Risky Business
ANDERSON COOPER AND ANDY COHEN SHOW NEW SIDES IN STAGE SHOW
SAPPORO KNOWS SUSHI
SWEET SUCCESS
Comedian Demetri Martin honors his parents in first film
Bill Engvall
Friday, June 9
In The Ballroom
Night Ranger
Saturday, July 8 In The Showroom
Tower of Power
Saturday, July 15 In The Showroom
Cheech and Chong with Special Guest Shelby Chong
Friday, July 21
In The Ballroom
Donny & Marie
Saturday, July 22 In The Ballroom
Demetri Martin
Saturday, July 29 In The Showroom
MAKE YOU BAD IT DOESN’T A
“Delicious and full bodied. A genuine, no-nonsense, 100% corn, well-made American pot still vodka that deserves every accolade.”
Paul Pacult, Editor, Spirit Journal
OTTONWOOD & THAT BR E YREW
, ARIZONA
ON THE COVER
PERSONAL COMEBACK
Known for his stand-up comedy, Demetri Martin turns filmmaker for Dean, an homage to his parents.
16
SLY FOXES
Andy Cohen and Anderson Cooper keep details of their shows under wraps to surprise audiences.
URBAN LIVING
Suburbanites are moving in droves to hip urban centers to get a cultural fix.
SAPPORO KNOWS SUSHI
SMALL TOWN BOY
ON THE WEB
THE METROPOLITAN
TOP25
Lady Antebellum
JUNE 2
Country’s favorite trio is back with a new single, album and tour. The groovy guys and gal behind “Need You Now” and “Just a Kiss” return to the Valley for a fun-packed set. Kelsea Ballerini, who has her own collection of hits, will open the show with Brett Young. Ak-Chin Pavilion, 2121 N. 83rd Avenue, Phoenix, 602.254.7200, livenation.com, 7:30 p.m., $29-$160.
Music in the Garden: William Eaton and Friends
JUNE 2
A renowned musician and luthier, William Eaton has spent years creating and performing with innovative stringed instruments from the desert. At this special concert, he will debut his group, Earth Speak, with flute, percussion, vocals and guitar. Eaton’s music will relate directly to nature and the rich aural tradition of the indigenous and contemporary ancestors.
Desert Botanical Garden, 1201 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, 480.941.1225, dbg.org, 6:30 p.m., $25 members and $30 general public.
The
Music of Paul McCartney
JUNE 2 AND JUNE 3
The Phoenix Symphony celebrates Paul McCartney’s discography, Beatles and all, with a show led by Tony Kishman. Maybe you’ll be amazed with their renditions of “Penny Lane” or “Long and Winding Road.” Maybe you will clap or maybe you will “Let it Be.” Symphony Hall, 75 N. Second Street, Phoenix, 602.495.1999, phoenixsymphony.org, times vary, $25-$125.
Shawn Wayans
JUNE 2 TO JUNE 4
One half of the Wayans brothers, Shawn has had a long career of writing, acting and making people laugh. With notable roles in White Chicks, Scary Movie and Dance Flick, you won’t want to miss this
funny guy’s stand-up engagement. Stand Up Live, 50 W. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, 480.719.6100, phoenix.standuplive.com, times vary, $28-$38.
Tim Allen
JUNE 3
Whether you know him as Tim “The Toolman” Taylor, Buzz Lightyear or Santa Claus, Tim Allen probably has a place in your heart. The comedian takes the stage for one night only, fresh off the sixth and last season of his ABC sitcom Last Man Standing. Talking Stick Resort, 9800 E. Talking Stick Way, Phoenix, 480.850.7777, talkingstickresort.com, 8 p.m., $30-$60.
Authority Zero
JUNE 3
Local ska/punk band Authority Zero is releasing its newest album, Broadcasting to the Nations, with a party in its home state. Known for songs like “One More Minute” and “Over Seasons,” Authority Zero will be joined by Guttermouth, Torn at the Seam and others. Marquee Theatre, 730 N. Mill Avenue, Tempe, 480.829.0607, luckymanonline.com, 6 p.m., $20 and $35.
Diva Divine
JUNE 3 AND JUNE 4
The award-winning Phoenix Metropolitan Men’s Chorus pays homage to every gay icon and idol imaginable like Madonna, Cher, Barbra, Tina Turner and even Lady
Gaga. A live orchestra will back the men up.
Tempe Center for the Arts, 700 W. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe, 480.350.2822, tempe.gov/ city-hall/community-services/ tempe-center-for-the-arts, times vary, $15-$25.
Road to the Races with Disney’s Cars
JUNE 3 AND JUNE 4
Gear up for Cars 3 with a free photo op with character fave Lightning McQueen and new racers Cruz Ramirez and Jackson Storm. The event will also feature Cars-themed activities and even a sneak peek of the next movie.
Desert Ridge Marketplace, 21001 N. Tatum Boulevard, Phoenix, 480.513.7586, cars3tour.com, times vary, free.
CultivEAT Farm-to-Table Dinner
JUNE 4
This dinner is the third annual event celebrating Roosevelt Row’s Growhouse project with new and old community members. City staff, political leaders, business owners and residents will come together to connect as a community over dinner. The dishes are created with locally grown items and prepared by some of Phoenix’s best chefs, including Sacha Levine and Walter Sterling of Ocotillo, and Casey Hopkins of Welcome Chicken + Donuts. Roosevelt Growhouse, 1025 N. Second Street, Phoenix, 602.829.5259, bit.ly/2q9w3QA, 7 p.m., $55-$1,000.
Carson Mlnarik » The Entertainer!
Phoenix Insider 11 Cobra Arcade Bar 12 Demetri Martin 13
FilmBar Film School: The Last Picture Show
JUNE 5
ASU film professor Joe Fortunato leads a screening of and discussion with commentary about Peter Bogdanovich’s classic about the film’s inception and making of, watch it on the big screen, then hang back for discussion—all with a beer.
FilmBar, 815 N. Second Street, Phoenix, 602.595.9187, thefilmbarphx.com, 7 p.m., $9.
Boston
JUNE 8
We have “More Than a Feeling” that you won’t want to miss this notable American rock band playing Comerica. It marks a return home for drummer Curly Smith, who is an Arizona resident. Buy your tickets and “Don’t Look Back.”
Comerica Theatre, 400 W. Washington Street, Phoenix, 602.379.2800, comericatheatre. com, 7:30 p.m., $39.50-$153.
AC2: Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen
JUNE 9
Two of television’s biggest personalities, who coincidentally have the same initials, join each other onstage for a discussion filled with deep talks and “shallow tales.” Cooper is best known for his work as a journalist for CNN while Cohen hosts a Bravo talk show. Expect the unexpected as the two friends discuss everything under the sun. Comerica Theatre, 400 W. Washington Street, Phoenix, 602.379.2800, comericatheatre. com, 8 p.m., $58.50-$98.50.
Pineapple Triangle
JUNE 10
Art, community and charity collide! This hip, urban market will feature more than 50 local artisans, food and live music. With a focus on improving and working with the community, the market has made a point to donate a portion of the proceeds of its events to a local charity.
The Duce, 525 S. Central Avenue, Phoenix, 623.298.5002, pineappletriangle.com, 10 a.m., $8.
Julianne and Derek Hough:
MOVE
JUNE 10
This sibling duo has made a name for itself on Dancing with the Stars, in music and in movies. Julianne and Derek Hough join each other on stage for a night of dancing, multimedia effects and intense choreography, all inspired by the elements. Comerica Theatre, 400 W. Washington Street, Phoenix, 602.379.2800, comericatheatre. com, 7:30 p.m., $38.50-$282.
Puddles Pity Party
JUNE 13
Puddles, the sad clown with the golden voice, has performed all around the world, including the Melbourne International Comedy Fest and La Soiree’s 2014 Southbank show in London. With a collection of melancholic pop anthems and plenty of Kleenex, his show is sure to break your heart but crack you up.
Mesa Arts Center, 1 E. Main Street, Mesa, 480.644.6500, mesaartscenter.com, 8 p.m., $30.
Dr. Cesar Lozano
JUNE 14
Dr. Cesar Lozano offers inspirational discussions about hope and spirit with Hispanic communities. With this conference focusing on the pleasure of living, he hopes to nourish souls and renew energy.
Mesa Arts Center, 1 E. Main Street, Mesa, 480.644.6500, mesaartscenter.com, 8 p.m., $37.25-$101.25.
Science with a Twist: This Animation is Not for Kids
JUNE 16
With a menu based around twisted versions of kids’ classics—i.e., the Capri Sunburn—there will be watermelon explosions, food and a Get Animated exhibition. Arizona Science Center, 600 E. Washington Street, Phoenix, 602.716.2000, azscience.org, 6 p.m., price TBA.
Katt Williams
JUNE 16
After breaking out in MTV’s Wild ’N Out and Ice Cube’s Friday After Next, Katt Williams went on star in four stand-up specials of his own. He brings his show to Phoenix, promising plenty of laughs, but also food for thought as he blesses the audience with “real talk” as one of this generation’s urban public officials.
Comerica Theatre, 400 W. Washington Street, Phoenix, 602.379.2800, comericatheatre. com, 8 p.m., $50-$70.
Indoor Custom Car Super Show
JUNE 17
The best lowriders, hotrods, trucks, motorcycles and model cars take over downtown Phoenix for one afternoon. Whether you like riding in them, driving in them or buying them, you’re sure to find something custom and very, very drool-worthy. Phoenix Convention Center, 100 N. Third Street, Phoenix, www. itssiccarshow.com, 2 p.m., price varies for vehicle registration.
Vans Warped Tour
JUNE 22
If you’re feeling like throwing it back to your punk festival days or if you never left them behind, Vans Warped Tour is a must. The punk and alternative rock festival has always been a marker of who’s up and coming. This year’s lineup features American Authors and Arizona’s very own Playboy Manbaby.
Fear Farm Festival Grounds, 2209 N. 99th Avenue, Phoenix, vanswarpedtour.com, 11 a.m., prices vary.
Mega Hawaiian Hula at Salt River Tubing
JUNE 24
Look, now you have an excuse to break out the Hawaiian wear and go tubing down the Salt River. The folks at Salt River Tubing will deck
out their party bus and the locale as a Hawaiian hula. Be sure to bring a lei with that sunscreen! Salt River Tubing, Tonto National Forest, 9200 N. Bush Highway, Mesa, 480.984.3305, saltrivertubing.com, 9 a.m., $14-$17.
Brad Paisley
JUNE 25
Country cool guy Brad Paisley brings his visual and hits-filled set to Ak-Chin Pavilion for a night of selfies, “guy talk” and mud on the tires. Paisley’s Weekend Warrior World Tour coincides with the release of his new album Love and War. Dustin Lynch, Chase Bryant and Lindsay Ell will open the show. Ak-Chin Pavilion, 2121 N. 83rd Avenue, Phoenix, 602.254.7200, livenation.com, 7 p.m., $23.50$220.
An Evening with Jason Mewes
JUNE 29
The “Jay” to Kevin Smith’s “Silent Bob,” Jason Mewes visits Stand Up Live for an evening of discussion and laughs. Mewes is also known for appearances in Chasing Amy and Zack and Miri. During his stand-up shows, he is known for captivating audiences with his rebellious banter against Smith.
Stand Up Live, 50 W. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, 480.719.6100, phoenix.standuplive.com, 8 p.m., $22.
Santana
JUNE 30
Carlos Santana and his Latin rock band have earned nine Grammy Awards and three Latin Grammy Awards, selling more than 90 million records worldwide. See what this legendary guitarist is like on stage and expect to hear a range of hits from his 50-plus year career. Ak-Chin Pavilion, 2121 N. 83rd Avenue, Phoenix, 602.254.7200, livenation.com, 8 p.m., $19.25$203.
Three Redneck Tenors
JUNE 30 TO JULY 16
Back by popular demand, the Three Redneck Tenors return to Phoenix Theatre for three weeks. Tackling every genre from gospel to country to Broadway and classical, the Three Redneck Tenors will crack you up by adding some Southern hospitality to your big city fave songs.
Phoenix Theatre, 100 E. McDowell Road, Phoenix, 602.254.2151, phoenixtheatre. com, times vary, $35-$65.
PHOENIX INSIDER A New Twist on a Tired Father’s Day Gift
The Entertainer! B
owties and ties have become cliché Father’s Day gifts. This June, however, Rockler Woodworking and Hardware in Phoenix is putting a new spin on them.
Adults, as well as children whose parents have signed releases, can learn basic woodworking skills while handcrafting custom bowties with hardwood on Saturday, June 10.
4626 E. Thunderbird Road, Phoenix, 602.996.3488, rockler. com, rockler.com/makeandtake, 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., free. No experience or tools are needed. The hour-long class, including materials, is free. Instruction will be provided by the store’s expert woodworkers and teachers.
PAC-MAN AND PINTS
Cobra Arcade Bar mixes vintage games and local art
Israel Gonzalez » The Entertainer!
The sounds of joysticks clashing, coins clanging and beers rattling can be heard throughout the bar.
Video game characters are painted on the walls and bathroom doors, and art by Arizona artists hangs on the wall near the bar counters.
This isn’t your father’s bar.
Gaming-themed spots like Cobra Arcade Bar are sweeping the nation and, according to the TV show and magazine The List, the downtown Phoenix bar is one of the country’s best.
“The idea was just to give somebody a new experience of going out,” says Ariel Bracamonte, Cobra Arcade Bar cofounder.
Bracamonte has been obsessed with arcades and its machines since he
was a kid. He frequented Circle K and 7-Eleven locations to watch people play.
“I’ve always had an interest in arcades,” Bracamonte says. “When I was a kid, I was fascinated by the art on the sides and watching the games be played because we didn’t have money to play.”
The obsession follows him even now. Bracamonte supplies the arcade cabinets for Cobra Arcade Bar from his collection of over 300. At least, that’s how many he had the last time he counted.
“I stopped counting a long time ago,” Bracamonte says laughing. “I have a 2,500-square-feet warehouse filled with them. I have close to five storage units and my living room filled with them.”
Bracamonte acquired most of his collection from Craigslist, OfferUp and dedicated internet forums. He has driven
as far as Dallas and Sacramento to pick the units, which he restores himself.
“I’m obsessed with arcades,” Bracamonte says. “I’m obsessed with fixing them. I’m obsessed with making them. That’s all I do. I really care about what they look like and how they function.”
After visiting other “barcades” like Insert Coin and Ground Kontrol, Bracamonte wanted to deliver one to downtown Phoenix.
“I wanted to bring the idea to Phoenix,” Bracamonte says. “But I also wanted to do it my own way.”
His idea was to partner with local and national artists like Lalo Cota, El Mac, Pablo Luna and Noelle Martinez to add artwork to the sides of his cabinets.
“I really wanted to incorporate art as much as I can with the arcades,” Bracamonte says. “I didn’t just go buy them in an auction and throw them inside the bar.”
The bar, which is open to patrons 21 and older, features about 40 vintage arcade cabinets, four pinball machines and even custom-made machines
for newer games. The cabinets are rotated with different games from Bracamonte’s collection.
“We utilize new technology,” Bracamonte says. “I have a Street Fighter 5 arcade, which is for a PlayStation 4. Nobody has an arcade machine like that, but we made it in-house.”
Other selections include Donkey Kong, Ms. Pac-Man and Mortal Kombat II. Custom-made arcade cabinets like Street Fighter 5 can be found on the floor and the bar’s televisions host newer games like Super Smash Bros. Cobra Arcade Bar hosts tournaments, too.
There are 14 beers on tap, including Dos Equis, Stella Artois and Kilt Lifter, and video game-themed signature cocktails like Princess Peach (pear vodka mixed with stone fruit, lemon and orange bitters) or Crazy Kong (Jameson Caskmates whiskey, banana liqueur, lemon and ginger beer).
A selection of nonalcoholic drinks is also available. The bar doesn’t serve food, but food trucks like Ladera, Dos Manos Hotdogs and Ragin’ Cajun are nearby.
“If you don’t like to drink you can come play some games,” Bracamonte says. “And it’s a great social environment for strangers, too. You can get competitive in a game together.”
A FITTING TRIBUTE
Demetri
Martin’s ‘Dean’ tackles a parent’s death and getting through it
Christina Fuoco-Karasinski
» The Entertainer!
When comedian Demetri Martin lost his father 20 years ago, he felt alone. His mother and father were young, and she was going through her own grieving process.
Two decades later, the 43-year-old is paying tribute to his dad through the indie film Dean, which opens in wide release on Friday, June 2. The drama/ comedy tells the story of loss, grief and love through the eyes of Dean, a New York illustrator who falls for an L.A. woman while trying to prevent his father from selling the family home after his mother dies. It stars Kevin Kline as his father and Mary Steenburgen as a real estate agent.
The tie to his father? His name was Dean.
“The original title for the movie was The First Thing You Never Get Over,” says Martin during a recent interview at Café Pino in Scottsdale. “I changed it as a tribute for myself in case I don’t make another movie.”
Martin, whose mom is suffering from early onset Alzheimer’s, says death is alienating. His life changed.
“At my dad’s funeral, I remember thinking, ‘This is the worst day of my life. No contest.’ It was horrible when he was sick. Don’t get me wrong, but it was that finality. Then, I remember thinking that someday I’ll be able to talk about this without crying.
“It took a while. Talking about this movie is therapeutic, for sure. I’m connecting with people in ways I didn’t expect. You don’t know who’s walking around dealing with what.”
His mother, Lillian, is shown in a home movie with Martin as a 3-yearold at the end of Dean. These days, she doesn’t recognize Martin and can’t speak.
“The movie is also about losing my mom, who’s technically still alive,” Martin says. “It’s tears of a clown and everything. I wanted to find some humor in grief, or trying to come out of it. What happens when people aren’t thinking about it when they see you?
Life goes on.”
The movie isn’t without Martin’s trademark dry humor, though. It may have its sweet, funny moments, but it was challenging to film. He’s looking at it through rose-colored glasses now.
“I can feel my brain correcting and making it a rosier picture, though,” says Martin, who returns to the Valley to perform at Talking Stick Resort on Saturday, July 29.
“I’d rather remember Dean as more of a fun thing,” he says. “It was a low-budget, intense, 20-day shoot. I was going as fast as I could. There weren’t a lot of takes. It felt like life or death, but I have a movie and I’m proud of it. I’m grateful that it worked.”
A newcomer to making films, Martin learned as he went along.
“They say, ‘You don’t know what you don’t know,’” says Martin, who’s formulating ideas for two more films. “I really felt it on this. I was so in over my head—producing, getting locations, where to park the trucks. With all of the logistics, I had no idea. This was
the stuff that kept me up at night. I felt OK, but the producing, I thought, ‘Man, this is hard.’”
Martin says Dean inspired him to revamp his live show.
“I’m trying to open up a little more on stage,” he says. “I have plenty of jokes for the show. I want to connect with the audience in a different way, though. I’m not necessarily going to tell my life story up there. It’s just going to be based a little more on how I feel, not what I think.
“It’s just tricky. I’m not used to it. You want to grow as a creative person and I’m trying hard to do that. It’s nice to connect emotionally with people, not just intellectually. I feel like I’m doing that with Dean and my shows.”
In the end, he’s hoping to help people with Dean
“It’s totally validating, especially for people who have experienced loss,” he says. “Hopefully, it makes you feel a little less alone in the world.”
Demetri Martin
Talking Stick Resort, 9800 E. Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale, 480.850.7777, talkingstickresort.com, 8 p.m. Saturday, July 29, tickets start at $40.
2017 Infiniti Q50 Sport
EXTRAORDINARY RIDES
C.A. Haire
E» The Entertainer!
uropeans have traditionally dominated the compact sport sedan market, but there are some Asian manufacturers in the game as well. Infiniti is one of the brands, and its compact Q50 sedan is one of its offerings.
The base engine offered is a 2.0liter turbo rated at 208 horsepower, but true enthusiasts will want the larger 3.0 V6 twin turbo like this has. It puts out 300 horsepower, and is hooked to a slick 7-speed automatic transmission. There are paddle shifters allowing for manual gear selection if desired. Potential buyers who desire to go quicker will be pleased to know there is a more potent version of this engine on the option list. It cranks out 400 horsepower by enhancing the turbocharger system. This is the
motor I wanted to experience, but it wasn’t available.
Despite its compact size, this car isn’t a lightweight, passing the scale over 2 tons with a full tank of fuel and driver. Order the optional all-wheel drive (which this did not have) and it adds even more to the scale. Considering the mass, a 0-60 mph time of 5.6 seconds was impressive. Combined fuel economy is listed at 23 mpg, which is what was observed.
