The Entertainer! Magazine June 2019

PHX METRO » JUNE 2019

RETRO GROOVE Rob Thomas explores ‘80s culture and musical freedom

SAPPORO LOVES SUSHI

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Foreigner

Friday, June 7

Friday, June 21

The Pool

The Ballroom

Kathleen Madigan Friday & Saturday June 28 & 29 The Showroom

Happy Together Tour

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Justin Hayward

The Ballroom

The Ballroom

The Showroom

Friday, July 19

Saturday, July 27

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THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE JUNE 2019

CONTENTS

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5

RETRO GROOVE

12

ON THE COVER

ONE MORE LIGHT

Photographer Jim Louvau honors his late friend, Chester Bennington

36 NATIONAL VANILLA Rob Thomas explores MILK ’80s culture and SHAKE DAY 11 FAQs in preparation musical freedom for this monumental holiday

on the cover: Rob Thomas Cover photo courtesy Randall Slavin

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THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE JUNE 2019

SAPPORO KNOWS SUSHI

Times Media Group 1620 W. Fountainhead Parkway Suite 219, Tempe, AZ 85282 Phone 480.348.0343 Fax 480.348.2109 entertainermag.com

What goes better with sushi than Japanese beer

publisher

Steve T. Strickbine

steve@entertainermag.com

Executive Editor

Christina Fuoco-Karasinski

christina@timespublications.com

Assistant Editor Connor Dziawura

cdziawura@timespublications.com

designer

Shannon Mead

production manager

CONTENTS

UPFRONT

8

Top 25 • Rob Thomas • Jim Louvau • Train

CITY

55

Courtney Oldham

production@timespublications.com

‘FAKE NUDES NAKED’ Barenaked Ladies strip down for new album

contributing writers

Alan Sculley, Allison Neri, Andrea Estrada, Brianna Moore, Bridgette Redman, Chris Fahrendorf, Eric Newman, Katie Sawyer, Miranda Cyr, Olivia Munson, Octavio Serrano, Randy Montgomery, Samantha Fuoco, Shane Crowe, Taylor O’Connor

18

22

Staff Photographers

St. Louis • Flagstaff Festivals

ARTS

Kimberly Carrillo, Pablo Robles

26

Contributing Photographers Jim Louvau, Jimmy Hubbard, Justin Pizzoferrato, Mark Dellas, Matt Barnes, Randall Slavin, Rob Dutton, Sean Rayford, Silvy Maatman, Todd Chris Owyoung

Arts Calendar • Spamilton • Once • The Addams Family

DINING

32

59

Best Food Events in June • Happy Hour Guide • National Vanilla Shake Day • Ghost Ranch • Sushi Day

BEER AND WINE

40

Best Beer and Wine Events in June • Beer Directory • Sips for Super Dads

CASINOS

Alex Aiono’s tour is a mashup of fun and personal growth

47

Best Sports Events in June • Mercury

FAMILY

ONE COPY PER READER

COUNTDOWN IN 3, 2, FUN

44

Casino Entertainment Calendar • George Lopez • Foreigner

SPORTS

51

Best Family Events in June • Wildlife World Zoo • July 4th in Scottsdale

MUSIC

52

Live Music Calendar • Parachute • Barenaked Ladies • Hootie and the Blowfish • PUP

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Aaron Kolodny

aaron@entertainermag.com

Museum of the West Roundup • Flotsam and Jetsam • Cole Swindell

TRAVEL

circulation director

NIGHTLIFE

58

Best Nightlife Events in June • Alex Aiono

IN CLOSING You’re Not Gonna Believe This

60

The Entertainer! is circulated throughout the Phoenix Metro area, especially concentrated in entertainment districts. ©2018 Affluent Publishing, LLC. A free online subscription is available to all readers simply by going to entertainermag.com/subscribe.

For calendar and news items, the deadline for submission is the 15th of the NOVEMBER prior to publication. Submissions are included based on available space and are used at the discretion of the editor. Unsolicited manuscripts, photographs or illustrations will not be returned unless it is specifically requested and submission is accompanied by a properly addressed envelope and sufficient postage. The Entertainer! makes every effort to authenticate claims and accurate times and event locations. We encourage readers to verify information prior to attending events or purchasing tickets.

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UPFRONT

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“Once”

JUNE 1 TO JUNE 16 The Phoenix Theatre Company presents the Tony award-winning musical “Once” to the Valley. Set in Dublin, “Once” reminds everyone that music can connect us to one another. You’ll even be able to catch the play, more than “Once.”

The Phoenix Theatre Company, 1825 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, 602.254.2151, phoenixtheatre. com, times vary, $56-$86.

or you’ll feel as “Cold as Ice.” The Pool at the Talking Stick Resort, 9800 E. Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale, 480.850.7777, talkingstickresort.com, 8 p.m., $25, 21 and over.

JID

JUNE 7 Accompanied by rapper Saba, the Dreamville artist JID is on the move for his “Catch Me if You Can Tour.” Fans can catch them both at the Marquee Theatre in Tempe.

And yes, there will be a mosh pit.

Marquee Theatre, 730 N. Mill Avenue, Tempe, 480.829.1300, luckymanonline. com, 7 p.m., $25.50.

Center. No need to worry if you’re not a Beyoncé fan. The science center will rock the 21-and-older set until they bite the dust. Puns aside, fans can sing along to their favorite Queen and Beyoncé songs.

Arizona Science Center, 600 E. Washington Street, Phoenix, 602.716.2000, azscience. org, 6 to 10 p.m., $10-$20.

Luke Bryan w/Cole Swindell, Jon Langston and DJ Rock

Roald Dahl’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”

JUNE 11 TO JUNE 16 Satisfy your sweet tooth and enjoy this savory, childhood favorite.

Join Charlie and the other golden ticket winners as they venture through the magical world that is Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory.

There’ll be candy, elevators and Oompa-Loompas. Oh my!

ASU Gammage, 1200 S. Forest Avenue, Tempe, 480.965.3434, asugammage. com, 7:30 p.m., $30-$150.

JUNE 13 Want to eschew the lasers on June 13? Shake it with Luke Bryan and his openers, Cole Swindell, as they serenade Ak-Chin Pavilion and remind us that rain is a good thing.

Ak-Chin Pavilion, 2121 N. 83rd Avenue, Phoenix, 602.254.7200, livenation.com, 7 p.m., $45-$321.

Free to Laugh: Laugh to Free Esham

JUNE 5 After the release of his 2018 album, “Dead of Winter,” rapper Esham is touring the country. With more than 30 tour dates announced, the Boogie Man of Detroit will be haunting the city of Mesa for his “Afraid of the Dark Tour.”

Club Red, 1306 W. University Drive, Mesa, 480.200.7529, clubredrocks. com, 7 to 11 p.m., $15.

Foreigner

JUNE 7 Rockers Foreigner are headed a “Long, Long Way from Home”— this time to The Pool at Talking Stick Resort in Scottsdale. If you consider yourself a “Jukebox Hero,” then you don’t want to miss this,

JUNE 8 Do you like to laugh? Would it be nice to support a good cause? If you answered “yes” to either—of both— of these questions, then get your ticket to this year’s Free to Laugh event, featuring Ryan Hamilton.

This event is appropriate for people of all ages, and a percentage of the ticket sales go to charity.

Orpheum Theatre, 203 W. Adams Street, Phoenix, 602.262.6225, 6 p.m. doors, sold out.

Arizona Rattlers vs.

Tucson Sugar Skulls

JUNE 8 It’s the same old song and dance for the Arizona Rattlers. The No. 1-ranked Indoor Football League team will take on its in-state rivals, the Tucson Sugar Skulls.

Talking Stick Resort Arena, 201 E. Jefferson Street, Phoenix,

N !

W U O O T Y N R O W F O G N D AITI IS W

Flip Orley

Train and Goo Goo Dolls

JUNE 12 Calling all Angels! Train co-headlines Ak-Chin Pavilion with ’90s peers The Goo Goo Dolls to “Give a Little Bit” of fun to Valley music fans. Bring your soul sisters and slide your way down.

Ak-Chin Pavilion, 2121 N. 83rd Avenue, Phoenix, 602.254.7200, 7 p.m., $22-$298.

Lasers & Liquor: Beyoncé and Queen

JUNE 13 Ladies, get in formation to fall “Crazy in Love” during this month’s Lasers & Liquor at the Arizona Science

JUNE 13 TO JUNE 16 Hometown hero Flip Orley returns to Arizona to hypnotize fans and make their friends laugh as he does it. Skeptical of hypnosis?

Orley will test those theories.

Tempe Improv, 930 E. University Drive, Tempe, 480.921.9877, tempeimprov.com, 8 p.m. June 13, 7:30 p.m. June 14, 7 p.m.

June 15 and June 16, free.

ONE Night Only

JUNE 14 In celebration of LGBTQ+ Pride Month, the ONE Community

DOWNTOWN Corner of 2nd Street and Jefferson, Across from Talking Stick Resort Arena Phone #: (602) 261-7625

#THISISHARDROCK

phoenix

JOHN PAUL WHITE

Opening Act: The Prescriptions Monday, June 10 | 7 p.m. | $38.50–$48.50

Far from the grind and glamour of Nashville, the grittiness of Muscle Shoals, Alabama, has proven a wellspring of inspiration for his brand of Southern rock and soul.

Upcoming Concerts Dessa June 3 Arturo O’Farrill and the Afro Latin Jazz Ensemble June 16 Crystal Bowersox June 19 Blue Highway June 20 Dee Dee Bridgewater June 21 Melissa Manchester June 22 Orquesta Akokán June 24 Skerryvore June 27 And many more!

2019 Concert Series sponsored by

MIM.org | 480.478.6000 | 4725 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix, AZ

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UPFRONT | CITY | THE DOWNTOWNER | TRAVEL | ARTS | DINING | BEER AND WINE | CASINOS | SPORTS | FAMILY | MUSIC | NIGHTLIFE | IN CLOSING

Foundation is throwing a party meant to unite friends and foes. There will be food, drinks, live entertainment and an auction. Come show your true colors for one night only!

Phoenix Art Museum, 1625 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, 602.666.7104, phxart.com, 6:30 to 10 p.m., $75.

com, 8 p.m., $64-$600.

Petfest

Hootie and the Blowfish and Barenaked Ladies

Bloomin’ Beerfest

JUNE 15 Feel the luck of the Irish this “Bloomsday” at the 13th annual Bloomin’ Beerfest. Enjoy a night of craft beer tasting, live music and readings from the classic Irish novel, “Ulysses.” Bring your best threads because a costume contest is in the cards.

Irish Cultural Center and McClelland Library, 1106 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, 602.258.0109, azirish.org/ bloomsday, 7 to 11 p.m., $4-$50.

Juneteenth

JUNE 15 Phoenix is celebrating the end of slavery with entertainment on a cultural stage; vendor marketplace; food court; children’s activities; and arts and crafts vendors. Free health screenings and historical exhibits round out the afternoon.

Eastlake Park, 1549 E. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, 602.688.9906, eventbrite.com, 4 to 9 p.m., free.

race, tug of war and a dunk tank.

Don’t fret: They’ll be waterslides.

Riverview Park, 2100 W. Rio Salado Parkway, Mesa, eventbrite. com, 2 to 9 p.m., $15-$50.

JUNE 19 Hootie and the Blowfish have reunited and they’re ready to listen—and rock—during their “Group Therapy Tour” with Barenaked Ladies. Fans: Arm yourselves with Kraft Macaroni and Cheese and bow down to ’90s royalty. Feel free to cry a little.

Ak-Chin Pavilion, 2121 N. 83rd Avenue, Phoenix, 602.254.7200, 7:30 p.m., $29.50-$139.50.

San Francisco Giants vs.

Arizona Diamondbacks

JUNE 21 TO JUNE 23 Take someone out to the ballgame!

Take them out with the crowd! The Giants are headed to Phoenix for a weekend series that the entire family to enjoy—unless you’re the one buying the peanuts and Cracker Jack. Arrive early on June 22 as the first 20,000 will receive a David Peralta Freight Train bobblehead.

Chase Field, 401 E. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, dbacks. com, 6:40 p.m. June 21, 7:10 p.m. June 22, 1:10 p.m. June 23, tickets start at $25.

JUNE 22 YouTubers like Tyler Rugge, Happy Tails, Faith’s Furry Critters, Mike Tytula and Adri Rachelle are among those slated to appear. Whether you prefer cats, dogs, fish or birds, this is an event not to miss.

Delta Hotels by Marriott Phoenix Mesa, 200 N. Centennial Way, Mesa, eventbrite.com, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., $0-$20.

Jay Leno

JUNE 23 The hardest-working man in showbusiness is headed to Scottsdale. Jay Leno, former “Tonight Show” host, brings the house down with the same wit, comedy and charm he brought to TV sets across the country.

The Ballroom at the Talking Stick Resort, 9800 E. Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale, 480.850.7734, talkingstickresort.com, 8 p.m., tickets start at $35.

Los Angeles Dodgers vs.

Arizona Diamondbacks

Archie and Friends

JUNE 26 This is not a “Riverdale” watch party. Archie and Friends are headed to Tempe to bring a night full of laughter, music and poetry.

This is pretty much filterless, so bring your open-minded friends.

Tempe Improv, 930 E. University Drive, Tempe, 480.921.9877, tempeimprov.com, 7 p.m.,$10.

Mad Monster Party Arizona JUNE 28 TO JUNE 30 Something wicked this way comes! Mad Monster Party will have a wicked good time with the likes of Robert Patrick, Adrienne Barbeau, Ray Wise and Sid Haig.

We-Ko-Pa Resort, 10438 N. Fort McDowell Road, Fountain Hills, madmonster.com, 6 p.m. June 28, 11 a.m. June 29 and June 30, $39-$199.

JUNE 24 TO JUNE 26 With Yasiel Puig gone, that’s one less Dodger to dislike. As we all know, there’s an intense rivalry here. There’s only two words for this blurb: Beat LA! Chase Field, 401 E. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, dbacks. com, 6:40 p.m. June 24 and June 25, and 12:40 p.m. June 26, tickets start at $25.

Mastodon

Jennifer Lopez

JUNE 16 Like Luke Bryan, Jenny from the Block is shaking it to Phoenix, but she’s celebrating her big 5-0. So ladies, get up and get ready to get “On the Floor” with the fly girl as she sings classics like “Love Don’t Cost a Thing” and “If You Had My Love.”

Talking Stick Resort Arena, 201 E. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, 602.379.2000, talkingstickresortarena.

have a good time with Sir Paul, but so will any Beatles fan for sure. The show sold out quickly, but, fingers crossed, the venue will release seats just before the legend hits the stage.

Talking Stick Resort Arena, 201 E. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, 602.379.2000, talkingstickresortarena. com, 8 p.m., sold out.

Suds & Slides

JUNE 22 Adults still possess their inner child. There’s no better way to celebrate that than with suds and slides. The summer camp-themed event features a three-legged

Paul McCartney

JUNE 26 Those Judys, Marthas and Ritas will

JUNE 30 Hard rockers Mastodon’s manager passed away last fall, but they’re forging ahead with their “The Unheavenly Skye Tour.” Each night, Mastodon will also play its 2009 album, “Crack in the Skye,” in its entirety. Coheed and Cambria will perform as well.

Comerica Theatre, 400 W. Washington, Phoenix, 602.379.2800, comericatheatre.com, 6:30 p.m., tickets start at $30.

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GOING RETRO

UPFRONT | CITY | THE DOWNTOWNER | TRAVEL | ARTS | DINING | BEER AND WINE | CASINOS | SPORTS | FAMILY | MUSIC | NIGHTLIFE | IN CLOSING

Rob Thomas explores ’80s culture and musical freedom on new album Christina Fuoco-Karasinski >> The Entertainer!

R

ob Thomas appreciates the culture, music and even fashion of the ’80s.

And on his fourth album, “Chip Tooth Smile,” he

celebrates it.

The second song on “Chip Tooth Smile,” “Timeless,” is a relentlessly catchy ode to the decade with references to Night Ranger’s “Sister Christian” and Cindy Lauper’s “Girls Just Want to Have Fun.” He even touches on the ’90s with Sinead O’Connor’s “Nothing Compares 2 U.” “We’re the children of the ’80s,” Thomas says. “In the ’80s, there was no coherent aesthetic. Nobody stuck to trends. You could try everything.

I mean, there was Peter Gabriel, Madness, MC Hammer and Ozzy Osbourne all on the same block.

Production-wise, it was fearless. That’s what we strove for.”

Known as the lead singer of Matchbox Twenty, Thomas has scored countless hits—with the band and solo—like “Lonely No More,” “Th is is How a Heart Breaks,” 3AM,” “If You’re Gone” and “Streetcorner Symphony.”

He collaborated with Carlos Santana for “Smooth,” which sold more than 3 million copies 20 years ago.

In 2004, Thomas was the first artist to be honored with the Songwriters Hall of Fame’s Hal David Starlight Award, created to recognize composers in the early years of their careers who have made a lasting impact. Twice he earned the Songwriter of the Year prize from both Billboard and BMI. Overall, Thomas has contributed to sales of more than 80 million records.

Thomas made his solo debut with 2005’s platinum-certified “Something To Be” and was the first album by a

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male artist from a rock or pop group to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. Thomas’ sophomore solo album, 2009’s “Cradlesong,” spawned two No. 1 singles in “Her Diamonds” and “Someday.” At the time, Thomas tied P!nk for the most No. 1 Adult Top 40 hits by a solo artist and became the first male solo artist to score multiple charttoppers at the format.

In 2012, Matchbox Twenty returned with its fi rst album in a decade, “North.” Fueled by the hit singles, “She’s So Mean,” “Overjoyed” and “Our Song,” “North” proved a landmark for the band as it was the act’s fi rst No. 1 debut and Billboard 200 chart-topper. Thomas’ third solo album, 2015’s “The Great Unknown,” had a top 10 debut on the SoundScan/ Billboard 200 upon its release and featured hit singles “Hold on Forever” and “Pieces.”

Thomas is also a dedicated philanthropist, establishing Sidewalk Angels Foundation in 2003 with his wife, Marisol Thomas, who has battled lyme disease for 16 years. The organization is dedicated to providing critically needed funds and support to over 20 no-kill animal shelters and animal rescues, across the country, that help to fight for the rights and fair treatment of those with no voice.

As for the 12-song “Chip Tooth Smile,” it explores new musical territory for Thomas. The first single and the album’s opening track, “One Less Day (Dying Young),” has galloping drums and Irish fiddles. “The Man to Hold the Water” is a sparkling, gentle song about love, and “Can’t Help Me Now” is a desperate call for normality. Each song has its own feel.

“Even with Matchbox Twenty and (producer) Matt Serletic, we wanted each song to have its own personality,” he says. “When we put out ‘Unwell,’ everything else in the top 40 was hip-

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE JUNE 2019

hop. Here we were with a banjo on the track. It helps the song to have its own personality.”

“Chip Tooth Smile” features production from Butch Walker (Panic! at the Disco, P!nk) and Benny Blanco (Ed Sheeran), which complement Thomas’ songwriting talent.

“I was writing about experiences I’ve been through that I could’ve only been through by getting older, by facing mortality, by having a son, by having a family, and by having responsibilities that I didn’t have when I first started out” says Thomas, whose 21-year-old son, Maison Eudy, is credited with a songwriter on the album.

“It’s very autobiographical about where I’m at now and where I’m headed.”

Working with Walker, an alumnus of the Marvelous 3, was inspirational.

“A lot of people don’t even know how talented he is,” he says. “As a producer, he takes himself out of the song. He’s in service to the song and the track. Like, if he’s writing a song for Fall Out Boy, he’s not making a Butch Walker song.

He’s writing the best Fall Out Boy song he can.

“He’s a chameleon and a lot of people don’t realize that—unless they’re lucky enough to listen to his solo stuff. He’s a great guitarist and performer as well.”

Thomas and Walker explored new musical territory because, frankly, they didn’t feel they had anything to lose.

They convinced themselves that no one was going to play the songs on the

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radio. With that mentality, Thomas and Walker felt freer to write what they wanted.

“Butch did a good job of putting an urgency behind the songs,” he says. “At the same time, he didn’t it without using too many modern pop tricks.”

During the conversation, Thomas was getting ready to leave for his first tour rehearsal. He only had an inkling about what fans can expect when he performs at the Comerica Theatre in Phoenix on Sunday, June 23.

“I have the same solo band I’ve had since 2005 on my first solo tour,” Thomas says.

“I’m writing with them in mind. Like, I’ll know if my bass player is going to slay it this time.

“We do want hands in the air. We can all share a moment. For two hours, I want everybody to forget about things outside the door and just escape. I feel like I’m in the hospitality industry. For those two hours, I want to serve the night. We’re all a part of the same thing. If we do it right, we’ll all feel that together we made magic.”

Rob Thomas w/Abby Anderson Comerica Theatre, 400 W. Washington Street, Phoenix, 602.379.2800, comericatheatre. com, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, June 23, ticket start at $43.

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UPFRONT | CITY | THE DOWNTOWNER | TRAVEL | ARTS | DINING | BEER AND WINE | CASINOS | SPORTS | FAMILY | MUSIC | NIGHTLIFE | IN CLOSING

One More Light Photographer Jim Louvau honors his late friend, Chester Bennington Christina Fuoco-Karasinski >> The Entertainer!

J

im Louvau was driving along a Valley freeway when Linkin Park came on the radio. As the song ended, he flipped channels, only to hear the Grammy-winning band once again.

Louvau can’t seem to escape the rock band and that is precisely the problem.

He can’t get away from the music or memories of his friend, Chester Bennington, who died by suicide on July 20, 2017.

“It’s terrible every day,” Louvau says with his eyes turned down. “It’s different when you lose a family member, where it affects your immediate circle. You get back to regular life and you can get away from it when you do other things.

“But when your friend happened to be as successful as he was, his music’s not going anywhere or going away anytime soon.”

A photographer/musician/writer, Louvau is hosting “Celebrating the Life of Chester Bennington” at MonOrchid in Phoenix on Friday, June 21. The exhibit will honor the late Linkin Park singer through a series of photographs they created. Louvau captured Bennington on and off stage and the North Valley resident is bringing the show, which sold out in Burbank, California, to the singer’s home state.

The Burbank show’s success snowballed. TMZ and other outlets reported about it, much to Louvau’s dismay. Louvau was appalled with TMZ’s intrusive coverage of Bennington’s death and its reporters’ persistence in contacting him.

“I woke up at 8 in the morning and my phone was blowing up,” Louvau recalls about the morning of the show’s second day.

“I had text messages, missed calls, voicemails, emails, Facebook messages and DMs on Instagram from TMZ trying to track me down,” he says.

“I was really, really annoyed at the time. I was getting text messages from my family members, too, because TMZ was calling them to get to me. This was all by 8 in the morning and I’d been out all night. Plus, some of the coverage TMZ did when Chester passed was pretty tasteless. I was really skeptical about talking to them. I told them I wasn’t available and to reach out to my ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

publicist.”

Like Burbank, the MonOrchid show will benefit 320 Change Direction, a charity co-founded by Bennington’s wife, Talinda, bringing awareness to mental health. She gave Louvau her blessing to host the show.

Louvau says he was surprised the Burbank show sold out. As a matter of fact, filled so quickly a second night was added and sold out. Fans strolled among the larger-than-life portraits of Bennington.

“The vibe in the room both nights was incredible,” Louvau says. “It was a celebration of a person who impacted a lot of people’s lives.”

The surviving Linkin Park musicians, whom Louvau does not know, did not attend the show. Thanks to the success of Louvau’s Burbank show, he has been asked to bring the event overseas.

“They don’t understand how, logistically, that would work,” he says. “They don’t fit in cars. I had to get a U-Haul to get them home from California.”

A SHARED LOVE OF MUSIC Louvau was set to play the Mason Jar with his band, Victims in Ecstacy, in the early 2000s when the manager asked if he would consider switching places with the opening act, Linkin Park.

“He said one of the guys was from Phoenix and his family couldn’t make it out early,” he says. “He asked if we would mind going on earlier. I said it was fine because it was the middle of the week and I could get out of there sooner.”

That was shortly before the release of Linkin Park’s first record, 2000’s “Hybrid Theory.” At the time, labels put their “baby bands” on the road, with the hopes of landing opening spots for established acts in various markets.

There was something special about Louvau and Bennington’s relationship from the beginning.

“We had an issue where we broke the snare drum, so I was on stage trying to entertain people and trying to figure out how we were going to do this,” Louvau recalls.

“Then there’s Chester coming to the rescue, grabbing their snare drum and we finished the show that way. That was the beginning of our friendship.”

A few months later, Louvau and Bennington ran into each other at a

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE JUNE 2019

radio show.

“I was backstage, and I get a tap on my shoulder,” Louvau says. “It was Chester and he was telling me how much he loved my band and loved the show.

