The Entertainer! - May 2016 by Times Media Group

PHX METRO » MAY 2016

FOOD CRUSH

Classic rock inspires Phoenix chef’s menus

HAVE RESERVATIONS?

Restaurant Week is coming

Vacation with pigs or on a movie set

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AMERICAN HOLIDAY

Cinco de Mayo

THUNDER FROM DOWN UNDER

LISA LAMPANELLI

Thursday - Saturday, May 5-7

Sunday, May 29

3 DOORS DOWN

TOMMY JAMES & THE SHONDELLS

Friday, June 10 AT THE POOL

Saturday, June 25

ROBERT CRAY Friday, July 22

THE RIDES FEATURING STEPHEN STILLS, BARRY GOLDBERG AND KENNY WAYNE SHEPHERD

Saturday, June 4

FEATURING THE TURTLES, CHUCK NEGRON, MARK LINDSAY, THE COWSILLS, GARY PUCKETT & THE UNION GAP AND THE SPENCER DAVIS GROUP

Friday & Saturday August 12 & 13

Saturday, July 16

TEDESCHI TRUCKS BAND Friday, September 2

For tickets call the box office at

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THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE MAY 2016

CONTENTS

RISING FROM THE ASHES

To say Ryan Sims is a gifted musician is an understatement. From leaving EastonAshe to making the shift to country music, this versatile performer doesn’t let anything get in his way.

STRIPPING

DOWN

These talented magicians will make more than their clothes disappear during The Naked Magic Show. The Aussie duo is coming undressed to impress with tricks that’ll attract audiences in more way than one.

ON THE COVER

CULINARY WINNER

This month, Chef Christopher Gross is gracing our cover. This recent Scottsdale Culinary Hall of Fame’s Lifetime Achievement Award-winner uses the sweet sounds of rock ‘n’ roll to envision new recipes. Flip to The Extraordinaire to see how this creative chef works his magic. on the cover: Chef Christopher Gross. Photo by Sam Nalven

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE MAY 2016

A WORLD OF SONG Music might be one of the most interesting subjects to learn about, and members of The Phoenix Boys Choir can attest to that. These boys will take on some Disney classics during “The Happiest Songs on Earth” at the Mesa Performing Arts Center. Grab your tickets now!

THE METROPOLITAN

Arts Calendar • Annie • Ballet Arizona • Phoenix Boys Choir • Kristin Chenoweth

THE CRITIC

Coming Attractions • Our Experts’ Movie Picks of the Month • Keanu

THE DINER

The Best Food Events in May • Happy Hour Guide • Great Australian Bakery • Arizona Restaurant Week • Don & Charlie’s • Matthew Grunwald• Diner Insider • Old Town Gringos • Frasher’s Smokehouse

THE CRAFTMASTER

Beer Over Here • Beertenders • Beer Finder • Great Beer Pairings • Beer Gear • Pilsner • Eclectic Arizona Beers • AmeriCAN Canned Beer Festival

THE HIGHROLLER

Night Ranger • Casino Calendar • The Best Casino Events in May • Blue October

THE GLADIATOR

May’s Best Sports Events • Buckets Blakes• Mistie Bass

THE YOUNGSTER

Phoenix Zoo • The Best Family Events in May • Sesame Street Live • Six Flags

WWW.ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

executive editor

Christina Fuoco-Karasinski christina@entertainermag.com

photographers

Kimberly Carrillo, Tim Sealy, Sam Nalven

designer

circulation director

Aaron Kolodny aaron@entertainermag.com

staff writer Jasmine Kemper

Robbie Peterson

Jaclyn Threadgill

The Naked Magic Show • Ryan Sims Band • Dining Apps • Chef Christopher Gross • Extraordinary Rides

THE ARTIST

editorial director

Erin Loukili erin@entertainermag.com

THE EXTRAORDINAIRE 23

Unique Airbnbs • Tour du Jour • Flagstaff’s ‘Eighth Wonder’

publisher

Steve T. Strickbine steve@entertainermag.com

art director

Top 25 • Arizona Sangria Festival • Cinco de Mayo Specials • Angelo Tsarouchas • Michael McDonald • 50 Years of Fashion Exhibit

THE TOURIST

Times Media Group 1620 W. Fountainhead Parkway Suite 219, Tempe, AZ 85282 Phone 480-348-0343 Fax 480-348-2109 www.entertainermag.com

contributing writers

89 GOING HOME

Joseph Airdo, Dylan Arndt, Alison Bailin Batz, Dave Clark, Chad Haire, Kimberly Hosey, David Isaac, Weiss Kelly, Kenneth LaFave, Damir Lolic, Randy Montgomery, Tim J. Randall, Marjorie Rice, Scott Shumaker, James Swann, Alyssa Tufts

Singer Justin Furstenfeld has finally come to a point in his life where happiness is no longer a dream. His newfound glee is documented in Blue October’s newest album, Home. Read all about the album and the band’s upcoming show at The Showroom at Talking Stick Resort in The Highroller.

INTERNS

Tierra Beasley, Nicole Choksi, Megan Marples, Gavin Maxwell ONE COPY PER READER

LIKE FATHER, LIKE DAUGHTER

The Entertainer! is circulated throughout the Phoenix Metro area, especially concentrated in entertainment districts. ©201 Affluent Publishing, LLC. A free online subscription is available to all readers simply by going to entertainermag.com/subscribe.

Phoenix Mercury forward Mistie Bass is a natural-born leader. Just like her dad, Chubby Checker, she never backs down from a challenge. After having knee surgery, this MVP returned home early to support her team in a time of need. THE SHOWMAN

101

Filter • Live Music Calendar • Bad Company • Lamb of God • Violent Femmes • Kris Allen • Old Dominion • Dream Theater • Modern English

THE NIGHTOWL

113

THE THINKER Oddly Accurate Astrology • You’re Not Gonna Believe This

118

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

Mad Mixologist • The Best Nightlife Events for May • Four Tet • 2Courtiers • Foals

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$2 Domestic Drafts $3 Craft/Import Drafts $4 Well Drinks

$5 Food Menu $5 Premium Cocktails $5 Select Wines (By the Glass)

TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW REDBULLGLOBALRALLYCROSS.COM

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THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE MAY 2016

THE METROPOLITAN

PHX » CITY » LOCAL » PRIDE » DO » SEE

Celebrating Cinco 16 A Fashionable Narrative 20 Red Bull 12

TOP25 Tierra Beasley » The Entertainer!

Rihanna: ANTI World Tour

MAY 1 Rihanna is a music, entertainment and fashion icon with over 81 million followers on Facebook. In January, Rihanna released her eighth studio album, ANTI, which became her second No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 chart. She will perform a variety of hits, including the lead single from ANTI, “Work,” which rocketed to the No. 1 spot in 93 countries. Tickets from the original date, March 1, will be honored. Talking Stick Resort Arena, 201 E. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, talkingstickresortarena.com, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, May 1, $30.50-$151.

Wanderlust 108: Mindful Triathlon MAY 1 Wanderlust 108 encourages participants to do their best, whether it’s running the 5K, doing yoga or meditating. After exercising, chill out in Kula Market, which is jam packed with funky local crafts and organic foods. Additional workshops are also available. Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, 7555 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, wanderlust.com/108s, 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, May 1, $42.10.

Summer Concert Series Begins MAY 1 THROUGH JULY 13 Every Sunday, McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park will showcase a variety of favorite local bands. Food will be

available for purchase. Train and carousel rides are $2. Children under 3 ride free with a paying adult. Bring a blanket or chair and enjoy the show in comfort. McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park, 7301 E. Indian Bend Road, Scottsdale, 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sundays, therailroadpark.com, free.

“Glengarry Glen Ross”

MAY 1 THROUGH MAY 15 When an office full of New York City real estate salesmen are given the news that all but the top two will be fired at the end of the week, the atmosphere begins to heat up. Written by Oscarnominated David Mamet, “Glengarry Glen Ross” is presented by the Desert Stages Theatre through Sunday, May 15. Desert Stages Theatre, 4720 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, 480.483.1664, desertstages.org, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, May 1, through Sunday, May 15, $22-$25.

Pentatonix

MAY 4 Pentatonix is a two-time Grammywinning a cappella group consisting of five vocalists from Arlington, Texas. Pentatonix makes a stop in Phoenix, performing with special guest Us the Duo. Comerica Theatre, 400 W. Washington Street, Phoenix, 602.397.2800, comericatheatre.com, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 4, $43.

“Annie”

MAY 4 THROUGH MAY 8 The world’s best-loved musical returns to ASU Gammage Theatre. “Annie” is a new incarnation of the iconic original. Still, “Annie” includes such unforgettable songs as “It’s a Hard-Knock Life,” “Easy Street,” “I Don’t Need Anything but You,” plus the eternal anthem of optimism, “Tomorrow.” ASU Gammage, 1200 S. Forest Avenue, Tempe, 480.965.3434, asugammage.com, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 4, through Sunday, May 8, $25-$100.

David Cross

MAY 6 David Cross is traveling across America on his first tour in over six years, “Make America Great Again!” Cross is an actor, writer, comedian, known for “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” and the TV series “Arrested Development.” Cross stars as the lead in the popular smallscreen comedy, “The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret.” Wild Horse Pass and Casino, 5040 Wild Horse Pass Boulevard, Chandler, 1.800.946.4452, wingilariver.com, 7 p.m. Friday, May 6, $42-$82.

Thunder from Down Under

MAY 5 THROUGH MAY 7 Australia’s hottest boys are back with their new revue that’s bigger and better than ever. With their dynamic dance routines and barely there costumes, Thunder from Down Under has been making women swoon for more than two decades. Don’t miss this internationally acclaimed Las Vegas act that will make for the ultimate ladies night. Talking Stick Resort, 9800 Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale, 480.850.7777, talkingstickresort. com, various times, Thursday, May 5, through Saturday, May 7, prices start at $25.

Vintage Market: Junk in the Trunk

MAY 6 THROUGH MAY 8 Junk in the Trunk brings over 170 unique sellers to WestWorld for the biggest vintage market of the year. A thrifter’s paradise, shoppers will find just what they’re looking for and more while browsing hundreds of one-of-akind items. There will be giveaways, vintage photo opportunities and more. WestWorld, 6601 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, junkinthetrunkvintagemarket.com, 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, May 6, 88 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 7, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 8, $8-$65.

Harlem Globetrotters

MAY 7 The iconic Harlem Globetrotters are coming to Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix to celebrate their 90th anniversary. A star-studded roster will have fans on the edge of their seats to witness the ball handling wizardry, basketball artistry and WWW.ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

one-of-a-kind family entertainment that thrills fans of all ages. Talking Stick Resort Arena, 201 E. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, talkingstickresortarena.com, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, May 7, $22-$140.

Mother’s Day Wine Class

MAY 7 Treat the woman in your life to a special wine class this Mother’s Day. The class begins with a toast to motherhood, followed by tasting and comparing nine super wines from accomplished women winemakers from around the world, and finishing with an extra-special dessert. Trocadéro Wine School at Vincent on Camelback Restaurant, 3930 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix, 602.332.9152, trocaderowine.com, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 7, $69 per person or $130 for two.

Cinco de Mayo Street Festival

MAY 7 THROUGH MAY 8 The 23rd annual Cinco de Mayo Phoenix Festival is one of the largest multicultural festivals in Arizona. This two-day street festival is located between the skyscrapers in downtown Phoenix and provides attendees with nonstop fun, USA Olympic-style boxing tournament, food, live music, kid’s zone with interactive games and rides, giveaways and more. Cinco Phx, 200 W. Washington Street, Phoenix, cincophx.com, 2 p.m. Saturday, May 7, and noon Sunday, May 8, $5 at the gate.

Espirit de She 5K

MAY 8 Join Esprit de She this Mother’s Day for a special mother-daughter 5K run. Before the 5K begins, start with a satisfying mother-daughter breakfast. Once you reach the finish, Esprit de She has plenty to offer including a complimentary Bubbly Bar, so stick around. The 3.1-mile run starts and finishes at Tempe Beach Park. Tempe Beach Park, Mill Avenue and Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe, espiritdeshe.com, 7 a.m. Sunday, May 8, $45.

on “Saturday Night Live” and for his role as Tracy Jordan in the hit comedy series “30 Rock.” Talking Stick Resort, 9800 Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale, 480.850.7777, talkingstickresort. com, 7 p.m. Saturday, May 14, $50-$125.

Journey, The Doobie Brothers: San Francisco Fest 2016

MAY 14 Journey and The Doobie Brothers unite for the U.S. tour, “San Francisco Fest 2016.” Journey created some of the best-known songs in modern music such as “Lovin’, Touchin’, Squeezin’,” “Faithfully” and the sports anthem, “Don’t Stop Believin’.” Journey has sold 80 million albums worldwide, earning 19 Top 40 singles and 25 gold, platinum and multiplatinum albums. The Doobie Brothers have scored many hits during their four-decades career, selling more than 48 million albums and winning four Grammy Awards. Ak-Chin Pavilion, 2121 N. 83rd Avenue, Phoenix, 1.800.745.3000, ticketmaster.com, 7 p.m. Saturday, May 14, $25-$470.

World Fighting Federation Presents Wild Horse Pass Fight Live Mixed Martial Arts

MAY 14 The World Fighting Federation (WFF) provides MMA fighters with opportunities to build and market their personal brands while bringing great entertainment to their fans. Come witness amateur boxers face off May 14 at Wild Horse Pass. Official fight card TBD. Wild Horse Pass Hotel and Casino, 5040 Wild Horse Pass Blvd., Chandler, 1.800.946.4452, wffmma.com, 6:30 p.m. Saturday, May 14, $25-$100.

Tracy Morgan

MAY 14 Comedian Tracy Morgan is back on stage making people laugh out loud, this time at the Talking Stick Resort in Scottsdale. Morgan is best known for his eight seasons as a cast member WWW.ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

Tech N9ne

MAY 18 Tech N9ne, an American rapper who co-founded the record label Strange Music, has sold over 2 million albums and has had his music featured in film, television and video games. N9ne is performing across the United States on his “Independent Powerhouse” tour with special guest Krizz Kaliko, Ritz, Mayday!, Stevie Stone and Ces Cru. Marquee Theatre, 730 N. Mill Avenue, Tempe, 480.829.0607, luckymanonline.com, 8 p.m., Wednesday, May 18, $40.

Arizona Restaurant Week

MAY 20 THROUGH MAY 29 Bring your appetite. Arizona Restaurant Week is here. This statewide affair gives foodies the chance to explore culinary delights from hidden taco shops and steakhouses to highend, award-winning, white-tablecloth eateries. Arizona Restaurant Week is the most edible time of the year, giving food lovers the opportunity to enjoy a three-course, prix-fixe dinner at a number of participating restaurants while celebrating the best the state has to offer. Locations vary, arizonarestaurantweek.com, see website for details, $33 or $44.

releases. His second album, Wolf, reached No. 3 on the Billboard 200, selling 90,000 copies its first week. Marquee Theatre, 730 N. Mill Avenue, Tempe, 480.829.0607, luckymanonline.com, Wednesday, May 25, 8 p.m., $67.

Rock of Ages

MAY 27 THROUGH JUNE Set in L.A.’s infamous Sunset Strip in 1987, Rock of Ages tells the story of Drew, a boy from “South Detroit,” and Sherrie, a smalltown girl, both in California to chase their dreams of making it big and falling in love. The show will feature throwback jams such as, “Hit Me with Your Best Shot,” “We’re Not Gonna Take It,” “Here I Go Again” and others. Arizona Broadway Theatre, 7701 W. Paradise Lane, Peoria, 623.776.8400, azbroadwaytheatre. com, 5:30 p.m. Friday, May 27, $81.

Cave Creek Balloon Festival

MAY 28 The sixth annual Cave Creek Balloon Festival will feature free face painting and balloon twisting, with the large kids’ zone and fun activities. Enjoy great beverages, cocktails and wine featuring locally brewed Four Peaks beer. Tasty food will be available from various food trucks, vendors and restaurants like The Buffalo Chip, Grilled Addiction, Wandering Donkey, Fry Bread Inc., Doughlicious Pizza, The Grilled Cheese Truck and more. Rancho Mañana Golf Course, 5736 E. Rancho Mañana Boulevard, Cave Creek, cavecreekfestivals.com, 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, May 28, starts at $10.

Red Bull Global Rally Cross

Naked Magic Show

MAY 12 After sold-out shows around the globe, Christopher Wayne and Mike Tyler bring their R-rated spectacle to Phoenix for the first time. Get ready for the two hot, hilarious magicians. Must be 18 or older. Symphony Hall, 75 N. Second Street, Phoenix, 602.262.6225, nakedmagicianslive.com, 8 p.m. Thursday, May 12, $21.58-$80.94.

6 p.m. for VIP, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. for general admission, Saturday, May 14, $35-$100.

AmeriCAN Canned Craft Beer Festival

MAY 14 The sixth annual AmeriCAN Canned Craft Beer Festival celebrates the craft beer movement in the midst of American Craft Beer Week. The AmeriCAN festival will feature a craft can award ceremony, live entertainment, craft food, VIP quarters, Beer Science Garden, beer Olympics and over 250 local and national beers. Twenty samplings are included with admission. Scottsdale Civic Center, 3939 N. Drinkwater Boulevard, Scottsdale, cannedcraftbeerfest.com, noon to

MAY 21 THROUGH MAY 22 The first event on the 2016 Red Bull GRC schedule sees rallycross’ biggest stars head to Phoenix for a doubleheader. Dirt will fly as drivers battle wheel-to-wheel for position in what should be one of the most popular events of the year. Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park, 20000 S. Maricopa Road, Chandler, redbullglobalrallycross.com, 8 a.m. Saturday, May 21, through Sunday, May 22, starts at $65 for two-day tickets, single-day tickets available.

Tyler, the Creator

MAY 25 Tyler, the Creator, a man of many hats—rapper, songwriter, producer, to name a few—rose to prominence as the leader and co-founder of the alternative hip-hop collective Odd Future and has rapped on and produced songs for nearly every one of his group’s

Lisa Lampanelli

MAY 29 Making people laugh since the 1990s, stand-up comedian Lisa Lampanelli performs at Talking Stick Resort this month. Much of her material is described as “racy” and features ethnic humor on different minority groups and homosexuals. It’s not for the sensitive types. Talking Stick Resort, 9800 Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale, 480.850.7777, talkingstickresort. com, 8 p.m. Sunday, May 29, $25-$121.

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SPEED DEMON

Rallycross drivers kicking off season in Chandler

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THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE MAY 2016

Christina Fuoco-Karasinski » The Entertainer!

ed Bull Global Rallycross driver Scott Speed is looking forward to his season’s opening day festivities at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park in Chandler—and it isn’t just lip service. He spent the offseason refining and improving his car to up the ante. “When you get to the first race, you find out where you stack up and if all the work you did in the offseason paid off or not,” Speed says. “There’s no time to develop new parts during the season. In the offseason, everyone gets to go bac to their home base and thinks of new ideas and puts them into reality.” Speed is one of the many racers who will allow fans to experience the thrill of Red Bull Global Rallycross action for the first time on May 21 and May 22 at the park in Chandler. The doubleheader event will serve as the series’ season opener, the first and second of 12 rounds that will take place across the United States this year. Local race fans will recognize many of the teams on hand: they’re owned by such auto racing legends as Chip Ganassi, Michael Andretti and Bryan Herta, among others. But unlike their stock car and open-wheel exploits, the cars they campaign in Red Bull GRC are totally different: Ford Fiestas, Subaru WRX STIs, Honda Civics, and even Volkswagen Beetles that start life on the production line before being outfitted with turbocharged engines and safety advancements. The drivers come from every possible motorsport or action sport background, from drifting (Tanner Foust) to freestyle motocross (Brian Deegan) all the way to skateboarding (Bucky Lasek). Defending Supercar champion Speed, who races for Andretti’s two-car Volkswagen squad alongside Foust, has 26 Formula 1 starts and multiple years in NASCAR under his belt. “Everywhere the GRC has gone so far it has had a great reception,” he says. “It’s more entertaining than a typical Indy car race or NASCAR race. “It’s in its early years, so it’s small enough where fans can engage with the drivers and with the teams. You can walk up and touch the cars When you see a VW Beetle accelerating from 0 to 60 in under 2 seconds, and jumping an

80-foot jump, it’s great. I think everyone enjoys that.” These are pretty much everyday cars, too. “The frame of the car is exactly what you can buy from the dealership,” Speed says. “But we put in the most up-to-date technology, suspension and engines. “This is the future of motorsports racing in this country. We have a great demographic of young people and the sport is actually growing. The TV numbers are getting more, not less. I like being part of something that has technology and development in it.” Speed has always been into, well, speed. “When I was 10 years old, I got into my first go-kart and I realized it was something I could do,” he says. “It was probably like when Tiger Woods picked up a golf club and he realized he could do it. “I tried different sports. I’m a pretty decent golfer, too. But it was very clear, with my go-kart talents, that I was above average without having to try. I’m naturally a super competitive person. When I was able to put that toward racing, I was able to make a career doing it.” He’s encouraging youngsters to do the same through his RC hobby shop in North Carolina. He has three children, two daughters and a stepson. “It’s great for the kids,” he says about the shop. “I like being able to do stuff in the motor racing category. I really like being able to give kids the chance to get into motor racing at a really affordable sport. It’s racing at its most grassroots level.” Speed says with a laugh that racing keeps his 14-year-old stepson out of trouble. “In high school, I never got into any trouble,” he adds. “I was always busy on the weekend. I was never bored. He’s way into driving the cars and he’s quite talented at it. He’s not interested in going to school parties. He’s always at the race track and working toward a goal of getting better. It’s worked out well for us.” To purchase, visit redbullglobalrallycross.com/ tickets; to learn more about the series, visit the official website at RedBullGRC.com or follow along on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram at @RedBullGRC. WWW.ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

SIPPING

FOR A GOOD CAUSE

Arizona Sangria Fest seeks ‘angels’ to help fight cancer Tim J. Randall » The Entertainer!

ost Valley festivals assist a nonprofit group with donations of proceeds. In the case of the inaugural Arizona Sangria Festival, the event will help single mothers suffering from cancer provide a stable environment for their children. “I created Calling All Angels Foundation while I was going through chemotherapy and radiation myself for stage 3 endometrial cancer,” says Jodi Benjamin, founder of the foundation. “Cancer and chemotherapy combined with radiation was the most devastating thing I have ever experienced. I couldn’t imagine going through both life circumstances at the same time and still providing a stable, somewhat normal environment for my children. There is no support for these cancer patients at this devastating time.” It is no accident that Sangria 2016 is held over Mother’s Day weekend. “We planned this on Mother’s Day weekend strategically to show our support for all those women fighting the good fight to save their own lives and provide for their children,” Benjamin says. Those who love a good vino will appreciate sampling imported Spanish wines from Punte De Rus Vineyards along with its 10 unique Sangrias. Additionally, patrons will enjoy two sangria recipes from national vendor Wicked Tango, as well as exciting cocktail combinations from local vendor Copper Creek Cocktails.

“Punte De Rus Vineyard is donating a major portion of the wine for this event, they are excited to introduce their varietals in a format such as this,” Benjamin says. “Wicked Tango Whiskey is excited to present some sangrias, organic wines and white whiskey of their own, while Copper Creek Cocktails, also a major sponsor, will be presenting a large array of very creative sangrias, and hosting a margarita and mojito bar.” Along with the grapes and distilled spirits, attendees will have access to an array of delicious culinary offerings from local food truck purveyors, while jamming to live rock, acoustic guitar and country music. Guests will also appreciate traditional flamenco dancing and guitar music. For those interested in a little more fun, a VIP experience will include a Spanish cheese tasting, high-end Spanish wines, and tango and flamenco dance lessons. At the heart of the fun though is a deep commitment to bettering the lives of impacted mothers and their children. “We want to bring awareness that there is a real need to provide actual physical support in the home,” Benjamin says. “There is a lot of help out there for cancer patients financially, but I have not found any that are there in person willing to do the grocery shopping, or get the kids to school, or help prepare a meal and do homework with the children, just to name a few things, when the parent is just too sick to make sure all of these day-to-day responsibilities get done,” she says.

For this opening edition, Benjamin has high expectations for attendance. “We’re hopefully looking toward 3,000 to 5,000. That would give us a nice start,” she says. “We want people to really relax and just have fun and would love this to become a growing annual event.”

Arizona Sangria Festival

Rawhide Western Town and Event Center, 5700 W. North Loop Road, Chandler, arizonasangriafestival.com, noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, May 7, and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday, May 8, $35-$125.

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CELEBRATING

CINCO

Get your drink on this May 5 Tim J. Randall » The Entertainer!

Cinco de Mayo—the fifth of May for gringos—is a grand celebration of Mexican culture and heritage. But what is the history behind this relatively minor holiday in Mexico that has become a party bonanza for its northern neighbors? The story unfolds amidst the Franco-Mexican War of 1861-1867 and the presidency of Benito Juárez. In 1862... oh, the hell with it. Never mind. Let’s go have a cerveza! In the spirit of pride and excitement for Mexican-Americans everywhere, here is a round-up of great places to knock back a few cold ones.

Uptown Alley

Enjoy tremendous drink and food specials at the 60,000-square-foot family entertainment venue in Surprise featuring bowling, an arcade and two-level laser tag. The full-service restaurant, Red Embers Bar and Grill, will serve up $5 street tacos (three tacos with a choice of al pastor, asada, chicken or carnitas), $5 three amigos margarita and $3 Coronas. “Uptown Alley is a great place to celebrate Cinco de Mayo for the whole family,” says Kristin Jovic, Uptown Alley’s director of sales and marketing. “We will have amazing street tacos and kids can enjoy the arcade and laser tag while the adults can bowl and enjoy our Three Amigos Margarita.”

13525 N. Litchfield Road, Surprise uptownalleysurprise.com

Los Sombreros

Head to this Scottsdale hangout beginning at 3 p.m. for beverages and delicious eats. “Los Sombreros is the perfect place to celebrate Cinco de Mayo,” says Azucena Tovar, Los Sombreros’ owner. “Our outdoor patio and bar create a festive environment to enjoy our killer margaritas and authentic tacos.” The specials this year include five appetizers and five drinks for $5 each. Partiers have the choice of crispy tacos (chicken, potato, picadillo or hibiscus), corn cake soufflé, fig and panela cheese salad or watermelon and panela WWW.ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

cheese salad. With the dishes, tip a few margaritas, mojitos, martinis, sangria, white or red house wine.

2534 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale lossombreros.com/

SumoMaya

It takes roughly 17 Mexican pesos to buy $1. On Cinco de Mayo at SumoMaya, currency exchange goes out the window. The first 100 guests who arrive at 11 a.m. will only need 5 pesos for a casamigos margarita. Blend hot tunes from the DJ and all-day social hour pricing in the bar, and the party is on. “At SumoMaya, we have a particularly soft spot for the fusion of cultures and so we are presenting an incredible promotion on May 5,” says German Osio, founder of Osio Culinary Group.

6560 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale sumomaya.com

Sprinkles

If your sweet tooth wants in on the Cinco action, consider Sprinkles and its margarita cupcake. The culinary delight is made from the award-winning Casamigos Tequila, courtesy of George Clooney and Rande Gerber, and key lime frosting. “Sprinkles is very excited to be using Casamigos Tequila in our margarita cupcakes this year,” says Nicole Schwartz, vice

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE MAY 2016

president of marketing for Sprinkles. “This smooth, award-winning tequila is sure to take one of our favorite cupcakes to the next level.”

4501 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale sprinkles.com

Miracle Mile Deli

Harrah’s Ak-Chin

If a little gambling is in your Cinco future, the Ak-Chin will have specials doubling down on aces. Strolling mariachis will play traditional tunes from noon to 4 p.m. and $3 Coronas will be available.

15406 Maricopa Road, Maricopa caesars.com/harrahs-ak-chin

We’re not talking about shopping at the Miracle Mile in Vegas on Cinco de Mayo. Instead enjoy some appetizing Mexican fare at Miracle Mile Deli, which for more than 60 years has served its customers with the freshest and finest quality food. Its Cinco de “Mile” special is $9 chicken enchiladas in red sauce, a side of beans and rice.

Ak-Chin Southern Dunes

4433 N. 16th Street, Phoenix miraclemiledeli.com

48456 W. Highway 238, Maricopa. akchinsoutherndunes.com

Sierra Bonita Grill

UltraStar Multi-tainment Center at Ak-Chin Circle

If margaritas are your Cinco de Mayo go-to drink, consider two of Sierra Bonita Grill’s best offerings for $5. The traditional fresh-squeezed margarita features reposado tequila, orange liqueur, fresh squeezed lime juice and agave nectar. The pomegranate margarita is a mix of pomegranate liqueur, reposado tequila, orange liqueur, a splash of orange juice, and homemade sweet and sour mix. The grill will be serving up five Southwestern fare dishes for $10 each including chicharron potato taquitos and chipotle chicken street tacos.

6933 N. Seventh Street, Phoenix. sierrabonitagrill.com

Paul Martin’s American Grill

The upscale Scottsdale venue kicks off Cinco a day early and runs right through May 5 with two inspired dishes. The shrimp campechana ($9) is a fresh bay shrimp Mexican cocktail, served with salted corn tortilla chips. The mesquite grilled poblano chile relleno ($13) is filled with sweet corn, shitake mushrooms, zucchini, spinach, cheese, red pepper cream and cilantro. Don’t forget the drinks to accompany during its 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. happy hour. The Corralejo strawberry splash ($9) features strawberry infused Corralejo Blanco tequila, Cointreau liqueur, muddled strawberries, fresh lemon juice and housemade cane syrup. The Peligroso Blanco Margarita ($9) is a mix of Peligroso Blanco tequila and housemade sweet and sour, hand shaken and served on the rocks with a salted rim.

6186 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale paulmartinsamericangrill.com

Cold Beers & Cheeseburgers

At all four Valley locations, patrons can grab the fresh and beefy strong $10 Rocky Point Burger, while enjoying $5 Cuervo shots and $3 Dos XX.

Playing golf on May 5? Why not chase the Titleist and enjoy the club’s tres amigos margarita for $6? It’s available in the Arroyo Grille after the round or on the beverage cart on the course the entire day. Birdies not included.

Macayo’s Mexican Kitchen

The District in Old Town Scottsdale

See website for locations. macayo.com/restaurants/

7333 E. Indian Plaza, Scottsdale districtbaraz.com/

You cannot get much more traditional Mexican cuisine than Macayo’s. Try the $9.99 enchiladas bandito, an enchilada sampler with a red chile enchilada, green chile pork stew enchilada and fresh spinach enchilada (red, green and white like the Mexican flag). Wash that down with $4 Dos Equis—amber or lager—$5 margarita de Macayo, $8 patron margarita or get a little crazy with $4 Patron shots. At Macayo’s 10 Valley locations, guests can experience live music, piñatas, face painters, balloon artists from May 1 through May 5.

Known for its handmade burgers, tasty drinks and nighttime party vibe, the District will have all of the fixings for a fantastic Cinco celebration. “This fiesta, Cinco de District, will get you in the spirit with mini donkeys, mustache-themed décor, fiesta-inspired inflatables and more. You can even dress the part with sombreros, ponchos and wearable mustaches,” says Nolan Odal, director of marketing for Triyar Entertainment Group. “In addition to The District’s usual menu, partygoers can look forward to festive choco tacos and rumchata shakes.”

