The Entertainer! - October 2017 by Times Media Group

PHX METRO Â» OCTOBER 2017

Ded

KEEPS METAL ALIVE

THE NASH

Horse POWER The Bentley Scottsdale Polo Championships

IT DOESN’T

MAKE YOU

BAD “Delicious and full bodied. A genuine, no-nonsense, 100% corn, well-made American pot still vodka that deserves every accolade.” Paul Pacult, Editor, Spirit Journal

A LWAY S O N Jim Norton

Olivia Newton John

In The Showroom

In The Ballroom

Friday, October 6

Alabama

Sunday, November 12 At The Pool

America

Sunday, October 8

Saturday, October 14

Jason Derulo

Robert Cray

Saturday, November 18 At The Pool

P L A Y

I N

In The Showroom

Friday, December 1 In The Showroom

S T Y L E

For tickets call the box office at 480.850.7734 or visit ticketmaster.com 1 01 & TA L K I N G S T I C K W A Y

SCOTTSDALE

TA L K I N G S T I C K R E S O R T. C O M

Locally owned and caringly operated by the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community.

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2017

CONTENTS

ON THE COVER

HORSING AROUND

The Bentley Scottsdale Polo Championships: Horses & Horsepower

WALKING ‘DED’

Tempe metal act talks Korn, Fred Durst and Good Charlotte

FIVE YEARS OF JAZZ

Thanks to Lewis Nash, the best of the genre comes to Phoenix on the cover Photograph of Pamela Flanagan by Katrina Wittkamp

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2017

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

publisher

Steve T. Strickbine steve@entertainermag.com

56 BRINGING GERMANY TO THE VALLEY Four Peaks Oktoberfest

celebrates beer, brats and Bavaria

CONTENTS THE METROPOLITAN

Top 25 • Haunted Houses • D-backs Wine • Mesa Music Festival

executive editor

Niki D’Andrea ndandrea@timespublications.com

editor

Christina Fuoco-Karasinski christina@timespublications.com

art director

Erin Loukili erin@entertainermag.com

designer

Jaclyn Threadgill

circulation director

Aaron Kolodny aaron@entertainermag.com

contributing writers Joseph J. Airdo, Sondra Barr, Alison Bailin Batz, Dave Clark, Connor Dziawura, Daisy Finch, Dave Gil de Rubio, Joe Gilmore, C.A. Haire, Catherine Hathaway, Megan Marples, Carson Mlnarik, Randy Montgomery, M.V. Moorhead, Erica Shumaker, Scott Shumaker, Melissa Szenda ONE COPY PER READER

THE EXTRAORDINAIRE 19 Extraordinary Rides • Blaine Long • Ryan Sims

THE TOURIST

Santa Fe • Tour du Jour

THE ARTIST

Black Theatre Troupe • Arts Calendar • Jim Norton • Marsha Mason • Desert Foothills Theater • The Nash

THE CRITIC

Coming Attractions • Ask Our Experts! • The Report Card

THE DINER

Best Food Events in October • Happy Hour • Taste of Cave Creek • Scottsdale’s Mac and Cheese Fest • Prado • Arizona Taco Festival

THE CRAFTMASTER Beer Over Here • BeerFinder Directory • Great Beer Pairings • Four Peaks Oktoberfest • Pilsner • Beer Gear

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ONE BAND ARMY Our Lady Peace isn’t afraid to play the hits

THE HIGHROLLER

Casino Entertainment Calendar • Bob Eubanks

THE GLADIATOR

THE SHOWMAN

Ded • Live Music Calendar • Futuristic • A$AP Twelvyy

THE NIGHTOWL

October’s Best Sports Events • The Bentley Scottsdale Polo Championships: Horses & Horseplay • Golf

The Best Nightlife Events for October • Laidback Luke • Our Lady Peace • Mad Mixologist

THE YOUNGSTER

THE THINKER

Balloon Spooktacular • Monster Jam • Best Family Events in October

The Entertainer! is circulated throughout the Phoenix Metro area, especially concentrated in entertainment districts. ©2017 Affluent Publishing, LLC. A free online subscription is available to all readers simply by going to entertainermag.com/subscribe. For calendar and news items, the deadline for submission is the 15th of the month prior to publication. Submissions are included based on available space and are used at the discretion of the editor. Unsolicited manuscripts, photographs or illustrations will not be returned unless it is specifically requested and submission is accompanied by a properly addressed envelope and sufficient postage. The Entertainer! makes every effort to authenticate claims and accurate times and event locations. We encourage readers to verify information prior to attending events or purchasing tickets. DISTRIBUTION SERVICES PROVIDED BY:

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THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2017

THE METROPOLITAN

PHX » CITY » LOCAL » PRIDE » DO » SEE

The Valley’s Best Haunts 13 D-backs Wine 14 Mesa Music Festival 16

TOP25 Carson Mlnarik » The Entertainer!

Unmentionable Tour Launch and Book Signing

OCTOBER 5 This fall, the Victorian era comes to life in a new VIP tour at Heritage Square that covers the down and dirty details of the lifestyle. Author Therese Oneill kicks it off with book signing of her hilarious tome, Unmentionable: The Victorian Lady’s Guide to Sex, Marriage, and Manners. The book covers “tough” life lessons like how to choose a husband and what to expect on your wedding night!

Also included in the ticket price are presentations and displays from top businesses in crafts, cooking, selfimprovement and scrapbooking. Whether you’re looking to learn a new skill, hone one or just shop, there’s sure to be a craft that calls to you.

WestWorld of Scottsdale, 16601 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, 801.822.1333, az.pinnersconference.com, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. October 6, and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. October 7, $8-$49.

day ride wristband offers.

Arizona State Fairgrounds, 1826 W. McDowell Road, Phoenix, 602.252.6771, azstatefair.com, times vary, $4-$45.

Scottsdale Bacon and Beer Classic

OCTOBER 7 For one day only, bacon and beer face off at the San Francisco Giants’ Spring Training home. The good news is you can have some of both, whether they’re original bacon dishes from local chefs or regional craft beer. Post-binging, guests can enjoy giant Jenga, a photo booth or watch the bacon-eating contest.

Scottsdale Stadium, 7408 E. Osborn Road, Scottsdale, 480.312.2586, baconandbeerclassic.com, 1 p.m., $49-$79.

Handcrafted at Heritage Square, 602 E. Adams Street, Phoenix, 602.261.8948, heritagesquarephx.com.org, 6 p.m., $5.

OCTOBER 6 TO OCTOBER 7 Pinterest boards come to life with this DIY-based conference featuring 100-plus Pinterest-based classes.

Civic Space Park, 424 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, 323.395.7263, uncorkedwinefestivals.com, noon, $55-$65.

Dive-In Movies: The Lost Boys

OCTOBER 7 This cult classic stars Corey Haim and Jason Patric as brothers who move to a small town that just so happens to be filled with vampires. Celebrate the film’s 30th anniversary with a Halloween divein screening by Cult Classics. It’s fun to be a vampire when you’re in a pool with a bar.

The Moxy Tempe, 1333 S. Rural Road, Tempe, 310.218.8076, monstermarketphx.bpt.me, 8:30 p.m., $10.

Mac and Cheese Fest

Arizona State Fair

Pinners Conference

games will fill the grounds, too. A portion of the proceeds benefits the Phoenix Community Alliance.

OCTOBER 6 TO OCTOBER 29 Nothing says autumn in Arizona like the fairgrounds filling up with fried food, farm animals and fun attractions. Whether you’re a sucker for Indian fry bread or for the Gin Blossoms, the fair has something for you. Check out its website for full concert lineup and special all-

Uncorked: PHX Wine Festival OCTOBER 7 Focus on the fruitier things in life with a day devoted to wine. The Uncorked Wine Festival brings more than 100 wines to downtown Phoenix for tasting. Live music, gourmet food trucks and lawn

OCTOBER 7 Get your fill of comfort food with a festival devoted to macaroni and cheese. Even gluten-free and vegetarian options are among the 30-plus mac and cheese samples. No meal is complete without a good beverage and plenty of craft beers. At the end of the day, the festival will give one chef the Golden Noodle for best mac and cheese in the Valley.

Scottsdale Waterfront, 7134 E. Stetson Drive, Scottsdale, 480.247.8071, macandcheesefestaz.com, noon, $15-$75.

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Battle of the Brews

OCTOBER 7 It’s no secret that Arizona is home to some of the greatest craft breweries in the country. Find out just who tops them all in the Grand Canyon State during this charity event. Each advance ticket includes 25 beer samples and five food samples. The event will feature games, an Oktoberfest costume contest and performances from local bands throughout the night.

Historic Downtown Glendale, 5800 W. Glenn Drive, Glendale, 623.930.4493, glendalefirefighterscharities. com/battle-of-the-brews, 6 p.m., $25-$70.

Madison Merchants Sweet 16 Community Picnic

OCTOBER 7 The merchants along 16th Street, like Texaz Grill, Puff and Fluff and Diamond Jim’s, are celebrating local community and business with a free picnic. Bring the whole family for barbecue, giveaways and live entertainment. Proceeds will benefit El Zaribah Shriners Center, whose clowns will entertain.

Parkway Church, 1751 E. Maryland Avenue, Phoenix, 602.266.5360, 16stmerchants. com, noon, free.

Greek Festival

OCTOBER 13 TO OCTOBER 15 Travel to Greece, via Phoenix, for a weekend with an authentic cultural celebration. With food options like gyros and souvlaki to imported Greek wine and beer and a Greek cooking market, foodies will be in heaven. After filling up, visitors can burn off some of those calories with dance lessons.

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Young’s Market Company, 402 S. 54th Place, Phoenix, 602.233.1900, foodistawards. com, 6 p.m., $150-$995.

Four Peaks Oktoberfest

OCTOBER 13 TO OCTOBER 15 While the Germans might be ending the official celebration, it doesn’t mean Tempe can’t party! Tempe Town Lake’s annual Oktoberfest celebration is back and free for all ages. Weiner dog races, lagers, lederhosen and live entertainment await during the three-day event.

Tempe Town Lake, 80 E. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe, 480.415.2362, fourpeaksoktoberfest.com, times vary, free.

Harry Styles

OCTOBER 14 One Direction’s resident heartthrob is out on his own, promoting his debut solo album. Styles has plotted a tour of intimate venues to give his fans a closer experience. Expect the crooner to touch on singles like “Sign of the Times” and “Two Ghosts,” among a slew of screaming girls!

Evanescence

OCTOBER 17 Amy Lee’s rock band has evolved in its 20-plus years, but the fans have not stopped coming. The recently recharged group behind hits like “My Immortal” and “Bring Me to Life” returns to Phoenix with a twist: It will be accompanied by a live orchestra. On the setlist are plenty of tracks from its forthcoming album, Synthesis.

Comerica Theatre, 400 W. Washington Street, Phoenix, 602.379.2800, comericatheatre. com, 8 p.m., $51.50-$255.

OCTOBER 14 Local nonprofit, Scottsdale Active 20-30 Club, gets glamorous with a formal gala following its annual golf tournament. This signature fundraising event gathers more than 1,500 people who support over a

OCTOBER 20 TO 22 Phoenix joins the music festival craze with the debut of Lost Lake, which takes over Steele Indian School Park for three days. Featuring a variety of performers like Chance the Rapper, The Killers, Major Lazer, The Pixies and Ludacris, the weekend-long event will boast a playground, marketplace and plenty of samples from your favorite Phoenix eateries.

An Evening with the Stars by The Edwards Twins

Mesa Arts Center, 1 E. Main Street, Mesa, 480.644.6500, mesaartscenter.com, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., $58-$78.

NiteFlite Formal Gala

Lost Lake Festival

Steele Indian School Park, 300 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix, 602.534.4810, lostlakefestival. com, times TBA, $89.50$574.50.

OCTOBER 18 Live from Las Vegas comes Cher, Stevie Wonder, Lady Gaga and Barbra Streisand… all in one gig. The Edwards Twins dazzle as each of those acts, earning them numerous awards.

Arizona Ultimate Women’s Expo

Phoenix Convention Center, 100 N. Third Street, Phoenix, 866.618.3434, azwomensexpo.com, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. October 7, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. October 8, $10.

The W Scottsdale Hotel, 7277 E. Camelback Road, Scottsdale, 480.970.2100, 2030nf.org, 6:30 p.m., $150-$250.

restaurants. If you’re already a food critic in your own right, you’re in the luck! For the first time, voting is open to the public.

Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 1973 E. Maryland Avenue, Phoenix, 602.264.7863, phoenixgreekfestival.org, times vary, $3.

Comerica Theatre, 400 W. Washington Street, Phoenix, 602.379.2800, comericatheatre. com, 8 p.m., sold out.

OCTOBER 7 AND OCTOBER 8 Indulge in a relaxing day with DIY workshops, boutique shopping, seminars and even a nail bar at the massive Arizona Ultimate Women’s Expo. Keynote speakers include Kim Zolciak-Biermann from Bravo’s Don’t Be Tardy, best-selling author/O.J. Simpson prosecutor Marcia Clark and one of The Real Housewives of Orange County, Shannon Beador.

dozen children’s charities. The event also includes a raffle, entertainment and food and drink from local restaurants.

Arizona Restaurant Association’s Foodist Awards OCTOBER 19 Arizona’s best chefs, mixologists and owners unite to celebrate the greatest food in the state’s restaurant community. Highlighting the industry’s visionaries, the awards focus on new designs, flavors and visions in Arizona

The Maricopa County Home and Garden Show

OCTOBER 20 TO OCTOBER 22 Get ideas galore from vendors at the largest home show in the Southwest. This year’s fall event brings HGTV favorites, Jonathan and Drew Scott, otherwise known as the “Property Brothers,” for a stage show; along with the usual collection of local artisans and home improvement companies. Visitors can peruse DIY crafts, holiday gifts and obedience demos, as well. Check website for complete info.

WestWorld of Scottsdale,

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2017

16601 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, 602.485.1691, mchomeshows. com, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. October 20 and October 21, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. October 22, $10.

Dogtoberfest

OCTOBER 21 Thrown by Rockstar Canine Rescue and Sanctuary, this event is for the dogs. Pet vendors offering products, training and suppliers will be available, as will entertainment like bands, food trucks, pet photos and an animal costume contest.

Chapel at the Farm, 397 S. Gilbert Road, Gilbert, rockstarrescue.org/ dogtoberfest, 6 p.m., free.

Punk in Drublic Festival

OCTOBER 21 Named after NOFX’s Punk in Drublic album, this festival brings together the biggest names in punk and craft beer. The lineup includes NOFX, Bad Religion, Goldfinger and Authority Zero. As for the brews, Stone Brewing will serve an exclusive Hoppy Lager. Craft beer tasting is included in admission.

Fear Farms Festival Grounds, 2209 N. 99th Avenue, Phoenix, 623.866.5378, punkindrublicfest.com, 1 p.m., $39-$199.

OCTOBER 21 The Chandler Cultural Foundation hosts its annual fundraising event, celebrating art and its advocacy in the Chandler area. Featuring dinner and a hosted bar on the main stage as well as an intimate performance by the Sons of Serendip, the night honors arts advocates for their contributions to the center.

Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Avenue, Chandler, 480.782.2680, chandlercenter.org, 5 p.m., $150.

Thank you for making

Tiffany Haddish

OCTOBER 26 TO OCTOBER 28 Tiffany Haddish stole every scene in this summer’s Girls Trip with her quick humor and crazy attitude. She brings just as many laughs in her stand-up routine. Her edgy sense of humor and unusual takes on life and love have made her a worldwide hit. She stops by Tempe Improv for five shows, fresh off her first Showtime stand-up special in August.

the #1 entertainment magazine in Arizona!

Tempe Improv, 930 E. University Drive, Tempe, 480.921.9877, tempeimprov. com, times vary, $20.

Super Hero Bar Crawl

OCTOBER 27 It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s a cocktail! Find your inner super hero with a themed bar crawl through Old Town Scottsdale. The flight takes off at Old Town Gringos and goes until 10 p.m. Whether you rock a cape and tights, or keep it casual with a T-shirt, don’t forget your favorite sidekick.

Chandler Center for the Arts’ Center Stage

Old Town Gringos Restaurant & Bar, 4209 N. Craftsman Court, Scottsdale, 480.423.3800, bit. ly/2xdGrvX, 5 p.m., $10-$20.

The Raven at Rosson House

OCTOBER 31 Get into the Halloween spirit with Edgar Allan Poe’s The Raven, performed in a historic Victorian mansion. If the story doesn’t scare you enough, you might be spooked by what you see in the short tour of the house, which ventures through a doctor’s examination room and post-mortem photographs.

Rosson House at Heritage Square, 113 N. Sixth Street, Phoenix, 1.888.343.4228, poefest.org, every 20 minutes from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., $10.

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THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2017

FEAR FACTORY

SANCTUM OF HORROR

All who enter the Sanctum of Horror become mad, including Lenore, a twisted girl with a tragic and violent past. Weave your way through an ancient graveyard to the St. Charlotte Asylum and eventually to Lenore’s cell. She’s expecting you. Sanctum of Horror, 6555 E. Southern Avenue, Mesa, 480.200.8163, sanctumofhorror.com, various times, through October 31, $15-$22.

