“Memoria”
OPENS APRIL 1
A Jury Prize winner at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival, “Memoria” is the English-language debut of acclaimed Thai filmmaker Apichatpong Weerasethakul. Starring Tilda Swinton, “Memoria” is described as “a bewildering drama about a Scottish woman, who, after hearing a loud ‘bang’ at daybreak, begins experiencing a mysterious sensory syndrome while traversing the jungles of Colombia.” Distributor Neon has chosen an interesting release strategy, unveiling a lineup of “special engagements in multiple cities each week as it travels around North America through the rest of the year.” Rated PG for some thematic elements and brief language.
Harkins Theatres Camelview at Fashion Square, 7014 E. Camelback Road, Scottsdale, 480.947.8778, memoria.film, various dates and times, $8-$14
Billie Eilish
APRIL 2 AND APRIL 4
Billie Eilish is “happier than ever.” As part of the tour by that name, in support of last year’s album of the same name, the “Bad Guy” singer is coming to Glendale for not one but two shows supported by rapper Duckwrth. The world tour marks Eilish’s first arena gig in the Valley, as well as her first show here since 2018. Worth noting for ticket holders, the second performance, on April 4, was moved back from its original date of April 3 due to the Grammys.
Gila River Arena, 9400 W. Maryland Avenue, Glendale, gilariverarena.com, 7:30 p.m. each night, $95.50-$450
Arizona Bike Week
APRIL 6 TO APRIL 10
As part of its 25th anniversary, Bike Week is being revamped. While motorcycles still meet concerts at the annual Scottsdale event, the two will now take more of a separate approach, with the RockYard hosting concerts on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights and the new PowerYard featuring all the vendors, stunt shows, exhibitions, bike shows, local bands, demos, HandleBar Saloon and Rally Girls. Social Distortion, Rob Zombie and Lynyrd Skynyrd headline the RockYard.
WestWorld of Scottsdale, 16601 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, 480.644.8191, azbikeweek.com, gates open at noon Wednesday and Thursday, gates open at 10 a.m. Friday through Sunday, $12-$102
Maricopa County Fair
APRIL 6 TO APRIL 10
A fun experience for the whole family, the county fair is back — with an array of stages featuring all sorts of entertainment. Across the Main, County Fair and Community stages, as well as throughout the fairgrounds, adults and youngsters alike can partake in all sorts of fun, from bands, dancers, martial artists and monster trucks to mouthwatering barbecue, a petting zoo and even a hypnotist.
Arizona State Fairgrounds, 1826 W. McDowell Road, Phoenix, 602.252.0717, maricopacountyfair.org, various dates and times, $4.50-$35, or free for kids 8 and younger
Country Thunder
APRIL 7 TO APRIL 10
A four-day experience with camping and some of the most popular acts in country music, Country Thunder is a highly anticipated event for many people each year. Riley Greene, Blake Shelton, Morgan Wallen and Florida Georgia Line are among the featured acts at the Florence date of the 2022 festival, which happens across multiple states.
Country Thunder, 20585 E. Water Way, Florence, 1.866.388.0007, countrythunder.com/az, see website for schedule, $150-$245
Art on the Boardwalk
APRIL 8 TO APRIL 10
Celebrate spring with this all-ages festival featuring local and regional artisans exhibiting fine arts, crafts, home décor and specialty gift items. Kids can enter a coloring contest, and there will be live music from the Chacons — a brother-sister duo that lends its soulful, jazzy vibe to pop and classic rock songs — from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Afterward, traverse the Boardwalk and stop in one of the numerous restaurants to grab a bite to eat.
Arizona Boardwalk, 9500 E. Via de Ventura Boulevard, Scottsdale, 480.297.1179, sundancecreekpromotions.com, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day, free admission
“Everything Everywhere All at Once”
OPENS April 8
From the brilliantly confounding minds of Daniels (writer-director duo Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert) comes “a hilarious and big-hearted sci-fi action adventure about an exhausted Chinese American woman (Michelle Yeoh) who can’t seem to finish her taxes,” revealed in its trailers to be a martial arts epic spanning the multiverse. Also starring Stephanie Hsu, Ke Huy Quan, Jenny Slate, Harry Shum Jr., James Hong and Jamie Lee Curtis. Rated R for some violence, sexual material and language.
In theaters, a24films.com/films/everything-everywhere-all-at-once
Fried French Fry & Music Festival
APRIL 9
The side dish becomes the main course at Fried, which highlights gourmet French fry creations from more than 20 creative purveyors charging affordable prices. Along the way, sip on some beer or wine while perusing vendors, playing lawn games and checking out musical performances. Phoenix Spokes People will valet bikes. The festival supports Downtown Phoenix Inc.