This Q50 has the sport trim, which includes larger wheels and performance rated run-flat tires. This contributed to brisk handling in tight corners, and excellent high speed stability. It also resulted in a ride a firmer than wanted, and some droning noises at highway speed. But this is a sport sedan, not a luxury machine. Also included are larger brake rotors with 4-piston front, and
2-piston rear, which do an outstanding job of bringing this heavy vehicle to a quick stop.
The only gripe is the location of those paddle shifters. Most manufacturers put them on the steering wheel, where they can be reached by the fingers regardless of wheel position. Infiniti places them on the steering column, so they can only be touched when the car is moving in a straight line, not when
the wheel is turned for cornering. This location is a personal preference, and not a deal killer.
The Q50 Sport with a V6 starts around $44K. With the usual premium comfort options, this car climbed to about $51K. Buyers who want the more powerful 400 hp V6 will be charged more. Those who can live with the smaller 2.0 motor will pay less. A hybrid version will also be offered this year.
‘DEEP TALK AND SHALLOW TALES’
Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen encourage drinking at their traveling show
Christina Fuoco-Karasinski » The Entertainer!
Andy Cohen and Anderson Cooper have been friends for more than 25 years.
They will let fans into their world with AC2: An Intimate Evening with Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen, otherwise known as Deep Talk and Shallow Tales on Friday, June 9, at the Comerica Theatre.
“Traveling anywhere with Andy is fun,” Cooper says about the occasional AC2 jaunt. “Basically, he tries to get there days in advance to ‘scope it out.’ I’m not sure what that means. He wants to figure out where to go afterward. The whole tour revolves around Andy wanting to go to a new city and have fun.”
AC2 is dubbed an “unscripted, uncensored and unforgettable night of conversation.” The late-night talk show host and the CNN anchor will interview each other and take questions from the audience. Instead of focusing on politics, the duo takes on pop culture and world events.
Cohen is an Emmy Award-winning host and executive producer Watch What Happens: Live, Bravo’s late-night, interactive talk show. He is also the executive producer of the Real Housewives series and the host of the new Love Connection reboot. Cohen has written two New York Times’ bestsellers: Most Talkative: Stories from the Frontlines of Pop Culture and The Andy Cohen Diaries: A Deep Look at a Shallow Year
When Cohen and Cooper teamed up for the first show, Cooper shares, the audience “laughed so much and had such a good time. They said it was like hanging out with us for a night. They said, ‘I’d love to go out drinking with you or go out to dinner with you guys.’
“That’s what the show is. We tell stories we would only tell during the show. It’s not something fans would ever hear on television. We have some videos as well. It’s an intimate night with us and the audience, and the audience gets to ask us questions as well. It’s a fun night out with friends.”
Cooper says he and Cohen have been asked “pretty much everything
you can possibly imagine.” Cohen will answer every question, while Cooper passes on the “inappropriate ones.”
“Usually the audience has had a couple drinks, which we certainly encourage,” Cooper says. “So, you never know where the questions are going to go.”
The pair ask that the audience not share video or stories on social media or elsewhere because they want the show to be a surprise.
“It’s nice to show different sides of yourself,” Cooper adds. “They see that side of Andy with his work on his nightly show. People see a very different side of me when they come.
“We try to keep all the stuff we talk about a secret. We ask the audience not to tweet it out or videotape it. We want it to be a unique experience. We basically have a code of silence for the outside. People have been great about it. There’s very little detail online about what we talk about and the stories we tell.”
Cooper and Cohen have been friends for 25 years, back in the day when they were set up on a blind date.
“We had a phone call to set up
a date and within a minute I knew I wouldn’t ever go out on a date with him,” Cooper says with a laugh. “I could just imagine him gesticulating, talking with his hands, being very animated. He broke my cardinal rule: He asked about my mom in the first 30 seconds.”
The son of Gloria Vanderbilt, Cooper adds that the call was a forerunner to a long-term friendship.
“We became the friends we are today,” he says. “It’s great to be able to travel with one of your best friends, to go to a city to entertain people and meet people. There’s no reason to do this other than the fun of entertaining an audience of 3,000 people.”
AC2: An Intimate Evening with Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen Comerica Theatre, 400 W. Washington
THE CITY BECKONS
Accessibility, community and a reduced carbon footprint
Kenneth LaFave and Christina Fuoco-Karasinski » The Entertainer!
It’s a c ounterintuitive move that has those who care about the environment leaving quiet suburbs for the hurly-burly of urban life. Call it Green Acres in reverse.
Imagine that earworm of a song that kickstarts the famous ’60s sitcom ending, not with “Goodbye city life/ Green Acres we are there,” but with ... “Goodbye city life/We’ve left the ‘burbs behind!”
Increasingly, young professionals are moving from their traditional homes in satellite communities to the heart of the heart of our urban centers. Especially here in the Valley. Some move to be closer to work. That came into play for Mitchell and Christy Moore, as did preserving the environment.
“Our reason is that we have intentionality, and wish to reduce our carbon footprint by 60 percent,” says Christy, 37, who recently moved with her 45-year-old husband from a sprawling, four-bedroom Northeast Mesa home near Power Road and the Loop 202 to a one-bedroom condo in downtown Phoenix.
“At first, we changed out my truck for a gas-efficient car. Then, we started carpooling. But that still meant 300 to 400 miles per week, roundtrip. Both of us were working in downtown Phoenix,” she says.
So, last year, after 10 years as suburbanites, the couple said goodbye to quiet and hello to noise—but also farewell to that nasty, costly, air-polluting commute.
“The biggest challenge of the commute was leaving home early and then staying at the office late to avoid rush hour each way. That created 12-hour days.”
Those days are over. In fact, Christy, a social worker, and Mitchell, the chief administrative officer for a major nonprofit, rarely drive a car anywhere anymore, relying on their feet and the light rail to get them the short distances they need to travel to sustain their lives as city dwellers.
If you think the switch from 1,900 square feet to 850 constricted the couple, you’d be wrong.
“We were head-to-head in the kitchen or living room or bedroom at the house, anyway,” Moore recalls. “Meanwhile, we were consuming all this extra space, including a large back yard and a diving pool.”
Getting rid of the stuff that filled that extra square footage was a major endeavor that involved seven trips to Goodwill, four yard sales, and three pick-ups by the Junior League. Moore says they don’t miss those things at all.
They do miss their Mesa neighbors, but have quickly made new ones. It helps that the new neighbors are so close.
GROWING TREND
Phoenix’s Community and Economic Development Director Christine Mackay reports that there are 5,000 units that are close to opening, being constructed, under construction or in the planning phases in Central City. The village is bounded by McDowell Road and the Grand Canal to the north and northeast, the border with Tempe to the east, the Salt River to the south, and 19th Avenue/Interstate 17 to the west.
“It is a huge push here in the Central City,” Mackay says. “It’s a response to the lifestyle people are demanding. Until the last couple of years, we haven’t had a great opportunity for people to have that true urban lifestyle. The great part is we delivered 650 units in December alone. People said they’re going to stand vacant, that our vacancy rates were going to skyrocket. They delivered in December and they’re already
over 75 percent occupied.”
Kris Tomlinson, regional property manager for Pinnacle Property Management Services, has seen a “big trend, a push toward downtown Scottsdale, downtown and north Tempe and downtown Phoenix.”
“Specifically, in the downtown Phoenix corridor, you’re seeing a vast infrastructure where there’s never been anything before,” Tomlinson says.
“There were very few places to live. But now, major companies are moving their corporate offices in from the East Coast and especially from the West Coast, so we are building higher-end, urban-style product.”
Tomlinson likens the trend to the Sonoran Desert landscape as well. He grew up in Texas and knew his neighbors, who would gather on their lawns and talk.
“People here don’t have lawns,” and the lengthy commutes cut down on the time that might be spent visiting with the family next door, Tomlinson says.
“Now, people want to be downtown, active and close to their neighbors, with time to get to know
the local food truck guys, the farmers market around the corner, and the mom-and-pop stores down the street.”
Mackay agrees that the influx of new residents has more to do with amenities than proximity to jobs.
“We have these great businesses moving in down here,” she acknowledges. “But we haven’t seen a correlation between the tech startups and the tech companies moving downtown. We haven’t done a study that says that’s what’s causing it.
“Phoenix is a city that’s growing up. The workforce works downtown or other areas and they’re used to that urban lifestyle. They want to be walkable. Their living room is the pub on the corner or the restaurant. It’s not in their house.”
In the Central City alone, there are 330 restaurants, Mackay says.
“I can eat at a different restaurant every single day and never eat at the same restaurant twice in a year,” she says. “It’s cool.
“Plus, you have Valley Bar, Crescent Ballroom, Comerica Theatre, Orpheum, the symphony and the ballet,
Valley Youth Theatre, the Herberger, the Arizona School for the Arts. There’s always something going on, whether it’s festivals, celebrations or art walks.”
Now, she adds, with Fry’s opening at Central and Washington, all Central City needs now are hardware and soft goods stores to make a “great downtown.”
Tomlinson credits social media, which put people in touch with one another virtually, for nurturing the desire to be in touch in real-time.
The rush to suburbia of decades ago happened for many reasons, among them environmental (improve lifestyle quality!), personal (find a community!) and health (flee urban tensions!). Now the reverse is happening, and for the same reasons. The Moores’ move reduced their carbon footprint and, at the same time, places them inside a vibrant, growing community of urban dwellers. As for those urban tensions….
“My husband says it is very relaxing for him here,” Moore says.
“It’s definitely a stress-free living environment.”
through November 30, 2017.
KIMBERLY CARRILLO
MITCH AND CHRISTY MOORE
THE TOURIST
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!
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
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
PRESERV ING
A SOUND
The Smithereens hit the High Country with garage rock hits
Christina Fuoco-Karasinski » The Entertainer!
Since their formation in the early 1980s, The Smithereens have worked hard to preserve their classic garage rock sound found on songs like “Only a Memory,” “Blood and Roses” and “A Girl Like You.”
Singer/guitarist Pat DiNizio says like their music, the lives shows aren’t polished. The New Jersey-bred band heads to Flagstaff to play the Pepsi Amphitheater on Saturday, June 17.
“The shows these days are close to three-hour marathons,” he says. “There’s so much material.
“Listen, how often has your favorite performer or artist come around and they leave after a 45-minute set? We’ll play until we drop. It’s a matter of pride and giving people who work for a living value for their money.”
During The Smithereens’ first tour in 1986, they had 11 original songs. Thirty-seven years later, there’s a wealth of material. DiNizio says he and his bandmates will touch upon each album.
“We’re playing contemporary music for the people of our generation who grew up with our music,” he says. “In the last 10 years, we’ve put out at least an album a year. We try to keep in the game.”
As a matter of fact, DiNizio is working on a new Smithereens album, which he hopes will be out by Thanksgiving.
“I have six songs so far,” he says. “We’re going to record the basics in New
York City and then come back to my house in New Jersey, where I’m coming from now, and do the overdubs, vocals and guitars.”
He’s letting nature take its course in terms of the direction.
“It’s the same,” he says frankly. “The same is good. I never try to plot what the direction is going to be musically. I let the ideas flow. I sleep with one of those old desktop portable tape recorders when I’m actively writing. I record my melodic or lyric ideas. We’re selftaught. We can’t read and write music. But it has a Motown feel to it. It’ll be the signature Smithereens sound. I can’t tell you what it’s like, though.”
He does know it won’t reflect the music that’s out now.
“I don’t like anything that’s new— at least nothing I can think of,” DiNizio says. “Unfortunately, apart from a few of our friends out there, a few bands in Europe, no one is really writing the material I enjoy listening to.
“When I listen to music, I tend to go back to the albums I was listening to years ago, like Husker Du, The Stranglers, Suzanne Vega and Marshall Crenshaw.
“The Beatles do it for me. I have a collection on my iTunes or my playlist that I put together. It’s 1964 to 1965 and it’s everything that I heard when I was 9 to 10 years old on the radio, AM radio in the mid-’60s in the wake of The Beatles’ first arriving on the shores. You’ll hear ‘The Girl from Ipanema,’ ‘Ticket to Ride,’ a Dionne Warwick song. Like them, we’re trying to preserve our sound.”
BEAT THE HEAT
Flagstaff’s Twin Arrows Navajo Casino Resort hits the target
Christina Fuoco-Karasinski » The Entertainer!
The sun is bright over Twin Arrows Navajo Casino Resort, which sits within a perfect view of the snowcapped San Francisco Peaks in Flagstaff.
The 4-year-old, Diamond Award winner was ranked No. 1 out of 72 northern Arizona hotels for Grand Canyon travel by U.S. News and World Report and with good reason. It’s dynamic on the outside. Two arrows, affixed to the façade of the building on an angle, point toward the sky announcing to visitors that this is Navajo land. A basket weave pattern emphasizes the importance of weaving in the Navajo culture.
The glass doors give the impression that the casino resort is typical. Once they open, however, there’s nothing standard about this building.
A large chandelier represents the four worlds from the Navajo Creation Story: the first world of the insect people, the second world of the bluebirds and swallow people, the third world of the grasshoppers and the fourth world during which man and woman came to be. Hand-blown glass rings represent the colors of each world. Droplets of crystal cascade through the rings. Reeds were used to enter through the hard sky of the world.
A water feature at the entrance symbolizes the rising waters that motivated the people to move up and eek new worlds in which to live.
Culture plays a key role in the Twin
Arrows Navajo Casino Resort’s design. The artwork in the destination is worth a half million dollars.
“It’s absolutely amazing,” says general manager Bryce Warren. “They commissioned Navajo artists to create art before they opened. My favorite piece of art is in Zenith Steakhouse. It’s the painting of the horse above the fireplace.”
Located 20 miles east of Flagstaff, Zenith Steakhouse is lavish and, too, boasts a Navajo influence. It purchases Navajo beef from native ranchers in Arizona and New Mexico and makes for a simple steak menu—14-ounce New York Strip ($40), 16-ounce ribeye ($46), 32-ounce long bone ribeye ($55) and a petite filet mignon, 8-ounce ($30) and 12-ounce ($45)—but it’s delicious. For a reasonable upcharge, diners can add sautéed mushrooms ($4), make it Oscar style ($7), add Hollandaise sauce ($2) or au poivre ($6).
Most sides, such as potato Napoleon, baked potato, sweet potato puree and bacon-wrapped onion rings, are $7, except the $12 lobster mac and cheese.
It isn’t limited to steak, however. Chicken parmesan ($20), Navajo beef short ribs ($24), grilled pork chop with apple cider brine ($28), New Zealand rack of lamb ($28), vegetable risotto casserole ($18) and a Zenith burger ($14) are perfect for those who find steaks too heavy. Seafood is aplenty: cioppino seafood stew ($28), pan-seared salmon ($23), seared diver scallops ($24), cold water lobster tail dinner ($50), king crab dinner ($32) and
Mediterranean seafood pasta ($25).
“I would put Zenith up against restaurants in Phoenix,” Warren says. “The source-verified Navajo beef really helps the Navajo farmers. Our beef is an incredible cut with great taste.”
Around the corner from Zenith Steakhouse is the casino floor. Its theme is “The Glittering World” and it includes 1,089 slot machines and live Keno. The casino resort recently switched its table games to Galaxy Gaming games.
“Our slot product is great,” Warren says. “The floor is very roomy. Nothing is tight. We made it that way. We strive on providing a great, overall experience.
That continues with the 200 remarkable, contemporary rooms, which vary in size. The five-story hotel also features suites, including a presidential suite. A soft, king-sized bed awaits guests staying in the king guestroom. In between gaming and dining, they can be entertained by a state-of-the-art IBAHN interactive TV entertainment section. High-speed entertainment is available, as are docking stations, and an in-room safe.
“Twin Arrows Navajo Casino Resort is committed to providing every guest with a personalized experience and attentive service in comfortable, high-quality surroundings,” Warren explains.
“We hope that at every visit, this property exceeds the expectations of each valued guest.”
Of special note is the conference and convention center that boats a 9,000-square-foot banquet center with 25-foot ceilings, indoor and outdoor
meeting spaces, VIP boardroom, complimentary valet and complimentary high-speed internet access.
Perhaps the most impressive bit about Twin Arrows Navajo Casino Resort is the customer service. Each guest is greeted with a smile, and VIP visitors are served a tray of juicy pineapple, melon, strawberries and blackberries. Something amiss? The staff will take care of it immediately.
“It’s a beautiful property,” he says. “About 70 percent of the team members are Navajo. We really focus on customer service. We’re friendly. I’m very personable. I talk to the team members. We’re not 100 percent perfect, as nobody is. But we’re close.”
Valley residents are offered a Beat the Heat program with room discounts, along with fireworks at 9 p.m. Fridays in July and August.
With the U.S. News and World Report prize, Navajo Gaming Board chairman Quincy Natay hopes to boost awareness of the casino resort.
“We hope that the award will help more people learn about the only Navajo Resort in the world so that they, too, can experience our stunning Twin Arrows Navajo Casino Resort.”
Twin Arrows Navajo Casino Resort
22181 Resort Boulevard, Flagstaff, 855-946-8946, 855-WIN-TWIN, twinarrows. com, facebook.com/ TwinArrowsAZ.
THE ARTIST
CULTURE » THEATER » DANCE » GALLERY » DRAMA » VISION
COME ‘ TOGETHER’
Christina Fuoco-Karasinski » The Entertainer!
Grammy-nominated Dutch saxophonist
Candy Dulfer admits she suffers from low selfesteem just like anyone else. The former member of Prince’s New Power Generation just looks at her resume to remedy that.
“If Prince wasn’t there, I don’t know if I would play the saxophone,” says Dulfer, who joined Prince’s NPG as a permanent member for his Musicology tour and album.
“Working with Prince was such an inspiration, such a stamp of approval. Whenever I get insecure about my playing or me being a musician, I think that Prince wanted me. Prince wanted me back and he wants me in his band and to record with him. It was my go-to place when I was telling myself I was going to stop. I’ll never be Coltrane, but I found my sense of purpose and a lot of that comes with him.”
Although Dulfer calls touring her purpose, she stepped into the studio and recorded the album Together, which was released earlier this year.
“It’s the first time that I don’t have any instrumental songs on the album,” Dulfer says via telephone from The Netherlands. “It’s all saxophone and vocals. I’m Europe-based and here it’s a necessity to have vocals. In the United States, I could do an album without vocals, but I have to cater to different continents.”
Together features 15 songs, all of which Dulfer deemed necessary.
“It has a lot of tracks on it,” she says. “I couldn’t say goodbye to one so I put them all on there. I don’t like being
Saxophonist Candy Dulfer recalls her time with Prince and the making of her new album
in the studio for long periods of time. It’s not where my heart is. I’d rather be done in a short time.
“This time I made sure I was in and out in a couple days because I had to go out again anyway. You feel it with the album. It’s not an album that’s going to be dated anytime soon. It’s not trendy. They’re very organic songs. I’m really attached to ‘Out of Time,’ which we originally wrote for Prince, and the title track. I’m glad they turned out the way they turned out.”
Dulfer sang on a fair share of the songs. Other times, she was joined by the likes of Chance Howard, Ivan Peroti and Rico Greene.
“I’m not opposed to singing,” says Dulfer, who returns to the Valley to play two shows at the Musical Instrument Museum on Sunday, June 11. “My voice is OK and I like to sing. I sing what I feel and it’s nice to have a voice in there.
“Our live shows are a big mix of instrumental and vocals. I don’t think anyone will mind.”
To this day, she still feels inspired by Prince, with whom she worked on Lovesexy, Graffiti Bridge and One Nite Alone... before joining NPG full time.
“I was one of his biggest fans,” she says. “I would play hard to get with him. That way he would keep me longer. He really liked that. He thought I was crazy, but he liked that I was independent. We would butt heads. We were totally opposite characters. I totally respect him.
“I tried to pick his brain so many times about everything. I’m very lucky. I know that. For me, the glitter and glamour was so uninteresting. I’ve been just so lucky to be present where I could sit next to him, see how he played guitar and what he did with his vocals.”
Her goal, however, was to make him happy.
“If he was really, truly happy, that was such a great feeling,” she says. “It was amazing that I could make a genius happy with my sound, by playing a good solo for him. That was the ultimate compliment.
“I see him as the Mozart or Beethoven of our time. It’s sad that he’s not here.”
