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Playing this Tuesday morning and Friday afternoon at Sedona International Film Festival is In a Different Key, a wide-ranging yet intimate documentary about autism.   Directed by Caren Zucker and John Donvan, based on their book of the same title, the film – much of which was shot here in the Valley – throws a wide net. There are sections attempting to define what autism is, and isn’t; the painful, often horrific early treatments of these patients; the social, racial and economic implications of the diagnosis; the differing perceptions of...

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THE SCENE Oh, I forgot how wonderful it is to visit a new restaurant. To sit down at the bar and really drink the place in. To try a smattering of dishes to truly get a sense of the chef’s headspace. To actually feel the vibe, not just observe it from the takeout counter before rushing home.  I rediscovered this pleasure this week at a media happy hour at the week-old Campo Italian Bistro and Bar, the newest incarnation of James Beard Award-winning chef Alex Stratta’s space in The Village at...

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Every week, we present a curated list of live music in a wide range of genres all around the Valley. This week’s lineup includes a little bit country, a little bit rock ‘n’ roll, a big bass-heavy electro beat bash and a heap of hip-hop. Mark Zubia and Jesse Valenzuela Tuesday, June 15 at Old Town Tavern As far as Tempe rock royalty and heritage, it’s hard to imagine a better bill than Mark Zubia...

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Now that the dog days of summer are here (apology to all the dogs), it’s time to crack out the cool, refreshing drinks. Top of the list: Cold brew coffee. Andrew Robertson of Press Coffee has shared a recipe with us and a couple of tips on how to make the best cold brew. When making this full-bodied coffee, it’s beneficial to use reverse osmosis water or distilled water with the addition of Third Wave...

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Visit the Zoo from the Comfort of Your Car Cruise the Zoo returns this summer, allowing guests to see flamingos, giraffes, elephants, tortoises, zebras, monkeys and more from the comfort of their air-conditioned car. Designed to be approximately 30 minutes in length, the narrated drive-through tour offers insights, information and facts about the animals that might be seen along the journey. Curbside food and beverage options are available for purchase. June 13, and every Sunday...

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All the news that’s fit to nosh.  Seeing Green: Things are getting minty fresh at ZuZu at Hotel Valley Ho. The restaurant’s monthly “Show Stopper” Shake is The Jolly Green Mintser, a vanilla-mint shake crowned with a stack of cream cheese brownies, milk crumb, mint ganache, Andes mints and fresh mint leaves. Order the over-the-top treat from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. at ZuZu. It costs $20 but can easily be shared by multiple people. Plus, $1 from each shake sold in June will benefit Desert Botanical...

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Que Chevere — the brick-and-mortar Venezuelan restaurant in downtown Mesa that evolved from a popular food truck of the same name — has been around almost a year, and I marvel that I never found it before. Maybe I’ll just blame that little lapse on the pandemic. Owned and operated by husband-and-wife team Orvid Cutler and Maria Fernanda (he manages, she cooks), it’s a plainly furnished but charming little spot whose good vibes come from...

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THE SCENE Is anyone else having crowd anxiety as we return to restaurants? I can’t be the only one. It’s simply natural to be a little jittery around gaggles of people after the past year and a half of social distancing, quarantining and fearing the physical proximity of others, lest we infect each other with a horrific virus. It’s challenging to rewire your brain and body to accept closeness – especially for someone like me, a social introvert who thrives in small groups but is easily...

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Hear the Story of America’s Favorite Sexpert Filled with the humor, honesty and life-affirming spirit of a girl who found her own unique place as American’s most famous sex therapist, Becoming Dr. Ruth tells the triumphant and heartwarming story of Karola Ruth Siegel, the girl who fled the Nazis in the Kindertransport, joined the Haganah in Jerusalem as a sniper, struggled as a single mother newly arrived in America – and eventually became “Dr. Ruth.” June...