SCARIZONA SCAREGROUNDS

Scarizona Scaregrounds is one of the newer haunted attractions in Arizona, and it features two haunted houses, Slayer’s Slaughter House and Epic Fear, as well as an interactive zombie paintball shoot. Chainsaw gauntlet and zombie trivia are also on the docket. On a less creepy note, there will be nightly entertainment by local bands and DJs, and a beer and wine cemetery where “spirits come to life.” Expect celebrity appearances. Scarizona Scaregrounds, 1901 N. Alma School Road, Mesa, scarizona. com, info@scarizona.com, 7 to 10 p.m. Thursdays and Sundays, 7 to 11:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through October 31, $22-$38.

FEAR FARM

Fear Farm takes visitors on a haunted journey through a demented carnival and a frightening hayride. There isn’t an age limit, but it is not recommended for children and toddlers. Fear Farm, 2209 N. 99th Avenue, Phoenix, 623.866.5378, fearfarm. com, various times, September 22 to November 4, $28.99-$48.99.

The Valley boasts several of the best haunts in Arizona Joe Gilmore » The Entertainer!

It’s the time of year for fun frights and spooky delights. Whether you’re a seasoned explorer of the macabre or just looking for some light thrills, there’s a haunted house attraction just for you! Here are some of the Valley’s best (scariest) attractions. THE CRYPT HAUNTED ATTRACTIONS

GAUNTLET HAUNTED HOUSE

Encounter the army of the undead, a deranged mental asylum or maybe even your worst nightmares in Mesa this October. One of Arizona’s longest-running haunted houses, the Crypt Haunted Attractions boasts three attractions in one location—The Crypt, The Asylum and Chaos. Children younger than 10 must be accompanied by an adult.

Golfland-Sunsplash will undergo a horrifying transformation as the Gauntlet Haunted House returns for the 2017 Halloween season. The multilevel house includes spooky special effects, live animals, skilled actors and movie-quality props for those who dare to creep and crawl through the 15 rooms. Not recommended for individuals with heart conditions or claustrophobia.

The Crypt Haunted Attractions, 1445 W. Southern Avenue, Mesa, hauntedaz.com, various times through October 31, $8-$25.

The Gauntlet Haunted House, 155 W. Hampton Avenue, Mesa, golfland.com/ frightnights, 480.834.8319, various times through October 31, $6.99-$7.99.

13TH FLOOR HAUNTED HOUSE

SPOOKTACULAR GOLF

Legends and nightmares come alive at the 13th Floor Haunted House. Guests will learn why most buildings skip that floor. There is 60,000 square feet of shocking thrills and psychological horror that awaits anyone who dares to enter. The 13th Floor Haunted House may be too intense for children 12 and younger.

Play 18 holes of mini golf this October at the haunted Golfland-Sunsplash. Try to avoid stepping through the graveyards as you trudge from hole to hole. Those who dare to set foot on the course may encounter frightening costumed characters, but don’t worry. They just want to pass out Halloween treats. The course provides festive fun for the whole family.

13th Floor Haunted House, 2814 W. Bell Road, Phoenix, 13thflooraz.com, various times through November 4, $24.99-$31.99.

Spooktacular Golf, 155 W. Hampton Avenue, Mesa, golfland.com/frightnights, 480.834.8319, various times through October 31, $6.99-$7.99.

AZ FIELD OF SCREAMS

The Arizona Field of Screams features a 6-acre haunted corn maze—that’s planted over an old cemetery. Dare to enter? It is open from 7 to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. The haunted maze is not recommended for children ages 10 and younger. However, there is a family maze more suitable for the youngsters. AZ Field of Screams, 5726 N. 75th Avenue, Glendale, 602.999.3276, azfieldofscreams.com, 7 to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays to October 31, $15-$20.

JACK & JILL’S HAUNTED HILL

Survivors have proclaimed, “It’s like being in a real-life horror movie.” Come by and find out what happened to Jack and Jill in a twisted version of this nursery rhyme. Jack & Jill’s Haunted Hill has bragging rights as it won the 2016 Best Haunted House prize. Be sure to make a reservation and avoid the line. Jack & Jill’s Haunted Hill, 3401 W. Greenway Road, Phoenix, jackandjillshauntedhill.com, various times through October 31, $25-$35.

THE OUTBREAK AT SCHNEPF FARMS

Schnepf Farms’ manager is creeped out by the zombies chasing vehicles on his property. So, now he needs hundreds of zombie fighters to stop the monsters from taking over. Get in a moving wagon, grab a paintball gun and start blasting the evil creatures. The Outbreak at Schnepf Farms, 24610 S. Rittenhouse Road, Queen Creek, schnepffarms.com, 7 to 11 p.m. Thursdays to Sundays from October 1 to October 30, $10-$33.

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A TOAST TO

BASEBALL

Raspberry, pomegranate and wild berry come together for D-backs wine

Christina Fuoco-Karasinski » The Entertainer!

iane Karle was working in sports marketing in 2004 when she saw a trend. “We saw celebrity chefs cooking with wine, and chefs, wine and food were becoming part of pop culture,” Karle says. “Emeril Lagasse sold his rights to Martha Stewart for $50 million in 2004. The wine auction market was going crazy on Wall Street.” She had a hunch that she could combine her love of wine and sports into one company. In 2013, her Napa Valleybased outfit Wine by Design launched Major League Baseball’s first national wine program across all teams and holds the exclusive license through 2020. The Arizona Diamondbacks’ wine is, naturally, red. Produced by Plata Wine partners, the 2013 Proprietary Red has a dense red and black hue that is framed in crimson. Aromas of Bing cherry, espresso, roasted fig and vanilla oak are persistent. Flavors of ripe raspberry, pomegranate and wild berry fruit linger. “Each label is one of my babies,” says Karle, during an interview at the September 23 D-backs game. “We started with the reds because people were collecting them. I do think we’ll introduce a white because it’s so hot here.” The wine is available at Chase Field and in national chains like Costco, Target, Walmart, Total Wine and Fry’s.

For more information, visit winebydesignco.com.

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ART ATTRACTS ’ ART S

‘

Christina Fuoco-Karasinski » The Entertainer!

Mesa’s burgeoning music scene calls for festival’s return

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ince the Mesa Music Festival was founded three years ago, naysayers have told organizer Indian Antao what the event can’t be. He knows exactly what it is. “This festival is truly unique,” he says. “It actually took somebody else to point it out to me. It’s the only one of its kind. It’s the only emerging artists festival where 100 percent of it is free.” Set for Friday, November 10, and Saturday, November 11, the Mesa Music Festival is designed for musicians to learn from and network with industry professionals, trade ideas with others in the music community and show off their talents to industry professionals and fans. City officials expect more than 200 bands from across the globe to perform in downtown Mesa businesses and on outdoor stages. Musicians applied for free for a potential spot in the festival. Thanks to his 30 years in the music business, Antao has introduced bands to keynote speakers former MTV VJ Matt Pinfield and Chester Bennington. This year, Randy Jackson will discuss his career during a free talk at 7 p.m. Friday, November 10, at the Mesa Arts Center. “It’s a musicians’ event,” Antao says of the Mesa Music Festival. “Musicians get to come and network with people and other bands. First year we had Matt Pinfield. The second year—God rest his soul—we had Chester Bennington. He gave such an incredible speech. It was the first and only time he did it.” Bennington, who received the keys to the city, was inspirational. When Antao went to dinner with the former Linkin Park singer after his keynote, Bennington says, “You’re onto something here.” “That meant the world to me,” Antao says. “Chester also came to the VIP party. He took a picture with every last attendee.” Other speakers this year include Leigh Lust, vice president of A&R at

Pledge Music; Rene Mata, artist management at AAM, A&R at Red Bull Records; and producer Jay Baumgardner, who has worked with Ugly Kid Joe, Helmet, Papa Roach and Bush. Baumgardner is making a return visit. The headlining concert this year is by the San Diego-bred metal quartet, P.O.D. They will play a free show on Saturday, November 11, in downtown Mesa. Time and location are TBA. Since 1992 these SoCal rock vets have released nine albums, including the triple-platinum Satellite, earned three Grammy nominations, have songs in numerous major motion pictures and have collaborated with other musicians such as Katy Perry, H.R. (Bad Brains), Mike Muir (Suicidal Tendencies) and Sen Dog (Cypress Hill). The Mesa Music Festival is much more influential than most think, Antao says. “We get comments like, ‘We thought the Mesa Music Festival featured bands playing in a park with tents,’” he says. “Shame on you. Do the research.” The New Jersey-based Antao is impressed with Mesa and its ever-growing arts scene. He visits about once a month and is continually impressed with the number of home studios and venues in downtown Mesa. “I feel there’s a groundswell happening,” he says. “Pretty soon there will be more happening in downtown Mesa. It’s because art attracts art.” It frustrates Antao when he hears that the Mesa Music Festival is ripping off South by Southwest, an annual Austin, Texas, tradition. “It’s anti-South by Southwest,” he added. “I want to be what South by Southwest was at the beginning. If you’re an artist from Des Moines, Iowa, or Lawrence, Kansas, and you come to Mesa and you’re hanging with Chester? Nothing for nothing, that’s pretty cool. Those are the little points I really want people to know about.” For more information, visit mesamusicfest.com/.

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THE EXTRAORDINAIRE

STYLE » ENVY » PASSION » FASHION » BEAUTY » DESIGN

2017 Genesis G90

EXTRAORDINARY RIDES

C.A. Haire » The Entertainer!

bout 30 years ago, Korean car makers infiltrated the American market, offering tiny economy vehicles at dirt-cheap prices. This was a successful venture, but if anyone had suggested they would soon be selling expensive luxury machines competing with high-end European and Japanese brands, they would have been laughed out of the room. Today, the Koreans are doing just that, and laughing all the way to the bank. This brings us to the Genesis G90. If the name doesn’t impress, the starting price tag of $68K might. Included at this fee is a long list of items expected on a luxury car. Radar cruise control,

22-way heated/cooled power seat coated in supple leather, 17-speaker surround stereo system, power everything, navigation and three-zone temperature climate controls are just a few of the very long list of standard equipment goodies supplied. Under the hood is a potent 3.3liter turbocharged V-6 cranking 365 horsepower, and maximum torque at only 1300 rpm. Fuel economy is listed at 17/24 mpg, which is what this car obtained. It also had the optional all-wheel drive for improved traction. Despite a test weight near 5K pounds, this vehicle still managed to reach 60 mph in 5.6 seconds. Want more? Also available is a quicker 5.0-liter V-8 with 420 horsepower, but this upgrade can raise the tab to $77K.

Driving the G90 for a week was a real pleasure, especially on long highway trips. The noise level is low, the suspension soaks up impacts, and the plush cabin is a place to stay. Taking highspeed corners or tight twisty mountain roads can be done, but takes a bit of work. This is a luxury machine, more than a pavement eater. It seems to be marketed more toward the Lexus and Jaguar buyers, rather than the German sports sedan crowd. I got plenty of compliments from people who looked at the G90 on the street, and even more from those who took a test ride. But when I told them Genesis is made by Hyundai, their face went blank in disbelief. If you buy this car, you might want to keep that information to yourself.

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FINDING HIS

‘VOICE’ A

Christina Fuoco-Karasinski » The Entertainer! hwatukee singersongwriter Blaine Long finds it easy to write songs. He simply pens them and puts them aside, with the hopes that they will end up on a record. It’s served him well. His music earned him a spot on NBC-TV’s The Voice in 2016. He made it past the blind auditions when three of the four judges turned their chairs, but was eliminated during the knockout rounds. He reflects on his experiences on his new album, Scorpio, something he will celebrate at a CD release party on Saturday, October 7, at Cactus Jack’s in Ahwatukee. The collection is available on iTunes. “I got back from The Voice and I wrote two songs in one day, and two in another,” Long says. “Boom, boom, boom. I put them away, then when it came time for the record, the producer asked what songs I had. He thought they were cool. I didn’t question and off we went. “Records are really easy for me. I can let go. It is what it is. If it’s a bad record, that’s unfortunate. It’s supposed to capture something in time, so I believe in that. I’m really good about letting go—maybe a little too much.” Long recorded the album at Phoenix’s 3 Leaf Recording Studio with a myriad of musicians, including Stevie Nicks’ bass player, Al Ortiz, and drummer Gigi Gonaway. Scorpio was produced by Sean Cooney, and features fellow The Voice veterans JSoul and Preston James. “Gigi and Al really liked working together,” he says. “Gigi has played drums for Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston and Steve Winwood. He’s a monster player. He was a big part of the record because of his energy. His energy is huge.” Cooney was a hands-on producer. He heard the opening track “Little Bit” and thought it needed something more. Cooney texted Long around midnight saying he hired a four-piece horn section to pump it up. “Down” is another song that reflects on Long’s time on The Voice, especially his desire to be eliminated so he could return to his wife, Joni, and their children.

Blaine Long recalls TV stint on warm new album

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Long’s musical history stretches back to his childhood in West Virginia and Arizona. He dropped out of high school and worked odd jobs. He was surrounded by strict Christians, and separated himself by playing guitar, singing and writing songs. Inspired by Michael Jackson, Huey Lewis, The Beatles and Johnny Cash, Long’s music exudes warmth. “I used to put those records on, with the big headphones and curly cord,” he says. “They were the records my parents owned. They placed a record on with such care. It seemed ceremonial. I felt like I was sneaking or doing this adult thing.” When he heard Houston-born blues rocker Chris Whitley, who died in 2005 of cancer at age 45, it changed Long’s life. “Chris wrote about what was happening to him, using blues in a very forward way,” he explains. “He wasn’t afraid to grow or work with a DJ. He did an album in a barn with one microphone. That album kicked me in the head. Who releases an album with one microphone? It was a great, honest, intimate record.” Long has even more on his plate than Scorpio. He recently wrote a song for Earnhardt Auto Centers called “The Right Place at the Right Time,” the sales of which will benefit Phoenix Children’s Hospital. This fall, the tune will be featured in commercials for Earnhardt, which is based in Chandler. Long recently moved to a house on South Mountain in Ahwatukee after 10 years in Chandler. Long couldn’t be happier. He’s looking forward to his CD release party. “I really like Cactus Jack’s,” he says. “It’s a really cool dive bar, but an amazing venue. They care a lot and the sound is amazing. It’s going to be a great night to showcase my music.”

Blaine Long w/Chad Gregory, Cameron DeGurski and Gork

Cactus Jack’s, 4747 E. Elliot Road, Ahwatukee, blainelong. bpt.me, 7 p.m. Saturday, October 7, $10 in advance, $15 at the door.

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2017

MUSICAL ESCAPE

Ryan Sims celebrates sobriety and Americana on new album Christina Fuoco-Karasinski » The Entertainer!

yan Sims twirls his e-cigarette between his fingers in the Los Angeles studio of his producer, Justin Gray, as the Canadian-born knob-turner does his magic. Gray rocks back and forth as he adds keyboards to the song “Redhead.” Sims patiently listens. He’s proud of his new album, My Side of the Story, due in October, but there’s just something about letting the outside world hear it. “I am excited to let people who hadn’t heard anything take a first listen,” Sims says. “It’s like showing off your new baby.” The album is the culmination of what has been a trying year for Sims. In the last 12 months, the Cave Creek resident broke his foot, entered rehab for opioid addiction and ended a long-term relationship. “Just getting out here and being several hundred miles away from Phoenix for a month is extremely cathartic,” Sims says in Los Angeles. “On top of that, having the kind of schedule you keep when you’re recording a record just keeps your mind focused.” The working respite helped ease the anger he was feeling about his ex-girlfriend. “I didn’t like who it made me become,” he says. “I was so angry with her. I would really lash out. At the same time, I couldn’t help it because I was just so mad.” To create My Side of the Story, he went backward, listening to his first three records. It was an eye-opening experience. “I give really good relationship advice. Now, if I could only take it,” he says. “Literally, most of my songs in some way involved a relationship—the good the bad and the ugly. Listening to your own advice is not an easy thing. Emotions get in the way of being practical.” Gray and Sims’ manager, Darrin Pfeiffer, assembled a dream team of musicians for Sims to work with: former John Mellencamp drummer Kenny Aronoff on drums; the Rolling Stones’ bassist Darryl Jones; Elton John’s keyboardist Kim Bullard and Lady Antebellum’s guitarist Jason “Slim” Gambill. “This was the perfect combination of people to create this Americanacountry-rock hybrid sound that is Ryan Sims,” Gray says. A former Detroit-area hockey player, Gray is no slouch himself. He

has worked with John Legend, Mariah Carey, Joss Stone and James Bay. “Ryan has all the best elements of classic singers like classic Joe Cocker and John Mellencamp mixed with more contemporary singers like Chris Robinson and Ray Lamontagne to create a unique identifiable sound,” Gray says. The resume of his other producer, Doug Grean, boasts projects with Sheryl Crow, Ricki Lee Jones, Glen Campbell, Scott Weiland, Slash, The Crystal Method and John Taylor of Duran Duran. Grean co-produced one song, “Before I Saw Myself,” and co-wrote the single apparent, “American Things.” “Ryan is one of the most talented guys who has ever walked through my door; top 10 for sure,” says Grean, the former guitarist/touring musical director of Weiland’s the Wildabouts. “The combination of a good voice and a good writer is a rare thing—especially today. He has both things going on, not to mention he’s a handsome guy. He’s a triple threat.” But what about the Grammy winners with whom he has worked? “They may have been more famous than Ryan, but not more talented,” Grean says.

