The Entertainer! Magazine - August 2022

PHX METRO » AUGUST 2022

‘MUSIC IS MAGIC’ Johnny Marr’s career is a love letter to his art

YOUTH

GONE

WILD Daulton Varsho leads the charge

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ON THE COVER

YOUTH GONE WILD

Daulton Varsho leads the charge

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‘MUSIC IS MAGIC’

Johnny Marr’s career is a love letter to his art

FALL ARTS PREVIEW

The Entertainer! is circulated throughout the Phoenix Metro area, especially concentrated in entertainment districts. ©2022 Affluent Publishing, LLC. A free online subscription is available to all readers simply by going to entertainermag.com/subscribe.

Valley groups plan a plethora of performances

CONTENTS UPFRONT

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Top 25 • Daulton Varsho • Lee Perreira • Rock This Town Records

CITY

DINING

22

Organ Stop Pizza • Pisa Lisa • Dining Calendar

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BREWS & SPIRITS

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Patent 139 Brewing Co. • Tequila Corrido • Brews & Spirits Calendar

ARTS

CASINOS

“Immersive Monet & the Impressionists” • “Hallelujah: Leonard Cohen, a Journey, a Song” • Fall Arts Preview

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L.A.vation: A Tribute to U2 • Casino Entertainment Calendar

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Sports Calendar

Johnny Marr • X Dance • Peter Hook & the Light

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SPORTS FAMILY

30

NASA at Western Spirit

MUSIC

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Live Music Calendar • Crash Test Dummies • Hoodie Allen • NEEDTOBREATHE • She Wants Revenge • Switchfoot • Silverstein

For calendar and news items, the deadline for submission is the 15th of the month 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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on the cover: Daulton Varsho Cover photo courtesy The Arizona Diamondbacks

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TOP25

By Connor Dziawura

“Immersive Monet & the Impressionists”

THROUGH SEPTEMBER 18 Monet, Renoir, Degas and friends come to Downtown Phoenix as part of this immersive exhibition, comparable to the wildly popular “Immersive Van Gogh” show. In fact, it comes from Massimiliano Siccardi, who created both exhibits. According to the exhibition’s website, art lovers will be “swept away” by “a tantalizing exploration of vibrant colors on a jaw-dropping scale.”

Lighthouse Artspace, 4301 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, immersivemonet.com, various dates and times, $30-$60

Thomas Rhett

AUGUST 4 On the heels of his sixth studio album, “Where We Started,” country singer Thomas Rhett is returning to the Valley for this outdoor summer night performance. In a recent profile for The Entertainer! Magazine, Rhett says he approaches his shows, music and life with the mantra “pure joy.”

His Ak-Chin Pavilion gig will be no different, with support from openers Parker McCollum and Conner Smith.

Ak-Chin Pavilion, 2121 N. 83rd Avenue, Phoenix, 602.254.7200, livenation. com, 7:30 p.m., $35.50-$409

“Bullet Train”

OPENS AUGUST 5 “The end of the line is just the beginning” reads the tagline of this action comedy from David Leitch (director of “Atomic Blonde” and “Deadpool 2” as well as uncredited codirector of the original “John Wick”). Described in its synopsis as “a wild, nonstop thrill ride through modern-day Japan,” and based on the book of the same name by Kotaro Isaka, it stars Brad Pitt as an unlucky assassin on a mission that finds him trapped aboard a bullet train with adversaries from around the world. Costars include Joey King, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Brian Tyree Henry, Andrew Koji, Hiroyuki Sanada, Michael Shannon, Benito A. Martínez Ocasio and Sandra Bullock. Rated R. In theaters, bullettrainmovie.com

Game On Expo

AUGUST 5 TO AUGUST 7 Game On Expo is the Southwest’s premier gaming and anime event!

From a free-play arcade and tabletop games to tournaments, and also with an exhibitor hall, auction, live music, panels, guests and more, this multimedia event

UPFRONT

PHX » CITY » LOCAL » PRIDE » DO » SEE debuted in 2015 and is now the largest gaming convention in the state, according to its website. Don’t forget to cosplay as your favorite gaming or anime characters.

Phoenix Convention Center, South Building, 100 N. Third Street, Phoenix, gameonexpo.com, 1 to 10 p.m. August 5, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

August 6, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. August 7, see website for ticket prices

Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live

AUGUST 6 AND AUGUST 7 Hot Wheels cars are a staple of any childhood. But at this Hot Wheels show, auto lovers won’t have to settle for just the miniatures. There will be several monster truck performances throughout the weekend, not to mention the Hot Wheels Crash Zone Pre-Show Party.

Gila River Arena, 9400 W. Maryland Avenue, Glendale, hotwheelsmonstertruckslive.com, various dates and times, $28-$40

Real Wild & Woody Indoor Best Festival

AUGUST 6 The Arizona Craft Brewers Guild is celebrating more than three decades of craft beer in the state to sample quality brews from a whole host of craft brewers. A list of participants is available online. The event is the Southwest’s largest indoor beer festival, according to its website.

Bell Bank Park, Fieldhouse C, 1 Legacy Drive, Mesa, chooseazbrews.com/real-wildand-woody, 1 p.m., $65-$300 or $15 for designated drivers

UBU Expo

AUGUST 6 Showcase your brand and showcase your passion at the 10th annual UBU Expo. With more than 200 exhibitors expected, according to its website, attendees will be able to browse the expo floor for everything from apparel to healthy snacks, energy drinks, supplements, vitamins, natural and holistic products, antiaging products and more. Also rolled into the event are live athletic events and an obstacle course.

WestWorld of Scottsdale, 16601 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, ubuexpo.com, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., $10-$500 or free general admission for kids 5 and younger

“Bodies Bodies Bodies”

OPENS AUGUST 12 A slasher for a new generation. In this dark comedy horror, directed

by Halina Reijn, things go wrong for a group of rich 20-somethings playing a game during a hurricane party at a remote family mansion.

“Bodies Bodies Bodies” is described by distributor A24 as a “fresh and funny look at backstabbing, fake friends, and one party gone very, very wrong.” It stars Amandla Stenberg, Maria Bakalova, Myha’la Herrold, Chase Sui Wonders and Rachel Sennott, with Lee Pace and Pete Davidson. Rated R. In theaters, a24films.com

“Junie B. Jones Jr. the Musical”

AUGUST 12 TO AUGUST 28 The Junie B. Jones series has been

continued on pg. 6

1st Fridays West Valley Food Trucks in the Park

AUGUST 5 Every first Friday of the month features an array of quality food trucks from Tolleson in the Southwest Valley. A family-friendly event, this month’s lineup is Mexican food from Lolo & Papi’s Tacos, cold desserts from The Snowy Churro, hamburgers and hot dogs from V Dawgs, and soul food and barbecue from JJ’s Triple BBQ. Whyman Park, 2350 S. 103rd Avenue, Tolleson, https://bit.ly/3c2RRcZ, 6 to 8 p.m., free admission

"Bodies Bodies Bodies"

NOV 4 - 5

Based on actual accounts of slave escapes through the Underground Railroad network, as well as the author’s personal family history of overcoming slavery in Louisiana.

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UPFRONT | CITY | TRAVEL | ARTS | DINING | BREWS & SPIRITS | CASINOS | SPORTS | FAMILY | MUSIC | NIGHTLIFE | IN CLOSING 6 event at Bell Bank Park, this continued from pg. 4 Summer Jam family-friendly concert features

beloved by young readers for decades. Come see four of Barbara Park’s best-selling books about the character get adapted into this musical stage play by Broadway Junior performers. In it, Jones embarks on the excitement of her first day of first grade, including new friends, a friendly cafeteria lady, a kickball tournament, a “Top-Secret Personal Beeswax Journal” and more.

Theater Works’ Gyder Theater, 10580 N. 83rd Drive, Peoria, 623.815.7930, theaterworks. org, 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays, $22-$26

“Seussical”

AUGUST 12 TO AUGUST 28 Valley Youth Theatre will deliver a string of performances of this popular Dr. Seuss-themed musical, which brings together a variety of beloved characters, from Horton the Elephant to the Cat in the Hat, Gertrude McFuzz, Mayzie and JoJo, in classic locations like the Jungle of Nool, Circus McGurkus and the invisible world of the Whos.

Herberger Theater Center’s Center Stage, 222 E. Monroe Street, Phoenix, 602.252.8497, herbergertheater.org, various dates and times, $16.50-$35.50

Family Pool-ooza

AUGUST 13 The weather is still warm, but summer is winding down — and the city of Surprise is saying farewell to the season with this pool party. Families can swim, play games, grab a bite to eat, listen to live music and just have fun.

Surprise Aquatic Center, 15831 N. Bullard Avenue, Surprise, 623.222.2500, surpriseaz.gov, $5-$8

Sour & Sweet Beer Fest

AUGUST 13 This Old Town Scottsdale event is presented by Fate Brewing Company. General admission tickets include $15 tasting tickets and a commemorative festival glass, whereas VIP tickets include the same benefits plus a commemorative festival T-shirt and entry an extra hour early.

And in the name of responsibility, designated driver ticket holders will get a free water. A list of participating breweries is available online. Food will be available for purchase, too. This event is for ages 21 and older.

The Clayton House, 3719 N. 75th Street, Scottsdale, https://bit. ly/3NT9rxf, 1 to 5 p.m., $45-$65 or $10 for designated drivers ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

AUGUST 13 Cool down this summer with an array of water activities. Food and drinks will be available for purchase, and DJs Average Joe, Tony Kujo and Hitman Shawn will set the tone with EDM music. This event is for ages 21 and older.

Afri-Soul, 1145 E. Washington Street, Phoenix, https://bit. ly/3aq5sul, 4 to 10:30 p.m., $65

live music from country artist Chad Freeman, with yard and water games, an obstacle course, a backyard barbecue, and more food and drink to round out the entertainment.

Bell Bank Park, 1 Legacy Drive, Mesa, bellbankpark.com, 7 to 10 p.m., free admission

“Discovering Desert Diversity” Opening Reception

AUGUST 25 Hum along as the man on the moon himself takes audiences “to the moon” with this world tour of the same name. His most recent album, “Man on the Moon III: The Chosen,” dropped in December 2020, but as he readies his follow-up, “Entergalactic,” Kid Cudi has remained busy.

Earlier this year he co-starred in the A24 ’70s throwback slasher film “X,” and this summer he put together a greatest hits collection and reissued his debut mixtape, “A Kid Named Cudi.” Now, he’s touring with support from Don Toliver, 070 Shake and Strick.

Footprint Center, 201 E. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, 602.379.7800, footprintcenter. com, 7 p.m., $44.50-$522.75

AUGUST 19 This Studio Art Quilt Associates (SAQA) Arizona regional exhibition pays tribute to the complexity of the American Southwest, with artists selected from Arizona, New Mexico and Southern California by juror Ann Morton to be displayed in the Main Gallery & Bob’s Spot Gallery. The opening reception is set for August 19, but the artwork can be seen on display from August 4 to October 2.

Herberger Theater Center, 222 E. Monroe Street, Phoenix, 602.252.8497, herbergertheater. org, 6 to 8 p.m., free admission

Trivia Night @ SMoCA

AUGUST 19 Comedian Anwar Newton is hosting this pop-culture trivia event. A hybrid event that operates both in person and virtually, it will test participants’ knowledge on a multitude of subjects, from film and television to music, for the chance to win prizes. In-person attendees will each receive one free drink and snacks.

Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art lounge, 7374 E. Second Street, Scottsdale, 480.874.4666, smoca.org, 7 p.m., $10-$15

Hot Import Nights

AUGUST 20 Presented by Hive Auto Group and celebrating 25 years, Hot Import Nights is a fully indoor global lifestyle festival that combines the world of cars with food, music, fashion and entertainment. Features include competitions, exhibitors and merchandise stands, an anime alley, multiple entertainment zones, concessions and more. Doors open at 3 p.m. for presale entry.

WestWorld of Scottsdale, 16601 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, hotimportnights.com, 5 to 11 p.m., $10-$20 or free for kids 6 and younger with a paid adult

Summer Nights

AUGUST 20 The inaugural Summer Nights

Kid Cudi

Hell City Tattoo Festival

AUGUST 26 TO AUGUST 28 Hell City Tattoo Festival is celebrating its 20th anniversary, bringing with it hundreds of tattoo artists, vendors, live painters and industry professionals. Not only does it emphasize the art of tattooing, but Hell City includes other forms of body modification as well. Slated for the weekend are tons of seminars, competitions, live acts and more.

Arizona Biltmore, 2400 E. Missouri Avenue, Phoenix, 602.955.6600, hellcity. com, noon to 11 p.m. August 26 and August 27, noon to 8 p.m. August 28, $25-$75

Hot Summer Nights

AUGUST 27 StartLine Racing’s second annual 5K run series is back, with the first date set for August both at Scottsdale Sports Complex and virtually. The event is fundraising for St. Mary’s Food Bank. There are a variety of competing age groups, and the top three will be awarded in each category.

Scottsdale Sports Complex, 8081 E. Princess Drive, Scottsdale, 480.912.7878, startlineracing. com, 6:30 p.m., $30-$40

Chris Rock

AUGUST 28 The famed funnyman is back on

the road with his first live comedy tour in five years. A comedian, actor, director, writer and producer — not to mention a Grammy and Emmy award winner — Chris Rock could be considered a jack-ofall-trades in the entertainment industry. His decades of work include his time on “Saturday Night Live”; a variety of live specials and albums; roles in everything from “Grown Ups” to “Spiral: From the Book of Saw” and “Madagascar”; and “Everybody Hates Chris,” inspired by his own childhood.

Arizona Financial Theatre, 400 W. Washington Street, Phoenix, 602.379.2800, livenation. com, 8 p.m., $59.50-$79.50

Arizona Good Food Expo

AUGUST 30 Created by Local First Arizona, this expo is a showcase of local farms and food artisans that aims to connect them with buyers. Industry professionals in attendance can find local sources, network, learn about trends and try samples.

Mesa Convention Center, Building C, 263 N. Center Street, Mesa, goodfoodfinderaz.com, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., free admission

The Weeknd

AUGUST 30 From his dark, sensual “Trilogy” mixtapes to the ’80s-influenced synth-pop of recent albums like “After Hours” and “Dawn FM,” fans have watched The Weeknd’s ascent from alt-R&B up-andcomer to global superstar over the past decade. This tour, delayed multiple times over the past couple years, supports both albums.

Doja Cat was previously slated to open, but Kaytranada and Mike Dean will take her place.

State Farm Stadium, 1 Cardinals Drive, Glendale, 602.379.0102, statefarmstadium.com, 6:30 p.m., $32-$1,250

“Three Thousand Years of Longing”

OPENS AUGUST 31 Based upon the short story “The Djinn in the Nightingale’s Eye”

by A.S. Byatt, this fantasy epic is the latest film from filmmaker George Miller — and his first since 2015’s “Mad Max: Fury Road.” A doubleheader starring Idris Elba and Tilda Swinton, the film is about an academic at a conference in Istanbul who is granted three wishes by a Djinn in exchange for his freedom. And judging by its trailer, the scale is going to be large and story bizarre. Rated R. In theaters, unitedartistsreleasing.com

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Photo: Christian de Araujo

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UPFRONT | CITY | TRAVEL | ARTS | DINING | BREWS & SPIRITS | CASINOS | SPORTS | FAMILY | MUSIC | NIGHTLIFE | IN CLOSING

YOUTH GONE WILD

D-backs utility player Daulton Varsho leads the charge

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski

“

Youth movement” has become synonymous with the Arizona Diamondbacks this season.

Leading the charge are Daulton Varsho, 26, and Alek Thomas and Geraldo Perdomo, both 22. In 301 at-bats this season, catcher/ outfielder Varsho had 12 home runs and 45 RBIs with a .233 average before the All-Star break.

Thomas, who has been an outfield highlight reel in his rookie season, has approached home plate 212 times after being called up in May from the Reno Aces, the team’s AAA affiliate. The Chicago native took a .250 average into the All-Star break, with seven home runs and 22 RBIs. Filling in at shortstop for the veteran Nick Ahmed, Perdomo has stepped up to the plate 250 times thus far in 2022.

The Dominican switch hitter owned an average of .200 at the All-Star break,

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with two home runs and 17 RBIs. Though he is only four years older than Thomas and Perdomo, Varsho wants to support his teammates, much in the way Kole Calhoun and Dallas Keuchel have for him.

