“How to Make an American Son”
TO JULY 17
Arizona Theatre Company, in association with Rattlestick Playwrights Theatre, is presenting this play about “what happens when the promise of the American dream collides with the reality of immigration and family” at Stage West. A preview performance will be held at 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 1, with the opening performance following at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 2. At 7 p.m. Sunday, July 10, there will be an open captioned performance, and at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 16, there will be an ASL/AD performance.
Herberger Theater Center, 222 E. Monroe Street, Phoenix, 602.252.8497, herbergertheater.org, various dates and times, $25-$78
“Minions: The Rise of Gru”
OPENS JULY 1
One of the highest-grossing films of all time is finally receiving a sequel after a seven-year wait. The sequel to 2015’s family-friendly “Minions,” “The Rise of Gru” — another spin-off of the “Despicable Me” franchise — sees the return of Steve Carell to voice Gru, amongst a star-studded voice cast including Taraji P. Henson, Michelle Yeoh, RZA, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Lucy Lawless, Dolph Lundgren, Danny Trejo, Russell Brand, Julie Andrews and Alan Arkin. The film chronicles Gru’s rise to supervillain status. Rated PG.
In theaters, minionsmovie.com
“Rumpelstiltskin”
JULY 1 TO JULY 17
Recommended for kids 5 and older, this magical, family-friendly show uses rod marionettes to recount the classic fairy tale. From the strange creature with the hard-to-guess name to the miller’s daughter who wants her straw spun into gold, Great Arizona Puppet Theater remembers the iconic characters humorously.
Great Arizona Puppet Theater, 302 W. Latham Street, Phoenix, 602.262.2050, azpuppets.org, 10 a.m. Fridays, 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays, $6-$12 or free for infants
“WWE SmackDown”
JULY 1
World Wrestling Entertainment is returning to the Valley with wrestlers like Drew McIntyre, Ronda Rousey, the Usos, Bobby Lashley and Omos in tow. It’s about to go down at the Footprint Center.
Footprint Center, 201 E. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, 602.379.7800, footprintcenter.com, 4:45 p.m., $20-$90
All for the Culture Hip-Hop Festival
JULY 3
Supporting local artists and businesses is this festival featuring 15 acts. Presented by UNDER1NATION, this event is “all for the culture” — and features live hip-hop and R&B, vendors and food trucks, including soul food. This event is for attendees 18 and older.
Underground Cultural Center, 3001 W. Indian School Road, Phoenix, 623.920.7114, https://bit.ly/3xDNXhL, 6 to 11 p.m., $8
Independence Day Celebration: Red, White and Floom
JULY 3
Tempe’s annual celebration of the Fourth of July is back (a day early), featuring all sorts of food, drinks and entertainment, including ’80s cover band Rock Lobster, a fire floom show choreographed to music atop Tempe Town Lake, and kids activities. The event is produced by the city of Tempe with support from the local Kiwanis Club, and it raises funds for local children and youth organizations.
Tempe Beach Park, 80 W. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe, tempe4th.com, 6 to 10 p.m., free admission
All-American Festival
JULY 4
Roger Clyne & the Peacemakers will headline this family-friendly Northwest Valley festival, which will also feature live music from the Sidewinders; giant inflatable water slides; a cornhole tournament; and food and drinks, including alcoholic beverages. A Sensory Room — equipped with noise-canceling headphones, weighted blankets, plush chairs and soft toys — will also be available as a calming space for children, teens and adults with sensory-processing needs.
Peoria Sports Complex, 16101 N. 83rd Avenue, Peoria, peoriaaz.gov, 5 to 10 p.m., free general admission or $25-$35 for VIP experiences
Arizona Diamondbacks vs. San Francisco Giants
JULY 4 TO JULY 6
The D-backs kick off a slew of matchups against the Giants this Independence Day. For Fourth of July, the first 10,000 fans will receive a patriotic T-shirt. If you can’t make it, you can catch the games on TV via Bally Sports Arizona or radio via 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station and KHOV Univision 105.1.
Chase Field, 401 E. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, 602.462.6500, dbacks.com, 3:10 p.m. Monday, 6:40 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, $15-$187
Light Up the Sky 4th of July Celebration
JULY 4
Proclaimed to be “the largest tailgate fireworks experience in the Southwest Valley,” this Independence Day celebration from the city of Avondale, Phoenix Raceway and Avondale Toyota features a free, 25-minute fireworks show; DJ entertainment; games; a kids zone; and food. The event will conclude at the end of the fireworks show, which begins at 8:30 p.m.