Dulfer
Musical Instrument Museum, 4725 E. Mayo Boulevard, Phoenix 480.478.6000, themim.org, 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Sunday, June 11, $30-$50.
Candy
ARTS CALENDAR
Randy Montgomery
» The Entertainer!
Topia - An Evening at Desert Botanical Garden TO JUNE 10
Ballet Arizona invites you to a presentation of movement, sound and multimedia set on a stage within the beautiful Desert Botanical Garden. This outdoor performance will be a sensory experience unlike any other. Seating varies from tables to seats on raised platforms. A cash bar will be available. Presented by Ballet Arizona. Desert Botanical Garden, 1201 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, 602.381.1096, balletaz.org, 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, $36-$80.
Rapunzel TO JUNE 11
Performed with rod marionettes, the production of Rapunzel is designed for children ages kindergarten and older. The Great Arizona Puppet Theater is a nonprofit, professional organization that was founded in 1983. Once a touring company, it is now housed in the historic Phoenix LDS 2nd Ward Church.
The Great Arizona Puppet Theater, 302 W. Latham Street, Phoenix. 602.262.2050, azpuppets.org, times vary, $7-$10.
Samurai: Armor from the Ann and Gabriel Barbier-Mueller Collection TO JULY 16
Take a journey back in time at the Phoenix Art Museum to discover the life, culture and pageantry of the revered and feared Japanese samurai warriors. More than 140 objects of warrior regalia, with full suits of armor, helmets and masks, weapons, horse tack and other battle gear, will be on display. The exhibition is accompanied by a fully illustrated catalog, offering essays by leading Japanese samurai armor experts.
Phoenix Art Museum, 1625 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, 602.257.1222, phxart.org, times vary, free-$18, exhibition additional $5.
Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera TO AUGUST 20
The Heard Museum is the only North American stop on a world tour for the exhibition offering a rare opportunity to see masterpieces from Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera. The display boasts 33 works from a private collection by the famed Mexican artists. The exhibition also includes photographs of Kahlo, as
well as clothing and jewelry native to her home region. Heard Museum, 2301 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, 602.252.8840, heard.org, times vary, free-$18, exhibition additional $7.
The Road to Prescott JUNE 4
Like many of us living in the Valley, the Phoenix Symphony enjoys escaping the heat and heading north to Prescott. The family-run Las Vegas Ranch will be the rustic-yet-beautiful setting for a breathtaking performance by the symphony away from its home in downtown Phoenix. The performance will be followed by a gourmet western dinner.
Presented by Phoenix Symphony. Las Vegas Ranch, Williamson Valley, 602.495.1999, phoenixsymphony.org, 4 p.m., $200.
Lunch Time Theater: Songs from the B-Side
JUNE 5 TO JUNE 15
Taking a break from work is always a great idea. Skip the fast-food joint and head to the Herberger Theater for its lunchtime performances. This production pays homage to the songs that were never hits, rather the underdogs that were released as B-sides.
The Kax Stage / Herberger Theater Center, 222 E. Monroe Street, Phoenix, 602.252.8497, herbergertheater.org, times vary, $6.
TajMo: The Taj Mahal & Keb’ Mo’ Band
JUNE 7
Blues artists Taj Mahal and Keb’ Mo’ have distinctive voices, personalities and guitar styles, creating vibrant music rooted in tradition. The two collaborated for an album that debuted in May. Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, 7380 E. Second Street, Scottsdale, 480.499.TKTS (8587), scottsdaleperformingarts.org, 7:30 p.m., $85-$105.
Jean Luc Ponty
JUNE 9
A French virtuoso violinist and jazz composer, Jean-Luc Ponty is known for being a pioneer and master of the violin in jazz and rock. For his Scottsdale performance, Ponty will share the stage with his band.
Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, 7380 E. Second Street,
Scottsdale,
TOPIA - AN EVENING AT DESERT BOTANICAL GARDEN TO JUNE 10
FRIDA KAHLO AND DIEGO RIVERA TO AUGUST 20
TAJMO: THE TAJ MAHAL & KEB’ MO’ BAND
7
JEAN LUC PONTY
9
SAMURAI: ARMOR FROM THE ANN AND GABRIEL BARBIERMUELLER COLLECTION TO JULY 16
480.499.TKTS (8587), scottsdaleperformingarts.org, 8 p.m., $35-$75.
The Wizard of Oz
JUNE 9 TO JUNE 25
The Valley Youth Theatre invites you to follow the yellow brick road with Dorothy and her little dog Toto. The classic tale of the young lady swept away in a tornado from her home features the Scarecrow, the Cowardly Lion and the Tin Man. Presented by Valley Youth Theatre. Herberger Theater Center, 222 E. Monroe Street, Phoenix, 602.252.8497, vyt.com, times vary, $16.50-$34.50.
Exposures: An Exhibition of Textile Arts
JUNE 9 TO AUGUST 26
Exposures: An Exhibition of Textile Arts brings a wide variety of figurative and abstract quilts, ranging in theme and tone, to the Chandler Center for the Arts gallery and the Vision Gallery. The exhibit features artworks by 27 Arizona members of the national nonprofit Studio Art Quilt Association (SAQA). Opening receptions will be held at the two galleries from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 10.
Vision Gallery, 10 E. Chicago Street, Chandler, visiongallery. org, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, free.
Chandler Center for the Arts Gallery, 250 N. Arizona Avenue, Chandler, chandlercenter.org, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, free.
Prowl & Play: Kids Street Fest
JUNE 10
While many of the animals may be heading to sleep for the night, the Phoenix Zoo comes alive with music, magic, art and more during this special after-hours event for all ages. Entertainment includes acrobatic performances, a carnival show, games, prizes, waterslides and a splash zone. While the kids are having fun, adults can visit the “Chill Out Bar.”
Phoenix Zoo, 455 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, 602.286.3800, phoenixzoo.org, 5:30 p.m., $6-$8.
Puddles Pity Party
JUNE 13
With almost 19 million views on YouTube of his cover of Lorde’s “Royals,” this sad-looking clown with the golden voice has become a worldwide sensation. The crooner will offer a night of music and a brilliant
sense of the absurd, mixing humor with awkward, tender moments. Mesa Arts Center, 1 E. Main Street, Mesa, 480.644.6500, mesaartscenter.com, 8 p.m., $30.
This Animation is Not For Kids
JUNE 16
The Arizona Science Center presents a special monthly series geared toward adults. So, leave the kids at home and grab a specialty cocktail from the cash bar. Live music, demonstrations and more will fill the evening. This month, visit the Animation Academy, which is the featured exhibition. Enjoy “science with a twist.”
Arizona Science Center, 600 E. Washington Street, Phoenix, 602.716.2000, azscience.org, 6 p.m., $12.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime
JUNE 20 TO JUNE 25
When a 15-year-old with an extraordinary brain is accused of killing his neighbor’s dog, he is determined to find the true culprit, which leads to a journey that will change his life forever. This dazzling adaptation is the winner of five Tony Awards, including best play.
ASU Gammage, 1200 S. Forest Avenue, Tempe, 480.965.3434, asugammage.com, various times, $20-$125
Shrek the Musical
JUNE 23 TO JUNE 26
Watch out Easy Valley! There is a big, green Ogre heading toward Queen Creek! Not to worry though, it’s just Shrek! A cast of fairytale misfits embark on a fun-filled adventure to rescue Princess Fiona. This production is based on the popular animated feature film.
Queen Creek Performing Arts Center, 22149 E. Ocotillo Road, Queen Creek, 480.987.SHOW (7469), qcpac.com, various times, $13-$15.
Aida TO JULY 1
Tim Rice and Elton John created a modern crowd-pleaser that features an unforgettable score, dancing, staging and signing. The Tony Award winner is the epic tale of love, loyalty and betrayal focusing on a love triangle between a Nubian princess, an Egyptian princess and a soldier. Hale Centre Theatre, 50 W. Page Avenue, Gilbert, 480.497.1181, haletheatrearizona.com, various times, $18-$30.
PUDDLES PITY PARTY JUNE 13
THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHTTIME JUNE 20-25
SHREK THE MUSICAL JUNE 23-26
‘MOTION IS EMOTION ’
Julianne and Derek Hough hope to inspire others through new show
L. Kent Wolgamott » The Entertainer!
Julianne Hough was in full go mode, getting up early to do interviews before returning to rehearsals for Move – Beyond – Live on Tour, the jaunt she’s doing with her brother, Derek, that began in April.
“We’re basically learning two, two and a half numbers a day,” Hough says. “It’s not just physically demanding. It’s mentally demanding and exhausting, too.”
Getting ready for the tour, the third for the dancing siblings, presented some new challenges for the experienced Hough.
“We’re doing some different kind of things we’ve never done before,” she says. “We’re not just dancing. We’ve got these boxes we move around. I know that sounds kind of lame, but they’re big and hard to move. We’ve got this jungle gym contraption that we do parkour work on. I’ve got this harness that the guys swing back and forth that I hang from. It’s a very athletic show.”
The rapid-fire rehearsals are nothing new. The Houghs start doing choreography for their shows about a month before they’re set to hit the stage.
In part, Hough says, because the duo has such a strong connection that they don’t need to begin earlier.
“When Derek and I dance together and when we choreograph, we don’t even talk much,” she says. “We just start moving and the piece comes together. And when we’re dancing together, we have a connection, a physical connection, that’s so natural and strong that when I dance with other people sometimes it just doesn’t feel right.”
Move – Beyond - Live differs from the Houghs’ previous tours in ways that should add some emotional depth to the performances and the audience perception.
“On the first two, there was no through-line story,” Hough says. “It’s somewhat the same for this one. But we’re trying to incorporate our journey, how we got here and what it takes. It’s definitely not like an actual story when you’re seeing a play. But we have definite meaning in different acts in the show.”
Part of that story was revealed on Dancing with the Stars, when the Houghs did a piece, set to a re-mix of an X Ambassadors song, that told through chaotic, passionate movement the tale of their parents’ divorce.
But Hough said the show isn’t just
the siblings’ autobiography in motion. Rather, she said, it aims at using their experiences to inspire others.
“You can accomplish anything you want to do, if you put your heart and soul into it and have good people around you” is the message, she says. “We’re trying to encourage people to get out and do what they can do, what they want to do. That’s our mission, to inspire people to do things they’ve been putting off doing.”
The show, with a 15-minute intermission, should run about two hours, Hough says.
“It’s a long show but it goes by quickly, she says. “It’s action packed. There’s ballroom, Latin, hip-hop dancing, singing. We have people come up on stage. Derek and I go out into the audience. We get people up and moving. That’s our slogan, ‘Motion is emotion.’ The way you move affects the way you feel. And moving in the show will make you feel good. It’s kind of a rock concert for dance.”
Hough says she doesn’t have a favorite among dance styles, but tries to bring the most appropriate feel to each.
“Different styles kind of elicit a different emotion,” she says. “When a salsa song comes, I’m super playful, fun and
energetic. When a song comes on that requires me to do more contemporary, it’s more emotional. Most people got to know us through Latin ballroom. People get excited when they watch us doing that. But what’s exciting is we’re doing so much more.”
Hough, whose popular breakthrough came via Dancing with the Stars, winning seasons four and five with partners Apolo Ohno and racecar driver Helio Castroneves before becoming the show’s fourth permanent judge in 2014. She kept judging as the tour rolled on. That made the tour even more demanding for the ultra-fit Hough.
“I remember the first two times, I had to load up on so many calories that I would burn off,” she says. “This one’s more demanding. I might have to eat even more. I can do that, too.”
Julianne and Derek Hough: Move – Beyond – Live On Tour Comerica Theatre, 400 W. Washington Street, Phoenix, 602.379.2800, comericatheatre. com, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 10, $38.50-$204.
UPCOMING CONCERTS AT THE MIM MUSIC THEATER
THE DUSTBOWL REVIVAL
Thursday, June 15 | 7:30 p.m.
“Upbeat, old-school, All-American sonic safaris exemplify everything shows should be: hot, spontaneous, engaging and, best of all, a pleasure to hear”
—L.A. Weekly
BODEANS
Friday, June 16 | 7:00 & 9:00 p.m.
“BoDeans have a permanent place in Milwaukee music history as one of the most popular bands to come out of the city.”
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
DR. LONNIE SMITH
Saturday, June 17 | 7:00 p.m.
“With a career spanning over five decades, Dr. Lonnie Smith is an unparalleled artist who stands as the preeminent Hammond B-3 organist in jazz today.”
Metro Silicon Valley
DJANGO FESTIVAL ALL-STARS
Wednesday, June 21 | 7:00 p.m.
“Lightning-fast finger work, powerful strumming, wild sweeps across the fingerboard and astonishingly fast tempos”
—Los Angeles Times
ROBERTA GAMBARINI
Sunday, June 25 | 7:00 p.m.
“Gambarini is a true successor to Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan and Carmen McRae.”
—Boston Globe
ALICE SMITH
Tuesday, June 27 | 7:00 p.m.
“Smith has gained attention for her unique personal style, a blend of 1930s chanteuse and modern-day hipster.”
New York Magazine
MARIACHI FLOR DE TOLOACHE
Wednesday, June 28 | 7:00 p.m.
“The all-female Mariachi Flor de Toloache is set to revolutionize the Mexican genre from inside-out—from literally wearing the pants to expanding the boundaries of its folk sounds.”
—Daily News (New York)
SEAN ROWE
Friday, June 30 | 7:30 p.m.
“Sean Rowe’s voice, a room-rattling baritone, demands attention. The stories he tells with it are portraits that feel simple on the surface . . . they never are.”
NPR Music
LAS CAFETERAS
Saturday, July 1 | 7:30 p.m.
“Uniquely Angeleno mishmash of punk, hip-hop, beat music, cumbia and rock”
Los Angeles Times
LUCY KAPLANSKY
Friday, July 7 | 7:30 p.m.
“Kaplansky weaves . . . fragile lives together, making even tenuous connections as palpable as flesh and blood.”
—USA Today
COMING ATTRACTIONS
Hunter’s Prayer
R - 91 MINUTES
Sam Worthington plays an assassin who forges an unlikely partnership with one of his targets—a woman (Odeya Rush) seeking revenge for the murder of her family. Opens June 9.
47 Meters Down PG-13 - 89 MINUTES
Mandy Moore and Claire Holt play sisters vacationing in Mexico who become trapped in a shark cage on the ocean floor. As their oxygen starts to run out and with great white sharks circling them, the sisters must find a way to get to the surface alive. Opens June 16.
The Hero R - 93 MINUTES
Sam Elliott plays an aging Western icon with a golden voice whose best performances are decades behind him. When a surprise cancer diagnosis brings his priorities into sharp focus, he strikes up an exciting, contentious relationship with a stand-up comic (Laura Prepon) and attempts to reconnect with his estranged daughter (Krysten Ritter) all while searching for one final role to cement his legacy. Opens June 16.
Once Upon a Time in Venice NR - 100 MINUTES
Bruce Willis plays a private investigator whose dog is stolen by local thugs and makes a questionable alliance with their devious leader (Jason Momoa). Teaming up with his best friend (John Goodman), he pulls out the big guns in search of stolen cocaine and cash to set things straight and get his beloved pet back where he belongs. Opens June 16.
Baby Driver
NR - 113 MINUTES
Ansel Elgort plays a talented, young getaway driver who relies on the beat of his personal soundtrack to be the best in the game. But after being coerced into working for a crime boss (Kevin Spacey), he must face the music when a doomed heist threatens his life, love and freedom. Opens June 28.
Okja
NR - 158 MINUTES
An Seo Hyun plays the caretaker and constant companion to a massive animal at her home in the mountains of South Korea. But that changes when a family-owned multinational conglomerate takes the animal for themselves and transports her to New York, where an image-obsessed and self-promoting CEO (Tilda Swinton) has big plans, so the woman sets out on a rescue mission. Opens June 28.
Inconceivable R - 105 MINUTES
Nicky Whelan plays a mysterious woman who moves to a new town to escape her past and quickly befriends a mother (Gina Gershon) who longs for a bigger family. As their lives become intricately entwined, the mother and her husband (Nicolas Cage) invite the woman to live in their guest house to serve as their nanny. Over time, the blossoming friendship between the two women spirals into a dangerous obsession. Opens June 30.
The Little Hours R - 90 MINUTES
John C. Reilly plays a priest who brings on new hired hand (Dave Franco) to his convent and introduces him to a trio of medieval nuns (Alison Brie, Aubrey Plaza and Kate Micucci) as a deaf-mute to discourage temptation. The hired hand struggles to maintain his cover as the repressed nunnery erupts in a whirlwind of pansexual horniness, substance abuse and wicked revelry. Opens June 30.
For more movie reviews, in-depth celebrity interviews and behind-the-scenes insights, tune in to breakthrough entertainment 11 a.m. to noon Saturdays on KPHX 1480 AM and BreakRadioShow.com.
Email film writer Joseph J. Airdo at joseph.airdo@gmail.com.
THE CRITIC
The
JOSEPH’S MOVIE OF THE MONTH:
Absolutely Anything
Absolutely Anything harkens back to the days of high-concept comedies like Liar Liar and Bruce Almighty, when a simple question like “What would you do if you had the power to do ‘absolutely anything?’” offered not only a lot of laughs but also some thought-provoking albeit lighthearted post-viewing discussion. Sure, it is silly and incredibly inane but it is also “absolutely” amusing and a whole lot of fun. The new Simon Pegg-led comedy, which also stars Kate Beckinsale and features the voice talents of the Monty Python team and the late Robin Williams (in his final performance), moves at a rapid pace and is certain to make you smile—and entertain your own wish-fulfillment fantasies.
RANDY’S MOVIE OF THE MONTH:
How to Be a Latin Lover
Sometimes you just need a cheesy screwball comedy to make your day a bit brighter. Eugenio Derbez is hilarious in the lead role as an aging male gold digger looking for his next “older woman” to sponge off of, when he is thrown out of his lavish Los Angeles home by his much-older lady friend. Besides being quite funny, the film manages to hit a multicultural audience with its bilingual dialogue. How to Be a Latin Lover delivers exactly what it promises: a silly, fun time at the movies.
M.V.’S MOVIE OF THE MONTH:
The Lovers
Mary (Debra Winger) and Michael (Tracy Letts) are California cubicle rats, long married to, and civilly out of love with, each other. Both are in serious extramarital relationships, and they unquestioningly accept their transparent lies and cover stories about why they’re home late from work, etc. Their lovers are impatient for them to divorce, however, and the pressure gets so strong that they suddenly find each other the least demanding people in their lives, and impulsively start sleeping together again. Azazel Jacobs wrote and directed this delightful, low-key comedy-drama, a take on adultery and fidelity I haven’t seen before.
JOSEPH J. AIRDO is a film critic, producer and onair personality for Breakthrough Entertainment, a talk radio show airing 10-11 a.m. Saturdays on KPHX 1480 AM and BreakRadioShow.com 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.
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.
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.
THE DINER
JUNE FOOD EVENTS
Creamistry Grand Opening TO JUNE 3
Creamistry celebrates the opening of its fourth location at the Scottsdale Quarter with special promotions. On Thursday, June 1, buy one ice cream, get one ice cream of equal or lesser value free. The following day, a percentage of the proceeds earned will be donated to MASK (Mothers Awareness on School-Age Kids). From noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 3, free ice cream will be served.
Creamistry at Scottsdale Quarter, 15345 N. Scottsdale Road, Building K, Scottsdale, creamistry.com, noon to 10 p.m. Monday to Thursday, noon to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and noon to 10 p.m. Sunday, prices depend on items ordered.
Superstition Farm
SuperFarm
Market
THURSDAYS
Superstition Farms’ SuperFarm Market only sells locally grown vegetables and fruits that are pesticide free. Dairy items are also available. For the kiddos, there is a petting zoo. Superstition Farm, 3440 S. Hawes Road, Mesa, 602.432.6865, superstitionfarm.com, 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., free admission.
Vineyard to Table Supper Club
JUNE 6
Join the winery for this casual dining experience that features courses paired with three LDV wines. LDV Winery owners will host and cook. Space is limited to 20. LDV Wine Gallery, 6951 E. First Street, Scottsdale, 480.664.4822, 6 p.m., prices start at $65.
Thai Street Food Cooking Class
JUNE 7 AND JUNE 27
Thai street food is all about balancing the complexity of sour, sweet, salty and bitter flavors into quick dishes that are big on flavor and easy to recreate at home. On the menu at this hands-on class is chicken satay with spicy peanut sauce, perfect pad Thai, green papaya salad and crispy fried bananas. Sur La Table, Scottsdale Fashion Square, 800.243.0852, surlatable.com, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., $69.
