26 Nov 9th–Nov 15th, 2023 phoenixnewtimes.com phoenix new Times | music | cafe | film | culTuRe | NighT+Day | feaTuRe | NeWs | OPiNiON | feeDBacK | cONTeNTs | Terry Brooks Wednesday, Nov. 15 Changing Hands Bookstore, 6428 S. McClintock Drive, Tempe Legendary fantasy author Terry Brooks has sold more than 50 million books and penned 23 different New York Times best- sellers over the past four decades, including his voluminous Shannara series of epics. (Fast fact: He also wrote the novelizations of both 1991’s “Hook” and 1999’s “Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace.”) In more recent years, Brooks has been working on his Viridian Deep series, which focuses on a voyage of self-discovery by its rebellious heroine Char. The latest title in the series, “Sister of Starlit Seas,” comes out in mid- November. To celebrate its release, Brooks will participate in an author event at Changing Hands in Tempe, including answering questions and signing copies of the book. Hours are from 7 to 8 p.m. Admission is $31.34 for one person and $41.34 for two people with both options including a copy of “Sister of Starlit Seas.” ‘Die Hard: A Christmas Story’ Friday, Nov. 18 Playhouse on the Park Theater, 1850 N. Central Ave. Some things are inescapable during the holidays, like the endless debate over whether or not “Die Hard” qualifies as a Christmas movie. While the All Puppet Players’ annual staging of “Die Hard: A Christmas Story,” a cloth-and-felt reimag- ining of the 1988 action flick, probably won’t sway you to either side, it’ll definitely entertain. It’s the same epic plot you remember (everyman cop versus European terrorists inside a high-tech highrise), albeit with puppets. Performances are 17-and- over only and run nightly at 7:30 p.m. every Thursday to Sunday through Dec. 23. Tickets are $35 to $59. Scottsdale Comic Book Show Saturday, Nov. 18 Scottsdale Plaza Resort, 7200 N. Scottsdale Road Before they were invaded by cosplayers, celebrities and even movie studios, comic book shows were almost exclusively about slinging titles. No sprawling, high-tech booths or panel rooms, just row after row of dealers selling back issues and new titles to collectors and fans of the sequential art form. Such will be the scene inside the Scottsdale Plaza Resort during the latest Scottsdale Comic Book Show. More than a dozen retailers from Arizona and elsewhere will have tables at the event, including local spots like Tempe’s Justice Comics and Greg’s Comics in Mesa. (A complete list of dealers is available here.) Hours are from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. General admission is $10 and early-bird access is $20. Cult Classics: ‘Mars Attacks!’ Saturday, Nov. 18 Landmark Scottsdale Quarter Theatre, 15257 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale Let’s face it: Tim Burton’s 1996 film “Mars Attacks!” will never be considered among the best entries in his cinematic oeuvre. That being said, the schlocky tale of cartoonishly hideous Martians invading our planet, which was inspired by a legendary Topps trading card series, is still an entertaining romp and a decent spoof of ’50s sci-fi and B-movies. The star-studded flick, which was partially filmed in Arizona, will be screened by local film repertory series Cult Classics at the Landmark Scottsdale Quarter Theatre at 9:30 p.m. on Nov. 18. Tickets are $16 for general admission and $25 to $100 for VIP packages, which include commemorative prints and merch. ‘Beauty and the Beast’ Experience Saturday, Nov. 25 Downtown Phoenix The story of Belle and her beastly suitor with a heart of gold is a tale as old as time. It’s been re-imagined as movies (both animated and live-action), television shows and even a Broadway musical. In late November, it will be the basis for a “magical outdoor adventure” put on by geogaming company CluedUpp. Like its other events, the Beauty and the Beast Experience will “combine the challenge of an escape room with the excitement of an interactive scav- enger hunt.” Costumed participants will use an app while hunting for clues, tackling challenges and solving puzzles located around the downtown Phoenix area while attempting to help reverse the Beast’s curse. Teams of two to six people can participate and the game can be started anytime between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. The cost is $40 per team. The Hello Kitty Cafe Truck is in the east Valley this weekend. (Photo courtesy of The Hello Kitty Cafe Truck) Nerdy November from p 24
