The Entertainer! February 2018

PHX METRO » FEBRUARY 2018

KURT WARNER & SHANE DOAN

TALK BOARD GAMES

TAP DANCE + ANDERSON EAST

Meet Leah Huss and other women making beer a career

A LWAY S O N Air Supply

Jason Derulo

Saturday, February 10

Saturday, February 17

Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias Sunday, February 18

The Psychedelic Furs

The Mavericks

Gino Vannelli

In The Ballroom

Friday, March 2 In The Showroom

In The Ballroom

Saturday & Sunday March 10 & 11 In The Showroom

P L A Y

I N

In The Ballroom

Friday, March 23 In The Showroom

S T Y L E

For tickets call the box office at 480.850.7734 or visit ticketmaster.com 101 & TA L K I N G S T I C K W A Y | S C O T T S D A L E | T A L K I N G S T I C K R E S O R T . C O M Locally owned and caringly operated by the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community.

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE FEBRUARY 2018

CONTENTS

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COMPETITION IS KEY

Leah Pritchett returns to Wild Horse Pass for NHRA Arizona Nationals

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LOVING ARIZONA

64 ON THE COVER

Kristin Chenoweth talks about her love for Arizona and fellow Oklahoman Archie Bradley

ANYTHING YOU CAN BREW, I CAN BREW BETTER

Women, like Leah Huss, are making their mark on the craft beer industry

on the cover: Leah Huss photo by Kimberly Carrillo

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THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE FEBRUARY 2018

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

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26 THE METROPOLITAN

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Top 25 • Renaissance Festival • NHRA’s Leah Pritchett • Phoenix Insider • Cavalia Odysseo • American Ninja Warrior • Kristin Chenoweth • Art of Chocolate A’Fair

THE EXTRAORDINAIRE 25 America’s Got Talent • Dan Auerbach • John Waters

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Niki D’Andrea ndandrea@timespublications.com

editor

Christina Fuoco-Karasinski christina@timespublications.com

art director

Erin Loukili erin@entertainermag.com

designer

Jaclyn Threadgill

couples to attend his Valentine’s Day show

recalls crazy times in the Valley

CONTENTS

executive editor

‘THE POPE OF TRASH’ John Waters dares

DEFYING GENRES The Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach

THE TOURIST

publisher

Steve T. Strickbine steve@entertainermag.com

circulation director

Aaron Kolodny aaron@entertainermag.com

contributing writers

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Joseph J. Airdo, Alison Bailin Batz, David Brown, Lynette Carrington, Connor Dziawura, Daisy Finch, Joe Gilmore, Greg Macafee, Megan Marples, Carson Mlnarik, Randy Montgomery, M.V. Moorhead, Allison Neri, Steven Solomon, Laura Stoddard

STRIKING GOLD

contributing photographers Koury Angelo, Kimberly Carrillo, Carisse Jones, Clay Patrick McBride, Craig Sotres

Paul and Amy Goldschmidt bowl for PCH dollars

ONE COPY PER READER

Tour du Jour • Mendocino

THE ARTIST

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Judah and the Lion • Arts Calendar • Arizona Broadway Theatre • Jake Shimabukuro • A Chorus Line

THE CRITIC

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.

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Coming Attractions • Ask Our Experts! • The Report Card • Sedona Film Festival

THE DINER

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Best Food Events in February • Happy Hour • Girl Scouts Dessert Challenge • Diner Insider: Crepes • Osteria

THE CRAFTMASTER

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Beer Over Here • BeerFinder Directory • Beertenders • Strong Beer Festival • Great Beer Pairings: The Sicilian Butcher

THE HIGHROLLER

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THE SHOWMAN

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Casino Entertainment Calendar • Engelbert Humperdinck

Pop Evil • Live Music Calendar • Anderson East

THE GLADIATOR

THE NIGHTOWL

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Best Sports Events in February • Paul and Amy Goldschmidt • Golf • Kurt Warner and Shane Doan

THE YOUNGSTER

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STEM at the Musical Instrument Museum • Best Family Events in February

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Best Nightlife Events for February • The Nile • Galactic Empire • Sabaton

THE THINKER You’re Not Gonna Believe This

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

DISTRIBUTION SERVICES PROVIDED BY:

480.348.0343 WWW.ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

MUST SEE

AT LEAST ONCE in YOUR LIFETIME

“

Art that Connects Heaven & Earth Tucson Music Hall 260 S Church Ave., Tucson, AZ 85701

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE FEBRUARY 2018

THE METROPOLITAN

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PHX » CITY » LOCAL » PRIDE » DO » SEE

Loving Arizona 22 Overcoming Obstacles 20 Competition is Key 14 Cheers to 30 Years 9

TOP25 Carson Mlnarik » The Entertainer!

on site, it’s the perfect time to snag a V-Day gift for a loved one – or a sweet treat for yourself.

Hamilton

FEBRUARY 1 TO FEBRUARY 16 Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Broadway hit combines history with hip-hop to tell the story of America’s founding father and the nation’s first treasury secretary, Alexander Hamilton. The show, which nabbed 11 Tony Awards, tours through ASU Gammage for a limited run of sold-out performances. Looking to score last-minute tickets? Be prepared for a historic showdown of your own.

ASU Gammage, 1200 S. Forest Avenue, Tempe, 480.965.3434, asugammage.com, times vary, sold out.

University of Phoenix Stadium, 1 Cardinals Drive, Glendale, 623.433.7101, monsterjam.com, 7 p.m., $15-$140.

Arizona Game Fair

FEBRUARY 9 TO 11 This three-day fair is the ultimate hangout for gamers of all types and skill levels. Highlighting roleplaying and board games, the fair will feature tournaments, speakers and vendors. Whether you want to learn how to play Dungeons and Dragons or try your hand at an escape room, it’s game on.

Gilbert Civic Center, 50 E. Civic Center Drive, Gilbert, 480.503.6871, magicbirdfestivals. com, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., free.

Mesa Convention Center, 263 N. Center Street, Mesa, 480.644.2178, arizonagamefair. com, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Sunday, $25-$75.

Hand to God

Heathers the Musical

FEBRUARY 2 TO FEBRUARY 25 The newest, adult-themed puppet show to hit Phoenix Theatre was recently described as “Sesame Street meets The Exorcist,” by The New York Times. A fast-paced comedy about love and grief, this show examines – through puppets, of course – just what it means to be human.

Phoenix Theatre, 100 E. McDowell Road, Phoenix, 602.254.2151, phoenixtheatre.com/handtogod, times vary, $35-$85.

Art of Chocolate A’Fair

FEBRUARY 2 TO FEBRUARY 4 Crafting artisan-style confections is an art form. This three-day, free festival combines art and chocolate with vendors and entertainment to bring patrons a mix ranging from Native American jewelry to apparel.

With chocolatier Elixer Chocolates

of monster trucks. From their crazy names, like “Gas Monkey Garage” and “Bad News Travels Fast,” to their daring drivers, the event sees these monsters face off to try to get the highest score at the end of the night.

Monster Jam

FEBRUARY 3 This larger-than-life sports show brings viewers close to the madness

Jerry Seinfeld

FEBRUARY 9 You probably recognize this comedian from his hit sitcom, Seinfeld, which he created and starred in. While the show has been off the air for almost 20 years, its legacy lives on and Seinfeld has stayed busy. The 63-year-old hosts the Netflix series Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee and continues to perform his hilarious, often observational stand-up routine.

Comerica Theatre, 400 W. Washington Street, Phoenix, 602.379.2800, comericatheatre. com, 7 p.m. and 10 p.m., $50-$175.

FEBRUARY 9 TO MARCH 3 This show puts the ’80s cult film starring Winona Ryder to music, with a witty score, razor sharp lyrics and jokes to die for. While the Heathers – a group of popular mean girls – have ruled their high school with an iron fist, their reign is shaken when outsider Veronica, alongside her new boyfriend, sets her sights on the clique’s demise.

Brelby Theatre Company, 7154 N. 58th Drive, Glendale, 623.282.2781, brelby.com, times vary, $20-$25.

Mulan

FEBRUARY 10 One girl makes a courageous choice to honor her town and family in Mulan. This one-night staging of the show brings in stunning visuals, dance and exciting martial arts action to tell the story. The WWW.ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

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performance is presented by the Phoenix Wushu Academy, which works to bring awareness of Chinese culture and arts to the area.

Orpheum Theatre, 203 W. Adams Street, Phoenix, 602.262.6225, phoenix.ticketforce.com, 7 p.m., $30-$100.

Festival. Featuring an artisan marketplace, costumed characters, Renaissance-styled entertainment and food, the festival draws in visitors from around the world.

Looking to experience a day in the life of kings, queens, jokers and jousts? The festival runs Saturdays and Sundays through April, as well as on Presidents Day.

Arizona Renaissance Festival Grounds, 12601 E. U.S. Highway 60, Gold Canyon, 520.463.2600, arizona.renfestinfo.com, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., $15-$25.

Arizona Strong Beer Festival

FEBRUARY 10 This craft beer celebration, presented by the Arizona Craft Brewers Guild, features more than 500 craft beers from 150 breweries.

Over its 18 years, the festival has become known for its selection of brews, from stronger sips to unique, exclusive flavors. Your ticket gets you 40 tasting tickets to try an array of 2-ounce pours – don’t forget to bring a D.D. along for the ride.

Steele Indian School Park, 300 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix, 602.534.4810, bit.ly/2DF3Cky, 1 p.m., $10-$100.

Street Eats Food Truck Festival

FEBRUARY 10 AND FEBRUARY 11 Hit up your favorite food truck any day of the week and you’ll be satisfied, but there isn’t a roundup that serves as many possibilities as this one. With more than 55 trucks offering their full menus, as well as $2 samples, you can fill up on tacos or save room for a grilled cheese. Either way, you’ll want a full belly as you take in the live music, eating contests and cooking classes.

Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, 7555 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, 480.270.5000, streeteatsaz.com, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., $12-$65.

American Ninja Warrior Experience

Cellphone Photography Class

FEBRUARY 10 Learn the tricks of trade with this nature photography class aimed at smartphone users. Whether you’re a “portrait mode” pro or revert to strictly Snapchat selfies, you’re sure to get something from this class taught by Paul Valach Photography.

Butterfly Wonderland, 9500 E. Via de Ventura, Scottsdale, 480.800.3000 ext. 210, butterflywonderland.com, 8:30 a.m., $20 general public and free for members.

Renaissance Festival

FEBRUARY 10 TO APRIL 1 For 30 years, chivalry has been alive and well at the Renaissance WWW.ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

FEBRUARY 10 TO FEBRUARY 11 Jump, swing and push yourself like a real American Ninja Warrior with this experience based on the hit NBC television show. With adult and kids races, participants can test their minds and bodies with an intense course featuring obstacles from the show.

University of Phoenix Stadium, 1 Cardinals Drive, Glendale, 623.433.7101, anwexperience. com, 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., $49$89 participants and $30 spectator.

scientist whose time machine transports a teenager and his sister to the kingdom of Dormir. Suddenly, the socially awkward Charles has to stumble his way through a quest to save 16-year-old Princess Crystalline – and the modern world – from an evil curse. The play won the 2017 East Valley Children’s Theatre’s Playwriting Contest.

Lana Del Rey

FEBRUARY 13 Known for her low voice, melancholy lyrics and cinematic sound, Lana Del Rey rose to fame after viral hits like “Video Games” and “Summertime Sadness.” She tours her fifth studio album, Lust for Life, alongside Colombian-American singer Kali Uchis.

Talking Stick Resort Arena, 201 E. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, 602.379.2000, talkingstickresortarena.com, 8 p.m., $34.75-$94.75.

Mesa Arts Center, 1 E. Main Street, Mesa, 480.644.6500, mesaartscenter.com, times vary, $15 adults and $11 for ages 17 and under.

Bryan Callen

FEBRUARY 15 TO FEBRUARY 17 Bryan Callen has his hands in a bit of everything – working as an actor, comic and podcaster. You’ve probably caught him as Coach Mellor on ABC’s The Goldbergs or heard him as the co-host on The Fighter and the Kid podcast. Callen brings his larger-than-life stand up show to Stand Up Live for a few special performances.

Stand Up Live, 50 W. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, 480.719.6100, phoenix.standuplive.com, times vary, $22.

Guilty Pleasures: Lady Gaga vs. Kesha International UFO Congress

FEBRUARY 14 TO FEBRUARY 18 Researchers, academics, authors and scientists come together to share their work and insight surrounding UFOs, sightings and alien abduction. The UFO Congress, established in 1991, features more than 20 speakers, a film festival and scores of vendors each year. The convention has morning, afternoon and weekend packages.

FEBRUARY 16 This “guilty pleasures” dance party centers around all the hits you hate to love. From Lady Gaga to Kesha to Miley and Taylor, be prepared to party with the Top 40 with drink specials and DJs.

The Van Buren, 401 W. Van Buren Street, Phoenix, 480.659.1641, thevanburenphx.com, 9 p.m., $5.

We-Ko-Pa Resort and Conference Center, 10438 N. Fort McDowell Road, Scottsdale, 480.789.5300, ufocongress. com, times vary, $39-$349.

Sips ‘N Screens: 10 Things I Hate About You

FEBRUARY 12 Julia Stiles, Heath Ledger and Joseph Gordon-Levitt take on Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew in this modern retelling of the classic. Glistening with ’90s romance and sass, the movie will be shown on the Arizona Science Center’s five-story screen. Beer, cocktails and snacks will be served before the show.

Arizona Science Center, 600 E. Washington Street, Phoenix, 602.716.2000, azscience.org, 6 p.m., $5.

Crush Arizona

FEBRUARY 17 Feel the love with this annual Arizona electronic dance music fixture. With a line up featuring acts like Kaskade, Carnage and Getter, there’s a reason why this festival is an annual hit. Snag a general admission ticket or treat yourself with the VIP option.

Beauty and the Computer Geek FEBRUARY 15 TO FEBRUARY 25 Sleeping Beauty takes a twist with this original play about an oddball

Rawhide Western Town and Event Center, 5700 W. North Loop Road, Chandler, 480.502.5600, relentlessbeats. com, 5 p.m., $65-$99.

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE FEBRUARY 2018

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Canal Convergence

FEBRUARY 23 TO FEBRUARY 26 Scottsdale Public Art’s free signature event suspends cuttingedge public art installations above and throughout the Arizona Canal at the Scottsdale Waterfront.

Alongside the art, guests can enjoy activities like screenprinting workshops, outdoor dance performances, artist talks and community bike rides.

Gabriel Iglesias

FEBRUARY 18 Gabriel Iglesias has become one of America’s favorite comedians with his goofy food jokes, stories about his family and relatable humor. It’s no wonder why he’s toured across the country and has a number of stand-up specials and films under his belt. After already selling out one show at The Ballroom at Talking Stick Resort, Fluffy has added a late-night performance. Grab your tickets while you can.

Talking Stick Resort, 9800 E. Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale, 480.850.7777, talkingstickresort.com, 7 p.m. and 10 p.m., $40-$60.

Canal Convergence, 4420 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, 480.874.4645, scottsdalepublicart.org, 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., free.

Mello Yello Drag Racing Series

FEBRUARY 23 AND FEBRUARY 24 Indulge in the adrenaline-filled excitement of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series when it returns for the 34th annual Arizona Nationals. Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock look to get off to a hot start at the circuit’s annual visit.

Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park, 20000 S. Maricopa Road, Chandler, 520.796.5601, 800.884.NHRA, racewildhorse. net, nhra.com, 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m., tickets start at $20.

Black Violin

FEBRUARY 23 Black Violin blends classical, hiphop, rock, R&B and bluegrass music for a live musical fusion experience.

Named one of the hottest bands at SXSW in 2013, Black Violin has also performed at Bonnaroo and collaborated with the likes of P. Diddy, Kanye West and The Eagles.

Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Avenue, Chandler, 480.782.2680, chandlercenter.org, 7:30 p.m., $26.

scottsdale center for the performing arts

Phoenix Vegan Food Festival

FEBRUARY 24 Phoenix’s vegan food festival features some of Arizona’s best vegan restaurants. Festivalgoers will be treated to vegan food trucks, vegan-friendly products, cooking demonstrations and presentations by chefs and vegan experts.

Margaret T. Hance Park, 1134 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, 602.300.1475, bit.ly/2ybzX2q, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., $25-$50.

Make it a

Date Night!

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THE METROPOLITAN | THE EXTRAORDINAIRE | THE TOURIST | THE ARTIST | THE CRITIC | THE DINER | THE CRAFTMASTER | THE HIGHROLLER | THE GLADIATOR | THE YOUNGSTER | THE SHOWMAN | THE NIGHTOWL | THE THINKER

CHEERS TO

YEARS

The Arizona Renaissance Festival promises a magical, medieval experience Laura Stoddard » The Entertainer!

T

he rumble of horses’ hooves and the clashing of swords; the enticing aroma of sweet treats and savory meats; a sky colored by bright ribbons and banners; a flamboyant cast of characters, including acrobats, artisans, comedians, pirates, musicians, craftsmen and royalty; jaw-dropping performances; sweet honey mead in ornate goblets; and possibly, more fun than you can handle in one day.

This is the Arizona Renaissance Festival, arguably one of Phoenix’s most anticipated and beloved annual events.

Now in its 30th year, this massive and spirited event aims to transport visitors away from the worries of today, and back in time to an age of magic and merriment. This is a space where anything goes, and all kinds are welcome (included the costumed), so dust off those faerie ears, polish up that armor, and get ready to embark upon an rousing adventure, whilst calling out hearty “Huzzah.”

The festival’s 30 acres, referred to as the Village, are jam-packed with fascinating sights and sounds. Children and adults will discover an abundance of shops, shows and rides. On opening weekend, the Royal Court appears in all WWW.ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

their finery atop the castle’s front balustrade, and the King (with much pomp and circumstance) declares the festival officially open.

With 13 stages and more than 200 things to see and do, it’s tough to see it all in one day. Be sure to consult the Village map and schedule of events distributed at the drawbridge entrance so that you can plan to catch your favorites; be it the jousting tournament, the falconry demonstration, or the ever-popular wooing contest.

Some of the most popular characters to see (and sometimes interact with) include Daniel the Fox, who challenges anyone to engage in a battle of both wits and steel; Adam Crack, Guinness World Records winning Whip Master; and Shamus the Insulter, who does just what his name suggests, with great aplomb.

Shamus, real name Tony Miller, has been with the festival for 23 years, and delivers his witty barbs in such a manner that visitors enjoy being his target.

“My insults, while sometimes outrageous, always allow the people I’m insulting to enjoy (themselves),” Miller says. “I am a huge believer in insulting anyone, including children, the elderly, teenagers—everyone. I think all people deserve the chance to laugh and have a good time.”

Miller says he is inspired by simply

observing people.

“I keep my ears open for lines between people in the real world, and I also do a lot of writing. I’m constantly working on lines, and ways to do insults (in a nonhurtful way). ” Over the years, Miller has expanded his repertoire to include compliments, apologies and even marriage proposals.

“I guarantee a ‘Yes’ on marriage proposals or your money back,” he jokes. “But not longevity, that’s out of my purview.”

Whether it’s fighting off raucous

pirates, riding in da Vinci’s flying machine, or filling your belly at the Dancing Pig Pub, the Arizona Renaissance Festival promises a fun-filled day in an enchanted time and place.

Arizona Renaissance Festival

12601 U.S. 60 Highway, Gold Canyon, 520.463.2600, arizona. renfestinfo.com, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Saturdays and Sundays February 10 to April 1, $14-26 daily passes, $70-180 season passes.

PAUL

ANKA

2.9.18 ENGELBERT

HUMPERDINCK

2.17.18

THE

COMMODORES

3.2.18

AT WILD HORSE PASS

WinGilaRiver.com | 800-WIN-GILA

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THE METROPOLITAN | THE EXTRAORDINAIRE | THE TOURIST | THE ARTIST | THE CRITIC | THE DINER | THE CRAFTMASTER | THE HIGHROLLER | THE GLADIATOR | THE YOUNGSTER | THE SHOWMAN | THE NIGHTOWL | THE THINKER

COMPETITION IS

KEY

Connor Dziawura » The Entertainer!

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op Fuel drag racer Leah Pritchett is dedicated to her sport—almost too much.

“I feel like I’m probably one of the most competitive people that I’ve ever met, almost to a fault,” she says with a laugh. “Obviously that relates to the sport well.”

Pritchett, who has driven for Don Schumacher Racing since 2017, will bring that spirit this February to the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Mello Yello Drag Racing Series’ NHRA Arizona Nationals at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park. The event, which will feature drivers in Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock, will be held February 23 to February 25.

“It’s a competition to make sure that I leave and have the quickest reaction time possible to get that car off the line,” she says. “That’s my job, that’s my competitiveness—to do whatever it takes to get that.”

Pritchett has been drag racing since she was 8 years old. With a vastly different childhood than most people, Pritchett worked her way up the ranks, winning junior dragster championships, earning sponsorships and eventually becoming the NHRA Top Fuel dragster she is for Don Schumacher Racing.

“I guess one of my favorite parts about drag racing is that there’s just one winner at each event,” she explains.

“That’s it. There is no second-place trophy, participation, jumba wumba— none of that. You are the baddest mofo at that particular event, and that’s why we lose with conviction and we win with conviction, because it’s so difficult to do; to win a national event.”

Among her extensive track record, the longtime car lover and racer is a two-time consecutive winner of the NHRA Arizona Nationals at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park. She earned her first career Top Fuel win in 2016, earning the title again last year.

“Coming into this Phoenix race, just to be the two-time defending WWW.ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

champion of it from two different teams, two different racecars, multiple different partners, that’s a dream,” she says.

Pritchett also set the first of her two 2017 records at last February’s Arizona Nationals with a 3.658-second pass at 329.34 mph. The second came when she reset that record at the 36th annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway in Minnesota last August with a 3.640-second pass at 330.63 mph.

“It goes right back into the competition standpoint, where even though we set those two (national) records, it wasn’t a month and a half later that somebody broke our record,” she says.

Leah Pritchett to return to Wild Horse Pass for NHRA Arizona Nationals

That somebody is Clay Millican, who earned a 3.631-second pass at 330.39 mph at the AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals at Gateway Motorsports Park in Illinois last September.

“We hope to get our world record back just for ourselves,” Pritchett says.

“There’s no room in this sport for noncompetitive people. You’ll get eaten alive.”

To improve her chances, however, Pritchett trains extensively, focusing on strength, core and cardio training.

“I think I’m one of the hardest-training drivers that I compete against, specifically in the off-season,” she says. “Now, in the on-season, I find

it more difficult, because I spend a lot of time with my team, my crew members.

We do a lot of functions, we work together, we eat together, we do our nightly activities, going out together, because I have always prized that bonding and friendship, and that’s what it takes to create a team.”

But winning won’t come easily at the Arizona Nationals, which serves as the second event of a 24-race schedule this year.

“You can’t be the best on accident,” she explains. “Any athlete is a pure reflection of their conditioning, their skills, their attitude. It means that all of those things are the best. Even if it’s just that one goal and you conquer it, it reflects on so many things, and I think that’s why it’s so gratifying.”

Although she hopes for the best come late February, competition will be stiff and stakes are high to get a third win and new elapsed time record at the track.

“We’ve set our own expectations of being quicker than we were before, and because it was the quickest, it’s pretty high,” she says. “Expectation-wise, for a race win, I never underestimate anything. It would be a blessing, it would be a Godsend for us to be able to make it three in a row, but I don’t consider that an expectation, I consider that a goal.”

NHRA Arizona Nationals

Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park, 20000 S. Maricopa Road, Chandler, 520.796.5601, nhra. com, 9:30 a.m. February 23 and February 24, 9 a.m. February 25, $20-$86, kids 12 and under free with adult ticket purchase.

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE FEBRUARY 2018

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PHOENIX

INSIDER

Be original this Valentine’s Day Megan Marples » The Entertainer!

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very Valentine’s Day passes in a flurry of chocolates and flowers bouquets, leaving behind romance for the sake of routine and convenience.

For a more personalized touch this Valentine’s Day, check out some of these unique ideas.

SPHINX DATE COMPANY

THROUGH VALENTINE’S DAY Sphinx Date Company is offering a special edition, heart-shaped box of its chocolate-covered Medjool dates. Customers can choose from a selection of dark to Amazon pecan chocolates. The chocolate-covered dates pair nicely with an Arizona wine or beer.

Sphinx Date Company, 3039 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, 480.941.2261, sphinxdateranch. com, starts at $25.95.

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CHOCOLATE TOUR OF SCOTTSDALE ONGOING Venture around Old Town Scottsdale and sample local shops’ chocolate confections like cupcakes, cannolis, truffles and macarons.

Patrons receive a plastic bag to save leftover treats, along with a water bottle and palate cleanser.

Chocolate Tour of Scottsdale, 7045 E. Third Avenue, Scottsdale, 480.421.8868, chocolatetourofscottsdale.com, 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., $45.

TWILIGHT DINNER CRUISE ON CANYON LAKE FEBRUARY 14 Travel aboard a classic steamboat for a romantic twilight river cruise.

Guests can dine under the stars and enjoy seeing the local wildlife as they wind down for the day. The menu

for the evening consists of tritip and bruschetta chicken with garlic parmesan potatoes and vegetables.

The Dolly Steamboat, 16802 AZ88, Tortilla Flat, 480.827.9144, dollysteamboat.com, 5 p.m., $55.85 to $60.85.

SASSI VALENTINE’S DAY DINNER FEBRUARY 14 Indulge in a Southern Italian feast at Sassi in North Scottsdale. Couples can partake in a special four-course menu for the romantic evening. The dishes range from fresh mozzarella di bufala to decadent chocolate bomba. For the main course, guests can choose from a selection of entrees, such as the filetto di manzo or the eggplant braciole.

Sassi, 10455 E. Pinnacle Peak Parkway, Scottsdale, 480.502.9095, sassi.biz, times vary, $169 per couple.

VALENTINE’S SUPER LOVE JAM CONCERT FEBRUARY 16 Jam to some of the most romantic old-school tunes at Talking Stick Resort Arena with acts like The Jets (“Crush on You”), Zapp (“More Bounce to the Ounce”), The Moments (“Love on a Two-Way Street”) and Blue Magic (“Side Show”).

Talking Stick Resort Arena, 201 E. Jefferson Street, 602.379.7800, talkingstickresortarena.com, 7:30 p.m., $28.50-$49.50.

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE FEBRUARY 2018

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THE METROPOLITAN | THE EXTRAORDINAIRE | THE TOURIST | THE ARTIST | THE CRITIC | THE DINER | THE CRAFTMASTER | THE HIGHROLLER | THE GLADIATOR | THE YOUNGSTER | THE SHOWMAN | THE NIGHTOWL | THE THINKER

‘CAVALIA ODYSSEO’ GALLOPS INTO SCOTTSDALE

Laura Stoddard » The Entertainer!

