25 Feb. 7th–Feb. 13th, 2019 phoenixnewtimes.com phoenix new Times | Contents | FeeDBACK | oPInIon | neWs | FeAtURe | NighT+DAy | CULtURe | FILm | CAFe | mUsIC | THU 2/7 ▼ VISUAL ART KICK UP YOUR SPURS There’s plenty of new art on view in Old Town Scottsdale, where you can explore contemporary art while embracing a bit of western spirit. The city’s Thursday night ArtWalk is getting a Wild West twist on Thursday, February 7, when you can stroll streets decked out with zigzag swags of lit- tle white lights signaling the arts district. It’s centered around Marshall Way and Main Street near the intersection of Indian School and Scottsdale roads. Head over be- tween 6:30 and 9 p.m. to enjoy gallery exhi- bitions, sidewalk performances, and conversations with local artists about their work. The event is free. Visit experi- encescottsdale.com. LYNN TRIMBLE ▼ MUSIC DRUM CIRCLE Maybe you’ve experienced Japanese drumming around the Valley, at the Musi- cal Instrument Museum or the Fushicho Daiko Dojo on Grand Avenue. Now you can explore traditional Japanese drumming at Mesa Arts Center, 1 East Main Street, with a performance by Kodo. Based on Japan’s Sado Island, the professional drumming troupe is working to popularize the art form through international tours. Their Mesa performance is being presented in the center’s Ikeda Theater, named in honor of Janet Michiko Ikeda, a Mesa Arts Center supporter who died in March 2018. The performance is happening at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 7. Ticket prices range from $31 to $51. Visit mesaatscenter.com. LYNN TRIMBLE ▼ TALKS WARNING, SIGNED Having served for four years as our nation’s 64th (and first female) United States Sec- retary of State, it is safe to say that Madeline Albright knows how current global events are leading us down a tyrannical road. The fight against democracy is the basis of the groundbreaking diplomat’s latest book Fascism: A Warning. Presented by lo- cal bookstore Changing Hands, Albright will talk about and sign her latest work on- stage at the Orpheum Theatre. The discussion will begin at 7 p.m. on Thursday, February 7, at 203 West Adams Street. Ticket packages range from $24.54 to $40.40 and include a signed copy of the book. For more information, visit chang- inghands.com. JASON KEIL FRI 2/8 ▼ CULTURE NEVER BOAR-ING Celebrate the Year of the Boar as commu- nity members converge on Hance Park, 1202 North Third Street, for the Chinese Culture and Cuisine Festival. The three-day festival kicks off on Friday, February 8, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday’s lineup in- cludes exhibits, performances, demonstra- tions, and hands-on activities for children. While you’re there, check out koi fish and dragon boat displays, the city’s giant panda sculpture, and a lovely tea garden. Or try your hand at the chopstick challenge. The festival continues through Sunday, Febru- ary 10. It’s free, but bring money if you want to enjoy authentic Chinese cuisine while you’re there. Visit phoenixchinese- week.org. LYNN TRIMBLE ▼ NIGHTLIFE DILLA CHANGED MY LIFE This year would have been J Dilla’s 45th birthday. A party for the late rapper and beatmaker titled Beats, Rhymes & Donuts is being thrown to mark the occasion. Pre- sented by The Blunt Club, there will be per- formances by Elzhi, Bronze Nazareth, and DJ Reflekshin, to name a few. Since this is also the 13th anniversary of the Detroit-born hip-hop producer’s landmark album Do- nuts, there will be samples of the doughy breakfast food served courtesy of Welcome Chicken + Donuts. Dilla says go at 7 p.m. on Friday, February 8, at Crescent Ballroom, 308 North Second Avenue. Tickets are $15 to $20. For more in- formation, visit crescentphx.com. JASON KEIL ▼ FILM LET ’ER RIP Before establishing his slapstick acting style in the classic comedy Airplane, Leslie Nielsen was an accomplished Canadian ac- tor who starred in everything from the ’50s science-fiction classic Forbidden Planet to the disaster epic The Poseidon Adventure. Dan Stone of The Unfathomable Film Freakout has captured the thespian’s finest moments — everything from his numerous television guest appearances to playing a villain opposite Barbra Streisand will be in- cluded in this collection of clips titled Leslie Nielsen: From the Files of Leslie Nielsen! The show will surely begin at 10 p.m. on Friday, February 8, at FilmBar, 815 North Second Street. Tickets are $9.95. For more information, visit thefilmbarphx.com. And don’t call us Shirley. JASON KEIL SAT 2/9 ▼ EVENT CART ATTACK Supermarket managers of the Valley, don’t be surprised if a shopping cart or two has gone missing from your store recently. There’s a chance they’ve been, um, bor- rowed by the racers of this year’s Phoenix Idiotarod. Don’t worry, though, they won’t be destroyed, just redecorated and put to good use during one of the Valley’s more gonzo outdoor events. The Phoenix Idiotarod is an urban shopping cart race that’s equal parts bar crawl, cosplay fest, and countercultural event (with a bit of Cannonball Run and Jackass thrown into the mix). Teams of costumed pranksters will pilot colorfully modified shopping carts around the down- town Phoenix area, hitting up several bars and pit stops along the way. Each five-per- son squad features a different theme riffing on pop culture and there are plenty of she- nanigans involved during the race. This year’s Phoenix Idiotarod happens on Saturday, February 9, and will start off at night+day W e e k o f f e b r u a r y 7 - 1 3 , 2 0 1 9 w w w . p h o e n i x n e w t i m e s . c o m / c a l e n d a r IdIot Box The Phoenix Idiotarod at Hance Park, see this page. Benjamin Leatherman
