The Entertainer! Magazine - November 2022

TOP25

By Connor Dziawura

“Decision to Leave”

NOW PLAYING

South Korean auteur Park Chanwook, the acclaimed filmmaker behind such works as 2003’s “Oldboy” and 2016’s “The Handmaiden,” returns with this Hitchcockian romantic mystery, which won Park the Best Director Award at the Cannes Film Festival. Starring Korean actor Park Hae-il and Chinese actress Tang Wei, it goes like this: “From a mountain peak in South Korea, a man plummets to his death. Did he jump, or was he pushed? When detective Hae-joon arrives on the scene, he begins to suspect the dead man’s wife Seo-rae. But as he digs deeper into the investigation, he finds himself trapped in a web of deception and desire.” Not rated. In theaters, mubi.com/ films/decision-to-leave

Canal Convergence

NOVEMBER 4 TO NOVEMBER 13

Water, art and light meet at this annual fall event, which this year is celebrating 10 years. The familyfriendly immersive experience will include large-scale, light-based public art as well as programming, with workshops; musical and dance performances; food and drinks, including a sustainable beer festival; and more descending upon the Scottsdale Waterfront for more than a week of cool fall night festivities. Scottsdale Waterfront, in and above the Arizona Canal and along the pedestrian pathways and bridges, between Scottsdale Road and Goldwater Boulevard, canalconvergence.com, various dates and times, free admission

Fall Art on the Boardwalk

NOVEMBER 4 TO NOVEMBER 6

Artisans will exhibit fine arts, crafts, home décor and specialty gift items; kids can enter a coloring contest; elementary school students will display and compete with Pablo Picasso interpretations; characters

like Ariel, Elsa and Bruno will appear from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday; and brother-sister duo the Chacons will play pop and classic rock songs with a soulful, jazzy influence from noon to 3 p.m. both days. Plus, the first 50 adults at the Sundance Creek Promotions booth Friday morning will receive a free tote bag. Arizona Boardwalk, 9500 E. Vía de Ventura, Scottsdale, 480-2971179, sundancecreekpromotions. com, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day, free admission

Fall Carefree Fine Art & Wine Festival

NOVEMBER 4 TO NOVEMBER 6

Combining fine art, wine and live music, this Carefree festival is back for another season. Now in its 29th year, the fall event will feature more than 165 artists and 5,000 artworks, including sculptures of various mediums, pottery, photography, jewelry, batiks, paintings and more. Oil painter Danial James is the featured artist. Vegas McGraw will perform. View some art, listen to some tunes, taste some domestic and imported wines, and complement it all with decadent chocolates. Downtown Carefree, 101 Easy Street, Carefree, 480-8375637, thunderbirdartists.com, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, $5

Arizona Fall Fest

NOVEMBER 5

A family- and pet-friendly affair, this fall fest is a showcase of what it means to be an Arizonan. A melting pot of the business community and residents, there will be hundreds of vendors, with restaurants offering samples; the Drink in AZ Beverage Garden playing host to wineries, breweries and spirits; a kids zone with crafts, games and activities for the young ones; and pro athletes from the Cards, Yotes and D-backs hosting a sports zone. Margaret T. Hance Park, 1202 N. Third Street, Phoenix, 602-956-

0909, localfirstaz.com/fall-fest, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., free admission

Night at the Museum

NOVEMBER 5

This event is the Children’s Museum of Phoenix’s biggest fundraiser of the year. In support of the museum’s Every Child Program, which provides free or reduced-rate museum access to at-risk children and their families, participate in dinner under the stars, a live auction, music from Superhero, an after party with a silent disco, and more. This event is for ages 21 and older. Children’s Museum of Phoenix, 215 N. Seventh Street, Phoenix, 602-648-2761, bit. ly/NightatMuseum2022, 6 to 11 p.m., $500

“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”

OPENS NOVEMBER 11

With writer-director Ryan Coogler supported by an all-star cast including Angela Bassett, Letitia Wright, Winston Duke, Danai Gurira, Florence Kasumba, Lupita Nyong’o and Martin Freeman, the Marvel Cinematic Universe returns to Wakanda for the next chapter in the “Black Panther” story. After the tragic death of actor Chadwick Boseman, and that of his character King T’Challa, the story will follow the nation of Wakanda as it bands together against intervening world powers. Notably, the film introduces Namor (Tenoch Huerta Mejía) and his hidden undersea nation. Rated PG-13. In theaters, marvel.com/movies/ black-panther-wakanda-forever

Chandler Chuck Wagon Cook-off

NOVEMBER 11 AND NOVEMBER 12

Pardners of Tumbleweed Ranch and the Chandler Museum harks back to the 1880s with this Dutch oven cooking competition. Bring the whole family to The Ranch on Saturday and try a five-course, wood-fired chuck wagon meal, alongside trick roping with Cowboy Steve, a Lil’ Rustlers kids game area and more. Attendees can get a head start, too, during a Friday night sunset dinner from West Alley BBQ with appetizers and desserts from the chuck wagon teams and music from DJ Figueroa. Funds will help support Tumbleweed

Ranch’s educational opportunities. Tumbleweed Ranch, 2250 S. McQueen Road, Chandler, 480-782-2717, pardnersoftumbleweedranch. org, 6 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, $15-$45

Elton John

NOVEMBER 11 AND NOVEMBER 12

Elton John needs no introduction. The legendary singer-songwriter and famed “rocket man” is saying goodbye to touring with this massive, ongoing Farewell Yellow Brick Road run, subtitled as The Final Tour. He last visited the Valley as part of the tour in 2019, but he’s not done yet — fans will have a chance to see him for two nights at Chase Field. Chase Field, 401 E. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, 602-5148400, mlb.com, 8 p.m. each night, $242-$2,900

Phoenix Pizza Festival

NOVEMBER 12 AND NOVEMBER 13

Seven years in, and the pizza continues! Expanded last year to two days instead of one, the growing Downtown Phoenix festival is aiming for greatness. There will be a variety of pizzas, desserts, alcoholic beverages and more, not to mention lawn games, kids crafts, and live music to set the tone. Funds will help support Downtown Phoenix Inc., which promotes the area’s revitalization. Margaret T. Hance Park, 1202 N. Third Street, Phoenix, 480442-9176, phoenix.pizza, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, $16 or free for kids 5 and younger

Scottsdale Whiskey Festival

NOVEMBER 12

This Old Town festival at Wasted Grain will offer a variety of whiskeys, bourbons and Scotches. General admission tickets include 20 tastings, while VIP tickets add an extra four plus entry 30 minutes early. This event is for ages 21 and older. Wasted Grain, 7295 E. Stetson Drive, Scottsdale, scottsdalewhiskeyfestival. weebly.com, 2:30 to 5:30 p.m., $30-$40

Water Lantern Festival

Buy a ticket and take the family down to Kiwanis Lake for this festival of lights on the water. Thousands of these lanterns will float down the lake as attendees put together their kits and release them, complemented with food trucks, music and other fun. And don’t worry, in the name of sustainability, the eco-friendly lanterns are made from rice paper and wood and will be cleaned up, with the LED lights reused and recycled. Kiwanis Lake, 5203 S. Ash Avenue, Tempe, www. waterlanternfestival.com/tempe. php, 2:30 to 7 p.m., $11.99$64.99 or free for kids 0-7

“Cinderella”

NOVEMBER 16 TO JANUARY 1

The classic from Rodgers and Hammerstein and Douglas Carter Beane is returning to the stage, but this time it’s not the same old same old. With a contemporary twist, the Phoenix Theatre Company describes it as an “enchanting fairytale … filled with stunning orchestrations, witty dialogue,” new characters and even new songs. Phoenix Theatre Company, 1825 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, 602-254-2151, phoenixtheatre. com, various dates and times, see website for tickets

“The Menu”

OPENS NOVEMBER 18

In this satirical black comedy directed by Mark Mylod from a script by Seth Reiss and Will Tracy, Anya Taylor-Joy and Nicholas Hoult star as a couple who travel “to a coastal island to eat at an exclusive restaurant where the chef (Ralph Fiennes) has prepared a lavish menu, with some shocking surprises,” according to Searchlight Pictures. The cast also includes Hong Chau, Janet McTeer, Judith Light, Reed Birney, Paul Adelstein, Aimee Carrero, Arturo Castro, Mark St. Cyr, Rob Yang and John Leguizamo. Rated R. In theaters, searchlightpictures. com/the-menu

The Smashing Pumpkins and Jane’s Addiction

NOVEMBER 18

The Smashing Pumpkins are back on tour, and just after the release of part one of “Atum: A Rock Opera in Three Acts” (the subsequent two installments will follow next year) that tour will bring the band to the Valley for the first time in several years. To mark the Spirits On Fire Tour, alternative rock group Jane’s Addiction will join the Pumpkins. Completing the lineup is viral sensation Poppy, who has evolved from her initial

bubblegum pop to a metal- and industrial-influenced sound. Footprint Center, 201 E. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, 602-3797800, footprintcenter.com, 6:30 p.m., $44-$700.47

Festival of the Arts NOVEMBER 19

Herberger’s annual event is back for its 13th year of community arts and fun. For one day only, this familyfriendly festival features artist demos, performances including dance and live music, hands-on kids activities, a vendor market, food, a beer and wine garden, and more. Herberger Theater Center, 222 E. Monroe Street, Phoenix, 602254-7399 x106, herbergertheater. org/festival-of-the-arts, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., free admission

Harvest Festival NOVEMBER 19

Summer is long gone, fall is underway and the weather is cooling. Family Fun AZ is marking the occasion with this season-appropriate event featuring hayrides, pumpkin decorating, live entertainment, bounce houses and slides, face painting, coloring contests, games, prizes and giveaways. Arizona Boardwalk, 9500 E. Vía de Ventura, Scottsdale, familyfunaz.com, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., free admission

“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”

NOVEMBER 19 TO DECEMBER 24

You all know the story, now experience it with this show presented by Childsplay and Music Theatre International at Stage West. This show is recommended for ages 5 and older. A holiday classic featuring memorable tunes like the song of the same name and “Holly Jolly Christmas,” this familyfriendly show tells the story of the reindeer who feels like he doesn’t belong as well as friends like Santa, Mrs. Claus, Hermey the Elf, Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster, Clarice and Yukon Cornelius. Herberger Theater Center, Herberger Theater Center, 222 E. Monroe Street, Phoenix, herbergertheater. org, various dates and times, see website for tickets

“Bones and All”

OPENS NOVEMBER 23

Italian director Luca Guadagnino is following up his one-two punch of the coming-of-age romance “Call Me by Your Name” and arthouse horror flick “Suspiria” with this David Kajganich-penned adaptation of a novel by Camille DeAngelis. A

subversive cannibalistic romance, it’s described by United Artists Releasing as “a liberating road odyssey of two young people coming into their own, searching for identity and chasing beauty in a perilous world that cannot abide who they are.” It stars Taylor Russell, Timothée Chalamet, Michael Stuhlbarg, André Holland, Chloë Sevigny, David Gordon Green, Jessica Harper, Jake Horowitz and Mark Rylance. Rated R. In theaters, unitedartistsreleasing. com/bones-and-all

“The Fabelmans”

OPENS NOVEMBER 23

Filmmaking legend Steven Spielberg is getting personal with his latest, a coming-of-age story inspired by his own childhood in Arizona and described by Universal Pictures as “an exploration of the power of movies.” Co-written by playwright Tony Kushner, it stars Gabriel LaBelle as a 16-year-old aspiring filmmaker; Michelle Williams as his artsy mother; and Paul Dano as his successful, scientific father. Seth Rogen, Judd Hirsch, Jeannie Berlin, Julia Butters, Robin Bartlett and Keeley Karsten also play notable roles in the film. Rated PG-13. In theaters, thefabelmans.movie

“Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery”

OPENS NOVEMBER 23

Three years after writer-director Rian Johnson’s “Knives Out,” streaming platform Netflix is giving the latest Benoit Blanc mystery, “Glass Onion,” a limited theatrical release. Set in Greece, it once again follows detective Blanc (played by Daniel Craig), this time with an allstar cast including Edward Norton, Janelle Monáe, Dave Bautista, Kathryn Hahn, Leslie Odom Jr., Kate Hudson, Jessica Henwick and Madelyn Cline. It hits Netflix Friday, December 23. Rated PG-13. In theaters, netflix. com/title/8148416

Arizona International Auto Show

NOVEMBER 24 TO NOVEMBER 27 Cars, trucks, SUVs, crossovers and alternative fuel vehicles galore — it’s the Arizona International Auto Show! Downtown will become home to more than 300 new models from all sorts of popular makes, like Jaguar, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche, to name a few. Don’t leave out desirable high-end luxury varieties like Aston Martin, Ferrari, Maserati, RollsRoyce, Bentley and Lamborghini. Phoenix Convention Center, 100 N. Third Street, Phoenix, autoshowphoenix.com, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday and

Sunday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, $7-$11 or free for kids 12 and younger

Enchant NOVEMBER 25 TO JANUARY 1

’Tis the season to be merry. And it’s a winter wonderland at this enchanting event, which proudly proclaims itself “the world’s largest holiday-themed light event.” The 10-acre immersive walk-thru light maze utilizes more than 4 million lights, boasts a 100-foottall holiday tree and incorporates an ice-skating trail. It will all be complemented by live entertainment and a village marketplace with artisan vendors, specialty crafts, treats and cocktails. Don’t forget to bring the kids to meet Santa. Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, 7555 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, 480-270-5000, enchantchristmas.com, various dates and times, see website for tickets

Scottsdazzle

NOVEMBER 26 TO DECEMBER 31

This isn’t so much one single event as it is a month of holiday festivities including dining, shopping and more throughout Old Town Scottsdale. Participate in any of the number of scheduled events that capture the spirit of the season, or stop by a local business, gallery or restaurant. The main extravaganza kicks off with a singalong and tree-lighting ceremony before continuing with a farmers market featuring Santa, the Puzzle Rides scavenger hunts, the Gold Palette ArtWalk, dining events and whiskey and wine tastings, a live Nativity, craft workshops and more. Old Town Scottsdale, 480312-7177, scottsdazzle.com, various dates and times

CitySkate

NOVEMBER 28 TO JANUARY 1

The Valley may not be known for activities like ice skating, but every winter CityScape makes sure Arizonans aren’t left out of the winter fun with this popular outdoor rink, fittingly called CitySkate. Note: You’ll get $5 off if you bring your own skates.

Patriot’s Park, 11 W. Washington Street, Phoenix, cityskatephx. com, various dates and times, $13-$20 or free for kids 3 and younger

Photo: Craig Cutler

ALWAYS BUZZING

50 Shades of Rosé blossoms

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski

club and restaurant operators Justin Massey and Ben Foreman explored Scottsdale and found it needed a place for adults to go and play.

Longtime

They recently opened Old Town’s effervescent 50 Shades of Rosé and, coming soon, the adjacent dance club, Almost Famous.

“This used to be a town where you had all these bars everywhere,” Foreman says.

“After a nice dinner, you had a choice of going to places and now you have to go all the way to Arcadia or Downtown Phoenix. There isn’t a place for adults to go to because all these bars have become predominantly much younger. Some people don’t feel as comfortable going to those.”

If dancing is for Almost Famous, then 50 Shades of Rosé is the perfect spot for chatting.

“People can have conversations here,” Foreman says.

“It’s not like we’re blaring them out of the room. You can drink a cocktail, a glass of wine or a bottle of wine. You want to be able to share those moments and memories. That’s what we’re trying to achieve.”

The cozy room is an experiential

establishment where customers can immerse themselves in original art installations that bring the building to life, a beautiful blush bar with creative combinations of colors, textiles and fabrics that transform the space, a curated bar and a scratch kitchen with seasonal menu.

“We spared no expense when it comes to details including tens of thousands of flowers that cover the walls, a unique piano that serves as a focal point, as well as an incredibly gorgeous bar that gives off Garden of Eden vibes,” Foreman says.

The visual elements and crafty cocktails served at 50 Shades of Rosé makes the space one of Scottsdale’s most Instagrammable locations. The full bar features a beer and wine list, creative spins on rosé beverages, as well as fun cocktails conjured up by mixologists.

Signature favorites include Sangin’ in the Rain (rose, blueberry tea, peach brandy, strawberry), Glucose Guardian (old grand dad, Scotch syrup, angostura bitters, maple syrup), Tijuana Mama (maestro dobel, ghost tequila, watermelon, lime) and Southside (awayuki strawberry gin, giffard, lime).

There’s a secret menu as well, with a fun cotton candy cocktail.

“Our original drinks are whimsical and fit the décor while our brunch menu is sure to impress,” Massey says. “Let’s just say we did everything in our power to make sure this place is always buzzing.”

Designer Sydney Crimmins of Garden

“With any job, I ask my clients first and foremost how feel when they walk in the space, what they want the experience to be,” she says. “Ben said he wanted really girls, whimsical and comfortable, but a little more casual.

“That’s the direction I was headed. I really wanted to incorporate very simple white flowers with a lot of greenery and a little pink, so it wasn’t so girly. Men feel comfortable, too.”