Grown-Ups Table Event
JUNE 7 AND JUNE 28
The Beckett’s Table experience features a three-course meal and drinks by Chef Justin Beckett enjoyed around the community table. Guests are invited to the family-style meal complete with beverage pairings and a to-go bag of leftovers to enjoy at home. Beckett’s Table, 3717 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix, 602.954.1700, beckettstable. com, 6 p.m., $45.
Arizona State Championship Chili Cook-Off
JUNE 10 AND JUNE 11
Cooks from around the Southwest compete to qualify for the world championships. Come enjoy red chili, chili verde and salsa, crafters and vendors. The 34th annual Route 66 Regional Chili Cookoff on Saturday is sanctioned by the International Chili Society. Thorpe Park, 245 N. Thorpe Road, Flagstaff, 928.526.4314, chilicookoff.com, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 10, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 11, $5 for a tasting kit.
The Tucson 23: Mexican Food Festival
JUNE 17
The Tucson 23 celebrates the best 23 miles of Mexican food in America. The event will feature weekend staycation packages, food demos and education, live music and more.
JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort and Spa, 3800 W. Starr Pass Boulevard, Tucson, 520.797.3959, saaca.org, 6 p.m., $49.
Father’s Day at Marcellino Ristorante
JUNE 18
This Father’s Day, Marcellino Ristorante is doing the grilling for dad. In addition to Chef Marcellino’s award-winning, handcrafted pasta, he is featuring a 16-ounce boneless ribeye ($48.95), a veal chop ($54.95), filet mignon ($42.95) or baby lamb chops ($38.95). Each dish is served with potatoes and seasonal vegetables. Homemade tiramisu is offered for dessert.
Marcellino Ristorante, 7114 E. Stetson Drive, Scottsdale, 480.990.9500, marcellinoristorante.com, lunch Tuesday through Sunday, and dinner Monday through Saturday, various prices.
Father’s Day Musical Lunch at Organ Stop Pizza
JUNE 18
Families can enjoy an unlimited pizza buffet, soft drinks and salads. The buffet features cheese, pepperoni, combination and Hawaiian special pizzas. There are dairyand gluten-free options available. Special orders will not be accepted. Beer, wine and ice cream will be available for a la carte purchase. Organ Stop Pizza, 1149 E. Southern Avenue, Mesa, 480.813.5700, ext. 945, organstopppizza.com, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., $10 kids ages 3 to 9, $12 adults
Christina Fuoco-Karasinski » The Entertainer!
Wings and Ribs Class
JUNE 21
Amy Barnes teaches the class how to make Kona coffee-braised chicken wings; oven-crisp chicken wings with spicy apricot sauce; sweet and tangy baked maple spare ribs; honey lime pan-fried chicken wings; garlic Cajun baby back ribs; sticky sesame wings; and whiskey-grilled baby back ribs.
Sweet Basil Gourmetware and Cooking School, 10749 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 101, Scottsdale, 480.596.5628, sweetbasilgourmet.com, 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., $65.
LDV Winery Barbecue
JUNE 24
Scottsdale’s LDV Winery is inviting guests south to Pearce for a barbecue, winemaker tour, cowboy games and photo ops. Award-winning photographer Jenelle Bonifield will help guests capture the beauty of the wine grapes and LDV Winery’s vineyard in the Chiricahua Mountain Foothills.
LDV Winery, 13922 S. Kuykendall Cutoff Road, Pearce, 602.320.1485, info@ldvwinery. com, ldvwinery.com, 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., $25.
Festive Fourth of July Cooking
JUNE 28
In this hands-on class, the instructor will share secrets for creating buttermilk fried chicken featuring moist and tender meat, with a crunch. Besides fried chicken, coleslaw with lemon and fresh herbs; bacon and brown sugar beans and strawberry shortcakes are on the menu. Sur La Table, Scottsdale Fashion Square, 800.243.0852, surlatable.com, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., $69.
HAPPY HOUR GUIDE
Brat Haus
3622 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale
Monday through Friday, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
$2 off all drafts, $1 off bottles, cans, liquor and wine and food specials
Buck & Rider
4225 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix
Weekdays 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Thursday through Saturday 9:30 p.m. to close
$6 signature cocktails, house pours and featured glasses of wine
Cold Beer & Cheeseburgers
4222 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale
20831 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 117, Scottsdale
Monday through Friday, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
$3 domestic pints, $4 local pints, domestic aluminum bottles and premium well drinks, $5 house wines
Craft 64
6922 E. Main Street, Scottsdale
Daily 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
$1 off all beers and $2 off all wines
Dirty Dogg Saloon
10409 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale
Monday through Friday, 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.
$1 off domestic beers, well drinks and call
Duke’s Sports Bar & Grill
7607 E. McDowell, Scottsdale
Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
$3.50 domestic drafts and bottles, $5.25 house wines and $8.99 domestic pitchers
Hard Rock Café
3 S. Second Street, Phoenix
Monday through Friday, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
$3.50 domestic bottle and draft, $4.50 select craft beer, $5 premium well, house wine and double shot of Fireball
Hungry Monk
1760 W. Chandler Boulevard, Chandler
Daily 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
$1 off all alcohol, but ask about daily specials! For example, Wednesday is $3 pints of craft beer all day!
Lucky Strike Bowling
50 W. Jefferson Street, #240, Phoenix
Daily 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
$2 domestic drafts, $3 craft/import drafts and well drinks, $4 premium cocktails, house wine and food specials
Luxe Lounge
16000 N. Maricopa Road, Maricopa Monday through Friday 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday
11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and all day Sunday
$3 well drinks, house wines and 16 oz. domestic drafts
Old Town Tavern
7320 E. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale
Daily 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Bucket of beers (five beers for two people): $12 domestic, $16 Mexican imports, $20 premium
Park Place Bar & Grill
7373 E. Scottsdale Mall, #6, Scottsdale
Tuesday through Sunday, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. See a full list of specials at www.peterscuisineaz.com.
Pure Sushi Colony
Rehab Burger Therapy 7210 E. 2nd Street, Scottsdale
11 a.m. to 6
Scottsdale Beer Company
8608 E. Shea Boulevard, Scottsdale
through Friday, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
$1 off all Scottsdale Beer Company beers, well drinks, wines by the glass and food specials
Stockyards Steakhouse
5009 E. Washington Street, #115,
off draft beer and Saloon Snacks, $3 domestic bottles, $5 well drinks and $5 house wine with complimentary tenderloin sliders
SunUp Brewing Co.
322 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix Daily 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
$5 select appetizers and $1 off beers
TapHouse Kitchen Hilton Village, 6137 N Scottsdale Rd #108, Scottsdale, AZ 85250
7 Days! 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
$2 off all draft beer, spirits and wine on tap. $2 off all beer flights, house wine. $2 off all Tap House Kitchen custom cocktails, Tap “House" Margaritas and $1 off all well drinks. And more! El Chorro
5550 E. Lincoln Drive, Paradise Valley Monday through Saturday 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
$3 glass of house wine and domestic bottled beer and $5 El Chorro Margaritas and well drinks
EVO
4175 N. Goldwater Boulevard, Scottsdale
Daily 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
$3 beers, $4 well drinks, $5 wines and $6 cocktails
Gallagher’s Sports Grill
Five locations across the Valley Daily 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. to midnight
$2.75 well drinks, $3.25 domestic drafts, $3.50 house wine and several food specials
Philly’s Sports Grill
1826 N. Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, 1402 S. Priest Dr., Tempe, 4855 E. Warner Rd., Phoenix
3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday through Thursday (Excludes UFC, Boxing, ASU events) 11 p.m. to 2 a.m.
$4.50 Select appetizers, $3 Domestic Drafts, $3.50 Premium Drafts, $5 Guinness 20oz., $3.50 Coastal Vines Wines
Pig
& Pickle
2922 N Hayden Road, Scottsdale
Tuesday through Sunday, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
$5 select small dishes, select cocktail and select wine and beer
Pure Sushi Bar & Dining
20567 N. Hayden Road, Suite 100, Scottsdale
Mon-Fri, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sat/Sun 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
$3 off regular-priced cocktails, wines by the glass and sake. $2 off regular-priced bottles of beer. Wide selection of sushi, appetizers and signature cocktails and Japanese beers & bombers.
Tutti Santi
6339 E. Greenway Road, Suite 108, Scottsdale Monday through Friday, 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Select beers $3, well drinks $3 and select glasses of wine $5
Uncle Bear’s Grill & Tap
9053 E. Baseline Road, Mesa, 2115 E. Rittenhouse Road, Queen Creek; Brewery: 4921 E. Ray Road, Phoenix
Monday through Friday, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Sunday through Thursday, 10 p.m. to close $3.50 Uncle Bears craft pints, domestic bottles, wells & house margs,
22 oz. Uncle Bears crafts, guest craft pints, Deep Eddy cocktails & house wine, $5.50 22 oz. guest crafts & sangria
Wasted Grain
7295 E. Stetson Drive, Scottsdale
Wednesday through Sunday, 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Scottsdale’s Longest Happy Hour
$5 shared plates, $5 drink specials
DINER INSIDER
onuts can be a downfall of any diet. But if they’re “mini donuts,” that doesn’t count as a cheat, does it?
Crave Grounds at The Mercado in Scottsdale recently introduced a smoothie and mini-donut menu. On the smoothie side, there is a banana strawberry blend and wild berry-flavored drinks. The 16-ounce drink is $4.29, while the 24-ouncers are $4.79.
The 40-some-odd custom donuts include toppings like apple pie, blueberry pancake, cinnamon roll, French toast and maple bacon. They range in price from 85 cents for a plain single donut to $16.01 for a dozen with frosting and toppings. Crave Grounds prides itself on serving locally roasted coffee blends and specialty teas. These prices vary.
MADE FROM SCRATCH
Valley trio rolls restaurant industry experience into success with Philly’s
Christina Fuoco-Karasinski
»
The Entertainer!
Barry Clark didn’t come from family money. A 1996 ASU graduate, Clark worked his way through the bar and restaurant industry before achieving his lifelong goal: owning his own business.
Now teamed with co-owners Bryon Russell and Jim Wallin, Clark purchased Philly’s Sports Grill on Scottsdale Road 15 years ago.
“We were working for other people 60 hours a week,” Clark says inside of his third location, in Ahwatukee. The Philly’s on Priest Drive in Tempe rounds out the trio.
“We saw that the Philly’s on Scottsdale Road was for sale because it was going out of business. The price was right for us. We bought it and worked every day until we built up sales.”
Since then, the three restaurants have become go-to spots for viewing sporting events and for top-notch food. It’s easy to see, judging from the restaurants’ name, that they specialize in cheesesteaks.
The dishes at Philly’s are reasonably priced. The extensive appetizer menu ranges in price from French fries ($4.95) to carne queso dip ($9.95). Soups (Philly’s housemade chili and Chef Carl’s chicken enchilada soup) and a myriad of salads (including strawberry and Greek salads) are served for $3.50 to $10.75. Philly cheesesteaks are popular items and there are several choices for $8.75 to $9.95. Sliders and sandwiches, tacos, a 10-ounce sirloin and pizza are other items on the large menu. Happy hour is 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. daily, except for fights and special events. Reverse happy hour is 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. Sunday through Thursday.
“We use better ingredients than the mom-and-pop restaurants or neighborhood bars do,” Clark says. “But it’s not just a place to come and watch sports and get food. You can come for lunch or dinner and have a good meal. We really focus on a high-quality menu. We don’t just serve food because we have sports on.”
That said, Clark adds Philly’s has
hockey, baseball, basketball and football packages. The eateries also show all major UFC and boxing events. The Ahwatukee and Priest Drive locations have televisions on most tables.
“I feel like a lot of the neighborhood bars won’t get the hockey or baseball packages,” says Clark, a California native. “We get all of them.”
Along with food and sports, employees are equally as important to Clark. His manager at the Scottsdale Road Philly’s has been with him since he purchased the restaurant.
Speaking of the Scottsdale Road restaurant, it was recently remodeled, as was the Priest Drive Philly’s.
“We just remodeled the Scottsdale Road location,” he says. “We need to do some major remodeling outside, but it all comes down to money.”
The Ahwatukee building gave him the opportunity to have a nice place and see what he could do with it.
“I was always behind the 8 ball, buying an old place,” he says. “Ahwatukee is extremely busy; busier than I ever thought it would be. It’s about having the right food, a friendly staff, a good cocktail selection and a good draft beer selection. It’s a recipe for success.
“People will go into a place and come back if the staff is friendly. The hardest thing for me and anybody else in the business is you’re at the mercy of your servers, bartenders and cooks.”
The popularity of the three Philly’s restaurants leaves Clark proud.
“I didn’t have rich parents,” he says. “We literally started with a place going out of business and building it up. I wouldn’t change it for the world.”
BARRY CLARK
Beer Over Here
Drink up at any of these Valley beer events this month
Christina Fuoco-Karasinski
» The Entertainer!
Beer Fest
JUNE 3
Come sample beers from around the state at the fifth annual event. Mohave County Fairgrounds, 2600 Fairgrounds Boulevard, Kingman, 928.753.2636, mcfafairgroundsorg, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., $10-$30.
Crescent Community Bike Ride
THURSDAYS STARTING JUNE 8
Join the Crescent Ballroom for a weekly community bike ride around downtown Phoenix. The group meets at 7 p.m. and leaves at 8 p.m. for a 45- to 60-minute ride. Upon return, the Crescent Ballroom offers discounts on drinks and burritos. Crescent Ballroom, 308 N. Second Avenue, Phoenix, 602.716.2222, crescentphx.com, 8 p.m. Thursdays in June, free.
“Mother Road Gets Real” Real Ale Festival
JUNE 9
Real ale, or cask-conditioned beer, is unfiltered and unpasteurized beer, which is conditioned and served from a cask without additional nitrogen or carbon dioxide pressure. Breweries from across Arizona will provide casks to be served by gravity-dispensing and hand-pump beer engines. Limited to 150 guests. Admission includes 12 4-ounce tastes and a commemorative tasting glass. Pizzicletta will be available for ordering food, or bring in favorites from Southside restaurants. Mother Road Brewing Company, 7 S. Mikes Pike, Flagstaff, 928.774.9139, motherroadbeer. com, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., $25.
Flagstaff Blues and Brews Festival
JUNE 10
Named one of the top 10 most beautiful blues festivals in America by American Blues Scene Magazine , the Flagstaff Blues and Brews Festival returns for its fifth year. This year’s festival will also
recognize two inductees into the Arizona Blues Hall of Fame on stage by the Arizona Blues Hall of Fame President Debbi Grogan. Major blues artists, craft brews, vendors, food and a kids’ area will also take centerstage at the event headlined by Grammy nominees North Mississippi Allstars. The event benefits local music and arts programs.
Continental Driving Range, 5000 Old Walnut Canyon, Flagstaff, 928.606.7600, flagstaffblues.com, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., $35-$85.
Made in the Shade BeerTasting Festival
JUNE 10
Enjoy beer, music and a cool vibe during the 25th annual Made in the Shade Beer Festival, which benefits Sun Sounds of Arizona. The organization provides reading and information access services to people who are unable to access current print media (newspapers, magazines, etc.) due to a disability. Fort Tuthill/Coconino County Fairgrounds, 2446 Fort Tuthill Loop, Flagstaff, 928.779.1775, azbeer.com/flagstaff.htm, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 10, $15$90.
JUNE 10
The name “Bloomsday” derives
from Leopold Bloom, the protagonist of James Joyce’s novel, Ulysses. The events in the book took place on June 16, 1904. Readings from Ulysses will be performed throughout the evening by the Ulysses Readers. Food will be available for purchase, and the band De Mairt Ceol will perform.
Irish Cultural Center and McClelland Library, 1106 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, 602.258.0109, azirish.org/ bloomsday/, 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., $30 early bird until June 8, $40 at the gate, $12 for nondrinkers, $5 children ages 5 and younger.
Birds n’ Beer
JUNE 15
Birds n’ Beer features presentations about birds, wildlife and conservation in a happy hourstyle environment. Craft beer, wine and snacks are available. This month’s topic is “What’s Happening with the Colorado River Delta” with Jennifer Pitt of the National Audubon Society.
Nina Mason Pulliam Rio Salado Audubon Center, 3131 S. Central Avenue, Phoenix, 602.468.6470, ext. 103, az.audubon.org, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., free.
Bloomsday 2017: Bloomin’ Beerfest
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!
SAPPORO KNOWS SUSHI!
What goes better with sushi than Japanese beer?
Jordan Blitz » The Entertainer!
If you don’t know sukiyaki from teppanyaki or sushi from sashimi, fear not. We’re here to school you on the “raw” truth. In honor of International Sushi Day on Sunday, June 18, The Entertainer! takes you on a tour of some of the Valley’s most celebrated sushi destinations, as well as a few lesser-known pearls. What we present to you here, in alphabetical order, are some fantastic Japanese cuisine options to explore, most with full menus of cooked and raw foods so anyone can find what they like.
Sapporo Beer is the No. 1 Asian brand sold in America and is served at almost all sushi restaurants, as well as countless places throughout town that know good beer. As a stand-alone brew with a crisp, clean taste, it complements Asian food, but most of these featured restaurants also serve it with sake, creating some of the best happy hours around. No matter where you get your sushi, or your Sapporo, they do pair up quite well. So, give it a try.
Last September, the company launched Sapporo Premium Black, its first new product since 2004. Offering robust flavor and complexity, the beer exudes aromas of chocolate and roasted dark malt, complemented by a sweet, round fullness of chocolate and black coffee on the palate.
Kanpai! (Cheers!)
Ah-So
1919 S. Gilbert Road, Mesa 480.497.1114, ahsomesa.com
Ah-So’s sushi is “ah, so good!” with tempura, special, baked and fresh rolls on the menu. For those who want a little flair with their meals, teppanyaki is available, too. Ah-So doesn’t have a happy hour, but Sapporo Beer is free flowing.
Hiro Sushi
9393 N. 90th Street, Scottsdale 480.314.4215, hirosushiaz.com
Serving traditional sushi for lunch and dinner, this cozy spot is tucked away just east of the Loop 101 on Via Linda in Scottsdale. Rave reviews and a stunning presentation highlight Hiro Sushi. Sake and wine are served, along with Sapporo Beer.
Kabuki Japanese Restaurant
6770 N. Sunrise Boulevard, Glendale 623.772.9832
2000 E. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe Marketplace, Tempe 480.350.9160, kabukirestaurants.com
Kabuki showcases traditional and
innovative Japanese cuisine, creative cocktails and contemporary interior designs. When the Kabuki menu is in your hand, prepare for tough decisions. Items include an array of small plates, vegetable and seafood salads, sushi, sashimi, rolls, specialty rolls, teriyaki, sukiyaki, tempura, combinations, wagyu beef, noodles and rice dishes. Kabuki’s happy hour menu (available 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday) features a lineup of small plates, salads, sushi and rolls, plus cocktails, sake, wine and our favorite beer, Sapporo! Try an ice-cold Sapporo beer by the mug ($4.25 regular, $2.95 happy hour), pitcher ($19.95 regular, $13.95 happy hour), tower ($26.95 regular, $18.95 happy hour) or “KI Bomb” ($7.95 regular, $5.75 happy hour).
Kona Grill
5310 E. High Street, Suite 101, Phoenix
480.289.4500
3111 W. Chandler Boulevard, Chandler 480.792.1771
2224 E. Williams Field Road, Gilbert
480.289.4500
Scottsdale Fashion Square
7014 E. Camelback Road, Scottsdale
480.429.1100
Scottsdale Quarter, 15059 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale
Phone: TBA (opens June 12), konagrill.com
Kona Grill is an Arizona staple, serving guests freshly prepared food and personalized service, all within a contemporary setting. Besides the standard pizzas, sandwiches and salads, Kona Grill offers a wide selection of award-winning sushi, including sashimi, traditional favorites and several proprietary dishes. Happy hour is 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and all day on Sunday. Reverse happy hour is 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 p.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday.
Ling and Louie’s
Wild Horse Pass Hotel and Casino, 5040 Wild Horse Pass Boulevard, Chandler
520.796.7281
9397 E. Shea Boulevard, Suite 125, Scottsdale
480.767.5464, lingandlouies.com
Ling & Louie’s Asian Bar and Grill is where authentic Chinese food and distinct specialties from Asia come together in a vibrant contemporary restaurant. Combining authentic Asian food with American hospitality, stylish interiors with affordable prices, familiar with new dishes, spicy with mild offerings, the restaurant is a marriage of the best of Eastern and Western traditions. Check the website for happy hour locations and specials at the two locations.
