Kellie Hwang, Ed Masley, Kerry Lengel, Wendy Killeen, and Randy Cordova

You won't want to miss any of these concerts, festivals and other events in the weeks and months ahead in metro Phoenix. You can even start planning your summer - including where to go to have fun away from the heat! Want to check out even more events?

MORE EVENTS:Best things to do in Phoenix this week | 111 fall festivals around Phoenix | Top events for kids this week | Latest concert announcements

9/1-3: Jen Kirkman

Kirkman, who is the author of the New York Times bestseller “I Can Barely Take Care of Myself” also stars in a Netflix original comedy special “I’m Gonna Die Alone (And I Feel Fine).” Kirkman is also a regular on numerous late night shows like “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” and her weekly podcast “I Seem Fun: The Diary of Jen Kirkman” is typically in the top 100 on iTunes.

Details: September 1-3. 7:30 p.m. Thursday; 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Friday; 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday. Stand Up Scottsdale, 5101 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. $10 and $15. 480-882-0730, standupscottsdale.com.

9/2: First Friday

Experience the cool indie vibe of downtown Phoenix at this popular monthly art walk. More than 70 galleries participate with special exhibits, bands, DJs and food and drinks. The bars and restaurants near the arts venues are packed, and many, including the intimate Lost Leaf Bar & Gallery, hip Carly’s Bistro and funky Third Space, display works by local artists and feature live music. Roosevelt Row is the general hot spot, and there is a free trolley that takes visitors around to the different neighborhoods including Grand Avenue and the major museums just north of downtown.

Details: 6-10 p.m. the first Friday of the month; hours vary by location. Downtown Phoenix along Roosevelt Street and Grand Avenue. Five shuttle stops available at Phoenix Art Museum, Heard Museum, Oasis on Grand, CityScape and Arizona Center. Free. 602-256-7539, artlinkphoenix.com.

9/2-5: Saboten Con

The ninth annual Saboten Con is the largest anime convention in Arizona, with about 28,000 attendees in 2015, according to their website. Attendees can enter cosplay contests, buy anime and manga merchandise in the vendor hall or choose from over 100 panels. Saboten has 18 special guests, including Los Angeles-based anime and video-game voice actor Kyle Hebert who is known for Wreck it Ralph/Street Fighter, Naruto and Bleach. All ages are welcome.



Details: Friday-Monday, Sept. 2-5. Registration starts at 10 a.m.; pre-registration is Thursday, Sept. 1, 7-10 p.m. Sheraton Downtown Phoenix hotel, 340 N. Third Street, Phoenix. $50 for full event membership; $15-25 daily memberships. 480-428-2776, sabotencon.com.

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9/3: Phoenix Cooks!

On Sept. 3, some of the Valley’s best chefs will convene to share a variety of tasty ingredients combined into delicious dishes. Described as a “food-lover’s paradise,” Phoenix Cooks! is the largest annual food event in the Phoenix area. Now in its 12th year, Phoenix Cooks! benefits Banner Children’s Hospital.

Details: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 3. Westin Kierland, 6902 E. Greenway Pkwy., Scottsdale. $60-$100. 480-624-1000, phoenixcooks.com.

Through 9/3: Flashlight Tours at Desert Botanical Garden

Bring a flashlight and enjoy an evening of exploring the Desert Botanical Garden in the dark. Flashlight tours allow participants to experience the sounds, sights and sensations of the desert night. The self-paced stroll is ideal for families and kids of all ages, and includes a variety of discovery stations.

Details: 7-10 p.m. Thursdays and Saturdays through Sept. 3. Desert Botanical Garden, 1201 N. Galvin Pkwy., Phoenix. Free with paid admission. 480-941-1225, dbg.org.

Through 9/5: World of Giant Insects

A giant desert locust, a Chinese praying mantis and a squishy lime swallowtail caterpillar up to 120 times larger than life will be on display at the Arizona Science Center as part of “The World of Giant Insects” exhibition. The show comes from Kokoro Exhibits in L.A., known for its animatronic dinosaurs and giant creepy crawlies in realistic environments. The show was designed with entomologists for scientific accuracy.

Details: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily Saturday, May 28 through Monday, Sept. 5. 600 E. Washington St., Phoenix. $24; $19 for ages 3-17; free for age 2 or younger; $4 for members. 602-716-2000, azscience.org.

9/6: Drake

Since topping the rap charts with his triple-platinum breakthrough single, "Best I Ever Had," Aubrey Drake Graham has sent five titles to the top of Billboard's album chart — including the quadruple-platinum "Take Care" and two mixtapes in 2015, "If You're Reading This It's Too Late" and "What a Time to Be Alive," his collaboration with Future. That he's done it with some of the most intriguing mainstream rap songs of the new millennium only makes it that much better. Hits include "Forever," "Find Your Love," "Make Me Proud," "Take Care," "Started From the Bottom," "Hold On, We're Going Home" and last year's five-times-platinum "Hotline Bling," the song that launched a million remixes. He's joined by Future.

Details: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 6. Talking Stick Resort Arena, Second and Jefferson streets, Phoenix. $44.75-$144.75. ticketmaster.com.

9/8: Red Green Tour

Canadian-born comedian Steve Smith, aka Red Green, will perform in Phoenix as part of his “I’m not old – I’m ripe” tour. Green will have audiences laughing during the show, which will focus on his life, as well as a few side trips. Green is known for his classic sayings, including “Remember you may have to grow old, but you don’t have to mature,” as well as his thoughts about how duct tape can fix anything.

Details: 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 8. Celebrity Theatre, 440 N. 32nd St., Phoenix. $53.50. 602-267-1600, celebritytheatre.com.

9/9: Messy Fest

Get your hands dirty, release your inner kid, and support a good cause at Schnepf Farms this September. Food fights, a mashed-potato tug-of-war, mud pit and large-scale finger painting are all on the docket at Messy Fest. The event will also offer food for consumption and not just throwing, as well as games for the whole family and a “human car wash” zone to clean up. Proceeds will go to benefit a local children’s charity.

Details: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9. Schnepf Farms, 24610 South Rittenhouse Rd., Queen Creek. $5-$20. 480-987-3100, schnepffarms.com.

9/10: 5 Seconds of Summer

The hottest teen sensations since One Direction, for whom they opened a 2014 tour, the Australian heartthrobs topped the U.S. charts with a self-titled album of spirited pop-punk songs that same year. Their hits include "She Looks So Perfect," "Amnesia," "Kiss Me Kiss Me," "Everything I Didn't Say," "Good Girls" and "She's Kinda Hot." In their second cover story on the boys, Billboard noted, “5SOS is an anomaly in 2015: a Generation Z guitar band that sells records." Alternative Press and Kerrang! both raved about their latest album, which doesn't happen often to artists featured as often in Tiger Beat and Bop as they've been.

Details: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10. Ak-Chin Pavilion, 2121 N. 83rd Ave., Phoenix. $25-$79.95. 800-745-3000, ticketmaster.com.

9/10: Teddy Bear Day

Celebrate National Teddy Bear Day during the 12th Annual Teddy Bear Day event in Glendale. Fans of the furry friends will enjoy a fun-filled day of make-and-take arts and crafts and exclusive deals. Start the day at the Glendale Visitor Center and pick up a map that will guide guests to boutique stores, shops and downtown restaurants for special offers and discounts. Life-sizes teddy mascot Al the Bear will stop by as well for photos.

Details: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, September 10. Glendale Visitor Center, 5800 W. Glenn Drive, Suite 140, Glendale. 877-800-2601, visitglendale.com.

9/10: Urban Ale Trail

Explore Phoenix through tasty craft-beer samples. The Urban Ale Trail, hosted by Downtown Phoenix Inc., is a self-guided tour featuring nearly 20 destinations, including the Duce, Arrogant Butcher, First Draft Book Bar, Copper Blues and DeSoto Central Market. At each stop, participants can pick from three types of beer, each $1 to $2 for a four-ounce sample, each paired with a complimentary snack. The first 300 to arrive at District American Kitchen and Wine Bar will receive a commemorative growler.

