This is a curated list of weekly events around the Phoenix area for October 14-20.
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
Arizona Craft Beer Awards Festival
Saturday, October 19
Come celebrate the best of Arizona beer at the AZ Craft Beer Awards Festival! PHOENIX magazine, in partnership with the Arizona Craft Brewer’s Guild, is proud to present the 3rd Annual AZ Craft Beer Awards, recognizing the best in Arizona brewing! The Festival, held on October 19, 2024, will be the celebration of these awards, bringing the beer community together so we can all enjoy the best Arizona has to offer! WE’VE MOVED!! We are excited to bring the AZ Craft Beer Awards Festival to Tempe! This year’s event will be held at Centerpoint Plaza, off of Mill Ave. tickets.phoenixmag.com
Taco Fest
October 19-20
More than 40 of the best tacos makers will be joined by local musicians, DJs, artists and vendors to celebrate everyone’s favorite entrée: tacos. 11 Sa., 11 a.m-7 p.m.; Su., 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Check website for ticket prices. Salt River Fields, 7555 N. Pima Rd., Scottsdale, tacofestaz.com
BLW Western Wiffle Ball Classic
October 19
Forget the World Series; teams from across the country will meet in the Valley for a chance to play in the Final Four wiffle ball tournament in Dallas. 9 a.m.-8 p.m. $10, anyone older than 6. Scottsdale Stadium, 7408 E. Osborn Rd., Scottsdale, blwwiffleball.com
Meghan Trainor
October 16
Leave your treble at home because the “All About That Bass” singer is coming to Phoenix for her Timeless Tour. 6:30 p.m. Check website for ticket prices. Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre, 2121 N. 83rd Ave., Phoenix, 602-254-7200, livenation.com
Judas Priest
October 18
Rob Halford, the legendary lead singer of the heavy metal band Judas Priest, is a Paradise Valley resident, so can we call this concert a homecoming show? 7:30 p.m. Check website for ticket prices. Arizona Financial Theatre, 400 W. Washington St., Phoenix, 602-514-2919, livenation.com
The Rocky Horror Picture Show
October 15
Time to do the Time Warp again! Patricia Quinn, the original Magenta from the beloved movie musical, will be in attendance during a special screening of the Halloween classic. 7 p.m., Check website for prices. Celebrity Theatre, 440 N. 32nd St., Phoenix, 602-267-1600, celebritytheatre.com
Televerde Foundation Second Annual Swing for Second Chances
October 17
Hit the links to help provide formerly incarcerated women with programs to join and advance in the workforce. 7:30 a.m. Check website for pricing. Legacy Golf Resort, 6808 S. 32nd St., Phoenix, events.golfstatus.com
Desert Foothills Book Festival
October 19
Bookworms of all ages will enjoy this event that will feature more than 90 local authors in various genres. 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Holland Community Center, 34250 N. 60th St., Scottsdale, desertfoothillsbookfestival.com
Pumpkin Days & Corn Maze
Now through October 31
This yearly tradition includes a pumpkin patch, a petting zoo, jumping pillows, a tomato cannon, corn mazes and train rides. Call for times and ticket prices. Tolmachoff Farms, 5726 N. 75th Ave., Glendale, 623-999-3276, tolmachoff-farms.com
Jack-O-Lantern Jamboree
Now through October 31
The Great Arizona Puppet Theater has a new Halloween variety show that is sure to bring a smile and a scare to audiences young and old. Call for times. $12, adults; $8, children 12 and younger. Great Arizona Puppet Theater, 302 W. Latham St., Phoenix, 602-262-2050, azpuppets.org
THEATRE & DRAMA
Funny Girl
October 15-20
Harvey Fierstein (Hairspray) updated the book of this revival of the 1964 Broadway musical, which was based on the life of comedian Fanny Brice and made popular by Barbra Streisand. Call for times and ticket prices. Gammage Auditorium, 1200 S. Forest Ave., Tempe, 480-965-3434, asugammage.com
Holiday Inn
Now through November 23
It’s never too early to get into the holiday spirit. That must be why this production of the 1942 musical film about romance and yuletide cheer is getting underway weeks before Halloween. The film starred Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire, and featured songs by Irving Berlin, including “White Christmas,” which was allegedly written at the Arizona Biltmore, and inspired its own hit movie musical in 1954. Check website for days and times. $39-$55. Hale Centre Theatre, 50 W. Page Ave., Gilbert, 480-497-0277, haletheatrearizona.com
Million Dollar Quartet
Now through November 2
