Posts Tagged ‘Hard Rock Cafe’

Hard Rock Cafe 40th Anniversary Bash June 25

Tuesday, June 14th, 2011

To celebrate 40 years of rocking hard, Hard Rock Cafe and 93.3 KDKB are throwing a family friendly street party in Downtown Phoenix.

tourbusOn Saturday, June 25, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., 2nd Street between Washington and Jefferson will be closed off to make room for the Hard Rock Cafe’s 40th Anniversary Rock Memorabilia Tour Bus.

The memorabilia tour bus (shown left) is a must-see for rock and roll fans of all ages and the XL tractor trailer is filled with a collection that started with one guitar (a red Fender) donated by Eric Clapton.

Now it’s the largest and most valuable music memorabilia collection on the planet – 70,000 (and counting) rock ’n’ roll relics, from a lock of hair to a five-ton psychedelic bus. Here are some of the items you’ll see:

American Idol sensation and Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler’s scarf and microphone stand used during the band’s 1984 Back In the Saddle tour

Michael JacksonWEBDress worn by Katy Perry when she dove on a birthday cake at the 2008 MTV Latin American Awards

Buddy Holly’s iconic glasses

Justin Bieber’s skateboard (insert guffaw)

The jacket John Lennon wore on the cover of Rubber Soul and hand-written lyrics to “Imagine”

The wedding dress Madonna wore  on the cover of Like a Virgin and during her performance at the first MTV Video Music Awards in 1984

Michael Jackson’s “Beat It” jacket


But that’s not all.

* KDKB’s promotions truck will be on hand and Sludge’s Build-A-Band will perform live from 4-7 p.m.

* Interactive booths and performances from the Phoenix Mercury, Chicks with Picks, official event charity Make-A-Wish, Ear Candy, and more.

*Lots of cold beverages, grub, and air conditioning available inside the cafe.

So come Downtown on June 25 and help Hard Rock Cafe and KDKB celebrate four decades of rock.


Earth Day, Music, Comedy and More

Monday, April 18th, 2011

Downtown Phoenix is the urban heart of Arizona and this week is another prime example why.

Here are just a few of the events I’m looking forward to.

Live Music

Hard Rock Cafe continues to book amazing live acts week in and week out. Fake Problems, an indie band playing vintage rock and roll-inspired punk rock, will grace the stage Tuesday night for an all-ages show.   

Speaking of live talent, Tuesday night also mark’s Lil Wayne’s return to Phoenix as the Grammy Award-winning rapper brings his high-voltage show to the US Airways Center. 

Earth Day 2011

We’ll all celebrate Earth Day this week and to thank the most hospitable planet in the galaxy and there are two free events you can attend. 

42-16875340The Second Annual Earth Day Phoenix Fair will be held on Thursday at Caesar Chavez Plaza, 2nd Ave. and Washington, from 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.  You’ll learn about recycling and sustainability, and maybe even pick up some useful giveaways. 

If you can’t make Thursday’s event you can celebrate Earth Day at Friday’s Earth Day Community Picnic at Civic Space Park.  Enjoy live music, art, and the beautiful outdoors with your fellow Phoenicians. Bring your lunch from home, stop and grab something from Phoenix Public Market at Food Truck Friday or the Urban Grocery, or even grab a bite from Fair Trade Café which is located right in Civic Space Park.   The free event runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.  

Comedy

Adam Carolla will split your gut and get real at Orpheum Theater on Friday night with his brutally honest brand of comedy.  The popular radio and podcast host’s interactive show promises several special appearances via Skype.

Wellness

Of course, after such a busy week, you’ll need to unwind. Just Breathe’s Gong Bath is a deep meditation.  This popular quarterly event will help you to de-stress, clear energy pathways, and renew your mind and body with the sound and vibration of the meditation gong.  Wellness awaits you on Sunday at 6:45 p.m. 

Remember, you can download the weekly What’s Happening newsletter here or stop by the Downtown Ambassador Information Center to pick up a copy.

Enjoy your week in Downtown Phoenix!

Downtown Goes Gaga

Tuesday, March 22nd, 2011

To call Lady Gaga a “singer” would be like calling Wolfgang Puck a “cook.”

Lady-Gaga-Singapore-Concert-520x447No, 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!

