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Don’t know what to do in metro Phoenix? Here are our picks for the best events, concerts and shows happening in the Valley.

8/3-5: Big Jay Oakerson

The standup comedian known for his raw, raunchy and honest comedy and easy charm will perform several shows in Phoenix. Oakerson has appeared on FX’s “Louie,” “Inside Amy Schumer” and “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon,” along with a number of comedy festivals around the country.

Details: Aug. 3-5. 8 p.m. Thursday; 7:30 and 10 p.m. Friday; 7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday. StandUp Live, 50 W. Jefferson St., Phoenix. $20. 480-719-6100, standuplive.com.

8/4-6 Prescott Gem and Mineral Club Show

Immerse yourself in earthly treasures at this event. More than 60 vendors will be on hand for the one of the largest gem and mineral shows outside Tucson. Enjoy demonstrations, raffle drawings, geode cuttings and more.

Details: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 4-6. Prescott Valley Event Center, 3201 Main St. $5, free for 12 and younger with paid adult admission. 928-772-1819 or prescottgemmineral.org.

8/4: Neil Diamond

Neil Diamond is bringing his 50th Anniversary Tour to Phoenix. The Grammy-winning icon was inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2011 despite being more of an easy-listening sensation. And the reasons should be obvious to anyone who’s followed his career, from his days writing hits for the Monkees to “Home Before Dark,” which became the legend’s first chart-topping album in 2008. As the Hall sums up the man’s appeal, “A charismatic and captivating performer, he’s been referred to as the ‘Jewish Elvis.’ In reality he’s bridged generations with his music, serving as a missing link between the iconic poles of Elvis Presley (rock and roll) and Frank Sinatra (adult pop).”

Details: 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 4. Talking Stick Resort Arena, Second and Jefferson streets, Phoenix. $44.75-$120.25. 800-745-3000, ticketmaster.com.

8/4: Metallica

The metal legends are bringing the WorldWired tour to the biggest stage in town in support of their sixth consecutive release to top the Billboard album charts, “Hardwired … to Self-Destruct.” The WorldWired our played Singapore in January, inspiring a rave in the Straits Times. “There are rock bands,” their critic began, “and then there are heavy metal showstoppers.” Avenged Sevenfold and Volbeat will be the main support acts for the tour run. Each ticket purchased through official outlets includes your choice of a standard physical or digital copy of “Hardwired …To Self-Destruct.”

Details: 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 4. University of Phoenix Stadium, 1 Cardinals Dr., Glendale. $55.50-$155.50. livenation.com and ticketmaster.com.

8/5: Prowl & Play: Dinosaurs!

Dino fans are sure to love roaring and exploring at the Phoenix Zoo. The fun evening will include meet and greets with Raja the Baby T-Rex, sandpit fossil digs, waterslides, dino-themed activities and crafts and more.

Details: 5:30-8:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5. Phoenix Zoo, 455 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix. $8. 602-286-3800, phoenixzoo.org.

8/5 Sun Devil Weekend in Payson

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Arizona State head coach Todd Graham discusses Sun Devil leadership at Camp Tontozona.
By Rob Schumacher

The Rim Country town turns out to welcome the Arizona State football team to Camp Tontozona with a pep rally and food truck festival. Festivities kick off Friday with a pep rally featuring football competitions, autograph sessions with former Sun Devils and more. On Saturday, several food trucks will offer tasty fare, from the gourmet to the hand-held. The fest also features live music and a corn-hole tournament.

Details: Pep rally is 5-9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 4; food truck festival is 2-9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5. Green Valley Park, 1000 W. Country Club, Payson. Free. paysonrimcountry.com.

8/5: Ed Sheeran

The Grammy-winning singer-songwriter is touring on “÷” (pronounced “divide”), which features the quadruple-platinum “Shape of You,” his first chart-topping entry on the Billboard Hot 100. A second single from the album, “Castle On The Hill,” debuted the at No. 6 the same week “Shape of You” hit No. 1, making Sheeran the first artist ever to have two singles hit the Top 10 at the same time. The ginger-haired Brit is no stranger to the Glendale sports arena, where he served as the opening act on Taylor Swift’s Red Tour. At the time, his biggest U.S. hit was still “The A Team.” His other hits include “Lego House,” “Give Me Love,” “Don’t,” “Sing,” “Thinking Out Loud” and “Photograph.”

Details: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5. Gila River Arena, Loop 101 and Glendale Avenue, Glendale. $74-$95. 800-745-3000, ticketmaster.com.

8/5 Wine Country BBQ

Owners of LDV Winery invite you to bring your appetite and camera to the vineyard. Photography experts will show you how best to capture the vineyard from every angle. Take a tour, sample some wine and settle in for a casual dinner cooked by the LDV owners.

Details: 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5. LDV Winery and Vineyards, 13922 S. Kuykendall Cutoff Road, Pearce. $25, tickets must be purchased in advance. 480-664-4822, ldvwinery.com.

8/5-6 Navajo Festival of Arts and Culture – Walk in Beauty

Artists and storytellers join to present the Navajo “Beauty Way” philosophy of life. More than 70 artists representing several clans will be on hand, including silversmiths, weavers and painters. Basket makers will be working on site, and a Navajo ethno-botanist will lead a hike.

Details: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 5-6. Museum of Northern Arizona, 3101 N. Fort Valley Road, Flagstaff. $12-$18. 928-774-5213, musnaz.org.

8/5-6 Peach Mania Festival

It’s all peachy when Apple Annie’s Orchard celebrated the harvest with its festival devoted to the juicy fruit. Start the day with an all-you-can-eat peaches and pancakes breakfast, then hop aboard the wagon for the short trip to the orchard to pick your own. There will also be peach samples, peach pie and peach ice cream. Beware the pitfalls of eating too much.

Details: 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 5-6. Apple Annie’s Orchard, 2081 W. Hardy Road, Willcox. Free, fees for peach-based products. 520-384-2084, appleannies.com.

8/5-6: Experience the Andes

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Curator Daniel Piper, PhD, discusses visiting the Musical Instrument Museum in Scottsdale.

Enjoy music and culture from the longest mountain range on Earth, all without having to travel to South America. The signature event at the Musical Instrument Museum features music and dance performances, and make-your-own instrument crafts.

Details: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Aug. 5-6. Musical Instrument Museum, 4725 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix. Included with paid museum admission. 480-478-6000, mim.org.

8/6: Val Kilmer presents ‘Cinema Twain’

Val Kilmer will present a special screening of “Cinema Twain,” the film of his one-man play about Mark Twain called “Citizen Twain.” In the 90-minute film Kilmer transforms himself into Twain in a performance that is moving, funny and more. Kilmer will conduct a question and answer session with the audience after the screening.

Details: 7 p.m. Sunday, August 6. Stand Up Live, 50 W. Jefferson St., Phoenix. $30 and $70. 480-719-6100, standuplive.com.

Biggest and best upcoming events in Phoenix

Hoping to plan out your weekends and big outings for the next couple of months in the Valley? We have you covered.

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With reporting from Alison Stanton, Jennifer McClellan, Scott Craven and Ed Masley.

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