Phoenix Raceway, 7602 Jimmie Johnson Drive, Avondale, 623.333.2400, avondaleaz.gov/rec, 5 p.m., free admission
Scottsdale 4th of July Celebration
JULY 4
Bull riding and mutton busting, live performances, games and dances, balloon artists and face painters, a parade, the Canine Stars Stunt Dog Show and, of course, what’s billed as the largest fireworks show in Scottsdale — these are some of the can’t-miss ways to celebrate Independence Day if you make it to the ninth annual Scottsdale 4th event. Fireworks begin at 9 p.m., after which the event will promptly end. This event is cashless and requires card payments.
WestWorld of Scottsdale, 16601 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, 480.656.9940, scottsdale4th.com, 5 p.m., $15-$40
“The Lion King”
JULY 5 TO JULY 31
A multi-Tony Award-winning Broadway show, Disney’s classic “The Lion King” comes back to life with this return to Gammage. See this adaptation of the classic animated film that birthed beloved and iconic characters like Simba, Mufasa, Nala, Scar, Rafiki, Timon and Pumbaa. ASL interpretation is available for the 6:30 p.m. July 24 performance by request.
ASU Gammage, 1200 S. Forest Avenue, Tempe, 480.965.3434, asugammage.com, various dates and times, see website for tickets
Phoenix Mercury vs. New York Liberty
JULY 7
The first of five home games this month, July 7 sees the Mercury take on the New York Liberty Downtown. The game will be available on Facebook, Bally Sports Arizona Extra and YES App for those who are unable to make it in person.
Footprint Center, 201 E. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, 602.252.9622, mercury.wnba.com, 7 p.m., $22-$85
“Thor: Love and Thunder”
OPENS JULY 8
Starring Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Tessa Thompson as Valkyrie, Natalie Portman as Jane Foster, and Christian Bale as Gorr the God Butcher, “Love and Thunder” is the fourth installment of the “Thor” franchise and a part of the greater Marvel Cinematic Universe saga. Once again directed by Taika Waititi, who helmed 2017’s critically acclaimed “Thor: Ragnarok,” this latest film appears to maintain the same colorful world-building and humor, albeit with the added darkness of Bale’s villain. Stay tuned as Portman’s character gains some powers of her own. Rated PG-13.
In theaters, marvel.com
Arizona Rattlers vs. Vegas Knight Hawks
JULY 10
After defeating the Knight Hawks back in April, the Rattlers will show their skills by facing off against the Vegas team again to put a cap on the 2022 season. Here’s hoping for Arizona to take the win again!
Footprint Center, 201 E. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, 602.514.8274, azrattlers.com, 3:05 p.m., $30-$95
Atmosphere and Iration
JULY 10
Rhymesayers hip-hop group Atmosphere seems to always be either working or touring. After a prolific string of records over the past handful of years, the duo of rapper Slug and producer Ant is returning to the Valley with reggae rock band Iration for the Sunshine & Summer Nights Tour. The two acts will share the stage with rapper The Grouch and DJ Fresh as well as reggae rock band Passafire.
Marquee Theatre, 730 N. Mill Avenue, Tempe, 480.829.0607, luckymanonline.com, 6 p.m., $50-$200
“Frozen”
JULY 10
Enjoy an afternoon with Anna, Elsa, Kristoff and Olaf when the 2013 Disney musical film that birthed a franchise returns to the big screen thanks to Friends of the Orpheum. Rated PG.
Orpheum Theatre, 203 W. Adams, Phoenix, 602.262.6225, etix.com, 3 p.m., $11-$16
“Hits! The Musical” Auditions
JULY 12
Ahead of its national tour, which will hit roughly 50 cities from March 1 to May 15, 2023, “Hits! The Musical” is searching for the best young stars. Kids and teens ages 8 to 23 can audition to be featured singers on this Phoenix stop. Several rounds of auditions will take place. The final tour next year will feature around 22 singers and dancers performing pop, country, rock and Broadway hits from throughout the decades.
