Archive for the ‘Things to do’ Category
March means Cactus League
What is Cracking Good — Spring training games
Sitting in the sun, eating a hot dog watching America’s favorite past-time; for the rest of March, 15 different teams are playing in all corners of the Valley…and Tucson.
Check it out. There are games at Scottsdale Stadium, Goodyear Ballpark, Maryvale Baseball Park, Hohokam Park in Mesa, Peoria Sports Complex, Phoenix Municipal Stadium, Tempe Diablo Stadium and I didn’t even name them all
(view the map).
The positives: the weather is beautiful and tickets are relatively inexpensive $7-$30.
The negative: $11 for a large beer. That’s a six-pack and a half, if you’re counting.
A day in Phoenix: Indie Shopper
10 a.m. Get up and throw something on. Wear something easy to get in and out of (a dress and flip-flops?) , you’re going to be trying on clothes.
11 a.m. Head to Central and Camelback to Frances Vintage for a great accessories and gift selections. Some things you’ll find: Cool, arty dresses and tops, vintage picks, handmade accessories, and eclectic home items.
Next door, stop into Stinkweeds, one of the best local music stores in town. Listen to the newest indie albums or peruse their flyers for upcoming shows and events.
One door down: Red Hot Robot. Get inspired by their collection of vinyl toys, books and other Japanese-inspired accessories.
Next up, get a mid-morning pick-me-up at Smeeks, the cute candy shop at the end of the row.
12:30 p.m. Head a mile or so down Central to Pane Bianco, of Bianco’s Pizzaria fame, for a delicious sandwich and a Bubble Up.
If you’re a sweetie person (like me), stop next door at Lux for a baked treat. My suggestion: Anything with chocolate and/or peanut butter.
1:30 p.m. A block or so down the road, check out Vintage Fashion, Inc. for an amazing mix of designer vintage ranging from barely-affordable to not-so-much. Walk a few steps to Central Consignment next door for a brand names at discount prices.
2:00 p.m. More vintage. Head a few miles west to Hollywood Regency and peruse their selection of retro classic clothing for men and women.
Across the street: Retro Ranch for a funky collection of well-priced vintage fashions, furniture and home decor.
3:30 p.m. Stop off at Grand Ave. – home of vintage shop, Butter Toast.
Grab an iced tea next door at Paisley Violin and sit on the patio (October-May) or inside (June-Sept) and think about your purchases.
4:30 p.m. Downtown is a little sparse, but you can still check out some locally made items at
Bunky Boutique and Made.
Happy hour – You’ve been living la vida retro all day, stay in that mood with a martini from Durant’s. All it takes is one.
6:30 p.m. Take the 20-minute trip to Scottsdale. Work up an appetite trolling Scottsdale Fashion Square, home of some great high and low-end shopping.
For big spenders: Barney’s, Neiman Marcus, and Kate Spade.
For the spend-thrifts: Forever21, Charolette Russe and coming soon — H&M.
8 p.m. Depending on the damage you’ve incurred throughout your day, you might choose a less expensive dining option, like the home-style fare at Orange Table, or splurge a little at new (and much talked about) FnB for some gourmet fare.
Real Gardens for Real People garden tour
If you look at your yard and wonder what on earth you could do to make it more functional, interesting, eco-friendly, you might want to visit the Real Gardens for Real People garden tour.
The tour spans the Central Corridor and covers the yards of 6 homes and a school.
Some gardens feature wild flowers, others chickens, and still more showcase herbs and veggies. The yards also demonstrate — composting and water harvesting.
Phoenix things to do: March 5 – 7
FRIDAY
Spring Fling Comedy event @ Madcap Theater
3 Digit Comedy (and one of my funniest friends) is putting on another comedy fest featuring 2 comedians from LA and 2 local talents. Whether the laughs are from the hilarity or awkwardness — they’ll undoubtedly be many.
MADCAP Theatres
Doors open @ 7 p.m. Showtime @ 8 p.m.
$10 dollars a the door.
***
Art Detour 22 @ Downtown
It’s First Friday and the downtown galleries and art spaces are open! Brave parking and join the throngs of people who mill about downtown looking at street vendors, art spaces, etc.
SATURDAY
Arizona Tree Climbing Championship @ Boyce Thompson Arboretum
If you’re looking for something new and different to do this weekend and have the time to drive the hour to Superior, the Annual Arizona Tree Climbing Championship might be just the event for you. Watch competitions such as aerial rescue, footlock and the master’s challenge. I know nothing of what these entail, but it sounds odd enough to actually be interesting.
Boyce Thompson Arboretum
37615 U.S. Highway 60
Superior, AZ 85273
7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
$7.50 for adults, $3 for children 5-12
***
Great Arizona Beer Festival @ Tempe Town Lake
Try up to 24 3oz beer samples and get DRUNK. Choose from microbrews and craft beers, enjoy music, games, food.
Tempe Town Lake
80 W. Rio Salado Parkway
2-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
$40 in advance. $50 at the door. $20 for a designated driver ticket.
