Posts Tagged ‘First Friday’

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.

Just as a heads-up, the street closure is still on hiatus for Roosevelt, but 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.

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

childrensmuseumThanks 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”).

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!

lamontagneSpeaking 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

 

Fourth of July Weekend Part II

Thursday, July 1st, 2010

Fireworks_ChaseSure, 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.

GhostLoungeIf 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.

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:

HarenHot 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!)

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 008The 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.

A Victorian Christmas at Rosson House

Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009

from Rosson House websiteI claim to have quite a fondness for Heritage Square, but to be completely honest, I’ve only been there once.  Once!  It was for an engagement photo shoot with my then-fiance, now-husband.  We had such fun posing by the big yellow barn doors and on the steps of the Rosson House.  So even though I haven’t been back since, I have a tender spot in my heart for the place.

There are similar tender places in my heart for old-timey Christmas traditions, hot chocolate, and free stuff.  So when I heard about the Victorian Christmas events Rosson House this weekend, I was totally pumped.  Christmas tree!  Luminaria!  Hot beverages!  Antique decorations!  Cookies!  Wrapping paper!  Be still my nerdy little heart.

Friday Dec. 4 there will be an open house from 6-9 p.m.  Coffee and tea will be available for visitors to Heritage Square, which you can enjoy before or after taking a tour of the beautifully decorated Rosson House.  (Be sure to keep an eye out for the sugar plums and antique dolls.)  This is also First Friday, so be sure to hit up some of the art galleries in the area, or swing by the Children’s Museum across the street.  Admission is free on First Fridays, so expect a big crowd.

On Saturday Dec. 5, Rosson House is hosting cookie-decorating and wrapping-paper-making parties from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m..  Rumor also has it that Santa will be in attendance, so bring the kiddos and a camera!

The husband and I will probably be there Friday night, remembering our last visit and drinking in the holiday spirit.  Join us in kicking off the season Victorian style!

Artlinks First Fridays at Bentley’s Lounge in Phoenix – Nov. 2009-Jan. 2010

Wednesday, October 21st, 2009

The Artists of the Black Community/Arizona (A.B.C./AZ) will be hosting Artlinks First Fridays

Artlinks First Fridays will feature some of the finest African American art – ceramics, paintings, drawings, sculptures, mixed media and much more. Light refreshments and entertainment will be provided. Admission is FREE to the public.

Bentley’s Lounge
308 N. 2nd Ave., Phoenix
6-10 PM

On the following dates:
Nov. 6, 2009
Dec. 4, 2009
Jan. 1, 2009

For more information, call Larry Wilson at (480) 694-9415.

Little Kid Things

Wednesday, October 14th, 2009

LittleKidthingsI do not have kids. I am, however, aware that many people in the great Phoenix area DO have kids. All you parents out there, I tip my hat to you. I also bring good news:

The Children’s Museum of Phoenix is rad.

A friend of mine recently scored free tickets and invited me to join her and her 13 month old son on a visit to the good old CM of P. She told me it was going to be awesome. I was not disappointed.

The CMP is located on the southeast corner of 7th Street and Van Buren in the historic Monroe School building. (Can I just say that I ADORE using old buildings for new things? Because I do.) A modern entrance was added on the back side of the building, but the interior remains true to its educational roots. Some of the old classrooms are used for workshops like “Name That Scent” or “Kids Love to Sign!” Others have been converted into a play grocery store (with shopping carts and cash registers and everything!), a pizza restaurant (kids make cloth pizzas and “cook” them in brick ovens!), and an arts and crafts studio (paints and crayons and pipe cleaners galore!). A jungle of pool noodles conceals a cozy reading area. And one big playroom is like a VIP lounge for the 3 and under crowd, which is great for people like my friend. Her toddler was free to throw balls and climb stairs and play with blocks to his little heart’s content without getting run over by any big kids.

The atrium of the museum is currently partitioned off for the construction of THE CLIMBER, a one-of-a-kind 3-story “climbing structure” with slides and ladders and bridges galore. THE CLIMBER is expected to open around the beginning of next year, but the CMP is still trying to raise funds for its completion. Any donations help. Plus you get the satisfaction of contributing to what is quite possibly the coolest jungle gym in North America.

If you have kids, you should take them. If you don’t have kids, you should borrow someone else’s kids and take them. Admission is $9, except on First Fridays when it’s FREE. Crowded, but totally gratis. Now go forth and play.

First Friday Fun

Thursday, September 3rd, 2009

First Friday Art

It’s July 3rd, First Friday night! The boyfriend and I hop on the light rail and start our journey into First Fridays. We wander into a bistro called Carly’s and discover they have a sweet happy hour. I used to think downtown was too expensive, but you just have to know where to find the deals. We try something called a Blushing Belgium, which combines framboise with Guinness—very tasty. We talk and watch the crowds of people pass us by. There are so many different groups. This is why I love Phoenix’s First Friday. There are Goths, followed by a family, then a high school couple, then a street show featuring roller blades and tutus. Watching the crowds go by is better than watching TV.

After our drinks, we head through the galleries and I buy my first piece of art! It’s a print of a phoenix rising with “love” written vertically. First Friday is full of Phoenix pride. We see a graffiti artist painting PHX on canvases in very creative ways. I am excited for next month’s event, and who knows? Maybe I’ll find my second piece of art.