“Decision to Leave”
NOW PLAYING
South Korean auteur Park Chan-wook, the acclaimed filmmaker behind such works as 2003’s “Oldboy” and 2016’s “The Handmaiden,” returns with this Hitchcockian romantic mystery, which won Park the Best Director Award at the Cannes Film Festival. Starring Korean actor Park Hae-il and Chinese actress Tang Wei, it goes like this: “From a mountain peak in South Korea, a man plummets to his death. Did he jump, or was he pushed? When detective Hae-joon arrives on the scene, he begins to suspect the dead man’s wife Seo-rae. But as he digs deeper into the investigation, he finds himself trapped in a web of deception and desire.” Not rated.
“Decision to Leave” (Mubi/Submitted)
In theaters, mubi.com/films/decision-to-leave
Canal Convergence
NOVEMBER 4 TO NOVEMBER 13
Water, art and light meet at this annual fall event, which this year is celebrating 10 years. The family-friendly immersive experience will include large-scale, light-based public art as well as programming, with workshops; musical and dance performances; food and drinks, including a sustainable beer festival; and more descending upon the Scottsdale Waterfront for more than a week of cool fall night festivities.
Scottsdale Waterfront, in and above the Arizona Canal and along the pedestrian pathways and bridges, between Scottsdale Road and Goldwater Boulevard, canalconvergence.com, various dates and times, free admission
Fall Art on the Boardwalk
NOVEMBER 4 TO NOVEMBER 6
Artisans will exhibit fine arts, crafts, home décor and specialty gift items; kids can enter a coloring contest; elementary school students will display and compete with Pablo Picasso interpretations; characters like Ariel, Elsa and Bruno will appear from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday; and brother-sister duo the Chacons will play pop and classic rock songs with a soulful, jazzy influence from noon to 3 p.m. both days. Plus, the first 50 adults at the Sundance Creek Promotions booth Friday morning will receive a free tote bag.
Arizona Boardwalk, 9500 E. Vía de Ventura, Scottsdale, 480-297-1179, sundancecreekpromotions.com, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day, free admission
Fall Carefree Fine Art & Wine Festival
NOVEMBER 4 TO NOVEMBER 6
Combining fine art, wine and live music, this Carefree festival is back for another season. Now in its 29th year, the fall event will feature more than 165 artists and 5,000 artworks, including sculptures of various mediums, pottery, photography, jewelry, batiks, paintings and more. Oil painter Danial James is the featured artist. Vegas McGraw will perform. View some art, listen to some tunes, taste some domestic and imported wines, and complement it all with decadent chocolates.
Downtown Carefree, 101 Easy Street, Carefree, 480-837-5637, thunderbirdartists.com, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, $5
Arizona Fall Fest
NOVEMBER 5
A family- and pet-friendly affair, this fall fest is a showcase of what it means to be an Arizonan. A melting pot of the business community and residents, there will be hundreds of vendors, with restaurants offering samples; the Drink in AZ Beverage Garden playing host to wineries, breweries and spirits; a kids zone with crafts, games and activities for the young ones; and pro athletes from the Cards, Yotes and D-backs hosting a sports zone.
Margaret T. Hance Park, 1202 N. Third Street, Phoenix, 602-956-0909, localfirstaz.com/fall-fest, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., free admission
Night at the Museum
NOVEMBER 5
This event is the Children’s Museum of Phoenix’s biggest fundraiser of the year. In support of the museum’s Every Child Program, which provides free or reduced-rate museum access to at-risk children and their families, participate in dinner under the stars, a live auction, music from Superhero, an after party with a silent disco, and more. This event is for ages 21 and older.
Children’s Museum of Phoenix, 215 N. Seventh Street, Phoenix, 602-648-2761, bit.ly/NightatMuseum2022, 6 to 11 p.m., $500
“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”
OPENS NOVEMBER 11
With writer-director Ryan Coogler supported by an all-star cast including Angela Bassett, Letitia Wright, Winston Duke, Danai Gurira, Florence Kasumba, Lupita Nyong’o and Martin Freeman, the Marvel Cinematic Universe returns to Wakanda for the next chapter in the “Black Panther” story. After the tragic death of actor Chadwick Boseman, and that of his character King T’Challa, the story will follow the nation of Wakanda as it bands together against intervening world powers. Notably, the film introduces Namor (Tenoch Huerta Mejía) and his hidden undersea nation. Rated PG-13.
In theaters, marvel.com/movies/black-panther-wakanda-forever
Chandler Chuck Wagon Cook-off
NOVEMBER 11 AND NOVEMBER 12
Pardners of Tumbleweed Ranch and the Chandler Museum harks back to the 1880s with this Dutch oven cooking competition. Bring the whole family to The Ranch on Saturday and try a five-course, wood-fired chuck wagon meal, alongside trick roping with Cowboy Steve, a Lil’ Rustlers kids game area and more. Attendees can get a head start, too, during a Friday night sunset dinner from West Alley BBQ with appetizers and desserts from the chuck wagon teams and music from DJ Figueroa. Funds will help support Tumbleweed Ranch’s educational opportunities.
