It’s the start of finals week and that means everyone is freaking out. Whether necessary or not, we all know that we need some chances to relax. And using DevilPass, we want to help you escape. So make sure to take a moment, take a deep breath and get out in the city one last time before the semester ends. It’s just what the doctor ordered.
Marshall Shore’s Retro Spectacular: Holiday Extravaganza
- Thursday, Dec. 8
- 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- Phoenix Metro Retro: 708 West Hazelwood Street
- Getting there: Rail—Seventh Avenue and Camelback stop (destination four blocks south of Camelback)
- Price: FREE
Recommended if you like: Christmas kitsch, strange information, Mid-century design
Local “information curator” and Phoenix New Times’ “Best Unofficial Phoenix Historian” Marshall Shore invites you to celebrate the holidays Retro Spectacular-style. Each month, Shore takes over Melrose District midcentury furniture haven Phoenix Metro Retro to detail his latest historical findings for a snappy presentation on all the weird, unusual and captivating parts of Phoenix’s short past. For December, he is taking a different route, presenting various bite-sized looks at Phoenix’s forgotten Christmas traditions alongside unique crafts from Shore, Modern Cat Boutique and other local artisans. As a special treat, Shore is bringing along Travis Smith, author of Kitschmasland—a look at Christmas décor from the 1950s through the ‘70s—to sign copies of his book and sell various items from his personal collection. If you get the munchies, food will be provided by the Public Market-approved Taste Rite food truck.
A Night of Desperation: Two Short Plays by Shane C. Geant
- Thursday, Dec. 8 and Friday, Dec. 9
- 7:30 p.m.
- The Trunk Space: 1506 Northwest Grand Avenue
- Getting there: Bike—15th and Grand avenues
- Price: $6 at the door
Recommended if you like: zombies, painful realism, new theatre
Desperate People/Desperate Time. Local playwright Shane C. Geant presents two one-act plays commenting on real-world struggles with some unreal twists at the Trunk Space. The first play, “7th Ave & Grand,” is a premier production detailing the story of two Phoenix-area druggies as they deal with addiction and getting their next fix. The second, “Doors and Windows,” is an encore presentation of Geant’s central student work, which has been traveling around the Valley since summer. The play mixes the true story of a crumbling marriage with the unreal twist of a zombie apocalypse. As a special addition, each night features a bonus bit of entertainment. Thursday features a unique acoustic performance from local post-rockers Cassiopeia and Friday features touring sound artist Dent-De-Lion, an avant-garde performer who specializes in sound collages featuring only vocals and echoes.
- Thursday, Dec. 8 through Sunday, Dec. 11
- 2 p.m. Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday
- Playhouse on the Park: 1850 North Central Avenue—at the base of the Viad Corporate Tower
- Getting there: Rail—Central Avenue and McDowell stop
- Price: $30.50 in advance at blacktheatretroupe.org
Recommended if you like: an alternative look at the holidays, Harlem Renaissance, Langston Hughes
The ever-interesting Phoenix Black Theatre Troupe presents the return of Black Nativity, Langston Hughes’ groundbreaking ethnic reinterpretation of the Nativity. After the rousing success of last season’s run of the play, the Troupe is reviving the legendary Harlem Renaissance poet’s look at black experience through the lens of Christ’s arrival on Earth. The production combines scripture, verse, song and dance into a multimedia production highlighting black culture and its connection to the Nativity. Hughes initially wrote the script on Gospel standards, integrating tribal drumming and dance, but allowing revisions for integration of different styles of music in future productions. Over its 50-plus year history, Black Nativity has gained international acclaim and its presentation by the Black Theatre Troupe only serves to further that reputation.
- Friday, Dec. 9
- 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- The IceHouse: 429 West Jackson Street
- Getting there: Bike—Fifth Avenue and Jackson Street
- Price: FREE
Recommended if you like: industrial buildings, captivating student art
Always home to the unexpected, Phoenix’s treasured IceHouse hosts an exhibit chock-full of the best in student mixed-media and installation art from ASU’s Herberger Institute for Design and Fine Arts. Themed around the nine Greek muses, the exhibit will bring together sculpture, video, installation and performance from the next generation of creative minds in Phoenix.
- Saturday, Dec. 10
- 7:30 p.m.
- The Trunk Space: 1506 Northwest Grand Avenue
- Getting there: Bike—15th and Grand avenues
- Price: $8 at the door
Recommended if you like: Kimya Dawson, honest folk, multimedia music
Veteran New York-based anti-folk singer and cartoonist Jeffrey Lewis has been plugging away in the underground for over ten years, earning rave reviews on his work from sources as disparate as The New York Times, NPR, The AV Club, Popmatters and NME. The acclaimed songwriter has not been to Phoenix since two stops at the Trunk Space in 2008, meaning anticipation is high for his return. Lewis’ nasally, oft-mumbled vocals work around witty, frentic, visceral lyrics, accompanying music that seamlessly moves between busy acoustic strumming and sloppy garage-style punk. The musician has become well-known for his wide range of talents, including a series of stylized, self-published comics and various private art projects, academic lectures based on his master’s thesis on Watchmen and six full-length records on UK-based mega-indie label Rough Trade. Through his DIY ethics and hard-working attitude, Lewis has carved himself a unique niche in the indie music scene, making a distinct impression on every audience he meets.
- Wednesday, Dec. 14
- 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Phoenix Public Market: 14 East Pierce Street
- Getting there: Walk—Central Avenue and Pierce Street
- Price: FREE with goods available for purchase
Recommended if you like: local arts and crafts, unusual holiday celebrations, ‘90s sitcoms
Celebrate the best-loved fictional winter holiday in style! In its second incarnation, the Public Market’s Phoestivus celebration expands to two nights (Dec. 14 and 21), each coinciding with the Wednesday night farmers market. Presented by monthly Phoenix mixer Get Your PHX, Phoestivus is bringing over 50 local vendors and artisans together in the holiday spirit. Building on the traditions established last year at the inaugural event, this year will feature the ever-famous Phoestivus Pole, the Feats of Strength, and the Airing of Grievances brought to you by ASU Downtown Alive!, alongside live music from various local artists.
Events compiled by Connor Descheemaker.
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