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The Sun Lakes Community Theater is preparing a couple of laugh riots in the next two months.

Director Jo Birlin announced her choices for the cast of the upcoming comedy, “Sex Please We’re Sixty,” which will be presented in November.

The prim and proper bed and breakfast owner, Mrs. Stancliffe, will be played by Kathy Miller while her next-door neighbor, Bud “The Stud” Davis, will be portrayed by Mark Wenz, a newcomer to the theater troupe. Mario Carranza has been cast as Mrs. Stancliffe’s would-be suitor, Henry Mitchell. Romance writer Victoria Ambrose will be performed by Ginger Henry. Henry Mitchell’s friend, Hillary Hudson, will feature another SLCT newcomer, Cari Scholes. Rounding out the cast as the lustful Charmaine Beauregard will be Kate King-Turner.

The play will run November 8-12 in the San Tan Ballroom, Cottonwood. Tickets will be on sale at slctinfo.com starting Oct. 12. They also will be on sale in-person from 10 a.m.-noon Oct. 12 and Oct. 26 and in Room A6 in Cottonwood 10 a.m.-noon Oct. 13 and Oct. 27 in the lobby of Oakwood Country Club. Tickets are $20.

“The show promises to be a side-splitting comedy, so don’t miss out,” a spokeswoman said.

Meanwhile, the Sun Lakes Community Theater’s improvisation group, called the ImproVables, is planning a special Halloween dinner show 5:30 p.m. Oct. 28 at Cottonwood Country Club in the Saguaro Room.

The comedy troupe will perform skits and games based on the audience’s ideas and suggestions.

Dinner is included in the $25 ticket price and includes a Halloween buffet of “Halloweenies” (hot dogs with all the fixings), chili, house salad, and a special Halloween dessert. The cash bar will include a specialty drink: Bloody Marys.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m., dinner begins at 6 p.m. and the show begins at 7 p.m. The evening’s fun includes a nightclub-style ambiance. Seating is limited.

The spokeswoman said the last ImproVables show in Cottonwood sold out quickly.

Kate King-Turner, Mark Wenz and Ginger Henry enjoy a laugh while reading the script for “Sex Please We’re Sixty,” which the Sun Lakes Community Theater will, present Nov.

8-12. (Special to the SanTan Sun News)

Tickets are available now at ticketsource.us/sunlakes-hoa-2 and at Cottonwood Palo Verde Homeowner Services.

BY ALLISON BROWN GetOut Staff Writer

It’s time to pull on the lederhosen, lace up the dirndl and throw back a pint because Oktoberfest season is just around the corner.

According to census data, more than 40 million Americans claim German ancestry — that’s roughly 16% of the U.S. population. And, while there aren’t any hard statistics on the subject, it’s safe to bet that at least a few million Americans also just love a good beer. Maybe that’s why the United States is the country ranked fourth for the most Oktoberfest celebrations, with Germany obviously taking first place.

Here are a few of the Oktoberfest events happening across the state this year.

For the first time, Pedal Haus Brewery and SanTan Brewing Company are joining together to host an epic Oktoberfest event in downtown Chandler Saturday, Oct. 1. Julian Wright, CEO and founder of Pedal Haus Brewery, said both of the Downtown Chandler companies decided to collaborate instead of competing.

The Downtown Chandler Oktoberfest will feature beer and food from both SanTan and Pedal Haus breweries plus canned craft cocktails. The breweries will serve a range of beers including German-style Oktoberfests. German fare, including Bavarian-style soft pretzels and brats, will be served.

In addition to the food and drinks, there will be a variety of classic Oktoberfest games and contests, including stein holding, wiener toss and sausage-eating contests. And, in keeping with the theme, a full lineup of live music is scheduled, including a German polka band.

