Posts Tagged ‘First Friday’

Nomojoe and Tequilya

Wednesday, October 5th, 2011

NoMoJoe and Tequilya. If you live in the Phoenix area, you know what that means and who these calaveras represent.

This mural on Roosevelt Row is by Lalo Cota, who I wrote about~again~a few days ago and his sometime collaborator, Thomas Breeze Marcus. I’ve photographed this building in the alley of the 400 block of East Roosevelt between Eye Lounge and Modified Arts before. This is what it looked like a year ago:

You can see that some of the roses and part of the background remain the same.

Over to the left, under the billboard, this is the mural on the side of Eye Lounge this month.

This mural changes every First Friday (except in the summer) and is always done by Joe Pagac, who you can watch paint amidst the crowds. This is what it looked like about a year ago:

And below is what it looked like about 6 months ago. This performance wall is commissioned by Stateside Presents, a concert and event promoter. So it’s a good gig for Joe Pagac.

Check it out this coming First Friday and see what changes are in store…

Tags: downtown, downtown phoenix, downtown phx, First Friday, Joe Pagac, Lalo Cota, Murals, phoenix, phoenix art, Roosevelt Row, things to do
Posted in Arts & Culture, Community Commentary, Family, Spotlight, Travel, Shopping & Leisure | 1 Comment »

Block Party Weekend at CityScape

Monday, November 1st, 2010

The wait is over.

This Thursday thru Sunday CityScape will roll out the red carpet and throw a big bash for Downtown Phoenix during its Block Party Weekend

Wondering what’s on tap? Think free food. Free concerts. Free fashion shows. Even a live performance by Macy Gray, the distinctive singer, songwriter and actress who earned five Grammy nominations, appeared in the first Spider-Man movie and even got punk’d by Ashton Kutcher.

That sounds like an eye-popping celebration for CityScape, the mixed-use development on Central and Washington that combines retail stores, office space and a high-rise hotel. Here’s a quick rundown on scheduled events:

Thursday, November 4 – From 5 to 7 p.m. Mayor Phil Gordon gives his annual State of Downtown Address, with a special performance by The Phoenix Symphony and a “Taste of Downtown” reception.

Friday, November 5 – Highlights include free samples of food and beverage from CityScape restaurants (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.); CityScape’s inaugural participation in First Friday and a Phoenix Suns Pregame Happy Hour (4:30 to 6:30 p.m.); and Macy Gray live in performance (9:30 to 11 p.m.). Other musical guests include The Walkens and Paige Bryan.

Saturday, November 6 – Live music all day and night, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., plus cooking demonstrations, fashion shows, performing arts groups and comedy acts, presented by Stand Up Live. Lineup headed up by Third Eye Blind, plus Eagle Heart, The Elevens and more.

Sunday, November 7 – It’s family day at CityScape. Balloon artists and face painters will keep kids busy and parents relieved, and the first 250 people to arrive will get their very own free CityScape lawn chair. Hungry for more? From noon to 5 p.m. LGO Public House will host a community picnic and cookout with outdoor grilling stations. Live bands will include the Bad Cactus Brass Band and Claude Mattox.

There are three light rail stops around CityScape, plus free parking Friday and Saturday until 4 p.m. and all day Sunday.

Tags: CityScape, downtown phoenix, downtown phoenix events, downtown phoenix restaurants, First Friday, LGO Public House, Macy Gray, METRO light rail, phoenix suns, Stand Up Live, The Phoenix Symphony, things to do
Posted in Arts & Culture, Bars & Nightlife, Family, Featured, Food, Restaurants & Dining, Music & Events | 2 Comments »

Big Mural at Valley Youth Theatre

Monday, October 25th, 2010

Another huge mural graces Downtown Phoenix, on the Valley Youth Theater’s corporate office at 807 N. 3rd Street. Roy Frank Sproule III, an avionics technician with the U.S. Air Force, stationed at Luke AFB, west of Phoenix, came upon the 69 x 11 foot wall during one of Phoenix’ famous First Fridays in 2007. He had never painted a large-scale mural on his own but, after spending six months putting a portfolio together, he approached the staff at the theater and his idea was met with enthusiasm.

He began painting in March 2008 and spent 17 months working on the mural, all while working at his full-time job in the Air Force. He donated his time (2,000 hours) and his own money to the project in order to build his profile.

Roy was given 20 years of photographs of the Valley Youth Theatre’s productions and, from these, he made a collage of over 50 photographs to fill the 759-square-foot wall. He then outlined the shapes with charcoal dust, a technique used by fresco painters during the Renaissance, using perforated patterns created in Photoshop. Interesting that his technique used technologies spanning centuries.

