Thanksgiving weekend, ahoy. Film and theater dominate the scene over the long weekend, with downtown Phoenix welcoming a renowned animator and an acclaimed Broadway play alongside a true science-fiction classic, a long-running talk show and two rising rock groups. Black Friday isn’t all Thanksgiving offers in the way of entertainment.
- Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 24 and 25
- 2 p.m. show
- FilmBar: 815 N. Second St.
- Getting there: Walk — Second and McKinley streets
- Price: $7 in advance at thefilmbarphx.com or at the door
Recommended if You Like: Shutter Island, life & death, Fanny & Alexander
And now, I present the grand debut of FilmBar on DevilPass! After over a year of business and hundreds of screenings, the FilmBar has finally opened its doors to all ages. As one of its first all-ages screenings, the bar and film venue is presenting a true classic. Directed by Oscar-nominated filmmaker Ingmar Bergman and starring Oscar-nominated actor Max von Sydow, the Seventh Seal presents a tale of a true battle of the wits against pure evil. Von Sydow, a Crusader, has returned from battle to run into Death himself, who persuades him to play a game of chess. Made in the 1950s, this legendary film challenged all conventions of the medium and presented a grand story of not only a battle of the wills against Death, but a story of finding meaning in one’s life.
“It’s Such a Beautiful Day,” an animated trilogy by Don Hertzfeldt
- Saturday, Nov. 24
- 7:30 p.m. doors, 8 p.m. show
- Phoenix Center for the Arts: 1202 N. Third St.
- Getting there: Walk—Third and Moreland streets
- Price: $7 in advance at nofestivalrequired.com or at the door
Recommended if You Like: Rejected, XKCD, absurdism
In 1998, Don Hertzfeldt was up for the Palm d’Or in short film at Cannes. In 2000, he went to the Oscars for another of his works. So, one might ask, how did Mr. Hertzfeldt earn such acclaim for his short films? Stick figures and 35mm. Best known for his 2000 piece, Rejected, Hertzfeldt rocked the critical world with a series of short vignettes of non sequiturs, confusing the masses and causing a cult following to roar in approval. Utilizing simple pen-and-ink drawings and basic stop-motion, the animator has worked the festival scene for well over a decade, winning dozens of juried and crowd awards. For nearly as long, local film programmer Steve Weiss of No Festival Required has been working to get Hertzfeldt’s films to Phoenix. And now, on Thanksgiving weekend, he’s finally made it happen. The screening represents a test for No Festival Required’s future—a large-scale screening presented in one of Phoenix’s best and most underutilized screening spaces. With any luck, people will turn out in droves. It’s a long weekend. What have you got to lose? Head out to Phoenix Center for the Arts and take in the work of one of the 21st century’s most talented animators and filmmakers.
Grand Avenue Live! The Thankless Edition
- Tuesday, Nov. 27
- 7:30 p.m. show
- The Trunk Space: 1506 NW Grand Ave.
- Getting there: Bike — 15th and Grand avenues
- Price: $6 at the door
Recommended if You Like: The Late Show, elections, local surveys
For years, Grand Avenue Live has held down the fort at the Trunk Space as downtown Phoenix’s longest-running (and basically only) live talk show. Through numerous host changes and a handful of hiatuses, it has remained strong on Grand Avenue’s most unique stage. Now co-hosted by veteran Phoenix performers and comedians Ernesto Moncada and Ashley Naftule, the show is in its second episode of a new season, complete with a house band, correspondent and new guests. For this particular episode, the show will feature locals Human Fund as the house band, and the Jon Hogan String Band as the musical guest. Additionally, sitting in for interviews with the co-hosts will be long-time downtown chef Mario Etsitty, and comedian and writer Genevieve Rice. Oh, and a “science correspondent.” There’s always a wild card.
The Stone Foxes with the Growlers
- Saturday, Nov. 24
- 7:30 p.m. doors, 8:30 p.m. show
- Crescent Ballroom: 308 N. Second Ave.
- Getting there: Walk — Second Avenue and Van Buren Street
- Price: $18 in advance at statesidepresents.com or Stinkweeds; $20 at the door
Recommended if You Like: The Black Keys, Bob Dylan, lo-fi
Formed in 2005, the Stone Foxes slugged it out in the rock underground for several years, working the same circuit as the blues-rockers before them. Then in 2011, the group caught its first major break, opening for gold-selling rock superstars the Black Keys and rock-radio hitmakers Cage the Elephant at a sold-out show at Arizona’s own Mesa Amphitheatre. Soon thereafter, the group started to gain the attention of the world, leading to performances at such major festivals as South by Southwest, Outside Lands and Joshua Tree. Following a similar path is opener the Growlers. The California rockers meld psychedelic imagery, surf vibes and the pot-infused hooks of such groups as Beach House. Together, the two groups form the hard edge of rock’s next wave of success.
- Wednesday, Nov. 21, 23-25
- 7:30 p.m. (Wed.), 8 p.m. (Fri.-Sat.) 2 p.m. (Sat.), 1 p.m. (Sun.), 7 p.m. (Sun.)
- Herberger Theater Center: 222 E. Monroe St.
- Getting there: Walk — Second and Monroe streets
- Price: $32-$84 in advance at arizonatheatre.org
Recommended if You Like: Green Bay Packers, classic sports, inspiration
The Green Bay Packers are among the NFL’s most storied franchises, and it all began with Vince Lombardi. The team’s coach, champion and now patron saint led the team to five championships in seven years, never having a losing season. The play itself follows a journalist in pursuit of the Lombardi legend, seeking more than just the gruff playmaker. Rather than being a traditional sports story of inspiration and triumph against all odds, this story is one of humanity. The plot revolves around the coach’s wife and three of his most highly regarded players, telling the story of Lombardi the man, rather than Lombardi the legend.
Events compiled by Connor Descheemaker