Crimmins came up with the brightly colored piano as a conversation piece and a place for guests to sit. Her design and the drinks are so pleasing that Massey

and Foreman enjoy hanging out there.

“Here, you just want to chill,” Foreman says. “You want to talk and, even if there’s loud music, you can still at least chill.

“We want to be here all the time. It’s mostly because it’s our bar, but we enjoy this. We’ve been operators for a long time. There’s no other place we want to be.”

Party Girls LLC attached each of the 10,000 flowers on the walls at 50 Shades of Rosé. It took her four weeks.

PEOPLE’S

HAPPY RETURN

Joe Bonamassa keeps it fresh on new tour

By Alan Sculley

Forthe first 20 years of Joe Bonamassa’s career, one constant was always touring. Even as he maintained a schedule that saw him release 14 solo albums, even more live CDs or DVDs, as well as multiple releases with the bands Black Country Communion and Rock Candy Funk Party and collaborations with Beth Hart, among others, Bonamassa has generally played a pair of extensive U.S. tours and taken a trip through Europe every year.

So, seeing the pandemic interrupt what has been a key component in making Bonamassa arguably the world’s most popular blues-rock artist — all while self-releasing his albums rather than singing to a record label — had to turn life upside down for the talented guitarist/singer.

Bonamassa isn’t complaining too much, though.

“It was definitely the break that I needed to take that I would never have taken myself,” he says. “So there’s that. I mean, it is what it is. There was nothing anybody could have done about it. I was just fortunate to be in a position where I didn’t have to sell my car.”

That noted, Bonamassa is happy to be getting in front of concert audiences again. He did a few shows in summer 2021 in the States, followed by a fall tour. Now he’s back on the road in the States for another run of dates.

“Some people can get their point across on Instagram,” he observes. “I need a crowd, you know what I mean, not likes and shares.”

Bonamassa, who shines as a performer, should come across just fine. He has plenty of songs to work with, including material from his 2020 album, “Royal Tea” (the pandemic prevented him from touring behind that album), and his new effort, “Time Clocks,” which was released last October. Despite the wealth of new songs, Bonamassa said his show will cover his back catalog as well.

“We have a lot of new stuff. The whole show is new,” Bonamassa says. “So yeah, I brought back a few old songs, a couple of songs from (older) records we never played (live). I did a lot of stuff. We have a lot of alternates, too, that we haven’t gotten to. The cool thing is it keeps it fresh for us. We can change the sets every night and still hopefully achieve the same result.”

Writing and recording “Time Clocks” was one way Bonamassa passed time during the pandemic. And in some ways this project was similar to “Royal Tea,” and in other ways it was very different.

For “Royal Tea,” Bonamassa went to London to live and write the album. Then he set up shop in the legendary Abbey Road studio, where the Beatles made their albums and Pink Floyd did “Dark Side of the Moon,” to record the album.

“Well, Abbey Road is a great studio. The thing about Abbey Road is it’s just what it is,” Bonamassa says. “It’s not just the gear is great, but Ocean Way in Nashville has got a nice Neve (mixing console), too. And the thing is, all that gear and that location won’t write the songs for you. But it did change my headspace as far as what I wanted to do and how I wanted to approach music, which was the right thing to do.

“Yeah, it was a special time,” he says. “We had such a blast before we didn’t.”

As that last comment indicates, the sessions for “Royal Tea” were completed in early 2020, just before the pandemic hit, dampening moods for everyone and throwing a monkey wrench into everything Bonamassa had planned for the release of the album

For “Time Clocks,” Bonamassa settled into life in New York City, hoping just as being in London brought a British rock accent to “Royal Tea,” the atmosphere of the “Big Apple” would seep into “Time Clocks.” That goal may have been compromised a bit by the pandemic, which forced Bonamassa to adjust recording plans to meet protocols that were in place at the time.

Rather than being able to bring into the studio any number of musicians and singers, Bonamassa had to limit his resources in the studio, taking what he called a bare-bones approach to the project.

“It was (drummer) Anton (Fig), (bassist) Steve Mackey and myself and a couple of engineers, and my assistant, who was acting as my guitar tech, and a whole bunch of masks and just whatever,” he says. “Yeah, we only did a three-piece. It’s a small studio. Just logistically, 2019 things were easy, 2020 things were hard.”

Another person who wasn’t in the studio was Bonamassa’s longtime producer, Kevin Shirley, who was stuck in Australia at the time. Once again, they found a way to adjust, using Zoom calls so Shirley could be in touch as takes were recorded.

“Obviously, it was something that was very odd at first,” Bonamassa says. “But then we got our heads around it. It wasn’t a thing that, it was odd at first, but it was workable. But everything was odd. So what can I do?”

What Bonamassa did was make a rock album with a decidedly big and epic feel — somewhat surprising considering the rather minimal approach that needed to be taken to recording the basic tracks. “Time Clocks” features swaggering, blues-laced rock on songs like “Notches,” “Hanging on a Loser” and “The Heart That Never Waits”; a chunky rocker in “Questions and Answers”; and several multi-faceted songs, such as “Mind’s Eye,” which opens on a silky note and builds into an expansive rocker, and the Zeppelin-ish “Curtain Call,” while Bonamassa also builds plenty of dynamics into the title track, whose understated verses have a slight country tinge that explodes into an anthemic chorus.

“I mean, it wasn’t conscious when I wrote it. It just kind of scaled that way,” Bonamassa says of the album’s feel.

Writing and recording in New York City marked a homecoming of sorts for Bonamassa, who managed to scrape by as he started his career doing recording sessions around the city. By that time, he had already made waves on the blues scene, getting tutored at age 11 by Danny Gatton and the following year opening some 20 shows for B.B. King, who was generous in his praise of the young guitarist.

He made his debut as a solo artist in 2000 with the album “A New Day Yesterday.” He’s released 13 studio

albums since then, nearly all of which have topped the Billboard magazine blues album chart. Along the way, his formidable skills as a guitarist have grown more refined and his songwriting has improved considerably. The size venues he plays have also grown to the point where he commonly plays large theaters and arenas.

Producer Shirley, in press materials, has said he views “Time Clocks” as an album that could elevate Bonamassa from a blues artist to a superstar.

Bonamassa isn’t concerning himself with such talk. His focus is on his music.

“I really don’t know what my future holds, personally and professionally. It’s a very difficult landscape at this point to navigate. And only I can answer that, and only I can see the true (path),” he says. “Everybody can speculate, but I actually have to go out and do the work.

It’s like you’ve got to make sure your heart’s in it still.”

Joe Bonamassa

WHEN: 8 p.m. Friday, November 18

WHERE: Arizona Financial Theatre, 400 W. Washington Street, Phoenix

COST: Tickets start at $42.50

INFO: ticketmaster.com

AUTHENTIC AND RELATABLE

The Bellas return home to host their own reunion

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski

High School graduates Nikki and Brie Bella haven’t been invited to their 20-year reunion. So, they’re throwing their own party during “The Bellas Podcast” at CB Live at Desert Ridge Marketplace at 7 p.m. Thursday, November 10.

Chaparral

“We still haven’t gotten our invitations,” Brie says coyly with a smile.

“We’re like, ‘What’s going on Chaparral?’ I know of other high schools that sent theirs out. So, Nicole and I thought, ‘Why not do our own high school 20-year reunion?’ We’re going to make our podcast a homecoming theme.”

Nikki and Brie will surprise each other with a long-lost guest from high school. Their mom, Kathy Laurinaitis, and brother, JJ Garcia, will make a guest appearance.

“It’s going to be like happy hour with the Bellas,” Brie says. “We’re going to talk about life, have some fun with the Bella fam, and then take things back to high school.”

Generally, nerves come with reunions. But the former WWE Superstars, who now serve as ambassadors, don’t see it that way.

“I absolutely loved high school,” says Nikki, who recently married “Dancing with the Stars” performer Artem Chigvintsev in Paris. “Our high school was totally like the movies. Every time I see people from high school, I get so fired up because it takes me back to those days. It was a really amazing four years. I really get excited for that.”

Brie adds, “When I was attending our 10-year high school reunion, people said our 20-year would be better because no one cares. They’re not trying to impress people. All they want to do is have fun. Everyone’s so settled in their lives in a way, and they don’t care. It’s just all about having fun and seeing each other. It’s a different type of energy, which I love.”

The CB Live appearance marks a return to Desert Ridge. Before the COVID-19 pandemic started, the Bellas brought their podcast there, in the hopes it would kick off a tour.

“CB Live has been our one and only live podcast show,” Nikki says. “Frankie Nunez was our guest. Brie’s husband,

(professional wrestler) Bryan Danielson, opened up the show and Artem came on as a guest. It was a lot of fun and memorable, and that’s why we’re going back.”

The appearance is a way of promoting the Bella Twins’ brand as well. In 2017, they launched Birdiebee, a lifestyle intimates and activewear brand. The line includes intimates, activewear and loungewear aimed at “empowering and educating women through mirroring the twins’ passion for life, strength, women’s health and wellness, and fun.”

Two years later, they introduced Nicole + Brizee, a body and beauty line, followed by their wine label Bonita Bonita last year. They serve as creative advisers and investors in Colugo.

“How blessed am I that I’ve been able to see the world with my twin sister, been in the ring with my twin sister, and been able to walk red carpets with my twin,” Brie says.

“I truly feel blessed. The one thing for Nikki and I is we’re constantly evolving.

We see our brand as an empire — a global empire. In order to do that, you have to evolve. I feel like we’ve done a really great job.

“We’re going to be 39 years old in November, and we’re still 20-year-olds at heart. With everything we do, we make sure we’re authentic. Now that Nikki’s a mom and Nikki’s a wife, it fun that we get to explore all these different adventures together in life.”

Motherhood has changed both of them. Brie and Danielson are the parents of Buddy and Birdie, while Nikki gave birth to Matteo.

“I feel like, for myself, motherhood has definitely changed me for the best,” Brie says. “For so long, you’re concentrating on yourself and making sure all of you is just shining bright. Then you bring children into the world and you concentrate on them. It just changes your views, how you live your daily life, things you care about.”

Brie says now she can relate to other mothers.

“I was totally one of those who had always talked about my dog, Josie, like it’s the same thing,” she says with a laugh.

“I feel like it’s just changed me and I can connect with my audience who are moms in a different way than my single folks who are our fans.”

The key, Nikki adds, is to stay authentic.

“We got into the (WWE) industry when we were 23 years old,” Nikki says.

“Being almost 39, you learn so much about yourself, not only confidence, but empowerment. Even though we’ve evolved, we’ve always stayed authentic and relatable.”

“The Bellas Podcast”

WHEN: 7 p.m. Thursday, November 10

WHERE: CB Live, 21001 N. Tatum Boulevard, Phoenix

COST: Tickets start at $35 INFO: 602-910-5161, cblive.com

NAVIGATING LIFE

Writer, podcaster shares her experiences

By Summer Aguirre

Writing is Vanessa Torre’s purpose and how she processes the world.

The 48-year-old Downtown Phoenix resident and single mother is a writer, editor and podcast host who connects through the joys and challenges of life.

She has reached over a million readers through more than 500 essays on Medium. Torre expanded her reach with two new ventures: her podcast “I Hadn’t Considered That” and online newsletter Meeting in the Middle.

“I’m just now getting to the space where I realize how much control I have over myself, my destiny and my love life,” she says.

“Now, I have all of these tools, things that I’ve learned that don’t make the same mistakes that I use to create more happiness, and I want to impart that to other people.”

Six months ago, Torre stepped out of her comfort zone to launch her weekly podcast, “I Hadn’t Considered That.”

Torre and her guests, many of whom are fellow Medium writers, discuss unexpected perspectives and uncommon experiences. They strive to help listeners better understand themselves and the world.

So far, her episodes have tackled a range of topics, some of which are considered taboo: middle-age dating and singlehood, grief and loss, body positivity, beauty standards, gender expectations, and life as an empty nester. “I Hadn’t Considered That” mostly attracts women ages 35 to 55.

“There are a lot of hard conversations that need to happen that I hadn’t considered that offer an opportunity for people to eavesdrop on that

conversation,” she says.

“What are things that nobody’s told us? What are the things we need to talk about? Because there’s a lot of aspects to womanhood that we don’t talk about.”

Founded in July, Meeting in the Middle digs even deeper into the reality of modern women and their ensuing challenges.

The weekly newsletter is geared toward middle-aged women reinventing their love lives after divorce. Torre offers advice and personal reflections about dating and singlehood during middle age — a subject she is deeply passionate about.

“First and foremost, dating should be joyful,” she says.

“Being single should be joyful. Moving into any phase of our life should be joyful. If it’s not joyful, let’s correct that course. So, I want people to know that this is a place where they can discover their own joy and bring more of that into their lives.”

Torre’s goal is to provide her readers the tools and opportunities to get to know themselves and feel acknowledged, removing any doubts that they may have about where they are in their lives. She wants them to connect and build a

community where they can exchange thoughts and ideas in a space that is “refreshing” and without frustrations.

“Meeting in the Middle is sort of like, let me be your midlife coach, let me be that friend that you needed that didn’t show up for you,” she says. “Because maybe all of your friends were still married and had no idea what you were going through.”

Born in New York and raised in Arizona, Torre wrote her first short story in third grade and had her first work published when she was 19. At NYU, she earned her bachelor’s degree in English, which led to a four-year career as an English teacher.

She took a break from writing as a wife and mother, but her inner author was awakened after her second divorce five years ago. She began publishing on Medium and realized she missed it.

“It took a lot of time for me to give myself permission to be that person, because writing comes from a vulnerable space, a very honest space, and that’s terrifying,” she says. “You’re opening yourself up to rejection and to negative feedback, and you’re putting yourself personally out there in a very raw way. I had to reinforce with myself that that was OK and it was fine.

“Even if it didn’t feel safe, the end result of creating my own self space was going to be worth it.”

Moving forward, Torre wants to keep fighting to remove the “invisibility cloak” that shrouds women once they hit middle age, telling them that they are no longer desirable or valuable to society.

Her plans include a book combining her encounters and research, showing women that their experiences are “tangible.”

She also yearns to turn Meeting in the Middle into coachable workshops, allowing women to explore their new phases of life and build a community.

Vanessa Torre can be found on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and TikTok.

To subscribe to Meeting in the Middle, visit vanessatorre. substack.com. The “I Hadn’t Considered That” podcast is accessible through the newsletter.

For $12 a month, subscribers will receive access to two essays per week and weekly podcast episodes.

Vanessa Torre

COME ON DOWN!

Chandler business recreates TV game show experiences

By Ken Sain

Guestsat the Game Show Battle Rooms inevitably ask the staff the same question.

“People come in all the time and they say, ‘When is it going to air? I can’t wait to be on (TV),’” says Jennifer Jewett, who runs the Chandler location.

Sorry, you won’t be on TV.

But it’s easy to see why some patrons might believe that. Game Show Battle Rooms tries to recreate the TV game show experience, with sound, lights, professional emcees and hosts.

The company started seven years ago in Minnesota. The company has other locations in Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Kansas City, Dallas, Indianapolis and Columbus, Ohio. It also offers a virtual game room for people who live outside those cities. It opened its first Arizona location in West Chandler on October 14.

Here’s how it works.

Groups of 18 or fewer can book a time in one of the two battle rooms. It costs about $35 for the 90-minute show. After a brief introduction they enter one of the battle rooms and are split into two teams where they will compete in three games. Points are given for winning each round. At the end of the three games, one team gets to pose with the championship trophy.

The games are different depending which room you book. You probably have not heard of the games, but if you’ve seen TV game shows they should recognizable as distant cousins. Because of licensing rules, no one at Game Show Battle Rooms will say the names of the more famous games.

Survey Battles sure looks a lot like “Family Feud.” That’s the one game that is played in both rooms. The other games are What’s the Cost? (think “Price is Right”), Spin & Solve (“Wheel of Fortune”), Match Up and Time Rush.

Match Up is a word play game where

you fill in the blank of a sentence and hope your teammates come up with the same word. Time Rush challenges the teams in a series of skill competitions, such as stacking three cups after pulling away two cards that separated them in less than a minute.

While the games are fun, Jewett says the key to the experience is the interaction between contestants and hosts. She should know; she’s been on three actual TV game shows.

“The interaction between the host and the contestant is so important because you create a connection that has a lifetime memory with laughs and a relationship that people love,” she says. “So that’s what we do here is we create a bond between the host and our customers, our guests.”

Jewett says they hired some stand-up comedians and actors to play the role of hosts and emcees. Liz Frisius is one of them.

“We’ll talk with the audience, we get

their take, their feel, bring the energy up and realize that life’s not about tragedy,” Frisius says. “Life is about connecting and enjoying yourself and finding the beauty in the moment and finding the hilarity in the moment.”

Jewett says the most popular of their games is Survey Battles. To get the answers for their questions they ask online and ask groups as they compete.

In addition to being a recreation activity for friends and/or family, Jewett says they also do team-building events for companies. She says they can handle large groups of up to 32 per room if they book in advance.

Just don’t expect the competition to be broadcast on TV.

