Posts Tagged ‘Obscura’
Phoenix things to do: February 11 – 13
Prepare yourself for a busy weekend. There are loads of things going on this weekend, but here are a few of my favorites.
FRIDAY
SMoCA Spring Opening Celebration @ Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art
SMoCA kicks off the spring season with the opening of 3 new exhibitions. Go for the music , dancing and a bit of culture.
Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art
7374 E. Second St., Scottsdale.
6:30 – 10:30 p.m.
Free
SATURDAY
VNSA Used Book Sale @ Arizona State Fairgrounds
I have friends who hit this annual book sale every year without fail — it’s supposedly THAT good. Find all kinds of books (rare, children’s, classics, biographies, etc), DVDs, records. Get there early and check out the sale layout to get a jump on the best titles.
Arizona State Fairgrounds
1825 W. McDowell Rd.
Phoenix, AZ 85007
8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Saturday
8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Sunday (half price books)
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Coffee, Cookies and Crafts @ Bragg’s Pie Factory
This Valentine’s Day-themed craft event includes make-and-take crafts, local vendors selling their wares, free coffee and cookies, craft demos and more.
Bragg’s Pie Factory
1301 W. Grand Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85004
noon – 5 p.m.
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Valentine’s Day Shop @ Frances & Smeeks
Calling romantic procrastinators! Frances Vintage will be open late (8 p.m.) Saturday night so you can go shop for something sweet for your own sweet. If your loved one’s face isn’t catalyst enough to visit, the Short Leash hot dog truck will also be open for business and Stinkweeds will have live music.
Frances Vintage & Smeeks
10 W. Camelback Rd.
Phoenix, AZ 85013
6 – 8 p.m.
***
Obscura @ Rips Ales & Cocktails
Valentine’s Day haters unite for the Die! Cupid! Die! party at this month’s Obscura. Dance to Britpop, indie, new wave with DJs Roya & Funkfinger (my husband). CD giveaways from The Dears, Ebsen & The Witch, Asobi Seksu, Cage The Elephant and Shugo Tokumaru. Ticket giveaways for upcoming shows including Pete Yorn, Civil Twilight, Sebadoh. All this and $2 house pints, $3 wells, $5 calls all night. Go! Dance!
Rips Ales & Cocktails
3045 N. 16th St.
Phoenix, AZ 85016
9 p.m. – 2 a.m.
$5
SUNDAY
Hands On Chicken Class @ The Urban Farm
Learn everything you need to know about housing, feeding and taking care of backyard chickens. There might even be a few laying chickens to buy if you’re ready.
6750 N 13th Place, Phoenix, 85014
Donation Requested $15
2 p.m.
More things to do on New Times >>
More things to do on azcentral.com >>
Valentine’s gift ideas (food & local) >>
CRACKING GOOD LINKS
Thanks to Julia Segal’s Tumblr for pointing me to this great pic.
Phoenix things to do: January 7-9
It’s the first non-holiday weekend of the new year. What are you going to do? Here are a few ideas.
FRIDAY
Source Victoria @ Teakwood’s
It’s been awhile since Source Victoria has played out. Drink beer, eat peanuts, throw shells on the floor and listen to good music.
Teakwoods Tavern & Grill
2808 E Indian School Rd
Phoenix, AZ 85016
SATURDAY
Wine tasting and granola testing @ Queen Creek Olive Mill
Listen to a little country and try 4 never-been-shown-before wines from VP Vino and some delicious-sounding granola from Laura’s Granola.
Queen Creek Olive Mill
25062 S. Meridian Road
Queen Creek, AZ 85242
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
***
Second Saturday Marketplace @ Cheap Thrills
Drinks, music and stuff…lots and lots of stuff. Visit Cheap Thrills for the vintage clothes, household items, furniture and tons of other curious objects you probably can’t live without.
Cheap Thrills
2540 E. Indian School
Phoenix, AZ 85016
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
***
Obscura @ Rips Ales & Cocktails
It’s Green Hornet night at this month’s Obscura — go and get movie passes to the movie…oh and dance to Britpop, indie, new wave with DJs Roya & Funkfinger (my husband). All this and $2 house pints, $3 wells, $5 calls all night. Go! Dance!
Rips Ales & Cocktails
3045 N. 16th St.
Phoenix, AZ 85016
9 p.m. – 2 a.m.