RISING FROM THE ASHES Sims’ strong work ethic and friendly demeanor is well known. The former singer for local—and national—favorite EastonAshe, Sims has pursued a solo career since the band broke up in 2011. He competed on The X-Factor later that year. He also put in time as a songwriter in Nashville. But it all began in Cave Creek, a town where he played regularly. He’s been associated with Harold’s since high school. He’ll celebrate the release of his album there on Saturday, October 14. “I was bussing tables in high school and I’d see all of these great bands,” he says. “I probably saw more than I should have at 16 years old. Now, a lot of those old band members are my friends and colleagues, like Mogollon. It was amazing to see those guys tear it up in honkytonk bars back then and I thought, ‘I could do that.’” And he has. His early 2014 party at Harold’s for his self-titled debut record sold more than 1,500 tickets. “It was probably the most fun I’ve ever had at a show,” Sims says with a wide grin.

TURNING TO L.A. Sims and Pfeiffer met years ago when the local singer was working in a different project. “I saw Ryan play at a dinner me and my then-partner attended,” Pfeiffer, the former drummer for Goldfinger. “We were floored. We thought, ‘Where did he come from?’ We asked him to do a proper showcase. He played four or five songs and that’s when I was taken aback. “Every song was better than the one before it. His voice was strong. His lyrics were hooky. I couldn’t wait to get these songs recorded and out in the world.” That didn’t pan out but Pfeiffer has big plans in mind for Sims. “Anybody can pick up a guitar. Anybody can write lyrics. Anybody can write a melody,” he says. “But is it good or not? Anybody can paint, but is it good enough? Ryan’s songs—‘songs’ plural—blew me away. Everything he writes has the potential to make a mark in the industry worldwide. “He has tons of charisma. He’s a good-looking kid. He’s easy on the eyes. He’s a great guitar player. He has a really strong voice and he’s got great songs. That’s a vicious cocktail for success.” Sims hit the ground running in Los Angeles, where he collaborated with Grean and Gray to write songs. He admits it wasn’t an easy task. “I have a hard time co-writing with

people sometimes,” he says. “I can be a bit of a bully in a songwriting session, if I don’t feel the person who’s writing with me is contributing. Sims calls Gray and Grean “incredible writers,” however. “They pushed me to a higher level than I was used to going,” he says. “I think the music on the album will reflect that.” Sims pauses when asked what he learned from the recording process. He then says, “I don’t know what I’m supposed to learn. Don’t trust people? I have more adventures to come when I get back to Phoenix. That’s for sure.” Part of that is his ongoing recovery from opioid addiction, which stemmed stenosis in his neck. After suffering for some time, he found out his problem could be solved with ablation. Even though he no longer needed the medication, he continued to take the pills. “My story isn’t different from any other stories,” he says. “I think it was irresponsible of the doctor’s office. The procedure I received at the end fixed me completely. I wasn’t offered that until eight months of being on heavy amounts of pills. “I think, a lot of times, rehab comes with an ugly stigma. It takes guts and bravery to walk through those doors and say, ‘I need help.’ It doesn’t mean you’re weak. It means you’re getting strong.”

Ryan Sims

Harold’s Cave Creek Corral, 6895 E. Cave Creek Road, Cave Creek, 480.488.1906, haroldscorral.com, 8 p.m. Saturday, October 14, $20-$500.

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ADOBES AND CHILES

Exploring food and architecture in Santa Fe Scott and Erica Shumaker » The Entertainer!

anta Fe has been a gathering place for centuries. It’s a city of paradoxes: eclectic but emphatically regional, glamorous yet traditional. For anyone who has ever felt that America’s cities and towns were becoming disappointingly uniform, a trip to Santa Fe might provide temporary relief. Santa Fe’s distinctiveness is more than chamber of commerce hype. Buildings in the Pueblo and Spanish colonial styles are impressively dominant and created from real adobe bricks. Shops and restaurants—even some McDonald’s restaurants—in Santa Fe look like traditional adobes. Older buildings, some of which are 100 years old, are also found in and around Santa Fe. Many of these buildings are developed as tourist destinations, but others are private houses, hotels, or adobes slowly crumbling by the side of the road. Perhaps only in

New Mexico could “the oldest house in the United States” belong to a jewelry and curio shop. When it comes to adobe in the United States, Santa Fe is the Vatican, the Mecca, the Julliard. Besides looking different, Santa Fe also tastes different than other places. New Mexico has its own take on Southwestern food rooted in locally available produce. We’re in this camp, so we relished discovering all the differences between New Mexican cuisine and more familiar Mexican and Tex-Mex fare. There are also fabulous farm-to-table restaurants in historic buildings and a surprising multitude of specialty chocolate shops. Santa Fe is hard to beat for an introduction to the food, architecture and romance of New Mexico. There is a lot of lore and beauty packed into this small slice of Northern New Mexico.

ARCHITECTURAL GEMS San Miguel Mission Chapel

Built in the 1610s, San Miguel probably has the strongest claim to “oldest church in the United States.” San Miguel’s church

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bell (mentioned in Willa Cather’s novel Death of the Archbishop) was cast in Spain in 1356. Like many old adobe chapels in New Mexico, the San Miguel Mission looks modest and unassuming on the outside with an unexpectedly awe-inspiring interior. The whitewash of its massive adobe walls highlights intricately carved and painted decorations, executed by local artisans in the 18th and 19th centuries. New Mexico’s historical chapels might not be as grand as old European churches and cathedrals, but the New Mexican houses of worship are very powerful in their own way. It might be that they were built by poor and untrained laborers who managed to create something grand with the most basic materials.

El Sanctuario de Chimayó

This adobe shrine, built in 1816, sits on the site of a spring where Don Bernardo Abeyta claimed to have experienced a miraculous healing. Following his healing, he built a small chapel at the site, which has become a pilgrimage site for as many as 300,000 faithful every year. A room next to the altar houses the “holy dirt” that the faithful rub on their bodies for its healing powers. Set against the piñon-dotted hills, the adobe sanctuary creates an affecting scene.

La Fonda on the Plaza

This historic hotel masterfully unites modern glamour and New Mexican tradition. The basic plan of the hotel is traditional New Mexican with an added touch of glamour brought by elegant furnishings. La Fonda, Spanish for “the inn,” was built in 1920 on a corner of the Santa Fe plaza occupied by hotels for 400 years. In 1925, the current hotel was purchased

by the Santa Fe Railway and revamped as a Harvey House with interior design by the famed Mary Colter. The Santa Fe Railway sold La Fonda in 1968, but subsequent owners have retained its traditions. La Fonda is one of the last remaining Harvey House buildings in New Mexico.

THE FOOD Travelers will work up an appetite exploring the sights. Before they dine, they should become versed in chiles, as servers will ask guests if they want their New Mexican food red or green. Don’t even bother asking servers which is spicier because the answers are inconsistent. The spice of the chile depends on the batch of chiles the restaurant uses, not the color. The difference between red and green is how the chile is prepared. Red chile sauce is made from chilies that have been dried; green chile sauce is created from fresh green chilies. Diners should try both to determine which style they like best. Or, order “Christmas” for half red and half green chile.

Plaza Café

The Plaza Café is the oldest restaurant in Santa Fe, founded in 1905. The café offers a retro vibe that is unique within Santa Fe. It is located on the historic plaza, with great views of people enjoying this historic center. The Plaza Café started by serving New Mexican cuisine and has evolved since its inception. Today, the restaurant offers New Mexican, American diner classics and Greek cuisine as an homage to the owners’ heritage. A regional highlight on the menu includes a delicious blue corn and pinion nut pancake with textures and flavors that are classic New Mexico.

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2017

THE TOURIST

VACATION » SIGHTS » DAY TRIPS » ADVENTURE » EXPLORE » TRAVEL

TOUR DU JOUR Welcome to “The Tourist,” a section for the more than 40 million visitors to our state, as well as the locals. But we’re not stopping at the border. Whether it be nightlife, natural wonders, golf, resort diversions, amazing cuisine or one-ofa-kind attractions, let us point out the best of the mileposts. Enjoy!

Dillon’s KC BBQ Bayou CrackerJax Family Fun and Sports Park The entire family will be entertained at CrackerJax! Experience a variety of attractions including go-karts, 18hole miniature golf course, 300-yard golf driving range with two levels and 66 bays, bumper boats, batting cages, the Bungee Dome, Alien Invasion Laser Tag, volleyball courts, Water Wars arcade, restaurant and more. Ideal for birthday parties and corporate events of all sizes. Open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; and 10 a.m. to midnight. Friday and Saturday. Driving range is open at 8 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, and 8:30 a.m. Monday through Friday. 1601 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, 480.998.2800, CrackerJax.com

Dillon’s KC BBQ Bayou is ready to serve its great food to diners in its new location—13 miles closer than its previous spot. Spend the day, choose a camp site or dine with us at this wonderfully huge venue that only Dillon’s Bayou and its award-winning barbecue can offer. Check out the general store, where you’re sure to find something necessary or unique. Our guests and employees are our greatest asset and we’re grateful for their loyalty. Visit one of our destination locations: Dillon’s Bayou at Pleasant Harbor and Dillon’s at The Wildlife World Zoo and Aquarium. Four Valley locations, dillonsrestaurant.com

O.K. Corral Visit the actual site of Tombstone, Arizona’s legendary Gunfight at the O.K. Corral and see Wyatt Earp and “Doc” Holliday in daily reenactments. There are life-sized animatronic figures of the eight gun fighters, too. Experience the Corral as it was in the 1880s, with working blacksmiths, antique cowboy gear, Western buggies and four museum displays. Ticket includes admission to multimedia Tombstone history show and a copy of the October 26, 1881, Tombstone Epitaph newspaper with original reports of the gunfight. 326 E. Allen Street, Tombstone, 520.457.3456, okcorral.com

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IT’S SHOWTIME!

Oct 6 Samite

Oct 8 Tom Rush

With Special Guest Danny O’Keefe

Oct 4 The Martial Artists and Acrobats of Tianjin People’s Republic of China

Don’t Miss♂… scottsdale center for the performing arts

Oct 21 Lightwire Theater Presents

Moon Mouse: A Space Odyssey

Oct 10 Talk Cinema (Film) Oct 15 ASU Concerts @ The Center: Joining Forces Oct 24 Talk Cinema (Film)

Oct 14 Monk On Monk

Featuring T.S. Monk A Centennial Celebration

Reserve your seats today! ScottsdalePerformingArts.org | 480-499-TKTS (8587) | 7380 E. Second St.

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THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2017

THE ARTIST

CULTURE » THEATER » DANCE » GALLERY » DRAMA » VISION

20 MAKING YEARS IN THE

The Black Theatre Troupe is completing ‘Pittsburgh Cycle’

Catherine Hathaway » The Entertainer!

he Black Theatre Troupe kicks off performances of Seven Guitars this month, completing a 20year journey to perform August Wilson’s 10-play Pittsburgh Cycle. Very few companies have accomplished this. “The focus of each play is the African-American experience in the United States in a decade,” says David Hemphill, executive director of the Black Theatre Troupe. “We’ve done all the plays. Seven Guitars is the last one in the series. It will be the one that completes the series. We did them out of order, of course, because they were written out of order.” Set for October 27 to November 12, the play is set in 1948 and highlights the Great Migration, when African Americans left the South and moved to the North to seek opportunities in more industrialized cities. “(August Wilson) has a rhythm to the way he writes,” Hemphill says. “It’s like music. In fact, the title of the play, Seven Guitars, comes from the fact that there are seven characters, and I guess you could thematically say each person is a guitar.” The Black Theatre Troupe completed the cycle because of its longevity, something that is a source of pride. In 2012, it was honored by Maya Angelou at the Black Theatre Festival. Since its formation in 1970, it has influenced audiences and inspired communities with theatrical performances

TWO TRAINS

deeply rooted in illuminating the African-American experience. “Preserving the past, embracing the future; that is what we believe in,” Hemphill says. “That is what we have an obligation to adhere to for our audiences.” The company was founded by Helen Mason, Phoenix’s deputy director of the Parks and Recreation Department. In its early stages, the group allowed Phoenix youth to speak their mind in a nation of racial unrest. “At those times, there wasn’t funding and support available for those kinds of programs in these distressed areas,” says Rod Ambrose, actor and founding member of the Black Theatre Troupe. “(Mason) wanted to do something to bring the creative arts and performing arts into those communities. That was powerful.” Mason gathered young members of the community to participate in the troupe, including Ambrose. It bounced from various churches and communities until 2013, when it built its home, The Helen K. Mason Performing Arts Center. “David and I tried to build a company of a higher-level theater experience,” Ambrose says. “We’ve always been true to (Mason’s) name and true to the name of the Black Theatre Troupe,

and we’ve had to navigate some pretty rough waters to do it.” To do this, the company uses its resources within the community by partnering with other theaters. “We do have very high production values,” Hemphill says. “In our formative years, we wanted to increase our production value with nicer sets, better design, better lighting. So, we had a relationship with Phoenix Theatre where we used their personnel to help us achieve those things, as well as train our personnel. That’s why people like it. The productions look good and they’re entertaining.” Ambrose feels strongly about continuing Mason’s legacy. He is confident the children who attend the shows and involve themselves in the theater will be able to take the reins and continue its longevity. “I was given the opportunity,” Ambrose says. “I have to give the reins to the next generation and let them go. We’ve done what we could do.” The work of the Black Theatre Troupe has paid off for many of its patrons who enjoy seeing other African Americans thrive on stage. “I’ve attended many Black Theatre Troupe performances,” says Tremaine Jasper, owner and editor of PhxSoul. com, a website dedicated to informing

the public on local performances by African-American artists. “I remember attending plays as a kid and, you know, I was wowed by seeing African Americans onstage.” Jasper calls the Black Theatre Troupe’s work influential. He hopes the shows inspire more children, such as his 6-year-old son, to pursue or become patrons of the arts and to see African-American role models telling African-American stories. “They’re just looking for an opportunity to showcase their talents and tell stories that are, not only entertaining to African-Americans here, but people of all races,” Jasper says. “They just help put us in a positive light.” Hemphill agrees. “They come to remember,” Hemphill says. “They come to talk about topical issues. Most importantly, they just come to be nicely entertained.”

Seven Guitars

The Helen K. Mason Performing Arts Center, 1333 E. Washington Street, Phoenix, 602.258.8129, http://new-wp. blacktheatretroupe.org, various times, October 27 to November 12, $38. WWW.ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

ARTS

CALENDAR Neil Simon’s Chapter Two

Randy Montgomery » The Entertainer!

Hamlet and Zombies OCTOBER 4 TO OCTOBER 6 Arizona School for the Arts celebrates Halloween with a new comedy from playwright Will Averill. The familiar tale of Hamlet is twisted slightly, as the dead and dying begin to attack the living. Hamlet must then fight off the undead. Despite the description, the play is suitable for all ages. The Kax Stage, Herberger Theater Center, 222 E. Monroe Street, Phoenix, 602.252.8497, herbergertheater.org, 7 p.m., $12.

OCTOBER 5 TO OCTOBER 22 Arizona Theatre Company presents playwright Neil Simon’s semiautobiographical comedy about a recently widowed writer, who is introduced to a popular soap opera actress. While both are starting over, they begin a whirlwind romance. The play was written as a tribute to Simon’s second wife, Marsha Mason, who directs it. Herberger Theater Center, 222 E. Monroe Street, Phoenix, 602.256.6995, arizonatheatre. org, times vary, $25-$70.

Science with a Twist

OCTOBER 6 Play apocalyptic laser tag. Show your “thriller” moves on the dance floor. Explore all four levels

CHAPTER TWO OCTOBER 5-22

of the Arizona Science Center. Make your own gas mask. Best of all… enjoy a unique specialty cocktail. Experience the “Ultimate Apocalypse,” and leave the kids with the babysitter. It’s social. It’s science. It’s just for adults! Arizona Science Center, 600 E. Washington Street, Phoenix, 602.716.2000, azscience.org, 6 p.m., $12.

at No. 1 on the Billboard charts. The artist has earned three platinum singles, platinum and gold albums, and numerous ACM, BMI and CMT awards. Queen Creek Performing Arts Center, 22149 E. Ocotillo Road, Queen Creek, 480.987.7469, qcpac.com, 7:30 p.m., $35-$75.

Frankenstein Has No Legs

OCTOBER 14 Jim Pipkin is joined by special guests Dolan Ellis, Marshall Trimble and Wally Bornmann for a tribute to Arizona. The four friends tell stories and sing songs, while sitting around a campfire on stage. Each has his own connection to the state; with Dolan having been the official state balladeer, and Trimble, the official Arizona historian. Higley Center for the Performing Arts, 4132 E. Pecos Road, Gilbert, 480.279.7194, higleyarts.org, 7:30 p.m., $13-$30.80.

OCTOBER 6 TO OCTOBER 28 Mary Shelley’s classic tale is brought to life, courtesy the All Puppet Players. Morals, values, and ethics are abandoned as Victor creates a monster who will become his greatest enemy. The immersive performance will feature audience interaction, comedy and drama. It’s perfect for the Halloween season. Recommended for mature audiences. Playhouse at the Park, 1850 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, 602.254.2151, phoenixtheatre. com, 8 p.m., $18-$50.