N

ormand Latourelle’s mother used to call him and fellow Canadian entertainers “happiness merchants.”

The group pooled its collective knowledge, skills and creative visions together about 30 years ago to create Cirque du Soleil. Latourelle is the founder and creative genius behind Cavalia Inc., an entertainment company specializing in over-the-top touring shows that combine equestrian artistry, spell-binding acrobatics, and cutting-edge technology.

“We’re all from a small province called Quebec,” Latourelle says. “There were a bunch of street performers who started to get together at a small circus school in Montreal, and I was looking at what they were doing, and I said, ‘Well, maybe we can bring all this to another level.’ At that time, I would stage rock bands with lots of special effects (of course, they are not what they are today), and I thought maybe we could do that with those street performers. Take the traditional performers, and add more lights, more sound—a 365 degree experience with smoke machines and all that.”

Latourelle only spent five years with Cirque after it was successfully created, but he feels those were some of the most pivotal.

“All the development happened at that period,” he says, “I would say it

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was the tough years, but the fun years.

It’s amazing how many shows (Cirque du Soleil) does and creates today, but during my time with it, it was still a small company. When we were in the development phase for our first show in Las Vegas, we were still just touring with one tent, which was very magical.

So, it was a fun period, but it became too big for me.”

But stepping away from Cirque did not mean leaving the entertainment and production industry. Latourelle still wanted to imagine and create, but was set on the idea of using the most advanced special effects technology. And he envisioned a show that took things a bit further; a show that included more than just human performers.

“I’m not a guy from the horse world,” Latourelle says. “I’m more of the guy from the entertaining world and that’s how I’ve been most of my life— trying to push the limits of what you can do; how creative you can be with all the new technology and tools you have to create with. Cavalia (Cavalia: A Magical Encounter Between Human and Horse) was the first show I created with horses, which is still very popular today, but through the years I knew I could push more. Not only what you can achieve with horses, but also what you can achieve as a touring show. I gave myself the goal to produce a show that was as good or better than any of the permanent shows you can witness in Las Vegas.”

Audiences will agree that Latourelle

Join horse and man for a dreamlike journey

more than achieved that goal. And yet, after the success of Cavalia, he wanted to push further.

“When I created Odysseo, it was already kind of a monster,” he says with a laugh. “It was very big, because I didn’t put any limits on what would be going in a truck, and how many trucks.

I didn’t really figure it out. I just said to my creative and production teams, ‘Let’s do the best of the best.’ It’s been touring now for six years, but when we started it was a smaller Odysseo, and I didn’t think it was enough. So now I do it even bigger.”

The $30 million production includes a cast of 50 world-class performers (horse specialists, acrobats, aerialists and musicians), 65 horses, a 40,000-gallon lake, a three-story mountain, and layers of special effects (including projections, lighting, lasers and smoke). Latourelle considers the show a 6-D experience.

Odysseo doesn’t follow a storyline, per se, but instead presents a succession of dazzling vignettes with one common thread: nature.

“Every member of the audience can build their own story out of the show, but really, it’s very simple,” he says.

“First, I wanted the show to be beautiful and happy. Secondly, and the reason I called the show Odysseo, is because it’s an odyssey—when horse and man go to discover the most beautiful landscapes in the world. You can do so much with the inspiration of nature. That’s the

reason why I use horses. Even though they are domesticated animals, they are much closer to nature than we are.”

HD projections on the side of the 30-foot mountain transport audiences to the different landscapes he mentions.

“Some of the optical illusions are absolutely amazing,” Latourelle says.

“You will look at an image and say, ‘That looks pretty much like Arizona’, and then we travel to ice caves, then to the (grasslands of ) Mongolia, then to the Sahara desert, and on to some fabulous landscapes in Canada. So it’s all about nature, and about that journey— where horse and man, side by side, just have fun in the wild.”

Latourelle wants people to feel the same kind of wonder that he felt as a child when he saw his first Walt Disney movie.

“You enter into that dream when you enter the big top, and you just let yourself go, like you’re walking on a cloud—that’s what I want people to feel. What I realized through touring Odysseo is that whether you’re 4 years old, 44 years old, or 104 years old, you just find yourself in that dream. I think that’s what we have achieved.”

Cavalia Odysseo

1745 N. McClintock Drive, Scottsdale, 866.999.8111, cavalia. com, various times, Wednesday, February 21, to Sunday, March 4, $39.50-$234.50.

20

OVERCOMING OBSTACLES

THE METROPOLITAN | THE EXTRAORDINAIRE | THE TOURIST | THE ARTIST | THE CRITIC | THE DINER | THE CRAFTMASTER | THE HIGHROLLER | THE GLADIATOR | THE YOUNGSTER | THE SHOWMAN | THE NIGHTOWL | THE THINKER

‘American Ninja Warrior’ brings experience to Glendale Greg Macafee » The Entertainer!

T

he course features multiple obstacles that are meant to stop competitors in their tracks, keeping them from hitting the buzzer that is awaiting them beyond the final obstacle. The competitors are often in the best shape of their lives as they hang, jump, hold onto and run up several different obstacles.

It’s American Ninja Warrior, a sport that emerged from a television show in Japan that challenges athletes to test their athletic ability. It has gained popularity in the states and now, on February 10 and February 11, it’s coming to the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale.

Not only will there be a full American Ninja Warrior contest February 10, but this American Ninja Warrior Experience event will give kids and adults the opportunity to compete on the course as well. While adults will be able to run the adult course for $89, kids can participate on their own course for $49, and spectators can view the event for $30.

It’s a perfect event for athletes of all ages to test their skills on the many

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obstacles that American Ninja Warrior has to offer. They can also join a sport that is growing in popularity.

“We want to give people, all across the country, the chance to try this sport and if they like it, to continue to train in it and have an outlet to compete in it and keep this sport growing,” says Vice President of Marketing for American Ninja Warrior Experience, Heather Bardocz.

American Ninja Warrior athletes Grant McCartney and Barclay Stockett can attest to the sport’s benefits. Both came from different backgrounds, but have still had success in the sport.

Stockett was a gymnast from the age of 12 who had a pipe dream of reaching the Olympics. McCartney has played several sports throughout his career including baseball, football, rugby and soccer. While they both came from different backgrounds, their athletic experience has contributed to their success on the course.

“I didn’t do as many different sports as Grant did,” Stockett says. “But, I think the more sports that you’re able to do the better off you are, because Ninja takes little pieces from so many different sports. I feel like gymnastics really prepared me well because of the

strength building, the body awareness and air awareness.”

Multiple American Ninja Warrior obstacles like the big dipper and the cliffhanger challenge athletes to hang high above the water or jump from one piece of equipment to the next.

McCartney believes his background in extreme sports like skateboarding has helped with the fear factor involved.

“Like when your dismounting or jumping off of something, it never scares me and it helps with the fear side of it,” McCartney says. “The skill side of it, there’s just different areas of all the sports that come in at random times.”

Even with their natural athletic ability, both athletes still train in several different ways to compete in, and be successful, at the American Ninja Warrior events. McCartney and Stockett say they do obstacle specific training, but they take part in other sports as well, like rock climbing and CrossFit. They say rock climbing helps with the grip strength and endurance needed

for the obstacles, while CrossFit helps with the mental training aspect of competing against a clock.

American Ninja Warrior gives both athletes an outlet for several different reasons and they both say there are many different ways to get involved.

“American Ninja Warrior Experience is a great way to start because you are getting experience on the obstacles built by the ATS team, who builds all the obstacles for TV show,” Stockett says.

“Then, you can train for it by looking up American Ninja Warrior gyms in your area because they are popping up all over the place.”

American Ninja Warrior

University of Phoenix Stadium, 1 Cardinals Drive, Glendale, universityofphoenixstadium. com, anwexperience.com, various times for different events, $32-$120.

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE FEBRUARY 2018

21

CRAFT & FOOD | SOUND BY OLD BLUE

CRAFT & FOOD | SOUND BY OLD BLUE

March 2-4 2018 CRAFT & FOOD | SOUND BY OLD BLUE

The NHRA Mello Yellow Drag Racing Series annual duel in the desert returns for three days at the Wild Horse Pass Motorsports.

Through 2018, NHRA will pay tribute to the first responders throughout the country.

We salute the medical professionals, law enforcement officers, firefighters, members of our armed forces, public-safety professionals, or any number of other professions charged with the well-being of the public.

NHRA and Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Parkwill offer discount tickets to these heroes as well as acknowledge and salute them through the year on a number of NHRA tracks.

Early Camping Opens Monday Febuary 26, 2018. ($22 per rig per night) All Camping Dry • Outdoor Stage • Music Daily 10am till’ dusk No Outside Alcohol • No Pets Allowed in Audience, Food Court or Vendor Areas BYO Chairs or Blankets for Grass Seating • No Refunds!

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22

THE METROPOLITAN | THE EXTRAORDINAIRE | THE TOURIST | THE ARTIST | THE CRITIC | THE DINER | THE CRAFTMASTER | THE HIGHROLLER | THE GLADIATOR | THE YOUNGSTER | THE SHOWMAN | THE NIGHTOWL | THE THINKER

LOVING ARIZONA A

Christina Fuoco-Karasinski » The Entertainer!

lthough born and raised in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, renowned actress and singer Kristin Chenoweth feels at home in Arizona.

She enthusiastically shares that she’s a “big Cardinals fan;” so much so that she sang the national anthem before the Veterans Day game. But her activities the night before were really meaningful.

“I did a free concert at Luke Air Force Base for the families and our military guys,” Chenoweth says. “That was a really special moment for me. I met some really cool people. It was fun.”

The Tony Award winner, who starred in Glee, is passionate about military causes. She’s appalled at the lack of support veterans and soldiers receive.

“Support is the biggest missing link for us as a country,” she says angrily.

“They go and do all of this for us, then they come home and say, ‘Now what?

How do I integrate?’

“The woman who was in charge of me that day was telling me about all the work they were doing. They have to help, not only the military with PTSD, but how to integrate military men and women once they’re done with service.”

Chenoweth will return to the Valley twice in March. At Celebrity Fight Night on March 10 she will perform with the likes of Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler to support the Alzheimer’s and Memory Disorders Program and Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center at Barrow Neurological Institute, and other local charities. Her Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts show on March 17 is with her longtime friend, Seth Rudetsky, a SiriusXM host and fellow entertainer.

“Normally, I bring my music director and we do a 90-minute show with just me and my piano, or me and my band,” Chenoweth says.

“On this particular night, I’ll be with an old, old friend. We came up together in New York. He asked me to do the show with him. We’re going to talk about auditions at 22 and we’ll sing.

“I’m going to get to share it with Seth and talk about what has moved me, the artists I like, and maybe sing songs I’m considering for my next record. It’s more of an intimate evening.

I’m excited about it. I’m just so proud of him. It’s going to be a special night.”

She was introduced to Celebrity WWW.ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

Fight Night through Andrea Bocelli, with whom she sang “The Prayer” at the event’s 2017 fundraiser in Italy. Meeting Bocelli and the folks behind Fight Night was meaningful.

“I met all the people who run it and they said, ‘You really need to come to our Celebrity Fight Night in Phoenix,’” she recalls. “I decided I would carve out time to come.

“As I age, I keep thinking about how I want to be remembered. I have my own theater in Broken Arrow, but I had nothing like that growing up. This year we held our third summer arts camp for kids from all over the country, who learn to sing, act and dance, and about show business. Watching the Fight Night group and how they put words into action, it’s inspiring. I don’t see how I don’t be a part of it.”

Chenoweth adds she feels a calling to share knowledge and resources.

“All these things we work so hard for in our 30s and 40s, we need not just reap the benefits or enjoy the fruits of our labor, but we need to put those fruits into something else. Life isn’t just about you. People have real, real problems like they need dinner and food, or there are people who are like me who grew up without a music program. I didn’t have children of my own, so who am I going to leave it to?”

Soon, she reflects again on her time in Arizona—and with whom she would like to spend time. Chenoweth is from the same hometown as a favorite Arizona Diamondbacks player—Archie Bradley.

“If he were a little older—and I don’t know what his story is, if he’s married with kids—I would be on the prowl,” she says with a giggle. “I’ve watched him on TV. I’m just proud of him. Nobody but us is from Broken Arrow.”

Celebrity Fight Night

JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort and Spa, 5350 E. Marriott Drive, Phoenix, 602.956.1127, celebrityfightnight. org, 5 p.m. Saturday, March 10, $1,500-$5,000.

Kristin Chenoweth

Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts’ Virginia G. Piper Theater, 7380 E. Second Street, Scottsdale, 480.499.8587, scottsdaleperformingarts.org, 8 p.m. Saturday, March 17, $59-$89.

Kristin Chenoweth talks about her love of the Cardinals and Archie Bradley

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE FEBRUARY 2018

54th Annual

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Art of Chocolate A’fair moves to Gilbert

23

FEBRUARY 23, 24 & 25 AJ Rodeo Grounds 2018

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Lynette Carrington » The Entertainer!

G

ilbert residents and lovers of chocolate will be able to indulge Friday, February 2, to Sunday, February 4 now that the Art of Chocolate A’fair has moved from Carefree to Gilbert.

“Frankly, we outgrew Carefree in a number of ways,” says Roberta ToombsRechlin, a founder of Magic Bird Festivals, which produces the event.

“We were looking for a new, larger location and the flourishing, hip vibe in Gilbert and its close proximity were attractive.”

The festival, which happens from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., will feature hundreds of chocolates, art, music by Flagstaff’s Mother Road Trio on Saturday, and Sedona’s Darius Lux on Sunday, and food trucks. Of course it celebrates the romance and decadence of chocolate in its many incarnations. Admission is free.

Toombs-Rechlin, who founded the company with Lester Rechlin, visited the Gilbert Heritage District many times and has seen the area grow exponentially. It seemed to be the perfect spot for the Art of Chocolate A’fair.

“We have all the chocolatiers who were with us in Carefree and we’ve added a few more,” notes Toombs-Rechlin, a self-professed lover of dark chocolate.

New Mexico’s Elixir Boutique Chocolates is the featured chocolatier this year, after receiving rave reviews last year. Other participating confectioners include XO Confections, Lilly Lang Treats, Mr. Fudge and San Francisco Chocolate Factory.

Seventy fine arts exhibitors will set up shop at the Art of Chocolate A’fair, including artists who create jewelry, paintings, clothing and wood crafts.

The featured artist is Andria Boat of AB Photography.

“Andria is a local artist in Desert Foothills where I live,” Toombs-Rechlin says. “She does beautiful landscape photography, both framed and unframed.”

Magic Bird Festivals’ Art of Chocolate A’fair

Gilbert Civic Center, 50 E. Civic Center Drive, Gilbert, magicbirdfestivals.com, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, February 2, to Sunday, February 4, free.

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THE EXTRAORDINAIRE

25

STYLE » ENVY » PASSION » FASHION » BEAUTY » DESIGN

FISHING FOR

TALENT

‘America’s Got Talent’ to hold open-call auditions in Phoenix

Carson Mlnarik » The Entertainer!

W

hether you’re a hidden talent or a star in the making, you might just find your big break when America’s Got Talent hosts its open-call auditions in Phoenix.

The popular NBC reality show will spend Saturday, February 24, at the Phoenix Convention Center as part of its cross-country tour.

From 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., budding performers of any age and any talent are invited to show off their skills to producers for a chance to compete for a $1 million grand prize and opportunity to headline a show on the Las Vegas Strip.

While Darci Lynne, a singing ventriloquist act, won the show’s 12th season, Arizona was well represented in

last year’s competition.

Dancer Oscar Hernandez made it to the quarterfinals. Then-13-year-old Evie Clair, a singer and pianist, advanced to the final round.

Clair, who is now 14 and resides in Florence, fondly recalls her run on the show, which she calls “the coolest thing ever.”

“My experience on the show was unbelievable,” says Clair, who has performed at least one concert a week since appearing on the show.

“It gave me a lot of exposure, which allowed me to come back home and continue to perform and work. That was a huge blessing that we didn’t really think would happen.”

Clair won America’s heart over the summer with her unique voice, classic song choices and her powerful story about her father, who died from colon cancer while she was on the show.

She appreciates the way the show highlighted her true personality, and advises future contestants to do the same.

“Remember who you are, be yourself,” she says.

“I think that was the main thing that I wanted to represent on the show that you don’t have to change yourself or change what you love to do, to have people accept you.”

While the show has been running since 2006, its last season was the show’s most watched in five years. It scored 2.6 billion views on social media.

Executive producer Matt Banks, who has been with the show for nearly eight years, is excited to see who will surprise America this year.

“You never know who’s going to turn up and that’s the joy of the show,” he says.

“It’s really difficult to say what we’d love to turn up because often, it’s

something you’ve never seen before.”

Banks only has one piece of advice for those interested in auditioning: Go for it.

“There’s no point going in being nervous, you’ve just got to get over that,” he says. “If you don’t go for it, then we’ll never see the true potential that you have.”

As for the show’s 13th season, executive producer Simon Cowell is confirmed to return as a judge and the show will premiere in the summer.

Open Call Auditions for America’s Got Talent

Phoenix Convention Center, 100 N. Third Street, Phoenix, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, February 24, americasgottalentsauditions.com.

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DEFYING GENRES

Dan Auerbach brings his stories and varied music to The Van Buren

Christina Fuoco-Karasinski » The Entertainer!

D

an Auerbach is laid back.

He casually mentions that it’s “freezing”— literally—in Nashville, where he resides. The roads are frozen. School is canceled.

He discusses his band, Dan Auerbach and the Easy Eye Sound Revue, who is playing The Van Buren on Tuesday, February 20. But The Black Keys’ frontman breaks into hysterics when he thinks about his previous Arizona shows.

“The last time I saw (punk singer) Jay Reatard was in Phoenix,” Auerbach says while still composed. “He was black-out drunk. He got punched in the face. He was on one of the Black Keys tours. OK, wait, it was the first show of the tour, then they came and he got completely black-out drunk and missed the next two shows.”

At this point, Auerbach is cracking up.

“That’s right, then the very last show of that tour, he was punched in the face, knocked unconscious in the backstage room by the bouncer and he fell backward. I stepped over him with my bag and that was the last time I saw him alive.”

Reatard died of a drug overdose in 2010.

Auerbach hopes his show at The Van Buren isn’t that dramatic. He’s supporting his latest album, Waiting on a Song, the follow-up to his 2009 release Keep It Hid, backed by The Easy Eye Sound house band—Gene “Bubba” Chrisman, Bobby Wood, Russ Pahl and Dave Roe. “Bobby and Bubba are my soulmates, really,” he says. “We’re trying to do the same things. I feel like I’m new to it, compared to them, obviously.

I feel like I’ve always thought about

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making records like they did. They’re not worried about the genre. They’re just making up something. Like when they were making ‘Son of a Preacher Man,’ they weren’t concerned with the genre, or ‘Suspicious Minds’ by Elvis. It had no genre really.

“It was all over the place. It’s its own thing. I really admire that and I model myself after those guys.”

The revue features singer Robert Finley, whom he has called “the greatest living soul singer.”

“He’s a Louisiana soul singer,” he says. “He hadn’t made records until the last year. He’s amazing.”

No matter with whom Auerbach has worked, he’s always learned something.

“You learn little tricks by watching other people,” Auerbach says. “There’s always something to be learned.”

Dan Auerbach and the Easy Eye Sound Revue w/ Shannon and the Clams

The Van Buren, 401 W. Van Buren Street, Phoenix, thevanburenphx.com, 8 p.m.

Tuesday, February 20, $32.50.

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‘THE POPE OF TRASH’ Celebrate Valentine’s Day with director John Waters

Christina Fuoco-Karasinski » The Entertainer!

L

egendary entertainer John Waters calls his live show a litmus test. It can make or break a relationship.

“My Valentine’s Day show either turns into a great date or a terrible one—especially on the first date,” he says with a laugh.

“Some have told me horror stories.

I do, maybe, 35 spoken-word shows around the country, so I’m very in touch with the people who have enabled me to get away with this all of these years.”

Known for his pencil-thin moustache, Waters comes to the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts on Tuesday, February 13, for an adults-only commentary and book signing. He is celebrated for classic cult movies like Pink Flamingos, Polyester and Hairspray.

He is also a photographer and curator whose work has been shown in galleries and museums around the world, and the author of numerous books, including the best-selling Role Models, Carsick: John Waters Hitchhikes Across America, and most recently, Make Trouble.

Waters says, during his appearances, he uses his movies as a way of sharing his thoughts about politics, crime and fashion.

“I give my opinion on almost everything during the show,” he says.

“I still have to write it before I get there because the news changes every minute.

The problem is you constantly have to do rewrites every day because there’s so much happening in the news.”

That’s not hard for Waters, who calls himself a news junkie.

“What’s parody and what’s real is a gray area these days,” he adds. “I’m a

news junkie, which helps. I like to get my papers, even though I’m online all day. I still like to read the paper, hold it in my hand, tear things out, see what’s above the fold or below the fold.”

He is calling from San Francisco, where he has an apartment. It frustrates him that the San Francisco Chronicle removed its newspaper boxes from the streets because homeless folks were taking them to sell them.

“I had to put $1.50 in change in there,” he says. “Who walks around with six quarters? Homeless people sell them for $1, but at least people read them. If they’re in boxes, nobody reads them. The press is my soap opera.”

He made news himself when his speech at Rhode Island School of Design’s spring 2015 undergraduate commencement went viral. Algonquin Books released it, as did Jack White’s Third Man Records.

“It was an illustrated gift book and then a record of the speech was released,” he says. “I’m on vinyl again at age 71. I feel so of the people. Jack White’s great. It’s such a cool record company. I went to Third Man Records in Nashville and it’s like Willy Wonka’s Factory in there.”

Waters has seen the U.S. cultural landscape change over the years. Once considered vile, Waters now sees parents bringing their children to his shows.

“What parent would take their kid to see me?” he says. “No, that does happen. I see parents and it’s really touching. They’re coming with their angry, screwed up children in a lastditch effort to bond with them.

“I never know if it works because I never see them again. Before, parents would call the police when they found my movies.”

He says kids these days are having as much fun being a delinquent as folks his age. He questions, though, how young adults are being troublesome.

“You’re a hacker,” he says. “That’s what you are. You live in your parents’ house at 30 years old. They haven’t seen you in two months and they leave food outside your door while you’re shutting down the government.

“It’s very different, but I try to address that in my show. When I was young, we stole hubcaps. That’s nothing today.”

John Waters

Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, 7380 E. Second Street, Scottsdale, 480.499.8587, scottsdaleperformingarts.org, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, February 13, $39-$69.

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THE TOURIST

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

TOUR DU JOUR Welcome to “The Tourist,” a section for the more than 40 million visitors to our state, as well as the locals. But we’re not stopping at the border. Whether it be nightlife, natural wonders, golf, resort diversions, amazing cuisine or one-ofa-kind attractions, let us point out the best of the mileposts.

Enjoy!

Dillon’s KC BBQ Bayou CrackerJax Family Fun and Sports Park The entire family will be entertained at CrackerJax! Experience a variety of attractions including go-karts, 18hole miniature golf course, 300-yard golf driving range with two levels and 66 bays, bumper boats, batting cages, the Bungee Dome, Alien Invasion Laser Tag, volleyball courts, Water Wars arcade, restaurant and more. Ideal for birthday parties and corporate events of all sizes. Open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; and 10 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday. Driving range is open at 8 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, and 8:30 a.m. Monday through Friday.

1601 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, 480.998.2800, CrackerJax.com

Dillon’s KC BBQ Bayou is ready to serve its great food to diners in its new location—13 miles closer than its previous spot. Spend the day, choose a camp site or dine with us at this wonderfully huge venue that only Dillon’s Bayou and its award-winning barbecue can offer. Check out the general store, where you’re sure to find something necessary or unique. Our guests and employees are our greatest asset and we’re grateful for their loyalty. Visit one of our destination locations: Dillon’s Bayou at Pleasant Harbor and Dillon’s at The Wildlife World Zoo and Aquarium.

Four Valley locations, dillonsrestaurant.com

O.K. Corral Visit the actual site of Tombstone, Arizona’s legendary Gunfight at the O.K. Corral and see Wyatt Earp and “Doc” Holliday in daily reenactments.

There are life-sized animatronic figures of the eight gun fighters, too.

Experience the Corral as it was in the 1880s, with working blacksmiths, antique cowboy gear, Western buggies and four museum displays. Ticket includes admission to multimedia Tombstone history show and a copy of the October 26, 1881, Tombstone Epitaph newspaper with original reports of the gunfight.

326 E. Allen Street, Tombstone, 520.457.3456, okcorral.com

EXCLUSIVE BENEFITS JUST FOR YOU. JOIN TODAY. See the Rewards Center for details.

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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA’S

CROWN JEWEL

Make it to Mendocino Alison Bailin Batz » The Entertainer!

J

ust two hours north of San Francisco, Mendocino County needs to be on your bucket list. The county’s 90 miles not only includes some of the most gorgeous coastline in the world, but more than 90 wineries and 24 state/ national parklands. It’s the perfect marriage of wine, waves and wilderness.

STAY The Heritage House, which is snuggly nestled right into Mendocino’s rugged Pacific coastline, is rare in that it offers luxury and intimacy. With just 60 rooms – one of which is a high-end suite – the resort is able to focus on service, and giving guests the privacy to enjoy the lush gardens, cliffs, rocky beach landscapes, nearby woodland trails and more at their leisure. Recently renovated, many of the rooms have fireplaces, bathrooms with heated floors, soaking tubs, unobstructed ocean views and/or floor-to-ceiling glass doors that open to private decks. The resort also features a spa overlooking the Pacific Ocean and more than 30 acres of greenery to foster the ultimate sense of relaxation and renewal.

A bonus for foodies – the dining options at The Heritage House are as impressive as the views. Its signature restaurant, called 5200 Restaurant in honor of its VIP location along the Pacific Coast Highway, is among the most celebrated in all of California and boasts acclaimed chef Richard Whipple at the helm. He focuses on the farm-to-fork concept in all areas WWW.ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

of the menu – going so far as to work with local pastures, farms and fisheries to source ingredients – and infuses American comfort foods with innovative French flair throughout.

SIP Fun fact - Mendocino County has the most acreage of certified organic vineyards in the country. To give some perspective, the County has 11 distinct designated American Viticultural Areas (AVAs), and some pending designations.

In comparison, Arizona – as in the entire state – has two. While the area has several varietals of note, cabernet, chardonnay, zinfandel and pinot noir fans will be especially pleased with the area.

While it’s impossible to share all the wineries of note, here are some to get you started on your first trip: Parducci Wine Cellars: The oldest winery in Mendocino County, Parducci Wine Cellars is certified organic and biodynamic. The winery is also a certified wildlife habitat.