$5
SUNDAY
Shop local boutiques
If your Christmas wish list wasn’t fully granted, shopping local is one of your New Year’s resolutions, or you just want to get some good deals — local boutiques are kicking off 2011 with some amazing markdowns.
***
$20 bottle of wine and sliders @ The Living Room
What better way to unwind from the hectic holiday than with a bottle of wine and some delicious small sandwiches. Get both for $20 every Sunday and Monday.
The Living Room
2333 N. 7th Street
Phoenix, AZ
Best songs of 2010
What’s Cracking Good — Good music
My husband DJs at monthly dance-night Obscura (coming up this Saturday night at Rips Bar), so I asked his expert opinion on his favorite tunes of 2010 — this is what he came up with:
- Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains) / Arcade Fire
- Rill Rill / Sleigh Bells
- Floating Vibes / Surfer Blood
- O.N.E. / Yeasayer
- Home / LCD Soundsystem
- Fuck You / Cee Lo Green
- Sweet Talk, Sweet Talk / The New Pornographers
- Giving Up The Gun / Vampire Weekend
- Odessa / Caribou
- Rocket / Goldfrapp
Bonus Tracks
- Private Eyes / The Bird And The Bee
- Barbara Streisand / Duck Sauce
- Gare Du Nord / Carte Blanche
Any additions?
Phoenix things to do: November 12-14
This weekend is INSANE with activities. Festivals, dance events, theater — no matter your thing, there’s an event you’ll enjoy.
FRIDAY
Scottsdale Festival of Greece @ Scottsdale Civic Center Mall
While Greekfest is undoubtedly full of Greek culture — In all honesty, I go there for the food. Gyros, spinach pies, baklava it’s all delicious.
Scottsdale Civic Center Mall
3939 N. Drinkwater Blvd.
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Friday & Saturday from 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Free
***
The Burlesque Weekend Opening Night Gala @ Hotel San Carlos
Kick off an entire weekend of sexy dance events with drink specials, live jazz music, artist meet-and-greets, student dance exhibitions and teasers for the weekend events, which include a full Scandalesque performance (featuring Catherine D’lish), a lecture at Phoenix Art Museum on burlesque costumes, and a day of burlesque workshops.
Hotel San Carlos
202 N. Central Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85004
8 p.m.
$10
SATURDAY
Certified Local Fall Festival @ Duck and Decanter
Join some of the Valley’s independent businesses for the 6th annual Local Fall Festival. There will be food, music, shopping, and kid stuff from participating local businesses like: Frances/Smeeks, America’s Taco Shop, Brand X and Urban Cookies.
Duck and Decanter
1651 E. Camelback
Phoenix, AZ 85016
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Free
***
Pie Social @ 5th Street & Roosevelt
Who doesn’t like pie?! Local chefs and pie enthusiasts about Phoenix are making pies! Try samples from Bourbon Steak, Wicked Kitchen Gourmet and Beckett’s Table — or participate in the silent auction. Mmmmm, pie.
5th Street & Roosevelt
2 – 6 p.m.
5 tasting tickets for $10 or bring 2 pies
***
Obscura @ Rips Ales & Cocktails
Britpop, indie, new wave — DJs Roya & Funkfinger (my husband) do it up dance-style.
All this and $2 house pints, $3 wells, $5 calls all night. Go! Dance!
Rips Ales & Cocktails
3045 N. 16th St.
Phoenix, AZ 85016
9 p.m. – 2 a.m.
$5
SUNDAY
Cirque Dreams Illumination @ Orpheum Theatre
My mother in law is taking her grandson to his very first theater production this weekend — this Cirque Dreams show. While he might have nightmares for awhile — it’s probably an interesting show with feats of human flexibility that will make you want to take a yoga class.
Orpheum Theatre
203 W. Adams St.
Phoenix, AZ
Tickets are $50-60
Phoenix things to do: October 8 – 10
There are so many things to do this weekend! Get your glutton on at a taco and cupcake fest, hear good music TWO nights at Rips Bar, and more…
FRIDAY
Phoenix Fashion Week @ W Scottsdale
Phoenix Fashion Week will be held, weirdly enough, at the W Hotel in Scottsdale. This fashion “week” will actually be 3 days of runways shows with new and emerging designers, workshops and a shopping villa. Check out the listing of events to see which things are free and what requires a ticket (available online).
W Hotel
Friday & Saturday
Tickets are available online from $25 – $60
***
Phantogram @ Rips Ales & Cocktails
Electro-ish dance/moody band Phantogram is promoting their first album, “Eyelid Movies.” Check it out on their song, “Mouthful of Diamonds” on their MySpace page.
