Editors Note: We’ve made some changes to the ‘Best Things’ list by removing the ‘Event’s and ‘Concerts’ list. We moved both of the pages to new locations and the links to both of these pages can be found at the top of every page. Here’s the links to…
We are going to continue to list the concerts and events for the coming week here (as you will note at the bottom of the page). However, all concerts and events that are off on the horizon will be posted on the pages above.
This is a HUGE week for concerts in the greater Phoenix Area! From the return of O.A.R. to the Phoenix Area, to the Pixies performing their landmark album ‘Doolittle’, to the Zac Brown Band’s first headlining tour, to Train’s fundraiser, to classic rock bands like KISS, Tom Petty and ZZ Top. There is literally a show for everyone to check out!
In addition check out the Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day! The Smithsonian Magazine gives everyone the chance to check out museums across Arizona! Also, this is the last homestand of the season for the Arizona Diamondbacks so make sure you get out and see the team before it’s too late!
Finally, check out Ballet Under the Stars this weekend. It’s the yearly kick off event for Ballet Arizona where they perform outdoors across the greater Phoenix area!
1) Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day – September 25th – Check out just about every major museum in the state of Arizona for free.
2) Arizona Restaurant Week – September 18-26 – Various Locations Around Phoenix – The Arizona Culinary world will put their talents on display for the week and offer specially priced three course meals for all to sample. You’ve heard some great things about a blossoming culinary community in Phoenix, come see why! **JUST TWO MORE DAYS LEFT!!!**
3) Phoenix Coyotes Training Camp – September 18th – 27th – Jobing.com Arena – Fans will be able to watch training camp as it progresses. See who makes the cut on the deepest and most talented Phoenix Coyotes roster ever!
4) KISS – September 24th – Cricket Wireless Pavilion – (Details in the link)
For you Facebook Types:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=131254943551789
5) O.A.R. – September 28th – Celebrity Theater – See Link for full details and to purchase tickets
6) Arizona Diamondbacks 2010 Season – We’re down to the last homestand of the season people! Don’t miss out on your chance to see the new-look Diamondbacks in action.
Click here for tickets to the last Diamondbacks homestand of the season!
7) 2nd Annual Grand Avenue Festival – Grand Avenue – Downtown Phoenix – Saturday, September 25th
List of music during the fesitval | Map of the festival (JPG) | List of Art Studios open during the festival
8) Chris Issak – September 23rd – Celebrity Theater
9) MADCAP Theaters – Tempe – Ongoing – I think by now everyone knows that MADCAP has earned a permanent spot on the best things to do list for the week for the wonderful selection of movies to choose from. Check their listings (click the link) for what’s showing for the given week. You just might find that gem of a movie, a classic or something new and original to watch. MADCAP has it all!
10) Ballet Under the Stars – September 22-26 – Various Locations – Every year before Ballet Arizona’s season begins they perform outdoors at various amphitheaters around the greater Phoenix area. This is a MUST see. Schedule of appearances is in the link.
11)
Daniel Tosh – Tosh Tour Twenty Ten- Show #1 – September 25th – 7:30 PM- Dodge Theater | By popular demand! Daniel Tosh – Tour Twenty Ten – Show #2 – Dodge Theater – September 25th – 10:30 PM
12) Pixies with the Fuck Buttons – Friday September 24th – Mesa Amphitheater
13) The Nest (Haunted House) – September 24th to October 31st – Rawhide in Chandler is host to what MSN called the #1 scariest haunt in America! Back for another year, the Nest is ready to scare your pants off!
14) Michael Franti & Spearhead – September 25th – Marquee Theater
Photo by Jeffrey Skillings
15) The Zac Brown Band – September 25th – Cricket Wireless Pavilion – See Link for full details and to purchase tickets – The Zac Brown Band is on it’s first ever headlining tour!
16) Howie Mandel – Chandler Center for the Arts – Friday September 24th at 8 PM – While Howie has remained a constant force in show business for over 30 years, he has been thrust back in the spotlight as the host of what has become a national phenomenon “Deal or No Deal.” The show has become an instant hit. Howie Mandel’s versatile career has encompassed virtually all aspects of the entertainment spectrum, including television, film and stage. From his work on the Emmy-Award winning “St. Elsewhere,” to the international (and also Emmy nominated) “Bobby’s World,” Howie has become a mainstay of the American comedy scene.
17) Free Entrance Days in All US National Parks – September 25th – No fees will be collected on this weekend so people can enjoy their national parks. Check the link for the full list of parks participating in this offer.
18) Train with Gavin DeGraw – September 25th – US Airways Center
19) Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers w/ZZ Top – September 26th – US Airways Center – Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers – New Show date AND new opening act!
20) Fuse Fridays — Bar Smith — Downtown Phoenix — Fun starts at 9:00 PM — Check out one of the best reasons to head to Downtown Phoenix on a Friday Night. Fuse Fridays is a great night of beats and is also a great place to see and be seen!
This week features:
Drop the Lime w/ Opening Set by DJ Dwntwn
Drop The Lime’s influences range from Brian Eno to rockabilly (he’s well known for his doo-wop and soul sets) to Sonic Youth to Wu-Tang but things don’t stop there. Since 2006, he has also run Trouble & Bass, an influential New York club night and record label that is defining the new sound of New York, one heavy bassline at a time.