Game Show Battle Rooms

6909 W. Ray Road, Chandler

gameshowbattlerooms.com

CHIVALRY, RIVALRY, REVELRY

A day in the life of Medieval Times’ reigning queen

By Summer Aguirre

HerMajesty Doña Maria Isabella does much more than just sit atop her throne and protect her land with her horseback knights.

Alexa Sedoff, who plays the reigning queen at Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament, meanders through the Scottsdale castle grounds as she goes through her daily routine. The queen’s day-to-day life consists of wardrobe fittings, caring for her horses, overseeing the Tournament Royal and connecting with her kingdom’s people — a role that is new to Her Royal Highness.

Sedoff, who is also the cast manager at the Scottsdale castle, has worked for Medieval Times since 2017. Since being crowned queen in 2018, she has appeared in over a thousand shows and enjoys that each performance is a unique experience, as is the work behind the scenes.

Her day begins in the wardrobe area, a room full of dresses, tunics, capes and armor that glitter under the tournament lights. She pulls out her elegant ensemble, which is fitted to her specifically — even her golden crown.

“All of our costumes are handmade in Texas at our corporate offices, where our main costume shop is,” Sedoff says. “So everything is hand-designed for this.” After slipping into her costume, lacing up her riding boots and topping off her look with red lipstick, she has become the Queen and is ready for the next part of her day.

One of Sedoff’s favorite daily tasks is ensuring that her steed is prepared for its appearance in the arena. She can be a part of caring for and bonding with their equine entertainers, which she loves.

Walking through the stables and greeting sleek horses with names like Validor and Haoran, Sedoff explains that she carefully tacks up her steed with its reins, saddle and other gear to ensure that both horse and rider are safe to ride out into the arena.

“Whenever you get on a horse, you want to make sure that the tack is right and everything is all good to go,” she says.

Sedoff didn’t ride horses prior to her role as queen, and received lessons from the castle’s horse trainer. Medieval Times takes on people with no riding experience, and even raises its horses at its corporate office’s stables in Texas before they are trained at its castles.

The company began with two complexes in Majorca and Benidorm, Spain. In December 1983, the first

North American castle lowered its drawbridge to guests in Kissimmee, Florida, and has since grown to a kingdom of 10 castles across the United States and Canada.

At each show, guests are ushered to the Grand Ceremonial Arena and seated in color-coded sections corresponding to each of the six knights. They dine on a Medieval-style, sans-silverware, fourcourse meal while the knights engage in a dynamic spectacle of swordplay, athleticism and horsemanship in their conquest of the title Defender of the Throne. There are also opportunities to meet the royal court.

Based upon authentic medieval history, Medieval Times follows the true story of a noble family with roots back to the 11th Century.

“She is a new queen, so she’s not experienced by all means in this role yet — her father just died and she’s now the queen of the castle, sovereign to the

the tournament. Although the head knight handles most of the action in the arena, the queen helps oversee the sword fighting, jousting and medieval games of which the knights partake.

After the queen announces the knight worthy of protecting the throne, she closes the event how it began: by spending time with her kingdom’s people in the Hall of Arms before they depart.

The highlight of the queen’s job is interacting with her people, particularly the children. She adores getting to know the young ones who come to the castle and playing a part in their core memories.

Dressed in her elaborate maroon and gold dress, ornate jeweled crown and signature red lipstick, the queen has many admirers. Little boys instantly fall in love and little girls dream of one day becoming her.

throne,” Sedoff says.

The Medieval Times storyline rings true to the actress.

“The way that I like to see the queen, she is very kind, she’s loving,” she says.

“She’s still very much that princess type, she loves her people, so just me as the queen, I just hope that rubs off on (guests) and that they just feel welcome.”

An hour prior to the two-hour Tournament Royal, the castle doors open for a pre-show reception in the Hall of Arms. It is finally time for the Queen to make her grand appearance to

her kingdom.

Flanked by her chancellor, Lord Cedric, and the master-at-arms, Lord Marshal, the queen is seated at the side of the Hall of Arms to perform knighting ceremonies, take photos and socialize with her subjects.

The queen takes her leave to prepare for the Tournament Royal when the lord marshal makes the call to table and the guests head into the arena for dinner.

She then makes her entrance into the Grand Ceremonial Arena on horseback, addressing her subjects and kicking off

Moments where the children are gazing up at her adoringly are “magical” and never cease to brighten her day.

“It’s just so rewarding,” Sedoff says. “It’s honestly one of the best things, and I just can’t get over it.”

Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament

9051 E. Via de Ventura, Scottsdale General admission for adults is $65.95, while children 12 and under are $38.95 480-291-7555, medievaltimes.com

‘KNEE DEEP’ IN CATHARSIS Zac Brown Band ready to wrap tour at Chase Field

By Jordan Rogers

Oneof the most successful touring acts of the last decade, the Zac Brown Band is making a stop — and its last on the Out in the Middle Tour — at Chase Field on Wednesday, November 19.

Coy Bowles, who plays guitar and keys for the decorated country band, says the tour has been exactly what the band has needed coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This tour has been going really, really well,” Bowles says. “It’s pretty cathartic, and there has been a lot going on in the world, so not getting to play music for a considerable amount of time and then jumping back into a really well-designed, well-thought-out tour (has been great).”

Bowles says those attending can expect a concert that really features three different acts. In addition, Phoenix specifically has always been a rewarding stopping point for the Zac Brown Band. The group is looking forward to being here.

“It’s been feeling really good,” he says. “When you leave, you’re like, ‘Wow, that was a lot of music. We gave everybody what they came and showed up for.’ So, it’s been really cool. It’s exciting to get to take that to all these different cities, and Phoenix has always been great to us.

“We’ve always had great shows out there.”

If Bowles had to pick a favorite track that he and the rest of the band have performed on the tour, he says the answer is easily the title track for the band’s latest album — “The Comeback.”

“When we were recording that song in the studio, it was really kind of an anthem of what it’s going to be like for everything to come back around,” he says. “There’s a certain arm hair raising up, back in the neck, whatever it is, that happens when we play that song.

For Bowles, the track “paints a picture of what we just went through and where we’re at now.” He is grateful to be able to be back playing live onstage with the rest of the Zac Brown Band, and “The Comeback” just encapsulates that feeling of gratitude.

“It’s really hard not to let it all sink in,” he says. “It’s really hard not to just go, ‘Wow, man, I’m really grateful to be able to be with my friends again onstage and make music.’”

Getting to perform at baseball fields is a sticking point for the Zac Brown Band. The Georgia natives are made up of “diehard” Atlanta Braves fans, so getting to go on tour and play at baseball fields, such as Chase Field, is something

the band really enjoys doing and has almost a “majestic” feel to it. In the past, the group has performed at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Truist Park in Atlanta and Fenway Park in Boston — where they currently hold the record for most consecutive sold out shows.

“When we go play these baseball fields … it’s almost like wearing a superhero cape or something,” Bowles says. “Being able to be a part of what you are so into, there’s this super majestic part about the stadiums. Whether they’re old like Fenway or Wrigley or they’re new, there’s just something about the way the grass is laid out, the way the field is set up, that it has a certain vibe to it. You wouldn’t think it would be really good for music necessarily, but it does allow for a very chill, relaxing night for music in the way of the baseball fields are laid out.”

“There’s just a certain kind of center of America, pastime experience that you get — it comes along with being in the baseball fields and playing shows,” he adds.

To date, the group has won three Grammy Awards, sold more than 30 million singles and 9 million albums, amassed over 10 billion catalog streams, and achieved 16 No. 1 radio singles. And while Bowles knows the band has released some incredibly special work, “The Comeback,” he says, may be the band’s best work to date.

“I remember leaving the studio and driving back home to Atlanta from Nashville and just going, ‘Wow, this might be the best album we’ve ever

recorded,’” Bowles says. “Something is going to happen because there’s just too much energy bound into this music and in this collection of songs for it not to.”

Speaking of awards, Bowles says he and the rest of the band try not to get too caught up in it all. While they are always beyond grateful for the recognition, the group remains humble and focued on the “why.”

“Being awarded or nominated by your peers or by an organization or an academy for the work that you’ve done is incredible,” Bowles says. “It can help validate the idea that, ‘Wow, this has been great.’ But I do kind of go back on the sense that if you’re doing that for that reason, then your sense of being your true artist might be slightly off in the first place.

“It’s by no means being arrogant in that way. It feels really good to be nominated. It feels really good to be to receive the awards and the accolades and things like that, but that’s not really why we do it.”

As far as fitting into the rest of the band’s catalogue goes, Bowles says, “The Comeback” feels similar to the albums “You Get What You Give” and “Uncaged,” but just more “seasoned.”

To boot, he says Zac Brown, the Zac Brown Band’s frontman, sounds as good now as he ever has.

“We’re older now, we’ve got kids kind of thing, but we still have that magic exists within us collaborating with each other and whatnot,” Bowles says.

“We decided that we were going to do things in a similar recording style that we had done before — let it (the music) be the band, not try to get into a lot of overdubbing and stuff like that. Try to let it be raw in the band.

“There’s something about being someone who’s in the prime of their life … and I think Zac’s voice sounds as good on this album as it ever has.”

The band released “The Comeback (Deluxe)” back on September 30, and it features Blake Shelton, James Taylor (who is Brown’s biggest influence), Cody Johnson and Ingrid Andress. Despite the deluxe album featuring some huge names, Bowles says the Zac Brown Band remains who they were when they released “The Foundation” back in 2008 — “Georgia boys who love music.”

“If you were to have told me when I was 16 or 17, playing in my bedroom at my mom and dad’s house loud as hell, that I was going to be playing baseball fields and touring around and all that stuff, I would have told you are crazy,” he says.

Zac Brown Band w/Sam Hunt and Robert Randolph Band

WHEN: 6 p.m. Saturday, November 19

WHERE: Chase Field, 401 E. Jefferson Street, Phoenix

COST: Tickets start at $30

INFO: ticketmaster.com

TRAVEL

WHERE TRADITION MEETS EXCELLENCE

Little America Flagstaff an iconic Arizona getaway destination

By Allison Brown

under the majestic ponderosa pines surrounded by Flagstaff’s natural beauty sits Little America Flagstaff — a welcomed sight for weary Route 66 travelers, a home away from home for returning families or a romantic getaway for couples.

Nestled

No matter the reason for the stay, the Little America Flagstaff hotel can provide the rest, relaxation, hospitality and luxury guests are looking for. Little America Flagstaff general manager Fred Reese says their top priority is taking care of guests and making sure they get the most out of their stay.

“You’re going to be treated like family here because we’re a private, familyowned business,” he says. “We look at our customers as family members, and we look at our staff as family members. So we have this really strong emphasis on customer service and kind of following the golden rule, treating others as you want to be treated.”

And, after nearly 50 years in business, Reese says based on reviews and interactions he’s had with guests, the hotel’s customer service and family atmosphere is a big part of what keeps people coming back.

“We’re probably on the third generation of customers. I have customers come up to me all the time and say their grandparents brought them here when they were little,” Reese continues.

“When you’re in business for 50 years in one location, you’re going to get generation after generation. And, because we do such a good job, the upcoming generations like to come here because they have fond memories as children coming here and enjoying the forest.”

Of course, location is probably the biggest draw to Little America Flagstaff. Just two and a half hours from Phoenix — the fifth largest city in the nation — and roughly an hour from Sedona, Flagstaff is within driving distance from most of Arizona’s hot spots. Nearly 75% of the hotel’s business is from within the state, according to Reese, adding that its most popular time is May through October.

“The weather here is phenomenal.

When it’s 110, 120 degrees down in Phoenix, it’s only 80 to 90 degrees up here,” Reese says. “So, it’s a great escape. The majority of our business is in-state and comes from the Valley, where a lot of people like to get out of the heat and escape to the cool climate.”

With an outdoor pool, hot tub and playground, guests can soak up as much of the cooler weather as possible. The hotel also sits on 550 acres covered with ponderosa pines and other indigenous trees and wildlife that guests can experience. Behind the main lodge is a nature trail that can be done in a 1- or 2-mile loop.

“(Guests) can really take in the natural scenery that we sit on,” Reese says. “Nobody else in Flagstaff can really claim that their resort sits on such beautiful land amongst the pines like we do.”

Little America Flagstaff is also just a short drive from Historic Downtown Flagstaff, which consists of several walkable city blocks filled with unique restaurants, breweries and shops — not to mention the murals, live music, and a mass of cute dogs out for a walk. There’s also history, as most of these buildings are restored from the 1890s.

While the hotel’s most popular times are during the warmer months, those who brave Flagstaff from November to February can experience a real winter and are more than likely to see snow.

In fact, Flagstaff saw its first dusting of snow for the season the first week of October. Come mid-November, there will be skiing, snowman-building and, at Little America, a magical winter wonderland with the chance to meet Santa himself.

Around the holiday season, Little America Flagstaff is transformed for the North Pole Experience and decorated with more than a million lights woven through the pines and hung around the lodge. The hotel has served as the trolley launch station for the North Pole Experience, which is provided by a separate company, for 10 years.

“You get on the North Pole Experience Trolley that transports you to the North Pole and you get to go to Santa’s workshop,” Reese says.

“It’s got a fully interactive workshop where you go into different rooms — there’s the toy hall of fame, a bakery, the toy-making room, toy-wrapping room,

the elf university. It’s amazing for all ages to go through that experience, and then you end with seeing Santa at the end of the tour.”

The event brings in tens of thousands of people throughout the holiday season, Reese says, and has been a great partnership for the hotel and Flagstaff as a whole. People don’t have to stay at Little America to participate in the North Pole Experience, they just have to check in for the trolley there, but the hotel offers a special meal and lodging package and discounted room rate for those who do stay.

Also during the holiday season, the hotel provides guests a unique opportunity to experience its famous, up-close and personal North Pole Experience breakfast buffet with Santa and a memorable photo opportunity at the Little America Flagstaff from 7 to 11 a.m. Sunday, November 13, through Saturday, December 24.

Reese says the hotel’s holiday events have become more and more popular over the years, and people are starting to see Flagstaff’s winter beauty — not just its cool summer.

Little America Flagstaff opened its doors in June 1973 as the third hotel in the Little America franchise. According to Reese, Little America actually originated in Rural America, a small town in Wyoming. He says it started as a small truck stop motel but grew massively and transformed into the luxury getaway it is now.

The Flagstaff location was actually

built from the ground up, with painstaking detail put into everything from the color scheme to the tiles in the bathroom to the feel of the carpet (it’s wool). The hotel has 247 guest rooms, 10 meeting rooms ranging from 225 square feet to a 6,000-square-foot ballroom, the highly rated Silver Pine Restaurant and Bar that caters to any culinary desire, a 24-hour travel center with a hot grill and deli, gift shop, business center and fitness center.

According to Reese, the hotel underwent a massive renovation from 2016 to 2018 that updated nearly all the facilities. He says he has received a lot of compliments from guests about the renovation, specifically the materials used.

“We get a lot of comments that it’s on par with some of the finest hotels that they’ve been to. We feel like we give the best value for what a customer is going to buy — they’re going to get a luxury guest room with outstanding service,” Reese says.

“The rooms have been appointed with live edge wood tables, desks and headboard from British Columbia, the carpeting is English wool, the stone and granite comes from Spain. Everything is so high end and nicely appointed, so you’re getting a luxury experience at a great value.”

Little America Flagstaff

2515 E. Butler Avenue,

ARTS

CULTURE » THEATER » DANCE » GALLERY » DRAMA » VISION

CHAOTIC AND COLORFUL

assist with the museum.

“Over time, we’ve built up a series of events that take place throughout the Valley, like the Copperstate 1000, Copperstate Double Gun and Copperstate Overland,” he says.

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski

One of the world’s premiere anime artists, Mr., from Japan, is bringing his exhibit “You Can Hear the Song of This Town” to the Phoenix Art Museum through March 23.

To celebrate, Mr. was scheduled to travel from Japan to DJ at First Friday on November 4.

“People could see and experience his artwork and the audio associated with it that ties back together with his artistry,” says Joel Coen, Men’s Arts Council president.

A self-described member of the otaku subculture — characterized by obsessive interests in anime, manga and reclusion into virtual fantasy worlds — Mr. creates feverish, graffiti-inspired paintings and cartoon-like sculptures, installations and video works that combine high and low culture to examine themes of desire, fantasy and trauma within Japanese society and among a global audience obsessed with social media.

The Men’s Arts Council funded the exhibition, along with an anonymous donor, Ronald and Valery Harrar, Isabelle Georgeaux, Kevie Yang, The Japan Foundation-Los Angeles, and the Museum’s Circles of Support and

Museum Members.

“We are very grateful to Men’s Arts Council for their ongoing support of the museum’s exhibitions,” says Jeremy Mikolajczak, the Sybil Harrington director and CEO of Phoenix Art Museum.

“For more than 55 years, MAC’s generosity has helped bring art from around the world to engage audiences in Arizona. With their support of ‘Mr.: You Can Hear the Song of This Town’ and the exhibition’s admission-free First Friday opening celebration, MAC is ensuring community members and visitors are exposed to artworks by one of Japan’s most popular living artists.”

