As one might at a geek event of its magnitude, Phoenix Comicon Fan Fest 2015 was filled with cosplayers of all different shapes and sizes. All the usual suspects were there, of course, including a gaggle of Deadpools, a slew of Solid Snakes, and multiple members of both the Justice…
Thousands of streets crisscross metro Phoenix, and every one has a name. Some are self-explanatory or location-oriented (Central Avenue, Baseline Road), while others honor historical figures both locally and nationally (Washington Street, Winfield Scott Plaza, Thomas Road) or are tied to various landmarks (Camelback Road, Bethany Home Road, Indian School…
Scott Weiland, one of the most iconic voices in ’90s rock, was found unresponsive on his tour bus tonight just prior to his band, the Wildabouts, playing a concert in Minnesota. He was later confirmed dead. He was 48. Dave Navarro of Jane’s Addiction first broke the news on Twitter,…
Matt Solberg admits that the inaugural Phoenix Comicon Fan Fest last December was a bit of a gamble. It’s quite understandable, considering the circumstances of the event. “The whole thing was kind of a risk,” Solberg says. “And we had doubts last year whether or not it was actually going…
Booking special guests for a big geek convention often takes a lot of time, effort, patience, and persistence. Just ask Brandy Kuschel, who spends most of the year wrangling all manner of famed actors, artists, and geek icons for both Phoenix Comicon in the spring and its spinoff wintertime event,…
One of the Valley’s most iconic country bars is now a pile of smoldering rubble and debris after being destroyed by devastating fire. The Buffalo Chip Saloon in Cave Creek burned to the ground earlier today after a massive fire swept through the rustic cowboy joint and dance hall this…
Bar SmithScore specials like 50-cent AMFs, well drinks, and Coronas up until midnight or go all out with $100 bottle service specials at Bar Smith on Thursday night during its “Work that Turk” party. Hours are 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Call 602-456-1991. Bikini Lounge One of the Bikini’s many…
The latest edition of the Global Dance Festival Arizona this past weekend at Rawhide in Chandler certainly didn’t disappoint. The performances were definitely memorable — including fantastic sets by headliners like Deorro, RL Grime, Marsh, and Valley native Mija — as were the collection of ravers, ragers, and revelers who…
Long-running Scottsdale nightspot Dos Gringos has served up its last cerveza. The colorful Mexican-themed bar and cantina, which has been a mainstay of Old Town’s nightlife scene since the mid-‘90s, recently closed its doors after being sold to new owners. However, the place won’t stay closed for very long. According…
If you follow electronic dance music, no doubt you’re aware of the fact it’s invaded numerous other genres since exploding in popularity back in 2011, including the realms of rap, reggae, rock and pop. Perhaps its most curious crossover, however, has been its dalliances with the country scene the last…
Ready or not, the holidays are just over the horizon and everyone’s already busy making plans. That includes the members of local prankster group the Arizona Cacophony Society who have set a date for the 2015 edition of Santarchy, their biggest and most anticipated event of the year. Organizers of…
When it comes to the major drinking holidays of the year, Thanksgiving Eve ranks up there as one of the biggest. As a matter of fact, it’s widely considered to be second only to New Year’s Eve and Saint Patrick’s Day in term of its enormity. Groove Candy Pre-Thanksgiving Party…
Admittedly, Chris Hardwick doesn’t get much sleep. And given his many projects and responsibilities, you can’t blame him for that. According to the comedian, television personality, actor, writer, podcaster, geek icon, and co-founder of entertainment website Nerdist Industries, he only gets about five hours of sack time each night. Needless…
The Shout! House is playing a new tune these days. The popular piano bar and nightspot, situated on the upper level of the Westgate Entertainment District over in Glendale, recently completed at $50,000 renovation that not only jazzed up the look of the place but also allowed it to beef…
Old-school video gamers of the Valley, please rip yourself away from Super Mario Maker for a moment and listen up. We’ve got some good news for you: the organizers of ZapCon recently revealed the dates for next year’s edition of the popular local retro arcade and pinball convention. Earlier this…
As one might expect, costumes were literally everywhere to be seen across the Valley over Halloween weekend – and people adorned themselves in all manner of getups for the occasion. Some were stylish and sexy while others ran the gamut from downright silly to flat-out scary. And there was no…
If you’re the sort that wished Halloween would last longer than just one night, we’ve got some good news: While a host of parties in and around the Valley will happen on All Hallow’s Eve, there also will be a multitude of macabre events taking place during the days leading…
Urbane Manner A sinister sideshow spectacle awaits those who attend the Dead Carnival Block Party on Friday, October 30, at this Scottsdale spot, as does an enormous array of DJs, producers, and EDM artists that are scheduled to perform at the event. The lineup will include gigs by co-headliners Ookay,…
WWE superstar Dolph Ziggler is a man of many talents. Besides being one of the more gifted professional wrestlers currently on the WWE’s roster (and a two-time world heavyweight champion to boot), the 35-year-old is also a stand-up comedian and actor. The common trait with all of these pursuits is,…
Let’s face it: The zombie trend is probably never, ever going to die. In fact, it’s continuing to spread. The Walking Dead expanded into a second show, zombie costuming still sells like mad at stores, and Hollywood has numerous zombie flicks on the horizon (including Resident Evil: The Final Chapter,…
SPECIAL EVENTS Alwun House 1204 E. Roosevelt St. www.alwunhouse.org Thrills and chills await at Alwun House’s annual Monsters Ball, which will be occupied by creepy creatures and nightcrawlers aplenty. Performers on tap for this year’s event include Romantasy Cabaret, Opendance, Lady Purple, and others. Hors d’oeuvres, dancing, and other freaky…
The music and vocals of renowned R&B, soul, and jazz artists was supposed to fill the air this weekend at Rawhide in Chandler, courtesy of the annual Arizona Jazz Festival. Unfortunately, all there will be is silence as the three-day concert event was unceremoniously cancelled by its promoter. And a…
