The Entertainer! - October 2019

PHX METRO » OCTOBER 2019

SOUTHWEST CIDER FESTIVAL

THE GREAT

GIG Jamie Morrison brings English polo to WestWorld

ON THE

GRASS

OKTOBERFEST benefits

@ Tempe Town Lake

admission is free

Presented by

2019-2020

10 Percent Discount on Single Tickets Only with Box Office Code

ENTVIP

Lakeshore Concert Series at Tempe Center for the Arts

SEAN JONES QUARTET Oct. 26, 2019 CARMELA RAMIREZ Y MÁS - CUBOP A Latin Jazz Explosion Nov. 23, 2019

BETH LEDERMAN AND JAZZ CON ALMA A Winter Solstice Concert Dec. 21, 2019

HOT CLUB OF SAN FRANCISCO Mar. 21, 2020

NEW WEST GUITAR GROUP Jan. 25, 2020

HAROLD LÓPEZ-NUSSA Direct From Havana Apr. 25, 2020

CHLOE FEORANZO QUARTET Feb. 22, 2020

TAMIR HENDELMAN’S SPIRIT OF ISRAEL ENSEMBLE May 16, 2020

All shows begin at 7:30pm in the Lakeside Room. Schedule subject to change.

700 W. RIO SALADO PARKWAY • 480-350-2822 • LAKESHOREMUSIC.ORG

The triumphant return of Broadway’s greatest musical,

JUST IN TIME FOR THE HOLIDAYS!

THE SOUND OF MUSIC November 13 - December 29 at The Phoenix Theatre Company

Experience the Best Live Entertainment in Arizona With Craft Cocktails, Small Bites and Free Parking All Year Long.

PHOENIXTHEATRE.COM | 602.254.2151 On the NE Corner of Central + McDowell

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2019

CONTENTS

12

ON THE COVER

5

Jamie Morrison brings English polo to WestWorld

24

REPRESENTING ARIZONA

Arizona State Fair returns with The Cult and deep-fried Oreos

34

THE GREAT

GIG

‘BREAKFAST WITH MUGABE’

Black Theatre Troupe explores soul of the late Zimbabwe revolutionary

ON THE

GRASS

on the cover: Jamie Morrison Cover photo courtesy Bentley Scottsdale Polo Championships

6

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2019

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

52

publisher

Steve T. Strickbine

steve@entertainermag.com

Managing Editor

Christina Fuoco-Karasinski

christina@timespublications.com

FILLING BIG SHOES

Assistant Editor Connor Dziawura

cdziawura@timespublications.com

designer

The Red Sox’s Tanner Houck talks rain, David Price and his mother

Shannon Mead

production manager Courtney Oldham

DAY OF REMEMBRANCE CONTENTS The 15th annual Daisy Mountain Veterans

UPFRONT

8

Top 25 • Jamie Morrison • Apache Lake Music Festival • Show Low Film Festival • Cassette Store Day • Noche en Blanco

CITY

Parade will honor submariners

TRAVEL

26

Exploring Northern California

ARTS

26

Arts Calendar • “Anastasia” • Halloween on Stage • “Breakfast with Mugabe”

DINING

56

Staff Photographers

Kimberly Carrillo, Pablo Robles

Contributing Photographers 363DigitalPhotography.com, Arizona Cardinals, Clare Gillen, Derek Larremore, Irvin Rivera, Joanie Simon, Lauren J Photography, Mitch Brown, Peggy Sirota, Piczo, Slaven Gujic, Tim Fuller, Tim Sealy

36

ONE COPY PER READER

42

Beer and Wine Calendar • Southwest Cider Festival • Ingo’s Tasty Food • Autumn Cocktails

CASINOS

51

Sports Calendar • Red Sox’s Tanner Houck • Cardinals’ Andy Isabella

FAMILY

54

Family Calendar • Fall Festivals • Daisy Mountain Veterans Parade and Picnic

MUSIC

58

Live Music Calendar • Dirty Dozen Brass Band • Bastille • Delta Rae • Jon McLaughlin • Katastro • Rob Halford

ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

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

48

Casino Entertainment Calendar • Gila River’s Cardinals Room • Chef Graham Quayle

SPORTS

Aaron Kolodny

aaron@entertainermag.com

contributing writers

Dining Calendar • Taco Festival • Bitters Popcorn • T. Cook’s

BEER AND WINE

circulation director

Allison Ballin Batz, Brandie Bosworth, Brianna Moore, Bridgette Redman, Carson Mlnarik, Eric Newman, Haley Lorenzen, Katie Sawyer, Laura Latzko, Mikenna Yarmus-Gannon, Natalie Urquiza, Octavio Serrano, Randy Montgomery, Samantha Molina, Samantha Fuoco, Sherry Jackson

20

Beer N Bones • Haunted House Roundup • Valley Spas • Arizona State Fair • The Cult

production@timespublications.com

62

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

NO ‘DOOM’ AND GLOOM

Bastille allows escapism during its shows

DISTRIBUTION SERVICES PROVIDED BY:

NIGHTLIFE Nightlife Calendar • Mad Mixologist

66

IN CLOSING

68

Junk in the Trunk Photo Spread

480.348.0343

OKTOBER 11-12-13 PRESENTED BY Fry’s

FREE ADMISSION

Food Stores

FourPeaksOktoberfest.com

lake front

FOUR PEAKS

STAGE

PARTY LOUNGE STAGE

5:00 PM-

MIDNIGHT

FRIDAY 11 OKTOBER

5:00 PM 7:00 PM 8:00PM 10:00 PM

10AM-

MIDNIGHT

Cliffside Push Zona Road Sugahbeat The Uncommon Good Duane Moore & Mogollon Instant Classics

SUNDAY 13 OKTOBER

11:00 AM 1:00 PM 2:30 PM 5:30 PM 7:45 PM

5:00 PM 7:30 PM 10:00 PM

Whiskey’s Quicker Opening Ceremony Sugahbeat 2 Tone Lizard Kings Stein Holding Contest!

7:00PM9:00PM

NineBall Playboy Manbaby Black Bottom Lighters

Walt Richardson & Friends Das Aubachtal Sextett Spark Jack Daddy Duane Moore & Mogollon featuring Das Aubachtal Sextett Closing Ceremony

AUTHENTIC GERMAN BREWS BARTLES & JAYMES WINE COOLERS BEER SAMPLING

SATURDAY 12 OKTOBER

11:00 AM 1:00 PM 3:00 PM 5:00 PM 7:30 PM 10:00 PM 10AM8:00 PM

EXTENDED HAPPY HOUR

TEMPE’S OWN FOUR PEAKS BREWING

11:30 AM 1:30 PM 3:30 PM 5:30 PM 7:30 PM 10:00 PM

New Wave Order DayWeather Eddie & the Getaway Elvis Before Noon Sara Robinson Band Wyves

BARTLES & JAYMES BRUNCH 1:00 PM 3:00 PM 3:30 PM 6:00 PM

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10:00AM2:00PM

Natalie & the Sweet Talkers Das Aubachtal Sextett The Hourglass Cats Banana Gun

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POLKA ALL WEEKEND!

Das Aubachtal Sextett * Varitones Bouncing Czechs * Das Liederhosen Tony’s Polka Parade

benefits 2:00 PM Sunday benefits Arizona Adopt A Greyhound

programs tempesistercities.org

INCLUDES 3 Beverages, 1 Catered German-Style Meal & 1 Souvenir Stein

CARNIVAL RIDES & GAMES

$

30

ALL DAY PASS

8

TOP25 Carson Mlnarik » The Entertainer!

“Frozen Jr.”

OCTOBER 1 TO OCTOBER 6 “Frozen 2” doesn’t hit theaters until November 22, but you can get your “Do You to Build a Snowman” on early with East Valley Children’s Theatre’s production of the Broadway musical. Adventure through an eternal winter with Anna and Elsa—and resist the urge to sing along to “Let It Go.” Mesa Arts Center, 1 E. Main Street, Mesa, 480.644.6500, mesaartscenter.com, times vary, $15

top prize. Wear your best costumes, and get ready to vote, vote, vote!

Mesa Arts Center, 1 E. Main Street, Mesa, 480.644.6500, mesaartscenter.com, 7 p.m., $20-$100.

Big Gay Classic: “Mean Girls” OCTOBER 3 “On October 3, he asked me what day it was.” Celebrate the most famous day in “Mean Girls” lore with a screening of the cult teen classic that stars Lindsay Lohan, Rachel McAdams and Tina Fey. What happens when the nerdy new transfer student befriends the evil mean girl clique The Plastics? Grab a drink, kick back and find out—and wear pink.

FilmBar Phoenix, 815 N. Second Street, Phoenix, 602.595.9187, thefilmbarphx.com, 7 p.m., $14.

Arizona State Fair “Kinky Boots”

OCTOBER 1 TO OCTOBER 13 A good pair of high-heeled boots can do wonders for a man’s career.

When things aren’t looking so hot for Charlie Price’s family shoe business, he meets Lola, a cabaret performer and drag queen, whose out-of-the-box ideas are just what he needs to turn his life around. With music by Cyndi Lauper and a book by Broadway’s legendary Harvey Fierstein, it’s a good time guaranteed.

Phoenix Theatre, 1825 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, 602.254.2151, phoenixtheatre. com, times vary, $71-$121.

“LipSync Idol”

OCTOBER 2 It’s a Disney lip sync for your life at the second annual Lip Sync Idol.

Watch performers like Ada Vox of “American Idol,” Porkchop of “RuPaul Drag Race” and Glen Campbell’s daughter, Debby, compete for the

OCTOBER 4 TO OCTOBER 27 It’s that time of year! The Arizona State Fair is rolling through Phoenix for three weeks of bright lights, thrilling rides and fried cuisine.

From slides and carnival games to a retro arcade and the first Esports Gaming World, you won’t want to miss a Midway day this season.

This year’s concert lineup includes Lee Brice, Billy Currington, Becky G, MC Hammer and Matthew West.

Arizona State Fairgrounds, 1826 W. McDowell Road, Phoenix, 602.252.6771, azstatefair.com, Wednesday to Sunday, times vary, $8-$12 and kids under 4 free.

Gilbert Art Walking Opening Day

OCTOBER 5 As fall rolls in, Arizonans head outdoors! Enjoy the cooling temps with the kick-off of Gilbert Art Walk’s eighth season. The familyand pet-friendly art show hosts an array of media like jewelry, painting and ceramics, as well as live music.

Make a morning of it and swing by the Gilbert Farmers Market right

UPFRONT

PHX » CITY » LOCAL » PRIDE » DO » SEE across the street! The art walk runs through March on the first and third Saturdays of the year.

Water Town Plaza, 45 W. Page Avenue, Gilbert, gilbertartwalk. com, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., free.

Haunted Phoenix

OCTOBER 5 Prepare to be spooked by Phoenix’s checkered past with a guided bus tour by Arizona “hip historian” Marshall Shore. Learn about spirits taking residence at Phoenix haunts—pun intended—like the Clarendon Hotel, the historic Orpheum Theater and the Pioneer and Military Memorial Park.

The Clarendon Hotel, 401 W. Clarendon Avenue, Phoenix, 602.252.7363, bit.ly/2lEaHwK, 3 p.m. and 5 p.m., $30.

Kolars and a crazy dance contest.

Tempe Town Lake, 80 W. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe, newbelgium.com, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., free.

Donut Fest

OCTOBER 6 Who doesn’t love donuts? Phoenix’s sweetest festival has arrived with one goal in mind: crown Phoenix’s favorite donut. Sample sugary sweet treats from nearly 10 donut vendors alongside beer and coffee.

Admission includes samples, photo booth opportunities, eating contests and a special goody bag.

Helio Basin Brewing Company, 3935 E. Thomas Road, Phoenix, 602.354.3525, bit.ly/2lZrRF9, 1 to 5 p.m., $35-$50 and $20 kids/designated driver.

Four Peaks Oktoberfest

Jonas Brothers

OCTOBER 5 The Jo Bros are back and bigger than ever! The boys released their highly anticipated comeback album, “Happiness Begins,” this summer, and their first headlining tour in nearly a decade rolls through Phoenix. Expect to dance all night to your 2000s faves from “Year 3000” to “Burnin’ Up,” and their first No. 1 hit, “Sucker.” Bebe Rexha and Jordan McGraw are set to open.

Talking Stick Resort Arena, 201 E. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, 602.379.2000, talkingstickresortarena. com, 7:30 p.m., $75-$395.

Tour de Fat

OCTOBER 5 In its 20th season, the Tour de Fat bike parade has raised nearly $6 million for local bike nonprofits.

Featuring comedians, circus performers and New Belgium beer, the community celebration is not to be missed. The parade runs from 11 a.m. to noon, and the party continues at Tempe Beach Park with performances by bands like Slow Ride, The Stakes and

OCTOBER 11 TO OCTOBER 13 Break out the lederhosen! Tempe’s festival for all ages is back and it’s time to eat, drink and be merry.

The annual event hosts the finest offerings in Four Peaks beers, brats and entertainment with a 5K, dachshund races, carnivals and kickball. The packed concert lineup includes performances by Black Bottom Lighters, Instance Classics, Wyves, Banana Gun and, of course, tons of polka!

Tempe Town Lake, 80 W. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe, 602.625.3493, fourpeaksoktoberfest.com, times vary, free and VIP $69-$75.

Arizona Taco Festival

OCTOBER 12 AND OCTOBER 13 Nothing brings a community together quite like its love for tacos.

This annual AZ fixture has scaled up to WestWorld of Scottsdale where it has elevated the tacoloving experience. Admission includes two days of peace, love and tacos with over 50 vendors, a tequila expo, eating contests, dramatic lucha libre wrestling and a Chihuahua beauty pageant. New this year is the Holy Hot Sauce Tent with fearful offerings of some of the spiciest sauces known to man.

WestWorld of Scottsdale, 16601 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, 480.312.6802, aztacofestival. com, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., $10-$220.

now open!

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eggstasy chandler 2430 S. Gilbert Road

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Mesa Farmers Market and Flea Market

OCTOBER 12 Every Saturday, Mesa’s newly renovated Pioneer Park plays host to the East Valley’s most unique farmers and flea market. Featuring delicious vegetables, fruit and food offerings, as well as handcrafted goods by some of Phoenix’s most talented creators, the family- and pet-friendly market is the perfect excuse to spend the day outdoors.

Pioneer Park, 526 E. Main Street, Mesa, mesafarmersmarketandflea. com, 8 a.m. to noon, free.

Arizona State vs.

Washington State football

OCTOBER 12 Football season is in full swing!

The Sun Devils haven’t played Washington State since the 2016 season, and haven’t emerged victorious since 2014, but they’ve got home field advantage this time around. Get in on the action and show up early for tailgating, face painting, games and more at Devils on Mill Avenue.

Sun Devil Stadium, 500 E. Veterans Way, Tempe, 480.727.0000, thesundevils. com, time TBA, $25-$295.

Julia Michaels

OCTOBER 16 This 25-year-old singer-songwriter has penned tracks for the likes of Selena Gomez, Britney Spears, P!nk and Justin Bieber, but now it’s her time to shine. She takes her latest EP, a pop confessional about boys, anxiety and growing up called “Inner Monologue Part 2,” on the road alongside a slew of other tracks you know her for, including 2017’s “Issues.”

Marquee Theatre, 730 N. Mill Avenue, Tempe, 480.829.0607, luckymanonline. com, 8 p.m., $25-$55.

The Big Home and Garden Show OCTOBER 18 TO OCTOBER 20 Holy Martha Stewart! The crafting queen will here for this year’s show to talk about Snoop Dogg, their unlikely friendship and all things home and garden. Plus, you even get to meet her! In addition to a nearly endless line of vendors, this year’s show features DIY terrariums, bath bomb making, demos and wine tasting.

WestWorld of Scottsdale, 16601 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, 602.485.1691, maricopacountyhomeshows. com, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sunday, $10 and kids $2.

FearCON

“We Will Rock You: The Musical”

OCTOBER 13 Didn’t get your fill of Queen with last year’s “Bohemian Rhapsody?”

Worry not! The band’s legendary music comes to life in this glamrock theatrical production featuring some of its biggest hits like “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “Radio Ga Ga” and “We Will Rock You.” With thrilling spectacle and Queen’s Brian May and Roger Taylor serving as music supervisors, we are indeed the champions.

Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Avenue, Chandler, 480.782.2680, chandlercenter. org, 6:30 p.m., $48-$78.

OCTOBER 18 AND OCTOBER 19 In its lucky 13th year, Arizona’s largest independent horror event is back. The film festival and horror convention features two days of horror movie screenings, meet and greets, panel discussions, workshops and horrific swag. This year’s event reunites Lynn Lowry, Rhonda Fuller and the rest of the “I Drink Your Blood” cast for the cult classic’s 50th anniversary.

Sun Studios of Arizona, 1425 W. 14th Street, Tempe, 602.399.9500, phoenixfearcon. com, times vary, $30-$50.

Mandisa’s Girls Night Live!

OCTOBER 19 This one’s for the girls! Mandisa, of “American Idol” and gospel music fame, hosts a night of female community and empowerment with friends Blanca

REAL GOLD. REAL

Burger.

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and Riley Clemmons. Featuring music, humor and worship, it’s all about women’s issues, vulnerability and feeling good.

Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Avenue, Chandler, 480.782.2680, chandlercenter. org, 7 p.m., $18-$75.

Sum 41

OCTOBER 20 Sum 41 has carved out a spot for itself in the world of punk rock with tracks like “Fat Lip,” “In Too Deep” and “Blood in My Eyes.” The Canadian crew is still going strong, touring in support of their seventh album, “Order in Decline.” The band has partnered with PLUS1, so $1 from each ticket goes to support families affected by war across the globe. The Amity Affliction and The Plot in You are set to open.

Marquee Theatre, 730 N. Mill Avenue, Tempe, 480.829.0607, luckymanonline.com, 8 p.m., $33.50-$202.50.

Howl-O-Ween

OCTOBER 25 AND OCTOBER 26 Celebrate the spookiest of holidays with the Phoenix Zoo! Whether you’re looking for tricks or for treats, there’s a little something for everyone with scary and merry activities like haunted trails, paranormal displays, character meet-and-greets, trick-or-treating and a haunting “Scare”ousel.

Phoenix Zoo, 455 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, 602.273.1341, phoenixzoo. org, 6 to 10:30 p.m., $12.95.

Spooktacular Hot Air Balloon Festival

OCTOBER 25 AND OCTOBER 26 Who says Halloween has to be scary? This family-friendly festival features over 20 hot air balloons and tethered balloon rides with a special Halloween twist. Festival goers can enjoy a spooky trail, fireworks, plenty of food and drinks and a kids zone. Plus, dress the

kids up in costume and trick-ortreat till your heart’s delight with 4000 pounds of candy on hand.

Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, 7555 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, 480.270.5000, bit.ly/2lJ4WxM, 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., $10-$15.

Día de los Muertos Festival

OCTOBER 26 AND OCTOBER 27 Mesa Arts Center pulls out all the stops for its annual Day of the Dead celebration. With free admission and parking, visitors can revel in a weekend-long, authentic celebration of the Mexican holiday with delicious food, artistic altars on display, over a dozen cultural performances and an artisan market. The actual holiday may be October 31 to November 2, but there’s nothing wrong with getting the party started early!

Mesa Arts Center, 1 E. Main Street, Mesa, 480.644.6500, mesaartscenter.com, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, free admission.

Hozier

OCTOBER 29 It’s been five years since this soulful Irish singer-songwriter took us higher with his powerful track “Take Me to Church.” He returned this year with a slightly poppier offering, “Wasteland, Baby!,” and brings his moody musings and multi-instrument talents to Phoenix for one night.

Freya Ridings opens the show.

Comerica Theatre, 400 W. Washington Street, Phoenix, 602.379.2800, comericatheatre. com, 8 p.m., $35-$59.50.

“Halloween”

OCTOBER 31 Nothing says Halloween like “Halloween.” Catch FilmBar’s special Halloween night showing of the 1978 flick that started it all.

Haddonfield, Illinois—and Jamie Lee Curtis—have no idea what they’ve got coming when Michael Myers escapes from a mental hospital and returns to wreak havoc. You’ll want to sleep with the lights on.

FilmBar Phoenix, 815 N. Second Street, Phoenix, 602.595.9187, thefilmbarphx. com, 8 p.m., $9.95

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

The Great Gig on the Grass

Jamie Morrison brings English polo to WestWorld Christina Fuoco-Karasinski >> The Entertainer!

J

amie Morrison is used to making an entrance.

As a child, his father, the late Bryan Morrison, was a record mogul who managed Pink Floyd and published Wham!, Elton John and the Bee Gees.

But the elder Morrison took a turn in his 30s: He retired and began playing polo after watching a match in East London. On the day of Wham!’s farewell show at Wembley Stadium in London, Morrison’s father was running late due to a polo match. He didn’t want to miss the gig so he made one request of singer George Michael.

“My father had a helicopter take us from the club to Wembley,” Morrison says via telephone from England. “He told George to hold off going on stage.

‘I’m going to get the helicopter to hover over Wembley.’ When he saw that, he had to wait 10 minutes before he went on stage. The helicopter landed in this police station field by Wembley and Wham! went on stage the last and final time.”

Jamie Morrison will make an

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appearance of a different sort on Saturday, November 2, when polo returns to the pitch at WestWorld in Scottsdale with the ninth annual Bentley Scottsdale Polo Championship: Presented by Talking Stick Resort.

The diverse entertainment includes a half-time rugby match, the World’s Longest Catwalk Fashion Show presented by Phoenix Fashion Week, performances by the Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show, the Canine Couture Dog Fashion Show, a preview of the 2020 Barrett-Jackson’s World’s Greatest Car Collector Auction, as well as field-side experiences and DJ-infused party tents.

The Fried & Fizzy food truck returns with its signature fried chicken and champagne, a combination that exemplifies the casual yet classy vibe of The Polo Party. Those going for the luxury experience can indulge in one of three VIP tents, including the BarrettJackson Champagne & Jazz Lounge, which is serving up French fries and mimosas.

The Polo Party is known for upping the ante with new events each year. This year introduces one-of-a-kind musical performances including oboe, acoustic guitar, a “hip-hopera” fusion, and

songs from an intriguing new musical “Americano” coming to the Phoenix Theatre in January.

This year also offers additional days of polo festivities, with a player reception for all ticket holders Thursday, October 31, and a player and sponsor VIP party for luxury ticket holders Friday, November 1. To continue your polo education after Saturday’s big event, register for Arizona Polo Club’s polo clinic Sunday, November 3.

The highlight of the weekend is the four matchups on the field: • U.S. Air Force versus U.S. Marines • Centtrip Wales Polo Team versus the Arizona Polo Club • The Arizona Equine Rescue versus Southwest Wildlife, a charity match for a $10,000 prize.

The fourth matchup is defending champs Aspen Valley Polo Club, including world-famous player Nacho Figueras, versus The Royal County Berkshire Polo Club, whom Morrison will represent. His father founded the club, based on a sprawling 220acre estate outside of Windsor. Bryan Morrison died in September 2008 at age 66 after a freak polo accident at the club in 2006. He spent two years in a coma.

“In Scottsdale, this is obviously a very American global event,” Morrison says.

“I hope they learn something about the way we do it in our corner of England. I hope to spread the word about English polo and all polo. It’s more than just a brand.

“We’re going to have a little fun and put on a good show for everyone who’s going there.”

Morrison first climbed on the back of a horse at age 5, and gripped a mallet at 14, when he was “big enough to play.”

“It’s in the blood,” says Morrison, who was in Arizona once for a wedding in

1999. “I grew up with it. I was destined to do it. What a horse and a man can do together is pretty astounding. The polo world, the people you meet, the places you travel and visit—like Scottsdale— it’s a real lifestyle and all-encompassing.

Plus, I’m an adrenaline junkie. Polo is right up my street.”

Since then, he has played with Princes William and Harry. Morrison is the chairman of the Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club, the official home of England polo.

His biggest influence—as a businessman and polo player—is his father. His memoir, “Have a Cigar!,” was released in September.

“My dad played down his success in most instances,” he says. “There was one point in the 1980s when he was the biggest independent music publisher in the world, with the likes of George Michael and Pink Floyd. I learned a lot about life and music and business from him growing up.

“I have lots of amazing memories for me and my sister. He wrote this memoir for me and my sister that had so much interest on the rumor mill from fans of George Michael or Pink Floyd people wanted to read the story. For us to get it out now, 10 years later, is a fantastic reaction. It’s a proud moment. The legacy lives on.”

Bentley Scottsdale Polo Championships WestWorld of Scottsdale, 16601 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, 480.360.5845, thepoloparty. com, 10 a.m. Saturday, November 2, general admission tickets start at $30; free for children 17 and younger as well as veterans.

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Celebrating 10 Years

Apache Lake Music Festival brings the heavy hitters for anniversary celebration

JARED AND THE MILL

SHAWN JOHNSON

Christina Fuoco-Karasinski >> The Entertainer!

B

rannon Kleinlein thought he would host a little music festival at Apache Lake 10 years ago, just to see how it would fly.

“I thought, ‘Hey, let’s get some friends together and have a little camping trip.

This would be a great place for a show,” he says. “We didn’t have any major expectations beyond that.”

For $20, music fans saw the likes of What Laura Says, Black Carl, Sugar Thieves, Strange Young Things, Tramps and Thieves, Los Guys, Dry River Yacht Club and Mojo Farmers at what was known as Jerome-a-therapy.

Since then, it has adopted the name Apache Lake Music Festival.

ENTERTAINER STRIP “We got a great response after the first

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year,” says Kleinlein, who also owns Last Exit Live. “From there, we just kept building and gaining momentum through word of mouth and grassroots.

It’s pretty impressive how it’s lasted this long. People look forward to it every October.”

This year—Friday, October 18, and Saturday, October 19—Jared and the Mill and Kongos are serving as headliners.

“Kongos has had tremendous success with a platinum record, hit songs and they’ve played for us before,” he says. “It feels good to have all local bands. It’s something that started with local bands.

They really embrace it as their own festival and we stuck to that formula.”

Besides sticking with local bands, Kleinlein says he looks for acts who can pull a crowd and if they can appeal to diverse crowds.

“We have a vibe with what our crowd likes,” he says. “We want to pull from every scene, if we can. There’s something for everybody out there.”

Also slated to perform is Shawn Johnson, who is making a return to the stage after suffering a stroke in early 2018. The illness led to emergency brain surgery. When he awoke from the medically induced coma, he couldn’t play guitar, Johnson says.

“I was scared,” he says slowly. “I said, ‘This can’t happen.’ Fortunately, it came back.”

Johnson’s stroke came just as he was preparing to promote his latest album, “Sunshine for Someone.” Now that the newlywed has returned to the stage, he’s making sure fans are aware of it. He performs with his band, The Foundation, at 2 p.m. Saturday, October 19.

“Shawn has such a lengthy history,” says Kleinlein, who graduated from ASU’s College of Business in 1997.

