Over the last two decades Downtown Phoenix has grown up to become Arizona’s epicenter for not only business and government, but for sports, arts and culture, dining, and live entertainment.
In Comerica Theatre, US Airways Center, Orpheum Theatre, and Hard Rock Cafe, Downtown boasts the highest concentration of big-time music venues in the Valley. Don’t believe me? Well, take a gander at these acts coming into Downtown:
(Note: For ticket information please visit livenation.com)
JANUARY
1/26 – Ozzy Osbourne, Comerica Theatre
Just when you think the Prince of Darkness is going to retire to a nice dungeon in the country, he reclaims his pop culture relevance. (See current radio hit, “Let Me Hear You Scream.”)
1/29 – Jacob Tyler Lucas with Aisleview, Hard Rock Cafe
FEBRUARY
2/5 – Blessed Production Presents Donnie McClurkin, Orpheum Theatre
2/5 – Pawl, Hard Rock Cafe
2/11 – Sarah McLachlan, Comerica Theatre
Best known for songs like “Possession,” and “I Will Remember You,” not to mention her integral role in launching the Lilith Fair music festival back in the 90s, this Grammy Award-winning singer and avid animal rights activist has recently helped produce some incredibly sad TV commercials for ASPCA.
2/11 – Art Laboe’s Valentine’s Super Jam, US Airways Center
2/11 – Fight the Quiet, Hard Rock Cafe
2/12 – The Other 49: Final Show, Source Victoria, Tugboat and Factories, Hard Rock Cafe
2/19 – The Music of Led Zeppelin, Comerica Theater
Considering Zeppelin’s catalog is largely symphonic anyway, this production makes too much sense not to happen yearly. Here’s what I wrote about The Music of Led Zeppelin last year.
2/28 – Linkin Park, US Airways Center
Lead singer Chester Bennington is a Phoenix native and I find a way to listen to “Waiting for the End” at least once a day. So should you.
MARCH
3/2 – Hillsong United, US Airways Center
3/4 – Jackson Browne, Comerica Theatre
Cooler than the other side of the pillow, Jackson Browne promises to entertain the crowd with his laundry list of hits, including “Jamaica Say You Will,” “Running On Empty,” and the 80s-tastic “Lawyers In Love.”
3/26 – The Pink Floyd Experience, Comerica Theatre
Totally a must-see for any self-respecting fan of The Floyd, man.
3/26 – Lady Gaga, US Airways Center
She’s only the biggest star on the planet.
APRIL
4/8 – Janet Jackson, Comerica Theatre
We ran a Facebook poll to gauge your favorite Janet Jackson song and amazingly, 13 different tracks were submitted, none of them matching my personal favorite.
4/15 – Rod Stewart and Stevie Nicks, US Airways Center
Oh, Stevie Nicks, how I love thee. Fleetwood Mac is the truth but for my money it doesn’t get any better than “Edge of Seventeen.”
JUNE
6/16 - Rush, US Airways Center
Canada’s finest export since ginger ale.
6/30 – New Kids On the Block and Backstreet Boys, US Airways Center
A perfect storm of screaming by adult women who love boy bands.
You can get into spirits of a different kind Saturday and Sunday at the 
Midwest and East Coast transplants can get their winter fixes in a couple of ways: 
Finally, while it has absolutely nothing to with the holidays, we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the 
Burger-palooza
The Orpheum Theatre 
First up: Jerry Seinfeld. Even in re-runs, his show never gets old. But if you’d like to hear Jerry perform some brand-new material, hop online now and get tickets for his return to the 
The show features terrific dance numbers and the classic songs that Fred and Ginger brought to beautiful, heart-stopping life. See it Oct. 4-24 at the 
Two ex-Chicagoans, John and Kathy Plunkett bought the shop in the 
Queensryche Cabaret
Whether you’d like to meet old-school giants like Marvel’s Stan Lee or modern masters like 
We all have our heroes. One of mine is Jane Goodall. This heroic woman chose to work with animals in the wild more than 40 years ago, and her research into the lives of chimpanzees changed the way we understand both apes and humans. Jane’s research transformed her into an animal advocate, committed to the survival of chimpanzees and the wild places in which they live.
Downtown Phoenix has so many different ways to entertain yourself and satisfies so many different interests, that at this moment I couldn’t imagine myself living anywhere else in the Valley. I would not be able to experience the crowds of the World Series or the annual Mexico vs. (fill in blank) soccer game from my patio.
The 
The Holidays Happen Here
Wednesday, December 14th, 2011Christmas is a little over a week away, which means Downtown Phoenix’s holiday event calendar is reaching a crescendo.
If you’re looking for a special holiday date idea or ways to occupy visiting friends and family, Downtown Phoenix offers a unique blend of music, theater, dance, comedy and parties that encapsulate the spirit of the season.
Saturday, Dec. 17 / Alice Cooper’s Christmas Pudding
Now in its 11th year, the Valley’s own jingle bell rocker Alice Cooper hosts this star-studded event at Comerica Theatre, which includes Judas Priest’s Rob Halford, former Korn guitarist Brian “Head” Welch, Arizona Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees The Tubes, a performance from Alice Cooper himself, and much more. The show starts at 7 p.m. and tickets begin at $38. For more information visit alicecoopersolidrock.com
Saturday, Dec. 17 / Adam Carolla
Popular radio personality and former host of “The Man Show” and “Loveline,” comedian Adam Carolla, returns to Downtown’s historic Orpheum Theatre to offer up his unique takes on the holiday season and to support his recent book release, “In 50 Years We’ll All Be Chicks.” Show starts at 8 p.m. and tickets are priced $32.50-$56.45.
It’s a winter wonderland at the Children’s Museum of Phoenix, with hands-on activities for kids of all ages. 20 tons of snow will fall on the museum’s front lawn for children to frolic in. The fun starts at 9 a.m. and admission is $11. For more information visit childrensmuseumofphoenix.org
Tuesday, Dec. 20 / Great Russian Nutcracker
Comerica Theatre again plays host to the exquisite dancing, music and costumes of the Great Russian Nutcracker. Every year’s performance is different from the last and the 2011 version offers an Act II setting in the “Land of Peace and Harmony,” and sees the introduction of a new character, the Christmas Dove. Show starts at 7:30 and tickets are $20-$85.
Every Day / Ice Skating at CityScape
The NRG Ice Rink is back at CityScape and nearly double the size of last year’s sheet! Rink hours are as follows:
Through Sunday, Dec. 18 the rink will be open Monday-Friday 5-11 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays 3-11 p.m.
Dec. 19-Jan. 1 the rink will be open daily 3-11 p.m.
Jan. 2-Jan. 11 the rink will be open Monday-Friday 5-11 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays 3-11 p.m.
Rink use is $10, which includes skate rental.
Wednesday, Dec. 21 / Holiday Family Program at Rosson House
Families are invited to historic Ross House Museum at Heritage and Science Park for a day of making holiday decorations and munching on holiday treats. Receive complimentary admission with the donation of any new or slightly used book to benefit local charities. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information visit rossonhousemuseum.org
With 366 events in 48 days, Downtown Phoenix has something for everyone this holiday season.
Tags: Adam Carolla, Alice Cooper's Christmas Pudding, Comerica Theatre, downtown phoenix, Holiday Events, NRG Ice Rink, Orpheum Theatre, Rosson House Museum, Russian Nutcracker
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