SUNDAY
Watch the 82nd annual Oscars @ Home
See the dresses, the jewels the pageantry of the annual Academy Awards! I personally would like to see Colin Firth win best actor and anything but Avatar for best picture.
6 p.m. on ABC
WEEKEND DEALS:
Free shipping on orders over $75 @ Urban Outfitters
Use coupon code SHIPIT at checkout to receive your discount. Ends Sunday at midnight.
10-12% off and free shipping & returns @ Boden
Shop Boden’s fun basics and get 12% off on Friday and 10% off on Saturday.
Butter Toast
It’s a spring blow out! Butter Toast will have $1-$3 pick-and-save bins and 30%-50% off select clothing items and accessories. Visit Friday from 11 a.m. -11 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Sunday 12-5 p.m.
Concerting with Glee
So who’d have thought there’d be a 4-city tour that Phoenix would actually be a part of?
The cast of Glee is heading out on a concert tour this May to 4 different cities: New York, Los Angeles,
Chicago, and…Phoenix?
YES…Phoenix!!!
I don’t understand how we made the list, but I’m not complaining.
The show is May 18th and tickets go on sale March 12 at 10 a.m. via Ticketmaster.
Phoenix things to do: February 26 – 28
FRIDAY
You have your choice of indie dance nights:
FauxShow @ Club Sanctum
Listen to guest DJ MYKILL from San Francisco play dance tracks while drinking $4 Stellas, $5 greyhounds and Vodka Redbulls and $6 premium wells.
Club Sanctum
4343 N. 7th Ave
Phoenix, AZ 85017
9 p.m.
$6
***
Ransom @ Philthy Phil’s
Goodbye Gosh Damn! Hello Ransom, the new dance night of Kevin the Makeout Bandit, Benni Beatnik, Bigie, BC/AD and Craig Citizen. Go for good dancing and $2.50 well drinks.
Philthy Phil’s
2939 N 16 St
Phoenix, AZ 85016
(602) 279-4339
9 p.m.
$3 cover
Movie in the Park, 7 p.m., Civic Space Park, 444 N. Central Ave. Grab a blanket, hot chocolate and your lounge chairs for a great free movie. The event is free and open to the public.
SATURDAY
Community Yoga Project @ Civic Space Park
If it’s not raining, why not try doing some down dogs in an urban setting. Bring your own yoga mat, towel or blanket and get ready to get limber.
Civic Space Park
444 N. Central Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85004
(602) 262-4734
10 a.m.
Free
SUNDAY
Matsuri @ Heritage Park
MATSURI is SU-PAH! One of my favorite festivals of the year — I love listening to Taiko drums, eating Japanese food, a watching the kids dressed in anime-wear.
Heritage and Science Park
115 N. Sixth St.
Phoenix, AZ 85014
Saturday and Sunday, 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Free
It’s Spaaaaah time!
The Arizona Spa Girls are kicking off another Summer Spaaah Series of fabulous rubs and relaxation at Sanctuary, Revive, Joya and more. This summer, however, they are doing it a little differently.
The Girls are doing away with the mini-treatments of the past and are offering 30-day certificates for full-length treatments. Get a a goodie bag, an evening of drinks and snacks, a treatment certificate to use at your leisure with complete use of the spa facilities AND donate to Fresh Start, for $125.
Tickets move FAST, so get yours now!
Phoenix things to do: February 19-21
Last week there were festivals and events at every turn. This weekend…eh, not so much.
FRIDAY
The Cutting Edge @ Madcap Theaters
My sister and I loved this movie back in the day. Privileged, saucy girl meets rough-around-the edges boy — together they fight, figure skate then fall in love.
MADCAP Theaters
730 S. Mill Ave.
Tempe, AZ 85281
Friday & Saturday at 8 p.m.
$8
***
Source Victoria @ Teakwood’s
Drink beer, eat peanuts, throw shells on the floor and listen to good music. According to the So Much Silence blog, Source Victoria will likely be playing new material. Check it out.
Teakwoods Tavern & Grill
2808 E Indian School Rd
Phoenix, AZ 85016
SATURDAY
Arizona Renaissance Festival
Arizona Renaissance Festival
Yo fair ladies and gents! This Saturday kicks off 8 weekends of Medieval fun. Head to the 30 acre grounds outside Apache Junction to grab a turkey leg, watch jousters, shop, play game, listen to music and experience more Renaissance fun.
12601 E. U.S. 60
Southeast of Apache Junction
(520) 463-2700
Through March 28
10 a.m.- 6 p.m.
$18 adults and $8 children 5-12 at Fry’s Food Stores.
***
Build a Bio-dynamic compost heap @ Maya’s Farm
Learn the mixing and building techniques to create the most nutritious matter for your plants.
Maya’s Farm at South Mountain
6106 South 32nd Street
Phoenix, AZ 85042
Suggested donation: $20
SUNDAY
Brunch @ Mission
From 2 p.m. – sundown they serve all you can eat pork tacos for $16. The pork looks freshly roasted, carved in front of you. There are a multitude of toppings. The atmosphere is nice…and even better if you order a drink called the Primarita — Partida, lime juice, and agave syrup.
