No cash. No worries. These events are free.
Too hot out to take a hike? Tired of swimming laps? Don’t want to spend money on a movie? If you’re spending your days unsure of what to do with your nights, consider these four no-cost ideas. Each
of them offer something unique to Phoenix and take you to areas where there’s more to explore than saguaros. Though, you know, there’s nothing wrong with saguaros:
Summer Band Concerts: Historic Downtown Glendale, every Thursday evening during July, beginning at 8 p.m. The concerts take place at the Murphy Park Amphitheatre at 58th and Glendale avenues. Bring lawn chairs or blankets, and cash so you can purchase refreshments. This event makes a great first date or family outing. It also brings you to what is billed as a great antique shopping area. Plan on coming this way a few hours early to test that theory out for yourself or to dine at one of the downtown restaurants. Call 623-930-2820 for more information.
Scottsdale ArtWalk: Scottsdale Arts District, every Thursday evening, all year long, 7 p.m.-9 p.m. Aside from special events, this is the only evening during the week when you’ll find these galleries open. Southwestern art. Cowboy art. Contemporary. It’s all represented. Come and enjoy the artist receptions and demonstrations. Call 480-990-3939 to learn more.
Summer Concert Series: Kierland Commons, 15205 N. Kierland Blvd., Scottsdale, every Saturday evening during the summer, 7 p.m.-10 p.m. The concerts are staged in the center plaza at this upscale outdoor shopping center. The Groove Merchants, a local R&B band that specializes in horns, plays on July 19. Bring the entire family, but arrive early to get seats. Call 480-348-1577 for updated schedules.
Silent Sundays: South Mountain Park, Phoenix, once a month, 5 a.m.-11 p.m. Located at the end of Central Avenue in South Phoenix, all Central Avenue access roadways to the park are closed to motorized traffic one Sunday a month, so hikers, bikers and joggers can recreate without interference. For the remainder of the summer, the dates are as follows: July 27 and August 24. Guided interpretive programs take place between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. This might be a great day for an evening hike. You can see if you are lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the blooming Deer-Horn cactus; they bloom only one night in June or July. Call 602-534-6324 for more details.
(Photo: Saguaros at Jewel of the Creek, Cave Creek, by Jackie Dishner)
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