“I remember when I was coming up, Kole Calhoun took me out for breakfast every once in a while,” Varsho says about the now-former D-backs outfielder.

“It’s nice to have that person. I want to do that for the younger guys. When we were in Colorado (playing), Dallas Keuchel took us younger guys out to dinner. It was a pretty cool move by him, just to show he cares.”

A competitive balance draft pick, the D-backs selected Varsho in the second round — 68th overall — of the 2017 MLB draft.

That year, after signing, he made his pro debut with the Hillsboro Hops of the Class A-Short Season Northwest League.

He batted .311 with seven homers.

The following year, he moved up to the Visalia Rawhide of the Class A-Advanced California League and ended the season with a .286 batting average. He was named a mid-season all-star.

During his 2019 season with the Jackson Generals of the Class AA Southern League, he was named to the All-Star Futures Game.

He was promoted to the big leagues on July 30, 2020, making his debut against the Los Angeles Dodgers. He wrapped his season hitting .188 with three home runs in 37 games. His .233 mark as of this year’s All-Star break, marks a 45-point improvement from his MLB debut season.

The catcher/outfielder combo is certainly noteworthy, too. Varsho, who hails from Marshfield, Wisconsin, has played 30 games at catcher, 31 games in center field, and 26 games in right field.

Varsho’s goal is to maintain the

camaraderie among the ballplayers.

Good energy can be synonymous with a winning culture.

“I want to make sure we’re all sticking together and just having fun,” he says.

“When I came up, there were a lot of older guys. I just feel a lot of the younger guys have proven themselves coming up here. We’re having a lot of fun, and the energy is great with this team.”

The younger faction came up together.

Varsho and Thomas briefly played together in 2020.

“Last year, I got to know him a little more, and now we’re really, really good friends and teammates,” Varsho says.

“We’re a young team who’s ready to win. It’s nice to be in with (Josh) Rojas playing really well. He’s hungry. We’re hungry. He’s coming to the ballpark every day ready to play.

“We’re playing for each other. We’re not playing selfish. We’re going out there and playing to the guy next to us.”

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INSPIRATION

UPFRONT | CITY | TRAVEL | ARTS | DINING | BREWS & SPIRITS | CASINOS | SPORTS | FAMILY | MUSIC | NIGHTLIFE | IN CLOSING

INSPIRES INSPIRATION

Lee Perreira continues to raise funds and awareness

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski

V

eterans are personal to singer Lee Perreira.

His father was in the Air Force, and his grandfathers were in the Air Force and Marines. Following his mantra of “Inspiration inspires inspiration,” Perreira ran 16 marathons in 16 days in mid-June to raise $5,000 for an egress door and a handicap ramp at the Buckeye VFW. “That was my attempt at running 100 miles in 24 hours to raise money for veterans through my nonprofit, 16 x 16,” Perreira says.

“The goal was $5,000, and we raised over $15,000. I have so much respect for veterans.”

He will present the check in early September. Previously, he collected

funds for Chrysalis, AHCF and Arizona Cancer Foundation for Children.

“I recently donated my time at Chrysalis, which works with domestic violence survivors,” he says. “I went during a time when people were eating and played songs. Once I started playing, this little girl got closer and closer — then she got really close. Music brings out the best in people.”

Running 100 miles in one day was the goal; he stopped at 81. He longed to finish, so three days later he did just that.

“I’ve been pretty beat up since then,” he says with a laugh. “But seriously, I find it so fulfilling. It gives me extra motivation to work out and be physical. Whenever I do any of these things, personally, I grow a lot. I learned a lot about myself and pushing through tough times.”

A TV news outlet filmed Perreira with some of the veterans and, he says, good

energy filled the room.

To celebrate finishing his run, he’s headed to Costa Rica with his fiancée and then returns to the Valley to play the Musical Instrument Museum on Friday, August 19. He’s pushing “Live @ MIM Pt. 2,” recorded last July.

“We actually filmed the night, too,” he says. “We’ll be back with a full 10-piece band. The horn section adds so much energy. The last time I saved the horn section for the encore. Nobody even knew the horns were there. I’ll be using them for more than just the encore.”

Several years ago, Perreira decided to consistently release music, longing not to have gaps in release dates.

“I don’t make enough money to be able to invest the time and money into putting out a full-length album every year, which is what I would want to do,” he says.

“I have tons of tunes. I release something three to 10 times a year, whether it’s a single or an album or whatever. I have two singles ready to drop. I just don’t know when I’m going to do it. I may do fall and winter. I have enough music to get me through this year and all of next year.”

The plan works for Perreira and allows him to feel like he has forward momentum with music.

A REBIRTH Music is part of Perreira’s rebirth. He never felt like he was a bad guy, but “I definitely could have done better.”

His downward spiral began when his brother, who was struggling with heroin, died unexpectedly.

“If you would have asked me if I was OK, I probably would have told you, ‘I’m fine,’” he says. “Then I got three DUIs in less than six months. My brother died right in the middle of that. He was living on the streets. He had stolen from our family. It was a hard thing to go through, to have your brother reaching out to you. I told him I would pay a bill, ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

but I wasn’t going to give him money.

That wears on you.

“Then, for him to die, it just really rocked our family. Then, here I am (screwing) up my own life, getting three DUIs. That was weighing on my family, too. Obviously, it needed to happen because I fought this case for three years.

I lost and had to go to Florence West for four months.”

In prison he ran his first marathon.

After all, he wasn’t trying to make friends there.

“I was this crazy white gringo running laps all day, but I needed to focus on something,” he says. “I said, ‘Let me break this down. What would a marathon be? Oh, 26.2 miles. That would be 102 laps.’”

On Father’s Day 2018, he ran 26.2 miles in prison. When he got out, he figured he would promote his record by running and performing at the Rock ’n’ Roll Marathon. Forty-five minutes after he finished, he was onstage performing with his band.

“I was devastated afterward,” he says now with a laugh. “My feet were throbbing, and the band was like, ‘Are we doing this again?’ I said, ‘Hell no.’”

That, in turn, has lifted up every other aspect of his life.

“My business has gone up,” he says.

“My songwriting has gone up. My original music reach has gone up.

My relationship with my fiancée has improved. I really want to surround myself with positive people and people who are moving in a certain direction.”

Lee Perreira WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday, August 19 WHERE: Musical Instrument Museum, 4725 E. Mayo Boulevard, Phoenix COST: Tickets start at $30 INFO: mim.org, leeperreira.com

ROCKIN’ GILBERT Couple shares music hysteria through its store THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE AUGUST 2022

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By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski

M

usic brought Malcolm and Jenn Michaels together, and now they’re uniting the community with Rock this Town Records in Gilbert.

The record store focuses on vinyl LPs and singles but also sells cassette tapes and other music-related products. A guitar laden with a Union Jack flag is available for guests to play near a sofa.

The Queen Creek residents met through an old-school Def Leppard fan mailing list in 1999. A Prescott resident, Jenn asked for the “Pyromania” release date and Malcolm answered from Minneapolis. They eventually met in the Twin Cities — just in time for a Def Leppard show in Duluth.

“We didn’t know until after we booked the flight that Def Leppard was in town,” she says with a laugh. “It was fate.”

He was obsessed or she was insane — to loosely quote “Pyromania” — but it’s worked. They’ve been together ever since. And Malcolm has a photographic memory of their relationship, from the dates they met, highlights, lowlights and landing on Rock This Town’s opening.

The celebration was May 27, the same day Def Leppard’s new album, “Diamond Star Halos,” hit stores. Jenn is considering hosting a meet up for others seeing Def Leppard at State Farm Stadium on Thursday, August 25.

Rock This Town Records has caused minor hysteria in Gilbert, with soundtracks becoming a popular product.

“We’re so small, so we alphabetize,” she says. “But I had to make a soundtrack section just because they’re dear to my heart. We’re definitely ’80s people. That’s what we know. That’s what we love — rock music.”

Malcolm jump-started his vinyl collection about five years ago, and since they opened the store, his ears have strayed beyond rock.

“Now I listen to Kanye,” he says. “He’s somebody I would have never listened to back in the day. And Harry Styles. That new song is catchy as hell. It’s so good.

We just like good music.”

Malcolm says Jenn has more of an ear for modern music, which helps bring in a younger crowd. During a recent visit to Rock This Town Records, millennials were picking up records by the Beach Boys and Seals & Crofts.

“I love the ’70s,” he says. “With all due respect to that generation, a lot of the

artists are maybe starting to fall away because the audience and fan base just isn’t there any longer.”

Records in the $3 area fly off the shelves, she says, and customers are surprised about what they might find in there.

“We had a Yes record in there,” she says. “He asked if the record was really only $3. When I said yes, he asked why.

The truth is, we want to keep new and interesting stuff in here.

“We want it to be different every time you come in.”

And there’s no pretension at Rock This Town Records.

“I’m not a snob about music,” she says. “If someone comes in looking for something and they like it, I will try to bring it in.”

Malcolm adds, “If you’re listening to music and it’s making you happy, go for it.”

Rock This Town Records 732 E. Warner Road, Suite 101, Gilbert 602-824-8484 rockthistownrecords.com Instagram: @rockthistownrecords ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

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CITY

STYLE » ENVY » PASSION » FASHION » BEAUTY » DESIGN

‘MUSIC IS MAGIC’ Johnny Marr’s career is a love letter to his art

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski

A

fter cofounding the Smiths and lending his guitar style to bands like The The, Modest Mouse and Electronic, legendary axman Johnny Marr shrugs off notions of having to impress anyone.

The Manchester, England, musician is looking forward to just having fun when he opens for the Killers this summer.

“I’m a bit long in the tooth to feel like I have to win people over. If I do, I do.

If I don’t? Then so what,” Marr, 58, says during a Zoom call.

“I lead a guitar group, and the combination of being an entertainer and someone who plays indie guitar, to me, is very satisfying. That’s enough for me.

“I don’t feel like I’m sinking under any great pressure or any obligation to further my career. I want to go out and give people a good listen and a good watch these days. That’s enough to get on. It’s a satisfying challenge.”

Marr’s set will blend new and old

material — he’s known for playing the Smiths’ staple “How Soon is Now?” and recently released “Fever Dreams Pts. 1-4.” Marr calls it a high-energy show.

“As you will imagine, when you’re an opening act, you have to condense all the high points into a short space of time.

So, it becomes even more high energy,” he says.

“I do enjoy when it goes into a slightly darker place, when it’s slower and more dynamic, and it gets more theatrical.

When I entertain everybody for 45 minutes or an hour, I tend to play the stuff people know or the bangers. It’s a combination of up-tempo solo stuff and a couple really old songs, and sometimes play two Electronic songs.”

“Fever Dreams,” he says, is a departure for him, and that came about inadvertently.

“I deliberately wanted to give the fans who liked the previous record, ‘Call the Comet,’ another record that they would like,” he says.

“Almost by accident, it sounds a little different. You never want to make the

same record twice. You want to feel like you’re evolving. ‘Call the Comet,’ my third album, was really popular with my audience. So, with this new record, I felt a certain kind of pressure, if you like, to follow up the record.”

At the same time, he adds, he wanted to evolve. However, the songs from all his solo releases fit nicely together live.

“We’ve added a new guy on keys and noises who’s freshened things up a little bit,” he says. “I didn’t want to make a

radical change of direction at this point.

I may in the future. What me and the audience have going right now is quite fantastic.”

LONGTIME LOVE As a child in Manchester, Marr dreamt of riding on tour buses around the United States, as music was in his blood.

“I come from a family of music obsessives,” Marr says.

“Even if I wasn’t doing it for a living, I would be the same way, in a way. My brother’s like that. My sister’s like that.

My mother is particularly like that. We think that music is magic, really.

“As you get older and you get other interests and become, hopefully, more sophisticated and more worldly, you try to evolve as a person — ‘evolution,’ there’s that word again.”

Marr evolved, but nothing compares to music.

“Nothing really replaces what music does for me, either as a listener or performer,” he says. “I have a lot of other good things in my life, but music has always just been there.”

Philosophers, architecture, design and theology interest him. “Some of it is quite heady stuff. That’s what I like and it’s great.

“Then you hear ‘Reach Out I’ll Be There’ by Four Tops or a Smokey Robinson or Patti Smith record, you just say, ‘This is also heady,’” he says.

“I get quite almost mystical about

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these things and the nature of what music can do. It could be some dumb riff or some dumb chorus. My first love was T. Rex. Famously, Marc Bolan’s lyrics are nonsensical but utterly brilliant.”

He can ruminate on philosophers, and “some people might say this is pretentious, but I’ll hear ‘Ask the Angels’

by Patti Smith and I’ll be zapped right back to the place at age 15 when I wanted to quit school.”

“Nothing does the same thing with me. I’ll play ‘Spirit Power and Soul’ or the chorus to ‘Night and Day,’ and I’ll think, ‘Jesus, this is the best job in the world.’

“It’s brought me a lot of comfort, and it’s entirely given me my direction in life. I’m getting even more kind of philosophical in my old age.”

SUPPORT ACT Marr says he believes most of the Killers’ fans will not have heard of him or the Smiths. He finds that exciting and challenging, a challenge he knows will be successful.

“Because we’re (expletive) good,” Marr says matter-of-factly. “The Killers have been very gracious and generous in mentioning me and introducing their audience to me, which I appreciate.

I don’t feel like I’m going out to an audience in which absolutely nobody knows what I do. It is good, though, to get out there and try and interest some people, who otherwise don’t know you or they’re just a name.”

He has spent this year opening for a plethora of bands. Marr traveled the United Kingdom with Blondie, for whom he has been writing songs.

Opening for Pearl Jam was a good time, and during his six-week break in between jaunts, he performed with Alicia Keys and Primal Scream.

“It’s been a really wonderful summer so far,” he says. “In all the years I’ve been doing this, Alicia Keys is probably the most impressive artist I’ve come across.

I worked with her twice now, and she really is an impressive person and a good person. She’s an American great, I think.”

The Killers w/Johnny Marr WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Sunday, August 28 WHERE: Gila River Arena, 9400 W. Maryland Avenue, Glendale COST: Tickets start at $25 INFO: gilariverarena.com

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YouTubers bring their country dance moves to the Valley

By Josh Ortega

X

Dance cofounders Anthony and Rose Lewis started 10 years ago as dance partners at the Nashville mainstay Wildhorse Saloon.

The couple will teach country music lovers their moves during the 2022 Two Step Tour that makes stops in 25 cities across the country including in Phoenix on Saturday, August 27, and in Tucson Sunday, August 28. The venues are being scheduled. Visit xdance.com for up-todate information.

“When it comes to country dance, two-step has always been and always will be king,” Anthony says. “It’s bringing two-step into the limelight, because it is the center of country dance across the country.”

In 2018, they launched their YouTube channel X Dance as a way for their students to study at home. The channel has amassed more than 67,000 subscribers on that platform alone. The X Dance Facebook page has nearly 200,000 followers.

That “most wonderful accident” has helped them grow their brand across the country and contributed to a reinvigoration into country dancing.

In 2019, their Two Step Tour burst on the scene with approximately 40 events planned across the country.

But the following year, the pandemic put everything on hold and forced the dancing duo to rethink their strategy.

Their instruction welcomes even the most novice of dancers to the floor and gives them the foundation and motivation to build upon and continue their dance journey.

“We cannot make people into good dancers. No dance teacher can make someone into a great dancer. They have to make themselves into a good dancer,” Anthony says. “What we can

do is inspire them and give them things that they can then work on to make themselves and get answers.”

The couple started dancing together in 2012 and opened two dance studios in the Houston area.

The couple has been married for seven years and moved to Houston when Rose was pregnant with their daughter. A medical condition kept her bedridden for nearly five months.

As fate would have it, the couple says that move introduced them to the plethora of dance halls with up to 30 on any given night for someone to attend.

Rose has been dancing since she was 4 years old and did solo dancing as well as learning in the jazz and hip-hop stylings.

She initially attended beauty school in Southern California where she grew up and wanted to become a makeup artist for movies, but she still had a passion for dance.

This eventually took her to Nashville, where she had a “lightbulb moment” in 2011 when she stumbled across one of Anthony’s former studios to try her hand (or feet) at ballroom dancing.

“I feel like a lot of people get into it for a bunch of different reasons whether to meet people, but for me, it was all about performing and the love of dance,” Rose said.

Anthony grew up in Louisville. He started learning about country swing in the mid-’90s when he was 21 years old and seeing people his own age having fun and taking part in this fun laidback dance style.

