#1: Puscifer at Comerica Theatre, March 18
Cornville, Ariz. resident winemaker Maynard James Keenan resumes his day job as a rock star for this tour stop in Phoenix with his art rock band, Puscifer. The group's touring in support of its third and newest album, “Money $hot,” an ethereal and melodious amalgamation of digital effects, acoustic harmonies, and metaphysical-philosophical lyrics. Puscifer's accompanying live show blends myriad media including video and theatrics. “This show is so much more than just a band regurgitating songs,” Keenan said. “This is a multi-media performance unlike anything you've ever witnessed. There are those who know, and there are those who will know soon enough.” $35-$250. 8 p.m. March 18 at Comerica Theatre. puscifer.com

#1: Viva PHX at various locations, March 12
In one night, 65 bands will perform at 15 venues around Downtown Phoenix for this second-annual audio extravaganza. A sonic spectrum of national acts including edgy electro duo Crystal Castles (pictured), seminal garage punkers Rocket from the Crypt, a DJ set by Biz “Just a Friend” Markie, hip-hop and breakbeat godfather Afrika Bambaataa, and Brooklyn-based indie rockers Beach Fossils will blast across the stages, along with performances by some Arizona favorites including indie rock band Lydia, avant jazz-punk outfit Playboy Manbaby, global-music ensemble Phoenix Afrobeat Orchestra, and eclectic multinstrumentalists Dry River Yacht Club. $22 general admission, $45 fast pass (priority access at venues). 7 p.m. March 12 at multiple venues. vivaphx.com

#1: Paint PHX at various locations, March 4-6
More than half a dozen of Phoenix's finest artists will paint the town red – and a kaleidoscope of other colors – in this citywide, artist-organized event. Over the course of two days, areas around Phoenix including 16th street between Van Buren and Thomas roads, Roosevelt Row, and Grand Avenue will get multiple new murals decked across their walls, courtesy of such aerosol artisans as El Mac, Pablo Luna, Lalo Cota, Thomas “Breeze” Marcus, Angel Diaz and Jeff Slim (pictured: Slim's mural from the 2015 Paint PHX event). Free. facebook.com/paintphx

#1: Canal Convergence: Water + Art + Light at Scottsdale Waterfront, Feb. 25-28
Now in its fourth year, this annual al fresco arts extravaganza will fill the Scottsdale Waterfront between Soleri Bridge and Goldwater Boulevard with 12 large-scale artworks. They include “Blooms” by British artist Bruce Munro (seven circular arrays of one hundred, 10-foot multi-colored fishing rods, which glow in the evening); “Spiraling Droplets” by L.A. artist Aphidoidea (a collection of 10-foot-high buoys arranged in a whirlpool formation); artist Edina Tokodi's mixed-media “Billboard Mindscape” (freestanding wooden panels featuring triangular modules filled with living plants); and the interactive “Your Secret Is Safe with Me” by artist Christopher Jagmin, in which strangers share their sealed, written secrets with each other inside the privacy of the installation. Myriad workshops are offered, including free dance worskhops led by renowned dance collective Pilobolus. Free admission. 5-10 p.m. Feb. 25-26, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Feb. 28, and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Feb. 28. canalconvergence.com

#1: “Displaced” at Space 55, Feb. 20 (canceled)
Described by RPM Orchestra's Pete Petrisko as “a multi-sensory allegorical tale, told dialogue-free through actions, sounds, movements, light, scent and textures,” this immersive theater experience – dubbed “Displaced” – features a live musical score by RPM Orchestra, “suspended choreography and fanning dance” by Debra Minghi, a performance by Michael 23, and an appearance by someone named Killian Cinnamon. The theme of this special preview production – which will officially premiere in April – is the idea of displacement, being forced to move for reasons ranging from war to gentrification. $7, 8:30 p.m. February 20 at Space 55 in Phoenix. space55.org (update: This event has been canceled)

POPnology at Arizona Science Center, Feb. 8
See Marty McFly's hoverboard from the “Back to the Future” films alongside the jetpack from Disney film “The Rockateer” and the autopia car from Disney's “Tomorrowland” in this touring exhibition, which explores the influence of pop culture on technological innovations. Also on hand: Mars rovers, virtual reality gaming by Oculus, the world's first 3D printed car, Baxter the worker robot, sketches for future plans for flying cars from Hyundai, and more. POPnology made its world premiere at Arizona Science Center on February 7, and will be on exhibit through May 15. Tickets cost $12 for adults, $10 for children ages 3-17. azscience.org

World Championship Hoop Dance Contest at Heard Museum, Feb. 13-14
This convergence of indigenous cultures and athletic performance has grown increasingly competitive: Recent contests have been decided by three or less points, and last year's contest was so close the two finalists had to compete in a tie-breaking dance-off. See what all the hoop-la is about as dancers manipulate up to 50 hoops to create animal and globe shapes, and try to impress the judges in five areas: precision, timing/rhythm, showmanship, creativeness and speed. Lawn seating only; bring a blanket or chairs. 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 13 and Sunday, Feb. 14. Tickets cost $18, adults; $13.50, seniors 65 and older; $7.50, college students with ID and children ages 4-12. heard.org

 #1: First Friday Artwalk in Downtown Phoenix, Feb. 5

With more than a hundred galleries, museums, art spaces and local retail stores packed within a five-mile radius, First Friday Artwalks in Downtown Phoenix can feel more like a marathon if you’re trying to see everything. We’ve whittled down our First Friday must-see list to three eye-opening exhibits:

#1: “Betye Saar: Still Tickin'” opening reception at Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, Jan. 29
At 89 years old, Los Angeles-born artist Betye Saar is six decades into her career, and continues to create collages and multimedia pieces that speak to various themes. The retrospective “Still Tickin'” includes installations, sculpture, assemblages and more divided into three thematic sections: nostalgia and memory, mysticism and ritual, and the political and racial. Saar will give a free lecture about her work at 7 p.m. January 28. The opening reception for the exhibition takes place from 7-9 p.m. January 29, and is also free. The exhibition runs through May 1. Visit smoca.org for more information.