Sticking in the Ak-Chin family, guests can celebrate the holiday in a multiple of ways. For starters, the Cinco de Playo special allows for the purchase of a game card and for $5 more unlimited nonredemption play on May 5. At the UltraStar Cinemas, $6 movies and $2 popcorn and soda are the winners. At the 347 Grill’s Cinco de Mayo Buffet under the Halo, from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. patrons can enjoy a taco bar with condiments, cheese enchiladas, Spanish rice, refried beans and chips and salsa. The cost is $13 adults, $7 kids, and free for those 5 and younger. As for beverages, the 347 Grill and Luxe Lounge feature $3 Mexican long-neck beers, $3 house margaritas and $5 house sangria.

16000 N. Maricopa Road, Maricopa. ultrastarakchin.com

Eklectic Pie

If pizza is on your mind, enjoy Eklectic Pie. From 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. its two location will offer $5 pizzas (any pizza, any size) and $2 beers. And for the full experience try Eklectic’s newest creation the Mexican Fiesta—a 10-layered pizza that includes salsa, refried beans, mozzarella cheese, cheddar cheese, grilled chicken, onion, black olives, tomatoes, jalapeño, crushed tortilla chips, and finished with sour cream. “We’ve had so many requests for a Mexican taco-esque pizza that we came up with our Mexican Fiesta Pie—and it will be perfect on Cinco de Mayo. You can’t get more fiesta on Cinco de Mayo than that,” says Eklectic Pie President Jay Johnson.

1859 S. Stapley Dr., Mesa, and 2990 E. Germann Road, Chandler. eklecticpie.com

Several Valley locations. coldbeers.com

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Jasmine Kemper » The Entertainer!

ANGELO

TSAROUCHAS

‘The Funny Greek’ is getting up close and personal

ngelo Tsarouchas has always been a sucker for laughter. “If you look at my high school yearbook I said I wanted to do stand-up comedy,” said Tsarouchas, otherwise known as “The Funny Greek.” “I always loved laughter and always liked making people laugh. I’m not one of those comics that go into a ball after the show and disconnects from the world. I remember in class I was telling a joke and the teacher said, ‘Well why don’t you come in front of the class and tell the whole class?’ So I did...for 30 minutes.” Tsarouchas puts it all on the table during his shows, which makes for a very open and honest look into the comedian’s crazy life. “Put it this way: I’m a big man in a thin world, whose parents are Greek. I’m from Canada, I live in America, my wife is Armenian, I have a baby and I love people,” Tsarouchas says. The multifaceted stand-up comic got his start at the Punchline Comedy Theater in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada and now performs all over the globe, but it wasn’t always an easy ride. “At first it was hell. (I’d) have one good show and five shit shows,” he says with a laugh. “I loved the challenge of it so much that I kept doing it but, God, it was rough.” “I just kept going and going. I live in Los Angeles now. I’m an actor and a comedian and the thing is...most people ask for advice and the advice I give them is wherever you can showcase your talents, go on stage and do it, and the more times you can get on stage, the better you’re going to be,” Tsarouchas says. Along with being a comedian, Tsarouchas is an actor, playing notable roles in films and on television including “Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle,” “Cinderella Man” and “Mad Men.” He has worked with Hollywood stars like Russell Crowe and Sylvester Stallone. “I love watching people in their craft, you know, in their moments,” he says. “I’ve been very fortunate to work with a lot of these actors. I always find that’s the best way to learn something,” Tsarouchas says. As for his comedy, Tsarouchas looks up to fellow funnymen Sam Kinison, Rodney Dangerfield, George Carlin, Norm Macdonald and Russell Peters. In his shows, however, he is inspired by everyday life. “I think my comedy style is very

open, unabashed, sort of a view of my life and how people look at me and how I look at them,” he says. “You always talk about things you know. Being married now with a child is funny. Dealing with my in-laws, traveling. You know I always try to absorb things wherever I’m going. So I try to take a little bit of all that and put it together. It’s very much what’s current in my life and what’s going on.” Although he’s traveled all over the globe, highlights from his career include performing for the troops on the U.S.S. Eisenhower and at the Friars Club in New York City, meeting George Carlin at the Comedy Magic Club in Hermosa Beach, and getting to know the king and queen of Jordan with Russell Peters and Gabriel Iglesias. “I really thought it was a joke. We actually went and met the king and queen of Jordan. We hung out with them. It was so weird,” he laughs. Tsarouchas is headed to the Valley to perform seven shows at Rick Bronson’s House of Comedy. Not only is he excited about the gigs but he is thrilled he can have a peanut butter, jelly and sriracha burger from Rehab Burger Therapy. “They’re going to get a glimpse into what makes things funny in my world and I think they’re going to relate a lot,” he says about the show. “I’m the kind of guy that you sort of know. I always get people saying, you remind me of my brother Pete or Bruno the plumber or whatever. I think people are really in for a good treat. I’m really looking forward to it.” His favorite part about stand-up comedy is how immediate the response is from the audience, something that seems to have gotten lost in the age of the Internet. “It’s you and me straight on,” he says. “There’s no streaming. There’s nothing. People who don’t go see live stand-up comedy, they’re missing something. There’s something about being in the moment. If you’re in the moment and see the magic happening on stage, there’s no better feeling in the world, for me and for the audience.”

Angelo Tsarouchas

Rick Bronson’s House of Comedy, 5350 E. High Street, Suite 105, Phoenix, 480.420.3553, houseofcomedy.net, times vary Wednesday, May 18, through Sunday, May 22, $13-$22.

JULY 15 - AUG 7 ARIZONA’S LEADER IN MUSICAL THEATRE

623.776.8400 | AZBROADWAY.ORG WWW.ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE MAY 2016

LOOKIN’ BACK

Michael McDonald will play the hits, but look forward, too, at Celebrity show

Christina Fuoco-Karasinski » The Entertainer!

ichael McDonald is expected to plow through a set full of hits when he performs at the Celebrity Theatre on Tuesday, June 7. But there’s at least one song with which fans will not be familiar. “If You Wanted to Hurt Me” is one of a handful of tracks that may be included on a forthcoming new collection. He has drummer Shannon Forrest to thank for the project. The two co-opt a studio in Nashville.

“It’s a different kind of record,” says McDonald, calling from New Orleans. “It’s original music. I haven’t done a record of all-original music in quite some time. I’ve recently done the Motown records. “But this came about in an odd way because it’s stuff that I had been recording as far back as before the Motown records, eight or nine years ago.” The multiple Grammy winner had old demos lying around and Forrest encouraged the former Doobie Brothers singer to improve them and put them on an album. “Oddly enough, we reassembled the tracks around those early vocals,” he adds.

“In many cases, we hadn’t replaced these tracks because they sounded great with these original vocals for one reason or another. “This project would never be but for we had this relationship and we were just kind of co-existing under the same roof in the studio there.” McDonald just needs to record one more song for the album. The next task is to find a label to release it. For now, he’s concentrating on his tour that comes to the Celebrity Theatre on Tuesday, June 7. “I’m hoping to go back and rework some older songs, some obscure songs,”

McDonald says about the setlist. “But we thought, ‘What the hell. We’ll just go ahead and play at least this one song from the new record that we thought might work live.’ We try to cover what we think people will want to hear though and something extra that they might not expect.”

Michael McDonald

Celebrity Theatre, 440 N. 32nd Street, Phoenix, 602.267.1600, celebritytheatre.com, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 7, $50-$275. WWW.ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

A FASHIONABLE

NARRATIVE

Intersection of fashion and art exhibit brings history to life

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Alyssa Tufts » The Entertainer! istory is getting a fashionable twist with the “Defining Moments: 50 Years of Fashion” exhibit at the Phoenix

Art Museum. Through August 7, fashion-lovers and visitors alike can see the smartly laid-out exhibition showcasing 50 years of history through clothing and accessories. The exhibit features iconic pieces from brands such as Chanel, Yves St. Laurent, Alexander McQueen and Givenchy. In addition to the clothing items, there are also rare accessories dating back to the 1650s with intricate detailing and shoes. The Arizona Costume Institute, the support organization for the fashion design department at Phoenix Art Museum, helped make the exhibition a reality through their financial contributions. This was accomplished through purchasing acquisitions for the permanent fashion design collection, says Arizona Costume Institute President Judy Steers. Fashion Design curator at Phoenix Art Museum, Dennita Sewell, has spent the last 16 years using her previous experience and expertise to elevate the Fashion Design Department through her many innovative and intricate exhibitions.

“It’s a continuous search by Dennita and ACI through her leadership to find pieces for the collection that fill the need for specific reasons that are determined by Dennita and her expertise,” Steers says. Sewell curated the popular “Hollywood Costume” exhibit in 2014 and the “White Shirt According to Me. Gianfranco Ferre” prior to “Defining Moments: 50 Years of Fashion.” “Just to put it in perspective, we’re really only one of a handful of archives like this in an art museum nationally. It’s very exciting that it has grown here in Phoenix to become a nationally recognized effort and program,” Sewell says. Part of that growth is credit to not only the exhibition’s visual and historical impact, but the educational aspects as well. “We are very interested in the involvement of students, we appreciate students and their relationship with the museum and the use of this collection as a place of study,” Sewell says. “I think they serve as an important historical aspect for study and research, as well as just stimulating conversation about the history of each piece,” Steers says. “I think it’s so important to provide the opportunity for others. Whether they’re in education or design, they can come and study these pieces and glean knowledge and inspiration.” Inspiration is in abundance at the “50 Years of Fashion” exhibit given the

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE MAY 2016

aesthetically pleasing layout and design of the historical clothing, accessories, cards, magazines and newspapers. It is smartly displayed in the Ellman Fashion Design Gallery and Orme Lewis Gallery, accompanied by New York artist Ruben Toledo’s “Time Travel Series” pen and ink drawings. The drawings were produced into black life-sized vinyl illustrations that decorate the exhibit’s walls through the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. “The job here was to be inspired by the different eras from 18th century to now, so I tried to create a graphic time machine, wind tunnel of time rushing through it,” Toledo says. The collection dates from 18th century to present, including men’s, women’s and children’s dress and accessories. “We tried to pull out something from every decade, something from every era, that would show the breadth of this collection and how important it is to our city,” Sewell says. The curator of fashion design says she thought of what things would be entertaining for people to see at a fashion collection. Enter the many rare and intricate accessories. In addition to the many clothing items on display, there is also a shoe wall detailing the brief history of the shoe along with rare handbags, jewelry, gloves and others.

The oldest piece in the collection is a pair of European leather gloves from 1650, a gift of the Arizona Costume Institute. The accessories case also includes Largnette tortoise shell glasses from 1876, an 18-karat gold Chatelaine watch from 1840, early 20th century Lemaire opera glasses and a rare Shell Minaudiere from Judith Leiber made out of sea urchin shell with a gold-plated lid from 1976. “What I’ve learned from these amazing designers, is how they make things. It’s all about the anatomy, patterns, draping on the body, but also, there’s a whole other art going on, a whole poetry. It’s a poetry you can’t put your finger on, and fashion more than any other art form is the flavor of the time,” Toledo says. Some notable pieces include a 1928 metal sequins on silk tulle Chanel dress, an 1885 Charles Frederick Worth silk brocade and silk satin evening dress, a 1965 Cristóbal Balenciaga cotton lace and silk chiffon dress and cape and a U.S. Army Doughboy uniform from 1918. “Each garment reveals its own story and background about the textile industry, about the culture of the time, about the people who left their DNA on these garments,” Steers says. Steers says many of the items on display in the exhibit were purchased by the Arizona Costume Institute through meticulous searching. Since joining

together in 1966, the Arizona Costume Institute has helped to acquire and preserve garments and accessories of historical and aesthetic significance. “Arizona Costume Institute and the Fashion Design department have been on a upward trajectory for the past few years and we haven’t nearly peaked. Neither the Arizona Costume Institute in its support nor the fashion design department,” Steers says. The president says she hopes to not only continue the progress they’ve made, but outreach that is international, national and local. “I would like to expand the opportunities we’re already creating and being inclusive of the many facets of the design industry and continue to move the organization [Arizona Costume Institute] toward excellence in its objectives and goals in every way,” Steers says. The “Defining Moments: 50 Years of Fashion at Phoenix Art Museum” Exhibit will be on display until Aug. 7 in the Ellman Fashion Design Gallery and Orme Lewis Gallery at the Phoenix Art Museum. “It’s so important that fashion and art students understand that history is alive, and here’s where you see it… it brings things to life and makes it so relevant,” Toledo says. “You can’t have art and you can’t create the future without this past.”

“Defining Moments: 50 Years of Fashion” Exhibit Phoenix Art Museum, 1625 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, 602.257.1880, phxart.org, through August 7, $10-$15.

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THE EXTRAORDINAIRE

STYLE » ENVY » PASSION » FASHION » BEAUTY » DESIGN

STRIPPING DOWN The Naked Magic Show leaves nothing to the imagination Christina Fuoco-Karasinski » The Entertainer!

ike Tyler and Christopher Wayne of the Naked Magic Show are full of puns. There’s nothing up their sleeves for this performance. Great magicians don’t need pants. And then there’s the obligatory comments about magic wands. Fans can expect all of that and more when the Aussie duo performs at Symphony Hall on Thursday, May 12. “As you can imagine from the name, the Naked Magic Show, we literally strip away the magic stereotypes from the top hat to the cape to the magic wand to perform the funniest and cheekiest magic show ever,” says Tyler, via telephone with Wayne from Australia. “There’s never been a show like this,” Wayne adds. “We believe it’s the funniest magic show you’ve ever seen. The audience has the best time. For Mike and I, this has hands down been the most amazing, bloody experience of our lives.” The duo says its show is special because it attracts an audience that’s different from the usual magic gigs. “Both of us, together, have been doing magic for some time,” Tyler says. “We thought how do we attract an audience who otherwise wouldn’t see a normal magic show? We thought we would create a naughty magic show. “When we started to design the show together, it was about when ‘Magic Mike’ came out. My name is Mike and I was having a lot of stripper-related jokes thrown at me—‘How big is your magic wand?’ ‘Will you make my clothes disappear?’ Our show is naughty and cheeky, but there’s real magic in it. But every single person on the planet loves magic or

nudity or both. So there you go.” Magic is a longtime love for both Tyler and Wayne. Wayne’s grandfather introduced him to magic—although it was a bit more innocent. When he was 21, he made a career out of it. Tyler worked a 9 to 5 “boring job in banking.” “I traveled overseas and coming back after a couple months, I decided that if there’s one thing I can do, it was to pursue my passion at the time, which was magic,” Tyler says. The duo did a “taste of America” tour last October and the jaunt did better than expected. “We can’t wait to come back and bring it across as many cities as possible in America and Canada,” Tyler adds. “It turns out that America likes naked Australian magicians more than Australia. We’ve never had a better reception to the show.” Tyler and Wayne admit that it was a little unnerving to get naked in front of each other. But the jitters eventually gave way to the quest for success. “We hadn’t been naked in front of big groups of people before,” Wayne explains. “We were nervous about standing naked in front of a room full of people. Now that we’ve done that, it works really well. That moment I stand naked and the audience goes absolutely nuts, I feel invincible. There’s no greater feeling.”

The Naked Magic Show

Symphony Hall, 75 N. Second Street, Phoenix, http://bit. ly/1SZWVb7, 8 p.m. Thursday, May 12, $21.58-$80.94.

Need a Tux? PROMS - WEDDINGS - QUINCEANERAS

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Ryan Sims talks Cave Creek, country music and change

RISING FROM THE ASHES

Christina Fuoco-Karasinski » The Entertainer!

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hen Ryan Sims walks into a room, he commands attention. Whether he’s striding on stage with a guitar slung over his shoulder at Copper Blues, or mastering an acoustic show at a golf club, the local country star knows how to work an audience. But that’s all in a day’s work, he says. “During live shows, we turn it up to 10 and go—not the volume, but the energy,” he says. “We want to make sure that when the night is over, we’re dripping in sweat and we don’t have one note left in us. “That’s how I play. If I can talk at the end of the show, I haven’t done my job. Usually I’m whispering and hoarse and I have to sit down for a minute.” Fans can experience Sims’ energy Friday, May 27, and Saturday, May 28, at Harold’s Cave Creek, where he will play country sets. Sims’ strong work ethic and friendly demeanor is well known. The former singer for local—and national—favorite EastonAshe, Sims has pursued a solo

career since the band broke up in 2011. He competed on “The X-Factor” later that year. He also put in time as a songwriter in Nashville. But it all began in Cave Creek, a town where he continues to play regularly. He’s been playing at Harold’s for about 14 years. “Before that, I was a busser when I was 16 years old,” he adds. “That’s what got me started playing music. “I was bussing tables in high school and I’d see all of these great bands. I probably saw more than I should have at 16 years old. Now, a lot of those old band members are my friends and colleagues, like Mogollon. It was amazing to see those guys tear it up in honkytonk bars back then and I thought, ‘I could do that.’” And he has. His record release party at Harold’s sold more than 1,500 tickets. His self-titled debut hit stores in January 2014. “It was probably the most fun I’ve ever had at a show,” Sims says with a wide grin. “It was an EastonAshe reunion too.” “We really try to further ourselves independently, which is really expensive

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE MAY 2016

band members and lighting specialist left the band. “(The hiatus) seemed right to keep that sacred for the guys who put it together,” Sims continues. “We still get together. It’s a great memory in my life. “It was very hard to transition. There are a lot of emotions involved when you have people who put that much heart into something. Everyone wants to see that protected. “The guys weren’t complaining that I was the last guy still playing as EastonAshe. But once (original guitar player) Matt Henderson left, it didn’t seem right to be EastonAshe anymore.” He embarked on a solo career and shifted his focus from rock to rock-infused country. He says now that the change wasn’t that big of a stretch. “I’ve really enjoyed country music and it was a natural transition from rock ‘n’ roll to country,” Sims explains. “That’s only because country music changed. I didn’t. “What was thought of as country music became what I already was. It was interesting for me to hear that from people: ‘I love that song. What a great country tune.’ I’d say, ‘What are you talking about? It’s not a country song at all.’ “But then I listened to the radio— which I rarely do—and I thought, Yeah, that’s true. Country music has really turned into what rock ‘n’ roll was. There’s no rock ‘n’ roll anymore.”

hand goes numb whenever he straps on his guitar. Most years, he has big plans or a special show to play. But in 2016, he’s leaving it up to fate. “I’ve got so much going on in my personal life,” he says. “I haven’t put out a new record. I think this year for me is just about healing because I’ve been in pain for so long. I wanted to get better before I attacked it again.” Still, he’s not letting pain ruin his work ethic. He requires his fellow musicians—which, in addition to Ocheltree, includes lead guitarist Jay Poole, bassist Ethan Newman and drummer Perry Senn—to work hard. “People spend their whole week working 9 to 5 or, even worse, 6 to 5,” he

says. “People work their asses off all week. If they come to see me on Friday because that’s how they want to forget about their week, what an honor. I want to show them how much I appreciate them putting their faith in me to get rid of the stress of the week. That’s my favorite part of this business.”

Ryan Sims Band

Harold’s Cave Creek Corral, 6895 E. Cave Creek Road, Cave Creek, 480.488.1906, 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Friday, May 27, and Saturday, May 28. Call for ticket information. For information about Ryan Sims, visit ryansimsmusic.com/.

MAKING A LIVING

to do. But at that show, they had to move out every table and every chair. We had it front to back and that was a great feeling.”

PAINFUL BREAKUP

During its reign on the local music scene, EastonAshe was known for its blend of acoustic rock and funk, playing covers of bands ranging from The Beatles to The Killers. It was its debut full-length album, Can I Drive It?, though, that garnered EastonAshe the national independent album of the year at the 2007 LA Music awards. In back-to-back years, EA was honored with the performer of the year award at the LA Music/ Hollywood Fame Awards in 2007 and 2008. The next year, Sims grabbed songwriter of the year at the Phoenix Music Awards. With the strong friendships among the guys in the band, as well as their success, Sims says the breakup was hard to wrap his head around. “Painful. It was so painful,” Sims says bluntly. He paused EastonAshe when his

Sims makes his living playing covers— with a few originals thrown in now and then. At a recent four-hour show at Cityscape’s Copper Blues, Sims’ original song, “Hurricane,” went over just as well as his band’s medley of “Walk” by Pantera, The Beatles’ “Come Together” and Nine Inch Nails’ “Closer.” Don’t expect a metal show, though, that out-of-leftfield medley was thrown in among the Black Crowes, Tom Petty and The Police. Acoustic shows feature Sims with his band’s guitarist Jeff Ocheltree. The duo performs on the quieter side at McDowell Mountain Golf Club from 5 to 8 p.m. Sundays. The playlist features a healthy dose of Sims’ original material as well as covers like Michael Buble’s “Home” and “All of Me” by John Legend. “We rely on corporate gigs and acoustic gigs, as well as weddings,” explains Sims, who just returned from a weeklong stint in St. Bart’s. “Weddings can be a lot of fun. They pay well. Corporate things and weddings are no different. There’s no room for the raucousness of being in a band. Nobody wants to see you be the party guy. You have to mind your P’s and Q’s.” This year is a year of healing for Sims, who will soon undergo spinal surgery. His WWW.ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

10 DINING APPS Organize your life with the help of your phone David Isaac » The Entertainer!

Foodspotting

Zomato (Free)

LocalEats (Free)

Grubhub (Free)

Happy Cow ($3.99)

If ever an app will put you in the mood for food, it’s Foodspotting. Scroll through pictures of delicious dishes taken from customers enjoying the fare at nearby restaurants. When you can’t decide what to eat, Foodspotting’s photos will help—Wow! That salmon sashimi and ikura looks yummy! Add your own photos, and join in the fun.

Want to know the best place to eat in your city? Check out Zomato. They’ve got the skinny on everything from restaurants to cafés and bars. You can view menus, read reviews, book tables and, when you’re done eating, write your own review. It’s also a terrific app to help you pick a place to eat when you’re out of ideas. Note: You may have heard of this app under its previous name—Urbanspoon.

Tab (Free)

Yelp (Free)

Eat St. (Free)

Find Me Gluten Free (Free)

OpenTable

(Free)

Never fear splitting a check again as you’ll never be stuck paying more than your fair share. Tab—The Simple Bill Splitter—takes a picture of your check and lets you tap items on the bill to claim them. You can even split an individual item—say an appetizer that everyone shared. Tax and tip are automatically divided proportionally.

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No dining app list would be complete without Yelp, one of the most popular apps for finding places to eat. With hundreds of reviews from people who’ve been there, done that, Yelp helps steer you to good eats and away from the not-so-good. The app provides maps, phone numbers and other restaurant information. Looking for the best-rated Chinese takeout in your area? Yelp will guide you there.

Need a break from that cookie-cutter chain restaurant? Then this is the app for you. No national chains here. They can’t even pay to be listed. The app points you only in the direction of your city’s best cuisine. It puts an emphasis on the top 100 independently owned restaurants. Selections are made based on LocalEats staff recommendations, dining blogs and surveys of food-savvy locals.

Food trucks have come a long way from the hot dog stand you remember as a kid. These roaming eateries are producing some first-class gourmet treats. The only trouble is they can be hard to find when they’re on the move. Enter Eat St., the app that locates food trucks near you. It says it wants to be your “fearless captain” to the “juiciest fleet of mobile eateries” in town. Lead on El Capitan!

Grubhub is the ultimate app for online ordering, whether it be pickup or delivery. You can order from literally hundreds of eateries in your vicinity. Search by type of food or by name of restaurant. You can scan the restaurant’s menu, select your order, even add extras and a week later, when you’re in the mood for exactly the same thing, you can just go to “past orders” and do it all again.

Whether gluten makes you feel queasy, or you have certain conditions that make it a real danger, this app is a godsend. More and more restaurants, fast-food joints and grocery stores are selling gluten-free foods. Find Me Gluten Free will locate those places for you, offer up reviews and even menus.

Vegetarians and vegans take note. The Happy Cow app will find you veg-friendly establishments, including organic and raw food. The app provides directions and reviews. You can search by interactive maps, keywords and apply filters, i.e., “search only establishments currently open.” This app is in 175 countries. It is a great tool for the vegetarian on the go.

OpenTable has been around for a long time and with good reason. It’s simply the best reservation app out there. Change, cancel, rebook—this app does it all. And by sending OpenTable reservations to friends you can coordinate plans. You can also search for restaurants and earn points by dining through OpenTable, saving you money the next time you eat out.

Not all apps are available for all operating systems.

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Suite 112 992 ECricket Cottonwood Ln., Ste. 42 S Stapley Dr. See Store or 108 Authorized Dealer for more phones at85041 great prices. 530 E Hunt Hwy Phoenix AZ Casa Grande AZ 85122 Mesa Az. 85204 Ste 119 Office 602-243-1800 520-421-2373 480-751-2111 QueenMustCreek AZ&85142 $50Office Bill Credit: Ltd. Time offer. Req’s porting elig. numberOffice (excl. ports from AT&T) & activ. on qual. plan in same transaction. New svc lines only. Basic phones excluded. be active in good

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standing for 45 days. Credit is not redeemable for cash, has no cash value & is not transferable or refundable. Credit is forfeited if account is cancelled. Limit: 1 per qualifying line. Bring Your OfficeUnlimited 480-888-7779 Own Phone: $9.99 Universal SIM Card Kit & unlocked, GSM-compatible smartphone req’d. Offer subject to change & may be terminated at any time without notice. Plan: Incl. talk, 3445 W Ave., 11B text & data. Mobile Hotspot feature not avail. Download speeds of 8MbpsAve. (LTE)/4Mbps(4G). Activ./upgrade (up Glendale to $25) & add’l fees &Ste restr’s apply. Pricing, avail., terms & data usage & 1302 E max Southern speed & other restr’s subject to change w/o notice. Coverage not avail. everywhere. Auto Pay: First mo. $70. $5 credit applied upon enrollment in auto pay. See store for details. ©2016 Cricket Phoenix AZ 85051 Mesa AZ 85204 85 W Combs Rd., Ste. 113 Wireless LLC. All rights reserved.

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See Cricket Store or Authorized Dealer for more phones at great prices. $50 Bill Credit: Ltd. Time offer. Req’s porting elig. number (excl. ports from AT&T) & activ. on qual. plan in same transaction. New svc lines only. Basic phones excluded. Must be active & in good standing for 45 days. Credit is not redeemable for cash, has no cash value & is not transferable or refundable. Credit is forfeited if account is cancelled. Limit: 1 per qualifying line. Bring Your Own Phone: $9.99 Universal SIM Card Kit & unlocked, GSM-compatible smartphone req’d. Offer subject to change & may be terminated at any time without notice. Unlimited Plan: Incl. talk, text & data. Mobile Hotspot feature not avail. Download speeds max of 8Mbps (LTE)/4Mbps(4G). Activ./upgrade (up to $25) & add’l fees & restr’s apply. Pricing, avail., terms & data usage & speed & other restr’s subject to change w/o notice. Coverage not avail. everywhere. Auto Pay: First mo. $70. $5 credit applied upon enrollment in auto pay. See store for details. ©2016 Cricket Wireless LLC. All rights reserved.

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CULINA Chef Christopher Gross combines classic techniques with original ideas

WWW.ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE MAY 2016

ARY WINNER Kenneth LaFave » The Entertainer!

hef Christopher Gross’ long-range plan is to run a very small restaurant in an unusual building. “I saw an old, closed Jiffy Lube once and thought, the open bays could make a good restaurant space, and the basement (where workers change the oil) would be the kitchen. Diners could look down into the kitchen and watch the cooking,” Gross says. “There would be a small menu— maybe three or four main courses—and seat maybe 20 people. I would call it ‘Retired.’” It’s sometimes hard to tell where Gross’ pure imagination stops and his real-life creativity begins. That could be what makes him one of the country’s most celebrated chefs. His Phoenix restaurant, Christopher’s/Christopher’s Crush, is a destination for foodies from around the globe. Christopher’s/Christopher’s Crush, located in Biltmore Fashion Park, is a far cry from a renovated Jiffy Lube. Its twopart name refers to the restaurant proper, an elegant formal dining space, and the Crush Lounge, for casual-yet-upscale bistro-style dining. (There’s also a Kitchen Bar for on-the-run.) It’s exactly the sort of place you’d expect to find the recent winner of the Scottsdale Culinary Hall of Fame’s Lifetime Achievement Award, an honor bestowed on Gross in April. Gross will have to find room on his mantle to put that one among his many other awards: The James Beard Foundation Award for Best Chef, Southwest; the 2015 Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator magazine; the Robert Mondavi Culinary Award for Excellence, etc. What sort of cuisine has won Gross all these accolades? “We’re not necessarily what people would think of as a French restaurant. But it really comes down to the French technique still being the best on the world, unless you are talking about Asian cuisine which is different and also very intricate. So we have a lot of non-French items on the menu, but everything is put together

using French technique,” Gross says. Gross worked in restaurants in his teens, was captured by the allure of cooking, and left for study in Los Angeles, London and at last, Paris. That’s where he learned the classic cooking techniques that he brings to his creations. “I worked in Paris as an illegal alien, so I pretended to be a tourist. Eventually, I came back here and started my first restaurant.” Gross has cooked for presidents and worked beside Julia Child, but the most challenging person he ever cooked for was a cookbook author. “Paula Wolfert came into the restaurant one night in 1989 and I heard she really speaks her mind,” says Gross regarding the author of such touchstone cookbooks as “The Cooking of Southwest France” and “Cooking of the East Mediterranean.” Gross was nervous. “But she had a great time, I guess, because she recommended me to Cook and Wine magazine and a year later I was a Top Ten Chef in America.” It’s all been higher and higher for Gross ever since. Gross jokingly credits “the childhood use of a lot of drugs” for his various creative advances in cuisine, but in fact, it’s classic rock ‘n’ roll that aids the process. Gross says he puts on headphones and listens to Pink Floyd, Metallica, Joe Jackson and The Eagles while lying down on the couch, imagining new recipes. A lot of the latter come from making variations on previously encountered cuisine. “There was a chef in Paris who did lobster with vanilla. I decided to vary it by taking the expensive vanilla bean and making a dust from it to capture the essence of vanilla without being sweet, and serve it with scallops.” Another dish, a signature dessert tower, came from Gross’ memory of a Parisian seafood dish that stood exceptionally tall on the plate. He applied the idea to a cake that was “a modern-day classic of chocolate meringue and chocolate mousse” by turning it into “individual cakes with meringue spikes, wrapped in a sheet of chocolate.” The concoction ended

up on the cover of Chocolatier magazine. Gross emphasizes the importance of the right wine with the right food, employing Chilean-born sommelier Paola Embry to supervise the wines at Christopher’s. Why does classic dining place such importance on the appropriate pairing of cuisine and wine? “Food can totally be made not as enjoyable if the wrong wine is served. In a class I teach, I always use the following example. Drink a sip of sauvignon blanc and savor its acidity. Then take a bite of lemon and sip the sauvignon blanc again. It will be like water. You don’t want food so powerful that you won’t taste the wine, and you don’t want, say, a big, oaky, fruity wine served with steamed sole. You also don’t want much vinegar in a salad dressing or it, too, will reduce the wine to water.” Creative cookery is one thing; the restaurant business is another. Gross is concerned that “the restaurant business is more and more complicated by regulations and such things as credit card fees, rental overhead, and the labor market getting more and more expensive.” Corporate-owned chain restaurants have the advantage, he says he believes, by being able to advertise several restaurants under one banner, which in turn drives the recognition factor of chain restaurants. “There are some good chains. But it’s going to become more and more difficult for the independents to compete with them. Chains will become more and more common and independents less common.” That won’t stop Gross from cooking. But if you don’t want to get served vanilla-dusted scallops at a Jiffy Lube, you might think of making reservations now.

