Bands

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Downtown's Conspire hosts open-mike Wednesdays

Every Wednesday night in downtown Phoenix, strangers, friends and sweethearts gather to make art happen atop a wooden stage constructed by a few do-it-yourselfers.
The homemade stage sits behind Conspire, a rough-around-the-edges boutique/coffee bar/hangout at Fifth and Garfield streets that functions as a social and shopping cooperative.



Wednesdays are open-mike nights, where a mix of young professionals, hipsters, students and artists gathers to read poetry, talk about issues or perform songs.
Before the action starts around 8 p.m., people order a cappuccino or a homemade vegan doughnut from the laconic baristas. Or they wander around the crowded front room, checking out the racks of locally made T-shirts, bicycle-tire belts and China Rain scented candles.
The shop, which opened in 2008, is in a renovated historic home and is collectively owned by eight 20- and 30-something Valley entrepreneurs who call themselves the Collectively Operated Local Artists Boutique. They run the boutique as a side project.



Conspire's founding mission is to make Phoenix a "stronger, more viable city" by connecting local artists to the broader community, according to its Web site.
"It reminds me of a super left-wing concentrate," said Hani Shawwa, 32, who visited Conspire while on a business trip from New York. Shawwa said it reminded him of the communes he lived near in Germany.
With beverages in hand, the crowd of about 50 people moves behind the tiny house and settles thigh to thigh in front of the stage painted with colorful faces, swirls and inspirational words. Soon, Phoenix's Anna Moncada, 25, calls the performers up one by one. Mostly, people read their original poetry, which varies from tongue-in-cheek tirades to melancholy musings.
Regardless of skill or subject, the crowd follows each performance with cheers, applause or snaps.
Moncada said that even though the night isn't marketed, the crowds grow almost every week as regulars and newbies spread the word on Twitter, Facebook and MySpace.
"It's crazy; it keeps getting bigger and bigger," she said. "It's all about attracting new people, different people."
Elorawyn Key, 34, of Mesa, is one of the newest poets to read at Conspire, reading on a recent Wednesday two originals, "Vigilance" and "Historia of my Mania."
Although Key has been writing most of her life, she hasn't performed in years and said it was the welcoming atmosphere at Conspire that persuaded her to read again.
"I am ready to share again," she said. "You're missing out if you're not sharing. You're not connected and you don't feel like you're apart of something bigger."


Smooth Jazz w/Flight 407 @ Michael's Cafe' June 20

Tonight at Michael's Cafe come out and relax on Hump day... This is the night with amazing Prime Rib @ $12.95 with Potato and The Live Jazz Band "Flight 407" I am telling you this night is so smooth and you can't be the upscale atmosphere. See you tonight. !!!

Blue Martini Wenesday Is Girls Night Out

GNO! Tonight Featuring Live Music by The Instant Classics and Beats by DJ Randy. Ladies Drink 1/2 Price all Night!!

Comedy Tracy Morgan Aug 17th

Tracy Morgan LIVE at Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino in Chandler on August 17

On August 17, Tracy Morgan will perform his stand-up act in the Ovations LIVE! Showroom at Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino, 5040 Wild Horse Pass Blvd., Chandler. Show begins at 8pm.

Morgan is the star of the hit NBC sitcom “30 Rock.”

He has built a reputation as one of the funniest comedians on stage today. Morgan rose to fame as part of the cast of Saturday Night Live and has appeared in countless films including: “The Longest Yard,” “Cop Out” with Al Pacino and “Rio” where he provided the voice of bulldog Luiz. His comedic style is in your face and his show pulls no punches.

Tickets are $34.00 - $99.00 and can be purchased online at WinGilaRiver.com, by phone at 877.840.0457 or by visiting the box office at Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino. Discounts of up to $20.00 are available with a complimentary Player’s Club card.

Laydee Jai @ Char's Thurs June 21st

Come enjoy the fun and dance the night away with me at Chars..
EVERY THURSDAY NIGHT!!
9p to 1a.

Warren's Jazz Bistro June 20th

j Browne With Raul Yanez 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Comedy Stand-up Scottsdale

Doing some jokes tonight! at the "Stand-up, Scottsdale!" Open mic around 8:00pm! No cover or anything come have a laugh if you're in the Old Town Scottsdale area!

Jerry Lee Friestad. . . . . .

Flight 407

Come out and Enjoy some Smooth Jazz with Flight 407 @ Michael's Cafe' Weds June 20th from 8p-11p.

Derick Thompson Keith Bubby Webb Lawrence Ross Keith Mckelley


Michael's Cafe'
5025 N. 7th Ave
7th Ave & Camelback
602-248-2233
 
Hope to see you there!!!
 

New Talk Show on CBS

Arsenio Hall Returns To Late Night TV; Lands New Talk Show on CBS. Watch the video at http://blog.blacknews.com/2012/06/video-arsenio-hall-late-night-talk-show.html

Fashion News: Jennifer Hudson

 Jennifer Hudson's Clothing Line to Launch on QVC in September. Learn more at http://blog.blacknews.com/2012/06/jennifer-hudsons-clothing-line-to.html