Downtown Lowdown

Monday, February 14th, 2011

We’ve reached one of the best stretches of the year in Downtown Phoenix. The weather is idyllic, the Diamondbacks and the rest of the Cactus League will soon report for Spring Training duty, and there’s no shortage of great events happening right here in our city’s core. Here are just a few of this week’s highlights:

Body Worlds & The Brain

Gunther von Hagens’ famous exhibit features more than 200 authentic human specimens–including entire bodies, organs and transparent body slices–to form the most awestriking walking health sciences class in the world. Daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday 5:15-7 p.m.

spamalotSpamalot

From Eric Idle, the deranged mind who brought the world Monty Python, comes this Tony Award-winning musical chronicling the adventures of King Arthur, Sir Lancelot, Sir Dennis, and the Knights Who Say “Ni!” Orpheum Theater Thursday and Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., Sunday 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Ten Chimneys

In this lavish Arizona Theatre Company comedy, we discover what every Broadway star already knows – that the real drama on stage happens when the curtain is down. It is the late 1930s, and Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne, the two most revered stars of the Broadway stage, have decided to perform Chekhov’s masterpiece, The Sea Gull. But first they must retreat to ‘investigate’ the play at Ten Chimneys, their legendary Wisconsin estate, where they are surrounded by actors, family and hangers-on. When a young actress named Uta Hagen arrives, a romantic triangle begins to mirror the events in Chekhov’s play about passion and art. The result is a funny, poignant and revealing look at the private lives of great artists who never really leave the stage. Herberger Theater Center Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 8 p.m., Sunday at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Alice In Wonderland

This is your last week to see Valley Youth Theatre’s presentation of Lewis Carroll’s classic children’s tale. And at $20 a pop, VYT continues to be one of the Downtown’s best stage values! Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 12 p.m. and 3 p.m., Sunday 12 p.m. and 3 p.m.

Food Truck Friday

Downtown’s latest food craze happens every Friday at Phoenix Public Market (peep the Market’s fancy new web page), where from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. the finest mobile vendors in the city turn the parking lot into a bodacious food court offering everything from cajun burritos and gourmet hot dogs to authentic barbecue and rockin’ grilled cheese. 

Third Fridays

In addition to several Downtown art spaces being open late to the public, Third Fridays events include Emerging Artists at Hard Rock Cafe, 3rd Annual KYSS Dance-a-Thon, Third Friday Latino Style at ALAC featuring “Madonnas, Saints and Sinners,” Live Fridays at Seamus McCaffrey’s and Live Band Karaoke at Friday’s Front Row. Click links for specific times.

A3F4Almost Famous Film Festival Kickoff Party

At 5 p.m., hundreds of aspiring filmmakers will congregate at Majerle’s, where they’ll receive everything they need to shoot a short film: a single line of dialogue, a prop, a theme, and 48 hours to make some magic. For more information on this awesome event read Downtown Blogger Daisy Anderson’s preview of the event here.

Marrakesh Night at Children’s Museum of Phoenix

The Children’s Museum’s annual fundraising gala always offers an evening of fun and food and this year is no different as the museum will be transformed into a Moroccan-style bazzar. 7-11 p.m.

Alabama Symphony Led Zeppelin #4.jpgThe Music of Led Zeppelin

“Kashmir,” “Whole Lotta Love,” “Thank You,” “Stairway to Heaven,” “Heartbreaker,” and “Since I’ve Been Loving You,” are just a few of the classic Led Zeppelin songs featured in this touring production that gives classic hard rock a symphonic treatment. Comerica Theatre 8 p.m.

But wait, there’s more!

Be sure to check out the AAA Arizona Travel Show, EPIK Dance’s Common Ground, and Brahms’ Symphony No. 2.

Have an amazingly fun and safe week, Downtowners!

Football, Hypo Twins and The Music Man

Wednesday, September 8th, 2010

The summer is almost finished, but the fun Downtown is just starting.  The Phoenix Symphony kicks off the season with their famous Pops series this weekend, NFL-VIKINGS-SAINTSbased on the hit musical The Music Man.  Let the Symphony regale you with  “76 Trombones” and music that will have you dancing in your seat. 

The Hard Rock Café and Psyko Steve bring you The Hypo Twins this Friday night.  This local trio best describes their sound as disco party scum rock, and while that may sound like it’s out on the fringe, it sounded fun and funky to me when I heard it, so I may be their newest fan.