Frey Vineyards and Winery: Frey Vineyards was the first producer of biodynamic wine in the United States.

Toulouse Vineyard: This breathtaking vineyard boasts views of magnificent oak trees and towering redwoods.

Husch Vineyards Winery: It sits on a 60-acre ranch, and the tasting room is a converted pony barn from the early 1900s. It is covered in ivy and beautiful flowers - like a secret garden for wine tasting.

Roederer Estate: The best for bubbles.

Phillips Hall Winery: The tasting room is a restored barn that is surrounded by apple trees.

SEE If you are an outdoor enthusiast, Mendocino County is your Disneyland. Here is just a sampling of what’s in store: B. Bryan Preserve: Experience the rural landscape – not to mention the animals – of Africa without leaving the continent! Join the twice-daily tours to feed the rare African hoofstock— Rothschild Giraffe, Zebra, and Antelope—at B. Bryan Preserve.

This remote outpost tucked into Point Arena along scenic Highway 1 also

offers an eye-popping giraffe barn for offbeat events.

Pygmy Forest: From Jug Handle State Beach, step back through time as you hike the 2.5-mile self-guided nature trail called The Ecological Staircase, which explores five ocean terraces (each representing 100,000 years) that have been uplifted over time and have created this unique coastal range.

Glass Beach: An anomaly that is eye-popping, visitors can seek out sea glass on Fort Bragg’s unique trash-totreasure state beach. Formerly the city dump, Glass Beach has evolved over tide and time polishing the glass from headlights and taillights, jars, bottles, and more into tiny, colorful glass pebbles.

Red and blue are the rarest!

Orr Hot Springs: Soak up some relaxation at this clothing-optional outpost nestled in the rolling hills near the town of Ukiah. The mineral waters flow through communal tubs, a cold pool, rooftop and private tubs. Simple lodgings are also offered as well as camping on site.

Chandelier Drive-Thru Tree: Size matters. Soaring at 315 feet high with a girth of 21 feet, this 2,000-year-old towering tree is a definite showstopper.

Cut in the late 1930s as a tourist attraction, the Chandelier Tree seems to defy nature, allowing autos a smooth passage through its center.

For more information, go to visitmendocino.com.

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THE ARTIST

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CULTURE » THEATER » DANCE » GALLERY » DRAMA » VISION

FOLKSOUND HOP

A

Judah and the Lion’s Dylan Oglesby brings his band’s energy back home Christina Fuoco-Karasinski » The Entertainer!

J

udah and the Lion guitarist Dylan Oglesby is a true product of the Arizona music scene.

The 2011 Horizon High School graduate absorbed everything he could about music while living in Scottsdale, participating in the Phoenix Boys Choir, garage bands and attending concerts at what is now Ak-Chin Pavilion.

So when Oglesby returned home last summer with Judah and the Lion to open for Incubus and fellow Phoenicians Jimmy Eat World at the summer shed, it was surreal.

“As a kid, I went to a lot of concerts,” says an upbeat Oglesby. “My mom was really great about me and my little brother going to shows. We would go to the pavilion. So when we opened for Incubus there, it was a huge full-circle moment for me. It was cool.”

After visiting for the holidays, Oglesby, along with Judah and the Lion, will return to the Valley to headline The Van Buren on Monday, February 5.

“We’re hopping in the bus and we’re doing the big Going to Mars Tour,” he says. “That’ll take two and a half months. We’re diving in hot and heavy.”

Best known for the gold-certified hit “Take It All Back,” Judah and the Lion’s musicians formed while they were studying at Nashville’s Belmont University, where Oglesby headed after graduation.

“In college, I was friends with (bassist) Brian Macdonald,” Oglesby says.

“I lived in the same dorm. We’re good

friends, and through him I met the other members. We started to jam together.

“At Belmont, so many people are musicians, even if they’re not studying it. I was invited along on their first tour, playing house shows. Wherever we could go, we went.”

At the time, he was playing accordion and harmonica, but his role evolved into an electric guitarist, accordionist and singer. He is joined in the band by Judah Akers, Nate Zuercher and Daniel Weatherby.

“It’s been a really fun thing—especially from where it began,” he says.

“We were just the humble college band, grinding it out. Now we’re seeing some success and it has been fun.”

“Take It All Back” is found on Judah and the Lion’s album Folk Hop ‘n Roll, which was released in March 2016.

The album hit numerous Americana and folk Billboard charts, with “Take It All Back” hitting No. 1 on the magazine’s alternative songs chart for three weeks in December 2016 and January 2017. In March 2017, Judah and the Lion released a deluxe edition of Folk Hop ‘n Roll.

The success led to opening spots as well for Twenty One Pilots, something that Oglesby found inspiring.

“We’ve gotten to do a lot of cool things,” he says. “The most awe-inspiring or humbling ones are when we open for big artists. We opened for Twenty One Pilots and they’re one of the biggest bands in the world. We had a short set, but to share the stage and see the culture of the people who were doing it for real on a big scale was amazing.”

Ironically, music performance wasn’t his major at Belmont. He studied audio engineering, even though he has been singing his “whole life.”

“I was in the Phoenix Boys Choir from 2001 to 2007,” he says. “I started singing and my family was awesome about supporting music. I was a high school choir kid. I dabbled in musical theater in high school, but I was all about the choirs and singing.

“I didn’t expect to do the band thing,” Oglesby says. “I was invited on this awesome journey, this awesome adventure and I’m super grateful that I was.”

He’s looking forward to sharing this journey with friends, family and fans at The Van Buren.

“We think concerts are participation activities,” he says. “We want the crowd to move, dance and sing as much as we are. We bring a lot of energy.

The songs are catered and written with that in mind. We want to make an experience out of it. It’s a fun concert experience that people will remember and they’ll come back for more.”

Judah and the Lion w/Colony House and Tall Heights The Van Buren, 401 W. Van Buren Street, Phoenix, thevanburenphx.com, 8 p.m.

Monday, February 5, $23-$25.

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Randy Montgomery » The Entertainer!

Mad Gravity

ARTS

CALENDAR WESTERN SPIRIT ART WALK FEBRUARY 8

FEBRUARY 2 TO FEBRUARY 18 Two performance artists build a theater in their living room, but their lives are interrupted when a comet is headed for Earth. This philosophical comedy won the 2013 Reva Shiner Comedy Award from the Bloomington Playwrights Project.

Mesa Encore Theatre Black Box, 933 E. Main Street, Mesa, 480.834.9500, mesaencoretheatre.com, times vary, $15.

Hand to God FEBRUARY 2 TO FEBRUARY 25 Stray Cat and Phoenix theaters team to bring this darkly delightful, fast-paced, irreverent comedy to the stage. Originally produced off-Broadway in 2011, the story deals with love, grief and what it means to be human. This production contains mature language and content.

Phoenix Theatre, 100 E. McDowell Road, Phoenix, 602.254.2151, phoenixtheatre. com, times vary, $35-$85.

The Snowy Day and Other Stories

TO MARCH 11

CARNIVAL OF ILLUSION FEBRUARY 10

FEBRUARY 16-MARCH 4

TO MARCH 11 The Valley may not get wintery weather, but you can still celebrate the first snowfall with Childsplay.

Based on the book by Ezra Jack Keats, the musical adaptation follows Peter and his friends on a humorous adventure though the joys and challenges of childhood.

Presented by Childsplay, Tempe Center for the Arts, 700 W. Rio Salado Parkway, 480.921.5700, childsplayaz.org, times vary, $12-$30.

Western Spirit Art Walk

FEBRUARY 8 Every Thursday, art lovers and those looking for a unique night out head to Old Town Scottsdale to roam the dozens of galleries, enjoy live music and grab dinner at a local eatery. This month’s theme night: Western Sprit, in honor of Scottsdale’s Western Week. Experience the Old West and Scottsdale’s contemporary art world together.

SENSE AND SENSIBILITY FEBRUARY 16-MARCH 10

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Presented by Scottsdale Gallery Association, Scottsdale Art District, Gallery Row on Main Street from Scottsdale Road to Goldwater Boulevard, and north on Marshall Way, across Indian School Road to

the Horse Fountain on Fifth Avenue, scottsdalegalleries. com, 6:30 p.m., free.

Hashknife Pony Express Mail Delivery and Community Celebration

FEBRUARY 9 Celebrate the city of Scottsdale’s Western Week by visiting the galleries at the museum that honors the history, art and rich cultural heritage of the West. As an added bonus, on February 9, the oldest officially sanctioned Pony Express will deliver the mail. The trip ends at the museum, after starting in Holbrook. The outdoor events during the celebration are free.

Museum admission is with suggested donation.

Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West, 3830 W. Marshall Way, Scottsdale, 480.686.9539, scottsdalemuseumwest.org vary, event beings 11 a.m., free-$15.

Carnival of Illusion FEBRUARY 10 Step inside the parlor and step back in time! Roland Sarlot and Susan Eyed want guests to experience an evening of “Magic, Mystery, and Oooh La La!” Set inside of an intimate venue, the entertaining duo presents an Old-World illusion show filled with vaudeville, magic and humor.

Tempe Center for the Arts, 700 W. Rio Salado Parkway, 480.359.SHOW, carnivalofillusion.com, times vary, $43-$60.

A Date with John Waters

FEBRUARY 13 You know John Waters best for his cult-classic films, which include Pink Flamingos and Hairspray. Also a photographer and author, Waters will take the stage for an evening of commentary, which includes a warning that the show will contain explicit and potentially controversial adult content.

Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, 7380 E. Second Street, Scottsdale, 480.499.8587, scottsdaleperformingarts.org, 7:30 p.m., $39-$69.

Cinderella 2018 FEBRUARY 15 TO FEBRUARY 18 The classic fairy tale is brought to life through the talented performers of Ballet Arizona. Ib Andersen takes the pages of the beloved

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P R E S E N T S

BLACK VIOLIN FEBRUARY 23

storybook and immerses audiences in the wonder before their eyes. With music performed by the Phoenix Symphony, this performance is one the entire family will enjoy. You will leave “Happily Ever After!”

A DATE WITH JOHN WATERS FEBRUARY 13

LATIN GRAMMY AWARD WINNING

Presented by Ballet Arizona, Phoenix Symphony Hall, 602.381.1096, balletaz.org, times vary, $25-$164.

FEB 3 7:30PM

Outside Mullingar FEBRUARY 15 TO MARCH 4 February is the perfect time for a romantic comedy. This one comes from the author of Doubt and Moonstruck. Poetic, dark, uplifting and funny, the story revolves around two introverted misfits living in rural Ireland. At almost 40 years of age, these two find love.

Presented by Arizona Theatre Company, Herberger Theater Center, 222 E. Monroe Street, Phoenix, 602.256.6995, arizonatheatre.org, times vary, $41-$70.

A Chorus Line FEBRUARY 16 TO MARCH 4 “The singular sensation” comes to Peoria with the show-stopping score by Marvin Hamlisch. One of Broadway’s most recognizable plays is dedicated to the heroes of musical theater, and it’s based on real experiences of Broadway dancers. The show contains mature language and adult content.

Presented by TheaterWorks, Peoria Center for the Performing Arts, 10580 N. 83rd Drive, Peoria, 623.815.7930, theaterworks.org, times vary, $14-$36.

MARIACHI FLOR DE TOLOACHE V O I C E P L AY

A CAPPELLA GROUP AS SEEN ON NBC'S THE SING-OFF FEB 9, 2018 / 7:30 PM

RHYTHMIC CIRCUS: F E E T D O N ' T F A I L M E N OW !

MAR 3, 2018 / 7:30 PM

Sense and Sensibility FEBRUARY 16 TO MARCH 10 Southwest Shakespeare brings Jane Austin’s popular novel to the stage. Two sisters lives are turned upside-down when their father dies and leaves them penniless. In a society run by money, the sisters must learn to adapt.

Mesa Arts Center, 1 E. Main Street, Mesa, 480.644.6500, swshakespeare.org, times vary, $38-$47.

Black Violin: Classical Boom Tour

FEBRUARY 23 A favorite at the Chandler Center for the Arts, Black Violin blends genres to deliver an entertaining show that

WILLIAMSBURG SALSA ORCHESTRA

MAR 30, 2018 / 7:30 PM

CHE MALAMBO

APR 7, 2018 / 8:00 PM

T I C K E T S: 4 8 0 . 3 5 0 . 2 8 2 2 T C A .T I C K E T F O R C E . C O M / T C A P R E S E N T S

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THE METROPOLITAN | THE EXTRAORDINAIRE | THE TOURIST | THE ARTIST | THE CRITIC | THE DINER | THE CRAFTMASTER | THE HIGHROLLER | THE GLADIATOR | THE YOUNGSTER | THE SHOWMAN | THE NIGHTOWL | THE THINKER

PRESENTED BY

mixes classical, hip-hop, rock, R&B and jazz. The classically trained duo of stringed instrumentalists from Florida will be joined on stage by a DJ, band and drummer.

Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Avenue, Chandler, 480.782.2680, chandlercenter.org, 7:30 p.m., $26-$44.

The Ten Tenors

FEBRUARY 23 AND FEBRUARY 24 The Ten Tenors celebrated their 20-year anniversary in 2017. The tenors hail from Australia and have toured the globe. They return to Wickenburg with a new show that celebrates the music of artists that are no longer with us. The act promises a feel-good journey with powerful vocals and a high-octane production.

Del E. Webb Center for the Performing Arts, 1090 S. Vulture Mine Road, Wickenburg, 928.684.6624, dewpac.org, times vary, $65-$75.

Phoenix Art Museum 1625 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, 602.257.1880, phxart.org, times vary, $5 plus general admission, free-$18.

Pompeii: The Exhibition

TO MAY 28 Wall-sized frescoes and mosaics are just a part of this traveling exhibit that will transport visitors back to 79 A.D. to the Roman city of Pompeii. Also on display are marble and bronze sculptures, jewelry and statues that tell the history of the city covered in volcanic ash.

Arizona Science Center, 600 E. Washington Street, Phoenix, 602.716.2000, azscience. org, $9.95-$11.95 plus general admission $13-$18.

THE TEN TENORS FEBRUARY 23-24

Iris van Herpen: Transforming Fashion

ROSSINI

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forward-thinking creators.

Don’t miss Rossini’s greatest masterpiece!

You will delight in this plot full of twists and turns, mistaken identities, and the triumph of young love, all wrapped up in masterful music.

FEBRUARY 24 TO MAY 13 The work of Dutch clothing designer Iris van Herpen is featured for a limited time at the Phoenix Art Museum. Part of the exhibition is a dress from her 2014 collection purchased by the Arizona Costume Institute. Van Herpen has been regarded as one of fashion’s most POMPEII: THE EXHIBITION TO MAY 28

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Ron and Kay McDougall

MAR 9, 10 & 11 at Symphony Hall Tickets start at $25

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Offset & Digital Printing . Large Format Printing . Screen Printing Graphic Design . Snapchat Filters . Decals . Wraps . Apparel . Embroidery . Signage Die-cut & Promo Products . Pop-Up Displays . Direct Mail . Packaging . & SO MUCH MORE...

Make it a Date Night!

Mark Cortale Presents Broadway @ Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts Featuring Seth Rudetsky as Pianist and Host

ODC/Dance Thu, February 15

Megan Hilty Sat, February 24

Ladysmith Black Mambazo Fri, February 2

SONGBOOK: Steven Page and the Art of Time Ensemble Fri, February 9

A Date With John Waters Tue, February 13

The Chieftains Tue, February 27

The TEN Tenors: Wish You Were Here Wed, February 28 Thu, March 1

Reserve your seats today!

ScottsdalePerformingArts.org | 480-499-TKTS (8587) | 7380 E. Second St.

38

THE METROPOLITAN | THE EXTRAORDINAIRE | THE TOURIST | THE ARTIST | THE CRITIC | THE DINER | THE CRAFTMASTER | THE HIGHROLLER | THE GLADIATOR | THE YOUNGSTER | THE SHOWMAN | THE NIGHTOWL | THE THINKER

BUILDING A

LEGACY

Arizona Broadway Theatre hosts black-tie fundraiser production in 2018 in the new venue will be Disney’s Mary Poppins, July 6 to July 22 after it hits the stage in Peoria in June. ABT is also opening a new 5,200-square-foot Encore Room next fall, which will offer expanded programming, including concerts, specialty acts and special events. It will also offer conference and banquet space.

BALL WILL RAISE FUNDS

Steven Solomon » The Entertainer!

A

rizona Broadway Theatre is staging its 100th musical entertainment production this year, just as it also becomes the newest resident company of the Herberger Theater Center in Phoenix. For its 2018-2019 season, the Peoria-based organization is joining HTC’s current resident companies—Arizona Theatre Company, Center Dance Ensemble, and iTheatre Collaborative—along with Arizona Opera and Childsplay.

“We know there is an audience in Central Phoenix and the East Valley for ABT’s brand of entertainment,” WWW.ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

says Kiel Klaphake, ABT’s CEO and executive producer. “I am thrilled the Herberger Theater Center’s Board of Directors has accepted ABT as one of its newest resident companies.”

“I can’t wait to see their performances on our stages,” adds Mark Mettes, HTC’s president and CEO. “Together, the diverse offerings of the resident companies of the Herberger Theater Center will entertain and inspire audiences of all ages, providing more reasons than ever to live, work and play in downtown Phoenix.”

The 2018-2019 HTC season will include ABT co-productions that will move to HTC after debuting in Peoria on the Mainstage. The first ABT

Before then, ABT has scheduled its fifth annual Broadway Ball for Saturday, March 3, with proceeds benefiting the organization’s artistic, educational and charitable programs.

Last year, $70,000 was raised and the 2018 goal is to net $100,000. Tickets are $150.

“We have been so fortunate to attract a committee of very dedicated volunteers who work tirelessly to stage a fun and festive event,” says Ellen Versen, ABT’s development director. “Their goal every year is to host the most exquisite gala in the West Valley.”

The event features a cocktail hour with complimentary champagne, a three-course dinner, silent and live auctions, a Broadway Ball Wine Pull and a gift card “Frenzy.” Live entertainment includes performances of Mainstage shows and children’s programs at ABT. The evening ends with dancing to the music of Len King and the AZ Swing Kings.

“A popular item last year was ‘Dinner in Your Home for Eight,’ prepared and presented by ABT Executive Chef Erik Angelo. Also offered, in a ‘chicken auction,’ was a Mother Sauces and Knife Skills cooking class with the chef in the ABT kitchen,” Versen says.

There is always a rock ‘n’ roll experience. In 2017, it was six tickets to the Queen + Adam Lambert concert, including a Brian May guitar and Queen in 3D book, both autographed to the winner by May.

25-MEMBER COMMITTEE The all-volunteer Broadway Ball committee, with 25 members, is co-chaired

by ABT Board of Trustees Secretary Sharon Jarnagin and West Valley Women Chief Connections Officer Lisa Platt.

“Ticket sales comprise most of ABT’s revenue, and the ball revenue is only a portion of the theater’s development revenue. We are hopeful that the Broadway Ball will generate more as awareness of ABT is raised and as the theater and the fundraiser mature,” Versen says.

ABT, which has been producing live theater for 13 years, showcases professionals from across the country in locally produced musicals as well as internationally acclaimed concert artists and specialty acts. It also offers Theatre for Young Audiences programming and Academy for Young Performers arts education camps. It claims to have welcomed nearly 1 million patrons.

HTC opened in 1989 and has three theater venues, an art gallery, plaza and rentable event space for a variety of community uses. Proceeds from annual fundraising benefits its Youth Outreach Programs, designed to give Arizona children opportunities to excel, learn and heal through experience with the arts. During the last 28 years, 4.2 million patrons have seen more than 15,000 performances.

Arizona Broadway Theatre 7701 W. Paradise Lane, Peoria, 623.776.8400, azbroadway. org and Herberger Theater Center, 222 E. Monroe St. Phoenix, 800.840.9227, http:// herbergertheatercenter.boxofficetickets.com.

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE FEBRUARY 2018

UKULELE MASTER

Christina Fuoco-Karasinski » The Entertainer!

A

rizona is a special place to Hawaiian ukulele aficionado Jake Shimabukuro. He donated instruments to the Musical Instrument Museum before it opened, and loves the acoustics at the Mesa Arts Center, where he will perform Tuesday, March 6.

The night before, March 5, he hits the stage at Tucson’s Rialto Theatre, another of his favorite venues.

“It’s so beautiful in Arizona and there are amazing venues,” Shimabukuro says via telephone from Hawaii as his young son yearns to get his attention.

“I’ll perform with a trio—me, a bassist and a guitarist—on this tour.

They’re both stellar musicians. We’ll have new arrangements and new songs.

It’s going to be fun. I’ll still be doing a good mix of original music, as well as some of my favorite cover tunes.”

Picking up a ukulele at age 4, Shimabukuro has put a new spin on songs like “While My Guitar Gently Weeps,” “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “Eleanor Rigby” and “Time of the Season.”

The last two tracks will appear on a new album set for release early this year. The collection’s name has yet to be announced, but the showpiece is Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah.”

“My last record (2016’s Nashville Sessions) was all originals,” he explains.

“It was my first album of all originals.

This one is a combination of covers

39

Hawaii’s Jake Shimabukuro makes his mark on Arizona

and original music. It’s exactly 50-50.

Hopefully people will enjoy it. Besides ‘Eleanor Rigby’ and ‘Time of the Season,’ I did New Order’s ‘Bizarre Love Triangle,’ Jimi Hendrix’s ‘If 6 was 9,’ with elements of ‘Little Wing’ in there, and Ed Sheeran’s ‘Shape of You’ with an island reggae type of arrangement.”

Shimabukuro has been keeping busy. He recently finished the music score for Go for Broke, a film about Japanese-American veterans after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. He’s working on a collaboration album, too, with the likes of Willie Nelson.

“I’m hoping to record more tracks with people I’ve worked with over the years; people who I’ve collaborated with or those who have supported me— basically anybody who would want to record with me,” Shimabukuro says with a laugh.

“In the past, I’ve worked with some really incredible musicians like Bette Midler, Michael McDonald and Bela Fleck. These musicians were always so inspiring. I hope to do more with them. I’m really excited about this project. So far, 2018 is off to a great start.”

Bumper Jacksons

Black Violin Classical Boom Tour

Friday, February 16, 2018 · 7:30 p.m.

Friday, February 23, 2018 · 7:30pm

k.d. lang ingénue redux

Buddy Guy

Jake Shimabukuro

The Rialto Theater, 318 E. Congress Street, Tucson, 520.740.1000, luckymanonline. com, rialtotheatre.com, 8 p.m.

Monday, March 5, $28-$37.

Mesa Arts Center, 1 E. Main Street, Mesa, 480.654.6500, mesaartscenter.com, 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, March 6, $37.

Saturday, Feburary 24, 2018 · 7:30 p.m.

Celtic Nights

25th Anniversary Tour

Thursday, March 8, 2018 · 7:30 p.m.

Friday, March 9, 2018 · 7:30 p.m.

Sgt. Peppers’ Lonely Hearts Club Band Musical Thrones, A Parody Classic Albums Live 50th Anniversary of The Beatles

Friday, March 16, 2018 · 7:30 p.m.

Full season listing

ChandlerCenter.org

Sunday, March 18, 2018 · 7:00 p.m.

Sunday, March 11, 2018 · 3:00 p.m.

Cesar Millan LIVE!

Friday, March 23, 2018 · 7:30 p.m.

480.782.2680 WWW.ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

40

THE METROPOLITAN | THE EXTRAORDINAIRE | THE TOURIST | THE ARTIST | THE CRITIC | THE DINER | THE CRAFTMASTER | THE HIGHROLLER | THE GLADIATOR | THE YOUNGSTER | THE SHOWMAN | THE NIGHTOWL | THE THINKER

PUTTING THEMSELVES

ON THE LINE

Theater Works is bringing the iconic ‘A Chorus Line’ to the stage Laura Stoddard » The Entertainer!

F

or dancers, actors and theatrical performers, one play seems to be revered. It is the Tony- and Pulitzer Prizewinning musical A Chorus Line, the original holder of the record for longest-running play on Broadway.

As Theater Works in Peoria prepares to perform this show on its stage, the director, cast and crew are dedicated to doing justice to this ground-breaking show. For those not familiar, audience members witness an audition of young dancers who desperately wish to secure a role in a play called A Chorus Line.

During the audition, each of the characters is asked a series of questions by the director, and the stories that emerge about their lives are surprising, sometimes disturbing, and deeply personal.

The fascinating part about this show is that none of the characters are contrived; they’re all based on real people; namely young, starry-eyed dancers trying to make it on Broadway in the 1970s. Feeling a mutual bond, but still basically strangers, the group gathered for a number of taped sessions where they talked about their lives, hopes and reasons for wanting to WWW.ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

perform. Michael Bennett, award-winning choreographer and director, then turned those hours of taped sessions into the basis for this play. Some of the dancers who participated in the taped sessions performed in the original production of A Chorus Line—some even played themselves.

Mollie Lajoi, choreographer and director of this production, has a long-standing love affair with the play.

She says it was a childhood friend and fellow “theater geek” who introduced her to A Chorus Line when she was 7 or 8 years old. While being driven to and from drama classes together, her friend would sing songs from the show, and Lajoi immediately fell in love with them.

Lajoi has acted in the play twice for different companies, and she says it feels like it’s a dream come true to be directing it.

“This amazing show is so close to my heart,” she says. “When Theater Works contacted me, I felt nervous and excited to take on the role. I want to be able to tell the story as well as possible, because it’s an important story, and because these characters are based on real people and you have to be more sensitive to that.”

Lajoi’s direction to her cast, in

regard to getting into character is simple: get to know the person you’re playing.

“I’m telling them to do their research. They can’t be acting like these people, they need to be them.”

Actor and choreographer Kat Bailes is honored to play one of the show’s most pivotal characters, Cassie—a veteran dancer who had some success on Broadway, moved away in hopes of becoming a star, and then sadly returned to New York when her dreams weren’t realized, finally ending up at auditions for A Chorus Line.

“At this point, Cassie has realized that she doesn’t need to be a star, she just needs to dance,” Bailes says. “I certainly have gone through that process where I don’t need to be the lead role, I just need to be dancing. I feel like I know her because, if you’re an actor or dancer, you know what this life is like— it’s just a steady drumbeat of rejection.

So you have to love it so deeply, like myself and Cassie, that you just want to keep doing it.”

Trey DeGroodt, who plays Paul, a young man striving to discover and accept his identity, admits that he didn’t know much about A Chorus Line until he was cast in it a few years ago.