Rips Ales & Cocktails
3045 N. 16th St.
Phoenix, AZ 85016
9 p.m.
$13
SATURDAY
Arizona Taco Festival
Valley restaurants and amateur competitors compete for the title of “Best Taco.” Also available, a margarita challenge, a chili eating contest, a tequila boutique — and more.
Scottsdale Waterfront
7025 E. Via Soleri (across from Olive & Ivy)
Scottsdale, AZ
10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
$10 to enter and $2 per taco sample
OR
$50 VIP ticket
***
Caribou @ Clubhouse
If you missed Caribou’s last show in May, you are so in luck. The dance-y electro band returns Phoenix for another turn in the Clubhouse.
The Clubhouse
1320 E. Broadway
Tempe, AZ 85282
Tickets are $15
8 p.m.
***
Obscura @ Rips Ales & Cocktails
Britpop, indie, new wave — DJs Roya & Funkfinger (my husband) do it up dance-style.
All this and $2 house pints, $3 wells, $5 calls all night. Go! Dance!
Rips Ales & Cocktails
3045 N. 16th St.
Phoenix, AZ 85016
9 p.m. – 2 a.m.
$5
SUNDAY
Cupcake Love-In @ Hotel Valley Ho
30 different cupcake shops, restaurants and bakers come together for one giant cupcake extravaganza. What you can expect to find: Lots of delicious cupcakes and an eating contest. Best thing, this event benefits single moms fighting cancer. This event is a sweet deal all around.
Hotel Valley Ho
6850 East Main Street
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
$10 in advance, $15 at the door
Phoenix things to do: August 13-15
FRIDAY
Hausu @ Madcap Theaters
The craziest horror movie you might ever see. This Japanese masterpiece follows several girls to a friend’s aunt’s house. While there — mayhem and hilarity ensues. (View the trailer).
Madcap Theaters
730 South Mill Ave
Tempe, AZ 85281
Thursday at 8 p.m.
Friday and Saturday at 6, 8 and 10 p.m.
$8
***
…or for more conventional tastes, maybe you want to watch
SATURDAY
Walk or Jog One Mile in Downtown Phoenix
A less rigorous more social solution to getting in shape. Meet a handful of people at the market and walk or jog the one-mile loop that ends back at the grocery store. Fairly painless — and you can reward yourself with a treat afterward.
Downtown Phoenix Public Market Urban Grocery & Wine Bar
14 E. Pierce St.
Phoenix, AZ 85004
7 a.m.
Free
***
Flashlight Tour @ Desert Botanical Gardens
Experience the magic of the desert by flashlight. Meander through the garden trails and see the birds, insects and flowers that only show up at night.
Desert Botanical Garden
1201 N. Galvin Parkway
Phoenix, AZ 85008
(480) 941-1225
7 – 9 p.m.
$15 for adults, $7.50 for students, $5 for children.
***
Obscura @ Rips
Britpop, indie, new wave — DJs Roya & Funkfinger do it up dance-style.
All this and $2 house pints, $3 wells, $5 calls all night. Go! Dance!
Rips Ales & Cocktails
3045 N. 16th St.
Phoenix, AZ 85016
9 p.m. – 2 a.m.
$5
SUNDAY
Civic Space Jam
DJs, B-boys and beats combine for a free event downtown. Raffle tickets will be on sale ($4 each) benefitting Fair Trade organizations.
424 N Central Ave.
Phoenix, AZ
5 – 9 p.m.
Phoenix things to do: June 11 – 13
FRIDAY
The new Spicy Chicken Sandwich @ Chick-fil-A
How the launch of Chick-fil-A’s new sandwich slipped my mind, I do not know. One of my all-time favorite fast food spots introduced a new Spicy Chicken Sandwich on June 7th and, for those who like the works, a Spicy Chicken Deluxe Sandwich with pepperjack cheese, lettuce and tomato. It’s Chick-fil-A, so it’s probably delicious.
Chick-fil-A
Locations Valley-wide
SATURDAY
2010 World Cup Game: USA vs England
I know very little about soccer, aside from the bits I remember from my 2-year stint in an indoor league, but it seems like everyone will be watching this weekend.
11:30 am
Check out places to watch the game
***
Obscura @ Rips
Britpop, indie, new wave — DJs Roya & Funkfinger do it up dance-style.
