Weekly planner
Toni Braxton
She’s playing the Valley just shy of the 25th anniversary of her Best New Artist Grammy win on the strength of an eight-times-platinum debut that spun off three huge singles – “Another Sad Love Song,” “Breathe Again” and “You Mean the World to Me.” Her biggest hits came later in the form of three charttopping singles – “You’re Makin’ Me High,” “Let It Flow” and “Un-Break My Heart.” She arrives in support of the Grammy-nominated “Sex & Cigarettes,” which makes the most of her soulfully seductive vocals.
Details: 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 21. Wild Horse Pass Casino, 5040 Wild Horse Pass Blvd., Chandler. $70 and up. 800946-4452, playatgila.com. — Ed Masley
Amy Grant
The singer-songwriter began as a Christian-music singer with an acoustic guitar and a raw folkie vibe in the ‘70s. As her sound got more polished, her audience grew; 1991’s “Heart in Motion” sold more than 5 million copies, thanks to such pop-radio smashes as “Baby Baby” and “Good for Me.” More recently, she has reverted back to a more organic sound, yet she’s still as appealing and heartfelt as ever.
Details: 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 22. Celebrity Theatre, 440 N. 32nd St., Phoenix. $43$87. 602-267-1600, celebritytheatre.com.
— Randy Cordova
Tempe Empty Bowls
This event features lovely hand-crafted bowls for sale, along with live entertainment. Attendees may purchase a bowl for a $10 donation and Whole Foods Market Tempe will serve them a simple meal of soup and bread; event organizers say this is symbolic of the number of calories that many people around the world take in during an entire day.
Details: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 22. Sixth Street Park, east of Mill Avenue, and 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23, at Tempe Library Courtyard, 3500 S. Rural Road. tempeemptybowls.org.
— Alison Stanton
Lost Dutchman Days
There are lots of ways to celebrate Lost Dutchman Days in Apache Junction. If you are in the mood for a rodeo, the 55th annual Lost Dutchman Days GCPRA Sanctioned Rodeo is a key part of the event. Love a parade? The Lost Dutchman Days Parade is free fun for the family. The Main Event Center will host entertainment, vendor booths, carnival rides and the crowning of the Miss Lost Dutchman Days queen.
Details: Friday-Sunday, Feb. 22-24. Times and locations vary; check website for schedule. lostdutchmandays.org.
— Alison Stanton
Arizona Matsuri: A Festival of Japan
Come see Japanese exhibits, arts and crafts and demonstrations as well as non-stop entertainment across multiple stages. Children’s activities will keep the younger crowd happy and entertained. When hunger strikes, enjoy Japanese food, beer and a sake garden.
Details: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 23 and 24. Heritage & Science Park, 115 N. Sixth St., Phoenix. Free. 602-262-5029, azmatsuri.org.
— Alison Stanton
Phoenix Vegan Festival
People who already enjoy a vegan lifestyle as well as those who want to sample delicious vegan foods will have a tasty time at the annual festival. More than 100 vegan and vegan-friendly vendors will be on hand, along with more than 25 musicians, presenters and cooking demonstration chefs. Check out the food trucks, an artisan market with vegan-friendly products and a kids activity area.
Details: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23; 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 24. Margaret T. Hance Park, 1202 N. Third St., Phoenix. $25-$90, free admission for age 12 and younger. 602-296-5362, phxveganfest.com. — Alison Stanton
Patton Oswalt
After a heart-wrenching couple of years in the wake of wife Michelle McNamara’s death, Oswalt returns to the stage. The comic, known for roles in “Young Adult,” “The King of Queens” and Pixar’s “Ratatouille,” was a suggested potential Academy Awards host by author Stephen King in December following the Kevin Hart controversy.
Details: 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23. Comerica Theatre, 400 W. Washington St., Phoenix. $38.50-$238.50. 602-3792800, comericatheatre.com. — Garrett Mitchell
Italian Festival
This festival celebrates Italian culture, food, commerce and music. Enjoy authentic cuisine, purchase hand-crafted items and enjoy live music.
Details: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 24. Scottsdale Waterfront, 7135 E. Camelback Road. $10, free for age 11 and younger. scottsdaleaz.gov. — Alison Stanton
Joy Williams
This four-time Grammy winner may be best known in the mainstream as a former member of the Civil Wars, an Americana duo that topped the
Billboard album charts in 2013 with a self-titled followup to “Barton Hollow,” their acclaimed debut. Her latest solo album, “Front Porch,” is due to hit the streets in May. Rolling Stone says the album, produced by Kenneth Pattengale of the Milk Carton Kids, makes it “explicitly clear that there’s nothing missing when she goes it alone.”
Details: 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 25. Musical Instrument Museum, 4725 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix. $38.50-$48.50. 480478-6000, mim.org. — Ed Masley