AZ Vibe – The Ultimate Phoenix Entertainment Resource

This event is too cool to pass up. This Friday and Saturday at the Chandler Cinemas, there is a Burt Reynolds double feature of his classic movie “Smokey and the Bandit” along with the “Burt Reynolds Trailer Park” (which is a collection of Mr. Reynolds best trailers).

There is also a contest at 9 PM for the best Burt Reynolds mustache!  Everyone, including the ladies are encouraged to wear a 70′s style Reynolds ‘stache!!!

Showtimes are as follows:

Friday 12 – Ban 1 Productions presents $6 Double Feature
5 & 9pm – BURT REYNOLDS TRAILER PARK (Burt Reynolds Trailers)
7 & 11PM – SMOKEY & THE BANDIT

Saturday 13 – Ban 1 Productions presents $6 Double Feature
5 & 9pm – BURT REYNOLDS TRAILER PARK (Burt Reynolds Trailers)
7 & 11PM – SMOKEY & THE BANDIT

In addition to the Burt Reynolds love fest, the Repertory Cinema at Chandler Cinemas is asking everyone to bring non-perishable foods or a new or slightly used toy with them to the movie.

From the Repertory Cinema at Chandler Cinemas people:

We know times are tough right now for everyone, but some have it much tougher than others. So we want to help make the holidays a little brighter for them. Over the next month, you can help out the less fortunate–and see free movies at the same time–with the COME AS YOU ARE HOLIDAY FOOD & TOY DRIVE.

Here’s how it works: From Friday, November 28 through Wednesday, December 24, whenever you bring in a non-perishable food item or a new (or gently used) toy, you will be given a coupon for a free movie (on your next visit), and your name will be entered into a drawing to get free movies throughout 2009! No limit to how many items you can bring in!

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&ll=33.338327,-111.844779&spn=0.003532,0.00692&z=17&msid=110117270783108833567.00045dd87af818059aa96

Popularity: 3% [?]

I found out about this event on Facebook of all places as I was going to go check out Black Carl play a set at this event called the ‘Indian School Block Party’. However, I was intrigued as to what this block party was all about.  Since I moved here from San Diego, you just don’t see Block Parties pop up anywhere in the Greater Phoenix area. After some investigation, I discovered that the purpose of this block party was to help the public know what sorts of businesses and activities the Indian School Corridor (between 32nd and 38th) offers to the residents of the Greater Phoenix Area.

This was something that I could not pass up.

Black Carl in Action at the Block Party

Now, the Block Party organizers didn’t have a map of where everything was in advance so I couldn’t organize a plan of attack. I was basically flying blind.

“No worries”, I told myself.

A sample of some of the great booths at the Block Party

I arrived at the Block party a little over the halfway point of the event and began to make my way down from 38th, all the way down Indian School Road to 32nd street and back again. What I saw in that long walk through the Block Party was probably the most perfect representation of what this neighborhood in Phoenix has to offer the rest of the Greater Phoenix Area.  The sights, the smells, the attitude of the Block Party was that of a fun and festive occasion.

A DJ that was spinning some sick beats

People were demonstrating Massages, there were free group salsa lessons, music, artists selling their works, mini salons were setup, a DJ was spinning some great beats, and LOTS of great food. However, people with home or small businesses were probably represented the most at the Block Party. All of these components absolutely helped make this Block Party a memorable one.

Group Salsa Dancing Lessons

I sincerely hope the organizers put one on next year as the Indian School Block Party has all the components to becoming a lasting cultural event for all the residents of the Greater Phoenix Area.

The aftermath of a slider eating contest

Popularity: 1% [?]

Reviewed November, 29^th.

This was a last minute event as I only found out about it the day of the event. The weekend that the Tempe Fantasy of Lights occurred, there were many, many other of holiday lighting festivals all around town and I wanted to check out one of them. Little did I know this lighting of the….well…lights was probably the best example of a great event that probably no one knows about. I arrived in downtown Tempe with my date and right away the roads around Tempe had all the signs that this festival was going to be a great event:

Parking was horrible all around downtown Tempe.

When we found a suitable parking spot (we made our own spot…I am good at that), we headed towards Mill Ave and noticed that all of Mill Avenue from Rio Salado to University was blocked off to all traffic. The more we headed down Mill Avenue, the more we noticed thousands upon thousands of people and all the lights down Mill were not lit. My date and I stood amongst a group of people and waited for the events to start. In the darkness, I could look down Mill Avenue and notice that not only the sidewalks were packed like sardines with people but the middle islands that divide Mill Avenue were packed with people.