All this and $2 house pints, $3 wells, $5 calls all night. Go! Dance!
Rips Ales & Cocktails
3045 N. 16th St.
Phoenix, AZ 85016
9 p.m. – 2 a.m.
$5
SUNDAY
MC Chris @ The Clubhouse
The only reason I know of MC Chris is because he did a song on Aqua Teen Hunger Force as a giant diaper-wearing spider (MC Pee Pants). A song I still sing unprompted from time to time.
The Clubhouse
1320 E Broadway Rd.
Tempe, AZ
8:30 p.m.
CRACKING GOOD THINGS OF THE WEEK
- Take Away Show
The Frances & Smeeks blog posted a cool video link: Indie band Phoenix sings a mostly-acoustic version of 1901 in front of the Eiffel Tower.
Phoenix – 1901 – A Take Away Show from La Blogotheque on Vimeo.
- A cuddle-worthy family
Phoenix things to do: May 7-9
FRIDAY
Cynthia Rowley’s mobile store @ Scottsdale Fashion Square
Fashion designer Cynthia Rowley is parking her new mobile store at Scottsdale Fashion Square from Friday, May 7 – Friday, May 14. Her Shop on Wheels is a shipping truck converted into a Cynthia Rowley store, with hardwood floors, a fitting room, printed-fabric wall coverings and Lucite fixtures. It carries the entire range of items in the Cynthia Rowley collection—clothing, shoes, bags, eyewear, jewelry,
Scottsdale Fashion Square
Monday – Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
***
Friday Night Lights 4th season premiere on NBC
The most attractive football playing small town high-school ever is back on TV.
One of my former show obsessions starts it’s 4th Season on regular TV (Direct TV owners have already seen it). If you’re new to FNL, catch up with the season 3 plot lines and…check out one of the major reasons to watch, Riggins.
NBC – Channel 12
7 p.m.
SATURDAY
Butter Toast Grand Opening @ Butter Toast
Join Butter Toast and Merry May Handmade’s grand opening celebration at their cute new location off Roosevelt in Downtown Phoenix. There will be live music, crafts and a D.I.Y. table. I also have it on good authority it could include booze.
Butter Toast
908 N. 6th St.
Phoenix, AZ 85004
12 – 8 p.m.
***
Obscura @ Rips
Britpop, indie, new wave — DJs Roya & Funkfinger do it up dance-style.
Win cds from White Stripes, Gorillaz, The Morning Benders, Serena Maneesh & Love is All or tickets to upcoming concerts by The Morning Benders, The Ruby Suns, Xiu Xiu and You Say Party! We Say Die! All this and $2 house pints, $3 wells, $5 calls all night. Go! Dance!
Rips Ales & Cocktails
3045 N. 16th St.
Phoenix, AZ
85016
9 p.m. – 2 a.m.
$5
SUNDAY
Mrs. Miniver @ Phoenix Art Museum
Another event from the “In the Mood” series; This 1943 film about a woman dealing with the horrors of war won multiple Oscars. Take your mom and make a day of it.
Phoenix Art Museum
1625 N. Central Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85004
1 p.m.
***
Mother’s Day!
Do something nice for or with your mommy.
CRACKING GOOD THINGS OF THE WEEK
MattyC eats 2 Double Downs
As a part of his Fund-a-stache moustache money-raising, Matty C videos himself eating 2 Double Down sandwiches, one with a donut bun.
The Glamourai
There are a lot of style blogs out there, many of different people, in similar outfits.
This one seems different.
Phoenix things to do: March 12-14c
FRIDAY
Funny Girl @ The Biltmore lawn
Spring is coming and so are night-time movies under the stars at the Biltmore. This week watch classic Barbara Streisand in Funny Girl. Bring a blanket. It’s been chilly.
Center lawn at Biltmore
Northeast corner of 24th Street & Camelback
7 p.m.
Free
***
Avenue Q @ ASU Gammage
A puppet show just for adults. I’ve heard nothing but good things about this bawdy stage production.
Check it out Tip: If you get to the box office 2 hours before a show, you might be able to score tickets in the first 10 rows for $25.
ASU Gammage
1200 S. Forest Ave.
Tempe, AZ 85287
March 9-14
7:30 p.m.
$19.75-$66
SATURDAY
Real Gardens for Real People garden tour
View the home gardens of certified Master Gardeners and a private preschool and kindergarten in the historic vicinity of the Central Corridor in Phoenix.