“When I met him, his band wasn’t massive. We were just two guys in bands.

It was nothing more than two peers. We did the same thing. He just happened to be really successful with it.”

Louvau took a break from music to be a photographer, which he calls “the second coolest thing in the world that I could think of to capture my favorite artists.” Bennington — who also played with Dead by Sunrise and Stone Temple Pilots — was willing to work with Louvau to help him hone his craft.

“I have almost a decade’s worth of photos of him — performing on stage with Linkin Park, the Stone Temple Pilots or walking down the hallways of Cardon Children’s Hospital,” Louvau says.

“I watched him talk to sick kids and families. I have all these different characteristics of Chester through photos. I never thought they would mean so much. I was just taking photos of a friend.”

LONGTIME TALENT Louvau attended Glendale’s Ironwood High School. For as long as he can remember, he’s wanted to pursue music or photography.

“I had this idea that if I was going to be a musician, I had to give that 100% and nothing else could fit into my creative spectrum,” he says. “As I got older, I figured out that was ridiculous.

I can do both at the same time and be equally as passionate about both.

“I’m lucky I have both because, if I was just doing one all the time, I would lose my mind. They complement each other and they’ve opened doors for the other as well, which is cool.”

Louvau, who now fronts There is No Us, quit his full-time job four years ago

to become a freelance photographer when his mother was diagnosed with brain cancer. He juggled caregiving, photography and writing.

“I had to create opportunities for myself so I could spend as much time with my mom as I could,” Louvau says.

“I spent eight months with her and learned the ropes of what it really meant to be a freelancer. It was definitely a gift from her because she was freelancing in her own industry.

“You have to have a lot of guts to not work a regular job and really go for it — especially in this market. I haven’t worked since the day we found out she was ill.”

Louvau says his multifaceted career is his way of channeling energy — nervous, anger, happiness and sadness.

“It could be whatever makes you tick,” he says. “That’s why so many people gravitate toward musicians. They’re

saying these things a lot of people feel.”

Bennington is included in that group.

The last day the two spent together, Bennington played the “One More Light” record — which was released two months before the singer died — for Louvau as they cruised the California coast.

“I played my new music,” Louvau says.

“It’s really heavy and he’s rocking out as he’s driving. I look over just trying to gauge his reaction.

“He says, ‘Now for something completely different. We just made a pop record.’ I thought it’s probably going to sound a lot like Linkin Park. But yeah, it was a pop record and every time a song or a chorus would change, he looked at me to see my reaction. It was cool because when I was playing my stuff for him, I was nervous. He was equally as nervous playing his stuff.”

“Nervous” wasn’t Louvau’s only

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feeling. He says the music was blatantly troubling and that stayed with him.

“After he passed, I said these feelings were with him the whole time,” Louvau says. “It was just being presented in a different way because the music was different. It was from the first single to the last and everything in between.”

Gossip publications and TV shows reported Bennington’s suicide was inspired by Chris Cornell taking his life on May 18, 2017. Louvau says that isn’t so.

“I wouldn’t say Chris Cornell inspired it because there was already a lot of things going on. He shared with me …,” Louvau says quickly redirecting the conversation. “I don’t think the Chris Cornell thing helped. We’re sitting here, right now, on the two-year anniversary of Chris Cornell’s passing.

“Sometimes it feels like it’s been five years. Sometimes it feels like it’s been six months.”

“Celebrating the Life of Chester Bennington” is Louvau’s way of mourning the singer and thanking him.

“I do these exhibits to honor and thank him because he was a really big part of my story in the beginning,” Louvau says. “He’s a really big part of my story again now. He opened doors for me in the beginning and he’s opening doors for me every day still. It’s unfortunate, the circumstances. I look at it like this: I take the gifts my mother and Chester left me and I’m doing my best to make the best of terrible situations.”

“Celebrating the Life of Chester Bennington”

by Jim Louvau

CHESTER BENNINGTON AND JIM LOUVAU

MonOrchid, 214 E. Roosevelt Street, Phoenix, monorchid.com, 6:30 to 10 p.m. Friday, June 21, $35.

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CHUGGING ALONG

Train is approaching its 30-year mark and reinventing its career Christina Fuoco-Karasinski >> The Entertainer!

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rain lead singer Pat Monahan is a man of few words.

He’s looking forward to his band’s tour with the Goo Goo Dolls and Allen Stone, which begins June 7 in Auburn, Washington. It pulls into Ak-Chin Pavilion on June 12.

The set will be all-encompassing, with hits like “Meet Virginia,” “Hey, Soul Sister,” “50 Ways to Say Goodbye” and “Calling All Angels.” But fans should be prepared for more.

“Expect to hear all the songs you recognize from Train and some surprises,” Monahan says. “I always like to include all the acts and do at least one song with the other artists. I like to try to bring everybody together.”

The tour promotes the Grammywinning band’s greatest hits collection that features a cover of George Michael’s “Careless Whisper” with Kenny G. Train released its debut album in 1998 with the tumbling wordplay of “Meet Virginia,” and has gone on to receive eight Grammy nominations and three wins.

Outside of music, Train partakes in other ventures with its Drops of Jupiter wine portfolio. Proceeds from the wine support Family House, a San Francisco charity that supports families of children ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses. Train’s 2016 covers album, “Does Led Zeppelin II,” saw all band proceeds going to Family House.

Monahan says the greatest hits collection was his manager’s idea and it was “based on math.”

“It was based on these songs being in the top 10 on some chart,” Monahan adds. “There were songs that were on the radio and probably 10 other songs that were on the radio that didn’t go that distance. They didn’t make it.

“A greatest hits album is an interesting way to look at life. Musically, my favorite songs are rarely my favorite artists’ biggest hits. I didn’t want the album to be called the ‘Best of’ because, for a lot of people, it’s not the best of or the biggest radio hits.”

He calls 2018’s “Call Me Sir,” with Travie McCoy and Cam, one of his favorite songs. He’s still surprised it was successful.

“Honestly, our last single, ‘Call Me Sir,’ really should have hit bigger,” Monahan says. “It never really made it to that place. Travie McCoy did a great rap on it.”

Monahan is penning songs, with the hopes of releasing a Train album in fall or winter, with a 2020 tour. A few of the songs remind him of Train’s early days.

“I liked that,” he adds. “That’s what I want. I love pop music and if you make a

folk-rock record during the time we were making folk records, nobody would have ever heard them.

“Things have changed so much.” You don’t need to be a pop band to be heard.

You can make music that you love and people will find it."

Train w/Goo Goo Dolls and Allen Stone Ak-Chin Pavilion, 2121 N. 83rd Avenue, Phoenix, livenation. com, 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 12, tickets start at $22.25.

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CITY

STYLE » ENVY » PASSION » FASHION » BEAUTY » DESIGN

GO WEST Scottsdale Museum shares the Arizona’s traditions Octavio Serrano >> The Entertainer!

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rizona’s roots are easy to forget as the Valley continues to grow.

Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West and its exhibitions act as reminders of Arizona’s past. The tourist attraction opened in 2015 and has since educated and inspired guests by immersing them in Western culture.

Dr. Tricia Loscher helped open SMoW as its assistant director since 2014.

She strives to share her vision for the museum, while continuing to open more exhibitions.

“I really would love to see it expand and grow in different ways,” Loscher says. “We’ve curated a lot of exhibitions through traditional Western art and artists.”

The purpose of these exhibitions is to continue to expand on the definition of the West and guests’ experiences.

“My vision is to bring these wonderful exhibitions that challenge the notion of the American West, because there are many definitions of the West,” Loscher says. “What is the West to you is going

to be different than how I perceive it and my experiences of the West.”

PAUL CALLE’S LIFE OF EXPLORATION: FROM THE MOUNTAINS TO THE MOON Paul Calle (1928-2010) was best known for drawing and painting realistic pieces of the historic American West, featuring Native Americans and mountain men. His work was inspired by his time with Native Americans when he observed their culture. Calle also sought to represent modern science’s groundbreaking achievements.

Calle spent many decades as an official NASA artist and designed the 1969 “First Man on the Moon” artwork and stamp. His goal was to depict space exploration as it progressed.

An oil on masonite painting, Calle’s “The Great Moment” (1969) is a realistic image of an astronaut descending onto the surface of the moon. The pitch-black background and the detailed uneven moon surface make this painting look more like a photograph.

Among his cache is also “Something for the Pot II,” an oil on canvas of a hunter armed with a rifle and the animals he has collected. The contrast

“YOUNG COWBOY” BY WILL JAMES (1935). (PHOTO COURTESY SCOTTSDALE MUSEUM OF THE WEST)

between his red coat and the snow on the trees in the background make this visually appealing.

Further exploring Calle’s style, “JFK” is simple and stunning. Graphite on paper, “JFK” depicts the late president sitting on a chair near a window.

Calle—who also painted portraits of Robert Frost and Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan—uses black and white imagery to allow viewers’ imagination to fill in the gaps.

Calle’s passion for the juxtaposition of the historic West and space exploration can best be described by a quote from him: “I have always likened the image of mountain man John Colter, his

moccasin-clad foot first stepping on the newly fallen snow of the Yellowstone valley, to the moon boot of Neil Armstrong, stepping in the dust of the moon’s surface at the sea of tranquility … two worlds apart, yet each at the edge of a new frontier.”

The exhibit is open through October 11, 2020.

WILL JAMES: COWBOY ARTIST AND AUTHOR Open through August 18, the Will James exhibit shows his paintings, drawings, etchings, books and ephemera.

James was born in Montreal in 1892. He left home at 15 to live in the West, where he worked as a cowboy.

In addition, James spent time in Hollywood and he was known as “the cowboy who drew pictures.”

“It’s often said that because he was an actual working cowboy, he really knew how to depict it and you can see it in his animals (paintings),” Loscher says.

James was known as one of the greatest artists, thanks to his Western style. His book “Smoky the Cowhorse” won the 1927 Newbery Medal for children’s literature and was adapted for film three times. He published 26 books, eight of which will be available for sale in the SMoW’s Sue and Robert Karatz Museum Store.

James’ “Young Cowboy” (1935) PAUL CALLE WAS ALSO KNOWN FOR HIS WORK AS A NASA ARTIST AND THE REALISTIC ILLUSTRATIONS OF SPACE EXPLORATIONS. (PHOTO COURTESY SCOTTSDALE MUSEUM OF THE WEST)

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE JUNE 2019

illustrates a young boy taming a wild horse using pen, ink and water color.

His oil canvas “Smoky and Clint” (1929) depicts a cowboy and his companion horse on the Old West’s rugged terrain. Viewers will notice the contrast between the dark terrain and the sunny landscape in the background.

The Abe Hays Family Will James Collection includes more than 80 original artworks and his 26 books.

“He really captured various angles and postures that would be really hard to do unless you had an understanding of the animals,” Loscher says. “These depictions tell stories between the animals and the people, so you can really see the working relationships between the two.”

familiar to many rock climbers. The image shows the Rocky Mountains as if they are erupting to form impressively tall columns.

Goldwater’s photographs “The Navajo” and “Native American Child,” prove his appreciation for Arizona’s roots. The images have strong shadows and well-lit faces. The Navajo subject’s wrinkles show a rugged individual, while the child’s dusty face in the “Native American Child” shows the character of the youth.

Goldwater took more than 15,000 photographs, and this exhibition showcases 34. Guests can expect imagery across Arizona’s landscapes, people and culture as Goldwater once experienced them.

GOLDWATER PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION

DEPICTING ARIZONA’S CULTURE

Former U.S. Sen. Barry M. Goldwater was passionate about Arizona. As a gifted photographer, he contributed to Arizona Highways magazine hundreds of times. With the help of the Barry and Peggy Goldwater Foundation, who has preserved and digitized Goldwater’s photographs, and Arizona Highways magazine, the SMoW is displaying this exhibit.

This is SMoW’s first all-photography exhibition and will run through March 2020. It is the largest collection of Goldwater’s work and unreleased photography, intimate family photos, and personal items belonging to the senator.

His black and white “Totem Pole” (1967) shows the famous ridgeline

The SMoW continues to highlight the Western region’s traditional culture, while also looking toward the future.

With more exhibitions to come, it will continue to expand the meaning and stories of the West.

“Always keep questioning and critiquing and being more inclusive of cultures and cultures who have come here from various parts of the world to live and work and how the West has influenced them,” Loscher says.

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Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West 3830 N. Marshall Way, Scottsdale, 480.686.9539, scottsdalemuseumwest.org.

BARRY M. GOLDWATER’S “THE NAVAJO” (1938). (PHOTO COURTESY SCOTTSDALE MUSEUM OF THE

WEST)

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KICKSTARTING THE ‘CHAOS’

Old fans revisiting the music of Phoenix’s Flotsam and Jetsam Christina Fuoco-Karasinski >> The Entertainer!

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lotsam and Jetsam have performed around the world, but nothing feels like a hometown show.

“We always get a warm welcome when we return to the Valley,” says guitarist Michael Gilbert of Chandler. “We always try to make our last shows of our tours our hometown shows. It’s the big release.

There’s always tons of energy. It’s great.

It’s hard to explain the energy that’s there.”

Flotsam and Jetsam have, for the most part, stuck around the Valley. Vocalist Eric “A.K.” Knutson lives in Gilbert; guitarist Steve Conley in Glendale; and new drummer Ken Mary in Fountain Hills. Bassist Michael Spencer resides in Sacramento.

The band will perform at Club Red in Mesa on Saturday, June 15, to promote its latest album, “The End of Chaos,” for which the band wrote “a ton of songs.”

“We each wrote 25 songs a piece,” Gilbert says. “A.K. picks and chooses the songs and a lot of them get tossed to the side. It’s all good, though. We get the best possible songs we can out of it.”

The formula has worked. Flotsam and Jetsam are witnessing a revival of sorts, ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

as the band is seeing old school fans revisiting its music.

“We’re making a bit of a comeback,” Gilbert says. “They’re starting to revisit and buy the new stuff as well. We’re seeing a lot of younger people at the show. They’re in the front row, singing songs that were out 20 years before they were born.

“It gets us all excited. That was happening when we did the self-titled album. There’s this spark again. The power metal music fans are digging A.K.’s voice.”

After its U.S. tour, Flotsam and Jetsam—whose alumni include former Metallica bassist Jason Newsted—have three short European runs.

“What sucks is flying back and forth, but it’s totally worth it,” he says. “As tired as we are when we get there, when we see 4,000 people or more than that— sometimes up to 80,000—it wakes you up really quick.”

LONGTIME MUSICIAN Gilbert moved from California to the Valley when he was 15 years old. He knows the exact year.

“I base everything on when records came out,” he says with a laugh. “I moved when ‘For Those About to Rock’ came out—’81.”

The Dobson High School graduate

recalled, too, when he realized he wanted to be a musician. Again, an AC/DC reference: the first time he heard “The Jack.”

“I had headphones on and I says, ‘OK. I’m going to play guitar. I’m going to learn how to do this,’” he says. “My mom bought me a guitar for $20 at Kmart. I still have it. It’s not that bad of a guitar. I learned on that.

“That’s when my parents knew I was serious about it. I’ve been collecting guitars since then. I can’t have enough. I have around 20, but I can only play one at a time, unless I’m Rick Nielsen (of Cheap Trick).”

When he’s home, Gilbert says he enjoys going to Diamondbacks games and eating at Los Dos Molinos in Mesa.

“If you like super spicy Mexican food, that is the place to go,” he says. “Plus, they have great margaritas.”

CHAOS REBORN The five-piece band was founded in the early 1980s and critics have called 1986’s “Doomsday for the Deceiver” a “game changer.” English rock magazine Kerrang! gave it a 6K rating; its sixth and only accolade of that nature.

After the debut was released, Newsted joined Metallica. The musical landscape changed, but Flotsam and Jetsam’s mission stayed the same.

“A.K.’s vocals are what makes our band and who we are,” gilbert says. “He’s very unique, there is nobody else like him. He’s a fantastic singer. But the dude gets better and better.”

“The End of Chaos” has 12 songs that clock in at around 50 minutes, kicking off with “Prisoner of Time.” Knutson screams the signature line, “Live your life without regret; don’t be a prisoner of time.”

The singer summed up Flotsam and Jetsam’s career perfectly.

“We’ve been through a lot of crap,” he says. “For a while I had a lineup with me who was just together to go out on vacations then have the promoters pay for it. And it’s a little different now, we are back to a real band making a stab at growing and becoming a bigger entity in the music industry. Our goal in writing a record, is to put out the coolest music we can. ‘The End of Chaos’ hits the mark.”

Flotsam and Jetsam w/ Dead by Wednesday, Footer, Condemned Till Dawn and Black Phantom Club Red, 1306 W. University Drive, Mesa, 480.200.7529, clubredrocks.com, 6 p.m.

Saturday, June 15, $20-$25.

FANS HAVE COLE SWINDELL’S NUMBER THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE JUNE 2019

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The country singer knows what it takes to find success Christina Fuoco-Karasinski >> The Entertainer!

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ole Swindell is a big fan of Arizona. After all, he says, what’s not to like? Golf, check. Mexican food, even better. Raucous crowds,

perfect.

“It’s one of my favorite areas in the country,” Swindell says. “I love golf, one.

Two, the radio there has been so good to me. Anytime we play there, you can tell people are into it.

“Phoenix is one of my favorite cities, honestly. If I wasn’t in Nashville, I’d be in Arizona—maybe someday.”

The multiplatinum 11-time No. 1 singer will open for Luke Bryan at AkChin Pavilion on Thursday, June 13.

Swindell is pushing his third album, 2018’s “All of It,” which spawned the Grammy-nominated hit “Break Up in the End,” and one of YouTube’s Best Country Songs of 2018, “Love You Too Late.”

Now, Swindell is in the studio work on “Down Home Sessions” for his “hardcore fans.” The EP will feature songs he wrote, but were hits for others.

“It’s going to be feel-good fun songs for the summer,” Swindell says. “Any time I put out new music, it’s awesome. I love putting out these kinds of songs. It’s how my career started.”

Swindell is quick to add he didn’t get as far as he did on his own. He surrounds himself with “good people” and worked hard.

“People can open doors for you, but they can’t play the shows for you,” he says. “They can’t write the songs for you.

That gets misconstrued, ‘He wouldn’t be there without this or that.’ You have to believe in yourself to get that break.”

He’s loyal to a fault as well. He has the same band—minus one band member— since day one.

“We’re a tight-knit group,” he says.

“I’m at a place in my career where I have to get to the next level. We’re three albums in and working on another tour, I’m thankful about how lucky and blessed I’ve been. I wouldn’t be here without a lot of people.”

Swindell is looking forward to returning with Bryan to Phoenix.

Calling from rehearsal, Swindell is planning to change his set so it’s different from previous gigs.

“We realize a lot of fans saw us last

year, so we’re trying to change it up to give it a whole new look,” he says.

“We’ve played the singles we’ve had success with on the radio. I want to focus on the songs that were on my first three albums that didn’t make it on the radio.”

An avid Atlanta Braves fan who visits baseball stadiums when he can, Swindell came up with this after attending a country concert last year.

“The songs I was so excited about were the ones on the first album that you never hear live,” he says. “I learned something from that. This year, I’m going to mash them up, and play a cover here and there. They’re always a surprise, though. It’s an energetic show. We’re just honored to be out there opening for Luke. We have a lot of history together and this is our last hurrah together. It’s time for me to move on.”

Luke Bryan w/Cole Swindell, Jon Langston and DJ Rock Ak-Chin Pavilion, 2121 N. 83rd Avenue, Phoenix, livenation.com, 7 p.m. Thursday, June 13, tickets start at $44.25.

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TRAVEL

VACATION » SIGHTS » DAY TRIPS » ADVENTURE » EXPLORE » TRAVEL THE GATEWAY ARCH NATIONAL PARK CAN BE CLAUSTROPHOBIC, BUT IT OFFERS AN AMAZING VIEW.

MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS

The Gateway to the West offers plenty to do besides watching Goldy Christina Fuoco-Karasinski >> The Entertainer!

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hen America’s first baseman Paul Goldschmidt was traded from the D-backs to the St. Louis Cardinals, the move crushed Valley baseball fans. There was only one thing to do this summer: Head to St. Louis.

The trip to the “Gateway to the West” started with a turbulent flight with a swearing male flight attendant. But we landed safely at 10 p.m. to a storm. The rain was refreshing; a departure from the mostly arid Arizona.

After picking up our baggage, we made our way to the taxi stand and met an East African driver. He was friendly—even though he never heard of our destination, the Hotel St. Louis,

and said he hated the media. He said they were ruining the city’s reputation by reporting nothing but crime stories.

When I told him I was working on a positive St. Louis story, he hung his head in embarrassment.

HOTEL ST. LOUIS The Hotel St. Louis is a new addition to the city, which is repurposing buildings all over the town. The 14-story BUSCH STADIUM IS PAUL GOLDSCHMIDT’S NEW HOME. (PHOTOS COURTESY EXPLORE ST. LOUIS)

hotel is located in the Historic Union Trust building designed by architect Louis Sullivan. Vacant since 2013, Amy and Amrit Gill of Restoration St. Louis bought the structure at 705 Olive Street for $3.3 million and spent more than $64 million to renovate it.

The heat from the lobby fireplace embraced us when we walked through the door. Comfy couches and armchairs filled the lobby, bookended by tables adorned with elaborate glass lamps, flower arrangements and geometric art sculptures. The most impressive feature are the elevators; brass with a fantastically retro floor number dial.

Don’t forget to look up: the beautiful stained glass ceiling could be right out of a Vegas hotel.

Once we checked in, we made our way to the fifth floor, king room. There was a surprising touch: a turntable with albums by the likes of Harry Belafonte.

The sizeable room had an en suite bathroom with a wet room shower, bathtub, modern-style basin counter with a television built into the mirror above it.

The treat cabinet had everything from chips and chocolate, to several small bottles of liquor and a fridge with some locally brewed alcoholic beverages.

THURSDAY Upon waking, we walked from the hotel to a local breakfast favorite,

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE JUNE 2019

THE GUEST ROOMS AT HOTEL ST. LOUIS ARE EQUIPPED WITH TURNTABLES AND VINYL.

Rooster, another retrofitted building.

We met with Explore St. Louis to hear suggestions on what we should see.

The entrees were incredible, namely my ham and cheese omelet, and the scramble with three eggs served over potatoes with bacon, mushrooms, emmenthaler and arugula.

After breakfast, we explored St. Louis.

Perhaps the most impressive and obvious landmark is the Gateway to the West Arch near the Mississippi River.

The Gateway Arch National Park has a large museum that shares the history of the manmade monument above it.

Two trams—north and south—take guests to the top of the arch. Be warned: claustrophobes shouldn’t even consider it. Those who do brave the ride are entertained with video and projections showing more facts and figures like the tram is a cross between an escalator and Ferris wheel.

The elevator ride is 4 minutes, but the view makes guests breathless. Peeking through rectangular porthole-type windows travelers see both sides of the Mississippi. The coolest part, however, was seeing the home of the St. Louis Cardinals, Busch Stadium.

Located near the Arch is the Museum of Westward Expansion, the former courthouse primarily depicts the history of African-American life in St. Louis and has wonderful artwork throughout.

The next stop was the National Blues Museum, a magnificent trip through the history of the blues. It exhibits instruments from Africa, which are said to be at the genesis of this music style. Guests see and hear how the blues influenced rap, country and rock music.

One of Chuck Berry’s guitars is on display, showing the wear and tear of the working man’s instrument. Visitors can create their own blues song, thanks to lyrics and instrumentation in the Jack White mix room. The finished piece is sent via email.

When we returned at night to the Sugarfire Smokehouse, we saw a jam session in the National Blues Museum’s concert hall with a handful of stellar musicians.

monkeying around with that. The enclosures are animal friendly and, like most zoos, some of the animals aren’t visible. Various vantage points allow guests to peek in at their favorite furry friends.

The polar bear enjoyed the children’s attention when he was swimming past them. The flamingos were majestic, and the playful sea lions showed off their talents as we watched them through a glass tunnel.

One of the elephants were feeding as we were passing and stood up on its back legs to seemingly wave to the guests.

The real reason for visiting St. Louis was to see Goldy. On the way to Busch Stadium, we saw modern art sculptures and fountains downtown.

The 20,000-square-foot Ballpark Village, which is adjacent to Busch Stadium, didn’t disappoint. It has a host of restaurants and a small team shop, but it is well known for its 40-foot LED TV in the dining area that serves as a gathering spot for major events. A nod to the Chicago Cubs, Ballpark Village has rooftop seating.

