Entertainment Calendar (7/4)

Saturday, July 5

Target Free Sizzlin' Summer Saturday: 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m., Heard Museum, 2301 N. Central Ave. Today's theme is "Watch It Grow! Hopi Butterflies & Corn," and activities will celebrate the importance of butterflies and corn to Hopi people. Kids and adults will find lots to do, and admission is free for everyone. Target Free Sizzlin' Summer Saturdays continue each Saturday in July. (602) 252-8848 or www.heard.org.

Sunday, July 6

Christian Rock's Mercyme in concert: Celebrity Theatre, 440 N. 32nd St. www.celebritytheatre.com or (602) 267-1600, ext.1. All tickets are subject to a surcharge. Upcoming shows: 9 p.m. July 11, Chippendales Ultimate Girls Night Out; 8:30 p.m. July 25, rappers Flo Rida and Rick Ross; Sept. 7, B.B. King; 8 p.m. Oct. 10, Randy Travis; Nov. 2, Travis Tritt, with Marty Stuart.

Thursday, July 10

Summer musical performance by Maureen Conlin of Happy Notes Music: 10:30-11:30 a.m., Brilliant Sky Toys and Books, Chandler Boulevard and 48th Street. Designed for children ages 2 to 7. Free and open to the public. Maureen, (602) 820-1900 or www.happynotesmusic.com.

Toby Keith's Biggest & Baddest Tour Presented by Ford F-Series with Special Guests Montgomery Gentry and 2008's Hottest New Country Talent Carter's Chord, Mica Roberts and Trailer Choir: Cricket Wireless Pavilion, 2121 N. 83rd Ave. Tickets available at the box office, www.livenation.com and all Ticketmaster outlets. A venue parking fee, applicable taxes, service and handling charges may be applied. To charge by phone, call (480) 784-4444. Show information: www.livenation.com. Upcoming: 7 p.m. July 11, Jonas Brothers ‘The Burning Up Tour' with special guest Demi Lovato. 

Friday, July 11

Men's Luxury Toy Expo & Auction: today through Sunday, University of Phoenix Stadium, 9400 W. Maryland Ave., Glendale. www.MensLuxuryToyExpo.com.

South Pacific: today through Aug. 10, Scottsdale Desert Stages Theatre, 4720 N. Scottsdale Road. (480) 483-1664 or www.desertstages.com.

Hippiefest, featuring Eric Burdon & The Animals, Jack Bruce of Cream, The Turtles featuring Flo & Eddie, Jonathan Edwards, and Badfinger featuring Joey Molland: Dodge Theatre, 400 W. Washington St. www.livenation.com. Upcoming shows:

Oliver!: through July 26, Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre, 5247 E. Brown Road, Mesa. Adult ticket prices range from $45 to $54 and include a buffet meal. Tickets for children 12 and under are $22. Show-only seats are available for $25. (480) 325-6700 or www.broadwaypalmwest.com.

Chado Ralph Rucci exhibit: through Aug. 17, Phoenix Art Museum, 1625 N. Central Ave. The exhibit features 25 exquisitely made ensembles that span renowned New York fashion designer Ralph Rucci's iconic career. www.phxart.org.

Saturday, July 12

16th Annual Made in the Shade Beer Tasting Festival: 3-7:30 p.m., Coconino County Fairgrounds (I-17, exit 337, three miles south of Flagstaff). Features tastes of more than 100 specialty and microbrewed beers, music, food, games and fun for people age 21 and over. Nonalcoholic beverages will be available. No pets. www.azbeer.com or (928) 779-1775.

Bluesman B.B. King concert in the pines: 7:30 p.m., Pine Mountain Amphitheater, Fort Tuthill County Park, Flagstaff. Tickets: $49 in advance, $55 day of show, $79 in advance for VIP reserved seating. Tickets are available at Animas Trading Co, The Rainbow's End, or by calling (866) 55-tickets. All credit card orders are subject to a surcharge. Parking is $5.

Underworlderness exhibition: through Jan. 18, Heard Museum, 2301 N. Central Ave. Navajo artist Tony Abeyta's exhibition explores the Navajo underworld, the current world and our relationship to the cosmos in a series of ink and charcoal drawings. (602) 252-8848 or www.heard.org.

