Tempe Conventions & Visitors Bureau

Operas are not usually funny. No siree, like most country-western music, most operas are all about the sad and the tragic. But, there’s at least one exception I can name and it really is funny. I’m talking about Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro. In a nut shell, Figaro is Count Almaviva’s trusty valet who is betrothed to Susanna, the countess’s maid. The count is a lecher who plans on evoking the midlevel custom that allowed the lord of the manor to have his way with the virgin on the eve of her wedding, which in this case is Susanna. Figaro, obviously not real keen on this custom, has his own plans for the count.  Mayhem ensues, but all ends well thanks to the countess. There are plenty of plot twists and turns in this fast-past, fun classic and the music is beautiful, as one would expect from Mozart. This production is sung in Italian but not to worry. English supertitles will be provided. The Marriage of Fiagaro is presented by the ASU School of Music and opens this week at the Evelyn Smith Music Theatre. 

It’s a week full of arts, culture and entertainment in Tempe. View a complete listing of Tempe events, or call 480-894-8158 for more information.

- November 15:  Open Jam, Rula Bula Irish Pub & Restaurant  
- November 16: Songwriters’ Showcase VI with Jesse Valenzuela, Tempe Center for the Arts
- November 16:  Stu Siefer Combo, Dave’s Electric Brew Pub
- November 17: Thursday on Mill, Mill Avenue District   
- November 16: Class Clowns, Tempe Improv
- November 17: Brian Ricci, Tempe Improv
- November 18: Traveler, Desert Botanical Garden
- November 18: 102.5 Knix Million Cans Crusade, Tempe Marketplace District Stage
- November 18: Lakeshore Jazz Series: Kathy Kosins and Tamir Hendelman, Tempe Center for the Arts
- November 18: ASU School of Dance Presents Civil Disobedience Park Jam!, Nelson Fine Arts Center Fine Arts Plaza
- November 18: Gradymusic; November 19: Mary Hoffman, Tempe Marketplace Barnes & Noble Fountain
- November 18-19: Jon Lovitz, Tempe Improv
- November 18-19: Love Crazy with Ritch Shydner in the Wonderama Theatre, Tempe Improv
- November 18: Take Cover, Rula Bula Irish Pub & Restaurant 
- November 19: Shawn Johnson & The Foundation, Rula Bula Irish Pub & Restaurant 
- November 18-December 3: ASU Lyric Opera Presents Le Nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), Evelyn Smith Music Theater
- November 18-December 4: ASU School of Theatre & Film Presents The Misanthrope, Galvin Playhouse
- November 19: Chris Alcaraz and More Love, Tempe Marketplace District Stage
- November 19: Jam with the Jeff Libman Trio, Robbie Fox’s Public House 
- November  19-December 18: Childsplay Presents  Lyle the Crocodile, Tempe Center for the Arts
- November 20:  Music on the Patio with Shelby James, Rula Bula Irish Pub & Restaurant
- November 20: Sonoran Chamber Music: Arianna Quartet , Tempe Center for the Arts
- November 20: Trevor Rogers and The Wilderness, Cadillac Ranch

Comedian Craig Shoemaker is coming to the Tempe Improv this week. Known for his baritone-voiced Lovemaster character, Craig is a natural story teller who weaves his many experiences and interests into his stand-up routines. Definitely a dare-devil, he’s been skydiving and hang gliding. He’s piloted a fighter jet and bungee jumped from a from a hot air balloon. His earthbound accomplishments include starring in numerous films, authoring two children’s books and performing for four US Presidents.  And there’s more! He invented On Hold Advertising and founding the Laughter Heals Foundation, a nonprofit group dedicated to raising awareness of the healing power of laughter.  No wonder he’s has earned his reputation as one of the smartest and funniest comics working today. In June 2010, Shoemaker received an honorary doctorate in humanities from his alma mater, California University of Pennsylvania, recognizing his humanitarian work. Interesting guy and funny too!

 View a complete listing of Tempe events, or call 480-894-8158 for more information.

• November 8:  Open Jam, Rula Bula Irish Pub & Restaurant
• November 9: Walk-in Wednesdays Open Mic, Tempe Center for the Arts
• November 9: Stan Sorenson, Dave’s Electric Brew Pub
• November 10: Music on Mill, Mill Avenue District
• November 10-12: Craig Shoemaker: The Lovemaster, Tempe Improv 
• November 11: Fuerza Caribe, Desert Botanical Garden
• November 11: Jake Dean & The Granting; November 12:  Shawn Johnson & The Foundation, Tempe Marketplace District Stage
• November 11: Scott & John of Hello Swindon; November 12: Scott Jeffers, Tempe Marketplace Barnes & Noble Fountain
• November 11-12: Love Crazy with Ritch Shydner in the Wonderama Theatre, Tempe Improv
• November 11:  The Sullivans; November 12: Jeff Hunt Band, Rula Bula Irish Pub & Restaurant
• November 12: Jam with the Jeff Libman Trio, Robbie Fox’s Public House
• November 12-13: Childsplay Presents  The Sun Serpent, Tempe Center for the Arts
• November 12-December 4: ASU School of Theatre & Film Presents The Misanthrope, Galvin Playhouse
• November 13:  Music on the Patio with Shelby James, Rula Bula Irish Pub & Restaurant
• November 13: Trevor Rogers and The Wilderness, Cadillac Ranch
• November 13-December 18: Childsplay Presents  Lyle the Crocodile, Tempe Center for the Arts