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.
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As I’m sure you’re well aware, it’s Cinco de Mayo, which is a very big deal in Phoenix and there’s no shortage of events to help you party like it’s May 5, 1862.
The Suns continue their march to the Finals by hosting the arch-rival Spurs in Games 1 and 2 of the Western Conference semifinals at US Airways Center. No tickets for tonight’s Game 1? No problem! Head over to 
After taking a season off, the 
Festive Friday: From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, the Ambassadors will be stationed outside the Information Center [US Bank Building, 101 N. First Ave., Ste. 190] sharing sweet treats courtesy of Downtown businesses. You can also pick up coupons for FREE food items from participating restaurants to be used throughout the month. Plus, music by 
Friday vs. Chicago
Friday vs Miami
This is one of the premier gatherings for the African American community in Arizona. The Expo offers local residents an incredible opportunity to learn about black businesses and network with one another in an exciting, supportive environment. People of all races are encouraged to attend!
11 Things To Do In 2011
Tuesday, January 18th, 20112010 was awesome. I got to ring in the New Year with Joel McHale, listen to the Phoenix Symphony rock out to the Music of Led Zeppelin, cheer for exciting pro athletes like Justin Upton, Steve Nash and Diana Taurasi, watch contestants from Top Chef cook live at Phoenix Public Market, eat amazing food at restaurants like District American Kitchen and Thai Elephant, and sip $5 martinis at Hanny’s.
It was an unbelievable year. But I know I can do more in 2011.
With the arrival of a New Year comes a new surplus of fun and exciting things to do Downtown. Here are 11 things I plan on doing in 2011:
LMAO - Stand Up Live! debuts at CityScape March 3 with comedians Jay Mohr (personal fave), Billy Cardell, Christopher Titus and the Wayans (!!!!) already on the books.
Get Into the Swing – Every Monday is Savoy Night at Ghost Lounge and your chance to learn how to swing dance for the bargain basement price of $8. Ghost Lounge has quickly become one of Downtown’s hottest hangouts and Savoy Night is always hopping. Har.
Showing Some Skin: Gus von Hagens’ Body Worlds and the Brain returns to Arizona Science Center this Friday, Jan. 21, for a limited engagement. I missed this exhibit last year but won’t make that same mistake twice.
Top Shelf at Seamus – Seamus McCaffrey’s Irish Pub and Restaurant, recently named 2010 Best of Downtown Happy Hour, has one of the greatest selections of Irish Whiskey and Scotch in the city and this year I’m vowing to buy couple of fingers of Aberfeldy 21 just to say I drank a glass of Scotch nearly as old as Scottsdale-born actress and Valley Youth Theatre alum Emma Stone.
Get Your Geek On - Dubbed the “signature pop culture event of the Southwest” for good reason, Phoenix Comicon returns to Downtown this Memorial Day Weekend, May 26-29, at Phoenix Convention Center’s North Building. Comicon is the Super Bowl of superheroes and a people-watching event like no other.
Eat at Nobuo – Did you know that Downtown Phoenix is home to two James Beard Award-winning chefs who work less than 50 yards apart? Pizzeria Bianco’s Chris Bianco and Nobuo at Teeter House’s Nobuo Fukuda are wowing diners daily over at Heritage Square and Nobuo was the recent recipient of this gushing five-star review by ace Arizona Republic food critic Howard Seftel. Insert drool here.
Race to the Finish – The Great Urban Race returns to Downtown March 12 and features costumed teams racing against one another to solve 12 clues while experiencing the essence of the Central City.
Star Gaze - Chase Field will host the 2011 MLB All-Star Game July 12, with the fan-favorite Home Run Derby scheduled for July 11 with MLB FanFest invading Downtown all week long.
Pretend That We’re (Un)Dead – In just two years the Downtown Phoenix Ambassadors’ Zombie Walk (photo, left) has grown from 200 brain-eaters to well over 2,000. How many Zombies will walk, er, limp in 2011? Bring your appetite for human flesh down to Heritage Square Oct. 29 and find out for yourself. Victims are also welcome!
These are just a few of the items on my Bucket List. What’s on yours?
Tags: Arizona Science Center, body worlds and the brain, Ghost Lounge, Hanny's, Nobuo at Teeter House, Phoenix Comicon, phoenix public market, Pizzeria Bianco, rush, seamus mccaffrey's, St. Mary's Basilica, Top Chef, US Airways Center, Valley Youth Theatre, Zombie Walk
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