“He’s been around here playing the bars and clubs. He’s been consistent throughout the years. He’s talented and a great person. In the mid-1990s, he was on Mill Avenue when Mill Avenue had a lot of live music to play. We’re super excited that Shawn is on the festival bill, still rockin’ it and putting out good stuff.”

Apache Lake Music Festival Apache Lake Marina and Resort, 22.5 mile marker, Roosevelt, apachelakemusicfestival.com, eventbrite.com, check website for door times, Friday, October 18, and Saturday, October 19, $35$60.

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ARIZONA IS THE NEW HOLLYWOOD

16

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

Show Low film festival organizers have faith in the state Octavio Serrano >> The Entertainer!

P

roducer Martina Webster believes Arizona has the potential to rival Hollywood.

“It’s exciting for me to be at the beginning of it,” the Southern California resident says.

“Think about what it would be like to have been there at the beginning stages of Hollywood and how exciting it must have been.”

Webster has made it her mission to support the Arizona film industry while bringing awareness of filmmakers from other parts of the country. To do so, she founded the Show Low International Film Festival.

The event will showcase indie films from Friday, October 17, to Sunday, October 20, at the WME Theater for the second year. More than a screening, the festival allows the audience to meet the folks behind the films and gives directors the education they need to succeed.

“Everybody needs to go at least once because you have this wonderful chance of seeing the movies, unrated and the different genres,” Webster says. “There’s a lot of them that are short, which is a unique experience because you can walk away hoping they make it into a feature film.”

Webster says Show Low is the ideal place for the festival. She discovered the city north of Pinetop when she was scouting out areas for retirement. She has since delved into Arizona’s film industry and met Matthew Earl Jones, who runs the Arizona film office. He’s also the half-brother of James Earl Jones (“The Lion King” and “Star Wars”).

“We had a lot of good talks and I decided that I really wanted to help the Arizona film industry develop more and, in order to do so, we need to attract other filmmakers to the area,” Webster says.

INVALUABLE EXPERIENCE Webster knows movie fans enjoy meeting the faces behind the films. She makes the creative folks available.

“On Saturday, we have what’s called a red-carpet premiere and the audience has the chance to take pictures with them,” Webster says.

“We request that the accepted filmmakers will actually be there because for the film-goer, that gives them the unique opportunity to actually speak to the people that created the film and ask ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

questions directly.”

Webster’s goal is to not only expose the public to new filmmakers, but to host workshops for those in the business.

“We have a workshop about entertainment law. One of my friends who’s an entertainment lawyer in Los Angeles donated his time to come down and give a one-hour talk,” Webster says.

“For me, that’s important because they (filmmakers) make this beautiful film, but if they don’t have that legal side wrapped up, they can never sell it.”

“We have an Arizona filmmaker and lighting professional that’s doing a workshop on how to light things with different moods.”

Other workshops include “What are Producers Looking For?,” “Is My Movie Sellable?” and “Stunts in Film.”

In addition, investors will be on hand.

“I’m super excited because at this festival, we’re actually going to have three buyers present at the film festival, which is a huge thing for the filmmakers,” Webster says.

CHOOSING FILMS When Webster chooses the films, she isn’t seeking a specific genre. She prides herself on finding hidden gems that the audience will enjoy.

“I absolutely love having the filmmakers there and seeing their faces when they see their film, maybe for the first time, on a big screen,” Webster says.

After Webster moves to Show Low, she will continue to focus on promoting and developing Arizona’s film industry.

She hopes the state will someday gain recognition for its talents.

She also wants people to know that the purpose of the Show Low International Film Festival is purely for the benefit of the art.

“I want people to know that everyone involved in the film festival is genuine,” Webster says. “It’s not just a moneymaking project, but that we truly care and that my personal mission is to help the film industry in Arizona.”

Show Low International Film Festival WME Theaters, 1850 S. White Mountain Road, Show Low, bit. ly/2lHzIqY, various times Friday, October 17, to Sunday, October 20, various pricing.

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THE ULTIMATE MIX TAPE Cassette Store Day presses rewind on analog format Samantha Molina >> The Entertainer!

R

ecord Store Day’s sibling, Cassette Store Day, will sweep 100 music stores across the country, including three Arizona

indie locales.

Uncle Aldo’s Attic in Northeast Mesa, Stinkweeds in Phoenix and Weird Kid Records in Casa Grande will take part in the international celebration with countries like Japan, Germany and France.

Founded in the United Kingdom in 2013, Cassette Store Day on Saturday, October 12, aims to increase awareness of the culture and to acknowledge the importance and impact of the vintage music format.

Artists like the late Jay Reatard, the Michigan ska band Mustard Plug, Dr. Dog and Prince and the Revolution keyboardist Lisa Coleman will release exclusive cassettes for the event.

Uncle Aldo’s Attic is celebrating for the first time this year. It has a wide selection of cassettes, including those by Prince and INXS. “It just kind of made sense to join in,”

store owner Desi Scarpone says.

“We already sell cassettes so why not get involved with the event. Because this is our first year participating, I don’t know what to expect. But I am excited to see who this event will draw in.”

According to Scarpone, the store tends to sell quite a few cassettes, especially heavy metal. Customers who are interested in the format tend to range in age from 16 to 40.

“I think part of the appeal with cassettes is being able to physically hold your purchase in your hand as opposed to simply clicking a download button,” he says.

Scarpone says the store plans to celebrate by offering a 25% discount on cassettes.

Stinkweeds will also discount cassettes for the event and offer a limited-edition T-shirt.

Despite a decline in popularity after the rise of CDs, cassette sales and other analog formats are slowly making their way back into music lovers’ collections, says Weird Kid Records co-owner Jeffery Law. “This comeback of vintage formats like records and cassette tapes isn’t just a phase or a short-lived trend,” Law

says. “They’ve always been around.

We are just seeing more people realize the quality that modern formats like CDs and streaming services isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.”

Law also says he feels that cassettes are a way for audiences to show their loyalty and appreciation.

“By streaming music or downloading songs online, you aren’t giving your money to musicians,” Law says. “Artists get pennies, nickels and dimes.”

Music fans can properly support their favorites by “making a physical purchase, whether it’s a tape, T-shirt or poster.”

Law co-owns Weird Kid Records with his wife, Jessika Sandrowski. They say the store has a line up of activities to celebrate Cassette Store Day, from raffles and giveaways to mixtape competitions and cassette exchanges.

“We plan on making the best of the

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event,” Law says. “We are most excited about getting people in here, hanging out with locals and supporting their favorite artists. I think that’s the goal for all the shops celebrating Cassette Store Day.”

Cassette Store Day Participants Uncle Aldo’s Attic, 6016 E. McKellips Road, Mesa, 480.218.1415, unclealdosattic.com Stinkweeds, 12 W. Camelback Road, Phoenix, 602.248.9461, stinkweeds.com Weird Kid Records, 1377 E. Florence Boulevard, Suite 149, Casa Grande, 630.660.9166, weirdkidrecords.com

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THE ROOT OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD

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

The all-white party, Noche en Blanco, celebrates life Octavio Serrano >> The Entertainer!

W

hen Tim Sprague saw his first Noche en Blanco “friendraiser,” he was stunned.

Nearly 1,000 people were dressed in white, celebrating life and the community and, most importantly, raising funds for the Hance Park Conservancy.

Its fourth annual event is Saturday, October 26, at the park, 116 E. Moreland Street, Phoenix. Guests will arrive in creative white cocktail attire to enjoy live entertainment and dancing.

The night culminates with the grand carnival parade with samba dancers.

“What makes it unique is people from all diverse backgrounds come together to celebrate life and community,” Sprague says. “There’s no other place here in town where you get 1,500 people celebrating life.

“This is the largest dinner party in Phoenix, and it’s comprised of people of all different shapes, sizes, thoughts, whatever. It’s a really cool, diverse deal.”

Guests may purchase a table to decorate and are encouraged to preorder a gourmet picnic for two and bottles of wine from the ticket page. Wine may also be purchased from the bar during the event, which features Huss Brewing, Actions Wine and Conceptually Social.

“There are prizes for the best decorated table, there are prizes for the best dressed in white and people go all the way out

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on the extravagance of these tables,” Sprague says.

The night was inspired by a similar “dinner in white” that started in Paris 30 years ago. Hance Park will be decorated with long rows of tables draped in white linen with strings of lights and stars overhead.

All proceeds will benefit the Hance Park Conservancy, a nonprofit dedicated to the future of Hance Park. The organization has been instrumental in developing the Hance Park Master Plan, which was adopted by the city of Phoenix in 2014. They are actively raising funds to help make this plan a reality.

Noche en Blanco was inspired by a similar tradition in Paris, Sprague says.

“We took the idea of a pop-up celebration that occurred in Paris 30 years ago,” Sprague says. “Last year, we had over 1,250 people at the event.

Everybody was dressed in white and they either bring their own picnic dinner or they can buy gourmet picnics at the conservancy or organize for sale at the event.”

Tickets are offered at three levels: $75 for a table for eight; $75 for a gourmet picnic for two; or $30 for a single ticket.

Proceeds go toward the Hance Park Conservancy.

“The money will help program the park and work with different activities and things that go in the park itself,” Sprague says. “It’s a really good time to promote the neighborhood and promote

the culture that’s around.”

The Hance Park Conservancy was formed in the early ’90s in en effort to save the park from being demolished when the I-10 was build.

“On top of that tunnel (I-10) is a 32-acre park that was dedicated in 1992,” Sprague says. “When the federal government made the decision to put I-10 through the middle of town and that’s where it went, the neighbors went ballistic.”

The two entities compromised and the freeway was constructed under the park.

There is still a need for an organization to promote and update the park.

“We formed the Hance Park Conservancy to go out and renovate the park,” Sprague says. “A lot of the grandiose plans that were originally pledged did not occur because of lack of funding. The purpose of the conservancy is to promote the park and the cultural actives around the park.”

Sprague says it’s important to support the park because of the building and population growth. Between 2014 and 2018, the population in the square mile around the park grew from 5,900 people to 12,000.

“This is a neighborhood that is growing like you won’t believe and we are very much involved in the activities and stuff that goes on in the neighborhood,” Sprague says. “This is our Central Park.”

Sprague is encouraging a sense of community. His passion for Hance Park stems from the impact local parks had on him during his childhood in Oklahoma.

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Featured Artist: Jane Boggs

CAREFREE “We did everything in that park every day,” Sprague says. “Because of that relationship, our families knew each other, we would share picnics together and it was just really a social network.

That’s something that you can’t duplicate without having that kind of geographic setting.”

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CITY

STYLE » ENVY » PASSION » FASHION » BEAUTY » DESIGN

Visit with scientists and drink craft brews during Mesa museum’s fundraiser Laura Latzko >> The Entertainer!

A

date night or outing with friends doesn’t have to consist of a conventional dinner at a restaurant or drinks at a neighborhood bar. At the Arizona Museum of Natural History in Downtown Mesa, adults can learn about and interact with different science disciplines while also having a night out with their significant others or friends.

As part of Beer N Bones on Friday, October 18, the museum will have Speed Date a Scientist Q&A sessions, a beerology panel, animal encounters, science stations, artists selling dinosaurthemed work, chances to try different craft beers and cuisine from local food trucks.

Alison Stoltman, the museum’s curator of education, says guests come to the museum when they are children or have young kids of their own. This event helps to attract new audiences of adults to the museum.

“This is an opportunity for us to get a new demographic into the museum of young adults that don’t often come to the museum but are interested in science,” Stoltman says.

Beer N Bones is the museum’s primary fundraiser. This year, proceeds from ticket and alcohol sales and a raffle will help the museum to fund a new gallery focused on Arizona 75 million years ago and the renovation of one centered around inquiry-based learning opportunities. As part of the raffle, the museum will give away a gift basket, a dinosaur quilt and a one-of-a-kind stamp set.

In the past, the event has helped to raise money for Dinosaur Mountain and educational programs. Stoltman says Beer N Bones helps the museum expand.

Stoltman says the event was designed for young professionals who are looking for more creative, interactive experiences.

Besides the museum’s lecture series, Beer N Bones is the only event geared toward adults only.

During the Speed Date a Scientist

activity, scientists from different disciplines are introduced in a game show-style manner, and attendees have a chance to ask them about what they do.

When a gong is rung, the participants move to a different table with another scientist.

Each year, the museum brings in scientists from different specialties, such as paleontology, archeology, zoology, chemistry, planetary geology and biomedical engineering.

Stoltman says this activity is fun for the guests and the scientists.

“They are looking for these opportunities to get their information out into the public. This is a really great medium to do that,” Stoltman says.

As part of the beerology panel, scientists will discuss beer from different angles, including the evolution of the

hop plant, microbial action during the fermentation process, the effects of alcohol on brain receptors, modern-day brewing techniques and alcohol use throughout history.

Throughout the evening, guests can also interact with birds, tarantulas, snakes and lizards.

Partnering organizations will offer hands-on activities such as an escape room, a forensic table or a maker space.

But it comes down to the beer.

Attendees can try a variety of craft beers from local breweries, as well as specialty items such as alcoholic kombucha and craft cider. The alcoholic beverages are donated by local companies. General admission tickets come with two food and drink tickets. VIP tickets have added perks such as early access from 6 to 7 p.m., four food and drink tickets, a

commemorative glass and a behind-thescenes paleo lab tour.

“People tend to think of museums as being heavily funded or supported,” Stoltman says. “It takes public support to fund a museum. Events like that this are really important to supporting our goals.”

Beer N Bones Arizona Museum of Natural History, 53 N. Macdonald, Mesa, 480.644.2230, arizonamuseumofnaturalhistory. org, 6 to 7 p.m. early VIP entry, 7 to 11 p.m. general public entry, Friday, October 18, tickets start at $20 for general admission, $45 VIP. Food and beverage tickets are $4 each or three for $10.

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2019

THE FIRST FAMILY OF FEAR

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Zack Busse relishes in scaring Halloween fans Mikenna Yarmus-Gannon and Christina Fuoco-Karasinski >> The Entertainer!

Z

ack Busse knows the haunted house industry well. He practically grew up around Phoenix’s 13th Floor and Fear Farm.

This year is Fear Farm’s 20th anniversary, and it’s kicking it old school for the celebration.

“Back in the day—quick history lesson—it was just one really huge corn maze and we decided to throw actors in there for fun,” Busse says.

“People really loved it. Over the years, we grew and we built the haunted house.

Everybody’s favorite thing, though, was the haunted corn maze. We’ve brought it back for one year only. It’s an amalgamation of everything that’s worked over the last 20 years—all of our favorite actors and characters and gags

and scares.”

Busse and his team try to mix up the Halloween destinations each year.

At 13th Floor, a new production crew replaces the eight-year employees to give it a “new feel, look and vibe.” This year, classic monsters like Frankenstein, Dracula, werewolves and mummies are roaming the property.

“I think it’s going to breathe new life into the haunted house,” he says.

As for Fear Farm, The Plague is infected with zombies and interactive displays.

The property owner is Busse’s great uncle, who sold it to 13th Floor Entertainment Group. The family leases the property now.

“My entire life I had big goals and aspirations,” Busse says. “I wanted to go to medical school and be a doctor.”

He decided it was too much work, and he wanted to do what he was good at: haunted houses.

“Absolutely. It’s been my entire

life pretty much I had big goals and aspirations. Go to medical school and be a doctor,” he says.

He tossed that aside and got into the field of fright.

“It’s pretty crazy looking back on the

20 years,” he says. “The industry has changed so much. It’s hard to put words to it. If you could describe it, it started as a small mom-and-pop family business and we really made it a staple of the Valley.”

HAUNTED HOUSE GUIDE The smell of candy corn is in the air and the season of shocks and horrors is upon us. Experience the thrills and cryptic stories that local haunted houses have to share with those who dare venture through, or just grab a pumpkin from a patch if scary isn’t your style.

Listed here are some of the Valley’s best (scariest) attractions.

SANCTUM OF HORROR Those who enter the Sanctum of Horror enter the twisted mind of Lenore and relive her terrifying past. Navigate through an ancient graveyard and through St. Charlotte Asylum, where the inmates have taken over. The only way out of this realm of horror is through Lenore’s cell, but beware of her terror.

Sanctum of Horror, 6555 E. Southern Avenue, Mesa, 480.200.8163, sanctumofhorror.com, various days and times through November 2, $22, and $35 for fast passes.

SCARIZONA SCAREGROUNDS This year the Scarizona Scaregrounds features four haunted houses with Startled Darkness, Epic Fear, Slayer’s Slaughter House, Operation Zombie Storm and Virtual Terror. Attendees can purchase merchandise, a snack deal or a scaredy-cat care package upon arrival.

Fast passes are also available for those eager to skip the long lines.

Scarizona Scaregrounds, 1901 N. Alma School Road, Mesa, 480.444.2590, scarizona.com, info@ scarizona.com, various days and times to November 2, tickets start at $15.

FEAR FARM Located on a vast 30 acres of land, Fear Farm invites guests to jump into one of their six main attractions, if they dare. Come with friends or family and enjoy the largest outdoor haunted attraction in town.

Fear Farm, 2209 N. 99th Avenue, Phoenix, 623.866.5378, fearfarm. com, info@

fearfarm.com, various days and times to November 2, $24.99-$32.99 for general admission, $10 for a fast pass and $20 to skip the line.

13TH FLOOR HAUNTED HOUSE Welcome to Phoenix’s most horrifying haunted experience. Attempt to find your way out and away from the horrific nun, Mara, in The Possession or fight your way out of decayed town where the virus PL4-GU3 has taken over the remainder of its population within the Shadows. The 13th Floor may not be suitable for children 12 and younger.

13th Floor Haunted House, 2814 W. Bell Road, Phoenix, 602.456.2250, 13thflooraz.com, various days and times to November 2, $24.99-$32.99 for general admission, $10 for a fast pass and $20 to skip the line.

AZ FIELD OF SCREAMS The AZ Field of Screams features a haunted corn maze that’s planted over a long-forgotten cemetery where the dead seek to raise terror on anyone who dares trespass.

Also

featured is a less spooky family maze and pumpkin patch where you can purchase your Halloween pumpkin.

AZ Field of Screams, 5726 N. 75th Avenue, Glendale, 602.999.3276, azfieldofscreams.com, 7 to 11 p.m.

Fridays and Saturdays October 2 to October 31 $15-$25.

JACK & JILL’S HAUNTED HILL This “psychological thriller” enters its eighth season in the Valley at a hilltop in Sunnyslope. Groups are sent into the 100,000-square-foot, two-story building and experience original theatrical effects and scenes from a live and story-driven cast. Other attractions include pool tables, a dance floor, full-service bar and grill.

Jack & Jill’s Haunted Hill, 3401 W. Greenway Road, Phoenix, jackandjillshauntedhill.com, various days and times to October 31, $25-$35.

TERROR IN TOLLESON Nightmares turn into reality in Tolleson, with 20 new scare zones and themes. Escape the tortured asylum where deranged doctors test toxic waste on patients. Then try to survive the Zombie Apocalypse that follows.

Terror in Tolleson, 8609 W. Preston Lane, Tolleson, terrorintolleson. com, 7 p.m. to midnight Friday to Saturday from October 4 to November 2, $14-$55.

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

Arizona products abound at these Valley spas Brianna Moore >> The Entertainer!

years as a healing property. The Pima people consider it “the most important medicinal plant.” t’s no secret that Arizona is chock Maxine Lopez, a member of the Gila full of natural resources. From River Indian Community and Aji Spa the sage plant to the prickly pear employee, has used the Shegoi plant for cactus, there is an endless array of herself for years. desert plants to appreciate.

“Shegoi has been here since our For thousands of years, people have ancestors,” Lopez says. “Back in the day, incorporated these natural elements into we didn’t have doctors. We had to come up their treatments, remedies and ailments. with our own remedies and different ways Today, spas across the Valley are spoiling to survive and take care of ourselves.” guests with Sonoran Desert-inspired One treatment that uses the Shegoi treatments for a unique spa experience. plant’s healing powers is the hour-long Shegoi Ch Onh—Ancient Shegoi and AJI SPA @ SHERATON GRAND Salt Pedicure ($70 Monday to Thursday; AT WILD HORSE PASS $80 Friday to Sunday). The treatment The Aji Spa at the Sheraton Grand at uses its exfoliating Indigenous body Wild Horse Pass prides itself on offering scrub, which mixes the Shegoi plant and authentic Native American spa services. other local herbs. Polish by the ChandlerIn the Pima Tribal language, “aji” means based Dazzle Dry comes with the service. “sanctuary,” which aptly describes the spa. Founded in 2007, Dazzle Dry is an all-natural, quick-drying nail polish. Agave, The Arizona Spa @ The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa The spa, located near the Gila River The spa formerly used the popular Indian Community, has implemented 6902 E. Greenway Parkway, Scottsdale, 480.624.1000, kierlandresort.com many Pima and Maricopa tribe practices Essie and O.P.I., but Dazzle Dry BOULDERS RESORT AND SPA into its treatments. The tribes’ influences has proven to be a healthier, more says. “A lot of our products and services convenient product to use. can also be seen in the building’s are inspired by the garden and we take The Aji Spa carries its signature architecture and artwork.

The Spa at The Boulders embodies a lot from it. For example, when it’s The Aji Spa sits alone, separate from Indigenous Collection, created with Carefree’s “desert-zen lifestyle” that citrus season, we really try to play to the hotel and golf course, so guests can organic ingredients that have been used restores the mind and body. vitamin C. We’d use a lot of those type immerse themselves in the surrounding by the Maricopa and Pima people as “We want to give our travelers an of natural ingredients to really showcase nature. Many Aji Spa treatments cleansers and remedies. They can be option to get grounded and become one the healing properties that it can hold. incorporate the natural resources that purchased in the spa’s gift store. with the desert,” says Parker Fales, the We also usually pair it with a specialty surround the facility, including the four-year spa operations supervisor. “Our drink, a ginger detox shot, or something Products that can be purchased Shegoi (creosote) bush. biggest thing here is staying true to the include the Indigenous Hand Made of that nature.”

One of the oldest-living plants, the roots of Arizona and trying to zone into Goat Milk Soap with Creosote, the Staying true to its roots, The Spa at the creosote bush has been used in Native what those features are.”

Boulders carries products from ArizonaIndigenous Organic Silky Conditioner American culture for hundreds of The Boulders Resort and Spa was built based companies. Sedona-based Body and the Indigenous Soy Candle. as an homage to the Sonoran Bliss provides The Spa at Boulders with Aji Spa @ Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass Desert. Before The Boulders organic products like red healing clay, 5594 W. Wild Horse Pass Boulevard, Chandler, 602.385.5759, wildhorsepass.com Resort was built in 1985, its turquoise clay and essential oils to use in architect spent over a year treatments. living on the land and learning Body Bliss is also used in the spa’s about the environment that would soon Ayurvedic treatments, like the 80-minute surround the hotel.

Bindi Balancing ($250), the 50-minute After charting sun and moon patterns, Shirodhara ($175), the 110-minute discovering plants and learning about head-to-toe Spirit of Life ($335) and the the nearby animals, the architect began 80-minute Abhyanga ($265), all of which to build the hotel, all while being provide full-body relief. respectful to the land.

The Bindi Balancing treatment The Spa at Boulders came 16 years includes a warm herb exfoliation, meant later, in October 2001, with natural to sooth the body; light massage; cocoon elements incorporated, emphasizing the wrap and facial cleanse. The Shirodhara Sonoran Desert’s beauty. This can even is a harmonizing treatment that is meant be seen in the spa’s yoga room, where to ease the mind and includes a hot oil light coming through the windows hair and scalp massage, followed by a bounces off of the red-clay walls, facial massage. creating the perfect environment for The Spirit of Life treatment sunrise yoga. An on-site organic garden combines both the Bindi Balancing is available for guests to visit and forage. and Shirodhara treatments, providing “We switch out our (garden) beds a complete head-to-toe Ayurvedic seasonally to make sure we’re always experience. Lastly, the Abhyanga getting the best crop at that time,” Fales treatment includes an Indian oleation

I

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THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2019

SUN

The Spa at Boulders 34631 N. Tom Darlington Drive, Carefree, 480.595.3500, theboulders.com

massage, followed by an herbal wrap meant to release toxins from the body.

The store carries the spa’s signature scented Enlighten Candles, which was founded by Julianna Lyddon in Prescott in 2014. She creates organic, slow-burning candles that deliver light, calming aromas.

AGAVE, THE ARIZONA SPA & SALON @ THE WESTIN KIERLAND RESORT & SPA Agave, The Arizona Spa & Salon integrates traditional therapies, ancient healing treatments and Arizona’s natural elements into its services to provide guests with a unique spa experience.

The native agave plant serves as the spa’s main inspiration and is used in many of the spa’s services.

The agave plant is the base ingredient for tequila, and it provides a moisturerich nectar. At Agave, The Arizona Spa, guests can experience the agave plant’s benefits through a variety of hair, skin, nail and body treatments.

The spa also offers a number of tequilainfused services as a part of its signature “Tequila & Lime” series, including the 50-minute Tequila Lime Refresher Facial and the 50-minute Salted Tequila and Lime Body Glow. The “Tequila & Lime” series includes an exfoliant infused with agave pulp, lime, neroli oil and a hint of tequila. There’s also a lotion with the same ingredients.

The Tequila Lime Refresher Facial leaves the skin luminous using the

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agave plant’s hydrating and nourishing properties. Organic lime stimulates the skin cells, while a jalapeño booster improves circulation and tones the skin.

For manicures, tequila and neroli hand cream hydrates the hands.

The Salted Tequila and Lime Body Glow treatment uses the agave, lime, tequila and salt-infused scrub to heal and exfoliate the skin. Then, a lime and neroli shea butter is applied to leave the skin moisturized and refreshed.

The scrub is offered as an option in the manicure and pedicure services.

“We have a scrub that is a salt base and one that is a sugar base,” says Rachel Rock, spa director at Agave. “That’s because sugar is going to be a gentler exfoliant, whereas salt is a bit more aggressive. Just depending on the nature of the skin, we utilize different exfoliant levels for that.”

The agave pulp moisturizes and exfoliates, while the tequila serves as an astringent. The tequila’s alcoholic properties rid the skin of oil and bacteria.

“It also has neroli, which is the scent of the orange blossom,” Rock says.

“That just brings the beautiful essence of Arizona and amplifies that Arizona aspect.”

The spa’s “Tequila & Lime” products are also provided by the Arizona company Body Bliss.

“We love to support other Arizona companies. We love partnering with them and providing their products, which are excellent to our guests,” Rock says.

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REPRESENTING ARIZONA

24

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

Arizona State Fair returns with The Cult and deep-fried Oreos Samantha Molina >> The Entertainer!

T

he scent of mouthwatering fried foods, heartstopping rides and concert performances by awardwinning artists like rapper Lil Pump and country’s Trace Adkins.

Visitors can experience these things and more at the Arizona State Fair from Friday, October 4, to Sunday, October 27.