‘A pretty impressive turnout’ I thought to myself.

Not too long after that, the first ‘float’ of the parade made the turn onto Mill Avenue and with that turn, ALL of the Christmas lights down Mill Avenue were lit! Just seeing the lights turned on and the reaction and festive atmosphere of the crowd really started to get me into the Christmas spirit.

One of the best sights at the festival was watching the Mayor of Tempe and members of the Tempe City Council, who were assigned convertible cars to sit and wave to the crowd from. However, none of them sat in their cars. They all were visibly charged by the festive holiday atmosphere and spent their time on the parade route running back and forth from either side of the street waving and handing out candy to the spectators.  Just those moments alone made this festival a special one.

After that a long procession of floats began consisting of anything from kids dressed from everything from Angels to Gingerbread men, to a group of Senior citizens doing a synchronized mop drill routines.

For me, the Fantasy of Lights Festival was the best way to start off the holiday season!  If you could not get in the holiday spirit after attending this event you probably don’t have a pulse.

If you get a chance to go out and experience a holiday event like this, do it! These are the types of events that not only get you ready for the holiday season but they make you feel like you are a real part of the community.

The Fantasy of Lights festival is absolutely a great event and when it comes around next year this is a DO NOT MISS event!!!

I almost forgot!

The Parade ended with an appearance by a VERY special VIP (see below.  Right click the image and view it for a bigger image)!!!

Popularity: 1% [?]

The greatest holiday tradition is here!  The Nutcracker is in it’s last weekend at the Chandler Center for the arts and it is not to be missed!  For those of you who haven’t seen the Nutcracker or been to the Chandler Center for the Arts, now is your chance to see a great ballet at one of the best venues in the greater Phoenix area.

For show times and to purchase tickets (with no service charge!!!) please refer to the Chandler Center for the Arts site:

http://www.chandlercenter.org/performances/ballet-etudes.html

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&ll=33.313387,-111.838889&spn=0.014453,0.021372&z=15&msid=110117270783108833567.00045d5648e06951841c9

Popularity: 2% [?]

The Arizona Cardinals continue their dominance of the NFC West with their next game against the St. Louis Cardinals.  Kickoff Starts at 2:15.

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=110117270783108833567.00045491c6b0bfe97acc3&z=19

Popularity: 2% [?]

One of the greatest tribute bands ever is coming to the Marquee Theater in Tempe.  The Atomic Punks are a tribute to the early years of Van Halen (the David Lee Roth Years).  If you haven’t seen the Atomic Punks and are one of those people who long for the days of when Van Halen turned goat piss into gasoline (to use a line from the Blues Brothers), the Atomic Punks are a must see!

Voodoo, Grind, Breakout, Lounge Fly open the show for the Atomic Punks.

Tickets can be purchased at the Luckyman Concerts website:

http://www.etix.com/ticket/servlet/onlineSale;jsessionid=10479F5120DADB270761075B6C18BB16?action=selectPerformance&cobrand=luckymanonline&performance_id=820672

For more information about the Atomic Punks, please refer to their website:

http://www.theatomicpunks.com/

Popularity: 4% [?]

For the 17th year, the Phoenix Zoo will be putting on ZooLights and the emphasis will be on the new orangutan exhibit the Phoenix Zoo has been concentrating their efforts on. With over 2.5 million lights and 400 light sculptures, ZooLights looks to be one of the must see holiday events of the season!!

Expect a review from us shortly.

More information can be found at the Phoenix Zoo’s website:

http://www.phoenixzoo.org/events/zoolights/

Popularity: 2% [?]

Ok by now you’ve probably read about what the amazing folks at Ear Candy Productions are doing over the next couple of months with their Instrument Drive.

If you haven’t, PLEASE read this article before continuing as this is an extremely noble effort that is going on.

On Friday December 5th starting at 6:30 PM the Hard Rock Café in Downtown Phoenix will be hosting the kick-off concert for the Ear Candy Instrument Drive.

The line up for the Show is as follows:

Random Karma
The Preserve
BS (AC/DC Tribute Band)
The ROWYCO All-Stars featuring members of Guns N Roses and Quiet Riot.

In addition, Fender Guitars will be hosting a Rock Band Stage out of the back of a car.

The instrument drive and kick off party is shaping up to be one of those events that will be remembered for many years to come. Don’t miss out on the fun. Tickets are $25 and will sell out!

FYI this is a 21 and over event.

For more information please refer to the Ear Candy Products web page:

http://www.earcandyproductions.org/Event.aspx?Id=10

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=110117270783108833567.0004575018912c7506b8e&z=19

Popularity: 12% [?]