“This is my second time playing Paul, but when I first got the part, I didn’t know much about him except that he had a really long monologue,” DeGroodt says with a laugh. “Then I actually read about the show and the

guy my character is based off of, and I was like, ‘Wow, that’s amazing,’ then I really got into that character. From then on, I couldn’t stop looking things up. Paul is based on one main guy, combined with a few different people’s backstories. It’s just so fascinating.”

It’s obvious that everyone involved with Theater Works’ production of the show have developed a profound respect for it, and an even greater appreciation for the continual struggle that is the life of a dancer. Michael Schwenke, who plays Mike in the show, hopes audiences will walk away with the same appreciation.

“I love this show because it really opens people’s eyes who have never dealt with theater people before,” Schwenke says. “It’s like, ‘Oh, there’s a reason why they’re like this,’ or, ‘Something must’ve happened in their childhood that really made them realize that performing is for them.’ It’s giving a different perspective.

It would be beautiful if the audiences were able to just have a deeper appreciation than they had coming in.”

A Chorus Line

Peoria Center for the Performing Arts, 10580 N. 83rd Drive, Peoria, 623.815.7930, theaterworks.org, various times Friday February 16, to Sunday March 4, $36, student and senior discounts available.

FEBRUARY CONCERTS AT THE MIM MUSIC THEATER MAX WEINBERG’S JUKEBOX

LARRY CAMPBELL AND TERESA WILLIAMS

Friday, February 9 | 7 & 9 p.m.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame drummer Max Weinberg invites the audience to create in real time the set list he and his four-piece band will play on performance night.

Sunday, February 18 | 7 p.m.

PAVLO

DAVID WILCOX

Sunday, February 11 | 3 & 7 p.m.

Thursday, February 22 | 7:30 p.m.

“Pavlo mixes Flamenco, Greek and Latin styles with a pop sensibility that separates him from the average ‘world music’ novelty.”

—Yakima Herald-Republic

“Fueled by brilliantly articulate guitar, an honestly pretty baritone, and deft lyrics, he combines the best of both pop and modern folk aesthetics.”

—Boston Globe

This husband-and-wife duo have been deemed the “the first couple of Americana.”

EMILY BEAR

CYRUS CHESTNUT TRIO

Friday, February 23 | 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, February 13 | 7 p.m.

“With the ability to seamlessly move from Classical to Jazz and Be-bop, she shows as much musical prowess as pianists-composers twice her age.”

—Quincy Jones

The nimble fingers of this modern-day piano legend blends jazz, blues, gospel, and samba into a brilliant tapestry.

BODEANS: STRIPPED DOWN Beautiful Renditions of BoDeans Classics

BUMPER JACKSONS Thursday, February 15 | 7:30 p.m.

“A heady brew of Western swing, country, and straight-up pre-war jazz.”

—Boston Globe

Sunday, February 25 | 6 & 8 p.m.

WE BANJO 3

DAVINA AND THE VAGABONDS AND THE SQUIRREL NUT ZIPPERS

Friday, February 16 | 7:30 p.m.

“These ultra-talented Irish performers deliver hallowed musical traditions from Ireland and America with a freshness and finesse bordering on magical.”

—Wall Street Journal Sponsored by

One of the best live rock bands in the business

Tuesday, February 27 | 6 & 9 p.m.

“One of the most distinctive and expressive vocalists to come around in a while” —Phoenix Blues Society

FOR TICKETS AND LINEUP, CALL 480.478.6000 OR VISIT MIM.ORG.

2018 Concert Series sponsored by

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

The BEST independent films from around the world, celebrities, parties, workshops and more!

Jane Alexander

Keely Shaye Brosnan & Pierce Brosnan

Richard Dreyfuss

43

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE FEBRUARY 2018

THE CRITIC

LIGHTS » CAMERA » ACTION » SCREEN » ENCHANT » TRANSPORT

What movie should you see this month?

Ask our experts!

JOSEPH’S MOVIE OF THE MONTH:

I, Tonya

Margot Robbie’s portrayal of former figure skater Tonya Harding is center stage... er... rink in I, Tonya, but the comedic biopic’s supporting cast is every bit as noteable with Allison Janney stealing the limelight. Still, Robbie gives a remarkable performance, disappearing into the real-life role and earning as much empathy as she does laughs. It is a film that challenges our perception of the truth, society’s treatment of the lower-working-class, and - most significantly - the universe’s tragic tendency to take everything for which we’ve worked our entire lives away from us.

RANDY’S MOVIE OF THE MONTH:

Paddington 2

The lovable bear in the red hat and blue coat is back.

It would be easy to argue that a sequel was not necessary and there was plenty of room to ruin the franchise. But fear not, this installment is full of laughs, adventure and heart. While it will easily entertain the youngest of moviegoers, adults will appreciate the humor and fine performances by the non-CGI cast.

Hugh Grant steals the show as Paddington’s nemesis.

This was a surprisingly good family release during a time of year known for bad movies.

The Report Card

Our film writers grade what’s in theaters Movie

Joseph

Randy

Call Me By Your Name

B

B

The Disaster Artist

B

B

Downsizing

B

Hostiles

B

B

I, Tonya

A

A

B

Molly’s Game

B

A

A

Paddington 2

A

A

A

The Post

B

C

B

The Shape of Water

A

A

A

A A

Star Wars: The Last Jedi Wonder Wheel

M.V.

B B

C

C

FILM FACTS SOUNDBITE SPOTLIGHT

M.V.’S MOVIE OF THE MONTH:

The Post

Steven Spielberg’s latest is, in a sense, a prequel to All the President’s Men. Scripted by Liz Hannah and Josh Singer, it dramatizes the Washington Post’s handling of the Pentagon Papers story in 1971, in the face of the threat of legal action by the White House. Not that it’s topically relevant or anything. It’s exhilarating journo-porn, shot in newsprint tones by Janusz Kaminski and peopled with a fine pack of veteran character players. As editor Ben Bradlee, Tom Hanks is steady and amusing, and as publisher Katherine Graham, Meryl Streep makes her ethical dilemma touching, and its resolution is thrilling.

ABOUT THE FILM WRITERS JOSEPH J. AIRDO is a film critic, producer and on-air personality for Breakthrough Entertainment, a talk radio show that shines a spotlight on the practical perspectives of the topics and themes explored in movies.

He has a pet duck named Frozen who is as opinionated about movies as he is. Email him at joseph.airdo@gmail.com.

The title character of Paddington 2 is based on a lone teddy bear, purchased by author Michael Bond from a store near Paddington Station as a Christmas present for his wife in 1956. Colin Firth was originally set to voice the bear before Ben Whishaw took over the role. A third installment in the film series has already been announced.

RANDY MONTGOMERY is a Los Angeles-based film critic who lived in, and still loves, Arizona. Living within walking distance of multiple major studios is a dream come true for this long-time movie buff. While not sitting in the dark and munching on popcorn with extra butter, you can find him riding roller coasters and enjoying the arts. Email him at randymwriter@yahoo.com.

“I have a world of respect for anyone who can figure skate - it’s incredibly hard and surprisingly cruel. Also, picking up something like that at age 26 is not the same as learning it at 5 years old, like when Tonya did, when you have no fear and you’re falling from three feet off the ground as opposed to six.”

– Margot Robbie, I, Tonya

M.V. MOORHEAD has won five first-place Arizona Press Club awards for criticism. His reviews and other writings appear in Wrangler News (wranglernews.com), Phoenix Magazine and on his own blog, Less Hat, Moorhead (mvmoorhead.blogspot.com). A native of Pennsylvania, he lives in Phoenix with his wife, kid and three Chihuahuas with five eyeballs between them. Email him at mvmoorhead@cox.net.

WWW.ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

44

THE METROPOLITAN | THE EXTRAORDINAIRE | THE TOURIST | THE ARTIST | THE CRITIC | THE DINER | THE CRAFTMASTER | THE HIGHROLLER | THE GLADIATOR | THE YOUNGSTER | THE SHOWMAN | THE NIGHTOWL | THE THINKER

COMING

ATTRACTIONS Peter Rabbit

Every Day

PG - 90 MINUTES

PG-13 - 100 MINUTES

James Corden voices a rabbit whose feud with a farmer (Domhnall Gleeson) escalates to greater heights than ever before as they rival for the affections of the warm-hearted animal lover who lives next door (Rose Byrne). Margot Robbie, Elizabeth Debicki and Daisy Ridley also lend their voices to characters.

Opens February 9.

Angourie Rice plays a girl who falls in love with a mysterious soul named “A” who inhabits a different body every day. Feeling an unmatched connection, they work each day to find each other, not knowing what or who the next day will bring. Opens February 23.

The 15:17 to Paris

Early Man

Three young American soldiers discover a terrorist plot on a Paris-bound train. Throughout the harrowing ordeal, their friendship never wavers, making it their greatest weapon and allowing them to save the lives of the more than 500 passengers on board. Directed

by Clint Eastwood. Opens February 9.

A plucky caveman unites his tribe against the mighty Bronze Age during the dawn of time, when prehistoric creatures and woolly mammoths roamed the earth.

Written and directed by Nick Park (Chicken Run, Wallace and Gromit and Shaun the Sheep). Opens February 16.

PG-13 - 120 MINUTES

NR - 90 MINUTES

Annihilation

Fifty Shades Freed

NR - 100 MINUTES

R - 120 MINUTES

Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson reprise their roles as newlyweds who, believing they have left behind shadowy figures from their past, fully embrace an inextricable connection and shared life of luxury. But new threats could jeopardize their happy ending before it even begins. Opens February 9.

Black Panther

R - 120 MINUTES

Chadwick Boseman plays a man who returns home to the isolated, technologically advanced African nation of Wakanda to take his place as king. However, as an old enemy reappears on the radar, his mettle is tested when he is drawn into a conflict that puts the entire fate of Wakanda and the world at risk.

Opens February 16.

Natalie Portman plays a biologist who signs up for a dangerous, secret expedition where the laws of nature don’t apply. Jennifer Jason Leigh, Gina Rodriguez and Oscar Isaac also star.

Opens February 23.

Half Magic

R - 100 MINUTES

Heather Graham, Stephanie Beatriz and Angela Kinsey play women who use their newly formed sisterhood to fight against sexism, bad relationships and low selfesteem. Through embracing their wild adventures, they learn the secret to ultimate fulfillment. Opens February 23.

For more movie reviews, in-depth celebrity interviews and behind-the-scenes insights, tune in to breakthrough entertainment 3-4 p.m. Wednesdays on BreakRadioShow.com.

Email film writer Joseph J. Airdo at joseph.airdo@gmail.com.

WWW.ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE FEBRUARY 2018

45

KRAMER VS. KRAMER

Steven Solomon » The Entertainer!

F

our-time Academy Award nominee Jane Alexander will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award during the nine-day 2018 Sedona International Film Festival in February and March “Jane Alexander’s legacy of incredibly iconic films is, like the name of one of the films that earned her an Oscar nomination, a ‘testament’ to her creative talents and commitment to the profession,” says Patrick Schweiss, the festival’s creative and development director.

“We are thrilled to present her with this award and very much look forward to having her engage with film fans from around the state and around the world.”

Tickets are on sale for the event that runs from Saturday, February 24, to Sunday, March 4.

Alexander, a former director of the National Endowment for the Arts, made her Broadway debut in 1968, winning the 1969 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play in The Great White Hope with James Earl Jones. She earned seven Tony Award nominations and was inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame in 1994. An eighttime Emmy nominee, Alexander was first nominated for her role as Eleanor Roosevelt in Eleanor and Franklin in 1976, a role in which she aged from 18 to 60 years.

DIVERSITY OF FILMS During the festival, more than 150 films—full-length features, documentaries, shorts, foreign films and animated films—will be shown. Alexander will be on hand for question-and-answer sessions after screenings of three of her films—Testament, The Great White Hope and Kramer vs. Kramer.

A TESTAMENT TO HER

SUCCESS

Jane Alexander to be honored during Sedona International Film Festival “Each genre attracts its own crowds,” Schweiss says. “Most of our films sell out.

You’d be amazed how quickly the shorts packages sell out, but we know that many people only come to see documentaries while others like to explore the diversity of what we have to offer.”

Three committees of eight to 10 people reviewed more than 1,000 films that were submitted for the 24th annual festival.

“Our screeners have a variety of backgrounds, which is very intentional,” Schweiss says. “We want people from all walks of life and all experiences and careers, because that is what our audience represents. We have business people, retired lawyers, housewives, administrative folks, younger people, students, former business owners and CEOs. You name it, we have it, because that is what best represents the audiences we serve. We even have some with film and/or acting backgrounds so that perspective is represented, too.”

Viewing and selecting independent and foreign films is different than experiencing Hollywood blockbusters, he adds.

“Still, the concept is the same,” Schweiss says. “A good film is a good

film. We focus on selecting films that will make you think or make you feel something after you’ve seen them. We look for the inspiring and thought-provoking over the big-budget films.”

Schweiss has been with the festival for 14 years. He credits the founders with choosing a location where the community has embraced the event.

He says volunteers help ensure that filmmakers have the best possible experience, that hotels donate more than 900 rooms, area restaurants provide lunch and dinner, and visitors are warmly welcomed. The same goes for the filmmakers.

“Filmmakers will tell you they’ve never been treated so well,” Schweiss says. “When you factor in Sedona’s breathtaking scenery and environment, it puts the wrapping on something very special. The filmmakers who hear about the experience in Sedona want to be part of it.”

Watching a film with like-minded people in the audience adds to the spirit of the festival adventure, according to Schweiss.

“The experience is heightened because you are surrounded by people

who really appreciate and understand the independent film genre,” he says.

“At the same time, having the opportunity to see a great documentary, short, foreign film or full-length feature and then to be able to ask questions of the filmmakers or actors in the film, it really creates a memorable experience.”

Schweiss acknowledges that watching a film in a theater is different than viewing it at home. But being in a theater has its own reward.

“The technology in today’s theaters is incredible and can really engage the audiences in what’s going on on the screen,” he says. “You also can’t get a screen as big at home.”

Mary D. Fisher Theater

2030 W. Highway 89A; the Sedona Performing Arts Center at Sedona Red Rock High School, 995 Upper Red Rock Loop Road; and Sedona Harkins 6, 2081 W. Highway 89A, Sedona, 928.282.1177, sedonafilmfestival.org, various times Saturday, February 24, to Sunday, March 4, tiered pricing.

WWW.ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

PHIND A NEW HOME FOR YOUR OLD BIKE TODAY.

NEW HOME COMMUNITIES

On September 30, 2017, Gayle Ortega opened Old Town Scottsdale’s newest addition, Ortega Int’l Collection.

The store, which is located on the corner of First Avenue and Brown Avenue, is truly a showplace. Gayle’s collection features authentic Native American jewelry, pottery, rugs, and art, as well as colorful and desirable regional gifts, art and furnishings in all price ranges.

Six generations of Gayle’s family have done business in Native American art in the Southwest. And following in in the footsteps of her late father, Gilbert Ortega, she continues to bring you the best the Southwest has to offer.

Gayle and her staff cordially invite you to come in and say hello and see why this remarkable store delights the senses.

480.219.1500 7252 E 1st Ave | Scottsdale, AZ 85251

www.ortegaintlcollections1.com

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE FEBRUARY 2018

THE DINER

49

EAT » EXPERIENCE » INDULGE » SAVOR » DEVOUR » NOSH

FEBRUARY FOOD EVENTS Christina Fuoco-Karasinski » The Entertainer!

Field to Feast Tours

FEBRUARY 1 TO MARCH 7 Led by local growers, these agriculinary tours feature a field working orientation, a u-pick session at the University of Arizona’s research farm, and a fresh lunch served by Arizona Western College culinary students.

Tour departs the Yuma Visitor Information Center, 201 N. Fourth Avenue, Yuma, visityuma.com, 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., $55.

Date Night

FEBRUARY 2 AND FEBRUARY 16 A multicourse gourmet dinner served under the stars in a lush Yuma date grove. Every course prepared by Chef Alex Trujillo features a new twist on the fruits. Transportation not included.

Imperial Date Gardens, 1517 York Road, Winterhaven, California, visityuma.com, 5 to 8 p.m., $75.

Great Canadian Picnic

FEBRUARY 3 Celebrate all things Canadian—live music, games, food and hockey.

South Mountain Park Activity Complex, 10919 S. Central Avenue, Phoenix, 602.309.1552, canadianpicnic.com, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., free admission, donate nonperishables for the food bank.

Huss Beer Diner

FEBRUARY 3 Dine on crab cakes, salads, coffee-crusted duck breast, alt-amber marinated flat iron steak and crostini.

Classic Cooking Academy, 10411 E. McDowell Mountain Ranch Road, Scottsdale, reservations required, 480.502.0177, info@ ccacademy.edu, 6 p.m., $75.

Savor: Southern Arizona Food and Wine Festival

FEBRUARY 3 Enjoy lively food experiences, culinary demonstrations, winemaker meet and

greets, local food producer presentations, and food, wine and cocktails from more than 30 local chefs.

Tucson Botanical Gardens, 2150 N. Alvernon Way, Tucson, 520.797.3959, tucsonbotanical. org, saaca.org, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., $65-$75.

Cooking Class: The Lovers’ Grill

FEBRUARY 3 Join Executive Chef Jeremy Pacheco on the patio for a cooking demonstration on how to prepare an entire Valentine’s Day meal for two on the grill, utilizing Lon’s oversized cowboy cauldron.

Lon’s at The Hermosa Inn, 5532 Palo Christi Road, Paradise Valley, 602.955.7878, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., $69.

Boilermaker Dinner Featuring Spirit Guide Travis Nass

FEBRUARY 8 Celebrate the kickoff of Arizona Cocktail Weekend and Arizona Beer Week as Spirit Guide Travis Nass returns to Lon’s for this special “boilermaker” dinner prepared by Executive Chef Jeremy Pacheco and his culinary team. Each course will be paired with spirits and beer.

Lon’s at The Hermosa Inn, 5532 Palo Christi Road, Paradise Valley, 602.955.7878, 6 to 9 p.m., $99.

Chocolate Affaire

FEBRUARY 9 TO FEBRUARY 11 It’s the sweetest event in town.

Nearly 40 chocolate purveyors bring chocolate-covered strawberries, kettle corn, nuts, cheesecake and bananas to Murphy Park. Presented by Cerreta Candy Company.

Murphy Park, 58th and Glendale avenues, Glendale, 623.930.2299, visitglendale. com, 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, free admission.

The Peoria Greekfest

FEBRUARY 9 TO FEBRUARY 11 St. Haralambos Greek Orthodox

Church brings traditional cuisine prepared by Greek chefs, Greek music and folk dancers, imports, games and activities for kids, raffles, pastries and church tours.

St. Haralambos Greek Orthodox Church, 7950 W. Pinnacle Peak Road, Peoria, 623.486.8665, peoriagreekfest.com, 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Sunday, $3.

Sparkling Wine and FiveCourse Dinner Pairing

FEBRUARY 15 During the five-course wine pairing dinner, guests will learn how each varietal is made and enjoy courses from Market Street Kitchen designed to complement each sip. Dishes include white gazpacho with roasted pear gastrique, candied almond and prosciutto with NV Jean Veselle Brut Reserve, France; sablefish with smoked fingerling potatoes, caramelized shallots and basil aioli with 2011 Contratto Extra Brut, Italy; pork belly with roasted cauliflower, crispy chickpeas, almond pesto and pretzel gremolata with 2012 Graham Beck Brut Zero, South Africa; smoked Spanish octopus with sweet pickled vegetables, mustard greens and roasted poblano vinaigrette with NV Bollinger Cuvee, Carneros; and strawberry shortbread with strawberry jam, fresh berries and vanilla cream with Mas de Daumas Gassac Rosé, France.

Market Street Kitchen, 20825 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, 480.278.7044, marketstreetkitchen.com, 6:30 p.m., $75.

Chinese Week’s Culture and Cuisine Festival

FEBRUARY 16 TO FEBRUARY 18 Presented by Phoenix Sister Cities Inc. and Phoenix Chinese Week Committee, Chinese Week’s Culture and Cuisine Fest boasts cuisine, arts and crafts, dragon and lion dances, Chinese costume photo booth, dancing, mahjong booth, martial arts demonstrations and musical

performances.

Margaret T. Hance Park, 67 W. Culver Street, Phoenix, phoenixchineseweek.org, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, free admission.

Cruise, Barbecue and Blues Festival

FEBRUARY 17 The event invites thousands of people to rev up the weekend with live oldies music, kids’ activities and food. The one-day event features live blues music on the main stage, classic barbecue on the grill and cars.

Oro Valley Marketplace, 12155 N. Oracle Road, Oro Valley, 520.797.3959, saaca.org, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., $5, with discounts for veterans and active-duty military.

Tempe Empty Bowls

FEBRUARY 23 TO FEBRUARY 24 Hand-crafted bowls, planter pots, mugs, necklaces, platters and vases, made by potters at the City of Tempe Ceramics Program, local artists, and children ranging from elementary to high school students, will be available for purchase. For $10, patrons receive a bowl and a simple meal of soup and bread. Walt Richardson performs on Friday, with soup provided by NCounter. Randy Olson and Friends play Saturday, as soup from Whole Foods Market is served.

Sixth Street Park, East of Mill Avenue on Sixth Street, downtown Tempe, tempeemptybowls.org, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, $10.

Matsuri: A Festival of Japan

FEBRUARY 24 AND FEBRUARY 25 The festival highlights Japanese culture with entertainment, authentic crafts, food and fine arts, martial arts demos, Taiko drums and audience participation.

Heritage Square, 113 N. Sixth Street, Phoenix, 602.262.5029, azmatsuri.org, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., free admission.

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HAPPY HOUR GUIDE Brat Haus

Nestled in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale, this Euro-inspired eatery and beer garden just launched its happy hour program from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday. Food and drink specials include $1 off all draft beers, $5 glasses of wine, $7 Haus cocktails, $4 fried pickles, $6 brat burgers, $15 giant pretzels, and a free brat for dogs. For late-night visitors, reverse happy hour is 9 to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, when there is $2 off all draft beers, $5 glasses of wine, and $5 well drinks. As a new twist on “Sunday Funday,” guests can enjoy Stein Sundays with bottomless steins and mimosas for $20 from noon to 3 p.m.

3622 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale; 480.947.4006, brauthausaz.com.

Buck & Rider

Happy hour is through 7 p.m. Monday to Saturday, when patrons can enjoy $6 signature cocktails, house pours and featured glasses of wine and draft beer. Reverse happy hour is from 9:30 p.m. to close Thursday to Saturday.

4225 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix, 602.346.0110, buckandrider.com.

Cold Beer & Cheeseburgers

Cold Beer & Cheeseburgers lives up to its name, but offers more that. Check out the menu and see. Happy hour is from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday, and includes domestic pints for $3, domestic alum bottles and Four Peaks pints for $4, and premium wells and house wines at $5.

Valleywide locations, coldbeers.com.

Copper Blues

At Copper Blues, headliners don’t just occupy the stage, they surround it in the form of tap handles and inviting service.

Happy hour is offered from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday to Sunday.

50 W. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, 480.719.5005, copperblueslive.com.

Craft 64

Craft 64 specializes in local craft beer and artisan woodfired pizza. Happy hour is 4 to 7 p.m. daily, when there is $1 off all local beers, five wines for $6, and small plates for $8.

6922 E. Main Street, Scottsdale, 480.946.0542, craft64.com.

CRUjiente Tacos

CRUjiente Tacos offers taco therapy with deals on globally influenced tacos and cocktails. Happy hour is 3 to 6 p.m.

Monday to Thursday, and the modern taqueria recently launched reverse happy hour from 9 to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Specials include $3 for the Korean fried chicken, $3 short rib tacos, $3 pork belly tacos, $7 Tex-Mex-style queso, $7 chips and salsa, $5 on any of the tacos CRUjientes (beef, pork or lamb), $5 Premier CRU margaritas, $1 off all draft and bottled beer and $2 off wine by the glass.

3961 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix, 602.687.7777, crutacos.com.

Dirty Dogg Saloon

Dirty Dogg Saloon has built a reputation as a local watering hole. Happy hour is 3 to 8 p.m., with live music on Thursdays. Daily drink specials are also offered.

10409 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, 480.368.8095, dirtydoggsaloon.com.

El Chorro

Paradise Valley’s historic El Chorro offers an authentic Arizona dining experience with stunning views of the Valley’s most prominent landmark, Camelback Mountain.

Happy Hour is 5 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays to Saturdays.

5550 E. Lincoln Drive, Paradise Valley, 480.948.5170, elchorro.com.

EVO

EVO features recipes true to the Central and Northern regions of Italy, including risotto, alfredo, ragu and carbonara, Chef Steven Fowler strives to perfect a balance of simple yet robust flavors. Happy hour is 4 to 7 p.m. daily.

4175 N. Goldwater Boulevard, Scottsdale, 480.265.9814, evoscottsdale.com.

WWW.ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

Gallagher’s Sports Grill

Gallagher’s Sports Grill loves sports as much as it loves food, so it brings the two together. There are dozens of TVs and inspired dishes. Happy hour is 3 to 7 p.m. Monday to Friday, and 9 p.m. to close Friday and Saturday.

Valleywide locations, visit gallaghersaz.com.

Hard Rock Café

Take a break from the heat and stroll into the musical oasis that is Hard Rock Cafe Phoenix. With the Flying V over the door, the Hard Rock Café features a fully loaded bar, food, memorabilia and music. Happy hour is 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday to Sunday.

3 S. Second Street, Suite 117, Phoenix, 602.261.7625, hardrock.com.

Hungry Monk

Chandler’s The Hungry Monk pours 27 craft beers, with daily happy hour from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Food specials run from 3 to 7 p.m.

1760 W. Chandler Boulevard, Chandler, 480.963.8000, hungrymonkaz.com.

Lucky Strike Bowling

Happy hour is offered from 3 to 7 p.m. daily, and includes $5 food specials, $2 domestic drafts, $3 craft/import drafts and well drinks, $4 premium cocktails and select wine.

50 W. Jefferson Street, suite 240, Phoenix, 602.732.5490, bowlluckystrike.com.

Luxe Lounge

Experience UltraStar’s 21-and-older sports bar, restaurant and lounge that boasts 14 HD flat-screen TVs, four pool tables, Golden Tee Golf, soft tip darts and foosball. Happy hour is 4 to 7 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays, and all day Sundays. Specials include $3 well drinks, $3 house wines and $3 domestic draft beers. Appetizers are $3 to $6, including cheese crisp, fried pickles, cheese curds, spicy Cajun fries, hoagie bread, cheese pizza and garlic cheese bread.

16000 N. Maricopa Road, Maricopa, 520.233.2426, ultrastarakchin.com.

Pedal Haus Brewery

Mill Avenue’s resident brewpub and beer garden, Pedal Haus Brewery offers beer enthusiasts the opportunity to enjoy happy hour from 3 to 6:30 p.m. Monday to Saturday.