Of God and Mortal Men OPENS OCTOBER 7 The latest exhibit at the Heard features paintings by T.C. Cannon from the Nancy and Richard Bloch Collection. The multifaceted artist passed nearly 40 years ago, and this is the first time in 20 years his works have been on public display. From his mastery of color, to his tribute to the power of music, to his twist on Plains warrior motif, this is one exhibit not to miss. Heard Museum, 2301 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, 602.252.8840, heard.org, times vary, free-$18.

TIM FULLER

Scotty McCreery

Ben Huber and David Mason in Arizona Theatre Company’s Chapter Two.

OCTOBER 6-28

JIM PIPKIN AND FRIENDS OCTOBER 14

SCOTTY McCREERY OCTOBER 12

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OCTOBER 12 Scotty McCreery has come a long way from his introduction on American Idol back in 2011 (which he ultimately won). Since then, all three of his albums have debuted MOON MOUSE: A SPACE ODYSSEY OCTOBER 21

Jim Pipkin and Friends: Around the Campfire

Ghosts & Goblins & Witches, Oh My! OCTOBER 19 TO OCTOBER 22 Center Dance Ensemble offers two ways to get your Halloween fix: a full traditional performance, or an abridged “Lunch Time Theater” production. Dance, combined with the premiere of a murder mystery awaits audiences with either viewing choice. Stage West, Herberger Theater Center, 222 E. Monroe Street, Phoenix, 602.252.8497, herbergertheater.org, times vary, $7-$24.

Moon Mouse: A Space Odyssey OCTOBER 21 An experience for all ages! The story is inspiring; Marvin the Mouse wants to be popular, yet is bullied and picked on by the cool kids. He retreats into a world of fantasy through a trip to the moon. The production itself is unique, as it is a combination of art, theater and

OCTOBER CONCERTS AT THE MIM MUSIC THEATER INTI-ILLIMANI

VIEUX FARKA TOURÉ

Thursday, October 12 | 7:00 p.m.

Thursday, October 5 | 7:30 p.m. Often referred to as “The Hendrix of the Sahara,” Vieux Farka Touré plays desert blues that captures and celebrates the vibrant sounds of Mali.

“An Inti-Illimani concert is a wild ride through Latin music, a whirlwind of Andean folk tunes, tangos from Argentina, Brazilian sambas, and throbbing, sobbing love songs from Mexico . . . ” —Washington Post

DANILO PÉREZ: PANAMONK In collaboration with The Nash’s 5th Anniversary

JULIE FOWLIS

Friday, October 6 | 6:00 p.m. Pianist, composer, educator, and social activist, Danilo Pérez is among the most influential and dynamic jazz musicians of our time.

IRMA THOMAS AND THE BLIND BOYS OF ALABAMA With the Preservation Hall Legacy Quintet Saturday, October 7 | 6 & 8:30 p.m. Special evening with the “Soul Queen of New Orleans”

RADICAL FACE Opening Act: Aisha Badru Tuesday, October 10 | 7:00 p.m. “This is music of magic and intimacy with mass appeal.” —Independent (UK)

SAVION GLOVER AND MARCUS GILMORE Wednesday, October 11 | 6 & 8 p.m. “Glover is the greatest tap virtuoso of our time, perhaps of all time.” —New Yorker

Sunday, October 15 | 3 & 7 p.m. Multiple award-winning Gaelic singer whose crystalline and intoxicating vocals are featured in “Touch the Sky” from Disney’s Brave

JULIAN LAGE AND CHRIS ELDRIDGE Monday, October 16 | 7:00 p.m. Two musical giants join forces: Julian Lage, a jazz genius, with bluegrass Punch Brothers founder Chris Eldridge.

JONATHA BROOKE Sunday, October 22 | 7:00 p.m. “Charming and very funny. A seasoned musician with a beautiful voice, Brooke rocks it.” —New Yorker

LAS MIGAS Tuesday, October 24 | 7:00 p.m. The four women of Las Migas create a fascinating blend of flamenco and Mediterranean styles of music from Spain

FOR TICKETS AND LINEUP, CALL 480.478.6000 OR VISIT MIM.ORG.

2017 Concert Series sponsored by

480.478.6000 | 4725 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix, AZ 85050

SONIA DE LOS SANTOS OCTOBER 22

Seven Guitars OCTOBER 27 TO NOVEMBER 12 Only a few theater companies in the country have performed all of August Wilson’s 10-play cycle of the exploration of the black experience in America. Phoenix’s Black Theatre Troupe is one of those select few. Each play examines a decade, and with this installment, the audience is transported to the 1940s, where friends gather to mourn the loss of a blues guitarist and singer. Black Theatre Troupe, 1333 E. Washington Street, Phoenix, 602.258.8129, blacktheatretroupe.org, times vary, $38.

A VAMPIRE TALE OCTOBER 26NOVEMBER 4

ROSE TORRES

Something Rotten! TO NOVEMBER 4

technology. Actors in costumes made of glowing neon perform in complete darkness! Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, 7380 E. Second Street, Scottsdale, 480.499.TKTS (8587), scottsdaleperformingarts. org, 11 a.m., $9-$29.

Sonia de los Santos OCTOBER 31-NOVEMBER 5

OCTOBER 22 Presented by the Del E. Webb Center for the Performing Arts, at an off-site venue, this free concert will feature the artist’s Latin American heritage, with a personal, and universal collection of bilingual party songs and folk classics. The message is cultural bridge-building and community. Bring the family! St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, 232 N. Tegner Street, Wickenburg, 928.684.6624, dewpac.org, 1:30 p.m., free.

Lisa Starry’s A Vampire Tale

OCTOBER 26 TO NOVEMBER 4 Every fall, Scorpius Dance Theatre brings an updated version of its popular, original dance production to Phoenix Theatre. Now in its 14th year, the vampire-themed performance has the look and feel of a live rock concert, featuring talented dancers, music, fog and strobe effects. Phoenix Theatre, 100 E. McDowell Road, Phoenix, 602.254.2151, phoenixtheatre.com, times vary, $25.

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OCTOBER 31 TO NOVEMBER 5 Direct from Broadway to Tempe! While Shakespeare seems to be getting all the attention, two brothers hoping to write their own hit play in the 1590s get a tip for the future of theater: Write a musical! Magically, they decide to add singing, dancing and acting to their work. ASU Gammage, 1200 S. Forest Avenue, Tempe, 480.965.3434, asugamamge.com, times vary, $20-$175.

Kiss and Tell TO NOVEMBER 14 Mistaken identities and a lawsuit/ countersuit are the results of two best friends who devise a plot to sell kisses at a USO bazaar. This hit romantic comedy had a successful three-year run on Broadway before being turned into a feature film (and subsequent sequel) staring Shirley Temple after World War II. Catch this “riotous romp” Monday and Tuesday nights! Hale Centre Theatre, 50 W. Page Avenue, Gilbert, 480.497.1181, haletheatrearizona.com, times vary, $20-$32.

The Art of Healthy Living TO JANUARY 21 Explore nutrition, exercise, mindfulness and wellness through art. Movement stations, hands on activities and artwork are a part of this exciting new exhibition that is part of the Association of Children’s Museums’ “Let’s Move Campaign.” While at the museum, experience the other art, and art-inspired activities and multi-sensory experiences for all ages. i.d.e.a. museum, 150 W. Pepper Place, Mesa, 480.644.4332, ideamuseum.org, times vary, $9.

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2017

MOUTHFUL OF SHAME Jim Norton says Trump isn’t interesting – voters are

Christina Fuoco-Karasinski » The Entertainer!

hen comedian Jim Norton last performed in Arizona, getting here was a scene straight out of Planes, Trains and Automobiles. “My last memory of Arizona. Let’s

see,” Norton says, building up to his story. “My flight was canceled because of rain. I had to fly to L.A. instead and take a six-hour drive. I almost crashed in the desert. I must have good memories because I was willing to die for the show.” He hopes to have a better experience when he performs at Talking Stick Resort on Friday, October 6. “My shows are normally a great update on what’s going on in the world,”

says Norton, who recently released Mouthful of Shame to Netflix. “I talk about my sexual life, my relationships. I try to keep my stand-up really honest. I started seeing a girl recently. So, I talk about that. I talk about my travels, the president and what’s been going on with that. I try to be fair with my opinions.” It isn’t Trump’s politics that he confronts. “I don’t care about that,” says Norton, who can be heard on The Jim Norton & Sam Roberts Show on Sirius XM. “I only talk about the things that interest me. It’s not Trump’s politics. I want to talk about how people react to his policies. I go after the phoniness of the public more than the politician.” Norton always knew he wanted to be a comedian. As a child, he wrote humorous stories to entertain his family and friends—and to attract girls. “The only way to get girls to notice was by making kids laugh,” he says. “The first quality I’ve ever associated with myself was being funny. It’s still the most dominant feeling I see in myself.” He says he feels he’s successful because he’s willing to do the work. Norton is patient and was never greedy for the money. “Plus, I care about the results,” he says. “I think people can sense it.”

Jim Norton

Talking Stick Resort, 9800 E. Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale, 480.850.7777, talkingstickresort.com, 8 p.m. Friday, October 6, $45-$90.

Charles Phoenix

Disney Retro Slide Show Friday, October 6, 2017 · 7:30 p.m.

December 27, 2017 January 7, 2018 Saturday, November 4, 2017 · 7:30 p.m.

B – “The Underwater Bubble Show”

Thursday, October 12, 2017 · 7:30 p.m.

Friday, January 19, 2018 · 7:30 p.m.

Sons of Serendip Friday, November 10, 2017 · 7:00 p.m.

Straighten Up and Fly Right The Nat King Cole Tribute featuring Ramsey Lewis and John Pizzarelli

Saturday, January 27, 2018 · 7:30pm

Saturday, October 21, 2017 · 7:30 p.m.

Full season listing

Friday, December 15, 2017 · 7:30 p.m.

ChandlerCenter.org 480.782.2680 WWW.ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

CHAPTER

TWO L Christina Fuoco-Karasinski » The Entertainer!

egendary actress Marsha Mason is a firm believer in regional theater. She enjoys performing, as well as directing, within smaller venues. Mason especially appreciates the Arizona Theatre Company, for whom she will direct Neil Simon’s Chapter Two, which opens the 2017-2018 season. The show ran in Tucson in September, and is set for Phoenix October 5 to October 22. This is an WWW.ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

Marsha Mason brings directing talents back to Arizona Theatre Company

encore appearance for Mason, who last year helmed An Act of God. “(ATC artistic director emeritus) David Ira Goldstein asked if I wanted to come back,” she says. “It was such a positive experience, that he suggested I do Chapter Two. I had directed it once before at (Pennsylvania’s) Bucks County Playhouse. I thought it would be fun to do it for the audiences in Arizona. “The Arizona Theatre Company’s facilities are beautiful, and the staff is just stellar. I had such a positive experience that there was no reason not to come.” Neil Simon’s Chapter Two is a

semi-autobiographical comedy about a recently widowed writer, George Schneider, who is introduced by his press-agent brother to soap opera actress Jennie Malone. The two have a whirlwind romance in the play, which was written as a tribute to Mason, Simon’s second wife. Mason was nominated for an Academy Award and won a Golden Globe for playing the lead role in the 1979 film version of Chapter Two. “I love the show and I know it well,” she says. “We’ve brought it up to contemporary times. It feels like it moves along. In the 1970s, there was

a slower rhythm to life, in general. We’ve designed the set in such a way so the scenes blend in with each other. It moves the play along very well.” The 75-year-old Mason admits there are challenges to directing, which she began in the 1980s at New York’s Second Stage Theater. “I like new challenges, though,” she says. “This has been wonderful. I started at Second Stage and then I went on to direct at a couple of other places as well.” Mason, who stars in the ABC sitcom The Middle, prefers variety in her career. She bought a farm in New Mexico and grew certified organic herbs. Mason also traveled to London for nine months to perform. “I’ve been all over the place,” she says. “It’s wonderful to get back to it. I’ll always be grateful to the Bucks County Playhouse. They gave me the opportunity to direct there several times. I’ve performed there, too. Now, I’ve been doing more work out of town and now this is my second time in Arizona.” Arizona has been good to Mason, as she has enjoyed the food and sights of Tucson and the Valley. “First of all, the people there are very, very supportive and friendly,” she says. “The food is wonderful. I’ve spent the majority of my time in Tucson because that’s where we rehearsed and opened the show. “I came back to mount it in Phoenix and the Phoenix audience was just terrific. I enjoyed both cities very much and enjoyed the museums, too.” Whenever aspiring thespians ask Mason for advice, she has a simple answer: Be prepared and indulge in regional theater. “You never know when a lucky break is going to come along,” Mason says. “You don’t know where it’s going to be or what. “Young people should work as much as they can, and go where the work is. They should do everything they possibly can—study, visit museums, go to operas and, if you can afford it, go to the theater. Immerse yourself in the world you want to be a part of.” Most important, she says, is supporting regional theater. “The audiences are so terrific,” Mason explains. “The Arizona Theatre Company is so wonderful. Based on my experiences last year, and this experience, too, it’s a first-rate professional theater. The staff is great and responsive and responsible. You can’t ask for more than that.”

Chapter Two

The Herberger Theatre Center, 222 E. Monroe Street, Phoenix, 602.256.6995, arizonatheatre. org, various times October 5 to October 22, $25-$50.

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2017

PRESENTED BY

WHAT MOVES YOU

Oct 21 & 22

LIL BUC K & MIHAI MARICA WITH SPECIAL GUEST JON BOOGZ F E AT .

N OV 1 1 7:30PM

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MA RIAC HI FLOR DE TOLOAC HE

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FEB 9, 2018 / 7:30 PM

RHYTHMIC CIRCUS: F E E T D O N ' T F A I L M E N OW ! MAR 3, 2018 / 7:30 PM

WILLIAMSBURG SALSA ORCHESTRA

MAR 30, 2018 / 7:30 PM

Dr. Judith G. Wolf Come 1 hour prior to curtain to

Nancy Foster

creep WITH the vampires!

CHE MALAMBO

APR 7, 2018 / 8:00 PM

4 8 0 . 3 5 0 . 2 8 2 2 T C A .T I C K E T F O R C E . C O M / T C A P R E S E N T S

• Hercules Photo Booth! • Bloodsucking Cocktails! • costume contest! • psychedelic DJ! Official Airline

Official Hotel

Tickets start at $25

azopera.org 602-266-7464 O ffi ci a l P i a no

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FROM HUMBLE

BEGINNINGS

Desert Foothills Theater promotes innovation, integrity and diversity Laura Stoddard » The Entertainer!

t the intersection of Cave Creek and Scottsdale roads 43 years ago, there was one thing: dirt. Cave Creek was just a small, close-knit community, slowly unfurling its petals at the far-north reaches of Scottsdale. Who knew that decades later it would be home to Desert Foothills Theater (DFT), one of the Valley’s most rapidly growing theater companies. The company was founded more than 40 years ago when Anne and Carl Nussbaum joined the relatively sparse ranks of the small town, says Meribeth Reeves, the theater’s executive director. “They brought with them a love of theater and decided to start a community theater,” Reeves says. “Their very first performance was at the Carefree Inn’s opera house.” Unable to find a dedicated venue for the theater, the Nussbaums bought a tent, and set up wherever people would let them. After years as vagabonds— with a short-term stint at the occasional restaurant or playhouse—they found a permanent home in the Cactus Shadows Fine Arts Center. “It has grown to a multifaceted WWW.ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

theater company with a large education program, offering classes for all ages, a vibrant, award-winning youth theater, and an award-winning adult theater,” Reeves says. The Scottsdale native became involved with the DFT in the early 2000s. Reeves studied theater, criticism and music education at Oberlin College in Ohio. She moved to Pittsburgh, where she worked in arts management for about 10 years. In 1999, she and her husband returned to the Valley. She soon became aware of DFT, when she read a newspaper article about the theater’s impending closure. “I thought I would see what I could do to help, and somehow I ended up on the board for DFT,” she says. “I spent several meetings just listening—trying to figure out exactly what went wrong and helping them decide the best course of action. I was hired as a communications consultant and wrote a couple of grants for them, and then in 2007 I was hired as managing director.” Since Reeves’ involvement, the theater has seen massive growth. “When I took on the managing director job, DFT was doing two adult productions a year and a series of small, one-night fundraising events,” Reeves says.