The Mission
3815 N. Brown Rd.
Scottsdale, AZ 85253
(480) 636-5005
Phoenix things to do: February 12-14
Books, beer, boobs — this weekend, there’s events to satisfy all of your diverse interests.
FRIDAY
Phantasmagorical Valentine Cabaret @ Alwun House
Erotic art, erotic poetry an erotic circus — what else do you expect at a Phantasmagorica Valentine event?
What says Valentine like 2 stages and 2 floors of erotic art.
Alwun House
1204 E Roosevelt St
Phoenix, AZ 85006
Doors open at 7 p.m. Show starts at 8 p.m.
$25 at door
SATURDAY
VNSA Book Sale @ Arizona State Fairgrounds
My friend has talked about this book sale since I first met him 8 years ago. Each year he gets there early to peruse the more than 600,000 new and used books for sale.
Arizona State Fairgrounds
1826 W. McDowell Rd.
Phoenix, AZ
8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Saturday
8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Sunday
***
In the Yard @ Bunky Boutique
Enjoy local artists, refreshments, music and 20% off funky clothes and accessories for men and women at Bunky.
Bunky Boutique
812 N. 3rd St.
Phoenix, AZ 85004
11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
***
Tomato Fest 2010 @ Maya’s Farm
Over 1,000 heirloom tomato plants on sale at the Tomato Festival.
Maya’s Farm at South Mountain
6106 S. 32nd Street
Phoenix, Arizona 85042
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
***
Strong Beer Fest @ Margaret T. Hance Park
4 ounces of 15 beers equals a delicious and drunken afternoon. What goes better with a day of drinking than an array of festival food, including beer brats, carnitas, nachos, sliders and more.
Margaret T. Hance Park,
Downtown Phoenix, above I-10 tunnel
Festival Entrance at
Moreland St. and 2nd St.
$45 per person or $10 for designated drivers
***
Obscura Haiti Benefit @ Rips Ales & Cocktails
Dance to Brit pop and indie faves while helping raise money for the American Red Cross and Haitian relief. DJs Roya and Funkfinger create the magic — and drink specials include $2 house pints, $3 wells and $5 calls don’t hurt either.
Rips Ales & Cocktails
3045 N. 16th St.
Phoenix, AZ 85016
9 p.m. – 2 a.m.
$5
SUNDAY
Phoenix Chinese Week @ Chinese Cultural Center
Phoenix Chinese Week celebrates its 20th year and the year of the tiger with loads of food and gift booths, arts and crafts, photos and mah jong.
Chinese Cultural Center
668 N. 44th Street, Suite #201W
Phoenix, Arizona
Friday – Sunday
***
Valentine’s Dining
Fuel the romantic fires with one of the following dining deals for the day of love. Click for a full list.
Phoenix things to do: February 6-8
FRIDAY
First Friday
Tour downtown galleries, shop artist’s wares and do a ton of amazing people watching at one of the town’s biggest monthly events. Some events of merit: The Trunk Space is selling 2010 artist calendars and get 10% purchases at Butter Toast.
Downtown Phoenix
(Centers around Roosevelt and 3rd Street or visit Grand Ave./15th Ave.)
6 – 10 p.m.
SATURDAY
Mekong Tet Festival @ Mekong Plaza
Celebrate the Vietnamese New Year with food, dancing, costumes…and more food. Vietnamese, Thai, Chinese and Filipino restaurants will be offering special food only made for Tet.
Mekong Plaza
66 S. Dobson Road
Mesa, AZ
10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
$3 Saturday, $1 Sunday
***
Lose Weight Naturally @ Sutra Midtown Yoga
Learn how stress, irregular eating habits and bad dietary practices are making you fat.
A naturopathic physician will explain how food pairing tricks and general good habits to lose weight naturally.
Sutra Midtown Yoga
2317 N. 7th Street,
Phoenix, AZ 85006
(602) 253-9525
12:30 – 2:30 p.m.
$25
Arizona Renaissance Festival
Yo fair ladies and gents! This Saturday kicks off 8 weekends of Medieval fun. Head to the 30 acre grounds outside Apache Junction to grab a turkey leg, watch jousters, shop, play game, listen to music and experience more Renaissance fun.
12601 E. U.S. 60
Southeast of Apache Junction
(520) 463-2700
Through March 28
10 a.m.- 6 p.m.
$18 adults and $8 children 5-12 at Fry’s Food Stores.
SUNDAY
Peach Blossom Festival @ Schnepf Farms
Grab a cinnamon roll or a piece of pie and wander through the 6 orchards and enjoy the blooms.
Schnepf Farms
24810 Rittenhouse Road Queen Creek, AZ, 85242
(480) 987-3100
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Free
***
Puppy Bowl on Animal Planet
Who cares about the Saints and the Colts? Let’s watch a line-up of puppies duke it out in Animal Planet stadium.
What it lacks in conflict it makes up for in cuteness.
Animal Planet
12 – 2 p.m.