“We are stoked to be joining forces with our friends at SanTan to throw one of the best Oktoberfest events in the Valley this year,” Wright said. “I’ll be emceeing the stein holding and sausage-eating competitions, so grab your

For the first time, Pedal Haus Brewery and SanTan Brewing Company are joining together to host an epic Oktoberfest event in downtown Chandler Saturday, Oct. 1. (Special to GetOut)

friends and lederhosen, this is going to be a fun event.”

Dr. A.J. Chandler Park, 3 S. Arizona Ave., Chandler, 480-656-1639, pedalhausbrewery.com, 3-11 p.m., $15-$25

In partnership with the city of Litchfield Park, The Wigwam is celebrating Oktoberfest with live music, lawn games, German-inspired cuisine and, of course, beer. Those who preorder tickets through Eventbrite will receive a commemorative Oktoberfest glass. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. This event is for ages 21 and older.

The Wigwam Front Lawn, 300 E. Wigwam Blvd., Litchfield Park, 866-9766894, wigwamarizona.com/events, 6-9 p.m., ticket price TBD

Flagstaff will host its 13th annual Oktoberfest this year, complete with drinks, food, live music, contests and even bounce houses for the kids. Beer will be aplenty, as will other typical Oktoberfest eats such as pretzels and bratwurst.

Beer may take the center stage, but Jennifer Grogan, event producer, said the contests are “hilarious,” which is why a side stage is set up for five events throughout the day.

First up is the wiener man race, where people put on hot dog costumes and race to navigate through an obstacle course. New this year is the chicken dance contest. There is also a brat-eating contest, which Grogan said is both a “fan favorite and absolutely disgusting.” Then there is the traditional Bavarian stein contest for men and women, separately. In this contest, participants hold a liter of beer in a heavy-duty glass with their arms in front of them.

The last competition of the day is the frozen T-shirt contest. Grogan said T-shirts are folded, tied and frozen, and teams of two compete to try to be the first to get the shirt undone and on a body. She adds that, because this is the last competition of the day, participants are usually “feeling the alcohol… so it’s pretty funny.”

Wheeler Park, 212 W. Aspen Ave., Flagstaff, 928-606-7600, flagstaffoktoberfest.com, 11 a.m.-8 p.m., $5-$7, kids under 12 free

Haus Murphy is a German restaurant that offers beer, brats, pretzels and Polka year-round. But during October, it ramps up.

The restaurant has been serving German food for 26 years, so while the Oktoberfest fan favorites of soft pretzels and bratwursts are available, there is a whole menu of authentic German cuisine to try.

Limited seating is available, and spots tend to fill up fast, so advance reservations are strongly recommended.

Haus Murphy’s, 5739 W. Glendale Ave., Glendale, 623-939-2480, hausmurphys.com, 5-9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays throughout October

The Four Peak Oktoberfest in Tempe is the largest in the state, drawing 75,000 to 100,000 people over the three-day period.

Food is provided by Denmark Foods, with the featured menu item being a Kilt Lifter Brat in partnership with Four Peaks. New this year, there will also be vegetarian empanadas.

The festival has a carnival with 15 to 20 rides and games. Live music will be played each night, including a performance from a German polka band. There will also be classic Oktoberfest competitions, such as stein holding, brat eating, a wiener dog race and a wiener dog fashion show — which features dog and owner in costume.

Tempe Beach Park, 80 W. Rio Salado Pkwy., Tempe, 60-.625-3493, fourpeaksoktoberfest.com, various times Oct.79, $20, Sunday free

In its third year, the Gilbert Oktoberfest is ramping things up “100%,” according to event director Mike O’Donnell. He said there will be more beer, more food and more entertainment.

The event is teaming with breweries in the East Valley, which will create something completely new.

“They’re creating a collaborative beer for this event, where each one of the brewmasters has been sitting together and they all come up with their own recipe,” O’Donnell said. “We will have that available at every outlet at the event and it will only be available there at the event.”

The event also features the self-proclaimed “Queen of Oktoberfest,” and her band “The Oktoburlesques.” They perform traditional polka blended with today’s hits.