“The organization’s overall budget was about $70,000 a year. This season, DFT’s season is almost overwhelming. We have three youth theater productions, three adult theater productions, three tribute band performances, three cabarets and a summer drama. We have also grown our education program from one or two workshops a year, to a full year of classes ranging from acting, to voice, to improv.” DFT staff is particularly proud of its commitment to promoting and displaying diversity, on stage and off. The first statement on its online audition page states, “Nontraditional casting is our standard at DFT. Actors of all ethnic backgrounds and levels of ability are invited to audition.” Reeves was especially sensitive to this topic due to her training and studies at Oberlin, which focused on revolutionary black drama. “The first work I directed was Baraka’s The Dutchman,” she says. “I was later asked to direct an Oberlin Black Arts Workshop production of The Colored Museum, by George C. Wolfe. I was drawn to the work because I did not live the lives these writers wrote about. I had no personal frame of reference for the work, so as a director my role was to listen to the actors and help them guide their characters so they were effectively communicating what was written.” DFT’s cast of The Pajama Game, for example, featured two multiracial

couples, as well as an ensemble featuring actors from every walk of life. “Also, we are willing to consider, if the playwright approves, gender changes in character, or men or women playing the opposite gender,” she says. Angelina Ramirez, winner of an AriZoni Best Actress award, joined DFT for its production of Dreamgirls several years ago. She was impressed by the theater’s focus on diversity. “We spoke about it during rehearsals, and I loved that Meribeth stressed this issue and wanted to push forth some great talent that was going unnoticed,” Ramirez says. “As we progressed, I began to see the bigger picture, as far as our impact in the Valley, offering such a diverse show. We became an important narrative, that if you have a show with roles for minorities, we have the talent for it right here in Arizona.” She looked at other theaters, and what shows they were offering. She concluded that audiences wanted—almost craved—nontraditional casts. Shows like Hamilton were making it the trend. DFT had a leg up on the competition, thanks to Reeves’ influence. “With all that is going on in the world, we as minorities want our stories to be told as accurately as possible,” Ramirez says. “The times of people portraying other races because they had no one else to play those roles are gone. I’m confident that DFT will continue to produce shows that offer different cultures and backgrounds to their audiences. Now I am prouder than ever, as an actress, writer and a minority, to represent all those voices and stories that need to be heard.” DFT’s mission goes further than that. Reeves and her team are developing a performing arts and education facility for the far North Valley to accommodate all the growth and future plans. Reeves is excited about the new facility’s possibilities. “Partnering with Foothills Academy College Prep, we are developing a shared-use facility with a DFT stage, classrooms, rehearsal rooms, scene shop and costume and prop areas, a teachers’ lounge, greenroom, kitchen, and a large multipurpose room that can be used as lobby event overflow,” Reeves says. “This will be a home for the community, where everyone is welcome and where the community will have access to performing arts. We are so excited to finally be heading down the road to a facility that will allow us to fulfill our dreams.”

Desert Foothills Theater

34250 N. 60th Street, Scottsdale, 480.488.1981, dftheater.org. Its next show is The Addams Family Musical from October 7 to October 15.

JAZZ

WE GOT THE

The Nash to honor musical legends during its fifth anniversary celebration Connor Dziawura » The Entertainer!

ive years after the nonprofit Jazz in Arizona launched The Nash, the club continues to keep the genre alive with a variety of performances and related events and activities. But what is it that makes The Nash a success story? Intimacy is key, according to Joel Goldenthal, executive director of Jazz in Arizona. “Jazz is definitely an intimate art form,” Goldenthal says. “It’s a very engaged and enthusiastic audience and we have people who enjoy the show and want to come back.” This month, The Nash is hosting a fifth anniversary celebration, featuring “all flavors of jazz,” Goldenthal says. “It’s our way of really celebrating five incredibly successful years of building the jazz community,” he adds. The celebration’s centerpieces are events honoring the 100th birthdays of Dizzy Gillespie and Ella Fitzgerald from October 7 to October 9. The Dizzy Gillespie All-Stars are set to hit the stage at 7 p.m. and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, October 7. It will feature a long roster of musicians performing songs written by and associated with Gillespie. Among those performing are bassist and bandleader John Lee, trumpeter Roy Hargrove, saxophonist Sharel Cassity, pianist Cyrus Chestnut and venue namesake Lewis Nash on drums. Vocalist Roberta Gambarini will join the quintet as a special guest during its set. “We have musicians who will be playing at the anniversary who I’ve known for many years in New York City, and who I have done many concerts and tours around the world with,” Nash says.

“These are my friends and co-practitioners of creating great jazz music. This will be a celebratory weekend, a festive weekend and one which just holds up the banner of continuing great jazz music in the United States and in the world.” The weekend continues with Honoring Ella, starring Gambarini and Chestnut performing Fitzgerald classics. Sponsored by The Nash, this event, however, will take place at a nearby house at 3 p.m. Sunday, October 8. Directions will be given when reservations are made. The celebration continues when Darcy James Argue joins the Scottsdale Community College Big Band for a show at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, October 8, at The Nash. It concludes on Monday, October 9, when Cory Weeds & Friends – saxophonist Weeds, B3 organist Mike Kocour, guitarist Jeff Libman, drummer Dom Moio and Nash – perform exclusively for members and donors of The Nash. A variety of special events surround the celebration, including several partnerships with the Musical Instrument Museum, which will honor Gillespie and Fitzgerald, Buddy Rich, Thelonius Monk and several other musicians born in 1917. Although the venue provides an intimate outlet for local and worldwide musicians, The Nash is heavily intertwined with the local community and educators. The establishment runs workshops, lectures, Sunday jam sessions and a multitude of other activities and events, including school band performances. “The environment or the vibe that we’ve tried to create there is one which is very welcoming to all, young and old and everywhere in between,” Nash says. “We also have an education component to it

so it’s not only a jazz club. Private lessons, classes, lectures, etc. are a part of what we do there. So, it’s not just a club.” An Arizona native, Nash has performed on more than 500 jazz recordings and 10 Grammy Awardwinning albums, Nash was also named “Jazz’s Most Valuable Player” by Modern Drummer magazine. “For me, having my name associated with such a venue is quite an honor,” Nash says. “(It) also carries with it a certain level of responsibility to maintain the standard of excellence.” The Nash, which opened on September 30, 2012, is primarily volunteer-driven in a city where there aren’t many opportunities to experience live jazz. “Now, there is no other venue that is truly dedicated to jazz,” Goldenthal says. “That’s all we present here. There are no distractions. It’s a performance venue, and we have galvanized the jazz assets of the Valley here into building a jazz community.” The Nash is continuing its mission to provide jazz shows throughout the year. “It’s an art form that has been embraced worldwide and it’s taught and played in countries around the world by people of diverse ethnicities and nationalities,” Nash says. “To me, jazz could arguably be called a ‘world music’ because it’s embraced by the entire world and played by musicians all over the world and revered by musicians and audiences all over the world.”

The Nash

110 E. Roosevelt Street, Phoenix, 602.795.0464, thenash.org.

The Nash 5th Anniversary

CELEBRATION CALENDAR Danilo Perez: PanaMonk 6 p.m. Friday, October 6 Musical Instrument Museum, 4725 E. Mayo Boulevard, Phoenix 480.478.6000, mim.org $35.50-$40.50 3N1 + Andy Gross 7:30 p.m. Friday, October 6 The Nash, 110 E. Roosevelt Street, Phoenix 602.795.0464, thenash.org Free The Dizzy Gillespie All-Stars 7 p.m. and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, October 7 The Nash $49-$250 Honoring Ella 3 p.m. Sunday, October 8 Private home in Phoenix 602.795.0464, thenash.org $80-$100 Scottsdale Community College Big Band w/ Darcy James Argue 7:30 p.m. Sunday, October 8 The Nash $15-$25 Cory Weeds & Friends 7:30 p.m. Monday, October 9 The Nash Free to $25; members only Matt Lennex & The Giants of Jazz 7:30 p.m. Saturday, October 14 The Nash $10-$20 Emmett Cohen Trio 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, October 18 The Nash $20-$40 Banda Magda 7:30 p.m. Saturday, October 21 The Nash $20-$40 Regina Carter 7:30 p.m. Friday, October 27 Musical Instrument Museum $38.50-$48.50 Lucian Ban & Mat Maneri – Transylvanian Concert 7:30 p.m. Friday, October 27 The Nash $15-$20

LEWIS NASH

WWW.ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

Dmitri Matheny – Jazz 100 7:30 p.m. Saturday, October 28 The Nash $15-$32

“An extraordinary experience.” —Cate Blanchett, Academy Award–winning actress

hen Yun’s unique artistic vision expands theatrical experience into a multi-dimensional, inspiring journey through one of humanity’s greatest treasures—the five millennia of traditional Chinese culture. This epic production immerses you in stories reaching back

to the most distant past. You’ll explore realms even beyond our visible world. Featuring one of the world’s oldest art forms— classical Chinese dance—along with patented scenographical effects and all-original orchestral works, Shen Yun opens a portal to a civilization of enchanting beauty and enlightening wisdom.

4,000 shows. None can compare to what I saw tonight.”

“There is a massive power in this that can embrace the

“I was uplifted, I was filled with hope… The

world. It brings great hope… It is

truly a touch of heaven.”

world is a better place because of Shen Yun.”

— Richard Connema, renowned Broadway critic

—Daniel Herman, Minister of Culture of the Czech Republic

— Richard Swett, former U.S. Congressman

“I’ve reviewed about

FEB 6–7

FEB 16–18

FEB 20–25

Tucson Convention Center

lkeda Theater

Orpheum Theatre

260 S Church Ave., Tuscon, AZ 85701

1 East Main St., Mesa, AZ 85201

203 W Adams St., Phoenix, AZ 85003

“Everything was larger than life. It’s one of the happiest evenings of my life. All my cares just disappeared, and I became one hundred percent positive thinking. ” —Nancy Brock, former actress, associate producer

Tickets: 800.880.0188 Early Bird code: Mag18 Get best seats & waive ShenYun.com/AZ Prices: $80–$165

service fee by Nov. 30, 2017

COMING

ATTRACTIONS Cult of Chucky

Killing Gunther

Fiona Dourif plays a woman who, confined to an asylum for the criminally insane, is erroneously convinced that she murdered her entire family. When her psychiatrist introduces the Good Guy doll as a new therapeutic tool to facilitate his patients’ group sessions, a string of grisly deaths begins to plague the asylum. Opens October 3.

A group of eccentric assassins are fed up with the world’s greatest hitman (Arnold Schwarzenegger) and decide to kill him. But their plan turns into a series of bungled encounters as he seems to always be one step ahead. Opens October 20.

R - 91 MINUTES

R - 100 MINUTES

Tyler Perry’s Boo 2! A Madea Halloween

Happy Death Day

PG-13 - 100 MINUTES

Jessica Rothe plays a college student who relives the day of her murder with both its unexceptional details and terrifying end until she discovers her killer’s identity. Opens October 13.

Tyler Perry reprises his role of Madea who this time ventures to a haunted campground and the must literally run for her life when monsters, goblins and the boogeyman are unleashed. Opens October 20.

Jungle

Jigsaw

R - 115 MINUTES

Better Watch Out NR - 98 MINUTES

Olivia DeJonge plays a babysitter who must defend her young charges (Levi Miller and Ed Oxenbould) when intruders break into the house one snowy night during the holiday season. Opens October 6.

Daniel Radcliffe plays a traveler who sets off into the heart of the Amazon rainforest. But what begins as a dream adventure quickly deteriorates into an utter nightmare. After a terrible accident, he is forced to survive for weeks alone against one of the most treacherous backdrops on the planet. Opens October 20.

R - 91 MINUTES

Leatherface

R - 90 MINUTES

Ten years after being sentenced to a mental hospital for a suspicious incident that leaves the sheriff’s daughter dead, a teenager kidnaps a young nurse and escapes with three other inmates. Pursued by authorities including the deranged sheriff out to avenge his daughter’s death, he goes on a violent road trip from hell. Opens October 20.

When bodies begin turning up around a city, each having met a uniquely gruesome demise, evidence points to one man—John Kramer. But how can this be when the man known as Jigsaw has been dead for more than a decade? Opens October 27.

For more movie reviews, in-depth celebrity interviews and behind-the-scenes insights, tune in to breakthrough entertainment 3–4 p.m. Wednesdays on BreakRadioShow.com. Email film writer Joseph J. Airdo at joseph.airdo@gmail.com.

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THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2017

THE CRITIC

LIGHTS » CAMERA » ACTION » SCREEN » ENCHANT » TRANSPORT

What movie should you see this month? Ask our experts! JOSEPH’S MOVIE OF THE MONTH:

Little Evil

Considerably weak offerings in theaters in recent weeks have led to some of the lowest-grossing weekends at the box office in years. Fortunately, Netflix and other on-demand services have a vast amount of new original content, including Little Evil, a new horror comedy from Dale and Tucker vs. Evil writer/director Eli Craig. The new spoof, which stars Adam Scott and Evangeline Lilly as parents of an obvious spawn of Satan, features amusing nods to films like The Omen, Poltergeist and Rosemary’s Baby. It is frequently too over-the-top but entertaining throughout and exudes a surprising amount of heart. RANDY’S MOVIE OF THE MONTH:

While this remake/adaptation of the Stephen King classic does not always work as a horror film, success can be found elsewhere. The performances by the young stars steal the show. They command the screen and deliver much needed relief from the long running time. Their seemingly natural bond on screen and genuine delivery, combined with cinematography that creates the perfect mood, allows the viewer to overlook pacing issues, so-so CGI, and obvious plot holes. Having also just watched the 1990 mini-series once again, “it” too was not without its major flaws.

The Report Card

Our film writers grade what’s in theaters Movie

Joseph

Randy

Annabelle: Creation

The Hitman’s Bodyguard

Home Again

Ingrid Goes West

M.V.

Kidnap

Leap!

Logan Lucky

The Nut Job 2: Nutty By Nature Wind River

SOUNDBITE SPOTLIGHT

M.V.’S MOVIE OF THE MONTH:

Stronger

Jake Gyllenhaal plays Jeff Bauman, who was cheering on his fed-up girlfriend (Tatiana Maslany) as she ran in the Boston Marathon in April 2013, and lost his legs in the terrorist bombing. Director David Gordon Green and screenwriter John Pollono keep it restrained, refusing to exploit the material for either melodrama or lurid shock. It has brief scenes of graphic horror from which it doesn’t flinch, make no mistake, but the focus is on Bauman’s painful physical and psychological recovery, and the new maturity it gradually brought him. Gyllenhaal, Maslany and Miranda Richardson as Bauman’s mom are all excellent.

ABOUT THE FILM WRITERS JOSEPH J. AIRDO is a film critic, producer and on-air personality for Breakthrough Entertainment, a talk radio show airing 3-4 p.m. Wednesdays on BreakRadioShow.com that shines a spotlight on the practical perspectives of the topics and themes explored in movies. He has a pet duck named Frozen who is as opinionated about movies as he is. Email him at joseph.airdo@gmail.com.

FILM FACTS Actress Gina Phillips, who reprises her character of Trish Jenner in cameo form in the recently released Jeepers Creepers 3, has confirmed that writer/director Victor Salva has already completed the screenplay for Jeepers Creepers 4 and is ready to push the project into production.

RANDY MONTGOMERY is a Los Angeles-based film critic who lived in, and still loves, Arizona. Living within walking distance of multiple major studios is a dream come true for this long-time movie buff. While not sitting in the dark and munching on popcorn with extra butter, you can find him riding roller coasters and enjoying the arts. Email him at randymwriter@yahoo.com.

“I was very familiar with It and the character of Pennywise growing up. The way I look at it, he needs children to believe in what they’re seeing and to be afraid in order to consume them because fear seasons the flesh. To me, as a kid and even now, that is the most frightening concept ever.” — Bill Skarsgård, It

M.V. MOORHEAD has won five first-place Arizona Press Club awards for criticism. His reviews and other writings appear in Wrangler News (wranglernews. com), Phoenix Magazine and on his own blog, Less Hat, Moorhead (mvmoorhead.blogspot. com). A native of Pennsylvania, he lives in Phoenix with his wife, kid and three Chihuahuas with five eyeballs between them. Email him at mvmoorhead@cox.net.

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THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2017

THE DINER

EAT » EXPERIENCE » INDULGE » SAVOR » DEVOUR » NOSH

OCTOBER FOOD EVENTS Tempe high school students to cities worldwide. Funds raised also help bring more than 36 high school students and teachers from international cities to Tempe for five weeks each year.

Christina Fuoco-Karasinski » The Entertainer!

Pumpkin and Chili Party

OCTOBER 5 TO OCTOBER 29 Indulge in Schnepf Farms’ chili during its 23rd annual festival, which also includes pig races, spooky train rides, entertainment, carousel, petting barn, 4-acre and celebrity 10acre maze, bonfires, pumpkin patch, BMX show and rollercoaster.

Schnepf Farms, 24610 S. Rittenhouse Road, Queen Creek, 480.987.3100, schnepffarms. com, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursdays and Sundays, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, $15-$19.

St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church Food Festival OCTOBER 6 TO OCTOBER 8 Get your fix of authentic Middle Eastern food at the St. George Antiochian Orthodox Food Festival, which features favorites like hummus, tabouli, shawarma, kabobs, gyros and falafel. The signature 50-foot-long dessert table tempts with baklava, mamoul and kanafi.

St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, 4530 E. Gold Dust, Phoenix, 602.953.1921, stgeorgefoodfestival.org/, 5 to 9 p.m. October 6, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. October 7, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. October 8, free admission.

Bacon and Beer Classic

OCTOBER 7 Explore the Spring Training home of the San Francisco Giants while indulging in all-inclusive suds and grub. Sample more than 50 craft beers from regional breweries, eat over 25 original bacon dishes and unlimited bacon strips, play giant Jenga and cornhole, compete in a bacon-eating contest and more at Scottsdale Stadium.

Scottsdale Stadium, 7408 E. Osborn Road, Scottsdale, baconandbeerclassic.com, 1 p.m., $49-$79.

