This is a curated list of weekly events around the Phoenix area for August 12-18.
Calendar listings include public events and attractions from around the Valley and state. Confirm information before making plans by calling the listed phone number, or check each website for last minute confirmation or cancellations. E-mail calendar.events@citieswestmedia.com to submit events for consideration.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Best Fest
August 17
The pages of PHOENIX magazine’s Best of the Valley issue come to life at the annual celebration of all things awesome and local. A portion of proceeds will benefit the Arizona Humane Society. $55-$75, 6-10 p.m., The Duce, 525 S. Central Ave., Phoenix, azbestfest.com
Sebastian Maniscalco
August 15
Catch up with the comings and goings of the famous actor and comedian in a show titled It Ain’t Right. 7:30 p.m. Check website for ticket prices. Footprint Center, 201 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix, 602-379-7800, footprintcenter.com
Limp Bizkit
August 16
Fred Durst, the lead singer of the chart-topping nu-metal group, had a pretty good side hustle going as a film director. However, he couldn’t resist the charm of touring. 6:30 p.m. Check website for ticket prices. Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre, 2121 N. 83rd Ave., Phoenix, 602-254-7200, livenation.com
T.J. Newman
August 13
The local author (and former Changing Hands employee) of the thrilling bestseller Falling will return to her old stomping grounds to read from her latest nail-biter, Worst Case Scenario. 7 p.m. Changing Hands Tempe, 6428 S. McClintock Dr., Tempe, 480-730-0205, changinghands.com
Flashlight Nights
Through September 14
Bring the family to experience a magical nighttime adventure during self-paced flashlight tours at Desert Botanical Garden. It’s an excellent opportunity to see, hear and feel the desert night, including nighthawks, snakes, insects and night-blooming flowers. Sa, 6:30-9:30 p.m. $24.95 adult admission, $14.95 children ages 3-17. Desert Botanical Garden, 1201 N. Galvin Pkwy., Phoenix, 480-941-1225, dbg.org
Summer Arts Classes
Through August 29
Children of all ages can take classes in dance and movement, mosaics, ceramics and watercolor painting. Call for times and prices. Phoenix Center for the Arts, 1202 N. Third St., Phoenix, 602-254-3100, phoenixcenterforthearts.org
CONCERTS
Monday, August 12
- Charley Crockett with Myron Elkins @ The Van Buren – Sold Out
- Daniel Nunnelee @ Valley Bar
- Wallows with BENEE @ Arizona Financial Theatre
Tuesday, August 13
- Homixide Gang @ The Nile Theater
- Vacations with Soft Blue Shimmer & Alex Lahey @ The Van Buren
Thursday, August 15
- Jane’s Addiction & Love and Rockets @ Arizona Financial Theatre
- Sebastian Maniscalco with Pete Correale and Pat Mcgann @ Footprint Center
- SiR with Zacari @ The Van Buren – Sold Out
Friday, August 16
- Gashi @ Valley Bar
- Halestorm & I Prevail with Hollywood Undead & Fit For A King @ Arizona Financial Theatre
- Limp Bizkit with Bones with Eddy Baker, N8NOFACE, Corey Feldman, Riff Raff @ Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre
- Ski Mask the Slump God with Hardrock, Danny Towers & Molly Santana @ The Van Buren
Sunday, August 18
- Cults with Bnny @ Crescent Ballroom
- The Dead South with The Builders and the Butchers @ The Van Buren
- RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars LIVE @ Arizona Financial Theatre
Buy tickets at LIVENATION.COM or TICKETMASTER.COM
SPORTS
Arizona Diamondbacks
Find out if the D-backs can take home another pennant when they take on the Colorado Rockies, Aug. 12-14; New York Mets, Aug. 27-29; and Los Angeles Dodgers, Aug. 30-31. Call for times and ticket prices. Chase Field, 401 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix, 602-514-8400, dbacks.com
Phoenix Mercury
The Valley’s own WNBA team kicks its season into high gear against the Chicago Sky, Aug. 18; New York Liberty, Aug. 26; and Minnesota Lynx, Aug. 28. Call for times and ticket prices. Footprint Center, 201 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix, 602-379-7800, mercury.wnba.com
Phoenix Rising F.C
The Valley’s soccer team is climbing up the Western Conference standings. Watch Phoenix Rising head to the top as they take on North Carolina F.C., Aug. 24. Call for times and ticket prices. Phoenix Rising Soccer Stadium, 3801 E. Washington St., Phoenix, phxrisingfc.com
THEATRE & DRAMA
Disney’s My Son Pinocchio Jr.
Now through September 1
Told from the perspective of Geppetto, the tale of the wooden puppet who became a real boy gets a twist. Check website for showtimes. $22-$27, Gyder Theater at the Peoria Center for the Performing Arts, 10580 N. 83rd Dr., Peoria, 623-815-7930, theatreworks.org
God’s Favorite
Through August 24
Esteemed playwright Neil Simon puts a modern comedic spin on the Book of Job with a story about a messenger from God who tries to get a tycoon to renounce the man upstairs. Check website for days and times. $30-$35. 8989 E. Via Linda, Ste. 118, Scottsdale, 480-314-0841, donbluthfrontrowtheatre.com
Cinderella
Now through August 17
Featuring music by Rogers and Hammerstein, the fairy tale about true love and missing slippers receives a contemporary twist. Check website for days and times. $39-$55. Hale Centre Theatre, 50 W. Page Ave., Gilbert, 480-497-0277, haletheatrearizona.com
THINGS TO DO LOOK AHEAD
Green Day
September 18
Two of the punk band’s landmark albums, Dookie and American Idiot, are celebrating their 30th and 20th anniversaries, respectively. The trio will perform each of them in their entirety for this raucous show. 5:30 p.m. Check website for showtimes. Chase Field, 401 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix, 602-514-8400, dbacks.com
Kacey Musgraves
September 27
The country-pop star will come to Glendale as part of her Deeper Well World Tour, with accompanying acts Father John Misty and Nickel Creek. 7:30 p.m. Check website for ticket prices. Desert Diamond Arena, 9400 W. Maryland Ave., Glendale, 623-772-3240, desertdiamondarena.com
Kevin Hart
October 11-12
The busiest (and shortest) man in showbiz is heading out on the road for a comedy tour titled Acting My Age. 7:30 p.m. Check website for ticket prices. Arizona Financial Theatre, 400 W. Washington St., Phoenix, 602-514-2919, livenation.com
