Phoenix News Blog

Got the hots for hot-rods and low-riders? Then you may want to put the Peoria Fire Department's "Fire It Up" car show on your list for next weekend.

Vehicle enthusiast and firefighter Mark Barbee hosts the event this Sunday, April 19, at the Peoria Sports Complex (see press release below). The show comes up a couple times a year to raise money for the Peoria Firefighter's Charities, a group that has it's heart in the right spot (even if it's apostrophe isn't).

We convinced Barbee to send these shots from the last show:

The producers of "Supernanny" and "It's Me or the Dog" are looking for a few bad teens to star in an upcoming reality show in which kids trade in their parents for "The World's Strictest Parents."

If you hear the call of show biz, strut on down to the Desert Ridge Marketplace, 21001 North Tatum Boulevard, this Saturday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. for the open casting call.

Sounding somewhat reminiscent of "Wife Swap," the show -- if the name is any indication -- intends to pit off-the-wall teens against a regiment of control freaks. A Business Journal press release rehash says this morning the producers want to find:

When he's not voting for public art or voting against a recommendation to make horse-tripping illegal, Claude Mattox likes to jam out with his classic rock band, the Screamin' Javelinas.

The Phoenix City Councilman has been playing at city and charity events for the last few years, and his band is scheduled to perform at the city's light rail opening party this coming Saturday afternoon from 12:30 to 2:30 at the Montebello and 19th Avenue station, near Christown Spectrum Mall.

By Clay McNear

Before we look forward, a quick look back . . .

ASU vs. Stanford in Tempe, September 6

This game was supposed to be a lot closer than the end result, a 41-17 thumping of the Cardinal by senior QB Rudy Carpenter (pictured) and crew. After years of being the Pac-10’s dead bird, Jim Harbaugh’s Big Red Bird is purportedly on the rise, and a Week One win over Oregon State had a lot of prognosticators thinking . . . well, suffice to say they’re not thinking that so much anymore, certainly not with SU due to pay a not-in-my-house call on a tough Texas Christian University team on Saturday the 13th.

On ASU’s side of the ball, every non-deluded Sun Devil fan was way leery of the Stanford game. Despite being in Coach Dennis Erickson’s second year – historically, his teams have kicked major posterior in Year Two – the Devils kinda sorta stunk up the joint in their season debut against Northern Arizona. Stanford? Christ, those brainiacs beat USC and Cal last year. A fumble here, a silly bounce there, and 2-0/1-0 ASU’s suddenly looking at 1-1/0-1, with the sole W being a semi-shaky W over the big-whoopin’-deal NAU Lumberjacks.

Was Stanford not quite as good as billed, or is ASU better?

By Jonathan McNamara

Friday: Gunnin' for that #1 Spot
Director Adam Yauch's documentary about NYC's Rucker Park hits theaters this weekend. See local b-ball hero Jerryd Bayless and seven other players looking for a shot at the NBA go head-to-head in a dramatic basketball showdown.

For more information, read "Baseline Killers" by Jay Bennett.

Saturday: Heaven and Hell Backyard Wrestling Presents Red, White and Pain

Assuming you're not already headed off to the Can't Stop the Serenity showings at Chandler Cinemas, you may want to take in some backyard wrestling. Nothing says summer fun like an old-fashioned beat down. Be sure to bring your own chair. You never know when you might need to clock someone.

For more information, read "Rabid Test" by Benjamin Leatherman.

Sunday: Asses of Evil at Cell Block Venue

Celebrate the lord's day with a gutter punk throw down courtesy of local thrash-masters Asses of Evil. Don't forget to be careful when you're attaching the safety pins to your ripped up jacket. Yipe!

For more information, read "Hard, Fast, Raw and Obnoxious..." by Niki D'Andrea

Did you forget? The official day of appreciation for the man who gave you life is a mere two days away. Show him you love him by taking him to one of these father-friendly events this weekend.

Zap! Vintage Video Games

X-boxes are for cowards. Sixteen buttons? I only need one. Show your gaming prowess at Zap! Vintage Video Games. This exhibit of playable classic arcade gaming is sure to get your Father's day weekend off to a good start. If nothing else, we're betting Pops has a story or two about his electronic achievements he's love to share. Did I ever tell you about the time I beat Pong, son?

Zap! Vintage Video Games opens Saturday June 14 at the McCullough-Price House in Chandler and will run through September 6. The exhibit is closed on Mondays.