Details: 1-6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10. At venues throughout downtown and midtown Phoenix. dtphx.org/things-to-do/aletrail.

9/13: Arizona Cardinals/NFL Punt, Pass & Kick Competition

The national skills competition for boys and girls features four separate age divisions competing in punting, passing and placekicking in a fun and exciting way. The free program is designed for kids and teens ages 6-15. Scores are based on distance and accuracy, and winners from the local competition will advance to the sectional competition in November.

Details: 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 13. Foothills Sports Complex, Fields 1 and 2, 57th Ave., north of Union Hills Drive, Glendale. Free. 623-930-2841, glendaleaz.com/parksandrecreation.

9/13: Counting Crows and Rob Thomas

Hailed by NPR as “one of the most popular and easily identifiable rock groups in America,” Counting Crows will be performing hits from their complete discography spanning two decades Their first album, "August and Everything After," went seven-times-platinum, mostly on the strength of "Mr. Jones," a Top 5 entry on the Billboard Hot 100 that remains their biggest hit. Other hits include "Round Here," "A Long December" and "Hanginaround." Thomas is hitting the road in continued support of “The Great Unknown.” In reviewing the album, Rolling Stone praised Thomas as “the same consummate pop-rock craftsman who has been making it all sound so smooth for years." Thomas launched his career as the voice of Matchbox Twenty, whose hits include "Push," "3AM," "If You're Gone," "Bent" and "How Far We've Come." He also collaborated with Santana on the triple-platinum, Grammy-winning "Smooth," which topped the Hot 100 for 12 consecutive weeks and spent 58 weeks on the chart.

Details: 6:45 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 13. Ak-Chin Pavilion, 2121 N. 83rd Ave., Phoenix. $26-$80.50. 800-745-3000, ticketmaster.com.

9/14: Daryl Hall & John Oates

Hall & Oates were blue-eyed soul's dynamic duo, breaking through with the back-to-back hits "Sara Smile" and "She's Gone" in 1976. They made their first appearance at the top of Billboard's Hot 100 the following year with "Rich Girl" and rule the early '80s pop scene with a string of massive hit singles, including the chart-topping "Kiss on My List," "Private Eyes," "I Can't Go For That (No Can Do)," "Maneater" and "Out of Touch." They're joined by truly special guests Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings and Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue.

Detail: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 14. Ak-Chin Pavilion, 2121 N. 83rd Ave., Phoenix. $25-$125. 800-745-3000, ticketmaster.com.

9/15: The Monkees

Assembled in Los Angeles in 1965, the Monkees—the quartet of Micky Dolenz, Michael Nesmith, Peter Tork, and the late Davy Jones—brought a unique mix of pop, rock, psychedelica, Broadway, and country to their music. Now, Dolenz and Tork carry on the quartet’s tradition with an evening of music and a multi-media experience that includes clips from their television show. The performance features old classics plus an acoustic set and solo spots for the singers.

Details: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, September 15. Mesa Arts Center, 1 E. Main St., Mesa. $37-$100. 480-644-6500, mesaartscenter.com.

9/16: Rock the Guac

On National Guacamole Day, the organizers of the Arizona Taco Festival will do it up with an event dedicated to the delectable dip. Top Valley chefs, including Bernie Kantak of the Gladly and Citizen Public House, Anthony Serrano of El Palacio Cantina, and Mel Mecinas from Talavera, will duke it out for the title of Top Guac. Tickets include unlimited samples of guacamole, and two drink tickets for Patron margaritas or Corona beers. Guests will be entertained with live music and are encouraged to wear rock-music-inspired outfits. Proceeds benefit the Epilepsy Foundation of Arizona.

Details: 6-9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16. Hotel Valley Ho, 6850 E. Main St., Phoenix. $40. Tickets available online only. universe.com/rocktheguac.

9/16-25: Arizona Restaurant Week

Dozens of popular restaurants in metro Phoenix will offer three-course tasting menus at a discount for this twice-a-year event highlighting the creative chefs and diverse tastes the local dining scene has to offer. So if you’ve been dying to try the “improvisational cuisine” of Posh in Scottsdale or the exquisite small plates at Nobuo at Teeter House in Phoenix, now’s your chance. Reservations are strongly recommended. Check online for participating restaurants, menus, hours and options.

Details: Sept. 16-25. $33 or $44. arizonarestaurantweek.com.

9/16-17: Mad Decent Block Party

The Mad Decent Block Party is coming back to Arizona, and this time, it's for two days. The EDM festival was created by Grammy Award-winning producer Diplo, and takes place Sept. 16-17 at Rawhide in Chandler. The event is limited to attendees who are 18 years and older. While the line-up hasn't been announced, attendees can expect acts from Diplo's record label, Mad Decent.

Details: Friday and Saturday, Sept. 16-17. Rawhide Western Town, 5700 W. North Loop, Chandler. General admission is $53 for single day, $99 for two-day. VIP is $93 for single day, $199 for two-day. maddecentaz.com, maddecentblockparty.com.

9/16-18: Junk in the Trunk Vintage Market

Fans of vintage, handmade and rusty items are sure to enjoy Junk in the Trunk Vintage Market at WestWorld of Scottsdale. Over 170 handpicked vendors from Arizona will be on hand selling their creative wares. From vintage dresses and unique furniture to handmade jewelry and treasures for the garden, the event has something for everyone.

Details: Sept. 16-18. 5-9 p.m. Friday; 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. WestWorld of Scottsdale, 16601 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale. Ticket prices TBA, check website for details. Parking is $5 per vehicle. junkinthetrunkvintagemarket.com.

9/16: Demi Lovato and Nick Jonas

Lovato, the “X Factor” judge who hit the mainstream as the female lead in Disney’s Jonas Brothers movie, “Camp Rock,” is bringing a string of giant pop hits to the table, including nine platinum singles, two of which went triple-platinum (“Give Your Heart a Break” and “Heart Attack”). Nick has been the Jonas most likely from the day he and his brothers signed a major-label deal (although Joe may have been the most crush-worthy to younger Jonas Brothers fans). The point is Nick is solo now, touring an album called “Nick Jonas,” which has spawned two major pop hits.

Details: Friday, Sept. 16. Talking Stick Resort Arena, Second and Jefferson streets, Phoenix. $25.20-$85.20. ticketmaster.com.

9/17: Rockin’ Taco Street Fest

Celebrate all things taco at this fifth annual event, moving to downtown Chandler for the first time. Festivalgoers can nosh on tasty Mexican eats from places such as El Palacio, International Truck of Tacos and Modern Margarita. Live music will be provided by Tommy Price & The Stilettos, Santana Tribute Band, the Black Moods and more. Additional entertainment includes lucha libre wrestling, taco-eating and salsa competitions, and chihuahua races.

Details: Noon-9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17. Dr. A.J. Chandler Park, 3 S. Arizona Ave., Chandler. $8 for general admission, $65 for VIP. 602-276-2499, rockintacoaz.com.

9/17: Gloria Steinem

The well-known activist and number one New York Times bestselling author will present her memoir, “My Life on the Road,” in a conversation with Adriene Jenik, director of the Herberger Institute School of Art at ASU. In her book, Steinem writes about spending time on the campaign trail, organizing movements from the ground-up in America, the social activism that she saw in India, and other memories of her travels.

Details: 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17. Orpheum Theatre, 203 W. Adams St., Phoenix. $24-$38, includes signed book and admission. changinghands.com.

9/17: Gilbert Constitution Fair

America celebrates its birthday on July Fourth, but the U.S. Constitution was created on Sept. 17, 1787, a turning point celebrated at this annual event that’s all about patriotism and civic awareness. It has military displays, plane flyovers, fireworks, food vendors and live music including the East Valley Millennial Choirs & Orchestra.

