63 Dec 22nD–Dec 28th, 2022 phoenixnewtimes.com phoenix new Times | cONTeNTs | feeDBacK | OPiNiON | NeWs | feaTuRe | NighT+Day | culTuRe | film | cafe | music | Questions? Feedback? Email me at [email protected] • Follow me on T he 2023 Toyota Camry Hybrid is a well built machine. For decades, the Toyota Camry has been a trusted vehicle of families and teens everywhere. They last forever but you’ll see many older Camry’s with the same paint wear issue but if they are going to save some money on paint and put it into the longevity of their vehicle, clearly, people don’t care. The 2023 hybrid is a steal at $32,839, delivering 44/47 MPG as well as a fun drive, with ample room/ technology and decent interior quality. Now, the 2023 Lexus ES300h F-Sport is like the cool new kid that just moved to your school and wants to be your friend. You have a lot in common but you’re always like, “why do they like me so much? They are super cool.” You know the quality the F-Sports deliver but the 300h hybrid pumps out 43/44 MPG plus 215 horsepower (that feels like more) wrapped up in a bow with a $53,880 price tag. These two vehicles are in essence the same thing, just a different logo on the front and a different hit to the pocket book. You can’t go wrong with these two best friends. 2023 Lexus es 300h F-sport 2023 toyota Camry hybrid did we just beCome best Friends? 2023 toyota Camry hybrid & Lexus es 300h F-sport Looks: Tie Safety & Security: Tie Pick-Up: Tie Access to Controls: Tie Handling: Tie Sound System: Tie Comfort: Tie Bells & Whistles: Tie Passenger Comfort: Tie Overall: Tie Music Notes Four bits of music you may have missed. BY JENNIFER GOLDBERG B etween the slew of big 2023 concert announcements, and our upcoming Super Bowl weekend in metro Phoenix, there’s new bits of music news almost every day. Here are a few big items you should know. Live Nation Offers Lawn Pass for Ak-Chin Pavilion The 2023 concert calendar is packed, but ponying up for show after show can get expensive. Live Nation has a fix, at least for one popular Phoenix venue. The promoter’s annual Lawn Pass promotion allows fans to see every show in a particular venue’s summer lineup for a flat fee of $199.99. In Phoenix, the program is good for shows at Ak-Chin Pavilion in west Phoenix. Last year, that got passholders guaranteed general admission seating plus fast lane entry and general admission parking for no less than 27 shows. Ak-Chin’s full summer schedule hasn’t been announced, but shows by Shania Twain, Matchbox Twenty, Janet Jackson, ZZ Top and Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Foreigner are already on the calendar. Visit lawnpass. livenation.com to take advantage of the offer while supplies last. Paul Cardone Memorial Concert Bassist Paul Cardone, a fixture of the Tempe music scene for more than 20 years, died on November 10. In his honor, a Celebration of Life concert will be held on Friday, January 6, at Yucca Tap Room, 29 West Southern Avenue in Tempe. The show starts at 2 p.m. and will feature a slew of acts on two stages from 30 years of Tempe music, including Banana Gun, Banshee Bones, The Black Moods, C3, Chocolate Fountain, Dead Hot Workshop, Dry River Yacht Club, Future Exes, Ghetto Cowgirl, Greyhound Soul, Haley Green Band, Jason Devore of Authority Zero, Jim Beach, Liz Rose, Los Guys, Robin Wilson of the Gin Blossoms, Satellite, The Slims, Strange Young Things, The Sugar Thieves, Wyves, Walt Richardson, and more. Cost is $25 in advance and $30 at the door. Visit yuccataproom.com for more information. A New Alice Cooper Book Is on the Way Shock rocker and beloved Valley resident Alice Cooper turns 75 on February 4, and in honor of the milestone, a new book cele- brating his life and career will be published on January 31 by Motorbooks. Alice Cooper at 75 by veteran rock journalist Gary Graff shows you the rock icon through the lens of 75 career accomplishments and life events, including his early bands, all 28 studio albums, collaborations with other artists, and his passion for charity work. The 208-page book is packed with more than 350 photos and includes a sturdy slipcase, a gatefold timeline, two pullout posters, and a previously unpublished 8" x 10" photo. Cost is $75. Visit quartoknows.com. Shaq’s Fun House Is Coming to Phoenix Super Bowl Weekend Super Bowl weekend in metro Phoenix will be full of football, but also music. The latest announcement is the arrival of Shaq’s Fun House, a larger-than-life adult wonderland taking place on Friday, February 10, at Talking Stick Resort, 9800 Talking Stick Way in Scottsdale. From 8 p.m. to 2 a.m., guests will enjoy an open bar, food from local purveyors, carnival games, pyrotechnics, and performances by Snoop Dogg, Diplo, DJ Diesel, and Myles O’Neal. Tickets start at $349.99 for general admission and $1,199.99 for VIP tickets that include fast entry, VIP restrooms and viewing areas, and more. Visit shaqsfun- house.com for all the details. | SOUNDCHECK | t Music Paul Cardone (left) with Garnet from Dry River Yacht Club at Shady Park in 2016. Benjamin Leatherman Alice Cooper. Jim Louvau