Christopher’s/ Christopher’s Crush

2502 E. Camelback Road, Suite 102 Phoenix 85016, 602.522.2344 or christophersaz.com

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he A4 is a popular sedan in the Audi lineup, but buyers shopping for best performance will be interested in the upgraded S4 version. It replaces the base 2.0-liter 220-horsepower engine with a more potent 3.0-liter supercharged V-6 cranking 333 horsepower. Standard transmission is a slick six-speed manual, but this car had the superior seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, which offers quicker acceleration and improved fuel economy. A performance-tuned all-wheel drive combined with sporttuned suspension adds to the fun. A console-mounted knob operates the Auto Drive Select system, which allows adjustments for steering feel, gearbox shift points, throttle response and comfort/ racing modes for the suspension. The base price starts at $48,000. This upgraded Prestige option adds adaptive headlights, navigation, upgraded sound system, larger wheels and starts at $55,000. By the time other items like sport differential and leather trim were tacked on, its price was reaching the $60,000 level. The entry fee is worth it. Whether cruising on Scottsdale streets, or taking tight corners on Northern Arizona forest roads, performance was excellent. The claimed factory 0-60 mph time of 4.9 seconds was observed, along with real-world fuel economy of 22/26 mpg. Overall, this car crammed 875 miles on the clock in only four days. It was certainly missed on day five.

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A TABLE FOR TWO? Phind it

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE MAY 2016

THE TOURIST

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

LODGING WITHOUT LIMITS

Airbnb connects vacationers with one-of-a-kind housing options Scott Shumaker » The Entertainer!

hen Gov. Doug Ducey proclaimed that “Arizona should be to the sharing economy, what Texas is to oil,” in this year’s State of the State address, it was good news for businesses like Airbnb and Uber that are driving the so-called sharing economy. These businesses enable regular people to put existing resources—cars, in the case of Lyft, and housing, in the case of Airbnb— to work. Airbnb, in particular, received a boost when the State Senate passed a bill in March prohibiting local governments from restricting short-term rentals in private homes. So, what are the pros and cons of house sharing versus traditional hotels? During stays in Airbnb rentals, I have experienced both. For example, I rented a room in a historic home in Bisbee while the owner was away traveling. Her five dogs, however, stayed at home in the yard and were fed by a neighbor. I like dogs, and the arrangement went swimmingly until the five canines started barking late at night and wouldn’t stop. Because it wasn’t my house or my dogs, I wasn’t sure what to do. While this wasn’t quite a vacation nightmare, it was still awkward. Another potential drawback of using Airbnb versus traditional hotels is the fact that hosts can cancel reservations. Though hosts are penalized for canceling on guests—too many cancelations can prevent a host from becoming a “superhost,” for example—I noticed enough cancelations posted on Airbnb to suggest that it happens more frequently in the house-sharing world than in the traditional hotel market. But in spite of the above quibbles, I still appreciate the many advantages that the Airbnb community has to offer. One of my favorite aspects of Airbnb is the wide variety of lodging options available—the options in the traditional hotel market don’t seem nearly as eclectic. The wide range of lodging styles on Airbnb—everything from tents to luxury homes tucked into seemingly every corner of the state—means that a traveler can tailor their lodging to meet any number of needs and interests.

Earlier this year, Airbnb reported that more than 5,000 Arizonans hosted guests in their homes through its company in the last year. The Airbnbs below reflect some of the basic types of rooms available through the site. As these show, the rooms in Arizona below vary widely in style and price, but each of them received outstanding from guests. EARTHY

A traditional hogan in Monument Valley

$80/night This Airbnb is a traditional Navajo hogan set among the spectacular geology of Monument Valley. The hogan, constructed of wood logs and dirt, sends visitors back in time and immerses them in another culture. A wood-burning stove provides heat for the one-room hogan, and a kerosene lamp provides light after dark. There’s no TV, Internet or running water on the property. As one five-star review noted, this Airbnb is “not for those who are afraid of outdoor simple living.” During the day guests can hire guided tours by 4x4 or horseback into restricted parts of the Monument Valley Tribal Park, or they can wander around

the property soaking in the scenery. Many Hollywood westerns, including John Ford’s “The Searchers,” were filmed at the base of Sentinel Mesa, where the hogan is located. According to the host, “our home is just like walking out on the set of the western classic movie.” BUDGET

An “Adorkable” Camper on an Organic Farm

$35 This little camper outside of Tombstone in Southern Arizona is a good example of a budget-conscious option on Airbnb. The camper is parked on a 55-acre organic farm that is home to goats, pigs, chickens and horses. Renters who garden back home or just appreciate sustainable design will enjoy a tour of the owners’ aquaponic garden. The aquaponic garden is an impressive hydroponic growing system floating in a tank of live fish that fertilizes the crops. For an additional charge, the hosts will prepare home-cooked meals using ingredients grown on the property. These fresh meals are delivered right to the camper door. The trade-off for the economy of the trailer is the rusticity of the amenities

available. There is no electricity in the camper, and like many Airbnbs in remote areas, a composting toilet stands in for a conventional flush toilet. But renting this camper is more about being in the incredible setting than the overnight accommodations. The rolling grasslands and distant “sky-island” mountain ranges outside of Tombstone are peaceful and soothing. LUXURIOUS

Resort-Style Casita in PV $425 This resort-style casita in Paradise Valley shows the house-sharing economy has expanded well into the luxury market. The private casita, part of a hacienda tucked into the side of Mummy Mountain, has two bedrooms, a living room, and a full kitchen. Unlike the two above rentals, there is nothing rustic about this Airbnb—unless you include the antique teak gates and salvaged iron and wood that decorates the property. A shared courtyard outside the casita has a heated pool and hot tub where Airbnbers can unwind from a day of work or travel. On the rare nights when the Sonoran Desert cools to a brisk temperature, guests can warm-up around the courtyard’s outdoor fireplace.

What’s your style?

Luxurious, budget and earthy Airbnbs are three of the major styles found on Arizona’s house sharing market, but the swelling ranks of people renting out parts of their property in Arizona means there are abundant variations and properties that defy categorization. Some will love the alternative to traditional lodging that Airbnb offers, while others will be more comfortable with hotels. My girlfriend is less enthusiastic about Airbnb than I am, but that could have more to do with my choice of properties than house sharing in general (see above: composting toilet). In any event, because the sharing economy is here and not going away in the immediate future, it’s worth trying the grass on the other side of the fence and deciding if it is really greener. WWW.ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

TOUR

DU JOUR

Welcome to “The Tourist,” a great addition for the more than 40 million visitors to our state, as well as locals. But we’re not stopping at the border. Anything within a day’s drive is fair game, so expect us to also clue you in to popular destinations of merit which may only be a tank of gas away. Whether it be nightlife, natural wonders, golf, resort diversions, amazing cuisine or one-of-a-kind attractions, let us point out the best of the mileposts. As we peel back the first few pages of what’s in store, we’ll bet you find more than one item that should be on your bucket list. Enjoy!

Arizona Hummer Tours Whether you’re looking for a simple sightseeing excursion, or a great adventure, let Arizona Hummer Tours give you the experience of a lifetime! AHT has been offering unique treks through the famous Sonoran Desert for the last six years. Feel the thrill of the H1 Hummer or Polaris Ranger®/ Rzr on challenging terrain. Explore mountains, canyons, rivers and breathtaking vistas. See ghost towns, Native American ruins, desert wildlife, flora & fauna. Go places that most people will never see! Receive a digital photo CD of your personal extreme adventure! Call 602.692.7124 for more info. AZHummerTours.com

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 12 a.m. 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, 85254, Call 480.998.2800, CrackerJax.com

Rick Bronson’s House of Comedy Enjoy the best comedy club in the city, showcasing the absolute brightest stand-up comedy stars! Experience a world-class showroom, delicious food and full-bar service. Arrive early and visit The Heckler Lounge, a great place to meet, see live close-up magic and later, hang out with the comics after the show. The club is located on High Street (formerly City North) in Phoenix’s North Valley—one of the country’s hottest entertainment districts. Open Tuesday through Sunday, with additional performances on Fridays and Saturdays. The Heckler opens for happy hour daily. 5350 E. High Street, Suite 105, Phoenix, 85054, Call 480.420.3553, HouseOfComedy.net

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 85638, 520.457.3456, okcorral.com

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

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1/26/16 12:21 PM

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE MAY 2016

Come See Where We Live See Over 140 Exotic Animals!

(480) 610-2337 TheBrassTap.com

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Big Cats, Bears, Primates, Wolves, Birds, Reptiles, Critters and more! Guided Tours

The Brass Tap The Brass Tap at Mesa Riverview has 60 taps and more than 240 different beers in bottles and cans making it the best craft beer experience in the Phoenix metropolitan area. Come on in and enjoy great beer, music on Fridays and Saturdays from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. and fantastic pub fare. It opens at 11 a.m. daily. The Brass Tap was recently awarded the Arizona Society of Home Brewers ASHy Award for Arizona Best Craft Beer Bar—East. The owners of The Brass Tap are extremely proud and grateful for receiving the award as it comes from an organization that truly appreciates craft beer. So, if you haven’t been to The Brass Tap, stop in and check out its constantly rotating 60 handles of great craft beer. 1033 N. Dobson Road, Suite 104, Mesa Riverview, Mesa, 85201. 480.610.2337 (BEER), brasstapbeerbar.com/Mesa

10am, 1pm, 3:30 (feeding tour!)

Rooster Cogburn Ostrich Ranch

Hours

Since 1999, you’ve seen Rooster Cogburn Ostrich Ranch on TV—“Larry the Cable Guy—Only in America,” “Extreme Roadside Attractions,” “Chef vs. City,” “Amazing Animals,” “Arizona Highways” and many more. Rooster Cogburn Ostrich Ranch is a three-generation, family-owned, working ostrich ranch. It also boasts Miniature Sicilian Donkeys, Nigerian Dwarf Goats, Fallow Deer, Peking Ducks, “The Goat Penthouse” and the “Hole in the Wall Gang” featuring Boar Goats and Rainbow Lorikeets. On Saturday and Sunday, as well as holidays, experience the Picacho Peak Monster Truck Tours. It’s affordable family fun for all ages. Open daily from 9 a.m. 5 p.m. Located between Tucson and Phoenix at Picacho Peak, Interstate 10, Exit 219, 520.466.3658, roostercogburn.com

Wed – Mon, 9am-5pm Closed Tuesdays

13441 E. Highway 66 Valentine, AZ 86437

Located on Historic Route 66 at mile marker 87, 29 miles east of Kingman, AZ.

(928) 769-1800

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Best Western Inn of Chandler Pig & Pickle Looking for an eclectically different place to dine and drink? There’s no better place to go than Pig & Pickle, where there are no “me too” dishes or boring bar food. The best local craft beers, a fantastic wine selection, hand-crafted cocktails and fresh baked bread compliment a menu that defies a brief description. At the famous P&P, the knowledgeable staff helps you blend a variety of tastes to create a unique dining experience. Open for lunch, dinner, happy hour and late-night adventurers. Closed Mondays. 2922 N. Hayden Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85251, 480.990.1407, pigandpickle.com

The comfort and conveniences of a luxury hotel for the business traveler or a vacationer are offered by the Best Western Inn of Chandler. Free high-speed Internet access and complimentary HOT breakfast. All rooms include microwave refrigerator, iron, ironing board and coffee maker. Seasonal pool and year round spa. We are close to Chandler Fashion Square Mall, Golf Courses ASU and much more. We are also only minutes from Downtown Chandler and 15 minutes to Sky Harbor Airport. AAA, AARP and Corporate Discounts apply. 950 N. Arizona Avenue Chandler, Arizona, 85225, 480.814.8600, bestwesternarizona.com

Dillon’s KC BBQ Dillon’s Bayou is now open at Pleasant Harbor Marina, Lake Pleasant. Dillon’s great food is now on the menu at this newest location, 13 miles closer to you! 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 BBQ can offer. Check out our General Store. 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

Taste It Tours - Food Tour Our city is home to world-class cuisine, but why limit yourself to one restaurant? With Taste It Tours, we sample the best food from five restaurants, including alcohol samplings and Old Town history/fun facts from award-winning guides. Walking food tours run six days a week in Phoenix and Scottsdale. Mention discount code ET-12 for $6 off each ticket! Call 480.274.3569 or visit tasteittours.com to learn more.

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Arizona Museum of Natural History What’s cooler than an indoor mountain with a waterfall and simulated flash flood? Dinosaurs of course! You’ll marvel at Cretaceous Seas, an exhibit about the ocean over 66 million years ago. Pan for gold in the History Courtyard, visit a real territorial jail, learn about Arizona’s geological wonders and much more! 53 N. McDonald, Mesa, 480.644.2230, AzMNH.org

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BRIGHT LIGHTS,

SMALL CITY Laughlin overwhelms W with more than gambling

Christina Fuoco-Karasinski » The Entertainer!

henever I thought of Laughlin, the first thing that popped in my head was “gambling.” I’m not much of a gambler, so I was a little hesitant to travel over the Arizona border into the city that sits on the Colorado River. Boy was I wrong. As the bright lights of Laughlin came into view on a Friday after a three-anda-half-hour trip, we were geared up and ready to explore. Our tour guide from the convention and visitors bureau kept us busy from day to night. After checking into our room at the Golden Nugget and having a meal at Café Aquarius in the Aquarius resort, we strolled over to the docks for a 90-minute narrated scenic boat cruise. It was the perfect introduction to Laughlin. We cruised up and down the Colorado River, checking out the skyline. It was a little chilly, but we sipped hot cocoa and bundled up. The brisk weather was a nice respite from Arizona, but the best was yet to come. We easily defrosted during dinner at Guy Fieri’s El Burro Borracho at Harrah’s Laughlin. The dishes at the Mexican restaurant have a kick to them, so look out. But we went for the ideal antidote— strong margaritas. A little haggard, we ate nonetheless. This time we had breakfast at the Pioneer Hotel and Gambling Hall’s Bumbleberry Flats, which serves, let’s say, generous meals—and killer bumbleberry jam, a combination of every berry imaginable. (It

even has beer taps at some tables!) Then we headed out on a 45-minute drive back over the bridge to Oatman. Now, if you’ve never been to Oatman, you’re seriously missing out. It’s a former mining town off Route 66, complete with shootouts—and wild burros begging for food and attention up and down the main drag. The key to mixing and mingling with the burros is not to feed the babies, which are marked. And be sure to follow this directive, or the townies will come down on you. We made brief stops in Bullhead City and Laughlin Ranch, before visiting Riverside Resort to see the movie theaters, bowling center, Kids Castle and classic car museum, which was well worth

the trip alone. While we were in Laughlin, we had to do what the locals do—see a show. Our choice? “The Price is Right Live,” a traveling show that hit the E Center in the Edgewater Hotel this particular night. None of us were chosen to play, but we were totally into rooting for contestants facing Cliff Hangers and Plinko, the latter of which was won by a young man on dialysis. The Showcase Showdown didn’t yield a winner, unfortunately. The whirlwind trip wrapped up with a Sunday brunch at Windows on the River Buffet. We toasted our tour guide with mimosas and hit the road back to the Valley thoroughly impressed.

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GATEWAY TO

ADVENTURE

Flagstaff’s ‘eighth wonder’—itself

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THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE MAY 2016

Scott Shumaker » The Entertainer!

n the 1960s, the Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce touted Flagstaff as “The City of Seven Wonders”— which sounds grandiose, but actually sells the city short in my opinion. For starters, choosing only seven wonders is limiting in a place where lava caves, cinder cones, elk herds, and historic buildings are a part of daily life. Moreover, the generally accepted Seven Wonders near Flagstaff— Grand Canyon, San Francisco Peaks, Meteor Crater, Oak Creek Canyon, Sunset Crater, Walnut Canyon, and Wupatki National Monument—do not include the city of Flagstaff itself. That’s a glaring oversight. Flagstaff is a gateway to adventure that is worth savoring in its own right. The city’s revitalized downtown is an especially worthwhile place to stopover while touring Northern Arizona. The narrow, gridded streets and tall brick buildings of the historic downtown district are always impressive and recall an earlier time in Arizona’s history. In a land of big spaces, downtown Flagstaff feels remarkably urban. And historic. You cannot throw a rock in the neighborhood—or Frisbee, since we’re in Flagstaff—without hitting a historic home or building constructed from the region’s trademark red sandstone or volcanic boulders. Downtown Flagstaff has experienced a renaissance in recent decades, and today it is popular with locals and visitors. The historic downtown district boasts an interesting blend of urban cool, Western nostalgia, and Main Street America vibes. In any given bar on any given night you might find ultramarathoners, bow hunters and college students socializing over a local brew. It’s a place where you can buy trendy outdoor apparel on one side of the street and Native American art and jewelry on the other. Because there is so much in today’s downtown Flagstaff, it’s best to focus on one facet of this gem at a time.

Basecamp to adventure Downtown Flag hosts several outdoors gear stores, some of which are local institutions. Shops like Aspen Sports, Peace Surplus and Babbit’s Backcountry Outfitters attract outdoor adventure types from in town and all over the country.

All of the above outdoor stores have local flavor, and they can supply you with everything you need to hit the Colorado Plateau. At Peace Surplus I did as the locals do and picked up a $19.99 Trunk parachute hammock. These hammocks are easily thrown in a pack and hung up anywhere you have a two branches. On a nice day in Flagstaff (which is most of the time), you are likely to see more than a few hammocks strung up in Wheeler Park by downtown. Peace Surplus also supplied us with cheap rentals on our way to the Grand Canyon. Summer sleeping bags are just $3 per day, and two person tents are just $7. At these prices you may as well splurge on the $3 sleeping pad. Downtown outdoor stores can also give advice on local hikes and attractions free of charge.

Foodie heaven Downtown Flagstaff boasts an eclectic food scene, with everything from off-beat vegan restaurants to posh local-vore spots. MartAnne’s Burrito Palace, “the house that chilaquiles built,” is a local favorite. The brunch spot sits right on historic Route 66 and serves up notoriously large and delicious portions of Mexican fare. On weekend mornings this royal house of red sauce draws a crowd. MartAnne’s recently started serving dinner, so there are even more opportunities to soak up its Route 66 décor and tuck into some verde- or rojo- drenched chilaquiles before hitting the road. For lunch and dinner (and brunch on the weekends), Criollo Latin Kitchen on San Francisco is a safe bet. Criollo specializes in preparing hip, creative and flavorful fare, like porkbelly tacos ($12) and sweet ancho chile biscuits and gravy ($10), using locally sourced ingredients. While you savor goat cheese from Snowflake or fresh vegetables from Chino Valley, you can take in the sleek woodwork of the interior—made from local bark beetle-killed Ponderosa pine, naturally.

Historic places to crash Being a tourism town for over 100 years, Flagstaff has many historic hotels and motels. But the downtown district boasts two classics that standout: the Weatherford Hotel, which hosts the annual Great Pinecone Drop on New Year’s Eve, and the Hotel Monte Vista.

The Monte Vista’s vintage neon red sign set against snow-capped San Francisco Peaks is an iconic sight that is visible from many parts of Flagstaff. Every time I visit Flagstaff, seeing the Monte Vista sign against the mountain background tells me I’m back. The 73-room Hotel Monte Vista opened in 1927, just in time to serve travelers on the newly established Route 66. When it was built the Monte Vista was the tallest building in Flagstaff, and the rooms offer beautiful views of downtown and the surrounding country. Be forewarned that the Monte V is a not a quiet country inn. The hotel’s streetlevel Rendezvous bar is a popular hangout dishing out craft cocktails until 2 a.m. Rendezvous specializes in local brews and seasonal cocktails made with house-made ingredients. If you’re looking for a night cap or a taste of Flagstaff nightlife, the Monte V’s gorgeous alligator juniper bar is the perfect place to pull up a chair.

Regional arts and crafts Downtown Flagstaff also offers a vibrant and eclectic arts market, and there is something in the historic district for every kind of collector. I always make a point of visiting the Artists’ Gallery on San Francisco Street when I need a card or a gift. The Artists’ Gallery is operated by a cooperative of local artists, and the items for sale range from fine art to crafts and gifts. Many of the objects available are inspired by the local environment, like ceramic cups made to look convincingly like sections of aspen truck. Other artists have set up independent galleries downtown to display handmade jewelry or oil paintings. A hallmark of Flagstaff is its proximity to Navajo and Hopi lands, and Native art and crafts are represented in downtown’s shops. Wild West Traders on historic Route 66 carries a large selection of turquoise and silver jewelry made by Navajo, Hopi and Zuni artisans. The shop also stocks Navajo rugs and other Nativemade products. Galaxy Sales Co, next door to Wild West Traders, can satisfy a desire for Western Americana. If you need a Pendleton wool blanket to snuggle up with someone, Galaxy is the place for you, and they also have leather goods, like saddles. Whether you need functional cowboy gear or kitschy Route 66 curios and gewgaws, you will be able to find in downtown Flagstaff.

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THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE MAY 2016

THE ARTIST

CULTURE » THEATER » DANCE » GALLERY » DRAMA » VISION

TAPPING INTO

HISTORY Teenager takes role of Anne Frank seriously Elliott Adams » The Entertainer!

s the member of a Peoria performance troupe, Sarah Pansing was looking forward to showing her stuff at Disneyland this month. She was so excited, in fact, that even though she wanted to audition for the role of Anne Frank in the May production of “The Diary of Anne Frank,” she bypassed it. But then fate stepped in. The troupe’s visit to Disneyland was postponed until June, and then Sarah was free to audition

for the Hale Centre Theatres production. There was one problem, though: The auditions were over. The 15-year-old Arizona School for the Arts freshman stepped into action and persuaded the Hale Centre Theatre staff to let her prove her mettle during callbacks. Now she’s onstage several times a week. “I was so excited,” Sarah says. “I’ve wanted to play this role for a really long time because I’ve always had a really strong connection with Anne, and I was just so excited when I got this part.” The play is based on true events during the Nazi occupation of Amsterdam in World War II and is influenced heavily by Anne’s personal writings, later titled “The Diary of a Young Girl.” Sarah read Anne Frank’s diary to prepare for the role and interpret the character. “She has a really wide range of emotions; one minute she’ll be happy and the next minute she’s crying,” she says. “It’s definitely hard to channel all the things that are going through her head, but reading the diary helped me understand her a bit more.”

The role is a professional one, and that’s something that initially intimidated Sarah. The entire cast and the director, M. Seth Reines, were welcoming, though. To learn more about Anne, holocaust survivor Elly Orin visited with the cast. Sarah, who is Jewish, said she learned about the holocaust in school and in her temple’s Sunday school. Hearing firsthand accounts from a survivor, however, made it meaningful. The play isn’t all about the story. She said there are striking technical components. Sarah said the set, sound and lighting of the play add to the emotion of the story and enhance the audience’s overall experience.

“The Diary of Ann Frank”

Hale Centre Theatre, 50 W. Page Avenue, Gilbert, 480.497.1181, haletheatrearizona.com, various times through Saturday, May 14, $18-$28. WWW.ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

Over the Edge: Fred Harvey at the Grand Canyon and in the Great Southwest

ARTS

CALENDAR

ONGOING On display at the Heard Museum’s newest exhibit will be pamphlets, advertisements, postcards and other promotional materials produced by the Fred Harvey Company and the Santa Fe Railway. Accompanying these materials will be selections from the museum’s permanent collection that compliment the marketing pieces. The two companies painted a picture of the Southwest that lured visitors to the region decades ago. Heard Museum 2301 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix 602.252.8840 heard.org

“Annie”

CHANDLER CHILDREN’S CHOIR: SIMPLY SONIC MAY 7

ANNIE MAY 4 - 8

MAY 4 THROUGH MAY 8 It is late Spring in Arizona, so there is no doubt that the sun will come out tomorrow, and the day after that, and the day after that. The sun will definitely be out in Tempe, as everyone’s favorite red-headed orphan sings about her hard knock life. Experience a new incarnation of the classic. ASU Gammage 1200 S. Forest Avenue, Tempe 480.965.3434 asugammage.com

Star Wars: The Music TODRICK HALL MAY 7

MAY 4 The force is definitely with the Mesa Arts Center, as the Phoenix Symphony travels across the intergalactic Phoenix area to perform a night of music straight from the popular series of films. This event tends to sell out, so check for tickets before you go! Presented by the Phoenix Symphony Mesa Arts Center One E. Main Street, Mesa 602.495.1999 phoenixsymphony.org

“The Gospel According to Thomas Jefferson, Charles Dickens and Count Leo Tolstoy: Discord”

‘THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO THOMAS JEFFERSON, CHARLES DICKENS AND COUNT LEO TOLSTOY: DISCORD’ MAY 5 - 29

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MAY 5 THROUGH MAY 29 Arizona Theatre Company’s final production of the season is also a new work by HBO’s “Real Time with Bill Maher” Executive Producer Scott Carter. This comedy promises to deliver laugh-out-loud moments and examines what happens when great men are forced to relive history. Presented by Arizona Theatre Company Herberger Theater Center 222 E. Monroe Street, Phoenix 602.256.6995 arizonatheatre.org

“Curtains” MAY 6 THROUGH MAY 22 Put on your thinking caps and get ready for a musical whodunit! Comedy ensues as the lead actress at a Boston theater mysteriously dies on stage. As the detective tries to solve the crime, more bodies pile up and secrets are revealed! Fountain Hills Community Theatre 11445 N. Saguaro Boulevard, Fountain Hills 480.837.9661 fhct.org

“Twilight’s Quest” MAY 6 THROUGH MAY 22 Experience all kinds of mystical creatures in an original fantasy musical written by the company’s own Chris Hamby. On your quest, encounter mystical creatures such as fairies, mermaids, gypsies and pirates. Check the TheaterWorks website for special comic book and Cosplay nights! Presented by TheaterWorks Peoria Center for the Performing Arts 8355 W. Peoria Avenue, Peoria 623.815.7930 theaterworks.org

Chandler Children’s Choir: Simply Sonic MAY 7 Prepare for an evening of folk, classical and art songs with an accompanying performance by an electrifying string trio. Chandler Children’s Choir promotes high-artistic-quality music education to young people. The concert is a great way to see tomorrow’s talent today and appreciate their hard work. Chandler Center for the Arts 250 N. Arizona Avenue, Chandler 480.782.2680 chandlercenter.org

Todrick Hall MAY 7 The Broadway star, “American Idol” finalist, and online personality takes a break from his 2-plus million followers and 300 million YouTube video views to visit the Southeast Valley for an entertaining evening. Queen Creek Performing Arts Center 22149 E. Ocotillo Road, Queen Creek 480.987.SHOW (7469) qcpac.com

“Postcards from the Apocalypse” MAY 12 THROUGH MAY 21 The second installment of Brelby’s Studio Series of 2016 tells the tale of a man waiting for his girlfriend atop a

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE MAY 2016

mountain. As he waits, he reads messages about the apocalypse taking place around him. Seven end-of-theworld scenarios are played out, with a variety of endings. Brelby Theatre Company 6835 N. 58th Avenue, Glendale 623.282.2781 brelby.com

“The Boob Show” MAY 13 AND MAY 14 Boobs...half of the world was born with them. The other half loves them. Mature audiences with a sense of humor will enjoy this staged reading featuring local artists, and be rewarded with wit and a bit of heart. Mesa Arts Center One E. Main Street, Mesa 480.644.6500 mesaartscenter.org

“Flamexico!” MAY 13 AND MAY 14 Experience the musical confluences of Spain’s Flamenco and México’s Mariachi in this spectacular production. Two cultures come together for an unforgettable experience. Mesa Arts Center One E. Main Street, Mesa 480.644.6500 mesaencoretheatre.com

“Alice in Wonderland” MAY 13 THROUGH MAY 22 This production features of a talented cast of actors between the ages of 8 and 19. The classic tale is told for everyone to enjoy, with an original short which explains happens to Alice before the familiar events unfold. Presented by Desert Foothills Community Theatre Cactus Shadows Fine Arts Center 33606 N. 60th Street., Scottsdale 480.488.1981 dftheater.org

“The Automatic Hate” MAY 13 THROUGH MAY 22 Curated by Scottsdale International Film Festival Director Amy Ettinger, the Scottsdale Cinematheque offers a new independent, or foreign film each month. This month’s film tells the story of two cousins who learn the shocking secret behind their family’s rift. Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts 7380 E. Second Street, Scottsdale 480.499.TKTS (8587) scottsdaleperformingarts.org

Round – An Evening at Desert Botanical Garden MAY 17 THROUGH JUNE 4 Experience ballet in the round in an unforgettable location. The art of

dance and nature come together for this unique performance. Every seat will offer a different perspective of the stage, which is comprised of four ramps around a circle. Presented by Ballet Arizona Desert Botanical Garden 1201 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix 602.381.1096 balletaz.org

FLAMEXICO MAY 13 - 14

When You Wish: The Story of Walt Disney MAY 18 THROUGH JUNE 12 Phoenix Theatre presents a world premiere musical about the man who’s creativity and dream still entertains countless millions around the globe to this day. Walt Disney turned failures into triumphs and never ceased wishing on stars. This is the story of an unusual man who turned his dreams into reality. Phoenix Theatre 100 E. McDowell Road, Phoenix 602.254.2151 phoenixtheatre.com

OVER THE EDGE ONGOING

“THE AUTOMATIC HATE” MAY 13 THROUGH MAY 22

“Sweeney Todd” MAY 20 THROUGH MAY 29 The Stephen Sondheim masterpiece has taken many forms, including a feature film starring Johnny Depp. Mesa Encore produces its version of the famous story involving The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. This story of revenge takes place in 19th century London. Presented by Mesa Encore Theatre Mesa Arts Center One E. Main Street, Mesa 480.834.9500 mesaencoretheatre.com

KRISTIN CHEOWETH MAY 21 - 22

THE BOOB SHOW MAY 13 - 14

ROUND MAY 17 - JUNE 4

Kristin Cheoweth MAY 21 AND MAY 22 While no stranger to the Valley (or the stage for that matter), Chenoweth is performing for the first time with the Phoenix Symphony. The award-winning actress and recording artist closes out the pops season with a medley of songs from multiple genres. Presented by the Phoenix Symphony Phoenix Symphony Hall 75 N. Second Street, Phoenix 602.495.1999 phoenixsymphony.org

Live from Laurel Canyon MAY 26 Los Angeles’ Laurel Canyon is a street that intersects with Sunset Boulevard, in the heart of L.A.’s music scene in the 1960s and ‘70s. The canyon itself was also home to many song makers of the era. The show is a tribute to the time, and pays homage to American folk rock. The MIM Music Theatre 4725 E. Mayo Boulevard, Phoenix 480.478.6000 themim.org

LAUREL CANYON MAY 26

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CELEBRATING

THE ART The greatest choreographer comes to Ballet Arizona

Kenneth LaFave » The Entertainer! Rosalie O’Connor » Photographer

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THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE MAY 2016

ho’s the greatest novelist ever? Or the greatest painter? The answers differ according to taste. Tolstoy and Dickens, Rembrandt and Picasso. There are many answers—and no answer. But Ib Andersen makes no qualification about the greatest choreographer. “George Balanchine is the greatest choreographer of all time,” says the artistic director of Ballet Arizona. “Decades later his works are still relevant, fresh and challenging for dancers and the audience.” Andersen comes by his viewpoint honestly. The Danish-born ballet master was the last male principal chosen by Balanchine for New York City Ballet, and he premiered several of Balanchine’s major works in the early 1980s. When Andersen took over Ballet Arizona in 2000, he set about turning it into a “Balanchine company”—one emphasizing the technique and style that Balanchine brought to ballet. Balanchine (1904–1982) modernized ballet, sharpening attacks, lengthening line, and incorporating gestures from jazz and other dance traditions. This month, Ballet Arizona performs its annual all-Balanchine program, this time featuring three works: “Apollo” (1928), “Walpurgisnacht” (1967) and “Symphony in Three Movements” (1972). The trio represents Balanchine in a variety of creative modes, respectively telling a story out of mythology, saluting womanhood, and exploring the intimate relationship of music to dance. Musicality—the pairing of musical phrase and danced gesture—was the hallmark of all Balanchine choreography. “His musicality was unmatched,

whether it’s a ballet with a more specific story, like ‘Apollo,’ or choreography that simply celebrates the art, as you see in ‘Symphony in Three Movements,’” Andersen says. Cutting across all three ballets in the program—and across Balanchine’s output in general—is a celebration of the body and its capacity for movement. “A lot of choreographers may have a strong concept about what they’re trying to do, but very little skill in the language of choreography. With Balanchine, though, you always see ballet for ballet’s sake, no matter what the concept is. It’s always about the beauty of the body,” Andersen says. Putting it as simply as possible, Andersen asserts: “He could do anything.” Balanchine was born Georges Balanchivadze in the nation of Georgia, and moved West when the Soviet Union absorbed his country. In Paris in the 1920s, he danced for the great impresario Serge Diaghilev and made his first ballets for Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes. He eventually moved to New York, where he choreographed musicals and films and at length linked up with an administrative mind that could make his artistic dreams come true: Lincoln Kirstein. Together, Kirstein and Balanchine launched New York City Ballet in the 1940s. The company—along with its school, the School of American Ballet—continues to flourish as a vanguard of American classical dance. “Apollo” was Balanchine’s first major ballet. The music was by fellow Russian ex-pat Igor Stravinsky. The two men became lifelong friends, and Balanchine used more than a dozen Stravinsky scores

as inspiration for his ballets, including “Symphony in Three Movements.” That ballet was made the year following Stravinsky’s death, in homage to the great composer. It is not a widely performed ballet, even among Balanchine companies such as Ballet Arizona. Though he is a Balanchine protégé who learned 35 of the master’s works in his first three months at New York City Ballet, Andersen has never performed or staged it before. Balanchine ballets require Balanchine-trained dancers. “To do Balanchine ballets the best tool is to teach the dancers how to dance him. He is like Petipa”—the 19th century choreographer of “Swan Lake”—but “much more evolved. He has that purity of line, something that will never go out of style. It’s the same thing you see in Greek sculpture.” When audiences see Ballet Arizona dance Balanchine, they are seeing not only a Balanchine-trained company, but one of the best in the country. Ballet Arizona’s reputation is international, and critics from the New York Times regularly visit. The Times even named Ballet Arizona’s “Nutcracker” “one of the three best outside New York.” In addition to turning Ballet Arizona into a great performing company, Andersen has also taken pains to improve its infrastructure. When he arrived, the company trained and rehearsed in a cramped space in a strip mall. Andersen spearheaded a fund drive to get his dancers the space they deserve, and in 2014 opened a new, 45,000-squre-feet facility at 28th and Washington streets, purchased and renovated at the cost of $13 million.