Details: 6-9:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17. Gilbert Town Square Civic Center, 50 E. Civic Center Drive. $5 per person; $15 per family. 602-369-6116, constitutionweekusa.com.

9/21: Black Sabbath

Phoenix is hosting what could be the last Black Sabbath concert ever, the final date of the aptly titled End Tour. Inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006, Black Sabbath are often credited with giving birth to heavy metal with their classic 1970 debut and the quadruple-platinum followup, “Paranoid.” MTV once declared them the greatest metal band of all time, which seems about right (unless you call Led Zeppelin metal). Founding drummer Bill Ward left the fold in 2012, saying he wouldn’t return until he was given a “signable contract.” But Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler carried on, releasing “13” in 2013, and embarking on a world tour.

Detail: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 21. Ak-Chin Pavilion, 2121 N. 83rd Ave., Phoenix. $30-$150. 800-745-3000, ticketmaster.com.

9/22: Sipping Sunshine: A Tasting Event with Arizona Beers

The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com is launching XAZ: Explore Arizona with this tasting, which is open to the public. Taste exclusive beers from the brewers at O.H.S.O., created with the adventurer in mind. Tickets also include food and entertainment. Joining XAZ is free, sign up to get get newsletters, invites to events, deals and Arizona stories.

Details: 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 22. O.H.S.O. Eatery + Brewery, 10810 N. Tatum Blvd., Phoenix. $30. tickets.azcentral.com/e/sipping-sunshine.

9/22: 2016 Kellogg’s Tour of Gymnastics Champions

Fans of gymnastics can see Olympic All-Around Champions Gabrielle Douglas and Nastia Liukin, along with members of the 2012 and 2016 U.S. Olympic Gymnastics Teams at the Kellogg’s Tour of Gymnastics Champions in September. Billed as “gymnastics like you have never seen it before!” the event is expected to feature local gymnasts as well as champions.

Details: 7 p.m. Thursday, September 22. Gila River Arena, 9400 W. Maryland Ave., Glendale. $35-$299. 800-745-3000, gilariverarena.com.

9/22-24: Thunder From Down Under

Some of Australia’s hottest blokes will delight audiences with a new revue that features dynamic dance routines and “barely-there” costumes. The famous Las Vegas act that makes for a fun ladies’ night out will perform at Talking Stick Resort in Scottsdale.

Details: September 22-24. 8 p.m. Thursday; 5 and 8 p.m. Friday; 5 and 8 p.m. Saturday. Talking Stick Resort, 9800 E. Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale. $25-$799. 480-850-7734, talkingstickresort.com.

9/22-25: John Heffron

Winner of the second season of NBC’s reality competition “Last Comic Standing,” the energetic John Heffron will perform at Stand Up Live. Audiences can relate to his honest and hilarious wisdom as well as his stories about childhood through his life as a married father. Heffron has appeared on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” HBO, A&E and on his own podcast “The State I’m In.”

Details: Sept. 22-25. 8 p.m. Thursday; 7:30 and 10 p.m. Friday; 7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday; 7 p.m. Sunday. Stand Up Live, 50 W. Jefferson St., Phoenix. $20. 480-719-6100, standuplive.com.

9/23-24: Chocolate and Art Show

Indulge in chocolate samples and works from local artists. The event will feature a wide array of pieces from different disciplines, as well as live portraits, body painting, music an, of course, chocolate.

Details: 8 p.m.-2 a.m. Friday-Saturday, Sept. 23-24. The MonOrchid, 214 E. Roosevelt St., Phoenix. $5 before Sept. 8. $15 from Sept. 8 through event. 602-253-0339, chocolateandartshowphoenix2016.eventbrite.com.

9/23-25: Slide Across America

Sunny summer days call for plenty of time cooling off by a pool or some large body of water. Fortunately, the world’s largest traveling water park is coming to Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. You’ll find over 40 water slides and attractions, including three, 40-foot tall mega-slides, zip lines, bungee trampolines, rock walls and lots of local food trucks and vendors. This year the weekend-long event will offer four sessions.

Details: Sept. 23-25. 5 p.m.-10 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m.-3 p.m. and 5 p.m.-10 p.m. Saturday. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday. Salt River Fields, 7555 N. Pima Rd., Scottsdale. $20-$80. 480-270-5000, www.slideacrossamerica.com.

9/24: Slide the City in Fountain Hills

The slip-and-slide water party event of the year is coming to Fountain Hills when Slide the City hits town. Boasting a slick vinyl slide that measures 1,000 feet long, there'll be live music, food, drinks and loads of people zooming by on tubes. Bring your pool accessories, water guns and water balloons, because getting wet is the name of the game.

Details: Saturday, Sept 24. 15889 E. Palisades Blvd., Fountain Hills. $12-$75. 801-575-8073, slidethecity.com.

9/24: Sriracha Festival

The inaugural spicy event pays homage to the popular chile sauce. Taste a variety of dishes and desserts featuring sriracha sauce, and watch chefs and bartenders compete to create the best sriracha recipes. The festival also features vendors, a game area and sriracha relay. This event is 21 and older.

Details: 6-11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24. Heritage Square, 113 N. Sixth St., Phoenix. $35-$55 for designated-driver ticket, $50-$70 for general admission, $75-$110 for VIP. srirachafestival.net.

9/24-25: Keen Halloween

Keen Halloween is a dream come true for people who love to dress up for the trick-or-treat holiday. The two-day, family-oriented celebration provides workshops that teach attendees how to make their own unique costumes, decorations and props. Since 2012, Halloween enthusiasts Daniel and Dawna Davis have hosted the event in hopes of delivering a haven for fans of horror-based conventions looking for an event that is as ghoulish as it is kid-friendly.

Details: Sept. 24-25. 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. Phoenix Convention Center, 100 N. 3rd St., Phoenix. $15-$25. 602-635-4306, keenhalloween.com.

9/24: Brazilian Day Arizona Festival

Presented by Afro:Baile, in partnership with the Center, the seventh annual Brazilian Day Arizona Festival is the largest, most authentic Brazilian Independence Day event in the Valley. The all-ages event is a great opportunity for the whole family to come and experience a variety of Brazilian culture, including live bands, dancers, performers, DJs, martial arts, food and drinks and more.

Details: 2-10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24. Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, 7380 E. 2nd Street, Scottsdale. $15 ages 12 and up, $7 ages 3-11, free for age 2 and younger. 480-499-8587, braziliandayarizona.com.

9/24: Arizona Storytellers Project: Outdoor Adventures (Grand Canyon)

Join The Republic for stories of adventures in the outdoors as we host a show on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. The night will be in Grand Canyon National Park as part of the National Park System's Centennial celebration. We'll hear about life at one of the most-visited parks in the country from rangers, scientists and Republic staffers. Admission is storytelling is free. Just register to tell us you're coming. Admission to Grand Canyon National Park is free in honor of National Public Lands Day.

Details: 6 p.m. check-in, stories 7-8:30 p.m. Saturday, September 24. Shrine of the Ages, Grand Canyon Village. Free admission to the park; free admission to Storytellers event by registering. 602-444-8770, tickets.azcentral.com.

9/24: Blink 182

Pop-punk icons Blink-182 are bringing their first tour without guitarist Tom DeLonge to Phoenix for a Saturday, Sept. 24, appearance at Ak-Chin Pavilion with support from A Day to Remember and All Time Low.

By then, they’ll have released their seventh album, “California,” which is due to hit the streets July 1. It’s their first album with DeLonge’s replacement, Matt Skiba of Alkaline Trio, on guitar and vocal. Skiba’s first appearance with the band, last March, was hailed in OC Weekly as “the best they’ve sounded in over a decade.”

Blink-182 announced that they were moving on without DeLonge early last year in response to him saying he wanted to take an indefinite leave of absence.

Details: Saturday, Sept. 24. Ak-Chin Pavilion, Ak-Chin Pavilion, 2121 N. 83rd Ave., Phoenix. $25-$75. www.livenation.com.