I’m embarrassed to say that I only recognize a few of the productions represented as theater is not my main cultural interest. Can you identify them?

There are several articles on this project, including Roy’s views of what a mural should mean to a community–he thinks the community should benefit by it–and the artist’s role in creating it. Here is another and at this site is a list of several more.

Roy has another large mural in Downtown Phoenix, finished just this last August, that I’ll write about in my next mural post.

Tags: downtown, downtown phoenix, downtown phoenix events, downtown phx, First Friday, Murals, phoenix, phoenix art, phoenix events, Roy Sproule, Valley Youth Theater
Posted in Arts & Culture, Community Commentary, Featured, Music & Events | No Comments »

Things To Do On First Friday

Friday, October 1st, 2010

An amazing weekend in Downtown Phoenix kicks off with tonight’s abundant First Friday events. In case you haven’t already mapped out a plan, here are some options:

First Friday at Civic Space Park

snakesnakesnakes Tonight’s lineup features great organizations, businesses and artists including Neighborhood Ministries, Barrio Bikes, Fair Trade Cafe, The Haymarket Squares, and Snake! Snake! Snakes! (pictured, left) There will also be a new exhibit opening in the Artlink A.E. England Gallery featuring paintings from ASU Assistant Professor Forrest Solis. 6:30-9:30 p.m. This event is free.

First Friday Latino Style at Arizona Latino Arts & Cultural Center

View the current collection of more than 40 Latino artists, including live painting demonstrations and the best in Latin jazz. Plus, check out New Carpa Theater’s “The Eagle & the Serpent: A History of Mexico Abridged.” Admission into the gallery is free but tickets for the play are $17.50 for adults, $15 for students/seniors, $10 for children 12-under.

First Friday at CityScape

Downtown’s new entertainment district has cooked up an impressive First Friday event of its own starting with a free concert by Peppermint James from 4:30-6:30 p.m., leading right into Designer District’s Grand Opening and Fall Runway Show at 7 p.m. There’s also art, with 26 Blocks debuting in the CityScape lobby plus lots of new public art that was installed on the grounds this week.

First Friday at Heritage & Science Park

Rainbow_Festival Tour the Rosson House, check out works from local artists, and pop in on new Downtown restaurant Nobuo at Teeter House. With the Rainbows Festival going on Saturday and Sunday, Heritage Square should be an exciting place to be all weekend.

Herberger Theater Center Grand Re-Opening

Be one of the first people to see the new-look theater! This party includes entertainment, cuisine and tours of the theater. 6:30 p.m. Tickets to the VIP event are $100. If you can’t make tonight’s event you can come see the theater during Saturday’s Festival of the Arts, a full day of live family friendly entertainment and food. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is $5.

Pinalicious, the Musical at Valley Youth Theater

Based on the book Pinkalicious, about a little girl whose love for all things pink gets out of control when she herself turns pink! Runs Oct. 1-17 at 7:30- p.m. Tickets are $18.

And don’t forget about First Friday staples like Target Free First Friday’s at Phoenix Children’s Museum and Adult’s Night Out at Arizona Science Center.

Tags: ALAC, Arizona Science Center, Children's Museum of Phoenix, civic space park, downtown phoenix, First Friday, Nobuo at Teeter House, Rosson House, Snake! Snake! Snakes!
Posted in Arts & Culture, Bars & Nightlife, Family, Featured, Food, Restaurants & Dining | 1 Comment »

Concerts, Theater, Festivals, Oh My!

Tuesday, September 28th, 2010

What a week in Downtown Phoenix!

Bryan_Adams First up is Bryan Adams, who brings his Bare Bones Tour to the intimate setting of the Orpheum Theater tonight. You’ll be singing along to classics like “Summer of ’69,” “Cuts Like a Knife,” and one of the best love songs of the 90s, ”(Everything I Do) I Do It For You.”

Next, The Arizona Latino Arts and Culture Center and New Carpa Theater bring “The Eagle and the Serpent: A History of Mexico Abridged” to their new stage, recreating Mexico’s tumultuous history from 30,000 BC to the present. With characters like Montezuma and Sinaloa Drug Kingpin “El Chapo,” this production is sure to be both entertaining and moving.

Also, don’t forget that this weekend brings First Friday, and the galleries are stocked and ready for those craving art. You can also find great First Friday activities at Heritage Square Park, Arizona Latino Arts and Cultural Center, Phoenix Children’s Museum, Arizona Science Center, and even our own Ambassador Information Center at the 101 North Building.