In true Oktoberfest spirit, there will also be a brat-eating contest and stein holding contest. There’s also a kid’s zone and children can enter for free.

Gilbert Regional Park, 3005 E. Queen Creek Road, Gilbert, gilbertoktoberfest. com, 2-9 p.m., ticket price TBD

BY ABIGAIL LACOMBE

GetOut Contributor

Returning to Glendale to compete in Monster Jam next weekend is especially exciting for the Great Clips Mohawk Warrior driver Bryce Kenny.

“Glendale is the biggest floor we run on,” Kenny said.

“I like coming out to Arizona because it enables us to go our fastest speeds, do the coolest tricks, and have the craziest crashes.”

Celebrating the 30th anniversary of Monster Jam, Kenny and 11 other athletes will compete for the championship title on Saturday, October 1, at State Farm Stadium.

Unlike many Monster Truck drivers, Kenny isn’t following in a family member’s footsteps. Finding an interest in drag racing and then moving into corporate America, Kenny wanted more.

Grave Digger driver Morgan Kane introduced Kenny to the Monster Truck world when they met playing soccer in college. After leaving his previous positions, Monster Jam contacted Kenny and asked if he would attend Monster Jam University.

“When they asked me, I was like, what is that?” said Kenny. He then confirmed that yes, it’s a real place, and it’s not like “Monsters University,” the 2013 animated film.

“That all snowballed to now, I’m in my seventh season, getting to do this for a living,” he said.

His favorite thing about the job has been working with his nonprofit, Live Like Warriors, livelikewarriors.com.

“I’ve had this privilege of being the Great Clips Mohawk Warrior and so I get to wear the title of warrior on my chest. Because of this I’ve gotten to meet a lot of real-life warriors,” he said.

His heart opened to service about six years ago after he met a young Monster Jam fan. The boy’s hair started falling out due to chemotherapy. He told his parents, “Before I have to cut

Great Clips Mohawk Warrior driver Bryce Kenny is excited about next weekend’s Monster Jam in Glendale. (Special to GetOut)

all of my hair, can we shave it into a mohawk because I want to be like the Mohawk Warrior?”

“You can’t experience that, and your heart not explode,” said Kenny, getting choked up.

“These young kids have chosen to fight through these really tough battles and it’s so inspiring to me.”

Kenny hopes to inspire others to keep fighting their battles.

“I want to be a megaphone for these kids whose stories deserve to be heard,” he said.

He also aims to develop servant hearts within his children. “I think if I can get them to understand the value of servant leadership, I will have done my job as a dad. We’re doing this together as a family,” Kenny said.

As a family man, it’s important to Kenny that his daughter feels represented. Monster Jam does it right when it comes to equality, he describes.

“Whether it’s regarding race, gender, religion… no matter who is in the audience, we want them to know that they can be out here, too. Doesn’t matter background color, age, gender, anyone can do it,” he adds.

“My daughter likes Monster Jam because dad does it. But, when she’s at the events, she’s all about it. It’s amazing getting to see men and women competing at the same level, with the same equipment. Me and my family were at a local race recently and there was a driver named Amber. When it started, my daughter asked me who the girl driver was and it turned out that’s who my daughter was cheering for.”

Kenny said it’s important that his daughter knows she can compete with the boys. Whether it be riding horseback, her favorite hobby, or following in dad’s footsteps, he wants her to feel empowered.

He encourages all his children to embrace their passions.

“At some point in high school, people stop asking what you want to be and instead ask where you want to go to school,” Kenny said.

“You don’t want to give up on what’s in your heart and then get to 60 years old and have regrets.”

Taking his own advice, Kenny won’t have regrets at 60, as he followed his heart with drag racing.

“It started out as a hobby. But the fan base is so special, and so unique, they made me realize we could create a movement that will help a lot of people,” he said.

And that fan base is what drew him in.

“Our fans are loyal. They go through the battle with us and they’re part of the team.”