He began teaching as a full-time profession in 1996 and competing professionally in 1998 in multiple styles including American-style ballroom, Latin, swing, salsa and country-western dance.

“I just enjoy country as a whole because of the atmosphere, the people, the music and it’s laidback and it’s just fun, and it’s just a good time rather than

being so serious,” he says.

He says country swing seemed to take off and started sweeping the nation in the late ’90s but receded in the mid2000s.

It now looks poised to make a comeback in a major way as it has continued to grow and evolve across the country. They say they are excited to sit at the center of this new craze sweeping the nation.

“We feel like we’re at the beginning

of this really taking over, and it’s really exciting,” Rose says.

Anthony says country swing hasn’t received the credibility it deserves because of the barroom, rough-andtumble moves young 20-somethings who have no formal dance training take part in.

He equates to driving a car down the road, looking next to you and seeing another car driving erratically.

“You wouldn’t say, ‘Oh, those Fords are terrible cars,’ you would say that driver is just a bad driver,” he says.

These two traditionally trained dancers say they want to bring the rhythm, structure, partnership and technique to a dance style that’s lacked true professional dancers.

“We just wanted to help actually get involved with it to some degree to help give it the structure and the ability to actually be respected that it really has been lacking,” he says.

X Dance xdance.com ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

SEEING THE ‘LIGHT’ THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE AUGUST 2022

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Peter Hook recalls his career in new show

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski

W

hen Peter Hook introduced his band, Peter Hook & the Light, to 300 fans at Factory Manchester in England 11 years ago, he was unsure of the future.

The 66-year-old musician hoped his method of celebrating the legacies of Joy Division and New Order — two bands he cofounded — would catch on.

“I was wondering if it was the first and last time I would ever get to play ‘Unknown Pleasures,’” he says about Joy Division’s 1979 debut album.

“Now, here I am taking it all around the world.”

The North American leg of Peter Hook & the Light’s “Joy Division: A Celebration” relaunches August 11 in Toronto. The jaunt comes to The Van Buren on Monday, August 29.

The five-week tour features performances of Joy Division’s seminal two albums, “Unknown Pleasures” and “Closer,” in full with additional Joy Division rarities and an opening set of New Order material. The tour follows the debut U.K. dates for “Joy Division: A Celebration,” which commemorate the 40th anniversary of Joy Division and singer Ian Curtis’ continuing influence.

“I’m getting to play in many wonderful places — places I’ve played before and had a fantastic time,” Hook says via telephone from Mallorca.

“I’m the happiest pensioner on God’s earth. It’s still a delight. My wife summed it up very well: ‘Whenever you come home, you have the biggest smile on your face. That never happened in New Order. I didn’t see it for a long, long time.’”

He says he’s not blaming former bandmates vocalist and guitarist Bernard Sumner, drummer Stephen Morris or keyboardist Gillian Gilbert — with whom he now has acrimonious relationships. Curtis died by suicide, and

uide The Insider ’s G

Sumner, Morris and Hook founded New Order with the later addition of Gilbert.

“They always said it was me,” he recalls. “I suppose, in a funny way, you don’t get a lot of changes in life to make the wrong right again.

“There is massive appreciation for Ian’s work and Joy Division’s work,” he says.

“I’m with the people I want to be with the most — the people who love Joy Division’s music. For me, I am in exactly the right place. I absolutely adore what we’ve created, and I’m very, very proud of it.”

His band, he says, play the songs “so well,” and fans can indulge themselves in exactly how the music was supposed to sound.

“Bernard and Steve and Gillian are now playing the music that we wrote together how they want it to sound. That would not have made me happy,” Hook says.

This year has been bittersweet for Hook, whose longtime friend, Happy Mondays bassist Paul Ryder, died unexpectedly at age 58.

“It’s immensely sad, considering we worked so closely together,” Hook says.

“They’re the archetypical rock ’n’ roll band that hit everything hard — the bottle, the drugs, the road and music. It’s almost a cliché. But so many of them are disappearing.”

He and his wife are planning a 25th anniversary party and inviting “every person who’s still with us who came to our wedding 25 years ago.”

“It won’t be like it was 25 years ago,” he says. “Hardly anybody ate. We were in my mate’s restaurant and, of the 75 people at the wedding, my mate told me only three of them have eaten. ‘What the hell do I do with 72 ribeyes?’ he says.

“It was a great ‘do,’ and my wife is a wonderful woman whom I’m very lucky to have.”

His goal with Peter Hook & the Light is to have the ability to play every New Order and Joy Division song live before he goes to the “guitar shop in the sky.”

Next up is 2001’s “Get Ready,” for which New Order primarily departed from its more electronic style and focused on more guitar-oriented music.

“I’m achieving my ‘boast’ or my dream bit by bit,” he says.

“It’s just a treat to dig out these wonderful songs and watch the looks on people’s faces. I play seven New Order songs and change the set to Joy Division, play six or eight songs. I’m indulging myself, and it’s wonderful to have that freedom to not have to look at those long faces and get on with it.

“It was such a rock ’n’ roll dream.

I’m so glad I got to live that rock ’n’ roll dream that we decided on when we watched the Sex Pistols and we’re still getting away with it.”

Peter Hook & the Light WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Monday, August 29 WHERE: Van Buren, 401 W. Van Buren Street, Phoenix COST: Tickets start at $32.50 INFO: thevanburenphx.com

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ARTS

CULTURE » THEATER » DANCE » GALLERY » DRAMA » VISION

ERA OF THE IMPRESSIONIST

Show takes patrons through the world of Monet

By Alex Gallagher

A

fter taking viewers to the world of Vincent Van Gogh and piloting patrons through the Klimt Revolution, Lighthouse Immersive is leaping into France’s impressionist movement.

“Immersive Monet & the Impressionists” is largely centered around the works of Claude Monet and features pieces by 20 other artists — including Édouard Manet, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Edgar Degas, J.M.W. Turner and Paul Cezanne.

Show creator “Massimiliano Siccardi always likes to do more than just an artist, and he realized that what a lot of people had never really clued into was that the impressionists and Monet were very much part of a specific time in French history,” says Richard Ouzounian, a creative consultant at Lighthouse Immersive.

“They painted the way they did because of what happened before them and what was going to happen after. So, the show kind of tackles that by taking us into Paris in roughly 1874, which is where the first impressionist exhibition was, and keeps us there for about 15 to 20 years, until impressionism had

either faded out or the people who were painting it had gone into other areas.”

To complement the time-traveling element, the show also features the music of that period by Claude Debussy and Maurice Ravel as well as Luca Longobardi.

“Luca felt the pull of this is a period where the music that was being written was very close to the art,” Ouzounian says.

“This is the first show where he doesn’t have any popular songs. He stuck to just music of the period.”

Because of this, the show setting the scene of what France might have looked like during that period with a sea of hot air balloons. “(Balloons) have a great deal of historical as well as artistic meaning because France was coming off a really bad period,” Ouzounian says.

“Just before this movement, there had been the Franco-Prussian War where they laid siege to Paris for two years and no food could get in. The only way food could get in sometimes is if a hot air balloon floated over the line and dropped food parcels on the city.

“So that became a symbol, and when the war was over, people loved to just take rides in them.”

Not only were hot air balloons a symbol of hope for the French, but it was

also at a hot air balloon studio owned by Félix Tournachon — better known by his professional name, “Nadar” — where the first impressionist exhibition took place in 1874.

After acquainting viewers with 19th century France, the 500,000 cubic feet of projection space transforms into an immersive iteration of some of the most notable works of the period.

They include Monet’s “Impression, Soleil Levant” or “Impression Sunrise” and “The Gare Saint-Lazare: Arrival of a Train,” Manet’s Le Déjeuner sur l’herbe or “Picnic on the Grass,” and Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec’s posters for the Moulin Rouge — which were so popular folks would often scour the streets to rip down the posters to frame.

From there, the show kicks off by showing Monet’s most famous works, his sunflowers.

“Everybody wants to see Monet’s sunflowers, so the show gives us minutes of Monet’s sunflowers and other artists’ flowers but then it goes into different sides of Paris,” Ouzounian says.

This was an easy task to display, as the impressionists were some of the first artists to capture reality in the most ironic sense.

“The irony is because they weren’t trying to paint reality, they wound up capturing reality better,” Ouzounian says. “That’s a great paradox in a wonderful way of impressionism.”

This is best exemplified by the works of Pierre-Auguste Renoir, whose paintings focused on ordinary people.

“It’s hard for us to believe now, but that was never done,” Ouzounian says. “(Painting) a bunch of people sitting in

a cafe, having wine and laughing, that wasn’t the kind of material you painted in that period.”

Not only did the impressionists flip the script on what was being painted, but they also innovated how people created as well.

“The impressionists painted with shorter brushstrokes and they also used a lot of bold colored paints because, by this point in time, paint was being put into zinc tubes already mixed,” Ouzounian says. “So, an artist could go out with like 15 of his favorite colors and just paint.”

That was especially useful when they painted outdoors, which they loved to do. That was another sign of the impressionists; they did what they called “En Plein Air,” painting in the open air, and they used natural light.

With a show that deviates heavily from the popularized shows centered around one artist, Ouzounian said he believes this show best exemplifies the goal of Lighthouse Immersive.

“One of the things that Massimiliano Siccardi always believes in is that art doesn’t exist in a vacuum,” he says.

“That’s why this show is very much rooted to the period to the people and everything around them.”

“Immersive Monet & the Impressionists” WHEN: Various times through Sunday, September 18 WHERE: Lighthouse Artspace Phoenix, 4301 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale COST: Tickets start at $40 INFO: immersivemonet.com

THE STORY OF A SONG

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‘Hallelujah’ was special to Cohen until the end

By Bridgette M. Redman

I

t was an off-handed question at a dinner party.

“Someone asked if we’d ever considered making a documentary about a song,” says Dayna Goldfine, the codirector and creator of “Hallelujah: Leonard Cohen, A Journey, A Song,” the film opening in Phoenix on August 5.

As that idea percolated, she and her husband and codirector Dan Geller saw Cohen perform his seminal piece live. The image of him down on his knees squeezing every bit of soul from “Hallelujah” at the Paramount Theater in Oakland, California, was burned into their consciousness.

That made it clear that, yes, they would make the documentary and it would be about “Hallelujah” and its creator, Cohen.

While their biopic focuses on the song, it also reveals how the song came to be, something only possible by taking a deep look at its creator — the poet, the composer, the singer, the artist.

“We knew from the beginning that the song encapsulated so much of Leonard’s concerns and preoccupations, that we would look at the mind of Leonard Cohen and the spirit of Leonard Cohen through that one song,” Geller says.

“We knew that we were going to talk to other singer-songwriters who covered the song to figure out what it is about the song that they connect to.

“It really came more toward Leonard’s seeking and spiritual journey and looking at the influences that gave him the ability to write a song like that.”

The film starts with Cohen transitioning from writer and poet to

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singer-songwriter in the 1960s when he was in his 30s. Using archival recordings interspersed with newer interviews, the film heavily features Cohen’s words and images of him.

When Geller and Goldfine started working on the film in 2014, Cohen approved the project, though he did not participate in it.

“He wanted everything at arm’s length,” Geller said. “When we approached Leonard, with the advice of Alan Light (the author of the book ‘The Holy or the Broken: Leonard Cohen, Jeff Buckley, and the Unlikely Ascent of “Hallelujah”’) about how to approach Leonard — don’t ask for an interview, he’s not giving any more.

“Don’t ask for anything; just ask for

his tacit blessing, which was required for us to go to Sony Music Publishing and get a license to use the song.”

They received his blessing, but he died in 2016 long before the film was finished.

The Cohen estate opened their archives to the filmmakers and shared more than 400 of Cohen’s journals, along with photographs, performance footage and rare audio recordings and interviews.

Only once did they hear from Cohen, albeit indirectly. Dominique Isserman, a French photographer with whom he lived for much of the time he wrote “Hallelujah,” was staying with him in Los Angeles. As she was leaving for an interview with the directors, he

told her not to answer any questions about whether it was her kitchen chair referenced in the song.

“Leonard always wanted his songs and his poems to be universal and not be pigeonholed and looked at as too literal,” Goldfine says. “So that made perfect sense. She came in laughing and relayed that information to us. We were like, ‘Yep, we’re on the same page.’”

At one point in the film, they ask people who they first heard sing “Hallelujah,” and the answer that most frequently comes back is Jeff Buckley.

Goldfine and Geller can relate.

“I’m guilty as charged,” admits Goldfine, saying she heard Buckley’s version at a party and stopped what she was doing to listen.

She thought, like many others, Buckley had written it. Later, they saw Cohen in concert. “It wasn’t until that moment that I really got the song.

Getting to see Leonard in his mid-70s deliver that song that he had worked on so closely and so hard and had shifted through the years — it was just heartstopping.”

When Cohen recorded the song on the album “Various Positions,” the top executive at Columbia, who had already paid for the record, refused to release it. The song that Cohen would become synonymous with floundered until others began to sing it.

Not that Cohen doubted what he had created. In an interview at the time, he said, “The work is done. It’s really good.

It’s impeccable. It’s all for the books. I feel I have a huge posthumous career ahead of me. My estate will swell. My

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE AUGUST 2022

19

name will flourish.”

While the filmmakers have a section on Buckley and the other people who covered his song — including interviews with the directors of “Shrek” — most of the film focuses on Cohen and the emotional and spiritual journey he took that not only made the song’s creation possible, but its evolution, changing lyrics and how it was a part of him until he died.

They also revealed his personality as shared by those who knew him and his materials and journals. Goldfine says his sense of humor was a lovely surprise.

“The way that Columbia Records advertised his albums and the way that early critics talked about his first several albums, he was described as the philosopher of doom and gloom, the guy who makes music to slit your wrists by,” Goldfine says.

“Here we are looking intently at archival interview after archival interview and remembering his amazing sense of humor that was on full display during those concerts that we were lucky enough to go to. We truly got to present Leonard Cohen to the world through our film as a man who is much more than the doom and gloom guy and who actually possessed one of the most incredibly witty senses of humor.”

Geller describes it as a privilege to look through the journals and see the evolution of “Hallelujah” — the many verses he wrote and the minute adjustments he was constantly making.

“We’d heard the stories about 150 verses,” Geller says.

“The surprise to me was that he would take a line and keep working the line over and over with page after page of minor variations. It might go on and then no further work on that line. Then two or three notebooks later, he’s back at it, revising it again. To see many of those drafts of certain couplets that we’ve come to know so well that were fantastic in slightly altered versions — but to see him so specifically refining and toying with and making exactly the line that we came to know — that was a revelation. It’s clearly a poet’s mind at work.”

While they recognize many have stopped going to the theater since the pandemic, they encourage patrons to experience this movie in the cinema.

“It’s about mortality. It’s about a life well lived,” Geller says.

“There’s this communal experience.

Because this film particularly is emotional and you’re watching a man go from age 30 right to his end … it’s (a way) to consider our own mortality and our own joy of living at that same time.

That’s pretty darn good.”

“Hallelujah: Leonard Cohen, a Journey, A Song” In theaters sonyclassics.com/film/hallelujah ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

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Fall Arts Preview Valley groups plan a plethora of performances

By Eryka Forquer

T

his fall’s art season is decorated with a medley of shows that feature artwork and sounds from Norway, Cuba, Mexico, China and local artists in Arizona.

Art aficionados across the Valley can also reminisce about their childhood this fall with the musicals “Cinderella” and “Little Women” while also paying homage to classic bands including the Beatles.

Audience members can be entertained with the euphoric combination of music, large drums, high-tech stage effects, comedy and electric paint with performances from the Blue Man Group.

As theaters and other venues add more events to this fall’s art season, here is a lineup of musicals, art exhibits, musicians, comedians and other various shows slated to hit the stage in the upcoming months.

ARIZONA MUSICFEST Highlands Church: 9050 E. Pinnacle Peak Road, Scottsdale 480.422.8449 azmusicfest.org • November 7: Brass Transit: The Musical Legacy of Chicago, Highlands Church • November 12: Marie Osmond, Highlands Church • November 20: Fall Young Musicians

Alan Cumming

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Mariachi and Folklórico Festival

Concert, Musical Instrument Museum • November 21: Kurt Elling with the Arizona Musicfest Big Band, Highlands Church

ARIZONA THEATRE COMPANY 330 S. Scott Avenue, Tucson 222 E. Monroe Street, Phoenix 1.833.282.7328 atc.org • September 24 to October 15: “The Lion,” Tucson • October 20: “The Lion,” Phoenix • November 5: “The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley,” Tucson

CHANDLER CENTER FOR THE ARTS 250 N. Arizona Avenue, Chandler 480.782.2680 chandlercenter.org • September 10: Martina McBride • September 11: “Weird Al” Yankovic: “The Unfortunate Return of the Ridiculously Self-Indulgent Ill-Advised Vanity Tour” • September 23: “The Magic of Bill Blagg Live!”