It features $2 off Pedal Haus beers and, spirits and $5 select wines while receiving $2 off all appetizers on the menu. “Sunday Funday” specials run all day and include $3 Pedal Haus beers, $3 mimosas, $4 Bloody Marys and $5 margaritas.

730 S. Mill Avenue, Tempe, 480.314.2337, pedalhausbrewery.com.

Philly’s Sports Grill

Happy hour is 3 to 7 p.m. daily, and 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. Sunday to Thursday and specials include appetizer discounts.

1826 N. Scottsdale Road, Tempe; 1402 S. Priest Drive Tempe; 4855 E. Warner Road, Phoenix, phillyssportsgrill.com.

Pig & Pickle

Pig & Pickle handcrafts cocktails, bakes its own bread, makes its own aioli and grows its own herbs. Happy hour is 3 to 6 p.m. daily.

2922 N. Hayden Road, Scottsdale, 480.990.1407, pigandpickle.com.

Pure Sushi & Dining

Pure Sushi & Dining offers fine sushi and hot menus in an intimate atmosphere. Happy hour is 3 to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

20567 N. Hayden Road, Suite 100, Scottsdale, 480.355.0999 puresushibar.com.

Pure Sushi Colony

Open daily, Pure Sushi Colony serves happy hour specials from 3 to 6 p.m. Enjoy $3 off regularly priced cocktails, wines by the glass and sake, along with $2 off regularly priced bottles of beer. Try its signature Asian pear martini, crafted with organic pear juice or the refreshing cool cucumber. Pure Colony offers unique and approachable wines and sake for the perfect pairing.

5538 N. Seventh Street, Suite 110, Phoenix, 602.730.3566, puresushicolony.com.

Rack Scottsdale | Old Town Scottsdale

Rack Scottsdale offers fine spirits in a laid-back environment. Happy hour runs from 3 to 7 p.m. Monday to Friday and features half-priced appetizers, such as mozzarella sticks and bacon cheese fries, $1 off beer and $2 off cocktails. It’s more than drinks, though. Pool is half price ($5) for the table.

3636 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, 480.476.1035, rackscottsdale.com.

Rehab Burger Therapy

Rehab Burger Therapy was founded on the idea that everyone deserves a break from the daily grind. Happy hour is offered from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, and 11 a.m. to close Thursdays. This includes $1 off “party starters,” wines by the glass and “rapid relief.”

7210 E. Second Street, Scottsdale; 480.621.5358, rehabburgertherapy.com.

Social Tap Eatery | Downtown Scottsdale

Downtown Scottsdale’s Social Tap Eatery offers happy hour specials from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday that include $4 Social Tap drafts, $5 select wines and discounted fan favorites like the double royale with cheese ($9), pulled pork sliders ($6) and social hour taco of choice ($3). Guests can enjoy an alfresco dining experience on the patio that overlooks Drinkwater Boulevard and Brown Avenue, or sit inside and watch the game or music videos on Social Tap’s two 90-inch TVs and 27 65-inch TVs in the restaurant and bar.

4312 N. Brown Avenue, Scottsdale, 602.432.6719, socialtapscottsdale.com.

The Stockyards

In 1947, The Stockyards, Arizona’s Original Steakhouse, opened its doors with a menu focused on its historical past: beef. Staying true to its heritage, The Stockyards’ menu continues to feature only the finest corn-fed, aged steaks and prime rib. Happy hour is 4 tto 7 p.m. Monday to Friday, when house wine, draft beer, saloon snacks, domestic beer and well drinks are discounted. Complimentary tenderloin sliders are also offered.

5009 E. Washington Street, suite 115, Phoenix, 602.273.7378, stockyardssteakhouse.com.

SunUp Brewing Co.

SunUp offers beer brewed on site, with happy hour from 3 to 6 p.m. daily.

322 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix, 602.279.8909, sunup.beer.

TapHouse Kitchen

TapHouse Kitchen of Scottsdale offers a menu by Chef Patrick Karvis centered around modern American cuisine, in addition to a respectable selection of craft beers. Happy hour is from 3 to 6 p.m. daily. Special are plenty, with $2 off all draft beer, spirits and wine on tap, and $2 off all beer flights.

Hilton Village, 6137 N. Scottsdale Road, suite 108, 480.656.0012, taphousekitchen.com.

Tutti Santi

Tutti Santi’s menu offers Nina’s original recipes for Italian classics, from antipasti freddi to mozzarella caprese.

Happy hour is 4:30 to 6 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 9 to 11 p.m. Fridays. The late-night specials include live music.

6339 E. Greenway Road, Suite 108, Scottsdale, 480.951.3775, tuttisantiristorante.com.

Uncle Bear’s Grill & Tap

Uncle Bear’s Grill & Tap’s extensive menu includes favorites like garlic parm fries, fried mozzarella, beer cheese soup, Cajun-spiced chicken salad, black and bleu burger, guacamole and prime rib. Happy hour is 3 to 7 p.m. Monday to Friday, and 10 p.m. to close Sunday to Thursday. The kitchen closes at midnight Friday and Saturday at midnight, and at 10 p.m. Sunday to Thursday.

9053 E. Baseline Road, Mesa; 2115 E. Rittenhouse Road, Queen Creek; 4921 E. Ray Road, Phoenix, unclebearsbarandgrill.com.

Wasted Grain

Happy Hour is offered 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday and 4 to 9 p.m.

Friday.

7295 E. Stetson Drive, Scottsdale, 480.970.0500, wastedgrainscottsdale.com.

featuring live performance from Jimmy Snowden 6:30pm to 9:30pm

BEST SPORTS BAR! 60 TV’S + 30 BEERS ON TAP

480.999.5400 7570 E. 6th Ave, Old Town Scottsdale

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THE METROPOLITAN | THE EXTRAORDINAIRE | THE TOURIST | THE ARTIST | THE CRITIC | THE DINER | THE CRAFTMASTER | THE HIGHROLLER | THE GLADIATOR | THE YOUNGSTER | THE SHOWMAN | THE NIGHTOWL | THE THINKER

THE CHALLENGE IS ON

Chefs prove culinary prowess using Girl Scout cookies

F

or the fifth consecutive year, chefs from some of the Valley’s most popular restaurants will use their culinary skills to reimagine one of the flavors of Girl Scout cookies – Do-Si-Dos, Samoas, Tagalongs, Thin Mints, Trefoils, S’mores and Savannah Smiles – into a custom dessert menu item.

Each restaurant has agreed to feature its dessert on its menu from February 1 to February 28, with a portion of the proceeds from each dessert sold directly supporting Girl Scouting.

“While I was clearly never an actual Girl Scout, we jumped into the Dessert Challenge in year one headfirst to support the girls and women in this community,” says Michael Rusconi, whose team at Rusconi’s American Kitchen in Paradise Valley created a Samoa dessert for the first four years, and this year took on Tagalongs.

“All these years later, especially now with their ‘G.I.R.L.s mission, which is focused on fostering go-getters, innovators, risk-takers and leaders, we are doubling down with our support.”

Rusconi’s American Kitchen, along with Olive + Ivy, The Thumb, Lumberyard Brewery in Flagstaff will be inducted into the Girl Scouts’ “Five Timers Club” this year, commemorating their participation in the challenge each year since its inception in 2014.

All the chefs also hope to not only raise critical funds to support local Girl Scouting in the area, but to inspire home cooks across Arizona to buy an extra box or two this Girl Scout cookie season to create their own desserts, too.

The participating restaurants, and their creative desserts, are:

AIOLI BURGER dessert: Tagalong ~ You’re It ~ Premier Milk Shake cost: $6 info: 10652 N. 32nd Street, Phoenix, 602.971.5555 BRAT HAUS dessert: Trefoil Meyer Lemon Tart cost: $8 info: 3622 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, 480.947.4006 WWW.ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

FAIR TRADE CAFÉ Pura Vida Cheesecake cost: $4.25 info: 1020 N. First Avenue, Phoenix, 602.354.8150 dessert:

FUEGO GRILL Jessie’s Delight cost: $4.69 info: 9118 W. Van Buren Street, Tolleson, 623.478.7300 dessert:

GRAPE WINE BISTRO Thin Mint Crazy Milkshake Food Coma Ride cost: $9 info: 23335 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, 480.305.0907 dessert:

SUPER CHUNK SWEETS & TREATS

THE MARKET RESTAURANT + BAR BY JENNIFER’S

MARKET STREET KITCHEN Claire’s Badge cost: $7 info: 20825 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, 480.278.7044

RUSCONI’S AMERICAN KITCHEN

PHOTO BY JOANIE SIMON

Alison Bailin Batz » The Entertainer!

MARKET STREET KITCHEN

dessert:

OCEAN PRIME Savannah Smiles Vanilla and Lemon Raspberry Tart cost: $12 info: 5455 E. High Street, Phoenix, 480.347.1313 dessert:

OLIVE + IVY

dessert: Tagalong

Gelato $3.25 for one scoop; $4.25 for two scoops; $6 for three scoops info: 7135 E. Camelback Road, Scottsdale, 480.751.2200 cost:

PRESIDIO Carlota cost: $6.95 info: 519 W. Thomas Road, Phoenix, 602.279.8420 dessert:

PROOF CANTEEN AT THE FOUR SEASONS SCOTTSDALE RESORT TROON NORTH dessert: Thin Mint Chocolate Brownie Pie with Thin Mint Cookie Ice Cream cost: $10 info: 10600 E. Crescent Moon Drive, Scottsdale, 480.513.5085 REVOLU MODERN TAQUERIA + BAR dessert: Tagalong Chocolate Ice Cream Cake cost: $9 info: 15703 N. 83rd Avenue, Peoria, 623.878.0215

OLIVE + IVY

RITA’S KITCHEN AT THE JW MARRIOTT CAMELBACK INN dessert: Samoa Trifle cost: $10 info: 5402 E. Lincoln Drive, Scottsdale, 480.948.1700

THE HENRY Chocolate Fudge Brownie with Mint Crème cost: $3 info: 4455 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix, 602.429.8020

RUSCONI’S AMERICAN KITCHEN Banana Cream Pie in a Jar with Tagalong Crust cost: $8 info: 10637 N. Tatum Boulevard, Phoenix, 480.483.0009

THE HERB BOX (both locations) Vegan Thin Mint Ding Dong cost: $8 on restaurant menu; $6 in bakery info: 7134 E. Stetson Drive, Scottsdale, 480.289.6160; 20707 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, 480.289.6180

dessert:

SUPER CHUNK SWEETS & TREATS dessert: Pineapple Samoas Cheesecake cost: $4.99 info: 7120 E. Sixth Avenue, Scottsdale, 602.736.2383 THE COVENANT Crème de Menthe cost: $7 info: 4740 E. Shea Boulevard, Phoenix, 602.595.7440 dessert:

THE HAYMAKER Mommy’s Spiked Samoa Milkshake cost: $6 info: 24762 N. Lake Pleasant Parkway, Peoria, 623.566.1515 dessert:

dessert:

dessert:

THE MARKET RESTAURANT + BAR BY JENNIFER’S dessert: The Zesty Lemon cost: $7 info: 3603 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix, 602.626.5050 THE THUMB S’mores Fudge Pop cost: $4.25 info: 9393 E. Bell Road, Scottsdale, 480.513.8186 dessert:

TRES LECHES CAFÉ Samoa Mas Latte cost: $4.50 for 12 ounce; $5.50 for 16 ounce; $6.50 for 34 ounce info: 1330 W. Roosevelt Street, Phoenix, 602.253.4925 dessert:

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE FEBRUARY 2018

53

WHERE SCOTTSDALE CALLS HOME

now Serving BRUNCH sat & sun 9am-2pm with live music on select dates

4218 N Scottsdale Rd | Scottsdale, AZ 85251 | 480.758.4994 | famous48.com

HUNGRY? BEST HIDDEN GEM COME DINE AT SCOTTSDALE’S

• Southwestern Cuisine with a Mexican Twist • Serving 140 premium tequilas • Complimentary homemade flavored tortillas • Misted and heated patio • Locally owned and operated

480-945-4567 | 6910 EAST MAIN STREET, SCOTTSDALE WWW.OLDTOWNTORTILLAFACTORY.COM

VER 1 BILLI N S LD! SINCE 1910

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10320 N. Scottsdale Rd. | (480) 483-NYBB | 1455 N. Scottsdale Rd. (@ SkySong) | (480) 664-4200 | Every Day 6:30am – 3pm

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THE METROPOLITAN | THE EXTRAORDINAIRE | THE TOURIST | THE ARTIST | THE CRITIC | THE DINER | THE CRAFTMASTER | THE HIGHROLLER | THE GLADIATOR | THE YOUNGSTER | THE SHOWMAN | THE NIGHTOWL | THE THINKER

Buy ANY DRINK get a

FREE GREEN TEA! WE HAVE 99¢ ICE COFFEE

“That’s a Damn Fine Donut!”

NOW HIRING!

DINER INSIDER

J’aime la crepe!

Daisy Finch » The Entertainer!

F

ebruary 2 is National Crepe Day so it’s time to celebrate!

Set your sights (or navigation) to these five Valley crepe cafes. Each has a unique feel and flavor, but all of them have quality staff, ingredients, presentations and atmospheres. No need to travel to the City of Love for a crepe creation; find a crepe you’ll love in a city near you!

(Prices included when available.)

THE CREPE CLUB

MADE LOVINGLY FRESH DAILY

ARIZONA

DONUT CO.

1030 W. Broadway Rd. Tempe, AZ 85282

OR CALL FERY DELIV

(480) 968-1321 www.AZDonutCo.com OPEN 24 HRS

WE PRICE MATCH ANY COUPON

This French-inspired cafe has not only savory, sweet crepe creations, but also salads, fresh baked croissants, coffee and juice. They also cater, so share the love at work or a family gathering. Turkey and Swiss ($4.99-$8.45) and apple and brie ($4.99 to $8.45) are among our favorites.

The Crepe Club, 550 E. Tyler Mall, Tempe, 480.965.3454; Biltmore Fashion Park, 2502 E. Camelback Road, Suite 130, Phoenix, 602.956.0087; 2268 E. Williams Field Road, Suite 721, Gilbert, 480.686.8333; The Crepe Club Express Branch, Earnhardt Lexus, 800 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix, thecrepeclub.com.

CUPZ N CREPES This crepe establishment is dishing out perfectly sized portions for hungry individuals, without skimping on the toppings. Each crepe comes loaded with fruit, sauce and a number of other options. The crepes are affordable, and Cupz N Crepes has coffee, too. The cordon bleu ($6.50), and Maddie Matty with chicken breast, bacon, cheddar cheese, romaine lettuce and ranch dressing ($6.50) are to die for. Those looking to skip the crepes should try the mandarin orange salad ($6.50).

Cupz N Crepes, 4232 E. Chandler Boulevard, Suite 8, Phoenix, 480.706.1963.

CREPE BAR

DELIVERY AVAILABLE

WWW.ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

Crepes can be sweet and savory, and this place puts that to the test. They have several options to choose from, and the

ambiance is unique and industrial. They also serve coffee, tea and sides to complement a meal. Sweet crepes include the lemon drop, with lemon curd and hibiscus gel; and vanilla bean with marinated strawberries, salted caramel and candied pistachios. Tahini chicken (hummus, farm pickles and fried chickpeas) and Papa K (Hassayampa ham, egg, chili jack and roasted mushrooms) are perfect for any meal.

Crepe Bar, 7520 S. Rural Road, Tempe, 480.247.8012, crepe-bar.com.

CHEZ VOUS Fine French cuisine is brought straight to your table at this chic and cozy crepe destination. Along with their savory and sweet crepe options, they have a full menu that’s packed with favorites, such as pastries, omelets, salads and sandwiches. The creative menu includes a brie crepe with sautéed chicken and apples, caramelized onions, sliced brie and apple cider drizzle ($13); and Norvegienne with smoked salmon, crème fraiche and dill ($13).

Chez Vous, 8787 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 228, Scottsdale, 480.443.2575, chezvous.restaurant.

COLADOS COFFEE & CREPES This family-owned restaurant offers the highest standard of hospitality, while serving delicious dishes like the Tropical (cream cheese, pineapple, coconut and walnuts) or the peach crepe (dulce de leche, peaches and roasted almonds).

Order a smoothie, iced tea, latte or salad to complement sweet or savory crepes.

The modern-yet-cozy atmosphere sets the right mood for any meal. Beautiful dishes, fast service and friendly staff are sure to please.

Colados Coffee & Crepes, 10685 W. Indian School Road, Avondale, 623.215.3826, coladoscoffee.com.

Open Daily at 11am

Happy Hour 11-6 Daily

Free WiFi

REHABBURGERTHERAPY.COM

OLD TOWN SCOTTSDALE

7210 E. 2ND STREET. SCOTTSDALE, AZ 85251 (480) 621-5358

DOWNTOWN TEMPE

21 E. 6TH STREET. TEMPE, AZ 85281 (480) 773-7307

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THE METROPOLITAN | THE EXTRAORDINAIRE | THE TOURIST | THE ARTIST | THE CRITIC | THE DINER | THE CRAFTMASTER | THE HIGHROLLER | THE GLADIATOR | THE YOUNGSTER | THE SHOWMAN | THE NIGHTOWL | THE THINKER

AMONG THE OLIVE TREES N AND THE LAVENDER

Christina Fuoco-Karasinski » The Entertainer!

Osteria brings Northern Italy flavors to Mesa

ortheast Mesa residents Jeff and Alec-Lauren Golzio are big on Italian tradition and culture.

Alec-Lauren’s great-grandfather escaped the clutches of Mussolini after serving as his accountant. Growing up, she and her husband watched their families cook the classic dishes of Northern Italy.

Now the couple is sharing its experiences via Osteria, which opens Monday, February 5, on McKellips Road, between Higley and Recker roads, in Mesa.

She says Osteria will fill a void in the area, by offering a seasonally driven, rustic menu with hand-crafted pastas, wood-fired meats and pizza, using local, organic ingredients.

“Our menu is truly more of a Northern Italian menu,” Golzio says.

“That’s where both of our families are from. It’s a very simple menu, but it’s a lot of meats and veggies. Our dough, everything, is local organic. If we can’t find it locally, then we go regional. We stay as close to us as we possibly can, and then we go out from there.

“It’s a simple menu. We want the ingredients to speak for themselves, and not be covered up in all kinds of business. We will have high-quality, good stuff.”

The chef is Tony Snyder, who was chosen because, Golzio says, he was the only one who could relate to her vision. He understood the true meaning of “fresh pasta,” and the plans were set.

“You can come in in the morning and see Tony making fresh pasta,” she says. “He’ll have that on the menu, as well as grilled meats. We have lamb coming up that he’ll put on the featured chalkboard.

Guests can order from the menu or the featured chalkboard.”

Breakfast and brunch will be two staples of Osteria, which will feature a full espresso bar, along with pastries and breakfast sandwiches during the week.

The weekend will see DJs spinning music as patrons dine on brunch.

• 100+ Unique Food, Drink & Retail Vendors!

• Locally-sourced, Chefinspired, Delicious Food!

• Fantastic Live Music and FREE Performances!

• MultipleVarieties of IceCold, Local Craft Beer!

• Vegan, Gluten-Free and Allergy-Free Options!

• Veg Out LOVES Kids!

(12 & under - FREE)

“I want it to be fun, really great happy hours,” she says. “We’ll have a lot of drink specials and have all kinds of great things. We want to be the local spot where you can bring a date or your family. It’s relaxing. That’s what Osteria is, a public gathering place, but with an elevated menu.”

Lunches—salads, soups and sandwiches—will average between $10 and $15.

“We are creating quick dishes because we have a lot of professionals out here who need to get in and out,” she says. “For dinner, the pastas will average at about $18 all the way for meats. We’re using grass-fed, organic meats and the fish is spear caught, like a swordfish that will be coming straight out of San Diego.”

It’s important for guests to hear the origins of the fish dishes.

“It’s so fresh,” she says. “It’s to us within 24 hours. We’re really excited.

People don’t think of Arizona as a seafood place. It’s literally and environmentally smart when you’re getting it straight from the ocean.

“They’re not netting or anything like that. They’re killing one fish. Tony is buying the whole fish—not just a filet. They’re getting it to us ASAP. The boat comes in from fishing and they get it straight to us.”

Equally as important is the comfortable feeling in the restaurant. The scent of the wood-fired oven is reminiscent of bonfires on a cool Midwestern evening. The patio is lined with lavender and olive trees the Golzios planted.

“My great aunt, she’s a hummingbird freak,” she says. Osteria’s logo has a hummingbird above the I. “The olive trees and lavender are an homage to her. There are hummingbirds out here every single day.”

She hopes neighbors will stop by frequently.

“I’m really stoked about being a part of our neighborhood,” says Golzio, who co-owned the Handlebar Pub and Grill in Apache Junction before Osteria. “We’re literally becoming a part of our community.

It’s not just about opening a restaurant and making money. It’s about the food. It’s nurturing. It’s all of those good things.”

Osteria

5609 E. McKellips Road, Suite A111, Mesa, https://www. facebook.com/OsteriaUSA/

Buy ON E Ticket, Get Second Day

SAT | March 17th - 10am - 7pm SUN | March 18th - 11am - 5pm FREE!

tickets & info: VegOutEvents.com WWW.ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE FEBRUARY 2018

57

It’s Always

jammin’ COLLEGE HOOPS WEEKEND BRUNCH DAILY SPECIALS THE VALLEY’S BEST HAPPY HOUR

Every Saturday & Sunday during football season!

gallaghersaz.com | 4 Valley Locaaons

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THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE FEBRUARY 2018

THE CRAFTMASTER

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SIP » BREW » RELAX » EXPERIMENT » REFRESH » TOAST

Beer Over Here

Drink up at any of these Valley beer events this month Allison Neri » The Entertainer!

Huss Beer Dinner

FEBRUARY 3 Classic Cooking Academy and Huss Brewing Company are coming together to host a decadent fivecourse dinner. The best part?

Each course will be paired with the perfect Huss beer. A few of the featured menu items include a green salad with pomegranate beer vinaigrette coupled with an alt ale-marinated flat iron steak.

Reservations are required to enjoy this fun fusion dinner.

Classic Cooking Academy, 10411 E. McDowell Mountain Ranch Road, Scottsdale, reservations required, 480.502.0177, info@ ccacademy.edu, 6 p.m., $75.

Brewers Bowl

FEBRUARY 3 The Brewers Bowl is celebrating its fourth annual beer competition and is preparing to impress. The event will be held in Old Town Scottsdale, where there will be food trucks, local craft beer, games and a main stage with bands. Microbreweries from across the state will compete for the bragging rights of “Best Brew.”

Scottsdale Civic Center Mall, 3939 N. Drinkwater Boulevard, Scottsdale, 602.730.6361, 5 p.m., $40-55.

Arizona Strong Beer Festival

FEBRUARY 10 It is that time of year again, the time to celebrate and appreciate craft

beer with the 18th annual Arizona Strong Beer Festival. There will be more than 150 breweries and 500 craft beers (statewide and countrywide) to sample and enjoy.

Ticket holders get drink tickets and a free tasting cup as a memento.

Make sure to bring some extra cash because food will be available for purchase.

Steele Indian School Park, 300 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix, 480.365.9000, craftbeeraz.com, 1 to 5 p.m., $10-100.

watching a movie. With patrons’ first order of a Grand Canyon beer, they will be given a growler with purchase. To top it off, it is also 20 percent discount on growler refills.

So snuggle up with your favorite brew and enjoy your night out.

Bottleshop 48, 3318 S. McClintock Drive, Tempe, 480.820.0804, bottleshop48. com, 5 to 9 p.m., prices depend on items ordered.

Mardi Gras Bash

FEBRUARY 10 The Perch hosts its fourth annual Mardi Gras bash in celebration of its birthday. Entertainment includes aerial acrobats, stilt walkers, fire artists, and music by Moonlight Voodoo, Kenny G. Project and Rich Berra Band. Cajun delicacies and king cake will be served, as well as craft beer, spirits and hurricanes.

General admission tickets include one beer ticket and entry, while VIP ticketholders get two beer tickets, one food ticket, a Perch T-shirt and Mardi Gras beads.

The Perch, 232 S. Wall Street, Chandler, 480.772.7688, perchpubbrewery.com, 4 p.m. to 2 a.m., $10-$60.

FEBRUARY 12 What could be more comfortable than drinking beer while lounging in your favorite pair of pajamas?

Grand Canyon Brewery will serve a variety of craft beers all while

Tipsy Cactus, 2722 S. Alma School Road, Suite 1, Mesa, 480.268.9887, tipsycactus.com, 6 p.m., free admission, price depends on items purchased.

West Valley Beer Fest

FEBRUARY 17 Arizona breweries will celebrate the art of beer. This two-part festival will offer the opportunity to sample up to 40 2-ounce pours of beer. The second part of the evening features a concert headlined by Authority Zero. To round off the event, there will be 15 food trucks to keep guests satisfied throughout the day.

8 Acre Park, 15850 N. Bullard Avenue, Surprise, westvalleybeerfest.com, 1 p.m., $25-$75.

Paint Nite

FEBRUARY 13 Guests are sure to be satisfied with more than 30 beers on tap.

You don’t have to be an artist to complete the Luminous Wild Desert painting and bring home a piece of art and great memories. So get those creative juices flowing with a little help from Blasted Barley Beer and make it an evening you will never forget.

Blasted Barley Beer Company, 404 S. Mill Avenue, Tempe, 480.967.5887, blastedbarley. com, 7 p.m., $45.

Pajama Movie Night

night featuring their craft beers. All those attending are encouraged to dress in their favorite ’90s attire.

’90s Rap Trivia

FEBRUARY 15 It’s time to dust off your haram pants and show off your bangin’ ’90s rap knowledge. Huss Brewing Beer Company, Grand Canyon and Dragoon are joining Tipsy Cactus to throw the second annual rap trivia

CrushBrew Craft Beverage Festival

FEBRUARY17 TO FEBRUARY 18 This is more than just your average beer-tasting festival. This two-day event highlights craft beer, hard cider, craft spirits and wine. Patrons will have the chance to sample a wide variety of handcrafted beers as well as watch demonstrations of how favorites are created. Local chefs will prepare artisan food.

Scottsdale Civic Plaza, 7375 E. Second Street, Scottsdale, 602.284.1989, crushbrewfestival. com, 4 p.m. February 17, 1 p.m.

February 18, $37-85.

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BeerFinder DIRECTORY Where to find the best craft beer bars in town

Craft 64

6922 E. Main Street, Scottsdale Craft 64 is proud to offer 36 local Arizona beers on tap in the heart of Scottsdale. Arizona beers only!

