The Red Death at Palazzo

But if you’re looking for a suitable nightcap after watching The Twilight Saga: New Moon for the umpteenth time, soar on over to Palazzo in downtown Phoenix later tonight where bartender Belle Alvarez will be happy to prepare The Red Death for you and the rest of the clan during…

Behind the Bar: Belle Alvarez at Palazzo

Belle Alvarez admits she doesn’t believe in vampires, period. It doesn’t matter if they’re the vintage bloodsuckers you read about in Bram Stoker’s tomes or the more sparkly sanguinators that will be flying across silver screens this weekend in The Twilight Saga: New Moon. According to the 28-year-old, they just don’t…

Axis/Radius 12-Year Anniversary

With all the Scottsdale nightspots that have closed for business in the previous 12 months (SIX, Pink Taco, Mickey’s, etc.), it’s kinda unique to pimp a place that’s managed to survive the triple threat of economic upheaval, tougher DUI laws, and the ever-fickle whims of clubgoers and scenesters. The folks…

23 West Schedules January 1 Grand Opening

Rodney Hu’s much anticipated all-ages joint 23 West, which is located next door to the Yucca Tap Room, has scheduled a grand opening celebration on Friday, January 1. According to the Web site for Valley concert promoter Mantooth Grooup, who are partnering with Hu to run the venue, Chicago hardcore…

Groove Candy Returns For One Night Only on November 25

If you’re one of those cats who’ve been Groove Candy since the hip-hop night went the way of Jam-Master Jay back in September, Karlie Hustle is gonna give y’all another lick. The Power 98.3 personality is reviving the event for one night only on Wednesday, November 25, in honor of…

Phoenix Annual Parade of the Arts In Pictures

The ultra-eclectic Fifth Street in downtown Phoenix got even more coloful than usual as a flock of funky types gathered for freaktastic fete of epic proportions this past weekend.. First Friday? Nah, that ain’t for another couple weeks. It was the Phoenix Annual Parade of the Arts, a pulchitrudinous procession…

DJ Dossier: Jared Alan

It’s shaping up to be a big weekend for Jared Alan. Mere hours from now, the 29-year-old DJ/producer/scenester/ fashion plate/eagle scout will be staging the “official” re-launch of his long-absent fauxShow Friday Nights gig at Sanctum. Less then 24 hours later, he’ll then welcome NYC disco-punk superstars of The Juan…

fauxShow

Many a fashionable tear was shed when bygone hotspot Glam died a premature death in June 2008 and, thus, brought an end to Jared Alan’s explosively popular fauxShow Friday Night. Since that dark day, the hunky hipster DJ started a new joint (Cheap Thrills) but continued to search for a…

Crooked Cucumber From AZ/88

In addition to the maître d’ or hostess, barkeeps are the cats who occasionally provide patrons with their first tastes of a particular establishment, like Old Town Scottsdale eatery AZ 88, where Hyatt pours it strong Monday through Friday during the daytime. “You’re generally the first person people see when…

DJ Dossier: Smite

AKA: DJ Smite Current club night(s): Every first and third Friday I DJ at Rose & Crown in downtown Phoenix. It’s free and you won’t get anything like it anywhere else. Preferred genre(s): All types of heavy Latin funky shit. Afro-Colombian funk, cumbia, salsa dura, psych, funk, soul, disco, post-punk,…

Behind the Bar: Jamil Hyatt at AZ 88

As a former MC for mostly-defunct Valley hip-hop ensemble Antedote, the gifted lyricist (who went by the moniker Many Pieces) was renowned for his silver-tongued flows and fly rapping ability. These days, however, the 33-year-old has been impressing patrons aplenty at the Old Town eatery and martini bar with his…

Harlot

Just because he’s no longer putting on Shake!, hipster king William Fucking Reed is not about to spend his weekend fucking nights sipping Chablis in his swank bachelor pad. Nope, the 32-year-old is gonna be busier than ever, as he’s not only joining forces with Jared Alan and Sean Watson…

Party

MY SCOTTSDALE: Nicole Danis Nicole Danis knows Scottsdale like the back of her manicured hand. It’s a necessity in her line of work as head concierge for the Mondrian Scottsdale. If she’s with gal pals, the night starts at such Scottsdale Waterfront spots as Upstairs at Estate House. “Their drinks…

Electronic Dreams

Three different bands, three disparate takes on how to mix electronica into their eccletic sound palattes. Indiana two-piece Totally Michael blends electro with indie pop sound in such upbeat hits as “Casual Satisfaction” and “Winona.” Meanwhile, Texas trio Best Fwends adds in keyboard and drum-machine weirdness to their gutteral punk…