There always seems to be show or two occurring somewhat in the vicinity of your house. When you are aching for something to do or to motivate you to get out on the town, live music is always a safe bet. But what happens if the only bands playing that night aren’t that spectacular or perhaps they drudge up unwanted memories of a person or embarrassing debauchery? Never fear! There are alternatives to a less than ideal concert experience. Phoenix is filled with nightly musically focused activities to amuse its city patrons. And the best part is the increased probability of finding such events near your inner sanctum. From Rockaroke to being a Rockstar DJ for 20 minutes, the alternatives will at least give you a great story to recount the following day.
Rockaroke With the Zen Lunatics At the Tempe Tavern, situated nicely across from the light rail station off McClintock and Apache, Thursday night is the magical night when you can face your fears and sing your favorite tunes loudly with the accompaniment of a live band to boot. Make your rockstar dreams come true as people either begin to worship you or politely tolerate your perhaps inebriated rendition of Led Zeppelin’s “Immigrant Song”, or negotiate a rousing “Ordinary World” by Duran Duran. Songs from the ‘50s, ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s are the general pool which participants choose from (though I know that Duran Duran track is from the early nineties-I’m sure they would make an exception for the sheer amazingness of Duran Duran). Luckily the Zen Lunatics have been at rockaroke antics for years, so they probably can handle whichever song you’re absolutely positive will bring the house to their knees. Or their hands to their ears. Rockaroke is every Thursday at Tempe Tavern. Music starts at 9:00 p.m. There is no cover.
Open Mic Night at Yucca Tap Room So what is there to do if you don’t want to live vicariously through your cherished classic rock songs? Maybe you have a couple songs you’ve come up with, or maybe you want to take the gold and glory for yourself and be the solitary musical mastermind on the stage. Whatever the reason the Yucca Tap Room located just off the intersection of Mill Avenue and Broadway Road in Tempe will give you your big break. This open mic night is for anyone and anything brave enough to shakily (or confidently) make it to the stage and give it their all. Or just make a silly fool of yourself in front of a decently proportioned amount of people. The fact remains that you were brave enough to try. Open Mic Night is Mondays at the Yucca Tap Room. Starts at 8:00 p.m. There is no cover.
Open DJ Tables at Revolver Records Good DJ’s really impress me. I mean it. It takes a rare sort of talent to filter through thousands of songs and mix a playlist that will hype the crowd up to a massive level. For the entire night, no less. Then there’s the bad DJ’s who have as much originality in their spins as a tube of travel-size toothpaste. There have been times on various Mill Avenue adventures that I have been subject to this strange and unusual torture. “See If I were Dj-ing right now”…these words often fire across many a personal synapse as my ears become subject to unscrupulous sounds. Well, there is actually a bonafied opportunity to test my talents (and the rest of the Valley’s as well) at the art of the DJ. With actual vinyl, no less. With a 20-minute max set, Revolver Records in central Phoenix gives you the golden opportunity to test out your chops. No matter if you’re a professional or bored on a Thursday night, the tables are open to all. And with their awesome and diverse selection of music, your set will most definitely have more personality than toothpaste. Open Tables sign-up starts at 6:30 p.m., though show up early cause sets are only put on from 7-9 p.m. Open DJ Tables runs every Thursday 7-9 p.m. It’s free to participate or just be a witness to the greatness that’s sure to follow.
Are there any great music events happening in your neck of the woods? Or maybe you have a great and epic musical story you’d like me to share? Whatever your musical concern, let me know! Email me at gmarsha2@asu.edu, or follow me at @whimsicalwookie.