Mesa Contemporary Arts Summer Exhibit Classical Illusion: today through Aug. 10, Mesa Arts Center, 1 E. Main St., Mesa. Features the work of artists Connie Imboden (photography) and Neil Bororwicz (sculpture). Exhibition contains nudity. Admission is $3.50, free for children ages 7 and under. (480) 644-6500 or www.mesaartscenter.com.

Tuesday, July 15

Summer musical performance by Maureen Conlin of Happy Notes Music: 10:30-11:30 a.m. today and Aug. 8, Borders Books and Music, Chandler Pavillions, 870 N. 54th Street, Chandler. Designed for children ages 2 to 7. Free and open to the public. Maureen, (602) 820-1900 or www.happynotesmusic.com.

Thursday, July 17

Summer musical performance by Maureen Conlin of Happy Notes Music: 10:30-11:30 a.m., Kid to Kid, 5030 E. Ray Road. Designed for children ages 2 to 7. Free and open to the public. Maureen, (602) 820-1900 or www.happynotesmusic.com.

Summer Family Night at the Museum: 5:30-7:30 p.m., Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, 7374 E. Second St. Paint, Play and Sing Along! celebrates the colorful, jazzy moods of the artwork featured in SMoCA's exhibition Pae White: "Lisa, Bright & Dark." Families will have a chance to beat the heat while exploring Pae White's magical forest of lively colors and free-floating whimsical shapes with guided tours inside the cool SMoCA galleries. Parents should have kids wear play clothes and bring towels. Tickets: $20 for a family of four ($16 for members); $4 for each additional child. Pre-registration required by July 14. (480) 874-4641.

NOW: Selections from the Ovitz Family Collection exhibition: today through Sept. 28, Arizona State University Art Museum, Tenth Street and Mill Avenue, Tempe. Featuring a group of international contemporary artists, the exhibition showcases artworks that are fresh from the artists' studios. Dating from 2006 to 2008, the works illustrate the most recent trends in contemporary art. http://asuartmuseum.asu.edu/ovitz2008.

Sunday, July 20

Australia's Nick Tiliacos and Goodnight Thomas in concert: 7 to 10 p.m., The CoffeeBuzz, 4804 E. Chandler Blvd., Suite 110. Live from Melbourne, Australia, Goodnight Thomas will play at as part of their first U.S. tour. Their vocals have been compared to Donovan and Art Garfunkel. Free and open to the public. (480) 393-3430 or www.myspace.com/goodnightthomas.

Friday, Aug. 1

Maricopa County Home & Garden Show: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. today and tomorrow, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, University of Phoenix Stadium, 1 Cardinals Drive, Glendale. Admission: $5 for adults, $2 for ages 3 to 12, free for those 2 and under. www.MaricopaCountyHomeShows.com.

Friday, Aug. 8

Valley Youth Theatre Presents Elton John and Tim Rice's Aida: today through Aug. 24, Herberger Theater Center, 222 E. Monroe St. Performances: Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 2 and 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets, $17-$33, can be ordered through the box office at (602) 252-8497 or online at www.herbergertheater.org. For more information about Valley Youth Theatre, visit www.VYT.com.

Friday, Aug. 15

Martina McBride "Waking Up Laughing Tour" with special guests Jack Ingram and Chris Young: Cricket Wireless Pavilion. Reserved tickets, $33.50-$58.50, and reserved four-pack at $120, available at the box office, www.livenation.com, Dodge Theatre box office and all Ticketmaster outlets. To charge by phone, call (480) 784-4444.

Sunday, Aug. 31

Thanks for Tuning In: The Wallace and Ladmo Show Exhibit: closes today, Mesa Historical Museum, 2345 N. Horne, Mesa. www.mesahistoricalmuseum.org.

Friday, Sept. 5

The Spirit of the Saguaro photography exhibit: today through Oct. 19, Desert Botanical Garden Ottosen Gallery, 1201 N. Galvin Parkway. The exhibit features 20 large black and white photographs from Arizona photographer Holly Metz. She will also lead a family workshop entitled "The Spirit of the Saguaro: A Mindful Photography Experience for Youth with Artist Holly Metz" on Sunday, Sept. 28, from 10 a.m. to noon. This workshop is intended for children ages 7 and up with an accompanying adult. Participants are encouraged to bring a camera. The exhibit is free with garden admission. (480) 941-1225 or www.dbg.org.