Ballet Arizona’s “All Balanchine”

Symphony Hall, 75 N. Second Street, Phoenix, balletaz.org, various times, Thursday, May 5, through Sunday, May 8, starts at $25.

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A WORLD OF

SONG Phoenix Boys Choir sings and learns about ‘The Happiest Songs on Earth’ Kenneth LaFave » The Entertainer!

arents, beware: Music education can be a gateway to other forms of learning. “We explore the subjects we sing about,” says Georg Stangelberger, artistic director of the Phoenix Boys Choir. “When we sing about carnations, we study the world of carnations. When we sing a work composed during the Holocaust, we study the Holocaust.” The choir, comprised of boys ages 7 to 14 and one of the most highly regarded youth choirs in the country, will celebrate everything Disney with a concert called “The Happiest Songs on Earth” on Saturday, May 7, at the Mesa Performing Arts Center, 1833 W. Southern Avenue. The program will include songs from “Snow White,” “The Little Mermaid,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “The Lion King” and “Frozen.” Did the boys in the choir “study” Disney by going to Disneyland? Not exactly. But the experience of learning the songs kicked off an exploration of fairy tales. Music touches on everything somehow, and using that as a platform for understanding the world has been a mainstay of the choir since its founding in 1947. The boys sing in many different languages and the touring choir—the most select group among the group’s 125 members—tours other countries.

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THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE MAY 2016

That kind of broad-based exposure to cultural learning wooed Oleg Shvets away from DECA. After 17 years with the group that specializes in training young entrepreneurs, Shvets recently came on board as the Phoenix Boys Choir’s new executive director. “We’re not just a choir,” Shvets explains. “Yes, we provide a first-rate music education, but we also develop leadership and communication skills. These are things you can’t learn in a classroom, things that will serve young minds whatever fields they wish to go into.” Shvets says he is happy to deal with the business side of the Boys Choir while Stangelberger provides the music direction and education. He says he hopes to broaden the image of the choir. “We need to strengthen the Boys Choir brand and expand our reach to include a more diverse kind of boy. We need to reach communities that may not have the means to join the choir. We don’t want to accept socioeconomic status as a reason for not being in the choir,” Shvets says. No subject is apparently too small or too big for the choir to explore as it rehearses. Singing about carnations led to a study of the kinds of carnations found round the world. Singing about a 16th century battle—a choral work called “La Bataille de Marignan”—generated a discussion of war and the possibility of a

vision of global peace. “We don’t only do classical music,” Stangelberger says. “We did a work incorporating African rhythms that brought us to study African music.” Stangelberger was so impressed with the history and potential of the Phoenix Boys Choir that in 1986 he left his prestigious position of associate artistic director for the world’s best-known youth choir— The Vienna Boys Choir—to take over from Harvey K. Smith, the founder of the Phoenix group. After 30 years, he intends to stick to the finish. Following the May 7 concert by the organization’s massed choirs, the touring choir will breeze through Eastern Canada with stops in Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal, and then go on to Boston, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. In D.C., the choir will visit the Holocaust Museum and will perform “I Never Saw Another Butterfly,” a work based on poems written by children in the concentration camps. Who knows? Maybe music education can even lead to world peace.

Phoenix Boys Choir

Mesa Performing Arts Center, 1833 W. Southern Avenue, Mesa Community College, Mesa, boyschoir.org, 7 p.m. Saturday, May 7, $18-$28. WWW.ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

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REAL DEAL

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE MAY 2016

Broadway, TV star Kristin Chenoweth wants audiences to know who she is Kenneth LaFave » The Entertainer!

ristin Chenoweth wants people to know who she is. And you thought you already knew the star who originated Glinda in “Wicked,” played Annabeth Schott on “West Wing,” won an Emmy for her role in ABC’s “Pushing Daisies,” appeared in five episodes of “Glee” and helped bring “Promises, Promises” and “On the Twentieth Century” back to Broadway. Nope. You won’t really know her until you’ve heard her in concert, which is possible when she performs with The Phoenix Symphony Saturday, May 21, and Sunday, May 22. For times and ticket information, visit phoenixsymphony.org. “I believe doing concerts has helped me define what kind of artist I want to be,” says the Oklahoma-born actress and chanteuse via email. “It’s one thing to be behind a role in a show or TV or movie. But when you’re decided material, and what you wanna say, not just as an artist, but as a human, it helps you know how you want to be remembered.” What will she be saying in her Phoenix Symphony concerts? Getting the answer to that is why we buy tickets. But it’s not by chance that Chenoweth is appearing with a symphony orchestra, for she credits her classical training as a young artist at Oklahoma City University with being able to do what she does. “If I hadn’t had the training from OCU and my beloved mentor, Florence Birdwell, I for sure wouldn’t have had the

technique to get through many shows a week,” Chenoweth says. “On Broadway we do eight a week. Training to sing a show of any kind is like training for a race. Only it’s really a marathon, because you never really stop. Unless you quit altogether. Which would never occur to me because I’m an artist and know nothing else! Ha.” Chenoweth spent the 1990s on the edge of stardom, appearing in Broadway shows such as the revival of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.” Then, in 2003, the role of a lifetime showed up: Glinda, the Good Witch in the smash hit “Wizard of Oz” prequel, “Wicked.” Her performance “set the gold standard” for the part, said Playbill, and indeed, it set a standard for her own future stardom. “West Wing” and a ream of Broadway offers soon followed. Chenoweth has spent a lot of her career in the development of revivals, older Broadway shows that are brought back after decades to engage with new audiences. She does this out of sheer love for the form of the musical, helping to remind younger theater-goers of the charms attending such shows as Jerome Kern’s “Music in the Air” and Leonard Bernstein’s “Candide.” Of all of her revivals, it is perhaps “The Apple Tree,” with music and lyrics by Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick of “Fiddler on the Roof ” fame, that she says maybe her favorite. The first act is based on Mark Twain’s “Diary of Adam and Eve.” “It doesn’t get better than the act one of that show, ‘Adam and Eve.’ The minute the French horn starts in the overture, you

see Adam and Eve, and their evolution as woman and man, then as a couple. Mark Twain would love the music and lyrics. I believe he would’ve been so proud of that show,” Chenoweth says. The revivals are important, she adds, to keep the musical alive. “I’m happy to show my younger audiences what these shows are about. It’s important to do these gems to keep it all going.” Even Chenoweth has career disappointments, and “the one that got away” from her was... “For sure Millie in ‘Thoroughly Modern Millie.’ I had to make a tough decision about going to do a TV show. It was a real heartbreaker. But ultimately, it was the right decision...It’s all part of the Big Picture. Not always easy, but usually turns out right.” So, who is she after all? Someone, she says, who cares that “when audiences come see my concert, they have fun.” “I want people to know who I am, not just as a singer but as a woman, friend, artist, neighbor, American and lover of God.”

Kristin Chenoweth with the Phoenix Symphony

Symphony Hall, 75 N. Second Street, Phoenix, 602.495.1999, phoenixsymphony.org, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 21, and 2 p.m. Sunday, May 22, $33-$98. WWW.ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

COMING

ATTRACTIONS “Bite”

“Mothers and Daughters”

NR - 90 MINUTES

Elma Begovic plays a bride-to-be who, while on her bachelorette party getaway, gets a seemingly harmless bite from an unknown insect. After returning home, she starts exhibiting insect traits. Between her physical transformation and her wedding anxiety, she succumbs to her new instincts and begins creating a hive that not only houses her translucent eggs, but feeds on the flesh of others. Opens May 6.

PG-13 - 90 MINUTES

Selma Blair plays a rock photographer who is riding a career high when an unlikely and unexpected pregnancy forces her to turn her lens inward. As she slowly comes to terms with what it might mean to change her life forever, she discovers with fresh eyes her own relationship with her estranged mother. Courteney Cox, Christina Ricci, Susan Sarandon, Mira Sorvino and Sharon Stone also star. Opens May 6.

“Search Party” R - 93 MINUTES

Thomas Middleditch plays a man who travels to Mexico in an effort to win back his girlfriend after his friends (Adam Pally and T.J. Miller) ruin his wedding. However, when he is carjacked and left naked, said friends set out in search of him but get sidetracked several times along the way. Opens May 13.

“Hard Sell” NR - 96 MINUTES

Skyler Gisondo plays a poor high school senior who struggles at his elite school as he tries to support his unstable mom (Kristin Chenoweth). When the family dog gets sick, he finds he needs money for surgery so he teams with a pretty runaway (Katrina Bowden) to profit off of the rich kids at his school—but things begin to slowly spiral out of their control. Opens May 20.

“The Trust” R - 93 MINUTES

“The Family Fang” R - 105 MINUTES

Jason Bateman and Nicole Kidman play adult siblings who, scarred from an unconventional upbringing, return to their family home to investigate the troubling circumstances of their missing parents (Christopher Walken and Maryann Plunkett)—performance artists famous for elaborate public hoaxes. Opens May 6.

“I Am Wrath” NR - 92 MINUTES

John Travolta plays a former Black Ops agent who witnessed his wife’s death at the hands of a street gang. When corrupt cops let the prime suspect walk, he takes the law into his own hands. Joined by a former comrade-inarms (Christopher Meloni), he uncovers a conspiracy that leads to the upper ranks of government. Opens May 13.

Nicolas Cage and Elijah Wood play police officers who follow a trail that leads directly to a custom bank-style vault built into the back room freezer of a small grocery store. They put a plan into motion to rob the vault and split whatever they find inside. But by the time they figure out what the vault contains, it is already too late to turn back. Opens May 13.

“Manhattan Night” R - 113 MINUTES

Adrien Brody plays a New York City tabloid writer with an appetite for scandal who is drawn into a very nasty case of sexual obsession and blackmail—one that threatens his job, his marriage and his life. Yvonne Strahovski also stars. Opens May 20.

For more movie reviews, in-depth celebrity interviews and behind-the-scenes insights, tune in to breakthrough entertainment 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays on KPHX 1480 AM and BreakRadioShow.com. Email film writer Joseph J. Airdo at joseph.airdo@gmail.com.

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THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE MAY 2016

THE CRITIC

LIGHTS » CAMERA » ACTION » SCREEN » ENCHANT » TRANSPORT

What movie should you see this month? Ask our experts! JOSEPH’S MOVIE OF THE MONTH:

“Sing Street”

“Sing Street” belts out a beautiful tune about love, creativity and ambition—one to which anyone can relate. The new huge-hearted musical drama from “Once” and “Begin Again” filmmaker John Carney is infectiously optimistic as it tells the story of a boy who comes of age in a variety of ways. Aside from entertaining viewers with incredibly charming characters, an amusing sense of humor and a spectacular soundtrack of original songs, it inspires them to find enchantment in their own lives, chase it to the ends of the earth and then drive it like they stole it. RANDY’S MOVIE OF THE MONTH:

“Hello, My Name is Doris”

The year has already started off promising with a number of films that could be considered Oscar-worthy, an unusual thing for this time of year. Sally Field’s “romcomdramedy” (my made-up word for romantic drama comedy) leads the pack. Field gives one of the best performances of her career as an aging lonely hoarder looking for love from a much younger co-worker. The film is filled with humor and heart and will become one of your favorites of all time. M.V.’S MOVIE OF THE MONTH:

“Everybody Wants Some!!”

Richard Linklater’s “spiritual sequel” to his 1993 classic “Dazed and Confused” is likewise an ensemble period comedy depicting the tribal rituals around getting high and getting laid. This one is set at Southeast Texas University in 1980, in the dumpy houses in which the school’s powerhouse baseball team live, drink, party, swap bravado and chase girls. Some of these guys are wound-up, obnoxious jerks, and some of them are wound-up, obnoxious nice guys, but all of them are believable. Especially for those who came of age in these years, this film evokes sense memories of considerable intensity, and surprising affection.

ABOUT THE FILM WRITERS JOSEPH J. AIRDO is a film critic, producer and onair personality for Breakthrough Entertainment, a talk radio show airing 9 a.m. to 12 p.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.

The Report Card

Our film writers grade what’s in theaters Movie

Joseph

“13 Cameras”

“Bite”

“The Boss”

Randy

M.V.

“Colonia”

“Criminal”

“Demolition”

“Everybody Wants Some!!”

“Green Room”

“Hardcore Henry”

“High Strung”

“Holidays”

“Hush”

“I Am Wrath”

“I Saw the Light”

“The Jungle Book”

“The Meddler”

“Midnight Special”

“Mr. Right”

“Search Party”

“Sing Street”

“The Trust”

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. WWW.ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

THE CAT’S

MEOW ‘Keanu’ brings Key and Peele to the big screen

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THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE MAY 2016

Tim J. Randall » The Entertainer!

eegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele have given a new name to the buddy action comedy genre: “Keanu.” Key and Peele, who starred in the Comedy Central sketch series as Key & Peele, appear as Clarence and Rell, two cousins who live in the city but who are far from streetwise in the R-rated movie. When Rell’s beloved kitten, Keanu, is “catnapped,” the straight-laced pair pose as ruthless killers to infiltrate a street gang and retrieve their baby. But the incredibly adorable kitten becomes so coveted that the fight over his custody creates a gang war, forcing the duo to take the law into their own hands. The villain, Cheddar, is played by actor-rapper Method Man. “The movie is about wish fulfillment,” Peele says during a recent teleconference call to advance the movie, which was released on Friday, April 29. “It’s about the high stakes world that the characters dream about when they watch Liam Neeson films. It’s like Key and I in real live—we want to be bad asses.” “Key & Peele,” which aired through the fall of 2015, catapulted the duo onto the big screen. “We thought about having a Key and Peele movie at the ready if anyone came

asking,” says Key. “Our passion is action films, particularly those of the 1980s and 1990s that have action with lots of laughs, or comedies with a lot of violence and action. These pictures have a great tone that we wanted to celebrate in this movie.” Joining the intrepid duo on the feline hunt is Bud, played by actor Jason Mitchell, well-known for playing Eazy-E in the critically acclaimed film “Straight Outta Compton.” Now he is honing his comedic chops. “I want people to know I am a contender and can play comedy and drama roles, Mitchell says. “I can unpeel my onion and people should not typecast me.” Mitchell, who grew up in Louisiana where the movie was filmed, was excited to return. “I was living in Los Angeles and it was so crazy to come home to New Orleans,” he says. “‘Straight Outta Compton’ changed everything for me, it made the city proud (and) I was super happy.” The films name hearkens back to another famous “Keanu”—probably the only other one—Keanu Reeves. The “Matrix” actor wasn’t initially interested in participating, but eventually found himself as the voice of the cat who leads Rell through a drug-induced hallucination. “There was a certain strategy

in choosing ‘Keanu’ as the name of the cat, when you see that name you think of an iconic name like Keanu Reeves,” Peele says. “People will think of two things when they hear the name and it’s a way for people to connect to Key and Peele.” The film, directed by Key and Peele helmsman, Peter Atencio, is a continuation of the pair’s work on television. “We look to material that we have not seen anywhere else,” says Key. “Topics such as race, culture and masculinity are targets.” As for future projects, Key and Peele will continue to pay attention to content where they can provide social commentary. “We write how we see the world,” Peele says. “Once ‘Keanu’ comes out, we will have a powwow to discuss what’s next. There are opportunities in class and wage discrimination, sci-fi realm with artificial intelligence; there are so many things we have not discussed.” Most importantly, they’re hoping that fans enjoy “Keanu.” “We want people to go and have a great time at the movie and get a bunch of good laughs,” Key says. “We are comedians first and foremost.”

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THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE MAY 2016

THE DINER

EAT » EXPERIENCE » INDULGE » SAVOR » DEVOUR » NOSH

Happy Hour Guide 56 Don and Charlie's 62 Old Town Gringos 68

THE BEST FOOD EVENTS IN Tierra Beasley » The Entertainer!

Winemaker Dinners MAY 5 At each Winemaker Dinner, guests dine on an original multicourse menu prepared by Executive Chef Gordon Maybury paired with specially selected wines of a noted vintner. The 26th season will feature wineries in California from Napa and Sonoma counties. In addition to savoring gourmet dishes and sipping fine wines, diners will learn about the wines from representatives of the wineries, and enjoy cigars and Port or other favorite after-dinner drinks on Wright’s patio. Wright’s, Arizona Biltmore, 2400 E. Missouri Avenue, Phoenix, 602.955.6600, arizonabiltmore. com, 6:30 p.m., $120.

Downtown Phoenix Evening Dine Around MAY 7 The Downtown Phoenix Evening Dine Around was introduced in 2011 during Taste It Tours’ inaugural season and

MAY

was an instant hit. Find out where the locals eat. On this tour, experience exceptional food in a laidback atmosphere, focused less on the history of downtown Phoenix, and more on the food and restaurants being profiled. Hidden Track Bottle Shop, 111 W. Monroe Street, Suite 120, Phoenix, 480.274.3569, tasteittours.com, 5:30 p.m., $68

AmeriCAN Canned Craft Beer Festival MAY 14 SanTan Brewing Company is presenting the sixth annual AmeriCAN Canned Craft Beer Festival in celebration of the craft beer movement during the recognized American Craft Beer Week. Attendees can take part in an award ceremony; enjoy live entertainment, food, VIP, beer garden, beer Olympics and more than 80 local and national beers. Scottsdale Civic Center, 3939 N. Drinkwater Boulevard, Scottsdale, cannedcraftbeerfest.com, noon to 6 p.m., $35-$100

VER 1 BILLI N S LD! SINCE 1910

KOSHER BAKERY! WE CATER!

Urban Wine Walk MAY 14 Explore downtown Phoenix during Urban Wine Walk, a self-guided tasting tour that encourages participants to socialize and experience local bars and restaurants, while sampling fabulous wines. Participating restaurants will offer $2 or $3 wine samples, which include delicious hors d’oeuvres. Various locations throughout downtown, 602.495.1500, dtphx.org, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., $2-$3

Arizona Spring Restaurant Week MAY 20 THROUGH MAY 29 From sizzling Southwestern and soothing comfort foods to fivestar dining and international fare—it’s all on the table during Arizona Restaurant Week. This statewide affair offers foodies a chance to get outside their own neighborhood and try something new at Sumo Maya, Marcellino Ristorante, Bink’s Kitchen and Bar and many others. Various participating restaurants, arizonarestaurantweek.com, $33 or $44

BREAKFAST!

AJ’s Summer Wine Spectacular Tasting MAY 21 This is the perfect opportunity to discover new wines with friends in a fun, entertaining setting while supporting the arts. The annual celebration features tastings of more than 40 exceptional wines of value, and complemented with gourmet artisan breads and cheeses, shrimp cocktail, sushi, delectable sweets and more. Enjoy live music and a silent auction offering wines and other items from AJ’s and its partners. Scottsdale Center for Performing Arts, 7380 E. Second Street, Scottsdale, 480.499.8587, scottsdaleperformingarts.org, 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., $40-$50.

Flavors of Phoenix MAY 26 The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa features 30 of the top culinary experts from across Arizona showcasing their signature dishes to takes guests beyond the usual restaurant fare. Unleash the inner “foodie” and experience a distinct evening of dining while helping to fund the research, education, and advocacy efforts of the American Liver Foundation. The Westin Kierland Resort and Spa, 6902 E. Greenway Parkway, Scottsdale, go.liverfoundation.org, 602.953.1800, 6 p.m., $400

LUNCH! Secret Menu Item!

nybagelsnbialys.com | (480) 483-NYBB | 10320 N. Scottsdale Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85253 | M-F 6:30am – 5pm | Sat/Sun 6:30am – 3pm

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HAPPY HOUR GUIDE Brat Haus

Gallagher’s Sports Grill

Pig & Pickle

Buck & Rider

Hard Rock Café

Rehab Burger Therapy

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

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

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

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

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

Cold Beer & Cheeseburgers

Hungry Monk

Craft 64

Lucky Strike Bowling

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

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!

6922 E. Main Street, Scottsdale Daily 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. $1 off all beers and $2 off all wines

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

Creole Cajun Bistro

7210 E. 2nd Street, Scottsdale Daily, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and 11 a.m. to close on Thursdays $1 Off all party starter appetizers, $1.50 PBRs, Domestic Pints $2.50, Premium Pints $3.50, $1 off shots, wines by glass and specialty drinks

Scottsdale Beer Company

8608 E. Shea Boulevard, Scottsdale Monday 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, Phoenix Monday through Friday, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. $2 off draft beer and Saloon Snacks, $3 domestic bottles, $4 well drinks and $5 house wine with complimentary tenderloin sliders

Luxe Lounge

5070 S. Gilbert Road, Suite 400, Chandler Monday through Friday 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. $1 off all wines by the glass, $2 off all signature drinks and $1 off all appetizers

SunUp Brewing Co.

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.

322 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix Daily 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. $5 select appetizers and $1 off beers

domestic drafts

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

The Mission at Minder Binder 715 S. McClintock Drive, Tempe Daily 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. $2 domestics, $4 quality wells, $2 off all pizzas

Tandoori Times

Tandoori Times Indian Bistro

8140 N. Hayden Road, Suite H-115, Scottsdale 5626 W. Bell Road, A-103, Glendale Tuesday through Sunday, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. $1 off wine and liquor, $2 off all beer and happy hour appetizers from $3.99

Duke’s Sports Bar & Grill

Old Town Tavern

Tutti Santi

El Chorro

Park Place Bar & Grill

Uncle Bear’s Grill & Tap

EVO

Peter’s

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

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

4175 N. Goldwater Boulevard, Scottsdale Daily 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. $3 beers, $4 well drinks, $5 wines and $6 cocktails

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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

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.

8320 N. Hayden Road, Scottsdale Monday through Friday, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Wine and Champagne are $5 and appetizers are $6

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

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, $4.50 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

NEW MENU ITEMS Our talented chefs recently introduced several exciting

WINE & DINE WEDNESDAY Our expanded, award-winning wine list features

new options from our scratch kitchen, including the Tavern Burger made with all-natural ground chuck, Pimiento Cheese Deviled Eggs, Cubano Sliders and

more than 70 wines by the glass, all half-priced on Wednesdays.

Habana Mexican-Style Grilled Corn. HAPPY HOUR 4 to 6:30 PM Monday - Friday Bar and Patio Only

WEEKEND BRUNCH 11AM to 3 PM Saturday-Sunday Our popular brunch features new items such as Huevos Rancheros, served with Tavern Hash Browns, and Freshly-Baked Apple Walnut Muffins.

The Shops at Gainey Village 8787 North Scottsdale Rd. | Scottsdale, AZ 85258 www.villagetavern.com | 480.951.6445

UPPER

CRUST

The Great Australian Bakery brings Down Under classics to Old Town Marjorie Rice » The Entertainer!

aurence Lindahl was having one of those days a new restaurateur dreams of—and dreads. His grand opening weekend was a huge hit. So big that he had to close early both days because the demand was so great that they ran out of food. This was particularly challenging because all the items in Lindahl’s Great Australian Bakery are made from scratch. So on this Monday his baking crew was rolling flaky pastry dough and making fillings for fair dinkum Australian pies— minced beef, tomato and onion with beef, chicken mornay, shepherd’s pie among them—along with sausage rolls, pasties and desserts including custard tarts, apple and cherry pies, scones and turnovers and Lamingtons (sponge cake with a layer of strawberry jam, dipped in chocolate and sprinkled with coconut). It’s quite a production. The pie pans are lined up on a long table and the pastry, rolled into a 6-foot by 3-foot slab, is WWW.ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

draped over them. The dough is pressed down, the fillings added, then another slab of pastry covers the pans. Two bakers on either side roll a long dowel over the top, sealing in the fillings. Then they’re popped into the convection ovens and baked to golden brown perfection. The aromas are mouth-watering, and it’s hard to be patient while the pies cool down enough to sample. It’s worth the wait. The pastry is rich and flaky, with savory fillings that pair perfectly with a cold beer. The pies and desserts have been an instant hit for the hordes of local Aussies who have been longing for an authentic taste of home. Pies are a passion for the people of Oz. “No one goes to a rugby match or Australian Rules football without a seven-pack,” Lindahl says. “That’s a six-pack of beer and a pie.” “The Aussie contingent here is huge, and I didn’t know that,” he adds. “I was here 15 years and met maybe 10 Aussies. Since the shop opened I’ve met over 400.” They found out about the opening and made a beeline for the unassuming dining spot, lining up to buy every single pie and

dessert, down to the last crumb. Service is unpretentious—hot and cold display deli cases fronting the open kitchen, and a seating area with several tables and one long counter. Many patrons grab a pie and munch on it while window shopping in Old Town. Others prefer to sit at one of the tables. Plates and utensils are plastic. Bottled drinks are on display in a cooler. The shop has been a long time in the making. “It’s always been my passion,” Lindahl says. “I’ve been wanting to do this a long time.” Lindahl came to Scottsdale from Sydney, Australia, 15 years ago and worked in a pool-building. He still operates that company. “I love it here, but I missed my Australian pie,” he says. “I went home to Australia last May, and I couldn’t even get out of the airport without buying a pie. I was dying for one. I met a guy in a bake shop, and we worked out a deal. He came out and showed us all the recipes and the way it was cooked.” Then the Main Street location

became available, and Lindahl opened his shop, which fills just half the space so far. It’s just the first part of Lindahl’s plan. Next will come stage two—an Aussie bar and shop featuring Aussie beer, liquor and wine, and Australian products. And Aussie sports, where this rugby fan finally will be able to watch matches with fellow fans while downing a Fosters or two. “I plan on putting another oven there so we can produce a lot more,” Lindahl says. “We’ve been asked to start supplying other locations, including a shop at Sky Harbor. I want to use this as my base, producing here, and get a few shopfronts going to sell the pies in other locations.” He’s hoping that by next Spring Training, fans might be able to buy his pies at the ballpark. Now that would be a home run.

The Great Australian Bakery

7217 E. Main Street, Scottsdale 480.941.3801 or thegreataustralianbakery.com

Open Daily at 11am

Happy Hour 11-6 Daily

Free WiFi

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

O WHAT A DISH!

Arizona Restaurant Week celebrates all things food Nicole Choksi and Christina Fuoco-Karasinski » The Entertainer!