Marriott Phoenix Airport, 1101 N. 44th Street, Phoenix, thehitstour.com, various check-in times, free admission
“On Your Feet! The Story of Emilio & Gloria Estefan”
JULY 13 TO AUGUST 28
Described by Phoenix Theater Company as a “smash-hit Broadway musical fiesta” and a “salsa-splashed showcase of (their) dance-floor hits,” “On Your Feet!” recalls the true story of how husband-and-wife duo Emilio and Gloria Estefan and their band Miami Sound Machine rose to fame. This show will be presented in the Mainstage Theatre.
Phoenix Theatre Company, 1825 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, 602.254.2151, phoenixtheatre.com, various dates and times, see website for tickets
Maricopa County Home Show
JULY 15 TO JULY 17
The popular county home show is back, featuring highlights like an artisan marketplace and vendor booths, seminars, landscape consultations, cooking demonstrations and crafting workshops.
State Farm Stadium, 1 Cardinals Drive, Glendale, 602.485.1691, maricopacountyhomeshows.com, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, $3-$10 or free for children 2 and younger
Audio Bend
JULY 16
This year’s iteration of the Audio Bend festival features sets from Axel Boy, Danny Fathom, DJ Caffeine and Aibai. Described on its website as a “Futuristic Music & Art Showcase,” Audio Bend features an air-conditioned warehouse stage as well as, overlooking Lake Pleasant, other stages and festival features (which have in the past included water slides, bouncy castles, vendors, laser light shows and more).
Pleasant Harbor at Lake Pleasant, 8708 W. Harbor Boulevard, Peoria, 480.256.BEND (2363), audiobend.info, 7 p.m. Saturday to 3 a.m. Sunday, $20
Repticon
JULY 16 AND JULY 17
The perfect convention for reptile enthusiasts, Repticon features a variety of vendors and seminars, allowing attendees to see live reptiles up close, buy reptiles and other exotic pets from breeders, and get advice from breeders and experts.
Mesa Convention Center, 263 N. Center Street, Mesa, 863.268.4273, repticon.com, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, $6-$15 or free for kids 4 and younger
SneakerBall and Awards Show
JULY 16
It’s the hottest sneaker, art, fashion and philanthropic event for kids in Arizona this summer! It will feature a red-carpet entrance, award show honoring community excellence, fashion show, SneakerBall signature tables, food, raffle and vendors, plus music by DJ B-Dash and a special guest DJ. FAB Events, which presents SneakerBall with Greyscale Media, is looking to collect new and slightly used sneakers for needy homeless people and youth.
Phoenix Convention Center, 100 N. Third Street, Phoenix, phoenixkidssneakerball.eventbrite.com, 5 to 9 p.m., $20-$50
“NOPE”
OPENS JULY 22
Following “Get Out” and “Us,” Jordan Peele is back with his latest film in the horror genre, “NOPE.” The plot only mentions “residents in a lonely gulch of inland California who bear witness to an uncanny and chilling discovery,” though it’s notable for the UFO imagery in its trailer as well as a cast that re-teams Peele with actor Daniel Kaluuya. Keke Palmer and Steven Yeun co-star, with Michael Wincott and Brandon Perea among the supporting cast. Not yet rated.
In theaters, nope.movie
Phoenix Rising vs. Sacramento Republic
JULY 23
The summer is rolling on, temps are rising, and the soccer season is underway. Catch the Rising on the field at this matchup against the Republic, the second of three home games for Phoenix’s football club this month.
Phoenix Rising Stadium at Wild Horse Pass, 19593 S. 48th Street, Chandler, 623.594.9606, phxrisingfc.com, 7:30 p.m., see website for tickets
Wiz Khalifa and Logic
JULY 30
Grammy Award-nominated rapper Logic just dropped his latest project, “Vinyl Days,” to warm reception. Meanwhile, fellow Grammy nominee Wiz Khalifa is reportedly capitalizing on the multiverse trend with his own project, “Multiverse,” his first solo studio album since 2018’s “Rolling Papers 2.” An official release for the latter has yet to be revealed, but the Vinyl Verse Summer Tour also features 24kGoldn, DJ Drama, Fedd the God and C Dot Castro, plus other special guests on select dates.
Ak-Chin Pavilion, 2121 N. 83rd Avenue, Phoenix, 602.254.7200, vinylverse.co, 6:30 p.m., $29.50-$309.50