Phoenix Art Museum was recently surprised with a $175,000 check from the Men’s Arts Council, a nonprofit member organization of Valley philanthropists devoted to supporting

the museum’s community outreach initiatives via annual contributions.

“Mr.: You Can Hear the Song of This Town” will be the first of many to benefit from this donation.

“This gift to Phoenix Art Museum is the latest instance of the long-standing relationship between our organizations and will empower the museum to provide the community with unique, high-quality exhibitions,” Coen says.

Many of Phoenix Art Museum’s exhibitions are funded by the Men’s Arts Council, which was founded in 1967 to back the museum’s programs and activities. MAC can support the museum in a number of ways, thanks to the efforts of its over 200 members.

The Men’s Art Council has been working with the museum for more than 50 years, starting as security guards. They transitioned into volunteers who

“These events pull people from all over the world. We use the funds to promote the arts through the museum each year. The Mr. exhibit was included in our give. We’re really trying to focus on youth and trying to get the youth involved.”

He adds from his perspective Phoenix is an art desert. The scene retracted through the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We don’t see as much influence within the educational programs anymore,” he says.

“Funding (problems) is removing arts from schools. We funded multiple projects. We get families access to museums for free, and we fund that on certain days each quarter. If kids aren’t exposure to art, it sullies their future. We want to make sure they have the opportunity.”

“Mr.: You Can Hear the Song of This Town”

WHEN: Through March 23 WHERE: Phoenix Art Museum, 1625 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix COST: General admission is $20 adults; $17 seniors; $15 students (with valid ID); $5 youth ages 6-17; free for museum members, youth 5 and younger and U.S. military personnel

INFO: 602-257-1880, phxart.org

Mr.’s exhibit is courtesy of Men’s Art Council

‘SMASHED’ HIT

Actors mix alcohol and Shakespeare in new show

By Annika Tomlin

William Shakespeare’s masterpieces are known for their tragedy and drama.

Hundreds of years later, in 2014, Scott Griffin and David Hudson put a comedic spin on those tales by creating a drunken character in the telling “Drunk Shakespeare.” It runs through January 14 at The Rose Theatre near the Arizona Center in Downtown Phoenix.

“One actor takes five shots at the start of the show and then they attempt to perform a Shakespeare play,” director Lisa Klages says.

“It’s a cast of five, and it’s an interactive comedy that changes every night based on pop culture, the audience and who’s drinking. The drunk actor can influence the events of the evening by issuing challenges to the rest of their sober cast.”

The comedy is rich throughout the show as actors are directed to say their next lines in the voice of a Disney character or swap out a prop mid-scene.

“I feel like the shows are varied and different,” Klages says.

“Each actor in Phoenix — I don’t want to reveal too much of a surprise because it’s part of the fun — is really bringing their unique voice and a very unique skill and particular moment of talent that they show off.

“But for me, the most exciting part of watching Phoenix has been the way the audience enjoys the interactive elements of the show. Some of them come to me at the end, saying they’ve never seen anything like this.”

Racquel McKenzie plays an undisclosed lead female role. Her resume includes formal Shakespearean roles and various productions in Chicago, Nigeria and England before coming to Phoenix six years ago.

“It’s like doing a parody because it is the actual show, but there’s some modern English woven throughout,” McKenzie says about “Drunk Shakespeare.”

“A lot of it was releasing the idea of what I thought Shakespeare was supposed to look like and what the seriousness of the show is supposed to be about and go in with a different viewpoint.

“There are funny bits and people are going to laugh and say that in the regular text it would be very, very serious but in our show it’s funny. Also letting go of the idea that people are just going to laugh because it’s funny and not to take it so seriously, but also remaining true to the text.”

Normally a whisky drinker, McKenzie switches to chilled tequila when it is her night to imbibe.

“Working with this group of people has been so beautiful and refreshing,” McKenzie says.

“I love the care from the actors in the show to the higher-ups. It’s a good feeling to know that you’re not just working, you’re not just doing the job, but you’re in a space where people care about how you feel.”

Klages says she realizes that directing a drunken actor is different than a sober one. That leads to an ever-changing show.

“I sort of like to describe it as when a new season of your favorite TV show comes out,” Klages says. “You think you understand all the characters, all the motivation, all the backstory, and then a new season comes out and you get all new information about how that story works. That’s what it feels like to extend the show this way.”

The Rose Theatre was designed specifically for this type of show, says Paola Cicuttini, vice president of marketing and corporate communications for the Arizona Center.

“It was built for the Shakespeare production that you see in that sunken theater block,” she says.

“There are three tiers to it, but all of the tiers keep you close to the action and to the performers and the performers walk through and interact with everyone.”

The three tiers house 130 guests. A pair of seats at the head of the stage offer the royal experience.

“It comes with admission to the show, as well as caviar, chocolates and hand massages, a very fancy bottle of champagne and — most excitingly — the ability to influence the events of the evening,” Klages says about the $500 price tag.

The entrance to the Rose Theatre is off the valet parking area in the Arizona Center with a rose sticker on door 1010.

“I think people should know that — if and when they’re coming to the show — it’s a much easier and fun way to experience Shakespeare,” Mckenzie says. “It’s not going to be the standard classic three-hour show; it’s going to be fun.

“It’s going to be quick. It’s going to be the story, but it’s going to be lighthearted and they’re not going to experience anything else like it.”

Drunk Shakespeare

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Thursdays; 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays

WHERE: The Rose Theatre, 455 N. Third Street, Phoenix

COST: Tickets start at $39

INFO: drunkshakespeare.com

THE PERFECT ROOM

STRINGS ATTACHED

Connor Asher is a master of puppets

By Summer Aguirre

ForConnor Asher, puppetry wasn’t confined to a fun childhood pastime. It became his passion and his craft.

The Great Arizona Puppet Theater’s newest puppeteer, Asher relocated from Chicago to Phoenix over the summer to pursue a career in the field. It is allowing him to expand his expertise and touch lives in the community through vibrant characters and stories.

“It’s been great. … I knew Nancy (Smith) from the Great Arizona Puppet Theater, one of the founders, and they had a position for a full-time puppeteer,” Asher says.

“It was perfect timing. Everything lined up really well. They were ultrasupportive of my decision and courteous with helping me get out here, and it very much aligned with what I was already doing. It just worked out really beautifully.”

The Great Arizona Puppet Theater is a nonprofit professional puppet theater that was founded in Phoenix in 1983. Its mission is not only to promote puppetry, but to celebrate and teach Arizona’s culture, legacy and environment through the art form.

Its puppeteers perform mostly for children and travel to share colorful stories at schools, libraries, and child care and community centers across the state and beyond.

“I would love to keep developing as a performer. One of the big, newer things here is just learning show after show after show, and trying to keep them all within your brain at the same time,” Asher says.

“So that’s a new challenge for me, keeping so many different shows in my head all at once. But I love that challenge.”

Asher is training for two of the theater’s touring shows — “Zoner and the Drip,” which tackles water conservation, while “Terrific the Tooth” teaches dental health.

“Something that I always find important are the characters and story, and if an audience member can walk away with one thing from a show, that’s magic to me,” he says.

In addition to performing, Asher assists in show preparation, including

at the end for the talent scouts and company employees.”

Asher was introduced to puppetry at a young age, growing up watching PBS kids shows like “Sesame Street” and “Mr. Rogers Neighborhood.” He always knew that there was “something special” with puppetry.

He fell in love with theater after seeing his first live show. Asher shared this passion by staging performances in his basement for other kids in the neighborhood.

He was involved in different facets of the arts through high school. His interest in puppeteering ignited when he saw a documentary about the person behind Elmo.

building puppets.

“We wear many, many, many different hats, which is one of the things that got me into this field in the first place,” he says. “That was one of the really exciting things: You’ll never get bored because there’s so many different disciplines that go into this.”

A year prior to his transition to the theater, Asher trained at the world-

renowned Jim Henson Company. He was one of 32 puppeteers accepted from 2,000 applicants. In three weeks, puppeteers received intensive instruction in improv and puppet manipulation.

“I made it through there, and it was a great experience,” Asher says. “You have some of the best puppeteers in the world teaching, as well as improv teachers. Then we got to put on a performance

“That was the first time for me, the curtain was officially pulled back,” Asher says. “I got to see, oh, that’s what a puppeteer is, and oh, these are all of the different things that go into this art form. Ever since then, that’s what I’ve been doing.”

Great Arizona Puppet Theater azpuppets.org Connor Asher connorasher.com

WHIMSICAL AND ECLECTIC

Artist Susan Paige sponsors exhibit for sculpture students

By Morgan Owen

This November, Susan Paige and her husband, Barry Rosenblatt, will sponsor an exhibit in the OneOhOne Gallery for the sculpture students at the Mesa Arts Center.

“Mesa Arts Center Students Sculpture Exhibit” is one of several exhibitions Paige and Rosenblatt sponsor each year at the OneOhOne gallery to support emerging artists in the Mesa area. The show will feature whimsical sculptures produced by Matt Smith, head of the sculpture department at Mesa Arts Center, and his students, who used welded metal, papier-mache, concrete and mixed media to produce their sculptures. The majority of these students have never had the opportunity to display their artwork, making this an exciting and rare instance for them.

Paige, an abstract artist and gallery director by trade, says many talented artists never get the opportunity to display their art because the gallery scene is competitive. For Paige, sponsoring

these exhibitions is not only rewarding, but the students “produce great art because they have a show to look forward to.”

“Eclectic” is how Paige would describe this particular exhibition. For her, that descriptor captures the show’s essence, from the medium of the sculptures to the artists’ ages, as some of the artists featured are over 80 years old.

Many of the student-artists attend classes through the Mesa Arts Center’s Veteran Program. Classes for veterans are free at the center, made possible through funding provided by Boeing. Rosenblatt is a retired lieutenant colonel and has been taking free classes at Mesa Arts Center for years. According to Paige, the veterans love the sculpture classes because of the required handeye coordination and the satisfaction of seeing something they formed.

“They’re excited to show off their stuff,” Smith adds.

Smith instructs many sculpture classes at Mesa Arts Center, including metal sculpture and papier-mache.

“The average person takes (my) classes to learn about the creative process, and

next thing you know, they become artists. They do really good work. It’s exciting that the students are all looking forward to it,” Smith says.

Shows like Paige’s also allow emerging artists and students to sell their artwork.

“That is one of the most gratifying things, is that they are actually selling their art because I give them a show,” Paige says.

In support of the students, Paige adds the sculptures for sale in the “Mesa Arts Center Students Sculpture Exhibit” would be well displayed in a yard or home.

Smith recounts that many of the students in his sculpture welding class have gone on to use their new skills professionally. They’ve sold their works at art fairs, and several students have started generalized welding businesses. Smith adds that the Mesa Arts Center is a valuable resource for emerging artists because it grants them access to more expensive equipment they may not be able to afford at home, such as plasma cutters.

The Mesa Arts Center offers a diverse range of educational programming, in addition to hosting visual and

performing arts concerts and the Mesa Contemporary Art Museum. But students at the center rarely get the opportunity to exhibit their work beyond short two-week exhibitions twice a year. By sponsoring an exhibit in the OneOhOne gallery, the sculpture students get a whole month to display their artworks, Paige says.

The “Mesa Arts Center Students Sculpture Exhibit” will be open in the OneOhOne Gallery from November 4 to November 26. On November 11, there will be a Meet the Artists Reception for anyone who wants to meet the artists as part of OneOhOne’s monthly “Second Friday Night Out” event.

“Mesa Arts Center Students Sculpture Exhibit

WHEN: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, November 4 to November 26

WHERE: OneOhOne Gallery, 101 W. Main Street, Downtown Mesa COST: Free admission INFO: 214-207-9277

Matt Smith creates a concrete sculpture. (Matt Smith/Submitted)

Susan Paige creates her papier mache sculpture, “Flying Goddess,” with her husband, Lt. Col. Barry Rosenblatt. (Susan Paige/Submitted)

A concrete sculpture by Matt Smith. (Matt Smith/Submitted)

WATER, ART AND LIGHT

Canal Convergence returns for its 10th anniversary

By Alex Gallagher

It’s

hard for the team at Scottsdale Public Art to believe that 10 years have passed since the first Canal Convergence was held.

It began as a conversation in 2008 between the city of Scottsdale and the Salt River Project. SRP offered to waive a permit fee for Scottsdale Waterfront events. In return, the city created a festival at the canal where SRP could educate the public about its history, water management and conservation.

From there, the city of Scottsdale engaged in discussions with Scottsdale Public Art — a nonprofit arts organization that contracts with the city — about creating an arts-focused event at the waterfront featuring creative light-based installations, live music and various performances that became known as Night Lights.

Night Lights was an early success and, in the coming years, it would attract esteemed artists like D.A. Therrien and Fausto Fernandez, who installed grand pieces. In 2012, the event morphed into what would become known as Canal Convergence | Water + Art + Light.

The fi rst Canal Convergence, which was hosted on November 10 and November 11, 2012, featured interactive, light-based and inflatable art installations. It included Scottsdalebased artist Jeff Zischke’s “Nodal Water Gardens,” which floated atop the canal lighting up the water with a series of light hues — artist workshops, vendors selling locally produced goods, a Saturday night happy hour and a Sunday morning bike ride along the canal.

During the next nine years, the twoday arts festival changed to multiple days in January, March and November in 2013, settling into spring celebrations from 2014 through 2017 before reverting to being a fall festival in 2018.

“There was some interest (from) the city in creating a real draw to Scottsdale in the fall,” Scottsdale Public Art spokesperson Brian Passey says. “When we were doing it in the spring, it was aligned with Spring Training, and we benefited from that with our event but the city just needed a really good event that would be something to draw people in during (the fall) and (the city) saw the potential with Canal Convergence.”

To make it an event that would draw a crowd, Scottsdale Public Art expanded the event to 10 days and brought in more artworks, including a gas fire display installed in the canal created by Walter

Productions — which has become a staple at the past five events.

With the past two events altered by pandemic safety measures, this year will be an ode to the original Canal Convergence while bringing the gusto of last year’s celebration back to the waterfront.

“ This year is a little different, being our 10th anniversary, because we typically only approach maybe two or three artists each year directly to ask them to create an artwork for us and then the rest of the artworks come through an open call that we put out in the springtime,” Passey says. “Because it’s the 10th anniversary, we wanted to reach out to more artists who had appeared at Canal Convergence in the past to honor that history.”

Zischke was among the list of artists that Scottsdale Public Art reached out to for this year’s event. He was looking for another challenge for his artwork.

This year, he was tasked with creating a series of suspended artworks that would hang above the canal casting a barrage of bright lights onto the flowing water called “SunDrops.”

“I’ve done tons of stuff all around the world (like) temporary sculptures with fabric and different kinds of natural materials,” Zischke says. “So, the challenge — of course, that’s what

I live for — is having artwork that is suspended.”

Zischke is not the only artist who embraced a challenge. The team at Walter Productions will position 10 orbs as part of a work titled “ORB” in the canal attached by an underwater structure suspending the orbs just above the surface.

“We have this long-standing partnership with Scottsdale Public Art, and in that relationship, we are always asked to think out of the box on how to make the next year’s project exciting and unique,” Walter Productions founder Dr. Kirk Strawn says.

Th is year’s installation will have two unique features, according to Strawn.

“One is this new method of positioning the sculptures in the water, and the second is the interactivity that we will be doing through a kiosk that will be on the (Soleri) bridge,” Strawn says. “There’s a lot more lighting this year than in prior years, and we’re going to give people the opportunity to interact with the lighting system.”

Strawn and Zischke are far from the only artists who will have eye-popping pieces at Canal Convergence. Passey says B!g Art from Calgary, Alberta, Canada, will bring back its crowd-favorite door from last year “The Door(s).” When opened, it had a screen that would

show videos of another dimension — including one video where a Tyrannosaurus Rex was running toward the door.

B!g Art will also install a similar work at the Scottsdale Fashion Square, giving guests two places new experiences.

“One of the doors is going to be set up in Scottsdale Fashion Square, and that door is going to be connected to one of the doors at the waterfront,” Passey says. “When you open up the door at the mall, you’ll be able to see through a portal to whoever’s opening up the door at the waterfront and vice versa.

“So, it’ll be kind of like a Zoom call without sound between the Scottsdale waterfront and the mall.”

Th is year’s event is set to include 15 large art pieces, live music, workshops and a slew of entertainment during the 10-night art festival that begins on Friday, November 4.

Canal Convergence | Water + Light + Art

WHEN: 6 p.m. nightly from Friday, November 4, to Sunday, November 13

WHERE: Scottsdale Waterfront, 7038 E. Fifth Avenue, Scottsdale

COST: Free

INFO: canalconvergence.com

TURKEY TALK

Eateries offering special meals this Thanksgiving

By Jamila Zaki

We’ve reached that time of year again: the crunching sound of leaves, chilly nights, pumpkin candles filling up the autumn air and, most importantly, turkey time! This is a time to rejoice and spend with your loved ones, but cooking for Thanksgiving Day can be hectic and time consuming. Why cook if it can be served for you and yours to enjoy without the hassle? A full course meal is awaiting. Which meal will you choose?

