Game night with family or friends: I’ll be heading over to a friend’s house where we’ll play board games till the break of dawn, well, probably not that late–I’ll be lucky to make it to midnight–but you get the picture. Find some friends, gather your favorite games, sport some food and drinks on the kitchen island or countertop, and play the night away. If you’re into video games or Wii, do that, instead. But make it a fun night for all by just spending time together doing something you all really enjoy. Anyone up for some Trivial Pursuit? How about this new game called Partini? I gave a copy away to friends for Christmas. You have to hum, mold clay figures, act out a scene or a word, and make up sentences. Fun stuff.

A movie marathon: Two years ago, my boyfriend and I decided we’d spend the evening at the movie theater catching up on the new releases we never seem to see before they get released on video. It was a quiet blast. We enjoyed an early dinner out before the crowds shuffled in. And then we headed over to a Harkins Theatre to watch a few movies on which we both agreed. We amazed ourselves that we made it to midnight. It was a fun way to say hello to the new year. I’d do it again if asked. Heck, I’d even suggest it again.

The theatre awaits: If tickets are still available, “Let the Sunshine In” with a 40th anniversary production of Hair by Arizona Theatre Company. It shows at the Herberger Theatre in downtown Phoenix on New Year’s Eve. The special production includes dinner. Tickets are priced between $64 and $99. There’s also a special Broadway Tribute show being conducted at The Phoenix Symphony. Tickets for that range from $26 to $76.

Got any other ideas? Post them here.

Post from: The Phoenix Traveler

A few travel writers, including Christine K. Bailey, author of Destinations: A Complete Guide to Phoenix, Scottsdale, Sedona and Central Arizona, and Teresa Bitler, whose Great Escapes Arizona was just released are scheduled to appear.

Also plan to see arts & crafts booths, food and live music at the festival on both days.

If you go:

What: ArtFest of Scottsdale                                                               When: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 22 and Sunday, Nov. 23        Where: Scottsdale Civic Center Plaza, 7380 E. 2nd St.                          Cost: Free

Post from: The Phoenix Traveler

Showing up online, of course. The above link takes you to a Web site created in 2003 by the Alliance for Audience, a non-profit organization consisting of arts and cultural groups in the Valley of the Sun who wanted a way to promote what they’re doing so you can take part in it.

Want to attend a live theater performance, a poetry reading or take an art class? Do you like concerts? It’s all here…times, dates, locations. Even maps. Get tickets, read about the venues and performances, find out about free events. This very comprehensive site  makes it easy for you to find out what’s what and where so that all you have to do is literally show up and be entertained.

And it grows every year to include even more information, including festivals, art galleries and reviews. For art and culture lovers, this is your one-stop source for information–a site you can really use.

Post from: The Phoenix Traveler

Now through October 2009, three museums in Mesa (Mesa Contemporary Arts (pictured above), Arizona Museum of Natural History, and Arizona Museum for Youth), all within walking distance, are open free to the public on the first Sunday of every month, noon to 5 p.m.

Other free events: MACFest, a downtown Mesa art and cultural festival every Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; the October Storytelling Festival; and Day of the Dead and Holiday Art & Music festivals coming in November.

The city of Mesa, Target and the Arizona Republic launched the free museum program, 3 for Free, this month.

Upcoming Exhibitions

Mesa Contemporary Arts, One East Main St.

Low and Slow: The Art of the Lowrider through January 11, 2009
Arizona Wheels and Ink through January 4, 2009
The Parlour through January 11, 2009
Beneath the Skin: Artwork Inspired by Tattoos through December 7, 2008

Arizona Museum for Youth, 35 North Robson Street

Dia de los Muertos through Nov. 30, 2008
Full Circle: Recycled into Art through Feb. 8, 2009
Way to Glow! Scott McNeill through Feb. 8, 2009

Arizona Museum of Natural History, 53 Macdonald St. 

HOHOKAM!  Ancient Monuments of the Salt River Valley through March 29, 2009
MARS!  through June 28, 2009
Dinosaur Mountain on – going
PSI:  Poop Scene Investigation through December 07, 2008

The museums are part of the Mesa Arts Center, said to be Arizona’s largest arts campus. It’s home to four theaters, five art galleries and fourteen art studios. Visit the Web site or call 480-644-6500 for more information. Free guided tours of the campus take place at noon every Wednesday at noon. To book a tour, call 480-644-6626.

(Above photo provided and used with permission by the Mesa Arts Center.)

Post from: The Phoenix Traveler

But that’s changing. Restaurants are moving in. There’s a wine bar and coffee shop. Houses are being renovated. The community is pulling together to rid itself of the blight. And now, there’s even an art gallery. Better yet, that art gallery has spawned something else–Sunnyslope’s very own art walk.

Art is not just for Phoenix and Scottsdale anymore. The creative outdoor fun is now in Sunnyslope, too.

Just look for the big white “S” on the mountain at the top of Central Avenue, and you’ll know you’re there.

To be sure, plan to show up on the evening of October 11. That’s when you’ll get to mix and mingle with more than 100 artists and six different live bands. They’ll set up shop along the east side of Central Avenue, from Dunlap Avenue, south all the way the Canal at Ruth Street. 1,000 Valley residents showed up for the first Sunnyslope Art Walk last April, and this one could draw more.