“We have some truly amazing things lined up for this year’s fair,” says Jen Yee, Arizona State Fair assistant executive director. “You’re not going to want to miss this.”

Fair foodies can expect the classics like Indian fry bread, deep-fried Oreos and turkey legs along with additions like the doughnut tower stick and a 2-foot-long mega corndog.

However, one of the most anticipated treats to be served this year is the Flaming Hot Cheetos pickle—a pickle hollowed out and stuffed with the fiery red snack.

“I remember my family and I going to the fair every year, just for the food,” says Yee, who lives in Ahwatukee. “It was like having a Thanksgiving dinner every time we went.”

Thrill-seekers will get their kicks with a new ride called The Titan, a pendulum-style ride deemed the “the largest portable aerial thrill ride in the United States.” Riders are propelled 180 feet at 60 miles per hour.

Not an adrenaline junkie? Be sure to check out the all-new Esports Gaming World—a must visit for all gamers. The 18-day event is equipped with more than 100 gaming stations and will include virtual reality pods, tournaments, gaming demos, professional teams and celebrity streamers.

Another new attraction to the fairground includes a retro arcade, stocked with ’80s classics such as Ms. Pac-Man and pinball.

The “Monster Museum” will debut just in time for the Halloween season. Fair goers can take selfies with their favorite horror characters—Michael Myers, Chucky, Frankenstein and his Bride—for $5.

The Arizona State Fair will continue to host crowd favorites like rodeos and monster truck. Livestock competitions take up a large portion of the space at the fairgrounds.

Yee says spending time with animals like sheep, pigs and goats and has always ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

been a favorite pastime among women and children.

“While we are an urban fair, we still try to incorporate our agricultural roots throughout the grounds,” she says.

Gate admission ranges from $12 for adults and $8 for children and seniors.

However, Yee mentions that there are quite a few ways to save when visiting the fair. For the first time, the fair will feature “College Day” on October 11.

Students will receive free admission from noon to 6 p.m., with a valid school ID. Popular deals are “We Care Wednesdays,” when attendees can bring in cans of food in exchange for free admission, and “Free Fry’s Fridays,” when Fry’s customers can bring their grocery receipts showing purchases of more than $50 and get two free admission tickets.

“The Taste of the Fair” package will return on Fridays. This offer includes $3 rides, games and select food favorites from noon to 6 p.m.

“It is so important for the fair to be affordable for the community,” Yee says.

“We want anyone and everyone to come here and enjoy themselves.”

The Arizona State Fair is known for being inclusive to the community. Every fall, local artists and creators are showcased and judged as competitive entries, from almost every county in the state.

This year, Yee says visitors can experience a multitude of contests from “best pie” and “best chalk art” to “best world carvings.”

“We even have an Arizona landscape photography contest,” Yee says.

Yee stresses the community makes the state fair what it is today.

“Seeing the locals come out every year to support one another and make memories together. That’s what makes the state fair different from anything else,” Yee says.

“It’s more than just a carnival. It’s a great representation of our state.”

Arizona State Fair 1826 W. McDowell Road, Phoenix, 602.252.6771, azstatefair.com, noon to 9 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, noon to 10 p.m. Fridays, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Sundays, October 4 to October 27, $12 general admission; $8 kids 5 to 13 and seniors 55 and older

CONCERTS

A slew of great performers will be featured at this year’s Arizona State Fair, starting Friday, October 4. Showtime is 7 p.m. and reserved seating is $40 to $60, unless otherwise noted, and that includes fair admission, too.

General admission seating is free with a fair ticket. Here’s who guests can look forward to seeing.

• Billy Currington, Friday, October 4 • The Cult, Saturday, October 5 • Stryper, Wednesday, October 9 • Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo, Thursday, October 10 • Fiesta Friday, Friday, October 11 • Lee Brice, Saturday, October 12 • Matthew West and Zach Williams, Wednesday, October 16 • Trace Adkins, Thursday, October 17 • Becky G., Friday, October 18 • Lil Pump, Saturday, October 19 • Awolnation, Wednesday, October 23 • Chase Rice, Thursday, October 24 • MC Hammer’s House Party with C + C Music Factory featuring Freedom Williams, Friday, October 25

GOOD FUN

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2019

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The Cult looks to ‘Sonic Temple’ for October setlist Christina Fuoco-Karasinski >> The Entertainer!

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he Cult guitarist Billy Duffy admits not every song on “Sonic Temple” is all that great.

So even though he and singer Ian Astbury are celebrating the collection’s 30th anniversary with a show at the State Fair on Saturday, October 5, fans shouldn’t expect the album in its entirety.

“We just made a group decision not to play all of it,” Duff y says. “We made a group decision that we didn’t think all of it was that good. I’m sure somebody will complain and I won’t listen. So far nobody’s walked out.

“We’ve done tours where we’ve played the whole album before. It’s not a new concept. People have been doing it for ages. But I’m enjoying it because it’s a guitar-dominated album. It’s fun for me to play that stuff.”

Among the songs left out are “Wake Up Time for Freedom” and “Medicine Train.” Sticking with a one-album-heavy setlist allows Duff y to focus better.

“It’s kind of nice for me, as a musician, writer and player, to stay in one zone for eight songs from the same era,” Duff y says. “I can get into it. I notice if I play a greatest hits set, I’m chopping and changing between songs from about 1985 to 2016. You have to mentally bridge that gap instantly on stage and make it all seem to fit.

“Nobody was the same person they were 30 years ago. I’m one of those who does enjoy staying in the zone of ‘Sonic Temple’ and exploring the experience again. It’s good fun and I think the songs were very strong.”

Known for playing his Gretsch White Falcon, Duff y admits it’s “nostalgic.”

“It’s big-time nostalgia—with a lowercase N,” he says. “If we hadn’t played for a while and we came out bald and fat with potbellies waddling on stage in Spandex—not that we ever wore Spandex—it would be different.”

One consistency with The Cult is its

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rock foundation. Duff y, 58, grew up on mid-1970s glam and punk, with classic rock mixed in.

“I listened to Bowie, Mott the Hoople, Iggy. I used to like, though, too, Free and Bad Company, and Jimi Hendrix.

I liked The Doors. I had The Doors album, ironically. I had ‘L.A. Woman’ on vinyl. I remember the sleeves’ corners were cut off. I had ‘School’s Out’ by Alice Cooper that had disposable panties in it.

“That’s what’s passed for entertainment in the 1970s. Punk happened when I left high school in Manchester (England) and it was a very vibrant, exciting, new thing that people of my age group experienced. Anyone who’s 58 to, say, 64, and grew up in England, punk was our thing. That leaves such an indelible mark. That’s in the DNA of The Cult.”

Other bands like The Cure, Killing Joke, Bauhaus and Depeche Mode all experienced punk first-hand in England, he says.

“It just affected some people more than others,” he says.

As for his music, Duff y stresses The Cult’s music is just as much for him as it is for the fans. After all, he doesn’t consider The Cult the owners of its songs.

“We’re just serving up the songs.

They’re not our property,” Duff y says.

“Once me and Ian have written the song and put it on an album, it goes out into the public domain. A lot of bands—not just The Cult—are the soundtrack to certain people’s lives. I know music was a soundtrack to my life.

“We were of the moment in 1989, 1990. The band stays current, though, and we live in the decade we’re in. We haven’t lost our hair. That’s a win.”

The Cult Arizona State Fair, 1826 W. McDowell Road, Phoenix, 602.252.6771, azstatefair.com, 7 p.m. Saturday, October 5, $40-$100.

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TRAVEL

VACATION » SIGHTS » DAY TRIPS » ADVENTURE » EXPLORE » TRAVEL

Call of the Redwoods

Exploring Northern California’s forgotten coast Sherry Jackson >> The Entertainer!

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ometimes it’s the journey, not the destination. While that may seem like a cliché, it’s true for this classic Northern California road trip.

Rugged coastlines, towering redwood trees and quaint towns beckon along California’s forgotten coast. Time seemingly moves slower while traversing the backroads and jaw-dropping cliffs along the Pacific Coast Highway. The steep hills of San Francisco quickly lend way to rolling hills and vineyards in Sonoma County and the Anderson Valley. Wineries, farms and pastures are plentiful before meeting the towering redwood trees that flourish in the far northern parts of the state. The rugged coastline of Mendocino is picture perfect, as is the Victorian town of Ferndale. The port and fishing towns of Eureka, Arcata and Trinidad teem with

a true-grit, working-class attitude while integrating the nature-loving, free-spirit boldness of Humboldt County.

TAKE IN THE CITY San Francisco is the most practical starting point for a northern California road trip. Direct flights from Phoenix are abundant. While in the city, a stay at the Clift Hotel in the Union Square district provides a central location for shopping and sightseeing. Be sure to check out the classically elegant, hip and popular Redwood Room, aptly titled with walls made from a redwood tree. The bees the hotel keeps on the rooftop produce 50 gallons of honey a year that is used for its craft cocktails and food.

Do all the touristy musts that San Francisco offers such as riding a cable car, visiting Ghirardelli Square for some chocolate and exploring the many museums. Be sure to take a ferry to Alcatraz Island and spend a couple of hours retracing the home of some of

THE SKUNK TRAIN IN FORT BRAGG PROVIDES RIDERS WITH VIEWS OF THE NOYO ESTUARY (PHOTO SUBMITTED)

America’s worst criminals.

SONOMA Skip Napa Valley and head directly to Sonoma, which has a more laid-back, casual vibe. Here, a stay at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn is a relaxing, luxurious experience and destination unto itself. One of the oldest resorts in the area, the hotel was built on top a natural, underground mineral spring.

The hot mineral waters feed the spa, pools and mineral baths, bringing its “healing waters” to guests.

Be sure to take a stroll around downtown Sonoma. Its historic town square park is a nice shady spot to cool off on a hot day. Every Tuesday, May through September, food trucks and a farmers market line the square. Notable restaurants include the Girl and the Fig, Mary’s for pizza and pasta and Sweeties for ice cream.

From the square, catch the open-air Wine Trolley to explore area vineyards such as Benzinger, Imagery, Mayo Family Winery and Paradise Ridge.

There are more than 1,000 wineries in Sonoma County alone. The Wine Trolley will visit about four or five wineries over a six-hour span, with plenty of time for tastings at each location with lunch provided.

The little town of Glen Ellen is only 8 miles from Sonoma so be sure to make a stop at the Jack London State Park.

Home of the famous writer and his wife, visitors can tour the museum and hike several trails on the grounds, including the ruins of the authors dream home, The Wolf House.

HEAD NORTH It’s here, in the inland valleys, where one can discover unique, small towns such as Healdsburg, Geyserville, Yorkville and Booneville. A stop at the Artevino Maple Creek Winery in Yorkville allows an opportunity to meet artisan winemaker Tom Rodrigues, a self-taught artist from Marin County who decided to leave they hectic pace of the bay 19 years ago and “live his passion.” Rodrigues designs his own labels for his award-winning wines.

He and his staff provide “personal

experiences” and will chat about anything from politics to art to raising Mangalitsa pigs (he’s got 19 or so of the woolly sheep-like pigs on the property).

COASTAL SCENERY Scenic jagged cliffs and steep, narrow roads greet drivers along the Pacific Coast Highway. This route isn’t for those in a hurry as the curvy roads tend to slow you down, but the views are spectacular and it’s all about the journey anyhow.

Plenty of scenic overlooks provide breathtaking sights of the crashing ocean waves. Stops at both Point Arena and Point Cabrillo provide tours of the iconic lighthouses.

Near the small village of Mendocino lies the Brewery Gulch Inn, a peaceful retreat with luxurious accommodations.

This is another destination all on its own. The owners truly go out of their way to provide guests with the ultimate stay. Sit back and take in the views of Smugglers Cove across the highway

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2019

while sipping local wines. A light dinner buffet each evening for guests means you never have to leave. The cooked-to-order breakfast the next morning provides a great start to whatever adventure awaits.

FINALLY, REDWOODS In Fort Bragg, take a ride on the Skunk train. The Pudding Express

thicker and the air crisp and clean.

Highway 1 meets up again with Highway 101 and meanders through the Humboldt Redwoods State Park. While you may have had a glimpse of these towering giants, it’s here where you really begin to understand their magnificence.

Plenty of stops allow for exploration of the fern-laden forests.

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THE FAIRMONT SONOMA MISSION INN IS THE ULTIMATE GETAWAY (PHOTO SUBMITTED)

FERNDALE PAUL BUNYAN GREETS VISITORS AT THE TREES OF MYSTERY IN KLAMATH

(PHOTO BY SHERRY JACKSON)

The small Victorian town of Ferndale has been a movie backdrop for decades.

Films such as “The Majestic,” “Salem’s Lot” and “Outbreak” were all filmed here. Victorian homes, quaint shops, restaurants and art galleries line Main Street. At local diner Poppa Joe’s, retired local dairymen play poker and help the staff when things get busy. Ferndale Pizza Factory offers up a good slice. For a great place to rest, the “Barndominium” and adjacent “Quarters” Airbnb offer vintage charm as an option to the town’s Victorian bed and breakfast options.

EUREKA The fishing, trade and logging community of Eureka is still very much a hub of commerce serving Humboldt County. A stop at Fort Humboldt will provide insight into the town’s logging roots, the fort and its role in history. A 75-minute harbor cruise on the Madaket, the oldest continually operating passenger boat, takes visitors around Arcata Bay. The 67-acre Sequoia Park, nestled in town and adjacent to the zoo, offers easy hikes amongst the towering giant redwood trees and a calm and quiet oasis within the city. For breakfast, lunch or dinner, the Samoa Cookhouse has been serving loggers and patrons since 1890 and is a must-stop offering home cooking, served family style.

MORE REDWOODS route takes riders on a 7-mile, one-hour journey from the train station, alongside Pudding Creek and old-growth redwood groves, over scenic trestle bridges, and into the heart of the Noyo River Estuary and back.

As the road trip continues and the highway curves back inland, the trees become taller, the foliage greener and

Heading even farther north, Trinidad State Park offers great views of the marina, set below its towering cliffs.

Put your feet in the sand and listen to the crashing waves at Trinidad Head.

Redwoods dominate the terrain a little farther north and the Redwood State and National parks are worthy of at least a drive through.

Last, but not least, a stop at the kitschy

SPA AND CABANAS AT FAIRMONT SONOMA MISSION INN (PHOTO SUBMITTED)

roadside attraction The Trees of Mystery in Klamath is worthwhile, where giant statues of Paul Bunyan and Blue greet visitors. After purchasing tickets, you’ll take a short hike through the redwood forest before boarding a gondola that takes you on a 7-minute ride to the top of the mountain. There’s an observation deck to take in the views before

descending back down.

Northern California has so much to offer and is as diverse as it is scenic.

Walking amongst redwood trees is a way to feed your soul in ways that can’t be explained. Take the time, slow down and explore the untamed and natural forgotten coast and valleys of Northern California.

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ARTS

CULTURE » THEATER » DANCE » GALLERY » DRAMA » VISION

ARTS

CALENDAR Randy Montgomery >> The Entertainer!

“A Vampire Tale”

OCTOBER 3 TO OCTOBER 12 Dubbed “‘The ‘Nutcracker’ of Halloween,” the yearly haunt is celebrating its 16th anniversary.

Long-time Scorpius Dance Theatre members step into the lead roles as queen and king of the vampire klan. The dark and sexy drama features quirky and comedic episodes, visually stunning dance and aerial feats. This popular, sellout production keeps fans coming back for more. This show is most appropriate for teen/adult audiences.

Phoenix Theatre, 1825 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, 602.254.2151, scorpiusdance. com, 7:30 p.m., $32-$52.

deep in the midst of Jim Crow, the story is loosely based on the life of Jack Johnson, the world’s first African-American heavyweight boxing champion. The play explores one man’s struggle while reflecting a much broader one. It is also a play about a brother and his sister.

Arizona Theatre Company, Herberger Theater Center, 222 E. Monroe Street, Phoenix, 602.256.6995, arizonatheatre. org, times vary, $25-$77.

Mariachi & Folklorico Festival OCTOBER 5 The rich, cultural history of Mexico fills the stage as this bright, colorful festival returns to Chandler. The 20th annual event features Grammy Award winner Aida Cuevas with Mariachi Aztlán, along with a dazzling array of folklorico dancers firmly rooted in tradition. Don’t miss the Queen of Mariachi performing the music of the legendary Juan Gabriel.

Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Avenue, Chandler, 480.782.2680, chandlercenter. org, 7 p.m., $45-$85.

INSPIRACIÓN FLAMENCA BY MARY NELLE BROWN

Flamenco Intimo | Julia Chacón Flamenco Theatre

EDWIN LEE GIBSON AND ROBERTO ANTONIO MARTIN IN ATC’S “THE ROYALE.”

“The Royale”

OCTOBER 3 TO OCTOBER 20 This power-packed boxing drama is a theatrical and emotionally moving piece about the life of the outsider in American culture. Set in 1910,

OCTOBER 4 TO OCTOBER 26 Julia Chacón Flamenco Theatre brings the power of internationally experienced flamenco dancers and musicians to Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts every Friday and Saturday night in October. Beautiful costumes, undulating arms, fiery footwork, intricate Spanish guitar and soul-stirring vocals come together to deliver an unforgettable show.

Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, Stage 2, 7380 E. Second Street, Scottsdale, 480.499.TKTS (8587), scottsdaleperformingarts. org, 8 p.m., $22-$29.

Chandler Symphony Orchestra: New Horizons

OCTOBER 6 Join Conductor Maestro Nikolovski for his debut classics concert.

Musical selections include Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: “Overture to La Clemenza di Tito” and J.S. Bach: “Concerto for Piano and Orchestra in F Minor.” The concert is free, but donations are accepted. Tickets are not required.

Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Avenue, Chandler, 480.782.2680, chandlercenter.org, 3 p.m., free.

“The Lavender Scare, Then and Now”

OCTOBER 7 Arizona Opera’s “Fellow Travelers” takes place in a dark time in American history known as the “Lavender Scare,” in which homosexual government employees were forced out of their jobs based on their sexuality. In preparation for upcoming performances, the opera will partner with local community organizations to host a panel discussion with LGBTQ advocates and historians about this critical time in our country’s history, how rights for the LGBTQ members of our community have evolved, as well as current challenges.

Arizona Opera, Herberger Theater Center, 222 E. Monroe, Street, Phoenix, 602.266.7464, azopera.org, 7 p.m., free but reservations are required.

“The Crucible”

OCTOBER 11 TO OCTOBER 27 Arthur Miller’s masterpiece centers around a farmer, his wife and a young servant girl, all three of which are dangerously intertwined in a story of deceit, jealousy and hostility.

How far can a young girl’s word go in the court of law? Winner of the 1953 Tony Awards for best play, this drama about the Puritan purge of witchcraft in old Salem is a gripping historical play and a timely parable of our contemporary society.

TheaterWorks, Peoria Center for the Performing Arts, Gyder Theater, 10580

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2019

N. 83rd Drive, Peoria, 623.815.7930, theaterworks. org, times vary, $18-$38.

home. The current landscape of housing and the universal and timely themes of gentrification and migration are rendered in the choreography. Ordinary people inhabiting and leaving a structure are brought to life.

ASU Gammage, 1200 S. Forest Avenue, 480.965.3434, asugammage.com, 7 p.m., $20.

Mason Performing Arts Center, 1333 E. Washington Street, new-wp.blacktheatretroupe. org, times vary, $41.

PuppetWorks: “BOO! A Halloween Spooktacular”

OCTOBER 12 TO OCTOBER 26 Get ready for Halloween and grab the entire family! On the scariest street in town, so scary no kid dares go trick-or-treating, three friends set out on a Halloween adventure filled with hilariously spooky shenanigans performed in the black light style of puppetry.

TheaterWorks, Peoria Center for the Performing Arts, McMillin Theater, 10580 N. 83rd Drive, Peoria, 623.815.7930, theaterworks.org, times vary, $10.

“Kinky Boots”

TO OCTOBER 13 Things look grim for Charlie Price’s shoe factory until he meets Lola, cabaret performer and drag queen, whose daring ideas might just turn the failing business around.

Together, they hatch a plan to save the company and give intolerance the boot! Based on a true story, this Tony Award winner for best musical boasts tunes by Cyndi Lauper and a book by Broadway legend Harvey Fierstein.

Phoenix Theatre, 1825 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, 602.254.2151, phoenixtheatre. com, times vary, $41-$126.

“Home”

OCTOBER 19 This large-scale performance project revolves around the life-cycle of a house. Created through a mix of illusion, choreography, construction and live documentary, the presentation illuminates the messiness of life that transforms a house into a

“Anastasia”

“Napoli”

OCTOBER 24 TO OCTOBER 27 Ballet Arizona along with the Phoenix Symphony present the festive and uplifting story of Gennaro, a poor fisherman, and his beloved Teresina. Teresina is washed away in a great storm only to be rescued by sea-nymphs ruled by an evil sea spirit. The couple’s love must overcome trials and temptations so that light prevails over darkness in the best tradition of Romanticism.

Ballet Arizona, Phoenix Symphony Hall, 75 N. Second Street, Phoenix, 602.381.1096, balletaz. org, times vary, prices vary.

OCTOBER 29 TO NOVEMBER 3 Inspired by the beloved films comes a romantic and adventure-filled new musical. This dazzling show transports us from the twilight of the Russian Empire to the euphoria of Paris in the 1920s, as a brave young woman sets out to discover the mystery of her past. Pursued by a ruthless Soviet officer determined to silence her, Anya enlists the aid of a dashing conman and a lovable ex-aristocrat. Together, they embark on an epic adventure to help her find home, love, and family.

ASU Gammage, 1200 S.

Forest Avenue, Tempe, 480.965.3434, asugammage. com, times vary, prices vary.

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Tim Burton’s “A Nightmare Before Christmas”

OCTOBER 31 TO NOVEMBER 3 This Halloween weekend, join Stuart Chafetz, conductor, and the entire Phoenix Symphony as they celebrate Tim Burton’s wildly inventive multi-holiday classic. While the film is shown in its entirety, Danny Elfman’s rambunctious, colorful score soars to life as you follow Jack the Pumpkin King’s quest to seize Christmas on the big screen above the full orchestra. The film is rated PG, and the performance is family friendly (open to audiences age 5 and older). Patrons of all ages are welcome to come dressed in Halloween costumes.

Presented by Phoenix Symphony.

Phoenix Symphony Hall, 75 N. Second Street, Phoenix, 602.495.1999, phoenixsymphony. org, times vary, $25-$93.

“Breakfast with Mugabe”

OCTOBER 25 TO NOVEMBER 10 Eavesdrop on the conversations between Robert Mugabe, controversial former president of Zimbabwe, and his psychiatrist as he seeks help. He is being haunted by a vengeful spirit, the ghost of a former revolutionary comrade turned potential rival. In this suspenseful historical thriller, explore whether or not Mugabe is a monster or a victim, freedom fighter or dictator. This taut meditation on guilt and power is a look into one man’s sick conscience.

Black Theatre Troupe, Helen K.

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A Dream Come True

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Costumer Linda Cho is dressing royalty in ‘Anastasia’ Bridgette Redman >> The Entertainer!

S

ometimes, when history is too terrible to be true, we create a fairy tale that allows us to dream and to hope.

The musical coming through ASU Gammage later this month starts in the story of a revolution—and the family that was massacred so it could get its start. But it then creates the fairy tale from the rumors and dreams and con artists that followed.

“Anastasia” is the Broadway musical of the Russian Revolution and the execution of the Romanovs. It asks what might have happened if, as many people throughout history supposed, the youngest of the princesses escaped execution and somehow survived to carry on the family name. It is a story that provides hope among tragedy, dreams among horror.

In the musical version, we meet a young woman named Anya on the streets of Russia who is suffering from amnesia and may or may not be the missing Princess Anastasia.

The show was a dream come true for Linda Cho, the Tony-winning costumer of “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder,” who created create the more than 125 stunning gowns, uniforms and period costumes from Moscow and Paris for “Anastasia.”

“I like the scale and scope,” Cho says. “What we aspire to do as costume designers is to tell these magnificent stories. What’s great about ‘Anastasia’

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or an epic opera is not only the scale of the show and the costumes, but the sweeping arc of the story. That’s what is exciting about these big projects.”

Cho made her Broadway debut in 2013, designing the Edwardian costumes for “Gentleman’s Guide” that were impressive. They were striking in variety and appearance, and allowed the lead actor to make a parade of quick costume changes in less than a minute.

Before that, Cho had a long career creating costumes for theater, dance and opera.

Nicholas II, the last tsar of Russia, was somewhat of an amateur photographer, and many of the photos he took of his family are preserved in museums Cho visited.

It was educational for Cho. “What I found so delightful was the intimacy of this family who in their day would have been like gods,” Cho says.

“But in their everyday life, he was a very shy man as was his wife. They preferred the company of their immediate family.

They functioned like a small, tight-knit family. The girls were given daily cold baths so they would never forget to be humble, to toughen their constitution and to keep them from being spoiled.”

Cho says there was an embarrassment of riches when it came to researching

this show’s costumes because there is so much information about the late 1910s and the 1920s.

“You have to choose and commit at the end of the day when there is such a great volume,” Cho says. “I got to pick my favorites—the greatest hits of the research.

I chose whatever jumps out and helps me tell the story, what would read to the audience as either feeling very Russian or very Parisian or very wealthy or very rustic.”

Cho likes to work in layers, and her creations are always textured to create a beautiful stage picture. One of her dresses—one worn by the tsarina— weighs nearly 50 pounds. In the Broadway production, it had to be lifted by crane to the actor’s dressing room. More than 45 different types of jewels are sewn into it.

She says the tsarina’s actual dress would have been covered in diamonds and pearls and cost close to $10 million.

Her favorite costume was the black gown the dowager empress wears to the ballet in Paris.

“It was a cross between a royal, imperial gown—the long train and the dust ruffle was reminiscent of the tsarina—and the style of an older woman,” Cho says. “She is an older woman in 1927 and would have kept her things for a long time. I thought that period looked so beautiful. I enjoyed figuring out what that dress should be and how it could look the most regal, the most expensive and the most impressive on that stage at the ballet.”

After the research, Cho starts her design process with a black and white sketch on pencil and paper that she shares with the director. After getting notes, she goes back to color it. The dress

is finished within a few days to a few years, depending on the project. She says she typically has a few years lead time with an opera and only a month for regional theater.

For “Anastasia,” the finale’s dress—the iconic red number with hundreds of jewels, yards of ruffles and a 16-karat gold crown—was created quickly.

When the show was in previews, the director came to her and said he thought they needed something else other than what was currently on stage.

“So, I basically had 20 minutes to design it on paper,” Cho says. “We built it in three days. We had six people working on it, building it, and we got it up in three days.”

When designing the original costumes, changes were made to make the outfits more utilitarian and to assist in telling the story. For example, in the 1920s, the ideal figure was that of a teenage boy—slim hips and no breasts.

But not all women are built that way.