But Busch Stadium is a gem. It’s a mouth-watering introduction to St. Louis with its touch of blues music in a courtyard, a smattering of barbecue and, of course, Anheuser Busch beer. (If the vendor at the barbecue/brisket joint Centerfield Carvery in Section 189 says he’s out of barbecue sauce, just know

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there is plenty of it on the condiment islands throughout the ballpark.) Don’t pass by Dinger’s Donuts, crunchy donuts—like cider mills back home— with hot fudge.

The main event was two days of baseball: the Cardinals vs. the Pirates.

The Pirates won 2-1, but the “slumping” Goldschmidt had three hits in five at bats.

SATURDAY We heard Saturday was very likely to be rainy. The game delayed for nearly three hours, so in the meantime we checked out the City Museum.

The impressive City Museum is an ever-changing art exhibition inside a historic building that now showcases antique items from around St. Louis.

There are creatures fashioned out of mechanical items; the elevator was bordered by piece of printing presses.

This is a perfect place for children to explore, as this has many tunnels, climbing frames and slides that zoom in and out of the building. (The outside was closed due to inclement weather.)

We braved going to the ballpark in the rain, but we realized how fortunate we are to have Chase Field and its retractable roof. It was fun to see Goldy and a different ballpark in the rain.

While we didn’t stay for the game, we went to the upper level to view the arch and to say goodbye.

BALLPARK VILLAGE IS ON THE NORTH SIDE OF BUSCH STADIUM.

FRIDAY Uber and taxi drivers concur the St. Louis Zoo is one of the best in the country. Admission is free, which is commonplace in the city. There’s no

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Flagstaff offers a variety of festivals this summer Shane Crowe >> The Entertainer!

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s the inevitable heatwave of the Arizona sun approaches, many residents are looking for ways to escape the 100-degree temperatures while still enjoying the outdoors.

Some may want to do something that doesn’t require extreme hiking or biking or zipping through the trees. Trust us, there are plenty of ways to enjoy Flagstaff ’s cool climes in the pines of Flagstaff.

FLAGSTAFF BLUES AND BREWS MUSIC FESTIVAL JUNE 7 AND JUNE 8 Although summer officially starts on June 21, the best way to kick off the season is at the Flagstaff Blues and Brews Festival at Continental Country Club Driving Range. Th is year marks the fi rst time it will be a two-day event, with bands taking the stage on Friday afternoon and throughout Saturday.

Festival-goers would be wise to knock off work early and head up on Friday to start their weekend right listening to blues under Flagstaff ’s bright stars.

Entering its seventh year, the festival draws big-name stars and this year doesn’t disappoint with Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Tab Benoit, Larkin Poe and Samantha Fish slated to hit the stage.

The festival also features some of the best craft brews in the region from breweries like Mother Road Brewery and Barrio Brewing, as well as gluten-free beer, wine and canned cocktails. flagstaff blues.com

PEPSI AMPHITHEATER CONCERT SERIES THROUGHOUT SUMMER The Pepsi Amphitheater once again

brings some of the top acts to the pines. This year, the lineup includes Rebelution, DJ Mackie, Protoje, with Durand Jones and The Indications on June 14; Sublime with Rome and Soja on June 16; Buddy Guy and Jimmie Vaughan on August 2; Los Lonely Boys and Ozomatli on August 4; Slightly Stoopid, Tribal Seeds, Matisyahu and Hirie on August 15; Pickin’ in the Pines (see below) and Lord Huron on September 19. pepsiamp.com

PRIDE IN THE PINES JUNE 22 Flagstaff Pride delivers a diverse lineup of national, regional and local entertainers, featuring Latin hip-hop artist Kat DeLuna as the headliner along with Neon Native, Keith Okie & Rebel Sol, Zigtebra and belly dancing

by Anahata Tribe. Held in Thorpe Park, Pride in the Pines helps promote and support cultural diversity, civil and human rights by fighting discrimination of all kinds. flagstaffpride.org.

ARIZONA HIGHLAND CELTIC FESTIVAL JULY 20 AND JULY 21 The Northern Arizona Celtic Heritage Society is dedicated to preserving the Celtic culture including language, traditions, arts and history. It does so through its Highland Games, featuring the hammer throw, caber toss and sheaf at Foxglenn Park. Celtic bands like the ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

Knockabouts, The Ploughboys and The Wicked Tinkers will take the stage throughout the day. Exhibitors will display their wares and the genealogy research tent will help with family trees. nachs.info.

PICKIN’ IN THE PINES SEPTEMBER 13 TO SEPTEMBER 15 Flagstaff Friends of Traditional Music hosts the award-winning bluegrass and acoustic music festival featuring the best traditional and contemporary bluegrass, Celtic and gypsy jazz music at the Pepsi Amphitheater. This year’s featured artists include Sam Bush, Del McCoury and David Grisman, Jeff Austin Band with Darol Anger and Jay Starling, Sierra Hull, Blue Highway and Becky Buller Band. The festival also features educational workshops and as well as a band contest, all in a family-friendly setting. pickininthepines.org

FLAGSTAFF OKTOBERFEST OCTOBER 5 In its 11th year, the Flagstaff Oktoberfest at Wheeler Park bids farewell to summer and hello to autumn. With a focus on German heritage, Oktoberfest also has Polka music, brat-eating contests and stein-holding competitions. Musical artists include Mike Reeves Band and The Thirsty Five. Families are encouraged to enjoy free root beer floats. Get ready for a rousing good time. flagstaffoktoberfest.com

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ARTS

CULTURE » THEATER » DANCE » GALLERY » DRAMA » VISION

ARTS

CALENDAR Randy Montgomery >> The Entertainer!

style musical revue.

Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, 7380 E. Second Street, Scottsdale, 480.499.8587, scottsdaleperformingarts. org, times vary, $31-$39.

music. The winner of the Best Musical Tony, “Once” is a tale of love, loss and following one’s dreams.

The Phoenix Theatre Company, 1825 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, 602 254.2151, phoenixtheatre. com, times vary, $36-$86.

“Mother of Reinvention:” Lunch Time Theater “Legally Blonde: The Musical” TO JUNE 16 First a best-selling novel, then a hit motion picture starring the alwayslikable Reese Witherspoon, “Legally Blonde” has entertained audiences worldwide. The story of how Elle Woods charms her way into a prestigious law school to reconnect with the boyfriend who dumped her has been adapted for the stage.

Desert Stages Theatre, Scottsdale Fashion Square, 7014 E. Camelback Road, Suite 0586, Scottsdale, 480.483.1664, desertstages.org, times vary $20.

JUNE 3 TO JUNE 13 See a live show on your lunch break! In “Mother of Reinvention,” an everyday woman’s journey of hope and happiness, loss and life is told through stories and music.

Note: there is an evening preview performance on June 3. Other shows are during the weekday lunch hour.

Kax Stage at the Herberger Theater Center, 222 E. Monroe Street, Phoenix, 602.252.8497, herbergertheater. org, 12:10 p.m., $7.

“Assisted Living: The Musical” “Once”

TO JUNE 16 Guy is a singer-songwriter who spends his days repairing vacuums in the Dublin shop he runs with his father, and his nights playing his music in local pubs. He is on the verge of giving up music when he meets a woman who persuades him to believe in the power of his

JUNE 4 Imagine: no work, no pregnancy and a full array of Medicare-subsidized pharmaceuticals. From early retirement to the pulling of the plug, 21st century seniors are partying like its 1969 at Pelican Roost, the full-service retirement community.

Eighteen characters (residents) are played by two actors in this 75-minute, hilarious, vaudeville-

First Friday

JUNE 7 The Heard Museum celebrates First Friday and National LGBTQ Pride Month with partner organization PFLAG. The Friday night event will feature live music by MRCH and a film screening of “Sweetheart Dancers,” a story about Sean and Adrian, a two-spirit couple determined to rewrite the rules of Native American culture. The first 14-minute screening is at 7 p.m., with a loop running after the Q&A throughout the rest of the night.

Heard Museum, 2301 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, 602.252.8840, heard.org, event starts at 6 p.m., free.

Detour Dance Company: “Mamma Mia!”

JUNE 7 TO JUNE 9 Detour Company Theatre provides theater training and performance experiences for adults with cognitive and physical disabilities, providing opportunities to develop artistry and participate in the sharing of musical theater with the community. The company’s June production is “Mamma Mia,” a hilarious story of a young woman’s search for her birth father.

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Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, 7380 E. Second Street, Scottsdale, 480.499.8587, scottsdaleperformingarts. org, times vary, free.

“The Adams Family”

JUNE 7 TO JULY 7 One of TV’s most popular (and creepy) families comes to the stage.

The family’s daughter Wednesday, the ultimate Princess of Darkness, has grown up and fallen in love— with a sweet young man from a respectable family! While her parents wonder where they went wrong, Wednesday wants just one normal night. This is one family dinner you won’t forget! Have your own delicious dinner while enjoying a specially curated concoctions from ABT’s culinary staff, while watching the performance.

Arizona Broadway Theatre, 7701 W. Paradise Lane, Peoria, 623.776.8400, azbroadway. org, times vary, prices vary.

Cinematic Pop

JUNE 10 AND JUNE 11 Spire Music presents a concert of new music featuring soloists McKenna Breinholt, Spencer Jones and Cosette Smith, backed by a full orchestra and a massive 100-voice choir, conducted by producer/arranger Rob Gardner.

Mesa Arts Center, 1 E. Main Street, Mesa, 480.644.6500, mesaartscenter.com, 7:30 p.m., $25-$39.

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE JUNE 2019

“Souls” Installation Screenings

eviscerates and celebrates the show that has taken Broadway by storm.

The Phoenix Theatre Company, 1825 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, 602.254.2151, phoenixtheatre. com, times vary, $38-$88.

“Disney Freaky Friday”

“Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”

JUNE 11 TO JUNE 16 Willy Wonka is opening his mysterious chocolate factory to four golden ticket winners. That includes Charlie Bucket, whose bland life is about to burst with color and confection beyond his wildest dreams. Don’t miss this opportunity to see the imagination of Roald Dahl’s magical and classical tale live through this Broadway touring production.

ASU Gammage, 1200 S. Forest Avenue, Tempe, 480.965.3434, asugammage.com, times vary, tickets start at $30.

“The Lost Boys of Neverland” JUNE 13 TO JUNE 23 The East Valley Children’s Theatre answers the question, “What happened when Peter Pan left Neverland?” The Neverland adventures continue in this chapter of the Peter Pan Adventures.

Mesa Arts Center, 1 E. Main Street, Mesa, 480.644.6500, mesaartscenter.com, times vary, $15.

JUNE 14 TO JUNE 30 This new musical is based on the beloved 1972 novel by Mary Rodgers and the hit Disney films that have charmed audiences for decades.

The story: an overworked mother and her teenage daughter magically swap bodies and have just one day to put things right again. This production is a heartfelt, comedic and unexpectedly emotional update on an American classic produced by Valley Youth Theatre.

Herberger Theater Center, 222 E. Monroe Street, Phoenix, 602.252.8497, herbergertheater. org, times vary, $20.50-$39.50.

“Spamilton: An American Parody”

JUNE 12 TO AUGUST 11 Can’t get tickets to see Lin-Manuel Miranda’s hit Broadway musical? No worries! Head to Phoenix Theatre to see Gerard Alessandrini’s hilarious spoof. The new musical roasts,

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JUNE 15, JUNE 19 AND JUNE 29 “Souls” is a visual exhibition, photographic art and and film installation that captures the totality of mortality, blackness and Afro-futurism. It plays on a loop in Whiteman Hall as part of the Artist Grants exhibition and is included with general admission.

Phoenix Art Museum, 1625 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, 602.666.7104, phxart.org, times vary, free-$23.

David Gray with Gaby Moreno JUNE 29 Join David Gray with guest Gaby Moreno for the “Gold in a Brass Age 2019 Tour.” An English singersongwriter, Gray released his first album in 1993, followed by tours with the likes of Radiohead and the Dave Matthews Band.

Mesa Arts Center, 1 E. Main Street, Mesa, 480.644.6500, mesaartscenter.com, 8 p.m., $48.50-$68.50.

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UPFRONT | TCITY | THE DOWNTOWNER | TRAVEL | ARTS | DINING | BEER AND WINE | CASINOS | SPORTS | FAMILY | MUSIC | NIGHTLIFE | IN CLOSING

‘SPAMILTON’ Imitation—or spoofing—is the greatest form of flattery

Bridgette Redman >> The Entertainer!

C

an something truly be called a cultural phenomenon in this day and age if it hasn’t been spoofed?

Whether or not it can, there is little doubt that “Hamilton” has seeped into the culture in ways few Broadway shows have done in decades.

So, it isn’t surprising that Gerard Alessandrini, the master of Great White Way satire and the founder of “Forbidden Broadway,” has applied his talents to the hip-hop historical musical.

His spoof, “Spamilton: An American Parody,” is touring the country and The Phoenix Theater Company is hosting it from June 12 to August 11.

“Everyone who knows ‘Hamilton’ and loves ‘Hamilton’ loves this show—they hear the music, they know all the lyrics, and when they hear how we twist and play with it, it’s priceless,” says Datus Puryear, the actor who plays actor Leslie Odom Jr. and historical politican/lawyer Aaron Burr in the touring production.

“Everyone knows the show so well and they’re ready to have a good time. We do the twist and they’re always right there with us.”

The twists include new words to familiar songs, creative casting, puppets, and the skewering of other shows and Broadway personalities. In

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addition to Lin-Manuel Miranda’s hit musical, “Spamilton” also parodies “Gypsy,” “Chicago,” “The King and I,” “Assassins,” “Camelot,” “The Book of Mormon” and “Sweeney Todd.”

The show debuted in New York in July 2016 and continued a successful run that extended to Chicago, London and a national tour.

Puryear says he and many of his fellow cast members have auditioned many times for “Hamilton” (and he has been called back many times as well) and when they auditioned for “Spamilton,” they knew most the music by heart. It made it easier to jump into “Spamilton,” especially because they had only two weeks to rehearse before going live.

“If I didn’t know anything about Hamilton, it would have been hard.

Knowing it made that learning curve a lot easier,” Puryear says.

Puryear got a late introduction to musical theater. While he was involved in the arts and music throughout school, he’d never done theater until he was encouraged to audition for “Beauty and the Beast” during his senior year of high school. He was cast as the Beast.

“It was a whole other door that opened for me,” he says. “It made me regret not doing theater my previous four years.

When I went to college for music, I continued to do shows. It was something new I had discovered.”

After college, he did a few commercials, had his first TV show on

CBS, and then he booked “Spamilton.”

It’s a show he says is absolutely for everyone—whether they have seen “Hamilton” or not.

“When I first booked the role, I was thinking that this was just going to be for a niche audience,” Puryear says. “A lot of people have seen ‘Hamilton,’ but not everyone. But no, you definitely don’t need to have seen ‘Hamilton’ to grasp what is going on. We spoof so many other shows and the content in and of itself is so funny.”

In fact, he says, seeing “Spamilton”

can prep you for seeing the real thing.

“For those who haven’t seen ‘Hamilton,’ it teaches you what it is about,” Puryear says.

The touring experience has been fantastic for him. His 6-month-old son and his wife have joined him on tour.

He says they’ve formed close bonds with everyone they travel with.

The show pianist made a special shirt for his son that has the “Spamilton” star on it and is emblazoned with the word “Spamiltot.”

“That has been the highlight of the show—the loving care of the cast, creative team, producers and directors,” Puryear says. “The whole experience of being on tour has been fantastic. The way they embrace my family has been wonderful.”

“Spamilton’s” creator Alessandrini is best known for “Forbidden Broadway,” a long-running off-Broadway revue that parodies musical theater. It opened in 1982 and was continually rewritten to include new material and spoof new musicals. It ran cabaret style and typically had four actors playing multiple roles. Over the decades, they released multiple CDs and toured the world.

At times they stretched out to do such things as “Forbidden Hollywood.”

Some of the songs in “Spamilton” include such titles as “Lin-Manuel as Hamilton,” “Aaron Burr, Sir, Nervouser,” “Look Around (The Schuyler Puppets)” several reprises of “Ticket Beggar Woman,” (a take-off on the beggar woman from Sondheim’s “Sweeney Todd” begging for tickets instead of alms), “Daveed Diggs – The

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE JUNE 2019

Fresh Prince of Big Hair,” “Book of No More Mormons,” “Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Cries” and “The Film When It Happens.”

The show opens, not with Aaron Burr, but with the actor who played him on Broadway, Puryear’s role of Leslie Odom Jr. He sings the opening number about Miranda, a theatrical revolutionary who is out to change Broadway much the way the character he played—Alexander Hamilton—revolutionized America.

Puryear sings:

How does a whipper snapper Student of rap And a Latin Trapped in the middle of a Manhattan flat With Broadway accolades While other writers kiss The corporate dollar Grow up to be a hip-hop op’ra Scholar?

At other times, the actor playing Miranda sings “I am not gonna let Broadway rot” instead of “I’m not

throwing away my shot.”

While the show is a parody and spoof, it is clear that Alessandrini is himself a fan of “Hamilton” and Miranda, and “Spamilton” spoofs in the most admiring of terms.

Puryear encourages anyone who is a fan of musical theater to see “Spamilton.” The show, he points out, is only an hour and 15 minutes long—with no intermission.

“You’ll get a night of musical comedy and dancing,” Puryear says. “It’s a great

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night out. It’s fun filled, it’s not too long and it’s nonstop laughter.”

“Spamilton” The Phoenix Theatre, 1825 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, 602.254.2151, phoenixtheatre. com, 8 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays, 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, Wednesday, June 12, to Sunday, August 11, $38-$88.

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UPFRONT | TCITY | THE DOWNTOWNER | TRAVEL | ARTS | DINING | BEER AND WINE | CASINOS | SPORTS | FAMILY | MUSIC | NIGHTLIFE | IN CLOSING

Guy Meets Girl Phoenix Theater harnesses passion and sacrifice for ‘Once’

Bridgette Redman >> The Entertainer!

O

nce upon a time, a Guy met a Girl, music happened, and they fell in love. But every happily ever after looks different, and sometimes people have to make sacrifices for their passions.

The Phoenix Theater is bringing the musical “Once” to its stages now through June 16, led by Director Pasha Yamotahari who traveled extensively, conducting research to bring authenticity to this story of music, passion, and chasing one’s dreams.

The story takes place in Dublin where Guy works in a vacuum repair shop by day with his father and by night sings at a local pub and writes songs. He’s about to give up on his musical dreams when he meets Girl, a muse who inspires him and helps to change his life.

“Many artists know they have some sort of something they can contribute to humanity as a whole,” says Yamotahari.

“What connects me to Guy’s story is that he has given up completely. He is giving away the guitar, he doesn’t think he can make it. Then how easily the world and the universe can present some sort of muse, the Girl being that muse.

Realizing they connect with each other to bring back his passion is what makes this story so beautiful.”

The musical is based on the 2007 film

by John Carney. Music and lyrics were created by Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova with a book by Enda Walsh. The ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

musical opened on Broadway in 2012 and would go on to be nominated for 11 Tony awards, winning eight, including Best Musical.

It is best known for the song “Falling Slowly.”

Yamotahari says he always had an affinity for Irish authors and musicians.

“Once” was one of the first musicals he saw before starting work in musical theater.

TRAVELING TO DUBLIN The Phoenix Theatre grants six-week sabbaticals to staff members who have been with them for seven years or more.

Yamotahari joined them in 2009. So, when he took his sabbatical, he went to Canada, Iceland, Scotland, Finland, his home country of France, and Ireland, where he did background research for “Once.”

While in Ireland, he visited regional theaters and examined the busker culture that Guy is a part of in “Once.”

“The busker culture is still very vibrant in Europe,” Yamotahari says. “Unless you’re in the major metropolises in the U.S., it isn’t prominent.”

He immersed himself in the busker culture while in Ireland, interviewing buskers to learn what their day jobs were, how and why they did what they did and the ways in which they formed a community. He said there is a rich culture in which there are deep family ties.

“The support each other,” Yamotahari says.

“One thing I heard from the men performing is that it isn’t just about them performing, but about keeping the streets

of Dublin alive with art. This community gives life to the already existing beautiful sounds. They give musicality to the architecture. It was lovely to be immersed in that and to learn quite a bit of something that has been vibrant in Irish culture for centuries.”

INFUSING THAT FLAVOR IN THE STAGE PRODUCTION This in-depth research informed his direction of “Once” in many ways.

The Broadway and touring production set is very iconic—it is a pub in which audience members can come on stage and have a drink preshow or during intermission. However, that set is copyrighted and regional theaters are not allowed to replicate it. So Yamotahari decided to draw upon what he saw in Dublin.

“We are going to celebrate the buskers,” Yamotahari says. “It is as though you are on the cobblestone streets of Ireland. Our stylistic direction will be to have the audience come out to see this beautiful ballet of people of all ages celebrating music and who they are in the streets and making human connections, musical connections. So throughout the piece, we have our Guy and Girl and their story—within that I want people to see how easy it is for humans to connect when they have a passion in common.”

When the audience first walks into the space, there are musicians playing songs the way they might today on the streets of Dublin. The goal is to create a warm and inviting scene with live entertainment right up until Guy’s first entrance.

KEEPING IT FRESH AND REAL Another thing the show’s director

learned while in Dublin is that music is never the same. The structure and words may stay the same, but the song’s energy and motion changes every time it is performed. He said this is especially important in a musical like “Once” where the main characters are creating music as part of the plot. So no matter how many times they perform it, the same song is never done the same way.

Yamotahari said the choreographer, Nicole Olson, focused on how to make the dancing feel naturalistic. Olson studied the artists’ bodies to adapt the choreography to the moves their bodies made so they looked more natural. It was a way, he says, to accentuate not just the beautiful music, but the passion that comes when musicians are playing their instruments and what the body wants to do. In other parts, where they have a couple of strong dancers, they created spectacular movements that provide some surprising and unexpected moments that Yamotahari hopes will be fun and joyful.

Ultimately, though, everything comes back to the story, a story of music, a story of rags to riches, a story of pursuing passions and the sacrifices needed to achieve them.

And it’s a story told through intense talent on the stage of The Phoenix Theatre.

“It’s not your regular show,” Yamotahari says. “These are artists that act, sing, dance, and play instruments.

When you are at a professional theater company and you have three weeks, that’s a lot of commitment, passion, courage and a lot of challenge. I hope audiences realize that it takes a village like Dublin; it takes a city like Phoenix to create this and it comes with time and tragedies, but at the end, I hope audiences really enjoy and can feel the amount of energy, love, and electricity that went into telling this story.”

“Once” The Phoenix Theatre, 1825 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, 602.254.2151, phoenixtheatre. com, various times through June 16, $56-$106.

KOOKY AND CREEPY

The Addams family has dinner with Wednesday’s new boyfriend Bridgette Redman >> The Entertainer!

T

here are few dinner engagements more fraught with tension than the meeting of two families whose children have fallen in love. It’s why it has so often been the subject of comedies for stage and screen.

When one of the families is straight laced and uptight and the other is, well, kooky and creepy, you have all the ingredients for a night of nonstop laughter.

It’s what the Arizona Broadway Theatre is serving from Friday, June 7, to Sunday, July 6, with “The Addams Family,” a Broadway musical from 2010 that features the family from television and the movies.

In the musical, Wednesday Adams has grown up and fallen in love with a surprisingly normal boy, Lucas Beineke.

The families are due to meet over dinner and both children want them to make a good impression.

Two of the most iconic characters in the show, Gomez and Morticia Addams will be played by performers familiar to ABT audiences. Brad York has been with ABT since the beginning, is the director of marketing and has appeared in RENEE KOHER

numerous ABT shows including “Young Frankenstein,” “Anything Goes,” “The Full Monty” and “Into the Woods.” He will play Gomez Addams June 7 to June 11; June 15 and June 16; June 21 to June 23; June 28 to June 30 and July 5 to July 6. He is otherwise played by Matthew Mello.

Opposite him is Renee Kathleen Koher who says she lost count of how many ABT shows she’s been in after 25, but they include “Mamma Mia,” “Mary Poppins,” “Kiss Me Kate,” “Fiddler on the Roof” and “Rock of Ages.”

Both remember watching “The Addams Family” when they were young.

“I grew up loving ‘The Addams Family’ on TV,” York says. “They were so weird, but also so funny—and John Astin was so perfectly ‘odd’ as Gomez.

For anyone who grew up enjoying the freaky hilarity of the 1964 TV series and later the series of movies, this show is a must see. It’s so much fun, a great story, and this cast assembled is going to bring down the house.”

Koher agrees the older generation will get in touch with their childhood through this show. She remembers seeing it on Nick at Night when they would play Addams family reruns and then seeing the films in theaters.

“I thought it was fun. It was silly, kooky and creepy,” she says. “Then there wasn’t much of the Addams Family around. It kind of kindled out. Now the musical has been out for quite a few years and it has brought a life back to it because they are such a funny family.”