Back for the season is the Civic Space Park monthly event, featuring great organizations, businesses and artists including Neighborhood Ministries, Barrio Bikes, Fair Trade Cafe and live music from The Haymarket Squares and Snake! Snake! Snakes! There will also be a new exhibit opening in the A.E. England Gallery featuring paintings from ASU Assistant Professor Forrest Solis. Visit Fair Trade Cafe’s Facebook fan page for more details.

Downtown gets pink (just in time for breast cancer awareness month). Pinkalicious the musical starts up at the Valley Youth Theater this week, celebrating all things pink while showing that being yourself is the best of all. Australian Pink Floyd, the best one out there, will be at the Dodge Theater on Friday night with The Big Pink Greatest Hits World Tour.

RAINBOW Of course, if you’d rather celebrate all the colors of the rainbow, make sure to visit the Rainbows Festival happening at Heritage Square on Saturday and Sunday.

Last but certainly not least, Herberger Theater Center will show off its latest renovations during Saturday’s Festival of the Arts. You’ll get to tour the revamped theater while enjoying food, music and short films from the Phoenix Film Foundation. There’s an interactive children’s area too! That’s a lot of entertainment for only $5!

I could keep going and going but that would spoil the rest of the discoveries waiting inside this week’s What’s Happening. Download your copy here and get in on the Downtown fun!

Tags: Arizona Latino Arts and Cultural Center, Australian Pink Floyd, Bryan Adams, civic space park, Fair Trade Cafe, First Friday, Herberger Festival of the Arts, Heritage Square, Rainbows Festival, Valley Youth Theatre
Posted in Featured | No Comments »

First Friday for September

Wednesday, September 1st, 2010

If you’re heading Downtown for First Friday, you’ll find some juicy new attractions this week. And by juicy, I mean melt-in-your-mouth burger sliders and pot roast with gravy, just to name a few of the dishes at Bliss, a brand-new eatery.

But first, for any newbies who don’t know about First Friday, I’ll keep it short and sweet: First Friday is the country’s largest, self-guided art walk. This event takes place every month in Downtown Phoenix from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., and the pleasures range from live music, food and performance artists to more than 100 art galleries.

Roosevelt Row restaurants are always open for business, so be sure to check out Bliss and its companion bar ReBar, which just opened at Roosevelt and Fourth Streets.

Clarification: Roosevelt Row, the district, WILL be participating in First Friday. Roosevelt Row CDC, the nonprofit, will not be hosting an area for artist vending. Galleries, restaurants, venues will continue to have art exhibitions, live music, performance, dinner specials etc. We regret the confusion. –Ed.

American Comfort Food, Updated

Bliss is co-owned by Mark Howard, who also owns Fez, one of the most popular restaurants in central Phoenix (oh, Fez, if only you delivered those sweet potato fries). The menu for Bliss features a new angle on American comfort foods, from pot roast and pork chops to mac and cheese with chicken and bacon. After 10 p.m., Bliss offers $5 nibbles including mini beef tacos and burger sliders.

Target Free First Fridays

childrensmuseum Thanks to Target, the Children’s Museum of Phoenix is open and free of charge during First Friday. A tribute to imagination, this interactive museum has one kid-friendly exhibit after another, from the Noodle Forest to the Texture Café, where kids use fabrics to create entire meals. The astonishing 3-story Climber, made from odd and found materials, provides kids with a one-of-a-kind experience.

Adult’s Night Out

This adults-only event returns this Friday to the Arizona Science Center with a free lecture from an actual CSI-type scientist. Kim Kobojek, forensic scientist, will give you the skinny on Hollywood vs. reality when it comes to crime labs. The lecture starts at 7 p.m., but for the regular admission fee, you can stick around and see an IMAX film or a Dorrance Planetarium presentation at 8:15 p.m. (the topic is “Black Holes”).

Tags: Adult's Night Out, Arizona Science Center, Bliss, Children's Museum of Phoenix, downtown phoenix, downtown phoenix dining, downtown phoenix events, downtown phoenix restaurants, First Friday, phoenix bars, ReBar
Posted in Arts & Culture, Bars & Nightlife, Family, Featured, Food, Restaurants & Dining, Music & Events | 2 Comments »

This Week: Soulful Crooners, First Friday, Bowling & Baseball

Monday, August 30th, 2010

Summer may be winding down, but Downtown Phoenix is only getting hotter. Three nights a week you can laugh yourself in stitches over Ashley Pirouznia’s lineup of local talent; Mondays at Sonoma Casual Dining, followed by Fridays and Saturdays at Ghost Lounge. Whether you want to see Phoenix veterans of comedy or the latest “fresh meat” (prime heckling material), there is a laugh for every taste. All shows start at 8:30 p.m. and there’s no cover!