NFL officially starts its season Thursday and while we may not have the stadium, we do have the party.  Thursday Coach & Willie’s is hosting a kickoff party for the Vikings/Saints game and on Sunday they open early with a phenomenal hangover menu to recoat your tummy and keep the party going.  The Rose and Crown Pub is hosting a Pigskin Pig-Out complete with corn bag, horseshoes, and the piece de résistance – a roast pig!

This is just a sampling of What’s Happening in Downtown Phoenix. Get the whole kit and kaboodle here.

Send In the Clowns

Thursday, June 24th, 2010

There are so many fun things to do in Downtown Phoenix this weekend!

clownsThe circus is in town! Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey are back this year to bring you “Barnum’s Funundrum.” See the clowns and hear the laughter, the glitter and cannon, the high-flying tricks, and of course, the animals.

What would summer be without the summer concert season? Cherryholmes, the Bluegrass phenomenon,, will take the stage at the Orpheum Theater tonight at 7 p.m. This family turned a tragedy and a music festival trip into award-winning success. See how they turned a family bond and a love for pure and simple music into this amazing act.

Friday there is another treat for you, with only a $10 price tag. Riot for Romance and February State, both climbing the music ladder fast, will be performing at the Hard Rock Café starting at 8 p.m. Support these up-and-coming Arizona boys, and reward their talent and hard work with a successful show. I bet the CDs are nice and cheap, too.

It’s a swimmers weekend. The YMCA has cheap rates on Friday from 1-5 p.m. You can get an up-close-and-personal look at the pool at the new Alta Phoenix residential community on Saturday, with free food, drinks and tunes. And, Adult Swim will top off a nice weekend at the snazzy Hotel San Carlos, where the 18-and-over crowd can find refreshment.

Have fun and be safe!

Downtown Food Diaries Returns

Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010

This week we posed the following questions to our online community:

1) Where do you take a date out to dinner in Downtown Phoenix

2) Who dishes up Downtown’s best pizza?

3) If you only have 15 minutes for lunch, where do you go?

74866776And here are some of the answers we received…

“I love 1130 The Restaurant or Sam’s Cafe at Arizona Center. The patio at Sam’s Cafe is so wonderful, especially when it’s lit up at night.”Kim W. [via Facebook]

Hanny’s is a great place for drinks–strong, classy and smooth. Roosevelt Tavern is also a great neighborhood bar.”az_cdog [via Twitter]

 

“1) Hard Rock Cafe; 2) BKLYN’S NYC Pizza; 3) Fabulous food at the Arizona Science Center.”Courtney S. [via Facebook]

“Cibo for a date, Hanny’s or Cibo for pizza, and Two Hippies Tacos for a 15-minute lunch.”Penny B. [via Facebook]

Sing High. Why? Pork Fried Rice!”c_licious [via Twitter]

“1) Main Ingredient; 2) I work next to Z Pizza so that’s my default; 3) Hero Factory!”Valerie P. [via Facebook]

“1) The District; 2) Cibo; 3) Majerle’s.”Lynn S. [via Facebook]

“1) Thai Elephant; 2) Cafe Roma; 3) 7-11.”Demitrius R. [via Facebook]

“Cheuvront’s  has an urban atmosphere and great wine list.”wklywinejournal [via Twitter]

“Cibo! Love that place… best pizza and very romantic!”Padmaja K. [via Facebook]

“Local Breeze for brunch dates!”Amanda H. [via Facebook]

“1) Coronado Cafe; 2) Pizzeria Bianco; 3) Pane Bianco.”Rafael N. [via Facebook]

Thanks for all of your great responses and stay tuned for more posts chronicling Downtown Food Diaries  

Want to devour more Downtown dining news? Text “FOOD” to 25866

Off the Beaten Path

Thursday, May 20th, 2010

Got an urge to color outside the lines? If so, here are some offbeat ideas for your inner nonconformist, bottled up in business clothes all week.

QueensrycheBQueensryche Cabaret

 

Billed as the first adults-only rock show, this flashy production comes to the Orpheum Theatre on Thursday, May 20th at 7 pm. How flashy? Expect go-go and burlesque dancers, jugglers, a trapeze artist and a contortionist on stage, performing alongside the band Queensryche, who conceived the show. You’ll hear some of the band’s hits as well as new selections.