9/24: Fiesta Peoria

There’s something for every member of the family at this festival celebrating Latin American culture. Fiesta Peoria will feature a variety of acts, including Ozomatli, with more bands to be announced. The event also includes food, arts and crafts vendors, beer and margaritas, carnival rides, a water zone, a rock-climbing wall and more.

Details: 2-10:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24. $5 before 5 p.m., $10 after; kids age 12 and under free. Peoria Sports Complex, 16101 N. 83rd. Ave. 623-773-7133, fiestapeoria.com.

9/28-10/1: Arabian National Breeder Finals

The majesty and beauty of the Arabian horse will be on full display at the Arabian National Breeder Finals in Scottsdale. Hosted by the Arabian Horse Association of Arizona, the event will showcase the beloved breed that is renowned for its striking features and “floating trot.” Prize money will be on the line as equestrian community mingles among the gathering of horse enthusiasts.

Details: 1 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday, Sept. 28 to Oct. 1. WestWorld of Scottsdale, 16601 N. Pima Rd., Scottsdale. 480-515-1500, www.scottsdaleshow.com.

9/30: Alice in Chains

In their mid-’90s prime, these Seattle alternative-metal icons rode the grunge wave to the top of Billboard’s album chart with a triple-platinum 1994 EP called “Jar of Flies” (which spawned their first chart-topping mainstream-rock hit, “No Excuses”) and a self-titled album the following year that sent three singles to the mainstream-rock Top 10. But after hitting No. 3 with 1996’s “MTV Unplugged,” they fell on hard times as Layne Staley struggled with the drug addiction that would claim his life in 2002. Primary songwriter Jerry Cantrell, founding drummer Sean Kinney and bassist Mike Inez, who joined in 1993, got back together three years after Staley’s death with a new singer, William DuVall. Since then, they’ve sent four singles to the top of Billboard’s mainstream-rock chart — “Check My Brain,” “Your Decision,” “Hollow” and “Stone.” Their latest album, “The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here,” debuted at No. 2 on Billboard’s album chart while earning a rave from No Ripcord, whose writer weighed in with “ ‘The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here’ is up there with the best Alice in Chains albums, with each track a conquest of structure and composition.”

Details: 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 30. The Pool at Talking Stick Resort, 9800 E. Indian Bend Road, Scottsdale. 480- 850-7734, talkingstickresort.com.

10/1: Tequila, Taco and Cerveza Fest

This “wildly infamous” event, as it’s billed on its Facebook event page, was designed to showcase diverse Mexican beers, worldwide tequilas and local taco recipes. Ten .25-ounce tequila samples in a branded #TTCFest shot glass are included with admission. And there’s more to do than eat and drink. They’ll also have live music, DJs, mariachis, water pong, cornhole games, Chihuahua racing, Tequila Olympics, an El Jefe Taco Champ vote, margaritas (which, admittedly, is just more drinking), Mexican candies and more.

Details: 2-8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1. Rawhide Western Town and Event Center, 5700 W. North Loop Road, Chandler. $30-$40. tequilatacocervezafest.com.

10/1: Tukee Fest Rockin' in the Park

Spend an evening in the park while enjoying a live performance by Swain’s World, whose set ranges from classic rock to 80's New Wave, Motown, funk, dance music, blues and just a touch of country. There’s also a pie-eating contest and a kids’ area with bouncy houses and a rock wall.

Details: 5-9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1. Ahwatukee Park, 4700 E. Warner Road, Phoenix. $5 adult admission. ahwatukeehoa.com.

10/1: Tour de Fat

New Belgium Brewery celebrates fat tires (both bikes and beer) in this festive bicycle parade through downtown Tempe. Riders start the day with a bike parade, then gather at Tempe Beach Park for live music, a fashion showdown, a game show and other performances, and of course, plenty of New Belgium beers. This year, Dr. Dog will headline the festival. Proceeds benefit local biking charities.

Details: 11 a.m.- 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1. Tempe Beach Park, Mill Avenue and Rio Salado Parkway. $10. 480-350-4311, newbelgium.com/events/tour-de-fat/tempe2016.

10/1-2: Arizona Dragon Boat Festival

The 13th Annual Arizona Dragon Boat Festival will celebrate Asian culture in Tempe with two days of dragon boat races, vendor and food booths and performances by martial artists, musicians and dancers. The beautifully decorated dragon boats are manned by teams of up to 20 paddlers. One team member pounds a drum to keep the paddlers’ oars in sync; the drum represents the heart of the dragon.

Details: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 1-2. Tempe Town Lake Marina, north side, 80 W. Rio Salado Pkwy., Tempe. Free for spectators. azdba.com.

10/1: C.A.L.L.E. de Arizona Mariachi & Folklorico Festival

This year’s event will feature the 12-piece band Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano, one of the biggest names in Mariachi. Arrive at 5 p.m. for a pre-show art exhibit and silent auction. The Deshilado art form (fine needlework) and the making of rebozos (Mexican scarves), will be demonstrated and models will show the ways you can wear them. Proceeds will help fund scholarships for students pursuing a college education.

Details: 7-9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1. $25 starting ticket price. Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler. 480-782-2680, calle-az.org.

10/2: Oddball Comedy Fest

The “Show of the Century” is coming to town with Funny or Die’s Oddball Comedy and Curiosity Festival. The lineup varies by city, but each night features a murderers’ row of comedians. When the tour hits Ak-Chin Pavilion in Phoenix, funny folks Dane Cook, Sebastian Maniscalco, Jim Jefferies, Jeff Ross, Tom Segura, Iliza Shlesinger, Kumail Nanjiani, Bridget Everett, Matthew Broussard, and Big Jay Oakerson will take the stage.

Details: 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 2. Ak-Chin Pavilion, 2121 N. 83rd Ave., Phoenix. $29.95-$125. 602-254-7200, concerts.livenation.com.

10/4, 18: MAC Fest

From jewelry to candles, Mesa's Arts & Crafts Festival offers a variety of artist creations. Lining the streets of downtown Mesa, the family-friendly festival will also feature live music. The MAC Fest will be held on the first and third Saturdays of each month.

Details: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays, Oct. 4 and 18; Nov. 1 and 15; Dec. 6 and 20. Downtown Mesa, N. MacDonald Street between West Main Street and West Pepper Place. Free. 480-981-2122, macfestmesa.com.

10/5: Mumford & Sons

Having made the American mainstream safe for banjo-playing, post-millennial U.K. folk-revival songs with a breathtaking version of “The Cave” at the Grammys in early 2011, Mumford & Sons went on to the Billboard album charts in 2012 with “Babel,” a double-platinum smash that spawned their highest-charting U.S. hit to date, “I Will Wait," and picked up the Grammys' Album of the Year award. Their latest album, "Wilder Mind," also topped the album charts in 2015 while spinning off the rock-radio hits "Believe," "The Wolf," "Ditmas" and "Tompkins Square Park."

Details: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 5. Ak-Chin Pavilion, 2121 N. 83rd Ave., Phoenix. $29.50-$59.50. 602-254-7200, livenation.com.

10/6-8: Pauly Shore

The comedian will perform his entertaining stand-up act at Tempe Improv. Shore is well known for his attention-grabbing talents, his “Totally Pauly” show on MTV and for his roles in movies like “Encino Man” and “Son-In-Law.” Shore has written, produced, directed and starred in many of his own projects, including “Adopted,” and “Natural Born Comics.”

Details: October 6-8. 8 p.m. Thursday; 7:30 and 10 p.m. Friday; 7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday. Tempe Improv, 930 E. University Drive, Tempe. $22. 480-921-9877, tempeimprov.com.