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ld Town’s Crab & Mermaid Fish Shop may be the new kid on the restaurant block, but it’s already the industry’s biggest cheerleader. The nautical-themed shop is proud to be one of the more than 100 eateries participating in this year’s Arizona Restaurant Week May 20 through May 29. “It’s a festive focus on our industry; one that is so important to Arizona because of tourism,” says Alecia Sanchez of Square One Concepts, which runs Crab & Mermaid. “Arizona has terrific food, chefs and amazing restaurant concepts. It gives us all a chance to be on display and deliver a special menu for patrons who are looking for something new and exciting. Of course, we hope they return and become regulars.” The statewide affair—which features everything from sizzling Southwestern fare to five-star dining—offers foodies threecourse dinners for $33 or $44. “It can be $33 per person, with a minimum of three courses, or $44 per person with a minimum of three courses,” says Susie Timm of Knife and Fork Media Group. “Some make menus for $44 a couple or $33 a couple.” The 9-year-old Arizona Restaurant Week was founded after organizers saw the success similar events brought to eateries in other states. It didn’t hurt that Arizona’s restaurant industry was growing, according to Timm. Diners get the chance to try new things from all over town, while restaurants are able to get that much-needed hype before summer starts. “Most of the time, chefs will create a menu that not only has a strong value— one that is priced to attract folks to try out a new restaurant—but also a lot of chefs will put dishes on the menu that do not appear on the regular menu,” Timm says. “It allows the restaurants to try different dishes and see how they sell. It’s a dining adventure. We do have people who take advantage of all 10 days and are proud of that. We love it and we think it’s awesome.” Restaurants such as Fogo de Chao, Liberty Market, Posh and White Chocolate Grill are lined up, as well as newbies like the Quill Creek Café at Grayhawk Golf Club, Drexyl Modern American and Inde Fusion. For a complete list of participating eateries, visit arizonarestaurantweek.com/. “We’re proud members of the Arizona restaurant scene, and we’re excited to see new and returning patrons alike visiting our establishments during this special week,” Sanchez says.

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7000 E. Mayo Blvd. Building #21

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FIRST

Marjorie Rice » The Entertainer!

’m dining at Don & Charlie’s with a friend who orders a pork chop—medium well. I’m expecting a vulcanized slab to show up on her plate. Instead, out comes a perfectly cooked, juicy chop, a testament to a talented and experienced kitchen crew. I shouldn’t be surprised. Don & Charlie’s has been turning out top-notch steaks, chops and ribs since 1981. “The key is a 10-ounce chop,” Don Carson says. “You sear it under the broiler then finish it in the oven with a pan of water on the bottom.” Carson is one of the restaurant’s namesakes. “Charlie” was an executive at the Lettuce Entertain You restaurant group of which Don & Charlie’s is a part. He hates to be in the public eye, so his name was added as a poke in the ribs to a valued friend. Carson definitely is the face and the force behind this Scottsdale institution. He grew up in a family of restaurateurs in Chicago, where he developed a passion for great food and sports. Both are on display here—walls so crowded with memorabilia that there doesn’t seem to be an empty inch for more. Magazines. Baseball bats. Basketballs and hockey sticks, jerseys, score cards. And baseballs. Hundreds of them, including a glass-enclosed wall of baseballs behind the reception desk, signed by the greats in the

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sport—Willie Mays, Babe Ruth, Joe DiMaggio. What’s incredible is that there wasn’t so much as a ticket stub on the walls when Carson opened the restaurant in 1981. The collection has grown, and there’s more to come. Carson collects magazines and waits for the cover person to come in and autograph it. There are stacks of them in his office. “I’ve waited years in some cases,” he says. He had one magazine with football great Emmitt Smith on the cover. “I had that at least eight or nine years before he came in for dinner. He was here for the Super Bowl and came in with a member of the Cardinals. He said ‘I cannot believe you saved this.’” Carson can go him one better. “I’ve got a Jerry Seinfeld Vanity Fair that I’ve had in my office for 20 years,” he says. “I say to myself, someday he’s going to come in.” But enough about memorabilia. The food is equally memorable, as is the deft service from a cadre of professionals who know their menu inside and out. Starting with the classic shrimp cocktail ($17.95). You could stop right there because the five jumbo prawns are a meal in themselves. They’re served with the best cocktail sauce I’ve ever eaten. It’s made in-house, “With 10 ingredients,” Carson says. It’s liberally laced with horseradish—not for the faint of heart— mouthwatering with a great balance of tomato and heat.

Some people just have prawns and a salad, Carson says, but I’m here for meat, and this is the place for it. This night I ordered the ribs—charred and succulent, a full slab for $27.95. And the New York deli-style coleslaw, with lots of shredded carrot, a crispy and tart counterpoint. (I had the creamy slaw with another meal—also tasty.) And a baked potato, the crisp skin coated with coarsely ground pepper and kosher salt. So good to get an honest-to-God baked potato, mealy and steaming when it’s broken open. Preserve us from foil-wrapped versions. Another night I had the 20-ounce bone-in prime ribeye steak ($42). Sides are included with the steaks and ribs—a good value, because steaks at some other steakhouses start at a higher price point, then run up the tab with $6 to $9 each for a baked potato or vegetable. It made for a great dinner, with plenty to take home for lunch the next couple of days. Another time I have to come back and try the chopped liver appetizer. Carson says it’s their No. 1 seller, and reviewers rave about it. The dish reflects Carson’s roots. “My parents had a home in Miami Beach and I started going to the New York delis that had migrated to Miami Beach,” he says. “We lived in a predominately Jewish neighborhood in Chicago, and I always had an appreciation for Jewish food.” And I want to try the bloody mary— with house made mix, another celebration of the glories of horseradish.

Don & Charlie’s has been hitting home runs for decades

I have to say a few words about the kid’s menu. This is a place with a lot of regulars—the couple at the table next to us come in once a week—and that includes kids. The menu offers grown-up entrees for diners under 12. “I think it’s important for kids to learn how to eat,” Carson says. “I started eating good stuff when I was 5 years old. I sat on phonebooks, and I was eating lamb chops and porterhouse.” The kid’s menu has a 10-ounce prime rib for $11, ribs for $11, barbecued chicken for $9 and mac and cheese for $6. And that’s with fries and a choice of applesauce or creamy coleslaw and a hot fudge sundae. I’d be hard-pressed to come to a steakhouse and order mac and cheese, but for this version I might make an exception. It’s simply grand. Speaking of desserts, I enjoyed the chiffon-like key lime pie, but if I could choose just one, it would be the spectacular crème Brule. A silky custard with a “surprise” dollop of chocolate at the bottom, with a perfectly caramelized topping. Make room for it. You’ll be glad you did.

Don & Charlie’s

7501 E. Camelback Road, Scottsdale 480.990.0900, donandcharlies.com

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE MAY 2016

Think BBQ!

(Or Ribs, Chicken, Pork, Brisket & Turkey)

3222 E. Indian School Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85018 (602) 314-5599 www.frasherssmokehouse.com

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PIONEERING

CHEF

Virtù’s sous chef Matthew Grunwald ready for audience to see ‘Comeback Kitchen’ Christina Fuoco-Karasinski » The Entertainer!

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irtù sous chef Matthew Grunwald is determined to have his own cooking show and he sees his appearance on “Food Network Star: Comeback Kitchen” as a stepping stone to that. “My No. 1 objective is to have my own show,” Grunwald says. “I’m so grateful to the network and everyone who has helped me along the way.” “Food Network Star: Comeback Kitchen” begins airing at 8 p.m. Sunday, May 8, on the Food Network. It is then that co-hosts Valerie Bertinelli and Tyler Florence will introduce the first challenge: Forcing the competitors to face their pasts by attempting to redeem the dish that was the downfall in their respective season. The alumni must then shoot a one minute “Where Are They Now?” video, updating viewers on what they’ve been up to and how they’ve improved since their “Food Network Star” appearance. Through the trio of episodes, the duo will determine who has earned a spot on the new season of “Food Network Star.” Grunwald says there’s a simple explanation about why he was asked to come back. “I think I really connected with the audience and I made a lasting impression,” he says. The season 11 contestant is certainly flattered that he was asked to return. “To be honored at such a young age, to be given the opportunity to not only do ‘Food Network Star but ‘Cutthroat Kitchen’ and ‘Comeback Kitchen’ for another shot, I’m so, so grateful. ‘Grateful’ is the principal word here,” says Grunwald, 24. Grunwald is well schooled in his field. Having cooked in kitchens since he was 16 years old, Grunwald graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York. He’s has actually cooked on television since he was 9. “It’s my whole life,” he says about cooking. “I live to feed people.” That includes his visitors. Chilaquiles is his go-to dish when folks come to his home. “It’s fresh fried tortillas with roasted poblano chiles, grilled meats and vegetables put into a cast-iron skillet and served family style,” he says. “There’s cheese on top—and salsa doesn’t hurt. It’s so easy. It’s inexpensive. It’s cheesy. It’s spicy and there are lots of fresh ingredients. You can make it in 15 minutes.” The dish is served in the cast-iron skillet and then “everyone digs in with their spoons,” he adds. The Scottsdale resident says “Food Network Star: Comeback Kitchen” has already wrapped, but he wouldn’t say how he finished. “You have to tune in and find out,” he says with a fake accent. As for his show, he’s says it will appeal to a younger audience. “I’m really representing millennials as an entire body of people—young people— who are passionate about food,” Grunwald says. “I truly believe they have the buying power in the marketplace today. “Young professionals are taking their hard-earned money and spend it on fine dining recipes. They’re highly interested in food. I think I represent that new generation. I’m here to pioneer that.”

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DINER INSIDER

Mexico and Asia: United in Flavor

Tierra Beasley » The Entertainer!

he One and Only Chino Bandido isn’t the typical America diner. Yes, it is a “hole-in-the-wall” restaurant with a long history in the Valley, but inside are the flavorful, beating hearts of Asia and Mexico. Founded in 1990, Chino Bandido serves amazing blends of Mexican and Chinese-Asian fusion flavors with plenty of variety on the menu to prove it—from burritos to teriyaki chicken bowls. Chino Bandido has grown since its humble beginnings. It started as a 1,000-squarefoot restaurant that seated 16. Thanks to popular demand, it can seat 150 within 5,000 square feet.

VISIT OUR NEW LOCATION! SCOTTSDALE

7000 E. Mayo Blvd.

Building #21, Phoenix, Az 85054

(480) 367-0469

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A favorite among the locals is the quesadilla, which is made from scratch with a special tortilla recipe. The braver patrons go for the Pollo Diablo, with lightly coated, deep-fried chicken with garlic, onions and red hot peppers. Our suggestion: the jade and red chicken meals. Seriously, you’ll love it.

The One and Only Chino Bandido 15414 N. 19th Avenue, Suite K, Phoenix, 602.375.3639. chinobandido.com.

AN ICON REBORN

Old Town Gringos reinvigorates the West’s Most Western Town Kenneth LaFave » The Entertainer!

ave Corba isn’t exactly in an Old West shootout. But sometimes it feels like one. While the other guy slings Pomegranate Prosecco, Corba fires back with locally inspired drinks such as the Arizona Sunset Margarita (Patron Silver, Triple Sec, prickly pear juice and a squeeze of lime) and the Long Legs Margarita (Don Julio Blanco, pure lime juice, Triple Sec, agave syrup and a splash of sour lite). “We wanted to make an option to the predictable in Old Town Scottsdale, an alternative to mini-Vegas,” Corba says, referring to the glitz and glass and certain surrounding bars and clubs. “Old Town Gringos is a real, Southwest patio bar.” Old Town Gringos is all about the base: the base clientele of 25 years all the way up to 60 who want a friendly, moderately priced place to hang, one with a solid drink menu and eats that meet the criteria of tasty and filling. The casual feel and easy-going atmosphere are answers to the changing nature of Old Town, which sometimes can seem more like a Vegas wannabe than “West’s Most Western Town.” As a reminder of Scottsdale’s Western heritage, the sound system at Old Town Gringos plays country music. Starting May 11, every Wednesday will feature country bands. If “Old Town Gringos” sounds familiar, that’s because the same site boasted a bar and grill called “Dos Gringos” for 19 years. Corba was once its manager. But when the building started to run down and business drifted away, the restaurant’s Scottsdale location was purchased by Glass Half Full LLC, which closed the old place in November and reopened it as Old Town Gringos in January. (Dos Gringos locations in Tempe, Chandler and Mesa were not sold and remain in business.)

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That was after the company renovated the space extensively, giving the two-story structure a new main bar, wood paneling, refurbished bathrooms and colorful wallpaper designs. The patio area is dog-friendly. Glass Half Full brought Corba back to run it, and since then it has taken off. “Glass Half Full specializes in taking older establishments and refreshing them,” Corba says. “This place was an icon, so we’re basically acknowledging the past and embracing the future with a piece of Old Town reborn.” Glass Half Full plans to open a second Old Town Gringos location near Seventh Street and Bethany Home in Phoenix later this year, and it’s looking into opening a Celtic-themed Irish bar next door to the Scottsdale location as well. Bar food can get a little relaxed, but Old Town Gringos keeps a watchful eye on its cooking, which is centered on burgers, tacos and other Mexican foods, and salads. Bar quesadillas are notorious for consisting of a thin layer of cheese between two cold tortillas. But at Old Town Gringos, they separately grill each tortilla with a thick layer of cheese, adding onions and bell peppers, then slap them together for a thick, cheesy quesadilla that’s warm throughout ($7.99). At $14.99, the fajitas are a meal for two, with a choice of chicken, carne asada or carnitas piled high. Corba says the queso fundido ($9.99; add chorizo, $2.99) has been a big hit since its addition to the menu in March. Iconic and real, Old Town Gringos is home base for lovers of old Scottsdale.

Old Town Gringos

4209 N. Craftsman Court Scottsdale 480.423.3800, oldtowngringos.com

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Jasmine Kemper » The Entertainer!

f you’re looking to satisfy your hankering for smoked meats, there’s no better place than Frasher’s Smokehouse, one of the only places in the Valley where you can find barbecued dishes that hail from all over the country. “Phoenix is mostly a city of transplants and so we’re kind of instilling what I feel are the best aspects of a variety of different styles and types of barbecue,” says George Frasher, owner of Frasher’s Smokehouse in Arcadia. If the name sounds familiar, it’s probably because Frasher’s Steakhouse & Lounge closed its doors last year after 16 years in Scottsdale. Eager to bring slow-cooked meats back to the Valley, the smokehouse opened up soon after in the hopes of transforming Phoenix into a barbecue capital. Walking into Frasher’s is like being transported to a meat lover’s paradise. There is relaxing 1940s jazz playing in the background, baseball paraphernalia adorning the walls, and the smell of barbecue attacking your senses—but in the best way possible. “I think (barbecue) has really caught on as a craze right now. I think people like getting something that they’re able to do at their house. What I try to do here is to make them feel like it’s a little touch of home,” Frasher says. And that’s exactly what he’s done, with locally sourced meats, seasonal vegetables and house made barbecue sauce (a.k.a. “tang”) that’ll knock your socks off. They smoke all of their meats in pecan wood, which is a universal wood that won’t overpower the lighter proteins like fish and chicken. The smokehouse operates from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., or, as Frasher likes to say, until they run out of food. Smoking quality meat dishes definitely takes time. To keep all the juiciness in the meat, they smoke their turkey for six hours, baby back ribs for five and the chicken for three. “It’s low and slow,” Frasher says. “We come in at 6 o’ clock in the WWW.ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

HOLY SMOKES!

Frasher’s serves up mouthwatering smoked barbecue in Arcadia morning, load up the smoker, pull it out for lunch, load the smoker back up for dinner and then we pull that out at 4 o’ clock in the afternoon. When we sell out, we sell out for the whole day.” You won’t find a freezer in Frasher’s kitchen, which means the food is always fresh and served to order. “We don’t carry anything over for the next day. Everything’s fresh and we try to give it to you right out of the smoker,” Frasher says. To keep things local, they get their meats from locally sourced establishments, and hope to start making their own sausage and cutting their own pork steaks. They serve tender, juicy and falloff the bone dishes like baby back ribs, brisket, burnt ends, combination meat plates with side dishes like baked beans and green chili mac ‘n’ cheese. All of the meats are served with the restaurant’s specialty barbecue sauces on the side, so you can pick your favorite flavors like a Tennessee tang, Kansas Citystyle sweet, Texas-style spicy and other weekly specials. Their signature soup is the smoked turkey gumbo, served alongside jalapeño cornbread with honey butter and a scoop of Jasmine rice.

“We use smoked turkey, Andouille sausage and Tasso ham—I get those from Schreiner’s over on Seventh Street. Then we do crab, shrimp and crawfish all in our gumbo,” Frasher says. To finish off these hearty dishes, Frasher recommends their trademark dessert, the gooey butter cake. Even if you’re not a smoked meat lover, this meltin-your-mouth cake is a must-have when visiting the smokehouse. “The gooey butter cake is a cream cheese cake and a yellow cake combined. We make a Bailey’s butterscotch caramel sauce that we drizzle over the top and then we put a little bit of powdered sugar on top of that,” Frasher says. In all, the meals at Frasher’s will bring you the comfort of home. “I would consider it a comfortable, laid back, high-quality, fresh barbecue joint. It kind of helps (people) go back to their childhood and remember about when they were kids when their dad barbecued in the backyard,” Frasher says.

Frasher’s Smokehouse

3222 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix 602.314.5599 or frasherssmokehouse.com

Tandoori Times

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE MAY 2016

Indian Bistro

Ethnic Indian Fine Dining Restaurant & Bar “International food brings people close, Tandoori Times brings them closer.”

Belly Dancing every Friday & Saturday, 7:30 pm onwards “Best of Phoenix” Winner “Readers Choice Award Winner 2014”

8th May, Sunday, Mother’s Day

5 pm onwards Special Entertainment & Special Gift • Make reservations

LOCATIONS:

SCOTTSDALE 8140 N. Hayden Rd. #H-115 Scottsdale, AZ 85258 480.794.1404

GLENDALE 5626 W. Bell Rd. #A-103 Glendale, AZ 85308 602.993.1422

Weekend Reservations Recommended:

www.TandooriTimes.com

HUNGRY? COME EAT AT SCOTTSDALE’S BEST HIDDEN GEM!

Stargazing, Homemade Tortillas, Fresh Southwestern Cuisine & AZ’s Best Margaritas offered nightly on our award winning Patio. Proudly Celebrating 15 Years of the Valley’s Finest Margaritas & Tortillas

Featured on the Food Network’s “Best Of” Show (480) 945-4567 6910 EAST MAIN STREET, SCOTTSDALE, AZ 85251 WWW.OLDTOWNTORTILLAFACTORY.COM

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SEE THESE GREAT ARIZONA BEERS AT THIS YEAR’S

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE MAY 2016

THE CRAFTMASTER

SIP » BREW » RELAX » EXPERIMENT » REFRESH » TOAST

Beerfinder Directory 76 Beertenders 74 AmeriCAN 84

Beer Over Here

Drink up at any of these Valley beer events this month Jasmine Kemper » The Entertainer!

Tapped Brew Fest

MAY 7 Get ready to pull an all-nighter with the best brews at the Tapped Brew Fest. At this beer extravaganza, you can indulge with more than 25 breweries, more than 50 beers for tasting, delicious food trucks and a live DJ. Enjoy beers from breweries such as Four Peaks, Oskar Blues, Stone Brewing Company and many others! There will also be a ton of 21 and up games like giant beer pong, energy flip cup, corn hole and black light Jenga. This is a party you won’t want to miss. Fear Farm, 2209 N. 99th Avenue, Phoenix, 480.788.9360, tappedbrewfest.com, 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., $10-$80.

Brew Master Dinner with San Tan Brewing

MAY 12 Join Chef Charles Wiley and a brewmaster for their monthly Brewmaster Dinner Series at ZuZu inside of Hotel Valley Ho. This beautifully crafted beer pairing dinner will feature four

brews from SanTan Brewing paired with a three-course menu with hors d’oeuvres, butter poached prawns, crispy Asian salmon, and peach cobbler with salted caramel ice cream. Wiley and the brewmaster will discuss the seasonal menu. ZuZu at Hotel Valley Ho, 6850 E. Main Street, Scottsdale, 480.376.2600, hotelvalleyho.com, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., $42.

AmeriCAN Canned Craft Beer Festival

MAY 14 It’s time to get crafty in Scottsdale! The sixth annual AmeriCAN Canned Craft Beer Festival is back for another year. Taking place during American Craft Beer Week, the fest includes over 250 local and national beers, a beer science garden, beer Olympics and a craft can ceremony. You can also enjoy live music entertainment and delicious craft food to pair. Scottsdale Civic Center, 3939 N. Drinkwater Boulevard, Scottsdale, 602.276.2499, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., $35 GA, $100 VIP.

Beer Class Across America

MAY 14 Join Sierra Nevada brewers Terence Sullivan and Steve Dresler as they discuss how they joined forces with 31 other brewers to create the six beers for the Beer Camp Across America Variety Pack. Using Total Wine & More’s social media channels, guests can use a hashtag to ask the brewers questions during this live-stream event. Get a taste of beers like the Moxee-Moron Imperial Session IPA and Sweet Sunny South Table Beer and purchase your favorites. Total Wine & More, 10320 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, 480.308.0271, totalwine.com, 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., $10.

Birds n’ Beer

MAY 19 If you’re a beer enthusiast who also happens to love nature, then this after-work series is for you. Head to the Audubon Center to learn a thing or two about birds and other wildlife while enjoying an ice-cold Four Peaks brew. This month, the free event will feature Dr. Linda Kennedy from Audubon Arizona. Every Third

Thursday, you can hang out with new people, drink a beer and gain some knowledge about our environment at the same time. Nina Mason Pulliam Rio Salado Audubon Center, 3131 S. Central Avenue, Phoenix, 602.468.6470, riosalado.audubon.org, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., free.

Drink Local: Meet Your Craft Brewer MAY 19 Sit back, relax and meet your local brewer at Total Wine & More during this informative beer event. As the craft beer culture continues to grow in the Valley, more and more brewers want to share their take on the movement. Total Wine is bringing a representative from a select local brewery to teach you about craft beer. Get an inside look at the brewery world and learn something new about your favorite local brews. Total Wine & More, 1670 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix, 602.279.0540, totalwine.com, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., $10.

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

“

esident beer geek” is a job? If your name is Nick Nitz, then the answer is a resounding yes. Nitz, general manager and resident beer geek at The Handlebar, is adept and enthusiastic in all things craft beer. As resident beer geek, Nitz keeps the Handlebar draft list balanced with a rotating list of 24 draft beers in addition to 50-plus bottle, can, and bomber options. Handlebar focuses on creating a fun, out of the box atmosphere and a comfortable, inviting place for beer lovers (or those novices to the scene) to enjoy a variety of beers while eating one of their grass-fed burgers on the patio. Nitz is passionate about guest experience and educating his staff and consumers on all things beer. He thrives in the indescribable culture that makes up the craft beer biz.

The Handlebar Tempe

680 S. Mill Avenue, Tempe, 85281, 480.474.4888, handlebaraz.com

What do you think makes craft beer special? Honestly, it’s the people, the community, the camaraderie of craft beer lovers and brewers that makes it fascinating. We have a “us versus them” mentality but in the same aspect we want everyone to love the “craft

of craft” as we do. I often compare the craft beer culture to punk rock, loved by many, yet always rebelling again the norm.

the craft beer movement and beer sales in the Valley, including Leah Huss from Papago Brewing Company.

How did you get interested in craft beer? All the cool kids at my previous job, Bison Witches in Tempe, were drinking it. Growing up in the Midwest, I was used to drinking the “good stuff,” Milwaukee’s Best and Busch Light. I remember my first experience after work one night, it was Moose Drool from Big Sky Brewing in Montana. Immediately I thought, “This is how beer can taste?!” I was hooked.

Why is The Handlebar the perfect place for craft beer? We are a bike-friendly neighborhood bar that focuses on providing elevated food and drinks with a downhome feel. We’re unpretentious. We rotate our craft beers, on average, every other keg. There is always something new, but we are careful to keep everyone’s favorites on hand at all times. In total, we have a rotating selection of 24 draft beers plus at least 50 cans, bombers and bottled beer options from all over the world. There is something for everyone, even beer cocktails.

What is your favorite part about the beer culture in the Valley? The collaboration and sense of camaraderie are hard to beat. We are partnering with Cartel Brewery just down the street on a custom brew together. We’ve also worked with Fate Brewing Company in Scottsdale on a barrel aging project and that’s just off the top of my head. Everyone involved in the local beer culture is focused on working together to put Arizona on the craft beer map. We are a diverse community, meaning we are not all mid-20- to mid-30-year old guys with beards, as is sometimes the stereotype. In fact, there are many women leading

What is your favorite part of the beer culture? Everyone loves being part of it as much as I do—the passion is contagious. What is your favorite beer at the moment? Whatever is in my hand! But seriously, this answer depends on the time and day. If I am by the pool, nothing beats a Tecate Tallboy. If I am looking to share something new with friends, I might opt for an 805 Blonde Ale from Firestone Walker or a 10% barrel-aged beer of some sort.

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THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE MAY 2016

Y’ALL COME AND SEE US AT AmeriCAN Beer Festival

IT’S BASEBALL SEASON— CATCH ONE!!

COME AND VISIT US AT THIS YEAR’S

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You can catch us at AmeriCAN! bellsbeer.com

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

Craft 64

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

Mellow Mushroom Pizza

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

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

Boulders on Broadway

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

Hungry Monk

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

Harvey American Public House

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

Goldwater Brewing Co.

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

Spokes on Southern

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

Culinary Dropout

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

Scottsdale Beer Company

8608 E. Shea Boulevard, Scottsdale Quality craft beer made right here in Scottsdale. Happy hour from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday with $1 off all Scottsdale Beer Company beers, well drinks, wines by the glass and all small bites and starters!

Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row

Phoenix Public Market Café

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

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.

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

Pig & Pickle

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!

Union Barrel House

3636 N. Scottsdale Road Scottsdale Look for a changing selection of taps along with great food.

Ground Control

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.

World of Beer

526 S. Mill Avenue, 2224 E. Williamsfield Road Locations in Tempe and Gilbert Let these fine folks take you around the world with over 50 taps and 400 bottles. You are bound to find your favorite beer.

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

craft 64

Main Ingredient Ale House

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.

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.

Flanny’s Bar and Grill

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

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, live music 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!

Artisan Wood Fired Pizza 36 all LOCAL Arizona beers on tap In the heart of Scottsdale

6922 E. Main StrEEt, ScottSdalE aZ • facEbo ok.coM/craft64 • craft64.coM • 480-946-0542

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GREAT BEER PAIRINGS:

HANDLEBAR TEMPE

Forget about wine pairings! We hail the hop. We’re all about pairing our favorite craft brews with delicious dishes from Valley restaurants. Alison Bailin Batz » The Entertainer!

“Good beer is serious business. Since day one, our focus at Handlebar has been to pair local, regional and international beers— and beer-inspired cocktails—with savory cooked-to-order local sausages, burgers, salads, sandwiches, pretzels, hand-cut fries, and even vegetarian fare. We are bike friendly and boast a rotating selection of 24 draft beers plus 50 can, bomber and bottle beer options. Plus, we have a secret weapon in Nick Nitz, our ‘resident beer geek and cicerone certificate pursuer (think sommelier for beer). His obsessive love affair with beer—and pairing beer with our seasonal menu spotlights along with our regular guest favorites—is something we’ll always raise a drink to.” —Nick Nicholas, vice president of operations at Handlebar Tempe

BEER

Brewery: Sonoran Brewing Company (Arizona) Style: American Pale Wheat Ale Name: White Chocolate Ale We carry Sonoran Brewing Company’s White Chocolate Ale at the Handlebar Tempe. Inspired by the beauty of the White Mountains, it is a light, refreshing and completely unique wheat beer. As you can guess by the name, this brew has both the delicate aroma and a subtle taste of white chocolate, which is truly astonishing and balances well with creamy cheeses and sweet ingredients in many menu items.

4921 e. ray rd phoenix az 85044 (480) 961-2374

POURING SOON!

KIDS 10 & Under EAT FREE EVERY WED WITH PURCHASE OF AN ADULT ENTREE

unclebearsaz.com

ENTERTAINER

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FARHOUSE DOG IMPERIAL SAISON 25 IBU | 8.7 A style of Belgian origin, brewed with a saison yeast, fresh local lemon, fresh local grapefruit pink peppercorn and lemon grass. This beer ﬁnishes dry and tart. 25 IBU and 8.7% ABV.

ENTERTAINER

DISH

Seasonal berry kale salad There is a lot going on in this dish from the kale and spring mix to the seasonal berries and goat cheese and to our housemade candied bourbon pecans and balsamic vinaigrette. The ale’s refreshing qualities—and light flavor on the palate— is able to cut through the vinaigrette and berries to add some balance to their acidity, while the chocolate flavors actually enhance the goat cheese and sweetness of the candied pecans.

BEER GEAR

Beer Sommelier Glasses

Jasmine Kemper » The Entertainer!

Fancy glassware isn’t just for wine anymore. Give your craft brews the fine wine experience with the Beer Sommelier Glasses from Uncommon Goods. These glasses are made especially for tasting craft brews, combining all the characteristics of an ideal beer glass into one vessel. You can boost your tasting experience with any type of beer because, similar to a wine glass, the stemmed design of these glasses helps keep heat from your hands away from your perfectly chilled beer. Other design marvels include the bulge in the glass that keeps the head intact, as well as the walls of the glass that leads the aromas to the edge of the glass for the ultimate tasting experience. Available at uncommongoods.com

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE MAY 2016

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THE ORIGINAL THIRST QUENCHER

Pilsner is enjoyable year-round Dave Clark » The Entertainer!

ilsner is an often misunderstood and misrepresented term in the beer world. American macrobeer producers loosely use the term pilsner when they are referring to their adjunct-filled beers that are nothing close to an authentic, actual pilsner. The pilsner style of beer originated in 1842 in the Czech Republic created by Bavarian brewer Josef Groll. The Czechs love their beer and consumer more per capita than any other country. To that end, the city of Plzen, unhappy with the beer being produced at the time, recruited Groll to brew at its city-owned brewery. He created a bright golden beer called Pilsner Urquell, which translates to “the original pilsner.” Before this invention, beers were typically much darker in color and heavier on the palate. This new style of beer was revolutionary and incredibly well received. This single beer essentially changed the face of modern brewing. Though this beer was created in the Czech Republic, it was perfected in Germany. The Germans produce three different styles of light lagers: helles (or Munich helles), Dortmunder and pilsner. The grain bills for all three beers are relatively similar, consisting mainly of light colored pilsner malt. It’s the hops that set the beer styles apart from each other. The helles is a malt showcase, with just enough hops to balance. The pilsner is the hoppiest of the three, featuring both pleasant hop flavor and a firm, crisp bitterness. The Dortmunder (named after the city of its origination, Dortmund) style is said to be the perfect balance between the two, neither malty nor hoppy. German and Czech (or Bohemian) pilsners share many similarities but also a

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few key differences. The Bohemian style is slightly darker in color (gold). The Bohemian pilsner encourages some yeast derived byproducts such as acetaldehyde (a green apple aroma) and diacetyl (a buttery character) whereas in German brews, these are considered off-flavors and are strictly “verboten.” In Plzen, Czech Republic, the water is known to be the softest used for brewing and that gives the hops a soft, rounded bitterness. The hops are the showcase of an authentic pilsner, and typically Czech Saaz hops or German Hallertau are the hops of choice. These hops are known as “noble hops” because of their prized aromatics that provide a spicy, floral character to the beer. Pilsners can check in as high as 45 IBU (international bitterness units) so the bitterness can be equivalent to that of an American pale ale or a California common style. The best examples with storied history come from this region, such as the aforementioned Czech Pilsner Urquell while Jever pilsner or Spaten pils are fantastic German exports. There are some fine examples across the American landscape these days including Firestone Walker’s Pivo Pils, Victory’s Prima Pils and Sierra Nevada’s Nooner. Nowadays there has been this trend toward lighter beers with the warming of the weather. Some folks even prefer fruity or sour beers in the heat. However, the pilsner style is the original thirst quencher and remains a fantastic example of a beer to have as the weather warms up. Dave Clark is a certified cicerone and nationally ranked BJCP beer judge who lives in Gilbert and loves all things craft beer.

