When it comes to giving a game a vibe, “awesome” is an easy mark to hit. Explosions, hot chicks, macho one-liners, and salivating mutants are all awesome. And it’s just about impossible to overdo the awesome: More explosions, more hot chicks, more machismo, and more mutants are only more awesome…
About halfway through Act One of Stray Cat Theatre’s super-fashionable Kate Crackernuts, my middle-aged companion leaned over and whispered in my ear, “It’s always nice to see what the youngsters are up to these days.” I’m not sure I agree with him. Because while I found Kate energetically acted and…
Sadly, the roster of revolutionaries from the civil rights era has dwindled significantly over the years. Huey P. Newton, Eldridge Cleaver, and Dave Dellinger, who once raised their fists to protest injustice during the country-changing 1960s, have left the planet. However, one of the movement’s pioneers who’s still going strong…
The P.F. Chang’s Marathon is a 26.2-mile run for sissies. What say you? Yep, even our creaky bodies could make it through at least part of it, thanks to all of the urban distractions such as bands and cheering fans. But for a no-frills, rustic run through the natural desert…
You think nature’s beautiful and all, but you view its attendant peace and quiet as a bit overrated. You see hiking as fun, but you always thought it was missing something — like drums, perhaps. Damn, if it isn’t your lucky day, because Leslee Jo Klinsky’s Drum Arizona Hiking Group…
Tight-Shirt Guy says, “Dude, the AZ Strong Beer Festival is February 16. Whoa, paaar-tay.” As Beer Purist Guy pontificates about 6.5 percent alcohol content and exotic hops and barleys, Tight-Shirt Guy shrugs and says, “Hey, we’re gonna meet chicks, right?” Jerry Gantt, executive director of the Arizona Craft Brewers Guild…
Matthew and Gunnar Nelson were never cool, even when their “(Can’t Live Without Your) Love and Affection” hit No. 1 in 1990, but who would have guessed that the lion-maned twinkies of hair pop would fall so far? How far? Mesa’s ViewPoint RV & Golf Resort, where Ricky Nelson’s boys…
No two ways about it, pal, you screwed the pooch. Bigtime. Your forgetful ass was too busy watching Survivor and Lipstick Jungle to recall that Valentine’s Day was yesterday, fool. Though the situation ain’t as bad as that one V-Day when you proposed a visit to the local swingers’ club,…
The biggest problems facing Americans today? We’re fat and we’re pale. If you want to rub shoulders with folks who are neither, head out to Goodyear Rodeo Days at the fabulously authentic Estrella Mountain Regional Park Rodeo Grounds. There’ll be cowboys up and purty rodeo queens, which should provide some…
It’s Valentine’s Day, and no amount of porn will save you from this feeling of emptiness. Worldwide, people are going at it like beavers at a dam, and all you can do is pick lamely at your chastity belt. Mission Semen Receptacle has just been classified impossible. But instead of…
Valentine’s Day gift ideas: Roses. Candy. Hallmark. Shooter’s World Guns and Roses Range Package. Shooter’s World owner Phil Roux understates the case when he calls his venue’s smokin’ deal “a non-traditional date idea.” For a reasonable $99.99, the facility will provide couples an hour of target time, firearms rentals, a…
Michael Moore’s 2007 film about America’s crumbling health care industry screens during Concerned Citizens Movie Night. Mon., Feb. 18, 6 p.m., 2008…
We’re kind of sad, in a sick kind of way, that there hasn’t been a real mano a mano war in centuries. The downward spiral started with the invention of the gun, then snowballed into fighter jets and nuclear weapons. Fortunately, there are still plenty of pre-1600s enthusiasts who prefer…
Here’s all you need to know about the six-race Winter Challenge: You can bring beer from home and drink in the stands! So pack that cooler with some canned Piss Light and Beer Shit Ice (no bottles allowed, you hooligans) and get ready for some racin’. Saturdays, 1 p.m.; Sun.,…
Need somewhere to take your sweetie for Valentine’s Day? This world-renowned Australian vocal group will present its stunningly unique musical repertoire — ranging from operatic numbers to the classic pop songs of ABBA and Queen — during a pair of shows here in the Valley at the Mesa Arts Center…
We never thought we’d recommend something with the word “Smucker’s” in the title. (For one thing, we prefer Welch’s, the jelly underdog.) And we never imagined we’d advocate anything called “Stars on Ice,” because we’re not between the ages of 5 and 13 or 65 and 80. But we must…
Great news for the Dallas Mavericks. Their core rivals in the NBA’s Western Conference, the San Antonio Spurs and Phoenix Suns, have been navigating slippery slopes this season. San Antonio’s been pistol-whipped by lesser mortals. Phoenix has been — well, you live here. All this mediocrity should have Dirk Nowitzki…
The carnal annual event features “titillating poets, outrageous musicians, and twisted performers.” Performers include Jack Evans, Shawna Franks and Bob Fisher, Mail Order Bride, Pete Petrisko, Jason Davis, the Bedouin Tribe Dancers, Ernesto Moncada, Ted Christ, Brandy Star the Mystic Muse, ddough, Vanilla Mocha, Jimbo De Bergerac, and the Of…
If you asked us to name mankind’s greatest achievement over the past 100 years or so, it isn’t anything as boring as say, penicillin, television, the Internet, or even the airplane. Not even close. In our humble opinion, it’s beer pong. No shit. Sure, landing on the moon or harnessing…
For a real taste of jazz in this town, à la NYC-style (the best style, btw), hit up the Lost Leaf any Sunday evening and marinate your ears in the sounds of local quartet Jiggle. The band — fronted by founder/bassist Ted Sistrunk and including hot-shot drummer Shaun Lowecki and…
Whether you’re a Bible-thumper, enlightened Buddhist, or totally faithless, you can’t deny that spirituality has birthed some great art. The cave drawings of Lascaux weren’t the caveman’s version of a movie theater; they were visual prayers to promote plentiful hunting and survival. Aztec temples didn’t feed any architect’s ego; they…
Ask around downtown Phoenix, and just about everyone seems to have a story about Michael Little. He’s a painter by trade, but better known as a character — formerly homeless, now living in a house with a Tim Burton-esque striped tree in front. The guy once swapped a painting for…