If you’ve not been to the area in a while–or if you’ve never been–you might want to stop in a littler earlier to check out the coffee shop called Grinder’s, Bombero’s wine bar, Nielsen Galleries, or Corbin’s Bar & Grill–all within easy walking distance of each other. Local businesses are looking forward to it, and I hope to see you there.

What: Sunnyslope Art Walk.

Where: Dunlap and Central Ave., Phoenix.

When: Saturday, Oct. 11, 5 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Parking: The Cowden Center, 9202 N. 2nd St., between Dunlap and Hatcher; Food City parking lot at Dunlap and Central; Sunnyslope High School, 35 W. Dunlap.

Post from: The Phoenix Traveler

I had the pleasure of being invited to attend a live performance by this local six-member band in Phoenix called Shallow Water. Click on the video above to hear a portion of my new favorite song called “Clap.” The group has a few CDs that you can purchase: the first called “2 Dollar Sailboat” was produced in 2002; the second called “What’s Her Name” was produced in 2006. “Clap” appears on that one.

The six-member band plays a rock, punk, ska and alternative mix of sounds, and has opened at concert performances for top touring groups, including Live, Smash Mouth and Barenaked Ladies.

Influenced by various musical styles, they’ve created an upbeat sound that even an old Boomer like me can enjoy. No one seems to steal the limelight in this group–not even the vocalists–but the two horn players really rev up the crowd and get the dancers on the floor. It was fun to watch.

And from what I could see at the sports bar (Sport Peppers, northeast corner of 16th Street and Bell Road, Phoenix) where they were playing and hope to again, they have a decent following.

The band originally consisted of four members: Kris McCoy, lead vocals; RJ Rizzo, drummer; Johnny Baba, guitar; and Scott Calhoun, bass guitar. They added the horn players, Ed Zubow and Paul Nolde-Morrissey, after a New Year’s Eve performance last year with the two proved to be successful. 

You can catch them yourself if you’ll be in Phoenix this weekend. They’ll be playing at Tailgater’s (northwest corner of 59th Avenue and Bell Road) on Saturday, Aug. 16, beginning at 9:30 p.m. Their next performances at Tailgater’s will be in November. You can check the band’s schedule here.

(Photo of the band above used with permission by Shallow Water.)

Post from: The Phoenix Traveler

Watch for more to come in the future. Once a month, I’ll include a quiz, centering it around a theme, such as Native American art, sporting events, outdoor recreation, and other things travel-related. You can join in on the fun by leaving your answers here in the comment box.

1. Till next time, let me know if you knew the answers to this quiz without having to do an online search, or phone a friend.
3. If this quiz was too easy, let me know that as well. The answers are:

1. There are three places in Greater Phoenix where I know you can find Allan Houser sculptures. I may have mentioned them previously in this blog. Do you know the names of these places? THEY ARE: HEARD MUSEUM, FIGARELLI FINE ART and THE PHOENICIAN RESORT.
2. Phoenix is situated in the heart of what is considered the most ecologically diverse desert in the world. Do you know the name of this desert? THE SONORAN DESERT.
3. Phoenix is one of how many U.S. cities with franchises in all four major professional sports leagues: Phoenix Suns (NBA), Arizona Diamondbacks (MLB), Arizona Cardinals (NFL), and Phoenix Coyotes (NHL)? ONLY 13 U. S. CITIES HAVE SUCH FRANCHISES.
4. In what year did the Arizona Diamondbacks win the World Series Championship? IN 2001.
5. Can you name all six lakes that can be found within a 75-minute drive from Phoenix? THEY ARE APACHE, BARTLETT, CANYON, LAKE PLEASANT, ROOSEVELT AND SAGUARO.
6. Frank Lloyd Wright built a studio here. Though he is now deceased, his foundation operates a teaching facility for students interested in organic architecture. Visitors can take tours and workshops there. Do you know the name of this facility? IT IS TALIESIN WEST. 
7. The largest municipal park in the world is located here. It covers more than 16,500 acres. Do you know the name of this park? IT’S CALLED SOUTH MOUNTAIN PARK AND PRESERVE.
8. Three major industries are located in Phoenix. Can you name all three? THEY HAVE BEEN MOST RECENTLY CONSTRUCTION, HIGH-TECH MANUFACTURING AND TOURISM (though construction is questionable these days…).
9. A famous rock star from the 70s lives here. He’s still producing albums and going on tour. He’s also very active in philanthropic projects. Do you know his name? Hint: He invested in a downtown Phoenix restaurant near what used to be known as Bank One Ballpark. THAT WOULD BE ALICE COOPER.
10. The late Senator Barry Goldwater donated a collection of unique dolls to the Heard Museum. Do you know what these dolls are called? THEY ARE CALLED KACHINAS or KATSINAS.

(Photo used with permission by the Greater Phoenix Convention & Visitors Bureau.) 

Post from: The Phoenix Traveler

You really can cook an egg on the sidewalks of Phoenix in the summer. Elementary schools have been known to test this out, and at least one town in Arizona hosts an egg-frying contest. But we actually do a LOT of sunny-side-up kinds of things here. This video illustrates a few:

~Watching cacti bloom.

~Enjoying outdoor recreation.

~Swimming and other poolside fun.

~Boating and rowing and gondola rides.

~Shopping and dining.

~Watching beautiful sunsets.

Wish you were here!

Post from: The Phoenix Traveler