SanTan Sun: 5-16-15; Arts

Drummer Bonham continues father’s musical legacy

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI

Jason Bonham’s eyes well up with tears when he speaks about his father, the late Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham. It’s even evident over the phone.

It’s a topic he finds he must speak about whenever his act, Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Experience, hits the road. A “tribute act” is too light of a moniker to place next to JBLZE, which he founded

in 2010. It’s more of a sentimental journey that finds Bonham, who is also a drummer, remembering his father and Led Zeppelin’s music.

“It’s a heartfelt thing that I don’t do that much,” Bonham said via telephone.

“It’s not like I’m doing 200 shows a year. It’s more like 20, if that. Last year, it was 14. It’s something that has to be done with the passion that all of my band guys

have with the music.”

Bonham explained it has to feel “relevant and right.” It has to be done for a reason. After his dad died in September 1980, Bonham played with Zeppelin several times, including the Ahmet Ertegün Tribute Concert at The O2 Arena in London in 2007. Ertegün was a music executive.

The first time he played with Zeppelin,

the band prepared to play six songs. But Robert Plant, Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones didn’t stick with the setlist. They played other tracks.

“My knowledge is pretty good of Zeppelin,” he said with a laugh.

While rehearsing with Zeppelin, the trio of remaining members were careful

Interactive murder-mystery at the Forum

An interactive murder-mystery, “Die-Nasty in Dallas,” comes to the Forum on Saturday, June 27. The murder-mystery is based on the popular 1980s TV shows “Dallas” and “Dynasty.”

“These shows are so entertaining because they let audience members participate by playing a part in the story while helping to solve a crime,” Executive Producer Marney Austin said. “For even more fun, we encourage attendees to dress in the era of the show.”

The show includes a three-course Italian buffet dinner for $45 at the Forum, which is formerly known as Fazio’s, 700 W. Warner Rd., Chandler. Tickets are available at www. fazioscateringhall.com. Doors open at 6 p.m. for cocktails, followed by the mystery and dinner at 7 p.m. For more

information and discounts on groups of 20 or more, call (480) 967-6800, or visit www.murderinkproductons.com

Since 1989, Murder Ink Productions has presented interactive murdermysteries, stage shows and teambuilding events for corporations at venues in Arizona. “Die-Nasty in Dallas” is part of a monthly series that began last fall when the facility was known as Fazio’s.

In addition to the mystery evenings, Murder Ink’s parent company, Arizona Performing Arts, is presenting “A Couple of Blaguards,” a comedic stage show by award-winning writers Frank and Malachy McCourt, on Saturday, June 20. The two-man show features Tom Koelbel and Alan Austin transforming themselves into 47 characters.

Gold Canyon Arts Council seeking original poster designs

Artists are being sought for the 16th annual Canyon Arts Festival and the Canyon Sounds concert series to create an original piece of art that will be transformed into an arts poster.

The Canyon Sounds concert program is vibrant with music, dance and drama, while the Canyon Arts Festival depicts a colorful display of booths and people, or beauty of the Sonoran desert. Artists can use their choice of media that will reflect the Canyon Sounds and the Canyon Arts Festival.

Artists are asked to submit their work in an 8 by 10 photograph. Although an artist may reference a website as indicative of their work, they are asked to not direct the committee there to see a particular piece.

Submissions can be sent to Canyon Rose Storage, Attn: Festival Poster Committee,

6405 S. Kings Ranch Rd., Gold Canyon, AZ 85118. The submission must include name, address, phone and email. Individual artists may send up to three proposals for consideration.

The deadline for submission is Tuesday, Sept. 1, and the final selection will be made Friday, Sept. 18.

The selected artist is expected to contribute the rights to use the representation for advertising and be available at the Canyon Sounds concert for poster signing. The poster may be titled at the discretion of the artist. There also will be prominent visibility for other works the artist desires to display at the 2016 Canyon Arts Festival on Saturday, Jan. 23. For more information, call Jean Buckborough at Jean@newvisionhealing.com.

Valley Youth Theatre to hold annual fundraiser in August

Valley Youth Theatre is holding its annual fundraiser at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22, at Herberger Theater Center, 222 E. Monroe, Phoenix. The fundraiser will include cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, silent and live auction, as well as performances by Valley Youth Theatre stars.