CHOMPIE’S

On Thursday, November 24, guests are invited to celebrate Thanksgiving with the Chompie’s family at any of its Valley locations. Diners can enjoy a homemade feast, available for dine-in or takeout, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The meal includes white meat turkey breast with stuffing and cranberry relish, mashed potatoes and pan gravy, homestyle string beans, candied yams, fresh baked knot rolls with butter, and a slice of apple pie or pumpkin pie. Cost is $24.99 per person or $12.99 for children 10 and under, plus tax and gratuity. Wine, beer and cocktails are available for an additional charge. Chompie’s, chompies.com, check website for locations and numbers

DAD’S MODERN COCKTAILS & EATERY

Dad’s Modern Cocktails & Eatery is celebrating the Thanksgiving holiday from Sunday, November 20, to Saturday, November 26, with its popular peach sangria on special for just $5. In addition, happy hour is from open to close on Tuesday, November 22, and Wednesday, November 23. On Black Friday, November 25, the eatery will reopen for a family feast — including eight wings, a Caesar salad and a 20-inch one-topping pizza — for $45. Dad’s Modern Cocktails & Eatery, 7337 E. Shea Boulevard, Suite 105, Scottsdale, 480-597-4584, dadsmoderncocktailsandeatery.com

EAT

EAT by Stacey Weber is offering a special ready-to-serve Thanksgiving menu that feeds four and includes all the traditional

staples and creative dishes. Most items are gluten and dairy free. Each course serves four. Appetizers include cranberry ginger salsa with house-made tortilla chips ($20); rosemary, cinnamon and orange spiced nuts ($28); and baked brie with pistachios, dried fruit and multigrain crackers ($28). Its salad includes shaved kale and Brussels salad with delicata squash, manchego, dried cherries, smoked almonds and Dijon vinaigrette ($36). Sides are mashed Yukon gold potatoes ($28), whipped sweet potatoes with coconut butter ($28), traditional rustic bread stuffing ($28, or $38 for gluten free), maple grilled Brussels sprouts with crispy peppered bacon ($28), brown sugar and balsamic roasted carrots ($28), spiced cranberry ginger orange sauce ($16), and homestyle gravy ($26). The citrus and herb smoked turkey breast is $70. Preorders start Thursday, November 17. The meals will be ready for pickup on Wednesday, November 23, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. EAT’s regular order-ahead menu is also available. Eat, 4740 E. Shea Boulevard, Suite 109, Phoenix, 602-328-9344, eatbystaceyweber.com

EMBER AT WE-KO-PA CASINO RESORT

At We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort, Ember will serve a six-course Thanksgiving dinner from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, November 24, featuring chef Matthew Brake’s butter poached shrimp, pumpkin bisque, Arizona orange sorbet, choice of wood fire grilled turkey breast or 8-ounce filet mignon, caramel cheesecake and pumpkin spice cream puff. Cost is $75 per guest, tax and gratuity not included. Ember at We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort, 10438 Wekopa Way, Fort McDowell, wekopacasinoresort.com

FABULOUS FOOD

Fabulous Food’s Thanksgiving dinner starts at $299.99 and serves six to eight: herb-rubbed whole roasted turkey, cranberry and zinfandel relish, green beans almandine, buttermilk and herb mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, dinner rolls and black bottom pecan pie. A la carte items include butternut squash soup ($18/quart), jumbo poached shrimp ($72/two dozen), roasted Brussels sprouts ($24/2 pounds), puff pastry tarts (wild mushroom and leek with fresh Parmesan cheese and herbs or

chevre with grated zucchini and tomatoes for $36/dozen) and whole pumpkin or apple pie ($24/each). Orders must be received and confirmed by Thursday, November 17, during business hours or via email. Fabulous Food, 120 S. 26th Street, Phoenix, 602-267-1818, info@ fabulousfoodaz.com, fabulousfood.net

FOUR SEASONS RESORT SCOTTSDALE AT TROON NORTH

Create new family holiday traditions this November at Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North. For Thanksgiving, Talavera will offer a brunch buffet from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., featuring a celebratory feast with all the trimming. The cost for adults is $160, and children ages 5 to 12 are $65. Talavera also will feature a three-course dinner from 5 to 7 p.m. The cost is $85, or $160 with optional wine pairings. Reservations required. Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North, 10600 E. Crescent Moon Drive, Scottsdale, 480-513-5085, fourseasonsresortscottsdale.com

GABRIELLA’S CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN CUISINE

From 2 to 7 p.m. Thursday, November 24, Gabriella’s presents take-out and dine-in feasts, designed to feed four. The holiday menu includes butternut squash bisque, mixed greens and shaved apple salad, roasted turkey, green beans, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie and Chantilly cream. Cost is $50, plus tax and gratuity. Gabriella’s is offering a Thanksgiving meal for kids including turkey, cranberry and creamy mac and cheese for $18, plus tax and gratuity. Last dine-in seating reservation is at 7 p.m. The to-go version of this meal (serves four) is $180. Take-out orders are available for pick-up after 1 p.m. Thursday, November 24.

Gabriella’s Contemporary American Cuisine, 10155 E. Via Linda Road, Suite H134, Scottsdale, 480-5347625, gabriellasscottsdale.com

HYATT REGENCY SCOTTSDALE RESORT & SPA

Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch will kick off Thanksgiving with holiday brunch from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The menu will feature holiday favorites, including an herb-roasted

turkey and prime rib beef with au jus and horseradish cream. Additional selections include free-range chicken with a creamed orzo, a spiced root vegetable hash, stewed beef barbacoa tacos, three cheese ravioli, and several seafood selections including roasted salmon with a cranberry glaze, chilled Alaskan crab legs, jumbo shrimp and a sushi station. A variety of breakfast favorites will be provided including madeto-order omelets, Florentine eggs Benedict, chocolate chip pancakes, buttermilk waffles and much more. The holiday brunch will also include special selections for children, like cheese and pepperoni pizzas, chicken tenders, and macaroni and cheese. Guests can also enjoy the “Candyland” dessert station with various house-made desserts including pumpkin pie, pecan pie, apple pie, a selection of delicious cakes, and a bananas foster and crepe suzette station. The brunch buffet is $125 for adults or $145 with unlimited access to a mimosas or bloody mary bar. It is $52 for children between the ages of 6 and 12, and children 5 years and younger dine free. Between 6 and 9 p.m., Southwest Bistro will provide a prix-fixe Thanksgiving dinner. The menu will include a first course selection of either a winter squash bisque or a winter greens salad. The second course will include a traditional turkey dinner plate with chive mash, stuffing, brown gravy and cranberry sauce, followed by a dessert of apple or pumpkin pie serve with Chantilly cream, cinnamon and caramel. A vegetarian version of the menu is also available upon request. The prix-fixe dinner at Southwest Bistro is $55 plus tax and gratuity.

Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa, 7500 E. Doubletree Ranch Road, Scottsdale, 480-444-1234, hyattregencyscottsdale.com

KEELER’S NEIGHBORHOOD STEAKHOUSE

This Thanksgiving, Keeler’s Neighborhood Steakhouse offers a threecourse Thanksgiving feast from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. All guests can try appetizers (a la carte, $12 each) like Keeler’s chopped salad, classic Caesar salad, French onion soup, and butternut squash bisque and entrées (a la carte, $45 each) like traditional turkey dinner, 10-ounce slow-roasted prime rib, 12-ounce prime top sirloin and Scottish steelhead. Desserts ($13 each) are

PIZZA CAPITAL?

Phoenix celebrates the Italian mainstay

By Kaila Mellos

DavidTyda contends that Phoenix is a top city for pizza.

“I say to people that I believe Phoenix is the pizza capital of the U.S. and I wait for them to slap me across the face,” says Tyda, the co-manager of Phoenix Festivals.

“But it’s so crazy how many different styles of pizza are represented here, and the people doing those styles are masters at it. We have such good pizza here in town, so we should celebrate it.”

Tyda is bringing the family-friendly Phoenix Pizza Festival back to Downtown Phoenix’s Margaret T. Hance Park Saturday, November 12, and Sunday, November 13.

About 20 pizza vendors are expected. They include Bored Baker Pizza Maker, Copper State Pizza, Fabio, Floridino’s Pizza Muffins, Hot Daisy Pizza, Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria, Road Running Wood Fired Pizza and Zombie Bones.

Last year, the pizza festival had a recordsetting 8,000 attendees, and this year they are hoping to see returning and new faces in the crowd. Tickets for the event are $16

and must be purchased in advance.

Pizza slices are $3 to $6, and vendors keep that. The event benefits Downtown Phoenix Inc.

“The festival is a great way to support small, local businesses,” Tyda says. “They set their own prices and try to keep them competitive as possible. So, you’ll see slices as low as $3. Then you’ll get a big New York slice that might be loaded up for $6.

“It’s pretty affordable because you pay as you go. Some of these other festivals that are all-inclusive are at a higher-priced ticket. Our festival puts the spending in the attendee’s hand. So, if somebody doesn’t want to spend much and just have a day at the park, then they can do that. But somebody who wants to gorge themselves on pizza and have a bunch of drinks and then Uber home, they can do that, too.”

In addition to having the pizza vendors, there will be dessert booths from the likes of Cactus Corn, Phoenix Phreeze Hawaiian Shave Ice, Berry Kabobs and Udder Delights Ice Cream.

Huss Brewing, New Belgium beer, Bogle wines and Mule 2.0 cocktails in a can will offer their beverages.

Musicians will provide the soundtrack. Tyda’s partner in Phoenix Festivals,

Lisa Duffield, curated the lineup, which includes Mississippi Nova, Jane N’ The Jungle, Gus D’ Wynns & the Breakers, and The Lonesome Wilderness.

“Lisa is a local music scene fan, and she really keeps tabs on who’s hot and she pays attention to putting together a really good music lineup for our live music stage,” Tyda says. “I wouldn’t call it a local music festival, but we pay a lot of attention to the lineup and make sure that we’ve highlighted up-and-coming local talent.”

There will also be plenty of lawn games for kids and adults to play while eating pizza.

“We have large-scale lawn games that are produced by this company called AZ Board Source, and they bring out cornhole sets and giant Jenga and giant Connect Four,” Tyda says.

Phoenix Pizza Festival

WHEN: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, November 12, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, November 13

WHERE: Margaret T. Hance Park, 1202 N. Third Street, Phoenix COST: $16 in advance only INFO: 480-442-9176, phoenix.pizza

THE THUMB

peach cobbler, pumpkin cheesecake and chocolate cake. Cost for the three-course option is $70 per person (plus tax and gratuity). Children’s menu is also available. Reservations required. Keeler’s Neighborhood Steakhouse, 7212 E. Ho Hum Road, Carefree, 602374-4784, keelerssteakhouse.com

LIBERTY STATION AMERICAN TAVERN AND SMOKEHOUSE

Both Liberty Station American Tavern and Smokehouse locations will offer Thanksgiving to-go feasts that are available for preorder through Saturday, November 19. Cost is $35 per person, plus tax and gratuity, and packages will be ready for pickup between 2 and 6 p.m. Wednesday, November 23, or from 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Thursday, November 24. The DC Ranch location will also have a special dine-in menu on Thanksgiving Day. Guests who prefer to dine in can enjoy the following three-course menu from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thanksgiving. Appetizers ($10 each) include Liberty salad, classic Caesar salad, New England clam chowder and butternut squash bisque. Entrée choices ($29 each) are traditional turkey dinner, Texas brisket or Carolina pork shoulder. Desserts ($10 each) are apple or pumpkin pie or chocolate cake. Cost is $49. A children’s menu is also available. For reservations or orders, call the respective locations — Terravita at 480-595-

9930 and DC Ranch at 480-278-7044. Liberty Station American Tavern and Smokehouse, libertystationtavern.com, for numbers and locations check website

MATCH MARKET & BAR

The hotel’s signature restaurant, Match Market & Bar, is hosting meals at 3:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. The menu is squash salad, apple and sweet potato bisque, turkey and ham roulade, marinated tofu, apple and cream cheese bread pudding with dulce de leche and vanilla ice cream, and vegan chocolate mousse. Cost is $65, plus tax and gratuity. This Thanksgiving feast is also available for takeout. Match Market & Bar, 1100 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix 85004, 602-8758080, matchphx.com

MIRACLE MILE DELI

Miracle Mile Deli’s Thanksgiving family feast serves six to eight people for $225. It includes oven-roasted white meat turkey breast, homemade mashed potatoes, homemade gravy, homemade stuffing, cranberry sauce, homemade coleslaw, baked mac and cheese, kaiser rolls and a whole pie. Individual options are available. See website for details.

The restaurant is closed November 24, so orders must be placed by 2 p.m. Wednesday, November 22, by calling 602-776-0992 for pickup between 11

a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, November 23. Miracle Mile Deli, 4433 N. 16th Street, Phoenix, 602-776-0992, miraclemiledeli.com

ROYAL PALMS RESORT AND SPA

This lovely local resort features a three-course meal along with a hearty Thanksgiving buffet with traditional options. A dinner is available, too. Both the T. Cook’s dinner and Thanksgiving buffet are $150, $75 for kids ages 6 to 12, and free for ages 5 and younger. The Thanksgiving buffet is 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., and T. Cook’s dinner is 1 to 8 p.m. Royal Palms Resort and Spa, 5200 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix, 602-2831234, royalpalmshotel.com

TERRA TEMPE KITCHEN & SPIRITS

This year, Terra Kitchen & Spirits will offer a dine-in three-course menu curated by executive chef Mario Ventura. Inspired by fall fare and Southwestern cuisine, the meal includes butternut squash soup ($14), pumpkin gnocchi ($18), the turkey feast ($35), rosemary smoked ribeye ($48) and pumpkin cheesecake ($12) from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, November 24.

Terra Tempe Kitchen & Spirits, 11. E. Seventh Street, Tempe, 480-9688885, terratempe.com

The Thumb will offer stress-free Thanksgiving to-go meals that include smoked turkey breast, mashed potatoes, turkey gravy, stuffing, creamed corn, cranberry sauce, dinner rolls and a 9-inch pumpkin pie — all for $150. The holiday spread is designed to feed four to six. Deadline to place an order is November 17.

Pickup will be on Thanksgiving Day between 8 a.m. and noon. The store will be open on the holiday for any last-minute purchases.

The Thumb, 9393 E. Bell Road, Scottsdale, 480-513-8186, thethumb.com

Z’TEJAS SOUTHWEST GRILL

If defrosting that 20-pound turkey didn’t go well last year, Z’Tejas has you covered with a family-style Thanksgiving meal to go. The meal includes pineapple and chipotle roasted turkey served sliced and deboned, light and dark meat, cheesy roasted poblano mashed potatoes, cornbread stuffing, seasonal veggies, chipotle roasted turkey gravy and cranberry sauce. Guests are encouraged to preorder their meal for pickup on November 22 or November 23. This meal feeds six to eight and costs $125.

Z’Tejas Southwest Grill, for locations and numbers visit ztejas.com

BREWS & SPIRITS

BREWS & SPIRITS CALENDAR

By Kaila Mellos

NOVEMBER 5

ARIZONA FALL FEST

Hosted by Local First Arizona, the family- and dog-friendly Arizona Fall Fest is back after a threeyear break with more than 200 vendors and dozens of wines and spirits. Food booths and trucks will provide a variety of tastes. Also included are family and children’s activities and a silent auction.