Speaking of talent, David Gray and Ray Lamontagne perform at the Dodge on Wednesday night. Both known for their acoustic style and raspy voices, this show will easily slide you over hump day on into the weekend. On Friday, talent will be abound with the First Friday of the month. Check out the fun at Arizona Latino Arts and Culture Center, Children’s Museum of Phoenix, the Arizona Science Center with Adult’s Night Out, ASU University Center’s gallery “The Vault”, Heritage Square, AE England Building in Civic Space and much more. The Valley Youth Theater has extended “Grease” due to its popularity. With famous alumni like Chelsea Staub (Disney Channel), Jordin Sparks (American Idol) and Emma Stone (Zombieland) you may easily be able to say, “I saw them when…”.

The D’backs take the field again this week against the Padres and the Astros. College football starts this week too. Coach and Willie’s kicks-off the season with great specials on Thursday night and again Saturday morning at 8:30 a.m. (in time for the East Coast kickoffs).

If none of this floats your boat, you can always hit the lanes at Lucky Strike. They have great happy hour specials and this amazingly entertaining lunch special – a sandwich and a game for $5.50! You can get a turkey sandwich while you bowl a turkey. Ha!

Download This Week’s What’s Happening for a Complete Guide to Downtown Events

Tags: ALAC, civic space park, David Gray, Diamondbacks, Dodge Theatre, First Friday, Ghose Lounge, Heritage Square, Ray LaMontagne, Sonoma Casual Dining, Valley Youth Theater
Posted in Arts & Culture, Bars & Nightlife, Deal, Family, Featured, Food, Restaurants & Dining, Music & Events, Sports | No Comments »

Fourth of July Weekend Part II

Thursday, July 1st, 2010

Fireworks_Chase Sure, it’s fun to watch stuff blow up. But this July 4th weekend, there’s also an explosion of things to do: live music and nightclubbing, comedy slams and ways to amuse your kids.

Here’s the rundown on Downtown:

Barely Dressed or Well Dressed

Don’t worry about trying to undress someone with your eyes. The Beach Party at the Sky Lounge has taken care of that for you. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday night, you can eye models – and fellow partiers – in teeny, tiny swimwear. If you do wear beach attire, there’s no line and no cover charge.

GhostLounge If you’d prefer to be fully dressed while drinking, check out the What, are you Def? Comedy Slam at the Ghost Lounge, located in the Hotel San Carlos. This new lounge (pictured, left) has a casual but upscale vibe with terrific appetizers provided by the Hotel’s new eatery, Bistro 202. Be careful, or comedian Ashley could have you doing a spit-take while sipping your margarita.

From Jazz to Motown Funk

On Friday, July 2nd, the District American Kitchen and Wine Bar will feature a live jazz trio in the bar starting at 5 p.m., followed by DJ Senbed at 9 p.m. Saturday, if you like vintage Motown and R&B, head for the District between 8 pm and midnight to catch Roscoe Taylor and Tim Forks, two Valley perennials who perform 70s classics from the likes of Al Green, Stevie Wonder and the Four Tops.

Do-it-Yourself Ice Cream

Oh, what I’d give right now for a pint of Ben & Jerry’s and a spoon. To cool your palate with this all-American dessert, head for Heritage Craft Saturdays, where you can make your own ice cream (and yes, eat it). Heritage & Science Park, noon to 2 p.m.; admission is $2 per person.

First Friday Times Four

July 4th is a great weekend to be out and about, since it coincides with First Friday. Artlink has put the signature street closure on Roosevelt on hiatus, but there’s no stopping First Fridays at the Dodge Theater, which is hosting a variety of entertainment in the lobby from 6-9 p.m., followed by the live band 357, which will perform until midnight. Admission is only $5 after 10 p.m.

For kids or grown-ups who hate to grow up, there’s Target Free First Fridays at the Children’s Museum of Phoenix, open from 6-10 p.m. Admission is free. If you haven’t seen the Museum’s new climber, check out some video here.

An event for all ages is the First Friday: Taste of the Rosson House Tour, which takes you on a guided tour of this historic house, located in Heritage & Science Park, from 5-9 p.m.

And don’t forget First Friday Latino Style over at the Arizona Latino Arts & Cultural Center on Adams and 2nd Street. You can read all about this ”caliente” event in Part I of this post here.

Tags: district american kitchen, Dodge Theatre, downtown phoenix, downtown phoenix dining, downtown phoenix events, First Friday, Ghost Lounge, Heritage and Science Park, Hotel San Carlos, phoenix bars, Rosson House, Sky Lounge, things to do
Posted in Arts & Culture, Bars & Nightlife, Family, Featured, Music & Events | No Comments »

Fourth of July Weekend Part I

Monday, June 28th, 2010

A pool party, baseball games, art walks and drink specials: the Founding Fathers would be proud. At the very least, Ben Franklin, who had a thing for beer and the ladies, would have approved.

