In a nation of frightened dullards, there is always a sorry shortage of outlaws, and those few who make the grade are always welcome.” So wrote Hunter S. Thompson of the Hells Angels after riding with California’s motor-psycho Mongol hordes in the mid-1960s, a feat of embedded journalism that left…
On a double bill with L.A. Confidential, Chinatown, or just about any film made after 1970 about institutional corruption in Los Angeles, Clint Eastwood’s Changeling, a period drama based on a 1928 Los Angeles missing-child case, would come off as faintly geezer-ish noir lite. As LAPD scandals go, the case…
Some people want to get scared on Halloween. Others only want to get “scared.” It’s easy to tell which kind of person you are. Did you pay full price to see Saw V, only to peek through your fingers and giggle your way through the movie? Are you prepared to…
Sheriff Joe Arpaio appears in Anna Deavere Smith’s new play, but don’t ask her to tell you how he comes off. “He’s in there, that’s all I’m saying,” Smith says firmly. “You’ll just have to come to the production to see how he shows up.” Local theatergoers will be among…
I made an unfortunate assumption when I recently wrote about Flip a Strip, a design competition sponsored by the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art in which entrants were asked to give facelifts to one of three rundown strip malls in metropolitan Phoenix. I remember thinking then that the winner of…
Life’s been pretty damn scary lately. Between the double-fisted drama of the über-contentious race for the White House and the roller coaster stock market, we’ve been hoping this is all just some titanically bad nightmare everyone’s gonna wake up from. Needless to say, some letting loose is most definitely in…
The criminal-defense attorney/author presents her new book, Running With the Devil: The True Story of the ATF’s Infiltrations of the Hell’s Angels, which details the long-running cat-and-mouse game between Alchol, Tobacco and Firearms and the Arizona Angels. Mon., Nov. 3, 6:30 p.m., 2008…
The ASU Herberger College of the Arts presents this slamming shindig that happens to coincide with First Friday. There will be graffiti writers galore as well as tunes/breakin’ routines by the Furious Styles Crew. Don’t miss out, y’all. Fri., Nov. 7, 5-10 p.m., 2008…
The grassroots organization battling Arizona racism and xenophobia strikes back with this wingding, featuring music, food, poetry, and the Best Arpaio Costume Contest. Sat., Nov. 1, 6 p.m., 2008…
Ronnie Glover brings the fun Tue., Nov. 4, 8 p.m., 2008…
The Faint’s dystopian paeans to dysfunctional, metaphorically “mechanized” relations unfold beneath gloomy analog burble and synthetic beats. It’s not exactly ironic, nor is it particularly poignant at this point, though it may not matter after a dozen years building a passionate following. While their fifth studio LP, Fasciinatiion, returns to…
Danish psychobilly band HorrorPops was born from Nekromantix, the psychobilly band HorrorPops co-founder Kim Nekromantix was in when he met future HorrorPops singer Patricia Day. The sultry, raven-haired Day and Nekromantix eventually married, making HorrorPops a family affair. The band’s latest album, Kiss Kiss Kill Kill, showcases the HorrorPop’s dark,…
Hip hop punk rockers the Kottonmouth Kings, fresh from their performance at this year’s Edgefest, return to the Valley to entertain with a show that is sure to be a frightful event. The band’s new The Green Album will no doubt fill out the night’s set list of bizarre theatrics…
The term “hip hop supergroup” gets thrown around a lot, but Bay Area outfit The Mighty Underdogs can make a pretty good case. Composed of MCs Gift of Gab (from Blackalicious) and Lateef the Truthspeaker (of Latyrx), and backed by producer Headnodic (of Crown City Rockers), the group just released…
An estimated 10,000 costumed revelers will be in attendance at this ginormous fete encompassing Axis/Radius and Suede, including numerous VIPs, celebrities, and other glitterati. A costume contest will hand out $10,000 in cash and prizes (for best overall costume, best group, and sexiest), while local rockers EastonAshe and five different…
The artists in this exhibition, including Chen Wenling, Zhang Dali, and the Luo Brothers (whose Welcome to the World’s Famous Brands is pictured), question the cultural, political, and traditional tenets of their homeland with their multimedia works. Thu., Nov. 6, 7-9 p.m., 2008…
Is the apocryphal saying “May you live in interesting times” really intended as a curse? We haven’t experienced any times that weren’t “interesting” – and that’s a blessing and a curse. While humanity chases peace, prosperity, and brotherhood, the nasty opposite conditions always pop up somewhere, like cosmic Whack-a-Moles. Say…
The Red Bar inside the chic Scottsdale hotel will host a comic book-themed affair with local DJs dropping the beats, while the patio gets transformed into a city skyline/rooftop scene where heroes can battle their nemesi. Costumes are encouraged, and a free bottle of Veuve Yellow Label Reservations will be…
Swankiness abounds at the über-elegant celebration, which takes place inside the resort’s Stone Rose Lounge. Old Hollywood glamour will mix with spooky vintage décor (à la the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland) as piano players and DJs provide a scary soundtrack. Tarot card readers, fortune tellers, classic cocktails, celebrity guests, and…
The kickass class is chock-full of wit and wisdom concerning the lovely Maggie, as well as insider’s tips on how to make the so-called perfect one. The price includes appetizers and a private margarita/tequila sampling. Wed., Nov. 5, 6:30-8:30 p.m., 2008…
Pro and amateur chefs battle it out to see who can make the best gumbo and jambalaya, and the lucky attendees are the ultimate winners. All proceeds benefit New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity and the Joel Monte West Club Scholarship. Sun., Nov. 2, 1-4 p.m., 2008…
World-renowned conservationist Wilson (pictured) and acclaimed scientist Holldobler speak about insect societies and sign their new book, The Superorganism in conjunction with ASU’s Darwinfest. Wed., Nov. 5, 6:30 p.m., 2008…