Taste of the Biltmore

OCTOBER 12 Guests from around the Valley are invited to this upscale block party and unofficial kickoff of the Arizona charity event season. Participating restaurants include Bluewater Grill, Boss Pizza Bar, Kettle Heroes and OHSO Brewery and Distillery.

National Bank of Arizona’s Biltmore Corporate Center, 6001 N. 24th Street, Phoenix, tasteofthebiltmore.com, 6 to 9 p.m., $75-$150.

Greater Phoenix Greek Festival OCTOBER 13 TO OCTOBER 15 Get your Greek on at this 57th annual festival that features ethnic cuisine, cooking demos, cathedral tours, folk dancers, authentic regional costumes, artifacts and entertainment.

Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 1973 E. Maryland Avenue, Phoenix, phoenixgreekfestival.org, 5 to 10 p.m. October 13, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. October 14, and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. October 15, $3, free for children younger than 12, free for seniors from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. October 14.

Four Peaks Oktoberfest

OCTOBER 13 TO OCTOBER 15 Drink up and eat up at this festival that serves German-style fare as well as lobster mac and cheese and street tacos. Music provides the soundtrack to Four Peaks Oktoberfest, which also includes a Kinderfest for family fun. This year, Tempe Sister Cities is marking the 45th anniversary of its Oktoberfest celebration in Tempe. Oktoberfest is a benefit for Tempe Sister Cities, which sends

Tempe Town Lake, 80 E. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe, fourpeaksoktoberfest.com, 5 p.m. to midnight Friday, October 13, noon to midnight Saturday, October 14, and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, October 15, free, with VIP packages available for purchase.

tasteofcavecreek.com, 5 to 9 p.m., tickets start at $10.

Outstanding in the Field

OCTOBER 20 A roving culinary adventure, Outstanding in the Field features guest chef Cullen Campbell of Crudo creating a meal from locally sourced ingredients. The host farmer is Katie Critchley.

The Farm at Agritopia, 3000 E. Ray Road, Gilbert, outstandinginthefield.com, 2 p.m., $225.

Arizona Taco Festival

OCTOBER 14 AND OCTOBER 15 Professional and amateur taco teams compete for $10,000 in prizes with their chicken, beef, pork and fish tacos. In between bites, patrons can enjoy tequila, Lucha Libre wrestling and the “Ay Chihuahua! Beauty Pageant.”

Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, 7555 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, aztacofestival.com, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., $12-$100.

All Things Pork Cooking Class

OCTOBER 14 Join Executive Chef Jeremy Pacheco and his culinary team for a demonstration cooking class. Learn about the different cuts of pork and how to prepare them. Savor small plates of all the dishes that are prepared during the class, along with your choice of a glass of wine or a beer.

The Hermosa Inn, 5532 Palo Christi Road, Paradise Valley, 602.955.7878, hermosainn.com, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., $69.

Taste of Cave Creek

OCTOBER 18 AND OCTOBER 19 Sample cuisine from more than 25 restaurants in an outdoor, open-air setting. Bands will perform on two stages, while guests peruse the wine and craft beer garden, and sample tequila and margaritas.

Stagecoach Village, 7100 E. Cave Creek Road, Cave Creek,

Cooks and Corks

OCTOBER 20 Cooks and Corks features Arizona’s top chefs in a culinary event that features live cooking, showmanship and artful presentations. To complement the flavorful tastings, guests will sip on libations provided by a collection of fine wines, spirits and craft beer. It is hosted by the Scottsdale League for the Arts.

Four Seasons Scottsdale, 10600 E. Crescent Moon Drive, Scottsdale, cooksandcorks. org, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., $125 and $175.

Taste of Gilbert

OCTOBER 21 Taste your way through Gilbert with a variety of local eateries serving up an abundance of eats and treats. The Taste of Gilbert Festival is not just about food, but also features music, a marketplace and backyard games.

Freestone Park, 1045 E. Juniper Avenue, Gilbert, tasteofgilbertaz.com, noon to 6 p.m., free admission.

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HAPPY HOUR GUIDE Brat Haus

Nestled in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale, this Euro-inspired eatery and beer garden just launched its happy hour program from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday. Food and drink specials include $1 off all draft beers, $5 glasses of wine, $7 Haus cocktails, $4 fried pickles, $6 brat burgers, $15 giant pretzels, and a free brat for dogs. For late-night visitors, reverse happy hour is 9 to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, when there is $2 off all draft beers, $5 glasses of wine, and $5 well drinks. As a new twist on “Sunday Funday,” guests can enjoy Stein Sundays with bottomless steins and mimosas for $20 from noon to 3 p.m. 3622 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale; 480.947.4006, brauthausaz.com.

Buck & Rider

Happy hour is through 7 p.m. Monday to Saturday, when patrons can enjoy $6 signature cocktails, house pours and featured glasses of wine and draft beer. Reverse happy hour is from 9:30 p.m. to close Thursday to Saturday. 4225 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix, 602.346.0110, buckandrider.com.

Cold Beer & Cheeseburgers

Cold Beer & Cheeseburgers lives up to its name, but offers more that. Check out the menu and see. Happy hour is from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday, and includes domestic pints for $3, domestic alum bottles and Four Peaks pints for $4, and premium wells and house wines at $5. Valleywide locations, coldbeers.com.

Copper Blues

At Copper Blues, headliners don’t just occupy the stage, they surround it in the form of tap handles and inviting service. Happy hour is offered from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday to Sunday. 50 W. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, 480.719.5005, copperblueslive.com.

Craft 64

Craft 64 specializes in local craft beer and artisan woodfired pizza. Happy hour is 4 to 7 p.m. daily, when there is $1 off all local beers, five wines for $6, and small plates for $8. 6922 E. Main Street, Scottsdale, 480.946.0542, craft64.com.

CRUjiente Tacos

CRUjiente Tacos offers taco therapy with deals on globally influenced tacos and cocktails. Happy hour is 3 to 6 p.m. Monday to Thursday, and the modern taqueria recently launched reverse happy hour from 9 to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Specials include $3 for the Korean fried chicken, $3 short rib tacos, $3 pork belly tacos, $7 Tex-Mex-style queso, $7 chips and salsa, $5 on any of the tacos CRUjientes (beef, pork or lamb), $5 Premier CRU margaritas, $1 off all draft and bottled beer and $2 off wine by the glass. 3961 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix, 602.687.7777, crutacos.com.

Dirty Dogg Saloon

Dirty Dogg Saloon has built a reputation as a local watering hole. Happy hour is 3 to 8 p.m., with live music on Thursdays. Daily drink specials are also offered. 10409 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, 480.368.8095, dirtydoggsaloon.com.

El Chorro

Paradise Valley’s historic El Chorro offers an authentic Arizona dining experience with stunning views of the Valley’s most prominent landmark, Camelback Mountain. Happy Hour is 5 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays to Saturdays. 5550 E. Lincoln Drive, Paradise Valley, 480.948.5170, elchorro.com.

EVO

EVO features recipes true to the Central and Northern regions of Italy, including risotto, alfredo, ragu and carbonara, Chef Steven Fowler strives to perfect a balance of simple yet robust flavors. Happy hour is 4 to 7 p.m. daily. 4175 N. Goldwater Boulevard, Scottsdale, 480.265.9814, evoscottsdale.com.

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Gallagher’s Sports Grill

Gallagher’s Sports Grill loves sports as much as it loves food, so it brings the two together. There are dozens of TVs and inspired dishes. Happy hour is 3 to 7 p.m. Monday to Friday, and 9 p.m. to close Friday and Saturday. Valleywide locations, visit gallaghersaz.com.

Hard Rock Café

Take a break from the heat and stroll into the musical oasis that is Hard Rock Cafe Phoenix. With the Flying V over the door, the Hard Rock Café features a fully loaded bar, food, memorabilia and music. Happy hour is 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday to Sunday. 3 S. Second Street, Suite 117, Phoenix, 602.261.7625, hardrock.com.

Hungry Monk

Chandler’s The Hungry Monk pours 27 craft beers, with daily happy hour from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Food specials run from 3 to 7 p.m. 1760 W. Chandler Boulevard, Chandler, 480.963.8000, hungrymonkaz.com.

Lucky Strike Bowling

Happy hour is offered from 3 to 7 p.m. daily, and includes $5 food specials, $2 domestic drafts, $3 craft/import drafts and well drinks, $4 premium cocktails and select wine. 50 W. Jefferson Street, suite 240, Phoenix, 602.732.5490, bowlluckystrike.com.

Luxe Lounge

Experience UltraStar’s 21-and-older sports bar, restaurant and lounge that boasts 14 HD flat-screen TVs, four pool tables, Golden Tee Golf, soft tip darts and foosball. Happy hour is 4 to 7 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays, and all day Sundays. Specials include $3 well drinks, $3 house wines and $3 domestic draft beers. Appetizers are $3 to $6, including cheese crisp, fried pickles, cheese curds, spicy Cajun fries, hoagie bread, cheese pizza and garlic cheese bread. 16000 N. Maricopa Road, Maricopa, 520.233.2426, ultrastarakchin.com.

Pedal Haus Brewery

Mill Avenue’s resident brewpub and beer garden, Pedal Haus Brewery offers beer enthusiasts the opportunity to enjoy happy hour from 3 to 6:30 p.m. Monday to Saturday. It features $2 off Pedal Haus beers and, spirits and $5 select wines while receiving $2 off all appetizers on the menu. “Sunday Funday” specials run all day and include $3 Pedal Haus beers, $3 mimosas, $4 Bloody Marys and $5 margaritas. 730 S. Mill Avenue, Tempe, 480.314.2337, pedalhausbrewery.com.

Philly’s Sports Grill

Happy hour is 3 to 7 p.m. daily, and 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. Sunday to Thursday and specials include appetizer discounts. 1826 N. Scottsdale Road, Tempe; 1402 S. Priest Drive Tempe; 4855 E. Warner Road, Phoenix, phillyssportsgrill.com.

Pig & Pickle

Pig & Pickle handcrafts cocktails, bakes its own bread, makes its own aioli and grows its own herbs. Happy hour is 3 to 6 p.m. daily. 2922 N. Hayden Road, Scottsdale, 480.990.1407, pigandpickle.com.

Pure Sushi & Dining

Pure Sushi & Dining offers fine sushi and hot menus in an intimate atmosphere. Happy hour is 3 to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. 20567 N. Hayden Road, Suite 100, Scottsdale, 480.355.0999 puresushibar.com.

Pure Sushi Colony

Open daily, Pure Sushi Colony serves happy hour specials from 3 to 6 p.m. Enjoy $3 off regularly priced cocktails, wines by the glass and sake, along with $2 off regularly priced bottles of beer. Try its signature Asian pear martini, crafted with organic pear juice or the refreshing cool cucumber. Pure Colony offers unique and approachable wines and sake for the perfect pairing. 5538 N. Seventh Street, Suite 110, Phoenix, 602.730.3566, puresushicolony.com.

Rack Scottsdale | Old Town Scottsdale

Rack Scottsdale offers fine spirits in a laid-back environment. Happy hour runs from 3 to 7 p.m. Monday to Friday and features half-priced appetizers, such as mozzarella sticks and bacon cheese fries, $1 off beer and $2 off cocktails. It’s more than drinks, though. Pool is half price ($5) for the table. 3636 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, 480.476.1035, rackscottsdale.com.

Rehab Burger Therapy

Rehab Burger Therapy was founded on the idea that everyone deserves a break from the daily grind. Happy hour is offered from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, and 11 a.m. to close Thursdays. This includes $1 off “party starters,” wines by the glass and “rapid relief.” 7210 E. Second Street, Scottsdale; 480.621.5358, rehabburgertherapy.com.

Social Tap Eatery | Downtown Scottsdale

Downtown Scottsdale’s Social Tap Eatery offers happy hour specials from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday that include $4 Social Tap drafts, $5 select wines and discounted fan favorites like the double royale with cheese ($9), pulled pork sliders ($6) and social hour taco of choice ($3). Guests can enjoy an alfresco dining experience on the patio that overlooks Drinkwater Boulevard and Brown Avenue, or sit inside and watch the game or music videos on Social Tap’s two 90-inch TVs and 27 65-inch TVs in the restaurant and bar. 4312 N. Brown Avenue, Scottsdale, 602.432.6719, socialtapscottsdale.com.

The Stockyards

In 1947, The Stockyards, Arizona’s Original Steakhouse, opened its doors with a menu focused on its historical past: beef. Staying true to its heritage, The Stockyards’ menu continues to feature only the finest corn-fed, aged steaks and prime rib. Happy hour is 4 tto 7 p.m. Monday to Friday, when house wine, draft beer, saloon snacks, domestic beer and well drinks are discounted. Complimentary tenderloin sliders are also offered. 5009 E. Washington Street, suite 115, Phoenix, 602.273.7378, stockyardssteakhouse.com.

SunUp Brewing Co.

SunUp offers beer brewed on site, with happy hour from 3 to 6 p.m. daily. 322 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix, 602.279.8909, sunup.beer.

TapHouse Kitchen

TapHouse Kitchen of Scottsdale offers a menu by Chef Patrick Karvis centered around modern American cuisine, in addition to a respectable selection of craft beers. Happy hour is from 3 to 6 p.m. daily. Special are plenty, with $2 off all draft beer, spirits and wine on tap, and $2 off all beer flights. Hilton Village, 6137 N. Scottsdale Road, suite 108, 480.656.0012, taphousekitchen.com.

Tutti Santi

Tutti Santi’s menu offers Nina’s original recipes for Italian classics, from antipasti freddi to mozzarella caprese. Happy hour is 4:30 to 6 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 9 to 11 p.m. Fridays. The late-night specials include live music. 6339 E. Greenway Road, Suite 108, Scottsdale, 480.951.3775, tuttisantiristorante.com.

Uncle Bear’s Grill & Tap

Uncle Bear’s Grill & Tap’s extensive menu includes favorites like garlic parm fries, fried mozzarella, beer cheese soup, Cajun-spiced chicken salad, black and bleu burger, guacamole and prime rib. Happy hour is 3 to 7 p.m. Monday to Friday, and 10 p.m. to close Sunday to Thursday. The kitchen closes at midnight Friday and Saturday at midnight, and at 10 p.m. Sunday to Thursday. 9053 E. Baseline Road, Mesa; 2115 E. Rittenhouse Road, Queen Creek; 4921 E. Ray Road, Phoenix, unclebearsbarandgrill.com.

Wasted Grain

Happy Hour is offered 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday and 4 to 9 p.m. Friday. 7295 E. Stetson Drive, Scottsdale, 480.970.0500, wastedgrainscottsdale.com.

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TASTE OF

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Foodie event adds new wine, beer experiences Alison Bailin Batz » The Entertainer!

n its 24th year, the Taste of Cave Creek has grown into one of the area’s top foodie “must-dos” of the fall with 8,000 expected guests. This year is no different, with the North Valley event boasting new restaurants and interactive elements. “The Taste of Cave Creek will once again be held at Stagecoach Village, so we can take advantage of the outdoor, open-air setting,” says Cave Creek Town Marshal Adam Stein, the longtime event chairman. “As in recent years, we will have two stages of live music nightly, with acts including Fostersons, Rock the District and more.” More than two dozen restaurants – many of whom call Cave Creek, neighboring Carefree and/or North Scottsdale home – are signed on to take part, each sampling from its fall and winter menus for guests both nights of the event. They include: • Bryan’s Black Mountain BBQ • Bourbon Cellar • Brugo’s Pizza & Bistro • Buffalo Chip Saloon & Steakhouse • Cartwright’s Sonoran Ranch House • Desirable Desserts • El Encanto Mexican Food • Harold’s Corral • Grilled Addiction & Wandering Donkey • Indigo Crow • It’s a Divine Baker • J Chen • Le Sans Soucie • Local Jonny’s • Grotto Café • Mountain View Pub • The Horny Toad, Roadhouse/ Hideaway • The Treatery

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• Tailgaters • Burritoholics • Calcukma Admission is $10. Tickets to sample all the food offerings range from $3 to $5. “The event will also feature beer, wine and cocktail gardens. Look for the vodka and tequila tastings for sure. Extra effort was made this year to develop impressive VIP experiences on top of these general admission sampling areas,” says Stein, noting drink sample tickets in the general areas are just $1. At 5 p.m. both evenings, the Taste of Cave Creek will feature a limited-seating VIP beer experience. Hosted in a private area, tickets for this event are $50 and must be purchased in advance. Participants will go beyond simply sampling craft beers. They will sit with brewers to learn about their beer-making process while sampling the beers, each paired with small bites from local chefs, who will also be on-hand to talk about how beer and food work together. “We will host a similarly focused VIP wine experience both evenings as well, but at 7 p.m. to accommodate guests who want to take part in both,” says Stein, noting the wine experience is also $50 with limited tickets available for purchase in advance. And finally, Stein promises a “reel” new experience for seafood lovers at the event – a Tito’s VIP experience where representatives from the popular vodka brand will serve cocktails to pair with an old-fashioned shrimp and crawfish boil, courtesy of Creeker’s Cold Beer & Crab’s Shrimp and Crawfish Boil. This VIP experience, also being held at a special separate tent, is available in advance for $15. Each of these VIP events has

reserved seating. Reservations for any of these specialty events must be made in advance by calling 480.488.6612. A portion of proceeds from The Taste of Cave Creek, which is sponsored by Sanderson Ford and Sanderson Lincoln, will benefit the Sonoran Arts League.

