​ Arizona Fetish Revolution 2012
Old Town Scottsdale got quite a bit kinkier on Saturday night for the Fetish Revolution 2012. The over the top nonstop celebration of all-things-sex featured plenty of leather whips, unzips, and nips.

Courtesy of ASU

bell hooks

​Wiggle into those smarty pants, here are five lectures that'll stretch your brain in Feburary.

bell hooks @ ASU West

Author and activist bell hooks skewers the Oscar-nominated, racially controversial novel-to-blockbuster The Help in a lecture in the University Center's La Sala ballroom at ASU's West Campus on Tuesday, February 14.

Through a lens examining race, class, and gender, hooks will discuss the impact of The Help and its role in reinforcing societal oppression. Admission is free, and the event, which begins at 3:30 p.m., is open to the public. See more here.

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As You Wish Photography

One of Fermaint's dresses

​Valentine's Day -- and Arizona's 100th birthday -- aren't until next Tuesday, but that won't stop the lovey-dovey gallivanting from starting early.

Whether you're single, taken, or desperate for a date, here are five things that'll keep you (and maybe help you get) busy this weekend.

Tiffe Fermaint Launch Party @ Nostra Style House
When we got our first look at chic downtown boutique Nostra Style House, owner Angelica Gonzalez told us that she'd eventually like to carry creations from local fashion designer Tiffe Fermaint. Tonight, sooner comes faster than later.  Fermaint releases her 10-year anniversary collection for sale exclusively at Nostra.

See and shop Fermaint's dresses ($190 and up) and coats ($290 and up) during tonight's reception from 6 to 9 p.m., featuring Mark 'Ellery' Leach on turntables and art from Mark Gallegos on the walls. Admission is free.

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Kiki Smith

​If you've been to any of the season openings at Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, you likely have this Friday's bash penned into your calendar.

The museum's spring opening is a celebration of new exhibitions and a guaranteed hot spot for local artists and art supporters who spend the evening mingling (and previewing what they'll likely come back to see when the museum's not as busy).

One of the most prominent -- and outspoken -- artists on SMoCA's spring roster is Kiki Smith, the noted feminist artist and daughter of late architectural designer Tony Smith.

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​Downtown's First Friday (Feb. 3) 

Mike Sepulveda

Super cute times at 2010's Phoenix Open...

​Although Super Bowl bashes and First Friday's artful endeavors will bogart this weekend, there's a slew of other ways to spend your weekend, including cheering on shopping cart racers during the Phoenix Idiotard and partying, er, practicing your golf clap at the Waste Management Phoenix Open.

But there's always more to do and see, so here are five more ways to spend your days off.

Phoenix Open Bash @ American Junkie
Sport your finest in golf duds -- pastel polos, please -- tonight when American Junkie transforms its Sexy Raging Fridays into the tourney's 19th hole from 4 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. See details here.

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This Sunday, the most-watched television event of the year is coming to plenty of screens near you. More >>

Warping to this years Phoenix Comicon: (from left) Brent Spiner, Lavar Burton, Patrick Stewart, Marina Sirtis, & Michael Dorn.

There are exactly 111 days left until this year's Phoenix Comicon, and the time probably can't pass quick enough for some local geeks. Especially since organizers of the annual pop culture fest announced some blockbuster names last night that will be appearing at this year's event.

And it includes most of the cast of landmark science fiction program Star Trek: The Next Generation.

More than 700 geeks let out a collective squee on Thursday night when Phoenix Comicon director Matt Solberg announced that Patrick Stewart (a.k.a. Jean-Luc Picard), Brent Spiner (Data), Michael Dorn (Worf), and Marina Sirtis (Deanna Troi) are all scheduled to appear at the four-day event taking place over Memorial Day Weekend at the Phoenix Convention Center.

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courtesy of Modern Bear

​Pack your bags, Phoenix. There's never been a better time to escape to Palm Springs.

Not only will Modernism Week be filling the desert city with 11 drool-worthy days of design-centric events, but the awesome duo at Modern Bear will also be opening a pop-up shop during the festival's first weekend. It's going to be filled with Phoenix design goodies -- oh, and it's going to be next to the Ace Hotel pool.

Like we said, pack your bags.

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riyaanjalirai.com

Local adult film star Priya Rai

Some dudes are more than eager to fork over $24.95 a month to see local porn starlets Priya Rai and Taryn Thomas either on DVD or via the Internet.

Valley party promoter Chuck Huus, however, is hoping they'll be eager to spend that same amount for the opportunity to meet with Rai, Thomas, and dozens of other adult film actresses in person (as opposed just watching them onscreen) at next month's annual Arizona Pornstar Ball.

"There are a lot of girls who do porn here in the Valley that will be at the ball," Huus says. "A lot of stars coming out here from L.A. to be here too. Every day someone else is calling me, asking if they can get a signing table."

Local skin flick fans willing to step out from behind the anonymity of their computers and attend the event, which takes place during the first weekend in March at Tempe's 910 Live, will be able to interact and with such stars as Dylan Ryder, Kayla Carrera, and Candy Manson.

Ironically, Huus says, the desire to meet porn stars in the, uh...flesh is one of the reasons why he and the other members of Coolin' Out Worldwide (a local clothing company and DJ collective) created the ball three years ago.

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