Mellow Mushroom Pizza

2490 W. Happy Valley Road, 5350 E. High Street, 740 S. Mill Avenue Locations throughout the Valley Incredible Pizza and amazing beer make Mellow the place to go for a craft beer experience.

Papago Brewing Company

7107 E. McDowell Road, Scottsdale The granddaddy of Arizona beer bars, there is something for every beer lover at Papago.

Boulders on Broadway

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

Hungry Monk

1760 W. Chandler Boulevard, Chandler Whether you want great wings or great beer, Hungry Monk’s selection is tough to beat.

Harvey American Public House

1524 E. Williamsfield Road, Gilbert First class food and first class beer, all set away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Goldwater Brewing Co.

3608 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale This new brewery is already making waves with their desert inspired brews--and names. Check out their Scotch’Dale Scottish style ale.

Spokes on Southern

1470 E. Southern Avenue, Tempe A comfortable bike-themed grill with 24 draft handles and food made from scratch.

Culinary Dropout

5640 N. Seventh Street, 7135 E. Camelback Road Locations in Phoenix and Scottsdale Located at The Yard, Culinary Dropout has everything you look for in a great restaurant experience, especially great beer.

Scottsdale Beer Company

8608 E. Shea Boulevard, Scottsdale Quality craft beer made right here in Scottsdale.

Happy hour from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday with $1 off all Scottsdale Beer Company beers, well drinks, wines by the glass and all small bites and starters!

Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row

4420 N. Saddlebag Trail Scottsdale Dierks Bentley has been known to kick back with a craft beer or two, and so can you at his digs.

Garage Wine and Tap

1534 E. Bethany Home Road, Phoenix With a small selection of great beers and a reputation for outstanding food, Garage should be on your list.

Thirsty Lion

2000 E. Rio Salado Parkway Tempe Plenty of great taps and plenty of room to hang out, let someone else do the shopping at Tempe Marketplace.

Copper Blues/Stand Up Live

50 W. Jefferson Street, Phoenix Have a beer and a meal at Copper Blues before the stand-up show. You won’t even worry if it’s sold out.

Brat Haus

3622 N. Scottsdale Road Scottsdale The name says it all--brats, pretzels, Belgian fries and plenty of craft “bier” to make everyone happy.

Cold Beer and Cheeseburgers 4222 N. Scottsdale Road, 20831 N. Scottsdale Road Scottsdale Do we need to say more? The name spells out everything you need to know.

Fox Cigar Bar

1464 E. Williams Field Road Gilbert Cigar fans, this should be your stop for cigars and great craft beer. Enjoy a walk in the humidor, the dark wood bar and a patio that is perfect for a cigar and a beer.

Philly’s Sports Grill

1826 N. Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, 1402 S. Priest Dr., Tempe, 4855 E. Warner Rd., Phoenix Over 20 beers on draft, 15 craft beers on tap plus more selection in cans/bottles. Happy Hour: 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Daily and Reverse 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. Sun-Thurs (excludes UFC, Boxing, ASU events).

Flanny’s Bar and Grill

1805 E. Elliot Road Tempe Home of the Third Thursday Tap Takevoer. The rest of the month is pretty good, too.

Phoenix Public Market Café

14 E. Pierce Street Phoenix The Phoenix Public Market Café is a casual urban hangout offering breakfast, lunch, dinner and great beer.

Main Ingredient Ale House 2337 N. Seventh Street Phoenix A charming old home is the location for this Coronado neighborhood hangout spot.

Pig & Pickle

2922 N. Hayden Road Scottsdale A restaurant that focuses on balance and quality, Pig & Pickle doesn’t skimp when it comes to their craft beer selection, either.

House of Brews Sports Bar

825 S. Cooper Road Gilbert Is it a sports bar or a craft beer bar? It’s both!

The PERCH Pub & Brewery

232 S. Wall Street, Chandler Located in historic Downtown Chandler, this brewery and pub not only has delicious craft brews, but is also home to a collection of beautiful, brightly colored rescue birds!

TapHouse Kitchen

Hilton Village, 6137 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 108, Scottsdale Taphouse kitchen has 20 handles of the most sought after craft beers, mostly local brew and 2 THK selection rotating handles that change with the season and taste of what we are craving at the time.

Ground Control

4860 N. Litchfield Road Litchfield Park Fresh roasted coffee and an ever-changing selection of good beer, including a fantastic import selection, make this one of the top spots in the West Valley.

The Brass Tap

1033 N. Dobson Road, Suite 104 Mesa Over 60 Taps of great craft beers and over 300 total craft beers from around the globe available! Casually upscale atmosphere, open-air patio that is cigar-friendly, nice menu, daily specials and knowledgeable staff. What more could you ask for!

Uncle Bear’s Brewery

4921 E. Ray Road, Phoenix Stop by to enjoy some local craft beer including Uncle Bear’s and other guest taps as well as delicious bites and a great happy hour!

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BEER TENDERS Bartenders who really know their beer Alison Bailin Batz » The Entertainer!

Tell us about some of the local breweries doing it right?

We are huge fans of Helton, both of their beers and their ownership. Founder, brewmaster, and Certified Cicerone Brian Helton has won multiple World Beer Cup Awards and Great American Beer Festival Awards, and it shows.

We are also really into Borderlands Brewing Company in Tucson, a small microbrewery big on sustainability.

And, of course, we love O.H.S.O. Tell us about craft beer at Rott n’ Grapes?

We carry 70-plus craft beers that are sought after and relative to our community of patrons – including styles of ales, lagers, Belgians, stouts, porters, ciders, sours and alternative brews. We rotate beers often, bringing in five to eight new beers per month. Right now, we have beer representing 17 states as well as varietals from four international breweries. And our best sellers are Great Divide’s Colette; Firestone 805; Huss Koffee Kolsch; O.H.S.O. BOOM!; and Helton Pilsner.

K

eith Shanks and wife, Patty Gii, opened Rott n’ Grapes Wine & Beer Bar in 2016 on Central Avenue, south of Camelback Road, on the ground floor of the Landmark Towers high rise.

The neighborhood spot serves a wide variety of wines, light bites and a lot of craft beer. We sat down with Shanks to learn his story and how he came to be part of the local and national beer scene.

How did you get your start in craft beer?

A Texas native, I didn’t get my start in craft beer until relatively recently. I served in the military as a naval officer for 15 years, and then spent the bulk of the past 15 years in health care finance, where I still do some consulting. I moved to Arizona about 12 years ago, and really just about six years ago, my wife and I found ourselves constantly

walking into bars and saying “Hey, we should do this.” We spend copious amounts of time researching, which gave us a quick education on all things local, regional and even international on the craft beer scene. In October 2016, we made the move to open our own place, with the goal of exposing people to the best in craft beer and wine, all the while experimenting with it ourselves.

The journey has been an exhilarating one. So much so, we are planning to expand to a second location this summer.

The new location, Rott n’ Grapes Bistro, will be located in the historic Gold Spot Building on the corner of West Roosevelt Street and North Third Avenue. The storefront faces North Third Avenue and sits on the northern most retail space in the building – neighboring Pita Jungle, Lola Coffee Bar, Salon RO5 and The Painters Lounge. It will have a dog-friendly patio and eclectic basement lounge as well as an expanded menu, including brunch on the weekends,

lunch and dinner serving up bruschetta, flat bread pizzas, panini sandwiches, an array of salads and main entrees. Oh and 200-plus wines and craft beers.

What do you think makes craft beer special?

Until recently, so many of us were only ever exposed to traditional domestic offerings – at bars, on TV in advertisements. Then, like an explosion and perhaps thanks to culinary and wine scenes growing in popularity, not to mention social media as a means of sharing in a new and different way, craft beer came along. With the movement came creativity, characters and a world all its own – one that is constantly evolving and always supportive of each other. Every month at our bar, Patty and I taste the newest brews for consideration on our menu, and we have yet to not be blown away, often saying, “What will they think of next?” and somehow always being surprised that next month.

What are your favorite beers at the moment?

I love all the local options, but a sneaky good one to taste – the 2017 Sam Adams Utopias. This is only the 10th time they’ve done this beer in their history, and it is among the craft beer community’s most renowned and sought-after extreme barrel-aged beer. Brewing, blending and aging Utopias is a multistep, time-intensive and complex process. The brewers utilized several yeast strains during fermentation, including one typically reserved for champagne and a “ninja yeast,” created for its ability to survive and continue fermenting in an environment that has such a high alcohol level. At 28 percent ABV, the brew is reminiscent of a rich vintage Port, old Cognac or fine Sherry.

Rott n’Grapes

4750 N. Central Avenue, Suite 140, Phoenix, 602.888.1667, rottngrapes.com.

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‘TAPPING’ INTO THE

SOUTHWEST Strong Beer fest returns for 18th year during Arizona Beer Week Connor Dziawura » The Entertainer!

W

ith more than 200 events planned statewide during Arizona Beer Week from February 8 to February 18, one of the Arizona Craft Brewers Guild’s centerpieces is the Arizona Strong Beer Festival, a hub for seasoned craft beer fanatics and those looking to try new flavors.

Now in its 18th year, the annual Strong Beer Festival returns to Steele Indian School Park from 1 to 5 p.m.

Saturday, February 10. Across its nearly two decades, the Arizona Strong Beer Festival has grown tremendously.

That growth shows this year, as the

reoccurring festival boasts 150 breweries with more than 500 beers on tap.

“Because we represent the Arizona breweries and we have great relationships with our distributors and out-of-state breweries, we have the best beer available at any time for that festival in the entire Southwest,” says Rob Fullmer, executive director of the Arizona Craft Brewers Guild.

The festival’s repertoire of breweries is extensive. Avondale microbrewery 8-Bit Aleworks offers The Mayan Chocolossus. The locally renowned Four Peaks Brewing Company will have its Kilt Lifter, as well as other options like Peach Ale and Double Knot. And then, there’s the popular SanTan Brewing Company, with a plethora of choices

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including Mr. Pineapple and Night of the Living Red. But even with such a large focus on the local, breweries from other locales are also involved. Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant, which has restaurants across the country, will bring with its Winter’s Oasis Imperial IPA, Hefeweizen, WinterBock and Märzen.

Guinness will have its Guinness Draught and Guinness Blonde American Lager.

“We quickly realized that we want people to have a good experience and we want them to engage with new breweries and breweries that they like,” Fullmer says. “A lot of the breweries have their own educational feature area or they have games.”

But 18 years in, the festival continues to evolve.

“There are a couple features areas sponsored by some of our distributor partners and our retailers,” Fullmer explains. “For example, new for this year is going to be the Pig Pen which is The Whining Pig and they’re going to feature some of the brands that they like and a couple beers that they collaborated with breweries on, so they have their own sort of signature on it.”

At the festival, there will be food to complement the varied brews, from Doughlicious, the Hungry Monk and El Jefe Tacos, among others.

And yes, while the focus of the festival is its beer and food, its other entertainment outlets are equally

far-reaching. Music also maintains a presence at the Arizona Strong Beer Festival.

“We have local live music,” Fullmer says. “We’ve been slowly expanding that since we’re supporting the local sampling of beer, we want people to sample from local bands.”

Bands poised to take on Strong Beer this year include acts such as The Hour Glass Cats, Kung Fu Grip with Joel Maze, Good Rust and the Black Bottom Lighters.

The idea behind it is to convey a multifestival image, Fullmer says.

“Basically, we want to give the impression that it’s several different festivals going on at the same time, and it kind of is,” he explains.

Tickets start at $50 and include 40 2-oz. pour beer tasting tickets. VIP and Super VIP options, the latter of which includes a Friday event at Valley Bar, are sold out. Designated driver passes for Saturday are still available for $15.

With the festival continuing to grow and introduce more breweries, guests come for a number of reasons, Fullmer says. Among these are the tappings.

“I think for people who are excited about craft beer and have a little bit of experience now, I think those people tend to go toward especially tappings,” he says.

A free smartphone app, Untappd, will allow guests to research and rate beers at the festival, too.

In addition to the tappings and the ability to meet brewers, it’s “also just the spectacle of it.”

“It is the largest craft beer-centric festival in the Southwest,” Fullmer says.

“I have colleagues in Colorado who run their deal and we make a great deal of their organization and the Colorado craft beer culture but our festival is three or four times larger than the largest one they do. It’s kind of a point of pride. For some people, it’s just the spectacle.”

Arizona Strong Beer Festival Steele Indian School Park, 300 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix, 480.365.9000, arizonabeerweek.com/arizona-strong-beer-festival, 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, February 10, $50-$60, 21+.

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE FEBRUARY 2018

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GREAT BEER PAIRINGS:

THE SICILIAN BUTCHER “Our selection of craft beers was carefully considered as we aim to provide the best food and beverage experience. The hops of an amber ale slice through the acidity of the tomato sauce and the rich taste of the beer highlights the subtle sweetness of the sauce. Sunday Sugo Sauce is a tradition of the Maggiore household and is one of the nine sauce variations you can choose from at The Sicilian Butcher.”

-Co-founder and Executive Chef Joey Maggiore BEER

Brewery: Ommegang Brewery Style: Amber Ale Name: Rare Vos Rare Vos Amber Ale is styled after the smooth, drinkable beers popular in Belgian cafés. It pours a light copper hue, contrasting beautifully with a big, creamy white head. The nose offers orange blossoms and slight spice. On the palate, the caramel maltiness shines strongly but with little sweetness. The profile leans toward dry fruity (yeast-affiliated), slightly fruity/hoppy with a beguiling spiciness. This complex, medium-bodied beer has a smooth mid-palate and moderate dry finish.

Well-balanced in all elements, it’s a mild, mellow brew.

DISH

Dish: Tomaso’s Sicilian Meatballs with spaghetti and Sunday sugo sauce The ale’s flavor profile has a pleasant booziness to it and mild acidity and hops. This combination lends itself to be paired with Tomaso’s Sicilian meatballs. Inspired by Phoenix culinary legend and Chef Joey Maggiore’s father, Tomaso’s Sicilian Meatballs are tender and a robust mixture of veal, prime beef, pork, pine nuts, raisins, pecorino cheese, garlic and fresh herbs. The hand-rolled craft meatballs are best served over a blanket of house-extruded spaghetti and Sunday Sugo Sauce, an authentic Italian tomato sauce made with veal, beef, pork and mirepoix.

The Sicilian Butcher

15530 N. Tatum Boulevard, Phoenix, 602.775.5140, thesicilianbutcher.com.

Over 300+ Unique Craft Beers Pints & Singles for Here Growlers, Crowlers & Packaged to go Happy Hour 3-6pm Mon-Fri CENTRAL PHOENIX

Dog Friendly Patio Dog Treats & Dog “Beer” Available Trivia Tuesdays at 7pm SINGO Thursdays at 7pm Tasty Pub Grub

4626 N 16th St. Unit 102, Phoenix, Arizona 85016 | (623) 398-3636 @theCasualPintCentralPhoenix WWW.ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

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ANYTHING YOU CAN BREW, I CAN BREW BETTER

Arizona’s female brewers are breaking the glass ceiling one beer at a time

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Christina Fuoco-Karasinski » The Entertainer!

S

ince Leah Huss was the part owner and manager of the now-shuttered Papago Brewing, she has seen the beer industry evolve.

“For probably a good 10 years, there were not many females in the industry,” says Huss in the quaint Tempe taproom of Huss Brewing Company, her venture with her husband, Jeff.

“It has slowly started to expand in Arizona, but much like everything else with beer, the state is a little behind the eight ball. Other states are pretty far out. There are different stellar women getting involved.”

For Arizona Beer Week, which starts February 8, women brewers and brewery owners from around the state headed to Lumberyard Brewing Company in Flagstaff in early January to create a sudsy special for the event. Murder She Oat is a throwback oatmeal IPA. “All of the participating breweries

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE FEBRUARY 2018

will have it on tap,” says Kelly Hanseth, whose family owns 8-year-old Lumberyard. “We’ll have 40 barrels, which is about 80 kegs, statewide.

“Today we’re creating a women’s collaborative beer. This event is a lot of fun. There’s good camaraderie, with 50 women coming in and out all day to help support and participate.”

According to a 2014 Auburn University study, women account for 29 percent of U.S. brewery workers. That same year, Stanford University reported out of 1,700 active breweries surveyed, only 4 percent had a female head brewer or brewmaster. Still, discrimination is apparent.

“I looked past it for a lot of years,” Huss says. “I was working a business deal and a man sent over paperwork, I read through it and responded. He said, ‘Did you want to run that by your husband and team?’

“I can super easily be offended by this, but I just responded and said, ‘We’re good.’ I think more now than ever I’m aware of it, but I don’t take it personally or put that much thought into it. There’s something to be said about not having an attitude or being hyperaware or hypersensitive. I don’t think you get very far by creating a thing.”

FAMILY MATTERS Huss and her husband have juggled their family, which includes their 7-yearold daughter, Lola, and the brewery since August 2013. The couple founded the brewery with Lola in mind.

“From the time I came here full time, we just kicked it into high gear,” Huss says. “It was always meant to be our family’s fun project, and the legacy for our daughter. We came up with the idea of it when I was four months pregnant. The whole idea of it revolved around her.”

Huss has years of brewery experience. She graduated from Scottsdale Culinary Institute with a degree in culinary arts. She and Jeff share a love and passion for American craft beer and its culture.

Huss sent her three-female sales squad to Flagstaff, but her staff also includes brewer Rubi Lugo.

“Rubi is pretty sassy. I let her just come in, with her own energy and attitude, and the guys love her,” she adds.

Huss is surprised about her company’s success. When Papago closed, Huss bought the brand, including the iconic Orange Blossom. Huss, who has four sisters and two brothers, was made to be a business owner.

“The girls are the strong leaders of the family,” she says.

“We look at it like we’re careening down the highway,” she says. “No one’s really driving the crazy ship. Everybody has their crazy bits to keep under control. Hopefully, we can continue

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down this crazy path of growth. We are setting out to put deep roots in Arizona and be that iconic Arizona brand.

“We want a sense of community and collaboration. We want to be a part of Arizona and what’s happening. I’m loving where everything is going with craft beer in Arizona.”

The expanded taproom in Tempe is part of that mission.

“We specifically sought out a neighborhood space where people could go,” she says. “I feel like it’s changing neighborhoods in Arizona. People just want to shut their garages and go in the house. I never wanted any TVs in the taprooms, but I lost to my husband. People don’t want to talk to each other anymore. I used to get calls at Papago asking me what beers we have on tap. I would tell them, ‘How about coming down here.

There are people in here, you should come down and talk to them.’”

During Arizona Beer Week, Huss will release Ro Sham Beaux, or rock, paper scissors, double IPA. It goes along with Huss’ mantra of being “every person’s brewery.”

“We have very approachable, very drinkable beer,” Huss says. “It’s super high quality and consistent. My husband is a crazy person about quality and consistency. We have something for everyone.”

TAKING FLIGHT Laura Hansen is passionate about her Goodyear restaurant/brewpub Saddle Mountain Brewing Company, which offers airplane-themed beer. She participated in the women’s collaborative beer event in Flagstaff.

“It was the first time I was able to meet some of the women,” she says. “It’s nice to meet each other. We ask questions of each other. We’re like-minded individuals. One of my biggest draws is to meet the women in the industry.”

Hansen enjoyed hearing her peers’ take on employment issues, and getting advice on taprooms, as Saddle Mountain is a full-service restaurant.

She and her husband, Jacob, owned the area called Wintersburg by the Palo Verde Nuclear Plant. After selling it in 2006, they used the money to open Saddle Mountain. After some time, Hansen learned she wasn’t the face of the brewery.

“I learned women do a lot of the work and get very little of the notoriety,” she says. “One of my floor managers was out in the world on his day off. He was talking about the brewery and mentioned my name to a customer. He said, ‘Who’s Laura?’

“I’m just back in the hole, doing paperwork, solving problems and getting creative with the chef and the brewer. What I found, talking with the

women here, is the bandleaders are in the front, and we pick up the back and carry this forward. Women do a great job of things, but men are loud about their great jobs.”

Saddle Mountain will release its gold medal-winning beer, the Taildragger Clan-Destine, at Strong Beer Festival this month. They’ll also have kegs of barrel-aged Toasted Pecan Doppelbock. Hansen will push Murder She Oat as well. After all, the camaraderie made an impression on her.

“I didn’t know many of the women there,” Hansen says. “But it was great to get to know everyone, and to get together once a year for this event.”

Lumberyard Brewing Company

5 S. San Francisco Street, Flagstaff 928.779.2739, lumberyardbrewingcompany.com

Huss Brewing Company

1520 W. Mineral Road, Tempe 480.264.7611, hussbrewing.com

Saddle Mountain Brewing Company

15651 W. Roosevelt Street, Goodyear 623.249.5520, saddlemountainbrewing.com WWW.ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

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THE HIGHROLLER

67

PLAY » SPIN » LAUGH » GROOVE » UNWIND » WIN

Engelbert Humperdinck’s new album is a love letter to his Alzheimer’sstricken wife Christina Fuoco-Karasinski » The Entertainer!

E

ngelbert Humperdinck wants to be a supportive husband to his wife of 53 years, Patricia. For the last decade, she has suffered from Alzheimer’s Disease.

To inspire her and to show his love for her, Humperdinck released the album, The Man I Want to Be, on November 24. He covers topics like self-realization (“The Man I Want to Be,” “I Followed My Heart,” “Absolute Beginner”), remorse (“How Can You Live,” “Prodigal Son”) and melancholic nostalgia (“Photograph,” “I’m Glad I Danced with You”). His 9-year-old granddaughter, Olivia, duets with him on “I’m Glad I Danced with You.” There are two unexpected covers as well—Bruno Mars’ “Just the Way You Are” and Ed Sheeran’s “Photograph.”

A fan of The Voice and America’s Got Talent, Humperdinck admits The Man I Want to Be is a hard project to speak about and perform.

“Until we get a cure, it’s going to tug at my heart strings,” he says. “It’s not a question of having you, you have to do what you have to do. I enjoy being on stage and singing so much.

This was a great release valve. The work I’ve done in the studio, it does release a little bit of tension.”

Humperdinck is pleased with the treatment that Patricia has received.

After not speaking for two years, she has recently said a few words.

“She’s starting to recognize

STILL LOVIN’ statements and answering intelligently,” he says. “She answers a question that she understands with a ‘yes’ or ‘no,’ or ‘I think so.’ Sometimes it takes her awhile to answer. Her brain is a little slow in processing things.

“I will, at night, say, ‘Good night my darling.’ Every once in awhile she’ll look at me and say, ‘Goodnight.’

It’s amazing. She’s very loving and she smiles a lot. It’s wonderful to see her progress.”

Humperdinck will perform some of those songs on Saturday, February

17, at Wild Horse Pass Hotel and Casino’s Ovations Live Showroom in Chandler.

“There are many songs on my new album that I will be singing,” Humperdinck says. “I do have to sing the standards people have come to know me by. I will be doing my standards like, ‘Release Me,’ ‘There Goes My Everything’ and ‘After the Lovin’—songs that people recognize immediately.

“It’s a tried and tested show that’s been around the world. I don’t keep it the same every year. Last year it was

my 50th anniversary in the business.

It’s received great reports for the whole year. I intend to keep that up.”

Engelbert Humperdinck

Wild Horse Pass Hotel and Casino’s Ovations Life Showroom, 5040 Wild Horse Pass Boulevard, Chandler, 800.946.4452, wingilariver. com, 8 p.m. Saturday, February 17, $49-$79.

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THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE FEBRUARY 2018

THE GLADIATOR

CHEER » HIT » HIKE » LEAD » ROOT » COMPETE

FEBRUARY’S BEST

SPORTS EVENTS

Joe Gilmore » The Entertainer!

Waste Management Phoenix Open

TO FEBRUARY 4 Join Rickie Fowler and Jordan Spieth as they travel to Scottsdale in the hopes of winning the Waste Management Phoenix Open. Be sure to check out the 16th hole, where Tiger Woods had his famous holein-one in 1997.

TPC Scottsdale, 17020 N. Hayden Road, Scottsdale, 480.585.4334, wmphoenixopen. com, tickets start at $40.

Phoenix Suns vs.

San Antonio Spurs

FEBRUARY 7 Shooting guard Devin Booker and guard TJ Warren square off against a tough Spurs team led by Kawhi Leonard. Coached by Gregg Popovich, the Spurs will try to beat the Suns on their home court.

Talking Stick Arena, 201 E. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, 602.379.7900, nba.com/suns, 8:30 p.m., tickets start at $5.

D-backs Fan Fest

FEBRUARY 17 Come see players, coaches, alumni and broadcasters at this free event at Salt River Fields. Tons of activities are planned, including autograph and photo opportunities. Don’t forget the popular yard sale where some goodies go for 50 cents.

Salt River Fields, 7555 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, 480.270.5100, dbacks.com, time TBA, free but some activities, like autograph sessions require tickets.

Cactus League Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

FEBRUARY 20 Frank Robinson and Gaylord Perry will be inducted into the Cactus League Hall of Fame, along with Bob Uecker, Chicago Cubs clubhouse

manager Yosh Kawano and the “lemonade, lemonade like grandma made” concessionaire Derrick Moore. The Cactus League Hall of Fame was created by the Arizona Spring Training Experience and the Mesa Historical Museum.

Embassy Suites by Hilton, 5001 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, azspringtrainingexperience.com, 11 a.m., $75-$100.

introduction to outdoor rock climbing in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve.

Tom’s Thumb Trailhead, McDowell Sonoran Preserve, Scottsdale, 480.502.9777, contact2@ azontherocks.com, http://bit. ly/2C8bcX6, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., $20 registration fee includes harness, shoes, helmet and chalk.

Mello Yello Drag Racing Series

FEBRUARY 23 AND FEBRUARY 24 Indulge in the adrenaline-filled excitement of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series when it returns for the 34th annual Arizona Nationals. Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock look to get off to a hot start at the circuit’s annual visit.

Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park, 20000 S. Maricopa Road, Chandler, 520.796.5601, 800.884.NHRA, racewildhorse. net, nhra.com, 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m., tickets start at $20.

Arizona Rattlers vs. Sioux Falls Storm

FEBRUARY 25 The Arizona Rattlers hope to dominate again this season as they kick it off against the Storm. Be sure to check out your Arizona champions.

Talking Stick Arena, 201 E. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, 602.379.7900, talkingstickresortarena.com, 3:05 p.m., tickets start at $10.

Goldy’s Bowling Bash

FEBRUARY 22 Join Paul and Amy Goldschmidt for their second annual Goldy’s Bowling Bash. Patrons have the chance to bowl with celebrities; David Peralta and Trevor Story have participated in the past. Food, drinks and a silent auction are also featured. Last year, Goldy’s Bowling Bash raised more than $186,000 for Goldy’s Fund 4 Kids, which helps support Phoenix Children’s Hospital.

