To call Lady Gaga a “singer” would be like calling Wolfgang Puck a “cook.”
No, Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, who will turn 25 two days after her show at U.S. Airways Center this Saturday, is a bonafide global icon.
And the reception her Monster Ball Tour will receive here in Downtown Phoenix this weekend will be fit for entertainment royalty.
There’s plenty going on before and after the show. Here’s a quick primer:
Are tickets available?
Surprisingly, yes. On Tuesday morning there were about 300 tickets remaining on StubHub starting at $86. Of course, if you’d rather go to the show for FREE you can sign up to win a free pair at any CityScape retailer. Then, on Saturday, visit the Mix 96.9  or KISS FM booth on the US Airways Center plaza to win $1,000 in CityScape shopping/dining.
Where do I park?
CityScape has a great deal for Gaganians. Spend $75 at CityScape retailers and receive a voucher to park for free Saturday night. So, buy a new outfit at Designer District, West of SoHo, Charming Charlie, or Urban Outfitters, and you’ll have prime parking for the show. That’s a bargain that will make you want to “Just Dance.”
What’s going on before the concert?
* Grab a bite to eat at one of Downtown’s newest restaurants, The Arrogant Butcher or Province at the Westin, or maybe check out Hanny’s, which was the hotness before Gaga’s show here last July.
* Kobalt on Central is hosting a Gagalicious event billed as the “ultimate pre-party for fans with tickets and the next best thing for fans without seats.” There will be Gaga-inspired drinks, costume contest, shuttle to US Airways Center plus a ticket giveaway.
And what about after?
* Across the street from US Airways Center, Hard Rock Cafe will host a Gaga after party complete with DJs spinning and drink specials.
* With The Pink Floyd Experience playing over at Comerica Theater, the two fan bases could rondezvous at Lucky Strike for a late night bowling throwdown.
* Ghost Lounge at the Hotel San Carlos hosts Comedy Slam and DJ Saturdays with reverse happy hour until midnight and no cover charge 11 p.m. to 2 a.m.
* Plus, Club Row on Washington Street offers a wide variety of post-show dancing options: Bar Smith hosts Solstice Saturdays with DJ Element and Benjamin Cutswell, DJ Senbad adn Pete Salaz until 3 a.m.; Sky Lounge has Ladies Night with Latin, Hip Hop and Reggaeton all night long and gals get in free before 10:30 p.m.; Club Silver will be playing Musica Latina Latin Top 40, and with Salsa, Rock en Espanol, with no cover if you show your Downtown parking slip; and PHX has the upscale club scene covered.
What are you doing for Saturday’s big show? Let us know in the comments section!