Margaret T. Hance Park, 1222 N. Third Street, Phoenix, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., localfirstaz. com/fall-fest, free admission, tasting tickets are $1 each

NOVEMBER 5

THE PHOENIX WINE AND FOOD EXPERIENCE

Chefs and mixologists from around the Valley will bring attendees various flavor experiences and live demonstrations. The grand tasting ticket includes unlimited samplings. Salt River Fields, 7555 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, 1 to 4 p.m., saltriverfields. com, tickets start at $65

NOVEMBER 12

AZ BARRELS, BOTTLES AND BREWS

Salt River Fields will be the temporary home to more than 25 local vendors of wine, beers and other spirits during AZ Barrels,

Bottles and Brews. Participants include Cider Corps, Bad Booch Hard Kombucha, Arizona Ranch Water, Puro de lo Alto tequila and Below the Rim Meadery. General admission tickets include samples, a souvenir glass to pour them into, and access to food trucks. Salt River Fields, 7555 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, 2 to 5 p.m., azbottlesandbrews. com, tickets start at $60

NOVEMBER 12

SCOTTSDALE WHISKEY FESTIVAL

Old Town Fests brings Scottsdale Whiskey Festival to town with a variety of whiskeys, bourbons and scotches. General admission ticket holders get 20 different tastings, while the VIPs throw back 24. Wasted Grain, 7295 E. Stetson Drive, Scottsdale, 2:30 to 5:30 p.m., scottsdalewhiskeyfestival. weebly.com, tickets start at $25

NOVEMBER 12

FIVE-COURSE WINE DINNER

Held with Classic Cooking Academy in Scottsdale, a five-course dinner will be paired with wines that complement flavors. The courses include French onion soup with cheese soufflé to start, followed by a homemade fettuccine carbonara, then a chicken Milanese with arugula and cherry tomatoes. The entrée is braised short ribs with

celery root mashed potato and, for dessert, chocolate terrine with almond sauce and shortbread. This five-course wine dinner is one of the few experiences that do not incorporate hands-on cooking at the Classic Cooking Academy. Instead, guests sit down, meet the chefs and sommeliers, and enjoy a five-course tasting menu with specially paired wines. Classic Cooking Academy, 10411 E. McDowell Mountain Ranch Road, Scottsdale, 5 to 7:30 p.m., ccacademy.edu, $70, gratuity is not included in the class price

NOVEMBER 16

FINE WINES OF SPAIN PAIRING DINNER

In partnership with Quench Fine Wines, Keeler’s Neighborhood Steakhouse offers a five-course dinner paired with wines. The courses are jamoìn ibeìrico paired with Mestres, Cava 1312 Brut Reserva; marinated charred octopus served with Bodegas La CanÞa, Riìas Baixas AlbarinÞo; Spanish paella paired with Bernabeleva, Vinos de Madrid Camino de Navaherreros Tinto; Spanish bistec complemented by Bodegas Muga, Rioja Reserva; and for dessert churros and caramel dipping sauce. Keeler’s Neighborhood Steakhouse, 7212 E. Ho Hum Road, Carefree, 6 p.m., 602374-4784, keelerssteakhouse. com, $105 plus tax and gratuity

NOVEMBER 19 AND NOVEMBER 20

PEORIA ART & WINE FESTIVAL

The first Peoria Art & Wine Festival will bring Arizona wines to the Northwest Valley. Centennial Plaza Park will have artisan booths, music, food vendors and wine and beer tastings. Willcox Wine Country presents the event in conjunction with Peoria Arts and Culture to benefit Silver Lining Riding, a therapeutic riding nonprofit helping kids. Centennial Plaza Park, 9875 N. 85th Avenue, Peoria, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., willcoxwinecountry. org, tickets start at $20

DECEMBER 1

HOLIDAY WINE & DINE

The Shops at Gainey Village at Scottsdale & Doubletree will celebrate the holidays with the Volcano Steel Drum Duo, electric violinist Natasha, the Sahanas Brothers guitar duo, and Miguel de Maria on Spanish guitar. To put guests in the spirit, festive horse and carriage rides by Scottsdale Horse and Carriage will be available in addition to a Blow-Up Snow Globe, baked goods, coffee, and hot chocolate by Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. Families will also enjoy a visit from the Cotton Candy Lady, passing out festive treats as well as photographs with St. Nick. For those 21 years and older, complimentary wine tastings will be available at participating restaurants.

The Shops at Gainey Village, 8777-8989 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, 5 to 8 p.m., theshopsatgaineyvillage. com, free

SIP

Keeler’s

CASINOS

SPIN » LAUGH » GROOVE » UNWIND » WIN

RITUALISTIC EXPERIENCE

‘Gather’ with rockers The Cult at Chandler’s Wild Horse Pass

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski

There’s

nothing gimmicky about The Cult.

Singer Ian Astbury and guitarist Billy Duffy, as The Cult, were born on the stage. With that sort of lineage, The Cult is revered for its concerts.

“The Cult are not one of those bands who go out there and need a hype guy to hype up the audience,” Astbury says.

“We just occasionally provoke them a little bit. There’s a frequency that comes through at some point, an implosion in the room. It’s quite well documented that we consider shows to be ritual space. We’re not taking your dollars and just jumping up and down. It’s never been like that — ever — for this band.”

The Cult will prove it at 8 p.m. Sunday, November 20, when it plays Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino. The band is touring in support of its latest album, “Under the Midnight Sun,” and the single “Give Me Mercy.”

The Cult formed in 1983 in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England, and quickly scored hits like “She Sells Sanctuary” and “Love Removal Machine,” the latter of which hit the U.S. charts later in

the decade. Astbury and Duffy are the longest-serving members.

Being inquisitive has kept Astbury inspired.

“I always look into what’s new,” he says. “I’m always reading. I read copious amounts. I prefer books to the screen. I do use the screen for things I’m unsure of.”

“Under the Midnight Sun” was recorded during the pandemic, when the musicians worked virtually to produce the tracks. The collection was produced by Tom Dalgety (Pixies, Ghost, Royal Blood), the first English

producer The Cult worked with since 1985’s “Love.”

“The producer came over from England, while we were working in LA,” he says. “We narrowed it down to 12 to 15 pieces of music that we were very focused on. We made a few demos; they were inroads into evolving the songs a bit further.”

During the lockdown, Dalgety and Duffy returned to England. The backing tracks were recorded at Rockfield in Wales with bassist Charlie Jones (Robert Plant, Goldfrapp) and drummer Ian Matthews from Kasabian.

“I was working virtually with these guys,” Astbury says. “When we had the 10 to 12 backing tracks down, that meant we had something to work with. Once you have the backing tracks down, from there you evolve the top-end lyrical ideas and arrangements. That evolved over about 18 months.”

Being away from touring during the quarantine allowed The Cult to revisit the songs it had written to make changes.

“The songs had a lot more time to gesticulate, find their natural conclusion,” he says.

“With recording, you usually have very tight deadlines. With this, there’s an open deadline. Nobody could determine what was happening from one day to the

next. If anything, it fired us up to keep ripping things apart and putting them back together again. We didn’t wait for the pandemic to stop.”

Astbury describes “Under the Midnight Sun” as an intimate project, one without “an army building a record.”

“We didn’t have 36 writers on a track, and that’s quite common now,” he says.

“We were open to trying different rhythmic approaches, textural approaches. We’re always trying to change it up. It’s got to flow, and this record flows. It really does flow. Even though it’s eight songs, it says everything it needs to say. It doesn’t go on in excess, especially in a time where excess information overload is pollutive. We were very conscious of that.

“But there’s a lot of open space in our music. Our shows don’t feel like entertainment events. They feel like gatherings.”

The Cult

WHEN: 8 p.m. Sunday, November 20

WHERE: Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino, 5040 Wild Horse Pass Boulevard, Chandler

COST: Tickets start at $55

INFO: 1-800-WIN-GILA, playatgila.com

ENTERTAINMENT CALENDAR

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski

Bonfire: A Tribute to AC/DC

7:30 P.M. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, AND SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5

Casino Arizona, 524 N. 92nd Street, Scottsdale, tickets start at $10, 480850-7777, casinoarizona.com

Terry Wayne Project

9 P.M. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, AND SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5

Cliff Castle Casino, 555 W. Middle Verde Road, Camp Verde, free, cliffcastlecasinohotel.com

Radio Dayz

8 P.M. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4

WKP Sports & Entertainment, WeKo-Pa Casino Resort, 10438 Wekopa Way, Fort McDowell, free, 480-7894957, wekopacasinoresort.com

Matt Farris

8 P.M. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5

WKP Sports & Entertainment, WeKo-Pa Casino Resort, 10438 Wekopa Way, Fort McDowell, free, 480-7894957, wekopacasinoresort.com

Three Dog Night

8 P.M. SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6

Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino, 5040 Wild Horse Pass Boulevard, Chandler, sold out, 1-800-WINGILA, playatgila.com

Very Secret Service

8 P.M. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11

WKP Sports & Entertainment, WeKo-Pa Casino Resort, 10438 Wekopa Way, Fort McDowell, free, 480-7894957, wekopacasinoresort.com

Dennis Yazzie

and the Night Breeze Band

9 P.M. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, AND SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12

Cliff Castle Casino, 555 W. Middle Verde Road, Camp Verde, free, cliffcastlecasinohotel.com

SoulPower Band

8 P.M. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12

WKP Sports & Entertainment, WeKo-Pa Casino Resort, 10438 Wekopa Way, Fort McDowell, free, 480-7894957, wekopacasinoresort.com

Da Vu Con Duong Mau Xanh

8 P.M. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12,

Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino, 5040 Wild Horse Pass Boulevard, Chandler, tickets start at $50, 1-800-WIN-GILA, playatgila.com

Rockin’ the Paradise: A Tribute to Styx

7:30 P.M. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, AND SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19

Casino Arizona, 524 N. 92nd Street, Scottsdale, tickets start at $10, 480850-7777, casinoarizona.com

David Voss and Big Country

9 P.M. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18

Cliff Castle Casino, 555 W. Middle Verde Road, Camp Verde, free, cliffcastlecasinohotel.com

Apache Spirit

9:30 P.M. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18

WKP Sports & Entertainment, WeKo-Pa Casino Resort, 10438 Wekopa Way, Fort McDowell, free, 480-7894957, wekopacasinoresort.com

Ilusion Norteno

9 P.M. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19

Cliff Castle Casino, 555 W. Middle Verde Road, Camp Verde, free, cliffcastlecasinohotel.com

Fenders 2

9:30 P.M. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19

WKP Sports & Entertainment, WeKo-Pa Casino Resort, 10438 Wekopa Way, Fort McDowell, free, 480-7894957, wekopacasinoresort.com

The Cult

8 P.M. SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20

Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino, 5040 Wild Horse Pass Boulevard, Chandler, tickets start at $55, 1-800-WIN-GILA, playatgila.com

Thaddeus Rose

8 P.M. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25

WKP Sports & Entertainment, WeKo-Pa Casino Resort, 10438 Wekopa Way, Fort McDowell, free, 480-7894957, wekopacasinoresort.com

Andrea & Gemini

9 P.M. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, AND SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26 Cliff Castle Casino, 555 W. Middle Verde Road, Camp Verde, free, cliffcastlecasinohotel.com

Ron White

7 P.M. AND 10 P.M. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25

Talking Stick Resort’s The Showroom,

9800 E. Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale, tickets start at $60, 480-8507777, talkingstickresort.com

The Long Run: Experience the Eagles

7:30 P.M. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, AND SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26

Casino Arizona, 524 N. 92nd Street, Scottsdale, tickets start at $10, 480850-7777, casinoarizona.com

Native American All-Star Comedy Night

8 P.M. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26

Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino, 5040 Wild Horse Pass Boulevard, Chandler, tickets start at $20, 1-800-WIN-GILA, playatgila.com

Basketball Jones

8 P.M. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26

WKP Sports & Entertainment, WeKo-Pa Casino Resort, 10438 Wekopa Way, Fort McDowell, free, 480-7894957, wekopacasinoresort.com

John Tesh: A Jazzy Swingin’ Christmas

8 P.M. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2

Desert Diamond Sahuarita Diamond Center, 1100 W. Pima Mine Road, Sahuarita, tickets start at $49.50, ddcaz.com

ZZ Top

8 P.M. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2

The Pool at Talking Stick Resort, 9800 E. Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale, tickets start at $45, 480-8507777, talkingstickresort.com

One of These Nights: A Tribute to the Eagles

8 P.M. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2

Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino, 5040 Wild Horse Pass Boulevard, Chandler, sold out, 1-800-WINGILA, playatgila.com

CALENDAR

By Caleb Jones

Phoenix Suns vs. Portland Trailblazers

NOVEMBER 5

The Suns will host the Trailblazers again for the second game of a back-to-back for the two Western Conference foes. Footprint Center, 201 E. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, 7 p.m., tickets start at $27, ticketmaster.com

ASU Sun Devils vs. UCLA Bruins

NOVEMBER 5

The Sun Devils take on Pac-12 conference rival UCLA in week 9 of their football season. The Sun Devils defeated the Bruins 42-23 in last year’s matchup. Sun Devil Stadium, 500 E. Veterans Way, Tempe, time TBD, tickets start at $45, thesundevils.com

Arizona Cardinals vs. Seattle Seahawks

NOVEMBER 6

The Cardinals will look to take down the Seattle Seahawks when the two teams square off in their week nine matchup. The Cardinals split the season series last year 1-1. However, the Cardinals will not have to worry about dealing with Russell Wilson this time around, as the Seahawks traded him to the Broncos in the offseason. State Farm Stadium, 1 Cardinals Drive, Glendale, 2:05 p.m., tickets start at $43, azcardinals.com

State Texans

NOVEMBER 7

The Sun Devils kick off their basketball season at home

against Tarleton State. The Sun Devils will look to get back on track after finishing last year with a record of 14-17. Desert Financial Arena, 600 E. Veterans Way, Tempe, time and tickets TBA, thesundevils.com

ASU Sun Devils vs. NAU Lumberjacks

NOVEMBER 10

The Sun Devils take on in-state foe NAU in basketball. The last meeting between the two teams saw the Sun Devils win 97-62 back in 2017. Desert Financial Arena, 600 E. Veterans Way, Tempe, time and tickets TBA, thesundevils.com

The Saguaros NiteFlite Golf Tournament and Gala

NOVEMBER 11 AND NOVEMBER 12

The Saguaros will host two days of community giving with a golf tourney at McCormick Ranch Golf Club on Veterans Day. It continues with the Night Flight Gala at The W Hotel in Scottsdale. The proceeds from the event will benefit the Saguaros Children’s Charities foundation. McCormick Ranch Golf Club, 7505 E. McCormick Parkway, Scottsdale; The W Hotel Scottsdale, 7277 E. Camelback Road, Scottsdale; visit website for ticket information, saguaros.com

Phoenix Suns vs. Golden State Warriors

NOVEMBER 16

The Suns welcome defending NBA champions and division rival Golden State Warriors to town for a regular season matchup. This Warriors team once again features its legendary frontcourt of Steph Curry and

Klay Thompson along with other key players such as Draymond Green and Andrew Wiggins. Footprint Center, 201 E. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, 8 p.m., tickets start at $125, ticketmaster.com

ASU Sun Devils vs. Oregon State Beavers

NOVEMBER 19

The Sun Devils take on the Oregon State Beavers in their last home game of the football season. At their homecoming game, the Sun Devils will be looking for revenge as they lost the last meeting between the two teams 24-10. Sun Devil Stadium, 500 E. Veterans Way, Tempe, time TBD, tickets start at $35, thesundevils.com

Phoenix Suns vs. New York Knicks

NOVEMBER 20

The Suns will take on the New York Knicks. The Suns swept last years’ series going 2-0 in the two meetings between the teams. The Knicks this year feature the likes of Jalen Brunson, Julius Randle and RJ Barret. Also on the roster for the Knicks is former MVP Derrick Rose. Footprint Center, 201 E. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, 1:30 p.m., tickets start at $27, ticketmaster.com

Phoenix Suns vs. Los Angeles Lakers

NOVEMBER 22

The Suns and heated rival the Los Angeles Lakers will square off once again. The Suns have dominated the Lakers as of late and will look to keep on racking up wins against their division foe. The Lakers’ are led once again by superstar duo LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Footprint Center, 201 E. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, 8 p.m., tickets start at $124, ticketmaster.com

Phoenix Suns vs. Detroit Pistons

NOVEMBER 25

The Suns will take on one of the

most exciting young teams in the league when they square off with the Detroit Pistons. The Suns won both of their meetings against the Pistons last year. The Pistons roster this year features the young guard duo of Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey. Footprint Center, 201 E. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, 7 p.m., tickets start at $38, ticketmaster.com

Phoenix Suns vs. Utah Jazz

NOVEMBER 26

The Suns take on a Utah Jazz team, who had a complete overhaul in the offseason. The Jazz traded away both members of their superstar pairing of Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert. The Suns went 3-1 against the Jazz last year and will look to continue their winning ways against a Utah team that looks to figure themselves out in their first season without Gobert and Mitchell.

Footprint Center, 201 E. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, 7 p.m., tickets start at $38, ticketmaster.com

Arizona Cardinals vs. Los Angeles Chargers

NOVEMBER 27

The Cardinals take on a Los Angeles Chargers team that is loaded with talent. The Chargers feature star quarterback Justin Herbert along with names like Khalil Mack, Austin Ekeler and Keenan Allen.

State Farm Stadium, 1 Cardinals Drive, Glendale, 2:05 p.m., tickets start at $43, azcardinals.com

Phoenix Suns vs. Chicago Bulls

NOVEMBER 30

The Suns will take on the Chicago Bulls in their last home game in November. The Bulls roster features the dynamic duo of Zach Lavine and DeMar DeRozan.

Footprint Center, 201 E. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, 7 p.m., tickets start at $60, ticketmaster.com

CHEER » HIT » HIKE » LEAD » ROOT »

FAMILY

FROLIC » DISCOVER » IMAGINE » FAMILY » FUN » CONNECT

‘LOSING HIM WAS HORRIBLY TRAGIC’

Al Pitrelli keeps Paul O’Neill and TSO’s spirit alive

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski

Al Pitrelli lives for the Trans-Siberian Orchestra tours.

The music director and lead guitarist will bring an updated presentation of TSO’s “The Ghost of Christmas Eve — the Best of TSO & More” to the Footprint Center in Phoenix on Sunday, December 4.

“I’ve been doing the same thing, literally, my entire life,” Pitrelli says.

“Every year I say it gets bigger and crazier and different. Am I lying? We have songs that we’ve never played live before. ‘The Ghost of Christmas Eve’ by Paul O’Neill, we haven’t presented this in five or six years.”

TSO’s founder O’Neill died from an unexpected reaction to prescription medication in 2017 at age 61.