Tumbleweed Ranch, 2250 S. McQueen Road, Chandler, 480-782-2717, pardnersoftumbleweedranch.org, 6 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, $15-$45
Elton John
NOVEMBER 11 AND NOVEMBER 12
Elton John needs no introduction. The legendary singer-songwriter and famed “rocket man” is saying goodbye to touring with this massive, ongoing Farewell Yellow Brick Road run, subtitled as The Final Tour. He last visited the Valley as part of the tour in 2019, but he’s not done yet — fans will have a chance to see him for two nights at Chase Field.
Chase Field, 401 E. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, 602-514-8400, mlb.com, 8 p.m. each night, $242-$2,900
Phoenix Pizza Festival
NOVEMBER 12 AND NOVEMBER 13
Seven years in, and the pizza continues! Expanded last year to two days instead of one, the growing Downtown Phoenix festival is aiming for greatness. There will be a variety of pizzas, desserts, alcoholic beverages and more, not to mention lawn games, kids crafts, and live music to set the tone. Funds will help support Downtown Phoenix Inc., which promotes the area’s revitalization.
Margaret T. Hance Park, 1202 N. Third Street, Phoenix, 480-442-9176, phoenix.pizza, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, $16 or free for kids 5 and younger
Scottsdale Whiskey Festival
NOVEMBER 12
This Old Town festival at Wasted Grain will offer a variety of whiskeys, bourbons and Scotches. General admission tickets include 20 tastings, while VIP tickets add an extra four plus entry 30 minutes early. This event is for ages 21 and older.
Wasted Grain, 7295 E. Stetson Drive, Scottsdale, scottsdalewhiskeyfestival.weebly.com, 2:30 to 5:30 p.m., $30-$40
Water Lantern Festival
NOVEMBER 12
Buy a ticket and take the family down to Kiwanis Lake for this festival of lights on the water. Thousands of these lanterns will float down the lake as attendees put together their kits and release them, complemented with food trucks, music and other fun. And don’t worry, in the name of sustainability, the eco-friendly lanterns are made from rice paper and wood and will be cleaned up, with the LED lights reused and recycled.
Kiwanis Lake, 5203 S. Ash Avenue, Tempe, www.waterlanternfestival.com/tempe.php, 2:30 to 7 p.m., $11.99-$64.99 or free for kids 0-7
“Cinderella”
NOVEMBER 16 TO JANUARY 1
The classic from Rodgers and Hammerstein and Douglas Carter Beane is returning to the stage, but this time it’s not the same old same old. With a contemporary twist, the Phoenix Theatre Company describes it as an “enchanting fairytale … filled with stunning orchestrations, witty dialogue,” new characters and even new songs.
Phoenix Theatre Company, 1825 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, 602-254-2151, phoenixtheatre.com, various dates and times, see website for tickets
“The Menu”
OPENS NOVEMBER 18
In this satirical black comedy directed by Mark Mylod from a script by Seth Reiss and Will Tracy, Anya Taylor-Joy and Nicholas Hoult star as a couple who travel “to a coastal island to eat at an exclusive restaurant where the chef (Ralph Fiennes) has prepared a lavish menu, with some shocking surprises,” according to Searchlight Pictures. The cast also includes Hong Chau, Janet McTeer, Judith Light, Reed Birney, Paul Adelstein, Aimee Carrero, Arturo Castro, Mark St. Cyr, Rob Yang and John Leguizamo. Rated R.
“The Menu” (Eric Zachanowich/Searchlight Pictures)
In theaters, searchlightpictures.com/the-menu
The Smashing Pumpkins and Jane’s Addiction
NOVEMBER 18
The Smashing Pumpkins are back on tour, and just after the release of part one of “Atum: A Rock Opera in Three Acts” (the subsequent two installments will follow next year) that tour will bring the band to the Valley for the first time in several years. To mark the Spirits On Fire Tour, alternative rock group Jane’s Addiction will join the Pumpkins. Completing the lineup is viral sensation Poppy, who has evolved from her initial bubblegum pop to a metal- and industrial-influenced sound.
Footprint Center, 201 E. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, 602-379-7800, footprintcenter.com, 6:30 p.m., $44-$700.47
Festival of the Arts
November 19
Herberger’s annual event is back for its 13th year of community arts and fun. For one day only, this family-friendly festival features artist demos, performances including dance and live music, hands-on kids activities, a vendor market, food, a beer and wine garden, and more.
Herberger Theater Center, 222 E. Monroe Street, Phoenix, 602-254-7399 x106, herbergertheater.org/festival-of-the-arts, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., free admission
Harvest Festival
NOVEMBER 19
Summer is long gone, fall is underway and the weather is cooling. Family Fun AZ is marking the occasion with this season-appropriate event featuring hayrides, pumpkin decorating, live entertainment, bounce houses and slides, face painting, coloring contests, games, prizes and giveaways.