CELEBRATE AT GB! HANDCRAFTED BEER, MADE-FROM-SCRATCH FOOD AND REFRESHING COCKTAILS. HAPPY HOUR: 4PM – 7PM • LATE NIGHT: 10PM – CLOSE • SUN-THURS

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BREAKING DOWN WALLS

The fun, eclectic beers of Arizona

James Swann » The Entertainer!

eer in Arizona has always been eclectic. After all, who remembers Cave Creek Chili Beer? Certainly different, but these days it’s even more fun. Local breweries like Sleepy Dog, Dark Sky, Uncle Bear’s and Peoria Artisan are thinking even further out of the box. For instance, have you ever tried a peanut butter beer? All four of the above-mentioned breweries are making one in some form or another. Sleepy Dog’s peanut butter milk stout called “Wet Snout Stout” is selling so well that it just announced plans to put it in cans for large scale distribution. Dark Sky Brewing ups the ante with a peanut butter and jelly beer. Really? Yes, really, and it’s really, really good! Uncle Bear’s takes a different approach with its version called Barkley’s, a peanut butter cup porter. It’s like a Reese’s peanut butter cup: A bit lighter on the palate with a hint of chocolate. Peoria Artisan Brewery gets credit, at least at on a local level, for doing it first with its peanut butter porter. It may sound crazy but these beers are more than just interesting. They’re all just plain delicious.

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So, what could be more fascinating than peanut butter beer? How about a Koffee Kolsch or a key lime pie pale ale? Imagine a light, crisp blond ale that tastes just like your morning cup of joe. How do they do that and why? People love it, and that’s all the reason I need. Made by Huss Brewing Company, the Koffee Kolsch has to be one of the most curious beers of the year. If you have an opportunity to try it, I urge you to close your eyes as you take the first sip. Once you have swallowed, open your eyes and look at the color of the beer. It really throws you for a loop. Having said so, the key lime pie pale ale from Dark Sky Brewing is also an amazing oddity. Who knew it could be bready, biscuity, limey and a little sweet with a nice hop balance? Who could write an article of this sort without mentioning the White Russian Imperial Stout from SunUp Brewing? Can you imagine a full-bodied strong dark stout that tastes very much like a white Russian cocktail? Voted best new seasonal beer in Arizona for 2015, this one is big and boozy with hints of coffee, vanilla, cream and spices. I can barely imagine anything more fun. Can you?

SMOOTH ALE-ING

Cracking open the AmeriCAN Canned Beer Festival

Tim J. Randall » The Entertainer!

t’s time to pop open the tab on your favorite craft brews at the sixth annual AmeriCAN Canned Craft Beer Festival at the Scottsdale Civic Center from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, May 14. “The event is a partnership between SanTan Brewing Company and HDE Agency and is our way of celebrating canned craft beer with our fellow breweries across the country,” says Jen Pruett, public relations director at HDE. “The AmeriCAN Canned Craft Beer Festival was created as a signature event for the state of Arizona to celebrate American Craft Beer Week held May 16 through May 22.” The popular event features live entertainment, craft food, VIP quarters, Beer Science Garden, beer Olympics and the craft can award ceremony. “Every year this event grows in size. We started out with just about 100 beers and now we pour nearly 300 different beers from 100 different craft breweries,” Pruett says. Patrons will find not only refreshing and tasty canned brews to slake their thirst, but a delicious assortment of culinary options. “We will have several local restaurants in attendance selling food,” Pruett says. “We are still working on finalizing the restaurants, so far we have Brat Haus and Cold Beer & Cheeseburgers confirmed.” And because canned beer just would not be the same without great tuneage, the festival will be presenting an electric

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line-up including: DJ Slippe, DJ Hanz, The Hour Glass Cats, Black Bottom Lighters, Dry River Yacht Club and 2 Tone Lizard Kings. Attendees can choose one of two great options for imbibing. General admission tickets before May 6 are $35 ($45 day of ) and include admission, a souvenir can and 20 4-ounce pours. The VIP experience for $100 offers admission one hour early, a souvenir can, 20 fourounce pours, catered food, a private VIP zone with private restrooms and exclusive specialty beer sampling. In addition to the activities, food and music this year’s iteration will incorporate a mobile canning station and brewing demonstrations. “This festival only offers canned craft beers, it’s a celebration of the almighty can! AmeriCAN has won numerous awards and has a huge fan following,” Pruett says. “You ask any craft beer fan in Arizona and they will tell you this is one of the most beloved festivals each year.” One of the fan favorites is the coronation of top canned beer by a group of certified beer aficionados. “AmeriCAN isn’t just a festival, it’s also a competition,” says Pruett. “The day before the festival, more than 40 certified craft beer judges will gather to taste and vote for their favorites in nine categories including IPA, American Pale Ale, English Pale Ale, Wheat Beers, Stouts and Porters, Ambers and Browns, Golds, Blondes, Pilsners and Light Lagers, Fruit, and Specialty Beer. Gold, silver and bronze winners will be announced via live stream on Friday, May 13, 2016,” she says. Like any great festival does, two community organizations benefit from a portion of the proceeds from the event. The Scottsdale Cultural Council has a mission: “To develop, advance and deliver high-quality arts, cultural experiences and opportunities in Scottsdale to residents, cultural institutions, artists and visitors from around the world,” according to the council’s website. The Arizona Society of Homebrewers strives “to preserve and promote the time-honored tradition of homebrewing, and to recognize it as a true art form through information, education, and dedicated practice,” according to the Society’s website. “These two charities that we value highly, both have been big supporters of this event since its inception,” Pruett says. With attendance anticipated to reach 4,000 guests, Pruett is excited about this year’s offerings. “We hope that our attendees will enjoy trying new beers and getting the chance to taste some of their favorites that they can’t get here locally,” Pruett says. “The festival grounds are green, lush, beautiful —you couldn’t ask for a better day for a craft beer festival.”

AmeriCAN Canned Craft Beer Festival

Scottsdale Civic Center, 3939 N. Drinkwater Boulevard, Scottsdale, cannedcraftbeerfest.com, noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, May 14, starts at $35.

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE MAY 2016

PROUD TO BE A PART OF THIS YEAR’S

AmeriCAN Beer Festival

Award-Winning Beer from the Last Frontier

Brewed and bottled in Juneau, Alaska. alaskanbeer.com

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STILL

ROCKIN’

Night Ranger sees revival thanks to clucking chickens

Christina Fuoco-Karasinski » The Entertainer!

ight Ranger is all about keeping its music alive— even if it means putting up with chickens clucking to its song “Sister Christian” in a Foster Farms TV spot. “When you look at it in the long run, it really does help,” says drummer/vocalist Kelly Keagy with a laugh. “In that way, we can kind of be OK with it. But when people come to see us, they hear songs like ‘Sister Christian’ and we feel we’ve done our job.” Keagy, along with bassist/vocalist Jack Blades, guitarist Brad Gillis, guitarist Keri Kelli and keyboardist Eric Levy, will do his job on Friday, May 13, at Wild Horse Pass Hotel and Casino’s Ovations Live Showroom. Fans can expect songs like “Sister Christian,” “When You Close Your Eyes,” “Don’t Tell Me You Love Me” and “(You Can Still) Rock in America,” and even tracks by Blades’ side project with Ted Nugent, Damn Yankees. “We like to be really spontaneous on stage,” Keagy says. “We just make stuff up. We might break into a cover—who knows. We play some Damn Yankees in the set because those songs really fit our style.” That spontaneity keeps the music fresh for Night Ranger, which was founded more than 30 years ago.

“We try not to play the songs exactly the same way every night or every week,” Keagy says. “That really helps after 30-plus years of doing this. We just try to keep it light and loose on the stage.” This year is shaping up to be a busy one for Night Ranger. The band has been in the studio working on a new album for the last few months. It is expected to be released in October. “We’re excited about the material, but making a record is tough,” he says. For now, though, Night Ranger’s musicians are happy with commercial, TV and movie placement to keep its career alive. “Sister Christian” has been particularly beneficial, as it was part of a key scene in the film “Boogie Nights.” “Oh my God,” Keagy says with a snicker. “Before we saw that in the theater, we had no idea. They had sent us scripts and stuff, but you can’t see the visual. Jack and I felt like we had been there—back in 1985.”

Night Ranger

Wild Horse Pass Hotel and Casino, 5040 Wild Horse Pass Boulevard, Chandler, 800.946.4452, wingilariver.com, 8 p.m. Friday, May 13, $25-$70.

LOCATION: ULTRASTAR MULTITAINMENT CENTER 16000 N. MARICOPA ROAD, MARICOPA, AZ 85138

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THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE MAY 2016

THE HIGHROLLER

PLAY » SPIN » LAUGH » GROOVE » UNWIND » WIN

Wolfgang Gartner

The Pool at Talking Stick, releasevip.com/ calendar/?month=May

MAY 15

CASINO ENTERTAINMENT

CALENDAR

Megan Marples » The Entertainer!

MAY 1 Stafford Brothers

The Pool at Talking Stick, releasevip.com/ calendar/?month=May

MAY 2 John Eric Duo

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

MAY 3 Western Fusion Trio

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

MAY 4 Route 66

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

Walkens Trio

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

MAY 5 Evil Waze: The Ultimate Santana Experience

The Showroom at Casino Arizona, casinoarizona.com

MAY 5 - MAY 7 Thunder from Down Under

The Showroom at Talking Stick Resort, talkingstickresort.com

MAY 6 David Cross

Wild Horse Pass Hotel and Casino, wingilariver.com

The Walkens

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

MAY 7 Selena Tribute with Karla Perez Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, caesars.com/ harrahs-ak-chin

Stanley Serrano Trio

Aaron Lewis

The Showroom at Talking Stick Resort, talkingstickresort.com

Stanley Serrano Trio

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

Quintino

The Pool at Talking Stick, releasevip.com/ calendar/?month=May

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

MAY 16

MAY 9

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

John Eric Duo

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

MAY 17

MAY 10

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

Western Fusion Trio

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

MAY 18

MAY 11

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

Thaddeus Rose

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

Walkens Trio

Stanley Serrano Trio Walkens Trio

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

MAY 19

MAY 12

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

2 Shades of Blue

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

MAY 13 Queen Nation: A Tribute to Queen The Showroom at Casino Arizona, casinoarizona.com

Quantum

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

Night Ranger

Wild Horse Pass Hotel and Casino, wingilariver.com

DSB An American Journey Wild Horse Pass Hotel and Casino, wingilariver.com

MAY 14 Tracy Morgan - Picking Up the Pieces The Showroom at Talking Stick Resort, talkingstickresort.com

Soundwave

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

Mike and Ted

MAY 20 Fan Halen: A Tribute to the Music of Van Halen The Showroom at Casino Arizona, casinoarizona.com

Mirage: A Fleetwood Mac Tribute Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, caesars.com/ harrahs-ak-chin

MAY 21 Downtime

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

Tigerlily

The Pool at Talking Stick, releasevip.com/ calendar/?month=May

MAY 22 Miller Time

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

Bingo Beach

The Pool at Talking Stick, releasevip.com/ calendar/?month=May

MAY 23 John Eric Duo

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

MAY 24 Marley Taylor Trio

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

MAY 25 Walkens Trio

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

MAY 26 Mike and Ted

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

MAY 27 - MAY 28 The Long Run: Experience the Eagles The Showroom at Casino Arizona, casinoarizona.com

MAY 27 Neal McCoy

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

MAY 28 Static

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

Skrillex

The Pool at Talking Stick, releasevip.com/ calendar/?month=May

MAY 29 Lisa Lampanelli

The Salt River Grand Ballroom at Talking Stick Resort, talkingstickresort.com

Robin Schulz

The Pool at Talking Stick, releasevip.com/ calendar/?month=May

MAY 30 MMS Trio

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

Flavour

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

MAY 31 Western Fusion Trio

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

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THE BEST CASINO EVENTS IN MAY

Thunder From Down Under

Aaron Lewis

MAY 5 THROUGH MAY 7 Australia’s hottest boys are back. With their dynamic dance routines and barely there costumes, Thunder from Down Under has been making women swoon for more than two decades. Don’t miss this internationally acclaimed Las Vegas act that will make for the ultimate ladies’ night. Talking Stick Resort, 9800 Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale, www. talkingstickresort.com, 8 p.m., $25

MAY 15 Staind frontman Aaron Lewis has received much critical acclaim for his solo country career including two CMT nominations for his album Country Boy. Lewis will return to Talking Stick Resort for an acoustic solo concert featuring his songs as well as Staind tracks. Talking Stick Resort, 9800 Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale, www. talkingstickresort.com, 8 p.m., $35-$95

Night Ranger

MAY 13 Night Ranger has been in the business since 1983 and continues to prove it can still rock! Most known for its hits “Sister Christian” and “When You Close Your Eyes,” Night Ranger has sold over 17 million copies worldwide and climbing. The band continues its nonstop touring schedule, playing to sold-out crowds around the world, with stops in the United States, including Wild Horse Pass. Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino, 5040 Wild Horse Pass Blvd., Chandler, www.wingilariver.com, 2:30 p.m., $25-$70

Neal McCoy

MAY 27 Get ready for an evening of country music with Neal McCoy. The country star scored back-to-back No. 1 singles “No Doubt About It” and “Wink” from his platinum-certified album No Doubt About It. With 10 studio albums and 34 singles on country radio, McCoy will be bringing all the hits to Ak-Chin. Harrah’s Ak-Chin, 15406 Maricopa Road, Maricopa, www.caesars.com/ harrahs-ak-chin, 8 p.m., call for ticket prices

Saturday Night Fever: Bee Gees Tribute

Tracy Morgan: Picking Up the Pieces

MAY 14 After a serious crash that nearly killed him, Tracy Morgan is back. The comic legend performs his new show “Picking Up the Pieces,” putting his one-of-a-kind perspective center stage. Morgan finds humor in every part of daily life—and you will, too. Talking Stick Resort, 9800 Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale, www. talkingstickresort.com, 8 p.m., $50-$125

MAY 15 This all-Canadian cast has been touring for the past 10 years, from Disneyland to Russia, recreating the look and sound of the Bee Gees. Capturing a full history of the Bee Gees, Saturday Night Fever includes all of the group’s biggest hits. Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino, 5040 Wild Horse Pass Blvd., Chandler, www.wingilariver.com, 2:30 p.m., $10

Lisa Lampanelli

MAY 29 Known for saying things that most people are afraid to think, Lisa Lampanelli brings her raunchy, gut-busting performance to Talking Stick Resort. Heralded as “more than a standup—a standout” by comedy legend Jim Carrey, Lampanelli is a brilliant comedian who’ll steal the show every time. Talking Stick Resort, 9800 Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale, www. talkingstickresort.com, 8 p.m., $45-$125

A TRIBUTE TO

OUR HEROES INTRODUCING THE TRIBUTE CARD FROM DESERT DIAMOND WEST VALLEY

The Rewards Card for active duty, retired and veteran members of the U.S. military. Exclusive benefits include $10 in Free Play on the 1st and 15th of each month and invitations to special events. It’s our way of saying thank you for serving our country with pride and honor. Experience the possibilities.

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4/20/16 4:59 PM

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE MAY 2016

GOING HOME

Blue October singer shares newfound happiness Christina Fuoco-Karasinski » The Entertainer!

inger Justin Furstenfeld enthusiastically answers the phone to discuss Blue October’s forthcoming album, Home. With well-documented struggles with bipolar disorder and addiction, happiness hasn’t always come easy. “Happiness comes in waves,” Furstenfeld says. “I think I’ve mastered the art of sucking up the moment. I’m really, really protective of my good moments. I don’t want any moment to be wasted. “I demand to be prepared. When we’re in the studio, everything has to be prepared. It has to be right, perfect, or I’ll work on it until it is. But the happy moments, it’s crazy. It’s such a different place for me.” With sobriety came positivity. He weeded out all the negative influences in his life, but he’s not necessarily saying that negativity doesn’t come. “I push it to the side and I say, ‘You’re not going to get me today,’” he explains. “Sometimes I get stung by the negative. I can’t control that. I just keep moving forward.” Home reflects his joy. Take the chorus for example: Like dancing in the kitchen in the pale moonlight/ Only care in the world is that our kids are all right/ Daddy loves momma and momma loves him/ Tomorrow we get to do it over again. “This record is amazing because, first of all, (2013’s) Sway was pretty much me discovering that there was a life outside of being crazy,” Furstenfeld confesses. “There was a life outside of me, me, me. That was like being reborn. This album was just about life can be as good as you want it to be, as long as you just give it your all. When I was making this album, I would come up with these melodies in my head.” The other theme of the album was pushing boundaries or going outside of the box. So what did Furstenfeld do? He took up jogging at night to ponder these melodies. “I’m not a jogger,” he says with a laugh. “What? What’s that shit about. If this album is going to be about getting outside of your shell and doing something that might make you uncomfortable, what better than to go jogging at night when everyone else is sleeping.” Jogging didn’t necessarily come easy for Furstenfeld, either. He would tell

himself not to “wimp out; don’t give up. Go faster.” The result was a collection of anthemic songs about doing your best—“the best husband, the best son, the best father. “The song ‘Heart Go Bang’ is just about making out with your wife, guy or girl—someone you think is so freaking hot. You have to make out to your fullest; make it good,” Furstenfeld says. He dubs the recording process as “summer camp in the winter. “It was awesome,” he says. “All of the guys would come over and it would be this massive ‘mancave’ of studio. We talked about our lives. It wasn’t like we were sitting there mixing (previous hits) ‘Hate Me’ or ‘Dirt Room,’ where it’s about something tragic. Every song was about something uplifting. Everyone was in a good mood. If drama came in, I’d say,

‘You have to go.’ Good vibes only.” That mood reflects the live show, which comes to The Showroom at Talking Stick Resort in Scottsdale on Friday, June 3. “I don’t think I’m going to play a lot of sad songs,” he says. “This album is so refreshing and makes me feel so good. I want to go up there and have everyone for an hour and a half feel so good. When they leave, I want them to say, ‘What just hit me?’ “That’s what I’m hoping for.”

Blue October

The Showroom at Talking Stick Resort, 9800 Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale, 800.745.3000, ticketmaster.com, 8 p.m. Friday, June 3, $45-$65.

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THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE MAY 2016

THE GLADIATOR

CHEER » HIT » HIKE » LEAD » ROOT » COMPETE

World Fighting Federation Presents Wild Horse Pass Fight Live

MAY’S BEST

SPORTS EVENTS Damir Lolic » The Entertainer!

ASU Baseball vs. University of Oregon

Phoenix Mercury vs. Seattle Storm

MAY 6 Sun Devil baseball has seen its fair share of ups and downs this year. Hovering just above the .500 mark, the team will welcome Pac-12 rivals, the Oregon Ducks, in the first meeting between the two of the season. Phoenix Municipal Stadium, 5999 E. Van Buren Street, Phoenix, thesundevils.com

MAY 8 With the WNBA season looming, Diana Taurasi is back to lead her Mercury to the finals. The visiting Seattle Storm will try to spoil Taurasi’s homecoming in this preseason matchup between conference rivals Talking Stick Resort Arena, 201 E. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, wnba. com/mercury

Arizona Rattlers vs. Orlando Predators

Esprit de She Triathlon

MAY 7 The Rattlers are once again off to a scorching start. Their high-octane offense has been complemented by an equally effective defense. When the visiting Predators come to town, it should make for a boisterous atmosphere—and inflated box score. Talking Stick Resort Arena, 201 E. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, azrattlers.com

Harlem Globetrotters MAY 7 Join the world-famous Globetrotters in celebrating 90 years of delivering pure entertainment on the hardwood. That tradition is carried on by a new wave of crowd pleasers that pack arenas wherever planes take them. Talking Stick Resort Arena, 201 E. Jefferson Street, Phoenix

MAY 14 The World Fighting Federation is renowned for developing mixed martial art fighters into household names. On Saturday night, Wild Horse Pass sets the stage for an evening filled with skilled warriors aiming for fighting glory. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino, 5040 Wild Horse Pass Boulevard, Chandler, wingilariver.com

Arizona United SC vs. Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC MAY 21 The push for legitimacy has officially begun for AZ United. Fall Out Boy’s Pete Wentz and EDM’s Diplo are investors. That being said, the home team will welcome the Switchbacks on Saturday night, with the hopes of winning and remaining in the top half of the table. Peoria Sports Complex, 16101 N. 83rd Avenue, Peoria, arizonaunited.com

Arizona Diamondbacks vs. New York Yankees

Red Bull Global Rallycross Phoenix Double Header

MAY 16 This will be the first of a three-game slate pitting the interleague foes against one other. It hasn’t been the dream start to the season the D-backs have hoped for, especially since A.J. Pollock went down with a fractured elbow. A series sweep of the Yankees would be a step in the right direction. Chase Field, 401 E. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, Arizona.diamondbacks. mlb.com

MAY 21 THROUGH MAY 22 Get ready for a weekend filled with small production-based cars driven by star drivers at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park. With enhancedengineering and safety features, the motorcars produce 600-horsepower and can accelerate from 0-60 mph in less than 2 seconds! You might want to keep your eyes peeled on the course Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park, 20000 S. Maricopa Road, Chandler, racewildhorse.net

MAY 8 This unique triathlon invites women of all ages to bike, swim or run with two friends as part of a relay team—or individually compete in a triathlon or duathlon. Invite your girlfriends and participate in the Esprit de She fun. But be ready for a challenging course! Tempe Beach Park, 80 W. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe, trifind.com

Hope Run MAY 14 Calling all cardio lovers! This year’s Hope Run will support education for children living in our community—and around the world. All the proceeds from this event benefit U.S.-based nonprofits working for children. Kiwanis Park North Soccer Field, 95 W. Baseline Road, Tempe, 4peaksracing.com

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SPREADING

SMILES

Harlem Globetrotter finds charity work satisfying Christina Fuoco-Karasinski » The Entertainer!

s a Harlem Globetrotter, Phoenix native Buckets Blakes lives to make people smile. But he grins himself each time he peers into his wallet. “There was this one kid I met several years ago named Brandon, who was bedridden” Blakes says via telephone from Montreal. “He was the only one in the hospital. I had an hour at the hospital and I didn’t pay attention to him cutting a piece of paper. You know, a paper doll chain? “He made one of those for me so I keep that in my wallet everywhere I go now.” One of those places Blakes is headed is home for two performances, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, May 7, at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix. “It’s awesome to play at home,” Blakes says. “It’s a great feeling to have your family watching you. There’s no better feeling in the world. There’s this amazing energy that comes over you and you want to perform at your highest level. You feel all of that love coming from them.” As a child, he was so obsessed with basketball that he cut a hole in his dad’s hat so he could shoot tennis balls through it. After years of practice, Blake has become one of the Globetrotters’ most accurate shooters. He once broke the Guinness World Records’ record for the most basketball underhanded half-court shots in 1 minute, dropping six. Blakes has played with the Globetrotters for 14 of the team’s 90 years. The Globetrotters called him after he was globetrotting himself; he played professional basketball in Taiwan, Cypress and Finland. “The Globetrotters signed me to a 10-day contract and I was signed after six WWW.ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

of those days,” he says. “Since then, I’ve played in 79 countries and I’m on my third passport.” The team is like one big family, Blakes says. The camaraderie between the players reminds him of growing up as one of 10 children. “Playing with the Globetrotters is like jumping back into a huge family,” he says. “We share ideas and thoughts with each other on and off the court. It just helps that we gel so well and that’s what makes it fun. If we’re having a good time, then the fans are, too.” Some fans have a better time than others, Blakes says coyly. At times during the Globetrotters’ shows, fans participate in the silliness. “Some of my teammates improvise well enough to catch someone walking up the steps or not paying attention,” he says. “We’ll pull them on the court and have fun with them. It’s just simple things like that. It really doesn’t have to do with basketball. It has to do with joy. “I love the opportunity to put huge smiles on people’s faces all over the world—no matter where we go. It’s awesome to have a job where you are giving back while you’re working. Most people who give back to make other people happy, have to wait until they get off of work and give extra time. We help people all the time—despite the language barriers.”

Harlem Globetrotters

Talking Stick Resort Arena, 201 E. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, 800.745.3000, talkingstickresortarena.com, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, May 7, $30.91-$152.45.

BASS ALL ABOUT THAT

Mercury’s Mistie Bass shares work ethic with father, Chubby Checker

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THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE MAY 2016

Christina Fuoco-Karasinski » The Entertainer!

hoenix Mercury forward Mistie Bass lives selflessly. She thinks of her team first, returning too early from knee surgery so she could help the Mercury when Brittney Griner was suspended. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Bass gets her work ethic from her father, rocker Chubby Checker. “He still works super hard,” Bass says. “He’s definitely a great role model. My dad, he’s tough-nosed. He’s super disciplined and very strict, but at the same time, everything he’s always put into something he gets back.” Bass is just as disciplined, she says. She played in France for two months this summer and then decided to give her body a break to properly rehab her knee. Her social media is filled with video of and thoughts about her knee rehab process. “I had to come back early when Brittney Griner was suspended for seven days because the team wanted me,” she says about her teammate’s domestic violence issue. “I had to force myself to play and it wasn’t the best thing for me. I’m that type of player, though. I’ll put the team in front of me.” Phoenix Mercury is important to Bass, who has also played for the Houston Comets, Chicago Sky and Connecticut Sun since she was drafted in 2006. During a recent conversation, it’s clear that she’s thrilled about the upcoming season, which begins Saturday, May 14, at Minnesota. The home opener is Wednesday, May 25, against the Minnesota Lynx. “I’m really excited about Diana Taurasi coming back,” she says. “She and I have always had a tight connection on the court. I find her to be a tremendous leader and it’s obvious she’s an amazing talent. “I look forward to her leadership on the court. She’s an ‘I-don’t-take-any-crap’ kind of captain. I love that about her. She says what needs to be said and everybody respects her. We’re a great team because of it.”

Bass pauses when asked what she has learned while serving on the Mercury. “I think, being with the Phoenix Mercury, it’s been a learning experience, in terms of watching how everyone has given a piece of themselves,” she says. “I’ve always been a selfless player. “When you see teammates giving up parts of themselves for the greater good of the team, it’s very humbling. We’re athletes. We’re always competitive. With this particular team, it taught me how to step back and enjoy the moment.” She describes the Phoenix Mercury as more talented than the team that won the championship in 2014. “It’s kind of scary, actually,” Bass says with a laugh. “It’s going to be a phenomenal season. It’s the WNBA’s 20th anniversary. It’s huge. We’ve made a lot of changes, in terms of how the games are set up. We have new jerseys. We have a lot of character on our team. “Penny Taylor is coming back, which is going to be awesome. I’m super excited about it.” If it sounds like Bass lives to have a positive attitude, it would be a correct assumption. Her social media is filled with inspirational messages. “I’m all about being a positive person,” she says. “If you are the kind of person who looks for the good in things, then naturally your life is always going to be positive as well. I always find a silver lining in all situations.”

Phoenix Mercury opening day

Talking Stick Resort Arena, 201 E. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, 800.745.3000, talkingstickresortarena.com, 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 25, $10-$225.25.

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THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE MAY 2016

THE YOUNGSTER

FROLIC » DISCOVER » IMAGINE » FAMILY » FUN » CONNECT

PHOENIX

ZOO

More than just a zoo, a learning experience Kimberly Hosey » The Entertainer!

oos are funny. On one hand, they make for an undeniably fun trip for the whole family—entertaining, educational, and memorable. On the other hand, as a genuine animal lover I’m sometimes wary of captive animals—their happiness and well-being, the motivations of zoos, and how much the “animal ambassadors” really inspire us humans to save their counterparts in the wild. These concerns have only intensified and evolved as I’ve raised my son; an avid environmentalist and constantly curious biologist-in-training. Happily, some zoos have grown with and outpaced my own awareness, like the Phoenix Zoo. With a rebranding and new exhibits in recent years, I’m happy to say my zoo has grown with me—and it was pretty great to start with. An early fond memory with my son is getting stuck in the rain after a visit to the Phoenix Zoo. After hours watching animals enjoying the weather I raced through the downpour with my son zooming along in his stroller. A new generation was hooked. So I was heartened in recent years to see the zoo step up its efforts in promoting the importance of conservation. It’s a message woven throughout the exhibits, so a visit to the zoo is more than just an animal showcase: A new generation of nature lovers is nurtured. The zoo has long been known for

programs supporting captive breeding and reintroduction for animals like the Arabian oryx and, more recently, blackfooted ferrets, Chiricahua leopard frogs, narrow-headed garter snakes and thickbilled parrots. Its “Operation Oryx” was one of the first captive breeding programs at any zoo. They also support conservation efforts around the globe; including preserving Grevy’s zebras, giant armadillos and orangutans. At the end of 2014 the Arizona Zoological Society, the organization behind the Phoenix Zoo, changed its name to the Arizona Center for Nature Conservation to better reflect its overall mission. The zoo also moved to ensure that everywhere guests see the zoo name and logo, they would see the Conservation name as well—marking the importance of conservation, not just display of animals. So it was with an even greater appreciation of the zoo that I took my son along to check out all we’d missed recently. Turns out it was a lot. After a quick trip along the Africa Trail with its sprawling grassy habitat, we lingered along the Arizona Trail. Rather than turn his nose up at animals we “already have,” my son is intrigued by the information offered and the immersive exhibits, and always comes away learning something new. Probably one of our favorite encounters this time was the California condor exhibit. The two giant birds— rescued after lead poisoning and too much human contact—are both males, but we

still marveled as they nibbled and almost embraced each other, surprisingly curious and tender. The birds are unreleasable, but will probably be used to help breed the critically endangered species. You really don’t want to miss the Isle of the Tiger, the zoo’s newest exhibit, which opened last November. With wide-open, shaded viewing areas, large windows to observe the two Sumatran tigers, Sumatran design elements and interpretive signs; the exhibit area is perfect for humans—but it’s also designed with tigers in mind; with two yards, dens with heated or cooled floors, enrichment opportunities, varied terrain, a pool and rocks for the tigers to enjoy. It’s a great representation of the zoo’s overall mission to nurture both animal welfare and human engagement. Next, we checked out the Komodo dragons, favorites since the exhibit opened with its original dragons in 2009. Also nearby was the Tropical Flights walkin aviary, featuring a lively rainbow of feathered residents. It’s my son’s favorite, so I planned it for last, knowing we’d stay until closing. To his delight, he met a couple of keepers who were more than happy to answer as many bird questions as he could ask (which was a lot). Finally, reluctantly, we moseyed out. We didn’t catch everything, but we’ll be sure to return soon. Hours through May 31 are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Admission is $20 for ages 14 and older, $14 for ages 3 to 13. Children 2 and younger are free.