The rock opera features “Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24,” “O’ Come

Faithful,” “Good King Joy,” “Christmas Canon,” “Music Box Blues,” “Promises to Keep” and “This Christmas Day.”

The 2022 tour will also boast a second set containing more of TSO’s greatest hits, including “Wizards in Winter” and “A Mad Russian’s Christmas.”

After its first year off the road in more than two decades, TSO returned to touring in 2021 with a 25th anniversary celebration of “Christmas Eve and Other Stories.”

Keeping with the vision of O’Neill and his widow, Desi, TSO will give at least $1 from every ticket sold to charity. To date, approximately $18 million has been donated by the group.

“It’s the most incredible feeling ever to know so many folks have made us part of their holiday tradition,” Pitrelli added.

“In ’95, ’96, when we started recording these works, I didn’t understand this was something very special,” he says.

“It’s something, artistically, that’s never been done. TSO is synonymous

with family’s holiday celebration, and it’s an incredible responsibility and honor to fulfill that. Paul O’Neill’s hope was that the music would outlive all of us and continue in perpetuity.”

When O’Neill died, he left behind a wealth of unfinished material. Through mourning, Pitrelli has worked on the songs.

“His family is adamant about doing that,” Pitrelli says. “They want it to continue. It’s such a great amount of work. It’s taken a little while to get back into it. Losing him was horribly tragic for me. He was my best friend, my boss,

my big brother. It took a minute to get the wind back in the sails. I will do my best to carry on that sentiment.”

WHEN: 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Sunday, December 4

WHERE: Footprint Center, 201 E. Jefferson Street, Phoenix

COST: Tickets start at $59.50

INFO: footprintcenter.com, trans-siberian.com

“The Ghost of Christmas Eve — the Best of TSO & More”

MUSIC

Preoccupations

LIVE MUSIC CALENDAR

By Connor Dziawura

NOVEMBER 1

Antonio Sánchez and Bad Hombre w/Thana Alexa, BIGYUKI and Lex Sadler

Musical Instrument Museum, 7 p.m., $44.50-$49.50

Black Flag, T.S.O.L., the Dickies and Total Chaos The Nile, 5:30 p.m., $35

Blood Red Shoes Valley Bar, 8 p.m., $18-$20

Gogol Bordello

Marquee Theatre, 8 p.m., $32.50-$65

Jeff Beck and Johnny Depp w/Max Gomez

Celebrity Theatre, 7:30 p.m., sold out

Kid Bloom

The Rebel Lounge, 8 p.m., $20-$25

Max Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $27.50-$30

Mother Mother Arizona Financial Theatre, 7:30 p.m., $35-$60.50

SG Lewis Sunbar, 8 p.m., $25-$2,000

Surf Curse and Toner

The Van Buren, 8 p.m., $25-$27

Thrive and Ethan Tucker Last Exit Live, 8 p.m., $12-$15

NOVEMBER 2

Bob Schneider

Musical Instrument Museum, 7 p.m., $33.50-$44.50

The Dangerous Summer

The Rebel Lounge, 7 p.m., $18-$20

John Petrucci featuring Mike Portnoy and Dave LaRue Celebrity Theatre, 7:30 p.m., $42-$150

Spacey Jane Crescent Ballroom, 7:30 p.m., tickets are not available

NOVEMBER 3

Christian Nodal Footprint Center, 8 p.m., $41-$640.74

Dro Kenji

The Rebel Lounge, 8 p.m., $18-$60

Felix Y Los Gatos

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

Illiterate Light Valley Bar, 8 p.m., $15

Pianos Become the Teeth The Nile, 6:30 p.m., $20

Sgt. Papers

Yucca Tap Room, 8 p.m., $9.99-$12

NOVEMBER 4

AFK and Executioner

Darkstar, 9 p.m., $15 or free with RSVP

Bobby Shmurda

The Van Buren, 8 p.m., $29.99-$35

The Bronx

The Rebel Lounge, 8 p.m., $26-$30

Café Tacvba

Orpheum Theatre - Phoenix, 8 p.m., $45-$115

Dave Clark

The Park at O.H.S.O. Brewery, 8 p.m., free

Lorna Shore The Nile, 6 p.m., sold out Odd Man Out The Nash, 7 p.m., free

Pepe Aguilar Desert Diamond Arena, 8 p.m., $45.50-$1,200

St. Lucia Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $32-$195

The Thieves About Yucca Tap Room, 8 p.m., free

Tritonal Sunbar, 9 p.m., $21-$1,500

Vincent Neil Emerson Last Exit Live, 8 p.m., $16-$18

NOVEMBER 5

Adelitas Way

The Nile, 7 p.m., $20

Ali Gatie

The Van Buren, 8 p.m., $20-$125

Champagne Drip Sunbar, 9 p.m., $19.50-$1,500

Dropkick Murphys

Orpheum Theatre - Phoenix, 7:15 p.m., $38.50-$178

Future Exes

Yucca Tap Room, 8 p.m., free

GrooveSession

Last Exit Live, 9 p.m., $15

Jimi Primetime Smith and the Bob Corritore Blues Band The Rhythm Room, 8 p.m., $12

Origami Angel Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $18-$20

PAX Darkstar, 9 p.m., $12-$17

Valley Bar, 7 p.m., $20-$23

Sandra Bassett

The Nash, 7:30 p.m., $10.80-$35

Simply Renee

Mesa Jazz and Blues Theater, 7 p.m., $27.50

Stevie Nicks

Ak-Chin Pavilion, 8 p.m., $199.50-$1,060

Wardruna

Mesa Arts Center, 8:30 p.m., $39.50-$69.50

Whitey Morgan Marquee Theatre, 8:30 p.m., $20-$25

NOVEMBER 6

Belinda Carlisle

Mesa Arts Center’s Ikeda Theater, 7:30 p.m., $27-$67

Clark Gibson

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

The Garcia Diaries Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $25-$50

Ioannis Goudelis

The Nash, 3 p.m., $10.80-$35

Lupita D’alessio and María José Arizona Financial Theatre, 7 p.m., $38.50-$128.50

MINKA

The Rhythm Room, 8 p.m., tickets available at the door

Pinkshift Valley Bar, 7:30 p.m., $15-$18

The Rose

Orpheum Theatre - Phoenix, 7:30 p.m., sold out

Three Dog Night

Gila River Resorts & Casinos - Wild Horse Pass, 8 p.m., sold out

Wallace Hound

The Rebel Lounge, 7:30 p.m., $12-$15

NOVEMBER 7

Aesthetic Perfection

The Rebel Lounge, 7:30 p.m., $22-$25

Brass Transit Highlands Church, 7:30 p.m., $34-$74

Faouzia

Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $25-$28

Ryan Adams

Orpheum Theatre - Phoenix, 8 p.m., $42.50-$87.50

Turnstile and Snail Mail

The Van Buren, 7 p.m., sold out

NOVEMBER 8

Great American Ghost

The Underground, 7 p.m., $14

Ingrid “Vismaya” Hagelberg

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

Matt Kerekes

The Rebel Lounge, 7:30 p.m., $20-$22

Melt-Banana

Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $20-$33

The Plot in You

The Nile, 6 p.m., $23

Pretty Sick Valley Bar, 7:30 p.m., $16-$18

NOVEMBER 9

AWOLNATION

Marquee Theatre, 7:30 p.m., $35-$55

Boss Frog, Hieroglyph and Boy

Last Exit Live, 7:30 p.m., $10

Dream Phases

Yucca Tap Room, 9 p.m., free

Traitors

The Rebel Lounge, 6:30 p.m., $20-$23

Trivium

The Van Buren, 6:30 p.m., $39-$44

Two Lanes Valley Bar, 8 p.m., $15-$20

NOVEMBER 10

Ateez

Desert Diamond Arena, 8 p.m., see website for tickets

Bad Omens

Marquee Theatre, 7 p.m., sold out

Billy the Kid and The Regulators

The Rhythm Room, 8 p.m., $12

Blackbird

Tempe Center for the Arts, 7:30 p.m., $10-$15

Deathpop

Last Exit Live, 7:30 p.m., $15

Delphine Cortez and Joel Robin The Nash, 4 p.m., free

Kailee Morgue

The Rebel Lounge, 7:30 p.m., $18-$20

Kid Baron Valley Bar, 7:30 p.m., $15-$20

Måneskin

Arizona Financial Theatre, 8:30 p.m., $39.50-$64.50

Mob vs. Ballot Box

Yucca Tap Room, 8 p.m., free

Tyrone Wells

Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $20-$35

NOVEMBER 11

beabadoobee

The Van Buren, 8 p.m., $27.50-$30

Chief Keef w/Lil Gnar Celebrity Theatre, 9 p.m., $45-$60

Dave Alvin and Jimmie Dale Gilmore

The Rhythm Room, 8 p.m., $35

Eidola

The Nile, 6 p.m., $20

Elton John Chase Field, 8 p.m., $242-$2,849.50

LISTEN » JAM » INNOVATE » EVOLVE » ROCK » SING

Ghostly Kisses

Valley Bar, 7 p.m., $16-$18

Havens End

Yucca Tap Room, 8 p.m., free

JazzWomenCollective

The Nash, 6:30 p.m., $8.80-$30

Meechy Darko

Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $25-$100

Momentum

The Underground, 6 p.m., $15

Safety Orange

Last Exit Live, 8:30 p.m., $15-$18

Tim Snider and Wolfgang Timber

Musical Instrument Museum, 7:30 p.m., $28.50-$38.50

Trever Keith

Pub Rock Live, 7:30 p.m., $15

The United States Air Force Band Airmen of Note

Chandler Center for the Arts’ Mainstage, 7:30 p.m., free

The Widdler and ATYYA Sunbar, 9 p.m., $20-$1,500

Wisin y Yandel

Arizona Financial Theatre, 8 p.m., sold out

NOVEMBER 12

Amon Amarth

Arizona Financial Theatre, 6:30 p.m., $39.50-$102.50

Beth Lederman w/Jazz Con Alma Mesa Jazz and Blues Theater, 7 p.m., $27.50

Bill Tarsha’s Birthday Party hosted by Rocket 88s

The Rhythm Room, 8 p.m., tickets available at the door

Borgore Sunbar, 9 p.m., $24.50

Da Vu Con Duong Mau Xanh

Gila River Resorts & Casinos - Wild Horse Pass, 8 p.m., $50-$2,000

Elton John Chase Field, 8 p.m., $365-$2,345

The Fast 86’ers

Yucca Tap Room, 8 p.m., free

Genesis City Blues Night

The Rhythm Room, 3:30 p.m., $75

The Jack Radavich Quintet featuring Eric Felten

The Nash, 7:30 p.m., $14.80-$45

John Craigie

Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $23-$25

Lila Downs

Mesa Arts Center’s Ikeda Theater, 8 p.m., $35-$60

Marc Broussard

Chandler Center for the Arts’ Mainstage, 7:30 p.m., $32-$52

Matt Maeson

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

Ron Artis II

Musical Instrument Museum, 7:30 p.m., $28.50-$41.50

Saving Abel

The Rebel Lounge, 8 p.m., $23-$25

Sumthin Sumthin Darkstar, 9 p.m., $12-$17

Terrapin Flyer

Last Exit Live, 9 p.m., $20-$25

NOVEMBER 13

Brothertiger

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

Celebrating David Bowie Celebrity Theatre, 7:30 p.m., $40-$249

Dave Henning

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

Indigenous

The Rhythm Room, 8 p.m., $24

Low Steppa Darkstar, 4 p.m., $20.75

Naturally 7 and Hiroshima Chandler Center for the Arts’ Mainstage, 7 p.m., $26-$56

Sad Night Dynamite Valley Bar, 7:30 p.m., $20-$23

Salt River Brass Presents

American Salute

Mesa Arts Center’s Ikeda Theater, 3 p.m., $17-$36 or free for children 2 and younger

The Steve Adelson Stick-Tet All Stars featuring Chieli Minucci, Rachel Z and Frank Bellucci

Musical Instrument Museum, 7 p.m., $49.50-$54.50

St. Mary’s Food Bank Fundraiser hosted by Francine Reed, Alice Tatum and Andy Gonzales

The Rhythm Room, 2 p.m., tickets available at the door

TAUK and Kanika Moore Last Exit Live, 8:30 p.m., $20-$25

NOVEMBER 14

Bilmuri

Valley Bar, 7:30 p.m., sold out Luke Sweeney

The Rebel Lounge, 8 p.m., $13-$15 Ricky Montgomery Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., sold out

NOVEMBER 15

Arrows in Action

The Rebel Lounge, 7:30 p.m., $17-$20 Bob Shimizu

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

Cory Wong featuring Sierra Hull and Robbie Wulfsohn The Van Buren, 8 p.m., $30-$35

The Greeting Committee Valley Bar, 7:30 p.m., $20-$70

SCC and CGCC big bands

The Nash, 7:30 p.m., $5-$15

NOVEMBER 16

Blitzkid

The Nile, 6 p.m., $15-$50

Boot Juice

The Rhythm Room, 7 p.m., tickets available at the door

Ginger Root

The Rebel Lounge, 8 p.m., tickets are not available

La Luz Valley Bar, 7:30 p.m., $20

Rina Sawayama

The Van Buren, 8 p.m., $35-$38

Superstition Jazz Orchestra

The Nash, 7:30 p.m., $6-$21

NOVEMBER 17

Cheap Hotels

The Rebel Lounge, 7:30 p.m., $12-$15

Delphine Cortez and Joel Robin

The Nash, 4 p.m., free

Igor & the Red Elvises The Rhythm Room, 8 p.m., $10

Matt Watson (of SuperMega) Valley Bar, 8 p.m., sold out

Sammy Rae & the Friends Marquee Theatre, 8 p.m., $25-$50

Shemekia Copeland

Musical Instrument Museum, 7:30 p.m., $38.50-$49.50

Two Feet

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

NOVEMBER 18

2 Tone Lizard Kings

Last Exit Live, 8 p.m., $12-$15

D’DAT

Tempe Center for the Arts, 7:30 p.m., $20-$25

Descendents

The Van Buren, 8 p.m., $40-$42

Dillon Francis Mullett Arena, 8 p.m., $49-$69

Echosmith Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $25-$85

Hail of Rage

The Underground, 7 p.m., tickets are not on sale

Joe Bonamassa Arizona Financial Theatre, 8 p.m., $42.50-$965.50

The Longest Johns

The Rebel Lounge, 8 p.m., $15-$20

Mochakk

Sunbar, 9 p.m., $33-$1,500

Napalm Death

The Nile, 7 p.m., $25

Randy Napolean The Nash, 7:30 p.m., $14.80-$45

The Smashing Pumpkins and Jane’s Addiction Footprint Center, 6:30 p.m., $44-$700.47

Steve Poltz

Musical Instrument Museum, 7:30 p.m., $33.50-$38.50

Stoner Jordan Pub Rock Live, 7 p.m., $15-$150

Supersuckers

The Rhythm Room, 8 p.m., $17

NOVEMBER 19

Benefit to get JC & the Juke Rockers to Memphis

The Rhythm Room, 7 p.m., tickets available at the door

Big Head Todd & the Monsters

The Van Buren, 8 p.m., $39-$43

Call Me Karizma

The Nile, 6 p.m., $16-$60

Dave Mason Celebrity Theatre, 7 p.m., $9.33-$150

Frank Valdes Septet

The Nash, 7:30 p.m., $10.80-$35

Golf Clap Darkstar, 9 p.m., $12.38-$16.50

Hablot Brown Valley Bar, 7 p.m., $20-$23

Hermanos Gutiérrez

Musical Instrument Museum, 7:30 p.m., $33.50-$44.50

K?D

Sunbar, 9 p.m., $19.25-$1,500

Matthew Whitaker

Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts’ Virginia G. Piper Theater, 8 p.m., $40-$55

Oddisee & Good Company

Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $20-$23

Prulix

The Underground, 7 p.m., free

Soundmankillz

Pub Rock Live, 7 p.m., $10

Tina Tina and Rogers Tom Jones

Mesa Jazz and Blues Theater, 7 p.m., $24.50-$39.50

Tropic Vibration

Last Exit Live, 7 p.m., $15

Zac Brown Band with Sam Hunt and Robert Randolph Band Chase Field, 6 p.m., $30-$189

NOVEMBER 20

Altan

Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts’ Virginia G. Piper Theater, 7:30 p.m., $40-$46

Arizona Musicfest: Young Musicians Fall Concert

Musical Instrument Museum, 2 p.m., $23.50

Brian Culbertson

Mesa Arts Center’s Ikeda Theater, 7:30 p.m., $46.50-$56.50

The Cult

Gila River Resorts & Casinos - Wild Horse Pass, 8 p.m., $55-$65

Francine Reed

The Nash, 3 p.m., $14.80-$45

Stan Sorenson

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

w/Gone Gone Beyond

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

The Ventures

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

NOVEMBER 21

Light of Hope

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

Sidney Bird

The Rebel Lounge, 7 p.m., $13-$15

The Soft Moon

Crescent Ballroom, 7:30 p.m., $20-$35

NOVEMBER 22

Blu DeTiger

Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $20-$50

Field Medic

The Rebel Lounge, 8 p.m., $16-$20

Savage Ga$p and Oliver Francis

Valley Bar, 7:30 p.m., $20-$25

NOVEMBER 23

The 1975

34

‘THE SHOGUN’ RETURNS

Trivium breaks out the classics on headlining run

By Alex Gallagher

Theveteran metal act Trivium has journeyed around the world as a supporting act for metal giants like Megadeth and Iron Maiden.

