AZ Vibe – The Ultimate Phoenix Entertainment Resource

Now that Thanksgiving is over with, are you ready for some old fashioned holiday fun to get you in the spirit of the Christmas season?  All day today at the Desert Foothills Park is the Festival of Lights Kick off party.  The day’s events is chocked full of fun and unique things to do.  I would list them but there is simply too many things to list.  Here’s the complete list of what’s going on at the Festival of Lights Kick Off Party:

http://www.folaz.org/events-kop.php

The festival climaxes at approximately 6 PM with the Harley Davidson Parade with over 100 Harley Davidson riders parading in and around the park while the million lights are illuminated for the first time this Holiday Season.

If you are looking for something really cool and fun to do today, this is the event you want to attend!

For directions and the location of the Desert Foothills Park, please refer to the following link:

http://www.mapquest.com/maps?address=1010+Marketplace+St&zipcode=85048

For more information, please refer to the Festival of Lights Website:

http://www.folaz.org/

Popularity: 3% [?]

The Phoenix Coyotes will be playing this coming Friday Afternoon at 2:00 PM versus the Colorado Avalanche. I normally don’t post individual game events as they are all on the calendar. However, there are reasons why this is a fun event that should be mentioned (other than this being just a Hockey Game):

1) The Coyotes will be debuting their new 3rd Jersey (Click Link for More info)

2) They will be selling ‘All-You-Can-Eat’ package tickets. The Package includes an upper level ticket, unlimited hot dogs, nachos, popcorn, peanuts, and fountain sodas. Click here to purchase tickets for this game!

3) The Coyotes ‘Leading Ladies’ (The Coyotes players wives/girlfriends) will be hosting the ‘Biscuit in the Basket’ Food Drive at the game. Fans are asked to bring non-perishable boxed and canned food items at donation stations outside Gate 4 and Gate 7. All fans who donate food will be entered to win a Coyotes Jersey signed by the entire team and four (4) glass seats to a future Coyotes game. All food donated benefits the Salvation Army.  Click here for more information.

With all these exciting events going on, why not head on out to the Coyotes game on Friday!

Popularity: 11% [?]

Starting at 12:01 AM on Black Friday (Friday November, 28), the Phoenix Coyotes will be holding a 72 hour ‘Blizzard Sale’.  During the ‘Blizzard Sale’ Coyotes fans will be able to purchase select home games up to a 40 percent discount rate.

Games that will be available during the Blizzard Sale include:

The Minnesota Wild
The New York Islanders
The Toronto Maple Leafs

Tickets can be purchased via the following three methods:

1) Online at the Coyotes Website http://www.phoenixcoyotes.com
2) At the Jobing.com Arena Box Office
3) By Calling the Phoenix Coyotes at 480-563-PUCK (7825)

Don’t miss out on this great chance to see a great event at a great price!

Popularity: 2% [?]

Ok this is a party that is happening at Cezar’s in Scottsdale Wednesday November, 26 from 8 PM to 2 AM.

Raven Events is throwing ‘Raven’s’ Thanksgiving Eve Party.

No Cover and free Appetizers from 8-9 PM.

House Quake, one of the Valley’s best R&B, Funk and Top 40 Dance Bands will be providing the music for the evening.

For more information and the address to the party please refer to the Raven Events Website:

http://www.ravenevents.com/monthlyevents/11262008/

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&ll=33.513991,-111.924891&spn=0.007049,0.015578&z=16&msid=110117270783108833567.00045c95279fbb792884b

Popularity: 3% [?]

Starting December 1, 2008 through the end of January 2009, the wonderful folks at Ear Candy Productions are launching an Instrument Drive.  Ear Candy Productions are asking all residents of Phoenix to donate any new or ‘gently used’ instrument to any one of 30 drop off stations around the greater Phoenix area (a drop off station map can be found here).

The people that benefit from the Instrument Drive is the core foundation that Ear Candy Productions is built on:  making sure children have an opportunity to have their lives enriched through music.  All instruments “will be used to help revive and create music programs in schools, camps and youth organizations near the area they are being collected.”

If you don’t have an instrument to donate, you can still help out Ear Candy Productions by making a donation in numerous ways.