Nori
10115 E. Bell Road, Suite 48, Scottsdale
480.513.6488, noriaz.com
Desert Ridge Marketplace, 21001 N. Tatum Boulevard, Suite 48, Phoenix 480.515.9771, noriaz.com
Local sushi genius Hyunwook Lee founded Nori Sushi, which offers premium dishes from land and sea. Along with a cutting-edge organic cocktail program, Nori has succeeded by offering something for everyone. Lee supports a fusion of classic sushi cuisine with jaw-dropping modern twists. Happy hour is 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Otaku
2430 S. Gilbert Road, Suite 5, Chandler
480.821.3908, otakusushi.com
Otaku offers artfully prepared, traditional Asian cuisine. Fresh maki (rolls) sushi, sashimi, noodle dishes and Omakase are just the beginning of this incredible dining experience. The eatery serves a wide variety of sake and specialty drinks, including Sapporo Beer. Happy hour is 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. Closed on Mondays.
Ohya Sushi and Korean Kitchen
lingandlouies.com
4920 W. Thunderbird Road, Suite 117, Glendale 602.298.0110
7000 E. Mayo Boulevard, Suite 1090, Phoenix
480.473.1114, goohya.com
Founded eight years ago as Chuhgajib Korean Barbecue, Ohya Sushi and Korean Kitchens up the ante on fun. They have two karaoke rooms for
PEPPERED TUNA TATAKI ROLL, KONA GRILL
private parties, a small room for up to eight people, and a larger facility for 20. The locations also boast sushi bars, yakitori and teppan grill bars, as well as libations like Sapporo Beer. Happy hour is all day.
RA Sushi
Valleywide, rasushi.com
Locals know RA means party! There’s a reason they have six Arizona locations: The food is excellent and the drink variety is crazy good. Sushi includes maki, sashimi, nigiri, hand rolls, specialty rolls and samplers. Non-sushi mongers will enjoy katsu, teriyaki, chicken yakisoba, black pepper steak and other dishes, along with a variety of desserts. Happy hour is 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Monday through Saturday, and again 10 p.m. to close. Sundays you can get happy 3 p.m. to close. Adults can purchase 12-ounce Sapporo and Sapporo Light Bombers for $8.50 and many other varieties of things that go “bomb.”
Sakana Sushi
Four Valley locations, sakanasushiandgrill.com
Sakana has been serving outstanding sushi and Japanese cuisine in the Valley since 1994. It has a simple lunch or dinner menu that features fresh fish flown in regularly from around the world. Sushi varieties come in nigiri and maki styles and a complete menu of cooked items (entrees, noodles, teriyaki, tempura, salads, soups) is available, too,
many with gluten-free options. Hours vary slightly between locations so visit the website to find your favorite Sakana.
Sapporo
14344 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale 480.607.1114, sapporoscottsdale.com
Sapporo of Scottsdale has long been a popular destination, not just for excellent food, but for a great bar experience. Sapporo is in a word, popular, thanks to its full slate of teppanyaki meals, extensive sushi offerings and expert bartenders mixing up exotic libations. Pricing is downright reasonable, and its happy hour is from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week, with reverse happy hour at 10 p.m. to close in the bar. A variety of libations, including Sapporo Beer, is priced to keep you engaged and having a great time. Between the sushi, teppan and wide selection of dinner items, there is something for everyone at Sapporo.
Shimogamo
2051 W. Warner Road, Chandler 480.899.7191, shimogamoaz.com
Shimogamo specializes in small plates, but it scores big points with hearty entrees like its ribeye, salmon, black snapper and Teriyaki spare ribs. Happy hour is easy to remember: every day from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. A large Sapporo Beer is only $4 and sake bombs for only $6.50. Many popular sushi and rolls are discounted, too.
Squid Ink
9947 W. Happy Valley Road, Phoenix 623.561.7747
CityScape, 2 E. Jefferson Street, Phoenix 602.258.0510, squidinksushi.com
Late-night sushi-cravers rejoice. Here’s a place to get sushi as late as 2 a.m. (Phoenix) and midnight (Peoria). Squid Ink is a fusion concept with items ranging from pot stickers, ramen and chicken wings to duck confit and coconut curry shrimp. The sushi menu serves up just about every crowd-pleasing sushi, rolls, and sashimi one could want, including many house specialty rolls. Happy hour daily from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sapporo Beer is on the menu.
SumoMaya
6560 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale
480.397.9520, sumomaya.com
At SumoMaya Mexican-Asian Kitchen, tasty tapas-style small plates meet the big, bold flavors of Latin America and the Far East. SumoMaya’s menu features only the finest, freshest ingredients and boldest flavors from across Latin America and the Far East. The modern restaurant serves up a wide variety of drinks, so diners can get not only their Sapporo Beer and sake, but tequila and margaritas. The social hour is 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Sunday, and a late-night happy hour in the bar only from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m.
LING AND LOUIE’S PICASSO ROLL, KONA GRILL
SAPPORO ROLL, SAPPORO RESTAURANT
OZZY ROLL, SAPPORO RESTAURANT
Fresh VIEWS
Monday through Thursday and 10 p.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday.
Sushi 101
920 E. University Drive, Suite D-101, Tempe
480.317.0101, sushi101tempe.com
Sushi 101 has been schooling Valley residents for more than 15 years. Founded by siblings with true talent for entrepreneurship and a passion for sushi, Sushi 101 has taken great strides to ensure only the best quality ingredients are used by expertly trained chefs. Happy hour is 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. daily, with reverse happy hour from 9 p.m. to close, so you can sip on different beers, like Sapporo Beer.
Sushi Ko
9301 E. Shea Boulevard, Scottsdale 480.860.2960, sushikoscottsdale.com
Serving up tasty sushi since 1995, Sushi Ko has a full menu of appetizers, as well as soups and salads. Tempura, teriyaki, noodle and Katsu dishes as well as a list of house specialty seafood dishes are recommended. Got kiddos? Bring them here for a child’s menu and a wide variety of simple desserts. Sapporo Beer and sake are served, along with other adult beverages. Prices are reasonable at Sushi Ko, which is tucked away next to Chompie’s.
Sushi Station
Desert Ridge Marketplace, 20910 N. Tatum Boulevard, Suite 150, Phoenix
480.513.8699, sushistation88.com
The Kaiten Sushi, also known as “conveyor belt sushi,” concept comes to the Valley from Japan, making dining an adventure.
The menu isn’t limited to raw fish, though. Various fully cooked rolls, dumplings, hand-battered tempura and other dishes are served. Happy hour is 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, during which time sushi starts at $1.50 and drinks like Sapporo Beer are discounted.
Sushiholic
3957 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix 602.956.2354, sushiholicaz.com
The sheer size of Sushiholic’s roll selection is overwhelming—as is the purveyor’s sense of humor. With names (and pictures!) like Shrimp Killer, Booty Booty, Kiss My Tuna, Godzilla Roll, Tootsie Roll, Second Climax and Viva Las Vegas Roll, you can’t help but be curious about all of them. Specialty cocktails like the Naughty Ninja and Sinful Geisha continue the fun. Salads, tempura, teriyaki, appetizers and even a kid’s menu cover all family members. Sapporo Beer lovers will find exceptional pricing, such as $3.75 (12 ounces) and $5.95 (20 ounces). Happy hour virtually never ends with 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. for standard happy hour and reverse happy hour from 8 p.m. to close.
Yoshi Bento
7000 E. Mayo Boulevard, Phoenix 480.747.8057
The chefs at Yoshi Bento not only fill bento boxes with teriyakis, tempuras and salads. They roll sushi creations and simmer pots of Japanese noodle soups. Specialty rolls include the Las Vegas roll laden with fried salmon, crabmeat and eel, and the Scottsdale roll dusted with crunchy powder and a crown of spicy mayo. Sapporo is on the drink list, in addition to wine, sake and green tea.
LING AND LOUIE’S
BEER GEAR
A Touch of Class
Christina Fuoco-Karasinski » The Entertainer!
Beer pairing dinners require brews served on something other than the run-of-themill coaster. Check out the goodies from “the napkins,” a company that produces sophisticated, single-use napkins that mimic expensive linens. Designed in Switzerland and produced in Italy, the napkins recently introduced its first green collection, the Pure Bamboo Line. Made of 100 percent natural bamboo fibers, the products are sustainable and completely compostable.
The napkins is a husband-and-wiferun company that made its U.S. debut in 2015. Inspired by the high-end hotel
and gastronomy world, their dining solutions are the first to fill the niche between premium paper and linen napkins.
For more info, visit https://thenapkinsus.com/. In town, they’re available at Arcadia Farms, 7014 E. First Avenue, Scottsdale, 480.862.2493; and Urbana, 5027 N. 44th Street, Suite B202, Phoenix, 602.957.5066.
https://s3.amazonaws.com/bf.boulder.prod/ohvmba-gevqeo-byy
CALENDAR CASINO ENTERTAINMENT
Megan Marples » The Entertainer!
JUNE 1
Westbound & Down
Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, harrahsakchin.com
JUNE 2
Troubadour
Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, harrahsakchin.com
Britain’s Finest: The Complete Beatles Experience Casino Arizona, casinoarizona.com
JUNE 3
Checker’d Past
Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, harrahsakchin.com
Tim Allen
Talking Stick Resort, talkingstickresort.com
World Fighting Federation Presents Wild Horse Pass Fight Live Mixed Martial Arts Wild Horse Pass Hotel and Casino, wingilariver.com
JUNE 4
Juicy M
The Pool at Talking Stick Resort, releasevip.com
JUNE 6
Stanley Serano Trio
Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, harrahsakchin.com
Saved by the 90210 Trivia Night Casino Arizona, casinoarizona.com
JUNE 7
Jukebox 6
Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, harrahsakchin.com
Thaddeus Rose
Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, harrahsakchin.com
JUNE 8
Love & Faithe
Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, harrahsakchin.com
Average White Band Wild Horse Pass Hotel and Casino, wingilariver.com
JUNE 9
Joe Costello Syndicate
Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, harrahsakchin.com
Bill Engvall Talking Stick Resort, talkingstickresort.com
JUNE 10
Furious George
Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, harrahsakchin.com
JUNE 13
John Eric Duo
Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, harrahsakchin.com
CONCERT TIP
Air Supply
JUNE 30
JUNE 14
Silhouette
Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, harrahsakchin.com
Walkens Trio
Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, harrahsakchin.com
JUNE 15
2 Shades of Blue
Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, harrahsakchin.com
JUNE 16
Chuck E Baby & The Allstars
Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, harrahsakchin.com
JUNE 17
Soundwave
Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, harrahsakchin.com
Bingo Players
The Pool at Talking Stick Resort, releasevip.com
JUNE 20
Stanley Serano Trio
Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, harrahsakchin.com
JUNE 21
Mancini The Band
Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, harrahsakchin.com
Walkens Trio
Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, harrahsakchin.com
Air Supply’s Top 10 hits, “Lost in Love” and “All Out of Love,” quickly ascended the charts in the late 1970s and early 1980s. In 1980, “Lost in Love” was named Song of the Year and Air Supply celebrated selling more than 10 million copies of its chart-topping singles and over 20 million albums. The group was inducted into the Australian Recording Industry Association Hall of Fame in 2013. Desert Diamond Casino, 1100 W. Pima Mine Road, Sahuarita, 520.342.2944, ddcaz.com/event/8788/, 8 p.m., $25-$45.
JUNE 22
XO Duo
Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, harrahsakchin.com
Alice Cooper AVA Amphitheater at Casino del Sol, casinodelsol.com
JUNE 23
Quantum
Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, harrahsakchin.com
Bonfire - A Tribute to AC/DC Casino Arizona, casinoarizona.com
JUNE 24
Walkens
Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, harrahsakchin.com
George Lopez Conference Center at Casino del Sol, casinodelsol.com
JUNE 27
AZ Blacktop Duo
Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, harrahsakchin.com
JUNE 28
Silhouette
Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, harrahsakchin.com
Western Fusion Trio Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, harrahsakchin.com
JUNE 29
Sunny Sauceda
Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, harrahsakchin.com
JUNE 30
John Eric Band
Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, harrahsakchin.com
Hot August Night: A Tribute to Neil Diamond Casino Arizona, casinoarizona.com
Air Supply Desert Diamond Casino, ddcaz.com
they can take me out. I’m more of a troubadour or minister preaching the word. I tell you what’s going on around you.”
But being on stage isn’t as easy as it looks. When Jordan arrives, he looks at fans, freezes for a moment and then melts as listeners warm his heart.
DECLARING ‘ WAR’
because people took notice of us.”
War lead singer/ keyboardist Lonnie Jordan never expected his music to be played on the radio. With War’s blend of horns, funk and lyrics lamenting racism, hunger, gangs and crime, the act was different than anything else across the dial.
Looking back, the 68-year-old feels blessed.
“I didn’t think it would be accepted on the radio or by the people when it was played on the radio,” Jordan says. “I’m really honored. I use the word ‘blessed’
Since the 1970s, War has become one of the most recognizable groups, scoring hits like “Low Rider,” “Spill the Wine,” “The World is a Ghetto,” “The Cisco Kid” and “Why Can’t We Be Friends.” War, officially known as Eric Burdon and War, was honored with 17 gold, platinum or multi-platinum awards.
Jordan says the key to War’s success is having fun with the audience. He stresses he will do that at Casino del Sol’s AVA Amphitheatre on Saturday, July 1.
“When we have fun, it reflects on the people,” he says. “It’s a reflection of all of us. We’re all one when we’re performing. I call them my ‘Rock and Roll Hall of Fans.’
“The fans, they put me here and
“If I didn’t get nervous, I would have to question my talent. It’s bad enough that I don’t have any talent,” Jordan says with a laugh.
“When I shift into second gear, I become on with the people. Then I realize I’m not perfect. I am just like them. They’re watching themselves on stage. It’s an exercise class. You go in there and do your thing. You’re embarrassed for a couple of second, but you just fall right into place.”
One of War’s biggest hits, “Low Rider,” is a crowd favorite and always has been, he says.
“I remember we filmed a video of the lowrider club here in L.A.,” he recalls. “There were the Dukes and the Imperials. They were rival car clubs back then and we helped bring them together.
“That was the first time lowrider cars were seen in a video outside of L.A. We brought it to an Albuquerque lowrider show. The West Coast was the only place that had lowriders at the time.
The Dukes and The Imperials played the song on their cassette stereos.”
Soon, word spread and War took its video to New York. Cheech and Chong featured “Lowrider” in Up in Smoke
“People started freaking out because they had never seen a lowrider bouncing up and down,” he says. “We took it to Japan and Germany and people really started freaking out.”
War’s music has been covered by a myriad of acts ranging from the nu metal act Korn to Latin bands. Jordan says it’s an honor.
“At first, I was like how? Why? I didn’t know,” he explains. “Sometimes I still don’t understand why and how.
“But, at this point of my age, I can see why our music influenced a lot of musicians. It was different from the music being played on the radio, but it opened ears and hearts.”
War/Tierra/Malo with Felipe Esparza and Paul Rodriguez Casino del Sol, AVA Amphitheater, 5655 W. Valencia Road, Tucson, 855.765.7829, casinodelsol.com, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 1, call for ticket prices.
Christina Fuoco-Karasinski » The Entertainer!
THE GLADIATOR
JUNE’S BEST SPORTS EVENTS
Christina Fuoco-Karasinski
» The Entertainer!
Flagstaff Extreme Big Pines Run
JUNE 10 AND JUNE 11
Indulge in the cool climes of Flagstaff with the Big Pine Trail Runs at Fort Tuthill County Park. Runners will experience the Soldiers Trail and Highlands Trail Loop, which winds through the ponderosa pines above 7,000 feet. Hosted by Aravaipa Running, the Big Pines Run eventually tops out on a mesa with expansive views of mountain landscapes before returning to the trees.
Fort Tuthill County Park, 2446 Fort Tuthill Loop, Flagstaff, aravaiparunning.com/big-pine/,
5 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 10 and June 11, $32.07-$96.21.
Phoenix Mercury Home Games
JUNE 10, JUNE 16 AND JUNE 30
The Mercury only has three home games in June, but two of them are special events. June 16 against Chicago is PRIDE Night, presented by Coors Lite, and when Minnesota comes to town on June 30, the hometown squad will pass out 5,000 orange pompoms.
Talking Stick Resort Arena, 201 E. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, 800.745.3000, ticketmaster. com, times and prices vary.
Arizona Rattlers vs. Cedar Rapids Titans
JUNE 11
The Rattlers may be newbies to the Indoor Football League, but
the organization isn’t foreign to the Cedar Rapids Titans. This year marks the team’s sixth season as a professional indoor football franchise and eighth in the IFL. The Titans are led by head coach Marvin McNutt. Talking Stick Resort Arena, 201 E. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, 800.745.3000, ticketmaster. com, 3 p.m. $8-$46.25.
Backyard Games Day
JUNE 17
Wrangle the family and be prepared to compete at Backyard Games Day at WestWorld, which will feature inflatables, bounce houses, a Kids’ Zone for children 5 and younger, and its capstone event, the second annual Arizona State Cornhole Championships. The 120,000-square-foot space will also house vendors from Front Porch Pickins Vintage & Handmade Market and music by DJ Dangerous. WestWorld of Scottsdale, 16601 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, kbkornhole.com/BGD, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., $10, free for children 12 and younger. Registration required to compete.
Flagstaff Pro Rodeo
JUNE 22 TO JUNE 24
The action-packed weekend features bull riding, barrel racing, steer wrestling, tie down roping, bareback riding, saddle bronc and team roping. Coconino County Fairgrounds, 2446 Fort Tuthill Loop, Flagstaff, flagstaffrodeo.com, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. June 22 to June 24, $10-$50.
JUNE 24
Be one of the first 20,000 fans to enter the gates and receive a Star Wars-themed Paul Goldschmidt bobble. Of course, there’s a game, too! The D-backs take on the Philadelphia Phillies and stay late for postgame fireworks.
Chase Field, 401 E. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, 602.462.6500, arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com, 7:10 p.m., $19-$275.
Father’s Day at the Ballpark
JUNE 25
Purchase a special ticket package for the D-backs and Phillies game, and receive a baseball hat for dad. Chase Field, 401 E. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, 602.462.6500, arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com, 1:10 p.m., $19-$275.
Arizona Get Outdoors Expo
JUNE 24 AND JUNE 25
AZGO Expo is an outdoorslover’s dream. It features products and services from all outdoor activities, ranging from yoga to fishing. Guests will experience the latest hunting, fishing and camping gear and technologies, outdoor education and safety clinics, Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Shows, beer sampling, a catchand-release fishing pond and BB gun shooting range.
Pepsi Amphitheatre at Fort Tuthill, 2446 Fort Tuthill Loop, Flagstaff, azgetoutdoors.com, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 24, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 25, $8.
Prescott Frontier Days and World’s Oldest Rodeo
JUNE 28 TO JULY 4
JUNE 24
The Joon Cleavers and Pretty H8 Machines dolls battle it out on the track in an exciting, face-paced game. Children ages 12 and younger get in free.
Peoria Sportsplex, 16083 N. 75th Avenue, Peoria, http://bit. ly/2p5u9i4, 6:30 p.m., $15.
The 130th annual event features seven days of rich western culture and history. The parade on July 1 honors rodeo legend Monty Henson, otherwise known as Hawkeye Henson, a three-time Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association worldchampion saddle bronc rider. A rodeo dance will be held Thursday, July 28, to Saturday, July 1, in the BMO Harris bank parking lot. Throughout Prescott, 928.445.4320, worldsoldestrodeo.com, various times and prices.
CHEER » HIT » HIKE » LEAD » ROOT » COMPETE
Paul Goldschmidt Bobblehead Day
Desert Dolls Roller Derby: Joon Cleavers vs. Pretty H8 Machines
NOT A ‘ POUR’ DECISION
Ballplayers Chris Iannetta and Vernon Wells are partners in wine
Christina Fuoco-Karasinski » The Entertainer!
Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Chris Iannetta knows the value of a friendship—and how to maintain one.
When he and then-fellow Angels player Vernon Wells were on the disabled list together in 2012, they had the forethought to secure their loves of wine and family. The duo started JACK Winery in Napa, California, named after the first initials for their children— Jayce, Ashlyn, Christian and Kylie.
