The Phoenix Symphony is about to shut down for the summer but not before staging a megawatt tribute to the most successful composer in pop music history.
This Friday and Saturday, the Symphony enlists Tucson singer-songwriter Tony Kishman for “Live & Let Die: A Paul McCartney Tribute,” with a pair of 8 p.m. concerts at Symphony Hall.
Kishman will perform hits from Sir Paul through the Beatles and Wings eras, with songs like “Eleanor Rigby,” “Live and Let Die,” and “Let it Be” with orchestral support from the Symphony.
Starting in 1979, Kishman played bass and guitar for six years as Paul McCartney in both the national and international tours of Beatlemania. He later joined the supergroup Wishbone Ash.
These concerts will be a celebration of an artist who has written or co-written over 188 charted records, with 91 Top 10 singles and 33 No. 1s. Tickets start at $18 and can be purchased by calling the Phoenix Symphony Box Office at (602) 495-1991 or by visiting their web site.
June 10 / Jethro Tull
Celebrating the 40th anniversary of their seminal release, Aqualung, Ian Anderson and company play an 8 p.m. show at Comerica Theatre. Tickets are $40-$65, call (800) 745-3000 or visit livenation.com
June 15 / Bruno Mars
The Hooligans In Wonderland Tour featuring Janelle Monae visits Comerica Theatre for a 7:30 p.m. show. Tickets are $32 to $45, call (800) 745-3000 or visit livenation.com
June 16 / RUSH
Arguably Canada’s greatest gift to rock music, RUSH’s legendary lineup of Geddy Lee, Neil Peart and Alex Lifeson visit US Airways Center for a 7:30 p.m. show that will include the band performing its entire Moving Pictures album. Tickets are $59.25 to $105.25, call (800) 745-3000 or visit ticketmaster.com
June 19 / Luis Miguel
The legendary Mexican singer and winner of four Latin Grammy Awards visits Comerica Theatre for a 7:30 p.m. show presented by Ranch Markets. Tickets are $32 to $89.75, call (800) 745-3000 or visit livenation.com
June 21 / Alison Krauss
One of the most influential bluegrass-country artists of the modern era (and at the time of her first Grammy win in 1991, the youngest to ever do so), Krauss and her amazing band visit Comerica Theatre for a 7:30 p.m. show. Tickets are $56.50 to $74, call (800) 745-3000 or visit livenation.com
June 30 / NKOTBSB
We saved the best for last, ladies. The most powerful boy bands of the last 25 years, New Kids On the Block and Backstreet Boys, share one stage at US Airways Center for a 7:30 p.m. show. Tickets are $69.50 to $89.50, call (800) 745-3000 or visit ticketmaster.com
First things first, our very own 
The Phoenix Symphony performs one of the most popular pieces of the 20th Century, 
based on the hit musical 
The Red
RU Orange? 
With Memorial Day approaching, it reminds us of not only the obvious, but of the outdoor fun to be had. 
So on behalf of moms everywhere, I’d like to suggest giving her the one thing she wants most on Mother’s Day: some time and attention. You’ll find lots of options in Downtown Phoenix that will get her way more jazzed than that card you have your eye on.
After attending Friday evening’s The Music of Led Zeppelin and Queen show at 
Downtown Goings On Jan. 19-22
Thursday, January 19th, 2012If you’re looking to fill your weekend’s social calendar, Downtown Phoenix offers the perfect blend of urban nightlife, culture, family friendly events, dining, and live music.
Grab a slice of pizza from Downtown’s newest pizza parlor, Downtown Pizza Lounge (144 E. Washington St.). Phoenix Suns assistant coach and former shooting star Dan Majerle opened this lunch spot last week next door to his flagship bar and restaurant, Majerle’s. Chow down on huge $3 pizza slices (popular varieties like pepperoni, sausage, Margherita, etc.) while getting your SportsCenter fix. Downtown Pizza Lounge might stay open late depending on Downtown’s event calendar.
Friday at 5:30 p.m., Coach & Willie’s hosts Super Date for Super Nate, a benefit dinner and poker tournament for Nate Dinoffria and his family. Please read Nate’s story here. A dinner ticket is $25, a spot in the poker tournament is $50, and dinner and poker can be had for the unbeatable price of $65. You may also sponsor a poker table for $250. For more information about Nate and this event contact dmobilia@aol.com
Fans of FX Network’s raunchy fantasy football sit-com “The League,” can see one of the show’s stars, Steve Rannazzisi (you’ll be quizzed on the spelling of that name at the door), perform his “You’re Either In Or You’re Out” routine at Stand Up Live Thursday-Sunday. Tickets are just $15 and parking is free when you validate at the CityScape garage.
Take the kids to see Disney On Ice’s “Toy Story 3″ at US Airways Center Thursday-Sunday. Tickets are $14-$68, which is pretty cheap fare to go to infinity and beyond.
Check out local favorites What Laura Says (pictured, left) at Downtown’s hippest new lounge and music venue Crescent Ballroom, Friday at 8:30. Tickets are $8-$10. While you’re there, try Crescent’s already legendary signature cocktail, the Honey Badger.
Speaking of live music, the Chris Parker Project will be playing its scintillating blend of Motown and 70s funk Friday night at Copper Blues starting around 8:30 pm. No cover!
Herberger Theater Center rolls out a few shows this weekend, including “My Mother’s Italian, My Father’s Jewish & I’m In Therapy” Thursday-Sunday ($39.50-$49.50), and psychological thriller “9 Circles” in the Kax Theater Thursday-Saturday ($16-$20).
Irish folksters Trevor Jones and Nick Heyward play at The Turf Pub (705 N. 1st St.) 4 p.m. to 1 a.m.
The Phoenix Symphony presents “Pictures At An Exhibition” Thursday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at Symphony Hall. Tickets start at $18.
There’s also Food Truck Friday (11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.) and Saturday Market (8 a.m. to 1 p.m.) at Phoenix Public Market, “Monster Manual, Venom, Busy Bones” at Arizona Science Center, and the kid-friendly Fourth Sunday Jam at Civic Space Park (5 p.m.) featuring DJ DJentrification.
Have a great weekend in Downtown Phoenix!
Want more Downtown Phoenix?
Your weekly guide to events in Downtown is available in the What’s Happening!
Tags: civic space park, Coach & Willie's, Copper Blues, Disney on Ice, downtown phoenix, Downtown Pizza Lounge, kincaid's, majerles, Nate Dinoffria, phoenix public market, Phoenix Symphony, San Tan Brewery, Stand Up Live Steve Rannazzisi, The League, The Turf Irish Pub, What Laura Says
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