Tempe Conventions & Visitors Bureau

This week Tempe is bursting with events from great music to major art exhibitions to opera, dance and the exciting Shen Yun Performing Arts. This opulent production transcends time and space and will take you through China’s 5,000-year-old culture with an exhilarating performance that entertains, educates, enriches and inspires. It’s a magical journey through ancient dynasties and ethnic regions of China, interspersed with legends of the culture’s creation and stories of courage in China today. The Shen Yun Dance Company was established in New York City in 2006. Its mission is to revive 5,000 years of divinely inspired Chinese tradition, which was all but annihilated after 60 years of Communist rule.

Tempe’s music scene rocks this week starting with the Marquee where, all in one week, you can see O.A.R., Parachute, Citizen Cope and They Might Be Giants. There’s also  great jazz, rock, blues, rockabilly, opera–heck you name it and you’ll likely find it somewhere in Tempe. 

View a complete listing of Tempe events or call 480-894-8158 for more information.

• January 24: O.A.R. with Parachute, Marquee Theater
• January 25: Stu Siefer Combo, Dave’s Electric Brew Pub
• January 25: Walk-in Wednesdays Open Mic, Tempe Center for the Arts
• January 26: Best of the West Comedy Show, Tempe Improv
• January 26: Music on Mill, Mill Avenue District
• January 27: Lakeshore Jazz Series: Gretchen Parlato, Tempe Center for the Arts
• January 27: Take Cover; January 28: The Jeff Hunt Band, Rula Bula Irish Pub
• January 27: Citizen Cope, Marquee Theater
• January 27: Think Horses Featuring Leon Santiago; January 28:
• Ted Brown’s Mailbox, Tempe Marketplace District Stage
• January 27: Scott & John of Hello Swindon; January 28: Hans Olson, Tempe Marketplace Barnes & Noble Fountain
• January 27-28: Jim Norton, Tempe Improv
• January 27-29: Shen Yun Performing Arts, ASU Gammage
• January 27-February 5: ASU Lyric Opera Theatre Student Workshop Presents Cabaret, Evelyn Smith Music Theater
• January 28: CONDER/dance: Breaking Ground 2012, Tempe Center for the Arts
• January 28-February 5: Childsplay Presents: With Two Wings, Tempe Center for the Arts
• January 29: Miss Gay Arizona, Tempe Center for the Arts
• January 29: Pat Roberts and the Heymakers, Desert Botanical Gardens
• January 29: They Might Be Giants, Marquee Theater
• January 29: Trevor Rogers and The Wilderness, Cadillac Ranch

The crack of the bat, the small of hot dogs on the grill and the sound of cheering fans – I’m already getting excited for Cactus League Spring Training!

I’m not your usual baseball spring training fan. I love going to games every year, but I what really look forward to are all the things that come along with spring training season. Here are my top six reasons why I love spring training:

1. Getting some sunshine! What could be better than enjoying a beautiful afternoon outside in 75 to 85 degree weather? 

2. Eating ball park food! This is one of my favorite places to just pig out. When you walk into Tempe Diablo Stadium you can immediately smell hamburgers and hot dogs on the grill – it makes my mouth water!

3. Catching up with friends! Spring Training games are a fun and affordable way for a group of friends to get together and have some fun!

4. Tickets are a steal! Lawn seats at Tempe Diablo Stadium are just $10, so the whole family can afford to go!

5. See the players up close! If you are into baseball, this is the best place you’ll find to get up close and personal with your favorite players. If you’re not into baseball, you get to see a bunch of cute guys run around the field for a few hours! Not bad!

6. Great time for a trip to Tempe! This is a great time of year for people to visit sunny Arizona, and Spring Training is the perfect excuse for your next family vacation! You can squeeze in a few games in between all the other fun things to do in Tempe like hiking, shopping and going to shows and festivals!

Spring Training games are scheduled from March 2 through April 4 and tickets are on sale now! View the Cactus League Spring Training schedule to plan your trip to Tempe at www.TempeBaseball.com.

Childsplay, Tempe’s award-winning theatre for young audiences and families, will preview the world premiere of With Two Wings on January 22 at the Tempe Center for the Arts. The play by Anne Negri, tells the story of Lyf whose overprotective parents have kept him safe in their nest and not allowed him to learn to fly. One day, a hilarious pair of fast-talking twins who have skipped “flock” school burst into their lives challenging everything Lyf thought he knew. Will his parents’ secret reason for protecting him be enough to keep him from the skies?