“Costume designers employ tricks when we look at period research,” Cho says. “I take the liberty of having the general feeling of that period, still retaining the drop waist, but having a more curvaceous silhouette and a fuller skirt. A ’20s dress would have gone straight down, but you can’t dance and do high kicks in that.”

Whenever an outfit is built, the costumer works with the actor to make sure it fits correctly.

“The quality of the work—I have to give credit to the dressmakers and stitchers and tailors,” Cho says. “That speaks to their skill and care and love for the art.”

“Anastasia” ASU Gammage, 1200 S. Forest Avenue, Tempe, asugammage. com, various times Sunday, October 29, to Sunday, November 3, see website for ticket pricing.

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T ROIRC-K T R E A T?

Get ready to be spooked at Valley stages Bridgette Redman >> The Entertainer!

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he winds of October are blowing, scaring up spooks and scarecrows, witches and zombies, and spirits out to raise your hackles and send a chill down your spine.

Throughout the Valley, artists are filling their stages with stories, events and performances designed to put you in the mood for some Halloweenish fun.

Your choices are myriad—from teenage souls dragged down to hell

by Bloody Mary to human meat pies made by a vengeful barber to a headless horseman haunting a quiet town’s forest—you can grab your tickets now and celebrate in style with any of these unforgettable experiences.

Come take a tour of some of the many Halloween events:

RAISE YOUR RAZOR HIGH, SWEENEY The Arizona Broadway Theatre ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

is remounting its successful, grand spectacle of a production of Stephen Sondheim’s “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.”

In the musical, deemed by some to be the master lyricist’s best work, Sweeney Todd is a vengeful man who returns to London to find his wife and daughter have been permanently snatched from him by a corrupt judge. He teams up with Mrs. Lovett, the owner of a pie shop, to get his grisly revenge.

Reprising the title role is Tony Edgerton, who also played Beast in ABT’s “Beauty and the Beast.” He is eager to again tackle such an iconic role, one he says you could approach 12 times and play differently each time because he is so complex.

“This time for me, I’m really toying with the vengeance,” Edgerton says.

“He is out for revenge and vengeance.

He has to make things right. A grander, overriding concept is that he could be any of us. This is mentioned in the score.

We all have this capability of being a monster. What justifies being a monster and what doesn’t? When is vengeance justified and when is it not?”

Edgerton sees the role of Sweeney as having Shakespearean scope, of being an anti-hero like Macbeth, who starts out as a likable man whose thirst for power becomes his demise.

“That’s how I feel about Sweeney,”

Edgerton says. “Sweeney Todd becomes this force of vengeance that takes you over. It enrages you.”

In true Halloween spirit, the musical deals with murder and cannibalism, but it is not the gore fest of a horror flick.

Rather, Edgerton points out, Sondheim is writing about humans and the human experience and provides “emotionally deep stuff” for all his characters. “(Most of the murders) happen during a song sequence,” Edgerton says. “It’s a really beautiful song sequence and you understand the disconnect between what he is doing and what he is feeling and thinking. You start to understand why and how he disconnects himself.”

Arizona Broadway Theatre, 7701 W. Paradise Lane, Peoria, azbroadway. org, various times October 11 to October 26, various pricing.

CRYPTS AND TAROT CARDS HAUNT ASIDE THEATRE The Aside Theatre has a season filled with spooky tales that include mummies, Rosemary’s baby, murder and punishment, and even iguanas.

For October, they bring a pairing of shows to their stage: “Cask and Crypt”

by Ben Gill and “The Canterbury Tarot”

by Ashley Naftule.

The first one-act show is an irreverent dark comedy directed by Nathaniel Burns. The titular characters are

Mortimer Cask, a gay British sin eater who is worldly and pragmatic, and Adrian Crypt, a Goth emo funerary violinist who is young, passionate about his music and unthinkingly sincere.

They are joined by the Deevers—the deceased king of Mortavia, his sister and heiress to the throne, his unscrupulous, voluptuous wife—and the widow’s lover.

The second one-act show is also a comedy, one in which “The Canterbury Tales” have been rewritten to include the major Arcana of the tarot.

Aside Theatre, 3508 N. Seventh Street, Suite 130B, Phoenix, asidetheatre. com, various times and pricing October 4 to October 20.

THE HORSEMAN RIDES AGAIN Long before television, people reenacted the spooky feeling of gathering around a campfire by sitting around large radios as teams of actors and sound effect technicians performed radio plays.

Ghostlight Theater brings back those techniques this October with “The Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow: A Live Radio Broadcast.”

The play is based on the Washington Irving 1820 short story of Ichabod Crane, a superstitious schoolmaster who is chased from courting his beloved by a headless Hessian. He disappears and is never seen again.

Ghostlight Theatre, 13541 W. Camino

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2019

del Sol, Sun City West, ghostlightaz. com, various times and prices October 24 to November 3.

WITCH HUNTS GONE AWRY Theater Works in Peoria is taking a more serious approach with its October mainstage offering, for sometimes the spookiest of stories are those of the evil that all-too-natural human beings perpetuate on each other.

They are performing Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible,” in which the residents of Salem become convinced that witches are haunting their girls—girls who take full advantage of their newly found power to wreak revenge on anyone they choose.

Directed by Chris Hamby, it explores how far a young girl’s word can be taken in a court of law, an issue that continues to be complex and timely.

Theater Works’ Gyder Stage at the Peoria Center for the Performing Arts, 10580 N. 83rd Drive, Peoria, theaterworks.org, various times and prices October 11 to October 27.

Tale” has an imaginative and exciting energy,” choreographer Lisa Starry says.

“Our new king, Haydehn Tuipulotu, and queen, Kalli Sparish, have both been members of Scorpius for over eight years.

It’s thrilling to have fresh ideas come to our classic production as they step into our lead roles. Audiences can expect the same high-octane, high-quality spectacle of Scorpius, and with our new vampire royalty, audiences can also expect several new surprises.”

The show, which always sells out, showcases 17 dancers and aerialists. For the fourth straight year, it also features Scorpius dancer Martha Hernandez in the role of the Innocent and Stray Cat associate artistic director Louis Farber as the comic narrator.

Scorpius Dance Theatre at The Phoenix Theatre Company’s The Hardes Theatre, 100 E. McDowell Road, Phoenix, scorpiusdance.com, various times and prices October 3 to October 12.

BLOODY MARY IMPERILS CARELESS SUMMONERS CaZo dancers know how to haunt with their full-length story ballets.

Under the direction and choreography of Bridgette Borzillo, three unfortunate souls—Evelyn Grace, Betty Pearl and Roselyn Opal—get pulled into the Underworld through the mirrors when they try to summon the Queen of the Underworld and Bloody Mary.

Now they are in the fight of their lives to try to escape.

“Bloody Mary” includes a pre-show performance to get audience members who arrive early in the mood.

CaZo Dance Company, Mesa Arts Center’s Nesbitt-Elliott Playhouse, 1 E. Main Street, Mesa, cazodance.com, various times October 25 and October 26.

STARLIGHT GOES CREEPY AND KOOKY FOR HALLOWEEN When the curtain goes up on the ghosts and ghoulish figures at Starlight

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Theatre, director Susan Gibson wants audiences to be assured that the musical they’re about to witness is much more a comedy than anything horrific or scary.

One would expect little else from “The Addams Family Musical,” the teen performance that opens October 25. The musical has Wednesday bringing home a “normal” boyfriend and arranging a dinner between the two sets of parents in the hopes that they will like each other. She confides in her father that she is in love, but asks him to keep it a secret from her mom, something he’s never done before.

“It’s not a scary show,” Gibson says.

“It is a really funny show. There are moments of caring and loving and friendship throughout the whole thing.

We want it Halloweeny type and ghoulish, but it is definitely more of a comedy than a thriller.”

Starlight Theatre, 1611 W. Whispering Wind Drive, Phoenix, starlightcommunitytheater.com, various times and pricing, October 25 to November 10.

PUPPETS PROVIDE A SPOOKTACULAR, GLOW-INTHE-DARK EXPERIENCE Theater Works hasn’t forgotten about the youngers this Halloween. With all the scary stories for adults, they’re making sure kids have something to enjoy too.

“BOO! A Halloween Spooktacular” is put on by their Puppetworks division under black lights so that all the puppets—and even the audience members—glow in the dark. It is geared toward audience members ages 3 to 8 and includes a post-show demonstration of puppets and for an extra $4 fee, a chance for kids to make their own puppets.

The story takes place on the scariest street in town—a street so scary that kids won’t even go trick-or-treating on it.

Three brave friends decide they’ll explore the street, going on an adventure filled with spooky shenanigans and immersed in laughter and humor.

Theater Works’ McMillan Theater at the Peoria Center for the Performing Arts, 10580 N. 83rd Drive, Peoria, theaterworks.org, various times and prices October 12 to October 26.

DANCERS DESCEND INTO THE DARK SIDE For 16 years, Scorpius Dance Theatre has presented its original show, dubbed the Nutcracker of Halloween, “A Vampire Tale.”

In it, a young innocent girl is drawn into the seductive world of vampires, performed with dance and aerial feats, heart-thumping music composed by local musician Kristopher Hill, and comic acting. This year features two new Scorpius members performing the part of the leads.

“This year’s production of “A Vampire ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

‘BREAKFAST WITH MUGABE’ Black Theatre Troupe explores 34

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soul of the late Zimbabwe revolutionary Bridgette Redman >> The Entertainer!

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he Black Theatre Troupe knows how to pick relevant shows, and sometimes unexpectedly timely ones.

On October 25, they open “Breakfast with Mugabe,” a dramatic, historical thriller by Fraser Grace in which the lead character is Robert Mugabe, the revolutionary founder of Zimbabwe. Just as rehearsals started, it was announced in the news that the hero turned despot had died on September 6 in Singapore at the age of 95.

Mugabe helped what was then known as Rhodesia achieve its independence from Great Britain. He ruled from 1980 to 2017 as prime minister and then as president.

Director Louis Farber says his longevity is one of the fascinating aspects about him, something Americans can’t always identify with—having an elected leader in the top office for 37 years.

“This is a man who was in power for an extraordinarily long time,” Farber says. “It’s interesting and strange to think about how one is able to do that— to keep themselves in that position of power for such an extended period of time.”

While the play itself is fictional, an exploration of Mugabe’s visits to a psychiatrist to rid himself of a vengeful

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spirit, it uses much of his real life and history to explore questions of power, guilt, manipulation and exploitation.

“The thing that makes this play interesting is that it uses this man, who is real, and uses history and facts and things that are real and sets it in a made-up scenario, a thing that isn’t real,” Farber says.

“So we’ve been given an interesting opportunity to examine this man and the politics of this time and his choices through this made-up encounter with a psychiatrist.”

Joining Mugabe on stage are Andrew, his psychiatrist; Grace, his second wife; and Gabriel, the president’s bodyguard.

They all have their needs and each contributes to the final, unexpected ending.

“The play is kind of like watching a mental game of chess that all of these four characters are playing,” Farber says.

“You’re not sure who is being honest with who, who should be trusted, who is looking out for someone else or for themselves.”

Mugabe is in a state of paranoia, plagued by a malevolent spirit of someone who had once been his friend and then became a political rival. Rather than go to a traditional healer, he turns to a white doctor and psychiatrist. The doctor is facing his own issues. He’s at risk of losing his home because of political unrest and government land reforms led by Mugabe that takes land from white owners and redistributes it to black Africans.

Even though not too many members of the audience will have been president of a nation, Farber says they’ll be able to relate to Mugabe—especially if they’ve ever been in charge of anything or even been a parent. The themes, the things he struggles with, Farber says, are universal.

“While it might not be something everyone likes to admit,” Farber continues, “we know what it is like to be manipulated by someone. That is a relatable theme.”

Farber, who is the associate artistic director at Stray Cat Theater, was asked to look at the role of Andrew. He read the script and was eager to play the role when the original director backed out and recommended him to replace her.

He knew he had a love for the play and after talking to David Hemphill, the

executive director, agreed to take on the part of director.

“I think what really drew me to the project was that it scared the crap out of me,” Farber says. “I’m pretty well known for being funny, for directing musicals that are based on movies which are usually fun and funny. I thought this would really push and challenge me in a way I have not been pushed or challenged in the Valley and I was also really just excited about working at Black Theatre Troupe. I’m very humbled by the fact that they thought I would be a good fit for this and that they trust me.”

Farber has twice performed in the space and loved it.

“I think if something scares you, that’s a reason to really move into it and try to challenge yourself,” Farber says. “This is a good challenge. Sometimes when stuff scares you, you either run the other way or you lean into it. If it is something artistic, as an artist it is always good to stretch yourself, to push yourself, to challenge yourself.”

Leading the production is actor Mike Traylor, whom Farber saw perform in the “Merchant of Venice” at Southwest Shakespeare Company. He says Traylor’s Shakespearean chops will lend itself well to this show.

“He is going to bring a real human element to this larger-than-life figure of Robert Mugabe,” Farber says. “In the same way we see Macbeth as an antihero, this play does as well. We have a character who you might not agree with what he’s doing, but you kind of empathize with him. (‘Breakfast with Mugabe’) is a very well-written play that give us a Richard III/Macbeth sort of

anti-hero character who happens to be African, played by an African-American actor.”

Traylor has performed with the Black Theatre Troupe since 1983 and throughout the Valley as an actor and a director. Other performers in the show are Ryan L. Jenkins as Grace, JordanKerry Mitchell as Gabriel and Duane Daniels as Dr. Andrew Peric.

The play, Farber says, offers three really good parts for actors of color, fitting well with Black Theatre Troupe’s aesthetic of telling compelling stories that give artists a chance to flex their creative muscles.

Farber says the play is a conversation starter, that the way it ends will have people walking out of the play and discussing something that was stirred up in them. “Breakfast with Mugabe,” Farber says, encourages social discourse and gives audience members an opportunity to engage in deep conversations with each other, whether about the play itself or other things it stirs up.

And with Mugabe’s recent death putting him back in the news, Farber hopes people might be a little more familiar with the African dictator when they arrive at the show, a bit more prepared to be swept away by the power of the man and his legacy.

“Breakfast with Mugabe”

by Fraser Grace Black Theatre Troupe, 1333 E. Washington Street, Phoenix, new-wp.blacktheatretroupe. org, various times October 25 to November 10, tickets start at $41.

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CALENDAR Christina Fuoco-Karasinski >> The Entertainer!

A Taste of Greece

OCTOBER 4 TO OCTOBER 6 For more than 30 years. A Taste of Greece has offered a weekend celebration with traditional Greek foods, imports, live music, costumed folk dancing and a kids’ fun zone.

St. Katherine Greek Orthodox Church, 2716 N. Dobson Road, Chandler, st-katherine. org, 5 to 10 p.m. October 4, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. October 5, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. October 6, free coupons on website.

“Taste of the Wild”

OCTOBER 6 Sponsored by Lyn and Steve DeLano, “Taste of the Wild” offers tastes from local restaurants, wineries and breweries, behind-the-scenes tours, silent auction and raffle and DJs. Heritage Park Zoological Sanctuary, 1403 Heritage Park Road, Prescott, 928.778.4242, ext. 10, heritageparkzoo. org, 2 to 6 p.m., $95.

Slices on Mill Grand Opening

OCTOBER 9 Locally owned Tempe pizzeria Slices on Mill is inviting the public to its grand opening celebration—an allday event benefiting St. Mary’s Food Bank. Bring two cans of food for St. Mary’s Food Bank on the day of the event and receive a BOGO deal on slices of pizza. Attendees will also be entered to win free whole pizzas and Slices on Mill T-shirts when they follow @Slices on Mill on Facebook or Instagram and tag the pizzeria in photos/videos posted that day.

In addition to the can drive, Slices on Mill will donate a percentage of proceeds from sales to St. Mary’s.

Slices on Mill, 11 E. Sixth Street, Tempe, 480.590.0511, slicesonmill.com, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., price depends on meals ordered.

Arizona Taco Festival

OCTOBER 12 TO OCTOBER 13 What are the chances of finding 50 food trucks serving delicioso tacos in one place? Apparently pretty high, that is if you stop by WestWorld of Scottsdale October 12 and October 13. It’s the 10-year anniversary of the Arizona Taco Festival, and it’s serving tacos for just $3 each. And nothing goes better with a taco than another Mexican secret, tequila.

Over 100 different kinds of tequila will be available for sampling at the tequila expo, but if alcohol isn’t your thing, have no fear, there’s also chihuahua beauty contests, chili pepper-eating contests, lucha libre wrestling and live music to enjoy.

WestWorld of Scottsdale, 16601 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, aztacofestival.com, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., $7.50-$220, all ages.

Zin & BBQ

OCTOBER 16 Liberty Station American Tavern and Smokehouse at DC Ranch and Gifted Palate are teaming up to host a four-course “Zin & BBQ” winepairing dinner. Dann Lewis from Gifted Palate will select various zinfandel varietals from different regions throughout California that complement each barbecuecentric plate crafted by the kitchen team at Liberty Station, and he will showcase for guests why zinfandel is such a great pairing for barbecue.

Liberty Station American Tavern and Smokehouse DC Ranch, 20825 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, 480.278.7044, libertystationtavern. com, 6 p.m., $65.

personalized cooking demonstration

by Chef Justin Beckett. October’s class discusses fall vegetables.

Beckett’s Table, 3717 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix, https:// bpt.me/4344737, 602.954.1700, beckettstable.com, 11 a.m., $95, includes welcome snack, cooking class with handout materials.

Learn & Lunch Cooking Class

The Taste of Cave Creek

OCTOBER 16 AND OCTOBER 17 More than 6,000 foodies are expected to descend upon Cave Creek for this annual event that benefits DFSP, a law enforcement support charity. Thirty restaurants will serve food, including Bryan’s Black Mountain Barbecue, Buffalo Chip Saloon & Steakhouse, Cartwright’s Modern Cuisine, Indigo Crow, El Encanto, Harold’s Corral, Grilled Addiction, Wandering Donkey, It’s a Divine Bakery, Le Sans Soucie, The Horny Toad and The City Creamery.

Music will be provided by the Crown Kings, Fosterson and Lindsey Vogt.

Stagecoach Village, 7100 E. Cave Creek Road, Cave Creek, tasteofcavecreek.com, 5 to 9 p.m., $10 admission, free for children 12 and younger, drink tickets are $3 to $5.

Foothills Empty Bowls Lunch & Art Auction

OCTOBER 18 The Foothills Empty Bowls Lunch & Art Auction honors World Hunger Day and is sponsored by the Sonoran Arts League of Cave Creek. Visit the website below to bid on 100 fine art and craft items donated by members and friends of the league. Lunch will be served in handmade ceramic or glass bowls chosen by the guests.

Harold’s Corral, 6895 E. Cave Creek Road, Cave Creek, foothillsfoodbank.com, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., $15 donation.

Beckett’s Table Cooking Class OCTOBER 19 Beckett’s Table invites guests to an exclusive cooking class series that kicks off this October. While guests are enjoying a three-course lunch and various wine tastings, they will also have a front-row seat to a

OCTOBER 19 Chef Marcellino will teach participants how to cook pasta with broccoli di rape and salsiccia (sausage) during this intimate class at the restaurant’s Chef’s Island.

After the class, guests will enjoy lunch of chef’s dish, a fresh organic salad and Chef Marcellino’s biscotti.

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

October Olive Oil Showcase and Anniversary Dinner

OCTOBER 26 Marcellino Ristorante hosts “The Art of Contemporary Italian Olive Oil Showcase and Sale” on the eatery’s outside patio. Guests will be able to taste and purchase extra virgin olive oils made in Italy. The various blends are made from ripe, crushed olive oils and a modern infusion of ingredients like fresh herbs, citrus or white truffles. Prices start at $20 per bottle. Also that evening, Chef Marcellino and Sima will celebrate the restaurant’s 16th anniversary. Guests will be treated to a glass of complimentary bubbly as well as a complimentary specialty sweet for all dining guests: split date with a walnut nestled center and drizzled with a heated, dark, bitter, crunchy sugar. In addition, Sima and her All-Star Trio will perform some of Sima and Chef’s favorite songs starting at 7 p.m.

Marcellino Ristorante, 7114 E. Stetson Drive, Scottsdale, 480.990.9500, marcellinoristorante.com, 4 to 7 p.m., various pricing.

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SOMETHING TO TACO ‘BOUT Festival celebrates 10 years with food truck and wedding giveaway 38

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

Samantha Molina >> The Entertainer!

T

he Arizona Taco Festival is marking its 10th anniversary by moving to bigger confines to accommodate lovers of the traditional Mexican dish.

The popular Scottsdale happening will move from Salt River Fields at Talking Stick to WestWorld of Scottsdale for the Saturday, October 12, and Sunday, October 13, party.

“We are really excited to see everyone come out and celebrate the culture and their love of tacos,” says Rick Phillips, the festival’s founder.

“Especially with our fantastic new venue. Our home this year will allow us to expand and enhance the experiences of our guests.”

To celebrate the decade mark, the festival is launching a taco truck in anticipation of the nationally recognized event. The mobile festival will visit various Valley locales and serve free tacos and festival tickets.

At WestWorld, more than 50 taco teams will sell $3 beef, chicken, pork, seafood and veggie tacos. The restaurants are competing for a $10,000 prize along with the “best tacos” moniker. Among the flavors this year are street poke and sushi tacos, as well as pineapple and mango.

One of this year’s vendors, Dos Gringos Mexi-Grill has been in Arizona since 1984 and is a favorite among college students. Amber Cesena, the restaurant’s marketing director, says the taco chain has been competing in the festival since 2012 and doesn’t intend to miss this year’s event.

“The festival is a way for us to remind locals of who we are,” Cesena says.

“While we are all about food, fun and good times, our dishes aren’t just meant for drunken nights. It’s an elevated experience.”

Her staff will serve chicken and carnitas tacos, and chips and salsa to the expected 35,000 guests. She is grateful to have the chance to reach new customers via the festival.

Besides feasting on Mexican cuisine, guests can enjoy tequila, Lucha Libre wrestling with bleacher seating, a DJ, indoor bar and a hot sauce expo.

“One of the more popular attractions we have is our tequila expo where guests can sample more 100 different kinds of agave-based spirits,” Phillips says. “It’s

also extremely fun to watch our hot chili pepper contest. There’s always a lot of tears and red faces.”

The hot sauce expo is new this year and curated by Vic Clinco, the owner of

the largest hot sauce collection.

Foodies can test their love for tacos by entering the Taco Gordo-eating contest.

Those brave enough to compete will only have 6 minutes to chow down six stuffed tacos as fast as possible. The person with the fastest time wins the contest.

Dog lovers will be in for a treat with the Chihuahua beauty pageant hosted

by Miss USA. More than 20 costumed chihuahuas from around the state will strut their stuff on the runway.

A pop-up exhibit, Taco-topia, is an interactive museum that features a mechanical taco, a lime wedge swing and a series of Instagram-ready backdrops.

The festival is giving away a Day of the Dead-themed wedding that will take place on Sunday with a licensed officiant, a hair and makeup stylist and 10 passes to the VIP Cantina and Tequila Expo for the lucky couple’s wedding party.

Music is a large part of the festival.

Regional music acts will perform various genres live throughout the events duration, including multiple sets from festival favorite DJ Sean Derek.

The general admission ticket buys your way into the festival as well as Tacotopia. Food, drink and other items can be bought separately, using purchased tokens. The event is cashless, and there will be no ATM machine provided at the event.

The Arizona Taco Festival is one of the largest taco festivals in the nation. It debuted in 2009 as the world’s first taco festival.

“We started this festival with the goal of bringing the locals together and having fun,” Phillips says, “I think that we have achieved that year after year. Our event isn’t known as the ‘biggest and baddest’ for nothing—and who doesn’t love tacos?”

Arizona Taco Festival WestWorld of Scottsdale, 16601 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, aztacofestival. com, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Saturday, October 12, and Sunday, October 13, $7.50-$220.

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A POPPING EXPERIENCE THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2019

39

Bitters Bar & Food combines two unlikely items Octavio Serrano >> The Entertainer!

E

rika Rode took two things people deeply enjoy and made them the foundation of her SkySong restaurant, Bitters Bar & Food— popcorn and cocktails.

“I wanted to take fresh made-to-order popcorn and make it very unique and artisan-style popcorn,” Rode says.

The menu is filled with gems, but the popcorn offerings are sweet surprises.

The Leftovers ($6) is every camper’s dream—a mixture of M&Ms, graham crackers, chocolate sauce, marshmallows and mixed nuts.

“It’s sort of like a trail mix-style popcorn, but the flavors are just impeccable,” Rode says. “It’s salty and sweet. You get a lot of balance of that savory type of style, but light and airy from the marshmallows.”

To complement the popcorn, Rode

Bitters Cocktail Bar & Food 1455 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 115, Scottsdale, 480.550.5088, bittersbar.com

recommends The Bitter Gone Wild ($12), a wild tonic kombucha with vodka, raspberry, Galliano, grapefruit and rosemary.

“I like to give people a twist on classics and then also come with a balance of our own completely unique cocktails,” Rode says.

Other flavors include Buffalo ranch ($5); honey hot with curry dust, chili honey, pomegranates, crema and butter ($5); Arizona with Tajin chili, cilantro lime salt, queso fresco and garden tomatoes ($5); bourbon bacon topped with maple, parmesan and herbs ($6); and cookies and cream, homemade Oreo sauce, crushed Oreos and chocolate ($5).

“I am a firm believer that you can give people incredible cocktails and food that are awardwinning, but if the food is still poor and the service is bad, people are just going to find other options,” Rode says. “My biggest push around Bitters is the experience.”

PLEASE JOIN US FOR

Gala Chairman Oscar De las salas

S AT U R D AY , D E C E M B E R 7 , 2 0 1 9 , 5 P. M .

SCOTTSDALE ARTS CAMPUS Join us for a glamorous evening celebrating the 20th anniversary of SMoCA, and the people who made the dream of a contemporary art museum a reality. The honorees will be receiving the Herberger Award, named after our generous presenting sponsors.

For more information and to purchase your tickets, please visit Gala.ScottsdaleArts.org or call Kelly Hicks at 480-874-4662.

Squidsoup, Submergence, interactive LED light installation at Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, 2017.

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CULINARY TAKEOVER

40

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

T. Cook’s executive chef adds his twist to the menu Octavio Serrano >> The Entertainer!

A

lex Robinson has always had a passion for the culinary arts.

Now he’s bringing his seafood knowledge from California to Royal Palms Resort and Spa’s T. Cook’s.

As executive chef, the young culinary master focuses on delivering an array of fresh and prime ingredients that are customized to the Valley.

“I want to push the boundaries at T. Cook’s and create inspired dishes where every element on the plate, even the garnish, is interesting, compelling and exceptional,” Robinson says.

“You’ll see seafood options, local ingredients that support our Arizona farmers, and nearly 80% of the menu is naturally gluten free. Expect beautiful presentation, interesting flavor profiles and cuisine that are rooted in T. Cook’s Mediterranean values, but with a heightened approach.”