Taste of Cave Creek

Stagecoach Village, 7100 E. Cave Creek Road, Cave Creek, tasteofcavecreek.com, 5 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, October 18, and Thursday, October 19, tickets start at $10.

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THE BIG CHEESE

Go savory at Scottsdale’s Mac and Cheese Fest

Christina Fuoco-Karasinski » The Entertainer!

ac and cheese will get a whole new look during the first festival in the Valley celebrating the

savory dish. Set for Saturday, October 7, the Mac and Cheese Fest at the Scottsdale Waterfront will offer samples of mac and cheese with a variety of unusual ingredients including brisket and barbecue sauce with fried onions on top; seafood; jalapenos and spices. Plain Janes can get their fill as well. “Mac and cheese in and of itself is pretty basic,” says spokeswoman Sharon Krieger. “It will be cool to see how many restaurants are going out of the box with

it and taking it to the next level, adding unique and random ingredients you wouldn’t necessarily expect. The Roaring Fork is participating and they have a pretty beloved green chili mac and cheese that has a bit of a kick to it.” And there will be plenty of libations to complement the mac and cheese. “We’re getting into pairing it with some of the breweries,” she says. “The local craft beer folks are getting involved.” A demonstration tent will feature adults and kids—the big cheese and the little cheese—as well as restaurants, showing off their cheesy talents during the “Mac & Cheese S’Mac Down.” The winners go home with the Golden Noodle Trophy. Those wishing to take a break from food can head over to the Big Cheese Game Deck and enjoy ping-pong, giant Jenga or bags. “It will be a lot of fun for people to enjoy a little of the outdoors as it starts to cool off,” she says. “They can be the Big Cheese and beat their friends at the games.”

Mac and Cheese Fest

Scottsdale Waterfront, 7134 E. Stetson Drive, Scottsdale, macandcheesefestaz.com/, noon to 7 p.m. Saturday, October 7, $15 (general admission) and $75 (VIP). Food and drink tickets sold separately for general admission.

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he Spanish-inspired restaurant Prado is making tapas fun by revamping the menu at the Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia. Upon entering Prado, flames rise from the open grill that is stacked with white oak, fresh local produce that is strewn about the table ready to be diced and mixed into house made sauces, and a giant jamon serrano, flown in fresh from Spain, that is ready to be carved. Behind the bar, a dedicated tapas chef bustles about grilling lamb chops, albondigas meatballs and sautéing traditional shrimp cazuela as the aroma of Prado’s house made sourdough bread fills the air. Led by Executive Chef Marcos Seville and Chef de Cuisine Smail Yaakoubi, the Prado tapas bar serves dishes that are small but numerous, and designed to be shared. Tapas bar offerings range from Filet Pinchos ($6), featuring wood-firedgrilled prime filet served with green house tomatillo salsa; Chorizo Pinchos

($5) with Schreiner’s spicy pork sausage wood-fired and served with house made harissa chili paste; Tortilla Espanola ($6), which includes potato, olives and egg wrapped in Serrano ham with basil tomato sauce; and Gigantes Beans ($5) made with slow-cooked large white beans, smoked tomato and fresh herbs. Also on the menu are custom boards of cured meats and Spanish cheeses including housemade LOMO ($5), a black pepper-spiced filet mignon carpaccio, dry-cured Spanish Jamon Serrano ($6), and Valdeon ($5) goat and cow’s milk bleu cheese. The Prado tapas bar opens at 5 p.m. daily, with dinner service at Prado starting at 5:30 p.m. Prado is also open daily for breakfast and dinner, serving brunch on Sundays.

Prado

Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia, 4949 E. Lincoln Drive, Scottsdale, 480.627.3200, omnihotels.com.

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IT’S TACO TIME! Salt River Fields festival spices up fall event scene Alison Bailin Batz » The Entertainer!

orget Taco Tuesday; it’s time to get ready for a Taco weekend. Now in its eighth year, the Arizona Taco Festival— hosted across 10 acres at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on Saturday, October 14, and Sunday, October 15—is set to delight taste buds and break records. “Last year, we served more than 30,000 guests with very few lines for tacos – and we expect even more taco lovers this year,” says David Tyda, festival co-founder. “After all, we have to protect our title as the largest taco festival in the country.” A general admission ticket, $12 to $15, provides access to 50 restaurants and food trucks, each dishing out $2 tacos and many also offering homemade salsas, guacamoles and à la carte desserts up for tasting as well. Event goers can indulge in Four Peaks beer, custom margaritas, and mezcal cocktails. Even “The Most Interesting Man in the World” will be in attendance, representing his new drink of choice, Astral Tequila. Bands will provide the soundtrack, while guests also enjoy a Chihuahua beauty pageant, eating contests, traditional Lucha Libre wrestling matches WWW.ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

and 50 National Taco Association judges, each conducting double-blind taco tastings to determine who will win portions of a $10,000 cash prize purse. The 2016 Grand Champion, International Truck of Tacos, will be there both days to defend its title. The 2015 champions, Diego Pops and Creations by SERGIO, will also compete again against an impressive list of competitors including: • Casa Añejo • Chico Malo • CRUjiente • Dos Gringos • Gadzooks • La Hacienda • La Sala • Loco Patron • Modern Margarita • Old Town Gringos • Salty Senorita • SOL • T. Cook’s • Tarbell’s • Tacos Tequila Whiskey • Two Brothers Tap House • Willie’s Taco Joint • Tapacubo • Yardhouse “Guests will also be able to enjoy entertainment in virtually every corner of the event, including

the now-legendary Tequila Expo on Saturday and Margarita Expo on Sunday,” Tyda says. More than 100 types of tequila will be available during this Saturdayonly tent, where guests can purchase 10 tastes for $20. Arizona’s top mixologists will take part in Sunday’s Margarita Expo, now in its second year. Like with the Tequila Expo, guests will be able to purchase 10 tastings for just $20. “Visitors to this tent will vote on their favorite margaritas throughout the day, with one mixologist winning the most coveted of prizes—a year membership for prime steak delivery,” Tyda says. For an elevated festival experience, VIP tickets are available for $100 each day and include the main event fun plus five adult beverages, one water or soda, and 10 tacos. Guests also have access to a VIP tent with shaded seating and private bathrooms. Kids 12 and younger are admitted free so they can enjoy several attractions, like bungee trampoline, mechanical bull, hamster balls, orbitron, slides and bounce houses. Kids also have access to lemonade stands, ice cream vendors and shaved ice carts. Some activities are an additional cost.

Arizona Taco Festival

Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, 7555 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, aztacofestival. com, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, October 14, and Sunday, October 15, $12-$100.

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Beer Over Here

Drink up at any of these Valley beer events this month Christina Fuoco-Karasinski » The Entertainer!

Ales on Rails

OCTOBER 5 TO OCTOBER 29 Held Thursdays to Sundays in October, Ales on Rails gives passengers the chance to salute autumn with a Verde Canyon Railroad glass full of beer. This is the ideal vantage point to take in the fresh air and vibrant foliage during this four-hour excursion near the remote Sycamore Wilderness, accessible only by rail. Optional meal includes German sausage sauerkraut, potato salad, pretzels and strudel.

Verde Canyon Railroad, 300 N. Broadway, Clarkdale, 800.582.7245, verdecanyonrr. com, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., train fare, $10 additional for logo beer glass, $11 extra for lunch.

AZ Battle of the Brews

OCTOBER 7 Held in Historic Downtown Glendale, Arizona Battle of the Brews brings together craft beer, music, food and games. It features a home-brewing competition, judged by patrons, with firefighters and police officers from around the state, with the winner getting a trophy and title of Arizona’s Best Public Service Home-Brewed Beer.

Historic Downtown Glendale, 58th Avenue and Glenn, glendalefirefighterscharities. com, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., $25-$100.

Tour de Fat

OCTOBER 7 Tour de Fat is a celebration

of bicycles and cycling that is sponsored by New Belgium and features entertainment by Michael Franti and Spearhead, bicycle contests and beer.

Tempe Beach Park, 80 W. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe, newbelgium.com, 3 to 9 p.m., $25, free for kids 12 and younger.

music, car show and a kids’ zone.

Historic Downtown Florence Street, Casa Grande, 520.836.8744, cgmainstreet. org, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., call for charge.

Wheeler Park, 928.606.7600, flagstaffoktoberfest.com, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., $7.

Scottsdale Bacon and Beer Classic

OCTOBER 7 Visit the San Francisco Giants’ spring training stadium while sampling more than 50 craft beers and over 25 bacon dishes at this event. There will be lots to do; prove your love for bacon at the baconeating contest or hang out and play corn hole or giant Jenga with some friends.

Scottsdale Stadium, 7408 E. Osborn Road, Scottsdale, bit. ly/2wEXtkU, $49-$79.

Casa Grande Oktoberfest

OCTOBER 13 This Casa Grande Main Streetsponsored event offers authentic German-style food and beverages,

BRATS! BEER! LIVE MUSIC!

OCTOBER 21 Meet droves of the best of the West brewers and taste their craft beers in this annual festival. The same day as Bisbee 1000 The Great Stair Climb, the festival can be enjoyed by athletes and beer enthusiasts.

Copper Queen Convention Center, 2 Copper Queen Plaza, Bisbee, 520.266.0401, 1 to 6 p.m., call for ticket price.

Flagstaff Oktoberfest

OCTOBER 7 The day is packed with music, food and beer. Ticketholders can also participate in costume, yodeling, Findlay’s Stuff the Bug, Arizona Snowbowl’s frozen T-shirt and Satchmo’s barbecue brat-eating contests. The event benefits Feeding Northern Arizona’s Future.

Bisbee 1000 Craft Beer Festival

Goodyear Oktoberfest Four Peaks Oktoberfest

OCTOBER 13 TO OCTOBER 15 Drink up and eat up at this festival that serves German-style fare as well as lobster mac and cheese and street tacos. Music provides the soundtrack to Four Peaks Oktoberfest, which also includes a Kinderfest for family fun. In 2017 Tempe Sister Cities marks the 45th anniversary of its Oktoberfest celebration in Tempe. Oktoberfest is a benefit for Tempe Sister Cities, which sends Tempe high school students to cities worldwide. Funds raised also help bring more than 36 high school students and teachers from international cities to Tempe for five weeks each year.

OCTOBER 28 In a new location for 2017, Goodyear Oktoberfest will be much larger than last year. The event will feature all-you-can-eat Bavarian food, an Oktoberfest beer mug and even a German Oktoberfest band from Munich.

Phoenix Goodyear Airport, 1658 S. Litchfield Road, Goodyear, oktoberfestgoodyear.com, 5 p.m. to midnight, $65.

Grape Arizona Wine Event

OCTOBER 29 Besides the more than 10 participating local wineries, there is beer involved. The three Arizona breweries who will be serving suds are Mesquite River Brewing, Mother Bunch Brewing and Wren House Brewing Company. The event is sponsored by Phoenix Rotary 100 Charities.

Heritage Square, 113 N. Sixth Street, Phoenix, grapearizonawineevent.com, 1 to 5 p.m., $30-$75.

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BeerFinder DIRECTORY Where to find the best craft beer bars in town

Craft 64

6922 E. Main Street, Scottsdale Craft 64 is proud to offer 36 local Arizona beers on tap in the heart of Scottsdale. Arizona beers only!

Mellow Mushroom Pizza

2490 W. Happy Valley Road, 5350 E. High Street, 740 S. Mill Avenue Locations throughout the Valley Incredible Pizza and amazing beer make Mellow the place to go for a craft beer experience.

Papago Brewing Company

Boulders on Broadway

530 W. Broadway Road, Tempe Boulders has the appeal of a neighborhood bar with a beer list that’ll make your eyes pop.

Hungry Monk

1760 W. Chandler Boulevard, Chandler Whether you want great wings or great beer, Hungry Monk’s selection is tough to beat.

Harvey American Public House

1524 E. Williamsfield Road, Gilbert First class food and first class beer, all set away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Goldwater Brewing Co.

3608 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale This new brewery is already making waves with their desert inspired brews--and names. Check out their Scotch’Dale Scottish style ale.

1470 E. Southern Avenue, Tempe A comfortable bike-themed grill with 24 draft handles and food made from scratch.

Culinary Dropout

5640 N. Seventh Street, 7135 E. Camelback Road Locations in Phoenix and Scottsdale Located at The Yard, Culinary Dropout has everything you look for in a great restaurant experience, especially great beer.

8608 E. Shea Boulevard, Scottsdale Quality craft beer made right here in Scottsdale. Happy hour from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday with $1 off all Scottsdale Beer Company beers, well drinks, wines by the glass and all small bites and starters!

14 E. Pierce Street Phoenix The Phoenix Public Market Café is a casual urban hangout offering breakfast, lunch, dinner and great beer.

Main Ingredient Ale House

Garage Wine and Tap

2337 N. Seventh Street Phoenix A charming old home is the location for this Coronado neighborhood hangout spot.

1534 E. Bethany Home Road, Phoenix With a small selection of great beers and a reputation for outstanding food, Garage should be on your list.

2000 E. Rio Salado Parkway Tempe Plenty of great taps and plenty of room to hang out, let someone else do the shopping at Tempe Marketplace.

Pig & Pickle

2922 N. Hayden Road Scottsdale A restaurant that focuses on balance and quality, Pig & Pickle doesn’t skimp when it comes to their craft beer selection, either.

House of Brews Sports Bar

Copper Blues/Stand Up Live

825 S. Cooper Road Gilbert Is it a sports bar or a craft beer bar? It’s both!

50 W. Jefferson Street, Phoenix Have a beer and a meal at Copper Blues before the stand-up show. You won’t even worry if it’s sold out.

The PERCH Pub & Brewery

Brat Haus

232 S. Wall Street, Chandler Located in historic Downtown Chandler, this brewery and pub not only has delicious craft brews, but is also home to a collection of beautiful, brightly colored rescue birds!

3622 N. Scottsdale Road Scottsdale The name says it all--brats, pretzels, Belgian fries and plenty of craft “bier” to make everyone happy.

Cold Beer and Cheeseburgers 4222 N. Scottsdale Road, 20831 N. Scottsdale Road Scottsdale Do we need to say more? The name spells out everything you need to know.

TapHouse Kitchen

Hilton Village, 6137 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 108, Scottsdale Taphouse kitchen has 20 handles of the most sought after craft beers, mostly local brew and 2 THK selection rotating handles that change with the season and taste of what we are craving at the time.

Ground Control

Fox Cigar Bar

1464 E. Williams Field Road Gilbert Cigar fans, this should be your stop for cigars and great craft beer. Enjoy a walk in the humidor, the dark wood bar and a patio that is perfect for a cigar and a beer.

Spokes on Southern

Phoenix Public Market Café

4420 N. Saddlebag Trail Scottsdale Dierks Bentley has been known to kick back with a craft beer or two, and so can you at his digs.

Thirsty Lion

7107 E. McDowell Road, Scottsdale The granddaddy of Arizona beer bars, there is something for every beer lover at Papago.

Scottsdale Beer Company

Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row

Philly’s Sports Grill

1826 N. Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, 1402 S. Priest Dr., Tempe, 4855 E. Warner Rd., Phoenix Over 20 beers on draft, 15 craft beers on tap plus more selection in cans/bottles. Happy Hour: 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Daily and Reverse 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. Sun-Thurs (excludes UFC, Boxing, ASU events).

4860 N. Litchfield Road Litchfield Park Fresh roasted coffee and an ever-changing selection of good beer, including a fantastic import selection, make this one of the top spots in the West Valley.

1033 N. Dobson Road, Suite 104 Mesa Over 60 Taps of great craft beers and over 300 total craft beers from around the globe available! Casually upscale atmosphere, open-air patio that is cigar-friendly, nice menu, daily specials and knowledgeable staff. What more could you ask for!

Flanny’s Bar and Grill

1805 E. Elliot Road Tempe Home of the Third Thursday Tap Takevoer. The rest of the month is pretty good, too.

BRATS! BEER! LIVE MUSIC!

Uncle Bear’s Brewery

4921 E. Ray Road, Phoenix Stop by to enjoy some local craft beer including Uncle Bear’s and other guest taps as well as delicious bites and a great happy hour!

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GREAT BEER PAIRINGS: BEER

SOCIAL TAP EATERY Christina Fuoco-Karasinski » The Entertainer!

Brewery: SanTan Brewing Company in Chandler Style: Hefeweizen Name: SanTan Arizona Wheat Hefeweizen This Southwestern-style Hefeweizen offers notes of fresh citrus, lemon peel, banana and clove with the perfect balance of fruitiness and a crisp after taste that leaves you wanting more.

“At Social Tap Eatery, our cuisine culture is built on pairing high-quality food with local craft beer. Here, you’ll find a variety of rotating craft beers, even some styles of our own, that pair well with just about every item that we have on the menu. We are the contemporary neighborhood eatery and high-end sports bar, that continually provides the same level of service, food and beverage expectations and there is nothing that we enjoy more than uniting with likeminded brands that offer the same quality product.” -Steve McDonald, owner of Social Tap

DISH

PHOTO BY KIMBERLY CARRILLO

Dish: Cajun Shrimp Penne Hearty, savory and seafood-inspired at the same time, this dish is comprised of sautéed shrimp, grilled fajita peppers and a Cajun vodka cream sauce that gives off just the perfect amount of heat topped with fresh parmesan and basil. This dish is a Social Tap San Diego classic that made its way to the Arizona desert with the same integrity of the original seaside dish.