Margaret T. Hance Park, 1202 N. Third Street, Phoenix, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., friedfestival.com, $12-$17, or free for kids ages 3 and younger
I Love the ’90s Bash Bar Crawl
APRIL 9
This ’90s-inspired bar crawl is all that and a bag of chips, with music and outfits that are sure to be a blast from the past. Participating bars include Riot House, Bevvy, Boondocks, Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row, The District, El Hefe, Giligin’s, Goodwood Tavern and Wasted Grain. Ticket holders will get a 16-ounce color-changing stadium cup, slap bracelet, and discounts on food and drinks — plus, bars will toss aside cover charges and photographers will capture the memories along the way. This event is 21 and older.
Scottsdale, ilove90sbash.com, 3 to 10 p.m., see website for tickets
Suns vs. Sacramento Kings
APRIL 10
ESPN’s Basketball Power Index is predicting an 89.6% chance this game goes to the Suns, a fitting end for the regular season for the team, which has already snagged a playoff spot. Official tickets have already sold out for this one, though you may be able to snag some verified resales.
Footprint Center, 201 E. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, 602.379.7800, nba.com/suns, time TBD, sold out
Phoebe Bridgers
APRIL 13
The indie singer-songwriter kicks off the next leg of her Reunion Tour with this stop in Phoenix. Phoebe Bridgers has had a crazy couple of years, from the release of the highly acclaimed “Punisher” in 2020 to the multiple Grammy nominations and late-show performances that album earned her. This show — and tour — is the next stop on that journey.
Arizona Federal Theatre, 400 W. Washington Street, Phoenix, 602.379.2800, https://livemu.sc/3qgSmnQ, 7:30 p.m., $39.50-$292.50
Buds-A-Palooza
APRIL 15
This counterculture celebration is coming to Fifth and Garfield streets in Downtown Phoenix. Check out the main stage for music from reggae rock band Passafire and other acts, or traverse through the vendor village to meet and shop from local artisans. You can also spend some time in Zen Leaf cannabis dispensary’s comedy lounge to see some stand-up. Meanwhile, Arizona Organix will present stoner movies all night long, from Cheech & Chong’s “Up in Smoke” to “Half Baked,” “Super Troopers” and “Dazed and Confused.” With four city blocks featuring all that plus glass blowing, art, food and drink, there’s much to see and do at this 420-themed event. This event is 21 and older.
Roosevelt Row, budsapalooza.com, 4:20 to 11:59 p.m., $20-$25
Easter-Eggsperience
APRIL 16
Egg hunts, crafts, a petting zoo, the Easter Bunny — it’s a whole experience! There will be slides, mazes, jump pads and more for kids to play, while minigolf, pingpong and cornhole will provide other entertainment. Attendees can peruse specialty vendors and concessionaires, too — and don’t forget the pancake breakfast (for an extra fee).
Vertuccio Farms, 4011 S. Power Road, Mesa, 480.882.1482, vertucciofarms.com/events/easter-eggsperience-lghfk, 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., $13 per child 16 and younger, or free for adults with paid child admission
Freddie Gibbs
APRIL 20
Gangsta Gibbs has been on a roll. From his two highly acclaimed collaborations with Madlib to his projects with The Alchemist and his trap-leaning albums, Gibbs has juggled his popularity across several different sounds of hip-hop. Now on the Space Rabbit Tour, the Gary, Indiana, rapper is coming to Phoenix with support from New York’s MIKE.
Celebrity Theatre, 440 N. 32nd Street, Phoenix, https://bit.ly/3JfnhbH, 8:30 p.m., $25-$125
Junk in the Trunk Vintage Market
APRIL 22 TO APRIL 24
The semi-annual market is back for the 11th time. Peruse 12,000 square feet of vendor space with more than 130 vintage curators and handmade artisans. Live music, food and more will spruce up the event, which is open on Saturday and Sunday for general admission — plus a special Friday night experience. There are also early bird tickets that admit guests two hours early Saturday.
WestWorld of Scottsdale, 16601 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, junkinthetrunkvintagemarket.com, 4 to 9 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, $8-$60, or free for kids 12 and younger
“The Northman”
OPENS APRIL 22
Robert Eggers, writer-director of “The Witch” and “The Lighthouse,” is back with this epic Viking revenge saga co-written by Icelandic poet Sjón and starring Alexander Skarsgård, Nicole Kidman, Claes Bang, Anya Taylor-Joy, Ethan Hawke, Björk and Willem Dafoe. Skarsgård stars as a prince on a quest to avenge his father’s murder. Rated R for strong bloody violence, some sexual content and nudity.