10/7: Florida Georgia Line

Last seen rocking Country Thunder, the duo who gave the world "Cruise" will cruise into Phoenix with opening sets by Cole Swindell, the Cadillac Three and Kane Brown. A twangy tribute to a girl who has the singer thinking, "Oh, good lord, she had them long tanned legs!," their 10-times-platinum breakthrough single "Cruise" took Florida Georgia Line to No. 1 on Billboard's country chart. It's now the fastest-selling single by a country duo in digital history, inspiring a remix with rapping by Nelly. Three subsequent singles topped the country charts while going multi-platinum -- the platinum "Stay," the Luke Bryan-assisted "This is How We Roll" and "Dirt." And they returned to No. 1 with this year's "H.O.L.Y.," the lead single from their latest album, "Dig Your Roots."

Details: 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 7. Ak-Chin Pavilion, 2121 N. 83rd Ave., Phoenix. $30.25-$79.50. 602-254-7200, livenation.com.

10/7: First Friday

Experience the cool indie vibe of downtown Phoenix at this popular monthly art walk. More than 70 galleries participate with special exhibits, bands, DJs and food and drinks. The bars and restaurants near the arts venues are packed, and many, including the intimate Lost Leaf Bar & Gallery, hip Carly’s Bistro and funky Third Space, display works by local artists and feature live music. Roosevelt Row is the general hot spot, and there is a free trolley that takes visitors around to the different neighborhoods including Grand Avenue and the major museums just north of downtown.

Details: 6-10 p.m. the first Friday of the month; hours vary by location. Downtown Phoenix along Roosevelt Street and Grand Avenue. Five shuttle stops available at Phoenix Art Museum, Heard Museum, Oasis on Grand, CityScape and Arizona Center. Free. 602-256-7539, artlinkphoenix.com.

10/8: Music Icon: John Lennon

For the second year in a row, the Musical Instrument Museum commemorates John Lennon’s legacy of love and peace with their Music Icon signature event. Included with paid museum admission, the event will feature a film screening, trivia quiz and gallery talk honoring the legendary Beatles alum.

Details: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8. Musical Instrument Museum, 4725 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix. Included with admission ($20). 480-478-6000, mim.org/exhibits/signature-events/musical-icon-john-lennon-2.

10/8: Big & Rich

Big Kenny and John Rich went triple-platinum with their first album, "Horse of a Different Color," and topped the country singles chart with 2007's "Lost in This Moment." Other hits include "Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)," "That’s Why I Pray” and “Look at You,” the first single released from their latest album, “Gravity.”

Details: 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8. Veterans Memorial Coliseum, 19th Avenue and McDowell Road, Phoenix. General admission free; reserved seats $20. 602-252-6771, azstatefair.com.

10/9: ZZ Top

The Texas rockers took their place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004 on the strength of a career that evolved from the gutbucket blues-rocking swagger of "La Grange" and "Tush" to the synthesized polish of their '80s MTV hits ("Gimme All Your Lovin'," "Legs," etc). As the rock-hall website sizes up their legacy: "For many, ZZ Top have been the premiere party band on the planet. Certainly, they have been Texas' foremost cultural ambassadors."

Details: 8 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 9. The Pool at Talking Stick Resort, 9800 E. Indian Bend Road, Scottsdale. $25-$125. 480- 850-7734, talkingstickresort.com.

10/11: Schoolboy Q

Schoolboy Q is set to bring his Blank Face World Tour to Mesa Amphitheatre with Joey Badass opening. The tour takes its name from the West Coast rapper’s long-awaited followup to “Oxymoron.” “Blank Face” features guest appearances by Kanye West, Vince Staples, Jadakiss, E-40, Tha Dogg Pound, Anderson Paak, Miguel and Justine Skye. The alternative hip-hop heavyweight was Kendrick Lamar's main support at Mesa Amphitheatre in 2013, commanded the stage like a natural headliner on such highlights "iBETiGOTSUMWEED," "Nightmare on Figg St.," a soulful "How We Feeling," "Collard Greens" and "Yay Yay."

Details: 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 11. Mesa Amphitheatre, 263 North Center St., Mesa. $50. 480-644-2560, mesaamp.com.

10/12: Cheap Trick

“At Budokan” was Cheap Trick’s moment in the rising sun — Midwestern rockers captured live invading Tokyo, where the Japanese girls were responding to power-pop gems as infectious as “Surrender,” “I Want You to Want Me” and “Clock Strikes Ten” with the kind of enthusiasm Americans wouldn’t show until that album brought the mania back home. But there was always more to Cheap Trick’s story than “At Budokan” — from the power-pop classics that drove all those Japanese girls to go wild in the first place through the more ambitious chamber-pop of “Dream Police” and "Voices" to such oft-forgotten ’80s gems as “Everything Works if You Let It” and “If You Want My Love." I just saw them open for Heart and they completely rocked the house.

Details: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 12. Veterans Memorial Coliseum, 19th Avenue and McDowell Road, Phoenix. General admission free. 602-252-6771, azstatefair.com.

10/13: B.o.B

This Southern rapper topped the Hot 100 his first time at bat in 2010 with the triple-platinum pop hooks of "Nothin' on You," which featured Bruno Mars. Subsequent hits include the five-times-platinum "Airplanes" with Hayley Williams, the double-platinum "Magic" with Rivers Cuomo, and his latest double-platinum hit, 2013's "HeadBand," featuring 2 Chainz. Last year, he dropped an album titled "Psycadelik Thoughtz" with no promotion or pre-release singles. It became his lowest-charting album and produced no hits.

Details: 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 13. Veterans Memorial Coliseum, 19th Avenue and McDowell Road, Phoenix. General admission free; reserved seats $15. 602-252-6771, azstatefair.com.

10/13-15: Phoenix Fashion Week

Known as the leading fashion industry event in the Southwest, Phoenix Fashion Week is host to fashionistas, VIPs, fashion retailers, bloggers and more, all showcasing 30-plus emerging and established designers in a runway marketplace at Talking Stick Resort. The event also includes educational fashion seminars and workshops.

Details: 5 p.m. Thursday, October 13-Sunday, October 15. Talking Stick Resort, 9800 E. Indian Bend Road, Scottsdale. $50-$225. phoenixfashionweek.com.

10/14: Trevor Noah

The comedian and host of “The Daily Show” will take the stage at Comerica Theatre on October 14. Trevor Noah, who has hosted numerous television shows in his native South Africa, has also appeared on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” and “Late Show with David Letterman.”

Details: 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 14. Comerica Theatre, 400 W. Washington St., Phoenix. $35-$55. 602-379-2800, comericatheatre.com.

10/14: Fiesta Friday with MC Magic, Amanda Perez

Power 98.3 present this multi-artist bill that features sets by Hispanic rapper MC Magic, Baby Bash (whose hits include the double-platinum “Cyclone,” “Suga Suga” and “Baby I’m Back”), Amanda Perez (of “Angel” fame), Brown Boy, MOBFAM and Kap G.

Details: 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 14. Veterans Memorial Coliseum, 19th Avenue and McDowell Road, Phoenix. General admission free; reserved seats $15. 602-252-6771, azstatefair.com.

10/15: Iggy Azalea

This Australian rapper was one of 2014's biggest breakouts, earning Grammy nominations for best new artist, best rap album, record of the year and best pop duo/group performance for "Fancy," which features Charli XCX. The quadruple-platinum "Fancy" spent seven consecutive weeks at No. 1 on Billboard's Hot 100, the longest run at No. 1 by any female rapper, also earning the magazine's title of song of the summer. The triple-platinum "Black Widow,” with Rita Ora, peaked at No. 3. And Azalea is the featured artist on the Ariana Grande single "Problem," a six-times-platinum smash that peaked at No. 2 and picked up best pop video at MTV Video Music Awards. Her other hits include her platinum breakthrough single “Work” and “Beg For It.”

Details: 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15. Veterans Memorial Coliseum, 19th Avenue and McDowell Road, Phoenix. General admission free; reserved seats $25. 602-252-6771, azstatefair.com.