It’s not just for the older generation, though. She says that if you’re a kid or a younger adult, there are others in the musical you can connect with in some way. There are the adorable kids— Pugsley and Wednesday.

“You can experience life through them, even though it is kooky and crazy,” Koher says. “As an adult, it tells a great story that people can connect with, the idea of being an honest family and that family is important. Being honest with them makes that relationship last.

Truth is important throughout the

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE JUNE 2019

show—not keeping secrets or holding back but being forthcoming and being able to tell your family everything and that they’re not going to judge you for it.

That’s an important theme.”

While Koher was familiar with the musical and the songs because she had a friend who played Wednesday on the national tour, she hadn’t seen the show when she auditioned for it. However, she was eager to play the role of Morticia, the grand dame of the family.

“I love her,” Koher says. “I think she is delightful, delicious and passionate. She’s a strong woman and expects nothing less of her husband and family. Gomez is the head of the household, but Morticia runs the show. She is a strong, luscious woman who has passion. She is a mom, but she’s a strong mom.”

While most of the show focuses on Wednesday and Lucas, a main subplot is between Gomez and Morticia.

Wednesday begs her father to keep her secret from her mother. Morticia, however, is completely convinced that Gomez would never keep a secret from her and if he did, that would end their marriage.

“She’s just appalled that he could ever do such a thing,” Koher says. “It’s heartbreaking to her, because there was so much trust and now the trust is gone and that’s what keeps the family together. I think she’s an incredible character.”

And even though each of the members of the Addams family are comic, iconic figures who are often exaggerated and border on the fantastical, Koher says she wants to bring truth to the role and make her a real person.

“I would like to bring a very grounded humanity to her,” Koher says. “Someone who people can connect with as a wife or mother. She might have a different way of parenting, but for me it is important to bring her honesty and truth. People will fall in love with her and feel her pain and passion as she continues through the story. I think that is important.”

The part of Wednesday is being played by 18-year-old Jasmine Bassham who just finished performing in “Mamma Mia.” “She’s a killer singer and she’s going to be so great in this part,” Koher says.

“Really from top to bottom, the show is going to be fantastic.”

Koher, who wanted to do musical theater since she was 4 years old, says she loves performing with Arizona Broadway Theatre. The musical bug bit her when her mom took her to see “Annie.” She saw the title character run down the staircase and she turned to her mom and said, “I’m going to do that one day.”

“Ever since that, I always knew it was what I wanted to do. It was never a question,” she says. “I was going to go to school for musical theater and that was what I did and I haven’t stopped.

I always had a passion for storytelling through music.”

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BRAD YORK

Throughout her career, she’s worked on cruise ships and for Disney in Japan for four years, both of which she said were incredible experiences because she interacted with people who were awed to experience theater.

But Arizona also holds a special place in her heart. She says she’s worked in regional theaters around the country and Arizona Broadway Theatre has one of the highest production qualities.

“They put so much effort into every single production—the lights, the costuming, the wigs, the orchestra, everything. The quality of the production is so high. ABT really does an incredible job. They really do put on Broadway quality shows. I love coming back.”

She also says the people at the theater become like family once you start working there. The producers are handson and are always a part of the process.

She said she considers them family friends at this point.

She is eager to share “The Addams Family” with audiences as she says it will have that same high quality that she has always experienced at ABT. She says anyone who wants to see a visually stunning show, this one has outstanding set designs and costumes. There is fun music including a tango scene.

“ABT is one of the most fantastic theaters in the country,” Koher says.

“They put forth incredible product every single time, every single night, every single show. It’s a dinner theater—you can do just the show or there is a whole sit-down dinner theater, not a buffet, a full-menu. Chef Eric is incredible, and you get a Broadway quality production.

It’s worth every penny and every minute.”

The Addams Family When: 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays to Sundays; noon Saturdays and Sundays, Friday, June 7 to Sunday, July 6 Where: Arizona Broadway Theatre, 7701 W. Paradise Lane, Peoria Tickets: Call for prices Info: 623-776-8500, azbroadway. org ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

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DINING

EAT » EXPERIENCE » INDULGE » SAVOR » DEVOUR » NOSH Free Root Beer Floats for Dads and Grandpas

DINING

CALENDAR Samantha Fuoco >> The Entertainer!

Match Restaurant and Lounge Summer Cooking Class JUNE 8 Chef Orlando Parker leads a fun cooking class showing how to brine and pickle vegetables. After the welcome cocktail, guests will learn how to turn cucumbers into pickles; and how to make tequila-pickled onions, pickled watermelon and sauerkraut.

Match Restaurant and Lounge, 1100 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, 602.875.8080, matchphx.com, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., $50.

You’re Bacon Me Crazy Brunch Crawl

JUNE 9 Crawl throughout Downtown Chandler to all the mouthwatering brunch spots. Munch on delicious small bites and drinks at each location for $7 each.

Registration includes wristband, sunglasses and free parking.

Some featured restaurants include Murphy’s Law, SanTan Brewery and West Alley BBQ. Downtown Chandler, 3 S. Arizona Avenue, Chandler, 480.855.3539, downtownchandler.org, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., $15.

Arizona CoLab Dinners

JUNE 12 Enjoy American flavors with a Southern twist during the Arizona CoLab Dinners with AZ Bitters Lab. The series aims to bring guests together for a meal around the community table while supporting local artisans.

Southern Rail, 300 W. Camelback Road, Phoenix, 602.200.0085, southernrailaz.com, 6 p.m., $48.

Snacky Snacks – Game and Snack Festival

JUNE 14 Escape the heat at this indoor snack and game festival. A variety of snacks from different cuisines

and games such as giant Jenga and tabletop board games will satisfy any gamer. Also, there will be a Super Smash Bros Ultimate video game tournament.

Fellowship Center at North Phoenix Baptist Church, 5757 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, 602.707.5757, nphx. org, noon to 8 p.m., $8.

JUNE 16 Matty G’s Steakburgers & Spirits in Mesa will offer free root beer floats to all dads and grandpas with the purchase of any meal on Father’s Day, June 16. Its root beer floats are made with frozen vanilla custard and are regularly $5.

Matty G’s Steakburgers & Spirits, 1958 E. Brown Road, Mesa, 480.306.7406, facebook. com/mattygsmesa/.

Bloomin’ Beerfest

JUNE 15 The Irish Cultural Center and McClelland Library will host the 13th annual Bloomin’ Beerfest this June. Try out different craft beer tastings, dance to live music, and listen to readings from “Ulysses” by author James Joyce. Food and additional drinks can be purchased separately at the event.

The Irish Cultural Center and McClelland Library, 1106 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, 602.258.0109, azirish. org, 7 to 11 p.m., $40.

Grown-Ups Table Dinner Series

JUNE 19 AND JUNE 26 The Grown-Ups Table Dinner Series celebrates its seventh season. Dine at the restaurant’s 16-foot black walnut community table to enjoy Chef Justin Beckett’s theme-based dishes.

Beckett’s Table, 3717 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix, 602.954.1700, beckettstable. com, 6 p.m., $48.

Winemaker Dinner Series: Joseph Wagner Wines

Bite Nite

JUNE 15 Join the ALS Association Arizona Chapter to help raise money and awareness for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. The 10th annual Bite Nite will be its biggest to date, showcasing signature dishes from top chefs across the Valley. Experience signature tastes while enjoying cocktails and live entertainment. Enjoy live entertainment, refreshments and delicious food.Arizona Biltmore, 2400 E. Missouri Avenue, Phoenix, 866.350.2572, bitenite.org, 6 to 10 p.m., $150.

JUNE 20 For those who love food and wine, Hyatt Regency Scottsdale is proud to announce its Winemaker Dinner Series for this June. The Joseph Wagner Wines event will begin with an appetizer and wine reception, followed by an epicurean experience that perfectly pairs wines with an extraordinary four-course dinner.

Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch, 7500 E. Doubletree Ranch Road, Scottsdale, 480.444.1234, hyatt.com, 6:30 p.m., $95.

The Dinner Detective Interactive Murder Mystery Show

JUNE 22 Take control and tackle a challenging crime while enjoying a four-course meal at the Dinner Detective Show. Keep a look out for the murderer or you may find yourself as the prime

suspect! This dinner event is rated PG-13 and is geared towards adult content. Children ages 15 years old or older are allowed in with adult supervision.

Embassy Suites, 4400 S. Rural Road, Tempe, 480.897.7444, thedinnerdetective.com, 6 to 9 p.m., $87.69

Cooking Class with Chef Marcellino Verzino

JUNE 22 Learn how to cook pasta alla checca during this cooking class.

This dish is not on the restaurant’s menu and will be perfect for hot summer dinner. Pasta alla checca is an Italian pasta dish using fresh, uncooked tomatoes, basil, fresh mozzarella, olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper, typically prepared in the summer with fresh ripe tomatoes. After class, guests will enjoy the pasta dish, salad and biscotti. Seating is limited and reservations are required.

Marcellino Ristorante, 7114 E. Stetson Drive, Scottsdale, 480.990.9500, marcellinoristorante. com, 1 to 3 p.m., $40.

Monthly Sunday Supper Series

JUNE 23 Monthly Sunday Supper Series with guest chef Doug Robson of Gallo Blanco features four courses paired with beverages.

Mountain Shadows, 5445 E. Lincoln Drive, Scottsdale, 480.624.5400, mountainshadows. com, 6 p.m., $74.

Chef’s Kitchen Monthly Dinner Series at Omni Montelucia JUNE 27 A four-course dinner including one of a kind dishes prepared live, paired with libations from visiting distilleries and winemakers from across the country. This dinner features Montelucia/ Maker’s Mark Bourbon Launch.

The event is set in chef’s kitchen and outdoor herb garden.

Chef’s Kitchen & Garden at Omni Montelucia, 4949 E. Lincoln Drive, Scottsdale, 480.627.3039, omnihotels.com, 6 p.m., $125.

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off all beer, $2 off all food, $4 well drinks, $5 Tito’s (exclusions apply), and $7 classic cocktails.

Linger Longer Lounge

Guide Brat Haus

3622 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, 480.947.4006, brathausaz.com Nestled in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale, Brat Haus’ open-air patio paired with delicious beers, wine and cocktails offers a soothing atmosphere. Happy hour, 3 to 6 p.m.

Monday to Friday, includes $2 off all draft beers, $2 off glasses of wine, $4 off well cocktails. Free dog brats for four-legged friends.

Cold Beer & Cheeseburgers

18529 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, 480.912.7219; 4222 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, 480.941.2747, coldbeers.com.

Additional locations in the Valley.

Cold Beer & Cheeseburgers lives up to its name but offers more than that. Happy hour, 3 to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday, includes $3 domestic pints, $4 domestic aluminum bottles, $4 Four Peaks pints, $5 premium wells, $5 Sauza Blue Margarita, $5 Jack and Coke, $5 house wines.

Copper Blues

50 W. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, 480.719.5005, copperblueslive.com At Copper Blues, headliners don’t just occupy the stage, they surround it in the form of tap handles and inviting service. Happy hour is offered from 3 to 7 p.m. Monday to Sunday.

CRUjiente Tacos

3961 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix, 602.687.7777, crutacos.com The modern neighborhood taqueria and two-time Grand Champion winner of Arizona Taco Festival has happy hour daily from 3 to 6 p.m. and reverse happy hour from 9 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Happy hour appetizers include $8 chips and guacamole/queso. CRUjiente Tacos’ award-winning street-style tacos, including the $4 Korean fried chicken taco and $3.50 pork belly taco, are available with special pricing during happy hour. All draft and bottled beers are $1 off, all wines by the glass are $2 off, all well drinks are $5, Modelo Especial and Tecate Light cans are $3.50.

Dorian

7419 E. Indian Plaza, Scottsdale, 480.907.5635, dorianscottsdale.com A perfect place to spend happy hour, Dorian has crushed blue velvet booths, a circular marble top bar and a light and bright airy dining room. Enjoy a lavish evening at happy hour with $2 off specialty cocktails, $6 glasses of featured wine and $5 well drinks and

craft beer. For bites, dine on $6 bruschetta, featured seasonal vegetable, warm marinated olives, $8 sweet and spicy calamari, Dorian burger, and $15 small charcuterie board.

EVO Scottsdale

4175 N. Goldwater Boulevard, Scottsdale, 480.265.9814, evoscottsdale.com Happy hour is 4 to 7 p.m. Monday to Friday, and features $5 select wine and $5 select draft and bottled beer.

Freezers

83 E. Broadway Road, Tempe, 602.491.9119, freezersicehouse.com Play billiards and darts while drinking some brews at Freezers.

Happy hour is all day every day! $3 PBR and Rolling Rock pints from open to close. Specials are Monday – Friday which includes a burger and any draft beer for $10, $1 off all draft beers, $2 off all wells and house wines, and $3 off house cocktails from 3 to 7 p.m. Every Thursday drink some Deep Eddy Vodka for $5 all night long.

Gallagher’s Sports Grill

Additional locations throughout the Valley, gallaghersaz.com Gallagher’s Sports Grill loves sports as much as it loves food, so it brings both of them together. Dozens if TVs to watch numerous sporting events, Gallagher’s has it all.

Happy hour snacks run from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and drink specials run from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Reverse happy hour is from 10 p.m. to Midnight.

Hungry Monk

1760 W. Chandler Boulevard, Chandler, 480.963.8000, hungrymonkaz.com Chandler’s Hungry Monk pours 27 craft beers, with daily happy hour from 2 to 6:30 p.m. and Sunday all day.

Kelly’s at SouthBridge

7117 E. Sixth Avenue, Scottsdale, 480.393.3205, kellysatsouthbridge.com Kelly’s at SouthBridge in Old Town has happy hour from 2:30 to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday, featuring $4 off selected starters and Kelly’s cocktails, $5 draft beers and well drinks, $6 house wines, $49 bucket of four Chandon Splits, and $100 Caymus.

Little Woody

4228 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix, 602.955.0339, littlewoodyaz.com Little Woody bar is filled with food and games for any type of party goer. From 4 to 7 p.m. daily, happy hour includes $1

6522 N. 16th Street, Suite 6, Phoenix, 602.264.4549, lingerlongeraz.com This vintage cocktail lounge and kitchen, with a game room and a DJ spinning vinyl, offers happy hour from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday to Friday and all day Sunday. Happy hour includes $6/$7 selected appetizers, $3 Linger Longer Lager and domestic beers, $4 well drinks, $6 Tito’s draft cocktail and select cocktails, and $8 classic cocktails.

The Stockyards

5009 E. Washington Street, Suite 115, Phoenix, 602.273.7378, stockyardsteakhouse.com In 1947, The Stockyards, Arizona’s Original Steakhouse, opened its doors with a menu focused on its historical past: beer. Staying true to its heritage, The Stockyards’ menu continues to feature only the finest corn-fed, aged steaks and prime rib, Happy hour is 4 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, when house wine, draft beer, saloon snacks, domestic beer and well drinks are discounted.

Complimentary tenderloin sliders are also offered.

SunUp Brewing Co.

Pedal Haus Brewery

730 S. Mill Avenue, Tempe, 480.314.2337, pedalhausbrewery.com Mill Avenue’s resident brewpub and beer garden, Pedal Haus Brewery offers beer enthusiasts the opportunity to enjoy happy hour from 3 to 6:30 p.m. Monday to Saturday, and all day Sunday, with half-off wings, $3 Pedal Haus beers, $3 mimosas, $4 Bloody Marys and $5 margaritas.

Philly’s Sports Grill

1826 N. Scottsdale Road, Tempe, 480.946.6666; 1402 S. Priest Drive, Tempe, 480.968.6612; 4855 E. Warner Road, Phoenix (Ahwatukee), 480.247.8655, phillyssportsgrill.com.

Happy hour is from 4 to 7 p.m. daily, and reverse happy hour from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. Sunday through Thursday.

Rehab Burger Therapy

7210 E. Second Street, Scottsdale, 480.621.5358, rehabburgertherapy.com Rehab Burger Therapy was founded on the idea that everyone deserves a break from the daily grind. Happy hour is offered from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily and 11 a.m. to Close every Thursday. This includes $1 off Party Starters, wine by the glass, and any Rapid Relief.

Enjoy $2 off Special Treatment & any Skinny Remedy.

Rico’s American Grill

7677 N. 16th Street, Phoenix, 1.800.947.9784, squawpeakhilton.com Resort guests and locals can enjoy daily happy hour specials from 3 to 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. to close. Drink specials include $4 domestic beers and well drinks, $5 draft beers, and $5 bartender’s pick backyard cocktails. Food specials include $5 loaded pub fries, $5 quesadillas and $7 pork carnitas tacos.

The Sicilian Butcher

15530 N. Tatum Boulevard, Phoenix, 602.775.5140, thesicilianbutcher.com Every day is happy hour at The Sicilian Butcher in the bar area only with premium wells starting at $5 and house-select wines or beers for $5.50. Happy hour bites include prosciutto bruschetta and fried ravioli for $7, a bucket of meatballs or eggplant parmigiano flatbread for $10, and a house-select bottle of wine and polenta and meatball board for $19.

Spinelli’s Pizzeria

420 S. Mill Avenue, Tempe, 602.800.5300, spinellispizzeria.com.

Spinelli’s Pizzeria has happy hour from 4 to 7 p.m.

Monday to Friday, with specials like $3.50 wells, $4.50 calls, $4 cheese pizza slices, $4.50 pepperoni pizza slices, and half-off appetizers.

322 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix, 602.279.8909,sunup.beer SunUp offers beer brewed on-site, with happy hour from 3 to 6 p.m. daily.

TapHouse Kitchen

6137 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite #108, Scottsdale, 480.656.0012 3131 E. Shea Boulevard, Phoenix, 480.656.0012 Taphousekitchen.com Always putting the guests first, TapHouse Kitchen strives to become a business that is the forefront of the industry, is innovative, unique and desirable to the city and state. TapHouse Kitchen uses the freshest ingredients in the bar and in the kitchen to serve up the best beer, cocktails, and food!

Tutti Santi

6339 E. Greenway Road, Suite 108, Scottsdale, 480.951.3775, tuttisantriristorante.com Tutti Santi’s menu offers Nina’s original recipes for Italian classics, from antipasti freddi to mozzarella caprese. Happy hour is 4:30 to 6 p.m. Monday to Thursday.

Two Brothers Tap House & Brewery

4321 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, 480.378.3001, twobrothersbrewing.com Two Brothers Tap House & Brewery hosts happy hour 4 to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday, with $1 off draft beer, $6 cocktails, $1 off wine by the glass and a reduced-price appetizer menu. On Thursdays, it has $3 house draft beer, house wine and appetizer menu.

Uncle Bear’s Brewery

4921 E. Ray Road, Suite 103, Phoenix (Ahwatukee), 480.961.2374; 9053 E. Baseline Road, Suite 101A, Mesa, 480.986.2228; 21151 E. Rittenhouse Road, Queen Creek, 480.882.3177, unclebearsaz.com Happy hour is 3 to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday, with reverse happy hour 10 p.m. to close Sunday to Thursday. Happy hour includes $4.50 Uncle Bear’s craft pints, domestic bottles, wells and house margaritas. Other specials include $5.50 22-ounce Uncle Bear’s craft and house wines, $1 off all Uncle Bear’s backyard drink menu, and $2 off Bear Bites.

The Womack

thewomack.us Embrace happy hour from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday to Friday, with $1 off all beer, $4 well drinks, $5 draft wine, and $6 selected cocktails.

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ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

5749 N. Seventh Street, Phoenix, 602.283.5232,

GHOST RANCH

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE JUNE 2019

35

The Tempe eatery puts a creative spin on Southwestern cuisine Christina Fuoco-Karasinski >> The Entertainer!

R

ene Andrade long ago penned his ideal menu.

He thought maybe, just maybe, he could present it to the public.

A year ago he had the opportunity through Ghost Ranch: Modern Southwest Cuisine.

“South Tempe has been embracing us,” Andrade says. “It’s been amazing.”

Ghost Ranch opened last August with a modern Southwestern cuisine, coupled with impressive margaritas, appetizers and cocktails. Brunch is offered on the weekends from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and lunch Monday through Friday.

Andrade is a pedigreed chef. Born in Nogales, Andrade worked under former “Iron Chef America” contestant Beau MacMillan at Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort’s Elements and calls him a “great person and an awesome boss.” Prior to that, he was trained by

chefs Matt Carter and Gio Osso.

“I’ve been cooking since I was a little kid,” Andrade says. “I’ve been in a kitchen my whole life. I moved up here at 17 and started working for Matt Carter. After that, Elements and it went from there.

“What I bring here is a lot of techniques. Like you can see the shitake mushrooms in the chile relleno. That idea came from Elements. I love a mix of ingredients.

“I had great mentors and every single one is different,” Andrade says. “I could bring those techniques to Ghost Ranch.”

Ghost Ranch is owned by David Chamberlin, the brother of chef Aaron Chamberlin. Aaron , who also owns Taco Chelo and the Phoenix Public Market Café, recently sold the restaurant to David.

“When I presented the menu to Aaron, I told him I had it in my book for forever,” Andrade says. “I’ve been eating these dishes my whole life.”

Guests who want to try a little bit

of Ghost Ranch’s offerings should try the sampler platter ($23)—grilled skirt steak, one pork enchilada, one chicken enchilada and cheese-filled chile relleno.

“In Mexico, we use skirt steak a lot,” he says. “They’re high-end cuts. They’re so tender and juicy. It’s unbelievable.

The menu is filled with dishes he grew up with, thanks to his cooking skills.

The appetizers are creative. The chips, salsa and guacamole ($9) features Ghost Ranch’s hand-crushed guacamole. The

shrimp ceviche ($15) has lime serrano chile aguachile, cilantro, avocado, orange, radish salad and a fire-roasted tortilla. The vegetarian, gluten-free pumpkin soup ($8) is created with caramelized squash, crispy masa and herbs.

Salads—orange and jicama; Caesar; and corn salad ($10, $11 and $12, respectively—are vegetarian. Taco platters ranging from braised pork with chimayo chile ($18) to mesquite-grilled swordfish ($23) is a standard on the menu. Enchiladas are creative dishes as well. The vegetable calabacitas squash puree ($16) is available with red or green sauce. Grilled chicken ($18) and chile Colorado braised pork with chimayo chile is gluten free like the grilled chicken and is $17.

Other menu items are Aztec cake ($16) with layered tortillas, pulled chicken, roasted green chile, sweet corn and a cheese blend; and the well-known chile chocolate cake with avocado, lime sauce, coconut gelato and cocoa nibs. It’s addictive—watch out—but it has a kick ($8).

“Our goal is to keep presenting highend ingredients. In Mexico, we use it a lot. The high-end cuts are so tender and juicy. It’s unbelievable. We want to bring the heat a little higher, but still make sure it’s for the community. We like to put ourselves as community restaurants.

We listen to guests a lot and we progress with them and chamber with them. We want to progress with the community and see what they like.”

Ghost Ranch 006 E. Warner Road, Suites 102-103, Tempe, 480.474.4328, ghostranchaz.com ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

NATIONAL VANILLA MILKSHAKE DAY

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UPFRONT | CITY | THE DOWNTOWNER | TRAVEL | ARTS | DINING | BEER AND WINE | CASINOS | SPORTS | FAMILY | MUSIC | NIGHTLIFE | IN CLOSING

11 FAQs in preparation for this creamy holiday Taylor O’Connor >> The Entertainer!

G

et ready to bring all the boys to the yard on Thursday, June 20, for National Vanilla Milkshake Day. It will be a beautiful celebration filled with cold, white dreaminess. Here are some frequently asked questions in order to prepare for the holiday.

#11 • IT’S A STAPLE OF AMERICAN CULTURE

is a way to honor our ancestors, who probably worked so hard to give us the opportunity to appreciate the vanilla milkshake in all its glory.

#8 • THERE’S A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MILKSHAKES AND MALTS A milkshake is made of blended ice cream, milk and any other add-ins, while a malt is a special kind of milkshake that includes malted milk powder. The malt is added after the shake is mixed.

The powder is supposed to enhance the ingredients’ flavors, giving it a sweeter, richer tasting malt. If people can actually taste the difference, congratulations. Be wary for the malts of the world, it is not their time to shine, this is for milkshakes only. Leave your fancy powder at home.

Other than being a descendant from God himself, a milkshake is defined as a cold drink made of sweet flavoring, such as fruit or chocolate, and typically ice cream, whisked until it is frothy. It is found in its natural habitat of burger joints and fast-food restaurants.

#7 • HAVE BLENDER, WILL BLEND

#10 • MILKSHAKES WERE CREATED

#6 • THERE ARE HEALTHY VANILLA SHAKES

in the late-1800s Back then, serving cold milk was uncommon because there was no way to keep purify milk. So, people would typically have milk drinks served hot. In 1862, drinks like eggnog and flips grew in popularity and served with lots of ice.

