AZ Vibe – The Ultimate Phoenix Entertainment Resource

Here’s what we’ve got so far with a list of places to celebrate the 4th of July around the Valley.  We will be adding to this post as we find other celebrations around the valley.

One thing to keep in mind is that the City of Glendale has canceled their 4th of July celebrations for budgetary reasons so you’ll have to find other places to go to see some fireworks.

TEMPE – Tempe 4th – In and around Tempe Town Lake

http://www.tempe4th.com/

PEORIA – 4th of July All American Festival – Peoria Sports Complex

http://www.peoriaaz.gov/content2.asp?id=1179

CHANDLER – Chandler 4th of July 7UP Fireworks Spectacular – Tumbleweed Park

http://www.chandleraz.gov/anevent.aspx?C_UID=2087

SCOTTSDALE – A Grand Olde Fashioned Picnic -Scottsdale Stadium

http://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/Default.asp

PHOENIX - Freedom Wireless Fabulous Phoenix 4th – Steele Indian School Park

http://phoenix.gov/PARKS/jlymain.html

GILBERT – Gilbert’s Old Fashioned 4th of July Celebration – Mesquite High School

http://www.gilbertpromotionalcorp.org/events/4thofjuly.htm

Popularity: 18% [?]

This past weekend, part of the Phoenix Coyotes staff were in Montreal taking part in the 2009 entry draft adding to the already strong foundation of prospects on the farm. Overall, the Coyotes selected five players and were a part of three trades which included a trading Coyotes Right Wing Brandon Prust for a solid defenseman in Jim Vandermeer formerly of the Calgary Flames.

With the #6 overall selection in the draft, the Coyotes selected 17 year old Oliver Ekman-Larsson who has been touted as ‘the real deal’.

For those of you who don’t follow hockey to well or don’t understand the significance of the NHL Entry Draft, we can sum it up in a few sentences. The way the NHL works with their latest collective bargaining agreement between the NHL Players Union and the Owners of the NHL is that building a solid foundation for a team is critical for the survival of a franchise. It’s just like a house. You need to have a solid foundation to build whatever you want on top and make it last for years to come. Gone are the days of building a team with high priced talent.  The Coyotes have quieltly been building a tremendous foundation in the past few years that will pay off before too long.

Coyotes General Manager Don Maloney talked about their first round draft pick to the Coyotes Dave Strader. Good stuff here:

http://coyotes.nhl.tv/team/console.jsp?catid=-6&id=44344

Maloney continued saying that the Coyotes “are extremely pleased with the way this weekend unfolded for our organization beginning with the selection of a top defensive prospect (Ekman-Larsson)”. Furthermore he added that “we added a tough NHL defenseman in Jim Vandermeer, who will help solidify our defense.”

Dave Vest talks with Coyotes Director of Amateur Scouting, Keith Gretzky at the conclusion of the draft.

http://coyotes.nhl.tv/team/embed.jsp?catid=-6&id=44498

Dave Strader talks with Coyotes first round draft pick Oliver Ekman-Larsson:

http://coyotes.nhl.tv/team/console.jsp?catid=-6&id=44276

Here’s his stats.
POS NAME ROUND HT WT TEAM GP G A PTS PIM PLACE OF BIRTH
D Oliver Ekman-Larsson 1st /6th overall 6’2” 176 Leksand (Sweden-2) 39 3 14 17 32 Karlskrona, Sweden

Coyotes Dave Vest talks with Second Round Pick Chris Brown:

http://coyotes.nhl.tv/team/console.jsp?catid=-6&id=44393

POS NAME ROUND HT WT TEAM GP G A PTS PIM PLACE OF BIRTH
RW Chris Brown 2nd/36th overall 6’2’’ 191 U.S. U-18 (NTDP) 62 20 18 38 120 Flower Mound, TX

Coyotes Dave Vest talks with newest Coyotes player Goaltender Michael Lee:

http://coyotes.nhl.tv/team/console.jsp?catid=-6&id=44414

Lee’s Goaltending Stats:

POS NAME ROUND HT WT TEAM GP W-L-T GAA SV% PLACE OF BIRTH
G Michael Lee 3rd/91st overall 6’1’’ 185 Fargo (USHL) 48 26-15-4 2.40 .918 Roseau, MN

Coyotes Dave Vest talks with the newest member of the Phoenix Coyotes, Jordan Szwarz

http://coyotes.nhl.tv/team/console.jsp?catid=-6&id=44443

Szwarz’s stats:

POS NAME ROUND HT WT TEAM GP G A PTS PIM PLACE OF BIRTH
RW Jordan Szwarz 4th/97th overall 5’11” 189 Saginaw (OHL) 67 17 34 51 76 Burlington, ON

Popularity: 9% [?]