T. Cook’s has been part of the Valley’s culinary scene for more than two decades and it is ready to continue to surprise its guests.

Wagyu Snake River Farms striploin ($56) is displayed with Maine lobster risotto, grilled asparagus and housemade steak sauce.

“We do our brand-new lobster risotto with grilled asparagus and our housemade steak sauce that takes three days to mix,” Robinson says. “We take pride in our housemade steak sauce.”

The herb-crusted sea bass ($44) is one of the chef’s priorities, with its ancient grain risotto, avocado puree and pickled Fresno chili citrus-honey reduction.

Guests can even get hands-on experiences at T. Cook’s. The hot stone ($23) comes with American Wagyu beef or pacific ahi tuna and youzu kosho ponzu, cilantro scallion crunchy chili garlic.

“You get to sear that at the table on a 900-degree hot stone. It’s kind of a fun interactive dish for the guests to play with at the table,” Robinson says.

A California native, Robinson has paid close attention to the seafood side of the menu and he is excited to showcase T. Cook’s octopus dishes.

“We get his premium Spanish-styled octopus, which is a jumbo tentacle with a black garbanzo bean hummus that we make,” Robinson says. “It’s such a beautiful dish and one of my favorites.”

The grilled Spanish octopus ($15) is a highlight, with black garbanzo bean puree paprika salsa verde and lemon olive oil.

Robinson has dreamed of working for a team like the one found at T. Cook’s.

“I started as a dishwasher at 14 years old, and one day a guy called off who

was on the deep fryer and that was my introduction to the kitchen,” Robinson says. “By the time I was 17 years old, I was running the restaurant. It was fun to get the exposure because it was something that I truly loved.”

He gets his passion from his father, who was his family’s chef.

“My dad was a very strong cook,” he says. “He was a jack of all trades, master of none, but he was good at whatever he put his mind to.”

Robinson studied at Le Cordon Bleu in Scottsdale before moving out of the state to work at places like The RitzCarlton Laguna Niguel and the Four Seasons Resort Jackson Hole.

He enjoys the freedom he has at T. Cook’s. Robinson says the general manager, Carlos Morales, encourages the staff to be creative.

“We’re really capable of doing

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whatever fits our needs for our clientele, and I really appreciate that true value of not being stuck to a corporate standpoint,” he says.

What really inspires Robinson is adapting the menu for the restaurant’s customers because everyone is different.

“Being in this modern world, you can’t just be focused on one thing, because guests come in and a lot of them are vegan, gluten free, dairy free.

They require all these modifications,” Robinson says. “We have a staple menu, but the best part of it is when they come in and we get to create a dish for them.”

T. Cook’s 5200 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix, 602.808.0766, tcooksphoenix.com

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42

BEER AND WINE

SIP » BREW » RELAX » EXPERIMENT » REFRESH » TOAST

BEER AND WINE

CALENDAR Samantha Fuoco >> The Entertainer!

Ales on Rails

OCTOBER 5 TO OCTOBER 31 Ales on Rails is an Oktoberfeststyle party on the patio prior to boarding, featuring a choice of 12 varieties of locally crafted ales, IPAs, porters, pilsners and stouts.

To further enhance the Arizona taste experience, Verde Canyon Railroad has upped the event with a new menu developed by one of Arizona’s top chefs.

Verde Canyon Railroad, 300 N. Broadway, Clarkdale, 1.800.582.7245, verdecanyonrr. com, 1 p.m., $99.95-$110.05.

Scottsdale Country Crawl

OCTOBER 5 Grab cowboy boots and daisy dukes for the Old Town Scottsdale countrythemed bar crawl. Get down to country music while day drinking around Scottsdale. Tickets include admission to all bars, three penny drink vouchers and country music.

Old Town Scottsdale Bars, 4209 N. Craftsman Court, Scottsdale, 480.423.3800, scottsdalebarcrawl. com, 2 to 8 p.m., $20.

Tour de Fat Tempe

OCTOBER 5 Fix your flat tire and come to New Belgium’s Tour de Fat Tempe.

With the 20th season coming up, this event has raised more than $5 million for local nonprofit bike companies. Celebrate dressing up and raising money for the community, all while riding your bike and having fun.

Mill Avenue and Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe, 1.888.622.4044, newbelgium. com, 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., free.

Queen Creek Horseshoe Park & Equestrian Centre, 20464 E. Riggs Road, Queen Creek, 480.358.3710, vintageandvinoaz. com, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, $5-$31.

Four Peaks Oktoberfest

OCTOBER 11 TO OCTOBER 13 Hang out with Four Peaks by celebrating Tempe’s annual Oktoberfest with live music, carnival rides and wiener dog races. Don’t forget the lederhosen, bratwurst and beer! Experience more than 20 varieties of beer from Four Peaks.

Tempe Beach Park, 80 W. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe, 1.844.439.4722, fourpeaks.com, times vary, free admission.

Vintage & Vino Fall Shopping Showcase

OCTOBER 11 TO OCTOBER 12 Need an excuse to sip, shop and spend time with family and friends?

The Vintage & Vino is the best of all three worlds! This Queen Creek semiannual event is dedicated to all things vintage, antique and artisan.

Sip on craft beer, loaded mimosas and an expansive assortment of red, white and other wine varieties all around the world.

Beer N Bones

OCTOBER 18 Want to speed date a scientist, drink craft beer and hang out with some dinosaurs? This is the perfect event! Arizona Museum of Natural History Foundation is hosting the annual Beer N Bones fundraising event that features local craft beers and food trucks.

Event proceeds will be used for Southwest Gallery updates and other programs and research at AzMNH. Arizona Museum of Natural History, 53 N. Macdonald, Mesa, 480.644.2230, arizonamuseumofnaturalhistory. com, 7 to 11 p.m., $20-$45.

Huss Uptown’s Annual Husstoberfest

OCTOBER 19 Join Huss Brewing Co. for the annual Hussoberfest this October celebrating German culture in the Uptown Plaza courtyard. Chow down on the famous Schreiner’s Huss Brat, made with Huss’ seasonal

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Beer Olympics

OCTOBER 19 Grab your friends and family to participate in the first Beer Olympics— boat races, bucket chugging, beer pong, funnel race, flip cup and Louisville Chugger. Events are scored with first place getting seven points, second place gets five points and third place getting three points. Each team needs at least two women.

Teams that are all male will receive a point penalty of seven points.

Papago Park, 625 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, eventbrite. com, 1 to 8 p.m., $20-$100.

What She’s Having! Release

City of Litchfield Park Oktoberfest

OCTOBER 5 Celebrate Litchfield Park’s annual Oktoberfest. Dance and sing to authentic German-inspired songs, entrées, a variety of German and domestic beers, and lots of family entertainment. Come down to this community event and be inspired by German culture.

The Wigwam Resort Front Lawn, 300 Wigwam Boulevard, Litchfield Park, 623.935.5033, litchfieldpark.org, 6 to 9 p.m., $15.

Oktoberfest beer. Grab a Huss Stein and taste Not Your Grannies Apples.

Huss Brewing Co., 100 E. Camelback Road, Unit 160, Phoenix, 602.441.4677, uptownplazaphx.com, noon to 6 p.m., free.

OCTOBER 26 Save the date for the release of What She’s Having! celebrating strong women in Phoenix and kicking off the series. This beer will be on draft and in cans. This event will also have local women showcasing many talents including music and art.

Helio Basin Brewing Co., 3935 E. Thomas Road, Phoenix, 602.354.3525, heliobasinbrewing.com, 6 to 10 p.m., free.

The Grape Arizona Wine Event

OCTOBER 27 Sip on various wines from around the Valley and the world at The Grape Arizona Wine event this October. Main event admission includes 12 tasting tickets, a souvenir tasting glass, an event program and live music. Participants include Pillsbury, Arizona Sake and Rune.

Heritage Square, 113 N. Sixth Street, Phoenix, 602.604.8221, grapearizonawineevent.com, 1 to 5 p.m., $65-$100.

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Southwest Cider Festival Brothers’ event is built of hard work and determination Octavio Serrano >> The Entertainer!

B

rothers Josh and Jason Duren have witnessed the rise of cider since they opened Cider Corps in Downtown Mesa. The two are hoping to push it even further with the second Southwest Cider Festival from 3 to 8 p.m. Saturday, October 19.

With the festival, the brothers are hoping to celebrate the culture and give beer fans a reason to step out of their comfort zone.

“You’ll see different styles of ciders based on many different fermentation techniques and we’ll have five or six different food trucks,” Josh says.

“I don’t know anywhere within a few states of us where you can go to a festival that is 100% cider.”

Cider Corps’ beverages are different from mass-produced drinks, and even from traditional European ciders. The two experiment with flavor profiles and techniques, without using artificial flavoring or added sugars.

Duren says they want to showcase the less-familiar brands.

“We will have around 15 cider makers from anywhere from Arizona to San Diego, to Southern California, Colorado and Texas,” Josh says.

Tickets are $35 for general admission and $50 for VIP, the latter of which includes early access, a commemorative T-shirt and glass, and 20 drink tickets.

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GA includes a commemorative glass and 15 drink tickets.

Cider Corps opened its doors on Veterans Day 2017 as a way for Jason to keep busy after he was injured in the military.

“Jason was deployed to Afghanistan with the Marine Corps,” Josh recalls.

“While he was on deployment, he sustained two traumatic brain injuries from IED explosions. When he came back, his neurologist recommended having a therapeutic hobby.”

Longtime craft beer fans, Josh says the two delved into the science of fermentation and opened Cider Corps.

“We’re the first cider producers and tap room in the state of Arizona,” Josh says. “One of the things that was really important to us was to bring awareness that other people were doing things in this region.”

Josh says cider has taken a backseat to beer—especially in 2017.

“A lot of times, you’ll see beer festivals with a couple of random ciders here and there, but cider hasn’t been traditionally around for a long time,” Josh says. “We felt that for cider to grow as a respected industry, somebody had to take the

step forward and say, ‘Let’s have a festival.’”

After the first festival’s success, Josh says there has been an uptick in cider interest. This motivates Cider Corps to continue to spread the awareness of the drink.

“We get calls on a somewhat regular basis from people around the state who are interested in starting up cideries,” Josh says. “From a market perspective, we’ve seen pretty tremendous growth. We’re working hard to put on an event that is all ciders for the group of people who are interested.

We’re trying to bring an event so people can see and enjoy what other people across the country are doing.”

For the Duren brothers, the festival is a story of challenges and perseverance. The company is meaningful for Josh.

“My favorite aspect of the business was having a brother who was deeply affected and seeing how this has given him a second chance,” Duren says.

Southwest Cider Festival Cider Corps, 31 S. Robson, Suite 102, Mesa, cidercorpsaz.com, 3 to 8 p.m., $35 general admission, $50 VIP.

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2019

GREAT BEER PAIRINGS

45

INGO’S TASTY FOOD BEER

Alison Bailin Batz >> The Entertainer!

“Since 2013, Ingo’s Tasty Food has served as something truly unique to the area: a gourmet food stand with casual seating and a laid-back vibe. Our menu is simple and clean with chicken sandwiches, grass-fed and vegetarian burgers, salads and homemade potato chips that will make you smile and warm your heart.

Ingo’s offers signature cocktails, including our famous greyhound as well as wine; however, given our vibe and menu offerings, beer pairings are always a popular choice. We have a great relationship with Wren House Brewing, a local company in Phoenix led by head brewer Preston

BREWERY: WREN HOUSE BREWING COMPANY STYLE: KÖLSCH NAME: WREN HOUSE KÖLSCH Brewed with the traditional German ingredients and a touch of honey malt, this Kolsch is a true-to-style take on the classic Cologne beer. Expect aromas of malt and fruit, maybe a bit of honey, and then a clean finish.

DISH

NAME OF DISH: CRISPY CHICKEN SAMMIE COST OF DISH: $8.75 Made using all-natural chicken breast and fried until perfectly crispy, we pair this menu gem with a dill pickle, spicy aioli sauce we make in-house and thin-cut apple for added texture and a tart surprise in each bite. Truly nearly anything can be paired with a Wren House Kolsch given its versatility, from eggs and bacon in the morning to nutty cheese, to seafood to all types of chicken. We especially love it with our sammie, as it brings out the tart apple and spice notes in the aioli while still letting the chicken take center stage.

Thoeny. Ingo’s guests can always expect our menu to include something special

from our friends at Wren House.”

-Henry Hanson of LGO Hospitality

Ingo’s Tasty Food 4502 N. 40th Street, Phoenix, 602.795.2884, ingostastyfood.com

The Arizona Diamondbacks present the

6th Annual Joy Bus Gala Fundraising Event Sunday, November 10, 2019, 6pm • Hotel Valley Ho 6850 E. Main Street in Scottsdale Proceeds will benefit The Joy Bus, which delivers healthy, chef-inspired meals and a friendly face to homebound cancer patients in Phoenix.

The gala theme is Motown Night, and the event will feature a four-course meal by acclaimed chef Russell LaCasce, live music by the Roscoe Taylor Band, and a silent and live auction.

Life Achievement Award Presentation to Derrick Hall, President and CEO of the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Tickets are $150 and are available online at www.thejoybusdiner.com/events

About The Joy Bus The Joy Bus is a nonprofit organization which provides homebound cancer patients in Phoenix with a healthy, chef-inspired meal and a friendly face. The Joy Bus was founded in 2011 and named in honor of our dear friend Joy who struggled with the painstaking side effects of cancer, ultimately losing her life to this horrific disease. The Joy Bus Diner, located at 3375 E. Shea Blvd. in Phoenix, serves breakfast and lunch Tuesday through Sunday. Proceeds from the diner fund The Joy Bus’ meal delivery program.

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Autumnal Inspiration These local cocktails scream fall Alison Bailin Batz >> The Entertainer!

Y

ou know the song that goes “summertime, and the livin’ is easy?”

Well, this summer was not that. At least not in Arizona, with our “nonsoon.”

Thankfully, it is over for another year.

Fall is here, and it is time to celebrate.

And what better way than with a seasonally inspired cocktail? Here are some of our favorites right now:

HAT OF ANOTHER COLOR CIVANA RESORT, SPA & SANCTUARY A spin on an old fashioned, this specialty cocktail features local roots with grapefruit-infused Arizona honey and local Carefree bourbon, along with sweet vermouth, housemade cinnamon tinctures, and a grapefruit peel and cinnamon stick garnish. A seasonal cocktail with an Arizona twist. $16. civanacarefree.com KEEP YOUR GIN UP THE DISTRICT While Bombay Sapphire Gin is the starring spirit, it’s the coconut cream and fresh nutmeg that are the stars here. All of the ingredients are perfectly balanced with angostura bitters and fresh lemon and lime juices for a refreshing-yetsurprisingly warming sipper. $11. districtbaraz.com

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LEMON MERINGUE MARTINI THE COVENANT This stunning combination of Licor 43, butterscotch liquor, Frangelico, lemon and simple syrup is even rimmed with graham cracker garnish and topped with a vanilla and butterscotch whipped topping. It tastes like the fall fair and a campfire had a baby, in a good way. $12. thecovenantaz.com

PUMPKIN SPICED BOURBON ICED LATTE BRUNCH CAFÉ Here’s a delicious, iced coffee cocktail to pair with breakfast, brunch or lunch that comes with a special pumpkinflavored punch. This iced Lavazza espresso drink is spiked with a splash of bourbon cream and dusted with pumpkin spice. $11. brunchcafe.com FALL’N AIN’T EASY W SCOTTSDALE The name is deceiving, because it is almost impossible not to call for this combination of Bulleit Bourbon, angostura bitters and fresh apple cider.

The garnish of apple slices and cinnamon sticks takes it over the top, especially via the resulting magical aroma. $14. wscottsdalehotel.com WASHINGTON & 1ST MOWRY & COTTON Named after the original location of Mowry & Cotton, this cocktail is

the embodiment of all of the flavors of the season. Its gin, elderflower liqueur and blackberry brandy base perfectly combine with blackberry puree and fresh thyme leaves for a balanced sip every single time. $15. mowryandcotton.com

THE RYE TICKLE LON’S LAST DROP AT THE HERMOSA INN The Redemption Rye in this drink is highlighted by the use of orange peel, vanilla and eucalyptus of Amaro Montenegro. A touch of sweet is added with maple syrup followed by a few dashes of housemade pear bitters to perfectly balance this smooth cocktail. $14. hermosainn.com CARAMEL APPLE SUCKER DAKOTA It tastes exactly the way it sounds, and that is a very good thing. This cocktail combines Crown Royal Apple with Angry Orchard Cider, and then it is served in a martini glass that has been drizzled with luscious caramel and garnished with an actual caramel apple sucker. $12. dakotabar.com HASH COFFEE HASH KITCHEN Brunch just got even better. This cocktail mixes Tuaca, espresso, cream and salted caramel for a warm creamy drink with equal parts caffeine and

alcohol. $11. hashkitchen. com

NITRO COLD BREW MEXICAN ICED COFFEE THE MISSION Warm up while you cool off this fall with this decadent blend of housemade and cinnamon-infused tequila, paired with silky-smooth nitro cold brew and topped with a soft whip vanilla bean foam. $13. themissionaz.com APPLE PEAR WHISKEY SOUR TAQUERIA CENTRO AT OMNI SCOTTSDALE RESORT & SPA AT MONTELUCIA A fresh take on this classic is elevated

by Barmalade Apple Pear, an all-natural fruit mixer. The combination of Maker’s Mark Bourbon, this Barmalade Apple Pear and lemon are the only ingredients you need this fall-iday season. $15. omnimontelucia.com

48

CASINOS

PLAY » SPIN » LAUGH » GROOVE » UNWIND » WIN

CASINO ENTERTAINMENT

CALENDAR Christina Fuoco-Karasinski >> The Entertainer!

playatgila.com

OCTOBER 1

Casino Arizona, casinoarizona.com

DJ Ray

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

OCTOBER 2 Silhouette

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

OCTOBER 3 AZ Blacktop

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

Phoenix Fashion Week Talking Stick Resort, talkingstickresort.com

Masters of Puppets: Metallica Tribute

Casino del Sol’s Paradiso Lounge, casinodelsol.com

OCTOBER 4 Garth Live Tribute

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

Phoenix Fashion Week Talking Stick Resort, talkingstickresort.com

Rockin’ the Paradise: Tribute to Styx

Casino Arizona, casinoarizona.com

Xplosion

Casino del Sol’s Paradiso Lounge, casinodelsol.com

OCTOBER 5

Rockin’ the Paradise: Tribute to Styx Jesse Colt Band

Casino del Sol’s Paradiso Lounge, casinodelsol.com

OCTOBER 6 Marble Heart

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

OCTOBER 7 & 8 DJ Ray

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

OCTOBER 9 Michael Land Band

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

OCTOBER 10 Stanley Serrano

Paul Anka: Anka Sings Sinatra—His Way

Desert Diamond Casinos and Entertainment Sahuarita, ddcaz.com

OCTOBER 13 Priminition

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

OCTOBER 14 & 15 DJ Ray

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

OCTOBER 16 Walkens Trio

Aaron Lewis

Talking Stick Resort, talkingstickresort.com

OCTOBER 25 Gemini

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

Petty and the Heartshakers

Casino Arizona, casinoarizona.com

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

G Sueno

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

Al Green and Gladys Knight Tribute

Casino del Sol’s Paradiso Lounge, casinodelsol.com

OCTOBER 18 Checker’d Past

Gimme 3 Steps

Mike Reeves Band

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

Raven’s Halloween Bash Talking Stick Resort, talkingstickresort.com

JD Madrid

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

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

Wicked Ball

Rock and Roll Over: Kiss Tribute

Oktoberfest

Casino Arizona, casinoarizona.com

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

Jukebox 6

Rhythm Edition

OCTOBER 11

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

Western Fusion

Angelo Valente

Talking Stick Resort, talkingstickresort.com

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

OCTOBER 17

Listen to the Music: Doobie Brothers Tribute

Dave Mason

Southbound

OCTOBER 26

OCTOBER 19

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

OCTOBER 24

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

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

Casino del Sol’s Tropico Lounge, casinodelsol.com

caesars.com/harrahs-ak-chin

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

Rock and Roll Over: Kiss Tribute Casino Arizona, casinoarizona.com

Midland

Casino del Sol’s AVA Amphitheater, casinodelsol.com

Talking Stick Resort, talkingstickresort.com Casino del Sol’s Oasis, casinodelsol.com

Funk-a-Palooza w/Ohio Players, Con Funk Shun, Zapp

Desert Diamond Casinos and Entertainment Sahuarita, ddcaz.com

OCTOBER 27 Rhythm Edition

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

Gloria Trevi: Diosa de la Noche w/Karol G

Casino del Sol’s AVA Amphitheater, casinodelsol.com

OCTOBER 28 & 29

Jukebox 6

OCTOBER 12

Gemini

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

OCTOBER 20

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

Spotlight

Quantum

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

OCTOBER 30

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

XO

JD Madrid

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

Phoenix Fashion Week

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

Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, caesars.com/harrahs-ak-chin Talking Stick Resort, talkingstickresort.com

Creedence Clearwater Revisited Wild Horse Pass Hotel and Casino,

Angelo Valente

Roberto Tapia and Conjunto Primavera

Casino del Sol’s AVA Amphitheater, casinodelsol.com

DJ Ray

Walkens Trio

OCTOBER 21 & 22

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

DJ Ray

OCTOBER 31

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

OCTOBER 23 Silhouette

Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino,

Spotlight

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

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2019

49

RISE UP RED SEA Gila River Hotels & Casinos unveils Cardinals-themed rooms Haley Lorenzen >> The Entertainer!

A

rizona Cardinals fans can now spend the night in two hotel rooms dedicated to their favorite team.

Gila River Hotels & Casinos has unveiled the Cardinalsthemed hotel rooms at two of their locations—Wild Horse Pass Hotel and Casino in Chandler and Vee Quiva in Laveen.

“Both teams wanted to make sure we included special touches that our guests and fans might enjoy,” says Teaya Vicente, Gila River Hotels & Casinos’ public relations manager.

Among those touches are customized Cardinals-themed artwork, as well as signed memorabilia and a custom amenity box.

The hotel will also welcome guests with Four Peaks Red Bird Lager, a Cardinals-themed beer celebrating the team and the NFL’s 100th season.

“We also put a lot of thought into which Cardinals player would be featured in the artwork, so in order to find out which player made the cut you’re just going to have to come check it out,” Vicente adds.

The rooms’ dedication comes after the Arizona Cardinals named Gila River Hotels & Casinos their official hotel and casino partner. The two companies have partnered for community events for the last 15 years.

Along with the opening of the two hotel rooms, Gila River Hotels & Casinos will be running several promotions to celebrate this partnership.

More than $250,000 in prizes will be distributed, including three Ford F-150 trucks.

The $100,000 Pick the Pros promotion and the Arizona Cardinals Biggest Fan contest will also be available at all three casino locations.

Guests can book their stay online at playatgila.com.

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

A TRUE DINING DESTINATION

Chef Graham Quayle refreshes We-Ko-Pa and casino eateries Christina Fuoco-Karasinski >> The Entertainer!

C

hef Graham Quayle has literally crossed the world and back, perfecting his culinary skills.

After stints in Hawaii, New York, California and Canada, he’s found his way to We-Ko-Pa Resort & Conference Center and Fort McDowell Casino where he’s serving as executive chef.

In September, the Englishman introduced new menus at Ahnala Mesquite Room, and he refreshed the other eateries on the grounds—Silver Platter; A New York Deli; Red Rock Buffet; We-Ko-Pa Grille; Noodles Sushiya; and Café 87. It’s all in preparation for the new casino slated to open in 2020.

“There was a lot of Hispanic influence before, so we’re changing that up slowly,” he says about Ahnala Mesquite Room.

“Our new menu has a big change of direction. We’re going back to its namesake—Ahnala Mesquite Room— and giving you something off the grill.

“We moved away from everything sweetened or inspired by spicy Latin ingredients.”

The menus are creative. With breakfast, there’s the traditional Belgian waffle with berries and whipped cream; banana rum pancakes; and PB&Jstuffed French toast. But Quayle takes it a step further with double chocolate waffles with chocolate shavings, whipped cream and shaved strawberries; and Ahnala buttermilk flapjacks with whipped butter, prickly pear syrup and chia seeds. Egg dishes are aplenty and are Latin tinged: egg roulade with smoked bacon, cowboy beans, green chiles, green onions, tomatoes, avocado, smoked gouda and potatoes; or the borracho burrito stuffed with chorizo, sausage, steak, bacon, green chiles, green onions, tomatoes, peppers, Mexican cheese,

potatoes and red chile sauce.

The dinner menu has one foot in American comfort food—from savory boursin cheese cannoli and IPA beer cheese fondue to crispy calamari and spice tuna carpaccio for starters.

Salads are fresh and locally sourced— steak and pear salad; Ahnala farm salad; baby iceberg and bleu cheese; and “Sexy Caesar” with Mediterranean anchovies, farm egg, crouton dust, micro greens and traditional dressing.

Quayle says a lot of thought went into the burgers: grilled Snake River Farms burger, the original American wagyu, crème of brie, lettuce, black pepper bacon and date cactus relish; the traditional Ahnala angus burger; and the vegetarian-approved black bean guacamole burger.

Diner is a mélange of influences from ancient grains potato cakes to black pepper citrus chicken. The “Now the Meat” section of the menu features 16-ounce pork porterhouse; 8-ounce flat iron steak; 12-ounce New York strip steak; 8-ounce filet mignon; and 16-ounce cowboy ribeye bone-in.

A chef for 35 years, Quayle was born and raised in Liverpool, but left there at 16—“as soon as I could,” he says—to attend the British Columbia Institute of Technology. He earned a degree in culintary arts from there.

Quayle quickly rose through the culinary ranks and became executive chef at the Four Seasons Hotel in Canada in 1992.

From there, he served as culinary instructor at Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Los Angeles and Scottsdale. He challenged students with material and lesson plans. After three years at the college, he worked as executive sous chef at Mandalay Bay, and most recently as executive chef at the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas.

In the last 30 years, Quayle has won gold, silver and bronze medals in the

Hot & Cold competition. He was recently awarded a certified executive chef certification with the American Culinary Federation.

Now living in Giblert, Quayle is pleased with what he has accomplished

Fort McDowell Casino

at We-Ko-Pa Resort & Conference Center and Fort McDowell Casino.

“We want to make this a dining destination,” he says.

We-Ko-Pa Resort and Conference Center 10438 We-Ko-Pa Way, Fort McDowell 480.789.5300, wekoparesortandconferencecenter. com

10424 N. Fort McDowell Road, Fort McDowell 1.800.THE.FORT, fortmcdowellcasino.com

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Si’al Ke:k An Enterprise of the Tohono O’odham Nation

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2019

SPORTS

51

CHEER » HIT » HIKE » LEAD » ROOT » COMPETE

SPORTS

CALENDAR Eric Newman >> The Entertainer!