For more information about Zap! Vintage Video Games, read "Remembering Dig Dug by Julie Peterson.

Phoenix ConGames 2008

If you've never forgiven dear-old Dad for rubbing all those board game victories in your face this weekend is your chance to seek revenge. Phoenix ConGames 2008 has a hotel's worth of various kinds of gaming. From table top, miniature-based exercises in combat to a costumed Texas Hold 'em tourney there's bound to be something you can play that'll give you the chance to kick your dad's ass.

Phoenix ConGames actually opened yesterday and will run through this Sunday at the Mesa Convention Center.

For more information about Phoenix ConGames read Final Fantasy by Jose Gonzalez.

Sevendust at The Marquee

So Dad's a music lover is he? Fulfill his every head-banging, horns-raising wish this weekend as Sevendust rocks the Marquee tonight. Digital Summer will be opening up the show. No, snatching a Digital Summer sticker and handing it to your Dad does not qualify as a good Father's Day gift.

Check the event write-up for more information.

By Jonathan McNamara

With memorial day long gone, the wait may have seemed a bit longer but once again the weekend is upon us.

Richard Cheese and Lounge Against the Machine

Dick Cheese is infamous among music fans. Even if you don't recognize the name, odds are good you recognize what he does. He's the guy that does lounge music covers of songs like "Chop Suey" by System of a Down and "Nookie" by Limp Bizkit.

See Cheese pimp his oh-so-smooth musical talents this Saturday at Celebrity Theater. Doors are at 8 p.m.

For more information, read Tricky Dick by Clay McNear

By Jonathan McNamara

Hot dog! It's already the weekend! Consider that Memorial Day cookout a warm-up for this weekend's premier sporting event: Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest Qualifier at Arizona Mills Mall. If you think you've got what it takes to eat and compete, show up to Nathan's on Saturday at 1 p.m.

For more information, read Wiener's Circle by Benjamin Leatherman.

Are you ready to rock, Phoenix? Jagermeister certainly thinks so. Check out the Jagermeister Music Tour (no points for creativity there) this Saturday at Marquee Theater starting at 6 p.m. Headliners Hatebreed and Type O Negative brought a few of their friends along: 3 Inches of Blood, Pelvic Meatloaf and Six.

For more information, see the Jagermeister Music Tour Web site. Mind the volume before you click.

Not into murdering your brain cells with relentless head-banging? Brand X on Mill Avenue has you covered. Come by for their Academics Party on Friday starting at 7 p.m. DJs, silk screens, and something called "wheat paste" art have been promised.

For more information, read Smart Bomb by Lilia Menconi

By Jonathan McNamara

John Huntington wants you to dance your ass off tonight.

The man famously known for throwing sweet shindigs is blessing club e4 with is party stylings tonight. For more information and a comprehensive sampling of why he's the party patron, see Benjamin Leatherman's article 24 Hour Party Person.

Let your inner fetishist out this weekend for the Arizona Fetish Prom. This year's features include flesh-hook suspension, an "O" face orgasm booth and performances b industrialists VNV Nation.

Read more in Leather and Lace by Leslie Barton.

By Jonathan McNamara

That's right. Wiener dogs. Racing.

The Wienerschnitzel Wiener National race will raise money for Arizona Adopt a Greyhound, an organization that finds homes for retired race dogs.

So if you'd relish the chance to see a team of dogs run 100 feet into the arms of their owners, race begins at Phoenix Greyhound Park this Saturday at 7:00 p.m. Hopefully none of the dogs will have to play ketchup.

For more information, see the Phoenix Greyhound Park Web site.

SMoCA will be displaying several pieces from its permanent collection this weekend at its Summer Reception. Also appearing at the event are sculptures and mobiles by artist Pae White in. The Summer Reception will also be the debut for a new exhibit called "Pushing Paint Around."

Enjoy the artistic merriment at SMoCA on Friday from 7:00p.m.-8:00p.m. For more information, see the event page article Secondhand SMoCA written by Lilia Menconi.

Do you need more art this weekend? Head over to 1700 Curry for the Convergent outdoor mural/graffiti art show and concert. Formally known as Aztec Self Storage, the facility has reopened as 1700 Curry with door panels illustrated by scores of graffiti muralists. Check out the unveiling of the new doors and stay to party with the artists who made them on Saturday from 3:00p.m.-11:00p.m.

For more information, see Leslie Barton's article Portals of the Imagination.