They can see the team during the popular pit parties.

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI

GetOut Editor

Returning to the Musical Instrument Museum Oct. 1-2, Suzanne Vega was moved by previous visits.

“It’s a beautiful place,” Vega said. “I remember all the beautiful instruments and what they look like. I began my Instagram account there — however long ago it was.”

Vega’s shows are dubbed “An Intimate Evening of Songs and Stories.” They will feature her on acoustic guitar and her musical director, Gerry Leonard, on guitar.

“He uses a fair amount of electronics,” she said. “It ranges from very acoustic to some of the produced songs. We do the remix version of ‘Tom’s Diner’ and ‘Luka.’ We do a lot of songs people know and a couple of new things. We love it. It’s been great to get back on the road again.”

Vega recently sent to cinemas her one-woman stage show about the life of 20th century American writer Carson McCullers in the Michael Tully-directed “Lover, Beloved.”

The film debuted at SXSW in March. For the trailer, visit https://vimeo. com/680131952.

“It started with an acting exercise that I was given in college a long, long time ago,” she said with a laugh.

“I had seen a picture of Carson McCullers back then and I knew one or two of her stories. I remember we sort of look alike.”

She thought McCullers would be an ideal character to play. When her college professor asked the class to come in dressed as a notable figure, Vega appeared as McCullers.

“I had to be ready to field questions as if I was on a television show,” she said. “We had to really inhabit them. I really got way into her. I ended up doing my senior thesis on her, her work and her life and how they comingled.

“It’s been a lifelong challenge to put her life and work on a stage in a one-woman show. It’s something I’ve gone back to time and time again. The film is the end of that journey with Carson. I’m way older than she was when she died. I thought it’s time to put this down. It’s been such a pleasure and real interesting exercise for me. I’ve loved it.”

The film features music by singer-songwriter Duncan Sheik, who won Tony Awards for “Spring Awakening.”

“He’s great. It was great working with him,” she said. “It was very inspiring. He pushed me way out of my comfort zone. He has a very different sense of melody than I do. I thought we were a good team. I thought we worked together well. Musically it’s thrilling to sing the work.”

The “Lover, Beloved” project was on Vega’s bucket list, of which there are plenty of other tasks.

“I still have more work to do before my time is up,” she said. “I feel like I have more to say, more to do. There were certain goals set for myself as a teenager and I’ve spent my life trying to fulfill all of those goals.

“I had a lot of interests as a child. I used to draw. I used to sculpt. I made busts out of clay. I studied dance for 10 years. I’ve done all kinds of other training — martial arts, the swim team for a while. It was a challenge for me as a kid to express the feelings and ideas of the moment as well as express myself emotionally and personally.”

Vega hopes to move more on stage and be more present when she sings. Acting helped with that goal.

“It’s the whole process of acting to make the emotion alive in the moment on the stage,” Vega said. “It’s surprisingly draining. The film is an hour and 15 minutes. The one-woman show is an hour and 45 minutes. It’s me up there holding on to the audience as someone else. I couldn’t ad lib or change the order of things. I had to commit myself to the moment.”

She hopes to write a book as well, to follow up to 1999’s “The Passionate Eye: The Collected Writing of Suzanne Vega.”

“I’d like to write something a little more narrative,” she said. “I’d love to draw again. I fooled around with painting, but I can’t do everything.”

Where: Musical Instrument Museum, 4725 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1, and 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 2 Cost: Tickets start at $54.50 Info: 480-478-6000, mim.org

“We love meeting the fans,” he said. “It’s not often you get to meet the stars of a show so it’s a unique opportunity to come meet us and then go watch me to do a crazy backflip. It’s a great way to maximize your experience and create another memory.”

When: Oct. 1. Pit party, 2:30-5:30 p.m.; show 7 p.m. Where: State Farm Stadium, 1 Cardinals Drive, Glendale Cost: Tickets start at $25 Info: statefarmstadium.com

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