In case you haven’t heard, the Chandler Center for the Performing Arts is undergoing a major renovation.  However, that isn’t stopping the Chandler Center for the Arts from continuing to bring the extremely high quality acts and performances to the Greater Phoenix area.  What they are doing is taking their ’show on the road’ to venues around the Greater Phoenix Area.  One of the stops is the Higley Center for the Performing Arts in Gilbert and the presenting of American Idol Favorite Bo Bice.  He will be performing a show on Saturday October 17, 2009 at 8:00PM in Gilbert.  He has been touring since his Season 4 American Idol appearance and will be promoting songs from his album ‘See the Light’.  Don’t miss your chance to see a great show in an intimate venue!

Tickets are on sale now through the link below:

http://chandlercenter.org/performances/1009.html

Popularity: 6% [?]

This evening marked two important milestones in the history of the Phoenix Coyotes franchise.  First off was the NHL Entry Draft where the Phoenix Coyotes selected seventeen year old Oliver Eckman Larrson at #6 over all.   Darren Pang, at the Coyotes Draft Party this evening, said that the Detroit Red Wings Swedish scout called Larrson a ‘Can’t miss’ hockey player.

The second milestone was first reported by TSN on their draft special (and later on their website) and confirmed by Coyotes FSN AZ color announcer Darren Pang (he made an announcement to the masses) at the at the Coyotes NHL Entry Draft Party this evening.  The announcement was made that Jerry Reinsdorf has officialy filed an offer to purchase the Phoenix Coyotes with the intention of keeping them in Phoenix.

Needless to say, this news made the Coyotes fans day at the Draft Party.

AZ Vibe contacted the NHL this evening asking about Reinsdorf’s offer and they officially have no comment on the offer.

At this time we cannot confirm the price to purchase the Coyotes is indeed $148 million.

Here’s our video of the Coyotes first round draft pick from the Coyotes NHL Entry Draft Party at Buffalo Wild Wings.  Commentary by FSN AZ Color man Darren Pang and radio Play by Play announcer Bob Heethuis. Darren Pang then interviews Coyotes forward Mikkel Boedker near the end of the video. Enjoy:

Popularity: 1% [?]

Less than 100 tickets remain for this event which is sure to be a classic.  Raven will be celebrating her birthday in STYLE by taking over the entire Clarion Scottsdale Hotel property with a HUGE party for Charity!

Dress Code is:

Casual, cool, comfortable! Hawaiian Shirts, Sexy Sun Dresses, swimwear!

Need more convincing?

http://www.ravenevents.com/MonthlyEvents/06262009/

Tickets are $25 in advance and $35 at the door…if there are any left….

Call (number is in the link) for VIP Cabana Reservations at the Pool.

Popularity: 2% [?]

Say what you want about Bruno (Sacha Baron Cohen). This is comedy genius.

Popularity: 3% [?]

Normally, we don’t post stuff like this but this is an exception given the power of what Mr. Kravitz has said via his Twitter page not too long ago….

There will never be another talent like Michael Jackson. Many people are saying what a performer, what an icon. How many Grammy’s he won.  How Thriller was the biggest selling album in history. They speak about the controversy and countless other things.  But the truth of the matter is he was a boy that God blessed with the most angelic voice. Just listen to an early Jackson Five album and listen to that voice. The purity, the feeling, the interpretation of the lyrics. At the age of ten, he was on par with James Brown and Aretha Franklin. But the thing he had that they could not match was the fact that he was a child. But at the same time he sang as an adult. That line between child and experienced adult took his expression to an unmatched level. I heard somebody on the BBC news tonight say that he was a great singer but didn’t have feeling like James Brown. That somebody is not listening carefully. As a child he did it all.  Even if he had not done Off the Wall or Thriller, he would still be a genius in my eyes. I got to work with Michael on a track that has not been released and it was the most amazing experience I’ve had in the studio. He was funny. Very funny and we laughed the whole time.  I also saw what a beautiful father he was. He was a beautiful human being. I am deeply saddened this evening.  He was the first live performer I ever saw. I got to see him at Madison Square Garden when I was eight. If not for him, I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing. He gave me joy as a child and showed me the way to go. He was music. Period. His hugeness as a star was great but before he was the King of Pop, he’d said it all. May you rest in peace sweet Michael. You gave us all you had to give.

Lenny.

Popularity: 1% [?]

