Arizona is in the running to be the home of Tesla Motors’ “gigafactory,” a $4 to $5 billion lithium battery plant that would employ roughly 6,500 people. The high-end electric car company has narrowed down its list of potential locations for the plant to four states including Texas, Nevada, and…
For those short on cash but itching for excitement, we at Jackalope Ranch have put together our top three picks for free Valley entertainment this week. With upcoming carnivals, festivals, and nature excursions, this week’s events are too cheap to pass up…
Pencils up, downtown creatives. Phoenix Center for the Arts has just announced that it will launching its first ever la Phoenikera Writer’s Guild. The writing program, which will start during the Center’s 2014 summer trimester, will be a collaborative effort hosted by local writers and professional instructors. Before you begin…
Bikers, get ready to show off your skills on wheels. CycloMesa, formerly known as The Great Arizona Bicycle Festival, is returning to the East Valley Friday and Saturday, April 4 and 5. And, in addition to the racers, vendors, beer garden, and live music, the two-day festival has announced it’s…
Courting Disaster is Jackalope Ranch’s weekly column of dating horror stories, observations, how-tos, and more by Katie Johnson. Names of ex-boyfriends, past hookups, and bad blind dates have been changed to protect the guilty. Sorry, Beyoncé. But hardly any women just woke up like dis. And the ones who do…
Notorious sleep-walker, self-professed pizza lover, and New York-based funny man Mike Birbiglia is no stranger to Mesa Arts Center. The award-winning comic, best known for his embarrassment-fueled monologues, came to the venue two years ago for his show, “My Girlfriend’s Boyfriend.” He returns Friday, May 2, with new jokes and…
“Muck: Accumulations, Accretions and Aggregations” is one of ASU Art Museum’s latest exhibitions. It showcases more than 20 new and old works from contemporary ceramic sculpture artists Susan Beiner, Nathan Craven, Michael Fujita, David Hicks, Annabeth Rosen, Meghan Smythe, and Matt Wedel. In this show, technical form and captivating aesthetic…
Art and breakfast go together like jam and toast, which is why Scottsdale Public Arts is hosting a Breakfast Walking Tour for those who appreciate arts and culture as much as they do the most important meal of the day.The tour begins at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 1, with coffee…
Lights. Camera. Action. Founded in 2005, the Almost Famous Film Festival is an annual event that challenges writers, actors, filmmakers, and their crews to create an original short film in just 48 hours. From February 14 through February 16, 61 teams from Arizona, California, and other parts of the Southwest…
Do you have something you’d like to share with the rest of the class? How about the rest of the community? Ignite Phoenix is looking for innovators, thinkers, dreamers, and, most importantly, speakers to present at Ignite Phoenix No. 16, which is slated for Friday, May 2, at the Scottsdale…
Buffalo Exchange is turning 40 this year, and to celebrate its fittingly retro existence, the Tucson-based national chain is going on a cross-country promotional road trip in (what else?) a vintage Airstream trailer…
Tight on funds but looking for things to do? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. From bingo to lectures and downtown art exhibits, here is Jackalope Ranch’s roundup of weekly freebies…
Landing a house in an up-and-coming neighborhood doesn’t just give you bragging rights, it gives you a good investment. Sure, these areas may be a little patchier than most. But with a few years’ time and a little TLC, you’ll be the envy of gentrifiers and hipsters alike…
Attention all inventors, creators, Frankenstein makers, and mad scientists, a new event is coming to the East Valley to celebrate those who don’t just think out west, they think outside the box. In light of the DIY “maker” movement happening across the United States, the first-ever Southwest Maker Fest will…
When it comes to exploring Phoenix’s rich cultural history, we’ll admit that we’re visual learners. Which is why we’ve found yet another reason to attend the 26th Annual Art Detour’s Art D’Core Gala on Saturday, March 1. The creative kickoff party will be hosted by Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton, Downtown…
Courting Disaster is Jackalope Ranch’s weekly column of dating horror stories, observations, how-tos, and more by Katie Johnson. Names of ex-boyfriends, past hookups, and bad blind dates have been changed to protect the guilty. Love means never having to say, “Holy shit, you’re weird.” But secretly thinking it. There comes…
They’re at it again. The Phoenix-based non-profit for startup businesses, Seed Spot, has selected its third batch of ventures to undergo its coveted four-month incubation program and, tonight, it’s introducing the chosen applicants to the rest of the Phoenix community…
Time to breathe in and rock out as the national outdoor community event, Yoga Rocks the Park, returns for another four-week season. The outdoor yogi gathering will feature instructors Max and Lisa Cohen, Anton Mackey, Desiree Lapre, Mary Bruce, Will Glass, Alex Austin, Jenn Chiarelli, Rebecca Lammersen, and Tara Martell…
Crack a smile, because ASU’s Ceramics Studio Tour returns to the Valley for a 13th year. The tour, which is organized by the Artists Advisory Committee of the ASU Art Museum’s Ceramics Research Center, will showcase the work of more than 50 Phoenix area ceramics artists. Stops along the self-guided…
Second City alum and improviser extraordinaire Mike Lukas is gearing up for a nonstop weekend of laughs as the Outliars Comedy Club presents its first ever Stand-Up Comedy Festival. Lukas kicks off the event at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, February 20, inside The Speakeasy Comedy Lounge, 5101 North Scottsdale Road in…
In the midst of spring cleaning and home renovations, it helps to draw inspiration from something outside of a Home Depot. Fortunately, there’s the 27th Annual Coronado Home & Garden Tour plus Street Fair and Classic Car show…
It looks like this past weekend was less than stellar for Lawn Gnome Publishing. On Valentine’s Day, the store’s owner, Aaron Hopkins-Johnson, revealed some rather unfortunate news on his Facebook page: “The store was burglarized last night. Electronics, jewelry, window, the cash till and employees’ pay are gone. I feel…