• September 24: Get the Led Out • October 1: 23rd Annual Mariachi and Folklórico Festival • October 28: “Hasta La Muerte” • November 4: “NORTH: The Musical” • November 12: Marc Broussard • November 13: Naturally 7 and Hiroshima

HALE CENTRE THEATRE 50 W. Page Avenue, Gilbert 480.497.1181 haletheatrearizona.com • August 18 to October 1: “Lucky Stiff ” • September 20 to November 22: “Wait Until Dark” • October 6 to November 26: “Sister Act” MESA ARTS CENTER 1 E. Main Street, Mesa 480.644.6500 mesaartscenter.com • September 8: “Whose Live Anyway?”

• September 13: Clannad — “The Farewell Tour” • September 17: Mariachi Herencia de Mexico: Herederos with special guest Lupita Infante • September 22: Jen Fulwiler • September 24: The Music of Cream • October 6: “Classical Music Inside Out” — Adam Golka • October 8: Miranda Sings featuring Colleen Ballinger • October 7: Tower of Power • October 14: Nella • October 19: “National Geographic Live: Mesoamerica Illuminated” • October 22: The Fab Four

MUSICAL INSTRUMENT MUSEUM 4725 E. Mayo Boulevard, Phoenix 480.478.6000 mim.org

• September 1: JigJam • September 2: Maddie Poppe • September 7: Robbie Fulks Bluegrass Trio • September 10: Billy Cobham • September 11: Josh Ritter • September 15: Stephen Kellogg • September 17: Sarah McKenzie • September 18: Emmaline • September 20: Joel Ross’ “Good Vibes” • September 21: Tinariwen • September 22: Janis Ian Masterclass • September 23: Janis Ian • September 25: Yamma Ensemble

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE AUGUST 2022

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“Pinocchio”

• September 26: Le Vent du Nord • September 27: Cimafunk — “El Alimento” tour • September 29: Julian Lage • September 29: Julian Lage Masterclass • September 30: Samara Joy • October 1 to October 2: Suzanne Vega — “An Intimate Evening of Songs and Stories” • October 3: Carbon Leaf • October 5: Skerryvore • October 11: The Bad Plus • October 16: Griffin House • October 18: Anat Cohen Quartetinho featuring Vitor Gonçalves, Tal Mashiach and James Shipp

Under the Street Lamp

• October 21 to October 22: Chris Botti • October 23: Flor de Toloache • October 25: Johnny DeFrancesco • October 26: Sophie B. Hawkins celebrating the 30th anniversary of “Tongues and Tails” • October 29: Makaya McCraven

MUSICAL THEATRE OF ANTHEM 42201 N. 41st Drive, Suite B100, Anthem 623.336.6001 musicaltheatreofanthem.org • September 22 to September 25: “Little Women”

of Will” • September 21 to October 23: “Bandstand”

• August 12 to August 28: “Junie B Jones Jr. The Musical”

RAVENSCROFT 8445 E. Hartford Drive, Scottsdale 1.800.785.3318 theravenscroft.com • September 17: Lewis Nash and Friends • October 22: Alicia Olatuja • November 19: Christian Jacob Trio

525 N. First Street, Phoenix 602.253.8188 vyt.com • October 7 to October 30: “Spookley the Square Pumpkin”

1625 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix 602.257.1880 phxart.org • Opens September 17: “Sama Alshaibi and the 2021 Lehmann Emerging Artist Awards Exhibition” • Opens November 6: “Mr.” • On view through February 12, 2023: “And Let it Remain So: Women of the African Diaspora” • On view through June 9, 2024: “Figural Variations” • On view through June 18, 2023: “A Tradition Redefined: Gifts from the Li Family Collection of Chinese Painting”

SCOTTSDALE CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS 7380 E. Second Street, Scottsdale 480.499.8587 scottsdaleperformingarts.org • September 24: “Hitting New Heights” with Mandy Gonzales and Javier Munoz • October 3: ariZoni 32 Annual Theatre Awards of Excellence • October 7, October 8, October 14, October 15, October 21, October 22, October 28, October 29: Julia Chacón Flamenco Theatre, “Flamenco Intimo” • October 9: Scottsdale Philharmonic • October 14: California Guitar Trio with Montréal Guitare Trio • October 15: Aida Cuevas 45th Anniversary “Yo Creo Que Es Tiempo” accompanied by Mariachi Aztlán • October 25: Soweto Gospel Choir

THE PHOENIX THEATRE COMPANY 1825 N Central Avenue, Phoenix 602.254.2151 phoenixtheatre.com • August 31 to September 18: “The Book

10580 N. 83rd Drive, Peoria 623-815-7930 theaterworks.org • September 30 to October 16: “Matilda the Musical”

PHOENIX ART MUSEUM

VALLEY YOUTH THEATRE

TEMPE CENTER FOR THE ARTS 700 W. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe 480.350.2822 tempecenterforthearts.com • October 1: Lisa Fischer

THEATER WORKS

Alicia Olatuja

ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

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DINING

EAT » EXPERIENCE » INDULGE » SAVOR » DEVOUR » NOSH

FIFTY YEARS

Organ Stop Pizza offers keys with a side of pie

By Scianna Garcia

M

esa’s Organ Stop Pizza — one of the country’s last “pizza and pipes” restaurants — will celebrate its 50th anniversary this August.

“In the last 50 years we have had many ups and downs, especially the last couple of years during the pandemic, but when the world feels unpredictable, coming together and hearing music brings people delight and comfort,” says Jack Barz, Organ Stop Pizza co-owner.

“We are proud to carry on the pizza and pipes tradition and provide escapism for our guests night after night.”

Opened in 1972, Organ Stop Pizza is home to the “Mighty Wurlitzer,” the largest and most valuable theater organ in the world, worth more than $6 million.

Organ Stop Pizza’s Wurlitzer theater organ was built in 1927 for the Denver Theatre, where it was used until the early 1930s.

Today, Organ Stop’s instrument has been embellished and is now the largest Wurlitzer Theater Pipe organ. The console mimics that of a Fox Special, Wurlitzer’s largest.

Through the years, several rare sets of pipes have been added to the organ, 32-

foot wood diaphones, which are visible from the front of the building.

“Our Wurlitzer is a genuine living piece of history,” says Barz, who rose through the ranks from dishwasher to owner.

“We are proud to be the home of one of the greatest instruments ever created, and our patrons come from across the world to experience this lost art form.

Many visitors have even likened their experience to seeing the Grand Canyon for the first time. Now that’s a heck of a comparison.”

Each night, the Mighty Wurlitzer rises above the audience on an 8,000-pound rotating hydraulic elevator to sit 10 feet above the 700-seat dining room.

The organ has 1,074 keys, buttons and switches linked to a series of xylophones, glockenspiels, gongs and cymbals to create the sound of a full orchestra. Nightly shows also include dancing marionette cats, disco balls and spectacular light shows.

“The range of emotions our guests experience when they hear the Mighty Wurlitzer are infinite,” Barz adds.

The 18,000-square-foot Organ Stop Pizza restaurant was designed to enhance the Wurlitzer’s sound. The building’s 46-foot ceilings provide unparalleled acoustics so the instrument can “speak.”

Patrons are surrounded by the organ as

they enjoy their meals.

At the console, the organist also controls the lighting and special effects such as the disco ball and bubbles.

“Essentially, the organists are part orchestra conductor, performer and stage director, all rolled into one,” Barz says.

Each year, Organ Stop Pizza attracts roughly 300,000 dinner patrons who enjoy compositions such as “The Flight of the Bumblebee,” “The Hills Are Alive” from “The Sound of Music,” “The Circle of Life” from “The Lion King,” the “Star Wars” theme, and “God Bless America.”

“Every visit to Organ Stop Pizza is unique, with patrons hand-picking the songs via request,” Barz adds. “By the end of the night, an eclectic mix of music is enjoyed by audience members ranging in age from 2 to 102.”

According to Barz, there is practically nothing the Organ Stop Pizza musicians can’t play.

“You name it, and our amazing organists can play it,” he says. “You will never encounter a more spectacularly talented group of musicians in the world.”

Barz says he owes 50 years of success to the people of Arizona who have supported the restaurant through all times of the year. He also says he feels lucky to be in Mesa, a large tourist destination during the winter months, where the entire restaurant is filled to capacity every night.

He says the restaurant has been kept alive by those of all ages, as the daily performance is inviting to everyone.

“Two-year-olds are enthralled by it, because of the noise and the lights and the dancing cats and the bubbles coming down from the ceilings,” he says.

“There is something magical about what happens in here. The fact that you can sit in the organ and feel it radiating through your body as you’re sitting in the dining room is something you don’t experience anywhere. Older folks remember these instruments when they were young in the theaters, and it brings back memories from their childhood.”

Besides the prized Mighty Wurlitzer, Organ Stop takes a deep pride in the great quality of its food and service.

The restaurant serves pizza, pasta, sandwiches, appetizers and has a full salad bar as well as soft drinks, beer and wine and Blue Bell ice cream.

In honor of the 50th anniversary, Barz says plans are still in the works, but customers can expect a “50 days to celebrate 50 years” type of concept to “celebrate the fact that the people of Arizona have loved Organ Stop for 50 years and we get to celebrate with them.”

Organ Stop Pizza 1149 E. Southern Avenue, Mesa 480.813.5700 organstoppizza.com

EVER THE OPTIMIST THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE AUGUST 2022

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Lisa Dahl opens her second Pisa Lisa

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski

A

cclaimed chef Lisa Dahl is ever the optimist — even when it came to opening her second Pisa Lisa in the Village of Oak Creek in

July.

“I didn’t like the idea of opening the slowest month of the year, but, in a way, it’s a godsend,” Dahl says.

“The busiest month is around the corner — September, October. This is giving us the opportunity to ease into it.

What I’m thrilled about is it’s not really slow. That’s blowing my mind.”

Serving wood-fired pizzas, organic salads and artisan gelato, Dahl’s Pisa Lisa debuted in 2013 and quickly became a destination. The new Oak Creek store is her sixth restaurant in red rock country.

Named after an affectionate term given by Dahl’s late father, Pisa Lisa shares signature personalized touches evident throughout the restaurant.

Popular food selections are named after her family members like the Da Dorothy pizza after Dahl’s mother and made with Mother sauce, provolonemozzarella, fennel sausage, picante peppers, Parm-Reggiano; and the Justino pizza dedicated to her late son and made with Ricotta, provolone-mozzarella, San Danielle prosciutto gold, organic arugula and white-truffle oil.

The new location will also feature Tuscan tomato bisque soup along with gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options. To meet customer demand, there are two Mugnaini pizza ovens, both embellished with mosaics, as the expansive space has allowed Dahl to broaden the dine-in menu inspired by Pisa Lisa’s first location.

“We have two ovens and they’re bigger than our original, so wait times are less,” she says.

“All the people (in and around Oak Creek) have been waiting a long, long time — three years — to go through COVID. The timing got us between a rock and a hard spot. Labor and construction hit us square between the eyes and delayed us. We were committed to the project, though. At long last, it’s darling.”

Pisa Lisa Oak Creek introduced new dishes like the antipasto selections Lisa’s Plate, an antipasti sampler with fresh bocconcini mozzarella, tomatoes, finnochio slaw, magic mushrooms, caselveltrano olives and fire-roasted artichokes.

The dessert menu is rich with choices like affogato and newcomer cookie monster, a warm and molten giant chocolate chip cookie sundae with strawberry-stracciatella plant-based gelato (vegan and gluten free).

The lemon lover’s cheesecake made with homemade limoncello is among the favorite flavors, which change seasonally.

Beverage offerings include natural sodas, local mead, 16 taps for craft beers, and wines. Grab-n-go items are aplenty, including paninis, prepped pizzas, morning treats and locally sourced roasted coffee.

The new 3,500-square-foot restaurant has an expansive dining area with 110 seats (64 indoors, 46 patio seating) as well as two communal artisan-style butcher board tables.

The elevated bar (seating 14) surrounded by an eclectic collection of music memorabilia from the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s are sourced from a Capitol Records executive by Dahl’s brother, Jay Levinson. The centerpiece is an 8-foot vintage chandelier fitted with handblown glass and LED lights made by sculptor Dale Evers.

COOKING WITH LOVE As the executive chef and CEO of the Dahl Restaurant Group, Dahl has earned international recognition for her cuisine stemming from five restaurant concepts: Mariposa, Cucina Rustica, Pisa Lisa, Butterfly Burger, and Dahl & Di Luca Ristorante Italiano.

Her cooking styles are diverse, including traditional Italian cuisine, rustic Mediterranean fare, South American-inspired dishes, creative burgers and wood-fired pizza.

Dahl lives by her mantra, “When you cook with love, you feed the soul.”

She’s hoping to spread those feelings to the Valley — when she finds the right

space and offer.

“I wanted to be stronger operationally in Sedona first,” she says. “I always planned it with the hopes before the pandemic that Pisa Lisa and Butterfly Burger were the types of restaurants that would do well in any market. I want to first go into San Diego and Phoenix where we’re so well known by travelers.”

Still, she’s a celebrity in Sedona. Dahl recently struggled to leave a coffeehouse because three locals jumped up to share their love of her food.

“I had my earbuds in. I had to take them out,” she says with a laugh. “They were beaming. They had been in at the early stages of Pisa Lisa. They loved it and were telling me how proud they were to have something they could call their own out here on that side of town.”

Dahl, who moved to Sedona 26 years ago from the Bay Area, immediately saw a need for restaurants in red rock country. She lives in Oak Creek, in a townhouse on the heels of Cucina Rustica. Along with being a two-time James Beard House-featured chef, Dahl was recognized with the top honor of 2019 Food Pioneer award by the Arizona Restaurant Association’s Foodist Awards.

“I feel like a pioneer,” she says. “This is too pretty out here to not be thriving.

This is the gateway to Sedona.”

Pisa Lisa 6657 AZ-179, Suite D1, Sedona dahlrestaurantgroup.com ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

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UPFRONT | CITY | TRAVEL | ARTS | DINING | BREWS & SPIRITS | CASINOS | SPORTS | FAMILY | MUSIC | NIGHTLIFE | IN CLOSING

DINING

CALENDAR Chimi Challenge Championship

By Annika Tomlin

National Sandwich Month

ALL MONTH August is National Sandwich Month and Miracle Mile Deli is geared up to celebrate all month long. Each week a sandwich will be featured for $12 along with a side and dill pickle. The weekly sandwiches include corned beef (August 1 to August 6), brisket (August 8 to August 13), combo of pastrami and corned beef (August 15 to August 20) and The Straw (August 22 to August 27) Miracle Mile Deli, 4433 N. 16th Street, Phoenix, 602.776.0992, miraclemiledeli.com, $12

Grill to Go

ALL MONTH Summertime is made for grilling, and Match Market & Bar is making it quick and easy with its Grill to Go packages that serve four or eight. Packages include 7-ounce Angus beef patties, brioche buns, American cheese, Muenster cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, onion, pickles, Match beef spice, chef sauce, mayo, bacon barbecue, potato salad and fresh assorted melon.

Match Market & Bar, 1100 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, matchphx.com, $29.99-$49.99

ALL MONTH Chimichanga lovers can put their money where their mouth is and have a chance to win big. Macayo’s inaugural Chimi Challenge runs through Friday, September 16, where diners can try their chance at being named one of the 10 finalists to compete in the championship round on Monday, September 26, the brand’s 76th anniversary. The chimi challenge features a 5-pound chimichanga filled with guests’ choice of shredded beef, shredded chicken or ground beef mixed with Mexican rice and refried beans topped with red enchilada sauce, Macayo’s famous Baja sauce, fireroasted tomatillo sauce, guacamole, pico de gallo, sour cream, mixed cheese and Jack cheese. The behemoth chimi must be finished in 20 minutes. The winner will receive Macayo’s meals for a full year.

Various locations, macayo. com/chimi-challenge, $30

school year. Throughout August the restaurant is giving away free appetizers with the purchase of any entree in exchange for new school supplies to be donated to Arizona’s Children Association. Needed items include backpacks, lunchboxes, pens, washable markers and notebooks. See website for full list.