Phoenix Zoo

455 N. Galvin Pkwy., Phoenix (602) 286-3800 http://phoenixzoo.org WWW.ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

MAKING

‘Sesame Street Live’ explores cultural differences

FRIENDS L

Jasmine Kemper » The Entertainer! ittle monsters can learn about friendship and cultures through song and dance while having plenty of fun when “Sesame Street Live: Make a New Friend” comes to the Valley. Join Grover and the rest of the “Sesame Street” gang when they meet Grover’s new friend from India, Chamki. The show focuses on embracing new traditions and learning that even though someone may be different doesn’t mean you can’t be friends. The 90-minute performance includes songs that kids can dance to like “The Elmo Slide,” “Rakhi Road” and “ABC Hip Hop.” Other tunes include parodies of modern pop hits from artists like Katy Perry, Maroon 5 and Bruno Mars. “Sesame Street Live” performer Chris Blackmon plays a few different parts in the show, but he likes to say he’s best friends with Cookie Monster. He loves “Make a New Friend” because it can be enjoyed by any age group. “It’s a Broadway-style show, so there are lights, effects and confetti,” he says. “The music is so much fun, the songs get stuck in your head [and] the dancing is amazing. We do the show for ages 2 to 5 in general, but parents and older kids will love it. I am 30 and I enjoy watching the show myself.” He enjoys the plot-driven storyline as well. Kids can learn an important life lesson thanks to Chamki and her new friends. “It’s nice to learn about different cultures,” Blackmon says. “It makes you more empathetic and sympathetic, and it makes you a more well-rounded person. It’s nice to know that not everyone is brought up the same way. People have different ways of life, and different ways of approaching situations based on how they were brought up. Learning about those differences will make you a better person.” In all, the audience will learn that everyone is special in their own way—no matter where they come from. “You shouldn’t be afraid to make friends and if at first you don’t understand someone try to find a common ground. It’s OK to have differences but you can still be friends,” Blackmon says.

“Sesame Street Live”

Comerica Theatre, 400 W. Washington Street, Phoenix, 602.379.2800, sesamestreetlive. com, times vary Saturday, May 14, through Sunday, May 15, $15-$45. WWW.ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE MAY 2016

THE BEST FAMILY EVENTS IN MAY Megan Marples » The Entertainer!

Music in May

FRIDAYS IN MAY Friends and neighbors are welcome to come together to enjoy live music and mingle at Anthem’s ACC Community Park. Families are encouraged to bring a blanket and picnic to the free event. The first week there will be food trucks such as Butta Burger and Taste of Mexico. The following weeks will feature an ice cream truck and local bands like Shining Star, The Groove Merchants, True to Life and Arizona Moonshine Band. Anthem Community Park Amphitheater, 41703 N. Gavilan Peak Parkway, Anthem, 623.742.6050.

also convince Prince Eric that she is his true love before time runs out. Ursula complicates the situation by taking away Ariel’s voice and uses it to her advantage. Fall in love with Disney’s aquatic princess during this delightful play. Mesa Arts Center, One E. Main St., Mesa, 480.644.6500, mesaartscenter.com.

Peach Festival

Disney’s The Little Mermaid Jr.

MAY 6 THROUGH MAY 15 Join Ariel under the sea for a musical adventure about being yourself. Ariel longs to live on land, but her father King Triton will not allow it. This forces her to seek out the help of Ursula, the evil sea witch. Ariel must

Grande Museum guide on a one-hour hike. Along the way, look for Hohokam petroglyphs hidden in the desert. The morning hike is the perfect way to start the day and engage the entire family. The cost to participate is $5 and space is extremely limited. Those interested must register by May 12. Holbert Trail, 10002 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, 602.495.0901.

Petroglyph Discovery Hike

MAY 14 Discover the ancient secrets of South Mountain during a short 1-mile hike. Families will be led by a Pueblo

MAY 14 THROUGH MAY 22 Celebrate peaches this spring at Schnepf Farms’ annual Peach Festival. Families can enjoy hay rides through the orchards along with train rides. There will also be carousel rides and live entertainment. As for the food, partake in the peachy pancake breakfast and sample various other fruity delights. Peach desserts such as pie, cobbler, cookies and cinnamon rolls will also be available for sale. Kids will enjoy the arts and crafts booths and water activities. Schnepf Farms, 24810 S. Rittenhouse Road, Queen Creek, 480.987.3100, schnepffarms.com.

Slide the City: Phoenix

MAY 21 The extreme water event is coming to Phoenix for a day of slipping and sliding. Slide the City is bringing to Phoenix a Slip and Slide that’s more than 1,000 feet. This vinyl is padded to protect against the hard ground. In addition, food and refreshments will be available. There will also be live music. Guests are asked to bring their own floaties, water guns and any other equipment to enhance the fun. 100 S. Seventh Street, Phoenix, slidethecity.com.

“Pete, or the Return of Peter Pan”

SELECT DATES IN MAY Experience the magic of Peter Pan through Childsplay. The story begins with Wendy’s grandmother telling her stories about Neverland. Wendy is skeptical of the accounts until Peter Pan arrives. With a touch of pixie dust, he whisks her and her brothers off to Neverland. There they take part in daring adventures and cross paths with pirates, fairies and ninjas. Tempe Center for the Arts, 700 W. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe, 480.350.2829, childsplayaz.org.

THE FUNNEL CAKE BLOG: WHAT’S NEW IN SoCAL

THE NEW REVOLUTION Six Flags rollercoaster uses virtual reality technology Randy Montgomery » The Entertainer!

outhern California theme parks are in an all-out battle to provide unique and groundbreaking experiences. Universal Studios just opened The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, while Disneyland has broken ground on Star Wars land. Six Flags stunned the theme park community with the introduction of the “virtual reality coaster.” This is not an indoor, sit-in-a-moving-seat experience. This is a real rollercoaster, where guests put on Samsung Gear VR headsets with Oculus technology. Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia recently reopened a classic attraction utilizing this technology. The New Revolution Virtual Reality Coaster is one of North America’s first dedicated virtual reality coasters and the first for the park. Riders put on the headsets as they board. The high-resolution imagery provides a 360-degree view. The action inside the headset is synchronized to the real twists,

turns, loops and drops of coaster. You will feel just like a fighter pilot battling to save the world in combat. The experience is unlike any other. “Six Flags is known worldwide as the industry leader in innovative thrills and The New Revolution emerging as North America’s first looping coaster to offer this revolutionary technology clearly demonstrates how deep innovation runs in our DNA,” says Bonnie Sherman Weber, Six Flags Magic Mountain park president. While the virtual reality component of the ride is new, the attraction is not. The original Great American Revolution opened on May 8, 1976, and was named in honor of the country’s bicentennial. When it debuted, it featured the world’s first giant loop, spanning 90 feet in height and 45 feet in diameter. Riders today continue to reach speeds of up to 55 miles an hour while traveling along 3,457 feet of steel track. The ride went down several months ago for a full refurbishment, which

includes new trains with changes to former safety restraints, a fancy new paint job and numerous other enhancements to the queue and surrounding areas. Thrill seekers will enjoy the new experience and should marvel at the Samsung VR experience. Rollercoaster enthusiasts will appreciate the smoothness the new trains provide and the increased airtime from the less intrusive safety restraints. Purists may prefer to experience the coaster in its traditional form. The younger set obsessed with technology will love this new component. Please note, that you must be 48 inches tall to ride, and older than the age of 12 to wear the headsets.

Six Flags Magic Mountain

26101 Magic Mountain Parkway, Valencia, California, 661.255.4100 sixflags.com/magicmountain

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THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE MAY 2016

THE SHOWMAN

101

LISTEN » JAM » INNOVATE » EVOLVE » ROCK » SING

Bad Company 105 Lamb of God 106 Live Music Calendar 102

LIVING ON THE EDGE

Filter singer Richard Patrick takes chances on new tour Christina Fuoco-Karasinski » The Entertainer!

ilter singer Richard Patrick says he owes Phoenix a stellar show. The Valley is usually one of the first stops on Filter’s tour, when the band is still rusty. This time, the industrial rock band hits the Marquee mid-jaunt, but Patrick says not to expect perfection. “I’ve seen my favorite bands 10 to 15 times at this point,” says Patrick, the brother of actor Robert Patrick of “Law and Order: SVU” and “Terminator” fame. “The most charming moments are when they’re looking around at each other saying, ‘Where are we?’ They’re all in different bands. They’re all like, ‘What?’ “One of those bands is U2. Bono forgot the lyrics to ‘Mysterious Ways’ when I saw him. He had to have the crowd sing it to him. But that’s what you’re paying for—chaos. It’s a high-wire act.” Formerly of Nine Inch Nails, Patrick is taking chances as well on the new tour, which supports Filter’s latest album, Crazy

Eyes. On the first track, “Mother,” Patrick holds a note so long that Mariah Carey would be jealous. “I just took a deep breath,” Patrick says with a laugh. “I know it’s going to be hard to do it live. For the first couple of shows, I might have some issues. Once you get used to playing it in front of people, it’s OK. I can sit in a rehearsal and rehearse the (crap) out of it. It’s heavy, though, and really high. It’s like Evel Knievel. Is he going to make it? Let’s see what happens.”

Filter w/Orgy, Vampires Everywhere, Death Valley High

Marquee Theatre, 730 N. Mill Avenue, Tempe, 480.829.0607, luckymanonline.com, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 17, $20. WWW.ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

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Dillon Francis

Todd Rundgren

Synrgy

Torche

So Hideous

The Plateros

The Classic Crime

Sean Watkins

Livewire, 9 p.m., win tickets Last Exit Live, 9 p.m., $5-$7

LIVE MUSIC

CALENDAR

MAY 1

MAY 2

Rihanna w/Travis $cott

Scott Biram

Talking Stick Resort Arena, 7:30 p.m., $30-$151

Dungen

Valley Bar, 8 p.m., $15-$17

Valley Bar, 8 p.m., $16

Inanimate Existence

Pub Rock Live, 7 p.m., $10-$12

Tommy Castro & The Painkillers

Yucca Tap Room, 8 p.m., free Nile Theater, 5:30 p.m., $17

Nicholas David

Musical Instrument Museum, 7:30 p.m., $33-$38

MAY 6 Lily & Madeleine

Rebel Lounge, 8:30 p.m., $10-$12

Celebrity Theatre, 7:30 p.m., $39-$79 Nile Theater, 8 p.m., $12-$15 Rhythm Room, 8 p.m., $15 Musical Instrument Museum, 7 p.m., $28-$34

MAY 9 Sympathy and The Lion Rebel Lounge, 8 p.m., $5-$8

Bear Mountain w/Young Empires

Paul Van Dyk

Valley Bar, 8 p.m., $12-$15

Fear Factory

Marquee Theatre, 5:30 p.m., $20

Maya Day + Nightclub, 9 p.m., $15

Lacuna Coil

Rhythm Room, 8 p.m., $20-$24

New Mystery Moon

Immortal Technique w/Jedi Mind Tricks

Marquee Theatre, 8 p.m., $23

MAY 3

Warhead w/Brain Dead

Bettye LaVette

Igor & The Red Elvises

William Elliott Whitmore

Cash Cash & Lil Dicky

Maya Day + Nightclub, 12 p.m., $20

Flatbush Zombies

Rhythm Room, 9 p.m., $10

Stafford Brothers

The Pool at Talking Stick Resort, 11 a.m., free

Rebel Lounge, 8 p.m., $15-$18

Black Mountain

Valley Bar, 8 p.m., $15-$17

Violent Femmes

Marquee Theatre, 8 p.m., $35-$55

Tribone

Last Exit Live, 9 p.m., $5-$10

Jadakiss

Club Red, 7 p.m., $20-$75

The Harmed Brothers

Yucca Tap Room, 8 p.m., free

Ya Boi Ceddi

Nile Theater, 8 p.m., $10-$12

The Residents

Crescent Ballroom, 8:30 p.m., $30 adv, $36 dos

Steve Poltz

Musical Instrument Museum, 7:30 p.m., $28-$34

MAY 10 The Rocket Summer

Rebel Lounge, 8 p.m., $17-$22

Daniel Martin Moore

Valley Bar, 8 p.m., $10-$12

So Stressed

Yucca Tap Room, 8 p.m., free

The Slackers

Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $17-$20

Beach Slang

Musical Instrument Museum, 7 p.m., $38-$44

Hippo Campus

MAY 11

Cyantific

Miner

Mimelight

Sharks in the Deep End

No Society

Nancarrow

The Earps

Matt Andersen and the Bona Fide

Rebel Lounge, 8 p.m., $12-$15

MAY 4

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

Pentatonix w/Us The Duo

Last Exit Live, 9 p.m., $15

Rebel Lounge, 6 p.m., $13-$15

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Some Call Us Heroes

Musical Instrument Museum, 7 p.m., $48-$54

Rodney Crowell

Pure Noise w/Hit The Lights

Chase Field, 5 p.m., $20-$250 Get ready to spread the love with Kenny Chesney. This country star has won six ACMs and six CMAs. During his successful career, heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also recorded 20 albums, 14 of those reaching gold status or higher. Catch this iconic singer, plus Sam Hunt, Miranda Lambert and Old Dominion, take the stage at Chase Field.

Club Red, 7 p.m., $10-$13

Club Red, 8 p.m., $25

MAY 7

Comerica Theatre, 7:30 p.m., $35-$60

MAY 7

Last Exit Live, 8 p.m., $5-$10

Yucca Tap Room, 8 p.m., free Musical Instrument Museum, 7:30, sold out

Kenny Chesney: Spread the Love Tour

Marquee Theatre, 6 p.m., $25

Magic Wands w/Drinking Flowers Valley Bar, 8 p.m., $10

Dropdead

Pub Rock Live, 7:30 p.m., $12

Dead Meadow

Club Red, 7 p.m., $10-$15

Pinata Protest

Yucca Tap Room, 8 p.m., free

Tortoise

Crescent Ballroom, 7 p.m., $26-$30

Rockabilly Roundup

Rhythm Room, 8 p.m., $8

MAY 5 The Black Dahlia Murder

Rebel Lounge, 7:30 p.m., $20-$24

Club Red, 6 p.m., $10-$12 Club Red, 7 p.m., $10-$12 Yucca Tap Room, 8 p.m., free

The Stone Foxes

Crescent Ballroom, 8:30 p.m., $20$23

The Repeat Offenders Rhythm Room, 6 p.m., $8

Dick Dale

Musical Instrument Museum, 7:30 p.m., sold out

MAY 8 The Co-Founder

Yucca Tap Room, 8 p.m., free

The New Standards

Rebel Lounge, 8 p.m., $10-$12 Last Exit Live, 9 p.m., $5-$8 Yucca Tap Room, 8 p.m., free

Musical Instrument Museum, 7 p.m., $20-$29

MAY 12 Widower

Yucca Tap Room, 8 p.m., free

Drab Majesty

Valley Bar, 7 p.m., $10

Davey Suicide

Pub Rock Live, 7 p.m., $10-$15

The Internet

Livewire, 9 p.m., $20

Wes Williams Band

Rhythm Room, 8 p.m., $10

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THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE MAY 2016

Coasts

Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $15-$18

MAY 17 Coast 2 Coast Live Artist Showcase Yucca Tap Room, 8 p.m., $14

Filter

The Sonics

Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $25-$34

MAY 18 Kozmonaut

Yucca Tap Room, 8 p.m., free

Big Wild

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

MAY 14

Maya Day + Nightclub, 10 p.m., $19-$110 You’ve got nothin’ on successful hip hop artist B.o.B. He’s taken over the music world with chart-topping hits like “Nothin’ on You,” “Airplanes” and “Magic.” The rapper has also collaborated with well-known artists such as Hayley Williams and Bruno Mars.

Marquee Theatre, 6:30 p.m., $25

Father

Pub Rock Live, 7p.m., $18-$21

Atreyu

Club Red, 7 p.m., $20-$24

Travis Mills

Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $20

Marquee Theatre, 6:30 p.m., $20

B.o.B

J Boog

Albert Lee

Musical Instrument Museum, 7:30 p.m., $44-$50

Thriftworks

Last Exit Live, 8 p.m., $12-$15

MAY 20 Left Alone w/ The Venomous Pinks

Tech N9ne

Yucca Tap Room, 8 p.m., free

Wild Nothing

Rebel Lounge, 7 p.m., $12-$14

Modern English

Crescent Ballroom, 8:30 p.m., $23-$25

Marquee Theatre, 7:30 p.m., $40-$60 Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $15-$18 The Rhythm Room, 8 p.m., $15-$20

Jeff Rosenstock

Frightened Rabbit Eddy Clearwater

The Rhythm Room, 9 p.m., $15

MAY 13 JMSN

Rebel Lounge, $7 p.m., $12-$15

Kris Allen w/Marie Miller Valley Bar, 7 p.m., $20-$25

The Black Moods

Cactus Jack’s, 8 p.m., $10

Dangerkids

Pub Rock Live, 7 p.m., $13

Vince Staples

Crescent Ballroom, 8:30 p.m., $15-$17

Claptone

Greyhound Soul

Last Exit Live, 9 p.m., $8-$10

Grow The Scene

Club Red, 5 p.m., $10-$12

Soul Power Band

Rhythm Room, 9 p.m., $8

Journey & The Doobie Brothers w/Dave Mason Ak-Chin Pavilion, 7 p.m., $37-$142

Felly

The Trapdoors

Vince Staples

Sales

Night Ranger

Motion City Soundtrack

MAY 14

Sidney Samson + Kennedy Jones

Wild Horse Pass, 8 p.m., $25-$70

Last Exit Live, 8:30 p.m., $8-$10

Steel Panther

Club Red, 6 p.m., $25

Young Thug

Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $22

IAMSU!

The Pool at Talking Stick Resort, 11 a.m., $10

Rising Appalachia

Crescent Ballroom, 8:30 p.m., $16-$20

MAY 16

Yucca Prom 2016 w/Snake Burner, Tiki Bandits

Musical Instrument Museum, 7 p.m., $25-$32

Marquee Theatre, 7:30 p.m., $47-$82 Nile Theater, 7 p.m., $20-$23

Yucca Tap Room, 8 p.m., free

PVRIS

Livewire, 6 p.m., $18

Maya Day + Nightclub, 9 p.m., $14

decker. w/Wyves, The Copper States, The Haymarket Squares Last Exit Live, 9 p.m., $8-$10

The Pressroom, 7:00 p.m., $25

Sunsquabi

Livewire, 8 p.m., $24

Rebel Lounge, 7:30, $15-$17

Grand Theft

Rebel Lounge, 7 p.m., $10-$12

Maya Day + Nightclub, 12 p.m., $20

Valley Bar, 6:30 p.m., $10-$12

Titus Andronicus

Yucca Tap Room, 8 p.m., free

Night Moves

Rebel Lounge, 7:30 p.m., $10

Yucca Tap Room, 8 p.m., free

Musical Instrument Museum, 7:30 p.m., $38-$46

The Pool at Talking Stick Resort, 11 a.m., $15 adv, $20 dos

MAY 15

Crescent Ballroom, 8:30 p.m., $15-$17

Shaka

James Hunter

Wolfgang Gartner

Livewire, 8 p.m., $15 Club Red, 7 p.m., $10-$15

MAY 19

De’Anza

Luca Turilli’s Aesop Rock Quintino

Matthew Mayfield

Sunday, June 12 · 7pm /ChandlerCenterfortheArts

@ChandlerArts

480.782.2680 C h a n d l e r C e n t e r. o r g WWW.ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

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Kaleo

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

MAY 26 Distances

Yucca Tap Room, 8 p.m., free

Strfkr w/Com Truise

Marquee Theatre, 8 p.m., $20

Brett Dennen

Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $27-$40

Live from Laurel Canyon

Musical Instrument Museum, 7 p.m. $30-$36

Live from Laurel Canyon

Musical Instrument Museum, 9 p.m. $28-$34

James McCartney

Last Exit Live, 9 p.m., $15-$18

Tyler, the Creator MAY 25

Marquee Theatre, 8 p.m., $30 This young rapper from California rose to fame as the co-founder of the hip-hop collective Odd Future. Since then, he’s proven to be a man of all trades—creating the artwork for the group’s releases, designing clothing and merchandise, and rapping and producing all at the same time. He’s also won a MTV Video Music Award. What can’t he do?

MAY 21 Horace Pinker

Yucca Tap Room, 8 p.m., free

Sticky Fingers

Rebel Lounge, 7 p.m., $15-$17

Damien Jurado & The Heavy Light Valley Bar, 7 p.m., $18-$20

Andy Hull w/Kevin Devine

Crescent Ballroom, 8:30 p.m., $17-$21

Battlecross

Pub Rock Live, 7 p.m., $14-$16

Freddy Cole

Musical Instrument Museum, 7 p.m., $38-$54

Ooklah The Moc

Livewire, 7 p.m., $15

Dru Hill

Celebrity Theatre, 8:30 p.m., $20-$25

Kristin Chenoweth

Phoenix Symphony Hall, 5:30 p.m., sold out

Tigerlily

The Pool at Talking Stick Resort, 11 a.m., $10

MAY 22

Tiger Army

Red City Radio

Spanish Love Songs

Yucca Tap Room, 8 p.m., free

MAY 29 Holy Grail

Pub Rock Live, 7 p.m., $14-$16

Built to Spill

Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $22-$25

OHNO

Rhythm Room, 1 p.m., $30 adv, $40 dos

Robin Schulz

The Pool at Talking Stick Resort, 11 a.m., $15-$25

MAY 30 Voivod

Rebel Lounge, 7 p.m., $18-$20

AlunaGeorge

Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $20

Millencolin

Theory Room

Barflies and The Senators

Modern Baseball

Crescent Ballroom, 8:30 p.m., $22-$24

Maya Day + Nightclub, 12 p.m., $20

Maya Day + Nightclub, 9 p.m., $26

Brian Chartrand & The Voce Project

Esham

One Hell of a Night w/Bad Company, Joe Walsh

The Rhythm Room, 9:15 p.m., $10

MAY 31

Dash Berlin

Rhythm Room, 7 p.m., $10

Missy Andersen Band

Nile Theater, 7 p.m., $12

Thomas Jack

Last Exit Live, 8 p.m., $15-$20

Sugar Thieves

Rhythm Room, 9 p.m., $8

Yucca Tap Room, 8 p.m., free The Pressroom, 6:30 p.m., $20-$23

A$ap Ferg w/Tory Lanez Marquee Theatre, 8 p.m., $30

Local H

Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $18-$21

Dirty Dozen Brass Band

Musical Instrument Museum, 7 p.m., $35-$44

Giuda

Ak-Chin Pavilion, 7 p.m., $20-$125

Club Red, 7 p.m., $10-$12

Kristin Chenoweth

Phoenix Symphony Hall, 2 p.m., $28$88

MAY 23 Hatebreed

Marquee Theatre, 8 p.m., $20

Pentagram

Nile Theater, 7 p.m., $20-$23

MAY 24 Mayer Hawthorne

Crescent Ballroom, 8 p.m., $31-$33

Taj Mahal

Musical Instrument Museum, 7 p.m., $43-$54

Taj Mahal

Fruit Bats

MAY 25 Kin Of Ettins w/Stone Witch Yucca Tap Room, 8 p.m., free

WWW.ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

Comerica Theatre, 7 p.m., $35

Marquee Theatre, 8 p.m., $20

Zack Mufasa Band

Valley Bar, 7:30 p.m., $15-$18

Lamb of God w/Clutch and Suicidal Tendencies

Musical Instrument Museum, 7:30 p.m., $18-$26

Musical Instrument Museum, 9 p.m., $38-$49

Yucca Tap Room, 8 p.m., $8 adv, $10

MAY 27

MAY 28

Skrillex MAY 28

The Pool at Talking Stick Resort, 11 a.m., $30

It’s sure to be a party at The Pool at Talking Stick Resort when electronic dance music DJ Skrillex drops his beats. This EDM master has collaborated with top names in the business like Diplo and Jack Ü and has a total of eight Grammy awards, the most won by any EDM artist.

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE MAY 2016

105

Christina Fuoco-Karasinski » The Entertainer!

IN GOOD COMPANY

Paul Rodgers talks Rich Robinson and new tour

hen Bad Company guitarist Mick Ralphs decided to sit out this summer’s “One Hell of a Night” tour, singer Paul Rodgers kicked into action. He recalled the band who accompanied him when he attended a Jimmy Page tribute in Seattle. His guitarist was an axman named Rich Robinson, formerly of the Black Crowes. “At the dinner I thought wow, he’s great,” Rodgers recalls. “I said to him that we should do something somewhere down the road.” That turned out to be sooner rather than later. Rodgers said he thought Robinson would be the perfect temporary replacement for Ralphs. “I think he’s going to be a great fit,” he says. “He’s got a touch of soul in him. He’s a thoughtful guitar player. I think it’s going to be pretty creative.” Fans can see Robinson team up with Bad Company when the “One Hell of a Night” tour hits Ak-Chin Pavilion in Phoenix on Sunday, May 22. “There are a lot of songs that jump to mind that we must do—‘Can’t Get Enough,’ ‘Feel Like Makin’ Love,’ ‘Shooting Star,’ ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy,’ ‘Bad Company,’” Rodgers explains. “It starts to be a pretty full set pretty quickly. I do want to expand a little bit.” Mixing up the set, as well as improvisation, keeps performing fresh. “We come from the school of ad-libbing, Rodgers says. “There are always changes in arrangements from one night to the next. It’s always very creative, even though they might be older songs like ‘Feel Like Makin’ Love’ and ‘Shooting Star.’” The release of Bad Company’s live album, “Live in Concert 1977 & 1979,” was one of the reasons for the expansion of the set to include deep cuts. It marks the first official live album to spotlight the original Bad Company lineup of Rodgers, Ralphs, Simon Kirke and Boz Burrell. The collection was released April 29. Although he’s looking forward to playing with Robinson, Rodgers admits he’s melancholy about Ralphs’ absence. “It was difficult, I kid you not,” he says about how he felt upon hearing the news. “But I’m quite excited to have Rich on the band. We have Howard Leese on guitar, too, and they’ll be working in concert, orchestrating guitar parts. Where we have strings, we’ll recreate with a guitar. We’ve got Todd Ronning on bass. He’s also in my solo band, as well as Bad Company and a number of other bands. Of course we have Simon Kirke on drums. It’s going to be very interesting and exciting to get together and do the rehearsals.”

Bad Company and Joe Walsh Ak-Chin Pavilion, 2121 N. 83rd Avenue, Phoenix, 602.254.7200, ticketmaster.com, 7 p.m. Sunday, May 22, $20-$125.

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106

RENAISSANCE MAN

Singer Randy Blythe explores the arts outside of Lamb of God Christina Fuoco-Karasinski » The Entertainer!

andy Blythe enjoys fronting his metal band Lamb of God. However, that’s only one of his loves. “I’m really into all aspects of the arts,” says Blythe, whose band plays the Comerica Theatre on Friday, May 27. “Last year, I even composed music for the Richmond Ballet. I have a friend who’s a dancer and choreographer there. “It’s neat to have your fingers in different pies. There are a lot of changing ideas when the arts cross-pollinate.” The band members, five-time Grammy nominees, pulled those influences together for the 2015 release of Lamb of God’s heavy metal epic album VII: Sturm Und Drang. The album is the first since Blythe was arrested in 2012 on a charge of manslaughter in the Czech Republic. During a Lamb of God show two years earlier in Prague, a fan, Daniel Nosek, died from head injuries after Blythe reportedly threw the 19-year-old offstage.

Blythe was arrested when he returned to the Czech Republic. He was held for five weeks. On March 5, 2013, Blythe was acquitted and not held criminally liable; instead the promoters and security members were blamed. The ruling was upheld by the Prague High Court three months later. Blythe’s management requested that he not be asked about the experience, but many of the songs on VII deal with the topic. One notable exception is the single “Erase This,” which was penned by guitarist Mark Morton about negative people. The band members, who worked with producer Josh Wilbur again, deal with the negativity of the world in “Erase This.” The song was penned by Mark Morton. That negativity is especially prevalent in social media. Social media is something that gets under Blythe’s skin in general. He shut down his Twitter account because of negativity. “I only have one social media

account; it’s my Instagram,” he says. “I’m a photographer. I don’t take pictures of my lunch or selfies or any of that crap. Who cares? I try to drive a strong visual narrative with some substance behind it. There’s not a lot of negativity there, which is really interesting. I’m driving a narrative with the pictures. I used Twitter to communicate with fans, but it turned into a bunch of nonsense.” Fans—and even nonfans—were getting into arguments, and Blythe wasn’t into the negativity. “Oh my God, who cares,” he says. “It’s a waste of time. Do something with your life. “Social media can be a great tool. I did a walk for breast cancer with my wife. I used Twitter to raise funds. It worked really well, so the mechanism can be used for good things. Regrettably, it isn’t most of the time.” Indulging in the arts allows Blythe to get a different perception on things. For example, a musician looks at something differently than a visual artist would.

“Album art is just a throwaway, sadly,” he says. “Album art was so cool when it was on vinyl. I don’t expect those days to ever come back because I’m a realist. Some of it was really inspiring. Even look at the goofy stuff. I’m not an Iron Maiden fan but look at the old records. There is amazing stuff on the covers. You just don’t see that today in the era of downloads.” Expanding on his art, the photographer, author and musician recently started the magazine UNBUILT with designer Tom Bejgrowicz and Alex Skolnick, the lead guitarist for Testament. The biannual, limited edition culture and lifestyle publication is debuting in the spring. “It’s a small magazine,” Blythe says. “It’s really focused on high-quality art, writing and photography. There are no ads. “It’s a good place for me and my buddy, Alex, and Tim to [publish] well-executed pieces. I see a lot of small magazines, like there are some I really like in the surfing culture that are really high-quality print with super good photography.” Despite naysayers’ comments, Blythe doesn’t think that print is dead. “I do think it’s changing, though,” he adds. “It’s getting smaller and only the really high-quality stuff is going to survive, sadly.” Because there are no ads, UNBUILT’s staff is free to what about whatever it wants. “The way media is now, everything is getting so compact because everybody’s used to freaking Twitter,” he says. “Quality work is disappearing along with critical thought, I think. Everyone wants to read a story of 140 characters. That doesn’t leave much room for thought. We wanted to do the magazine as a way to explore thought in a more extensive way.” Blythe keeps his life simple, as well as Lamb of God’s shows. “We don’t have elaborate stage props or dragons and wizards and Peter Pan flying,” he says with a laugh. “You can expect five ugly dudes up there playing heavy metal. That’s about it.”