If you have an instrument to donate, please do not pass up the opportunity to give the gift of music this holiday season!

More information and details about where to drop off your instrument can be found here:

http://www.earcandyproductions.org/Instrument-Drive.aspx

To learn more about the wonderful organization that Ear Candy Productions is you have to check out their ‘About’ Page:

http://www.earcandyproductions.org/About.aspx

If you would like to support the wonderful work that Ear Candy Productions does for the community, they offer numerous ways you can support this amazing organization:

http://www.earcandyproductions.org/Support.aspx

Popularity: 4% [?]

Over 3000 1972 and earlier hot rods, cars and other automotive masterpieces will be on display at the 11th Southwest Nationals at Westworld in North Scottsdale.  If you are a car enthusiast you probably already know about this.  However, if you appreciate hot rods this event is a must see!

Hours this weekend are:

Friday (11/14) from 8 AM to 5 PM
Saturday (11/15) from 8 AM to 5 PM
Sunday (11/16) from 8 AM to 5 PM

Tickets:
General Admission – $17
Kids 7-12 – $6

For more information and pricing if you would like to include your car in this event, please refer to the event promoter’s website:

http://www.good-guys.com/news/newsStory.aspx?newsid=1178

Westworld’s website:

http://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/WestWorld

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&ll=33.636435,-111.888499&spn=0.007914,0.011587&z=16&msid=110117270783108833567.00045ba5364f30dcfe8fd

Popularity: 2% [?]

One of the most innovative artists today, Matisyahu, takes the stage at the Marquee Theater.  Future Rock and Chester French open.  Show starts at 6:30 PM.

For more information about Matisyahu (there’s a great really bio to read) and to purchase tickets online, please refer to the promoter’s website:

http://www.luckymanonline.com/EventDetail.aspx?eventID=2164

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=110117270783108833567.000457a384f283c5bdf14&z=19

Popularity: 2% [?]

Two of the biggest names in the Hip Hop game, Method Man and Redman are coming back to Tempe! The Wu Tang’s Meth and the Def Squad’s Red have collaborated across two LPs and are combining two of Hip Hops most unmissable live shows into one! Expect to hear some of their classics including “How High” and “Tear the Roof off” alongside classics from their own extensive back catalogues!

To purchase tickets online, please refer to the promoters website:

http://www.luckymanonline.com/EventDetail.aspx?eventID=2151

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=110117270783108833567.000457a384f283c5bdf14&z=19

Popularity: 2% [?]

Jason Mraz is bringing his unique style of singing/songwriting to Phoenix for a show at the Dodge Theater.  Guys, if you are in the Doghouse at all this show will get you out.

The show starts at 7:30 PM with Lisa Hannigan starting as the opening act.

Tickets can be purchased online via our Ticketmaster widget on the lower left hand column of this page.  Just Scroll down until you find the Jason Mraz show and click on it.

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&ll=33.451531,-112.079215&spn=0.007931,0.017295&z=16&msid=110117270783108833567.00045ba476d711ac04a67

Popularity: 1% [?]

In case you haven’t heard there’s another Block Party going on in Downtown Phoenix this weekend celebrating the first anniversary of Conspire.  Conspire is an art space in the Downtown Phoenix area that has been generating a lot of positive buzz from the local press as one of the best places to shop for art in the Phoenix area.

The Block Party is free and open to all ages and includes the following activities:

• A do it your self Model and Shoot Photo Studio
• Live Music from bands such as Sonorous, Drunken Immortals, Living Humans Being, Hooves, D.S Yancey, and Wizards of Time
• Dee Jays will be throwing down all day long and include DJentrification, Echo, Dehga, Mosha1, Issa, 1Son, Beatnik, Rojahdat, Jon Dread.
• Silk Screen and Stencil Workshops
• A Burlesque show with La Liberata
• Comedy with Mail Order Brides
• A Fashion Show with Smock You, Heroine, Arte Puro, Dolled Up, Sticker Club, Lola + Lola, Makeshift, and Mystic fibers
• A Bike Ride Adventure ‘Hooked up by Hoodride’
• …and much, much, more.