10/15-16: Willie Nelson

The man is a piece of American history. And he's not finished adding to that history. His latest album, “Summertime: Willie Nelson Sings Gershwin,” is exactly what the title would suggest. That album just before that, "Band of Brothers," was his first release to focus on predominantly new material in nearly 20 years. It hit the country charts at No. 1. Of course, he'll probably just play some subtle variation of the set he always plays, but it's a good one, from "Crazy" and "Funny How Time Slips Away" to "On the Road Again." Nelson also is known for such classics as "Red Headed Stranger," "Hello Walls," a heartbreaking cover of "Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain" and the great Waylon Jennings duets "Good Hearted Woman" and "Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys."

Details: 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15; 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 16. Celebrity Theatre, 440 N. 32nd St., Phoenix. $67-$127. 602-267-1600, celebritytheatre.com.

10/15: Turf Paradise Live Racing Season opens

Turf Paradise made history when it first opened its doors in 1956, becoming Arizona’s first organized sports franchise. Over the years the racetrack has become a staple in the state’s sports world, hosting one of the longest seasons of thoroughbred horse racing in the country. Live racing returns on Saturday, October 15, and will run through Sunday, May 7, 2017.

Details: 11 a.m. Saturday, October 15. Turf Paradise, 1501 W. Bell Rd., Phoenix. $2-$5 . 602-942-1101, turfparadise.com.

10/15-16: Arizona Taco Festival

More than 50 restaurants and food trucks will serve $2 tacos (sold separately) featuring some unique recipe. The event also features live bands playing everything from surf and rock to mariachi and Latin music, along with Lucha Libre wrestling shows. Enjoy eating contests, chile pepper-eating challenges, and a chihuahua beauty pageant.

Details: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 15-16. Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, 7555 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale. $15. 480-270-5000, aztacofestival.com.

10/16: Luis Coronel

At age 20, Tucson native Luis Coronel is firmly established as a clean-cut teen idol with a passionate fan base that shows no sign of slowing. At last count, more than 5 million people like Coronel's Facebook page; those people also have pushed his two albums, 2013's "Con La Frente en Alto" and 2014's "Quiero Ser Tu Dueño," to the top of Billboard's Latin-music charts. (Randy Cordova)

Details: 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 16. Veterans Memorial Coliseum, 19th Avenue and McDowell Road, Phoenix. General admission free; reserved seats $20. 602-252-6771, azstatefair.com.

10/17: Arizona Storytellers Project: Let's Get Political 2

Join The Republic as we expand our coverage of the 2016 election with two live storytelling nights dedicated to illuminating how your vote matters and why the political process can be so maddening, exhilarating and confusing. This night's theme is: "If only they had listened to me."

Details: 6 p.m. check-in, stories 6:30-8 p.m. Monday, October 17. Valley Bar, 130 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. $10. 602-444-8770, tickets.azcentral.com.

10/19: Scotty McCreery

Since winning "American Idol" in 2010, McCreery has sent two albums -- 2011's "Clear as Day" and 2013’s "See You Tonight" -- to No. 1 on Billboard's country chart and picked up best new artist at 2012's Academy of Country Music Awards. His hits include "I Love You This Big," "The Trouble with Girls" and "See You Tonight," a 2013 single that gave the singer his first Top 10 entry on the country songs chart. All three singles have gone platinum.

Details: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 19. Veterans Memorial Coliseum, 19th Avenue and McDowell Road, Phoenix. General admission free; reserved seats $15. 602-252-6771, azstatefair.com.

10/21: Charlie Puth

This New Jersey neo-soul hitmaker broke through in early 2015 with a double-platinum hit called “Marvin Gaye” that also featured Meghan Trainor. That song topped the charts in several countries, from Australia to the U.K. But he may be better known here in the U.S. as the featured singer on the Wiz Khalifa smash “See You Again,” a tribute to the last Paul Walker that enjoyed a 12-week stay at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 on its way to going six-times-platinum. His highest-charting U.S. hit without Khalifa is the double-platinum “One Call Away,” which peaked at No. 12.

Details: 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21. Veterans Memorial Coliseum, 19th Avenue and McDowell Road, Phoenix. General admission free; reserved seats $20. 602-252-6771, azstatefair.com.

10/22-23: Phoenix Comicon Fan Fest

This special event is created by the same people behind Phoenix Comicon. So, naturally, the festival will be a pop culture paradise with actors, comic book writers and artists, programs, exhibitions vendors and costumes. The festivities are expected to be bigger than before because the Phoenix Fan Fest is moving to the Phoenix Convention Center.

Details: Registration begins 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. Oct. 22-23. Phoenix Convention Center, 100 N. Third St., Phoenix. $30 full-event membership; $25 Saturday; $15 Sunday; $5 children 3-12; free for ages 2 and younger. Phoenixcomicon.com .

10/22: Amy Schumer

Comedian and actress Amy Schumer continues to grace magazine covers left and right, but the New York-native hasn’t left the comedic stage far behind. After becoming the first female stand-up comedian to sell out Madison Square Garden, the “Trainwreck” actress announced a 50-city world tour that hits Arizona’s Gila River Arena on Saturday, Oct. 22. Schumer’s brand of unabashed humor is also on display in a collection of personal essays in her new book titled, “The Girl with the Lower Back Tattoo.”

Details: 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22. Gila River Arena, 9400 W. Maryland Ave., Glendale. $39-$109. 623-772-3800, gilariverarena.com.

10/22: Keith Urban

Urban’s ‘ripCORD World Tour’ takes its name from the four-time Grammy winner's eighth studio album, which hit the streets in early May and has already spawned two Top 10 country hits — the Grammy-nominated “John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16” and “Break On Me," which topped the country airplay charts. Urban’s previous country hits included the chart-toppers “Somebody Like You,” “You’ll Think of Me,” “Days Go By,” “Making Memories of Us,” “Sweet Thing” and “Only You Can Love Me This Way.” He recently scored his first platinum singles with “We Were Us,” a Miranda Lambert duet, and “Cop Car.”

Details: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22. Talking Stick Resort Arena, 201 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix. $20-$65. 602-745-3000, ticketmaster.com.

10/22: The Flaming Lips

Few artists tied to the ’90s alternative-rock revolution provided a truer alternative to mainstream rock than Oklahoma’s Flaming Lips. Formed in 1983, they worked the psychedelic fringes for a decade before breaking through with “She Don’t Use Jelly,” an unlikely modern-rock radio hit, in 1993. That single would remain their only proper U.S. hit, but thanks to Wayne Coyne’s freaky cult of personality and fractured sonic vision, they’ve retained their position as critical darlings and lovable cult heroes while cranking out a string of modern classics. The most compelling introduction to their world may be 1999’s majestic “The Soft Bulletin” and 2002’s high-concept masterpiece, “Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots.” But there’s something to said for tracking down their latest, a track-by-track re-imagining of the Beatles’ “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” with guest appearances by Miley Cyrus, Maynard James Keenan and the Valley’s own Treasure Mammal.

Details: 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22. Veterans Memorial Coliseum, 19th Avenue and McDowell Road, Phoenix. General admission free; reserved seats $20. 602-252-6771, azstatefair.com.

10/23: Jack & Jack

These pop-rap Viners took a song called “Wild Life” all the way to No. 2 at iTunes (although it should be noted that the single only got to No. 87 on the Billboard Hot 100). They’ve since followed through with a four-song EP, “Calibraska,” which hit the charts at No. 12.

Details: 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 23. Veterans Memorial Coliseum, 19th Avenue and McDowell Road, Phoenix. General admission free; reserved seats $15. 602-252-6771, azstatefair.com.

10/26: Slayer

Slayer took the metal world by force in 1983 with "Show No Mercy," on which they aggressively and prophetically set the tone with "Evil Has No Boundaries." By the time they got to "Reign in Blood" and "Hell Awaits," the mid-'80s triumphs that would go on to define their brutal legacy, they'd somehow found a way to take it up a notch. Co-founding guitarist Jeff Hanneman died in 2013, but they soldiered on with Exodus guitarist Gary Holt on last year’s excellent “Repentless,” a suitably punishing tribute to Hanneman’s memory that Punk News hailed as no less than “the best Slayer album of the 21st century.”

