What's Happening October 2023

“THE ADDAMS FAMILY: A NEW MUSICAL COMEDY”

When: Oct. 13 – 29

Where: Herberger Theater Center (Stage West), 222 E. Monroe St., Phoenix features favorite elements including the carnival, parade, wild west shows, live music, hands-on activities, crafts, face painters, and more!

Info: avondaleaz.gov/billymooredays

FREE FALL FESTIVAL BY MACARONI

“OLD

MACDONALD’S PUMPKIN PATCH”

When: Oct. 4 – 29

Where: Great Arizona Puppet Theater, 302 W. Latham St., Phoenix

What: This high energy, fun-filled Halloween show is great for the little ones! See the silliness ensue when all the animals on Old MacDonald's farm have to find a costume for Halloween. Told with hand puppets and rod puppets, this show has lots of sing-along fun. It's a Halloween treat! Recommended for ages 2 and up.

Info: azpuppets.org

What: The Addamses have lived by their unique values for hundreds of years and Gomez and Morticia, the patriarch and matriarch of the clan, would be only too happy to continue living that way. Their dark, macabre, beloved daughter Wednesday, however, is now an 18 year-old young woman who is ready for a life of her own. She has fallen in love with Lucas Beineke, a sweet, smart boy from a normal, respectable Ohio family — the most un-Addams sounding person one could be! And to make matters worse, she has invited the Beinekes to their home for dinner. In one fateful, hilarious night, secrets are disclosed, relationships are tested, and the Addams family must face up to the one horrible thing they’ve managed to avoid for generations: change.

Info: vyt.com

WHEN YOU WISH UPON A STAR: A JAZZ TRIBUTE TO 100 YEARS OF DISNEY

When: Oct. 15

Kid Scottsdale

When: October 21

Where: Arizona Boardwalk, 9500 E. Via de Ventura, Scottsdale

What: A free family day with games, seasonal delights, and extra giveaway entries with registration!

Info: nscottsdale.macaronikid.com

ARIZONA TOY CON: MESA MEGA SHOW

“SPOOKLEY

THE SQUARE PUMPKIN: THE MUSICAL”

When: Oct. 6 – 29

Where: Valley Youth Theatre, 525 N. First St., Phoenix

What: Based on the wildly popular books and animated special, “Spookley the Square Pumpkin: The Musical” tells the story of a square pumpkin living in a round pumpkin patch on Holiday Hill Farm. Shunned by the other pumpkins, Spookley realizes that square or not, he has a right to be the Pick of the Patch! But when a storm threatens the farm, it’s up to Spookley and his unusual shape to save the day proving to all of the pumpkins in the patch that the things that make you different make you special.

Info: vyt.com

Where: Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler

What: Enjoy iconic tunes like "Someday My Prince Will Come" and "Everybody Wants to be a Cat" with a fresh jazz twist. Don't miss this nostalgic musical journey! This production is not affiliated with, sponsored, or authorized by The Walt Disney Company.

Info: downtownchandler.org/do/when-youwish-upon-a-star-a-jazz-tribute-to-100years-of-disney

Billy Moore Days

When: Oct. 19 -22

Where: Dennis DeConcini Park, 351 E. Western Ave., Avondale

What: Avondale celebrates its history and heritage during this multi-day festival that

When: Oct. 21

Where: Mesa Convention Center, 263 N. Center St., Mesa

What: The biggest toy show event of the year, the AZ Toy Con Mesa Mega Show returns with all toys represented, vintage to modern! Info: aztoyshows.com

DESERT DOG POLICE K9 TRIALS & PUBLIC SAFETY EXPO

When: Oct. 21 - 22

Where: WestWorld, 16601 N. Pima Rd., Scottsdale

What: Join 70 top canine teams at WestWorld’s Tony Nelssen Equestrian Arena, showcasing their skills in real-life law enforcement scenarios: from agility to law enforcement. This familyfriendly event also offers a 117,000 sq-ft hall with 150-plus vendors, interactive SWAT, and aviation displays, and the latest in public safety vehicles. A must-visit for thrilling canine action and insights into modern safety tactics.

Info: alecapolicek9.com/k9-trials

"THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL"

When: Oct. 26 - 29

Where: Mesa Center for the Arts, One E. Main St., Mesa

What: Plunge into this stunning all-singing, all-dancing, dynamic stage show! When the citizens of Bikini Bottom discover that a volcano will soon erupt and destroy their humble home, SpongeBob and his friends must come together to save the fate of their undersea world. With lives hanging in the balance and all hope lost, a most unexpected hero rises up. The power of optimism really can save the world!

Info: mesaartscenter.com/index.php/shows/ other-presenters/cyt-spongebob-the-musical UWU CON

When: Oct. 27 – 29

Where: Legacy Sports Park, 6321 S. Ellsworth Rd., Mesa

What: UwU Con is a three-day anime, and comic convention jam-packed with voice actors and celebrities, vendors, food, gaming, cosplay, after-hours dance parties, and more.

Info: uwucon.com

ART SOCIAL: JACK-O-LANTERN LUMINARIAS

When: Oct. 28

Where: The Vision Gallery, 10 E. Chicago St., Chandler

What: Get into the fall spirit with these fun ceramics class for beginners! Participants will learn how to make and join pinch pots into closed forms, then shape them into pumpkin luminarias of their own design. All materials included. The instructor will glaze, fire, and return completed projects at a later date.

Info: visitchandler.com/event/art-social%3ajack-o-lantern-luminarias/7498 song “Remember Me” by Oscar-winning songwriters Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, and additional songs cowritten by Germaine Franco and co-director and screenwriter Adrian Molina.

Info: mesaartscenter.com/index.php/shows/ performing-live/coco-in-concert-on-tour DINO DAY

When: Nov. 11

Where: Arizona Boardwalk, 9500 E. Via de Ventura, A100, Scottsdale

What: This free event will feature interactive dinosaur live shows and meet and greets, live reptiles, dino inflatables and games, face painting, Jurassic Park motor pool, prehistoric talks from dino experts, and more!

DISNEY PIXAR’S “COCO IN CONCERT ON TOUR"

When: Nov. 10

Where: Mesa Arts Center, One E. Main St., Mesa

What: Experience Disney Pixar's "Coco in Concert on Tour" featuring a screening of the complete film with Oscar and GRAMMYwinning composer Michael Giacchino’s musical score performed by the 20-member Orquesta Folclórico Nacional de México. In addition to the original score by Giacchino, “Coco” also features the Oscar-winning

Info: azboardwalk.com/event/free-dino-day

Fashion Week 4 Kids

When: Nov. 11

Where: Desert Ridge Marketplace, 21001 N. Tatum Blvd., Phoenix

What: The eighth annual Fashion Week 4 Kids returns to the Valley. Guests can enjoy a full week of retail events and offerings, culminating with a full day of fashion shows from your favorite brands at The District Stage. Enjoy live children’s entertainment, giveaways, and more.

Info: fw4kids.com

On Deck: November Book Your Next Party with