So, without further delay, here are some ways to make your Fourth of July weekend take off without a hitch in Downtown Phoenix:

Hot dogs and baseball

The D-Backs are battling the Dodgers Friday-Sunday, July 2-4, at Chase Field. Be there Saturday night to catch the fireworks display; it’s a major wow. If you have family or friends in the service, Sunday afternoon is Military Appreciation Day.

First Friday events

By now, our readers are more than familiar with the signature event, Artlink First Fridays, which takes place July 2 from 6-10 p.m. in and around Downtown. [Editor's note: It was recently published that the street closure that has become synonymous with First Friday will go on hiatus for the months of July and August.]

While you’re there, check out First Fridays Latino Style at the Arizona Latino Arts and Culture Center. The event will showcase more than 40 Latino artists in Arizona plus the music of Latin jazz artist Ruth Lara Vichules. The Phoenix Fridas, the Valley’s most popular Latina art collective, invites fans to come by and celebrate the world’s most renowned Latina painter, Frida Kahlo.

Since that’s bound to build up a thirst, head for First Fridays Party on the Patio at Steve’s Greenhouse Grill. Knock back $2 Miller Lite drafts and $3 Stellas while you refuel at the complimentary appetizer bar, open from 6-7 p.m. (Steve’s is open till 1 a.m.)

Get this party started

On Saturday, July 3, Solstice Saturdays, now in its 2nd year, heats up at Bar Smith. Dance till you drop to hip hop or head upstairs for house music until 3 a.m. No cover before 10 p.m.

On Sunday, July 4, you can cool down at the Hotel San Carlos Adult Swim Party, a rooftop pool party featuring local deejays. Open to anyone 18 and older, the party is from 2-10 p.m. $5 cover charge.

Best place to watch the fireworks

When it comes to views, I’m pretty sure the Compass Arizona Grill is the unchallenged winner. This revolving restaurant, located on the 24th floor of the Hyatt Regency, is the perfect place to see an astonishing, 360-degree view of all the Valley’s fireworks shows. Special 4th of July seating is from 7-10 p.m., so call 602-440-3166 to make reservations now.

(Editor’s Note: Look for Part II of this post next week!)

Tags: Arizona Diamondbacks, Arizona Latino Arts and Culture, bar smith, Chase Field, Coach & Willie's, downtown phoenix dining, downtown phoenix events, First Friday, Hotel San Carlos, phoenix bars, Steve's Greenhouse Grill, things to do
Posted in Arts & Culture, Bars & Nightlife, Deal, Featured, Food, Restaurants & Dining, Music & Events, Sports | No Comments »

Latino Arts Center Makes Debut

Friday, December 4th, 2009

The Arizona Latin@ Arts & Cultural Center opened today just in time for First Friday.

Latino_Arts 008 The 5,400-square-foot Downtown space at 147 E. Adams Street is chock-full of beautiful and provocative artwork by noted Arizona artists like Zarco Guererro, Martin Moreno, Juliet de la Rosa, Jim Covarrubias, Marco Albarran, Jose Benevides, Dora Hernandez and many others, but the cultural center is much more than a gallery.

It’s a representation and celebration of the tremendous impact Latinos and those of Hispanic decent–who make up 40 percent of the Phoenix population–have made in the Valley.

The Latin@ Arts & Cultural Center offers a little bit of something for everyone, including dance and cooking classes, and live artist shows like the one that will take place tonight and every First Friday. Tonight’s grand opening event runs from 5-9 p.m. and features a ribbon-cutting ceremony with Mayor Phil Gordon, refreshments, and a blend of traditional and contempoary Latino artwork.

“Opening doors for our Latino arts and culture reflects one of our major goals to enhance the lives of all citizens in Phoenix by providing education on Latino arts, culture and traditions,” said ErLinda Torres, president of the Advocates for Latin@ Arts & Culture Consortium [ALAC], which helped build support for the arts center. “As Latinos we are proud to celebrate all the lasting contributions that Latinos have made to the arts, our economy, and our community.”

The ALAC hopes the cultural center’s success will open doors for a larger $10 million facility similar to Latino art museums in Albuquerque, San Antonio and Long Beach, Calif.

For more information call 602-254-9817 or alacaz.org. After tonight’s grand opening, the center will be open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday-Friday.

Tags: downtown phoenix, downtown phoenix events, First Friday, Latino Arts and Cultural Center
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