Thurston celebrates birthday with concert at golf resort

Cheryl Thurston and her Mardi Gras Jazz Band will celebrate her birthday during the Arizona Classic Jazz Party at the Crowne Plaza San Marcos Golf Resort, One San Marcos Pl., Chandler, Sunday, May 17.

The concert will feature her New Orleans songs and music from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are $10 for Arizona Classic Jazz Society members; $15 for nonmembers. For more information, call (480) 620-3941 or visit www. azclassicjazz.org.

Thurston began cornet lessons at age 4 after her father gave her a Wild Bill Davidson cornet. She played trumpet in school bands from elementary through high school,

toured Europe at age 16 with the American Youth Symphony, and played in a stage band at Kent State University.

She played piano nearly concurrently. Her piano lessons started at age 6, with her first gig happening “accidentally” age 14 when she filled in for an absent piano player.

Thurston also performs as Cheryl’s Memories on occasional Thursdays at Palo Verde Restaurant, Sun Lakes, from November through April. Cheryl’s Mardi Gras Jazz Band hits the stage at the Pier d’Orleans Restaurant in Mesa on many Saturday nights. She is also the pianist for the 52nd Street Jazz Band.

Tickets run from $125 to $250. For more information, visit www.vyt.com, or call (602) 253-8188.

about what they shared with Bonham. They allowed Bonham two questions a day for six weeks, he recalls.

“I figured, I’m not going to let them go to waste,” Bonham said. “It’s like a genie who grants you three wishes. It was crazy.”

It’s good times like those and the bad times that leave Bonham choked up.

“I don’t know how many times I’ve played ‘Since I’ve Been Loving You,’” he said. “No matter how many times I play that song, it still gets me every time.”

He quickly added to the reporter while laughing, “You must be depressed.”

But he’s pleased that Zeppelin’s music

does “that emotional thing to me.” During his JBLZE shows, Bonham couples songs and interludes with images of his dad, mom and himself.

“It’s a tough one as much as I’ve lived with it for a while now,” said Bonham, 48. “I just literally turned 14 in July, before he passed in September.”

Bonham himself has a 21-year-old daughter and an 18-year-old son, the latter of whom is 6-feet 3-inches tall.

“He’s built more like my dad when he was younger than me,” he said. “He has skinny long legs that come to my underarms. As a kid, he was short for a long, long time. When he was 16, all of a sudden he just really grew. He went past me and carried on taller than his

grandfather.

“I never got to that ‘Dad you’re old’ (phase). He was just my hero.”

Bonham’s son plays it cool about his dad’s career—even in front of President Barack Obama.

“The president of the United States asked him at The Kennedy Center Honors, ‘Will you be playing the drums like your father and your grandfather before you?’ He said, ‘No, I don’t think so. I see the pressure it puts on my father. I’m more of a rapper.’ He tells the president this as he leant in for a selfie.

“I’ll give him that. He wasn’t short for words, but it was nice. My wife was in tears when she heard that.”

Bonham explains he is tickled when fellow drummers contend that his father was a major influence in their careers. He cites conversations with the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Chad Smith and the Foo Fighters’ Dave Grohl as those who admire the elder Bonham.

“It’s like my dad had a bunch of kids and I was fighting with them (for his approval),” he said. “They all loved him when he was playing. They all have their things they stole from him or were inspired by. Chad Smith, I love his playing. He said he was really influenced by my dad. ‘Your dad changed my life,’ he said. It always comes full circle.”

Bonham admitted to having felt a twinge of jealousy about Grohl, however.

“He looks more like my dad than I do,” he said. “With the long hair and the three circles tattooed all over him. He lights up when you bring up that subject of what John Bonham meant to him.

“Dave is such a big fan. He kind of has hair like my dad. It’s a weird thing. Dad had no idea when he left the world that

he would leave behind a legacy. I think he really was good, but the impact that he had with Led Zeppelin was beyond belief.”

Jason Bonham has received his share of accolades and invites as well. He has performed with—this is the short list— Sammy Hagar, Black Country Communion, Foreigner, Steel Dragon, UFO and his own band Bonham. Despite his success and family’s legacy, Bonham is always gracious with the press.

“I know this from growing up and hearing dad sometimes: The press were never great to Led Zeppelin,” he said.

