Posts Tagged ‘Rosson House’

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

snakesnakesnakesTonight’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_FestivalTour 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.

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.

Best Holiday Lights Downtown

Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009

“Turn off those extra lights,” my dad told me. I had a feeling he was right, and then Al Gore confirmed it for me. During the holidays, though, it’s understandable if we all go a little nutty for things that plug in and sparkle.

So, without any further delay, here are some of the most dazzling light displays in Downtown Phoenix and a few reasons to go see them:

ArizonaCenterLightsMost Romantic

The gardens at the Arizona Center are always romantic, but this time of year, they’re nothing less than magical. At night, brilliantly colored lights illuminate the trees and walkways like day-glow fireflies. Take someone you love – or heck, someone you kind of like – and watch the effect.  No mistletoe is needed.

Biggest Home Electric Bill

Bob Rix must be one tired guy. This intrepid, hard-working Phoenician created front and backyard displays with animation, carved-out characters and 56,000 lights set to music. I just have to say that again: 56,000 lights. 1517 E. Brill Street.

Best Neighborhood Decorations

There aren’t any specific winners, but the historic districts are even more beautiful at the holidays. Take some time to drive – quietly, of course – through the Coronado District, F.Q. Story, Garfield, Willo and Encanto-Palmcroft, where many of my dream homes happen to be.

Thomas Edison Would Be Proud

At Heritage and Science Park, they know a thing or two about electricity, and it shows. Check out the lovely Christmas tree in front of the Arizona Science Center and stop by the Rosson House, which is aglow with lights and decorations.

Point of Pride

The U.S. Capitol Christmas tree is an 85-foot blue spruce from Arizona’s Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. When the tree lighting took place, the Arizona Congressional delegation and 12-year-old Kaitlyn Ferencik of Surprise, Ariz., were present. I know, it’s not Downtown, but I just thought you’d like to know.

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!