There are five reasons why Fox’s Empire has become a breakout hit, and on this week’s Voice Film Club podcast, we run down why the show, introduced as a mid-season replacement, has surged to nearly 14 million viewers an episode by its eighth week…
“Loloma: Expressions in Metal, Ink and Clay” Charles Loloma was pretty much a badass in the jewelry world. While most expect Native jewelry to feature silver and turquoise, Loloma incorporated materials like pearls, ivory, and wood into award-winning designs and drew inspiration both from his own Hopi background and other…
On any given weeknight in Phoenix, at least one band covers Eric Clapton’s “Crossroads” (probably without giving ASCAP a dime). The song is a blues-rock masterpiece, adaptable to the widest range of skill levels, and well known and catchy enough to please even the most mainstream of tastes. Tuesday night…
Dreamgirls If you don’t know anything else about the Tony-winning musical Dreamgirls, you’ve probably heard that song “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going.” When you contemplate Desert Foothills Theatre’s production, however, which closes Sunday, March 1, you might want to change the soundtrack in your head to “Maybe…
There was an awkward moment between Fifty Shades of Grey star Dakota Johnson and her mom, Melanie Griffith, on the red carpet before the Oscars on Sunday. But the world got to see Johnson’s impressive talent for pretending uncomfortable situations don’t seem to bother her (see also: Fifty Shades of…
By Andy Thomas Cursive’s 2003 Album, The Ugly Organ, has been described as a masterpiece, a benchmark and a career jumping off point for an already highly touted band. The album contains elements of song-writing and musical mastery and sold more than 170,000 copies. But it can also be viewed…
Hope you enjoyed the wonderful weather this past weekend in the Valley. Here are our concert picks this weekend. Be sure to check out our comprehensive concert listings for more options…
Foxcatcher To remain unspoiled by the ending of Foxcatcher, avoid the real-life story of chemical fortune heir and fanatical athletics booster John du Pont and the wrestling Schultz brothers. Why fanatical? Well, if somebody has a doctorate in natural science from Villanova and founded the Delaware Museum of Natural History…
We are lucky in Phoenix to have some of the most creative, innovative and tasty out-of-the-box Mexican cuisine in the country. But sometimes you just want a bean and cheese burrito from your old standby. So here’s a list of nine of our favorite classic Mexican restaurants in metro Phoenix…
Kevin Costner eases white America into the now with McFarland, USA, we hear about the Berlin Film Festival’s highs (Queen of Earth) and lows (Knight of Cups), and dip into the lukewarm waters of a second Hot Tub Time Machine movie. Also, there’s much praise for teen comedy The DUFF…
It’s a good time to be a music fan in Phoenix with disposable income. Over the next few weeks things are going to get busy, what with a dozen or so festivals slated to hit the Valley in the next eight weeks. Call these next few weeks the calm before…
ASU Art Museum Spring 2015 Reception Worried your cultural ventures are so last season? Better mark your calendars for Arizona State University Art Museum’s Spring 2015 Season Opening Reception, where guests will have the opportunity to view new exhibitions including “Tan Ping: Follow My Line,” “Unfixed: New Painting,” “The Gift: Selections…
Yes, the man behind commercially ubiquitous songs like “Old Time Rock and Roll” and “Like a Rock” is coming to Phoenix this week. Bob Seger’s legacy includes 17 studio albums that have gone platinum 20 times, a co-writing credit on the Eagles hit “Heartache Tonight,” and countless, mind-boggling numbers of…
Dirty Dancing: The Classic Story on Stage You’re getting old. You can’t figure out why the title of Gammage’s next big touring show is Dirty Dancing: The Classic Story on Stage. Classic story? It only hit the screen in 1987. And this stage version was a white-hot comet of Catskills-coming-of-age…
By Ali Lerman You’re in your favorite bar, you’re feeling good while hanging out with your buddies, and some newbie walks up to the jukebox. The only thing that’s on your mind now is, this jackass better not play a douchey song. We’ve all been there and mood killing by…
Here at Up on the Sun, we spend a lot of time out in bars and venues watching live music and then lots more time thinking, discussing, and writing about it. We have writers focusing on every aspect of the Phoenix music scene, reacting to it, interacting with it, and…
Happy Valentine’s Day weekend. Here are seven shows, with varying degrees of hearts and chocolates, to enjoy this weekend…
Amazing Arizona Comic Con Comic book nerds, cosplayers, and casual fans unite: the Amazing Arizona Comic Con is back. Event goers can expect panels from Paranormal Investigation to a fan meet-up for AMC’s The Walking Dead. Creators and artists from Marvel, DC, and IDW Comics alongside Power Rangers actors from…
Fifty Shades of Grey is opening is nationwide, and in New York, Village Voice film editor Alan Scherstuhl connects via the magic of the Internet with LA Weekly film critic Amy Nicholson discuss the hotly anticipated movie starring Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson, adapted from the E. L. James novel…
Ricky Martin’s coming to town, playing Comerica Theatre on Saturday, September 26. The singer is promoting his 10th studio album, A Quien Quiera Escuchar, which came out Monday. Tickets go on sale Friday, February 20, at 10 a.m. at Live Nation’s website…
It’s Monday, and you’re probably ready for the weekend. We get it. Until you get there, here are our concert picks for this week’s school nights. For many more options, check out our comprehensive concert calendar…
Greater Phoenix Jewish Film Festival It may seem like nothing is happening in Phoenix now that the big game is over. But that’s just fercockt! Thirteen acclaimed, independent, and Jewish-themed movies will be shown at three Harkins Theatres around the Valley during the 19th Greater Phoenix Jewish Film Festival. So…