Social Tap Eatery

4312 N. Brown Avenue, Scottsdale, 602.432.6719, socialtapscottsdale.com.

lingandlouies.com

Enjoy unique specials with BOLD new flavors all October long! SCOTTSDALE 9397 E. Shea Blvd. #125 Scottsdale, AZ 85260 480.767.5464

WILD HORSE PASS 5040 Wild Horse Pass Blvd. Phoenix, AZ 85048 520.796.7281

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A TASTE OF

GERMANY

Four Peaks Oktoberfest returns to Tempe Town Lake

Connor Dziawura » The Entertainer!

eer, brats, Bavaria. Throw in some good music, quality family time and all-ages fun, and that’s what Oktoberfest is all about. Tempe Sister Cities and Four Peaks are reuniting to bring the Four Peaks Oktoberfest to Tempe Town Lake from Friday, October 13, to Sunday, October 15. The three-day Bavarian-style festival features beer gardens, traditional German foods, carnival activities and four stages of music. The 45th festival, which is in its fifth year with the Four Peaks title sponsorship, kicks off with a happy hour from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday that provides $1 off every beverage in the beer and wine service areas as well as $1 off main menu items at bratwurst tents. “We have been blessed with bringing forth the open beer garden format,” says Bobbi Jones, the event’s co-chairwoman. “Because we have a multigenerational audience and over the WWW.ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

years we’ve proven to be a very family-friendly atmosphere, we are no longer restricted to fencing off beer gardens.” The festival will also hold beer and Barefoot Wine tasting events throughout the weekend, with a Peach Ale Brunch scheduled at the Four Peaks Beer Garden Stage’s East Lawn from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday. On the menu are Four Peaks Peach Ale, Barefoot Wine Brut Cuvée Dry Champagne, Barefoot Wine Peach & Berry Bubbly, among other alcoholic beverages and the newly introduced Brat Burrito. “You can enjoy your beer throughout the park, whether you’re in the Kinderfest watching your grandkids or your kids enjoy some of the arts and crafts or you’re over in front of one of the stages,” Jones continues. “You’ll be able to walk leisurely through the park and enjoy all aspects with or without alcoholic beverages; it’s your choice.” But how can you have a beer without a brat to go with it? Well, the festival has guests covered with five bratwurst service tents, which will sell Johnsonville Sheboygan brats,

Regensburg brat plates and chicken apple sausage brats. Maybe brats aren’t your thing. In that case, the festival will also have hot dogs, sauerkraut, potato salad and hot pretzels. Although much of this food honors the German roots of Oktoberfest, traditional carnival treats such as corn dogs, turkey legs, funnel cakes and roasted corn, as well as Island Noodles will be available. “Although we want to focus on our German heritage and food items, anyone, including gluten-free diets, can find a plethora of choices,” Jones says. But it wouldn’t be Oktoberfest without music. Four stages—the Four Peaks Lakefront Stage, the Four Peaks East Lawn, the new Central Park Stage and the Spaten Polka Stage—will feature artists like the Wes Williams Band, Tridon, Fayuca, The Black Moods, The Bouncing Czechs, Fairy Bones, Mogollon and Banana Gun. “We’re so happy to provide four stages of entertainment, which allows us to do different programming,” she says. “At any one time, any person – cross-generational – should be able to

find some music of their liking.” With classic rock, fledgling artists and polka divided among three of the four stages, the fourth – Central Park Stage – will feature karaoke on Friday night and a Battle of the Bands contest on Saturday. While entry to the seasonal festival is free, sponsor Brown’s Amusements will bring adult and children’s carnival attractions. All-day passes to those activities are $33, which also includes a beverage and brat or other menu items. Children can enjoy Kinderfest throughout the weekend. Also on the docket are the Spaten 4v4 Soccer Tournament on Friday and Saturday, and Arizona Adopt a Greyhound’s Dachshund races on Sunday. Still, Oktoberfest is festive. “Every year we seem to evoke more and more characters that are in the German traditional dress,” Jones says. “All our international guests that come from all over the world are in their particular traditional dress, especially our sister city, Regensburg. We encourage it, we really like it when people start wearing their German fit…I have three dirndls myself I pull out of the closet every year.” But while this event brings the heart and soul of Germany to Tempe Town Lake, the festival is debuting a new concept this year: Superhero Sunday. Inspired by Comic Cons and events at other festivals, Four Peaks Oktoberfest wants to inject more family-friendly ideas into the popular festival. “We expect a lot of great superhero costumes as well as some variations of Comic Cons and we’re just going to make a big parade out of it and have a really good time on Sunday,” Jones says. “We’re hoping that everybody comes down for Superhero Sunday and enjoys the park. It’s so much fun.” Tempe Sister Cities, which is primarily volunteer-based, uses the event to raise funds for its program that sends high school seniors on 10-week international summer trips. Tempe’s Oktoberfest has been a success, and Jones expects it to continue. “Every year it’s just exciting,” Jones says. “It’s one of the things I think is the backbone of this successful event, and when it comes together I’m always impressed. The volunteers in our community come together and do a professional job in areas they otherwise would not have expertise. Our community is amazing in how many volunteers come out and give their blood, sweat and tears to make this festival happen.”

Four Peaks Oktoberfest

Tempe Town Lake, 80 W. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe, 480.415.2362, fourpeaksoktoberfest.com, various times, Friday, October 13, to Sunday, October 15, free admission.

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2017

PILSNER: THE HEIR

APPARENT TO IPA? Dave Clark » The Entertainer!

alling pilsner an heir apparent to any style seems like a misnomer. Pilsner, or at least a loose representation of what the style used to represent, makes up more than 90 percent of the beer consumed worldwide. However, when focusing strictly on craft beer, it’s been all about IPA for almost two decades, with no hint of a decline. Pilsner, though, may eventually dethrone the mighty IPA as craft’s most popular style.

WHAT IS PILSNER? This light, crisp, subtly hop-forward beverage is an easy-drinking beer checking in around 5 percent ABV, typically featuring hops of the German or Czech growing regions. Supported by very light bready malt and a moderately high carbonation, the beer is light in body and wonderfully palate cleansing. Pilsners are meant show off their brilliant clarity, lasting head and beautiful yellow-gold color. The hop aroma will be delivered straight to the drinker’s senses when a pilsner is enjoyed in a proper tall, thin glass. It’s best to serve pilsner at 38 degrees Fahrenheit.

Pilsner pairs wonderfully with fish, chicken and anything fried. Though a fantastic summer option, a pilsner can and should be enjoyed anytime. Like good music, pilsner is timeless and is always appropriate. Locally, enjoy pilsners at Helton Brewing at 2144 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix, 602.730.2739; or Huss Brewing Company at 1520 W. Mineral Road, Tempe, 480.264.7611.

IN THE BEGINNING The term “pilsner” originates from the city in which it was created, Plzen in the former Czechoslovakia. The beer was named “pilsener” and soon adopted the moniker “pilsner urquell,” the second word meaning “the original source” in German. Czechs commissioned Bavarian brewer Josef Groll to head brewing operations at the community brewery. He then used the very light malts of Bohemia’s Moravian region to craft this remarkable new beverage. Upon its introduction on October 5, 1842, this new style of beer made an impact. It was a departure, as it was light colored, brilliantly clear and extremely refreshing. Floral, spicy hops and fresh-baked bread malt flavors perfectly intermingled. Word traveled

quickly and brewers worldwide scrambled to try to replicate this revolutionary beverage. Subtle nuances emerged based on the regions from which they originated, but pilsner quickly established itself as the world’s most popular beer.

PILSNER THE AMERICAN WAY Around the turn of the 19th century, a vast immigration of Germans changed America’s beer landscape. Germans began brewing pilsner in the new world, adapting to their new surroundings by augmenting their recipes with American ingredients such as corn and rice. These immigrant brewers learned quickly that adjunct grains could produce fermentables very consistently, and they could do so at a much lower cost. All barley recipes were augmented with a percentage of rice or corn. As Americans’ tastes changed, so did pilsners, especially in the 1970s and 1980s, with the boom of the light beer era. The beers continued to get lighter and lighter -- based mainly on marketing messages such as “tastes great, less filling” -- until these beers were shadows of a true pilsner. Marketing machines still used the term and successfully confused the American buying public, a confusion that remains in mainstream

BEER GEAR

Biersafe Christina Fuoco-Karasinski » The Entertainer!

God forbid there be an apocalypse, but if there is one, we must protect our beer. Nevermind family heirlooms or electronic devices. Meet Biersafe, a literal bunker for up to 16 bottles of beer. Not only will it be safe, it’ll remain cold. This is how it works: Beer hounders stash their libations in a thick plastic tube, which slides into an underground hole. Don’t want to dig up your garden? Check out Balcony Biersafe, which hides eight bottles in a side table. It doesn’t keep it cool, though, especially in the Sonoran Desert. We were told it’s only available in a few European countries, but leave it to The Entertainer! Magazine to find a way to purchase it: visit dudeiwantthat.com, where it retails for $78 to $130. Read German, or are you adept at Google Translate? Visit https://www.biersafe.de/.

America to this day. With the style rejuvenated through the work of fine craft brewers across America, pilsner is enjoying its second wind. In 2015, pilsner grew more than any other category of craft beer except for the fruit and spice beer category. Total sales of craft pilsner grew 117 percent by dollars and 120 percent by volume, according to the Brewers Association. When a category doubles volume in just one year, it’s a category to be reckoned with.

COMMERCIAL EXAMPLES Pilsner urquell kick-starts any conversation about commercial examples. Brewers in Germany continue to brew pilsners the way it was done centuries ago, and Jever Pils and Warsteiner are fine examples. In America, craft pilsner expands rapidly. Sierra Nevada’s Nooner, North Coast’s Scrimshaw and Victory’s Prima Pils are great examples of American pilsners. Austrian brewery Trumer opened a second brewery in Berkeley, California, to capitalize on the growing popularity in America. Firestone Walker’s Pivo Pils, the reigning three-time gold medal winner at The Great American Beer Festival, may be the best example of a true Germanstyle pilsner made on American soil. With its floral bouquet, subtle bready malt and pleasant-but-robust hop bitterness, Pivo sets the standards for American pilsners. Dave Clark is a Certified Cicerone, nationally ranked Beer Judge Certification Program judge and former professional brewer who lives in Gilbert.

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CASINO ENTERTAINMENT

CALENDAR

Megan Marples » The Entertainer!

OCTOBER 8

OCTOBER 6

Million Dollar Quartet: The Musical

Fan Halen - A Tribute to the music of Van Halen

Casino Arizona, casinoarizona.com

Theresa Caputo

Desert Diamond Casino at Sahuarita, ddcaz.com

Western Fusion

Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, harrahsakchin.com

Jim Norton

Talking Stick Resort, talkingstickresort.com

OCTOBER 7 Theresa Caputo

Desert Diamond Casino at Sahuarita, ddcaz.com

Western Fusion

Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, harrahsakchin.com

Marshall Tucker Band Talking Stick Resort, talkingstickresort.com

Wild Horse Pass Hotel and Casino, wingilariver.com

OCTOBER 10 Gary Puckett

Desert Diamond Casino at Sahuarita, ddcaz.com

OCTOBER 13 Dog ’n’ Butterfly: Tribute to Heart

Casino Arizona, casinoarizona.com

Soundwave

Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, harrahsakchin.com

OCTOBER 14 Dog ’n’ Butterfly: Tribute to Heart

Casino Arizona, casinoarizona.com

Soundwave

Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, harrahsakchin.com

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America

Talking Stick Resort, talkingstickresort.com

OCTOBER 15 What a Night: Jersey Boys Meet Mamma Mia

Wild Horse Pass Hotel and Casino, wingilariver.com

OCTOBER 20 Ramon Ayala

Wild Horse Pass Hotel and Casino, wingilariver.com

Thaddeus Rose

Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, harrahsakchin.com

OCTOBER 21 Oktoberfest

AVA Amphitheater at Casino del Sol, casinodelsol.com

St8up

OCTOBER 28 Masters of Puppets

Casino Arizona, casinoarizona.com

Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias

AVA Amphitheater at Casino del Sol, casinodelsol.com

Hollywood’s Greatest Game Shows Hosted Bob Eubanks

Wild Horse Pass Hotel and Casino, wingilariver.com

Johnny City

Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, harrahsakchin.com

Raven’s 12th Annual Halloween Bash Talking Stick Resort, talkingstickresort.com

OCTOBER 29 Toby Keith

AVA Amphitheater at Casino del Sol, casinodelsol.com

Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, harrahsakchin.com

OCTOBER 31

OCTOBER 27

Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, harrahsakchin.com

Masters of Puppets

Young Country Trip

Casino Arizona, casinoarizona.com

Dina Preston Band

Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, harrahsakchin.com

9/20/17 5:33 PM

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2017

THE HIGHROLLER

PLAY » SPIN » LAUGH » GROOVE » UNWIND » WIN

‘WHEN YOU REST,

YOU RUST

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Bob Eubanks keeps the ‘greatest games’ alive Christina Fuoco-Karasinski » The Entertainer!

ob Eubanks has been involved with rodeos, producing concerts and motivational speaking. But what he loves most is bringing the 90-minute Hollywood’s Greatest Game Shows to fans. The interactive fun comes to Wild Horse Pass Hotel and Casino’s Ovations Live Showroom on Saturday, October 28. “I have so much fun,” says Eubanks, the longtime host of The Newlywed Game. “It’s myself and two ladies on stage. It’s a very high-tech show. We use videos, and the scoring for The Not-SoNewlywed Game is up on a screen. “It’s not just thrown together. There’s lots of music and lots of fun. I have more fun than anybody, I think.” Hollywood’s Greatest Game Shows brings more than 40 audience members to the stage to play games similar to Let’s Make a Deal, Card Sharks, Minute to Win It, Name that Tune and Family Feud. Fans will have a shot to win $1 million. “The show features nine different games,” he says. “It’s 90 minutes of hilarity. We use 42 contestants on stage. Nobody is chosen ahead of time, so everybody has an equal chance to be up there. “At the end, someone will have the chance to win $1 million. We pray to God that they win it. We would love to have someone win it. I’ve had so many people tell me, ‘I didn’t make it on the stage, but I’ve had more fun than I’ve had in a long time.’” Eubanks is synonymous with game shows. He says he isn’t the one who makes the programs successful. “To me, a successful game show host is somebody who takes yourself

out of the equation,” he says. “When I started The Newlywed Game, I would sit in the dressing room with four couples ready to bare their soul for a toaster. “I would say, ‘OK you guys, we’re going to go out there and have fun.’ I had nothing. I would sit with those couples before the show and ask them questions about their lives and their marriage. I was just a conduit between the audience and the couples.” He adds that many hosts, and especially comedians, have a rough time when constants are funnier than them. Eubanks can make people talk, and that defines a successful game show host.

MULTITALENTED Born in Flint, Michigan, and raised in California, Eubanks is a bit of a renaissance man. He participated in rodeos, where he met his good friend, Valley automobile dealership mogul Tex Earnhardt. “Tex Earnhardt is a very good friend of mine,” he says. “That’s no bull.” During most of the 1960s, he produced concerts, including Merle Haggard at the Arizona State Fair; Glen Campbell when “By the Time I Get to Phoenix” was No. 1. He worked with the 1960s shows by The Beatles in Los Angeles. In honor of the 50th anniversary of the Fab Four’s North American tour, he tours with Bob Eubanks Presents The Beatles, through which he shares memorabilia and memories. “The only other concert promoter in Los Angeles turned them down,” he says. “He was used to paying $10,000 for Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald. The Beatles wanted $25,000. He said, ‘No way.’ I stepped forward, borrowed it on my house and presented The

Beatles shows at the Hollywood Bowl in 1964 and 1965, and the 1966 show at Dodger Stadium.” Besides bringing Hollywood’s Greatest Game Shows to fans, he works as a motivational speaker. Eubanks focuses on enhancing people skills, team building, relationships, ethnic diversity and the use of humor as a communication skill. “I do a speech called It’s All About People,” Eubanks says. “It’s a very funny one-hour talk. I play outtakes of The Newlywed Game to make my point.” He says he feels that Hollywood’s Greatest Game Shows is one of his greatest accomplishments. And he has no qualms about continuing to work. “A friend of mine said, ‘If you rest, you rust,’” he recalls. “What I do is about as far away from work as you can possibly be and still earn a living. It’s just so much fun. “With Hollywood’s Greatest Game Shows, I get into town, the couples have a great time. Everybody on stage wins a prize. I’m rooting for them all the way. I would love for someone to win the $1 million. The odds are a heck of a lot better than the lottery. With the show, when you have different contestants. You have a different show every time. That’s what makes it fun.”

Hollywood’s Greatest Game Shows, hosted by Bob Eubanks

Wild Horse Pass Hotel and Casino’s Ovations Live Showroom, 5040 Wild Horse Pass Boulevard, Chandler, 1.800.946.4452, wingilariver. com, 8 p.m. Saturday, October 28, $30-$55. WWW.ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

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