Arizona Boardwalk, 9500 E. Vía de Ventura, Scottsdale, familyfunaz.com, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., free admission
“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”
NOVEMBER 19 TO DECEMBER 24
You all know the story, now experience it with this show presented by Childsplay and Music Theatre International at Stage West. This show is recommended for ages 5 and older. A holiday classic featuring memorable tunes like the song of the same name and “Holly Jolly Christmas,” this family-friendly show tells the story of the reindeer who feels like he doesn’t belong as well as friends like Santa, Mrs. Claus, Hermey the Elf, Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster, Clarice and Yukon Cornelius.
Herberger Theater Center, Herberger Theater Center, 222 E. Monroe Street, Phoenix, herbergertheater.org, various dates and times, see website for tickets
“Bones and All”
OPENS NOVEMBER 23
Italian director Luca Guadagnino is following up his one-two punch of the coming-of-age romance “Call Me by Your Name” and arthouse horror flick “Suspiria” with this David Kajganich-penned adaptation of a novel by Camille DeAngelis. A subversive cannibalistic romance, it’s described by United Artists Releasing as “a liberating road odyssey of two young people coming into their own, searching for identity and chasing beauty in a perilous world that cannot abide who they are.” It stars Taylor Russell, Timothée Chalamet, Michael Stuhlbarg, André Holland, Chloë Sevigny, David Gordon Green, Jessica Harper, Jake Horowitz and Mark Rylance. Rated R.
In theaters, unitedartistsreleasing.com/bones-and-all
“The Fabelmans”
OPENS NOVEMBER 23
Filmmaking legend Steven Spielberg is getting personal with his latest, a coming-of-age story inspired by his own childhood in Arizona and described by Universal Pictures as “an exploration of the power of movies.” Co-written by playwright Tony Kushner, it stars Gabriel LaBelle as a 16-year-old aspiring filmmaker; Michelle Williams as his artsy mother; and Paul Dano as his successful, scientific father. Seth Rogen, Judd Hirsch, Jeannie Berlin, Julia Butters, Robin Bartlett and Keeley Karsten also play notable roles in the film. Rated PG-13.
In theaters, thefabelmans.movie
“Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery”
OPENS NOVEMBER 23
Three years after writer-director Rian Johnson’s “Knives Out,” streaming platform Netflix is giving the latest Benoit Blanc mystery, “Glass Onion,” a limited theatrical release. Set in Greece, it once again follows detective Blanc (played by Daniel Craig), this time with an all-star cast including Edward Norton, Janelle Monáe, Dave Bautista, Kathryn Hahn, Leslie Odom Jr., Kate Hudson, Jessica Henwick and Madelyn Cline. It hits Netflix Friday, December 23. Rated PG-13.
In theaters, netflix.com/title/8148416
Arizona International Auto Show
NOVEMBER 24 TO NOVEMBER 27
Cars, trucks, SUVs, crossovers and alternative fuel vehicles galore — it’s the Arizona International Auto Show! Downtown will become home to more than 300 new models from all sorts of popular makes, like Jaguar, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche, to name a few. Don’t leave out desirable high-end luxury varieties like Aston Martin, Ferrari, Maserati, Rolls-Royce, Bentley and Lamborghini.
Phoenix Convention Center, 100 N. Third Street, Phoenix, autoshowphoenix.com, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, $7-$11 or free for kids 12 and younger
Enchant
NOVEMBER 25 TO JANUARY 1
’Tis the season to be merry. And it’s a winter wonderland at this enchanting event, which proudly proclaims itself “the world’s largest holiday-themed light event.” The 10-acre immersive walk-thru light maze utilizes more than 4 million lights, boasts a 100-foot-tall holiday tree and incorporates an ice-skating trail. It will all be complemented by live entertainment and a village marketplace with artisan vendors, specialty crafts, treats and cocktails. Don’t forget to bring the kids to meet Santa.
Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, 7555 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, 480-270-5000, enchantchristmas.com, various dates and times, see website for tickets
Scottsdazzle
NOVEMBER 26 TO DECEMBER 31
This isn’t so much one single event as it is a month of holiday festivities including dining, shopping and more throughout Old Town Scottsdale. Participate in any of the number of scheduled events that capture the spirit of the season, or stop by a local business, gallery or restaurant. The main extravaganza kicks off with a singalong and tree-lighting ceremony before continuing with a farmers market featuring Santa, the Puzzle Rides scavenger hunts, the Gold Palette ArtWalk, dining events and whiskey and wine tastings, a live Nativity, craft workshops and more.
Old Town Scottsdale, 480-312-7177, scottsdazzle.com, various dates and times
CitySkate
NOVEMBER 28 TO JANUARY 1
The Valley may not be known for activities like ice skating, but every winter CityScape makes sure Arizonans aren’t left out of the winter fun with this popular outdoor rink, fittingly called CitySkate. Note: You’ll get $5 off if you bring your own skates.
Patriot’s Park, 11 W. Washington Street, Phoenix, cityskatephx.com, various dates and times, $13-$20 or free for kids 3 and younger
