Next Fall
- Friday, Oct. 28
- 8 p.m., additional showings through Sunday, Nov. 13
- Herberger Theatre Center: 222 East Monroe Street
- Getting there: Walk — Second and Monroe streets
- Regular Price: $43, Discount Price: $23.25 (ShowUp.com)
Recommended if you like: mature theater, religion, political commentary
Presented by Actors Theatre, Geoffrey Nauffts’ Next Fall is a Tony-nominated play that takes a provocative look at love, faith and commitment through the story of two gay men with opposing religious views who are in a long-term relationship.
Ghostfest 2011
- Friday, Oct. 28 through Saturday, Oct. 29
- Ongoing event starting 7 p.m. Friday lasting until 1 a.m. Sunday
- The Torch Theatre: 4721 N. Central Avenue
- Getting there: Rail — Central and Camelback stop
- Price: $5 to $15 depending on time of attendance
Recommended if you like: improv, festivals, variety shows
Ghostfest 2011 is unlike anything the Valley improv scene has ever seen. After eight years of bringing quality improv performances and instruction to Phoenix, local performance collective The Torch Theatre brings together 63 shows over a time period of 30 hours for a marathon of epic proportions, all inside the tiny 32-seat space. Regular troupes like Galapagos, the Neighborhood and Apollo 12 will perform alongside performers from across the state and the west coast to create a one-of-a-kind array of shows to benefit the collective’s future missions for improv in Phoenix. Mature shows will carry audience members through the night, while children-friendly shows will lead Saturday morning. Special guests include Valley historian and librarian Marshall Shore, Stray Cat Theater artistic director Ron May and acclaimed Los Angeles improv troupe Now?!
‘God Save My Shoes’
- Friday, Oct. 28
- Events begin at 7 p.m., screening at 9 p.m.
- Phoenix Art Museum: 1625 N. Central Avenue
- Getting there: Rail — Central and McDowell stop
- Price: $25 (includes museum admission)
Recommended if you like: high fashion, drama, international design
The Phoenix Art Museum is putting on an advanced screening of the international documentary, “God Save My Shoes.” The film explores the unique relationship between women and their shoes, while providing insight of world-renown fashion designers like Christian Louboutin and Manolo Blahnik.
Louis C.K.
- Friday, Oct. 28
- Doors open at 7:30 p.m.
- Comerica Theater: 400 W. Washington Street
- Getting there: Walk — Fourth Avenue and Washington Street
- Price: $29.50 to $45
Recommended if you like: crass humor, realism
Acclaimed comedian Louis C.K. rides his latest wave of fame back to the Valley for a stand-up performance sure to excite fans both old and new. With the success of his semi-autobiographical FX comedy series Louie, the comedian has continued to hone his craft on international tours, bringing his trademark snark to hungry audiences. C.K. combines keen observations, sex jokes and existential darkness to make for one of the more innovative sets in the world of comedy today. In a space as large as Comerica, the Washington, D.C., native is sure to make the building roar with laughter.
The Night of Crooked Smiles
- Saturday, Oct. 29
- Pumpkin carving at 6 p.m., show at 8 p.m.
- The Trunk Space: 1506 NW Grand Avenue
- Getting there: Bike — 15th and Grand avenues
- Price: FREE before 7:30 p.m., $6 after
Recommended if you like: pumpkins, sci-fi schlock, outsider art
After being open for seven years, Trunk Space has become well known for its eclectic nature, and there are few events that have better summed up that mixture than this one. This Saturday, the venue presents a night of live music, a movie and pumpkin carving, making for an event full of fun for the whole family (sort of). Bring a pumpkin to the venue’s annual pumpkin carving fest at 6 p.m., then at 8 p.m., the real fun begins with a screening of long-forgotten 1950s sci-fi mess Robot Monster, presented by Phoenix B-movie fiend “Dr. Zombie,” a Phoenix New Times Best of Phoenix winner. After that, be ready for more weirdness from San Francisco’s the Slow Poisoner, a self-proclaimed Americana swamp-bluesman, along with Phoenix’s own elderly sci-fi rapper Space-Alien Donald. And yes, none of that is made-up.
Dia de los Muertos Celebration
- Saturday, Oct. 29 through Sunday, Oct. 30
- 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Desert Botanical Garden: 1201 N. Galvin Parkway
- Getting there: Rail — Priest and Washington stop
- Price: $7.50 with college ID or use the Culture Pass to get FREE admission
Recommended if you like: desert landscapes, Mexican culture, alternatives to Halloween
Come to the Garden for Dia de los Muertos, a colorful Mexican and Native tradition that honors and celebrates departed loved ones. The festival will bring the history of Dia de los Muertos to life with song, dance and storytelling.
Das Racist
- Tuesday, Nov. 1
- Door open at 7:30 p.m., show starts at 8:30 p.m.
- Crescent Ballroom: 308 N. Second Avenue
- Getting there: Walk — Second Avenue and Van Buren Street
- Price: $15 advance, $18 at the door
Recommended if you like: Internet humor, new hip-hop, clever references
With a name like that, what is there to expect? Das Racist, the Brooklyn-based alternative hip-hop trio burst into Internet fame with their first single “Combination Pizza Hut and Taco Bell” in 2008. But before becoming a novelty-only sensation, the group established true credibility with their twin mix-tapes Shut Up, Dude and Sit Down, Man, released in 2010. The group’s unusual flow and repetitive rhythms have garnered them a showcase at Austin, Texas’s South by Southwest music and arts festival, and acclaim from both Pitchfork and Spin magazines, all leading into their debut full-length album Relax, released this past month. The group brings their danceable sound and laughable lyrics to the Crescent Ballroom this week for a raucous Phoenix debut.
Events compiled by Connor Descheemaker and ShowUp.com
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