“We became really good friends,” Iannetta says on a bench at Salt River Fields where he took up shop this year. “We were talking about something cool to start to help facilitate our friendship after the game. You’re only teammates for a short amount of time. Life is, hopefully, a lot longer.”
Wells and Iannetta had both come off individual trips to Napa, which the D-back found to be a “cool, relaxed place.” After the idea was hatched, the stars aligned for the duo, who teamed up with Grant Long to create the label.
“We used his label team,” says Iannetta, who caught for Zack Greinke
while on the Angels. “He made the wine for us. We started an online business, but (recently) Vernon bought a vineyard and we’ll work out of there.
“Grant will still be our winemaker. We source our grapes from Diamond Mountain and Howell Mountain, but we’re slowly transitioning; some of the other varietals will come from our vineyard over the next few years. Our Cab and the grapes we use are so good that we want to keep that the same because of the success we’ve had.”
To ensure the wines’ quality, they are shared exclusively through the JACK Allocation List, he says. The allocation includes three bottles of Cabernet Sauvignon and three bottles of Sauvignon Blanc, shipped annually. Additional bottles are available to members only on a case-by-case basis. The membership is $375 per year.
Iannetta, whose parents were born in Italy, says the business side caught him off guard.
“There’s a lot that goes into it,” he says with a laugh. “The fun part is making the wine. With baseball, it’s tough to get up there during that process. So, Grant came down during Spring Training with a bunch of barrel samples. Eventually, we picked the way we wanted our Cab and Sauvignon to taste.
“It’s not easy by any stretch of the imagination. It’s not something you’re going to get rich on. It’s a passion project. I love wine. I love the (Napa) Valley. It’s a cool way to stay in touch with one another, and hopefully it’ll grow into something special.”
For more information about JACK Winery, visit jackwinery.com.
DOUBLE PLAY
The D-backs’ in-game hosts see their fans as family
Christina Fuoco-Karasinski »
The Entertainer!
As the Arizona Diamondbacks’ in-game hosts, Mike Bauer and Vanessa Ramirez have become family to the baseball team’s fans—and each other.
The duo, who energize the crowds with their impromptu banter and games, receive holiday cards, hugs and even birthday presents from fans. Bauer and Ramirez are celebrating their 11th season with the D-backs.
“A lot of fans turn into really good friends,” Ramirez says. “Some of them feel like family. I love the hugs from little kids. The neat part is we’ve seen these kids grow up over the 11 years.”
Bauer and Ramirez were just kids themselves when they were hired by the team. Ramirez, an only child, says she was shy as a youngster, even though she participated in plays, dance and recitals.
“My mom knew I loved the entertainment world,” she adds.
Ramirez’s world was broadened when she enrolled in a public speaking class at Grand Canyon University.
“I knew I wanted to be somewhere in the news world, somewhere in the entertainment business,” she says.
Bauer’s future was a little more challenging. An only child as well, Bauer wanted to be a fireman, astronaut or a professional baseball or football player. One thing he did know: He yearned to be surrounded by sports.
“I moved to Arizona from southern California to go to the ASU Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and
Mass Communication,” he says. “That was my career path. I worked with the Phoenix Roadrunners for a season and found out this job was open.
“I tried out at Fan Fest before the 2007 season. I was standing out on the rotunda outside the ticket offices saying, ‘Hey fans! It’s T-shirt time!’ I impressed the right people and got the job.”
Ramirez was discovered during a fashion show that introduced the D-backs’ new jerseys before the 2007 season.
“They had models walk out with the players,” she says. “I was having fun, being silly and laughing. I think that’s
what got the boss’ attention.”
Ramirez was employed by CW6 at the time. The D-backs tracked her down there and asked her to audition for the in-game host job.
“I took some pictures and after that the rest is history,” she says.
Bauer and Ramirez came together and clicked right away.
“We’re almost like brother and sister because we’ve grown up so much together through all the years,” Ramirez says. “I say he’s my brother from another mother.”
“She’s my sister from another mister,” Bauer adds with a laugh. “It’s fun. There isn’t a single day when I get bummed out about having to work. It’s really cool when people tell me it looks like we’re having fun. We have fun at what we do and that makes it easy.”
Both keep busy schedules. Bauer hosts trivia nights throughout the Valley, as well as Morning Fanatics with K-Ray and Bauer on AM 1580 and FM 99.3 The Fanatic from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. Monday to Friday. Ramirez starts her day at 2:30 a.m. so she can arrive on time for her traffic reporter job at 12 News and
“Our success started with our parents,” Ramirez says about she and her partner. “I’m an only child, like Mike. My parents were really strict growing up. They set me up for success. Just seeing their hard work and dedication made me want to do them proud.”
Ramirez adds that her busy schedule is a piece of cake.
“I get asked all the time how I do all of this,” Ramirez says. “It’s easy because it just doesn’t feel like work. I love what I do. I have a passion for it. We joke with our bosses all the time and ask if we’re going to be here until we’re 50.
“We don’t see ourselves leaving the ballpark. Why would we want to let this go?”
Bauer adds, “It’s amazing to have the relationship we have with the fans. We get Christmas cards and birthday cards. It’s great to see the faces of kids who are walking into the ballpark for the first time, or the first time a little girl sees Baxter. Their eyes are as big as dinner plates. It makes it all worthwhile.”
hosts the local TV show Su Vida
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‘WE WILL BE HEARD’
Brittney Griner exemplifies
Mercury’s motto on and off the court
Israel Gonzalez » The Entertainer!
The Talking Stick Resort Arena court seemed to light up when Brittney Griner, full of smiles and laughter, played rounds of one-on-one basketball with several high school girls attending Phoenix Mercury media day.
Earlier the 26-year-old baller playfully teased with high fives and low fives with a much shorter Mercury employee for a commercial.
She looked loose after being bombarded by the media and answering serious questions about basketball, the upcoming season and hoisting championship banners.
Griner even smiled while talking about being bullied, her sexuality and the advocacy and work she does for the community. But Griner couldn’t keep her smile when she saw the impact of her charity work.
She recalls being on the verge of tears as she handed out shoes, water and even pet food from the back of a van to the homeless in downtown Phoenix as part of her “BG’s Heart and Sole Shoe Drive.”
“I broke down in the middle of the video when we were doing it,” Griner says. “There was a guy and a lady and they were just so happy. They didn’t even care if the shoes fit they were just so happy just to have that.”
The 6-foot 8-inch star center for the Phoenix Mercury has become a staple in the community since the Mercury drafted her in 2013. Embodying a mantra similar to the Mercury’s 2017 motto “We Will Be Heard,” Griner balances community work and basketball as she dominates on the court and revolutionizes the way basketball is played in the WNBA. But
it’s what she is doing off the court that is also game changing.
OFF THE COURT
Griner has always had a penchant for using her platform for advocacy and giving back to the community. She revealed she is a lesbian almost immediately after the draft, generating headlines in the WNBA and LGBT community. Since then, she has inspired the LGBT community and was even selected as a 2014 Phoenix Pride Parade grand marshal.
On the community side, she often volunteers time and autographed merchandise to the Mercury and other Phoenix organizations. She says the spark to give to the community is about staying grounded.
“Just driving around the city and I always notice my surroundings,” Griner says. “I always give out money and stuff like that. If I see somebody out there with a sign, I understand everybody has a hard life. Everybody doesn’t have good opportunities.”
One of Griner’s biggest initiatives in 2016, “BG’s Heart and Sole Shoe Drive,” saw her partner with Mercury and Phoenix Rescue Mission to collect and deliver about 500 shoes to the homeless. The drive came, again, from her just looking out her car window.
“I saw so many homeless people with no shoes on,” Griner says. “And I’m just like, ‘It is entirely too hot in Phoenix. That’s inhumane.’ We have so many shoes. We accumulate so many that we don’t even wear half the time that they can go to a good use instead of just sitting around or signing them and putting them on a stand. I’d rather put them on somebody’s feet who actually needs them.”
Griner plans to have more shoe drives
during the 2017 season and is recruiting WNBA teams to help. It all comes back to helping people and making people happy, the star center says.
“Putting a smile on their face makes the difference for me,” Griner says.
Griner is also a strong advocate against bullying and for LGBT rights. She has made videos for the It Gets Better Project, an organization that helps LGBT youth with inspirational short films. She is raising money to release a “BG:BU” app that would help youth with bullying. Griner is motivated to help after being bullied as a kid.
“Being a black lesbian, just speaking out on all the hatred that we get just because we want to be with somebody that we love. It’s just wrong,” Griner says. “I feel like it’s something that I need to and have to do.”
Griner can also often be seen on her social media embracing young fans—from playful cheerleading routines for Mercury Camp Kids or holding young fans up for photos.
“It’s warming for me,” Griner says. “I mean, we talk about championships, we talk about putting up banners and you know legacies on the court. But just giving back and just having the younger generation, younger girls looking up to you, wanting to be like you, just so excited to even just see you or give you a high five or give you a hug. I mean that’s the most gratifying thing that you can do.”
ON THE COURT
Griner and fellow star Diana Taurasi are the only two players playing for the Mercury from the 2016 roster. Griner, who averaged 14.5 points, 3.1 blocked shots and 6.5 rebounds last season, signed a multiyear contract with Mercury in March and is expected to be
the team’s centerpiece.
“Brittney Griner is the present and the future of the WNBA and we are fortunate to guarantee she continues her growth here in Phoenix,” says Jim Pitman, Mercury’s general manager, in a statement.
The three-time All-Star center signed the contract live on the Phoenix Suns pregame show, telling the hosts that she considers Phoenix a home and that she loves the fans. Griner says she’s also ready to live up to Pitman’s statement.
“It’s big shoes to fill. It used to make me nervous before,” Griner says. “But now I take that as the highest compliment I can get and the highest motivation. Because with that comes expected things. I’m really looking forward to fulfilling those shoes.”
The two-time Defensive Player of the Year says she’s ready to be more aggressive and take on a more vocal role this year.
“This(year’s) Brittney Griner is more focused, more hungry,” Griner says. “I’m playing with a chip on my shoulder.”
Randy Montgomery » The Entertainer!
Walt Disney once said, “Disneyland will never be completed. It will continue to grow as long as there is imagination left in the world.”
This still rings true today as new shows and attractions are constantly being added. Theme park fans have benefited from a rivalry between Disney and Universal over the years to build the biggest, most advanced attractions. Luckily, regional parks have also upped their game, and visitors see additions every year. This summer is no different.
The much-anticipated opening of Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: Breakout! on Memorial Day weekend at Disney California Adventure kicked off a blockbuster season of heroic encounters at the Anaheim resort.
The once-iconic Tower of Terror has been reimagined into a comically high-energy, rocking new adventure starring the character of the popular Marvel series of films. When guests enter The Collector’s Fortress, they encounter interstellar artifacts and creatures. Soon after, an adventure awaits where a lift is boarded and a rescue mission ensues.
Disney is not the only park adding superheroes to the mix. The folks at Six Flags have a partnership with DC Comics and have added themed
attractions to its parks. The most advanced indoor ride to date at a Six Flags park opens this summer at Magic Mountain in Valencia.
Justice League: Battle for Metropolis is billed as “the world’s most innovative motion-based gaming attraction.” Housed in the 23,624-foot Hall of Justice, the thrills last for 4 minutes. Expect to see your favorite Justice League characters, including Harley Quinn.
Travel back to the Old West at Knott’s Berry Farm. Through September 4, the historic Ghost Town comes alive with a variety of interactive, personalized experiences. Pledge allegiance to trouble-making bandits, or save the day alongside the sheriff and his posse. A variety of entertainment accompanies thrilling rollercoasters and classic attractions, such as the Calico Mine Ride and Timber Mountain Log Ride.
Sea World San Diego added
a whole new land, which opened Memorial Day weekend. The centerpiece is Submarine Quest, where adventurers embark on mini submarines and join in on a global mission of scientific discovery. While on the mission, collect data and learn how to help animals. The 3-minute technologically advanced ride enhances understanding of the ocean ecosystem. Three children’s rides and new aquariums round out the new offerings.
the fairytale begins 6.2.17
THE BEST FAMILY EVENTS IN JUNE
Megan Marples » The Entertainer!
Beauty and the Beast
JUNE 2 TO JULY 16
Be the guest of the Arizona Broadway Theatre, have dinner and see Belle and the Beast come to life at the Arizona Broadway Theatre June 2 to July 2. The musical, still presented by the ABT, then heads downtown to the Herberger Theater Center July 7 to July 16. Arizona Broadway Theatre, 7701 W. Paradise Lane, Peoria, 623.776.8400, azbroadway. org/beauty, various times June 2 to July 2, $40-$88. Herberger Theatre Centre, 222 E. Monroe, Phoenix, 602-2528497, azbroadway.org/beauty, various times July 7 to July 16, $37.50-$77.50.
Toys and Playtime Oasis
MONDAYS IN JUNE
Gather the kids or grandkids and play with the goodies at Toys and Playtime Oasis. Complimentary coffee will be served throughout the event for the adults. Socks must be worn. Toys and Playtime Oasis, 13802 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 152, Scottsdale, 480.948.4630, toysandplaytimeoasis.com, 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., $10 per child, free for adults.
Disney’s The Jungle Book, Kids
JUNE 2 TO JUNE 18
Watch one of the Disney movie classics come alive on stage with colorful costumes and lively beats. Performers include Conner Klein, Sierra McDaniel and Maggie Schultz. This is the last show of Fountain Hills Youth Theater’s season. Fountain Hills Theater, 11445 N. Saguaro Boulevard, Fountain Hills, 480.837.9661, fhtaz.org, 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays, $15 to $18.
Western Wednesdays
WEDNESDAYS IN JUNE
Through four different events and fun, hands-on activities, kids ages 6 to 14 will learn about cowboys/cowgirls, animals of the West, Native American crafts, life in a covered wagon, and outlaws and lawmen!
Scottsdale’s Museum of the West, 3830 N. Marshall Way, Scottsdale, 480.686.9539, scottsdalemuseumwest.org, drop in 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., $5 adults and children 6 and older, free to children 5 and under. RSVP requested: education@ scottsdalemuseumwest.org.
The Wizard of Oz: The Musical JUNE 9 TO JUNE 25
Follow Dorothy and Toto as they travel from Kansas to Oz in this magical adventure. Meet beloved characters such as the Scarecrow, Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion along the way. Sixty young stars bring the story to the stage with the help of the Madison Square Garden Theater set and costumes. Herberger Theater Center, 222 E. Monroe Street, Phoenix, 602.252.8497, vyt.com, various times, $16.50 to $34.50.
Mighty Mud Mania
JUNE 10
Climb through muddy obstacles and swing through the air on ropes to cool off this summer. There are courses for every age and skill level. The Original Mud Obstacle Course in designed for ages 7 to 12 and features a variety of fun opportunities to get muddy. The Extreme Course
ups the ante for participants ages 13 and older. Children ages 1 to 3 can splash around in the Muddy Tot area and children ages 4 to 6 can try the Mini Mud Course.
Chaparral Park, 5401 N. Hayden Road, Scottsdale, 480.312.0205, scottsdaleaz.gov, 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., free for kids ages 17 and younger, $10 for those 18 and older.
Mom/Dad Hair Clinic
JUNE 11
Advance booking is required for this class that teaches braiding and other techniques. This is a perfect opportunity for parents to bond with their daughters. Girly Girlz, 15425 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 240, Scottsdale, 480.998.4832, girlygirlz.com, 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., $19.95.
Teddy Bear Tea Party
JUNE 14
Children ages 6 and younger are welcome to bring their favorite stuffed animal to jump around with at AZ Air Time. Throughout the event, complimentary iced tea, lemonade and cookies will be served. Rock wall climbing and the foam pit will also be included in the admission price.
AZ Air Time, 13802 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 145, Scottsdale, 480.427.2000, azairtime.com, 10 a.m. to noon, $5 per hour.
Oz!
JUNE 15 TO JUNE 25
East Valley Children’s Theatre ends its 20th anniversary season with Oz!, based on the book by Tim Kelly. This tale relates the story of a cyclone that carries Dorothy and Toto to the magical Land of Oz with different music. The Cowardly Lion, Scarecrow and Tin Woodsman join Dorothy on a journey to meet the great Oz. After encountering the Wicked Witch of the West and her winged monkeys, Dorothy and her friends find the wizard, who grants them their wishes.
Mesa Arts Center, 1 E. Main Street, Mesa, 480.644.6500,
mesaartscenter.com, 7 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays, $15 adults, $11 children.
Daddy & Daughter Tea Party
JUNE 17
Enjoy a three-course tea party filled with desserts just before Father’s Day. Girls can create a keepsake project in between spins on the dance floor. Reservations required. Girly Girlz, 15425 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 240, Scottsdale, 480.998.4832, girlygirlz.com, 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., $15.95.
Blazin’ Magic Dinner and Show
JUNE 18
Las Vegas magician and performer Kevin Barnes returns to the stage at the Blazin’ M Ranch in Cottonwood after 11,000 performances as the featured act at the Excalibur Hotel on the Las Vegas Strip. Make reservations early for this special Father’s Day event.
Blazin’ M Ranch, 1875 Mabery Ranch Road, Cottonwood, 928.634.0334, blazinm.com, 5 p.m., $19.95-$39.95.
The World’s Largest Swimming Lesson
JUNE 22
Aqua-Tots Swim Schools in Surprise and Peoria are offering free open swim sessions for all ages. Participants will learn how to prevent drowning and the importance of swim lessons. This event will happen at more than 600 locations worldwide over a 24-hour period. Aqua-Tots Swim Schools, 21505 N. 78th Avenue, Suite B-115, Peoria, 623.376.6554; 13833 W. Bell Road, Suite 104, Surprise 623.455.5571, aqua-tots.com, 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., free
BE OUR GUEST
NYC actress playing ‘Belle’ relates to the heroine
Christina Fuoco-Karasinski » The Entertainer!
When Pennsylvania native JillChristine Wiley hits the Arizona Broadway Theatre and the Herberger Theater Center stages to play “Belle” in Beauty and the Beast, she can check that role off her bucket list.
“I have to thank the Arizona Broadway Theatre because they’ve allowed me to check three dream roles off my list,” Wiley says. “I played Ariel, another Disney princess, in The Little Mermaid. I couldn’t ask for anything better.
“I also played Carrie Pipperidge in
Carousel. It’s a role I really wanted to do. Arizona Broadway Theatre has been generous to me. It’s neat playing my second Disney princess, but at the same time, it’s different. I get to explore Ariel’s dynamic and see how Belle differs. I’m creating my own interpretation.”
Beauty and the Beast will be performed at the dinner theater, Arizona Broadway Theatre in Peoria, from Friday, June 2, to Sunday, July 2. It then heads downtown to the Herberger Theater Center from Friday, July 7, to Sunday, July 16.
This role fulfills a longtime wish for Wiley, who saw Beauty and the Beast
first at age 12.
“She’s not necessarily a ‘princess,’” Wiley says of Belle. “She comes from a small provincial town. She dreams of something bigger. She knows she wants to reach beyond her small town. She’s a dreamer, but she’s also an achiever. It’s good for young girls and boys to hear this message of longing for something more; go after your dreams; don’t let any slow-minded people tell you that you can’t because you can.
“She’s a bit of a hero. She’s not the person who needs to be rescued. In turn, she needs the beast. She doesn’t
judge a book by its cover.”
Wiley moved to New York City from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, at age 18 to pursue a career in musical theater. She joined the ensemble for a touring production of Beauty and the Beast, and understudied Belle, a character she can relate to.
“Being a small-town girl, I was dreaming of something more,” she says. “It took me to New York City having high aspirations of performing, traveling the world and hoping for Broadway; to live a successful and fulfilled life as an artist and as a human.”
Wiley says she is not really “nervous” about bringing an iconic figure—one who has been featured in animated and a bigscreen features—to the stage.
“I grew up watching the film,” she says about the animated feature. “It is my job to create this character on my own. I’m going back to the basics. I’m allowing myself to dig into the script and I think it’s more excited than anything to bring her to life.
“It’s so magical, between the lights, costumes, hair and makeup. It becomes a magical event for everyone. People forget the need to compare. I’m embracing the nerves and the excitement all in one.”
Wiley gets the chance to hear her audiences’ thoughts during meet and greets after the Arizona Broadway Theatre shows.
“It feels like Disneyland,” she says with a laugh about her time as Ariel. “They want pictures and they stand there and talk to you. On two-show days, the (producers) have to pull me away for the second show. I just want to stay and talk to these kids a little longer.