Tempe also offers some great music this week ranging from jazz to classical to country-western to hip hop and more. View a complete listing of Tempe events, or call 480-894-8158 for more information. 

• January 18: Renee Patrick, Judy Roberts & Dom Moio , Dave’s Electric Brew Pub
• January 18: Walk-in Wednesdays Open Mic, Tempe Center for the Arts
• January 19:  Greg Freiler, Tempe Improv
• January 19: Third Thursday Presents Rose’s Pawn Shop with Ragamuffin Stampede,  Mill Avenue District Hayden Square Amphitheater
• January 20: Johannes Moller, Guitar, Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts
• January 20: The Sullivans; January 21: Sea Merchants Band, Rula Bula Irish Pub
• January 20-21: Jay Pharoah, Tempe Improv
• January 20: Los Guys; January 21: Ratio, Funk, Tempe Marketplace District Stage
• January 20: David & Amy;  January 21: Mary Hoffman Duo, Tempe Marketplace Barnes & Noble Fountain
• January 22: Cinco de Moio, Desert Botanical Gardens
• January 22: Trevor Rogers and The Wilderness, Cadillac Ranch
• January 22-February 5: Childsplay Presents: With Two Wings, Tempe Center for the Arts

What a week and terrific start to 2012.  Broadway musical lovers will be thrilled to know that the classic ROGERS AND HAMMERSTEIN’S SOUTH PACIFIC will be on stage at ASU Gammage Tuesday through Sunday. Set in the South Pacific during World War II, it’s the story oft two couples whose happiness is threated by the harsh realities of war and the conflicts caused by their own prejudices. Lush sets and a gorgeous score complete this this timeless love story.

On Sunday get ready to rock and roll when the popular P.F. Chang’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona Marathon & 1/2 Marathon returns. Will you be there as a participating runner or as an enthusiastic music-loving spectator who enjoys rooting for the athletes and listening to all the great live music? With 70 live bands, 40 cheer squads and a free headliner concert, the P.F. Chang’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon & ½ Marathon is both a sporting and a cultural event and is as much fun for the spectators as it is for the athletes. Once again, Tempe’s the finish line. And a grand finish it will be when everyone will want to head over to ASU Sun Devil Stadium, that “little old place where we can get together,” to hear some of the best dance music ever performed by headliners the B-52s.

Yep, it’s a great week to be in Tempe! Check out this short list of this week’s highlights. View a complete listing of Tempe events, or call 480-894-8158 for more information.

- January 10-15: ROGERS AND HAMMERSTEIN’S SOUTH PACIFIC, ASU Gammage
- January 11: Joel Robins & Friends, Dave’s Electric Brew Pub
- January 11: Walk-in Wednesdays Open Mic, Tempe Center for the Arts
- January 11: Arizona Wind Symphony: Arizona’s Centennial, Tempe Center for the Arts
- January 12: Music on Mill, Mill Avenue District
- January 12: Ten for Ten, January 13-14: Alex Reymundo, Tempe Improv
- January 13: Shawn Johnson; January 14: Capital Down, Rula Bula Irish Pub
- January 14: Sundance Studios’ Winter Recital; January 14: Bully Mammoth, Tempe Center for the Arts
- January 13: Chronic Hippies; January 14: Shawn Johnson & The Foundation, Tempe Marketplace District Stage
- January 13: Gradymusic; January 14: Tera Crisalida, Tempe Marketplace Barnes & Noble Fountain
- January 15; P.F. Chang’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona Marathon & 1/2 Marathon, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Finish line: Tempe
- January 15: Trevor Rogers and The Wilderness, Cadillac Ranch

I just made a New Year’s resolution and this year, it’s one that I’m going to keep.

I live in Tempe, I work in Tempe and along with my team at the Tempe Tourism Office, I promote our city to visitors, media, meeting planners and sports event planners. All of that hard work keeps me busy, sometimes so busy that I don’t spend enough time exploring my own backyard. This year, I’m challenging myself to experience new activities and places in Tempe. I challenge you, your family and your friends to do the same. It will be hard to top my favorite spots in Tempe, but it will be fun to try.

First, I want to rent a bike from The Bicycle Cellar and ride north on Mill Avenue to the new Cross Cut Multi-Use Canal Path at Mill and Curry. This recent addition to the Papago Park trail system is an excellent spot to see more of our scenic desert landscape and check out public art along the way.

After I sharpen my bike riding skills on land, I’m going to try to bike on water – a.k.a hydrobiking on Tempe Town Lake. Tempe Boat Rentals provides access to all of the best ways to explore the lake on a sunny day.