Ling & Louie’s Asian Bar and Grill, 9397 E. Shea Boulevard, Scottsdale, lingandlouies.com

Marcellino Dinner and Movie

TUESDAYS AND WEDNESDAYS Dinner and movie nights at Marcellino Ristorante run Tuesdays and Wednesdays through September 7. Patrons gather in a private dining room for a threecourse meal from the summer or regular menu. They’ll watch films like “Only You,” “Roman Holiday,” “Eat Pray Love” and “The Talented Mr. Ripley.”

Marcellino Ristorante, 7114 E. Stetson Drive, Scottsdale, 5:30 p.m., 480.990.9500, marcellinoristorante.com

Tomaso’s Summer Menu

Summertime and the Eating is Healthy

ALL MONTH Pita Jungle is serving a seasonal summer menu to beat the heat in a healthy fashion. The new menu features a variety of Mediterranean-inspired dishes with light, fresh and unprocessed ingredients. Some of the Summertime and the Eating is Healthy menu items include Moroccan gazpacho, chicken asada super greens ’n’ grains Southwest bowl, gyro superhero, and kataïfi cookie made with shredded filo dough and crushed walnuts.

Various locations, pitajungle.com

ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

Kids Eat Free @ Morning Squeeze

ALL MONTH Morning Squeeze is helping parents by offering kids 12 and younger free items off the kids’ menu during weekdays. No purchase required. The Squeeze Kids menu entrees come with a soda, juice or milk, which otherwise sells for $8. Options include “I Don’t Care” (grilled cheese sandwich with fries), “I’m Not Hungry” (eggs, bacon and potatoes), “I Don’t Want That” (French toast sticks) and “I Want to Go Home” (mouse pancake).

Morning Squeeze, 4233 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale; 690 S. Mill Avenue, Suite 110, Tempe; 1 N. First Street Phoenix, morningsqueeze.com, free

ALL MONTH Tomaso’s has three new Italian dishes inspired by various regional areas of Italy. The courses include mozzarella, prosciutto and melon for the first course, followed by lobster cioppino and finishing with cannoli siciliano. The menu offers the option to pair the meal with a prosecco, red or white wine for an additional $20.

Tomaso’s, 3225 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix, 602.956.0836, tomasos.com, $50

Back to School Drive

ALL MONTH Ling & Louie’s Asian Bar and Grill Scottsdale is helping Valley students get ready for the new

All Night, All Summer Happy Hour

SUNDAYS TO THURSDAYS All Night, All Summer Happy Hour returns to Roaring Fork through Labor Day. Between 4 and 9 p.m., guests can receive happy hour pricing in the bar and saloon on the Caesar salad ($6.50), mixed market greens ($6.50), green chili pork ($9), crispy chicken bites ($9) and rotisserie chicken flat bread ($11), not to mention $6 glasses of wine and $7 roaring cocktails.

Roaring Fork, 4800 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, roaringfork.com, $6-$11

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE AUGUST 2022

BREWS & SPIRITS

25

SIP » BREW » RELAX » EXPERIMENT » REFRESH » TOAST

FAMILY HISTORY

Grandfather’s avocado legacy inspires eatery

By Ken Sain

A

new Chandler restaurant is taking advantage of some family history and America’s love affair with a certain fruit.

Patent 139 Brewing Company opened earlier this year and has adopted an avocado theme.

Tim Hass, great-grandson of the man who was awarded Fruit Patent 139 for the Hass Avocado, opened the brew pub at Ray and Dobson roads. The menu includes avocado-inspired dishes and drinks.

Just don’t ask for any guacamole: They don’t make it.

“It was my great-grandfather, Rudolph Hass, who patented the first blackskinned avocado,” Haas explains. “It turned out it was actually an accident.

He bought some farmland in La Habra Heights was growing Fuertes avocados, they weren’t really growing very well.”

Those, like most avocados in the

1920s, were green. And, like most avocados, they were difficult to grow. He purchased some seeds he was told came from Central or South America.

One of them became a tree that produced a black-skinned avocado.

Back in the 1920s, that was rare and the reason why he sought a patent.

Now, most of the fruits sold, about 90%, are Hass avocados.

“People loved it because of the fatty creaminess versus Fuertes (the traditional green avocados),” says Tim, who had opened up a few restaurants for others in California before deciding to open the Chandler eatery in January. “So, he went on and saw was a big success and submitted the patent back in 1935.

“The green ones are very large, almost look like a small mango. The whole fat content with the black skin is what really makes it the difference. It’s buttery, creamy where the others are a little bit more hard, and not much flavor into it.

The Hass avocados, those are the ones that you get a lot of that flavor element.”

Avocados show up throughout the menu.

“Buffalo sauce (on wings) is usually your red-hot sauce, butter element,” says Jared Martinez, the restaurant’s chef.

“We took avocados and replaced the butter on it. It actually created a vegan

sauce. So we’re trying to utilize avocados in different ways.”

One of those ways is avocado honey.

How did they pull that off?

“It’s bees who have only been allowed to pollinate with avocado flowers,” Martinez says.

“I’m not trying to be the guy who just throws avocado on everything and says, you know, it’s versatile,” Martinez says.

“It is very versatile in the sense that it’s

a source of fat that can actually be used in placement of egg, as well … we can grill it.”

One of their popular desserts is avocado crème brûlée. Instead of using butter, they use avocados.

The anniversary of Rudolph Hass getting Patent 139 approved is coming up, August 27. To celebrate, Tim Hass plans to debut an avocado-inspired beer.

“It’s only been done, that I know of, one other time,” Tim said. “It was at Angel City Brewery out of Los Angeles. They did an avocado ale on there. So this will be a little bit different. But yeah, we’re going to work with some of the local homebrew guys out here to kind of make this a new, special thing, celebrate the weekend. And, of course, it’ll be going right into Labor Day after that. So very excited to give something different here.”

What will an avocado beer taste like?

He said it won’t be green.

“It’s actually going to add more of a creamy texture to the beer instead of, you know, some of the IPAs that are out there that are really heavy and hops and bitterness,” he said. “This will add more of a creamy texture with the malt, the German malt. You’ll get a little bit of the flavor, but not much.”

Patent 139 Brewing Co. 1949 W. Ray Road, Chandler 480.597.7138 patent139brewingco.com ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

THE BALLAD OF CORRIDO

26

UPFRONT | CITY | TRAVEL | ARTS | DINING | BREWS & SPIRITS | CASINOS | SPORTS | FAMILY | MUSIC | NIGHTLIFE | IN CLOSING

The backstory sings a song of death and redemption

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski

T

equila Corrido’s story began even before the current president and partner, Brian Raab, was part of the company.

An entrepreneur at heart, Raab is known in the Valley dining scene for opening successful restaurants such as Fat Ox and The Mission. It was after the passing of his friend, and Corrido’s former owner, Brad Hoover, that Raab had the chance to purchase the remaining product and rights to the company.

“The literal translation of a corrido is a ballad, in a traditional Mexican style, typically having lyrics that narrate a story,” Raab says. “We knew the story of Tequila Corrido was far from over.”

The brand had been stagnant since Hoover’s death in 2010, so Raab knew he had some work to do with the relaunch of the company.

“I needed to assemble a team that was as passionate about tequila and bringing this product to life as I was,” Raab says.

“One night I was at The Mission and I was telling a friend of mine all about Tequila Corrido, and he says he has the perfect person that I should meet.”

It was then Raab was introduced to fellow Phoenician Anthony Boyle.

Boyle was working in Mexico around this time, lending his biotech expertise at the request of the country’s government.

Since 2010, Boyle had been tasked with helping find solutions to the waste the tequila industry was producing, which was wreaking havoc on the country’s land. He had been working side by side with many of the best and biggest tequila brands in the industry, learning the trade and craft for more than five years.

“Sometimes life takes you to crazy places,” Boyle says.

“Tequila, in all its glory, can create a lot of waste. While I was there, I fell in love with the art of making tequila. I became fast friends with many of the major brands out there and some took me under their wing, explaining the process. It really is a labor of love.”

When Raab asked if he was interested in helping with Tequila Corrido, Boyle was quick to say yes.

“Brian and I knew a lot of the same people,” Boyle says. “I was already in ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

Mexico when we first talked, and he flew down to show me the brand. We clicked right away, and it really started to fall into place.”

It was around this time Raab discovered some old notebooks from Hoover. In it were notes about a wellknown master distiller in Mexico who was respected for her knowledge of the agave and her no-nonsense approach to negotiating. Her name was Ana María Romero, and she was one of the very few female distillers. Boyle found her in Guadalajara and visited her.

“Ana María knew her tequila,” Boyle says. “We showed her what we were doing and she agreed to work with us — picking out only the very best

ingredients and walking us through the entire process.”

After Romero agreed to join them, the trio spent long days meeting distilleries and sourcing ingredients.

“There were a lot of samples going around,” Raab says. “We wanted the

perfect blend to get it just right. I’m no stranger to tequila, but being there at the beginning, creating a new flavor, that’s where the magic happens.”

After these initial trips, Raab and Boyle decided to update the look and feel of Tequila Corrido.

“We really wanted to focus on that word corrido,” Boyle says. “It’s about bringing people together. Get them talking to each other. Tell me your story, sing me your song — it’s those memories and moments we want to embody.”

Their first production launched in 2018 — nearly everything sourced straight from Mexico. The spirit is barrel-aged in its Guadalajara distillery. The bottle design is clean and sleek with the name imprinted on the upper part of the glass. A simple clear label under the raised imprint identifies which impression the bottle is — blanco, reposado or añejo. Each bottle comes with a leather cord wrapped around the top, a guitar pic dangling from it.

“That layer of music is infused into all of our messaging,” Raab says. “Tequila is

meant to be shared — like a corrido.”

In 2019, Raab and Boyle added to their team. The two met with wellknown Arizona entrepreneur and philanthropist Mike Watts. The duo spoke to Watts about what they were doing — relaying the message about an agave spirit that brings people together.

Watts signed on as partner and Tequila Corrido had its team.

Today, the three are partners and owners. Raab is president of Tequila Corrido and Boyle is chief operating officer.

“It’s been a wild ride so far,” Boyle says. “And we are just beginning. We are headquartered here, but Tequila Corrido is now available in 38 states including Nevada and Tennessee. We are looking at launching in Texas and New Mexico.”

With expansion plans in full swing, Raab recognizes the importance of staying true to their story.

“People love this tequila because of the taste and you only get that by paying homage to the tequila-making traditions,” Raab says. “Hoover had a great idea, and we have continued to evolve with every bottle of Tequila Corrido that we create. We pay attention to detail and we are committed to making something that everyone can enjoy. Long after that music stops, we are here to connect people and their stories. Because that’s what it’s all about.”

Tequila Corrido ilovetequilacorrido.com

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE AUGUST 2022

BREWS & SPIRITS

CALENDAR

By Annika Tomlin

in the state, the Arizona Brewers Guild will host the “Real Wild and Woody” beer festival. The indoor event will feature more than 50 breweries from across the state, including sours, barrel-aged, cask beer and more. General admission tickets include 28 2-ounce sample pours and a commemorative cup while the VIP ticket offers 32 sample pours, a cup and one hour early entry to the event.

Bell Bank Park, 1 Legacy Drive, Mesa, 1 to 5:30 p.m., 480.353.7058, chooseazbrews. com, $80-$600

amenities as general admission along with early access to the festival and a commemorative festival T-shirt. Designated driver tickets are available for $10.

The Clayton House, 3719 N. 75th Street, Scottsdale, noon (VIP), 1 to 5 p.m., 480.990.7300, theclaytonhouse.com, $45-$65

Jerry Day

AUGUST 13 Deadheads are encouraged to celebrate Jerry Garcia’s birthday.

Admission is free; $35 VIP admission includes reserved seating, an event poster and one plate of SanTan Brewing taco nacho.

San Tan Gardens, 495 E. Warner Road, Chandler, 2 to 5 p.m., 480.534.7041, santanbrewing.com

Neighborhood Wine Festival

The Americano Seasonal Cocktail Menu

THROUGHOUT AUGUST The Americano bar team led by Chris Cuestas brings the seasonal cocktail menu featuring a variety of new spirits including vermouths, sherry and organic, small-batch vodka.

Whimsical additions to the menu include Salvatore Viola ($19) made with Monkey 47 gin, violet liquor, cherry amaro and egg white, along with Pesca Frizzante ($18) featuring Massenez Creme de Peche, Fino sherry, lemon and Brut Franciacorta.

The Nada A Prada ($17) made with mint-infused platinum vodka, pistachio-white chocolate orgeat, fernet branca and cream.

The Americano, 17797 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, 480.573.001, theamericanorestaurant. com, $16-$22

LDV Summer Wine Circle

AUGUST 10 LDV Summer Wine Circle introduces guests to one Arizona wine and one LDV winery varietal per month.

Members are encouraged to talk and taste their way through monthly social sessions, which include snacks and two wines for $75 monthly.

LDV Winery Tasting Room, 7134 E. Stetson Drive, Suite B110, Scottsdale, 6 to 7 p.m., 480.664.4822, ldvwinery.com, $75

AUGUST 6 To celebrate 30 years of craft beer

AUGUST 13 FOUND:RE Phoenix Hotel and Match Market & Bar present a neighborhood wine festival that will feature tastings of over 60 wines, arts, crafts, food and live music.

Participating vendors include Stem Wine Company, Classico Fine Wines, Quail Wines and Vino 750. General admission includes 10 sample tickets while VIP ticket holders also receive a commemorative wine glass.

Additional sample tickets will be available for purchase at the event.

FOUND:RE Phoenix Hotel and Match Market & Bar, 110 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., 602.875.8080, matchphx.com, $25-$50

The Shakedown Bartender Competition

AUGUST 14 At this event, guests can sample craft cocktails from local bartenders and help the judges determine the winner as contenders compete to take home the title of Shakedown Champion. Cocktails will feature SanTan Spirits SweetPeach Bourbon Whiskey. Each ticket includes appetizers from Spirit House and 2 oz. samples from each competitor.

VIP ticket holders will get one bottle of SweetPeach to take home.

Spirit House, 8 S. San Marcos Plaza, Suite 106, Chandler, 5 to 7:30 p.m., 480.917.8700, santanbrewing.com, $45-$75

Hendricks Cocktail Party and Class

Sour & Sweet Beer Fest

Real Wild and Woody Beer Festival

27

cayenne pepper, salt, watermelon spade and black balsamic pearls.

The Ostrich, 10 N. San Marcos Plaza, Chandler, 6 to 10 p.m., 480.917.4903, theostrichbar.com, $10

AUGUST 13 Presented by Fate Brewing Company, the Sour and Sweet Beer Fest will offer food trucks, music and a wide variety of beers from participating breweries. General admission includes 15 tasting tickets and a commemorative glass. VIP packages offer the same

National Watermelon Day

AUGUST 13 In honor of National Watermelon Day, The Ostrich will serve an award-winning cocktail for only $10. Located in the basement of Crust Chandler, ask for the “Cheap Sunglasses” and prepare to be wowed by this one-day special made with mint-washed Sipsmith gin, lime, agave nectar, aloe vera, cucumber,

AUGUST 27 Join in for a fun, educational class that teaches guests how to create refreshing, gin-based cocktails using simple at-home ingredients and Hendricks gin.

Muddle through creating a signature cocktail with Chef Ador, owner and executive chef of Ador Cuisine. Patrons must be 21 and older and RSVP at the website.

Desert Foothills Library, 38443 N. Schoolhouse Road, Cave Creek, 2 to 3 p.m., 480.488.2286, dfla.org, $15 ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

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CASINOS

PLAY » SPIN » LAUGH » GROOVE » UNWIND » WIN

CASINO ENTERTAINMENT SWEETEST THING

CALENDAR

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski

Rodney Carrington

8 P.M. FRIDAY, AUGUST 5

Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino, 5040 Wild Horse Pass Boulevard, Chandler, tickets start at $45, 1.800.