“Part of that was they were never great to the press. There was all this negativity around them. Years later, the fans, the young kids at the shows that were probably 15 at Madison Square Garden, are now the editors and the program directors of some of these big organizations. They’re being praised for what they did. It wasn’t all about how many rooms they trashed, or how many groupies they had and all the carnies that came with Led Zeppelin, the mystique and the black magic—or anything you put around them. It really was about the music. It’s timeless—it really is.”

Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Experience performs at 7 p.m. Friday, May 29, at Wild Horse Pass Casino’s Ovations Live!, 5040 Wild Horse Pass Blvd., Chandler. Tickets are $33 to $68. For more information, call (800) 946-4452 or visit www.wingilariver.com.

Christina Fuoco-Karasinski is the executive editor of the SanTan Sun News. She can be reached at christina@ santansun.com.

EVENT!

Registration open for AZ College Battle of the Bands

Urban Royalty Entertainment and its partners have expanded an opportunity for all Arizona bands to receive exposure, win prizes and have fun. URE is looking for the most exciting AZ Band for the AZ College Battle of the Bands, which will be held on Saturday, Nov. 7. Register at www.azcollegebattleofbands.com before Wednesday, Sept. 30.

Bands can register for an opportunity to be considered as a contestant. Fifteen bands will be chosen by the event staff. Those that do not make it, will still have their band link and picture posted to the event site.

URE held the first successful Maricopa Music Festival this past October with 70 vendors, 15 bands and more than 2,000 people in attendance.

Sponsors are also being sought. Approximately 5,000 college students, their families, friends and social media followers are expected. For more information, visit www.azcollegebattleofbands.com/sponsor-rtes---registration.html.

The battle will be held at Rawhide Western Town and Steakhouse, 5700 W. North Loop Rd., Chandler.

Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino hosts variety of entertainment

Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino has entertainment lined up for the month of May at The Lounge, which offers a state-of-the-art sound system, LED lighting effects, a dance floor and a large beverage menu.

Checker’d Past

Checker’d Past will play from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday, May 16. Armed with the vibrant sounds of the ‘80s and a hint of new wave, Checker’d Past is a dynamic group guaranteed to give an unforgettable concert experience.

Stan & Miguel Trio

From 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Sunday, May 17, Stan & Miguel Trio, which is a live interactive band, will perform.

American singer, actor and television personality Leif Garrett will perform at 8 p.m. Friday, May 22. He became famous in the late ‘70s as a child pop star and teen idol. Garrett is most known for “I Was Made for Dancin,” “I Was Looking for Someone to Love,” “When I Think of You” and “Surfin’ USA.”

AzTex Band

The AzTex Band plays everything from Jay Perez to Jimi Hendrix, Michael Jackson to Chaka Khan, Black Eyed Peas to Stefani Montiel and Stevie Wonder to Alicia Keys. The band will play from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday, May 23.

The Relationship

The Relationship, an American rock band

that features members of Weezer, Bravery, and U.S. Bombs, will perform at 8 p.m. Friday, May 29.

Quantum

Quantum, who performs hits from the ‘60s to today, will perform from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday, May 30.

Harrah’s also offers Wednesdays in the Lounge in May for guests who want to listen to live music. From 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, May 20, Yesterday Once More, who was named “the best doo-wop group in Arizona,” will perform. Bandstand Shows, which will keep guests dancing all afternoon, will be held from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, May 27.

The Lounge Happy Hour is offered from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday. During Happy Hour, Laura Walsh will

perform Monday, May 18 and Thursday, May 28, Stan & Miguel Trio will perform Monday, May 25, Moot Davis will perform from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, May 21.

The XO Band will perform from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. and Stan & Miguel Trio will perform from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Memorial Day.

Margarita Sundays are also held for poolside parties throughout the summer at Harrah’s. Enjoy live music, food and drink, while relaxing by the pool. Margarita Sundays begin Sunday, May 24 and is held from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino is located at 15406 N. Maricopa Rd., Mariciopa. Celebrating more than 20 years in Maricopa, Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino is Arizona’s first and only tribal casino to have an international management partner.

MONTH OF MAY 2015

Youth bring marching precision to Tempe stage

The Academy Drum and Bugle Corps will present a unique stage show featuring the precision and excitement of the marching arts at 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 5, and Saturday, June 6, at Tempe Center for the Arts, 700 W. Rio Salado Pkwy., Tempe. Saturday will also include a matinee performance at 2 p.m.