I like to hike up “A” Mountain often after work. But, I admit sometimes I’m lost in my thoughts and I don’t look around as much as I should. As a matter of fact, I have missed the Hohokam petroglyphs along the trails. I’ll spot them this year and reflect upon the history of our great city.

After all of that exercise, I’m bound to work up an appetite. Thankfully, one of my favorite things to do is eat out at some of the locally owned restaurants in Tempe like Harlow’s, Pier 54, House of Tricks, Monti’s La Casa Vieja and La Bocca. In 2012, I resolve to find even more restaurants in town that I love. I’m going to start with Sunshine’s Motor City Café, owned by the family behind Pier 54 and Special Moments Catering and Events. It’s set to open on January 18.

I also love independent coffee shops. My favorite one in Tempe is Gold Bar Espresso, but there are many other coffeehouses that I need to try. The lattes at Gold Bar are going to be hard to beat, but I’m up for the challenge.

When I think of arts and culture in Tempe, I tend to think of going to Broadway shows at ASU Gammage, Childsplay performances at the Tempe Center for the Arts and exhibitions at ASU Art Museum. Those are all favorites of mine, but I resolve to experience even more of Tempe’s arts and cultural scene in 2012. There are a wealth of theatre, dance and musical performances on campus at ASU – many of which are free.  Stray Cat Theatre puts on some of the most unique, thought-provoking and just plain funny productions on stage at the Tempe Center for the Performing Arts on Sixth Street, just east of Mill Avenue. And, I haven’t had the chance to visit Montage, the new cooperative artist studios and gallery on Mill Avenue, just south of Seventh Street. Join me and see the artists’ work at Montage on the Third Thursday of every month and on Friday and Saturday nights from 5-9 p.m.

Have I missed any of your favorites? Let me know! Please comment on this blog post and let me know what you think. 

Written by: Stephanie Nowack, President/CEO of the Tempe Tourism Office

Looking to keep your New Year’s resolution to get fit, while also supporting some fabulous organizations in the process?! What a better way to do both than to participate in a 5K! There are lots of different 5K and 10K walks taking place in Tempe this winter and spring. Here is a list of a variety of fun walks going on through the end of February in Tempe. For info about walks taking place throughout the spring visit the Tempe Tourism Office’s Calendar of Events.

Run, Walk & Roll 5K/10K – January 7 – Tempe Beach Park
This event is held at Tempe Beach Park and has been created to support and raise money for Arizona Disabled Sports (AzDS). The primary mission of AzDS is to provide a wide-variety of sports and recreation opportunities for individuals with all types of disabilities.

Walk For Values USA – January 21 – Tempe Beach Park
Unlike other walks, this is not a money-raiser. Rather, you will make the world richer by giving your commitment to practice values, and character-building. You may also be motivated to serve your community through volunteer work, or by donating blood, or by visiting the elderly or feeding the needy, or just striving to be an exemplary citizen.

The Color Run 5K – January 28 – Tempe Beach Park
The Color Run is a one of a kind experience that is less about speed and more about enjoying a color crazy day with your friends and family. This event is about people of all different speeds, ages, shapes, and sizes toeing the start line. The 2012 Arizona Charity is Banner Health’s amazing Cardon Children’s Medical Center.

The Unity Walk – February 4 – Tempe Beach Park
Walk for unity in our community. Families, community organizations, scout groups, schools and faith groups are encouraged to participate. Walkers are encouraged to carry signs and banners representing their groups. No registration is required. Free t-shirt given at each assembly point. Color of t-shirt will correspond to the city you represent.

Walk the Fight – February 12 – Tempe Beach Park
Walk the Fight 5K Walk and Run raises awareness about Parkinson’s disease and raises funds for the community outreach programs at the Muhammad Ali Parkinsons Center. The Walk the Fight event includes the 5k walk and run, children’s activities, live music and a health fair.

Walk in the Wild 5K – February 18 – Phoenix Zoo
Head to the Phoenix Zoo on February 18 for the Fourth Annual Walk in the Wild where the zoo will honor the endangered Sumatran tiger. Participants receive a commemorative T-shirt, goodie bag and admission into the Zoo for the day. All proceeds benefit the non-profit Phoenix Zoo.

People Saving Pets Walk – February 19 – Tempe Beach Park
The People Saving Pets™ Walk, empowered by PetSmart Charities, is a festival to celebrate the compassion we have for pets! Your participation will raise money for local animal-welfare agencies that will help thousands of homeless pets throughout Arizona. The event includes a pet adoption event, 5K and 1-mile walks (for humans and their four-legged companions), as well as fun activities for children, adults and pets.