Come and support a great cultural event this weekend and get out and try something new and fun!

For more information, please refer to the Block Party website:

http://www.conspirephoenix.com

Conspire Arts Cooperative
901 N. 5th St.
Phoenix, AZ

Popularity: 2% [?]

Reviewed Nov 11th by Ed.

Now that the weather in the area has cooled down I’m following up on something I promised to do in a post this summer.  Go hiking.  Now since I am new to the area, I was not sure where to go that would be fun and new.  I was debating on reviewing Camelback Mountain but that will be a review for a later date.  I was taken out by a lovely lady who is very familiar with hiking in the Phoenix area to the Superstition Mountains.

Just about 5 miles north of Apache Junction on Highway 88, as you are driving towards Lake Roosevelt, is Lost Dutchman State Park.  Nestled at the base of the Superstition Mountains, Lost Dutchman State Park is a combination of Day Hiking and Overnight Camping (just about 70 spots from what I can see on the map given to me by the Park Ranger).

Once you arrive at Lost Dutchman State Park, you pay $5 for parking and park usage and $12 for non-electric camping.  We were given a map by the Park Rangers and decided to hike the Treasure Loop Trail.

The trail started out moderately flat but rose in elevation pretty quickly one you were about a mile or so into the hike.  Every once in a while I had to stop, turn around and take a look at the simply breathtaking scenery such as the image below:

With the weather cooler in the area, the hiking conditions were perfect but I needed water as I went up.  There is plenty of opportunity and room to talk side by side as the trails, for the majority of the hike, were pretty wide.  This makes hiking at the Lost Dutchman State Park perfect for dates or taking your significant other out for the afternoon.

With the hiking experiences I had in Seattle coupled with watching all the stories on the local news of idiot hikers who went into the mountains in the middle of the summer without water, I brought more than enough water.  The inclines were somewhat steep but nothing that’s impassable.  Once you got to the apex of the trail you had a simply amazing view of the entire valley from the perspective of the base of the Superstition Mountains.

The Treasure Loop hike is indeed a workout but nothing that’s going to leave you soaked in sweat when you get back to your car….unless you are out of shape.

Lost Dutchman is a great place to go in the middle of the week as there was hardly anyone there when my date and I went.  Furthermore, there is the Saloon at the Goldfield Ghost Town just down the road which is perfect for a post hike beer and/or meal.  My date grabbed a bite to eat there and checked out the town afterwords.

All in all, the hiking at the Lost Dutchman State Park is a MUST SEE/DO!!! It’s the perfect quick getaway from town for the day and can be the basis for a really fun date or day with a group of people.  It’s also a fun time if you want to just spend some time by yourself.  There are plenty of benches along the trails to just sit down and read a book if you wish.

For more information and other events that go on at Lost Dutchman State Park, please refer to their official website:

http://azstateparks.com/Parks/LODU/index.html

For more information about Goldfield Ghost Town please refer to their site:

http://www.goldfieldghosttown.com/

Popularity: 27% [?]

On Sunday November 16th from Noon to 5 PM, there will be a HUGE block party.  The inaugural  “Partners in Prosperity “– The New Indian School Corridor Block Party will take place on Indian School Road from 32nd Street all the way to 38th Street.

According to the organizers…

The Block Party will provide a special and distinctive shopping experience that will make party
revelers want the Indian School Corridor shops and restaurants to become a part of their regular
shopping and dining habit. It will be obvious for all to see that the success of the Indian School
Corridor rests upon the genuine partnership between businesses, neighborhoods, the police,
Sheriff, firemen, parks, neighborhood services, courts, and civic leaders – each working with
and watching out for the other, for the good of all.

Why not come out and support the businesses of the Indian School Corridor and have some fun while you’re at it.  We will be there covering the event.