First off don’t forget to check out our new ‘Things to do to beat the heat’ feature! Some great ideas to get out of the triple digit temperatures!

http://www.azvibe.com/phoenix-entertainment/2009/05/20/fun-things-to-do-to-beat-the-heat/

1) The Phoenix Coyotes are holding an Open House for all Fans tonight (Thursday June 25th) at Jobing.com Arena in Glendale.  Details:

http://www.azvibe.com/phoenix-entertainment/2009/06/18/phoenix-coyotes-open-house-june-25th-6-pm-to-9-pm-jobing-com-arena-free/

2) Raven Events Summer Splash Birthday Bash - Raven is celebrating her birthday in style by putting on a 600 person (limit) benefit.  Hurry, less than 100 tickets remain for this sure fire classic.

http://www.ravenevents.com/MonthlyEvents/06262009/

3) Arizona Diamondbacks – Chase Field – That’s right folks! Another season of Arizona Diamondbacks baseball is underway! Their current homestand goes through this Sunday.  Come and see your Diamondbacks take on some of the best teams in the league and battle their way to the playoffs! Tickets can be purchased through the Arizona Diamondbacks website:

http://arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com/ticketing/index.jsp?c_id=ari

4) The Phoenix Coyotes will be hosting a NHL Entry Draft Party at Buffalo Wild Wings in North Scottsdale tomorrow starting at 3:30 PM.

http://www.azvibe.com/phoenix-entertainment/2009/06/23/phoenix-coyotes-to-host-nhl-draft-party-this-friday/

5) The Phoenix Mercury begins a new season on the 6th and they are poised to make a championship run!  Don’t miss all the action this season as your Phoenix Mercury take on the WNBA’s best!  The Phoenix Mercury are quietly becoming the hottest ticket in town this summer!!!

http://www.wnba.com/mercury/schedule/

6) Movies under the Stars – WaterDance Film Festival – Every Friday Through June at the Westgate CityCenter in Glendale – 8:00 PM – Free – See the link below for more information. http://www.azvibe.com/phoenix-entertainment/2009/04/23/westgate-city-center-hosts-the-first-annual-waterdance-film-festival/

7) FUSE – Bar Smith – Friday Nights – $5 – Bar Smith – Downtown Phoenix – 10PM – 2 AM

8) Shake! – Every Saturday Night – Rogue Bar – Scottsdale – $5 (approx) If you are a frequent reader of this site you know that one of the best places to go on a Saturday night is Shake!. Great Music and fun for a great price!

http://www.azvibe.com/phoenix-entertainment/2008/10/27/review-shake-the-rogue-saturday-october-25th/

9) Destination Saturday Pool Party at the Mondrian Hotel – Noon to 6 Every Saturday.  The party not to miss continues every Saturday afternoon at the Mondrian!

10) Salt River Tubing – It’s getting into the triple digits again so that must mean that it’s that time of year to start floating down the Salt River.  It’s Pirate Day Saturday!

http://www.saltrivertubing.com/

11)  Garden Flashlight Shows – Thursdays and Saturdays during June, July and August – Desert Botanical Gardens – $7.50 – $15.00 (Free for Garden Members)

http://dbg.org/index.php/about/news/flashlightours

12) Don’t forget the Downtown Phoenix Public Market – Weekly on Wednesdays from 4 to 8 PM and Saturday from 8 AM to Noon.

http://www.foodconnect.org/phoenixmarket/

13) The Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art has free admission every Thursday

http://www.smoca.org/

14) Star Swim returns for another summer!!! – After the Phoenix Fire Department pretty much shut them down last summer (500 people in a 50 person capacity pool will do that), the masterminds behind Star Swim are back for another summer. The party has moved to the Wyndham Hotel’s Pool and is sure to be another great classic party.

For more information and the bands/artists scheduled to appear please check out the Star Swim website:

http://www.starswimphx.com

15) GOLDFISH RACING! - Arcadia Tavern – Tonight! – Must be experienced in person.

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=120952834571&ref=mf

Popularity: 26% [?]

TMZ.com is now reporting that Michael Jackson has died this afternoon at UCLA Medical Center from a cardiac arrest.

Paramedics arrived at Mr. Jackson’s residence this afternoon finding him unconscious.  They began performing CPR at his residence and were unable to revive him.

Having the best selling album of all time in ‘Thriller’, gave Mr. Jackson the title the ‘King of Pop’.  A title he was able to hold onto to his death.

More to follow….

Popularity: 2% [?]

TMZ.com has reported that not even 30 minutes ago, Pop singer Michael Jackson was rushed to the hosptial in Cardiac Arrest.  CPR was being administered to Mr. Jackson in the ambulance en route to the hospital.

::edit::

TMZ.com is now reporting that a Jackson Family Member says he’s in ‘really bad shape’.

::edit::

Michael’s Father just said that Michael is ‘Not doing well’.