“They are what makes the experience for us. They are the magic for me. I can do everything on my end, but what really seals the deal for me are those kids and the reactions they have when they see Belle for the first time. That’s the icing on the cake for me.”
Arizona Broadway Theatre, 7701 W. Paradise Lane, Peoria, 623.776.8400, azbroadway. org/beauty, various times Friday, June 2, to Sunday, July 2, $40-$88.
Herberger Theater Center, 222 E. Monroe, Phoenix, 602-2528497, azbroadway.org/beauty, various times Friday, July 7, to Sunday, July 16, $37.50-$77.50.
THE SHOWMAN
LISTEN » JAM » INNOVATE » EVOLVE » ROCK » SING
A REAL SMALL TOWN BOY
Country singer Dustin Lynch gets the party started for Brad Paisley
Christina Fuoco-Karasinski » The Entertainer!
Country singer Dustin Lynch loves to have a good time.
In April, he performed his hit “Small Town Boy” on Jimmy Kimmel Live, wearing a Matt Damon T-shirt, an ode to one of the host’s bits.
“I was pumped when (Kimmel) said he was cool with me having the T-shirt on,” Lynch says enthusiastically. Lynch upped his public persona further with a big win on Spike TV’s Lip Sync Battle, during which he faced off against fellow country star Cassadee Pope for the coveted championship belt.
The Tullahoma, Tennessee, native
ditched his cowboy hat to show off his “hip-hop swagger” for a performance of Ludacris’ hit “What’s Your Fantasy.” To lock down his victory, Lynch donned a faux mustache and zoot suit for a choreographed rendition of Lou Bega’s song “Mambo No. 5.”
“I knew I had to win,” he says with a laugh. “I was telling myself that if I was going to put myself through this embarrassment, I would need to have a trophy to remember the day.
“I was so out of my element dancing with professional dancers. That’s not really my bag. There was a lot of mental preparation and just going for it. Man, what a fun night. That was probably one of the highlights of my career.”
The country singer is channeling
his trademark sense of humor as well as his love of partying to stages this summer as an opening act for Brad Paisley. The jaunt comes to Ak-Chin Pavilion in Phoenix on Sunday, June 25.
“It’s a big party,” Lynch says of his show. “We’ll carry that party, which starts backstage, to the stage and do what we love to do. There will be no sitting down. You’ll stand up and dance the whole time.”
The set is sure to feature songs from Lynch’s third album due out later this year, including “Small Town Boy.” The song speaks to the “core country audience,” Lynch says about its success.
“It definitely comes from a true place for me,” he says. “I grew up in a little bitty town in Tennessee. This song isn’t about that, though.
“This is a song that’s speaking about true love. It’s about two people loving each other for who they are on the inside and it’s a really, really cool message.”
Lynch has been working on the as-of-yet-unnamed third album for more than three years. (He pauses for a second and says, “Good grief,” when he thinks about that.) He calls “Small Town Boy” a great introduction to the collection.
“It has party elements, which I love,” he says. “That’s what we do. We throw parties every night when we play shows. This album is about love—falling in love, breaking up and getting over that, and making love. That seems to be mostly the theme.
“I don’t know why over the past few years that’s where I’ve gone. I’ve been in relationships, out of relationships. Now I don’t care to be in one. I think everyone’s going to hear that timestamp of my life.”
His sets opening for Paisley will include other new tracks. Lynch calls those moments “special.”
“I love gauging the crowds’ reactions when they first hear a song,” he says. “That’s a special moment, when you play something no one has heard out there.”
With a new tour and a forthcoming album, this year is sure to be busy for Lynch. It’s going to get more hectic, though, as he introduces more items into his men’s and women’s clothing line, Stay Country.
“It keeps me busy,” he says. “It’s a good problem to have. It’s taking off on its own.”
In the meantime, he is focusing on prepping Paisley fans for a night to remember.
“It’s all about setting the scene for Brad,” he says. “I need to get fans fired up, drinking and dancing and prepare them for Brad to melt their faces. The best way to describe it I get them ready to dance and party.”
Brad Paisley w/Dustin Lynch, Chase Bryant and Lindsay Ell Ak-Chin Pavilion, 2121 N. 83rd Avenue, Phoenix, livenation. com, 7 p.m. Sunday, June 25, $23.50-$250.
CALENDAR LIVE MUSIC
JUNE
1
Alice Wallace Band
Rhythm Room, 8 p.m., $8
Chris Hillman & Herb Pedersen
Musical Instrument Museum, 7:30 p.m., $35-$40
Dirtwire
Last Exit Live, 9 p.m., $12-$15
Elephant Revival
191 Toole, 8 p.m., $14-$19
Finite Fiction
Yucca Tap Room, 8 p.m., free MarchFourth Rialto Theatre, 8 p.m., $20-$22
Pro Teens w/ Poison Ivy Peach Trees, James Band, Nanami Ozone, Jade Helm Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $3-$5
Westbrook Trunk Space, 6 p.m., $7
JUNE 2
1Fest
Nile Theater, 6 p.m., $10
24HRS
191 Toole, 8:30 p.m., $15-$50
All Hail the Yeti Yucca Tap Room, 8 p.m., free
A Lot Like Birds w/ Household, Hearts Like Lions, Owel Pub Rock Live, 7 p.m., $13-$15
Chante Moore
BLK Live, 7 p.m., $20
Chris Hillman & Herb Pedersen
Musical Instrument Museum, 7:30 p.m., $35-$40
Cryptopsy
Club Red, 4:30 p.m., $22-$25
Dave Riley w/ Bob Corritore
Blues Band
Rhythm Room, 9 p.m., $8
Goodbye June w/ Badflower Flycatcher, 8:30 p.m., $10
Hellyeah Marquee Theatre, 8 p.m., $25-$45
Lady Antebellum w/ Kelsea Ballerini, Brett Young
Ak-Chin Pavilion, 7:30 p.m., $33$205.25
MarchFourth
Crescent Ballroom, 7:30 p.m., $20$23
Mode for Joe – The Music of Joe Henderson
The Nash, 7:30 p.m., free
Never Let This Go w/ Baseline
Rebel Lounge, 7:30 p.m., $10-$12
T.I.
Rialto Theatre, 8:30 p.m., $53-$302
Tigers Jaw
Nile Theater, 7 p.m., $15-$17
JUNE 3
Alvin “Youngblood” Hart Rhythm Room, 6 p.m., $12-$15
Authority Zero
Marquee Theatre, 6:30 p.m., $20$35
Bad News Blues Band
Rhythm Room, 9 p.m., $8
Expanders w/ Dubbest, Straight Villain
191 Toole, 8 p.m., $10-$12
Little Hurricane Valley Bar, 7:30 p.m., $13-$15
Morgan James
Musical Instrument Museum, 7 p.m., $35-$40
Skating Polly
Nile Theater, 7 p.m., $8-$10
Stitched Up Heart
Pub Rock Live, 8 p.m., $12-$15
JUNE 4
Bush
Marquee Theatre, 7:30 p.m., $45$250
Hot Club of Cowtown
Musical Instrument Museum, 7 p.m., $35-$40
Nina Diaz
Rebel Lounge, 7:30 p.m., $10-$12
Planet Booty Valley Bar, 8 p.m., $10
Spirit in the Room
Yucca Tap Room, 8 p.m., free Vader Club Red, 5 p.m., $20-$25
JUNE
5
The Birthday Massacre Pub Rock Live, 8 p.m., $25 Graves at Sea Club Red, 6 p.m., $13-$15
Jackie Greene Musical Instrument Museum, 7 p.m., $30-$35
Jaime Wyatt Rhythm Room, 8 p.m., $8-$10
Yngwie Malmsteen Marquee Theatre, 6:30 p.m., $25$45
JUNE
6
Hot Club of Cowtown 191 Toole, 8 p.m., $12-$15
Jackie Greene
Musical Instrument Museum, 7 p.m., $30-$35
Lewis Del Mar Valley Bar, 8 p.m., $12-$15
Samothrace w/ He Whose Ox Is Gored
Yucca Tap Room, 8 p.m., $12
Yngwie Malmsteen Rialto Theatre, 8 p.m., $26-$46
JUNE 7
’68 w/ Listener
Pub Rock Live, 7:30 p.m., $13-$15
The Cave Singers Valley Bar, 8 p.m., $12-$15
Hurray for the Riff Raff Crescent Ballroom, 8:30 p.m., $20
Indigenous Rhythm Room, 8 p.m., $18-$20
The O’Connor Band
Musical Instrument Museum, 7 p.m., $40-$60
Seether Marquee Theatre, 8 p.m., $32.50$295
Strawberry Girls
FiftyOne West, 6 p.m., $10-$12
TajMo: The Taj Mahal & Keb’ Mo’ Band
Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, 7:30 p.m., $47$105
Whores Rebel Lounge, 7:30 p.m., $10-$12
JUNE 8
Chris Potter Quartet Musical Instrument Museum, 7:30 p.m., $30-$35
Curley Taylor & Zydeco
Trouble Rhythm Room, 8 p.m., $10
Inna Vision Last Exit Live, 8:30 p.m., $10-$12
Roger Waters
JUNE 14
Gila River Arena, 8 p.m. $50.25-$449
With his first rock album in nearly 25 years, Is This the Life We Really Want?, set for release June 2, former Pink Floyd bassist/ saxophonist Roger Waters is set to bring his show to the Gila River Arena stage. Likely performing classics and new songs, Waters will light up Glendale.
Connor Dziawura » The Entertainer!
JMSN
Valley Bar, 8 p.m., $12-$14
Lords of Beacon House
Yucca Tap Room, 8 p.m., free
Mission G RockBar, 6 p.m., $10
Walshy Fire Pressroom, 8 p.m., $20-$480
JUNE
9
Alborosie Livewire, 7 p.m., $17
The Anniversary Rebel Lounge, 8 p.m., $17-$20
Boston
Comerica Theatre, 7:30 p.m., $39.50-$96
Cold Shott & the Hurricane Horns Rhythm Room, 9 p.m., $8
Cryptic Wisdom
Club Red – West, 7 p.m., $12-$15
The Deslondes 191 Toole, 8 p.m., $10-$12
Jean-Luc Ponty Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, 8 p.m., $35-$75
Nora En Pure
Maya Day + Nightclub, 10 p.m., free Pink Floyd Laser Spectacular
Marquee Theatre, 8 p.m., $27-$37
Surprise Guest w/ The Sink or Swim, Foresteater, Mr. Mudd & Mr. Gold, The Lonesome Wilderness
Last Exit Live, 8 p.m., $5-$7
Take Over and Destroy Yucca Tap Room, 8 p.m., free
Tom Segura
Rialto Theatre, 7 p.m., $36-$66
Young and in the Way Pub Rock Live, 7 p.m., $13-$15
JUNE
10
The Atomic Punks w/ Mötley Inc.
Rialto Theatre, 8 p.m., $20-$22 Cancer Benefit Show for Christopher Caminiti Nile Theater, 7 p.m., $5
Destruction w/ Warbringer, Jungle Rot, Demons Within Joe’s Grotto, 6 p.m., $22-$65
Free Throw
Rebel Lounge, 8 p.m., $12-$14
Merchandise
Valley Bar, 7:30 p.m., $13-$15
Plena Libre
Musical Instrument Museum, 7:30 p.m., $30-$42
Soul Power Band
Rhythm Room, 9 p.m., $8
JUNE 11
Candy Dulfer
Musical Instrument Museum, 6 p.m. and 8 p.m., $30-$50
Chicago w/ The Doobie Brothers
Ak-Chin Pavilion, 7:30 p.m., $25$350
Kevin Devine
Rebel Lounge, 8 p.m., $13-$15
Monarch w/ Ocelot
Yucca Tap Room, 8 p.m., free
Redek w/ 3rd Ocean, Jegus
Club Red – West, 7:30 p.m., $10-$12
Rival Coast w/ The Ricky Fitts, The Breaking Pattern, Rio
Wiley
Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $12
TWRP
Valley Bar, 8 p.m., $12-$15
JUNE 12
Acoustic Alchemy
Musical Instrument Museum, 7 p.m. and 9 p.m., $32-$40
L.A. Guns
Rebel Lounge, 8 p.m., $25-$28
Unwed Sailor
Valley Bar, 8 p.m., $10
JUNE 13
Acoustic Alchemy
Rialto Theatre, 8 p.m., $25-$34
Phoenix
Marquee Theatre, 8 p.m., $40-$60
Reeve Carney
Valley Bar, 8 p.m., $15-$18
(Sandy) Alex G
Rebel Lounge, 8 p.m., $14-$17
Sarah Jarosz
Musical Instrument Museum, 7 p.m., $35-$42
Wizzerd
Yucca Tap Room, 8 p.m., free
JUNE 14
Coin
Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $15.50$18.50
Drab Majesty w/ Xeno & Oaklander
Valley Bar, 8 p.m., $10-$12
Enrique Iglesias w/ Pitbull
Talking Stick Resort Arena, 7:30 p.m., $55.20-$570.25
John Nemeth
Rhythm Room, 8 p.m., $13-$16
John Popper
BLK Live, 7 p.m., $28.50
Roger Waters
Gila River Arena, 8 p.m., $50.25$449
Sarah Jarosz
Musical Instrument Museum, 7 p.m., $35-$42
Shawn James & the Shapeshifters
Yucca Tap Room, 8 p.m., free
Wanderer
Rebel Lounge, 7:30 p.m., $8-$10
JUNE 15
Rebelution
Mesa Amphitheatre, 5:30 p.m., $30
Stallion (Ween Tribute)
Yucca Tap Room, 8 p.m., free
Trace Adkins
Marquee Theatre, 7 p.m., $10.25
ZOSO
Rialto Theatre, 8 p.m., $20-$23
JUNE 16
BoDeans
Musical Instrument Museum, 7 p.m. and 9 p.m., $40-$50
Damien Escobar Livewire, 7 p.m., $45-$50
Doyle Club Red, 6 p.m., $18-$50
El West Valley Bar, 7:30 p.m., $5-$8
The Sugar Thieves
Rhythm Room, 9 p.m., $8
The Venomous Pinks
Yucca Tap Room, 8 p.m., free
JUNE 17
Brit Floyd Comerica Theatre, 8 p.m., $35-$45
Cory Branan Valley Bar, 7:30 p.m., $12-$14
Darling Skye Underground, 6 p.m., $11
Dr. Lonnie Smith
Musical Instrument Museum, 7 p.m., $35-$40
R.A. the Rugged Man
Rebel Lounge, 9 p.m., $16-$20
Ronstadt Generations Rhythm Room, 6 p.m., $15
Sister Hazel Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $22-$35
Twisted Insane Club Red – West, 7 p.m., $10-$13
ZOSO
Marquee Theatre, 8 p.m., $20
Future w/ Migos, A$AP Ferg, Zoey Dollaz
JUNE 27
Ak-Chin Pavilion, 7 p.m. $26-$245
Following the success of two back-to-back No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200 with Future and HNDRXX, prolific rapper Future is returning to Phoenix. With support from fellow Atlanta trio Migos, which is still processing the success of its sophomore album Culture and its single “Bad & Boujee,” as well as A$AP Mob member A$AP Ferg, fans are sure to flock to this Ak-Chin Pavilion stop.
JUNE 18
An Evening with Diane Schuur “American Songbook”
Musical Instrument Museum, 6 p.m., $40-$45
Big D & The Kids Table w/ Left Alone, The Doped Up Dollies Yucca Tap Room, 7 p.m., $15
Black Lips
Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $20-$22
Corky Laing Plays Mountain Club Red, 7 p.m., $16-$18
JUNE 19
Blood Incantation w/ Gatecreeper, Qrixkour Yucca Tap Room, 8 p.m., price?
My Jerusalem 191 Toole, 8 p.m., $10
JUNE 20
The Brothers Comatose
Last Exit Live, 9 p.m., $10-$12
Girlpool
Rebel Lounge, 8 p.m., $12-$14
Great Electric Quest
Yucca Tap Room, 8 p.m., free
Hellyeah
Rialto Theatre, 8 p.m., $26-$31
Morbid Angel
Marquee Theatre, 7 p.m., $27
Sweet Crude Valley Bar, 8 p.m., $10
JUNE 21
Django Festival All-Stars
Musical Instrument Museum, 7 p.m., $35-$40
Donavon Frankenreiter Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $25-$38
Pope Paul & The Illegals Yucca Tap Room, 8 p.m., free
JUNE 22
Fictionist Valley Bar, 8 p.m., $10-$12
Supersuckers w/ Jesse Dayton Rhythm Room, 8 p.m., $13-$16
Vans Warped Tour Fear Farm, 11 a.m., $49-$59.50
JUNE 23
Double Blues Dynamite Rhythm Room, 9 p.m., $10-$12
Hook N Sling
Maya Day + Nightclub, 10 p.m., free
Peter Bradley Adams Valley Bar, 7:30 p.m., $15
Queen + Adam Lambert
Gila River Arena, 8 p.m., $44.75$720.25
The Rat Pack
BLK Live, 8 p.m., $20
The Real Fits
Rebel Lounge, 8 p.m., $8-$10
The Rifle w/ The Echo Bombs Yucca Tap Room, 8 p.m., free
Summer Showcase 23 Marquee Theatre, 6 p.m., $10
JUNE 24
Gordon Lightfoot
The Showroom at Talking Stick Resort, 8 p.m., $60-$100
Katastro
Marquee Theatre, 6:30 p.m., $20
Rock to Cure Cancer
Yucca Tap Room, 7 p.m., free
Zao
Nile Theater, 7 p.m., $15
JUNE 25
Brad Paisley w/ Dustin Lynch,
Chase Bryant, Lindsay Ell
Ak-Chin Pavilion, 7 p.m., $31.25$149
Dave Vitagliano
Yucca Tap Room, 7 p.m., free
Dirty Audio w/ Crankdat
Maya Day + Nightclub, 12 p.m., free
Dirty Dozen Brass Band
191 Toole, 8 p.m., $22-$25
Hot Texas Swing Band
Rhythm Room, 7 p.m., $8-$10
Tengger Cavalry
Club Red, 6 p.m., $14-$16
JUNE 26
Dirty Dozen Brass Band
Musical Instrument Museum, 7 p.m., $32-$40
Streetlight Manifesto
Marquee Theatre, 8 p.m., $20-$40
JUNE 27
Alice Smith
Musical Instrument Museum, 7 p.m., $35-$40
Droids Attack w/ Sweeper
Yucca Tap Room, 8 p.m., free
Everclear
Marquee Theatre, 6:30 p.m., $36$225
Fit for an Autopsy
Nile Theater, 6:30 p.m., $12-$14
Motel Radio
Rebel Lounge, 8 p.m., $10-$12
Ted Nugent
Celebrity Theatre, 8 p.m., $50-$70
Tiger Army w/ Murder By Death
Rialto Theatre, 7 p.m., $23-$26
JUNE 28
Andrew Bird
Rialto Theatre, 8 p.m., $35-$45
Future w/ Migos, A$AP Ferg, Zoey Dollaz
Ak-Chin Pavilion, 7 p.m., $26-$245
Iron Maiden w/ Ghost
Talking Stick Resort Arena, 7:30 p.m., $64.75-$270
Mariachi Flor de Toloache
Musical Instrument Museum, 7 p.m., $27-$35
Wednesday 13
Club Red, 6 p.m., $15-$18
Queen + Adam Lambert JUNE 23
Gila River Arena, 8 p.m. $44.75-$720.25
This summer, the remaining members of the legendary rock band will kick off their tour with American Idol alum Adam Lambert on vocals. Lambert’s wide range, falsetto and theatricalities match perfectly with the classic songs written by Freddie Mercury and company. Six years after combining their talents, Brian May, Roger Taylor and Lambert are still packing stadiums and enthralling audiences with memorable hits like “Bohemian Rhapsody” and “We Will Rock You.”
White Reaper w/ Ron Gallo Valley Bar, 8 p.m., $12-$15
Year of the Fist
Yucca Tap Room, 8 p.m., free
JUNE 29
Fort Defiance
Yucca Tap Room, 8 p.m., free
Kid Swift
Club Red – West, 7 p.m., $10-$15
Russ Rawhide, 7 p.m., $27-$37
JUNE 30
Agent Orange
191 Toole, 8 p.m., $12-$15
Animus Complex
Club Red – West, 5:30 p.m., $10-$13
Black Marble Valley Bar, 7:30 p.m., $12-$15
Chon
Crescent Ballroom, 6 p.m., $20-$23
The Delgado Brothers Rhythm Room, 9 p.m., $12
The Districts Club Congress, 7:30 p.m., $12-$15
Orchin
Trunk Space, 7 p.m., $5
Radio Moscow
Rebel Lounge, 8 p.m., $15-$17
Santana
Ak-Chin Pavilion, 8 p.m., $20-$310
Sean Rowe
Musical Instrument Museum, 7:30 p.m., $20-$27
The Watchers
Yucca Tap Room, 8 p.m., free
THE NEW STANDARD
American Standards get personal on new album
Madison Rutherford
» The Entertainer!