Throughout the central corridor
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
$20
***
Obscura @ Rips
Britpop, indie, new wave — DJs Roya & Funkfinger do it up dance-style.
Win cds from White Stripes, Gorillaz, The Morning Benders, Serena Maneesh & Love is All or tickets to upcoming concerts by The Morning Benders, The Ruby Suns, Xiu Xiu and You Say Party! We Say Die! All this and $2 house pints, $3 wells, $5 calls all night. Go! Dance!
Rips Ales & Cocktails
3045 N. 16th St.
Phoenix, AZ 85016
9 p.m. – 2 a.m.
$5
SUNDAY
Devoured @ Phoenix Art Museum
If you like food — 50 restaurants, 30 wineries, craft beer and spirits reps — five different hourly chef demonstrations per day, and an impressive array of seminars, including a tequila tasting.
Phoenix Art Museum
March 13 & 14
11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
CRACKING GOOD THINGS OF THE WEEK:
- 5th graders sing Phoenix’s “Lisztomania
I sang Davy Crockett in 5th grade. Today’s youngsters and learning sweet Phoenix tunes in school. This sweet rendition made me a little teary. - Foodzie.com
A purveyor of food from local producers across the country, they carry items like bacon jam and single malt scotch bars. - Evil Devil Fish Bad for Japan
Nothing like a hideous 10 foot fish to make you feel like you’re going to die.
- The Auteurs
My film-loving friends might like this one. Watch arty films with a forum for discussion. I don’t see Bring it On on the list. - The Onion: Nation Shudders at Large Block of Uninterrupted Text
I’m giving this to my students to read.
- Phoenix fast food fish sandwiches
How that for alliteration? I love a fish sandwich — and as I predicted, McDs comes out on top. - I tried a neti pot for the first time
Phoenix things to do: February 12-14
Books, beer, boobs — this weekend, there’s events to satisfy all of your diverse interests.
FRIDAY
Phantasmagorical Valentine Cabaret @ Alwun House
Erotic art, erotic poetry an erotic circus — what else do you expect at a Phantasmagorica Valentine event?
What says Valentine like 2 stages and 2 floors of erotic art.
Alwun House
1204 E Roosevelt St
Phoenix, AZ 85006
Doors open at 7 p.m. Show starts at 8 p.m.
$25 at door
SATURDAY
VNSA Book Sale @ Arizona State Fairgrounds
My friend has talked about this book sale since I first met him 8 years ago. Each year he gets there early to peruse the more than 600,000 new and used books for sale.
Arizona State Fairgrounds
1826 W. McDowell Rd.
Phoenix, AZ
8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Saturday
8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Sunday
***
In the Yard @ Bunky Boutique
Enjoy local artists, refreshments, music and 20% off funky clothes and accessories for men and women at Bunky.
Bunky Boutique
812 N. 3rd St.
Phoenix, AZ 85004
11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
***
Tomato Fest 2010 @ Maya’s Farm
Over 1,000 heirloom tomato plants on sale at the Tomato Festival.
Maya’s Farm at South Mountain
6106 S. 32nd Street
Phoenix, Arizona 85042
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
***
Strong Beer Fest @ Margaret T. Hance Park
4 ounces of 15 beers equals a delicious and drunken afternoon. What goes better with a day of drinking than an array of festival food, including beer brats, carnitas, nachos, sliders and more.
Margaret T. Hance Park,
Downtown Phoenix, above I-10 tunnel
Festival Entrance at
Moreland St. and 2nd St.
$45 per person or $10 for designated drivers
***
Obscura Haiti Benefit @ Rips Ales & Cocktails
Dance to Brit pop and indie faves while helping raise money for the American Red Cross and Haitian relief. DJs Roya and Funkfinger create the magic — and drink specials include $2 house pints, $3 wells and $5 calls don’t hurt either.
Rips Ales & Cocktails
3045 N. 16th St.
Phoenix, AZ 85016
9 p.m. – 2 a.m.
$5
SUNDAY
Phoenix Chinese Week @ Chinese Cultural Center
Phoenix Chinese Week celebrates its 20th year and the year of the tiger with loads of food and gift booths, arts and crafts, photos and mah jong.
Chinese Cultural Center
668 N. 44th Street, Suite #201W
Phoenix, Arizona
Friday – Sunday
***
Valentine’s Dining
Fuel the romantic fires with one of the following dining deals for the day of love. Click for a full list.