Arizona Coyotes vs.

Boston Bruins

OCTOBER 5 Under new ownership, the Coyotes begin their 2019-20 campaign in Glendale, looking to make the playoffs in a talented NHL Western Conference. Watch as Arizona takes on the 2018-19 Stanley Cup runner-up Boston Bruins.

Gila River Arena, 9400 W. Maryland Avenue, Glendale, 480.563.PUCK, nhl.com/coyotes, 6 p.m., tickets start at $35.

Monster Jam World Finals

OCTOBER 5 Across the street from the ‘Yotes on October 5 will be the Monster Jam World Finals. Watch as giant, tricked-out trucks race and smash into each other for hours of entertainment on a variety of different conditions of dirt and field at State Farm Stadium.

State Farm Stadium, 1 Cardinals Drive, Glendale, 623.772.3800 statefarmstadium.com, 7 p.m., tickets start at $15.

Phoenix Suns vs.

Minnesota Timberwolves

OCTOBER 8 The Phoenix Suns, fresh with new draft picks and an offseason of preparation for their young players, take on the Minnesota Timberwolves in the preseason home opener.

Talking Stick Resort Arena, 201 E. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, 602.379.7867, phoenixsuns. com, 7 p.m., tickets start at $10.

Kyler Murray and former MVP Matt Ryan will be an interesting contrast of styles in this NFC showdown.

State Farm Stadium, 1 Cardinals Drive, Glendale, 623.433.7101, azcardinals.com, 1:05 p.m., tickets start at $44.

ASU Sun Devils Football vs.

Washington State

Phoenix Rising FC vs.

OKC Energy

OCTOBER 12 The Sun Devils host Washington state in a Pac-12 matchup for their only home game of October. The game between two quality coaches could prove an offensive showdown.

Sun Devil Stadium, 500 E. Veterans Way, Tempe, 480.965.5812, thesundevils.com, time TBD, tickets start at $22.

Arizona Cardinals vs.

Atlanta Falcons

OCTOBER 13 The Cardinals host Atlanta in their first home game of the month. A matchup between new quarterback

EAGLE DOWN 5/10K RUN

OCTOBER 18 The Rising end its regular season in preparation for the USL playoffs with a home matchup against Oklahoma City. Phoenix also hosts a fan favorite event, Copper State Fridays Dollar Beer Night.

Casino Arizona Field, 751 N. McClintock Drive, Tempe, 623.594.9606, phxrisingfc.com, 7:30 p.m., tickets start at $22.50.

Eagle Down 5/10K Run

OCTOBER 19 Presented by Relevate Consulting, this race supports the Special Forces Foundation, a nonprofit serving Army Special Forces (Green Berets) and their families.

The Special Forces Foundation provides maintenance of the mind and body, career councseling, professional support networks and mentorship. During times of tragedy, it provides immediate support to a soldier’s family with the goal of maintaining long-term support to those left behind.

Kiwanis Park, Mill Avenue and All America Avenue, Tempe, specialforcesfoundation. org, eagledownrun.com, 9 a.m., registration starts at $20 for a virtual run.

Phoenix Suns vs.

Sacramento Kings

EAGLE DOWN 5/10K RUN

OCTOBER 23 The Suns open the regular season at home against Sacramento. The Suns will look to improve upon last season’s conference-worst

19-63 record, while a single spot up the standings ladder would mean playoffs for Sacramento, which finished 39-43.

Talking Stick Resort Arena, 201 E. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, 602.379.7867, nba.com, 7 p.m., tickets start at $19.

Duel in the Desert

OCTOBER 25 TO OCTOBER 27 Watch as the top teams in wheelchair rugby, wheelchair basketball, power soccer and standup amputee basketball from across the country play their respective sports at Ability360 Sports & Fitness Center. Also, the facility will provide live music and food trucks.

Ability 360 Sports & Fitness Center, 5031 E. Washington Street, Phoenix, 602.386.4566, ability360. org, time TBD, free admission.

Phoenix Suns vs.

Los Angeles Clippers

OCTOBER 26 The Suns take on Los Angeles in a division battle on a Saturday night. The Clippers, who were ousted in the first round of the 2019 NBA playoffs by Golden State, are retooled and boast new all-stars Kawhi Leonard and Paul George as part of their new roster.

Talking Stick Resort Arena, 201 E. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, 602.379.7867, nba.com/suns, 7 p.m., tickets start at $32.

Arizona Cardinals vs.

San Francisco 49ers

OCTOBER 31 Celebrate Halloween at State Farm Stadium in Glendale. The Cardinals host division-rival San Francisco in an NFC West battle.

State Farm Stadium, 1 Cardinals Drive, Glendale, 623.433.7101, azcardinals.com, 1:05 p.m., tickets start at $44.

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FILLING BIG SHOES

52

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

The Red Sox’s Tanner Houck talks rain, David Price and his mother Natalie Urquiza >> The Entertainer!

B

oston Red Sox right-handed pitcher Tanner Houck unlaces his dark navy, suede shoes that used to belong to David Price, and sets them on top of the wooden bench as rain falls around him.

He says, “I am not going to ruin those things, no way.”

He slides off his socks, flips his bright red Boston Red Sox hood and walks alongside the dugout wall on the wooden bench, avoiding the flooded Peoria Javelinas dugout at Peoria Sports Complex.

“Here I go,” Houck says.

He remarks about the chilly rain as he steps onto the flooded cement, trying to grab the bag sitting on top of the dugout steps. He could have left the team’s bag in the rain, but Houck is not that type of person.

The Boston Red Sox drafted Houck 24th overall in the 2017 Major League Draft. Now he’s a star in the Arizona Fall League, which plays until the October 26 championships.

He grew up about 20 minutes outside of St. Louis with his mom, three younger sisters and his 3-yearold dalmatian, Bella. He attended Collinsville High School, for whom he played baseball, basketball for three years and golf for one year. Even though the ballfields were tattered, the experience was humbling and competitive.

“I played against Chad Spanberger in my high school conference,” Houck says. “I faced him in double-A this year.”

Houck attended the University of Missouri, where he was a Tiger for three years. He thanked Tim Jamieson for recruiting him and giving him a scholarship to further his baseball career and educational pursuits.

“It was a great honor to play in the SEC one of the best baseball conferences by far in the country,” Houck says. “It was a great time; I definitely learned a lot, grew up a lot on

and off the field.”

He had the same coaching staff for two of his three years at Missouri.

“You truly have to shut your mouth and open your ears,” Houck says. “It is a very old thing to say but it is true.

You got to learn from the people who have done it and people that have experienced a lot more than you.”

He has climbed the Minor League ladder quickly in 2017, and after the offseason in 2018, he proceeded to Salem, Virginia, for his first full year.

This last year, he started Double-A with the Portland Sea Dogs and finished in Triple-A with the Pawtucket Red Sox. While he was in the minors, he had pitched in relief instead of his normal starting spot.

“I took it very well,” Houck says. “It was one of those things I just said no matter what, it is 60 feet, 6 inches. The only difference is I might have to get warmer a little bit quicker, so I got to be doing stuff throughout the game to stay hot.”

He knew he wanted to be a pitcher for as long as he can remember, looking up to pitching greats like AJ Burnett, Adam Wainwright, Andy Pettitte and Mariano Rivera. He recalled his mother, Jennifer, telling him a story of his first pitch.

“My mom said that ever since I was little, I would pick up the ball and threw it,” Houck says. “It was just natural. It was something I gravitated to.”

At age 9, he started taking pitching lessons where his love for pitching grew to what is it today. He compares his job to that of a quarterback on a football team.

“I can control what I can control and once the ball leaves my hand, unless it comes back at me, I can’t really do anything else,” Houck says.

The strategy between batter and pitcher is similar to that of a chess match. The batter is going to try hit what the pitcher throws. In turn, the pitcher is trying to beat the batter with his best pitch.

“I was just better at it, I am not going to lie,” Houck says. “Being able to think, I am in control. No one else is

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in control of what is going to happen. I dictate what pitch I am going to throw here, and I can execute the pitch.”

He has been enjoying the Arizona Fall League. His ERA is 6.75, with one win and one loss in two appearances, as of September 27. He calls the AFL a learning process.

“Everyone calls it the ‘Showcase League,’” Houck says. “I am treating it a lot like a regular season game as much as I can. I want to continue to better myself while I am out here. That’s also something I think this league is meant for, is truly a developmental side.”

Houck says there are misconceptions about the Arizona Fall League, which grooms players for the future.

“You might not throw your best pitch in that spot,” Houck says. “Honestly, for me, I have to work on my changeup, so I am going to go out there and throw my changeup as many times as I comfortably can while trying to still be competitive.”

Arizona Fall League mlb.com/arizona-fall-league

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2019

53

A SILENT FORCE The Cardinals’ Andy Isabella lets his work ethic speak for him

Christina Fuoco-Karasinski >> The Entertainer!

A

ndy Isabella has a reputation for not being a big talker. But outside of State Farm Stadium, he’s a different character.

He loves his time with the Cardinals, especially working with the likes of coach Kliff Kingsbury and wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald.

“It’s been fun,” Isabella says. “I think I’ve been down here for a month and a half now and it seems like I’ve been down here for a day.

“They keep us super busy like from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day, every night.”

Th at was before the preseason and his minor knee injury. He returned ready to play in mid-August. QB Charles Kanoff targeted Isabella four times, the last of which Isabella ran for a 59-yard TD against Oakland in August.

Isabella’s journey to the Cardinals began at Mayfield High School in Mayfield, Ohio. He admits football wasn’t his fi rst love; it was soccer and track. His senior year at Mayfield, he took fi rst at state in the 100-meter dash.

“I was actually a really good soccer player growing up,” Isabella says. “My mom wanted me to stick with soccer, but I always had a love for football for some reason. Even just growing up, my dad loved football, so we would watch his sport. I gravitated toward football as I got older.”

He committed to UMass (the University of Massachusetts Amherst) to play college football. On the team from 2015 to 2018, he had 231 receptions for 3,526 yards and 30 TDs. Isabella was Pro Football Focus’ highest-rated wide receiver in college football, posting a season grade of 93.2.

Isabella started as a mechanical

engineering major and then switched to industrial engineering. When the “football thing” looked like it was going to work out, he switched majors so he could finish earlier.

Isabella is thrilled to be with the Cardinals, who made him his select draft pick in 2019. The move reunited him with his former UMass coach, Spencer Whipple, who serves as an offensive quality control coach for the Cardinals.

“It’s nice to have a familiar face,” he says. “He’s someone to look up to, too.

He’s like an older brother to me.”

If Isabella has one goal with the Cardinals, it’s to find his spot.

“Hopefully, they’ll have a nice role for me to play and I can fill that role to the best of my ability,” he says. “Every guy there is talented and came make plays.

You have to be on your A game—every practice, every meeting.

“It can definitely become overwhelming. I try to treat each day as a new opportunity because there is so much talent.”

That includes Chase Edmonds, a running back to whom he’s grown close.

“We’ve been talking a lot,” Isabella says. “He’s really an outgoing and friendly guy.”

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FAMILY

FROLIC » DISCOVER » IMAGINE » FAMILY » FUN » CONNECT

FAMILY

CALENDAR Samantha Fuoco >> The Entertainer!

as competitions, animal shows, rodeos, shopping, arcades and food vendors. The fairgrounds take over Central Phoenix for a whole month, and it is one of the attractions of Phoenix you just can’t miss.

Arizona State Fair & Coliseum, 1826 W. McDowell Road, Phoenix, 602.252.6771, azstatefair.com, various times Wednesday to Sunday, $6-$8.

Corn Maze and Pumpkin Days

OCTOBER 2 TO NOVEMBER 3 Nothing says October like picking out a perfectly plump pumpkin and getting lost in a giant 6-acre corn maze. Tolmachoff Farms has everything a family could want for a fall getaway—from train rides to a petting zoo. In addition to the giant corn maze is a mini one for kiddos, and they also host a fright night for those who love the spooky season. Field of Screams is their haunted corn maze and on Friday and Saturday nights starting at 7 p.m. through the month of October, you can squeal and scream your way through the scary maze.

Tolmachoff Farms, 5726 N. 75th Avenue, Glendale, 602.999.3276, tolmachofffarms.com, various times, closed Monday and Tuesday, $12, $20 Field of Screams, free for children 2 and younger.

Furry Friends Fine Arts Festival

OCTOBER 5 Finally, a festival you can take your furry friend Fido to. The Furry Friends Fine Arts Festival is inviting any and all dog lovers of Phoenix to take their pooches for a day of fun. There will be all kinds of dogrelated vendors from groomers to dog biscuit bakers, and dogs will be available for adoption through the Arizona Humane Society. To top it off, fluffy friends are free!

Shemer Art Center, 5005 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix, 602.262.4727, shemerartcenter. org, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., $5 per person or $10 for a family, free for dogs.

Arizona State Fair

OCTOBER 4 TO OCTOBER 27 The Arizona State Fair has been bringing all the fun, entertainment and food Phoenicians could ask for since 1905. The gigantic extravaganza includes the iconic 130-foot La Grande Ferris Wheel and dozens of other rides, as well

Jonas Brothers

OCTOBER 5 No this isn’t a typo. The Jonas Brothers are back and on a national tour. Though the fandom may have grown up, they’ve grown up too,

and they’re ready to take on their loyal fans all over again. Scream along to the old favorites like “S.O.S,” circa 2007, and jam out to their new music from their latest album “Happiness Begins.” You’ve got kiddos now? No worries, so does Kevin Jonas, so bring them along to watch the show—it’s all ages.

Talking Stick Resort Arena, 201 E. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, 602.279.7800, talkingstickresortarena. com, 7:30 p.m., $60-$495.

MIM Kids Musical Adventures

OCTOBER 12 There’s no better place to show a child the wonderful world of music than the largest museum of musical instruments in the world, the Musical Instrument Museum. Kids ages 6 to 10 will discover new cultures by actively participating in music making, creating musical instruments and exploring MIM’s exhibits with a trusted guide. This session will focus on Latin jazz, and kids will get to make their very own bongo.

Musical Instrument Museum, 4725 E. Mayo Boulevard, Phoenix, 480.478.6000, mim.org, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., $12 per class, ages 6-10.

and dead. Traditionally celebrated in Mexico, Día de Los Muertos is being brought to the people of Mesa for a two-day extravaganza of food, jewelry, crafts and special live performances. Not to be associated with Halloween, this event is family-friendly and a great way to get out and enjoy the cooling temperatures.

Mesa Arts Center, 1 E. Main Street, Mesa, 480.644.6500, mesaartscenter.com, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, free, all ages.

Free Movies in the Desert: “A Bug’s Life”

OCTOBER 19 Enjoy the classic movie “A Bug’s Life” at OdySea Aquarium for free on October 19. That’s not all though: Games and music will be played with prizes to be won, and a meet-and-greet with Francis the ladybug before the show begins. Don’t miss the opportunity to share this throwback movie with the next generation.

OdySea Aquarium, 9500 E. Via de Ventura, Scottsdale, 480.291.8000, odyseaaquarium. com, 5 to 8 p.m., free.

Etiquette Classes for Children

BEGINS OCTOBER 19 SueAnn Brown, a certified etiquette instructor and owner of It’s All About Etiquette, will offer four Saturday morning classes for children ages 9 to 12. Children learn the following: proper dining skills, how to set a table, having proper eye contact, shaking hands, phone etiquette, selfintroduction and introducing others, how to write thank-you notes, the importance of having good hygiene, and more. The cost includes a dining tutorial, class supplies, healthy snacks and an etiquette workbook.

A special graduation ceremony will be held on the last day of class.

Advanced registration is required.

St. Bernard of Clairvaux Church, 10755 N. 124 Street, Scottsdale, 480.510.6346, itsallaboutetiquette. com, 1 to 3 p.m., $250.

Día de los Muertos Festival

OCTOBER 26 TO OCTOBER 27 This colorful, one-of-a-kind festival is the celebration of loved ones coming together, both living

Spooktacular Hot Air Balloon Festival

OCTOBER 25 TO OCTOBER 26 Ready for spooky season? Trickor-treat with a twist at this hot air balloon fest this month. Ride high in the sky or relax on the lawn; there are lots of ways to enjoy the freaky and the fun at this Halloween-themed event.

Enjoy sweet treats, food and live music while basking in the warm glow of 20 hot air balloons or don the creepiest of costumes and enter for a chance to win big in the costume contest—but beware, the competition is hair-raising.

Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, 7555 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, 480.270.5000, azspooktacular. com, 5 to 9:30 p.m., $12 for adults, $10 kids 3-12.

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2019

55

Fall Frenzy Cool air brings chili, balloons and costume contests Octavio Serrano >> The Entertainer!

I

n the Valley, there may not be crisp, falling leaves or cider mills to get into the fall spirit.

The desert does boast the Schnepf Farms Pumpkin and Chili Party, Oktoberfests, balloon festivals and Day of the Dead. Check out our list of top fall events below.

SCHNEPF FARMS PUMPKIN AND CHILI PARTY OCTOBER 1 TO OCTOBER 27 Schnepf Farms offers fun activities through October like a 4-acre corn maze, a pumpkin patch, pig races and its famous chili. Don’t forget to enjoy a tasty burger or chili dinner after taking a spin on the farm’s train.

Schnepf Farms, 24610 S. Rittenhouse Road, Queen Creek, 480.987.3100, schnepffarms.com, various times, $22 TOLMACHOFF FARMS CORN MAZE AND PUMPKIN DAYS OCTOBER 2 TO NOVEMBER 3

Tolmachoff Farms offers something for the whole family, including a pumpkin patch, a 6-acre corn maze, mini corn maze and haunted corn maze.

Tolmachoff Farms, 5726 N. 75th Avenue, Glendale, 602.999.3276, tolmachoff-farms.com, various times, $12.

FOUR PEAKS OKTOBERFEST AT TEMPE TOWN LAKE OCTOBER 11 TO OCTOBER 13 For those looking to combine their love for beer and October festivities, Four Peaks Oktoberfest fits the bill. People can enjoy their cold drinks with live music, carnival rides and wiener dog races.

Tempe Beach Park, 80 W. Rio Salado Parkway Tempe, 480.350.8181, tempeoktoberfest.com, times vary, prices vary.

GOODYEAR FALL FESTIVAL OCTOBER 19 Celebrate fall at the Goodyear Ballpark with 250,000 pieces of candy and the activities like a haunted house, costume

contest, pumpkin patch and petting zoo.

The costume contest is at 6:30 p.m.

Goodyear Ballpark, 1933 S. Ballpark Way, Goodyear, 623.882.3120, goodyearbp.com, 5 to 9 p.m., free admission and parking.

BALLOON SPOOKTACULAR OCTOBER 25 AND OCTOBER 26 Experience more than 20 hot air balloons on display and passing out over 4,000 pounds of candy. The event will feature live music, food and beverage, and a free kids zone, where they can expend the energy from the candy.

Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, 7555 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, 480.270.5000, srfballoonfestivals. com, 5 to 9:30 p.m., $10-$15.

HALLOWEEN SPOOKTACULAR OCTOBER 25 Trick-or-treat through Downtown Chandler with witches, goblins and ghosts. Scary pinatas, witches broom races and spooky carnival games like skee ball will be available. Let the Halloween spirit take over.

The Insider’s Guide to Arizona Entertainment

Dr. A.J. Chandler Park, Stage Plaza, 3 S. Arizona Avenue, Chandler, 480.782.2735, chandleraz.gov, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., free.

DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS PHOENIX FESTIVAL OCTOBER 27 Experience the famous Mexican holiday, Día de los Muertos, at Steele Indian School Park. Guests can participate in mask-making, community altar, sugar skull decorating and other activities.

Steele Indian School Park, 300 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix, diadelosmuertosphx.com, noon to 6 p.m., free admission.

CERTIFIED LOCAL FALL FESTIVAL NOVEMBER 2 Shop local and visit with more than 200 vendors and 30,000 attendees. Enjoy the culture that Arizona has to offer.

Margaret T. Hance Park, 67 W. Culver Street, Phoenix, 602.956.0909, localfirstaz.com, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., free admission.

PHX METRO » JULY 2019

THE

MASTROS

Sultans of Steak

SHINEDOWN

entertainermag.com

Now Inside

ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

Day of Remembrance 56

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

The 15th annual Daisy Mountain Veterans Parade will honor submariners

By Brandie Bosworth >> The Entertainer!

H

oward Doyle served as a submariner from 1968 to 1977 during the Cold and Vietnam wars. He enlisted in the Navy’s nuclear power program and served aboard the submarines U.S.S. Nereus and U.S.S. M.G. Vallejo. On the latter, he assisted with converting missiles into Poseidon missiles.

The crew on the submarines were called “deterrent patrols”—ready to shoot as soon as the National Command Center gave the order. Their homebase was in Charleston, South Carolina, and they were stationed near Holy Loch, Scotland, Doyle says.

Submariners like Doyle are being honored as the grand marshals of the Daisy Mountain Veterans Parade in Anthem on Saturday, November 9, and the activities that follow.

THE PARADE Established in Anthem in 2005, the Daisy Mountain Veterans Parade honors the sacrifices veterans have made to protect others’ freedoms through their service.

“We are made up of veterans and nonveterans who want to support veteran causes,” says Dennis Salsbury, Daisy Mountain Veterans president.

According to Salsbury, the parade was passed on to Tom and Mary Ann Derryberry so the support would continue. Next month is the event’s 15th anniversary. The route begins at Gavilan

THE PERCH BASE USSVI FLOAT IS A 1/15-SCALE MODEL REPLICA OF THE USS PHOENIX.

ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

Peak Parkway/Memorial Drive and ends at the Anthem Community Center.

“We want people to come out and park a lawn chair,” says Josh Miller, a member of the Daisy Mountain Veterans committee for planning the parade.

Miller helps organize the event’s registration, entry and staging the lots where the parade begins and ends at the Cross of Christ Church and Christ Church of the Valley.

Parade registration deadline is October 20 and available on the Daisy Mountain Veterans’ website, daisymtnvets.org.

The registration fee is $35 for the public.

Veterans do not have to pay.

“So far, we have about 30 registrations.

The lowest amount I’ve seen is 70, so with this year’s registration numbers so far I project there will be around 90 total registrations,” Miller says.

The North Valley Young Marines Color Guard and Daisy Mountain Fire Department always take point in the parade, followed by groups who pass out flags and the grand marshals.

This year marks the first time the parade has collaborated with the charity picnic and cornhole competition put on by the Anthem Area Chamber of Commerce.

Admission is free for the picnic and guests are welcome to bring coolers, blankets and food. Neither alcohol nor glass are permitted. The Rotary Club of Anthem will have a beer garden with alcohol for purchase along with food from various vendors.

Registration for the cornhole tournament is available through the Anthem Area Chamber of Commerce.

KOREAN WAR VETERANS ONCE SERVED AS DAISY MOUNTAIN VETERANS PARADE GRAND MARSHALS.

David Voss & Big Country will play music, and there will be bounce houses.

“We want everyone to come out and enjoy the hometown feel we have come to know and love while supporting our veterans,” says Heather Maxwell, executive director of the Anthem Chamber of Commerce.

PERCH BASE USSVI Perch Base has been a part of the parade since its second year, Doyle says.

Its float is a 1/15 scale model of the nuclear-powered U.S.S. Phoenix named after the city.

The original Phoenix was a Los Angeles-class submarine that was 362 feet long. Doyle has participated every year Perch Base has been in attendance.

Perch Base was the first submariner base in Arizona and facilitated five other bases openings in Tucson, Casa Grande, Prescott, Snowflake and Yuma.

Its members range from WWII, Korean War and Cold War veterans to more current conflicts in Iraq and Iran. Its oldest member is 99 years old.

WHAT THE PARADE MEANS TO VETERANS The registration fees for parade participants and sponsorship costs help raise money for the Daisy Mountain Veterans.

“We are a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization,” Salsbury says. “If there is an excess of revenue over expenditures for the parade account, that money would be used to fund other programs.”

These programs offer assistance to veterans with problems dealing with mental health, finances, benefits and transportation.

A Daisy Mountain Veterans Board member works with

the Arizona Military and Veterans Benefits Office to aid veterans who have questions or need help applying for benefits, Salsbury says.

Miller attributes the parade’s success to the community support.

“A ton of work goes on behind the scenes for this,” Miller says. “It involves a slew of people who make it happen.”

Daisy Mountain Veterans work with other local veterans organizations such as Anthem’s American Legion Post 128 and Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 12031 as well as Youth for Troops and North Valley Young Marines. “(These organizations) provide us with volunteer opportunities and to draw on our volunteers,” Salsbury says.

The organizations work together on various veterans events, like the parade, which gives veterans a chance to interact with community members.

For veterans like Doyle, the parade means more than simply being another Veterans Day event.

“It’s a nice feeling,” Doyle says. “A lot of veterans from the Vietnam War were not looked upon kindly from the majority of the people. Having people recognize and honor the contributions veterans made feels good.”

Daisy Mountain Veterans Parade 10 a.m. Saturday, November 9 The route begins at Gavilan Peak Parkway/ Memorial Drive and ends at the Anthem Community Center, Anthem Free admission • daisymtnvets.org

OCTOBER 16TH with special guests

OCTOBER 20TH

JUSTIN MOORE with special guest

BLAINE LONG TICKETS @ MESAAMP.COM OR CHARGE BY PHONE (480)644-2560

58

MUSIC

LISTEN » JAM » INNOVATE » EVOLVE » ROCK » SING

LIVE MUSIC

CALENDAR Connor Dziawura >> The Entertainer!