Developing…

Popularity: 1% [?]

With the greater Phoenix area schools out for the summer there’s tons of kids out there with nothing to do and even more who really can’t afford something to do this summer.  Why not help deserving kids around the Valley get some positive influences and role models in their lives by giving them the gift of Tickets to the Phoenix Mercury this season.

For as little as $10 per ticket here’s how you can help:

PhoenixMercury.com is asking fans to participate in a special initiative, “Mercury Madness,” which will allow children from the United Way agencies, Special Olympics and a host of other community groups to experience a Mercury game.

Last season, Phoenix Mercury and Phoenix Suns employees rallied support from the local community to provide more than 10,000 children a chance to enjoy a WNBA game and be exposed to some positive role models. This season, the local hoops organizations are looking to provide even more children the same opportunity and you can help!

Click here to make a donation by purchasing $12 tickets (regularly $43), which will go to deserving childred from the Phoenix area; or e-mail Dan Hilton at dhilton@suns.com to purchase the tickets for $10 to avoid the online transaction fee.

Visitors should enter password: DHILTON

Everyone who purchases tickets through the promotion will receive a donation letter, so that you can receive the tax benefit of your donation.

Popularity: 3% [?]

One of the best kept secrets in the Seattle music scene from the 90’s has got to be Maktub.  For 10 years and five releases, they have been a great positive music force while

To celebrate their 10th year together (and on the exact day of the release of their first album) they have released ‘Five’.  As a thank you to fans, ‘Five’ is available for download for free from their website.  If you wanted to check out some new music, give Maktub a try!

Download link and more information about the band:

http://maktub.com/five.cfm

Popularity: 4% [?]

Our good friends at Ear Candy have teamed up with Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood to provide you with three great ways to help out Ear Candy Productions, an amazing charity in the Greater Phoenix Area, and provide you with the potential to walk away with some EXCELLENT Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood memories.

First off, Ear Candy is auctioning off the ONLY premier seats to the Eric Clapton/Steve Winwood show.  You can bid on these tickets now but keep in mind, the deadline for the auction is Friday, June 26th at 2:00 PM Arizona Time.  The winner will be notified by Ear Candy on how and where to pick up the tickets.

To bid on the tickets just follow this link!

http://www.earcandycharity.org/Charity-Auction.aspx?Id=9

Secondly, on the night of the concert you will have the opportunity to enter a raffle to win Eric Claption/Steve Winwood merchandise inside and outside of the Jobing.com Arena.  Prizes include Exclusive Clapton/Winwood Madison Square Garden Concert DVD’s, Tour T-shirts, Tour Programs, and other cool Clapton/Winwood schwag.  Just look for the Ear Candy booths inside and outside the Jobing.com Arena.

Finally, Ear Candy Volunteers will collecting donated instruments at the Ear Candy booth outside the concert.  For every instrument donated donors will receive an Ear Candy T-shirt, Two Raffle tickets for the contest mentioned in the previous paragraph.  All instrument donations are tax deductible and Tax forms will be available at the Ear Candy Booths.

Don’t miss this opportunity to help out a tremendous charity.  If you need a refresher on what Nate and the great people at Ear Candy are doing for your community, please read this:

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

Popularity: 5% [?]

This Friday from 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM at the Buffalo Wild Wings in North Scottsdale (map below) the Phoenix Coyotes will be hosting a NHL draft party.  Be there during the first round of the NHL Draft to see who the newest member of the Phoenix Coyotes will be.

This event will be hosted by Coyotes TV Analyst Darren Pang and Coyotes Radio announcer Bob Heethuis and will feature Coyotes 2008 NHL Entry Draft Pick Mikkel Boedker (he will be meeting and greeting fans as well as signing autographs).  Furthermore, there will be a Coyotes ‘Draft Trivia’ contest that will take place where fans will have the chance to win autographed Coyotes merchandise.

Select Happy Hour Food Specials from 3 to 7 PM will be happening as well.  Fans can also get a $1 discount off all 23 ounce draft beers, $3.50 well drinks and much more.

Don’t miss this chance to not only see the future of the Coyotes franchise being formed right before your very eyes but also get to meet and greet other Coyotes fans across the Valley.

Close

Popularity: 16% [?]

On the heels of a successful postgame concert with Lifehouse, the Arizona Diamondbacks have announced the second installment of their post game concert series.

Montgomery Gentry will be headlining the August 29th post game concert following the 1:10 PM Diamondbacks game with Houston Astros.  All you have to do is purchase a ticket to the game and you can watch the show for free.

Stay tuned as there just might be an opportunity to win some VIP passes to the concert.

Popularity: 3% [?]