“This event is the only one of its kind in Arizona,” CenterStage Chairman Mike Ripley said. “This is a show for the entire family. Everyone will be thrilled and inspired by the high level of performance these young people produce.”

Attendees will experience Broadway-style, choreographed programs of spectacular music, dynamic movement and vivid color—presented by The Academy’s 150 musicians and dancers, ages 16 to 21.

Tickets are $11 to $24 and can be purchased online at www.tca.ticketforce.com or by calling the Tempe Center for the Arts box office at (480) 350-2822. Early purchase discounts apply before Wednesday, June 3. There are special discounts for students and seniors.

Typically performed in football stadiums, this special show has been adapted for stage. Powerful brass ensembles, energetic drumline routines and expressive dance are featured throughout—all enhanced by dramatic lighting and staging.

The Academy Drum and Bugle Corps is a nonprofit youth arts organization comprised of musicians and dancers throughout Arizona, who audition each year for a coveted spot in Arizona’s only drum and bugle corps.

This summer, the Academy will travel more than 11,000 miles to perform and compete more than 24 times in a tour that will take them across the United States. The Academy’s tour will conclude Aug. 8 at the 2015 Drum Corps International World Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Explore Downtown Chandler!

The DC o ers a diverse mix of locally-owned restaurants, retail shops, community services, and galleries as well as a variety of special events for all types and tastes. We invite you to explore downtown Chandler and all that it has it o er. Dine, Play and Stay here!

Kids in the Hall still a force

on the comedy scene

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI

The Kids in the Hall’s Mark McKinney is, to say the least, having problems with his rental car’s GPS in Toronto. Throughout a recent conversation, he jokingly curses at the system and even threatens it for trying to take him back to his original location.

“My GPS is behaving like a jackass,” McKinney said in the most humorous way

possible. “I’m going to have to stop it and beat it. ‘You listen to me you son of a b---h.’ It’s taking me back to the place I’ve just been.”

When sarcastically told that’s “helpful,” he asked a reporter, “What are you, stupid?”

It’s all in good fun.

Adams celebrates 30th anniversary of ‘Reckless’

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI

When introduced to Bryan Adams as “Mr. Adams,” it can be a little intimidating, yet it says a lot.

Adams—known for songs like “One Night Love Affair,” “Heaven” and “Summer of ’69”—demands respect. The Canadian rocker, who now lives in Europe, is on the road celebrating the 30th anniversary of his career-defining album “Reckless.”

A favorite of satellite radio and classic rock stations, “Reckless” has yet to sound dated and Adams appreciates that. He has no idea, however, why it was so successful, selling more than 12 million copies.

“What do I know? Nothing,” said in an accent that is an amalgamation of American, Canadian and European.

“I certainly can’t project it. When making records, you just sort of make it as real, as natural as possible. And there’s that old adage: ‘It’s not what you say. It’s how you say it.’ Making it believable, that’s the key, really.”

Since the release of “Reckless,” 30 years have flown by. Adams has played “thousands of shows,” he said. Recently, he was sent, via email, a list of countries that he’s played in the last five years.

“It actually staggered me,” Adams said. “I thought, ‘What? Really? I did all those?’”

He has traveled worldwide for his shows, from Canada to Belarus to Iceland.

“I have a lot of air miles, honey,” he added.

“Reckless” was four albums deep when it was released. The single “It’s Only Love,”

for which he duets with Tina Turner, was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rock Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group. In 1986, the song won an MTV Video Music Award for Best Stage Performance. Good songwriting was the key to “Reckless,” he said. With the album offering six successful singles, that can’t be far from the truth.

“I don’t think I could do that again,” said Adams about the songwriting process. “I was 23, 24 when I wrote that record, you know. I can’t write those songs any more. I’d write the songs I write now.”

Speaking of which, Adams has a new album set for release this fall. It was coproduced by ELO’s Jeff Lynne.

“It’s been amazing,” he said. “I can’t wait to get it out there. Jeff was an incredible contributor. He’s one of the best producers I’ve worked with. It was sick how good it was.”

He “seriously” calls the album, for which he does not have a name, his best collection yet. It’s the perfect follow-up to the “Reckless” tour in that it is within “the same ballpark,” Adams said.

“The songs are great,” he said. “The production is amazing. It feels great. It’s fun. It’s really up and it rocks.”