In theaters, focusfeatures.com/the-northman
“Petite Maman”
OPENS APRIL 22
After 2019’s highly acclaimed “Portrait of a Lady on Fire,” French writer-director Céline Sciamma helmed this “tender tale of childhood grief, memory and connection,” as it’s described by distributor Neon. At a lean 72 minutes, “Petite Maman” is the story of an 8-year-old girl who, after the death of her grandmother, accompanies her parents to clean out her mother’s childhood home. While exploring the house and woods, the synopsis states, she encounters a neighbor of the same age building a treehouse. Rated PG for some thematic elements and brief smoking.
In theaters, neonrated.com/films/petite-maman
“The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent”
OPENS APRIL 22
Nicolas Cage stars as a fictional version of himself in this meta action-comedy. According to the synopsis, a creatively unfulfilled Cage who is facing financial ruin accepts a $1 million offer to attend the birthday party of a dangerous superfan played by Pedro Pascal — only to be recruited by a CIA operative played by Tiffany Haddish. Need we say more? The cast also includes Sharon Horgan, Ike Barinholtz, Alessandra Mastronardi, Jacob Scipio and Lily Sheen, with Neil Patrick Harris. Not yet rated.
In theaters, nickcage.movie
Ignite the Night
APRIL 23
The party’s back and bigger than ever! Tempe Diablos is resuming this party under the stars at a new location, Rawhide, with live entertainment, food and drinks, silent and live auctions, a special VIP area with added benefits, and more — all in the name of Tempe Diablos Charities.
Rawhide Event Center, 5700 W. North Loop Road, Chandler, ignitethenight.org, 6:30 to 11:30 p.m., $200-$2,600
HAIM
APRIL 25
On the heels of HAIM’s 2020 album “Women in Music Pt. III” and younger sister Alana Haim starring in Paul Thomas Anderson’s “Licorice Pizza,” the familial pop rock music trio is returning to the Valley for its first headlining gig here in almost nine years. Buzzy Lee opens on this stop of the One More HAIM Tour.
Arizona Federal Theatre, 400 W. Washington Street, Phoenix, 602.379.2800, https://livemu.sc/3N0j0Lv, 8 p.m., $39.50-$399
Arizona Coyotes vs. Nashville Predators
APRIL 29
It’s the final game of the season — and it’s also Fan Appreciation Night. That means the ’Yotes will show appreciation for the best NHL fans this season. It’s also a Pepsi Family Pack night, which includes three tickets, three Pepsis or three bottled waters, and a $30 food and beverage credit. The game will be broadcast on BSAZX and BSSO.
Gila River Arena, 9400 W. Maryland Avenue, Glendale, 480.563.PUCK (7825), nhl.com/coyotes, 7:30 p.m., $54.50-$444.50
Arizona Women’s Expo
APRIL 30 AND MAY 1
Hear knowledgeable speakers on subjects like finance, health and wellness, careers, building a business, home design, fashion, community service, travel and leisure, and browse exhibitors spanning fields like beauty, food and beverages, unique handmade items and more. There’s boutique shopping, DIY make-and-take workshops, complimentary wine tastings and so much more on the convention floor.
Phoenix Convention Center, 33 S. Third Street, Phoenix, 1-866.618.3434, azwomensexpo.com, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, see website for tickets
Cannaval Festival
APRIL 30
This expo and music festival puts a twist on cannabis, with a theme modeled after the South American party Carnival. With live music and DJs, circus entertainment, luchador wrestling, samba dancers, food and drink, vendors and more, Cannaval is an elaborate celebration of both Arizona’s budding cannabis community and Carnival tradition. There’s much to see and do, not least of all a performance from The Black Moods.
Phoenix Events and Entertainment Complex, 2209 N. 99th Avenue, Phoenix, cannaval.live, noon to midnight, $40-$90
Rainbows Festival
APRIL 30 AND MAY 1
Celebrate the diversity of the LGBTQ+ community with the return of this two-day Phoenix Pride-produced street fair, which features more than 150 exhibitors and sponsors, and two stages of entertainment. Pet and family friendly, the event will host a variety of local food trucks, craft cocktails and fun.
Heritage Square Park, 113 N. Sixth Street, Phoenix, 602.27.PRIDE (7433), phoenixpride.org/events/rainbows-festival, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day, free admission
Yum Food-Fest
APRIL 30
Patrons will walk away from this festival saying, “Yum!” With an array of food trucks, Yum Food-Fest aims to create a family-friendly environment that pairs good eats and drinks with vendors, live music, games and more. VIF (very important foodie) tickets include two drink tickets, early admission, a lanyard, and access to a designated bar and shaded seating.
Bell Bank Park, 1 Legacy Drive, Mesa, yumfoodfest.com/mesa, 3 to 10 p.m., $5-$70, or free for children 5 and younger, first responders, veterans and seniors