Details: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26. Veterans Memorial Coliseum, 19th Avenue and McDowell Road, Phoenix. General admission free; reserved seats $20. 602-252-6771, azstatefair.com.

10/27: Garbage

Butch Vig, of course, produced Nirvana's "Nevermind," in addition to the Smashing Pumpkins' mainstream breakthrough, "Siamese Dream," and Sonic Youth's seminal "Dirty." So people were paying attention when he repositioned himself as the drummer for Garbage, a pop group led by singer Shirley Manson. Released in 1995, their self-titled debut went double platinum and spawned the classic Modern Rock hits "Only Happy When It Rains" and "Stupid Girl." They’re touring on a new release, “Strange Little Birds,” which hit the streets in June and spawned their latest Top 40 appearance on Billboard’s alternative songs chart, “Empty.”

Details: 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27. Veterans Memorial Coliseum, 19th Avenue and McDowell Road, Phoenix. General admission free; reserved seats $20. 602-252-6771, azstatefair.com.

10/27: Arizona Storytellers Project: Identity and Immigration

Join The Republic as we celebrate the new art installation at the Desert Botanical Garden by Mexican artist Margarita Cabrera. The night's stories will look at family, immigration, and identity, and will revolve around questions of how we come to know who we are as individuals and members of broader communities.

Details: 6 p.m. check-in, stories 7-9 p.m. Thursday, October 27. Desert Botanical Garden, 1201 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix. $10. 602-444-8770, tickets.azcentral.com.

10/28: Flight of the Conchords

The genius of Flight of the Conchords was clear from the time “The Most Beautiful Girl (in the Room)” hit the end of its opening line in the season premiere of their HBO series in 2007. And like the Beatles, who also had great accents, this New Zealand duo knew just when to quit — which in their case, was after two seasons of staking their claim as the most consistently inspired purveyors of musical comedy ever. They still tour, though, on occasion, having last played Phoenix in 2013 on a bill that also featured Dave Chappelle. Billed as the Flight of the Conchords Sing Flight of the Conchords Tour, this latest run of dates will feature the debut of new material.

Details: Friday, Oct. 28. Comerica Theatre, 400 W. Washington St., Phoenix. $39.50-$55. 800-745-3000, livenation.com.

10/28: Gavin Degraw & Andy Grammer

Degraw's first single, "I Don't Want to Be," hit No. 10 on Billboard's Hot 100 in 2004, further invading the culture as one of the go-to songs on "American Idol," where Bo Bice, Elliot Yamin and Casey James are just three of the singers who did their best to make the song their own. his other hits include "Not Over You" and "In Love With a Girl." Grammer scored a quirky guest appearance by Rainn Wilson of “The Office” for the video to “Keep Your Head Up,” a Jack Johnson-flavored soft-rock self-empowerment anthem that peaked at No. 5 on the Adult Top 40 charts. That song remained his biggest hit until the triple-platinum triumph of “Honey, I’m Good,” his first and only Top 10 entry on the Hot 100.

Details: 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28. Veterans Memorial Coliseum, 19th Avenue and McDowell Road, Phoenix. General admission free; reserved seats $20. 602-252-6771, azstatefair.com.

10/29: Old School Jam

This is a really solid lineup for the Old School Jam. The S.O.S. Band topped the R&B charts with “Take Your Time (Do It Right),” their breakthrough hit, which also peaked at No. 3 on Billboard’s Hot 100. Evelyn “Champagne” King is best remembered for her breakthrough single, “Shame,” and the R&B chart-topper “I’m in Love.” Grandmaster’s Furious Five featuring Melle Mel and Scorpio are hip-hop legends best remember for “The Message.” Rob Base went platinum with “It Takes Two” as part of a duo with DJ E-Z Rock. And One Way had a string of R&B hits, the biggest being “Cutie Pie.”

Details: 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29. Veterans Memorial Coliseum, 19th Avenue and McDowell Road, Phoenix. General admission free; reserved seats $15. 602-252-6771, azstatefair.com.

11/4: First Friday

Experience the cool indie vibe of downtown Phoenix at this popular monthly art walk. More than 70 galleries participate with special exhibits, bands, DJs and food and drinks. The bars and restaurants near the arts venues are packed, and many, including the intimate Lost Leaf Bar & Gallery, hip Carly’s Bistro and funky Third Space, display works by local artists and feature live music. Roosevelt Row is the general hot spot, and there is a free trolley that takes visitors around to the different neighborhoods including Grand Avenue and the major museums just north of downtown.

Details: 6-10 p.m. the first Friday of the month; hours vary by location. Downtown Phoenix along Roosevelt Street and Grand Avenue. Five shuttle stops available at Phoenix Art Museum, Heard Museum, Oasis on Grand, CityScape and Arizona Center. Free. 602-256-7539, artlinkphoenix.com.

11/5-6: azcentral.com Food & Wine Experience

Celebrity chef Mario Batali is the special guest at this second annual extravaganza. He’ll host meet-and-greets, sign cookbooks and create exclusive dinners onsite at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick near Scottsdale. The Grand Tasting is one of the highlights of the two-day festival. More than 40 restaurants will provide food, and a variety of beer, wine and spirits producers will pour samples. The roster changes from Saturday to Sunday. Dinner ‘experiences’ include “Scotch, Steaks & Stogies,” hosted by chef James Porter (formerly of Petite Maison) and chef Christopher Gross, of Christopher’s and Crush Lounge in Phoenix. The festival’s official charity beneficiary is the Joy Bus, a Valley organization that delivers meals and companionship to homebound cancer patients.

Details: Nov. 5-6. Prices vary by event. Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, Loop 101 and Indian Bend Road on the Salt River Reservation. 866-977-6849, azcentralfoodandwine.com.

11/5: Rugged Maniac II

Can't make the race in April? Here's another chance to try it. This event promises to have new obstacles. Registration includes a shirt, medal, pictures and one beer. Celebrate with other Maniacs at the afterparty.

Details: Saturday, Nov. 5. First wave starts at 9:45 a.m. $39-$100 (price goes up as the date approaches). Rawhide Western Town, 5700 W. North Loop Road, Gila River Reservation. ruggedmaniac.com/events/phoenix2.

11/13: Lauryn Hill

Lauryn Hill brings her tour to Comerica Theatre on Sunday, Nov. 13. Hill launched her post-Fugees solo career in 1998 with “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill,” an eight-times platinum debut on which her reputation may forever rest — in part because it’s so good and in part because she's yet to hit us with another full-length studio release. She did the “MTV Unplugged” thing in 2001. She's guested on some other people’s records and released a small handful of singles, including 2010's “Repercussions" and 2013's "Neurotic Society."

Details: 8 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 13. Comerica Theatre, 400 W. Washington St., Phoenix. $38-$98. 800-745-3000, ticketmaster.com.

11/15: Ina Garten

The Barefoot Contessa herself will appear in Mesa in celebration of her 10th book, “Cooking for Jeffrey: A Barefoot Contessa Cookbook.” A culinary icon, Garten is the host of Emmy Award-winning Food Network show “Barefoot Contessa,” as well as a nine-time New York Times bestselling author. While in Mesa, she’ll tell stories of her life in the Hamptons, filming her TV show, writing and spending time with her friends and her longtime husband, Jeffery. An audience Q&A will directly follow the interview. Tickets go on sale at noon on Sunday, June 12. Guests can preorder autographed cookbooks. Cookbooks and show tickets are sold separately.

Details: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 15. Mesa Arts Center, 1 E Main St., Mesa. $41 for show, plus fees. 480-644-6500, williams-sonoma.com/inagartentour.

11/15: Ringo Starr and his All Starr Band

The legendary Ringo Starr will bring his All Starr Band – featuring Todd Rundgren, Gregg Rolie, Steve Lukather, Richard Page, Warren Ham and Gregg Bissonette – to Phoenix. This is the former Beatle's longest-running All Starr lineup for a reason. As Starr explains, “I just love playing with this band. I joke that at the end of every tour I think it’s the last one and so I fire them. And then we keep finding places we can play and keep it going so I rehire them.”