The collaboration with Lynne has been one for which Adams has wished for some time. He always admired his fellow musician and his work.

“I wanted to work with Jeff for years,” Adams said. “By some strange coincidence I met this film director who was working

on something. It turns out he’s friends with Jeff. I said, ‘If you’re talking to Jeff, tell him I said hi. I’d like to talk to him sometime.’

“He called me up the next day and said, ‘I talked to Jeff and he asked me to give you his number.’ I called him up and went around to see him one day.”

The duo had actually met previously, in the 1980s when Lynne attended an Adams show in Birmingham—England, he clarifies.

Adams has worked with a variety of producers. For “Reckless,” it was Bob Clearmountain who turned the knobs with Adams. But Adams said, the unspoken talent behind that record was Jim Vallance.

“We hit our stride on that album,” said Adams, who had worked with Clearmountain previously.

“Also, in fairness, a lot of the pre-

8:30am Doors Open / Monday - Thursday / Ages 5 - 14 Take 1 week or up to 11 weeks

OPTION 1: 9:00am - 11:30am Cost $80

OPTION 2: 12:30pm - 3:00pm Cost $80

OPTION 3: 9:00am - 3:00pm Cost $115

*Extended Day Available (3:00pm - 6:00pm) $5/Day. Pay at drop off

Week 1 : May 25 - May 28

Week 2: June 1 - June 4

Week 3: June 8 - June 11

Week 4: June 15 - June 18

Week 5: June 22 - June 25

Week 6: June 29 - July 2

Week 7: July 6 - July 9

Week 8: July 13 - July 16

Week 9: July 20 - July 23

Week 10: July 27 - July 30

Week 11: August 3 - August 6

production was done with myself and Jim Vallance. Jim deserved a lot of credit. I was going back to the demo and checking it out. There was so much stuff there. It was really good. I used to say, ‘If the song’s gonna make it on the record, it has to be better than the demo because the demos were already super good.’”

He’s glad it all worked out.

Bryan Adams performs at 8 p.m. Thursday, May 19, at the Comerica Theatre, 400 W. Washington St., Phoenix. Tickets are $49 to $69. For more information, visit (800) 745-3000 or visit www.comericatheatre.com.

Christina Fuoco-Karasinski is the executive editor of the SanTan Sun News. She can be reached at christina@ santansun.com.

WILLY WONKA KIDS

Week 1: May 25-May 28

Week 2: June 1-June 4

Performance on June 4th at 11:30am

Performance on June 4th at 3pm Tickets: $5/person

JUNGLE BOOK KIDS

Week 3: June 8-11

Week 4: June 15-18

Performance on June 18th at 11:30am

Performance on June 18th at 3pm Tickets: $5/person

ARISTOCATS KIDS

Week 5: June 22-June 25

Week 6: June 29-July 2

Performance on July 2nd at 11:30am

Performance on July 2nd at 3pm Tickets: $5/person

WINNIE THE POOH KIDS

Week 7: July 6-July 9

Week 8: July 13-July 16

Performance on July 16th at 11:30am

Performance on July 16th at 3pm Tickets: $5/person

“The Wizard of Oz,” Thursday, May 21, through Friday, July 3, HCT. “Follow the Yellow Brick Road” as Dorothy and Toto join Scarecrow, Tin Man and Cowardly Lion on a journey to the magical land of Oz.

Starship: Featuring Mickey Thomas, Friday, May 22, WHP. Starship is one of the most iconic rock bands from the ‘80s with such hits as “We Built This City,” “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now” and “Sara.”

Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Experience 2015, Friday, May 29, WHP. English drummer Jason Bonham, the son of the late Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham, leads the band.

Vertical Horizon, Sunday, May 31, LW. Vertical Horizon is a popular alternative rock, post-grunge group who had a string of hits in 1999 and the early 2000s. Some of its hits include “Everything You Want,” “You’re a God” and “Best I Ever Had (Grey Sky Morning.)

The Chainsmokers, Sunday, May 31, MDN. The Chainsmokers put out remixes of popular indie tracks.

Dirty South, Sunday, June 7, MDN. Dragan Roganovic, otherwise known by his stage name Dirty South, is a world-renowned DJ, two-time Grammy-nominated producer and global festival headliner.