OCTOBER 1 ’68

Pub Rock Live, 7 p.m., $13

The Aquadolls

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

Babymetal

Marquee Theatre, 8 p.m., $49-$300

Gerald Clayton Quartet

Musical Instrument Museum, 7 p.m., $28.50-$38.50

Get the Led Out

Valley Bar, 8 p.m., sold out

Oliver Tree

The Van Buren, 8 p.m., $23

Starset

The Pressroom, 8 p.m., $25

Stiff Little Fingers

Club Red East Theater, 7 p.m., $25-$30

OCTOBER 2 Candy Dulfer

Last Exit Live, 8:30 p.m., $12-$15

The Motet

Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $22-$32

Quando Rondo

Pub Rock Live, 7 p.m., $20

Speak Low If You Speak Love w/Elder Brother

deadmau5

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

Edge Happy Hour: Palo Brea

Musical Instrument Museum, 7 p.m., $33.50-$43.50

grandson

Marquee Theatre, 8 p.m., $22-$39.50

Musical Instrument Museum, 7 p.m., $43.50-$48.50

Reignwolf w/L.A. Witch

Jonas Brothers

The Choir

The Pressroom, 8 p.m., $20 Last Exit Live, 8 p.m., $18-$20

Shura

Valley Bar, 8:30 p.m., $15

Last Exit Live, 9 p.m., $10

Talking Stick Resort Arena, 7:30 p.m., $165.20-$390

Paper Foxes

Still Woozy

The Rebel Lounge, 9 p.m., $8-$10

The Venomous Pinks

The Rhythm Room, 6 p.m., $10

OCTOBER 4

Pub Rock Live, 7 p.m., $10

Barefoot

Crescent Ballroom, 7:30 p.m., $13

Billy Currington

Veterans Memorial Coliseum, 7 p.m., $40-$60

Chris Lake

The Pressroom, 9 p.m., $37-$52

Christian French

Valley Bar, 8 p.m., $15

A Continent Named Coma Pub Rock Live, 7 p.m., free

Edge Happy Hour: Andromeda Collective Jayson Davis Quintet Nilüfer Yanya

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

Polo G

Club Red East Theater, 8 p.m., $27-$30

Rick Estrin & the Nightcats The Rhythm Room, 8 p.m., $14

Roy Orbison and Buddy Holly: The Rock ’N’ Roll Dream Tour Mesa Arts Center’s Ikeda Theater, 8 p.m., $43-$68

Venom Prison w/Homewrecker

The Repeat Offenders

Seven Guns w/Icelus, Devil Lies Down, Vark Nation Social Repose

Club Red West Theater, 6 p.m., $15

Son Volt

Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $25-$35

Soul Power Band

The Rhythm Room, 9 p.m., $10

We3

The Nash, 7:30 p.m., $16-$36

OCTOBER 6 Che Apalache

Bettye LaVette

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

Dodie

The Van Buren, 8 p.m., $22-$25

Faye Webster

Valley Bar, 8 p.m., $12

The Hu

Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $20-$30

Immolation

Club Red West Theater, 6 p.m., $20

The Parlor Mob

Pub Rock Live, 7:30 p.m., $13

Stone Temple Pilots w/Rival Sons

Comerica Theatre, 7 p.m., $29.50-$174.50

OCTOBER 9 7Horse

Last Exit Live, 8 p.m., $25

Anka Sings Sinatra

Mesa Arts Center’s Ikeda Theater, 7:30 p.m., $85-$125

Chick Corea w/Christian McBride, Brian Blade

Billy Strings

Mesa Arts Center’s Ikeda Theater, 7:30 p.m., $35-$63

Hippie Gold Tribute Band

The Rhythm Room, 4 p.m., $15

Jan Sandwich: A Tribute to Doris Day The Nash, 3 p.m., $11-$21

John Digweed

Shady Park, 3 p.m., $35

Kamelot

Marquee Theatre, 7:30 p.m., $30-$102

Mahalia w/Jvck James

OCTOBER 3

OCTOBER 5

GCU Arena, 7 p.m., $15-$100

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

OCTOBER 8

The Band Camino

The Rebel Lounge, 7 p.m., $13-$15

Andrew Duhon

The Rhythm Room, 8 p.m., $10

Musical Instrument Museum, 7 p.m., $33.50-$43.50

Valley Bar, 8 p.m., $20-$59

Comerica Theatre, 7:30 p.m., $49.50-$398.50

James Blonde

Rakim

The Pressroom, 8 p.m., $45-$135

Club Red West Theater, 6 p.m., $12

Alejandro Sanz

Huun-Huur-Tu

Gelatinous Groove

Club Red West Theater, 7 p.m., $13

The Nash, 7:30 p.m., free

Joe Hertler & the Rainbow Seekers

Cigarettes After Sex

Psyclon Nine

Doobie

Valley Bar, 8 p.m., $17

The Rebel Lounge, 8 p.m., $10-$12

The Game

Tempe Center for the Arts, 6 p.m., free

Fruit Bats

OCTOBER 7

Veterans Memorial Coliseum, 7 p.m., $40-$100

Last Exit Live, 8 p.m., $8-$10

Musical Instrument Museum, 7 p.m. and 9 p.m., $38.50-$58.50

Musical Instrument Museum, 7 p.m. and 9 p.m., $38.50-$58.50 Club Red West Theater, 7 p.m., $17-$87

The Cult

Tempe Center for the Arts, 6 p.m., free

The Rebel Lounge, 8 p.m., $8

mxmtoon

Shane Travis

Club Red East Theater, 6 p.m., $20

Candy Dulfer

The Rhythm Room, 8 p.m., $24

Harrison Fjord w/Hyperbella, Mesquite Chandler Center for the Arts, 7:30 p.m., $26

Beyond Creation

Comerica Theatre, 8 p.m., $41.50-$180

Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., sold out

Marc Broussard w/Samantha Fish

Scrap Yard Aces

The Van Buren, 7:30 p.m., $32.50-$35

Bobby Rush

Celebrity Theatre, 7:30 p.m., $35-$55

Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $10

Bad Religion

Newsboys

SCC Jazz Orchestra w/Alex Sipiagin The Nash, 7:30 p.m., $25-$40

The Van Buren, 8 p.m., $20-$75 Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $20

Escape the Fate w/Bless the Fall Club Red East Theater, 6:30 p.m., $22-$25

Jon McLaughlin w/Sawyer

Musical Instrument Museum, 7 p.m., $33.50-$43.50

¡Mayday!

Club Red West Theater, 8 p.m., $17

Stryper

Veterans Memorial Coliseum, 7 p.m., $30-$50

Superstition Jazz Orchestra: A Jazz Portrait of The Beatles The Nash, 7:30 p.m., $11-$21

OCTOBER 10 Acid King

Club Red West Theater, 7 p.m., $17

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2019

Cass McCombs

Bloodletting

James World

Midland

Chris Brown

Brick + Mortar

JPEGMAFIA

Senses Fail

Delain w/Amorphis

Mothership

Steve Hackett

Diiv

Surf Curse

Trace Adkins

Edge Happy Hour: Improvisers Big Band

Tyler Childers

Valley Bar, 8 p.m., $16 Talking Stick Resort Arena, 6:30 p.m., $58.75-$475

Clint Stevens

The Rebel Lounge, 8 p.m., $10-$12

EmiSunshine

Musical Instrument Museum, 7 p.m., $38.50-$43.50

The Noodles: Music of the Grateful Dead and Jerry Garcia The Rhythm Room, 8 p.m., $7

Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo

Club Red West Theater, 5 p.m., $15 Last Exit Live, 9 p.m., $12-$15 Marquee Theatre, 7:30 p.m., $30-$80 The Rebel Lounge, 8 p.m., $18-$20

Tempe Center for the Arts, 6 p.m., free

Guilherme Arantes w/Brazilian Voices

Veterans Memorial Coliseum, 7 p.m., $40

Musical Instrument Museum, 7:30 p.m., $28.50-$38.50

Sabaton w/Hammerfall

Javon Jackson’s Jazz Message

The Van Buren, 8 p.m., $27.50-$33

Stereolab

Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., sold out

Thunderstruck

Club Red East Theater, 6 p.m., $20-$25

OCTOBER 11 ayokay

The Rhythm Room, 8 p.m., $10

Common Kings

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

Damien Escobar

Musical Instrument Museum, 7:30 p.m., $55.50-$75.50

Defiant Machine w/Soundmankillz Club Red West Theater, 6 p.m., $10

Dennis DeYoung

Mesa Arts Center’s Ikeda Theater, 8 p.m., $43-$60

Dubbest w/SYNRGY, Haley Green Last Exit Live, 9 p.m., $10-$12

Edge Happy Hour: Manic Monkeys Tempe Center for the Arts, 6 p.m., free

Fiesta Friday w/NB Ridaz, Lil Rob, DJ Kane, Kid Frost

Veterans Memorial Coliseum, 7 p.m., $30-$100

Her Name Echoes

Pub Rock Live, 7 p.m., $10

Key Glock

The Pressroom, 8 p.m., $40-$700

Mysterious Traveler: The Music of Wayne Shorter The Nash, 7:30 p.m., $11-$21

Swervedriver

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

Twin Ponies

The Rebel Lounge, 6:45 p.m., $10-$12

OCTOBER 12 The 44s

The Rhythm Room, 9 p.m., $10

Andrew Combs

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

Comerica Theatre, 7:30 p.m., $39.50-$49.50 Club Red East Theater, 8 p.m., $19-$23 The Van Buren, 7:30 p.m., $37-$87 Veterans Memorial Coliseum, 7 p.m., $40-$100

The Van Buren, 8 p.m., sold out

OCTOBER 18

OCTOBER 15

Apache Lake Music Festival

Acoustic Alchemy

Musical Instrument Museum, 7 p.m. and 9 p.m., $38.50-$53.50

Apache Lake Resort, noon, $50-$60

Ashe

The Rebel Lounge, 8 p.m., $15-$55

The Backseat Lovers

Banners

Badflower

Becky G

Club Red East Theater, 7 p.m., $17-$89

Valley Bar, 7:30 p.m., $15 Veterans Memorial Coliseum, 7 p.m., $40-$60

Talking Stick Resort Arena, 8 p.m., $35.20-$229

Bastille

Dean Lewis

Lee Brice

Comerica Theatre, 7:30 p.m., $39.50-$60

Béla Fleck, Zakir Hussain and Edgar Meyer w/Rakesh Chaurasia

Edge Happy Hour: Benjamin Cortez

Veterans Memorial Coliseum, 7 p.m., $30-$60

Bruce Hornsby & the Noisemakers

Cold Shott & the Hurricane Horns

Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $14

J Balvin

Rufus Wainwright

Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts’ Virginia G. Piper Theater, 8 p.m., $51-$84

Club Red West Theater, 7 p.m., $10

The Nash, 7 p.m. and 9:15 p.m., $49-$250

Bad Suns

The Van Buren, 8 p.m., $22-$25

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

The Rebel Lounge, 7:30 p.m., $10-$12

The Neighbourhood w/Jane Holiday, Claud

Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $15-$40

The Rebel Lounge, 8 p.m., $5-$8

59

The Van Buren, 8 p.m., sold out Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts’ Virginia G. Piper Theater, $35-$229.50

Too Many Zooz

Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $20

Tower of Power

Mesa Arts Center’s Ikeda Theater, 7 p.m., $29.50-$159.50

OCTOBER 13 George Cables

The Nash, 3 p.m., $16-$65

Bars & Melody

The Nile, 7 p.m., $20

Experience Hendrix

The Van Buren, 8 p.m., $29.50-$129

Mesa Arts Center’s Ikeda Theater, 7:30 p.m., $40

Tempe Center for the Arts, 6 p.m., free

Briston Maroney

Club Red West Theater, 6 p.m., $17

Valley Bar, 8 p.m., $15

Caamp

Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., sold out

Lucky Devils

The Rhythm Room, 8 p.m., free

Phil Collins

Talking Stick Resort Arena, 8 p.m., $275-$385

Havok

Jason Ricci & the Bad Kind The Rhythm Room, 8 p.m., $10

Kurt Elling

Musical Instrument Museum, 7:30 p.m., $43.50-$53.50

Masterplan: Celebrating the Music of Pharoah Sanders The Nash, 7:30 p.m., $11-$21

The Pressroom, 7 p.m., $30

The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band

OCTOBER 16

Saweetie

UFO

The Almas

The Rhythm Room, 8 p.m., $10

Godsmack

Comerica Theatre, 7 p.m., $45-$149

Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $20 The Pressroom, 8 p.m., $35-$130

OCTOBER 19 AJJ

GRLwood

The Pressroom, 8 p.m., $15

In Real Life

Judah & the Lion

Apache Lake Resort, noon, $50-$60

Jam Session: Adam Clark

Julia Michaels

Marquee Theatre, 8 p.m., $21-$41

Mesa Arts Center’s Ikeda Theater, 7 p.m., $46-$91 Valley Bar, 5:30 p.m., $25-$99

The Rebel Lounge, 8 p.m., $8-$10 The Van Buren, 8 p.m., $35-$38

Apache Lake Music Festival Big Wreck

Chelsea Wolfe

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

Marquee Theatre, 8 p.m., $25-$55

Justin Stone

Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $20-$30

NGHTMRE w/Slander, Seven Lions, The Glitch Mob

Matthew West & Zach Williams

The Nash, 7:30 p.m., $11-$31

Pub Rock Live, 7:30 p.m., $12

Cinco de Moio

Rawhide Event Center, 5:30 p.m., $47-$90

Veterans Memorial Coliseum, 7 p.m., $40-$100

Edge Happy Hour: Awaken AZ

The Quebe Sisters

Proxima Parada

Hobo Johnson & the Lovemakers

REO Speedwagon

Lil Pump

Musical Instrument Museum, 7 p.m., $38.50-$48.50

The Schizophonics

The Rhythm Room, 7:30 p.m., $8

Sheer Terror

Club Red West Theater, 6 p.m., $15

Last Exit Live, 8:30 p.m., $7-$10 Mesa Amphitheatre, 6 p.m., $55-$179

Rings of Saturn

Club Red West Theater, 6 p.m., $18

Tempe Center for the Arts, 6 p.m., free The Van Buren, 8 p.m., $25-$28

Veterans Memorial Coliseum, 7 p.m., $40-$100

Mandisa

Stand Atlantic w/The Faim

Chandler Center for the Arts, 7 p.m., $18-$75

Yaima

OCTOBER 17

Monica Heuser’s Tribute: Remember Patsy Cline

Tig Notaro

The Van Buren, 8 p.m., $35-$58

Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $16

Alien Weaponry

OCTOBER 14

Club Red West Theater, 7:30 p.m., $13-$17

Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts’ Virginia G. Piper Theater, 8 p.m., $19-$39

Abhi the Nomad

Alterbeast

A Night with Janis Joplin

Last Exit Live, 8:30 p.m., $10-$13

Valley Bar, 8:30 p.m., $15

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

Celebrity Theatre, 7 p.m., $35-$130 ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

UPFRONT | CITY | TRAVEL | ARTS | DINING | BEER AND WINE | CASINOS | SPORTS | FAMILY | MUSIC | NIGHTLIFE | IN CLOSING 60 Nite Stalk w/Oblivians Joe Bonamassa OCTOBER 23

The Rhythm Room, 2 p.m., $25

OCTOBER 20 Bret Bollinger & the Bad Habits Last Exit Live, 8 p.m., $12-$15

Camille Sledge

The Nash, 3 p.m., $16-$36

Clairo

The Van Buren, 8 p.m., $22.50-$27.50

Jam Session: Dave Henning

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

Justin Moore

Mesa Amphitheatre, 7 p.m., $45-$62

Allegaeon

Club Red West Theater, 6 p.m., $15

Awolnation

Veterans Memorial Coliseum, 7 p.m., $40-$100

Brent Cobb and Them Valley Bar, 8 p.m., $15

Cavetown

Crescent Ballroom, 7:30 p.m., sold out

Delta Rae w/Frances Cone

Musical Instrument Museum, 7 p.m., $35.50-$45.50

Lagwagon w/Face to Face

Maribou State

The Pressroom, 7:30 p.m., $30-$35

Marmalade Skies

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

Mushroomhead

The Van Buren, 8 p.m., sold out

Sacha Robotti

The Rebel Lounge, 8 p.m., $20-$60

The Speed of Sound in Seawater

Club Red East Theater, 7 p.m., $16

Spicy Mayo

Comerica Theatre, 8 p.m., $75-$151.50

Sum 41

Gila River Arena, 7:30 p.m., $350

Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $17 The Rhythm Room, 4 p.m., $15 Club Red West Theater, 6 p.m., $25 Shady Park, 3 p.m., $20 Pub Rock Live, 7 p.m., $12

The Rebel Lounge, 8 p.m., $7 Marquee Theatre, 7:30 p.m., $33.50-$202.50

White Reaper

Valley Bar, 8 p.m., $16

OCTOBER 21 Bush w/Live and Our Lady Peace Comerica Theatre, 7 p.m., $49.50-$258.50

Gus Dapperton

The Van Buren, 8:30 p.m., $20-$25

Landon Cube Lizzo

Lucky Daye

Oranssi Pazuzu Tenacious D

Cannibal Corpse

The Pressroom, 7:30 p.m., $26.50-$30

Chase Rice

Veterans Memorial Coliseum, 7 p.m., $40-$60

Dream Theater

Mesa Arts Center’s Ikeda Theater, 7:30 p.m., $42-$103

Highly Suspect w/Slothrust Incubus

Club Red East Theater, 8 p.m., $15-$60 Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $20-$30

Night Club

Club Red West Theater, 7 p.m., $10

SFJAZZ Collective

Musical Instrument Museum, 7:30 p.m., $43.50-$53.50

The Legendary Pink Dots

The Weeks

Lila Downs

Yak Attack

Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $30

Matthew Whitaker

Musical Instrument Museum, 7 p.m., $33.50-$43.50

NF

The Rebel Lounge, 8 p.m., $12-$15

Sammy Johnson

Skizzy Mars

(Sandy) Alex G

Wayne “The Train” Hancock

The Sugar Thieves

OCTOBER 28

Last Exit Live, 7 p.m., $25 The Nile, 7 p.m., $18 The Rhythm Room, 8 p.m., $10

Wrestling Upon Eden

Club Red West Theater, 6 p.m., $10

Yelawolf

The Pressroom, 7 p.m., $27.50-$125

OCTOBER 26 The Van Buren, 8 p.m., $40-$44 The Rhythm Room, 9 p.m., $15 Musical Instrument Museum, 7 p.m. and 9 p.m., $43.50-$53.50

Celebrating Women in Jazz The Nash, 7:30 p.m., $11-$40

Cody Johnson & Friends

Mesa Amphitheatre, 5:45 p.m., $30-$100

Edge Happy Hour: Sound Art Arizona

Tempe Center for the Arts, 6 p.m., free

Gatecreeper

Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $15

Gloria Trevi

Comerica Theatre, 8 p.m., $39.95-$418.50

Shady Park, 2 p.m., $15-$25 Valley Bar, 8 p.m., $25-$79 The Rhythm Room, 7 p.m., $20

Cory Wong

Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $20-$100

The Devil Wears Prada

Marquee Theatre, 7:30 p.m., $19.50-$34.50

Justin Townes Earl

The Rebel Lounge, 8 p.m., $31-$35

Club Red West Theater, 7 p.m., $20

Frank Turner

Mesa Arts Center’s Ikeda Theater, 7 p.m., $39.50-$69.50

Hozier

Comerica Theatre, 8 p.m., $35-$45

Lucy Dacus

Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $17

Mike Watt + the Missingmen Valley Bar, 8 p.m., $20

The Spill Canvas

Andrea Gibson

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

Love Like Fiction w/Victory Tonight

Pub Rock Live, 7 p.m., $12

Marbin

Last Exit Live, 9 p.m., $12-$15

Sean Jones Quartet

The Rebel Lounge, 8 p.m., $18-$20

Babak Amini and Siamak Shirazi Tempe Center for the Arts, 7 p.m., $25-$60

Dark Future

The Rebel Lounge, 9 p.m., $10-$12

The Van Buren, 8 p.m., $20

Devendra Banhart

Edge Happy Hour: Bohemian Insurgence

Gwar

Tempe Center for the Arts, 6 p.m., free

Chameleons Vox

Jade Bird

Club Red West Theater, 6 p.m., $25

OCTOBER 27

Cherry Glazerr

The Van Buren, 8 p.m., $27.50-$29.50

The Rebel Lounge, 8 p.m., $18-$20

Ann Hampton Callaway: “The Barbra Streisand Songbook”

Musical Instrument Museum, 6 p.m. and 8 p.m., $38.50-$48.50

Club Red West Theater, 6 p.m., $18

Impending Doom

Subhumans

Dreamers

ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

Sam Divine

Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $18-$28

OCTOBER 25

Suzanne Santo of honeyhoney Pub Rock Live, 7 p.m., $15

Ra Ra Riot

Last Exit Live, 8:30 p.m., $10-$12

Sun Devil Stadium’s Coca-Cola Sun Deck, 8 p.m., $17

Witt Lowry

Chandler Center for the Arts, 2 p.m., $34-$95

Tempe Center for the Arts, 7:30 p.m., $32-$40

Comerica Theatre, 8 p.m., $58.50 Last Exit Live, 8:30 p.m., $14-$16

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

Bishop Briggs w/Miya Folick, Jax Anderson

OCTOBER 22

Lucero

Nā Palapalai

BoDeans

Neon Indian

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

Musical Instrument Museum, 7 p.m., $33.50-$43.50

OCTOBER 24

Josh A / Jake Hill

The Rebel Lounge, 8 p.m., $25-$28

Off With Their Heads

Matt Dusk

OCTOBER 29

Musical Instrument Museum, 7 p.m., $38.50-$48.50

Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts’ Virginia G. Piper Theater, 7 p.m., $35-$55

The Nash, 7:30 p.m., $11-$21

Celebrity Theatre, 8 p.m., $51-$132

Black Pumas

Rebirth Brass Band

Aretha: The Queen of Soul

Michael Collins Trio

Los Temerarios

Tool

Comerica Theatre, 8 p.m., $39.50-$275.50

The Van Buren, 8 p.m., $37.50-$299

Veterans Memorial Coliseum, 7 p.m., $40-$100

The Nash, 6 p.m. and 8:15 p.m., $16-$56

Warbringer w/Enforcer

The Van Buren, 8 p.m., $35-$40

Amon Amarth

MC Hammer w/C+C Music Factory featuring Freedom Williams

Joey DeFrancesco

Andrew Bird

The Kavalactones

The Rhythm Room, 8 p.m., $7

Comerica Theatre, 8 p.m., $62.50-$553.50

Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $30 Marquee Theatre, 7:30 p.m., $22.50-$52.50

OCTOBER 30 Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $18-$30

Argyle Goolsby & the Roving Midnight

The Rebel Lounge, 8 p.m., $12-$15

Lukas Graham w/Lauren Duski The Van Buren, 8 p.m., $30-$35

Sammy Eubanks

The Rhythm Room, 8 p.m., $10

Sarah Bareilles

Comerica Theatre, 8 p.m., $35-$503

OCTOBER 31 Jon Pardi

Comerica Theatre, 7:30 p.m., $29.50$213.50

K Camp w/Shordie Shordie, Lil Blurry

The Pressroom, 6:30 p.m., $20-$300

Michale Graves

Marquee Theatre, 6 p.m., $15-$30

Spafford

The Van Buren, 8 p.m., $22-$27

‘A TREMENDOUS TIME’ THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2019

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The Dirty Dozen Brass Band brings hometown music to Chandler Christina Fuoco-Karasinski >> The Entertainer!

T

he Dirty Dozen Brass Band’s Roger Lewis is sure “Take Me to the River—New Orleans Live!

Celebrating the Music of the Crescent City” is a good time.

So much so, he unleashes a long list of adjectives and phrases to describe it.

“It’s a good time,” says Lewis, who plays baritone sax and sings. “It’s a wonderful time. It’s a great time. It’s a marvelous time. It’s a fantastic time. It’s a tremendous time.”

Following the successful 2017 tour celebrating the music of Memphis, “Take Me to the River—New Orleans Live!” gathers the most influential figures of modern New Orleans funk, R&B, soul and jazz together on the same stage. Featuring both individual and collaborative performances, “Take Me to the River” has three generations of legendary Crescent City talent.

When the show comes to the Chandler Center for the Arts on Wednesday, October 9, Lewis will bring his band, Ivan Neville, Ian Neville, Walter “Wolfman” Washington, the Mardi Gras Indians with “Big

Chief” Monk Boudreaux of The Golden Eagles and “Big Chief” Romeo of the Ninth Ward Hunters.

“I think you guys are going to be in for quite a treat,” he says. “We’ve got music for your mind, body and your soul. We’re coming at you from all ends.

You’re going to be complete.”

Lewis says the tour does well because New Orleans music is appreciated all around the world.

“It’s the spirit of the music,” Lewis adds. “The music makes you feel good.

It makes your body feel good. It relaxes your mind and everything in it to make you feel good, whatever your taste in music is.”

He doesn’t understand why, though, it isn’t celebrated more.

“I don’t know why it’s not at the forefront of all music,” he says.

“Whoever’s pushing the buttons or turning the knobs, this music should be appreciated by everybody—from the young to the old. The best music is being left out.

“I’ve ever been anywhere in the world where this music wasn’t appreciated. I’ve been on a lot of jazz concerts, Carnegie Hall, ‘The Tonight Show,’ people just love New Orleans music. But we should be up there with Beyoncé. It’s too good.”

Lewis has wanted to be a musician since he was 8, when he saw his

saxophone-playing cousin was traveling the world.

“Back then, in every household, there were encyclopedias,” he says. “As a kid, I would flip the pages and look at these exotic places in the world. One picture I saw was of Big Ben. Later, I was in London, looking out the window, and I realized I was looking at Big Ben in the exact same way as the photo in the encyclopedia.

“I’m living my dream. I have no complaints whatsoever. My job is to make people feel good and bring some joy and happiness to everyone’s lives.

That’s what I do. That’s what I have to contribute to humanity. The music is my god-gifted talent.”

The Dirty Dozen Brass Band has long been credited with changing the face of brass music. The band took its name from New Orelans’ The Dirty Dozen Social and Pleasure Club, which joined two antiquated traditions: social and pleasure clubs. They dated back over a century to a time when black southerners could rarely afford life insurance, and the clubs would provide proper funeral arrangements.

Brass bands, early predecessors of jazz would often follow the funeral procession playing somber dirges, then once the family of the deceased was out of earshot, burst into jubilant dance

tunes as casual onlookers danced in the streets. By the late ’70s, few of either existed. The Dirty Dozen Social and Pleasure Club decided to assemble this group as a house band, and over the course of these early gigs the sevenmember ensemble adopted the venue’s name.

Lewis says he never considered the band influential.

“I was just playing some music I didn’t have the opportunity to play in other bands,” he says.

“The music is coming out of the gumbo pots. I didn’t think, at the time, we were changing the history of New Orleans music. There was Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonious Monk and various other artists. Then you have The Dirty Dozen Brass Band to go along with it. We took that music to the streets and brought up the beat a little bit.”

“Take Me to the River— New Orleans Live!

Celebrating the Music of the Crescent City” Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Avenue, Chandler, 480.782.2680, chandlercenter.org, 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, October 9, $36-$66.

ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

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

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‘DOOM’ AND GLOOM Bastille allows escapism during its shows Christina Fuoco-Karasinski >> The Entertainer!

B

astille drummer Chris Wood says fans have learned the breadth of the English band’s tastes, thanks to its latest album, “Doom Days.”

Telling the story of a colorful night at a party that is emotionally chaotic yet euphoric, “Doom Days” blends gospel, house music, R&B, pop and rock. But just like the mélange of genres, there are numerous meanings for the tunes.

“A lot of those songs are open to interpretation,” Wood says via telephone from Toronto.

“We’re really conscious of telling a story. On the previous album, we addressed the state of the world head on and it occurred to us that people will go to a show and want to escape all of that. They don’t want to be constantly reminded, We’re their escape.”

Fans can escape when Bastille comes to the Comerica Theatre on Tuesday, October 15, with Joywave.

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“We’re bringing the European festival tour to the States,” Wood says. “It’s trying to tell a little bit of a story. We’re doing new songs, the older stuff and the collaborations, which is a broad sort of mix.”

Included in the set is Bastille’s breakthrough, six-times-platinum hit “Pompeii.”