Sunday, Sept. 7

Young Jewelers and Old Traditions in New Pots: Silver Seed Pots from the Norman L. Sandfield Collection exhibits: closes today, Heard Museum, 2301 N. Central Ave. (602) 252-8848 or www.heard.org.

Tuesday, Sept. 16

The Black Crowes "Euphoria Or Bust Tour" with special guests Howlin Rain: 7:30 p.m., Mesa Arts Center, 1 E. Main St., Mesa. Tickets, $42, available at the box office, www.livenation.com or www.mesaartscenter.com. To charge by phone, call (480) 644-6500. All tickets are subject to applicable taxes, and service and handling charges. Show information: www.livenation.com.

Friday, Sept. 26

Corks & Cactus: 6:30-9:30 p.m., Desert Botanical Garden, 1201 N. Galvin Parkway. Sample more than 80 boutique wines from different regions of the world. Wines will be carefully paired with delectable hors d'oeuvres and desserts prepared by Fabulous Food Catering. The evening will also feature live entertainment as well as the opportunity to talk with representatives from different wineries and purchase wines by the bottle or case. Must be 21 or older. Tickets, $75 each, must be purchased in advance and will not be sold at the door. (480) 481-1225 or www.dbg.org.

Maricopa County Home and Landscape Show: through Sunday, Arizona State Fairgrounds, 1826 W. McDowell Road. www.MaricopaCountyHomeShows.com.

Sunday, Sept. 28

Burt Bacharach in concert: 7:30 p.m., Orpheum Theater, 203 W. Adams St. www.livenation.com.

Thursday, Oct. 2

Wilma Mankiller to speak and sign books: 7 p.m., Steele Auditorium, Heard Museum, 2301 N. Central Ave. Wilma Mankiller, Cherokee, former principal chief of the Cherokee Nation and internationally known Native rights activist, will deliver the second Simon Ortiz and Labriola Center lecture on Indigenous Land, Culture and Community at the Heard Museum. Her topic is Challenges Facing 21st Century Indigenous People. Booksigning to follow immediately after lecture. Free and open to the public. www.heard.org.

Friday, Oct. 3

ZooFari 2008: 7-11 p.m., Phoenix Zoo, 455 N. Galvin Parkway. Guests also will enjoy delicacies from the Valley's top restaurants and purveyors of fine wine and spirits. Individual tickets are $225 per person and go on sale July 7. Proceeds will be used to help build a new exhibit and night house for the Zoo's Bornean orangutans. www.phoenixzoo.org or (602) 914-4333.

Monday, Oct. 13

New Kids On The Block with special guest Natasha Bedingfield: 8 p.m., Jobing.com Arena, 9400 W. Maryland Ave., Glendale. www.livenation.com. Upcoming: Nov. 26, Coldplay, "Viva La Vida" North American Tour.

Friday, Oct. 24

The Great Pumpkin Festival: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. today through Sunday, Desert Botanical Garden, 1201 N. Galvin Parkway. Visit the garden's very own pumpkin patch, where each day the first 1,000 children (ages 12 and under) can pick their own free pumpkin. Hayrides out to the pumpkin patch are available for $1, with paid garden admission. Children can enjoy face painting, the Amazing Bale Maze, balloon artistry, pumpkin decorating and carving demonstrations and much more. There will be a baked goods market by Fabulous Food and a Fall Harvest Market, where visitors can purchase fresh produce such as unique pumpkins, gourds and chili ristras. (480) 481-1225 or www.dbg.org.

Friday, Nov. 28

Las Noches de las Luminarias: 5:30-9:30 p.m. today through Sunday, Dec. 4-7, 11-14, 16-23, Desert Botanical Garden, 1201 N. Galvin Parkway. Thousands of hand-lit luminarias will light the Garden's paths, and there will be a wide variety of entertainment, delicious cuisine prepared by Fabulous Food Catering, exquisite wines to sample, and warm cocoa or cider. Shop for distinctive holiday gifts in the Garden's gift and plant shops. Tickets on sale in Sept. www.dbg.org or (480) 481-481-8188.

Saturday, Dec. 6

Festival of the Wise: today and tomorrow, Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, 7380 E. Second St. www.festivalofthewise.com.

Send submissions to: (480) 898-7924 or jwalker@ahwatukee.com.