Arts & Culture

The artist discusses her hand-knotted sculpture The Expanding Club, 2007, which is included in SMoCA’s “Radical Lace & Subversive Knitting” exhibit. Thu., Nov. 20, 6:30 p.m., 2008…

Hot, fast boats. Now, what else did you need to know? Thu., Nov. 20; Fri., Nov. 21; Sat., Nov. 22; Sun., Nov. 23, 2008…

Wouldn’t it feel good to own Kobe’s butt for one more afternoon? After Shaq left for Miami earlier this millennium, the Los Angeles Lakers bumbled their way to nowheresville for several years before returning to form – and the NBA Finals – last year. During those lean times in La-La…

Three things that define an Arizona native: an uncanny immunity to nosebleeds in dry weather, a healthy drinking habit birthed at age 14, and the mandatory elementary school field trip to Desert Botanical Garden. We may have thought the Garden was lame as children, but one look at the menacing…

Shock rock has seen its fair share of gory characters, but they’re all tame in comparison to GWAR. Known for its wild stage theatrics, which include homages to necrophilia, scatology, bestiality, rape, murder, carnage and lots of other things that could give Tipper Gore types a heart attack, GWAR has…

It’s really bothersome to watch whiny little twerps succeed, and it’s been a bitter pill seeing New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning get mad props after bordering on bust for his first three seasons. Super Bowl XLII MVP? Ooh, that burned. The world-class chump and his world-champ Giants return to…

Damon Dering directed Nearly Naked Theatre’s take on David Henry Hwang’s Tony-winning drama about the diplomat who trades state secrets for the love of a good . . . man? Thu., Nov. 20, 8 p.m.; Fri., Nov. 21, 8 p.m.; Sat., Nov. 22, 8 p.m.; Fri., Nov. 28, 8 p.m.;…

Now in its 12th year, the self-guided, pop-in tour of northeast Valley studios has grown to include more than 150 artists toiling away in 40-plus locations. (Pictured: artist Christopher Heede.) Directories are available at the individual studios and at the Sonoran Arts League office, 37417 North Tom Darlington Drive in…

Knockout car chick-slash-artist Liz Cohen returns to show off more sexy auto-erotica. There’ll also be live music and Latin-pop spins by L.A.’s DJ Lengua. Sun., Nov. 23, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., 2008…

The Big Cactus will be present at this event, which aims to take in enough donations of food and personal-care items to provide for 1,600 families. Fri., Nov. 21, 2:30 p.m., 2008…

The three-day, ASU-sponsored event features free lectures, films, and performances examining “the various metaphorical meanings surrounding, shrouding and illuminating the desert as a site for meditation, activation, and exchange.” Participating venues include Tempe’s Valley Art Theatre and downtown Phoenix’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Modified Arts. Thu., Nov. 20;…

The artistic salute to the Arlo Guthrie anthem features symbolically appropriate works by Bill Bailey, Jon White, Todd Olsen, and Richard Lee, plus “Blue Plate Special” glassworks created by member artists at Phoenix Center for the Arts. (Pictured: a detail from Jon White’s Odi et Amo.) Fri., Nov. 21, 6-10…

Uh-huh. That’s right. Your local billionaires will get behind the bar and the grill and work for pocket change at this annual fundraiser for Suns Nite Hoops. The admission price includes complimentary nibbles, a silent auction, games, and photo opportunities. (Raja Bell is pictured at the 2007 incarnation.) Sun., Nov…

The PHX artist and Fuzzy Balls Attire entrepreneur (“Cute and Creepy Teeshirts and Things”) shows off new sculptures, prints, tees, and custom toys. Tuesdays-Sundays. Starts: Nov. 8. Continues through Jan. 31, 2008…

Author/uber-geek Steve Kelley signs his book Star Trek: The Collectibles and the magazine The Unofficial guide to Star Trek Collectibles. Mon., Nov. 24, 7 p.m., 2008…

The acclaimed artist and Royal College of Art grad, who was born in Iraq and lives in London, presents screenings of her works Flock and The Guide in conjunction with the three-day, ASU-sponsored event examining “the various metaphorical meanings surrounding, shrouding and illuminating the desert as a site for meditation,…

Get all subcontinental at this annual event, which features traditional eats, yoga and cooking demos, a clothing and jewelry bazaar, a children’s mela, and more. Sun., Nov. 23, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., 2008…

There’s nothing like being in a public place without the public. We’ve achieved this higher state of being twice, and we’re not about to tell you where or how. Find your own deserted public crib to crash. As an example, take the Phoenix Zoo, a facility that’s difficult to navigate…

ASU prof Dombrowski (pictured) reads poetry and discusses Merge magazine (which she edits) and her “former life as a tap dancer.” Bowden and Dickson present a program titled Words & Spaces. Wed., Nov. 26, 7:30 p.m., 2008…

The host of KMLE Country’s Dave Pratt in the Morning signs his new memoir, Dave Pratt, Behind the Mic: 30 Years in Radio. Proceeds from book sales benefit the American Cancer Society. Fri., Nov. 21, 4 p.m., 2008…

From the lazy shopper’s point of view, it’s the ideal holiday gift. It’s suitable for everyone on your list — except sullen teenagers, whose agony over its lameness will be entertaining. You don’t have to brave crowds at the mall, it gives you something to do after the other presents…

Arizona Opera presents the timeless and charming Gilbert & Sullivan classic, starring mezzo-soprano Stephanie Blythe as Katisha and baritone Neal Davies as Ko-Ko. Thu., Nov. 20, 7:30 p.m.; Fri., Nov. 21, 7:30 p.m.; Sat., Nov. 22, 7:30 p.m.; Sun., Nov. 23, 2 p.m., 2008…