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

Mill Avenue in Tempe hustles and bustles with pedestrian traffic year-round. It’s not the place to go if you want peace and quiet. And though I’d say the majority of the people you’ll see milling around are Arizona State University students, urbanites from all over the Valley of the Sun head over on evenings and weekends to shop, dine at the many restaurants, hang out in the taverns, and walk, ride bikes or rollerblade over to Tempe Town Lake.

This coming weekend, however, pedestrians will flock to Mill Avenue–one of America’s “ten great streets” (American Planning Association, 2008)–for one of the city’s most popular attractions: Fall Tempe Festival of the Arts.

Since the Beatles had its #1 hit, “Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band,” on the radio 40 years ago, this festival has been the event holiday shoppers love to attend. I’ve been several times and still recall the gift I purchased for my sister the first time I went in 1988 (the 20th anniversary year). It was a hand-crafted Christmas Elf.

I don’t know if that booth’s still around, but here’s a sample of what I know you’ll experience while there this year:

_250,000 visitors, more or less, with lots of them pushing strollers, so watch out.

_more than 400 juried artists’ booths (woodwork, jewelry, paintings, ceramics, fountains, photography, textiles and more), so you know you’ll see quality work.

_food and beverages to purchase at the Food Court on 6th Street near Mill.

_street performers (stilt walkers and mimes, for instance).

_live entertainment (past performers have been local bands, including Gin Blossoms, Margo Reed, Walt Richardson and others).

_hands-on crafts and activities for kids, thank goodness.

_Arizona Wine Festival with tastings from several Arizona wine growers.

If you attend on Friday, stick around after hours for an added treat this year: the Anniversary Beatles Tribute. It takes place at the Arizona Wine Festival Jazz Stage, with Beatles tribute music played by cover band Apple.

IF YOU GO:

WHAT: 40th ANNIVERSARY FALL FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS

WHEN: December 5-7, 10 a.m. to Dusk

WHERE: Mill Avenue in Tempe

ADMISSION: Free

PARKING: Free at Rio Salado Parkway & Hardy Drive, just east of Priest Drive on the north side of Rio Salado Parkway. A free shuttle runs every 15 minutes. (map it)

If you don’t want to hassle with that, nine paid parking garages or lots surround the downtown area, closer to the festival. But still, plan for a lot of walking and wear comfortable shoes.

(Photo of Mill Avenue Festival courtesy of Tempe Convention & Visitors Bureau.)

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

A few of the original cast members and VIP’s from the iconic TV show, “Happy Days”, will be in the Gammage Theater audience on opening night for the Tempe debut of the musical stage version of the hit TV show.

Producer/writer/director Garry Marshall, Anson Williams (Potsie) and Don Most (Ralph Malph) are among the noted celebrities who will attend the Tuesday, Nov. 18 performance.

Heeeeey, it should be cool. The cast and VIP’s plan to arrive in classic 1950s cars and walk the red carpet.

Gammage, part of Arizona State University, is located on Mill and Apache. 

SHOW DETAIL:

HAPPY DAYS ● NOVEMBER 18-23, 2008
Based on the hit Paramount Pictures’ television series, HAPPY DAYS – A New Musical reintroduces one of America’s best loved families, the Cunninghams, and the days of 1959 Milwaukee complete with varsity sweaters, hula hoops, and jukebox sock-hoppin’. The famed drive-in malt shop and number one- hang-out, Arnold’s, is in danger of demolition, so the gang teams up to save it with a dance contest and TV-worthy wrestling match. Tickets are on sale at Ticketmaster or by calling 480-784-4444.

About ASU Gammage

Located on the Tempe campus of Arizona State University, ASU Gammage is among the largest university-based presenters of performing arts in the world. ASU Gammage is the home theater of M&I Bank Broadway Across America – Arizona and the ASU Gammage Beyond series. Its mission is to connect communities through artistic excellence and educational outreach. ASU Gammage is an historic hall designed by internationally renowned architect, Frank Lloyd Wright.

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

Owned and operated by Jef and Shurlin Rawls, this family-friendly comedy theater is home to the Jester’Z comedy troupe–a really fun and lively bunch of comedians, ages 18 to mid-40s, who really put on a good show for their audiences every weekend. It’s fun, interactive, and entertaining.

Jef, who teaches the acting classes, along with some of his talented performers, trained with, among many others, instructors at the Second City conservatory in Los Angeles, and is a working actor himself. Not only that, but he’s a really good guy, and you gotta support a man who cares about the impact he’s making. No cuss words allowed in his theater, for one thing. Plus, they sell Snickers bars–a fan favorite, of mine, that is. If you’re looking for something to do with the family, a first date, the 50th anniversary, give the Jester’Z a try:

WHEN: Fridays & Saturdays, 8 p.m. & 10 p.m.

WHERE: Inside Papago Plaza, 7117 E. McDowell Rd., Scottsdale.

COST: $12, all shows.

RESERVATIONS: 480-423-0120.

All shows run 90 minutes, without intermission. Candy, popcorn, soda and water can be purchased at the snack bar prior to show time. The theater is a smoke-free establishment and does not serve alcohol. But, hey, that means there’s no drink minimum!

(Above graphic provided by Theater 168.)

Post from: The Phoenix Traveler

Some of the savings you’ll see include discount travel packages at various hotels, free appetizers at participating restaurants, dollars off on massage therapies, discounts on theater tickets and tour packages, shopping incentives at upscale malls, and even a free lunch.

It might be worth a visit.

Post from: The Phoenix Traveler