Lamb of God w/Clutch and Corrosion of Conformity

Comerica Theatre, 400 W. Washington Street, Phoenix, 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 27, 800.745.3000, ticketmaster.com, $35. WWW.ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE MAY 2016

107

CREEPY ‘CAR’ Singer Gordon Gano defends the horror of ‘Big Car’

Christina Fuoco-Karasinski » The Entertainer!

iolent Femmes singer Gordon Gano is coy. He speaks about a fellow band member who wasn’t thrilled about recording the song “Big Car” for the Femmes’ latest album, We Can Do Anything. But Gano is amused by the reaction to the murderous track that was actually written 25 years ago. “I’ve tried to have our band do it throughout the years,” he says. “It seems like a perfect fit. It sounds like another Violent Femmes song that people love. But there always been somebody in the band who hasn’t wanted to play it. “It almost wasn’t recorded this time. Somebody in the bad isn’t entirely happy with the song because of the lyrics. I’m amused and amazed. What about some of the other songs? Why are you OK with those?” Gano contends that the song is a little creepy, but he calls it fun and playful as well. “It’s kind of creepy, then it goes I bad taste, then it jumps and catapults into horror and something which I would hope

and think is a surprise, if you’re following the lyrics,” he says. “If that’s objectionable, then you better not watch or enjoy any Coen Brothers movie. There are a whole lot of things in our culture that people enjoy. I hope you are completely opposed to all of this other stuff, too.” He doesn’t see the harm in the song, which he wants listeners to translate for themselves. “It’s a made-up story,” he says. “It’s not anything autobiographical. There’s a country death song where a man in desperation kills his own daughter. I guess that’s always been OK with everyone.” The title of the album, We Can Do Anything, pokes fun at the dynamics within Violent Femmes. Illustrated by the Barenaked Ladies multi-instrumentalist Kevin Hearn, the cover represents that as well. Violent Femmes met Hearn when BNL and the Femmes toured together. He also plays accordion in a few tracks. “We did a great deal of the recording for We Can Do Anything on tour,” Gano says. “We would let him hear the songs. He said it would sound great to have an

accordion on this song or that song. He wanted to play guitar, too, on a song and that sounded great. He’s a big part of the album. “He’s just one of these incredibly, noticeably nicer than most other people guys.” The inclusion of Hearn was one thing that the band could agree on. Gano hopes that “Big Car” will get its due live. “We still haven’t played it live, even though it would be an obvious thing to do,” he says. “I’m just awfully glad after decades that it exists. I like it as a song. That’s what it is—it’s a song. I think it’s amazing in certain respects. It’s a song that’s a warning: Do not ever get into the car with that creepy guy who is circling the high school. Do not do it.”

Violent Femmes w/ Happiness

Marquee Theatre, 730 N. Mill Avenue, Tempe, 480.829.0607, luckymanonline.com, $35 and $55.

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108

KRIS ALLEN GETS PERSONAL

‘American Idol’ winner opens up on Letting You In

Christina Fuoco-Karasinski » The Entertainer!

otoriously private singer and “American Idol” winner Kris Allen is giving fans a glimpse into his personal life with the appropriately titled new album, Letting You In. He calls it his most revealing collection yet. “I try to be personal, but there’s always this part of me that I don’t let through in the songs,” says Allen, who plays the Valley Bar in Phoenix on Friday, May 13. “For me, I’m a private person—especially in these days of social media. I let people see glimpses of things. I’m not going out and telling people exactly what’s going on in my head. There should be some privacy to the world. But the way that I let people in is through song. I feel like this record does that.” Allen’s personal life was thrown in the spotlight, however, when he and his pregnant wife, Katy, were involved in a head-on car crash on New Year’s Day 2013 in Arkansas. The accident shattered his wrist and required multiple wrist-fusion surgeries. Now, he has limited range of motion. “For me, part of being private is not wanting anyone to feel sorry for me,” he

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says via telephone from Arkansas, where he grew up. “Stuff happens. “It’s one of those things I’ll remember for the rest of my life, but there was nothing I could do about it. I’m stubborn, too. I would tell everyone, ‘I’m fine. I’m fine. I’m fine.’ It was on the local news and kind of on some national stuff, too. But I was hopped up on a lot of drugs, so I don’t remember a lot of that time. There’s a year of my life where I don’t remember much.” His ability to play guitar was iffy for a while, but to compensate, he’s learning a new way to perform. “I had to learn how to play guitar differently, which is still something I deal with,” he says. “But again, I’m trying to make sure that nobody feels sorry for me. It’s not something I want. After all, it could have been a lot worse.” Now the family lives in Nashville, a city that Allen calls “inspirational.” “I was just talking to my wife today,” he says. “Do we miss Arkansas? We miss a lot about Arkansas, like our family. We think Arkansas is our little secret. “But for what I’m doing and the community that I’m trying to be in and surround myself in is the perfect place. I’ve never experienced anything like that, where everyone’s looking out for each other but pushes each other at the same time.”

He appreciates the work ethic there as well. Songwriters and musicians work during the day, then go home and hang out with their families. Sometimes they return to the studio afterward, but he calls it “a really nice environment.” Another “nice environment” was “American Idol,” to which he returned recently. He judged potential constants during auditions in Little Rock, Arkansas. “I thought it was going to be weird and I would feel like the college kid who graduated seven years ago and now I don’t know anybody,” he says. “It was weird because I was judging, but I was comfortable in my surroundings. I was back home. I had a blast. It was good to see some of the producers. It was nice to be behind the veil a little bit during that process. There was no reason for me to be nervous.” He says he was just there to have fun. “It’s fun to be a part of the new—and last—season,” he says. “I’ve tried to keep up as much as possible this year. I don’t get the chance to do that, but I made an extra effort to do that this year. I’ve been really impressed.”

Kris Allen w/Marie Miller

Valley Bar, 130 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, valleybarphx.com, 7 p.m. Friday, May 13, $20-$25.

GOING SOMEWHERE FAST

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE MAY 2016

Old Dominion finds success and rejoins Kenny Chesney on tour Christina Fuoco-Karasinski » The Entertainer!

he last time Old Dominion played Country Thunder, very few were aware of the band’s talents. This year when it performed at the Florence festival in early April, it was different. The single “Nowhere Fast” from its debut album Meat and Candy has garnered spins on pop stations, including Sirius XM’s The Pulse. Old Dominion won the Academy of Country Music’s best new vocal duo/group of the year prize. It was also nominated for vocal group of the year at ceremony, but lost to Little Big Town. After nine years as a band, it’s making a national splash.

“We’ve been a band for a really long time,” says lead singer Matthew Ramsey, whose band opens for Kenny Chesney on his “Spread the Love Tour” on Saturday, May 7, at Chase Field. “We’ve been playing little clubs and touring in a van and stuff like that for years and years and years. We made little EPs and gave them out for free. “We had one on iTunes once we started getting satellite radio [airplay]. It’s hard to do that as an independent band.” Old Dominion found a record label to help and it was then time to release Meat and Candy, a title that refers to the waves of intense and then fun songs. “It’s hard to break into the radio world,” Ramsey says. “We needed a record label to do that. Once the record label came on board and we got a single rockin’, it was time to release our full-length album.”

The reviews have been stellar from the Nashville-bred band. NPR called Meat and Candy “first-rate craftsmanship.” That was something that thrilled Ramsey. “We were geeking out pretty hard on that,” Ramsey says with a laugh. “We’re all NPR fans. We listen to that a lot. To hear our name mentioned on that was a big moment for us to go, ‘Whoa, this is real now. We’re actually out there in the world.’” The last 12 months have been filled with landmarks. Last year Old Dominion also toured with Chesney, marking the first time a independent band was invited on a stadium tour. “That was a huge moment for us,” he says. “To have our first No. 1 song this year, that was mind blowing. We’ve had a lot of moments that left us saying, ‘Can you believe this is really happening?’” The first Chesney tour was definitely a learning experience for Old Dominion, Ramsey says. He expects Chesney—as well as Miranda Lambert and Sam Hunt, who are also on the bill—to school them further this spring and summer. “We’ve learned so much from that guy,” he says. “He’s the best there is. From a performing standpoint, you just learn about connecting with your fans and song choice. “From a business standpoint, you

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learn about his organization and the people he hires and surrounds himself with. I’ve never met someone on the tour who’s in a bad mood—ever. They’re all so happy to be there. He takes care of us when we’re out there. We learned how to tour and how to do it the right way.” It has also spoiled Old Dominion. “I love playing baseball stadiums,” he says. “We have to figure out our set length. We have to get as much bang for our buck as we can. We want to get out there and make sure we’re energetic. You have to be a bigger band on a bigger stage. “You can take your time when you’re at a club. You have a long set and you can talk to the audience a little bit more. You can hear the people and you can feel that energy.”

Kenny Chesney w/ Miranda Lambert

Sam Hunt and Old Dominion, Chase Field, 401 E. Jefferson, Phoenix, 800.745.3000, ticketmaster.com, 5 p.m. Saturday, May 7, $20.50-$250.

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LIVING THE

DREAM

ream Theater keyboardist Jordan Rudess firmly believes that music listeners’ attention spans are dwindling. Despite that, his progressive rock band known for its intricate musical stylings released its most ambitious album to date: the two-disc collection The Astonishing. “It’s certainly not the thing that everybody’s doing,” Rudess says via telephone. “We’re going in the other direction because of what’s going on in the music business and society. “People have limited attention spans. They buy single songs, stream music, listen to music while they’re doing other things. Dream Theater is a unique entity. We have the very rare position of being able to do what we want to do.” That includes playing The Astonishing from beginning to end in concert. The tour comes to the Mesa Arts Center on

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Thursday, May 5. “We just recreate this album,” he says. “We’re also making a bit of a statement. We want people to listen to this, ideally, from beginning to end. It’s very entertaining and fun for people to hear. It’s something positive to what’s happening in the world, as far as our ability to listen to music and the ability to get deep into the concept. “We’re not demanding that people do this. But in a way, we still support the idea of listening through and enjoying music that has some depth.” According to Dream Theater’s record label, The Astonishing paints a tale of a retro-futurist post-apocalyptic dystopia ruled by medieval-style feudalism. It’s a place aching for a Chosen One to rise above the noise and defeat an Empire defined by the endless drone of noise machines and the illusion of safety in bland conformity. “We wanted to do a concept album,” he says. “That was our goal. When we

Prog-rock band defies trends to release epic collection

started to get into it, we quickly realized that it would be fun to present what we’re doing as an entire show/experience. “We thought that if we’re going to do this, if we’re going to do this live, we’re going to create an evening’s show so that it had some substance to it.” In terms of writing the album, Rudess says it wasn’t difficult because the band was inspired by guitarist John Petrucci’s story. “With the detail of the story that John Petrucci wrote, it wasn’t hard to create that much music. It was like doing a film score or writing a musical. “We wanted to support the story and bring it to life. It turned into something that was pretty big. It was a great creative project. It allowed us to do so many things that we just found to be really creative and really very satisfying.” For Dream Theater as a whole, that means creating a book and a video game to complement the record. Rudess has the opportunity to tap into different keyboard styles during the recording process. “There was a lot of piano work and orchestration,” says Rudess, who will release an instrumental solo album this summer. “I got to use my electronic sounds and instruments. We wanted it to be as broad as it was very satisfying for me as a musician.”

Dream Theater

Mesa Arts Center, One E. Main Street, Mesa, 480.644.6500, mesaartscenter.com, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 5, $41-$89.

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PLEDGING TO MAKE

GOOD MUSIC Modern English readies new album, while acknowledging the success of ‘I Melt with You’ Christina Fuoco-Karasinski » The Entertainer!

odern English vocalist Robbie Grey realizes that he would be “lynched” if his band didn’t perform “I Melt with You”—especially with the resurgence of the post-punk sounds by him, The Cure and Joy Division. But on Modern English’s tour that come to the Rhythm Room in Phoenix on Wednesday, May 18, the band will focus on 1981’s Mesh and Lace. Don’t fret: “I Melt with You” will be thrown in as an encore. “I’m looking forward to playing the first album, Mesh and Lace, in its entirety,” Grey says via telephone from Suffolk, England. “We’ve never done that before. It’s a first to play all of the early singles, which is more edgy, kind of wilder stuff, from the start of the ‘80s.” The task hasn’t been without its headaches, though, Grey says. The band has been rehearsing for six to eight hours a day to nail the material. In between, Modern English has been mixing a new album set for release in May and running a Pledge Music campaign to fund it. In the crowdfunding campaign, fans can give money to the band and receive goodies like a bass lesson, an on-stage appearance or their name in the liner notes. “With no record sales, no actual physical sales shaping up anymore, this was necessary,” Grey explains about the crowdfunding campaign. “It’s all about connecting with your fanbase, I suppose. It’s quite good fun

seeing what people would want to do. I have someone taking me out to dinner in San Diego. We have the bass player giving a bass lesson. Someone else will play guitar on stage. “It’s all kind of new for us, all of that kind of stuff. It’s different. Quite exciting I suppose.” Grey calls the album, which has yet to be named, a departure for Modern English, yet it fits in with the catalog. “We have some orchestration on it,” he says. “There are two to four tracks with orchestration on it. Some tracks are more aggressive, like the earlier stuff. It’s a mixture of things, I suppose. We’ve spent quite a lot of time on it.” His favorite song is “Trees,” which he compares to a “Midnight Cowboy” soundtrack. “Moonbeam” is the most commercial tune and Grey may play it at the Rhythm Room. Speaking of hits, Grey is impressed with the longevity of “I Melt with You,” which has stayed in the forefront of fans’ minds because of commercial placement. “We played in the Philippines last year,” he says. “Everyone knew the words. It’s a worldwide song and so many people have covered it over the years. There has been a bossa nova version which did really well. If you look at YouTube, you can see harp versions of it, country and western versions of it. It’s fantastic to see all of that, actually.” He chalks it up to the “gliding” nature of the song. “It sort of propels along really well, musically just glides along,” Grey says. “It has an uplifting feel to it. When you marry that with the vocals and the lyrics that I wrote, it’s quite uplifting. You can tap your foot or nod your head to it.”

Modern English w/The Captives and DJ Manchester

Rhythm Room, 1019 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix, 602.265.4842, rhythmroom.com, 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 18, $15-$20. WWW.ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE MAY 2016

THE NIGHTOWL

113

SIP » UNLEASH » MIX » MINGLE » PULSE » SHAKE

MAD MIXOLOGIST

Getting down and dirty with the Valley’s hottest shot slingers

Alison Bailin Batz » The Entertainer!

s beverage specialist for the Westin Kierland Resort & Spa, Matt Allen keeps busy. He oversees the mixology and cocktail programs for the resort’s seven signature dining and beverage spaces—Nellie Cashman’s, Deseo, Brittlebush Bar & Grill, The Scotch Library, The Rim Lobby Lounge, Waltz & Weiser Whiskey Bar and Cantina and J. Swilling’s Pool Bar & Grill. Tell me about the oddest drink request you’ve gotten. While it may not seem odd today, as little as three or four years ago, we would have guests come into several of our restaurants requesting “Arizona-specific” spirits in their cocktails. And while we had a great list of select Arizona beers and wines, these guest requests actually helped to inspire us to go as local when it comes to cocktails too. Since then, we have made it our goal to give locals and guests alike who are visiting the resort the chance to “drink local” whenever possible. For example, we’ve been able to incorporate several of the AZ Distilling Company’s brands—including

Copper City Bourbon and Desert Dry Gin—as well as Desert Diamond Distillery’s offerings into our cocktails, especially at Nellie Cashman’s where we have an 1890s theme to our menu. What is your number one pet peeve when working? People who are in a hurry! I got into this business to create experiences for people—and to talk to them along the way. We actually created several “class” opportunities, including my muddling and “Cocktails with Matt” classes, respectively, to give people the chance to slow down, learn about the cocktails they are drinking and have some fun with me along the way. What is your go-to drink when you’re at a bar other than your own? An Old Fashioned. It is such a great barometer of a bar. There are only three ingredients, but if one is even slightly out of balance, the entire drink is ruined. If they can perfectly balance an Old Fashioned, then my second drink will likely be something a little more adventurous from their menu.

What does ordering an Old Fashioned say about a person? Based on the above, it means you are awesome—and a genius. But really, it is a drink that has come full circle in terms of generational popularity. If you order an Old Fashioned, you could be an 80-year-old Army veteran whose been drinking them for six decades, or you could be a 22-year-old hipster with all of a year of cocktailing under your belt. What is one cocktail would love for us to feature in the magazine this month? Our Barrel-Aged Martinez What do you like about this drink? The Martinez first appeared in the 1880s and it is believed to be the evolutionary link to the modern martini. Gin is amazing in drinks, and the combination of these ingredients is an elegant, complex, delicious cocktail. My variation swaps the historic “Old Tom Gin” for an elderberry gin, and I use some local orange bitters, and it’s all smoothed out and sophisticated by aging it in a barrel for six weeks. I believe that sipping on a cocktail like this lets you taste and feel the history of the bartending craft.

MAKE YOUR OWN

BARRELAGED MARTINEZ

2 oz. House-Infused Elderberry Gin 1 oz. Sweet Vermouth 1 bar spoon Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur 2 dashes AZ Bitter Lab “Orange Sunshine” Bitters (From Chandler) METHOD Add Gin, Vermouth and Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur to a mixing glass. Add fresh ice and stir for 30 seconds. Strain into a coupe glass. Garnish with lemon zest.

Modern Margarita

MISSING THIS. MISSING THIS. MISSING THIS.

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114

THE BEST NIGHTLIFE EVENTS FOR MAY

Damir Lolic » The Entertainer!

Lil Dicky

B.o.B.

Dash Berlin

Dillon Francis

Aesop Rock

Skrillex

MAY 1 The Pennsylvania native went from working at an advertising agency to being one of the most sought-after rap acts. Providing laughs with every line recited, Lil Dicky held his first concert less than two years ago. Now, he has a No. 1 album and a track with Snoop Dogg. Maya Day + Nightclub, 733 E. Indian Plaza, Scottsdale, 480.625.0528, mayaclubaz.com, noon, $20.

MAY 5 A social media savvy DJ, Dillon Francis has won legions of fans with his comedic demeanor and epic collaborations. The 2011 hit “Masta Blasta” started the party and he continues to quench club-goers’ thirst for rhythmic sounds worldwide. Livewire, 7320 E. Indian Plaza, Scottsdale, 480.970.6980, livewireaz.com, 9 p.m., N/A.

MAY 14 The Atlanta native landed on everyone’s playlist in 2010 with the No. 1 single “Nothin’ On You.” Since then, B.o.B. has managed to stay relevant with a slew of hit songs and Grammy nods. We’ll give him a pass for his recent remarks about the Earth being flat. Maya Day + Nightclub, 733 E. Indian Plaza, Scottsdale, 480.625.0528, mayaclubaz.com, 9 p.m., $15-$100.

MAY 15 Recording artist Aesop Rock was one of the leading underground hip-hop acts to emerge in the late 1990s. For nearly two decades, he’s compiled record after record of thoughtprovoking material. With the release of his seventh studio album, The Impossible Kid, set for June, Aesop Rock will be at the Crescent Ballroom on promotional duties. Crescent Ballroom, 308 N. Second Avenue, Phoenix, 602.716.2222, crescentphx.com, noon, $22.

MAY 22 The Dutch electronic music group is easily one of the most prominent artists of the genre. Having done remixes for superstars like Justin Timberlake, Janet Jackson, Usher and Lenny Kravitz, these guys have made a living giving fans platinum-selling hits—in abunDANCE! Maya Day + Nightclub, 733 E. Indian Plaza, Scottsdale, 480.625.0528, mayaclubaz.com, noon, $20.

MAY 28 The American EDM producer has reigned supreme over the dance scene for the last four years. Holding the record for most Grammy awards won by an EDM artist—with eight—Skrillex is showing no signs of slowing down. The Pool at Talking Stick will come to life with all his hits as fans chill poolside and enjoy the vibe. The Pool at Talking Stick Resort, 9800 Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale, 480.850.7777, 11 a.m., $30.

Dylan Arndt » The Entertainer!

A MOST ELOQUENT MUSICAL ENDEAVOR Four Tet brings the abstract of electronica to Phoenix

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musical scientist. A melodic surgeon. An Einstein of mixing. These are three accurate descriptors of English-born Kieran Hebden, or Four Tet as he is better known in the world of electronic music. Marked by elements of hip-hop, electronica, techno, grime, jazz and folk music, Four Tet’s releases rely heavily on the melding of house music into the above genres. This makes for an incredibly abstract sound that both relaxes and confuses our groove—in the best way possible. His music is a psychedelic concoction of different sounds you’d never think would complement each other, but to much surprise, this serum soothes to the utmost. Favoring a more abstract approach to music, relying strongly on improvisational skills and the capabilities of his laptop, Four Tet is not your average musician. Four Tet got his start following his Elliott School education with his band Fridge and its debut album Ceefax via

Robin Schulz

MAY 29 In 2014, Robin Schulz teamed up with Mr. Probz to release the remix of “Waves” which topped the charts in five countries. The German-born producer has sustained that appeal with commercially successful albums and platinum-selling singles. A fan favorite wherever he goes, Schulz will have everyone at The Pool at Talking Stick dancing to his EDM show. The Pool at Talking Stick Resort, 9800 Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale, 480.850.7777, 11 a.m., $15.

Output Recordings. This relationship with Output expanded to his solo career where he released his first solo single “Double Density.” In 1999, Hebden’s first release as Four Tet dropped via Output entitled Dialogue, which introduced his unique hip-hop/jazz sample blend. Following his first release, Four Tet dropped four albums on Domino Records between 2001 and 2010, then his three newest albums via Text Records including his most recent, Morning/Evening, in 2015. His remix of Eric Prydz’s massive track “Opus” is the current marker of his career, as well as his North American tour with Ben UFO and Anthony Naples. Don’t miss this obscure journey through music come May 11 when Four Tet takes over the Monarch alongside Ben UFO.

Four Tet w/Ben UFO

Monarch Theatre, 122 E. Washington Street, Phoenix, relentlessbeats.com, 9 p.m. Wednesday, May 11, $15.

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115

PARTYING

WITH A PURPOSE The 2Courtiers capitalize on festival economics

Damir Lolic » The Entertainer!

yle Maxson and Sam Wiseman, otherwise known as the 2Courtiers, have always had a major interest in entertainment. Wiseman studied music throughout his life, while Maxson spent the majority of his youth attending festivals and concerts. The two met in 2013 while interning for The Entertainer!’s sister publication College Times and hit it off. Maxson and Wiseman left the magazine and began promoting events for Relentless Beats. The two young men had their pulses on the burgeoning music festival scene. “We got into it because we see music festivals as being the biggest engines for social change,” Wiseman says. The 2Courtiers saw their roles at Relentless Beats expanding and teamed up to devise a six-month marketing plan that they could present to CEO Thomas Turner. “He loved our ideas, but told us it would be too costly,” Maxson reveals. The rejection wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. The two pals kicked things into overdrive and set out in search of sponsorships and vendors. Initially, the duo worked from home or rented conference rooms—just about any place they could find to devise plans for a prized festival. “We even worked from my

ex-girlfriend’s house until she kicked us out,” says Wiseman with a laugh. At the end of the six months, Maxson and Wiseman garnered $15,000 in sponsors and vendors for the Wet Electric 2015 event. “They (Relentless Beats) took notice and rewarded us with offices of our own,” Maxson says. That summer, the duo traveled to eight different EDM festivals in 10 weeks to generate leads and make connections—all paid for by Relentless Beats. Maxson and Wiseman tapped top brands looking to sponsor ideas of innovative folks in the ever-growing festival world, according to Maxson.

FESTIVAL FASHION

The two left Relentless Beats to become contractors for the company after 16 months and formed the 2Courtiers. They organize the festivals, except for the music. For Decadence 2015, the 2Courtiers had stilt walkers, a giant artwalk with painters, an oxygen bar and a lounge equipped with bean bags and fur blankets. Some of their clients include EDC New York, EDC Las Vegas and Groove Cruise. Wiseman said they are able to tap into all the resources and maximize their ingenuity. “A lot of it comes naturally because of our knowledge of the festival scene, but we definitely keep each other on a book

diet,” he says about their reading habits. “All the marketing managers are in their 40s and 50s trying to market to the millennials, but we are the millennials.” For its next event, the 2Courtiers will host The Festival Fashion show at Live on Central on Friday, May 20. Normally, they come in as independent contractors for other festivals, but Festival Fashion is their first branded event. “All the partners we use to bring into larger mainstream festivals, we’re bringing into a club show now,” Maxson says. “So it’s like a festival in a club.” The musical talents will include local turntablists like DJ Geronimo and DJ Pokoj. There will also be clothing sponsors, a hookah lounge, massage therapy, flow artists practicing object manipulation and two separate flash mob fashion shows. “We wanted to do it the opposite of how everyone else does,” Wiseman says. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Cadence and Cause to help create Phoenix Children’s Hospital’s first music therapy program.

Festival Fashion

Live on Central, 702 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, the2courtiers.com, 9 p.m. Friday, May 20, $15 WWW.ENTERTAINERMAG.COM

116

FOALS

Marquee Theatre in Tempe, Wednesday, April 20 England’s Foals is looking to break in the United States and stopped in Tempe on its trek across the country. The band recently scored its first No. 1 alternative rock radio single with “Mountain at My Gates,” from its acclaimed fourth album, What Went Down. PHOTOS BY KIMBERLY CARRILLO

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THE

THINKER

ODDLY ACCURATE

ASTROLOGY

What does May hold for your social life? Weiss Kelly, PMAFA » The Entertainer!

TAURUS »

April 21 – May 20 Indulge this month, as weekends are filled with activities you should attend. The opposite sex may take notice of you because Venus is in your sign through May 24. It is an excellent time for professionals to submit photographs or resumes.

VIRGO »

August 23 – September 22 With Jupiter remaining in your sign, you can consider the holding pattern that begins this month to work to your advantage— personally and professionally. Make those last-minute corrections to your personal calendar. The good news is that money issues can be settled. Apply your solid work ethic to your social life.

CAPRICORN »

December 22 – January 19 You will have a happy month ahead, in spite of the many mix-ups, reversals and last-minute cancelations. Your schedule, like the rest of the world, is in flux. You take your career seriously. There is no need to push, so relax and put effort into more social and community activities. Reinvent yourself with the new moon May 6.

GEMINI »

May 21 – June 20 You finally achieve realistic goals this month. You can expect tangible results in the weeks ahead. Once the sun returns to your sign on May 21, you will have some free time to plan and follow through on events. Your love life is a bit stressed. Your birthday period is always a good time to review what has been accomplished at work. Set another review in the months ahead.

LIBRA »

September 23 – October 23 You need to think in practical and more down-to-earth terms this month. Getting too dependent or lost in relationships may prove to be disappointing. May is more favorable for financial matters. Watch your spending and generosity. Adapt to any last-minute reversals or calculations. Rely upon yourself to make social plans or allow an alternative. Personal relationships require compromises.

AQUARIUS »

January 20 – February 18 Enjoy your eventful surroundings. After May 21, a lighter pattern enters your life, including mixing and matching new and old friends and interests. Money matters are highlighted and take on a life of their own. You may have to start out the month doing some financial spring cleaning (May 9 to May 23), then get out and about. You will receive new seeds of ideas, personal opportunities and social reconnecting.

CANCER »

June 21 – July 22 May’s steady pattern of low-keyed energy allows you to expand your circle of friends. You may also welcome a new romantic relationship. There seems to be an unpredictability. It is an excellent time to let go of illusions and stabilize yourself. This month’s social engagements may take you to a new level.

LEO »

July 23 – August 22 Planets are reversing their positions so that brings a slow rate of energy. Take some time off to recharge your emotional batteries. Someone out of your past may make an appearance or, unfortunately, a romance could go astray.

SCORPIO »

October 24 – November 21 Your privacy may not be high on your list this month. Others seem to play a more prominent role in influencing your goals in the month ahead. The first half of the month is more socially demanding. After May 21, financial plans take on a life of their own. It favors saving and spending for essentials only. Disagreements with friends or associations should be reviewed.

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February 19 – March 20 This month is a powerful one to work on realistic goals and achieve tangible results. Let go of any false expectations, including relationships. Expect to communicate more with others. Pay close attention to what you say and how you say it. Listen more. Instead of resisting setbacks or delays, take advantage of this time to create and appreciate the arts, the beauty of nature, the arts and friendships. You can create your own happiness more easily by May 19.

SAGITTARIUS »

November 22 – December 21 Look within for answers this month. Relying on your own resources and doing things alone can prove to be more productive. Make a game plan for work matters and private social plans in an orderly fashion. After May 19 you can be more organized and disciplined, allowing you more personal freedom.

Inquiries or comments welcomed. Email Weiss at weissastro@aol.com

PISCES »

ARIES »

March 21 – April 20 Planets are switching gears and so are you the next couple weeks. You need to focus more on home-related issues and getting your emotional life in order. The good news is that this slowdown gives you a chance to reconnect with friends. Those in the arts should note that their personal creativity is marketable this month. Take time off for social festivities between May 21 and May 31.

WE KNOW HOW YOU PHEEL!

Phind your phix...

120

YOU’RE NOT GONNA BELIEVE THIS

Bizarro facts that will stretch your noggin The pound cake got its name for its original recipe which called for

1 POUND each of butter, sugar, eggs and flour.

Jasmine Kemper » The Entertainer!

The largest restaurant in the world is Bawabet Dimashq Restaurant in Damascus, Syria, which has

6,014 seats.

CHUCK E. CHEESE

In the 1830s, KETCHUP was sold as medicine to cure diarrhea, jaundice and indigestion.

25 Michelin stars

—more than any other chef on the planet.

The invention of the

TEABAG was a complete accident. The bagged tea was originally sent over as samples.

The average American household spends about

$2,700 eating out per year, with $500 of that budget going to alcoholic beverages.

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of the workforce in the United States is part of the restaurant industry.

You consume 1/10 of a calorie when you lick an American stamp.

was created by the same man who invented the Atari game system, Nolan Bushnell. Chef and restaurateur Joël Robuchon has

10%

If cooked incorrectly, Fugu, or puffer fish, can kill you because it contains a toxin that is

1,200

TIMES DEADLIER THAN CYANIDE.

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presented in cooperation with

SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS and WORKSHOPS with

JOEL GRIMES

SPECIAL PRESENTATION Be an Artist, Live your Dream.

Free Lecture Friday, May 6, (pre-registration required) Artist Reception 6 pm, Free Evening Lecture 6:30 to 8 pm

LIGHTING WORKSHOP

Saturday May 7, 9am to 5pm • Take the mystery out of choosing the right modifier. • Throw out those annoying flash-meters. • Get rid of working with lighting ratios. • Learn how to think like an artist. • Hands on shooting with amazing models. • New Canon Pro-1000 Printer live demonstration. Tuition $250.

HANSON FONG

SPECIAL PRESENTATION Good Enough is Not Good Enough

Free Seminar Friday, June 17 6:30 to 8:30pm

EXPLORER WORKSHOP

Saturday, June 18, Outdoor Session 9 to 11 am. Indoor Session 12 to 2 pm. Tuition $95. Tuition includes: $25 Canon Gift Certificate valid at Tempe Camera, Lunch and both sessions with models. Space is limited.

All events will be held at A.T. Still University, 5850 E Still Circle , Mesa. Go to the Events Calendar at tempecamera.com to sign up today. Seats are limited and filling up quickly!

Don't forget Canon instant rebate offers - call or come in today for more details!

• Walking distance to the light rail • Live/work lofts available • Stainless steel whirlpool appliances • Onsite dry-cleaning

Live to your own beat... Make downtown your home, make it your playground...

• 24 hour personal concierge & assistant program • Cartel Coffee available 24 hours • Stone counters & high end finishes • Floor to ceiling windows & balcony access • Club quality fitness center • 3rd floor podium deck with outdoor kitchen: Featuring 2 ping pong tables/ bocce ball court and lounge area with big screen TV • Private, open air, penthouse sky lounge

Brand New Apartments Opening June 2016 333 E McKinley St Phoenix, Arizona, 85004 | (602) 892-3333 | Proxy333.com