DECEMBER HAPPENINGS

BILLY JOEL & STEVIE NICKS

When: Dec. 8

Where: Chase Field, 401 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix

What: The Piano Man returns to Chase Field alongside of Stevie Nicks! The two award-winning, powerhouse music figures are adding a stop in the desert to their ongoing tour. Billy Joel visited Chase Field in 2019 for his first stadium show in Arizona, which was packed with over 50,000 fans! So this one is bound to be great.

Info: mlb.com/dbacks/ballpark/events/upcoming/ billy-joel

GLADYS KNIGHT

When: Dec. 8

Where: Celebrity Theatre, 440 N. 32nd St., Phoenix

What: Gladys Knight, an iconic figure in the music industry, stands out as one of the most versatile and enduring vocalists over the past five decades. Her remarkable talent has led to hits across various genres. Known for her powerful voice and emotive performances, Knight has also been acclaimed for her dynamic stage presence and ability to connect deeply with her audience.

Info: celebritytheatre.com

Blippi Live

When: Dec. 9

Where: Arizona Financial Theatre, 400 W. Washington St., Phoenix

What: Families will sing, dance, and learn with Blippi in this exciting live experience. He’s even bringing along an all-new special guest, Meekah. Together, they’ll explore what makes different cities so unique and special (complete with a healthy, kid-approved dose of monster trucks, excavators, and garbage trucks, naturally), inspiring curiosity in preschool audiences by making learning accessible and fun.

Info: phoenix.theater/tickets/blippi-live

ALICE COOPER’S 21ST ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PUDDING

When: Dec. 9

Where: Celebrity Theatre, 440 N. 32nd St., Phoenix

What: Renowned as one of Phoenix’s ‘Signature Holiday Events,’ Christmas Pudding will bring together Alice Cooper, Sammy Hagar, Nancy Wilson of Heart, Quiet Riot, and Sixwire for this annual fundraiser to benefit Alice Cooper’s Solid Rock Teen Centers in Phoenix and Mesa. Info: alicecoopersolidrock.com/event/ christmaspudding2023

Symphony Of The Southwest

When: Dec. 9

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

What: Bring the entire family to enjoy a concert of favorite holiday music presented by Symphony of the Southwest. Included in the program will be a muchloved holiday sing-along!

Info: mesaartscenter.com

AEROSMITH & THE BLACK CROWES

When: Dec. 10

Where: Footprint Center, 201 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix

What: Aerosmith is set to conclude their tour with a performance at the Footprint Center in downtown Phoenix. Joining them for this event will be the Black Crowes as special guests. This tour marks a significant milestone, commemorating Aerosmith's 50 years of influential music and their status as one of America's most iconic rock bands. To enhance the concert experience, THX, established by renowned filmmaker George Lucas, will introduce the THX Certified Live! This initiative aims to optimize the sound quality in each venue, ensuring a high-fidelity audio experience for the audience.

Info: footprintcenter.com/events/aerosmith

PINK MARTINI FEATURING CHINA FORBES: TONS OF TINSEL TOUR

When: Dec. 15

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

What: Pink Martini returns to Chandler for a “rollicking around-the-world musical adventure” that will get you into the holiday spirit. Featuring a dozen musicians, with songs in 25 languages, Pink Martini has performed its multilingual repertoire on concert stages on six continents, crossing genres of classical, jazz, and old-fashioned pop. This is a holiday show unlike any you have heard.

Info: chandlercenter.org

RICK SPRINGFIELD

When: Dec. 15

Where: Celebrity Theatre, 440 N. 32nd St., Phoenix

What: The artist famous for "Jessie’s Girl" is set to perform at the Celebrity Theatre, delighting fans with beloved classics such as “Don’t Talk to Strangers,” “Love Somebody,” “Human Touch,” and the iconic “Jessie’s Girl.”

Info: celebritytheatre.com

“TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE…” BY CIRQUE DU SOLEIL

When: Dec. 15 – 24

Where: Arizona Financial Theatre, 400 W. Washington St., Phoenix

What: “Twas the Night Before…” is Cirque du Soleil’s first holiday show, based on the classic poem “A Visit from Saint Nicolas” by Clement Clarke Moore. Memorable lines from this cherished classic inspired Cirque’s story about a jaded young girl who rediscovers the magic of the holidays.

Info: cirquedusoleil.com

DEREK HOUGH: SYMPHONY OF DANCE

When: Dec. 19

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

What: From the Emmy award-winning mind of Derek Hough, the live dance show is the first-national tour for the performing dynamo in four years. The show features all new high-energy choreography, stunning stage production, astounding versatility and, as always, Derek’s magnetic stage presence. Fans will journey through a true fusion of dance and music, as Derek explores styles ranging from ballroom and tap to salsa and hip-hop and everything in between. Info: mesaartscenter.com

NEW YEAR’S COMEDY JAM

When: Dec. 29

Where: Arizona Financial Theatre, 400 W. Washington St., Phoenix

What: Laugh in the new year with comedians DC Young Fly, Karlous Miller, Chico Bean, and Corey Holcomb for a night of hilarity.

Info: arizonafinancialtheatre.com

Seth Meyers

When: Dec. 30

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

What: Don’t miss Seth Meyer’s live comedy show when it stops in Mesa. Meyers is an Emmy Award-winning writer and host of “Late Night with Seth Meyers.” Info: mesaartscenter.com

NEW YEAR’S EVE CELEBRATION! BEST OF BROADWAY

When: Dec. 31

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

What: Celebrate New Year’s Eve with the greatest hits from Broadway, featuring the Showtune Productions’ live orchestra and vibrant vocalists. Enjoy all of your favorites from “Chicago,” “Hamilton,” “Rent,” “Mamma Mia,” “Camelot,” “Les Misérables,” “Phantom of the Opera,” “Moulin Rouge!,” “My Fair Lady,” “The Sound of Music,” and many more. Ring in the new year with great music, a champagne toast and party favors!

Info: chandlercenter.org

CROSSWORD ANSWER from page 24.

“THE WIZ”

When: Jan. 2 – 7

Where: ASU Gammage, 1200 S. Forest Ave, Tempe

What: Producers Kristin Caskey, Mike Isaacson, Brian Anthony Moreland, and Ambassador Theatre Group present an all-new production of the groundbreaking, Tony Award-winning musical “The Wiz,” adapted from “The Wizard of Oz” by L. Frank Baum. The highly anticipated Broadway revival returns “home” to stages across America in an all-new Pre-Broadway tour, the first one in 40 years. A dynamite infusion of ballet, jazz, and modern pop brings a whole new groove to easing on down the road.So everybody rejoice!

Info: asugammage.com/wiz

SUDOKU ANSWER from page 25.