WIN.GILA, playatgila.com

Bayou Bandits

8 P.M. FRIDAY, AUGUST 5

We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort, 10438 Wekopa Way, Fort McDowell, free, 480.789.4957, wekopacasinoresort.com

The Faux Fighters: A Tribute to the Foo Fighters 7:30 P.M. FRIDAY, AUGUST 5, AND SATURDAY, AUGUST 6

Casino Arizona, 524 N. 92nd Street, Scottsdale, tickets start at $10, 480.850.7777, casinoarizona.com

Bien Tinh

8 P.M. SATURDAY, AUGUST 6 Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino, 5040 Wild Horse Pass Boulevard, Chandler, visit playatgila.com for details on purchasing tickets

Quantum

8 P.M. SATURDAY, AUGUST 6

We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort, 10438 Wekopa Way, Fort McDowell, free, 480.789.4957, wekopacasinoresort.com

Thaddeus Rose

8 P.M. FRIDAY, AUGUST 12

We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort, 10438 Wekopa Way, Fort McDowell, free, 480.789.4957, wekopacasinoresort.com

Release After Dark: Bassjackers + MAKJ

5 P.M. SATURDAY, AUGUST 13

The Pool at Talking Stick Resort, 9800 E. Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale, 480.850.7777, tickets start at $30, talkingstickresort.com, releasevip.com

Brad Paisley

8 P.M. SATURDAY, AUGUST 13 Casino Del Sol’s AVA Amphitheater, 5655 W. Valencia Road, Tucson, tickets start at $45, 1.855.765.7829, casinodelsol.com

Buddy Martell

8 P.M. SATURDAY, AUGUST 13

Casino Del Sol’s AVA Amphitheater, 5655 W. Valencia Road, Tucson, tickets start at $45, 1.855.765.7829, casinodelsol.com

Str8 Up

8 P.M. FRIDAY, AUGUST 19

We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort, 10438 Wekopa Way, Fort McDowell, free, 480.789.4957, wekopacasinoresort.com

L.A.vation: A Tribute to U2 7:30 P.M. FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, AND SATURDAY, AUGUST 20 Casino Arizona, 524 N. 92nd Street, Scottsdale, tickets start at $10, 480.850.7777, casinoarizona.com

Ice T w/Too Short, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony and others 8 P.M. THURSDAY, AUGUST 18 Casino Del Sol’s AVA Amphitheater, 5655 W. Valencia Road, Tucson, tickets start at $35, 1.855.765.7829, casinodelsol.com

Priminition

8 P.M. SATURDAY, AUGUST 20

We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort, 10438 Wekopa Way, Fort McDowell, free, 480.789.4957, wekopacasinoresort.com

Lonestar

8 P.M. SUNDAY, AUGUST 21

Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino, 5040 Wild Horse Pass Boulevard, Chandler, tickets start at $25, 1.800.

WIN.GILA, playatgila.com

Tina Bailey Band

8 P.M. FRIDAY, AUGUST 26

We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort, 10438 Wekopa Way, Fort McDowell, free, 480.789.4957, wekopacasinoresort.com

Led Zepagain: Tribute to Led Zeppelin

7:30 P.M. FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, AND SATURDAY, AUGUST 27 Casino Arizona, 524 N. 92nd Street, Scottsdale, tickets start at $10, 480.850.7777, casinoarizona.com

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski

B

art Davis and the rest of the U2 tribute band L.A.vation were in Holland in 2012 when they decided on a whim to head to Paris for a photo shoot near the Eiffel Tour.

“It was raining cats and dogs,” Davis says.

“We walked up to the plaza, and the rain stopped and the sun came out. It was an amazing shot. As soon as we posted that to our website and people started to look at it, we had calls from Mexico, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Romania, Belgium. All of a sudden, this stuff started happening. It was really organic.”

In between return trips to France and Belgium, L.A.vation will play Casino Arizona on Friday, August 19, and Saturday, August 20.

“We’ve been playing Casino Arizona since 2013, so this will be nine years,” says Davis, of San Pedro, California.

“We’ve created a nice little following in Arizona. It’s a great showroom.”

The show covers the whole of U2’s career, including about 10 hits and then other tracks.

“We basically play something from all of their albums — just not necessarily at every show. We find people come to hear the songs they know and love and can sing along to.

“It’s a pretty easy equation. We also like to play hidden gems. On a 90-minute show like Casino Arizona, we’ll stick mostly to the hits.”

Those kinds of sets, Davis says, are perfect for U2 fans.

“We bring them back to a time that’s nostalgic,” Davis says.

“The band’s been around for 40 years. Fans know all of those songs that mark times in their lives, maybe

high school, college, got married, moved out, whatever.”

Davis says he feels the same way.

He moved from Northern California to Hermosa Beach for guitar school.

He and his roommates drove in a Datsun pickup truck to Santa Barbara to surf. The soundtrack? U2’s “The Unforgettable Fire.”

“We were listening to ‘Bad,’ ‘Pride (In the Name of Love)’ — all the famous songs off that album,” he says.

“Now, when I play those songs, they take me right back to that ride up to Santa Barbara in 1985. It’s crystal clear.

It’s locked in my memory.”

Those memories bring U2 fans together, he adds.

“Wherever we go, that band and that music seem to cross all of the international borders, the color lines, the political lines, any line you can name. It brings people together.

“We really embrace that wholeheartedly, and it’s worked really, really well for us.”

L.A.vation: A Tribute to U2 WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday, August 19, and Saturday, August 20 WHERE: Casino Arizona, 524 N. 92nd Street, Scottsdale COST: Tickets start at $10 INFO: 480.850.7777, casinoarizona.com

Jim Jefferies

8 P.M. FRIDAY, AUGUST 26

Casino Del Sol’s AVA Amphitheater, 5655 W. Valencia Road, Tucson, tickets start at $15, 1.855.765.7829, casinodelsol.com

We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort, 10438 Wekopa Way, Fort McDowell, free, 480.789.4957, wekopacasinoresort.com

SNBRN: Summer Oasis Pool Party Series

Rebelution

Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino, 5040 Wild Horse Pass Boulevard, Chandler, tickets start at $40, 1.800.

7:30 P.M. THURSDAY, AUGUST 18

L.A.vation makes its mark as U2 tribute act

2 P.M. SATURDAY, AUGUST 27

WIN.GILA, playatgila.com

Basketball Jones

The Pool at Talking Stick Resort, 9800 E. Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale, 480.850.7777, tickets start at $30, talkingstickresort.com, releasevip.com

We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort, 10438 Wekopa Way, Fort McDowell, free, 480.789.4957, wekopacasinoresort.com

Steve Earle & the Dukes

8 P.M. SATURDAY, AUGUST 27

Release After Dark: Nervo + Moguai

5 P.M. SATURDAY, AUGUST 27

8 P.M. SATURDAY, AUGUST 27 Talking Stick Resort, 9800 E. Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale, 480.850.7777, tickets start at $30, talkingstickresort.com

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE AUGUST 2022

SPORTS

29

CHEER » HIT » HIKE » LEAD » ROOT » COMPETE

SPORTS

CALENDAR

By Zakkary Brogg

Arizona Diamondbacks vs.

Colorado Rockies

AUGUST 5 TO AUGUST 7 The Arizona Diamondbacks welcome back the Colorado Rockies for another series at Chase Field.

The August 6 game will celebrate National Trading Card Day, and Zac Gallen T-shirts will be given out to the first 10,000 fans. Likely to appear for the Rockies are left fielder Kris Bryant, first baseman/Mountain Pointe High School grad C.J. Cron and right fielder Charlie Blackmon.

Chase Field, 401 E. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, 6:40 p.m.

August 5, 5:10 p.m. August 6, 1:10 p.m. August 7, tickets start at $19, mlb.com/dbacks

Phoenix Mercury vs.

New York Liberty

AUGUST 6 The Phoenix Mercury hosts the New York Liberty in a WNBA matchup. The Liberty are led by 2022 WNBA All-Star Sabrina Ionescu and two-time WNBA All-Star Natasha Howard.

Footprint Center, 201 E. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, 7 p.m., tickets start at $15, mercury.wnba.com

Phoenix Rising FC vs.

Las Vegas Lights FC

AUGUST 6 Phoenix Rising FC faces off against Las Vegas Lights FC in a United Soccer League Western Conference matchup on Back to School Night. The clubs have met two times this season, with Las Vegas winning both games.

Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex at Wild Horse Pass, 19593 S. 48th Street, Chandler, 7:30 p.m., tickets start at $22, phxrisingfc.com

Arizona Diamondbacks vs.

Pittsburgh Pirates AUGUST 8 TO AUGUST 11 The Pittsburgh Pirates come to town to face the Diamondbacks in a four-game series. Likely to appear for the Pirates are third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes, shortstop Oneil Cruz and first baseman Daniel Vogelbach.

Chase Field, 401 E. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, 6:40 p.m.

August 8, 6:40 p.m. August 9, 6:40 p.m. August 10, 12:40 p.m. August 11, tickets start at $15, mlb.com/dbacks

Phoenix Mercury vs.

Minnesota Lynx

AUGUST 10 The Mercury face off against the Minnesota Lynx in a WNBA Western Conference contest. The Lynx is led by 2017 WNBA MVP, eighttime WNBA All-Star and two-time WNBA champion Sylvia Fowles.

Footprint Center, 201 E. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, 7 p.m., tickets start at $15, mercury.wnba.com

Phoenix Mercury vs.

Dallas Wings

AUGUST 12 The Dallas Wings descend upon the Valley to play the Mercury.

When the two teams last met on June 25, Phoenix was victorious over Dallas by a score of 83-72.

Leading the way for the Wings are two-time WNBA All-Star Arike Ogunbowale and 2017 WNBA Rookie of the Year Allisha Gray.

Footprint Center, 201 E. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, 6:05 p.m., tickets start at $20, mercury.wnba.com

Phoenix Mercury vs.

Chicago Sky

AUGUST 14 The Mercury welcome the Chicago Sky to the Valley. The teams have met twice this season, with Chicago taking the victory in both contests. The Sky are led by twotime WNBA MVP, seven-time WNBA All-Star and two-time WNBA champion Candace Parker.

Footprint Center, 201 E. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, noon, tickets start at $22, mercury.wnba.com

Arizona Cardinals vs.

Baltimore Ravens

AUGUST 21 NFL football returns to State Farm Stadium with a preseason matchup

between the Arizona Cardinals and the Baltimore Ravens. Both franchises have their sights set on contending for a championship in the upcoming NFL season.

State Farm Stadium, 1 Cardinals Drive, Glendale, 5 p.m., tickets start at $24, azcardinals.com

Arizona Diamondbacks vs.

St. Louis Cardinals

AUGUST 29 TO AUGUST 31 The St. Louis Cardinals come west for a series with the Diamondbacks. The August 19 Faith and Family Night sees Switchfoot hitting the stage for a postgame concert. Grupo Laberinto performs after the August 20 Mexican Heritage Night. The August 21 game will feature a Diamondbacks and MLB Network bag giveaway for the first 10,000 fans. Likely to appear for the Cardinals are first baseman and former Diamondback Paul Goldschmidt, third baseman Nolan Arenado and designated hitter Albert Pujols.

Chase Field, 401 E. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, 6:40 p.m.

August 19, 5:10 p.m. August 20, 1:10 p.m. August 21, tickets start at $25, mlb.com/dbacks

Phoenix Rising FC vs.

Rio Grande Valley FC Toros

AUGUST 31 The Rio Grande Valley FC Toros come to Phoenix for a game against the Rising. It will be the first of two matchups between the two clubs this USL season. Front Line Workers Night will also be celebrated.

Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex at Wild Horse Pass, 19593 S. 48th Street, Chandler, 7:30 p.m., tickets start at $22 ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

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FAMILY

FROLIC » DISCOVER » IMAGINE » FAMILY » FUN » CONNECT

NASA MEETS THE WILD WEST

Museum kiosk produces space art for guests

By Abigail LaCombe

A

NASA astronomical imaging kiosk is an unlikely bedfellow with the Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West.

Thanks to the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory and NASA, the museum has taken on a new approach to art engagement.

After wandering through the historical art exhibits such as Edward S. Curtis’ masterful portrait collection, and Paul Calle’s “From the Mountains to the Moon” exhibit of sketch to paintings, the NASA kiosk paints a new perspective.

“Paired with the artwork for Paul Calle’s famous moon landing postage

stamp, the NASA kiosk welcomes guests to create their own space art,” says Dr. Michael L. Zirulnik, museum development director.

“They experience how scientists use color with telescopic images to explore the depths of our universe.”

Through August 31, “Observing with NASA,” or OWN, will offer an informal and interactive learning experience for museum visitors, education professionals and young audiences looking to learn something new.

For the first time, Arizona residents can see what astrophotography is really like. By creating a personal masterpiece of the cosmos, engaging with robotic telescope image analysis, and exploring much more of the universe from a single screen, OWN aims to spark curiosity.

“The NASA kiosk illustrates how art and science are integral in communicating exploration, while investigating new frontiers,” Zirulnik continues.

At first thought, art and space

wouldn’t be connected. The OWN kiosk, however, proves it is the opposite.

As Zirulnik states, art is necessary in space exploration and discovery.

OWN has six educational exercises that use real NASA data to provide a surreal interaction. Find Apollo sites 11-17 by searching for small details on the moon’s surface and reveal images by using “invisible light.” Objects, landscapes, gases and more, originally invisible to the eye, can now be seen with added light and other expansive editing software.

Observe planet rotation and animate the images over time. Use processing tools to enhance and colorize galaxies, the sun and moon, Jupiter and Mars.

And combine multiple images to visualize the vibrant colors emitted by objects in space.

The last bit of the OWN kiosk is a robotic telescope. Museum visitors can remotely send commands to a real-time telescope somewhere in the world and the image will be emailed to them as soon as its able to snap a good shot of the

sky. Discover celestial objects, change the color filters and exposure times to create your own unique photo.

Zirulnik is excited for this feature, saying he “couldn’t wait to get the telescope images in my inbox.”

OWN is a perfect complement to Pail Calle’s exhibit, specifically his iconic oil painting “The Great Moment,” a depiction of Neil Armstrong’s first step on the moon’s surface. The painting explores textures and the vast darkness that surrounded Armstrong.

“We are so happy to be given the opportunity for OWN to be in our museum. When the opportunity came up, the first thing we thought of was that big painting of the moon landing.

It’s exactly what was needed to bring a modern life to the exhibit.”

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

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE AUGUST 2022

MUSIC

31

LISTEN » JAM » INNOVATE » EVOLVE » ROCK » SING

LIVE MUSIC

CALENDAR

By Connor Dziawura

AUGUST 1 Cray

Maya Dayclub, 9 p.m., $25 or free with RSVP

Danny G and Michael Wavves The Rebel Lounge, 8 p.m., $13-$15

The Dear Hunter

Crescent Ballroom, 7:30 p.m., $23-$28

AUGUST 2 David Gray

Orpheum Theatre - Phoenix, 7:30 p.m., $87-$454

Decrepit Birth

The Underground, 7 p.m., $18

The Lemon Bucket Orkestra

Musical Instrument Museum, 7 p.m., $38.50-$49.50

Mt. Joy and Wilderado

The Van Buren, 8 p.m., $39.50-$45

Sleeping with Sirens

Marquee Theatre, 7 p.m., $27.50-$57.50

AUGUST 3

Thomas Rhett

Ak-Chin Pavilion, 7:30 p.m., $35.50-$409

Vanessa Zamora

The Rebel Lounge, 8 p.m., $14-$16

AUGUST 5 Alex Cuba and Raul Midón Musical Instrument Museum, 7:30 p.m., $38.50-$49.50

Anna Lunoe

Sunbar, 9 p.m., $18-$1,500

Bowling for Soup and Less Than Jake

Marquee Theatre, 7 p.m., $32.50-$52.50

AUGUST 4 Cobra Man

Valley Bar, 7:30 p.m., $20-$25

Delphine Cortez and Joel Robin The Nash, 4 p.m., free

Messer Chups and The Surfrajettes

The Rhythm Room, 8 p.m., $25

Moontower and Phangs

The Underground, 8 p.m., $16

Third Eye Blind

Arizona Federal Theatre, 7 p.m., $39.50-$1,003.50

Marquee Theatre, 8 p.m., $31-$51

Musical Instrument Museum, 7 p.m., $44.50-$54.50

Ring Finger No Pinky

Micki Free

Short Fictions

Oliver Tree

AUGUST 7

SoMo

Valley Bar, 7 p.m., $10-$13 The Underground, 7 p.m., $12

Destroy Boys

The Rhythm Room, 8 p.m., $10 Arizona Federal Theatre, 7:30 p.m., $39.50-$92 The Rebel Lounge, 8 p.m., $20-$249