Lucky Strike, 50 W. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, 602.495.7240, goldysfund4kids.com, 5:30 p.m. to midnight, tickets start at $500.

Arizona Diamondbacks vs.

Colorado Rockies

FEBRUARY 23 The Diamondbacks’ first Spring Training game kicks off against the Colorado Rockies, with whom they share a field. With Paul Goldschmidt and David Peralta at the helm, the D-backs are looking to continue their winning ways.

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Salt River Fields, 7555 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, 480.270.5100, 800.745.3000, ticketmaster. com, 1:10 p.m., $13-$36.

ClimbFest

FEBRUARY 24 The Scottsdale rock climbing gym, AZ on the Rocks, is hosting the second annual ClimbFest with REI Outdoor School. Whether you’re a master climber or adventurous beginner, every fitness level is invited to experience this fun

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THE METROPOLITAN | THE EXTRAORDINAIRE | THE TOURIST | THE ARTIST | THE CRITIC | THE DINER | THE CRAFTMASTER | THE HIGHROLLER | THE GLADIATOR | THE YOUNGSTER | THE SHOWMAN | THE NIGHTOWL | THE THINKER

STRIKING

GOLD Paul and Amy Goldschmidt bowl for PCH dollars

Christina Fuoco-Karasinski » The Entertainer!

P

aul and Amy Goldschmidt had high hopes for their first Goldy’s Bowling Bash in the fall of 2016. At the same time, the Arizona Diamondbacks’ first baseman wasn’t quite sure what to expect.

But the event raised $186,000 for Phoenix Children’s Hospital and attracted the likes of Trevor Story of the Colorado Rockies, and Goldschmidt’s teammates, David Peralta and Shelby Miller. D-backs executive J.J. Putz and former D-back Justin Upton stopped by as well.

“I was fortunate to have the support of the athletes on the other teams, and baseball players and the local community, the sponsors who came in, and the people who attended. That definitely stuck out for me. My name is on the event and I was appreciative of all the support that everyone in the Valley gave me.”

In the hopes of raising more money for PCH, Goldy’s Bowling Bash is set for 5:30 p.m. Thursday, February 22, at Lucky Strike in CityScape. The event starts with red carpet festivities at 5 p.m., the cocktail and bowling bash at 5:30 p.m., and then an after party in the Gypsy Lounge with dinner, drinks, DJ, silent auction and prizes for the best and most outrageous bowlers.

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“We’re getting excited for this year’s event, and hopefully doing more great things,” Goldschmidt says. “It helps us spread the word about what’s needed at Phoenix Children’s Hospital and have some fun, too.”

The Goldschmidts have volunteered at Phoenix Children’s Hospital since December 2011, when the couple was looking for a way to be involved in the community.

“We didn’t know much about it,” says Goldschmidt, who grew up in Texas. “There are a lot of kids and families going through tough times.

We wanted to do anything we could to brighten their day.

“Last year, we were part of the campaign for Phoenix Children’s Hospital’s Center for Cancer & Blood Disorders, which opened in October. That’s where the money went to last year. There are a lot of great causes, but we’ve seen the impact that a few minutes of our time can have. We brighten the days of the patients and the families who are going through so much. We want to help them.”

Goldschmidt says the dynamics of helping Phoenix Children’s Hospital have changed since his first child, son, Jake, was born.

“It hit home a lot more, seeing the kids and the families going through some tough times,” he says. “The families and the patients, they motivate me. They’re so positive. I’ve never heard

anyone complain. They’re in a lot of pain, but they’re so positive and happy.

“It keeps things in perspective.

They motivate me knowing they’re watching us on TV, maybe even going to games. I just remember who’s watching and it gives me extra motivation on the field.”

That goes for most of the team.

Many players take part in charitable efforts in front of the cameras and behind the scenes. Outfielder A.J. Pollock, for example, frequently visits

Sunshine Acres Children’s Home in Northeast Mesa.

“The group of players who the front office put together is a great group of guys,” Goldschmidt says.

“Off the field, they are doing great things, like A.J. There are a lot of other guys doing stuff, some public, some not. We try to help out. I see teammates helping teammates on the baseball field, spending time away helping kids, going around the Valley and helping out neighbors. Phoenix, as a community, is really tight-knit. We’re trying to help out any way we can.”

Goldy’s Bowling Bash has been moved closer to Spring Training to build up the excitement for the 2018 regular season.

“There will be more players in town who will want to attend the event, then also it’s a kickoff to the season with the beginning of Spring Training,” he says.

“It made sense to move it. I was talking to other baseball players and they said they’ve done events during the baseball season. I didn’t want to do that. Spring Training was a good compromise.”

The forthcoming season is generating excitement for fans, after a successful 2017. Goldschmidt sees an even brighter future for the Diamondbacks.

“We had a good year, but we fell short of our goal,” he says. “I want to go further in the playoffs and win the World Series.

I know everyone at the Diamondbacks is working hard in the offseason, getting ready for Spring Training.”

Goldy’s Bowling Bash

Lucky Strike, CityScape, 50 W. Jefferson Street, Suite 240, Phoenix, 602.524.8557, goldysfund4kids.org, jmoser@ rosemoserallynpr.com, 5 p.m.

Thursday, February 22, tickets start at $500.

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THE METROPOLITAN | THE EXTRAORDINAIRE | THE TOURIST | THE ARTIST | THE CRITIC | THE DINER | THE CRAFTMASTER | THE HIGHROLLER | THE GLADIATOR | THE YOUNGSTER | THE SHOWMAN | THE NIGHTOWL | THE THINKER

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GAME

THE METROPOLITAN | THE EXTRAORDINAIRE | THE TOURIST | THE ARTIST | THE CRITIC | THE DINER | THE CRAFTMASTER | THE HIGHROLLER | THE GLADIATOR | THE YOUNGSTER | THE SHOWMAN | THE NIGHTOWL | THE THINKER

ON! Kurt Warner and Shane Doan go head to head at charity event People are going to leave talking about the two of us, or the people in their group who went on stage.

It’s fun, unique and different— all for a great cause.

–Kurt Warner

Christina Fuoco-Karasinski » The Entertainer!

N

otable former Arizona athletes Kurt Warner and Shane Doan have a mutual respect.

It’s surprising considering their popularity, but the two only met a couple months ago when Warner was planning his Friday, February 9, Celebrity Game Night, at which Doan will be honored.

“I’ve admired him and his career and known about him for a long time,” Warner says. “We crossed paths, but never had a chance to connect. That’s a beautiful part of this. I got his number from a friend and called and asked him to breakfast. We became fast friends.

“We’re very similar from an athletic standpoint, and competitive standpoint. Our kids and families are priorities. When you’re talking about Valley sports figures, it doesn’t get any bigger than this guy.”

Doan agreed.

“The feeling is mutual,” he says. “I was really looking forward to getting to know him and meet him. All the things you hear about him are true.”

The event—from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Ross Aviation Hangar at

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Scottsdale Airpark—will feature games like giant Jenga, pop-a-shot, and air hockey. Don’t expect Monopoly, Warner says with a laugh. His family frequently plays board games and Battleship at his home, while Doan jokingly says he hopes to enjoy team roping. His childhood go-to game was Pit, a card game involving spoons.

Warner and Doan aren’t the only big names participating. The former Cardinals quarterback says a broad group of celebrities and athletes are expected to attend.

“It’s interactive,” Warner says.

“People are going to leave talking about the two of us, or the people in their group who went on stage. It’s fun, unique and different—all for a great cause.”

Celebrity Game Night will raise money for Treasure House, an under-construction residence in Glendale for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Kurt and Brenda Warner’s son, Zachary, is disabled after an accident when he was months old.

“It’s a community living facility for adults with intellectual and development disabilities,” Warner says. “It will house 26 individuals who, as a peer group, will be connected through the community and participate in programs

75

together. It’s kind of like a dorm atmosphere. It’s a chance for us to tap into the gifts and skills.

“We’re building in Glendale and, we’ll work on getting it right, and then spread it across the country.”

Doan is no stranger to honors. He was recently inducted into the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame, honored by the Scottsdale Firefighters Charity, and served as the grand marshal of the Fiesta Bowl parade.

“That’s incredibly flattering,” Doan says about the honors. “You recognize it’s the end of something. It was pretty special for me.”

Warner slyly says he’s not telling Doan ahead of time how he’s going to recognize him.

“We’re going to do something completely different; honor him in a whole different way.”

Kurt Warner’s Celebrity Game Night

Ross Aviation Hangar, South Complex South Hangar, 14700 N. Airport Road, Scottsdale, treasurehouse.org/gamenight/, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, February 9, $250.

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THE METROPOLITAN | THE EXTRAORDINAIRE | THE TOURIST | THE ARTIST | THE CRITIC | THE DINER | THE CRAFTMASTER | THE HIGHROLLER | THE GLADIATOR | THE YOUNGSTER | THE SHOWMAN | THE NIGHTOWL | THE THINKER

STEM PLAYS AT THE MIM

Gallery studies link between music and science

David M. Brown » The Entertainer!

I

“

f it sounds good, it is good,” the great Duke Ellington responded when asked about music.

But, what is the science behind the skillfully coordinated sound that constitutes music?

The STEM Gallery, a recent addition at the Musical Instrument Museum, 4725 E. Mayo Boulevard in North Phoenix, is focusing on the connection between music and science. STEM is an acronym for science, technology, engineering and math. The gallery explores themes of sound creation, technological innovation, the human ear, hearing safety and other topics.

“For years, we have offered a STEM + Music fieldtrip option, and this new gallery takes our commitment to STEM WWW.ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

education to the next level,” says Brian Dredla, the MIM’s director of education and public programs.

The STEM Gallery, though, has been tuned for multigenerational appeal.

Anyone who wants to learn more about the science behind some of their favorite instruments and how humans experience sound will enjoy visiting.

“Our guests have a variety of musical backgrounds,” says Dredla, whose background blends biology and clarinet performance. “Some play instruments, while others do not. We wanted to create a space that gives guests of all backgrounds a glimpse into the science behind music.

“The STEM Gallery challenges guests to think about and appreciate music and musical instruments in new ways. It’s a great example of something that has been created to resonate with

our guests and tell a more complete story about music. The space was designed for anyone with an interest in music or science, or both.”

Highlights of the gallery include slow-motion and Schlieren video footage of musical-instrument vibrations, including selections courtesy of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. This shows that musical instruments, despite their differences, all vibrate to create sound waves. Schlieren images show the detailed flow of air currents, in this case, caused by the soundwaves.

Visitors also learn about physics of musical instruments and their distinct sounds, or timbres; see a deconstructed Stratocaster electric guitar showing its innovative construction; and encounter instruments from around the world that highlight different means of sound production, including electronic

instruments used in digital music.

“In other sections, we highlight how creativity and innovation have led to advances in instrument design and construction and how technology has fueled new genres of music and new ways to listen to recorded music,” Dredla says.

Museum associates such as Katie Runyan, Justin Gillespie and Kortney Carr were integral to the gallery’s development. In addition, the MIM team worked with animators and developers at ansrsource, Dallas, Texas, to create original video content, such as three videos explaining how different notes are played on three different instruments.

The MIM team also worked with Maplewood, Minnesota-based 3M and Dangerous Decibels at the University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, to bring a hearing safety mannequin, “Jolene,” into the STEM Gallery.

The Dangerous Decibels public health campaign strives to reduce noise-induced hearing loss and tinnitus by changing knowledge, attitudes and behaviors of school-aged children.

“Jolene mannequins are used nationwide to educate people about hearing safety and the need to monitor sound levels when listening to music on personal devices,” Dredla explains.

A recent invited guest, scholar Edward R. Flynn, Ph.D., found the scientific and technical description of music “outstanding.” He is an adjunct professor of physics, and a research professor of computer engineering at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque.

“The description of the anatomy of the ear, the role of hair cells in the cochlea in detecting vibrations evoked by sound, and the sections of the brain responding to this sound appeals to the viewer who wants to understand the science behind the perception of music,” he says.

“The STEM exhibit presents this in a way that the curious child and the fact-seeking adult will find equally stimulating.”

Musical Instrument Museum 4725 E. Mayo Boulevard, Phoenix, 480.478.6000, mim. org, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, $10$20 general admission for the museum and STEM Gallery.

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE FEBRUARY 2018

THE YOUNGSTER

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FROLIC » DISCOVER » IMAGINE » FAMILY » FUN » CONNECT

THE BEST FAMILY EVENTS IN FEBRUARY Daisy Fitch » The Entertainer!

The Snowy Day and Other Stories

Arizona Diamondbacks Fan Fest

TO MARCH 11 The wonder and magic of Peter’s first snowfall is explored as he and his friends make snow angels and play, all while learning about childhood wonder and the challenges of growing up.

FEBRUARY 17 The Arizona Diamondbacks want to give back to their fans, with their annual Fan Fest! Take photos with your favorite players, have your face painted, test out your baseball skills in the batting cage, visit the yard sale and more.

Tempe Center for the Arts, 700 W. Rio Salado Boulevard, Tempe, 480.350.2822, childsplayaz.org, times vary, prices vary.

FEBRUARY 9 TO FEBRUARY 18 Greasepaint Theatre presents this musical and comedy about Robbie Hart, a wedding singer from New Jersey, and his fight to win the affection of Julia, a waitress who’s to marry a Wall Street businessman.

Set in 1985, follow along on this hilarious and emotional rollercoaster as he rediscovers love and tries to win the girl with his talent.

FEBRUARY 10 One girl’s choice changed the course of history. Join the Phoenix Wushu Academy as it presents the tale of Mulan, full of bravery, love and sacrifice. Martial arts, awe-inspiring sights and sounds and hypnotic dances take audiences along on the journey through her legacy.

Orpheum Theatre, 203 W. Adams Street, Phoenix, 480.822,9339, phoenixwushu. com, 7 to 9 p.m., $30-$100.

ArtVille Academy

FEBRUARY 22 TO MARCH 29 Kids ages 3 to 5 are invited to embark on an adventure of learning!

They’ll partake in activities about art, science, literature and math.

There are a wide variety of activities they will be able to participate in to prepare for school.

i.d.e.a. Museum, 150 W.Pepper Place, Mesa, 480.644.4332, ideamuseum.org, 9 to 11:30 a.m., $75 for members, $90 for nonmembers.

FEBRUARY 9 TO FEBRUARY 25 Join a shy little hobbit as he embarks on an adventure that will change his life. The Valley Youth Theatre presents this treasure hunt full of lore, magic, action and adventure by J.R.R. Tolkien.

Valley Youth Theatre, 525 N. First Street, Phoenix, 602.253.8188, vyt.com, times vary, $20.

Rescue Roundup

FEBRUARY 24 Abrazo West Campus invites kids and parents to join it for a fun-filled and educational day learning about health and safety, all while enjoying free food, activities, a bike rodeo, meet-and-greets with local heroes and more.

Abrazo West Campus, 13677 W. McDowell Road, Goodyear, 623.882.1500, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., free.

Copa Color Fun Run (5K) / Walk (1 mile)

The Historic Stagebrush Theatre, 7020 E. Second Street, Scottsdale, 480.949.7529, greasepaint.org, times vary, $17.

The Hobbit

Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park, 20000 S. Maricopa Road, Chandler, 520.796.5601, 800.884.NHRA, racewildhorse. net, nhra.com, 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m., tickets start at $20.

Salt River Fields, 7555 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, 602.462.3378, mlb.com/dbacks, noon to 4 p.m., free admission but a charge for autograph sessions.

Mulan

The Wedding Singer

Stock look to get off to a hot start at the circuit’s annual visit.

February Bricktivity

FEBRUARY 10 Construct a seaplane with other kids at Bricks and Minifigs, which sells new and used Legos.

Bricks and Minifigs, 1271 N. Dysart Road, Suite 108, Avondale, 623.518.3113, bricksandminifigs.com, 1:30 p.m., call for charge.

Mello Yello Drag Racing Series

FEBRUARY 23 AND FEBRUARY 24 Indulge in the adrenaline-filled excitement of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series when it returns for the 34th annual Arizona Nationals. Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro

FEBRUARY 24 Ready to run and get colorful? This is the perfect family-friendly event for you! Registration for all events begins at 8 a.m., and there is something for everyone, at any skill level.

There will also be a contest for best ’80s workout costume, so turn up the vibrance and get ready to run!

Copper Sky Regional Park, 44345 W. Martin Luther King Boulevard, Maricopa, 623.882.1500, maricopa-az.gov, 9 to 10:30 a.m., registration fees vary.

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THE SHOWMAN

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LISTEN » JAM » INNOVATE » EVOLVE » ROCK » SING

A NEW BEGINNING

Pop Evil goes back to the drawing board with new drummer and album Christina Fuoco-Karasinski » The Entertainer!

P

op Evil singer Leigh Kakaty is taking a break from the rigors of music to spend time with his family before embarking on a world tour.

As the phone rang for an interview, Kakaty was playing videogames with his kids in his Grand Rapids, Michigan-area home. But he’s never too out of pocket to speak about his forthcoming self-titled album, due out February 16.

The collection was inspired by Pop Evil’s recording sessions in Nashville, a city Kakaty was nervous about visiting, he admits.

“It reminded me of our youth when we partied a lot,” Kakaty says. “There’s a lot of temptation in that city. Because

of the strong music influence, though, I wanted to give it a go.”

Pop Evil’s producer, Kato Khandwala, suggested they record in Music City and wrap up in Los Angeles.

“It’s similar to Grand Rapids in that it’s a city on a river,” he says.

“There was just always something that was relatable to being back home.

Nashville is a big city with a smalltown flair. We took part in things that are truly Nashville—a show, a monster truck event—to really allow us to taste that culture. That spilled over into the studio for us as well. It’s hard not to fall in love with that city because there’s so much to do.”

Pop Evil is the follow-up to Up, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Independent Albums chart, and No. 25 on the Billboard Top

200 chart. Up produced four top 5 singles with “Footsteps,” “If Only For Now,” “Ways to Get High” and “Take It All.” “Footsteps” was Pop Evil’s longest No. 1 track.

Although Pop Evil is five albums in, the band decided to dub its latest effort self-titled, as the musicians feel rejuvenated.

“Being in Nashville was a new awakening for us,” Kakaty says. “We have a single new member—(drummer) Hayley Cramer—who happens to be a female. She’s the heart and soul of the band in the rhythm section that lays the foundation for us. When you hear these recordings, they destroy everything we’ve ever done. The low end is so quality.

“We’re at that pivotal point in our career. We’ve had success. We’re definitely happy with the things we’ve done, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

Finally, this album is giving us the opportunity to do those things. It’s so refreshing to have a new outlook on this business and our career. Self-titled was

the way to go.”

Although enjoying his time at home, Kakaty is looking forward to hitting the road.

“This is the longest we’ve been able to work on a recording in our career,” he says. “I haven’t been thinking about music, though. I needed to clear my mind and recharge those batteries before we tour again and think music 24-7. I’ll be refreshed and ready to go.”

Pop Evil w/Palaye Royale and Black Map

Rialto Theatre, 318 E. Congress Street, Tucson, rialtotheatre. com, 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 2, $21-$26.

The Van Buren, 401 W. Van Buren Street, Phoenix, TheVanBurenPHX.com, 8 p.m.

Saturday, March 3, $22.

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THE METROPOLITAN | THE EXTRAORDINAIRE | THE TOURIST | THE ARTIST | THE CRITIC | THE DINER | THE CRAFTMASTER | THE HIGHROLLER | THE GLADIATOR | THE YOUNGSTER | THE SHOWMAN | THE NIGHTOWL | THE THINKER

Walk the Moon

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

FEBRUARY 8

LIVE MUSIC

CALENDAR

Connor Dziawura » The Entertainer!

Jonny Lang

FEBRUARY 1

Kid Koala

The Showroom at Talking Stick Resort, 8 p.m., $55-$75

Front Country

Max Weinberg’s Jukebox

Yucca Tap Room, 8 p.m., free

Lights

Marquee Theatre, 7:30 p.m., $23-$144

Lil Xan

Typhoon

The Doo Wop Project

FEBRUARY 9

Drive-By Truckers w/Lilly Hiatt

Rhythm Room, 8 p.m., $15

Rebel Lounge, 8 p.m., $10-$12

Sleepspent

Twin Ponies

Yucca Tap Room, 7 p.m., $12-$15

Yucca Tap Room, 8 p.m., free

Yucca Tap Room, 8 p.m., free

The Van Buren, 8 p.m., $25-$45

FEBRUARY 2

Tyler, The Creator w/Vince Staples

Orpheum Theatre Flagstaff, 9 p.m., $12

Running from Bears

The Nash, 7:30 p.m., free

Synrgy

Yucca Tap Room, 7:30 p.m., $10

TobyMac

Gila River Arena, 7 p.m., $28.75-$69.75

FEBRUARY 3 Banditos

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

Black Sabbitch

Club Red, 6 p.m., $16

The Holdup

Pub Rock Live, 7 p.m., $16-$18

Marquee Theatre, 6:15 p.m., $15-$67

The Van Buren, 8 p.m., $23-$25

Kid Koala

Musical Instrument Museum, 7 p.m., $45-$65

Silverstein w/Tonight Alive

Marquee Theatre, 7 p.m., $18-$33

FEBRUARY 6 Phoebe Bridgers

191 Toole, 8 p.m., $10-$12

Pink Martini

Highlands Church, 7:30 p.m., $34-$82

The Wind + The Wave

Valley Bar, 8 p.m., $12-$15

FEBRUARY 7 Iration

Rialto Theatre, 7:30 p.m., $20-$22

Nicole Pesce Celebrates Dave Brubeck

ASU Kerr Cultural Center, 7:30 p.m., $10-$36

R.LUM.R

Valley Bar, 8 p.m., $12-$14 WWW.ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

The Expendables

Musical Instrument Museum, 7 p.m., $45-$65

Judah & The Lion

Roxy Roca

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

Kid Koala

OneRepublic

Marquee Theatre, 8 p.m., $37.50$129

Dua Lipa

Highlands Church, 7:30 p.m., $24-$67

FEBRUARY 4

FEBRUARY 5

Passion Pit

Bad Cop/Bad Cop

Rialto Theatre, 8 p.m., $15-$17

Marquee Theatre, 7:30 p.m., sold out

Musical Instrument Museum, 7:30 p.m., $45-$65 Birds Nest, Waste Management Phoenix Open, 7 p.m., $65-$350

Wild Horse Pass, 8 p.m., $75-$120

Damage Inc.

The Octopus Project

Kid Koala

Paul Anka

Sebaton w/Kreator, Cyhra

Nadas Duo

The Showroom at Talking Stick Resort, 8 p.m., $30

Musical Instrument Museum, 7 p.m. and 9 p.m., $40-$65

FEBRUARY 10

Mark Farina

Jonny Lang

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

Club Red, 7 p.m., $20-$25

Birds Nest, Waste Management Phoenix Open, 7 p.m., $95

Highlands Church, 7:30 p.m., $24-$67

Crescent Ballroom, 8:30 p.m., $20-$75

In Lessons

Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $17-$20

The Fab Faux

The Green Juli Wood

Musical Instrument Museum, 7:30 p.m., $45-$65 191 Toole, 10 p.m., $13-$15

Marquee Theatre, 8 p.m., $55-$85

Musical Instrument Museum, 7:30 p.m., $25-$30

The Van Buren, 7:30 p.m., $27.50

Florida Georgia Line w/Chris Lane

Fetty Wap

Kid Koala

FEBRUARY 2 TO FEBRUARY 5

Musical Instrument Museum, various times, $45-$65 Since the ’90s, world-renowned DJ and producer Kid Koala has amassed an extensive résumé, having worked with Dan the Automator (Lovage, Deltron 3030, Handsome Boy Modeling School, Gorillaz’ Gorillaz), Mike Patton (Faith No More, Lovage, Peeping Tom), his band Bullfrog and others. He has also composed for the soundtracks to Scott Pilgrim vs. The World and Baby Driver. Beyond his extensive collaborations, however, Kid Koala is known for his slew of solo projects, the most recent of which is last year’s Music To Draw To: Satellite. On this project, he detoured from his usual sample-based style in favor of a largely ambient album. Now, the multitalented artist is stopping at the MIM for a four-day residency to bring his 2003 dialogue-free graphic novel Nufonia Must Fall to life. Performing the novel’s accompanying soundtrack with the Afiara Quartet, and combining music with live screen projections and puppetry, this show is an ambitious undertaking for the musician.