#9 • THIS HOLIDAY IS IMPORTANT You mean besides having an excuse to slurp on a drink made from the gods? It’s a celebration of a historical tradition that has been standing in the United States since the 1800s. It

If a blender is absent from the cabinet space, it will be a bit more challenging to make a milkshake. Check this out: https://armagazine.com/2VwpFyN.

Funny enough, yes there are methods to making a healthier milkshake. This health shake needs unsweetened almond milk, a banana, medjool dates with the pit, raw cashews, vanilla powder or extract, cinnamon, cauliflower florets, and ice. Google it.

#5 • FRENCH FRIES PAIR WELL WITH MILKSHAKES The salty and sweet flavors create a beautiful combination and balance.

French fries taste even better when they are swiped through the milkshake to embrace the salt and sweet. People may give strange looks, until they try it themselves and realize they have been missing out on a religious experience.

#4 • THE BEST PLACES TO GET MILKSHAKES Check out these places for milkshakes: The Counter, 50 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, thecounter.com; Sugar Bowl, 4005 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, sugarbowlscottsdale.com; and In-N-Out Burger, various locations, in-n-out.com. #3 • I’M LACTOSE INTOLERANT, CAN I STILL PARTICIPATE? Of course! This is not an exclusive holiday, it is something everyone should be able to enjoy. Check out tasty.co for lactose-free shakes!

#2 • DON’T FORGET ABOUT THE HOLIDAY If national vanilla milkshake day is forgotten, one can redeem themselves by drinking a milkshake the next day, or the day after. Emergency protocol requires a purchase of two milkshakes, the person can then decide if they want to share the second milkshake or save it for themselves. Nothing wrong with drinking two milkshakes, it’s just a way to make up for lost time.

#1 • CHOW DOWN ON THESE, TOO On Tuesday June 7, it is National Doughnut Day. Hurry on over to Krispy Kreme or Dunkin Donuts (whatever is closest) and buy boxes and boxes of doughnuts, from the warm heavenly glazed to the gooey sweet cream filled. Also on June 7, doughnuts can be celebrated alongside chocolate ice cream because it is national chocolate ice cream day too.

On June 12, it is national peanut butter cookie day and on June 22 it is national chocolate eclair day. If vanilla milkshake day is forgotten, don’t worry there’s plenty of opportunities to appreciate desserts in all of their glory.

THE ‘ SHOW STOPPER'

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE JUNE 2019

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Hotel Valley Ho creates an over-the-top creamsicle Christina Fuoco-Karasinski >> The Entertainer!

N

ational Vanilla Milkshake Day is June 20 and the ZuZu at the Hotel Valley Ho is celebrating with the Dreamsicle “Show Stopper” Shake.

Inspired by Hawaiian entertainer Don Ho, the “Show Stopper” has a vanilla ice cream base mixed with passion fruit, orange and guava and is topped with an orange creamsicle popsicle, pineapple upside down cake, coconut macaron, candied coconut, orange Jell-O, toasted macadamia nuts and a

passion fruit tart with tropical fruit.

Chef Russell LaCasce says the goal was to be as over the top as possible.

“I was in Hawaii a few months back,” he says. “I love tropical stuff. We’ve been doing chocolate, heavy ones in the winter. I wanted to do something that was a little lighter and acidic, and a fruit-forward one. I started with POG— passion fruit, orange and guava—and then coconut, macadamia, fresh fruit and orange Jell-O, just to be stupid with it and have fun with it.”

The “Show Stopper” Shake is $16 and is available from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. through June 30.

Hotel Valley Ho 6850 E. Main Street, Scottsdale, 480.421.7997, hotelvalleyho.com/ zuzu.

$300 Off Move In when you mention Entertainer Magazine!

Offer valid through June 30, 2019.

Restrictions apply, contact property for details.

SkylineLoftsApartments.com ■ (602) 374-1733 ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

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SAPPORO KNOWS

SUSHI!

What goes better with sushi than Japanese beer

Allison Neri >> The Entertainer!

D

on’t know sukiyaki from teppanyaki or sushi from sashimi, fear not. We’re here to school you on the “raw” truth. In honor of International Sushi Day on Tuesday, June 18, The Entertainer! takes you on a tour of some of the Valley’s most celebrated sushi destinations, as well as a few lesser-known pearls. What we present to you here, in alphabetical order, are some fantastic Japanese cuisine options to explore, most with full menus of cooked and raw foods so anyone can find what they like.

Sapporo beer is the No. 1 Asian brand sold in America and is served at almost all sushi restaurants, as well as countless places throughout town that know good beer. As a stand-alone brew with a crisp, clean taste, it complements Asian food, but most of these featured restaurants also serve it with sake, creating some of the best happy hours around. No matter where you get your sushi, or your Sapporo, they do pair up quite well. So, give it a try.

Kanpai! (Cheers!)

AH-SO 1919 S. Gilbert Road, Mesa 480.497.1114, ahsomesa.com ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

Ah-So’s sushi is “ah, so good!” with tempura, special, baked and fresh rolls on the menu. For those who want a little flair with their meals, teppanyaki is available, too. Ah-So doesn’t have a happy hour, but Sapporo beer is free flowing.

GOT SUSHI? 6744 E. McDowell Road, Suite 102, Mesa 480.807.8500 Providing more than your typical sushi, Got Sushi? offers Korean barbecue.

With a hope to leave every customer satisfied, the Northeast Mesa restaurant offers a wide variety of food items on its menu. Those with the daring palate can try prime beef tongue and squid salad.

Happy hour is 11 to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday, noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday with special appetizers starting at $3.25, sushi rolls $4, and Japanese beer at $4.95.

HIRO SUSHI 9393 N. 90th Street, Scottsdale 480.314.4215 Serving traditional sushi for lunch and dinner, this cozy spot is tucked away just east of the Loop 101 on Via Linda in Scottsdale. Rave reviews and a stunning presentation highlight Hiro Sushi. Sake and wine are served, along with Sapporo beer.

KABUKI JAPANESE RESTAURANT 6770 N. Sunrise Boulevard, Westgate Entertainment District, Glendale 623.772.9832 2000 E. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe Marketplace, Tempe 480.350.9160, kabukirestaurants.com Kabuki showcases traditional and innovative Japanese cuisine, creative cocktails and contemporary interior designs. When the Kabuki menu is in your hand, prepare for tough decisions.

Items include an array of small plates, vegetable and seafood salads, sushi, sashimi, rolls, specialty rolls, teriyaki, sukiyaki, tempura, combinations, wagyu beef, noodles and rice dishes.

Kabuki’s happy hour menu (available 3 to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday; 9 to close Monday to Thursday) features a lineup of small plates, salads, sushi and rolls, plus cocktails, sake, wine and our favorite beer, Sapporo! Try an ice-cold Sapporo beer by the mug for $2.95 during happy hour or the pitcher for $13.95.

KONA GRILL 2224 E. Williams Field Road, Gilbert 480.289.4500 7014 E. Camelback Road, Scottsdale 480.429.1100 15345 N. Scottsdale Road Scottsdale

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE JUNE 2019

480.378.8186, konagrill.com Kona Grill is an Arizona staple, serving guests freshly prepared food and personalized service, all within a contemporary setting. Besides the standard pizzas, sandwiches and salads, Kona Grill offers a wide selection of award-winning sushi, including sashimi, traditional favorites and several proprietary dishes.

Happy hour is 2 to 7 p.m. Monday to Friday, and all day Sunday. Reverse happy hour is 9 to 11 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 9 p.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday, and all day Sunday.

NORI 10115 E. Bell Road, Suite 109, Scottsdale 480.513.6488, noriaz.com Desert Ridge Marketplace, 21001 N. Tatum Boulevard, Suite 48, Phoenix 480.515.9777, noriaz.com Local sushi genius Hyunwook Lee founded Nori Sushi, which offers premium dishes from land and sea. Along with a cutting-edge organic cocktail program, Nori has succeeded by offering something for everyone. Lee supports a fusion of classic sushi cuisine with jawdropping modern twists. Happy hour is 3 to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday.

OHYA SUSHI, KOREAN KITCHEN & BAR 4920 W. Thunderbird Road, Suite 117, Glendale 602.298.0110, goohya.com Founded years ago as Chuhgajib Korean Barbecue, Ohya Sushi, Korean Kitchen& Bar up the ante on fun. They have two karaoke rooms for private parties, a small room for up to eight people, and a larger facility for 20. The locations also boast sushi bars, yakitori and teppan grill bars, as well as libations like Sapporo beer. Happy hour is all day.

PURE SUSHI COLONY 5538 N. Seventh Street, Phoenix 602.730.3566 Founded in 2016, the owners of Pure Sushi Colony have a key focus on providing the freshest fish possible and a menu suited for everyone. Happy hour is every day from 3 to 6 p.m., offering prices like $6 Sapporo and $8 sake bomber to help wind down. Sushi prices start at $3 to poke at $7.

RA SUSHI 4921 E. Ray Road, Ahwatukee 480.940.1111 13802 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 176, Scottsdale

480.951.5888 71652 S. Val Vista Drive, Suite 101, Mesa 480.632.9500 3815 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale 480.990.9256 La Encantada, 2905 E. Skyline Drive, Tucson 520.615.3970, rasushi.com Locals know RA means party! There’s a reason they have six Arizona locations: The food is excellent and the drink variety is crazy good. Sushi includes maki, sashimi, nigiri, hand rolls, specialty rolls and samplers. Non-sushi mongers will enjoy katsu, teriyaki, chicken yakisoba, black pepper steak and other dishes, along with a variety of desserts. Happy hour is 3 to 7 p.m. Monday to Saturday, and again 10 p.m. to close. Sundays you can get happy 3 p.m. to close.

SAKANA SUSHI 5061 E. Elliot Road, Phoenix 480.598.0506 20250 N. 59th Avenue, Glendale 623.566.3595 6989 N. Hayden Road, Scottsdale 480.609.3850 1853 S. Power Road, Mesa 480.218.1023, sakanasushiandgrill.com Sakana has been serving outstanding sushi and Japanese cuisine in the Valley since 1994. It has a simple lunch or dinner menu that features fresh fish flown in regularly from around the world. Sushi varieties come in nigiri and maki styles and a complete menu of cooked items (entrees, noodles, teriyaki, tempura, salads, soups) is available, too, many with gluten-free options.

SHIMOGAMO 2051 W. Warner Road, Suite 14, Chandler 480.899.7191, shimogamoaz.com Shimogamo specializes in small plates, but it scores big points with hearty entrees like its ribeye, salmon, black snapper and teriyaki spare ribs. Happy hour is easy to remember: every day from 5 to 7 p.m. A large Sapporo beer is only $4.50 and sake bombs for only $7. Sushi is discounted as low as $2.50 and rolls, $4.

SQUID INK 9947 W. Happy Valley Road, Suite 109, Peoria 623.561.7747 CityScape, 2 E. Jefferson Street, Phoenix 602.258.0510, squidinksushi.com Late-night sushi-cravers rejoice. Here’s a place to get sushi as late as 2 a.m. Squid

Ink is a fusion concept with items ranging from pot stickers, ramen and chicken wings to coconut curry shrimp. The sushi menu serves up just about every crowd-pleasing sushi, rolls, and sashimi one could want, including many house specialty rolls. Happy hour daily from 3 to 7 p.m. Sapporo beer is on the menu.

SUMOMAYA 6560 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale 480.397.9520, sumomaya.com At SumoMaya Mexican-Asian Kitchen, tasty tapas-style small plates meet the big, bold flavors of Latin America and the Far East. SumoMaya’s menu features only the finest, freshest ingredients and boldest flavors from across Latin America and the Far East. The modern restaurant serves up a wide variety of drinks, so diners can get not only their Sapporo beer and sake, but tequila and margaritas. The social hour is 2 to 6 p.m.

Monday to Sunday, and a late-night happy hour in the bar only from 9 to 11 p.m. Monday to Thursday and 10 p.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday.

SUSHI 101 920 E. University Drive, Suite D-101, Tempe 480.317.0101, sushi101tempe.com Sushi 101 has been schooling Valley residents for more than 15 years.

Founded by siblings with true talent for entrepreneurship and a passion for sushi, Sushi 101 has taken great strides to ensure only the best quality ingredients are used by expertly trained chefs.

Happy hour is 3 to 7 p.m. daily, with reverse happy hour from 9 p.m. to close, so you can sip on different beers, like Sapporo beer.

SUSHI KO 9301 E. Shea Boulevard, Scottsdale 480.860.2960, sushikoscottsdale.com Serving up tasty sushi since 1995, Sushi Ko has a full menu of appetizers, as well as soups and salads. Tempura, teriyaki, noodle and Katsu dishes as well as a list of house specialty seafood dishes are recommended. Got kiddos?

Bring them here for a child’s menu and a wide variety of simple desserts. Sapporo beer and sake are served, along with other adult beverages.

Prices are reasonable at Sushi Ko, which is tucked away next to Chompie’s.

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SUSHI STATION Desert Ridge Marketplace, 20910 N. Tatum Boulevard, Suite 150, Phoenix 480.513.8699, sushistation88.com The Kaiten Sushi, also known as “conveyor belt sushi,” concept comes to the Valley from Japan, making dining an adventure. The menu isn’t limited to raw fish, though. Various fully cooked rolls, dumplings, hand-battered tempura and other dishes are served. Happy hour is 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday to Thursday, during which time sushi starts at $1.50 and drinks like Sapporo beer are discounted.

SUSHIHOLIC 3957 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix 602.956.2354, sushiholicaz.com The sheer size of Sushiholic’s roll selection is overwhelming—as is the purveyor’s sense of humor. With names (and pictures!) like Shrimp Killer, Booty Booty, Godzilla Roll, Tootsie Roll, Second Climax and Viva Las Vegas Roll, you can’t help but be curious about all of them. Specialty cocktails like the Naughty Ninja and Sinful Geisha continue the fun. Salads, tempura, teriyaki, appetizers and even a kid’s menu cover all family members. Happy hour virtually never ends with 2 to 8 p.m. for standard happy hour and reverse happy hour from 8 p.m. to close.

YOSHI BENTO 7000 E. Mayo Boulevard, Phoenix 480.747.8057 The chefs at Yoshi Bento not only fill bento boxes with teriyakis, tempuras and salads. They roll sushi creations and simmer pots of Japanese noodle soups.

Specialty rolls include the Las Vegas roll laden with fried salmon, crabmeat and eel, and the Scottsdale roll dusted with crunchy powder and a crown of spicy mayo. Sapporo is on the drink list, in addition to wine, sake and green tea.

KNOWS SUSHI PLEASE SHARE SAPPORO RESPONSIBLY. ©2016 SAPPORO U.S.A.,INC. NEW YORK, NY

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BEER AND WINE

SIP » BREW » RELAX » EXPERIMENT » REFRESH » TOAST

BEER AND WINE

CALENDAR Samantha Fuoco >> The Entertainer!

Tuthill, Flagstaff, 928.779.1775, azbeer.com, 1 to 5 p.m., $15.

Rose All Day

Wine in the Pines

JUNE 4 TO JUNE 9 Sip on a summer staple at Beckett’s Table’s second Rose Week. The restaurant will serve its favorite pink wines hand-selected by sommeliers, Scott and Katie Stephens. The menu will offer rose flights, as well as rose by the glass and bottle. Beckett’s Table will offer one rose flight with three 2-ounce tastings for $14. Guests can choose from a selection of six.

Beckett’s Table, 3717 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix, 602.954.1700, beckettstable. com, various times and prices.

Desert Rock Wine Dinner

JUNE 6 AND JUNE 7 Chef Ryan Nelson and wine manager Seth Camp have prepared an exclusive wine dinner experience. Each of the locally curated courses are paired with a hand-picked selection of wines from Desert Rock Winery.

Fleming’s, 20753 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, 480.538.8000, 6:30 p.m. $135.

Made in the Shade Beer Tasting Festival

JUNE 8 The festival returns for its 27th year making it Northern Arizona’s longest running festival. Support the Sun Sounds Foundation to help printdisabled people stay connected to their community. This event features more than 30 breweries including Beaver Street Brewery, Lumberyard Brewery Co. and Tops Liquors.

Coconino County Fairgrounds (Pepsi Amphitheater), 2446 Fort ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

JUNE 8 Travel to Crown King for an evening of wine, beer, food and dessert tastings. Bid on items during the silent auction or enter the raffle.

All proceeds will benefit the Crown King Volunteer Fire Department.

Music will be provided by the local musicologist, Bob Cosburn, at the Historic Crown King Saloon.

The Crown King Saloon, 7219 E. Main Street, Crown King, 928.632.7053, crownkingsaloon. com, 5 to 9 p.m., $35.

Wine & Design Class: Succulents for Dad

JUNE 14 Need to get a gift for dad this Father’s Day? Grab the classic ’64 Mustang replica for the container of succulents and arrange them.

This event is bring-your-own wine.

Light snacks will be offered.

Arizona Flower Market, 2050 S. 16th Street, Suite 105, Phoenix, 602.707.6294, azflowermarket. com, 4 to 5:30 p.m., $40.

tastings, dance to live music, and listen to readings from James Joyce’s “Ulysses.” Food and additional drinks can be purchased separately at the event.

The Irish Cultural Center and McClelland Library, 1106 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, 602.258.0109, azirish. org, 7 to 11 p.m., $40.

White Wine Pairing Dinner

Winemaker Dinner Series: Joseph Wagner Wines

JUNE 20 For those who love food and wine, Hyatt Regency Scottsdale is the perfect place this June. Its Winemaker Dinner Series continues with Joseph Wagner Wines. The event begins with an appetizer and wine reception, followed by an epicurean experience that perfectly pairs wines with an extraordinary four-course dinner.

Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch, 7500 E. Doubletree Ranch Road, Scottsdale, 480.444.1234, hyatt.com, 6:30 p.m., $95.

JUNE 28 Match Restaurant and Lounge and Page Springs Cellars are joining forces to debut a white wine pairing dinner during which guests can enjoy a five-course meal featuring white wine from Page Springs with every dish. Page Springs’ winemaker will guide guests through their white wine journey, and Match’s Chef Orlando Parker has crafted the following menu to complement each sip. The meal includes: lemongrass curry soup paired with 2018 Gewurztraminer; peach and goat cheese salad served with 2018 Malvasia Bianca; roasted garlic butter mussels with 2018 Picpoul Blanc; stuffed lobster tails with La Serrana; and ginger snap cheesecake with 2018 Colorado Golden Delicious Apple.

Match Restaurant and Lounge, 1100 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, 602.875.8080, matchphx. com, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., $65.

Beer vs. Wine

JUNE 15 Enjoy delicious brews, fine wines and a five-course meal as an age-old argument is finally settled. Following each course, a secret ballot will determine the ultimate winner in the beer versus wine showdown.

This event pairs Firestone Walker Brewery of Paso Robles against Frog’s Leap Winery of Rutherford, California. Emcee Brad Perry will be return for the match-up.

Hotel Valley Ho, 6850 E. Main Street, Scottsdale, 480-4217997, 4 to 6 p.m., $75.

Bloomin’ Beerfest

JUNE 15 The Irish Cultural Center and McClelland Library will host the 13th annual Bloomin’ Beerfest this June. Try different craft beer

Suds and Slides

JUNE 22 Get ready for ice cold beer, spirits, water slides, summer bites and summer camp games at Suds and Slides. Activities include giant inflatable water slides, a dunk tank, mini golf, foosball and a live action Hungry Hippos game. Admission includes unlimited access to all of the water slides and games.

Riverview Park, 2100 W. Rio Salado Parkway, Mesa, 480.644.7529, sudsandslide. com, 2 to 9 p.m., $15 online or $20 at the door.

Bottle Release: Patriotic Pie Ciders from Cider Corps

JUNE 29 Cider Corps is releasing its popular Summer Pie ciders in a red, white and blue three-pack of bottles beginning 10 a.m. Saturday, June 29, for $17.76. The Summer Pie ciders include strawberry rhubarb pie cider (red), apple pie cider (white) and blueberry pie cider (blue). Cider Corps will have each of the red, white and blue ciders on tap. Cider Corps offers discounts for veterans and active military.

Cider Corps, 31 S. Robson, Suite 103, Mesa, cidercorpsaz. com, free cover.

PLEASE SHARE SAPPORO RESPONSIBLY ©2017 SAPPORO U.S.A., INC., NEW YORK, NY SAPPOROBEER.COM

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BEER DIRECTORY

UPFRONT | CITY | THE DOWNTOWNER | TRAVEL | ARTS | DINING | BEER AND WINE | C ASINOS | SPORTS | FAMILY | MUSIC | NIGHTLIFE | IN CLOSING

Where to find the best beer bars in town Boulders on Broadway

530 W. Broadway Road, Tempe, bouldersonbroadway.com Boulders has the appeal of a neighborhood bar with a beer list that’ll make your eyes pop.

Brat Haus

3622 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, 480.947.4006, brathausaz.com Brat Haus’ open-air patio and its top-notch beers provide the perfect atmosphere. Get draft beers at a $2 discount during happy hour, 3 to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday.

The Casual Pint

1095 W. Queen Creek Road, Suite 8, Chandler 4626 N. 16th Street, Unit 102, Phoenix, 623.398.3636, thecasualpint.com The Casual Pint is a fun spot with an upscale-yet-casual atmosphere. The expert “beer-tenders” can serve craft beer by the pint from the tap wall, by the can or by the bottle to enjoy in the store.

Cider Corps

31 S. Robson, Mesa, cidercorpsaz.com Cider Corps is a veteranowned and -operated company built by brothers, Sgt. Jason Duren, USMC (Ret.) and Josh Duren. What started as a hobby for the two is now Arizona’s first fully dedicated cidery and taproom. Cider Corps ciders are available at more than 70 bar and restaurant locations in Phoenix, Prescott and Tucson.

Cold Beers & Cheese Burgers

Locations in Phoenix, Arcadia, Chandler, Gilbert, Glendale, Scottsdale, Paradise Valley and Peoria, coldbeers.com Do we need to say more? The name spells out everything you need to know.

Craft 64

6922 E. Main Street, Scottsdale, 480.946.0542, craft64.com Craft 64 offers 36 local Arizona beers on tap in the heart of Scottsdale.

Fate Brewing Company

1312 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale 7337 E. Shea Boulevard, Scottsdale 201 E. Southern Avenue, Tempe, fatebrewing.com Fate Brewing Co. is known for bold, award-winning craft beers and perfectly paired lunch and dinner fare. Since its inception Fate has earned tremendous neighborhood support and served as a gathering place to celebrate special occasions, meet new and old friends, and toast the better things in life.

Freezers

83 E. Broadway Road, Tempe, 602.491.9119, freezersicehouse.com Play billiards and darts while drinking brews at Freezers.

The Tempe favorite has 24 drafts; keep track by visiting Freezers’ website.

Main Ingredient Ale House “& Café

2337 N. Seventh Street, Phoenix, 602.843.6246, tmialehouse.com This Coronado neighborhood hangout spot is in a charming old home.

Its beer lineup features drinks by Ska, Odell, Ace, Hess and Pizza Port. Miller, Budweiser, Corona Extra, Four Peaks and others are included, too.

The Perch Pub & Brewery

232 S. Wall Street, Chandler, 480.773.7688, perchpubbrewery.com Located in Downtown Chandler, this pub and brewery has delicious craft brews and also a home to a collection of beautiful, brightly colored rescue birds, too.

Philly’s Sports Grill

TapHouse Kitchen

1826 N. Scottsdale Road, Tempe, 480.946.6666 1402 S. Priest Drive,

Tempe, 480.946.6612 4855 E. Warner Road, Ahwatukee, 480.247.8655, phillyssportsgrill.com With more than 20 beers on draft, 15 craft beers on tap plus more selections in cans/bottles, Philly’s is the place for beer.

Scottsdale Beer Company

8608 E. Shea Boulevard, Scottsdale, 480.219.1844, scottsdalebeercompany.com Quality craft beer made in Scottsdale.

Spokes on Southern 1470 E. Southern Avenue, Tempe

6137 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 108, Scottsdale, 480.656.0012 3131 E. Shea Boulevard, Phoenix, 480.656.0012,

taphousekitchen.com TapHouse has 20 handles of the most sought-after craft beers, mostly local brew and two THK selection handles that change with the season.

Transplant City Beer Company

107 W. Honeysuckle Street, Litchfield Park, 623.535.3911, transplantcitybeercompany. com From homebrewing to Transplant City Beer Company.

The owners are known for being creative, with beers like the cream ale Lex Lager; The Wit Bandits, a witbier conditioned on mangoes; and the red ale, Tiffany Amber. Keep an eye on its website as the offerings change regularly.

spokesonsouthern.com A comfortable bike-themed grill with 24 draft handles and food made from scratch.

