Cowboy art in most galleries: a man and his steed; a man and his steed resting by a stream; a man and his steed looking upon the prairie. Bo-ring. Cowboy art in the “Cow Poked” exhibit, which clowns that crap outta traditional Western art: a tub-of-lard cowboy kid riding away…

Calvin peeing on Ford. Calvin pissing on Chevy. Calvin urinates on anything that ain’t a Chrysler-owned brand during the HEMI Show and Shootout at Speedworld Raceway Park. The MOPAR-only event – MOPAR is short for MOtor PARts that encompass Dodge, Plymouth, Jeep, etc. – features a car show, a swap…

A few weeks ago, we lost our rodeo virginity out in Apache Junction. Because it was our first experience watching calf-roping, saddle-bronc riding, and steer-wrestling, we were confused when, before the event, an emcee led the crowd in a brief prayer “to make sure the animals wouldn’t get hurt …

We’ve penned quite a few pieces about the ASU-UA rivalry, with a serious bent toward the hometown Sun Devils. But we haven’t quite said what we’ve always wanted to say. Until now. Eff you, Tucson. There. We feel better. However, we won’t be satisfied until 1) the Old Pueblo sinks…

We can’t think of a better band to perform at Desert Botanical Garden than Try Me Bicycle. It’s a perfect marriage, really, as the alt/lounge group’s kickback vibe — showcasing Andrew Naylor’s peaceful lyrics and Jacob Koller’s chill-inducing piano chords — should meld well with the natural desert surroundings. It’s…

Now that we’re on the mend from that blasted flu virus, we can indulge in some normalcy. Instead of hitting the gym again or filing income taxes, we’re going to do something tastier: drink down some suds during the Great Arizona Beer Festival. Sat., March 8, 2-6 p.m.; Sun., March…

Don’t miss this three-part class led by artist and professor of art and art history at Paradise Valley Community College, Adria Pecora. The lecture series “gives an historical overview of the use of the body and performance in photography.” The three sessions, “Imaging the Body,” “Imaging Identity,” and “Imaging Reality”…

It’s hours after Art Detour. There can’t be a thing going on downtown because all the art crazies are passed out on their studio floors after the three-day binge of visual eye candy and culture. Right? Uh, wrong. The Downtown Chamber Series keeps the culture coming with some glorious ear…

We were watching drag racing on the tube the other night when a family member said that our favorite redneck facility, Manzanita Speedway, had been upgraded. “Perish the corporatization!” we thought, until we learned that Manzy had simply installed some new handrails. Whew. See the track in all its trashy…

Every time we log on to MySpace, we cringe. Not because of its inherent narcissism or the music promoter who posts the same bulletin 27 times in a row. We huff and sigh because the site is the epitome of piss-poor Web design. There’s the gal who uses glitter text…

If you’ve ever broken your leg while playing the Wii (and we know somebody who has), there’s a good chance you have a serious obsession with video games. Find out how these addictive (and apparently dangerous) time-wasters are made when local geeks present “Designing Video Games.” Thu., Feb. 28, 7…

We’re not sure how SITI Company’s going to match its first Valley performance, which took place in April 2007, but we’re confident that the troupe can and will during its Who Do You Think You Are? program. Last year, the ensemble-centric theater troupe – which is making Tempe its home…

The biggest surprise about the Valley Metro Bus and Maintenance Roadeo? It’s not that there’s an actual freaking competition for paratransit mechanics, but that the public event has been going on for 25 freaking years. Sun., Feb. 24, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., 2008…

When WWE wrasslin’ returns to Pho-town with WWE Presents Monday Night RAW, it brings along the sturdiest metal chairs and hardest head-splitting turnbuckles. Some of the sweat-glistened superstars scheduled to appear include Randy Orton, Shawn Michaels, Chris Jericho, and women’s top belt holder Beth Phoenix. Mon., Feb. 25, 6 p.m.,…

It must be springtime, because Sun Ra Arkestra’s Juini Booth is back in town performing gigs. The all-star bassist, who escapes the crappy East Coast winters by crashing with his sister in Mesa for a few months, is still performing regularly on the jazz circuit in NYC and Europe (for…

If you’re ever walked into the studio of Suzanne Falk, one mesmerizing thing is her vintage toy collection. During the It’s Still Life life drawing class, participants can interpret some of her funky items in a setting that promises to transform “a simple still-life drawing session into a decadent and…

If you want to cop Lymbyc Systym’s latest CD, Love Your Abuser Remixed, you best show up at the Valley band’s one and only Phoenix show. The 1,000-copy-only release features Systym remixes by The Album Leaf, Daedelus, and so many more banging groups. Tue., Feb. 26, 7:30 p.m., 2008…

There’s something about the work of Jill Simonsen that has the Valley arts community and its patrons more excited than usual about a show by an out-of-towner. Maybe it’s the loneliness of her acrylic-and-pen creations depicting neglected buildings and sparse power-line-scapes. Or, quite possibly, it could be the nostalgic quality…

This year’s featured filmmaker will be Krzysztof Zanussi. The five featured films are: The Constant Factor (1980) Wherever You Are (1988) The Silent Touch (1992) Life As A Fatal Sexually Transmitted Disease (2000) Persona Non Grata (2005) Feb. 18-23, 7 p.m., 2008…