Crescent Ballroom, 7:30 p.m., $18-$20

AUGUST 11

Kyle Walker

Danielle Nicole

Darkstar, 4 p.m., $22.50

Stan Sorenson

Crescent Ballroom, 7:30 p.m., $18-$32

The Nash, 6 p.m., $5-$10 or free for instrumentalists and vocalists who sit in

Delphine Cortez and Joel Robin

World’s Greatest Dad

Mesa Arts Center’s Piper Repertory Theater, 7:30 p.m., $35-$45

The Rebel Lounge, 7:30 p.m., $12-$15

The Nash, 4 p.m., free

Flor de Toloache

AUGUST 8

The God Samaritan

Gabriel & Dresden Darkstar, 9 p.m., $18

Musical Instrument Museum, 7 p.m., $54.50-$74.50

Halestorm and The Pretty Reckless

Laura Marano

Arizona Federal Theatre, 6 p.m., $29.50-$413.50

Yacht Rock Revue

Ladysmith Black Mambazo

Valley Bar, 7:30 p.m., $20-$65

Teyana Taylor

Jermaine Lockhart

The Van Buren, 8 p.m., $34.50-$39.50

Some Kind of Nightmare

AUGUST 9

Vektor

The Rhythm Room, 8 p.m., $15

The Nash, 7 p.m., free

Wheelwright

The Van Buren, 7 p.m., sold out

Kathy Mattea

Chandler Center for the Arts’ Mainstage, 7:30 p.m., free

Cisco & the Racecars

Glare

Simple Plan and Sum 41

New Found Glory

Marquee Theatre, 7:30 p.m., $25-$55

George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic

Yucca Tap Room, 8 p.m., free

Valley Bar, 7:30 p.m., $12-$15

The Van Buren, 8 p.m., $45-$48

Everlast

The Van Buren, 8 p.m., $25-$28

Camilo Séptimo & Francisca Valenzuela

Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $35-$42.50

Father John Misty w/Suki Waterhouse

Pub Rock Live, 7 p.m., $18

Carly Bates and Pariah Pete & the Mercuries The Nash, 7:30 p.m., $8.80-$30

Cut Snake

Darkstar, 9 p.m., $15

Kathy Mattea

Musical Instrument Museum, 7 p.m., $44.50-$54.50

Skweezy Jibbs

Valley Bar, 8 p.m., $25-$70

Wayne “The Train” Hancock

Billy Idol

Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $25-$38

AUGUST 6

The Rhythm Room, 8 p.m., tickets available at the door

The Nash, 7:30 p.m., $10-$20

Calum Scott

Foxing

Blues Band Showcase w/Aaron McCall Band, Smokestack Lightning, and Bill Tarsha & the Rocket 88s

Ian Nussdorfer

The Rhythm Room, 8 p.m., $20

Emily Wolfe

Sunbar, 9 p.m., $33-$1,500

The Rebel Lounge, 7:30 p.m., $12-$15

Albert Castiglia

Valley Bar, 7:30 p.m., $10-$12

12th Planet and Rusko

Marquee Theatre, 5:30 p.m., $52-$80

Valley Bar, 8 p.m., $15 The Rebel Lounge, 7:30 p.m., $18-$20

Ladysmith Black Mambazo

Musical Instrument Museum, 7 p.m., $54.50-$74.50

Lost Dog Street Band, Matt Heckler and Jason Dea West The Van Buren, 8 p.m., $27-$30

AUGUST 10

AUGUST 12 Celebrity Theatre, 7:30 p.m., sold out

Crash Test Dummies

Musical Instrument Museum, 7 p.m., $38.50-$54.50

Dropout Kings

The Rebel Lounge, 8 p.m., $15-$20

Megan Ran

Valley Bar, 7 p.m., $12-$15

Nora En Pure

Marquee Theatre, 9 p.m., $31

Smokestack Lightning

Chandler Center for the Arts’ Mainstage, 7:30 p.m., free

American Aquarium

Stan Lewis & Company

Christian Lee Hutson

Trivecta

Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $20-$100 Valley Bar, 7:30 p.m., $15-$17

The Nash, 7:30 p.m., $8.80-$30 Sunbar, 9 p.m., $25-$1,500 ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

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UPFRONT | CITY | TRAVEL | ARTS | DINING | BREWS & SPIRITS | CASINOS | SPORTS | FAMILY | MUSIC | NIGHTLIFE | IN CLOSING

AUGUST 13 Big Time Rush

Arizona Federal Theatre, 8 p.m., $65.50-$99.95

Norton, Lisa Sanders and Randi Driscoll

Musical Instrument Museum, 7 p.m., $28.50-$33.50

Three Days Grace

Marquee Theatre, 7 p.m., $56-$231

AUGUST 20

Echo & the Bunnymen

The Van Buren, 8 p.m., $44.50-$50

Ghorot

Yucca Tap Room, 8 p.m., free

Brett Reed Quartet

AUGUST 17

Banana Gun and decker.

Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $10-$18

AUGUST 24

EMBRZ

Andrew W Boss

Pub Rock Live, 8 p.m., $5

The Bombpops

Dogbreth

Valley Bar, 7 p.m., $18-$20

The Underground, 7 p.m., $12

Chris Brown and Lil Baby

Health

The Nash, 7:30 p.m., $8.80-$30 Darkstar, 9 p.m., $19.75

Halocene

Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $20-$44

Jaleo

Chase Atlantic

Arizona Federal Theatre, 8 p.m., $35-$195

Corey Feldman

Musical Instrument Museum, 7:30 p.m., $23.50-$28.50

Marquee Theatre, 8 p.m., $15

Larry Hernandez

The Rebel Lounge, 7 p.m., $16-$18

Celebrity Theatre, 8 p.m., $35-$100

Madchild

Pub Rock Live, 8 p.m., $20

Megalodon

Elder

ODESZA

Ak-Chin Pavilion, 7 p.m., $39.50-$549.50

Shakey Graves and Jade Bird

Sunbar, 9 p.m., $18.25-$1,500

The Van Buren, 8 p.m., $32-$37

Secret Walls

AUGUST 18

Marquee Theatre, 7:30 p.m., $25-$99

AUGUST 14 Beth Lederman

Church of the Cosmic Skull The Rebel Lounge, 7:30 p.m., $16-$20

The Nash, 6 p.m., $5-$10 or free for instrumentalists and vocalists who sit in

Delphine Cortez and Joel Robin

Caloncho

The Rhythm Room, 8 p.m., tickets available at the door

Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $25-$38

Cuco

The Van Buren, 8 p.m., $32.50-$35

Ian Sweet

Valley Bar, 8 p.m., $15-$18

John Moreland

Musical Instrument Museum, 7 p.m., $33.50-$38.50

Kidswaste

The Rebel Lounge, 8 p.m., $17-$20

Ship Wrek

Maya Dayclub, noon, $20

AUGUST 15 Banks

The Van Buren, 8 p.m., $35

Black Pistol Fire

Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $22-$35

Little Feat w/ Hot Tuna Acoustic

Celebrity Theatre, 8 p.m., $37-$97

Roberta Piket

The Nash, 7:30 p.m., $10.80-$35

Wingtips

The Underground, 7 p.m., $12

AUGUST 16 Alex Isley

Valley Bar, 7:30 p.m., $17-$130

Deicide

The Nile Theater, 7 p.m., $25

Little Bird

The Rebel Lounge, 8 p.m., $13-$15

Singer-Songwriters in the Round featuring Ashley E. ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

The Nash, 4 p.m., free

Dirty Red and the Soul Shakers Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats

Arizona Federal Theatre, 7:30 p.m., $49.50-$223

Puppet

Valley Bar, 7 p.m., $13-$15

ZOSO: The Ultimate Led Zeppelin Experience

Marquee Theatre, 6 p.m., $20-$35

AUGUST 19 96 Bitter Beings

Pub Rock Live, 7 p.m., $18

Boris and The Body

Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $23-$25

Charlie Smith Quintet plays Sonny Clark

The Nash, 7:30 p.m., $8.80-$30

Creeping Death

The Underground, 6 p.m., $17

Guitarras Latinas

Chandler Center for the Arts’ Mainstage, 7:30 p.m., free

La India Yuridia

Celebrity Theatre, 8:30 p.m., $65-$145

Lee Perreira

Musical Instrument Museum, 7:30 p.m., $33.50-$38.50

Loving

Valley Bar, 8 p.m., $15-$18

Metalachi

Ak-Chin Pavilion, 7 p.m., $29.50-$1,235

Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $23-$25

Jack Beats and Taiki Nulight Sunbar, 9 p.m., $25.50-$1,500

Musical Instrument Museum, 7 p.m., $54.50-$80.50

Louis on Tour

The Meteors

Yucca Tap Room, 9 p.m., free

Pub Rock Live, 7 p.m., $15

Mason Maynard

Wavves

Darkstar, 9 p.m., $23

The Rebel Lounge, 8 p.m., $20-$22

Miel San Marcos

AUGUST 25

Celebrity Theatre, 7 p.m., $35-$55

Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt and Pandit Subhen Chatterjee

Musical Instrument Museum, 7:30 p.m., $33.50-$49.50

popsiclestickairport

The Rebel Lounge, 5:30 p.m., $10-$13

Sandra Bassett

The Nash, 7:30 p.m., $10.80-$35

Sugar Thieves

The Rhythm Room, 8 p.m., tickets available at the door

AUGUST 21

The Amity Affliction and Silverstein Marquee Theatre, 7 p.m., $29.50-$49.50

Def Leppard and Mötley Crüe w/Joan Jett and Poison State Farm Stadium, 4:30 p.m., $99.50-$743

Delphine Cortez and Joel Robin The Nash, 4 p.m., free

Jade Novah

Valley Bar, 8 p.m., $25-$65

John 5

The Nile Theater, 7 p.m., $25

America

Kid Cudi

Mesa Arts Center’s Ikeda Theater, 7:30 p.m., $55-$95

Footprint Center, 7 p.m., $44.50-$697

The Australian Pink Floyd Show

She Wants Revenge, D’Arcy and Fearing

Chandler Center for the Arts’ Mainstage, 7 p.m., $68-$88

The Van Buren, 8 p.m., $27.50-$30

Chris Finet

Tab Benoit

The Nash, 6 p.m., $5-$10 or free for instrumentalists and vocalists who sit in

Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $49

Dombresky

Chzbrgr Picnic

Maya Dayclub, noon, $26

Yucca Tap Room, 9 p.m., free

Emery and Norma Jean

Five Finger Death Punch

Marquee Theatre, 7 p.m., $25-$40

Goatwhore

The Nile Theater, 6 p.m., $20

OneRepublic

Ak-Chin Pavilion, 7 p.m., $30.50-$625

Robb Bank$

AUGUST 26

Ak-Chin Pavilion, 6:30 p.m., $29.50-$389

Gerald Albright

Musical Instrument Museum, 7 p.m. and 9 p.m., $33.50-$49.50

The Get Up Kids

The Nile Theater, 7 p.m., $25

Valley Bar, 7:30 p.m., $10-$25

Justin Martin

AUGUST 22

Kevin Gates

Incubus w/Sublime with Rome

Sunbar, 9 p.m., $22-$1,500

Ak-Chin Pavilion, 7 p.m., $25-$200

Arizona Federal Theatre, 8 p.m., $39.50-$134

Mizmor

Running from Bears

The Underground, 7 p.m., $15

The Rhythm Room, 8 p.m., $20

AUGUST 23

Noche de Oasis

Crywank and Chastity

The Rebel Lounge, 9 p.m., $15-$20

Jimmie Vaughan

The Rebel Lounge, 8 p.m., $16-$18

The Nash, 7:30 p.m., $8.80-$30

Soul Power

The Rhythm Room, 8 p.m., tickets available at the door

Phantoms

AUGUST 27 Indigo Kidd, Sliced Limes, Gnarwal Jrz and Black Cesar Soul Club The Rhythm Room, 8 p.m., $15

Jessie James Decker

Marquee Theatre, 8 p.m., $39-$65

Joyce Manor

Sammy Ramone

Yucca Tap Room, 9 p.m., free

AUGUST 28 Bingo Players

Maya Dayclub, noon, $20

The Devil Wears Prada

The Van Buren, 7 p.m., $30-$35

The Nile Theater, 6:30 p.m., $22

Francine Reed

Los Chicos del 512: The Selena Experience

The Nash, 3 p.m., $14.80-$45

Chandler Center for the Arts’ Mainstage, 7:30 p.m., $20-$40

Matute

Orpheum Theatre - Phoenix, 8 p.m., $70-$304

Meltt

Ioannis Goudelis

The Nash, 6 p.m., $5-$10 or free for instrumentalists and vocalists who sit in

James and Joni featuring Brian Chartrand

Musical Instrument Museum, 7 p.m., $35.50-$46.50

Valley Bar, 7 p.m., $15

Nazim Rashid & New Renaissance

Sunbar, 9 p.m., $18-$1,500

The Killers w/Johnny Marr

The Nash, 7:30 p.m., $8.80-$30

Gila River Arena, 7:30 p.m., $19.50–$333

Marmalade Skies (Beatles tribute)

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE AUGUST 2022

The Rhythm Room, 4 p.m., $20

The New Respects

The Rebel Lounge, 8 p.m., $20-$25

AUGUST 29 Peter Hook and the Light

The Van Buren, 8 p.m., $32.50-$35

Rick Springfield and Men at Work w/John Waite

Celebrity Theatre, 7:30 p.m., $35-$125

River Whyless

Idles

The Van Buren, 8 p.m., $30-$35

JTM3 featuring Jay Allan, Tony King and Matthew Henderson

Musical Instrument Museum, 7 p.m., $30.50-$35.50

The Weeknd

State Farm Stadium, 6:30 p.m., $32-$1,250

AUGUST 31 Anuhea

Valley Bar, 8 p.m., $20-$23

Jungle w/Paul Cherry

The Van Buren, 8 p.m., $35-$38

Musical Instrument Museum, 7 p.m., $33.50-$38.50

Monuments

AUGUST 30

Mystic Braves

Ethel Cain

Valley Bar, 7:30 p.m., $16-$18

33

The Nile Theater, 7 p.m., $18 Last Exit Live, 8:30 p.m., $12-$15

Tav Falco’s Panther Burns

The Rhythm Room, 8 p.m., $12

ROAD TRIPPIN’ WITH MY FRIEND Find 5 Great Day Trips From the Valley

ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

HAUNTING TALE

34

UPFRONT | CITY | TRAVEL | ARTS | DINING | BREWS & SPIRITS | CASINOS | SPORTS | FAMILY | MUSIC | NIGHTLIFE | IN CLOSING

‘Mmm Mmm Mmm’ makes a comeback thanks to TV

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski

T

he limited Apple TV+ series “Black Bird” has become known for its clever use of retro hits.

Morphine’s “In Spite of Me,” The The’s “Dogs of Lust,” “Battle Flag” (Lo Fidelity All Stars Remix) by Pigeonhed, “Possession” by Sarah McLachlan, and the Crash Test Dummies’ “Mmm Mmm Mmm” have all been resurrected.

Crash Test Dummies singer Brad Roberts is surprised about the placement in the show, a true story of convicted drug dealer Jimmy Keene (Taron Egerton) who is offered his freedom in exchange for coaxing a confession out of suspected serial killer Larry Hall (Paul Walter Hauser) and finding out where his victims are buried.

“I’m very lucky in that I wrote material that I’m still comfortable singing all these years later,” Roberts says about continuing to play the 30-year-old song live.

“Some songs change when they get older, and they don’t necessarily have the same

views or same ideas. I can’t imagine being the Stones and singing about 16-year-olds now — whether I was the Stones or not.

I’ve got all due respect for them, though.”

“Mmm Mmm Mmm” will be among the songs on the set list when the Canadian band plays the Musical Instrument Museum at 7 p.m. Friday, August 12.

“It’s quite an interesting sounding gig,” Roberts say about the MIM. “It’s not often that a gig has its own attractions like that.

I’m looking forward to checking it out.”

These days, Crash Test Dummies play all the “big, old hits and other stuff as well.”

“I mean, the two or three hits we had,” Roberts says with his bass-baritone laugh.

“Actually, we have more popular songs than two or three. I’m back on guitar after a long hiatus. I had a repetitive stress injury that I couldn’t get rid of.

When I did, I vowed not to play the guitar again. But the electric doesn’t have the same ergonomic problems.”

Roberts has been working on a new Crash Test Dummies album, and it’s inspired by his trip “back to school.”

“Well, it’s not literally ‘back to school,’” he says. “I’m now taking, for

the first time in my life, classical piano lessons. It’s a lot of fun to go back and learn new in an area I have expertise in.