Brandon Kellum is the selfproclaimed Clark Kent of hardcore.
By day, he works with a team of analytic consultants and project managers for a large financial company. His “alter ego” is the vocalist of Phoenix metalcore band American Standards.
“I take off the tie and turn into Superman,” he jokes.
Kellum, 31, is no stranger to balancing work and play. He has been a musician in Arizona bands for nearly half his life.
American Standards formed in 2011 and quickly became a staple in the local hardcore scene, accruing steadfast fans in Phoenix and rapidly garnering national and international attention. They signed to a subset of Victory Records shortly after their first self-titled EP. Since then, they have released four albums, including their newest fulllength, Anti-Melody. The band, who returns to town to play The Nile on Saturday, June 24, has kept things fresh with lyrics that oscillate between politics and personal struggle.
“I’ve seen the cycles over time where music starts off… it progressively gets heavier and heavier into hardcore and metal and people get burnt out from all the noise and it just recycles right back to the beginning,” Kellum says. “I think we’ve always paralleled the popular style of music and we’re never
exactly the model for what fits into hardcore or punk rock or metal, we’re just somewhere on the side of it and because of that, I think promoters and venues don’t know what to do with us.”
Kellum says they have been put on bills with bands that range from death metal to indie rock to pop punk, which has helped expose them to a variety of different crowds.
“It also kind of hurts us because we go in as the underdog where we don’t fit in with the four other bands that sound very similar to each other, so it’s a lot of people scratching their heads at first and they either really love it because we’re completely different or they hate it because it just doesn’t fit the mold,” he says.
The album’s heaviness in sound is underscored by the heavy topics explored throughout each track. Kellum says it is, by far, the band’s most personal album, written in the wake of the loss of his father to cancer and the unexpected suicide of the band’s lead guitarist, Cody Conrad, in 2015.
“I almost hesitated to write such a personal album but I felt like I needed to. When those two big things happened, they made me rethink how I wanted the lyrics,” Kellum explains. “I definitely wanted to include some of the stuff that we had talked about in the past, especially in our political climate now… but at the same time I needed to talk about the experience with my dad and the experience with Cody… and that’s something I just never really did.”
Prior to Anti-Melody, Kellum
avoided including extreme emotions like love and hate in his music.
“I felt like they were cliché and I didn’t really have a lot to add to those conversations,” he says. “I’m not belting out love ballads and I’m not writing these really angry, hateful songs. We’re doing something musically that’s so different and out-of-the-box, and then if I make it personal, when someone takes a jab and says, ‘I don’t like this,’ it’s going to be even harder to take that jab if someone’s hating something that’s so personal to you, so that’s kind of what I struggled with for quite awhile.”
According to Kellum, writing and recording Anti-Melody was therapeutic and helped him cope with and overcome the tragic events. Kellum explains that the album also serves as a snapshot in time, documenting his emotional evolution and maturation, both musically and personally.
“I think back to some of my first bands and all we talked about was, ‘My girlfriend broke up with me’ and then you get a little bit older and some real shit starts happening and you’re like, ‘Damn, that stuff meant nothing,’” he says. “That stuff passed in a week, but you’re so stuck in the moment and it’s good and bad. If you had all ups, you would never appreciate the ups. One makes you appreciate the other.”
The album’s first single, “Writer’s Block Party,” amassed widespread exposure and acclaim, but it also gave way to a fair share of criticism. However, the vocalist never lost his humility or ability to laugh things off.
“We had slowly grown for five years as a band, and most people either liked us or they loved us… we never really had a lot of people that overtly went out of their way to hate us a lot,” he says.
“With this last song we put out though, we got exposed to such a big crowd of people that hadn’t heard us before, and we get all these comments from people that are really loving it and really connecting to the message, but then we get a lot of hate comments too and we’ve got so many people that are bashing us, but not like ‘I hate this song’ or ‘I hate this message, it’s just like, ‘You guys look real dumb’ or ‘You guys are a bunch of nerds,’ so that to me is funny… they’re not bashing on me, they’re just hating on the way I look. Most people tell me if people are really going out of their way to creatively hate you, that means you’re doing something right.”
Kellum says “Writer’s Block Party” is the most lighthearted and tongueand-cheek song on the album.
“I almost wonder if we’re completely throwing people off putting that out as the first single because there’s a lot of heavy topics on this album,” he says.
“In a way I see it as a preface or a prelude to the album. What it’s kind of morphed into is almost looking at the album as a whole piece of art. ‘Writer’s Block Party’ was me determining, ‘Do I want to write with a very personal narrative and if so, how are people going to receive that personal narrative knowing that our music is kind of polarizing in some ways where people either love it or hate it?’ That’s what the song is about, the idea of us writing what we want on our own terms and putting it out there regardless of the fact that it might not fit into the mold that people are used to.”
For Kellum, art imitates life. He acknowledges that American Standards aren’t the fastest, heaviest or most technical band in the hardcore scene, but their message is authentic and unwavering.
“We didn’t want to compete with being the most of something. We just wanted to be what we enjoyed,” he says. “We have parts that are fast and slow and technical and not technical, but I think those parts make you appreciate them, whereas you have one band that’s shredding non-stop and you say, ‘What’s your favorite riff?’ and you can’t even pull out one because it’s all crazy. So that’s kind of life too, right? You have to have the ups and downs to make it stand out.”
For American Standards, the music has always been about the message.
“Hardcore made me realize you don’t have to be so musically talented you just have to have something good to say.”
Zao w/Colombian Necktie Seizures, Flying Scorpion and American Standards, The Nile, 105 W. Main Street, Mesa, 480.559.5859, niletheater.com, 7 p.m. Saturday, June 24, $15.
SIP
THE BEST NIGHTLIFE EVENTS FOR JUNE
Christina Fuoco-Karasinski
» The Entertainer!
ALPHA 9
JUNE 3
Russian-born trance and progressive house DJ/producer Artem Stoliarov is known throughout the electronic music community as ARTY. This summer, he’s revamping his ALPHA 9 project, which began with the song “The Night is Ours.” Stoliarov says this moniker allows him to “feel like a kid again.” Alpha 9, w/Spencer Brown, Monarch Theatre, 122 E. Washington Street, Phoenix, relentlessbeats.com, 9 p.m., $15$40.
Juicy M
JUNE 4
London-based singer Dani Somerside, who performs as Juicy M, is celebrating the April release of her single, “Fire & Ice.” She says the song echoes life’s constant struggles, along with the love of friends, family and fans that gives her energy to continue. The song is out on her indie imprint Top Flite Music. The Pool at Talking Stick Resort, 9800 E. Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale, relentlessbeats.com, 11 a.m., free.
Nora En Pure
JUNE 9
A South African-Swiss deep and tech house DJ/producer, Nora En Pure is best known for her 2013 hit,
“Come with Me.” She is also part of the music group Helvetic Nerds with EDX and Chris Reese. In February, she released the EP Conquer Yosemite
Maya Day and Nightclub, 7333 E. Indian Plaza, Scottsdale, mayaclubaz.com/events, 10 p.m., free, reservations required.
Maximono
JUNE 9
Led by Sebastian Wolters and Nick Hill, Maximono call its music a “norules” mix of bass, hip-hop, jungle, trap and Oriental beats. Bar Smith, 130 E. Washington Street, Phoenix, relentlessbeats. com, 9 p.m., $10-$15.
Autograf
JUNE 10
Two art students and a derivatives trader created Autograf, a shimmery mix of futuristic electronic with a DIY ethos that melds the skills from their former day jobs. Jake Carpenter, Louis Kha and Mikul Wing have remixed songs by Lorde, Pharrell and Clean Bandit with Sean Paul. The trio made its Big Beat Records debut with the song “You Might Be” featuring Lils. Combining its passion for art, fashion and music, Autograf recently opened a Future Factory art gallery in Bangkok, and revealed its streetwear line.
Shady Park, 26 E. University Drive, Tempe, relentlessbeats. com, 9 p.m., $20.
DJ Quik
JUNE 10
David Blake has released nine
albums under the stage name DJ Quik, including his 1991 platinum-selling debut Quik is the Name. He has collaborated with many renowned musicians throughout the course of his career, including Jay-Z and Tupac.
Livewire, 7320 E. Indian Plaza, Scottsdale, 480.970.1112, livewireaz.com, 7:30 p.m., $20.
Raekwon
JUNE 14
Corey Woods, better known as Raekwon, has hit the road in support of his critically acclaimed indie album, The Wild, which was released earlier this year. Raekwon found fame as a member of Wu-Tang Clan, but also released eight studio albums and garnered multiple industry awards including the coveted album of the year prize from the hip-hop site HipHopDx.
Livewire, 7320 E. Indian Plaza, Scottsdale, 480.970.1112, livewireaz.com, 7:30 p.m., call for ticket prices.
Hook N Sling
JUNE 23
Anthony Maniscalco, better known by his stage name, Hook N Sling, is an Australian DJ/producer who kickstarted his career in the early 2000s. His first hit, 2011’s “Take You Higher,” topped iTunes charts in Belgium and Italy. He has collaborated with several top artists including Nervo, Pusha T, Galantis and Sam Feldt. In 2015, he was
ranked No. 11 on the Billboard Next Big Sound chart.
Maya Day and Nightclub, 7333 E. Indian Plaza, Scottsdale, mayaclubaz.com/events, 10 p.m., free, registration required.
Camo & Krooked
JUNE 24
Austrian electronic music producers/artists Camo & Krooked are known to their mothers as Reinhard Rietsch and Markus Wagner, respectively. In March, they released the singles “Good Times Bad Times” and “Honesty.” Their new album, Mosaik, premiered May 26. Monarch Theatre, 122 E. Washington Street, Phoenix, relentlessbeats.com, 9 p.m., $15-$30.
Dirty Audio + Crankdat
JUNE 25
Dirty Audio is an American trap DJ/producer who began releasing music in 2012. During his career, he gained support from top producers such as Tiesto, Diplo, Steve Aoki and DJ Snake. Earlier this year, he released the song “Roller Coaster” with Max Styler. American dubstep DJ/producer Christian Smith performs under the name Crankdat and garnered national attention in 2015 with the release of his remix of Fetty Wap’s hit, “Trap Queen.” His remix has amassed more than 120 million streams and he boasts over 1.5 million streams on Spotify. Recently, he released a remix of the track “Frontlines,” a collaboration between Zeds Dead and NGHTMRE. He was also featured as one of Your EDM’s “Top 40 Artists to Watch in 2017.” Maya Day and Nightclub, 7333 E. Indian Plaza, Scottsdale, mayaclubaz.com/events, noon, free, registration required.
MUSIC IN THE MOMENT
Autograf brings cool, breezy sounds to headphones and dance floors
Connor Dziawura » The Entertainer!
For Chicago-based electronic group Autograf, creating and releasing music isn’t a longplanned process. Formed by art students Jake Carpenter and Mikul Wing, and derivatives trader Louis Kha, Autograf maintains a unique place in the chilled-out, downtempo world of EDM.
“The way we make music now is very in the moment, so it’s like, ‘How do we feel right now?’” says Kha, whose group plays Shady Park in Tempe on Saturday, June 10. “And if we can get the song out fast, then I feel like it’s a good reflection of who Autograf is, as opposed to making a song that’s going to come out many months later.”
While the talented trio unites to create an easy-going, summer-friendly sound, Carpenter, Wing and Kha come with a variety of influences and musical backgrounds outside of their former day jobs.
Kha played violin and guitar as a teenager, whereas Carpenter took up the marimba. When it comes to its influences, the group is equally eclectic. While some of its members grew up on classic rock and metal, Wing cites artists like Nine Inch Nails and Aphex Twin as being bridges to his love of electronic music. Later on, performers like The Faint, Justice and Tycho would lend a hand to the eventual formation and evolution of Autograf.
The group also shows its range of influences through its remixes, which have consisted of songs by artists like Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder to Pharrell, Lorde and Fatboy Slim.
“We just kind of look for that part of the song that really latches onto us and how we think we can really reimagine it and make it into something completely different and new without ruining the original version of that track, so we’re kind of building upon it,” Wing says.
“Every week we get sent tons of different tracks to remix, and we go through them and really are looking for those songs that we think we can do something different to them,” he adds.
Because of the group’s background in art, Autograf places a strong importance on the visual aspect of their music and stage setup.
“We’re really DIY with everything we’ve done,” Wing says. “With our last tour, we built all the lighting rigs for it and the art sculptures that are on stage with us, and they interact with the music, controlled through Ableton as well. There’s this fluidity between the music and the visuals for our shows.”
But unlike many other electronic artists, Autograf doesn’t simply just DJ. It is important to the trio to incorporate live instrumentation into its performances. While this was inspired partially by early tours with fellow artists like Tycho, it ultimately comes down to the group’s backgrounds with other genres, Kha says.
“Really it was just me having a conversation one day with Jake randomly, finding out that he played the marimba in high school,” he explains. “And I
thought that was a really unique and different instrument, so pretty much the next day we bought a marimba and started incorporating that into our show, and from then on out, we just added more and more and more.”
As Autograf has grown since its first SoundCloud uploads in 2013, Kha, Wing and Carpenter have spread their music across numerous platforms, from small, intimate club shows to large-scale festivals like Coachella and Electric Forest. But the group is quick to admit it loves both outlets.
“There’s definitely different vibes between both of them,” Wing says.
“The small ones are nice because you can actually connect on a personal level with people and actually meet fans afterwards, whereas you can’t really do that at a festival,” Kha explains.
On May 19, the group released its new single, “Simple,” which features vocals from Victoria Zaro, who was previously featured on The Chainsmokers’ 2015 single “New York City.”
“I’d say it’s carefree; it’s fun,” says Kha of “Simple.” “The lyrics say you don’t have to try too hard. It’s simple. I think that’s all it is. It’s just an anthem for the summer, just to live in the moment and be free…we’re really excited about it.”
“We’ve been enjoying just putting singles out, but at a pretty fast rate,” he adds. “We did an EP (Future Soup) last year that was meant to be more of a body of work, but right now we’re just kind of making individual songs that stand on their own. We’ve been putting one out almost every month, or every other month, and we’re just going to continue to do that for the rest of this year, I’d say.”
Autograf
Shady Park, 26 E. University Drive, Tempe, relentlessbeats. com, 9 p.m. Saturday, June 10, $20, 21 and older
Melissa
As the temperature rises in the Valley, so does the musical talent that’s coming through the area. On Friday, June 30, experience the immersive talent of electronic music producer What So Not. Aussie producer Chris Emerson founded the electronic music project in 2011 as a duo consisting of Emerson and Harley Edward Streten, who later left What So Not to form his own
project, Flume.
From the start, What So Not dominated the Sydney club scene with dance floor hits. Emerson has been streamed millions of times and has released records through Sweat It Out and Skrillex’s OWSLA. What So Not crisscrosses genres, traversing hip hop, trap and bass, creating an experimentally beautiful sound. This year, the producer closed out Coachella with a high-energy set. According to published reports, it won’t be long until What So Not starts dropping new tracks into his sets.
“I’ve got so much new music—it’ll last me for the next few years, probably,” he says. “I’ve got about 100 demos and 35 full songs.
Catch all the heat What So Not is bringing to the Valley on June 30.
What So Not
The Pressroom, 441 W. Madison Street, Phoenix, relentlessbeats.com, 9 p.m. Friday, June 30, $20-$250
Szenda » The Entertainer!
MAD MIXOLOGIST
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Photos by Tim Sealy
Allison Ryan likens being a bartender at Kona Grill’s Scottsdale Fashion Square location to working as a counselor— and she’s good at it.
“I really love talking to people and interacting with them,” Ryan says. “I love hearing people’s stories. I love helping people. I love all the regulars that I have. they sometimes give me advice. That’s how I met a couple of my best friends.”
Ryan started her career with Kona Grill eight years ago as a hostess in Colorado, the state in which she grew up. When management realized she was overqualified, she was became a server.
From there, she worked as a cocktail server, lead manager, bartender and corporate trainer.
She transferred here to marry her husband, a fellow Kona Grill employee whom she met at a restaurant opening. She works Monday through Friday at Scottsdale Fashion Square.
“It’s been my home for eight years now,” she says. “I’ve opened 18 restaurants for them. Kona Grill isn’t just an employer. It’s family.
“What I love about the company is that it’s growing at a rapid pace, but it recognizes the people who become servers or hosts and they move up through the ranks. They are promoted to manager or district manager. A district manager in our company was a general manager and now he’s a district manager for nine restaurants. They look within. They really care about their employees and that’s what I love.”
The Entertainer! recently sat down with the mixologist to dish on all things behind his bar.
Tell me about the oddest drink request you’ve received. This is probably my favorite. About three months ago, a lady at the bar ordered a red cabernet with Coke— inside the wine glass. It took me aback, but there’s not judgment over here! I don’t know what she liked about it. Maybe it was the carbonation?
What is your No. 1 pet peeve when working?
My No. 1 pet peeve is when a guest snaps their fingers, whistles or shouts, or says ‘Hey!’ after I introduce myself— especially when I’m talking to another guest. They see me talking to someone, then they’re rude about it. It’s weird. It happens more than people think. I am very efficient. I’m very aware of everybody and what they need. It’s those people who are very impatient.
What is your go-to drink?
My go-to drink at Kona Grill is the Moscow mule. The reason for that is Tito’s Vodka is my favorite vodka because it’s gluten-free and made in the USA. The drink comes in a copper mug. It tastes completely different if you drink it through a straw. If you were to sip it with your lips, it doesn’t taste the same. I don’t know the scientific reason, but the copper creates a different taste.
What does ordering Jack and Coke say about a person?
I have never been judgmental in my bones. That’s just who I am. I just think that that person likes whiskey, or it’s his or her comfort drink. There’s no judgment at all for anybody who orders a Jack and Coke, or any mixed drink.
What is the one cocktail you would like us to feature? Cucumber Southside.
What do you like about this drink?
If you look at the menu, we don’t have any mojito-like refreshing drinks. That’s why I really like the Cucumber Southside. It has the mint. It has the cucumber. It has the soda water plus the vodka and lime juice. It tastes like a mojito, but with vodka. There’s a little taste of a cucumber as well. It’s so good and so refreshing.
CUCUMBER SOUTHSIDE
2 cucumber slices
10 mint leaves
1.5 ounces of Tito’s Vodka
.75 ounces of lime juice, fresh squeezed
.75 ounces of simple syrup
2 ounces of soda water
FOR GARNISH:
1 cucumber slice
1 mint sprig
1 long black straw
In a mixing tin, add cucumbers and muddle.
Add mint leaves and gently press on top of muddled cucumbers.
Add the rest of the ingredients, except soda, into the mixing tin.
Add ice, cap with large mixing tin and shake approximately 35 times.
Add soda water into ingredients in mixing tin to incorporate.
Double strain into a Collins glass over fresh ice.
Garnish by pulling a mint sprig through the center of a cucumber slice and floating on top.
Kona Grill
Scottsdale Fashion Square, 7014 E. Camelback Road, Scottsdale, 480.429.1100, konagrill.com.
YOU’RE NOT GONNA BELIEVE THIS
Bizarro facts that will stretch your noggin Kevin Palacios » The
The Phoenix Mercury hold the WNBA record for the largest margin of victory in a game with a 29-point win against the Chicago Sky.
Tina Thompson scored 7,488 points in her 16-year career, the most in WNBA history.
houston comets have won the most titles in WNBA history with four.
The shortest player ever in the WNBA was Temeka Johnson, at 5 feet, 2.5 inches.
Brittney Griner set the single season record for most blocks in a season with 129 in 2014.
The first WNBA game, on JUNE 21, 1997, pitted the New York Liberty against the Los Angeles Sparks.
LISA LESLIE was the first WNBA player to dunk the
ball during a game.
The Houston Comets won the first WNBA championship title in 1997 against the New York Liberty.
margo dydek holds the record for the tallest player at 7 feet 2 inches. She tragically died while pregnant with her third child.
A regulation WNBA ball is 28.5 inches in circumference, which is one inch smaller than an NBA ball.
Entertainer!
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