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE FEBRUARY 2018

Playboy Manbaby

Mako

Yucca Tap Room, 8 p.m., free

Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $20-$24

The Woodworks

FEBRUARY 14

Yacht

The Drugstore Gypsies

FEBRUARY 11

Lyle Lovett w/Robert Earl Keen

Highlands Church, 7:30 p.m., $34-$76

Yucca Tap Room, 8 p.m., $10

Joywave

Musical Instrument Museum, 6 and 8 p.m., sold out

Pavlo

Mammoth Grinder w/ Gatecreeper

Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $17-$20 Musical Instrument Museum, 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., $45

FEBRUARY 12 American Brass Quintet

Musical Instrument Museum, 7:30 p.m., $49-$59

FEBRUARY 13 Cyrus Chestnut Trio

Musical Instrument Museum, 7 p.m., $27-$35 Pub Rock Live, 8:30 p.m., $18-$70

Lana Del Rey

Talking Stick Resort Arena, 8 p.m., $34.75-$390.25

Musical Instrument Museum, 7 p.m., $32-$37

Musical Instrument Museum, 7:30 p.m., $35-$40

Crush Arizona 2018

Larry Campbell and Teresa Williams Margo Price

Slaid Cleaves

191 Toole, 6:30 p.m., $17-$20

Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $18-$20

Rawhide Event Center, 5 p.m., $59-$99

FEBRUARY 15

Dave Mason

The Showroom at Talking Stick Resort, 8 p.m., $30-$60

David Gans

Dead to Me

Last Exit Live, 9 p.m., $12-$15

Ha Ha Tonka

Rialto Theatre, 8 p.m., $28-$30

Jeff Rosenstock

The Salt River Grand Ballroom at Talking Stick Resort, 8 p.m., $40-$160

Rebel Lounge, 8 p.m., $15

Tribal Seeds

Rialto Theatre, 8 p.m., $24-$27

J.I.D + Earth Gang

The Dangerous Summer

We Banjo 3

Talking Stick Resort Arena, 7:30 p.m., $28.50-$49.50

Poppy

Yucca Tap Room, 8 p.m., $10

Marquee Theatre, 8 p.m., $35-$42

Valley Bar, 8 p.m., $15-$18 Rebel Lounge, 7 p.m., $14-$16

FEBRUARY 17

Pub Rock Live, 7:30 p.m., $15

Bruce Cockburn

Bully

Valentine’s Super Love Jam

Rebel Lounge, 8 p.m., $12-$14

Musical Instrument Museum, 7:30 p.m., $25-$35

Club Red, 6 p.m., $14-$16

FEBRUARY 18

Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $21-$32

Bumper Jacksons

Havok

Valley Bar, 7:30 p.m., $13-$15

Lee Ann Womack

Last Exit Live, 9 p.m., $8-$10 Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $15-$18

Grails

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FEBRUARY 16

Dokken

Jason Derulo

Miranda Lambert

Talking Stick Resort Arena, 7 p.m., $39.75-$265

Top Shelf Shake

Yucca Tap Room, 8 p.m., free

FEBRUARY 19 Benjamin Clementine

Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $25-$35

Blitzen Trapper

Rebel Lounge, 8 p.m., $15-$18

Shamir

Valley Bar, 8 p.m., $17-$20

Shovels and Rope

Musical Instrument Museum, 7 p.m., $40-$45

tUnE-yArDs w/Sudan Archives The Van Buren, 8 p.m., $23.50

Twin Ponies

Cash’d Out

Yucca Tap Room, 8 p.m., free

191 Toole, 8 p.m., $12-$15

Florence AZflorenceApril 5-8, 2018 AZ april 5-8, 2018

Luke Bryan

toby keith

brett young

michael ray

michael tyler

Jason Aldean

Big & Rich

Cody Johnson

tracy lawrence

lindsay ell

Cole Swindell

neal mccoy

bryan white

lukas nelson

& more

get your Tickets at www.countrythunder.com WWW.ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

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THE METROPOLITAN | THE EXTRAORDINAIRE | THE TOURIST | THE ARTIST | THE CRITIC | THE DINER | THE CRAFTMASTER | THE HIGHROLLER | THE GLADIATOR | THE YOUNGSTER | THE SHOWMAN | THE NIGHTOWL | THE THINKER

FEBRUARY 20 Black Veil Brides w/Asking Alexandria Marquee Theatre, 6:30 p.m., $29.50-$59.50

Blitzen Trapper

Club Congress, 8 p.m., $17

Conan

Yucca Tap Room, 8 p.m., $12-$14

Dan Auerbach & The Easy Eye Sound Revue w/Shannon and the Clams The Van Buren, 8 p.m., $32.50

The Festival Orchestra: Strauss & Brahms

La Casa de Cristo Church, 7:30 p.m., $34-$82

Icon For Hire

Rebel Lounge, 8 p.m., $15-$18

Rob Kapilow: What Makes It Great? – Beethoven’s Waldstein Sonata Musical Instrument Museum, 7:30 p.m., $35-$50

Why?

Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $17-$20

Willie Watson

Rhapsody in Blue

La Casa de Cristo Church, 7:30 p.m., $34-$82

Secrets

Underground, 6:30 p.m., $12-$14

Skinny Lister

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

The Sugar Thieves

Rhythm Room, 9 p.m., $10

Tiny Moving Parts

Rebel Lounge, 7:30 p.m., $13-$15

Twin Ponies

Yucca Tap Room, 8 p.m., free

FEBRUARY 24 Black Label Society

Marquee Theatre, 7:30 p.m., $35-$65

Busty and the Bass

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

The California Guitar Trio Musical Instrument Museum, 7:30 p.m., $30-$40

Ron Pope w/The National Parks, The Heart Of

The Van Buren, 8 p.m., $18-$95

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

FEBRUARY 25

FEBRUARY 21

BoDeans: Stripped Down

The Living Deads

Yucca Tap Room, 8 p.m., free

Mike Gordon

Musical Instrument Museum, 6 and 8 p.m., $40-$50

Brent Faiyaz

Valley Bar, 8 p.m., $20-$50

Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $27.50-$40

David Wilcox

The Wood Brothers

George Harrison’s 75th B-Day Celebration

Musical Instrument Museum, 7 p.m., sold out

FEBRUARY 22 David Wilcox

191 Toole, 6:30 p.m., $17-$22

Last Exit Live, 8 p.m., $10

The Roadshow 2018

Grand Canyon University, 6 p.m., $10-$55

Musical Instrument Museum, 7:30 p.m., $27-$35

Ron Pope

Olga Kern with the Festival Orchestra

Steve Hackett

La Casa de Cristo Church, 7:30 p.m., $34-$82

FEBRUARY 23 Emily Bear

Musical Instrument Museum, 7:30 p.m., $30-$35

Good Old War

Pub Rock Live, 7:30 p.m., $20-$23

Jacob Sartorius

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

Marty Grimes

Club Red, 7 p.m., $13-$15

Motionless in White

Rialto Theatre, 7 p.m., $25-$28 WWW.ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

Rialto Theatre, 8 p.m., $19-$100

Poppy

FEBRUARY 14

Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $18-$20 Celebrate Valentine’s Day Poppy style, when the enigmatic singer and YouTube personality graces the small venue’s stage. Likely delivering viral hits like “I’m Poppy,” “Let’s Make a Video” and “Computer Boy” alongside her colored morph suit-donning dancers and mannequin DJ, Charlotte, Poppy will bring her brand of catchy albeit norm-eschewing pop to downtown Phoenix. The postmodern performer focuses on subjects dealing with internet culture and technology, equally looking to confuse and enthrall her viewers and listeners. While her debut studio album, Poppy.Computer, which doubles as the URL for her website, was just released in October, she reportedly has a followup album in the can. Beyond music, she recently premiered her new YouTube Red original series, I’m Poppy, at Sundance Film Festival.

The Van Buren, 8 p.m., $85

FEBRUARY 26 Real Estate

Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $25-$28

Robert Plant & the Sensational Space Shifters Symphony Hall, 7:30 p.m., sold out

A Tribute to Leonard Bernstein Musical Instrument Museum, 7:30 p.m., $70

FEBRUARY 27 Andrew Goldring

Yucca Tap Room, 8 p.m., free

Datsik

Orpheum Theatre Flagstaff, 8 p.m., $29-$39

Davina and the Vagabonds w/ Squirrel Nut Zippers

Musical Instrument Museum, 6 and 9 p.m., $40-$50

Enter Shikari

Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $18-$22

They Might Be Giants

Marquee Theatre, 8 p.m., $25-$55

FEBRUARY 28 Birthday

Pub Rock Live, 8 p.m., $10-$12

Coast Modern

191 Toole, 8 p.m., $18-$20

Galactic Empire

Rebel Lounge, 7:30 p.m., $18-$20

Joyner Lucas w/Dizzy Wright School of Rock, 8 p.m., $25-$75

Magic Giant

Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $15-$54

Senses Fail

Nile Theater, 6 p.m., $18

Typesetter

Yucca Tap Room, 8 p.m., free

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE FEBRUARY 2018

83

TAKING

A BOW Anderson East on Mexican food cravings, Ed Sheeran and Daryl Hall

Christina Fuoco-Karasinski » The Entertainer!

R

&B singer Anderson East is an Arizona boy at heart.

Backed by Yuma brothers Jon (bass) and Scotty Murray (guitar), East looks forward to Grand Canyon State gigs.

“I feel like Yuma is our second home,” East says. “We have an Arizona flag in our trailer. I just love the food— the best Mexican food ever. I’m starving right now just thinking about it. It feels like family, too. John and Scott are actual brothers, but I feel a kinship to them, too. Arizona’s their home, but their home is my home.”

East is one of a variety of acts playing this year’s McDowell Mountain Music Festival Friday, March 2, to Sunday, March 4, at Margaret T. Hance Park in Phoenix. East performs along with O.A.R. and Jay Allan and the Uncommon Good, among others, on Sunday, March 4. His band also features drummer Darren Dodd, keyboardist Philip Towns, saxophonist Ben Clark

and trumpeter Nate Heffron.

East recently released the album Encore, which features the songs “King for a Day,” “Girlfriend” and “All on My Mind.” With a bluesy swagger that defies his age, East is bound to be a star.

East, who is dating Miranda Lambert, describes his shows as fluid.

“It depends on the day,” he says with a laugh. “We try to play it fast and loose a lot of times. I think once we start getting comfortable with things it’s right when we try to scare ourselves.

“I’m a big fan of being quick on your feet and the spontaneity and the improvisation that comes with it. I don’t want to say ‘self-sabotage,’ but it kind of is. I’m a firm believer that if we’re having fun, the audience will have fun.”

He adds he’s witnessed shows during which the performer seems uninspired, and there’s nothing worse.

“Once you play as many shows in a row as we do, you try your best,” East says. “We’re playing a lot of new material that we’ve never played before.

I’m trying to push the limits and see where the subtle places can lie. You start to relearn the songs as you go, and

sometimes the songs develop into a whole different animal.

“It’s a challenge and it’s fun. I take that improvisation and a lot of that fearlessness to heart.”

Encore was produced by Grammy Award-winning producer Dave Cobb and recorded at Nashville’s historic RCA Studio along with additional production at House of Blues and Farmland Studio.

The album features original tracks and renditions of songs by Ted Hawkins and Willie Nelson. He worked with a plethora of talented songwriters, including Chris Stapleton, Ed Sheeran, Snow Patrol’s Johnny McDaid, and Aaron Raitiere, who lives in Nashville.

He gives a lot of credit to Cobb.

“I was playing shows mainly to the bartender and the wall when we met,” he says.

“He was the first one who said, ‘You have that thing.’ It was his encouragement. He actually paid the musicians out of his own pocket the first time we recorded. I worked with a lot of people before that, but it was pretty obvious from the start that his and my own ideals about music and about what

music is lined up pretty closely. He’s become one of my closest friends and I trust him.”

The Athens, Alabama-born musician is shocked by the things he’s been able to do, especially singing “She’s Gone” with Daryl Hall on Live from Daryl’s Place.

“I’m a big fan of Daryl and John, and them together,” he says. “It was an honor to be asked to do that. I was really just trying to hold it together.

Singing ‘She’s Gone’ with Daryl: How do you plan for that in your life? It was incredible, absolutely incredible.”

McDowell Mountain Music Fest

Margaret T. Hance Park, 1200 N. First Street, Phoenix, m3ffest. com/, 3 p.m. Friday, March 2, and 2 p.m. Saturday, March 3, and Sunday, March 4, tiered pricing, see website. Anderson East performs on Sunday.

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THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE FEBRUARY 2018

THE NIGHTOWL

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SIP » UNLEASH » MIX » MINGLE » PULSE » SHAKE

THE BEST NIGHTLIFE EVENTS FOR FEBRUARY Connor Dziawura » The Entertainer!

BORGEOUS FEBRUARY 2

On the heels of his debut full-length studio album, 13, John Borger, perhaps better known by his stage name, BORGEOUS, is plotting an appearance at Maya Day + Nightclub. With everything ranging from catchy, melodic cuts like “Wanna Lose You” to the more energetic “Breathe,” the big room house producer’s discography is diverse, yet sure to get the crowd moving. He has worked with the likes of Waka Flocka Flame, Wiz Khalifa, Lights, Sean Paul and Lil Jon. This event is 21 and older.

Isabelle Rezazadeh, perhaps better known by her stage name REZZ, is stopping by The Van Buren. At the age of 22, the Canadian DJ/producer may be young, but has already seen success with the release of her debut studio album, Mass Manipulation, which dropped this past August. Signed to deadmau5’s label, mau5trap, REZZ has made leaps and bounds in the EDM scene.

“I make weird tunes,” she proclaims in her SoundCloud biography. This is apparent from the start of Mass Manipulation’s “Relax,” which opens with foreboding vocal samples commanding the listener to relax before launching into a pulsing, hypnotic and wub-heavy beat.

REZZ doesn’t limit herself, however.

Over the project’s eight tracks, she keeps her tracks diverse. This event is 18 and older.

The Van Buren, 401 W. Van Buren Street, Phoenix, 480.659.1641, relentlessbeats. com, 9 p.m., $27-$42.

Maya Day + Nightclub, 7333 E. Indian Plaza, Scottsdale, 480.625.0528, mayaclubaz.com, 10 p.m., $15.

Cedric Gervais FEBRUARY 9

REZZ w/ Eprom FEBRUARY 2

Born in Ukraine but hailing from Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada,

Arguably best remembered for his Grammy Award-winning remix of Lana Del Rey’s memorable 2012 cut “Summertime Sadness,” French DJ and producer Cedric Gervais has a much more extensive discography.

It’s been quite a while since he has released a full-length studio album – nearly seven years, to be exact – but Gervais has remained busy releasing songs and touring. With a slew of

collaborations, one-off singles and EPs, Gervais knows how to work the EDM scene and keep his name out there. Now, with a set planned for Maya Day + Nightclub February 9, Gervais will bring his brand of upbeat electronic music to Scottsdale.

This event is 21 and older.

Maya Day + Nightclub, 7333 E. Indian Plaza, Scottsdale, 480.625.0528, mayaclubaz.com, 10 p.m., free.

Keys ‘N Krates

FEBRUARY 20-21

A decade into its career, Toronto-based electronic trio Keys ‘N Krates is stopping in Arizona for two performances. The first will be at Tucson’s Rialto Theatre, while the latter will be at the new Van Buren in Phoenix. Despite the band’s lengthy tenure in the music industry, its debut full-length studio album, Cura, was just released last month. The album was promoted with the lead single, “Glitter,” which features vocalist Ambré Perkins.

The Van Buren event is 18 and older.

Rialto Theatre, 318 E. Congress Street, Tucson, 520.740.1000, relentlessbeats.com, 8 p.m.

February 20, $22-$42.

The Van Buren, 401 W. Van Buren Street, Phoenix, 480.659.1641, relentlessbeats.com, 8 p.m.

February 21, $22-$47.

Crush Arizona 2018 FEBRUARY 17

The popular festival returns this February with a star-studded lineup featuring Kaskade, the Grammy-nominated progressive house producer who is well-known for his popular performances and remixes; Carnage, the rising DJ who has collaborated with the likes of Young Thug and Lil Yachty; Getter, whose off-kilter beatmaking skills resulted in cuts like “Inhalant Abuse;” Crankdat, who has garnered nearly 50 million SoundCloud streams for his remix of Fetty Wap’s “Trap Queen;” Grandtheft, who’s trap style ranges from the soulful (“Square One”) to straight-up bangers (“Aaron’s Theme”); VOLAC, the Russian electronic duo with more than 180,000 followers; and Gerry Gonza, the former Thee Cool Cats member who hails from Phoenix. This show is 18 and older.

Rawhide Event Center, 5700 W. North Loop Road, Chandler, 480.502.5600, relentlessbeats. com, 5 p.m., $59-$99.

Above & Beyond FEBRUARY 27

The founders of the well-known record labels Anjunabeats and Anjunadeep, Above & Beyond has a reputation that precedes them. The group’s sixth studio album, Common Ground, was just released last month, and the London trio is gearing up to make an appearance in the Valley. Nearly two decades after forming, the British electronic group will stop by Rawhide Event Center in Chandler for a big performance that will likely draw a plentiful crowd.

This event is 16 and older.

Rawhide Event Center, 5700 W. North Loop Road, Chandler, 480.502.5600, relentlessbeats. com, 8 p.m., $43.75-$132.87.

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THE METROPOLITAN | THE EXTRAORDINAIRE | THE TOURIST | THE ARTIST | THE CRITIC | THE DINER | THE CRAFTMASTER | THE HIGHROLLER | THE GLADIATOR | THE YOUNGSTER | THE SHOWMAN | THE NIGHTOWL | THE THINKER

BACK TO BASICS

Connor Dziawura » The Entertainer!

T

he historic Nile Theater has had a storied 94-year history in the Valley.

Founded as a movie theater and eventually converted to a music venue, The Nile Theater has been a staple of Mesa’s Main Street for decades. After closing in 2002, the venue reopened in 2010 under new ownership.

Recently, however, the entity was rebranded and renovated, with its previously separate music venue and café modified to now operate under one name: The Nile. Beyond the new brand image, however, The Nile underwent a variety of experience-improving renovations.

The changes, owner Michelle Donovan explains, serve as a launch into the city of Mesa’s planned façade improvements of Main Street, which will kick off in March.

“In the ’90s, the city – all up and down Main Street – put these giant colonnades on the front of all of these historic buildings and stuccoed over them,” Donovan explains. “They have grants some of the buildings applied for to remove that colonnade and restore the buildings to more of what they looked like back in the ’20s when they were built.

“We received one of those grants, so it will go back to looking like The Nile Theater did in the ’20s, as close as we can get it.”

In the meantime, with Main Street renovations still a ways out, The Nile’s interior was renovated to go along with the exterior’s future facelift.

“We’ve been slowly doing it over the past year,” Donovan explains. “We redid that lobby and the bathrooms, WWW.ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

kind of updated things – new paint, new everything. We repainted the inside of the theater.”

The sound has also been upgraded, she says, with additional soundproofing.

“We have all-digital sound,” Donovan says. “We were running a lot of old school NL4 cable type of stuff.

Now, we’re on a Cat5 system with a digital board and some more powered elements to the sound system.”

Other notable changes include new stage curtains; renovations to the bar area, including church pews for seating; and an Egyptian Scarab beetle mural as a focal point.

“Just updating sound (and) updating the look in there so that there’s a cohesion between the coffee shop and the theater,” Donovan explains.

The goal, she says, is to make patrons feel as if they are in a common space. This is apparent, with guests now permitted entry through the café rather than the alley.

Sound and aesthetic changes extend partly to the theater’s hardcore-centric basement venue, The Underground.

Concert tickets will still, however, specify which area of the theater a show is in, Donovan explains.

As for the café, the previously dubbed Volstead Public House is simply The Nile Café. Despite the new brand image for The Nile, the café’s choices will remain almost entirely dedicated to the vegan lifestyle, Donovan says.

Options include sandwiches, salads and pastries, among other items. While all its food is vegan, dairy products are available for coffee drinkers.

“We do carry half and half and regular milk for the coffees because we’re not quite there yet in downtown Mesa,” Donovan explains. “The promising thing is, when we started, we carried

dairy cheese as well. We came to a point where people just weren’t ordering it, so we were able to phase it out.

“I’m vegan myself, so I was excited for that to be acceptable down here,” she continues. “We’re slowly getting there.”

The café’s menu will continue to expand throughout the year.

“One of the things that we are doing this year is we’re adding a lot more vegetables into the menu, not just soy meats and some vegetables,” she says. “We’re going to try to bring in a lot more fresh and organic, hopefully, local produce to the menu.”

The Nile Café also now serves a $6 grab-and-go lunch option, which consists of a tea and a different salad each day.

To celebrate the recent and future changes, The Nile will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10:30 a.m.

Wednesday, February 28, with Mesa Mayor John Giles. Throughout the day, T-shirt purchases will include a free cup of coffee, and $5 Reggie grilled vegan cheese sandwiches will also be offered.

The evening will conclude with performances by Senses Fail, Reggie and the

The Nile rebrands theater and café, undergoes renovations

Full Effect, Have Mercy and Household.

“That was actually a tour package that was already put together,” Donovan explains. “That tour is touring the country. It just happened to fall on the perfect date with the perfect lineup for what we were doing. It wasn’t a conscious thing at all. It just happened that way.”

The show will begin at 7 p.m.

Tickets are $18.

“I remember when I was in high school going and seeing bands like Reggie and the Full Effect at The Nile, and then later on, Senses Fail played there,” Donovan explains. “Have Mercy is one of the bands that we’ve been developing at the theater that’s been touring through here for the past couple years, so it just seemed like a good combination of past, present and future, and that’s kind of the direction we’re going.”

The Nile

105 W. Main Street, Mesa, 480.559.5859, niletheater.com.

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE FEBRUARY 2018

REBEL, REBEL Galactic Empire celebrates all things ‘Star Wars’

Christina Fuoco-Karasinski » The Entertainer!

C

hris Kelly doesn’t exactly remember when he saw Star Wars for the first time, but it had a profound effect on him.

“I was at my aunt and uncle’s house,” he says. “My uncle was a huge nerd of all different things. He would watch Buffy. He’s one of those dudes who would play chess without a board—a super nerd. To be honest, I’m not even sure which Star Wars it was. My parents had the VHS box set, though, and I watched that until the tapes didn’t work anymore.”

As “Dark Vader,” Kelly is one of three guitarist for Galactic Empire, which performs electrified renditions of classic John Williams’ scores from the original trilogy. The band hits the stage with the McDonald’s-themed band, Mac Sabbath, on Wednesday, February 28, at—naturally—The Rebel Lounge in Phoenix. Other band members are drummer Boba Sett, bassist Bass Commander, and guitarists Shadow Ranger and Red Guard.

“We make it as ridiculous as we’re able to,” Kelly says. “Everything about this band operates on, ‘Wouldn’t it be funny, stupid, ridiculous.’ We have witty banter between the characters.

“The main focus, aside from the music and costumes, is the light show.

We build our own custom lights for the show. It’s an experience as opposed to a show.”

At first, playing Williams’ music was daunting.

“The mind of a classical composer is not at all like the mind of a rock metal musician,” Kelly says. “Rock

music has a simple chord structure.

Classical is nothing like that. It took a very, very long time before we learned the stuff and recorded it in our free time.”

Galactic Empire is working on a new album, but Kelly couldn’t reveal too much about it.

“A lot of people are curious of where we’re going to be pulling from now,” Kelly says. “We had some good ones on the first record. We didn’t expect the band to be doing as well as it is.

“There are some songs we haven’t touched on from the original trilogy.”

Kelly dubbed himself “Dark Vader” because he’s a big fan of the similarly named villain.

“When I was super young, I had a Batman cape,” he says. “When I found Star Wars, I liked Darth Vader because he had a cape. I was really into Vader from the beginning. It’s funny that I’m being paid to dress up like him now.”

Kelly is excited to start the tour with Mac Sabbath.

“When the band started, one of us said, ‘How hilarious would it be if we toured with the McDonald’s band at some point. We went to a comic convention and Mac Sabbath just hit us up. Fans are going to see the stupidest, most gimmicky bands on the planet on one stage.”

Galactic Empire and Mac Sabbath

The Rebel Lounge, 2302 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix, 602.296.7013, therebellounge. com, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, February 28, $18-$20.

87

ROCK ‘N’ ROLL DISCIPLE

Chris Jericho earns respect as a musician with Fozzy’s ‘Judas’ Christina Fuoco-Karasinski » The Entertainer!

W

WE Superstar and musician Chris Jericho was walking through Best Buy when he saw Judas, the seventh studio album by his band Fozzy.

He instinctively picked it up and bought it. It wasn’t out of vanity, however.

“Sure, the guy at the counter recognized me. People recognize me even if I don’t buy a Fozzy album,” he says. “But I bought it because it might be the last CD I ever buy. It’s still a thrill to buy your own record and see it in the record store. But you see it fewer and fewer.”

Judas was the sleeper hit of 2017.

Jericho says he has seen an uptick in attendance at Fozzy shows, thanks to the album, which spent nine weeks in the Top 10 at U.S. Rock Radio. He expects the same response when Fozzy plays Club XS on Wednesday, March 7, and the Marquee Theatre on Thursday, March 8.

“There’s this whole buzz about the band,” he says. “It gives us a chance to come to Arizona—Tucson and Phoenix— and El Paso, the whole Southwest area.

We’re excited, man. We’re looking forward to it. It’s going to be a blast.”

Like Fozzy’s other records, Judas is a testament to the band’s diversity.

“We don’t mind taking chances,” Jericho says. “A lot of our favorite bands have done that, from Guns ‘N Roses to David Bowie to Metallica to U2 and even The Beatles. They never did the same things over and over again. It’s OK to take a few chances, as you should.

“We like to change things up, try things out. We want to give people a different vibe with every record—whether we’re doing songs like ‘Burn Me Out’ and ‘Weight of My World,’ which aren’t too far out from Do You Wanna Start a War?, or if we add rap to ‘Three Days in Jail.’ There shouldn’t be any rules when you’re in a rock ‘n’ roll band.”

Judas features the emotional “Wordsworth Way,” a song about Jericho’s childhood.

“The 2014 record U2 did, Songs of Innocence, had a song called ‘Cedarwood Road.’ That was his childhood address.

I thought that was pretty cool. I wanted to write a song like that.

“I thought I had a lot to write about with ‘Wordsworth Way.’ It does have meaning to me. It was hard, rewarding and fun. It was also very emotionally draining. That was the hardest song in the studio to sing. With ‘Drinking with Jesus,’ I just belt it out and scream and rock ‘n’ roll. This one was a little deeper.

It was emotional, just by proxy of the subject matter. It was one of the hardest songs I’ve recorded in the seven albums we’ve done, if not the hardest.”

Songs like that and the Judas collection as a whole have helped Fozzy earn respect within the music industry.

“We’ve had a lot of adversity,” he says. “Even now in Japan, they can’t discern Chris Jericho the wrestler, from Chris Jericho the singer. England was the first who got it, and the States were not far off, then Canada and Australia.

“It doesn’t matter who’s in the band.

It could be the butcher, the baker or the candlestick maker. Either the music is good or it’s not. A good band will continue to thrive. If the band makes great music and continues to play great shows, like we do, it doesn’t make a difference what I do when I’m not on stage.”

The same applies to The Pretty Reckless’ Taylor Momsen, Jared Leto of 30 Seconds to Mars or Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden. Momsen and Leto are actors as well.

“Bruce Dickinson is an airline pilot,” Jericho says. “It doesn’t mean he’s singing songs on stage about little packets of peanuts or sitting in the middle seat.

Conversely, I don’t want him to sing ‘Run to the Hills’ and jump over chairs. I just want him to land the plane properly.

“It’s a little problem when people want to do more than what they’re known for. I get that, but we’ve sometimes had to work twice as hard to get people’s respect.

Once we get it, though, we have it for life.

That’s a good feeling.”

Fozzy w/ Through Fire, Santa Cruz and Dark Sky Choir Marquee Theatre, 730 N. Mill Avenue, Tempe, 480.829.0607, luckymanonline.com, 6:30 p.m.

Thursday, March 8, $25-$45.

WWW.ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

88

THE METROPOLITAN | THE EXTRAORDINAIRE | THE TOURIST | THE ARTIST | THE CRITIC | THE DINER | THE CRAFTMASTER | THE HIGHROLLER | THE GLADIATOR | THE YOUNGSTER | THE SHOWMAN | THE NIGHTOWL | THE THINKER

YOU’RE NOT GONNA BELIEVE THIS

Bizarro facts that will stretch your noggin

50

MILLION

Daisy Finch » The Entertainer!

ABOUT 1 BILLION

Valentine’s Day cards are sold annually.

roses are sold Valentine’s In the 19th on February 14 Day sees century, globally.

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ST. VALENTINUS, who performed illegal marriages, fell in love with his jailer’s daughter.

CUPID

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WWW.ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

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chocolate sold annually.

Don’t have a special someone?

Treat yo’self!

About 15% of women give themselves bouquets on Valentine’s Day. February 14 was declared a holiday in 1537 by

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