“People often ask, ‘Do you get bored of playing ‘Pompeii’? No. That song changed our lives. We are incredibly fortunate.

“The songs have evolved naturally live a little bit. It’s not intentional. We just add little things in here and there. We’re constantly evolving.”

Marshmello and Bastille’s hit “Happier” is in the setlist, too, after 2 billion cumulative streams.

“It was pretty quick and mad,” he says about the process. “We were tapping into that whole EDM/DJ world we had not peered into before.

We’re obviously really pleased at how the song turned out, but we didn’t expect for it to blow up. We’re very, very happy for that.”

The success can be partially chalked up to the tearjerker video about a girl and her dog, without spoiling it.

“A lot of people were very upset about that,” he says. “We didn’t realize it would have such an effect. We had the song written a long time before, but we weren’t quite sure if we wanted to use it ourselves because it wasn’t very Bastille. We were looking for someone to do it. We kept it and recorded it with Marshmello.”

When Bastille embarked on its first U.S. tour, Wood admits to a bit of debauchery—but not in the way one thinks.

“When we first toured here, we ate all the junk food we could,” Wood says.

“We got it out of our system. We’re really fortunate to have friends in different cities. Instead of touring, it’s like we’re

traveling and catching up with old friends.

“We’ve been here enough that we’re not complete tourists. In L.A. we know certain bars and restaurants; same with some other cities.”

In the day of social media, Bastille hopes to encourage real human connections through its music. For example, the single “Joy” sees a hangover turned around by a simple phone call from someone special.

“Doom Days” was interesting—yet stressful—for Bastille to create. Its first album, “Bad Blood,” was made while the musicians had regular day jobs.

“Now, we have a studio in south London,” Wood says. “It took us six months to write and record every day. Our singer, Dan Smith, is a perfectionist. He’s never satisfied, and he continually improves things in his work.

He would rarely bring a song to us unless it was halfway done—or more—in his mind. It’s worked pretty well so far. If it ain’t broke…

“He’s very hard on himself, though.

He needs that for his work. He’s a workaholic.”

The pressure is mostly within Smith, with the band members letting very few outside pressures get to them.

“We have some from the label,” Wood says. “We’ve had a certain amount of commercial success. As cliché as that may sound, we just want to make music we’re proud of. Whether the song is the next single or an album track, we just try to do the best we can.”

Bastille w/Joywave Comerica Theatre, 400 W. Washington Street, Phoenix, comericatheatre.com, 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, October 15, tickets start at $39.50.

DEFYING GENRES

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2019

63

Delta Rae brings magic and Southern gothic mysticism to the MIM Christina Fuoco-Karasinski >> The Entertainer!

F

or Southern storytellers Delta Rae, the Musical Instrument Museum represents everything that’s great about the art form.

“Oh, we are so excited,” singer Brittany Hölljes says.

“We are so grateful that the MIM exists. It’s awesome. It’s given us such a great chance to build our audience in Phoenix. The last time we were there, I had to tear myself away from the museum to actually play the show.”

Hölljes and the band will return to the MIM to play a 7 p.m. Wednesday, October 23, show.

The six-piece band was founded in 2009 in Durham, North Carolina, with siblings Ian, Eric and Brittany Hölljes; childhood friend Liz Hopkins, and North Carolina natives Mike McKee and Grant Emerson.

Since the beginning, they have been headlining their own tours and telling stories in four-part harmony. Their Southern gothic gospel songs like “Bottom of the River” living seamlessly alongside pop country ballads like “No Peace in Quiet.”

Now based in Nashville, Delta Rae recently announced it left Big Machine Label Group and has gone indie. Fans can expect the crowd-funded albums “The Light” on March 20 and its sister album, “The Dark,” in 2021.

“Today—the day that you and I are speaking—is the very last day of recording for ‘The Light,’” Hölljes says.

“We’re putting background vocals on our final song. We have a string quartet to add and I couldn’t be more excited about this album.

“It went from something beautiful and cool to being invested in the witchy stuff.

That’s my vibe. I’m giving myself chills.

It’s some magic that’s happening.”

Besides the companion albums, fans can expect live, acoustic and holiday collections.

“It’s going to be a really fun time in the studio,” she says. “We needed more studio time and more time to create. I’m really thrilled to be making up for this lost time. The songs have been waiting in the wings. It’s really satisfying to put it all out in the world

to be somewhere we’ve invested in the past.”

The MIM show will feature new songs in the same ethos of the huge percussion and four-part harmony, Hölljes says.

Add a little renewed energy and an “incredible” year, and Delta Rae is happy.

“Fans will hear a lot of that new music for the first time,” Hölljes says. “The whole thrust of what we’re doing now is the light and the dark. For people who like magic and Southern gothic mysticism, we’ll be bringing plenty of that. We have a very explicit, soulful, joyful, transcendent sound that pulls on our gospel roots. We love the Southern, sultry summer feeling.” and let it flourish.”

Big Machine Label Group was Delta Rae’s second label deal. Hölljes says Delta Rae gave the company three years to prove itself, but during that time, the act learned it operates better as an indie band.

“We have a sound that defies genre,”

Hölljes says. “No one’s going to be able to craft your direction or guide your vision the way you can. That’s the conclusion we drew.

“It’s not easy to get out of those types of deals. It’s really worth it to us to have creative control and a more direct relationship with our fans, which proves

The Insider’s Guide to Arizona Entertainment

Delta Rae w/Frances Cone Musical Instrument Museum, 4725 E. Mayo Boulevard, Phoenix, 480.478.6000, mim.org, 7 p.m. Wednesday, October 23, $35.50-$45.50.

PHX METRO » JULY 2019

THE

MASTROS

Sultans of Steak

SHINEDOWN

entertainermag.com

Now Inside

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

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Jon McLaughlin turns to classical music for a break from pop Christina Fuoco-Karasinski >> The Entertainer!

S

inger-songwriter Jon McLaughlin is in a mood.

Starting his career as a pop singer-songwriter, McLaughlin has turned toward classical music for his instrumental piano album, “Mood.” He’ll visit Phoenix to support “Mood” with a show at the Musical Instrument Museum on Wednesday, October 9.

“I’m really pumped about it,” McLaughlin says. “It’s the first time I’ve put out a classical piano record.

“This tour should have an asterisk.

It’s all original songs. I’m not playing Rachmaninoff. This isn’t the entire set.

I had no idea what the response would be to a classical piano rock, but it’s been

great. At the MIM, these songs will be played on a proper piano in a proper hall.

I feel they’ll sound better at the MIM than anywhere else on tour.”

The project was inspired by his Dueling Pianos video series. Each video features a new guest artist from out of town and they debut new arrangements.

He penned the first “Mood” song a year ago at an ideal time, he says.

“I needed a break from my pop stuff,” he says. “I think I was a little tapped out, in terms of writing. Writing is always tough. You have to take a break.

“The ‘Mood’ stuff had a one-two punch. It gave me a break and kept me inspired. I went through a good six-month phase where I couldn’t stop writing these classical songs. I bought a piano a year ago—the first piano I had ever owned. It was challenging, but in a

good way.”

McLaughlin, who sees “Mood” as a continuing series, is working on a pop record, and 10 songs are written.

“Five of them are good,” he says with a laugh. “I’ll keep writing for that. I’m also putting together a remake of 10 of my top fan favorites. I’m going to retool them, rerecord them. Some will be with a band and others will be a little more chill.”

Jon McLaughlin w/Sawyer 7 p.m. Wednesday, October 9 Musical Instrument Museum, 4725 E. Mayo Boulevard, Phoenix $33.50 to $43.50 480-478-6000, mim.org

Finding Peace R

Christina Fuoco-Karasinski >> The Entertainer!

Katastro shares life’s rollercoaster on ‘Tropical Heartbreak’ ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

eggae-rockers Katastro are celebrating the release of their latest album, “Tropical Heartbreak,” on Saturday, October 19, at Tempe Marketplace, and they’re inviting their hometown fans to join in.

“We’re calling it ‘Tropical Heartbreak Fest.’ It’s a big release party for the new album,” drummer Andrew Stravers says.

“We’ll play a bunch of songs on the new album that we’ve never played before live. We’ll have games and cool stuff for fans to interact with, a photo booth and new merch. It’s really exciting to plan this.”

“Tropical Heartbreak” is the band’s second full-length album in as many years. Katastro has toured with the likes of Sublime with Rome, New Politics, Dirty Heads, Pepper, The Expendables and Stick Figure, and it proved to be helpful with “Tropical Heartbreak.”

Rome Ramirez, who fronts Sublime with Rome, penned “Back to You” with Katastro. Former Peoria native Colton Avery, who recently returned to Arizona

Christmas God

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2019

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Judas Priest’s Rob Halford turns holiday music to 11 Christina Fuoco-Karasinski >> The Entertainer! udas Priest’s Rob Halford sat with his family during Christmas dinner a few years ago and had an epiphany: They should record a Christmas album.

Due October 18, “Celestial” is credited to Rob Halford with Family and Friends—his brother, Nigel, on drums; his nephew, Alex (son of Judas Priest bassist Ian Hill), on bass; his sister, Sue, on bells; and twin guitar tandem of Robert Jones and Jon Blakey.

“This is a dream come true for me,” the Paradise Valley resident says. “Over the years, I’ve watched my brother play drums really well and Alex on the bass guitar. We thought, ‘Wouldn’t it be great to manage a song or two? That’s how it started.’

“These things we do in music start with a simple idea and grow into something special. It turned out just celestial. It’s a genuine family and friends experience at the heart of the music.”

The “metal god” takes on traditional tracks like “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,” “Joy to the World” and “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” and originals such as the opening title track, “Donner and Blitzen” and “Protected by the Light.”

Halford will sign copies of his new album during an in-store appearance at FYE Arizona Mills in Tempe at 2 p.m.

Saturday, October 19.

“I don’t think I’ve ever done an in-store in Arizona,” Halford says. “Oh wait, I just told a lie. I did do one many, many years ago at Zia Records.

“Outside of what we do as musicians, the physical side of vinyl and CDs are still really valuable. We all love the clouds, don’t we? But there’s nothing better than having vinyl, or a Phoenix

Suns or Coyotes T-shirt. The more tangible it is, the more connected we feel.”

The 12-track “Celestial” is a complete story, one that cannot be grasped until every track is heard.

“The 12 in sequence tell a beautiful season story,” he says. “The way it opens with the reindeer and Santa, you can feel the Christmas excitement. The album goes into lots of different places, in terms of tempo, emotion and adventure.

“As you get older, everything changes, but the magic of Christmas is in all of us, I think. That’s the beauty of it. It crosses time. Kids get excited on Christmas Eve and they can’t sleep. ‘What was that noise outside?’ It’s the most exciting time ever for kids. A lot of those beautiful feelings went into making this record.”

Halford is also going to share this music at this year’s Alice Cooper’s Christmas Pudding at 7 p.m. Saturday, December 14, at the Celebrity Theatre with the likes of Joe Bonamassa, and Gary Cherone and Nuno Bettencourt of Extreme.

“I just saw this wonderful lineup for this year’s Christmas Pudding,” Halford says.

“Alice works really hard to get a great bill.”

Whether he’s at his in-store or at Christmas Pudding, Halford wants his fans to understand one thing.

“Music is about making sure the conviction of the emotion of the message is getting across,” he says. “Whether it’s ‘O Little Town of Bethlehem’ or ‘Away in the Manger,’ the words are incredibly powerful and important. You really have to get in the zone to work on those tracks.

“We have a punky, thrashy song— ‘Hark! The Herald Angels Sing—we made a video for at my house with a green screen when it’s 120 degrees

outside. We were doing a Christmas song in the Valley in July. I remember being in the studio and it was full on.

We barely had time to take a breath. I love that type of experience. It keeps you on your toes. You can’t afford to be lazy.

You really have to go for it.”

Next year, Halford will hit a milestone with Judas Priest—50 years. The band will begin the year on the road with Ozzy Osbourne in the United Kingdom and England.

Then he readies a “gigantic 50th anniversary presentation” that will take the band through Christmas 2020.

“I’m busier now than I’ve ever been,” he says with a laugh.

“I thought I’d be slowing down, but I just whizzed past 68 years of age. I’m having the time of my life.

“Books are being written at long last.

There are so many beautiful things. I’m blessed to have this opportunity for all this work.”

after living in England, also lent a hand to the process with Katastro’s single “Stars.”

“Rome was incredible,” Stravers says.

“He’s a really cool dude. We had a fun time recording with him.

“Colton’s rad. He walked into the studio with tons of ideas. He came in, brought his laptop and we were really stoked. That song ended up being the hook for ‘Stars.’ He came in with the melody and hook for that.”

Formed in 2007 by Corona del Sol

students vocalist Andy Chaves, Stravers and guitarist Tanner Riccio and later joined by bassist/Chandler native Ryan Weddle, Katastro blends hip hop, blues, jazz and rock.

Katastro has released two EPs and four full-length albums including “Gentle Predator,” “Washed” and “Strange Nights,” featuring hit songs “Flow,” “Alone” and “Waste the Night.”

“Tropical Heartbreak,” Stravers says, will click with fans, as the lyrics are

relatable. It takes fans through the highs and lows of everyday life, as well as depression and anxiety.

Katastro left the Valley for Globe to record the album, so it could solely focus on the music. Stravers shared his side of the story for “Tropical Heartbreak,” which, he says, came from a personal space. “(‘Tropical Heartbreak’) was recorded during one of the most difficult times in my life,” he says. “I had just lost my dad a week before we left to record the album.

To me, this body of work represents the heartbreak you have to deal with in order to see the beauty in life.”

J

Rob Halford FYE Arizona Mills, 5000 Arizona Mills Circle, Suite 612, Tempe, 480.491.1146, stores.fye. com/az.html, facebook.com/ robhalfordlegacy, 2 p.m. Saturday, October 19, free admission.

Katastro w/Belaganas, Bikini Trill and The Sound Bombers Tempe Marketplace’s The District Stage, 2000 E. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe, 480.966.9338, tempemarketplace.com, 7 p.m.

Saturday, October 19, $20-$50.

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NIGHTLIFE

SIP » UNLEASH » MIX » MINGLE » PULSE » SHAKE

NIGHTLIFE

CALENDAR Katie Sawyer >> The Entertainer!

Chris Lake

OCTOBER 4 This techno house god has returned to the Valley for another night of vibes and jives. Chris Lake is the artist behind the hit house song “Boneless” with over 92 million hits on Spotify, and other jams like “Deceiver” and Turn off the Lights.”

He holds his own by sticking to what he knows and loves best—basspounding, funky house beats— and the crowd loves him for it.

The Pressroom, 441 W. Madison Street, Phoenix, relentlessbeats. com, 602.396.7136, 9 p.m. to 2 a.m., $37, 18 and older.

and a wolf, the mask elevates Slow Magic to a new level. He’s been sharing his big room, electronic sound since the ’90s, switching up his persona every once in a while. To date, he’s produced some beautifully unique sounds in his songs like “Girls” and “Waited 4 U,” both of which are wildly popular.

Shady Park, 26 E. University Drive, Tempe, relentlessbeats. com, 480.474.4222, 9 p.m., $15, 21 and older.

SNBRN

Cube V3 Tour: Deadmau5 and MSTRKRFT

OCTOBER 5 No EDM calendar can be complete without this throwback EDM artist.

One of the biggest and earliest names in modern EDM music, Deadmau5 has kept his style untainted as the genre rapidly grows. His trance, old-school techno sound and signature mouse head are what people love most about Deadmau5, and his loyal fan base respect his iconic sound and style.

Comerica Theatre, 400 W. Washington Street, Phoenix, livenation.com, 602.379.2800, 8 p.m., $41.

Slow Magic

OCTOBER 5 This mysterious EDM artist has been kept under wrap—literally. You won’t find him without his iconic animal mask. Somewhere between a zebra

OCTOBER 5 Stopping by on his national tour, SNBRN is heading to Aura Nightclub and bringing the disco along for the ride. He’s crossed genres many times, dabbling in trap, house and electronic, but he’s successful in every genre. His latest album, “Solé,” goes back to his love of electronic beats with a little Latin spice sprinkled in.

SNBRN also regularly works with a variety of artists like Autograf for his song “Move All Night” and the late Nate Dogg for “Gangsta Walk,” the latter via a previously unreleased recording.

Aura Nightclub, 411 S. Mill Avenue, Suite 201, Tempe, relentlessbeats. com, 480.210.2872, 9 p.m., $15, 18 and older.

Ayokay

OCTOBER 11 Ayokay has a glittery, synthpop sound that works perfectly for a beach date, long drive or homework sesh. His collabs with Quinn XCII hold a special place in fans’ hearts, as their vibe is a match made in

EDM heaven. Ayokay consistently plays the lighter, pop side of EDM, and with lyricists on deck, he produces a sound uniquely his own.

Crescent Ballroom, 308 N. Second Avenue, Phoenix, eventbrite.com, 602.716.2222, 8 p.m., $15, 16 and older.

The Alchemy Tour

OCTOBER 13 It’s not often you get three artists together who have all collabed with one another. But now NGHTMRE, Slander and Seven Lions are coming together for one day of dubstep. NGHTMRE and Slander will team up for a double set, and the audience will wait with fingers crossed to hear their hit song “Gud Vibrations.” NGHTMRE also just graced fans with another single on August 23, “Man’s First Inhibition”—a song reminiscent of the TV show “Stranger Things.” The Glitch Mob will also be in attendance, bringing a more rock and hip-hop vibe to the night.

Rawhide Event Center, 5700 W. North Loop Road, Chandler, relentlessbeats. com, 480.502.5600, 5:30 p.m., $47, 16 and older.

loud and heavy on the bass. The lineup has anything from seriously down-and-dirty bassheads 13 and Bleep Bloop, to some lighter dubstep by more mainstream artists Drezo and Slushii. It should be noted that Slushii’s newest song, “Watch Yo Back,” was just released September 5, and follows his signature style of including video game sounds for a futuristic quality. Deorro will also be in attendance with his Spanish flair and heart-pumping beats.

Rawhide Event Center, 5700 W. North Loop Road, Chandler, relentlessbeats. com, 480.502.5600, 6 p.m. to 2 a.m., $49, 18 and older.

Cristoph, Rodriguez Jr.

OCTOBER 25 Sunbar Tempe is ready to break in its brand new diggs this month with this duo of performers bringing their melodic techno, trance style to the new bar. The two of them have a similar vibe, with a bouncy beat reminiscent of early techno, but their live sets are set apart from their published music.

Sunbar Tempe, 24 W. Fifth street, Tempe, relentlessbeats. com, 480.474.4222, 9 p.m., $15, 21 and older.

Manila Killa

OCTOBER 18 Named after his Filipino heritage and birthplace, Manila Killa burst onto the scene at only 22 years old and has already made waves with his echoey, glittery style. Manila Killa not only creates his own music, he also adds his special touch to remixes of Jack Garratt and other artists for songs like his “Surprise Yourself” remix with GRYFFIN. True to his form, he released the album “1993” early this year and another on June 28, also called “1993,” entirely comprised of remixes from his previous album.

Aura Nightclub, 411 S. Mill Avenue, Suite 201, Tempe, relentlessbeats. com, 480.210.2872, 9 p.m., $15, 18 and older.

BOO!

OCTOBER 19 This spoopy affair is going to be

Jantsen, DMVU

OCTOBER 26 These two artists have found a way to beautifully mash trap and dubstep to create a kind of hybrid hip-hop. Jantsen has more of a heavy-handed approach, and his newest single, “It’s About to Get Hectic” with Bassnectar, is no different. Heavy on the beat with a trap quality, Jantsen is crossing lines in the best way. DMVU has a slower approach, and his music is almost on the verge of lo-fi, with a jazzy, chilled beat. With his EDM sounds layered on top, DMVU has managed to create his own niche in the genre.

Aura Nightclub, 411 S. Mill Avenue, Suite 201, Tempe, relentlessbeats. com, 480.210.2872, 9 p.m., $15, 18 and older.

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Name: Mark Nelsen Title: Director of Food and Beverage Bar: Great Wolf Lodge Arizona

ark Nelsen’s storied journey to Great Wolf Lodge Arizona is filled with adventure, ambition and what he calls a healthy dose of “aloha.”

Born and raised in the Valley, Nelsen broke onto the scene in 1999 at 17, taking on an entry level role at the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa and working his way up in the ranks— several years while attending NAU’s famed School of Hotel and Restaurant Management—eventually earning his way to food and beverage manager in the early 2000s. He would continue his upward trajectory through the mid2000s, leading the then-Scottsdale mainstay Mickey’s Hangover before moving to Oahu in 2011—without a job.

Thankfully, his reputation for killer cocktails, leadership training and management of food and beverage talent preceded him. Over the next seven years, he would lead F&B programs at three iconic Hawaiian resorts before being pulled back to the Valley in 2017, both to be with his family and to take on a leadership role at the JW Marriott Camelback Inn. In June 2019, he signed on for his latest adventure: bringing the best in food, drinks and fun to the Great Wolf Lodge, which opened late last month.

We recently sat down with Nelsen to learn a little more about what makes him tick—and what guests can expect from Great Wolf Lodge’s cocktail program.

FIRST, WE HAVE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT HAWAII. SPILL! My first position out there was at Turtle Bay Resort, which readers will likely know from “Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates” and “Forgetting Sarah Marshall.” There, I really started to learn what “aloha” meant to those who lived there. We think of it as “hello” or “goodbye” in Hawaiian, but the meaning to islanders is so much deeper than that and permeates every element of life. “Aloha” actually means—loosely— all things with love. Do things with love.

Treat people with love. Provide service with love. I would continue to see this approach when I moved on to Hilton Waikiki Beach and then at Wailea Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, where I helped re-imagine the food and beverage program during a $120 million resort transformation.

MARK NELSEN BRINGS HIS “ALOHA ATTITUDE” ALONG WITH 20 YEARS OF INDUSTRY KNOWLEDGE BEHIND THE BAR AND THROUGHOUT SERVICE LINES AT GREAT WOLF LODGE ARIZONA

TELL US ABOUT THE ODDEST DRINK REQUEST YOU’VE EVER GOTTEN.

WHAT DOES ORDERING A JACK AND COKE SAY ABOUT A PERSON?

A group of females was adamant I only make them drinks that were purple in color. The hitch: They challenged me to make said drink without using vodka or rum. Anyone who has been behind the bar knows that those two clear spirits are the easiest to use when seeking to change the appearance of a cocktail. Thankfully, we had some prickly pear syrup on hand, so I mixed that with Prosecco and Lychee liqueur, and it was a rousing success.

I don’t judge—that would be very “unaloha” of me!

WHAT IS YOUR NO. 1 PET PEEVE WHEN WORKING? Anyone who is not “aloha” while at work. We all have bad days, but in many cases there is a way to still pull it together and help bring others a little joy while on the job.

WHAT IS YOUR GO-TO DRINK— OR DRINKS—WHEN YOU’RE AT A BAR OTHER THAN YOUR OWN? My favorite cocktail of all time is served at the Four Seasons Maui Resort’s Spago restaurant. It’s called the Ball & Chain and features Woodford Reserve, Luxardo Amaretto, lemon juice, Orgeat, orange bitters and egg whites. Beyond that, I love coffee, local beers and Ketel One on the rocks.

TELL US ABOUT THE BEVERAGE PROGRAM AT GREAT WOLF AND EACH OF ITS EATERIES AND BARS? Our beverage program has three core focuses. First, we want to offer the best in draft beer, wine and signature cocktails at each of our casual dining options on property, knowing speed and consistency are key as we will likely be focused on lots of busy parents. For example, our pizza and pasta location will excel at sangria. And our taco bar will be the go-to spot for amazing margaritas. And so on. At each of these spaces, we will also showcase some of the classic cocktails that have had success at Great Wolf sister resorts in North America, which will be fun. Second, we want to offer something elevated and special for our event and conference guests. We have some room to play here and want to make every group experience as custom as possible. Third, we have the magic we are making at Barnwood. This is our elevated dining option on property. There, expect a revolving mix of seasonal options and always be on the lookout for wine and beer-pairing dinners.

BROWN DERBY 1.5 ounces Knob Creek Bourbon 0.5 ounces DeKuyper Triple Sec 2 ounces grapefruit juice 1 ounce lemon juice 1 ounce Monin Honey Syrup Shake and strain into a rocks glass and garnish with grapefruit wedge.

WHAT IS ONE COCKTAIL YOU WOULD LOVE FOR US TO FEATURE IN THE MAGAZINE THIS MONTH? Brown Derby, $12

WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT THIS DRINK? Besides the Knob Creek, I love how the recipe perfectly balances a few of Arizona’s own natural “mixers” of honey, lemon and grapefruit to produce an approachable and refreshing cocktail year-round, especially poolside, or in our case “waterpark-side.”

Great Wolf Lodge Arizona 7333 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, 480.948.9653, greatwolf.com.

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IN CLOSING

FUN » FACTS » LEARN » SHARE » PLAY

Junk in t he Trunk J Photos by Kimberly Carrillo

unk in the Trunk brought together more than 150 vintage curators and handmade artisans at WestWorld in Scottsdale from September 13 to September 15. With a reputation for featuring quality vendors selling unique items and inspiring design, the market continues to be a popular attraction for vintage enthusiasts across the Southwest

(From top, left to right) Chicken Dinner Road vintage boutique; Gabriel Baiza and Diana Morales’ Gerb Designs specializes in custom furniture and design. The Tempe company’s motto is “You dream it. We build it;" Chelsea Goodson of Citizen Home Decor shows one of the crafts she made with her husband, Scott; Dee Dee Bonfield brought Dee Dee’s This & That Vintage / Antiques to WestWorld; The boutiques were adorable in WestWorld; Leah Williams with Ruby Mae Jewelry shows off her necklaces; Kirsten Steele’s Chesnut @ The Vintage Arcadia will open in November; Nicole Kline of Strawberry Mondays takes a break from helping customers pose for photos; Michelle Hernandez and Kathryn Hepner promote Rinestone and Rust; Beautifully Broken boasts boutique items; Kimberly Kiefer of Beautifully Broken works on her creations.

Upcoming Concerts Che Apalache October 6 Bettye LaVette October 8 Damien Escobar October 11 MusicaNova Orchestra: Beethoven to Tap Shoes October 20 Matthew Whitaker October 22 SFJAZZ Collective October 24 BoDeans October 26 Matt Dusk October 27 Portland Cello Project November 14 And many more!

ANN HAMPTON CALLAWAY: The Barbra Streisand Songbook Friday, October 25 | 6 & 8 p.m. | $38.50–$48.50

“A superbly intelligent, singularly creative pop-jazz stylist who can stand shoulder to shoulder with the likes of Streisand, Ronstadt, Shirley Horn, and Dianne Reeves.”

—JazzTimes

2019 Concert Series sponsored by

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

THE STARS SHINE ON GAMEDAY

CRISP AND REFRESHING IS ALWAYS A SOLID GAME PLAN

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