Downtown Digest: Murderous Mysteries and Underground History

Hello, my lovely downtown Phoenix people! I’m back from my vacation and ready to give you more events to plan your week around.

There is one commemoration that I would actually like to get serious about on Tuesday: It will be the 17th anniversary of 9/11. Although I was only three years old at the time, and I don’t remember it well, I would still like to take a moment to recognize those who lost their lives on that tragic day. May they rest in peace.

Now, on a more positive note, let’s move on to the events lineup this week.

Sweeney Todd: Arizona Broadway Theatre
Wednesday Sept. 12 – Sunday Sept. 16
Starts at 7:30 p.m. on the 12th, 13th, and 14th; 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on the 15th; and 1 p.m. on the 16th
Herberger Theater Center
222 E. Monroe St.

I remember there was a movie starring Johnny Depp years ago about Sweeney Todd. This is the musical version from Arizona Broadway Theatre, and it’s about a vengeful, angry barber. Yes, as in a hairdresser. The way I see it, you never know who could be crazy when it comes to fiction, and the more bizarre it seems, the more interesting the story becomes! So go see a barber who wants revenge in a musical. Tickets cost $44-$73.

City Lights Movie Nights: The Incredibles
Friday Sept. 14
Starts at 7 p.m.
CityScape
1 E. Washington St.

It’s time for one of CityScape’s outdoor movie nights again, and this time they’re showing The Incredibles. I know I should feel guilty about this, considering that the sequel was recently released, but I haven’t seen the original one in years. I know this is a problem, and I will remedy it at some undetermined point in the future. Come on out to CityScape for a showing on the big screen with your blankets and chairs for this free event.

Slash
Saturday Sept. 15
Starts at 7:30 p.m.
The Van Buren
401 W. Van Buren St.

Does this man need any introduction? This is THE Slash. Yes, the guitarist from one of my favorite bands, Guns N’ Roses. I wish I weren’t too cheap to buy concert tickets, or working next Saturday night, because I’d really want to go see this performance. It also features Slash’s backing band, Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators. Tickets cost $55.50.

Alice in Chains
Saturday Sept. 15
Starts at 8 p.m.
Comerica Theatre
400 W. Washington St.

Okay, so on the same night as Slash is here, another one of my favorite bands is here too? Why can’t you people come perform on a night I’m not working?! Gaaahhhh! You, my readers, should feel bad for me because I can’t go see some of my favorite bands and singers in concert. Alice in Chains is a grunge rock band from Seattle, and they’re really good, so please go see them in concert. Please, show them that Phoenix cares and wants them to come back on a night that I have free! Tickets cost $45-65.

History Underground: Obscure Anecdotes of Phoenix Events
Sunday Sept. 16
Starts at 7 p.m.
Valley Bar
130 N. Central Ave.

Every city has some obscure history they’d rather bury. Come see “Hipstorian” Marshall Shore teach about one of Phoenix’s interesting people from history, Winnie Ruth Judd. She’s a notorious murderess convicted of killing her friends in the early 1930’s. Well, I guess you never know who you can really trust. Following the tale of Judd,  Shore will expose other stories about bizarre, obscure parts of Arizona history to the Valley Bar patrons who dare to attend. As a history nerd, this sounds fun to me! This event costs $5.

Contact the reporter at thomas.triolo@asu.edu.