This jukebox musical brings to life the recording session at Sun Studios on December 4, 1956, with Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins. Check website for times and ticket prices. Arizona Broadway Theatre, 7701 W. Paradise Ln., Peoria, azbroadway.org
Waitress: The Musical
Through November 24
The hit indie film about a waitress who longs for a new life is now a musical featuring music by Sara Bareilles. Call for times and ticket prices. Mainstage Theatre, 1825 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, 602-254-2151, phoenixtheatre.com
Anastasia
Now through October 26
The intrigue and romance of the beloved animated film will come to life on stage courtesy of the creative animator who brought it to the screen, director Don Bluth. Check website for days and times. $30-$40. Don Bluth Front Row Theatre, 8989 E. Via Linda, Scottsdale, 480-314-0841, donbluthfrontrowtheatre.com
We Ain’t Ever Gonna Break Up: The Hymon & Parfunkel Musical
Through November 3
Mamma Mia, Jersey Boys, Tina. The jukebox musical is more popular than ever, so the time is right for them to be parodied. Featuring music from a band that never existed, this play follows the hilarious story of a folk duo that rose to fame with their signature song about staying together, only to break up constantly. Call for times and ticket prices. Judith Hardes Theatre, 1825 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, 602-254-2151, phoenixtheatre.com
Drunk Shakespeare
Through October 31
If you didn’t like Shakespeare in high school, this is the event for you. The concept is simple: One performer downs five shots of liquor and takes the cast through a play by the Bard in 90 minutes. Check website for times and ticket prices. The Rose Theatre, 455 N. 3rd St., Phoenix, drunkshakespeare.com
SPORTS
Arizona Cardinals
The regular season continues against the Los Angeles Chargers, Oct. 21. Call for kickoff times and ticket prices. State Farm Stadium, 1 Cardinals Dr., Glendale, 602-379-0102, azcardinals.com
Phoenix Rising F.C.
The season for the Valley’s soccer team comes to a close with a match against Memphis 901 F.C., Oct. 19. Call for times and ticket prices. Phoenix Rising Soccer Stadium, 3801 E. Washington St., Phoenix, phxrisingfc.com
CONCERTS
MONDAY
- Hatebreed with Carcass, Harm’s Way & Crypta @ The Van Buren
TUESDAY
- Falling In Reverse @ Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre
- Lola Young @ The Rebel Lounge – Sold Out
- Remi Wolf with slimdan @ Arizona Financial Theatre
- Romare @ Thundercat Lounge
- Valley with Mickey Darling & Charli Adams @ The Van Buren
- Zheani with Buttress and Zand @ Crescent Ballroom
- Griffin House @ Valley Bar
WEDNESDAY
- Badflower with Slothrust & Missio @ The Nile Theater
- Brooks Nielsen: All Growlers Helloween @ The Van Buren
- Meghan Trainor with Paul Russell & Chris Olsen @ Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre
THURSDAY
- Jimmy Eat World @ The Van Buren – Sold Out
FRIDAY
- Breaking Benjamin & Staind with Daughtry & Lakeview @ Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre
- Don Toliver with Ski Mask the Slump God & Monaleo @ Footprint Center
- Judas Priest with Sabaton @ Arizona Financial Theatre
- Katie Pruitt with Tow’rs: VIVA PHX Warm-up @ Crescent Ballroom
- Soohan with Dirty Nabz @ Thundercat Lounge
SATURDAY
- Grupo Firme @ Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre
- VIVA PHX – Downtown Phoenix – vivaphx.com
SUNDAY
- Conan Gray with Maisie Peters @ Arizona Financial Theatre – Sold Out
- Tinashe @ The Van Buren
Buy tickets at LIVENATION.COM or TICKETMASTER.COM
THINGS TO DO LOOK AHEAD
Saddle Mountain Brewing Company’s 10-Year Anniversary Celebration
Saturday, October 26
Award-winning Saddle Mountain Brewing celebrates a decade in the desert with live music all day, tattoos, cornhole tournament and prize giveaways. 15651 W. Roosevelt St., Goodyear. 623-249-5520. saddlemountainbrewing.com
Swan Lake
October 24-27
Tchaikovsky’s classic score intensifies the passion and heartbreak of this timeless love story. Check website for times and ticket prices. Symphony Hall, 75 N. Second St., Phoenix, 602-262-6225, balletaz.org
November 8-17
Canal Convergence
Eye-popping art that reflects color, water and light in both the literal and metaphorical sense will illuminate the Arizona Canal this fall. This annual event, presented by Scottsdale Public Art, will also feature hands-on activities, workshops, music and dance performances, and a beer and wine garden. Scottsdale Waterfront, 7135 E. Camelback Rd., Scottsdale, canalconvergence.com