But bassist Paolo Gregoletto admits it’s interesting to switch gears to headliners.

“It’s definitely a transition to a different type of show,” Gregoletto says. “I feel like with (being) the headliner, we don’t have to rush through the set and we can kind of pick some deeper cuts from (the) back (of our) catalog for the real hardcore fans that have been waiting for a proper headliner for a long time.”

Though the band has between 75 and 90 minutes a night to rip through its set, Gregoletto says that isn’t enough time to scratch the surface of the band’s expansive discography — which grew by two albums during the pandemic with 2020’s “What The Dead Men Say” and 2021’s “In The Court of the Dragon.”

“We have a ton of material at this point, and the 75- to 90-minute set won’t even scratch the surface of all the songs we’d want to play live, so (the set) is a mix,” he says.

Because of this, Gregoletto says he loves drafting a set list for each tour.

“I would say (it’s a) fun challenge, but it is tough because we’re always fighting against having to play certain songs that are big

33

Arizona Financial Theatre, 7 p.m., sold out

Feng Suave Valley Bar, 7:30 p.m., $17-$20

Hollywood Gods N’ Monsters

The Rebel Lounge, 8 p.m., $15-$20

Ivy Lab and Tsuruda Sunbar, 9 p.m., $21-$1,500

Odd Mob Darkstar, 9 p.m., $12.75-$17

Phunk Junkeez & the Boogie Knights Marquee Theatre, 7:30 p.m., $30-$60

NOVEMBER 24

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

NOVEMBER 25

Figure and ill.gates Darkstar, 9 p.m., $15.50-$20.50

Micki Free

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

One More Time:

A Tribute to Daft Punk

The Van Buren, 8 p.m., $15-$20

Sherry Roberson & Friends

The Nash, 7:30 p.m., $10.80-$35

Sonny Fodera

songs that people want to hear, especially newer fans and going out and playing a ton of deep cuts,” he says. “It’s a fun challenge because it always makes me look forward to getting back out on tour again and it keeps us interested in what we do.”

Included in the mix have been five songs from the two new works while the rest of the set list will touch on five other recorded works in the band’s discography.

Gregoletto notices fans enjoy hearing “To the Rats,” a song from Trivium’s controversial 2006 album “The Crusade.”

“I feel like there’s a new energy around that record,” Gregoletto says. “It was our ‘black sheep’ record for a bit, and it’s had a new look from people who have (recently) gotten into us. And ‘To The Rats’ has been going over so good.”

Yet, the climax of the set is the title track off 2008’s “Shogun.”

“Shogun (is) sort of this big centerpiece for the set, I think, because it’s our third from the last song, but that song is basically three songs in one,” Gregoletto says. “It’s this big epic before we close it out with two more energetic songs.”

In addition to mixing new and old songs with an eclectic set list, Trivium has made some more aesthetic changes to its stage attire.

Most subtly, the band has brought amplifiers back onto the stage. More strikingly, Trivium will perform in front of a vibrant banner that is decorated with Japanese tattoo-style artwork and cloth

Sunbar, 9 p.m., $35-$1,500

Under the Streetlamp

Mesa Arts Center’s Ikeda Theater, 8 p.m., $36-$74

NOVEMBER 26

Brondo

Darkstar, 9 p.m., $11.25-$25

Chad Rubin

The Rebel Lounge, 8 p.m., $13-$15

Claudio Simonetti’s Goblin

The Nile, 8 p.m., $45

Eslabon Armado Celebrity Theatre, 8 p.m., $69-$139

Giovanni Kiyingi

Valley Bar, 7 p.m., $13-$15

Jake Shimabukuro

Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts’ Virginia G. Piper Theater, 8 p.m., $28-$58

Men I Trust

The Van Buren, 8:30 p.m., sold out

Peter Asher and Jeremy Clyde Musical Instrument Museum, 7 p.m., $44.50-$59.50

Sidewinders

Crescent Ballroom, 6:30 p.m., $15-$20

coverings draped over the amplifiers that match the piece.

“I think this is probably one of our coolest-looking stage shows since it’s very colorful,” Gregoletto says. “It’s really fun to see because I think it just makes a different look for the show.

“With metal, it’s just black all the time. People wear a lot of black shirts and a lot of the artwork on stage is dark most of the time, and this just lights up the stage so differently.”

Because of the vibrant stage décor and mix of tunes, Gregoletto is looking forward to taking The Van Buren stage on Wednesday, November 9.

Steve Wilson/Lewis Nash Duo

The Nash, 7 p.m. and 9:15 p.m., $16.80-$50

The Sugar Thieves

The Rhythm Room, 8 p.m., tickets available at the door

NOVEMBER 27

Blue Bayou: The Music of Linda Ronstadt and The Eagles

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

KJZZ Fall Jazz Party

The Nash, 3 p.m., $10-$25

Mannheim Steamroller Christmas

Mesa Arts Center’s Ikeda Theater, 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., $35-$80

Sensi Trails

Last Exit Live, 7:30 p.m., $12-$15

Stan Sorenson

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

State Champs

The Van Buren, 7 p.m., $29.50-$34.50

NOVEMBER 28

Irish Christmas in America Musical Instrument Museum, 7 p.m.,

“This is definitely one of our more interesting sets, and if you’ve never seen us, you’re in for a really dynamic and energetic set,” he says.

WHEN: 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, November 9

WHERE: The Van Buren, 401 W. Van Buren Street, Phoenix. COST: Tickets start at $39 INFO: trivium.org or thevanburenphx.com

$35.50-$41.50

Undeath and 200 Stab Wounds The Underground, 6 p.m., $18

NOVEMBER 29

Irish Christmas in America Musical Instrument Museum, 7 p.m., $35.50-$41.50

Loathe The Nile, 6:30 p.m., $18

Tony Holiday

The Rhythm Room, 8 p.m., $12

NOVEMBER 30

Aibai The Underground, 7 p.m., $15

Azizi Gibson

The Rebel Lounge, 8 p.m., $27-$102

Counterparts

The Underground, 6 p.m., $20

emlyn Valley Bar, 7:30 p.m., $16-$18

Jesse Daniel Edwards and Landon Pigg

The Rhythm Room, 8 p.m., $15

Trivium w/Between The Buried And Me, Whitechapel and Khemmis

TESTING THE WATERS

The Plot In You displays a poppier side on a new tour

By Alex Gallagher

Landon Tewers and his bandmates in metal’s The Plot in You have a fondness for pop music.

However, once most bands break into metal, they feel locked into it.

“Anytime I listen to anything, it leans more on the pop side,” Tewers says.

“If we didn’t incorporate that into our sound, we would almost be cheating ourselves.”

Tewers says the genre’s freedom of expression was the impetus for adding pop to its metal sound.

“I think pop is such a cool thing because there is no limit to what you can do with it,” he says. “Pop can have any mix of instruments, and it’s all about making something that’s enjoyable to listen to, catchy and has a really good mood to it.”

Tewers admits it was nerve-racking to play songs from its latest work, “Swan Song,” during its last tour. However, those fears were quickly quelled. He hopes for the same when The Plot in You travels with fellow metal acts Avoid, Silent Planet and Cane Hill. The jaunt comes to the Nile Theater on Tuesday, November 8.

“It went over really well,” he says. “They went over just as well as the older ones, if

not better sometimes. That was probably the most rewarding part of all of it.”

Tewers was relieved to see fans responding favorably.

“On the next tour, we’re going to incorporate some of the poppier songs on the record, like ‘Too Heavy,’” he says. “We’re also going to pick a few songs from the record that we didn’t play on the last tour and test the waters on those.”

Despite his fondness for The Plot in You’s new sound, Tewers plans to save space in the set list for the heavier songs.

“We’re also going to try to bring back a song or two from ‘Happiness in Self Destruction’ and maybe one from ‘Could You Watch Your Children Burn,’” he says. “I’m always excited to bring back anything from ‘Happiness in Self Destruction,’ as that record is still pretty special to all of us.”

However, Tewers is relishing the opportunity to share the stage with budding acts and expose fans to some new sounds.

“I think this is a cool idea to introduce people to bands and artists who they otherwise may not have gone out of their way to check out. I think more tours need to do this kind of stuff. I think it gets pretty fatiguing when it’s the same four or five bands with the same type of sound in a show.”

COST: $23

INFO: theplotinyou.com and theniletheater.com

The Plot In You Swan Song Tour w/Silent Planet, Avoid and Cane Hill

WHEN: 6 p.m. Tuesday, November 8

WHERE: The Nile Theater, 105 W. Main Street, Mesa

COOL KIDS FIND FREEDOM

Echosmith writes music without boundaries

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski

brother and former band member Jamie Sierota.

part of the same family.”

Noah agrees.

Echosmith’s

latest single “Hang Around” has been called a “pop masterpiece.” Singer/keyboardist Sydney Sierota thanks the band’s newfound freedom for the results.

“This song was really fun to make because we really just gave ourselves the freedom to make music without boundaries or telling ourselves, ‘We have to write this kind of song today.’ We just let it flow,” she says via Zoom.

“When you get to be creative with that perspective, it’s so much better. It’s really easy to get in your head about creativity and your ‘job,’ because music is our job. But it’s also a creative thing. There are some days you’re feeling it more than others. And some days, you’re like, ‘I can’t do the creative thing today’ — and that’s OK.”

She says the band was “just naturally inspired” and let it flow. “Hang Around” is also one of the first songs Echosmith has penned without co-writers.

“Hang Around” is a sonic shift, too, a return to their stripped-back roots. With its breezy vocals and delicate guitar tones, “Hang Around” was self-produced by bassist Noah Sierota with help from

“This was the first one that unlocked what we wanted to do musically, which is, of course, a huge moment for any band as you’re making new music and trying to figure out where you want to go with that,” adds Sydney, who moved from LA to San Diego to live with her husband, Allstar Weekend’s Cameron Quiseng.

“We made the demo for it in a day. We listened back to it the next day and we were like, ‘Wait, this feels really cool.’”

Sydney, who was joined in the Zoom call by brother Noah, says the songs they’ve been writing are in line with “Hang Around.” Now the “songs are flowing like crazy.”

“We wrote a lot of songs before we got to ‘Hang Around,’” she adds.

“We were writing a lot during COVID. Now we honestly have too many songs to work with for a fulllength album right now — which is a good problem.

“We don’t want to stop ourselves from writing just because we have a lot of songs at this point. But, at a certain point, we will get this finished and narrow down which songs we want to use. They definitely all feel like they’re

“I think it feels cool because we’ve taken on so much ownership of what we’re doing with how we’re doing it,” he says.

“Because of that, the music that we’re putting out just feels like it’s us, and that feels really important.”

Echosmith is best known for the track “Cool Kids,” which reached No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 and sold over 1.2 million copies in the United States.

The song was Warner Bros. Records’ fifth biggest-selling digital song of 2014, with 1.3 million downloads sold.

Recently, Echosmith released a reimagined version of “Cool Kids,” shedding the glossy production of the original and adding a bridge.

They reconsidered the song: What if “Cool Kids” wasn’t finished yet.

“There was never a bridge,” she says. “It was always this cool instrumental moment and live, when we play that part of the song, that’s usually when I address the crowd and bring them into my story of why I relate to the song and bring them into that.

“It felt like a really cool opportunity to just look at the song again and see if maybe there was something to add. We unexpectedly wrote a new bridge for

it. We didn’t go into it thinking, ‘OK, we need to rewrite lyrics.’ We were just playing around and this new bridge just flowed very naturally from us.”

The band revamped the song just as it began trending on TikTok.

More than 1.3 million videos were made by people using the original song to look back at their younger selves and appreciate their evolution, she says.

“This song has completely defined our career and our lives,” Sydney says.

“In so many ways, when the song came back this summer and started going viral on TikTok and Instagram, we were very surprised by it and didn’t really know how or why it happened. I was like, ‘Oh, my gosh, this song came out nine years ago.’

“We wrote it 10 years ago. It made us just take a step back and look at where we’re at as people, as musicians, as a band and as a family.”

Echosmith

WHEN: 8 p.m. Friday, November 18 WHERE: Crescent Ballroom, 308 N. Second Avenue, Phoenix COST: Tickets start at $25 INFO: crescentphx.com

BAYOU SOUL

Marc Broussard brings the blues to Chandler

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski

Bayou

Soul singer-songwriter Marc Broussard recently explored the Grand Canyon State. As he and his family left, he became emotional.

Now, he’s thrilled to be back in Arizona to play the Chandler Center for the Arts on Saturday, November 12.

“My wife and kids and I passed through the area about two or three months ago,” Broussard says.

“I cried when we left, to be honest with you. We went to Slide Rock for a day and then Sedona at a beautiful resort there. I didn’t want to leave.”

Broussard is previewing new material from a forthcoming EP during this jaunt. The first single, “Fire,” is out and he’s expected to release a second track soon.

“Fire” is Broussard’s love song to his wife, and he has a salacious tale about it.

“To be honest with you, my wife just gets hotter and hotter,” he says. “I cry thinking about. She’s so hot that she gets me going in every way conceivable. I wanted to write a song that really summed that up.

“I had been chasing that vibe for quite a long time, a number of years. I never really got there until I heard the track for ‘Fire’ and I immediately jumped into action. I have this little home studio and I got as high as I possibly could and dove right in.”

The new collection comes on the heels of his 2019 release, “A Lullaby Collection,” and serves as a bridge to a new studio album produced by blues legend Joe Bonamassa to be released in early 2023.

“It’ll be my first foray into the blues,” Broussard says about the album. “It’s part of an album series I use to raise money for charitable organizations. I called up Joe and said, ‘Take me to school on the blues.’ He jumped at the chance, and he ended up producing the album for me.

“It was going so well that we had to establish some rules because we were going too fast. We threatened to burn through the entire thing in two days. We had to slow everything down and enjoy each other’s company more. He’s a doll of a human being, a very, very gifted individual and extremely humble.”

The two used Bonamassa’s band and tracked the songs at Sunset Sound in Hollywood.

“It was just so much damn fun,” he says. “There’s something about the blues that’s very in my wheelhouse in a lot of ways. Some of these tunes fell right out of my mouth onto the microphone and onto the tape.

“It was really, really a natural fit for Joe and I to get together on this thing. His band is a world-class band. They knocked it out of the park.”

The son of Louisiana Hall of Fame guitarist Ted Broussard of the Boogie Kings, Broussard nurtured his musical gifts at an early age, and the vibrant Lafayette, Louisiana, music scene allowed him to practice his craft consistently from childhood through early adulthood.

After releasing a successful independent EP at age 20, Broussard made his major-label debut with “Carencro.” The album featured the hit “Home” and sent him into the national spotlight.

Broussard released multiple albums

with major labels over the next 10 years but has recently returned to his independent roots, having released several acclaimed original and charitable cover albums via his SOS Foundation (Save our Soul).

The beneficiary of the new album is still tentative. Broussard says he is vetting an organization that advocates for post-incarceration work. He longs to educate businesses about the benefits of hiring ex-cons.

“That may sound crazy to most people,” he says. “The state of Louisiana has billions of dollars for vocational training and it’s going to waste. These guys are getting the training and not getting hired. We’re looking to make those connections to the business community.”

After all, everyone deserves a second chance, he adds.

“They ‘served their time’ and paid their debt to society,” he adds. “If you have the kind of life that requires sitting behind bars for a decade or more, they’re probably the kind of person who could hold down a job and be grateful for

the opportunity. They are indeed good people, just caught up in a wrong spot.”

Broussard is looking forward to bringing his views and music to the Chandler Center for the Arts.

“I’m negotiating with a team of jugglers. They juggle knives and chainsaws,” he says with a hearty laugh.

“Seriously, we like to have a good time. We like to make sure people have an opportunity to dance. That’s what can be expected. Bring your freaking dancing shoes. We’re going to try our best to burn up the dance floor. It’s an old school, wholesome kind of a party with some making out in the back row. That’s about it. It’s a G-rated party. I don’t want drunk creepy guys feelin’ up the gals.”

Marc Broussard w/Walden

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, November 12

WHERE: Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Avenue, Chandler

COST: Tickets start at $32

INFO: chandlercenter.org

CLOSING

NUMBERS

By Annika Tomlin

A person is most likely to shop at IKEA at age 24.

In 2012, Finland’s passport was redesigned into a flipbook that features a moose walking across the page as you thumb through it.

There are 7,500 varieties of apples around the world.

The typical American eats 150 grams of fat on Thanksgiving.

Michael Nicholson enrolled in school for 55 years, earning 30 degrees.

A person would have to click a mouse 10 million times to burn a single calorie.

It took Leo Tolstoy six years to finish his novel “War and Peace.”

An estimated 35 million pounds of candy corn are sold each year.

There are four towns in the United States named “Turkey,” including one in Arizona.