 

Phoenix Comicon

 

As a writer, comic books were among my first loves. I grew up reading my brother’s Marvel Comics collection and often snuck into his room to swipe the latest issues of Spider-Man and the Fantastic Four.

comiconWhether you’d like to meet old-school giants like Marvel’s Stan Lee or modern masters like Todd McFarlane, check out this year’s Phoenix Comicon. Now one of the top-ranked events in the field, Comicon will attract thousands to the Phoenix Convention Center & Hyatt Regency over Memorial Day Weekend, May 27-May 30.

Emerging Artist Series at the Hard Rock Café

 

New and upcoming bands will appear live this Friday, May 21st, at the downtown Hard Rock Café. The concert starts at 8 pm, and the ticket price is a $10 donation at the door, which goes directly to Ear Candy Productions. The good folks at Ear Candy, a nonprofit organization, are working to keep music programs in schools, one of the best ideas I’ve heard (no pun intended).

Arizona Highways Travel Show

 

“Off the beaten path” takes on a whole different meaning at this event. Now in its second year, the Arizona Highways Travel Show gives you the goods on road trips along Route 66, hiking trails through state parks and visits to the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley and Sedona. The show takes place from 10 am to 5 pm, this Saturday and Sunday, at the Phoenix Convention Center. General admission is $5 per person. Kids 10 and under get in free.

 

Downtown Lite

Thursday, January 7th, 2010

It’s time to man up, grit our collective teeth and forge ahead with our New Year’s Resolutions on diet and health. I’ve talked to restaurant managers across Downtown Phoenix to find healthy options for dining out, which you’ll find listed below.

First, to make sure I’m giving you some good basic advice, I’ve sought out the diva of diet, the queen of culinary do-right, Oprah herself. While she doesn’t always follow her own advice, Oprah does have terrific medical advisors, including Dr. David Katz, a world-renowned specialist in nutrition. Here are a few key tips from Dr. Katz and other specialists:

Make half of every meal fruits or vegetables. This way, you get enough nutrients and you automatically reduce the number of fat and calories you consume. Just watch out for fatty dressings and toppings.

Be sure to limit sugar, eat high-fiber carbs like whole wheat bread, and include some healthy proteins in every meal – like eggs, chicken, fish or beans – to help you feel full and stay on your plan. Another good tip: keep the ingredient list short in the foods you eat or the items you order. Longer lists usually equal more sugar, salt and calories.

OK, enough nagging. Here are some suggestions for eating lite Downtown:

Sonoma Casual Dining

If Dr. Katz were here, he’d give these guys a gold star. Their breakfast-all-day menu includes fresh whole grain crepes with fruit and a build-your-own omelet bar. Choose the veggie omelet and ask for egg whites or egg substitutes. Another great choice is the grilled chicken breast and steamed broccoli dish, the perfect diet lunch. If you prefer, Sonoma will even cook your food with PAM instead of butter. [Editor's Note: The Breakfast Joynt has taken over breakfast at Sonoma and the response has been overwhelmingly positive. Go check 'em out.]

Thai Elephant

The Imperial Veggies dish is an excellent option. You can add tofu for protein and choose brown rice over white rice for a higher fiber content.

First Watch

At First Watch, they’ve made it easy to pick out the healthiest item on the menu. It’s called Not Guilty. A whole-wheat tortilla encloses this veggie wrap, which includes a side of hummus.

hard_rock_cafe-003Hard Rock Café

If you want something filling, order the salmon at the Hard Rock. It comes with a side of broccoli and mashed potatoes, but they’ll be happy to substitute something healthier for the spuds.

Hanny’s

The Beet Salad is seriously healthy. Big slices of gorgeous red and yellow beets, topped with either gorgonzola or goat cheese – hey, there’s your protein – are accompanied by fresh greens with a lemon vinaigrette.

Coach & Willie’s

The Chicken Italiano might be your best bet. It’s a grilled chicken breast topped with fresh mozzarella and roma tomatoes. A tasty and very filling lunch, high in protein and low in carbs.

District American Kitchen and Wine Bar

Light and delicious, the Baby Arugula Salad is made with heirloom tomatoes, pine nuts and fresh mozzarella. Order the sweet basil dressing on the side, and use it sparingly.