Among the greatest drummers in the history of rock and roll, Starr assembled his first All Starr Band in 1989 and found consistent success as a live act with his revolving All Starrs touring the world with 12 different lineups to date. Among the songs you can expect to hear from Starr are "Photograph," "It Don't Come Easy," "With A Little Help From My Friends," "Boys" and "Yellow Submarine." The All Starr also take turns on the mic, which Santana hits from Rolie ("Evil Ways," "Black Magic Woman"), Toto hits from Lukathar ("Hold The Line," "Africa,” "Rosanna") Mr. Mister hits from Page ("Broken Wings", "Kyrie"), and Rundgren doing Rundgren hits.

Details: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 15. Celebrity Theatre, 440 N. 32nd St., Phoenix. $67-$127. 602-267-1600 ext. 1, celebritytheatre.com.

11/17: Arizona Storytellers Project: Food and Family

Join The Republic under the stars at the Farm at South Mountain for a night of stories about families, food and the ways these two things often come together to shape us. Dress warmly; we'll be outside!

Details: 6 p.m. check-in, stories 7-9 p.m. Thursday, November 17. The Farm at South Mountain, 6106 South 32nd St., Phoenix. $10. 602-444-8770, tickets.azcentral.com.

11/19: Global Dance Festival

Relentless Beats will once again bring the Wild West Edition of this dance music festival to Rawhide. This year's 18-and-over event will feature genre giants Bassnectar, Galantis, Louis the Child, Louis Futon and JackLNDN.

Details: Doors open 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19. General admission $69-89; VIP $149-179. Rawhide Western Town, 5700 W. North Loop, Chandler. relentlessbeats.com.

11/21: John Cleese & Eric Idle

Legendary British comedians John Cleese and Eric Idle are returning to North America for a second round of tour dates in support of their sit-down comedy performance, “John Cleese & Eric Idle: Together Again At Last… For The Very First Time.” Although this show is appearing stateside for the second time in actuality, the Monty Python creators are set to mix more of their patented improvised bits to go along with their scripted storytelling, musical numbers and an audience Q&A session for an experience that will feel like the first time ... again.

Details: 7:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 21. Mesa Arts Center, One East Main St., Mesa. $63.50-$103.50. 480-644-6500, mesaartscenter.com.

11/21: Adele

This is a make-up date for the concert Adele was forced to postpone after singing through a cold on the opening night in Phoenix. And how did she sound with a cold? “Adele was in brilliant voice throughout," I wrote. "She's like a soulful Barbra Streisand, belting out her songs in an amazing show of force that somehow seemed more powerful in concert than it does on her recordings, which have outsold any other superstar in recent memory. And it was all in service to the songs, conveying raw emotion while filling the venue with breathtaking vocal performances that never felt flashy or forced.”

Details: 7:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 21. Talking Stick Resort Arena, Second and Jefferson streets, Phoenix. $34.75-$144.75. 800-745-3000, ticketmaster.com.

11/28: Arizona Storytellers Project: Veterans

Join azcentral.com and The Republic for a special night of young veterans telling stories about their lives as a way to mark the legacy of the 75th anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor.

Details: 6 p.m. check-in, stories 7-9 p.m. Monday, Nov. 28. Crescent Ballroom, 308 N. 2nd Ave., Phoenix. $10. 602-444-8605, tickets.azcentral.com.

12/2: First Friday

Experience the cool indie vibe of downtown Phoenix at this popular monthly art walk. More than 70 galleries participate with special exhibits, bands, DJs and food and drinks. The bars and restaurants near the arts venues are packed, and many, including the intimate Lost Leaf Bar & Gallery, hip Carly’s Bistro and funky Third Space, display works by local artists and feature live music. Roosevelt Row is the general hot spot, and there is a free trolley that takes visitors around to the different neighborhoods including Grand Avenue and the major museums just north of downtown.

Details: 6-10 p.m. the first Friday of the month; hours vary by location. Downtown Phoenix along Roosevelt Street and Grand Avenue. Five shuttle stops available at Phoenix Art Museum, Heard Museum, Oasis on Grand, CityScape and Arizona Center. Free. 602-256-7539, artlinkphoenix.com.

12/31: NYE Block Party on Mill Avenue

Mill Avenue hosts one of the biggest New Year's Eve celebrations in metro Phoenix, with outdoor stages and bars, fireworks shows, food trucks and additional bashes at the many bars along the busy street. Stay tuned for updates about the event, including entertainment and bar specials.

Details: Saturday, Dec. 31. Mill Avenue, downtown Tempe. downtowntempe.com.

2/8, 2017: 'Happy Days: Live'

Henry Winkler, Anson Williams and Donny Most, forever known as Fonzie, Potsie and Ralph Malph from the '70s smash "Happy Days," will bring photos, clips from “Happy Days” and home videos as they discuss life on a No. 1 sitcom.

Details: 4 and 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2017. Mesa Regal, 4700 E. Main St. $45-$60. 480-981-5118, cal-am.com.

3/3-5/2017: McDowell Mountain Music Festival

In its 14th year, the festival returns to Margaret T. Hance Park in downtown Phoenix. McDowell drew 13,000 music fans to the park in 2016 for a lineup that included Beck, the Avett Brothers and Kid Cudi, raising $50,000 for UMOM New Day Centers and Phoenix Children’s Hospital in the process. No acts have been announced yet for 2017.

Details: March 3-5. Margaret T. Hance Park, 1202 N. Third St., Phoenix. Ticket prices TBA. mmmf.com.

3/8/2017: Michael Bolton

Bolton wrote such melodramatic hits as Laura Branigan's "How Am I Supposed to Live Without You" and Cher's "I Found Someone" before he achieved mainstream success with 1987's double-platinum "The Hunger." His lung-busting style has earned two Grammys, a "Dancing with the Stars" gig and a largely female following drawn to songs like "Time, Love and Tenderness" and "When I'm Back on My Feet Again."

Details: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 8. Valle Del Oro, 1452 S. Ellsworth Road, Mesa. $40-$85. 480-984-5076, cal-am.com.

3/11/2017: Art Garfunkel

Garfunkel promises solo hits, Simon & Garfunkel classics and cuts from a few of his favorite songwriters – Jimmy Webb, Randy Newman and Antonio Carlos Jobim among them – when he brings Art Garfunkel: In Close-up to Chandler.

Details: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 11. Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave. $54-$84. 480-782-2680, chandlercenter.org.

3/17, 2017: Viva PHX

Stateside Presents hosts this one-day music extravaganza, drawing nearly 10,000 to 17 venues throughout downtown Phoenix this year. Next year, the organizers promise more bands, more venues and a more diverse line-up. In past, performers have included Crystal Castles, Best Coast, Coolio, the Growlers, Andrew W.K., Jim Adkins, the Neighbourhood and Pinback. Venues ranged from Crescent Ballroom and CityScape, to the Masonic Temple and the alley dubbed "Punk Rock Alley."

Details: Saturday, March 17, 2017. At venues throughout downtown Phoenix. Ticket information TBA. vivaphx.com. ​

4/6-9/2017: Country Thunder Arizona

We have no idea who the headliners could be, but does it matter? No, of course not. In 2016, Country Thunder drew an average of 29,000 fans a day, with headlining sets by Kip Moore, Florida Georgia Line, Jake Owen and Eric Church, who brought the weekend to an awe-inspiring end, inspiring massive singalongs on nearly every song while confirming his standing as a modern country icon for the ages. The weekend's breakout star was the great Chris Janson, one of several artists to pay tribute to the legendary Merle Haggard, who died earlier that week.

Details: Thursday, April 6-Sunday, April 9. 20585 E. Price Station, Florence. $130 if you buy now. countrythunder.com.

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Anthony Sandoval and Alison Stanton contributed to this article.