NIGHT+DAY WEEK OF DECEMBER 26, 20 19-J ANU AR Y Labyrinth Masquerade Ball at Thunderbird Lounge, See Tuesday. GOBLIN KINGS AND QUEENS 1, 20 20 PHOENIXNEWTIMES. C OM/ C ALEND AR plore artists you might not encounter dur- ing First Friday art shows in downtown Phoenix. Visit shemerartcenter.org. LYNN TRIMBLE FRI ▼ GAMES In the past, La Gattara Cat Lounge and Boutique has held special events to cater to a variety of feline aficionados, like its eve- nings of D&D and yoga. But here’s an out- ing that trumps almost everything: Drag Bingo and Cats. The event itself seems self- explanatory (playing bingo with cats and drag queens, including Freddy Prinze Charming and Felicia Minor). The real magic, then, is in how it all plays out. Quaint and adorable? Likely. Delightfully chaotic? Always a possibility. At least it beats an evening of tax accountant chess with wolf spiders. The games begin at 7 p.m. on Friday, M-E-O-W December 27, at 1301 East University Drive in Tempe. Tickets are $25 and you can snag yours at lagattaracatcafe.com. CHRIS COPLAN Benjamin Leatherman How do you take a spelling bee and make it cool? If your first thought was some Hunger Games-style revamp, you haven’t consid- ered the wonder that is a hip-hop spelling bee. This fresh competition is divided into three rounds: hip-hop and music industry terms, artist names, and slang (likely from jiggy to sus). If there’s a round four — and praise be to the rap gods, we hope there is — contests will have to spell out words while dropping some actual bars. Good time. G-o- o-d, t-i-m-e. Good time. The free competition takes place at 8 p.m. on Thursday, December 26, at Cres- cent Ballroom, 308 North Second Avenue. For more information, visit crescentphx. com. CHRIS COPLAN ▼ HOLIDAYS ART HOLIDAY 18 The Heard Museum, 2301 North Central Avenue, is launching its annual Holidays at the Heard event on Thursday, December THU 12/26 RAP BEE ▼ MUSIC 26, exactly 90 years after the museum first opened in 1929. Celebrate Native arts and culture from both the present and the past, as the museum presents a mix of visual art, performance, and artist demonstrations from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event is free with museum admission, which is $25 for adults. Current exhibits feature works by Maria Hupfield and David Hockney. Thursday’s lineup includes pop-up iPad painting tutorials with Diné artist Damian Jim and pottery demonstrations by Hopi artist Lucille Maho, plus hoop dancing by Derrick Davis (Hopi/Choctaw) and live music in the museum by Randy Kemp (Choctaw/Muscogee-Creek/Euchee). Ari- zona’s 2019 youth poet laureate Sareya Taylor will be on hand to lead a bookmark- making activity. Visit heard.org. LYNN TRIMBLE ▼ HOLIDAYS SNOOPY ON STAGE Everybody’s heart melts at least a little bit when the Peanuts gang gathers around their humble Christmas tree, buoyed by the idea that friends are the greatest gifts this time of year. It’s a compelling counterpoint to nar- ratives that elevate consumerism during the holiday season. Now, a touring production of A Charlie Brown Christmas Live on Stage is coming to Arizona Federal Theatre, 400 West Washington Street, at 4 p.m. on Thurs- day, December 26. The show features Charlie Brown, Lucy, Linus, and Snoopy producing their own Christmas play and performing sev- eral traditional Christmas carols. Snoopy’s happy dance is just the icing on the cake. Ticket prices vary. Visit arizonafederal- theatre.com. LYNN TRIMBLE ▼ VISUAL ART TREASURE TROVE Jump off the holiday hamster wheel for a while at Shemer Art Center, 5005 East Camelback Road. It’s a relaxing way to ex- plore works by local artists, both within the charming house filled with galleries and on the surrounding grounds dotted with sculp- tures. Shemer Art Center hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday, December 26. Admis- sion is free, but donations are welcome. The center’s “Collected Treasures” ex- hibit features mixed-media work by more than three dozen artists using diverse ma- terials, including bark, beads, crystals, chrome, dirt, fiber, ink, paint, wax, and more. The “Wonders of It All” exhibit showcases bronze sculpture by Prescott artist Bill Nebeker. It’s a great way to ex- ▼ STORYTELLING END OF STORY Are you tired of hearing visiting relatives regurgitate their tales of holidays past? Hear some fresh narratives, told during The Storyline’s next event at Changing Hands Bookstore, 300 West Camelback. It’s a story slam hosted by Dan Hoen Hull and Joy Young to foster a spirit of fun in the community. Ten people will have six minutes each to share their best story re- lated to this theme: The End? And five au- dience members will get to judge their storytelling prowess. The winner takes home a $30 prize. Ev- erybody else gets the satisfaction of know- ing they’re not alone. Imagine the many ways this theme could go. That nasty break-up. A near-death experience. A re- curring nightmare about forgetting to end your sentences with a period during grade school. There’s no telling what might come up here, which might be half the fun. You be the judge. Visit changinghands.com. LYNN TRIMBLE ▼ CULTURE TRIVIAL REVIEW Homelessness is anything but >> p 20 12/27 DEC. 26TH, 2019–JAN. 1ST, 2020 PHOENIX NEW TIMES | MUSIC | CAFE | FILM | CULTURE | NIGHT+DAY | FEATURE | NEWS | OPINION | FEEDBACK | CONTENTS | phoenixnewtimes.com