Superstition Meadery

120 W. Gurley Street, Prescott, 480.296.4211, superstitionmeadery.com Jeff and Jennifer Herbert started making mead at home when Jen gave Jeff a brewery kit for his birthday in 2007.

They began professionally in 2012 when they collaborated with Juniper Well Ranch in Skull Valley. They opened their tasting room in 2014 and quickly outgrew that for production. They opened their production site in 2015.

They have grown Superstition Meadery from a few varieties in 2014 to over 200.

Two Brothers Tap House & Brewery

4321 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, 480.378.3001, twobrothersbrewing.com Two Brothers Tap House & Brewery specializes in artisan beer, coffee and spirits. Really into beer?

Check out the Two Brothers Cellar Club—a year-long membership program where members enjoy specialty beers only available within The Club, numerous perks and discounts and opportunities and access to oneof-a-kind experiences.

4921 E. Ray Road, Suite 103, Ahwatukee, 480.961.2374 9053 E. Baseline Road, Suite 101A, Mesa, 480.986.2228 21151 E. Rittenhouse Road, Queen Creek, 480.882.3177, unclebearsaz.com Stop by to enjoy local craft beer, including Uncle Bear’s and other guest taps, as well as delicious bites and a great happy hour.

KNOWS SUSHI PLEASE SHARE SAPPORO RESPONSIBLY. ©2016 SAPPORO U.S.A.,INC. NEW YORK, NY

ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

Uncle Bear’s Brewery

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE JUNE 2019

POURS FOR POP

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Wines just right for dad this Father’s Day o back to when you were a baby. Remember how daddy would sometimes give you your bottle?

Well then, why not turn the tables on him this Father’s Day by giving him a bottle right back…albeit a fabulous wine bottle made with the fellas in mind. Any of these would be perfect.

G

2015 RAIZIN David Caffaro (Dry Creek Valley) Likely just as you and your father are; this is an interesting blend. It is a combination of powerful Zinfandel, spicy Petite Sirah and then a little Lagrein, which is a little-known grape from northern Italy. Dad will give you bonus points for scoring something so outside of the box for him with this one. $35. coffaro.com

2015 STATION 10 RED BLEND Hook & Ladder (Russian River Valley) Not only is this wine made to pair with anything from the grill, but it was named for the fire house in San Francisco that the vineyard’s owner retired from in 1982 in his former life as a firefighter. It has rich fruit that can stand up to any meat, heavy sauce and even chocolate. $22. hookandladderwinery.com

2017 NAPA VALLEY ZINFANDEL Rombauer Vineyards (Napa) Though it sounds an odd way to describe wine—every single sip of this wine melts in your mouth. Luscious and worth spending a little more at checkout, this brand stuns with exploding flavors of raspberry, blackberry jam, plums and vanilla. It would pair as well with a good cigar. $35. rombauer.com

2017 BABY BLUE BLANC Blue Rock Winery (Alexander Valley) If you’re the son, this is a perfect way to thank dad given the name. And if not, check out the sleek bottle made for gifting. It is also a perfect summer wine with its exotic floral and tropical notes.

The bright acidity in it also makes it the perfect bottle to open together if hot on Father’s Day. $24. bluerockvineyard.com

2017 MARY’S SINGLE VINEYARD SAUVIGNON BLANC Trinchero (Napa) Yes, we know Mary is a traditionally female name. But, if it happens to be mom or grandma’s name – this has to be dad’s gift this year. And, even if not one of their names, this bottle from a family owned vineyard is stunning in presentation and taste. Its crispness is refreshing yet balanced, and tastes like summer. $35. trincheronapavalley.com

Alison Bailin Batz >> The Entertainer!

2016 “THE CONJURER” RED BLEND Sleight of Hand Cellars (Washington) The bottle is reason enough to buy this wine. Yes, that is Neil Patrick Harris dressed as a magician on the bottle. The story goes that he and his family are fans (at one time even members), so he agreed to let them put his face on the bottle.

The bonus is that is tastes as good as it looks. $28. sofhcellars.com 2018 FOG CREST ROSE Fog Crest Vineyard (Russian River Valley) First off, the name totally sounds like a band your dad may have loved back in the day, which might be enough to make him love it. Beyond that, one of the fastest-growing segments of drinkers of rose in the United States is men. And whether new to rose or already a fan, this bottle—made using pinot noir—will please any palate. $29. fogcrestvineyard.com

(Alexander Valley) Sneak out a little too much as a teen?

Wreck the car? This bottle will go a long way to make up for everything you put dear old dad through in your youth. It’s full-bodied with ripe and chewy tannins that lead to a powerful and bold finish, hopefully modeling the bold life you made for yourself thanks to him. $62. ryew.com

2017 ESTATE ROUSSANNE Trattore Farms (Sonoma) As with the RaiZin, the unique grape used in this wine will be a conversation starter when it comes time to open gifts with the family. The way the vineyard and working farm ferment and age this Roussanne grape results in some pretty wild flavor combinations, all of which come together deliciously. Think green tea combined with Asian pear, and then honeydew with citrus, and then even a little butterscotch with honey. $40. trattorefarms.com 2014 BIG ROCK BLOCK ESTATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON Robert Young Estate ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

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CASINOS

PLAY » SPIN » LAUGH » GROOVE » UNWIND » WIN Spotlight

CASINO ENTERTAINMENT

CALENDAR Christina Fuoco-Karasinski >> The Entertainer!

JUNE 1 Harry Luge

Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, caesars.com/harrahs-ak-chin

Freddie Duran

caesars.com/harrahs-ak-chin

Rhythm Edition

Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, caesars.com/harrahs-ak-chin

Neil Bunker

Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, caesars.com/harrahs-ak-chin

La Gran Cuidad

Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, caesars.com/harrahs-ak-chin

Casino del Sol, casinodelsol.com

The Clairvoyants

Rhythm Edition

Talking Stick Resort, talkingstickresort.com

Alejandra Guzman

Wild Horse Pass Hotel and Casino, playatgila.com

JUNE 9 Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, caesars.com/harrahs-ak-chin

JUNE 10

George Lopez

DJ Ray

Casino del Sol’s AVA Amphitheater, casinodelsol.com

Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, caesars.com/harrahs-ak-chin

JUNE 2

JUNE 11

Rick Springfield

DJ Ray

Wild Horse Pass Hotel and Casino, playatgila.com

Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, caesars.com/harrahs-ak-chin

JUNE 3

JUNE 12

DJ Ray

Walkens Trio

Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, caesars.com/harrahs-ak-chin

Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, caesars.com/harrahs-ak-chin

JUNE 4

JUNE 13

DJ Ray

Michael Land Band

Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, caesars.com/harrahs-ak-chin

Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, caesars.com/harrahs-ak-chin

JUNE 5

Casino del Sol, casinodelsol.com

Stanley Serrano

Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, caesars.com/harrahs-ak-chin

JUNE 6 Preminition

Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, caesars.com/harrahs-ak-chin

JUNE 7 Thaddeus Rose

Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, caesars.com/harrahs-ak-chin

Foreigner

The Pool at Talking Stick Resort, talkingstickresort.com

Arizona Norte

Casino del Sol, casinodelsol.com

Machete Sauce

Casino del Sol, casinodelsol.com

JUNE 8 Jukebox 6

Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino,

Project Presley

JUNE 14 Zona Road

Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, caesars.com/harrahs-ak-chin

Creedence Clearwater Revisited

Desert Diamond Casino Sahuarita, ddcaz.com

Charley Pride

Wild Horse Pass Hotel and Casino, playatgila.com

Gigi and the Glow

Casino del Sol, casinodelsol.com

Texmaniacs with Boni Mauricio and LA 45 Casino del Sol’s AVA Amphitheater, casinodelsol.com

JUNE 15 XO

Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, caesars.com/harrahs-ak-chin

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Elvis

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Harry Luge Band

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Priminition

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Led Zepplified

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Jacque Taylor and the Real Deal Band

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THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE JUNE 2019

45

Musician Thom Gimbel keeps Foreigner upbeat and addictive Christina Fuoco-Karasinski >> The Entertainer!

T

hom Gimbel has witnessed music industry changes since joining Foreigner in the mid-1990s. But none is more obviously than cellphone technology.

“We were playing at this venue and there was no filming and no pictures,” Gimbel says. “It was hysterical because the people didn’t know what to do. They weren’t sure how to watch a concert without recording it.”

One aspect has remained consistent, though, his contribution on stage to Foreigner, who plays The Pool at Talking Stick Resort in Scottsdale on Friday, June 7. Foreigner’s songs—“Urgent” in particular—make heavy use of Gimbel.

“Nowadays it’s unique to hear a wailing sax,” Gimbel adds. “We’re starting to hear it in pop music again.

Alto sax is one of those instruments that lurks in the corner. Once in a while, it

steps out.

“Foreigner is the perfect place for a sax-crazy person like me. Most people respond when they hear it. It’s a unique sound in a rock band. It blends really well—the distorted sax and fuzzy distorted guitar.”

Gimbel, who studied at the Berklee College of Music, has been in Foreigner for about half of its life. The band’s music has “gotten tougher,” thanks, in part, to bassist Jeff Pilson and guitarist Chris Frazier.

“They’re not messing around,” Gimbel says. “They’re heavy hitters. The guitar sounds a little tougher over the years. It’s more aggressive, but that’s a sign of the times. Times are tougher, so the guitar sounds are tougher.”

Singer Kelly Hansen is a force as well, Gimbel says.

He’s phenomenal,” he says. “We don’t understand how he exists. I don’t know how he can sing like that night after night in pitch, and then jump and yell.

It’s wild.”

What’s driving Foreigner’s career is the creative sound of the band. Founding member Mick Jones blends American blues and European rock, and then layers heartfelt lyrics atop of it.

“That combination has really stood the test of time,” Gimbel says. “I’ve seen people who don’t like rock songs—older generations or younger—hear ‘Feels Like the First Time’ and say, ‘I like that.

What is it? It’s good.’ There’s a lot of magic intertwined.”

Foreigner Talking Stick Resort, 9800 E. Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale, 480.850.7777, talkingstickresort. com, 8 p.m. Friday, June 7, tickets start at $25.

Drawings every Thursday in June, from 4pm - 7pm to win cash prizes ranging from $500 to $10,000.

An Enterprise of the Tohono O’odham Nation.

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46

UPFRONT | CITY | THE DOWNTOWNER | TRAVEL | ARTS | DINING | BEER AND WINE | BEER AND WINE | SPORTS | FAMILY | MUSIC | NIGHTLIFE | IN CLOSING

MEXICAN SOUL FOOD George Lopez opens ‘authentic’ eatery in Vee Quiva Octavio Serrano >> The Entertainer

G

eorge Lopez’s grandmother “Bennie” was passionate about cooking. He pays tribute to her with Chingon

Kitchen, the second of which opened at Vee Quiva Hotel & Casino in Laveen last month.

The eatery is meant to share the traditions of Mexican cuisine, while creating an experience worth remembering.

“It has an identity, unlike other

Burgers. BEEr. Sports.

Award-winning

Burgers, hot dogs & mac ‘n chEEse Over 150 bEErs | 40+ scrEEns coldbEErs.com ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

restaurants,” Lopez says.

Surrounded by dignitaries, Lopez cut the grand-opening ribbon for his restaurant during Cinco de Mayo weekend with fanfare that included performances by Metalachi.

Chingon Kitchen gives guests authentic Mexican food, while providing a creative environment and rich cocktails.

“The quality of the stuff is good,” Lopez says. “It’s fresh. It’s almost like a conveyor line where you can pick out what you want. It’s just a great spot.”

The concept is simple. Guests choose tacos, burritos, bowls, Cabo stuffed potatoes, tortas or Mexican Caesar salad.

Then, they pick a filling like wood-fired carne asada ($10.50), crispy carnitas ($9.50), citrus chile chicken ($9.50), shrimp Mazatlán ($9.50) or vegetables ($7.50). Finally, it is finished with a variety of salsas and toppings.

Lopez’s favorite is the menudo.

“You don’t see menudo every day,” Lopez says. “So, here they’re going to have menudo every day.”

Chingon Kitchen offers traditional Mexican beverages like agua frescas, horchatas and bottled Mexican beer.

He says, however, the cocktails—the Chingon Michelada, San Manuel’s Bloody Mary, sangrias or margaritas— are the perfect accompaniments to meals.

Lopez enjoys the blackberry sage margarita, a cocktail he’s longed for.

“My grandmother never let me have black cherry or blackberry, so as soon as I got older, I said, ‘I’m going to make a blackberry margarita.’”

Chingon Kitchen Chef Ben Lerose calls Lopez laid-back, relaxed and down to earth. He says the restaurant is special not only for its variety fo entrees and cocktails, but the way the food is prepared.

“Our carnitas are actually braised in Dr. Pepper instead of the traditional Coke so you get the sweetness, but you get the spice,” Lerose says.

To round out his family’s flavors and traditions, Lopez decorates Chingon Kitchen with art representing Mexican culture. Dia de los Muertos skuls and lucha libra fighters are the keys to the décor and the ambiance complements the food.

“The vibe here you get is not something you can get at any other place I’ve ever been to in Arizona,” Lerose says.

“It’s relaxed and casual, but at the same time, fun and inviting.”

Lopez will continue the franchise with a new spin—he’s opening restaurants in select airports. The Valley location was an obvious choice for Lopez, who formerly lived in Chandler and spent plenty of time performing here.

“The first time I ever headlined was the Days Inn on Camelback during the late ’80s,” Lopez says. “I play golf here. I have a lot of friends here. It’s always great to come to Arizona.”

George Lopez’s Chingon Kitchen Vee Quiva Hotel & Casino, 15091 S. Komatke Lane, Phoenix, 1.800.946.4452, playatgila.com

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE JUNE 2019

SPORTS

47

CHEER » HIT » HIKE » LEAD » ROOT » COMPETE

SPORTS

CALENDAR

E. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, 602.514.8383, ticketmaster. com, 5 p.m., tickets start at $10.

Phoenix Mercury vs.

Los Angeles Sparks

$1 Bud Light Beer Night.

Phoenix Rising FC Soccer Complex, 751 N. McClintock Drive, Tempe, 623.594.9606, phxrisingfc.com, 7:30 p.m., tickets start at $22.50.

Eric Newman >> The Entertainer!

World Music Day 5K & 10K

Phoenix Mercury vs.

Los Angeles Sparks

JUNE 14 The Mercury hosts area rival Los Angeles in WNBA play for their first matchup of the 2019 regular season.

Talking Stick Resort Arena, 201 E. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, 602.379.7867, mercury.wnba. com, 7 p.m., tickets start at $13.25

Phoenix Rising FC vs.

Tulsa Roughnecks

Arizona Rattlers vs.

San Diego Strike Force

JUNE 7 The Rising host Tulsa in its first home game of June. The club also boasts its most popular promotion of the regular season,

JUNE 23 The Mercury host area rival Los Angeles in WNBA play for the second time in nine days. They are familiar with each other’s style.

Talking Stick Resort Arena, 201 E. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, 602.379.7867, mercury.wnba. com, 5 p.m., tickets start at $13.25

JUNE 21 World Music Day is hosting a virtual race on June 21. Runners will select their length of race, course and start time on their own, and send in their recorded times online. Some donation proceeds will also go to Songs of Love, a national nonprofit that creates free, personalized, originals songs to uplift children and teens facing tough medical, physical or emotional challenges.

Remote locations, virtualworldracers. raceentry.com, various times, registration starts at $20.

Arizona Diamondbacks vs.

New York Mets

JUNE 1 Arizona takes on the Mets in National League play. The team will celebrate Native American Recognition Day, and the first 20,000 fans will receive a Tribal Cap, courtesy Gila River Hotels & Casinos.

Chase Field, 401 E. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, 602.514.8400, dbacks.com, 7:10 p.m., tickets start at $19.

shirts will be handed out, and upon the conclusion of the game, the team will present fireworks.

Chase Field, 401 E. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, 602.514.8400, dbacks.com, 6:40 p.m., tickets start at $16.

JUNE 15 Arizona hosts San Diego in the last regular season game of the IFL season. The Rattlers will try to get ready to repeat in the playoffs as league champions.

Talking Stick Resort Arena, 201

Phoenix Rising FC vs.

Rio Grande Valley Football Club

Arizona Diamondbacks vs.

San Francisco Giants

JUNE 21 Celebrate LGBTQ pride with the Diamondbacks, who will take on rival San Francisco. A limited number of Diamondbacks rainbow-colored

JUNE 29 The Rising host Portland in their first meeting in the 2019 regular season. Both teams will be looking to secure three standings points to try and secure a spot in the playoffs.

Phoenix Rising FC Soccer Complex, 751 N. McClintock Drive, Tempe, 623.594.9606, phxrisingfc.com, 7:30 p.m., tickets start at $18.

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READY FOR A CHAMPIONSHIP

48

UPFRONT | CITY | THE DOWNTOWNER | TRAVEL | ARTS | DINING | BEER AND WINE | CASINOS | SPORTS | FAMILY | MUSIC | NIGHTLIFE | IN CLOSING

The Mercury predicts a winning season, even without Diana Taurasi Chris Fahrendorf >> The Entertainer!

W

hen the Phoenix Mercury announced Diana Taurasi had back surgery, it seemed as if the team had another stroke of bad luck.

Along with Taurasi, both Camille Little and Sancho Lyttle sat out the Mercury’s first preseason home game due to their ankle and knee injuries, respectively.

Although the Mercury made six consecutive semifinal appearances, it has not had a healthy team since 2016. In 2017 and Brittney Griner missed games due to ankle and knee injuries. Guard DeWanna Bonner sat out the entire season when she was pregnant. In 2018 former all-star Lyttle didn’t make it 18 games before tearing her ACL. This will be the first season the Mercury will start the year without Taurasi since she sat out the 2015 season to play overseas. Taurasi averaged 20.7 points per game last year, her most since the 2011 season. She is also the only WNBA player to reach 7,000 career points. In other words, Taurasi is leaving some big shoes to fill.

Even so, this year feels different. A combination of returning veterans, free agent signings and rookies are confident they can step up during Taurasi’s absence.

BRITTNEY GRINER AND DEWANNA BONER Brittney Griner, 28, has spent

her entire career with the Mercury and expects nothing less than a championship this year.

“I definitely think we’ll be in the finals this year,” Griner says with a grin after the Mercury’s first official training camp practice on May 5.

Last year the Mercury didn’t quite make it to the finals as it lost a best of five series to the Seattle Storm in the WNBA semifinals 3-2. The Mercury came back after being down 2-0, but ultimately fell short in game five 94-84.

This was the Mercury’s sixth consecutive semifinal appearance.

“We almost got to the finals, but almost doesn’t win anything,” Griner says.

Last season, Griner led the league in blocks for the sixth consecutive year and averaged 20.5 points per game, along with 7.7 rebounds.

Shooting guard Bonner returned to the team in 2018 and made her first all-star appearance since 2015 after averaging 17.3 points per game in her comeback season.

Taurasi expects Griner and Bonner to be the leaders on the team while she is out, but she also acknowledged the women will need more than two contributors.

BRIANN JANUARY Griner and head coach Sandy Brondello believe returning veteran guard Briann January can help fill the void left by Taurasi.

Brondello says nobody can really fill Taurasi’s shoes, but January is the team’s “best perimeter defensive player and she’s one of the best three-point shooters in

the league.”

This is January’s second season with the Mercury. She is a six-time WNBA All-Defensive selection who averaged 47% on three pointers last year.

“She’s so quick, so strong, she can knock down a shot when we need her to knock it down,” Griner says.

Griner adds the Mercury will benefit from opponents having to choose if one of their guards should shoot from outside or her in the paint.

“I think it’s really going to help open up the floor for me,” January says. “Pick your poison. You want me to score down low or you want them to score outside.”

ESSENCE CARSON The Mercury’s offseason acquisitions like Essence Carson will also determine how well the team will perform without Taurasi.

Carson was previously with the WNBA champion Los Angeles Sparks. She came to Phoenix after seeing the Mercury’s performance in last year’s playoffs. This is significant because the Mercury lost backto-back semifinals to the Sparks in 2016 and 2017. The team hopes this experience will translate to playoff success.

The Mercury is already buying in as Carson says she has been welcomed with open arms in just its first official ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

practice. She says the team should focus on execution and fine tuning the small things during Taurasi’s absence. Each player needs to stick to their job and doing it well, she adds.

ALANNA SMITH Alanna Smith, the No. 8 pick out of Stanford in the 2018 WNBA draft, is ready to make an immediate impact for the Mercury.

As a senior last year for the Cardinal, she averaged 19.4 points per game and 8.6 rebounds to go along with a 39% three-point percentage.

Although Smith described being drafted in the top 10 a surreal childhood dream, she is excited and ready to go.

“I’m ready to play whatever role the team needs me to play,” Smith says. That could be “a scoring role or a facilitator.”

Nevertheless, she is “here to give 100%.”

Taurasi says these acquisitions will help the team compete.

“There is an injection of youth and free agency that has made us a better and more well-balanced team,” Taurasi says.

Phoenix Mercury To purchase tickets to Phoenix Mercury games, visit mercury. wnba.com.

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE JUNE 2019

FAMILY

49

FROLIC » DISCOVER » IMAGINE » FAMILY » FUN » CONNECT

FAMILY

CALENDAR Samantha Fuoco >> The Entertainer!

Flashlight Tours

SATURDAYS IN JUNE Check out the night blooming plants and animals that come out after dark at the Desert Botanical Garden. This self-guided nocturnal adventure is a great time for anyone in the family. Grab food and drinks while exploring the desert.

Desert Botanical Garden, 1201 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, 480.941.1225, dbg. org, 7 to 9:30 p.m., $14.95.

Youth and Teen Summer Camp JUNE 3 TO JUNE 7 Kids can learn about staying positive, listening, eye contact, communication skills and empathy during the JesterZ Improv Summer Camp. In addition to the improv lessons, kids will take part in arts and crafts, writing and musical experiences.

JesterZ Improv, 1061 N. Dobson Road, Suite 144, Mesa, 480.423.0120, jesterzimprov. com, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., $250.

Sugar Rush Kids Juiceology Class

JUNE 8 Join BareRoots Creation Studio for this family-fun kids event centered around making delicious drinks.

This hands-on event is interactive class, allowing kids to make their own concoctions with the basics of combing flavors using juice, fruit, sports drinks and candy. Play games and listen to music while creating.

The $20 price includes unlimited supplies and pizza for lunch.

BareRoots Creation Studio,

16630 W. Greenway Road, Suite 322, Surprise, 623.562.5400, barerootscreationstudio. com, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., $20.

Mighty Mud Mania

JUNE 8 Mighty Mud Mania offers muddy obstacles for people of all ages and ability levels. For those who prefer to be neat and tidy, there are nonmuddy activities.

Chaparral Park, 5401 N. Hayden Road, Scottsdale, scottsdaleaz. gov, 7 a.m. to noon, free for children through age 17, $10 for 18 and older plus extreme course.

Discount Tire Free Family Sunday JUNE 9 Explore the Phoenix Art Museum and get a discounted price for the special-engagement exhibition “Agnes Pelton: Desert Transcendentalist.” Each Discount Tire Free Family Sunday features opportunities to learn about and create art with local Valley artists from muralists to dancers. Also experience exciting activities, scavenger hunts, live performances, and tours. The theme for June is “Blue.”

Phoenix Art Museum, 1625 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, 602.457.5814, phxart.org, noon to 5 p.m., Free.

Summer Dance Camps at Kaleidoscope Dance

JUNE 11 TO JUNE 13 If your kids love to dance, Kaleidoscope Dance is offering fun-filled summer dance camps for boys and girls, ages 6 to 12.

Children will learn a variety of moves, including hip-hop, Latin

dancing, jazz, swing, line dances and party dances. The camp classes are taught by certified dance instructors and are designed for the beginner level with challenges added for the more experienced dancers.

Kaleidoscope Dance, 2848 S. Carriage Lane, Mesa, 480.692.0332, kaleidoscopedance.com, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., $35 per child, per day.

“Freaky Friday”

JUNE 14 TO JUNE 30 When an overworked mother and her teenage daughter magically swap bodies, they have just one day to put things right again. “Freaky Friday,” a new musical based on the novel by Mary Rodgers and the hit Disney films, is an emotional update on an American classic.

Presented by Valley Youth Theatre.

Herberger Theater Center, 222 E. Monroe Street, Phoenix, 602.252.8497, herbergertheater.org, various times, $20.50-$39.50.

Teen Science Scene: Zipline Physics

JUNE 15 Kids ages 13 through 17 can explore the mind of a physicist and look into how engineers solve problems and create new designs. Learn how to create a zipline design, test it and then make changes to improve it.

Teen Science Scene is a program that helps students get inspired and therefore expand their interest in science and engineering.

