Alyssa Stone and Kevin Stone don matching taco cat garments; 3. The Don Julio truck was perfect for Instagram shots; 4. Anthony Antiquiera shows off his taco costume; 5. Remy dresses as a dinosaur for the beauty pageant; 6. Coco rolls into first place at the Chihuahua beauty pageant in his custom-made Coco’s Tacos truck; 7. The Chihuahua beauty pageant judges are, from left, Miss Pinnacle Peak USA Connor Malore; Miss Glendale Teen USA Mimi Hymel; Miss Paradise Valley USA Hannah Burns; Miss Gilbert USA Svanna Pail; and MCs: Miss Arizona USA Savannah Wix and Miss Arizona Teen USA Jordan Waller; 8. Tino and his owner, Jana Clark, just before they learn they landed second place in the Chihuahua beauty pageant.

3 6

BEST LUNCH UNDER $7.00 (Total Bill)

Thank You For Your Votes In This Year’s Best Of Mesa!

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Anchor 2019 Christmas Ale “Our Special Ale”

This is the forty-fifth annual “Our Special Ale” from the brewers at Anchor. This Ale, made with natural flavors, is sold only from early November to mid-January. Its recipe and hand-drawn tree change every year, but the intent with which we offer it remains the same: joy and celebration of the newness of life. Since ancient times, trees have symbolized the winter solstice when the earth, with its seasons, appears born anew. This year’s tree is a western arborvitae (tree of life), an evergreen conifer native to Northern California.

OVERALL A smooth and velvety spiced Ale, with rich flavors of roasted malts, toffee, and western evergreens, along with subtle hints of Mexican chocolate and herbaceous spices. APPEARANCE Deep brown; creamy, off-white head. AROMA Floral and coastal cypress-like aromas with chocolate, light vanilla, and mild roast character. TASTE Layered flavors of toasted caramel and coffee, rounded out with rich malt and coastal spices.

Brew Facts FIRST BOTTLING 1975 STYLE Spiced Ale ALC. BY VOLUME 6.9% IBUs 43

MALT Top Secret

“

HOPS Top Secret AVAILABILITY November to midJanuary in 12oz. bottles, 50.7oz Magnums, and on draught

Anchor’s Christmas Ale is among the oldest and most revered of all U.S. holiday beers. -CraftBeer.com

anchor brewing company 1705 mariposa street, san francisco, ca 94107, phone 415.863.8350 anchorbrewing.com

facebook.com/anchorbrewing

@anchorbrewing

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FIRST BREW 1975

MOUTHFEEL Rich, round, and full— finishes smooth and silky sweet.