Robert Cray Band, Thursday, June 11, MAC. Robert Cray is on tour to support his new album “In My Soul” and is celebrating 40 years since the formation of the Robert Cray Band.

Steven Wilson, Thursday, June 11, MAC. Along with its quadrophonic sound, the spring tour to promote “Hand. Cannot. Erase.” will feature custom-made film projections and stop-frame footage in the grand hand-crafted tradition of the animator Oliver Postgate.

Butch Walker, Friday, June 12, LW. Bradley Glenn Walker III, known as Butch Walker, gained his first taste of major label success in the ‘90s as a member of the group

Marvelous 3, whose single “Freak of the Weak” became a modern rock hit in 1999.

Hannibal Buress, Saturday, June 13, WHP. Hannibal Buress is widely known for having an irresistible comedic presence that is cerebral and swagger.

“Sesame Street Live: Let’s Dance!,” Saturday, June 13, and Sunday, June 14, MAC. “Sesame Street Life: Let’s Dance!” offers an up-close, interactive experience that includes dance parties.

The English Beat, Saturday, July 11, LW. The English Beat is well known for its unique mix of ska, pop, reggae, soul and punk rock.

ON STAGE VENUE INDEX

HCT—Hale Center Theatre

50 W. Page Ave., Gilbert Tickets: (480) 497-1181, www.haletheatrearizona.com

LW—Livewire

7320 E. Indian Plaza, Scottsdale Tickets: (480) 970-1112 or www.Livewireaz.com

MAC — Mesa Arts Center

One E. Main St., Mesa Tickets: (480) 644-6500, www.mesaartscenter.com

“American Idol Live!” Sunday, Aug. 16, MAC. The concert will give fans the opportunity to get up close and personal with the top five “Idols” from season 14.

Bowling for Soup, Monday, Sept. 21, LW. The Texas-based band Bowling for Soup is known for such hits as “Girl All the Bad Guys Want,” “Almost,” “High School Never Ends” and “1985.” It is touring with special guests Dolly Roots and Ivory Tribe.

MDN—Mãyã Day + Nightclub 7333 E. Indian Plaza, Scottsdale Tickets: (480) 625-0528 or www.mayaclubaz.com

WHP—Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino

5040 Wild Horse Pass Blvd., Chandler Tickets: (800) 946-4452 or www.wingilariver.com/wild-horse-pass

FRIDAY

In 1984, The Kids in the Hall formed in Canada with comedians McKinney, Dave Foley, Kevin McDonald, Bruce McCulloch and Scott Thompson. The troupe’s selftitled TV show ran from 1988 to 1994 on CBC in Canada, and 1989 to 1995 on CBS and HBO in the United States.

Since then, it has boasted a fervent following, thanks to those airings, as well as Netflix and YouTube.

“Our audience is kind of all ages now,” McKinney said. “There has been a whole ‘nother generation that has found the show, since the generation that found the show after the show. We’re on our third generation.”

There’s another way in which fans have heard about The Kids in the Hall. Fellow comedians have cited The Kids in the Hall as an influence.

“That is the really nice part of having a

career and having done something good,” he said. “People love to see it. The troupe is still alive. I’m still a comedy geek. When I met Fred Armison, I lost my mind because he’s so brilliant.”

But since The Kids in the Hall started, McKinney hasn’t had to “compromise too much to get an audience.”

“Comedy troupes—shut up you GPS— can live like rock stars and have their own identity.”

The Kids in the Hall perform at 8 p.m. Thursday, June 4, at the Celebrity Theatre, 440 N. 32nd St., Phoenix. Tickets are $40 to $70. For more information, call (602) 267-1600 or visit www.celebritytheatre. com.

Christina Fuoco-Karasinski is the executive editor of the SanTan Sun News. She can be reached at christina@ santansun.com.

Scott Weiland & The Wildabouts to perform at Livewire

Scott Weiland & The Wildabouts will perform Friday, June 5, at Livewire, 7320 E. Indian Plaza, Scottsdale. The doors will open at 7 p.m. for the 18 and older event.

Grammy Award-winning American musician, Weiland, is best known for his time as the frontman for Stone Temple Pilots, spanning more than 15 years. The band has won numerous awards. Weiland also had a successful five-year stint with

Velvet Revolver in the mid 2000s. For more information, visit www.livewireaz. com or call (480) 970-1112.

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