Arizona Science Center, 600 E. Washington Street, Phoenix, 602.716.2000, azscience.org, 10 a.m. to noon, $35 for members and $40 for nonmembers.

Family Drumming Workshop

JUNE 16 Learn the basics of Africa, Latin and pop music drumming with the family on Father’s Day weekend with Frank Thompson. End the class with a thrilling jam session. All levels of drumming are welcome. Bring

Drawings every Thursday in June, from 4pm - 7pm to win cash prizes ranging from $500 to $10,000.

a drum or use one of the MIM’s.

Musical Instrument Museum, 4724 E. Mayo Boulevard, Phoenix, 480.478.6000, mim. org, 11 a.m. to noon, 1 to 2 p.m., and 3 to 4 p.m., $12.

Safari Camp 2019

JUNE 17 TO JUNE 21 Junior Zoo Keepers will explore activities that are not open to the public like exotic animal training, feedings and interactions and ostrich egg painting. Lunch will be provided. Each camper will receive a goody bag, exclusive pictures and free kids passes.

Wildlife World Zoo, 16501 W. Northern Avenue, Litchfield Park, 623.232.8741, wildlifeworld. com, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., $500.

Camp Ocean

JUNE 17 TO JUNE 21 The Junior Marine Biologist: Care & Conservation camp at OdySea Aquarium is for kids in sixth through eighth grades. They will learn and develop a better understanding for the ocean and the inhabitants and also what can be done to preserve the planet.

Campers will go behind the scenes and experience what it takes to care for the amazing animals.

OdySea Aquarium, 9500 E. Via de Ventura, Suite A100, Scottsdale, 480.291.8000, odyseaaquarium. com, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., $275 a week.

“Jack and the Beanstalk”

JUNE 19 TO JUNE 30 Watch the fun puppets at the Great Arizona Puppet Theater while they perform the well-known “Jack and the Beanstalk” throughout June.

This show is for ages 4 and older.

The Great Arizona Puppet Theater, 302 W. Latham Street, Phoenix, 602.262.2050, azpuppets.org, 10 a.m. Wednesday through Friday, 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday, $8 for children, $12 for adults, members receive $2 off admission.

An Enterprise of the Tohono O’odham Nation.

ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

50

UPFRONT | CITY | THE DOWNTOWNER | TRAVEL | ARTS | DINING | BEER AND WINE | CASINOS | SPORTS | FAMILY | MUSIC | NIGHTLIFE | IN CLOSING

35 Years

IN THE

MAKING Wildlife World Zoo tops Reader’s Digest list

Andrea Estrada >> The Entertainer!

M

ickey Ollson, owner and director of Wildlife World Zoo, Aquarium and Safari Park, remembers collecting jokes out of Reader’s Digest and telling them aloud in a public speaking class he took in college in the early ’60s.

At the time, he never imagined he

ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

would open his own zoo in 1984 — let alone that it would be recognized by that same widely distributed magazine.

Reader’s Digest recently issued a list called “The Best Zoo in Every State in America,” and Wildlife World Zoo, Aquarium and Safari Park was named the best zoo in Arizona.

Ollson says such recognition speaks to his staff ’s hard work and dedication.

“It’s easy to have a vision and to want to do something. But if you’re really going to be successful, you have to have

good people that help you,” he says. “I’ve had people that have put down their roots here, and they’ve really taken it upon themselves to make the zoo very best it can be.”

Thirty-five years ago, the zoo sat on 30 acres, displayed less than 100 species, was operated by a staff of six, and had a picnic table with a sheet over it for furniture. Today, the zoo spans 150 acres, exhibits more than 600 different species and 6,000 animals and employs 115 people in the spring. It houses an Adventure Land with rides, boasts an interactive sea lion exhibit and features five restaurants and cafés: Dillon’s Restaurant, Skyride Cafe, Safari Grill, Congo Cooker and Zooberto’s.

The growth of the zoo, which has never received or used taxpayer funding, is attributed to its entrepreneurism, Ollson says.

“We’ve been very strong about investing back into the zoo. The profits from the zoo are put back into it to better things for the visitors; to better things for the animals; to better things for our employees; to enlarge the zoo; to build new exhibits and to increase the animal collection,” he says.

And that entrepreneurism made way for activities that are unique to the zoo — including the Giraffe Feeding Station and Lory Parrot Feeding, which Ollson says Wildlife World opened before any other zoo — and exhibits like the Baby Animal Nursery and Dragon World, which Reader’s Digest highlighted as must-see attractions.

Ollson says baby animals end up in the nursery because sometimes the mother does not take care of them, for a number of reasons, or simply because they’re better off being hand raised.

“We are really pleased with the fact that we’ve been able to raise multiple generations of some very rare animals by hand in our animal nursery,” he says.

And the zoo’s rare, endangered animals — like Arabian oryx from North Africa, and the albino alligators, which were down to 13 in the ’60s and less than 100, respectively — are bred on site through a species survival program made up of a consortium of zoos that control the animal gene pool.

“We’ve become very good at breeding animals. We’re no longer taking animals out of the wild. We are now producers of animals,” Ollson says.

Ollson, who has not only watched his zoo grow throughout the years but has witnessed cutting-edge advancements in the industry, says the genuine love for animals is the drive for all of it.

“In this business, nobody gets rich.

You’re not working because it’s a good paycheck or a nice salary. You’re working because you love animals, and it’s what you’ve always wanted to do,” he says.

While being recognized by a national publication like Reader’s Digest is an absolute honor, Ollson says he values the compliments he receives from guests just as much.

“The compliments from people like us; those are just as important,” he says.

“It verifies what my staff has been doing here and what we’ve done here for the last 35 years is appreciated, and that we’re doing some things right.”

Wildlife World Zoo, Aquarium and Safari Park 16501 W. Northern Avenue, Litchfield Park, 623.232.8741, wildlifeworld.com

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE JUNE 2019

51

FORTNITE 4TH

Scottsdale celebration returns with a gaming theme Christina Fuoco-Karasinski >> The Entertainer!

S

cottsdale’s 4th of July celebration is going to be “epic” as it adopts a Fortnite theme this year.

This sixth-year celebration takes on the theme “Fortnite 4th” featuring gamers live in action on a 16 by 9 LED Wall, Fortnite-themed games and food, including Fortnite fries and Rice Krispy Med Kits.

“Fortnite has so many cool aspects to it,” says Kerry Dunne of R Entertainment, which is producing the event.

“We have a DJ party, which is part of the game. We’re going to have a giant video board. It’s a very nice, fun addition to what we’re doing. We’re going to have a stunt dog show. Of course, we have to bring in the super heroes and Marvel characters. Lots of cool people to take pictures with.”

The party will be held in the 300,000-square-foot, fully airconditioned Tony Nelssen Equestrian Center at WestWorld from 4 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday, July 4.

“Our research showed 22 million people are registered to play Fortnite,” he says. “Our staff members’ kids are playing it. There are a lot of cool aspects of the game to integrate into the event.

Every year we try to create something that is hot or popular culture at the moment.”

Previous years included a “Frozen”themed event with princesses.

“Apparently, everybody seems to know something about Fortnite,” he says.

Those who don’t want to eat Fortnite-themed food can imbibe in a backyard barbecue for $35 in advance. That includes unlimited food by Chef Michael DeMaria of M Culinary, including hamburgers and cheeseburgers, barbecue pulled pork, Vienna Beef hot dogs, potato salad,

salad, watermelon, all-American desserts and ice cream, and beverages in an exclusive area encompassing the South Hall.

This ticket delivers a photo booth to capture patriotic moments, lawn games including cornhole, as well as unlimited access to all the fun, games, and festivities.

General admission tickets include free activities like fireworks: Fortnite 4th Experience; pro gamers live on the giant screen; Battle Royale laser tag; live DJ dance party; build a fort and chop it down; Fortnite Nerf target practice; Fortnite temporary tattoos; contests and prizes; Good Karma K9Z Stunt Show, featuring rescued canine friends in action; superhero appearances by Capt. Marvel and Capt. America; pony rides and petting zoo by Carter’s Farm; bullriding show and mutton busting by Mercer Rodeo; game trucks; and food.

“We’re bringing back the rodeo and

the kids games,” Dunne says. “We take that 300,000 square feet at the equestrian center and turn it into a magical kingdom,” he says. “Not matter how hot it is, it’s 70 degrees indoors.”

Kids wristbands are also available for purchase for unlimited fun featuring rides. Guests also have the option to park on the WestWorld polo field for $20 a carload to see the fireworks show against the McDowell Mountains.

“It’s a safe environment,” Dunne says.

“Everyone can play all day. It’s really entertaining for everybody who walks through our doors.”

Scottsdale 4th of July Celebration WestWorld of Scottsdale, 16601 N. Pima Road, scottsdale4th.com, 4 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday, July 4, $15 in advance, $35 for backyard barbecue tickets, $5 parking.

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MUSIC

LISTEN » JAM » INNOVATE » EVOLVE » ROCK » SING

LIVE MUSIC

CALENDAR Connor Dziawura >> The Entertainer!

JUNE 1 Earth The Rebel Lounge, 8 p.m., $15-$18 The Elovaters w/For Peace Band Last Exit Live, 9 p.m., $10-$12 Justin Moore (rescheduled to October 20) Mesa Amphitheatre, 7 p.m., $45 Khani Cole’s Sonic Table Musical Instrument Museum, 7:30 p.m., $33.50-$38.50 Luis Miguel Talking Stick Resort Arena, 8:30 p.m., $35.20-$465.20 NeoRomantics w/Love Like Fiction Pub Rock Live, 7 p.m., $12-$154 Raven’s WTF Party w/Cold Shott and the Hurricane Horns The Rhythm Room, 9 p.m., $10 Pro Teens Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $8-$10 Sacred Reich Club Red, 6 p.m., $27-$30 Trinidad Cardona Valley Bar, 7:30 p.m., $13-$15 We3 and Company The Nash, 7:30 p.m., $11-$35

JUNE 2 Fat Nick w/Shakewell Pub Rock Live, 7 p.m., $20-$75 Holy Wave Last Exit Live, 7 p.m., $10-$13 Jam Session: Ioannis Goudelis The Nash, 6 p.m., $5-$10, or free for instrumentalist and vocalists who sit in Matt Vandar The Rhythm Room, 6 p.m., $5 Mono The Rebel Lounge, 8 p.m., $15-$18 NLE Choppa The Pressroom, 7 p.m., $15-$75 Todd Herzog Musical Instrument Museum, 7 p.m., $28.50-$33.50 Xiu Xiu Valley Bar, 8:30 p.m., $15-$18

JUNE 3 Dessa Musical Instrument Museum, 7 p.m., $28.50-$38.50 Electric Sol The Rhythm Room, 7:30 p.m., $7 Full of Hell Club Red, 6 p.m., $15 SonReal Valley Bar, 8 p.m., $17-$20 The Specials The Van Buren, 8 p.m., $35-$40

JUNE 4 Church of Misery Club Red, 7 p.m., $18-$20 Mike and the Moonpies The Rebel Lounge, 8 p.m., $10-$12 Spiral Stairs Valley Bar, 8 p.m., $10-$12 Your Hands Write History The Rhythm Room, 6:30 p.m., $7

JUNE 5 Donovan Keith The Rhythm Room, 8 p.m., $10 Esham Club Red, 7 p.m., $15 Fonseca The Van Buren, 8 p.m., $42.50 Joey DeFrancesco Trio Musical Instrument Museum, 7 p.m., $38.50-$43.50

JUNE 6 The Noodles: Music of The Grateful Dead and Jerry Garcia The Rhythm Room, 8 p.m., $7 Patty Griffin Musical Instrument Museum, 7:30 p.m., $48.50-$73.50 ttng The Rebel Lounge, 8 p.m., $15-$18

JUNE 7 American Aquarium The Rebel Lounge, 8 p.m., $16-$18 Cub Sport Valley Bar, 7:30 p.m., $13-$15 El Fantasma Comerica Theatre, 8:30 p.m., $62.50-$132.50

JD Souther Musical Instrument Museum, 7:30 p.m., $48.50-$63.50 JID Marquee Theatre, 8 p.m., $27.50-$101 Nattali Rize w/The Conveyors Last Exit Live, 9 p.m., $12-$15 Possessed by Paul James The Rhythm Room, 7:30 p.m., $12 Snow tha Product The Pressroom, 7 p.m., $23-$25 Stig The Nash, 7:30 p.m., free

JUNE 8 DaBaby The Pressroom, 8:30 p.m., $20-$80 The Dangerous Summer Valley Bar, 7 p.m., $16-$18 Govinda Last Exit Live, 9 p.m., $12-$15 Hillsong United Comerica Theatre, 7:30 p.m., sold out JD Souther Musical Instrument Museum, 7:30 p.m., $48.50-$63.50 Rich the Kid The Van Buren, 8 p.m., $25 Soul Power Band The Rhythm Room, 9 p.m., $10 The Spirit of the Beehive Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $12-$15 The Where Are All My Friends Tour Pub Rock Live, 8 p.m., $13-$15

JUNE 9 Chon Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $26-$30 Hippie Gold Tribute Band The Rhythm Room, 4 p.m., $15 Jam Session: Raul Yañez The Nash, 6 p.m., $5-$10, or free for instrumentalists and vocalists who sit in Sebadoh Valley Bar, 8 p.m., $20-$23 Tab Benoit Musical Instrument Museum, 7 p.m., $43.50-$53.50

JUNE 10 John Paul White Musical Instrument Museum, 7 p.m., $38.50-$48.50 Merchants Pub Rock Live, 7 p.m., $12-$15 The Mystery Lights The Rebel Lounge, 8 p.m., $10-$12 The Offspring Acoustic Marquee Theatre, 7:30 p.m., $35-$65

Taylor Phelan Valley Bar, 8 p.m., $8-$10

JUNE 11 Aly & AJ The Van Buren, 8 p.m., $25-$250 The Ataris Pub Rock Live, 7 p.m., $15-$17 My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult Club Red, 7 p.m., $20-$25 Neckbeard Deathcamp Club Red, 6 p.m., $12-$14 Sona Jobarteh Musical Instrument Museum, 7 p.m., $28.50-$38.50 Together Pangea w/Vundabar The Rebel Lounge, 7:30 p.m., $18-$20

JUNE 12 Great Good Fine OK Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $17-$20 John Clifton The Rhythm Room, 8 p.m., $8 Train w/Goo Goo Dolls, Allen Stone Ak-Chin Pavilion, 7 p.m., $20-$775 Weyes Blood Valley Bar, 9 p.m., $15

JUNE 13 Caskey Pub Rock Live, 8 p.m., $15-$30 The Cookers Musical Instrument Museum, 7:30 p.m., $38.50-$48.50 Johnnyswim The Van Buren, 8 p.m., $28-$30 Luke Bryan w/Cole Swindell, Jon Langston Ak-Chin Pavilion, 7 p.m., $41-$679 No Vacation The Rebel Lounge, 8 p.m., $13-$15 Sadistik Valley Bar, 8 p.m., $15 She Wants Revenge Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $25-$40

JUNE 14 Ally Venable Band The Rhythm Room, 8 p.m., $12 Anberlin w/I the Mighty The Van Buren, 8 p.m., $28.50-$33 Andre Nickatina Marquee Theatre, 7 p.m., $25-$55 Devastation on the Nation Club Red, 5 p.m., $28-$30 The Holdup Pub Rock Live, 7 p.m., $15-$65 The Liz Story and Lisa Downing Piano Experience Musical Instrument Museum, 7:30 p.m., $43.50-$48.50

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE JUNE 2019

Michael Franti and Spearhead w/Ziggy Marley Mesa Amphitheatre, 6:15 p.m., $42

Weyes Blood,

VALLEY BAR, 8:30 P.M. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12, $15

JUNE 15 Alex Aiono The Van Buren, 8:30 p.m., $22-$99 Anoushka Shankar Musical Instrument Museum, 7 p.m. and 9 p.m., $33.50-$58.50 Flotsam and Jetsam Club Red, 6 p.m., $20-$25 Gloryhammer Club Red, 6 p.m., $22-$25 Operators Valley Bar, 7:30 p.m., $15 Parachute Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $24-$36 Pile The Rebel Lounge, 8 p.m., $13-$15 Slixx Pub Rock Live, 7 p.m., $15-$20 Zazu The Nash, 7:30 p.m., $10-$25

JUNE 16 Arturo O’Farrill and the Afro Latin Jazz Ensemble Musical Instrument Museum, 2 p.m., $38.50-$50.50 Coone Māyā Day and Nightclub, noon, $10, or free with RSVP Diane Coffee Valley Bar, 8 p.m., $12-$15 Jam Session: Adam Clark The Nash, 6 p.m., $5-$10, or free for instrumentalists and vocalists who sit in Jennifer Lopez Talking Stick Resort Arena, 8 p.m., $180.20-$395 Long Beach Dub Allstars Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $27-$30 Metalachi The Rhythm Room, 8 p.m., $20

JUNE 17 Geographer Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $13-$15 Jamila Woods Valley Bar, 8 p.m., $15 Steve Tyrell Musical Instrument Museum, 7 p.m., $43.50-$48.50

JUNE 18 Grapetooth Valley Bar, 8 p.m., $14-$16 Lion Babe Club Red, 7 p.m., $20 Machine Gun Kelly The Van Buren, 8 p.m., $30-$35 Ona The Rebel Lounge, 8 p.m., $10-$12 Punk Rock Art Show The Rhythm Room, 7:30 p.m., $5 Static-X w/Devildriver Marquee Theatre, 6:25 p.m., $25-$60 Steve Tyrell

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Weyes Blood (a.k.a. Natalie Mering) is a singer/songwriter and chamber pop artist from Santa Monica, California. She will be stopping at the Valley Bar in Phoenix as part of the “True Love is Making a Comeback Tour” in support her most recent album “Titanic Rising.” The collection explores themes of love, loss and the hubris of humanity soaked in a melodic and otherworldly soundscape. Mering uses vocal layering, synthesizers and a multiplicity of conventional instruments to pen melodic verses and sticky choruses.

From the track “Everyday,”a song about the difficulty of navigating the dating world, to “Movies,” which breaks down how movies have skewed society’s perception of romance, “Titanic Rising” takes on a multitude of topics such as shared myths, mishaps and concerns for the future of the planet.—Shane Crowe Musical Instrument Museum, 7 p.m., $43.50-$48.50

JUNE 19 As Cities Burn Pub Rock Live, 7 p.m., $18-$20 The Catching w/Cemetery Sun Valley Bar, 8 p.m., $10-$12 Crystal Bowersox Musical Instrument Museum, 7 p.m., $35.50-$45.50 Hootie and the Blowfish w/Barenaked Ladies Ak-Chin Pavilion, 7:30 p.m., $20-$539 John Hiatt Marquee Theatre, 8 p.m., $73 Mystery Skulls The Rebel Lounge, 8 p.m., $15-$35 Xavier Wulf Club Red, 7 p.m., $20-$25

JUNE 20 Blue Highway Musical Instrument Museum, 7:30 p.m., $38.50-$48.50 Froth w/Versing Valley Bar, 8 p.m., $15-$18 Khalid Gila River Arena, 7:30 p.m., $45.20-$85.20 Kurt Travis Pub Rock Live, 7 p.m., $15-$18

JUNE 21 Bob Log III Valley Bar, 7:30 p.m., $15 Dee Dee Bridgewater Musical Instrument Museum, 7:30 p.m., $43.50-$63.50 Rio Wiley Pub Rock Live, 7 p.m., $10 Vanessa Collier The Rhythm Room, 8 p.m., $12-$15 ZOSO: The Led Zeppelin Experience Marquee Theatre, 6:15 p.m., $20-$35

JUNE 22 D.R.I. Club Red, 6 p.m., $17-$20

Ioannis Goudelis: Pop Jazzified Quartet The Nash, 7:30 p.m., $10-$25 Melissa Manchester Musical Instrument Museum, 6 p.m. and 8 p.m., $38.50-$48.50 Remo Drive The Nile, 7 p.m., $16-$20 Santana w/The Doobie Brothers Ak-Chin Pavilion, 7 p.m., $47-$449.50 The Sugar Thieves The Rhythm Room, 8 p.m., $10 Summer of Funk Festival Celebrity Theatre, 7 p.m., $25-$55 Tacocat Valley Bar, 8 p.m., $12-$15

JUNE 23 Big Daddy D and the Dynamites w/Smokestack Lightning, The Hoodoo Casters The Rhythm Room, 2 p.m., $10 Jam Session: Dave Henning The Nash, 6 p.m., $5-$10, or free for instrumentalists and vocalists who sit in Porky w/Lubelski Shady Park, 3 p.m., $15 Rob Thomas Comerica Theatre, 7:30 p.m., $53-$193

JUNE 24 Orquesta Akokán Musical Instrument Museum, 7 p.m., $33.50-$48.50

JUNE 25 Heart Attack Man w/Sincere Engineer The Rebel Lounge, 8 p.m., $12-$14 Priests Valley Bar, 8 p.m., $15

JUNE 26 Paul McCartney Talking Stick Resort Arena, 8 p.m., $395-$795 Rickie Lee Jones Musical Instrument Museum, 7 p.m., $48.50-$68.50

Sarah Grace and the Soul The Rhythm Room, 8 p.m., $12-$15 Todd Rundgren Celebrity Theatre, 7:30 p.m., $35-$299

JUNE 27 Chase Atlantic Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $18-$20 Nav The Van Buren, 8 p.m., $35-$38 Skerryvore Musical Instrument Museum, 7:30 p.m., $33.50-$43.50

JUNE 28 The 44s The Rhythm Room, 8 p.m., $10-$12 Brit Floyd Comerica Theatre, 8 p.m., $38.50-$165 Dandu w/House of Stairs, Terra Fractal, Alassane Last Exit Live, 8:30 p.m., $8-$10 Mystic Braves Valley Bar, 8 p.m., $15 The Technicolors Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $12-$15

JUNE 29 The Brecker Brothers Project The Nash, 7:30 p.m., $11-$35 Indigo Girls The Van Buren, 8 p.m., $39-$59 Sticky Fingers (canceled) Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $22-$25 Wade Cota Marquee Theater, 7 p.m., $20-$70

JUNE 30 Charly Bliss The Rebel Lounge, 8 p.m., $15-$17 Coheed and Cambria w/Mastodon Comerica Theatre, 6:30 p.m., $39.50-$94.50 The Other Favorites w/Reina del Cid Last Exit Live, 8 p.m., $20-$25 Thaddeus Rose Band The Rhythm Room, 6 p.m., $5 ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

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REUNITED AND READY TO GO UPFRONT | CITY | THE DOWNTOWNER | TRAVEL | ARTS | DINING | BEER AND WINE | CASINOS | SPORTS | FAMILY | MUSIC | NIGHTLIFE | IN CLOSING

Hootie & the Blowfish only wanna be with each other this summer Alan Sculley >> The Entertainer!

H

ootie & the Blowfish could easily have made their return after a decade-long hiatus with a tour on which they simply played their hits and fan-favorite album cuts.

Instead, the group will have a new studio album to go with this summer’s reunion tour. Singer Darius Rucker says the need for new music to go with the return of Hootie & the Blowfish was obvious.

“The new album is for ll those people who are really, really diehard fans who just loved the music and just want something new,” Rucker says.

“They don’t want us to play 15 new songs in the set, you know, but they want some new music—and for us, for ourselves, for our sanity of doing something new. We haven’t made a new record in 15 years. So I think it’s for us (too), just to play something new.”

The Hootie & the Blowfish reunion has been anticipated for some time. Even as Rucker’s country career took off, he said in multiple interviews that the band would someday tour again and make another album.

It was after the touring cycle for Rucker’s most recent country album, 2017’s “When Was The Last Time,” that things went into motion for the return of Hootie & the Blowfish. Timing played a key role in the choice of 2019 for the big reunion.

“The main reason is this is the 25th anniversary of ‘Cracked Rear View,’” Rucker says, mentioning the blockbuster 1994 Hootie & the Blowfish major label debut album.

“That was reason enough to get back and go out for a year and do the record.

And we knew we wanted to do it. We just knew we wanted to do it when the time was right. When we stopped playing, we were putting 8,000 people in a 12,000 seater. And that’s cool and that’s a money maker, but that’s not selling out.

“So, we wanted to do it when it mattered. Now, I’ll be honest with you, I was shocked with ticket sales. I mean, three nights in Columbia (South Carolina), two nights at the Garden (New York’s Madison Square Garden), I wasn’t expecting that. I think we did it right. We came out when people were really interested in seeing us again.”

Indeed, there seems to have been a reawakening to Hootie & the Blowfish, which includes vocalist/guitarist Rucker, guitarist/pianist Mark Bryan, bass/piano Dean Felber and drummer Jim Sonefeld, in recent years.

ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

If you were a music fan in the ’90s, you know the story. In 1994, Hootie & the Blowfish’s major label debut, the aforementioned “Cracked Rear View,” became as ubiquitous as any album in rock history, selling an astonishing 16 million copies as earnest and tuneful hits like “Hold My Hand,” “Let Her Cry” and “Only Wanna Be With You” were played incessantly on FM radio and became staple on college campuses nationwide.

The band’s solid follow-up album, “Fairweather Johnson,” did reasonably well, moving 2.3 million units. But by then a backlash had started to gain steam and before long Hootie & the Blowfish were getting branded as the most uncool band going. The group soldiered on, releasing three more albums, while doing decent business on tours until the 2008 hiatus.

As a recent “Esquire” article—and the sell-out business the reunion tour has been doing—suggests, even some of the more vocal Hootie haters now seem to realize Hootie & the Blowfish weren’t that bad after all.

That’s not news to Rucker, who chalks up the popularity to him including Hootie’s biggest hits in his country shows. It introduced a new generation to the group, and that may be contributing to this summer’s sell-out numbers.

He also thinks it certainly hasn’t hurt to have the Barenaked Ladies—another band with a string of hits from the 1990s and into the 2000s—also on the bill.

“I love that lineup,” Rucker says.

“When we called those guys, they were so excited. And when it started to come together, I said that’s a great lineup,

great music, neither band is kidding themselves thinking that we’re these bands that are putting out brand new songs that everybody wants to hear or anything. We know we’re a band that we’ve got our hits and we’re going to go out and play our asses off. We’ll go have a blast and try to blow each other off the stage and then play a lot of songs together and put on a great show.”

Rucker says Hootie & the Blowfish will vary their set lists on tour, generally deciding what songs—including new material—to play on the day of each show.

The new Hootie & the Blowfish album, which is being produced by Jeff Trott (Sheryl Crow, Stevie Nicks, Joe Cocker) came together quite seamlessly from the sound of things, with the band choosing from 80 songs that were in play for the album. Rucker notes that even though the group had gone a decade and a half since making new music, the four band members settled right back into their collaborative writing routine.

“It’s so funny for us,” he says. “We can go forever, and when we get in a room together, we’re back in that same dynamic we had since we were 19. So, it’s the same thing for us. We write the way we write.”

The band members also wrote with outside songwriters. One notable artist who joined in the writing was Ed Sheeran, who co-wrote a pair of songs with Rucker for the new Hootie & the Blowfish album and a third song that Rucker may record on his next country album. Rucker and Sheeran met well before the latter became a household name to music fans.

“I met Ed before he got famous.

He was doing something in the states before the Taylor (Swift) tour. My oldest daughter had discovered him on YouTube and said will you take me to see this kid, Ed Sheeran?” Rucker says.

Sheeran, ironically, didn’t know that much about Hootie & the Blowfish when he first met Rucker, and was shocked when he discovered what that band had accomplished.

“It’s funny, he and I were talking about it because he was from England and he had heard of Hootie & the Blowfish, but (didn’t know about the success of the band),” Rucker recalled. “He was like ‘Holy (crap)!’ So we were friends for a long time.”

Rucker, who will focus on his country career in 2020, hinted that this year’s Hootie & the Blowfish reunion won’t be a one-time event. But the band will have to pick its spots for tours and making more music.

“We can’t do Hootie & the Blowfish every summer. If we’re going to do this, then do it the right way,” he says. “We have to do it like other bands do it.

Bands that are at our level and where we are in our career don’t go out every summer. Go out every four years, every five years. Then you do what we just did, sell out every show you play. The Garden calls you and says, ‘Can you play a second night?’”

Hootie & the Blowfish w/Barenaked Ladies Ak-Chin Pavilion, 2121 N. 83rd Avenue, Phoenix, livenation.com, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 19, tickets start at $20.

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE JUNE 2019

’ D E K A N S ‘FAKE NUDE

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Barenaked Ladies strip down for new album and video Christina Fuoco-Karasinski >> The Entertainer!

B

arenaked Ladies have been taking time to recharge.

For example, singer Ed Robertson went to Africa, where he coyly referenced his song “Another Postcard” on social media with a photograph of a chimpanzee.

Drummer Tyler Stewart says the break was necessary to prepare for its “juggernaut” of a tour with the recently reunited Hootie & the Blowfish. The 47date jaunt runs May to September and comes to Ak-Chin Pavilion in Phoenix on Wednesday, June 19.

“When we were approached, we were very excited,” Stewart says. “We’d done some shows in the past, probably one or two in the ’90s and the early 2000s with Hootie and the Blowfish. It was always a good match, music wise. Also, the crowd

loves both bands.

“Hootie hasn’t played together in over 10 years, which certainly makes people excited for this upcoming tour. We’ll probably play for people who haven’t seen us in a while in some of those markets.”

Barenaked Ladies are expected to perform for an hour when the Canadian pop band hits the stage before Hootie.

“The hour gives us a chance to introduce to people who haven’t seen us in a number of years the magic that is Barenaked Ladies,” Stewart says. “Our show is definitely multifaceted. Within the hour, we still get a chance to stretch out a little bit and we don’t feel rushed or constrained at all.”

By “multifaceted,” Stewart means the show is well rounded. There’s a little bit of comedy, as the band improvises songs about the town in which it is playing.

There’s deft musicianship (just watch

them play) and there are harmonies to kill for.

Stewart says the setlist will include the hits, plus reimagined acoustic versions of BNL’s “Fake Nudes” songs from a May 31-released digital-only EP called “Fake Nudes Naked.”

“We’re going to have a stripped-down section,” he says.

Video footage accompanies “Fake Nudes Naked.” “‘Fake Nudes Naked’ was shot, too, so it’ll come out on video. What am I? From the 1980s? ‘Video’? Really? There will be content on the internet as well.”

The footage was filmed at bassist Jim Creeggan’s house while Barenaked Ladies—which also includes keyboardist Kevin Hearn—played the songs they recorded.

“We have a high-quality audio recording to go with the video documentation,” Stewart says. “We’re

pretty happy with it. We’re excited to put this out.”

Barenaked Ladies, he adds, have gone through different stages, but one thing remains: they write on acoustic instruments. That lends to their ability to play in any room or situation.

“All good bands can play anywhere— an arena, a baseball stadium, a sweaty rock club or a theater,” he says. “If you spend a lot of time working in the studio and adding production, you can still strip it down and play it on acoustic guitars and make it sound good.”

Hootie & the Blowfish w/Barenaked Ladies Ak-Chin Pavilion, 2121 N. 83rd Avenue, Phoenix, livenation.com, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 19, tickets start at $20.

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UPFRONT | CITY | THE DOWNTOWNER | TRAVEL | ARTS | DINING | BEER AND WINE | CASINOS | SPORTS | FAMILY | MUSIC | NIGHTLIFE | IN CLOSING

READY TO FLY Parachute simplifies sound before its U.S. tour

Christina Fuoco-Karasinski >> The Entertainer!

P

arachute has been known for its heartfelt, sax-infused pop sound since its 2009 debut “Losing Sleep.”

Now the Virginia-bred band has gone through a facelift, focusing on raw instrumentation and graceful electronic flourishes on its latest release, which is self titled.

“The songs themselves are so much simpler than our previous songs,” says singer Will Anderson. “The way Jacquire King, our producer, did it, everything is so powerful. It’s really sparse. There’s a lot of space and not that much stuff going on, compared to old stuff. In the end, you figure out how to make less stuff sound bigger.”

Anderson says the songs translate well live. The band plays the Crescent Ballroom on Saturday, June 15.

“We’re in a better spot than we were with our old sound,” he says.

The change in direction, the newly wed Anderson says, was organic.

Parachute knew it wanted to evolve ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

sonically for the last three years. The band was referred to King and he “unlocked the new stuff that people hear.”

“He has a reputation for pushing his artists to home in on what he wants to do in an interesting way,” Anderson says.

“The change was definitely a conscious decision. We didn’t know what exactly what would come out of it. The way he does things is really refreshing.

“He’s really easy going and really pushed us to let it be. We used to have a very regimented way of recording things, making sure it’s perfect. He was like, ‘Hey, we don’t need to edit it too much. There doesn’t need to have too much shine. We’d just capture the performance and leave it be.”

King was adamant about leaving the human elements into it. Parachute spoke to many producers, including one who specialized in EDM and programming.

Parachute wanted to pull the human side through.

“It’s a nice extreme on both ends,” Anderson says. “It’s fun to play a bunch of new songs, instead of the same songs we’ve been playing thousands of times.”

What remains is Parachute’s honest lyrics. Anderson is proud his fans understand their importance.

“I love lyrics,” he says. “What’s nice is our fans have an appreciation for them, too. They’re not lost on them. I really work on lyrics and keep them simple.

People get that affirmation from them.

It’s worth the time and the effort to refine those lyrics.

“This record is really personal. I did everything myself. It’s nice to know I can hang my hat on it. These lyrics are coming from me, not a roomful of professional writers.”

The first single and opening track was “Young,” with lyrics “After all this growing up/I’m only good at being young.”

“We’d just gotten off the road, and I’d sold all my stuff and moved from Nashville to New York to be near my then-girlfriend, now-wife,” Anderson recalls.

“The song just spilled out of me one day, and it came from a place of feeling terrified of growing up but also wanting to get to the point of feeling more settled in my life, and not so out at sea.”

On the piano-laced “Ocean,” Parachute looks back before Anderson moved to New York. “Had It All” is a song about regret.

“Writing that song, I put myself back in one of those situations from my past where I’d messed up and hurt somebody,” Anderson says. “It’s sort of my big apology into the unknown, a way of getting out what I’d say to them now if I ever got to see them again.”

Parachute w/Billy Raffoul Crescent Ballroom, 308 N. Second Avenue, Phoenix, 602.716.2222, crescentphx.com, 8 p.m. Saturday, June 15, $24$36.

AND PUNK ROCK RESPECT How PUP grew from touring to creating ‘Morbid Stuff’ THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE JUNE 2019

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Olivia Munson >>The Entertainer!

T

he punk rock fourpiece PUP was formed in Canada, so they are accustomed to long hours on the road when touring, according to drummer Zack Mykula.

Nevertheless, the band is maintaining its spirits on its latest jaunt, “The Morbid Stuff Tour-Pocalypse,” in support of its third album "Morbid Stuff.” The run comes to the Crescent Ballroom on July 2, coupled with plenty of crowd surfing and screaming.

“Everybody kind of gets loose but stays very respectful. It’s like a huge party,” says Mykula, whose band name stands for Pathetic Use of Potential. “The concerts are not about the individual but making everyone capable of having a good time and not infringing on anybody’s personal freedoms. At the same time, still trying to have fun; doing something as insane as getting into the mosh pit.”

Within the last year, PUP has toured the United States, Canada, Europe and Australia. From traveling, the band has seen changes from the inside out.

“Touring, being the pressure cooker it is, definitely sped up the process (of growth) and let us keep in touch emotionally with each other and be more open,” Mykula says.

“In any career or walk of life, you just get better at being a person and interacting and working with people.”

PUP’s bond is something special because the members get “more and more excited to be with each other,” Mykula says. He adds that’s uncommon for bands. This connection helps improve PUP’s work ethic, whether it be with songwriting or its other ventures.

“You just gel so much easier and I think that it helped us a lot on (‘Morbid Stuff’),” he says.

Each PUP musician has his own style. The band tries to combine all its influences, which range from Arcade Fire to Van Halen, to make something new.

Although PUP speaks of serious topics in its songs, such as “Full Blown Meltdown” which highlights mental health and the competition within the music industry, it tries not to take things too seriously. The band likes to keep it light while talking about subjects it cares about.

According to Mykula, lead vocalist and guitar player Stefan Babcock has refined PUP’s lyrics while being “incredibly earnest and pointed but also having a really great sense of humor about everything he writes.”

Overall, Mykula says the band tries to create music they enjoy and that can be translated to a live setting.

The punk rock industry may not be easy, but PUP has found familiarity in the community they created.

Though Mykula says PUP is no longer DIY, it takes control in its creative outlet

to include more artists and fans in the process. In 2018, the band has released two zines. Additionally, PUP started it’s own record label, Little Dipper, to release “Morbid Stuff.”

PUP takes baby steps, in terms of creating music and performing live, to extend its longevity.

PUP w/Ratboys and Beach Bunny Crescent Ballroom, 308 N. Second Avenue, Phoenix, 602.716.2222, crescentphx.com, 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 2, $18, 16 and older.

ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

58

NIGHTLIFE

SIP » UNLEASH » MIX » MINGLE » PULSE » SHAKE

NIGHTLIFE

CALENDAR Katie Sawyer >> The Entertainer!

raver, as Trampa’s newest song “Ceremony” says right in the lyrics.

“Hardcore, heavy head bang, never holy/Better run that s— back, that’s what Trampa told me/Make room and turn the club into a ceremony.” Trampa’s music rides the edge between heavy metal and EDM, with some of the signature sounds of metal, and a taste for build-ups and a deep bass. Expect mosh pits and thrown elbows.

AURA, 411 S. Mill Avenue, Suite 201, Tempe, 480.210.2872, auratempe.com, 9 p.m., $20, 18 and older.

Sinden Dillon Francis

JUNE 1 Dillon Francis’ music was made for the summer season. “Change Your Mind,” “Anywhere” and “Need You” are all songs you blast with the windows down on a hot day.

Francis’ unique sound will have you jamming with some of the biggest names in the EDM scene including Skrillex, NGHTMRE, DJ Snake and Alison Wonderland. Mixing with a variety of artists keeps his music fresh and diverse. His 2019 singles include “Lost My Mind,” featuring Alison Wonderland; “Fix Me;” and “Change Your Mind.”

The Pool at Talking Stick Resort, 9800 Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale, 480.850.7777, relentlessbeats.com, 1 p.m., $30, 21 and older.

Trampa

JUNE 1 This is not a show for the casual

JUNE 7 If you like to shuffle, this is the show for you. Show off your best moves to Sinden’s constant, repetitive beat or just nod your head. This house artist specializes in dance music and he’s a lot more chill than some on the calendar this month.

The British artist’s newest and most popular single “No Good” doesn’t stray from his genre.

Bar Smith, 130 E. Washington Street, Phoenix, 602.456.1991, relentlessbeats.com, 9 p.m., $10, 21 and older.

Yookie

JUNE 8 The bass is strong in these two, so prepare to feel your rib cage vibrate during this set. These two brothers have built their own sound with a mix of traditional dubstep and techno and are recognized by their identical wild manes of dark curly hair. They’re not afraid of a dirty drop, and throw everything but the kitchen sink at their bass.

Some of their features include Slander and Black Tiger Sex Machine, and their newest song “Wraith” features Hekler for an almost post-apocalyptic vibe.

AURA, 411 S. Mill Avenue, Suite 201, Tempe, 480.210.2872, relentlessbeats.com, 9 p.m., $15, 18 and older.

CHAMPAGNE DRIP

JUNE 10 I’d imagine a laser-filled dance party floating through space might sound like Champagne Drip. The heavenly, almost glittery sound of this one-man-show’s music sounds futuristic, and although he uses bass in his music, he has a very vibey sound. His newest hits include “Kaleidoscope,” featuring Crystalline and “Eternal Now.” Formerly known as SPL, Sam Pool spent 10 years in the scene and is now making waves under his new moniker, Champagne Drip.

Night Swim, Māyā Day + Nightclub, 7333 E. Indian Plaza, Scottsdale, 480.625.0528, eventbrite.com, 10 p.m., $30, 21 and older.

Galantis

JUNE 15 Get your boogie on with Galantis.

This dynamic duo specializes in jams that make you dance all night. Iconic songs “Runaway” and “No Money” feature a fun and upbeat style, and they’ll most likely play their newest single “Bones,” featuring One Republic. These two like to mix it up at live events, and you may be treated to a DJ set in addition to music from their albums.

The Pool at Talking Stick Resort, 9800 Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale, 480.850.7777, relentlessbeats.com, 1 p.m., $35, 21 and older.

Geographer, Manatee Commune

JUNE 17 Geographer has been working hard since the trio’s last album in 2018

and their work paid off with two new albums this year, “New Jersey” and “Alone Time B Sides.” Their blend of synth and techno makes for a groovy sound, with drums and vocals mixed in to create an alternative style.

Manatee Commune was hot on their heels with his latest album “Pda” that came out May 3. Manatee Commune remains a top hit in the vibey, chillwave genre and his ethereal sound is unique to the scene. So far, fans on Apple Music are loving songs “Pda” and “Petit Verdo” the most.

Crescent Ballroom, 308 N. Second Avenue, Phoenix, 602.716.2222, eventbrite. com, 8 p.m., $13, 16 and older.

Quix

JUNE 24 This New Zealand native is relatively new to the scene, but he’s already changing things up with his EDM/trap crossover sound.

Stand alone, he has a heavy EDM sound, but when he collabs with rappers his music gets a deep trap quality, keeping the drops and maximizing the bass. His newest song is a club-worthy banger, “Berserk,” featuring Yung Bambi.

It’s no surprise his fresh sound is making waves in the EDM scene.

Māyā Day + Nightclub, 7333 E. Indian Plaza, Scottsdale, 480.625.0528, eventbrite. com, 11 p.m., free, 21 and older.

Tchami

JUNE 29 Tchami has 1.6 million monthly listeners on Spotify, and it’s not hard to see why. The Parisian DJ’s house style, wubwubs and repetitive bass keeps people grooving all night. As one of the original house genre masters, he’s another artist you’ll find yourself moving your feet to. And no show of his would be complete without his signature clerical collar and religious visuals.

The Pressroom, 441 W. Madison Street, Phoenix, 602.396.7136, relentlessbeats.com, 9 p.m., $35, 18 and older.

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE JUNE 2019

59

COUNTDOWN IN 3, 2, FUN Alex Aiono’s show shares personal growth Miranda Cyr >> The Entertainer!

S

inger-songwriter Alex Aiono wants to have a career like Macklemore, but it’s not what you think.

Aiono grew up in the Valley, and he wants to celebrate—and be celebrated—when he returns home.

“I always wanted to come back to Phoenix and play shows, but I didn’t really know if Phoenix rocked with me like that,” Aiono says, referring to his headlining show in early 2018.

“I wanted to rock the way Seattle rocks with Macklemore. It wasn’t until I came home, and I had a sold-out show that I realized that could happen.”

Aiono is set to return to the Valley on his “#FUN23 Tour” that stops at The Van Buren on Saturday, June 15. He prefers not to reveal his favorite cities because he wants each venue’s attendees to “feel that love.”

“But there’s an energy about coming home,” he says. “It’s a special connection.

So, it was so nice to come to Phoenix for my first headlining show and be able to connect with the fans. I’m a hometown kid, so when I come to Phoenix, I do have that deeper welcome.”

Although he moved to Los Angeles when he was 15, Aiono was raised in Arizona, living in Gilbert, Chandler and Mesa. He says attending New Horizons School of Performing Arts in Mesa helped shape his love for music and performing.

“There’s so many things that shaped my passion,” Aiono says.

“I think my parents always wanted me to be in a performing arts school. When you’re at a school that’s for performing arts, they value the time to really work on your craft, or to work on your passions.

“I remember being able to have that time to be in a play and rehearse for hours a day on a play, memorizing lines, little things that kind of helped me shape my passion for music.”

Discovered after busking on the Santa Monica Promenade at age 15, Aiono

recorded with singer John Legend, who co-wrote the title track on his 2013 debut EP, “Young & Foolish.”

By the time he was 19, Aiono amassed millions of followers by flipping versions of popular songs from a one-bedroom apartment he shared with his family of six. Aiono’s viral take on Drake’s “One Dance” hit the 64 million view mark.

With over 780 million YouTube views to date, the now 23-year-old boasts 5.8 million YouTube subscribers, 2.3 million Facebook followers, 2.4 million Instagram followers, and 515,000 Twitter followers.

His latest single is “Her,” a look into Aiono’s past in Arizona and through teenage heartbreak, which is a change from his usual themes.

“I felt like ‘Her’ was one of the first times I actually got to rip a page out of my metaphoric diary,” Aiono says. “I love all my other songs, but this song is like, ‘Hey, I’m a regular human being who is struggling.’”

He recently penned a song about his childhood summers with his family at Saguaro Lake. It tells the story of growing up and finding himself.

“You look up at adults, and you’re like, ‘Oh, man, you have a job and you go out to clubs,’” he says.

“That’s what you see in the movies.

What you don’t see are taxes, the rent and mental health issues. You don’t see all of these things that are easily overlooked when you’re a kid. When you’re an adult you have too much pride” to talk about the issues.

The “#FUN23 Tour” is meant to serve a similar purpose: To help young fans discover themselves, and to provide an escape.

“I wanted to create a space, create an opportunity for you to come and let life stresses go,” Aiono says. “And not only

Alex Aiono w/ 4th Ave and AJA9 Van Buren, 401 W. Van Buren Street, Phoenix, 480.659.1641, thevanburenphx.com, 8:30 p.m.

Saturday, June 15, $22-$99.

let that all go, but get lost a little bit and forget who you are or find out who you are.”

The social media darling stresses the dangers of social media. Aiono says he tries to come off as genuine as he can on his social media, especially because he has influence over his young fans.

“We’re all on social media and everybody’s trying to put their best life on social media, but it’s not their real life,” Aiono says.

“People are seeing social media and comparing themselves, which is a big issue as well. I think that we’re creating this stress that we don’t have our own lives figured out.

And that’s why I promote that I don’t have everything figured out at all.

I’m just taking everything as it comes.

“I just want to promote that you don’t have to know, as long as you believe in yourself. You believe good things will happen, and you put your shoulder to the wheel and you keep fighting and pushing. Then you’re going to figure it out. If I just let life shape itself and I make of it as best as I can, then I will feel like it’ll all be OK.”

ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

YOU’RE NOT GONNA BELIEVE THIS

60

UPFRONT | CITY | THE DOWNTOWNER | TRAVEL | ARTS | DINING | BEER AND WINE | CASINOS | SPORTS | FAMILY | MUSIC | NIGHTLIFE | IN CLOSING

Bizarro facts that will stretch your noggin Samantha Fuoco >> The Entertainer!

✔ The world’s largest pool is in Algarrobo, Chile. The seawater pool is 3,324 feet long and covers 19.7 acres. ✔ Floating gambling tables are in swimming pools at some Las Vegas hotels. ✔ Evidence of swimming was found in Egypt as far back as 2500 B.C. ✔ The Titanic was the first ocean liner to boast a swimming pool and a gym. ✔ The inground swimming pool at the White House was installed in 1975 while Gerald Ford was president. ✔ The deepest indoor pool in the world is in Brussels, Belgium, with a depth of 113 feet. ✔ There are 10.4 million residential and 309,000 public swimming pools in the United States. ✔ Swimming became an Olympic event in 1896. ✔ The oldest-known concrete swimming pool was built in Texas in 1915.

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2019 Canon U.S.A., Inc. Canonprohibited, and EOS are registered trademarks of Canon Inc. in the United States and may be registered trademarks or trademarks in other countries. All other product and brand names are trademarks of their respective owners.

Not responsible for typographical errors. images and effects are simulated.

Products not are shown Pricing, and availability subjectonly, to change without notice. ** Offers are valid from April 28, 2019 12:00Certain a.m. ET through June 29, 2019 11:59 p.m.

ET. Offers validtoinscale. the 50 Unitedspecifications States and the District of Columbia and void where prohibited, taxed or restricted. Dealers, distributors, resellers and their © 2019 Canon U.S.A., Inc. Canon and EOS are registered trademarks of Canon in Mount the United States and may be EOS registered trademarks or trademarks in other countries.

Alluser other product and brand names of their respective owners. respective employees are not eligible for these offers. To be eligible to receive theInc. free Adapter EF-EOS R, an R or EOS RP camera must be purchased by an end from the Canon online store are or atrademarks Canon Authorized dealer. A qualified

(A $249.95 VALUE **)

purchaser will receive the Mount Adapter at the time of purchase at no additional charge. The value of the Mount Adapter EF-EOS R is $99.99 (MSRP). These offers are available while supplies last only.

^ Complimentary 13 month CarePAK PLUS is valid for purchases of Eligible Products from an Authorized Canon USA dealer, or from the Canon Online Store website, between April 28, 2019 to June 29, 2019. To receive your CarePAK PLUS coverage,

you must register your Eligible Product within 30 days of purchase by going to www.usa.canon.com/registration. Failure to do so may result in significant delays in obtaining service if you have a Claim. See store for complete list of eligible products.

Not responsible for typographical errors. Certain images and effects are simulated. Products not shown to scale. Pricing, specifications and availability subject to change without notice. © 2019 Canon U.S.A., Inc. Canon and EOS are registered trademarks of Canon Inc. in the United States and may be registered trademarks or trademarks in other countries. All other product and brand names are trademarks of their respective owners.

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