Among the bands scheduled to Perform:

Hands on Fire
Sketching in Stereo
Holy Rolling Empire
Kinch
Black Carl
SRP Band
Groove Defenders
2nd Shift (SRP Corporate Band)

The events that will be available to all in attendance will include:

- Local school performances including Christ Lutheran’s Bell Choir, Sage Hip Hop
Dance Team, Squaw Peak’s Cheerleading and Chorale, Veritas Prep Madrigal Singers &
Saxphone group.
- Demonstrations including Self Defense demo, Capoereira
- Radio Live Broadcasting –The Blaze (ASU radio station) at Ticket Lobster.com Stage
at 36th Street & Indian School Road
- Slider Eating Competition
- Dunk Tank

Location of the Block Party:

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&ll=33.497369,-112.006409&spn=0.008016,0.017209&z=16&msid=110117270783108833567.00045b028cec046b83261

Popularity: 8% [?]

In case you haven’t heard, there’s a HUGE Greek Festival going on this weekend in the Scottsdale Civic Center Mall.  I personally haven’t been to it but it should be a blast if the official website (link below) is any indication of what’s to come.  Expect a review of this event before the weekend is up.

The Hours of the event are as follows:

Friday, November 7  (11am-10pm)

Saturday, November 8 (11am-10pm)

Sunday, November 9 (11am-7pm)

For more information please refer to the Scottsdale Festival of Greece’s website:

http://www.azgreekfest.com

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&ll=33.495025,-111.922531&spn=0.008017,0.017209&z=16&msid=110117270783108833567.00045b026fb5f7cfc0c3f

Popularity: 3% [?]

Reviewed Oct 31 – Nov 1st

When I was looking for something to do on Halloween I wanted to avoid going to the places that everyone would be at and wanted to find something that was just really cool and unique.  Sure I went down to Mill Ave for a while and watched the Parade of Costumes.  However, I split around Midnight and headed down to the After Party at Modified Arts in Downtown Phoenix.

I used to live in Seattle and San Diego many moons ago and when the bars closed, there were always places to go and continue the party.  I’m not talking about all-night Diners, I’m talking after-hours clubs where people can go, hang and shake their booty until the sun comes up.  Needless to say when I saw the After Party listed on Promoter Psyko Steve’s website, there wasn’t a second thought as to what I was doing on Halloween.

The After Party was scheduled to start at 1:30 AM but it was more of a general time of when people should start showing up as the music was going before 1:30 AM.  Once I paid my cover I grabbed a free energy drink and checked the place out.  The venue wasn’t as full as the last After Party event (according to the Pictures on Psyko Steve’s Website) but it was hoppin’.

The Beats that were being thrown down were pretty sick.  I was pretty damned impressed by DJ William Fucking Reed and what he created in his electronic lab for all who were in attendance.  However, it was clear that he wasn’t too happy with the lack of people on the dance floor which is completely understandable.  The event lasted until 4:00 AM where pretty much everyone in attendance then moved onto another party down the street.

I talked to some people that were planning on going to this event but didn’t and the majority of them basically said that they got too hammered at the places they were before hand and couldn’t make it out.  I can see that happening as Phoenix is a relative newcomer, compared to other cities around the nation, to the after hours events/clubs scene.  People are so used to what’s familiar to them that they don’t pace themselves to party all night.  They are so used to just going until 2 AM that it’s ingrained in their minds to party for only that long.

Regardless of attendance on Halloween, The After Party is an event not to be missed.  This is one of those events that come along every once in a while that is going to make going out on the town in Phoenix a memorable one.  The next time that another After Party is scheduled, we will post it for you.  This is an event that is NOT to be missed.

Popularity: 10% [?]

Beginning its 14th year, the Mesa Community Farmers Market is absolutely an event that should not be missed.

Every Friday morning from 9AM to 1PM, the Mesa Community Farmers Market opens for business.  This is a year-round event (holidays excluded) that has everything that a Farmers market could offer.

The Mesa Community Farmers Market is located “On Center St. just South of University at Rendezvous Green (260 N. Center St. 85201)”.

The Organizers of the Mesa Community Farmers Market would like to encourage you to visit the Arizona Farmers Markets website for the latest updates for the Mesa Community Farmers Market:

http://arizonafarmersmarkets.com/PageMesa/Mesa.htm

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=110117270783108833567.00045adce81a03be6cbbe&ll=33.424027,-111.831872&spn=0.007629,0.017209&z=16

Popularity: 3% [?]