Seemingly from nowhere like a stampede of dancing bulls, the newest Night Thieves Collective DJ/Producer has made it know that he means business. His tracks have recently been blowing up the Hype Machine charts and receiving praise on the blog circuit. As a DJ, DWNTWN’s sets feature tons of original tracks, remixes and edits, stylistically along the lines of discohouse, electrofunk, fidget, dustup and bassline, all with an original flair. Putting an emphasis on the performance aspect of things, live instrumentation such as cowbells, tambourines and various midi controllers keep regular rotation in DWNTWN DJ sets. According to the Phoenix New Times: “…the Night Thieves collective is slowly taking over the Valley’s electronic music landscape.” According to the Night Thieves, DWNTWN is the jewel-encrusted spearhead paving the way.
http://soundcloud.com/dwnt wn
http://night-thieves.com/
PLUS, DJ Casper will be doing a special birthday set!
For you Facebook types:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=128808697168894&ref=mf
21) Arizona State University Football – The Arizona State Sun Devils take on their biggest challenge in the season as they host the #5 Oregon Ducks this Saturday. Kickoff is at 7:30 PM and the game will be carried on Fox Sports Northwest.
Local Farmer’s Markets to check out!
Don’t forget the Downtown Phoenix Public Market – Weekly on Wednesdays from 4 to 8 PM and Saturday from 8 AM to Noon.
Ahwatukee Farmers Market – 8 AM to Noon – 4700 East Warner Road, Phoenix, Az 85044
Scottsdale Old Town Farmer’s Market – Every Saturday from 8:00 AM to 12 PM – Under the shade at Scottsdale Stadium Enter Through Gate
North Scottsdale Farmers Market – Every Saturday from 7 AM to 11 AM – Located at 94th Street and Shea Boulevard
Chandler Farmer’s Market is every Thursday from 3 to 7 p.m. at Dr. A. J. Chandler Park (downtown Chandler) – Live music on the second Thursday of every month.
Weekly Art Walks
Scottsdale Art Walk – Every Thursday evening from 7 to 9 PM – FREE – Dubbed ‘America’s Original Art Walk’ art fans get the opportunity to browse through all the local art galleries.
The Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art has free admission every Thursday
Downtown Chandler Art Walk – Every third Friday of the month – on Boston and Marcos Streets
NU – Native + You – Heard Museum – Third Friday of every month
21.5)New to the Concert/Event Calendar this week:
Tickets on sale now
Phoenix Symphony 2010-2011 Season – Various locations
Southwest Shakespeare Company’s 2010-2011 Season – Sept 9th – April 30th – Mesa Arts Center
New to the Concert Calendar
The National – October 14th – Marquee Theater
Nas & Daminan "Jr. Gong" Marley – October 15th – Marquee Theater
Paul Oakenfold – October 20th – Marquee Theater
Built to Spill – October 26th – Marquee Theater
Gov’t Mule – November 3rd – Marquee Theater
A Perfect Circle – Three Nights in Tempe – November 4th, 5th, and 6th – Marquee Theater
Night 1 – November 4th – A Perfect Circle perfoms their album "Mer De Noms" in its entirety – General Admission Tickets are SOLD OUT
Wine Tasting Tickets | Meet & Greet Tickets
Night 2 – November 5th – A Perfect Circle perfoms their album "Thirteenth Step" in its entirety – General Admission tickets are SOLD OUT
Wine Tasting Tickets | Meet and Greet Tickets
Night 3 – A Perfect Circle perfoms their album "Emotive" in its entirety
General Admission Tickets | Wine Tasting Tickets | Meet and Greet Tickets
Bad Religion – November 9th – Marquee Theater
Pepper and Fishbone - November 11th – Marquee Theater
Social Distortion w/Lucero and Frank Turner – November 23rd – Marquee Theater
Dark Star Orchestra – December 8th – Marquee Theater
New to the Events Calendar
Tempe Oktoberfest – October 1,2, and 3 – Tempe Beach Park – More info in the coming days.
ASU Homecoming Block Party – October 30th – In and around Mill Ave/ASU Campus
ASU Homecoming Parade – October 31st – 10 AM
Mesa Old West Days – November 20th and 21st – Downtown Mesa
2010 Tempe Fantasy of Lights Opening Night Parade – November 27th – Downtown Tempe – 6:00 PM – Free – According to the official website "Enjoy the beauty of the holiday season amid the glittering lights of the Mill Avenue District as we celebrate “Winter Wonderland”!
The Tempe Fantasy of Lights kicks off with the Opening Night Parade, when Santa Claus arrives as the parade’s finale to take his seat inMADCAP Theaters to hear children’s special gift requests.
Families, neighborhoods, and groups are invited to enter the parade with floats, bands, marching units, equestrian units, and other novelty marching units."
2010 Tempe Fantasy of Lights Boat Parade – December 11th – Tempe Town Lake – Free – Festivities start at 6:00 PM – According to the official website "Light up the night and be dazzled at the Valley’s most unique holiday event—the Tempe Fantasy of Lights Boat Parade at Tempe Town Lake, featuring as many as 50 festively lighted boats of all sizes, all celebrating “Winter Wonderland,” and special guest Santa Claus who will hear children’s gift requests in Tempe Beach Park.
It’s the only time of the year that motorized vessels are allowed on the lake. Individuals, families and groups are invited to add to Tempe’s holiday tradition by entering their people-powered, wind-powered, or motorized and festively decorated and lighted boats. The METRO Tempe Town Lake Bridge’s 1,645-foot span, which connects the East Valley and central Phoenix portions of the light rail system, once again will delight audiences with its programmed LED display.
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