“I went the whole nine yards in terms of picking up a hobby while I couldn’t go out (during the pandemic). That’s really what occupied me most of my time — learning counterpoints and practicing piano and playing Bach.”

Since the pandemic, Crash Test Dummies have been touring the world.

They recently returned from Europe.

“We have been doing a lot of touring ever since we were able to go on the road again,” Roberts says. “I don’t think Europe uses as much GMO food there.

I don’t think they consume genetically modified organisms. The food just tasted better, and the coffee in Europe … the espresso comes out as tar, but in a good way. Steamed milk is beyond compare.

It’s heaven over there.”

The lyrics are painfully honest, Allen says.

“I don’t think I’ve ever done something that was this honest before,” he says.

“I spilled my guts and made me look ‘weak’ or vulnerable. There’s a certain raw quality to it. For me, it’s exciting to release something in the world I’ve never done before. It has a great vibe for the summer, though.

“It’s very interesting to see and receive the feedback from fans. Some of them say these songs couldn’t have come in a better

point in their lives. It reminds you that we have these shared experiences and music is a great tool to connect us.”

Crash Test Dummies w/Carleton Stone WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday, August 12 WHERE: Musical Instrument Museum, 4725 E. Mayo Boulevard, Phoenix COST: Tickets start at $38.50 INFO: 480.478.6000, mim.org

A NEW VULNERABILITY

Hoodie Allen looks forward to his next chapter

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski

H

oodie Allen’s forthcoming tour marks the 10th anniversary of his first commercially successful album, “All American.”

His teenage self is having a fit.

“I guess the naïve 18-year-old version of myself is probably saying, ‘That’s so old,’” he says with a laugh.

“In that spot, it went pretty quickly. I cross my fingers that I can look forward to the second decade of doing this.”

The notable pop artist just released his first tour dates in nearly three years. The With or Without You 2022 Summer Tour will span across the United States in August. To commemorate the 10th anniversary, the set list will include fan favorites like “No Interruption” through his new single, “Wouldn’t That Be Nice.”

His jaunt comes to Aura in Tempe on Wednesday, August 17. Over the

ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

last decade, Allen has worked hard to establish a work-life balance, which lends itself to more creative work.

“You can’t really create good art that affects me if you’re not also living your life and doing things that inspire creativity,” he says.

“I’ve tried to — especially in the last five years or so — remember to also have career and personal lives. Avoiding burnout is definitely clutch.”

Following the tour and two singles — “Wouldn’t That Be Nice” and “Call Me Never” — Allen will send a new album to streaming services.

“I think anybody who’s listened to me before will find it’s a departure, especially lyrically,” he says. “Musically, it leans more in an alternative pop-rock or emo format — whatever you want to call it.

“It’s very cohesive. I wrote it all in the same period of time where I was trying to manage the end of a relationship and seeking closure for it.”

Hoodie Allen WHEN: 8 p.m. Wednesday, August 17 WHERE: Aura, 411 S. Mill Avenue, Tempe COST: $29.50 INFO: ticketmaster.com, eventbrite.com

TALK OF THE TOWN

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UPFRONT | CITY | TRAVEL | ARTS | DINING | BREWS & SPIRITS | CASINOS | SPORTS | FAMILY | MUSIC | NIGHTLIFE | IN CLOSING

NEEDTOBREATHE brings rocking show with OneRepublic

By Alex Gallagher

S

outh Carolina-based Christian rockers NEEDTOBREATHE have become the talk of the town in their native Seneca, South Carolina, by playing sold-out stadiums and receiving a 2015 Grammy nomination in best contemporary Christian music performance/song.

However, that success hasn’t derailed the band from its goal of making the crowd dance.

“We often joke with the audience when we say, ‘I hope you brought your dancing shoes, because you’re going to need them,’” keyboard player Josh Lovelace says.

Although Lovelace jokes about getting the crowd moving, he does hope to inspire the next generation of musicians.

“We always try to think of that 12-year-old kid who’s in the fourth row of their first concert and they’ll think back, ‘Because I watched that bass player, I want to be in a band and I want to do music.’ We always have that in the back of our heads,” he says.

To accomplish this,

NEEDTOBREATHE brings more guitars than people on tour and fills the set with short, punchy songs and several solos, he says.

“We love the gags of going down to the front and doing guitar solos and big drum solos, because we’ve always been a band that wants to entertain you,” Lovelace says. “A lot of songs that we’re trying to do are some of our shorter songs so we can pack as much content as we can in the time that we have.”

The set list leans toward the older songs; however, each record is represented — with a few curveballs, according to Lovelace. The fan-favorite track “Brother” is always met with the audience harmonizing and applauding.

Lovelace admits he’s pleased to break out NEEDTOBREATHE’s latest single,

“Talk of the Town,” on the upcoming jaunt with OneRepublic, which hits AkChin Pavilion on Tuesday, August 23.

“I enjoy outdoor venues because, most of the time, you can see the crowd better,” Lovelace says.

“You’re getting natural light, and it almost makes you feel like you’re one with the people, which is always fun.”

He and his bandmates intend to bottle up this excitement and pop it out each night they grace the stage.

“We give it everything we’ve got, every night,” he says. “We also understand that we might play your city one time a year or maybe one time every two years, and so we want to make sure that we give, you know, the best show possible.”

Because of this, Lovelace hopes to captivate fans who have followed

NEEDTOBREATHE from its inception in 2001 to now.

“If you’re a new NEEDTOBREATHE fan, I hope you walk away thinking, ‘Well, that was crazy! That was such a great show,’ and if you’re an older fan, I hope people are surprised by what we’re going to try to pull off.”

OneRepublic + NEEDTOBREATHE: Never Ending Summer Tour WHEN: 7 p.m. Tuesday, August 23 WHERE: Ak-Chin Pavilion, 2121 N. 83rd Avenue, Phoenix COST: Tickets start at $30.50 INFO: needtobreathe.com, livenation.com

‘THERE’S NO PHONING IT IN’

She Wants Revenge finds its motive

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski

W

hen Justin Warfield and Adam Bravin take She Wants Revenge back to the stage this August, it will be done in the most intentional, thoughtful way possible.

That motivation is courtesy of the arts industry’s pandemic pause.

“We’ve had the time and desire to really make sure that we’re putting a lot into it and it’s very considerate,” Warfield says.

“I think when you’re on tour, you’re just quite busy: ‘We should play these songs.’ ‘What cover should we do?’

‘What can we do to make it more exciting?’

“Because the band has gotten back together and presenting it for the first ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

time in quite some time, we want to make sure we’re presenting it sonically, visually and energetically in the best way possible. There’s no phoning it in.”

She Wants Revenge plays The Van Buren on Thursday, August 25.

“I haven’t played any live shows since the pandemic,” Warfield says.

“I did a streaming concert at the Roxy in LA, which was just an empty show except for the production people there.

It was the same place I played my last shows with She Wants Revenge before the pandemic.”

Joining Bravin and Warfield are bassist Thomas Froggatt, guitarist Spencer Rollins and drummer David Goodstein.

Ready for a new chapter in the band’s shifting evolution, Warfield is excited.

“We really just want to continue to grow, both creatively and in reach,” he said.

“We know who we are as a band, but we’re also not the same guys who made that first record, so musically there’s a lot left for us to explore.”

That includes onstage and in the studio.

“Honestly, one of the things about COVID was it afforded lots of people

the time to evaluate what they had been doing and what they wanted to do moving forward,” he says.

For Warfield, it meant seeing friends’ bands at LA’s Wiltern and The Ford theaters and hanging with family. His next two projects proved to go hand in hand.

He began doing independent A&R work for Downwrite, a platform that allows fans, companies and content creators to commission original songs from artists. While he connected artists to their fans and clients to create ondemand songs, he was approached by a fan to write a song.

“A husband reached out to me, asking if I could write a song for his wife for their 25th anniversary,” he recalls.

“He told me they were hardcore fans of She Wants Revenge and had seen me play live many times. As I was one of her favorite singers, he wanted her to have a bespoke, custom-made song just for their special day.

“It sounded like fun, and they seemed great, so I accepted the commission. His wife got something incredibly special for her anniversary. I came up with a song I’m dying to play live, and because of the

terms of Downwrite, the husband now gets a percentage of royalties from a song he had no idea would end up being a part of my catalog.”

That song is “Everything to Me,” the debut effort from his self-monikered solo project, Warfield.

“As soon as I sang it, I knew I was going to release it as my next single,” he says. “It was undeniably hooky, fun and sonically had characteristics that felt reminiscent of my work in She Wants Revenge but wasn’t too far removed from my solo material. Really, it’s like the perfect bridge.

“I do think there is value in creating something that means something for yourself. You are not changing people’s lives or affecting them. It’s just having fun and being meaningful.”

She Wants Revenge w/D’Arcy and Fearing WHEN: 8 p.m. Thursday, August 25 WHERE: The Van Buren, 401 N. Van Buren Street, Phoenix COST: Tickets start at $27.50 INFO: thevanburenphx.com

FAITH & FAMILY

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE AUGUST 2022

37

Switchfoot joins the D-backs for baseball and rock ’n’ roll

By Summer Aguirre

F

or the first time since the pandemic, Grammy Awardwinning rock band Switchfoot is back to doing what it does best: rocking on the road.

With a summer full of tour dates across the country and the release of the deluxe edition of its 2021 album, “interrobang,” the San Diego-based group is more than ready to take the stage for their fans.

In the middle of its U.S. tour, Switchfoot will perform at the Arizona Diamondbacks’ Faith & Family Night after the Friday, August 19, game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Chase Field.

The event will also feature Diamondbacks players sharing their testimonies.

“I think it’s really fun that some of our fans who have been with us since the beginning are now bringing their kids to our shows and introducing their families to Switchfoot.

“So, I think that’s a rare thing for a band to experience that multigenerational fan base, and that’s something I’m really thankful for,” Chad Butler says.

Events like Faith & Family Night are important to the musicians in Switchfoot.

“We all have families of our own, and that’s something that’s really special to see,” Butler says.

“A whole family going to a show together, and to experience it in a ballpark is even better. Baseball, rock ’n’ roll — what more could you ask for?”

The event is Switchfoot’s second concert with the team. A casual baseball fan in comparison to his bandmates, Butler looks forward to seeing the diversity of the audience.

“We attract people of all different backgrounds, and I love that,” he says.

“When we look at a crowd of people singing along from all different walks of life and we’re singing this same song, I

think that’s a very unifying thing.”

Switchfoot — which includes drummer Butler, vocalist/guitarist Jon Foreman, bassist Tim Foreman and keyboardist/guitarist Jerome Fontamillas — have been together for more than two decades.

Their countrywide summer tour, accompanied by rock band Collective Soul, begins July 15 and concludes September 25. (Collective Soul will not perform at Chase Field.) Switchfoot will loop its way back to Arizona for an August 27 show at Flagstaff’s Pepsi Amphitheater with Collective Soul.

Butler says it’s an honor to share the stage with Collective Soul, whom Switchfoot has known for years. He describes it as “a reunion of friends.”

Both groups will create their set lists from their entire catalog. Butler adds that their collaboration may produce surprises.

One album Switchfoot is looking forward to performing is last August’s “interrobang,” its 12th studio album.

“Now that we’re finally getting to go play these songs live, it’s a very exciting, fulfilling time,” Butler says.

Their experience writing and recording the album was “very different,” partially because they worked on it during the pandemic. The band recorded at Los Angeles landmark Sound City, which has birthed rock ’n’ roll history.

Dozens of rock bands have recorded there, ranging from Elton John and Johnny Cash to Rage Against the Machine and Guns N’ Roses.

“To go and record in that space was really inspiring,” Butler says.

“We worked with this producer named Tony Berg, who is incredible, really pushed us to record live and in the same room instead of recording everything individually. … So it really did capture some live performance energy that we hadn’t seen in the studio before.”

An expanded deluxe edition of “interrobang” dropped July 8. The

16-track expansion will feature the album’s original 11 tracks, three B-sides and two recently released remixes: “i need you (to be wrong)” and “wolves” with indie acts lovelytheband and Sir Sly, respectively.

“It’s always interesting when you let another artist open up your song and reinterpret it, put it back together,” Butler says.

“It was very surprising to hear those tracks, and I think it’s something that we wouldn’t have arrived at alone. So it was great to collaborate with them.”

To kick off its summer tour, Switchfoot performed at its annual multiartist benefit concert, BRO-AM Beach Fest, on June 18 in San Diego.

The band launched the BROAM Foundation to give back to its hometown. It raises awareness of and provides grants to nonprofits offering services to local youth in need. Beach Fest supports this cause with a full day

of programs focusing on music, art and surfing.

“It is just a beautiful thing. I’m so honored to be a part of the San Diego community,” Butler says. “That event has grown to be much bigger than Switchfoot. It’s a whole community group hug, just loving on those kids that need it here in San Diego.”

Switchfoot’s run has granted Butler a dose of reality. He has a newfound appreciation for their ability to perform live and gather with “thousands of their closest friends.”

“I can’t think of anything better to be doing right now than hitting the road and playing some rock ’n’ roll,” he says.

Arizona Diamondbacks vs. St. Louis Cardinals: Faith & Family Night WHEN: 6:40 p.m. Friday, August 19 WHERE: Chase Field, 401 E. Jefferson Street, Phoenix COST: Tickets start at $20 INFO: dbacks.com Collective Soul and Switchfoot WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, August 22 WHERE: Pepsi Amphitheater, Fort Tuthill County Park, Flagstaff COST: Tickets start at $62 INFO: pepsiamp.com ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

SCREAMING & STORYTELLING

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UPFRONT | CITY | TRAVEL | ARTS | DINING | BREWS & SPIRITS | CASINOS | SPORTS | FAMILY | MUSIC | NIGHTLIFE | IN CLOSING

Silverstein is angry and not holding back

By Alex Gallagher

W

hen the Burlington, Ontario, metalcore outfit Silverstein sits down to write an album, its members try to take listeners on a journey through their lives.

Silverstein’s latest record, “Misery Made Me,” offers a glimpse into the last two years, which vocalist Shane Told admits has been miserable at times.

“Over the last couple of years, with what we’ve gone through, there was no way we were going to be able to write a love song on this record,” Told says.

“The reality is that we were pissed off, we were frustrated, we were scared, our mental health wasn’t the best, and this is what came out from us. We had to get (this) off our chest.”

Despite the dark nomenclature of the record, Told feels the record has been ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

mutually cathartic for fans and himself.

“When ‘Misery Made Me’ came out, the sentiment from our fans was, ‘We needed you to say this,’” Told says. “With our fan base, we help each other out. I give to them, and they give back to me.

“The fact that the words and music that I’ve written has helped them through a dark time, in turn, helps me through a dark time because I know that what I’m doing makes a difference.”

Although he’s fond of most of the songs, one special one may sneak into Silverstein’s set list during its jaunt with the Australian post-hardcore outfit the Amity Affliction. “‘The Altar/Mary’ is a great example of storytelling and taking the listener through all the hardships that people have had — particularly millennials who have been beaten down economically and unable to make ends meet,” Told says. “That’s one track that we want to try to pull off live. It’s not going to be

easy, by any means, with the energy of the first half and the synthesizers in the second half, but we’re welcoming that challenge.”

Although Silverstein aims to tell a story with its lyricism, Told also says the band marries stories with catchy choruses.

“We want to be a hardcore band that has catchy singalong parts, and over the years I think we’ve gotten better and better at writing melodies that stick in your head and lyrics that people want to sing along to,” Told says. “It’s cool that we’ve become a singalong band because, sure, people can mosh to our songs, but it’s also great that they can sing along to them, too.”

Because of this, Told is anxious to kick off the cross-country trek on August 25 at the Marquee Theatre and stand amid the roar of an audience singing his lyrics in unison once more.

“I’m looking forward to an action-

packed hour or so of just the jams old and new, like ‘My Heroine,’ ‘Smile in Your Sleep’ and ‘The Afterglow,’” he says. “Hearing the fans sing is one of the greatest feelings in the world, and having that taken away from us for the last couple of years made me forget just how loud they sing and the way that made me feel every single time it happens.

“Whether they’re singing a cappella during the chorus of ‘My Heroine’ or whether they’re singing along to a brandnew song that we’re playing live for the first time, it’s going to be great.”

Silverstein and The Amity Affliction w/Holding Absence and Unity TX WHEN: 6 p.m. Thursday, August 25 WHERE: Marquee Theatre, 730 N. Mill Avenue Tempe COST: Tickets start at $29.50 INFO: silversteinmusic.com

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