If you have a case of the post-holiday blues, here’s a cure that will have you bouncing back to the perky and vivacious person you were before and all through the holidays.  It’s Kevin O’Dea’s Comedy Circus at the Tempe Improv this Thursday, January 5. Part stand-up comedy, part music, part cutting edge modern comedy and part circus side show, Kevin O’Dea’s Comedy Circus combines almost every type of live show performance into one entertainment-filled evening.

For those of you who are ready for something more on the mellow side, there are plenty of options to choose from. Here’s the short list; view a complete listing of Tempe events, or call 480-894-8158 for more information.

• January 4: Songstress Vicki McDermitt & Bassist Dwight Kilian, Dave’s Electric Brew Pub
• January 4: Walk-in Wednesdays Open Mic, Tempe Center for the Arts
• January 5: Kevin O’Dea’s Comedy Circus, Tempe Improv
• January 5: Music on Mill,  Mill Avenue District
• January 6: The Love Brokers; January 7: Rhythm Edition, Rula Bula Irish Pub
• January 6-7: Anthony Jeselnik, Tempe Improv
• January 6: Hello Swindon; January 7: Ghetto Cowgirl, Tempe Marketplace District Stage
• January 6: Tony Putrino; January 7: Lawrence Zubia, Tempe Marketplace Barnes & Noble Fountain
• January 8: Big Nick and the Gila Monsters, Desert Botanical Garden
• January 8: A Celebration of the Fritts Organ, Organ Hall, Arizona State University
• January 8: Trevor Rogers and The Wilderness, Cadillac Ranch

It’s not too late to experience a great show at ASU Gammage in Tempe. Broadway is at your doorstep with four more shows left this season, and in Tempe, dinner and a show is the best way to enjoy it. Here are the remaining shows of the 2011-2012 Boradway season in Tempe:

Rodgers and Hammerstein’s South Pacific, January 10-15, 2012: “Set on a tropical island during World War II, the musical tells the sweeping romantic story of two couples and how their happiness is threatened by the realities of war and by their own prejudices”The story of three lifelong friends, forced to choose between their dreams and the safety of suburbia.”

Wicked, February 15-March 11, 2012: Back by “Popular” demand. Entertainment Weekly calls WICKED “the best musical of the decade,” and when it last played ASU Gammage in 2009, it broke box office records and sold out in record time.

Green Day’s American Idiot, April 24-29, 2012: “Direct from Broadway, the smash-hit musical AMERICAN IDIOT tells the story of three lifelong friends, forced to choose between their dreams and the safety of suburbia.”

La Cage Aux Folles, May 15-20, 2012: “A tuneful and touching tale of one family’s struggle to stay together… stay fabulous… and above all else, stay true to themselves!”

Million Dollar Quartet, June 5-10, 2012: “One of the greatest jam sessions of all time. MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET brings that legendary night to life with an irresistible tale of broken promises, secrets, betrayal and celebrations featuring timeless hits.”

Dinner & A Show in the Mill Avenue District:
Show your ticket stub and receive special deals at participating restaurants before or after the show on Mill Avenue. Check out our website for specific deals and locations.

The deals don’t end there – Patrons attending any ASU Gammage show will receive four hours of FREE parking in specified lots when presenting your ticket stub.

Looking for somewhere different to eat? Below are three of my favorite off-the-beaten-path restaurants that are off Mill Avenue, yet still conveniently located near the theatre:

1) Pita Jungle - Offers an eclectic blend of fresh and healthy ingredients with creative art and hipster energy. Serves pitas, flat bread pizzas, and great main courses, all with a Greek flair. I always get the trio blend of hummus and pita and can’t ever stray away from their lentil fetoosh salad.
1250 E. Apache Blvd./ 480-804-0234

2) Yupha’s Thai Kitchen - Being a native to Tempe and having a love for Thai food, I will vouch that this place will serve up some of the best authentic Thai in Tempe as well as the warmest and friendliest customer service. You will be sure to run into the owners at this family owned spot and fall in love with their Yellow curry or pad thai.
1805 E. Elliot Rd, Suite 115/ 480-839-0576

3) Cornish Pasty - This English based restaurant has great history behind the works and provides warm, full hearted, Pasties with all different fillings. They are giant flaky calzone type pockets with over twenty options of signature pasties to choose from. My favorite: Portobello Chicken. This smaller spot requires a tighter squeeze yet creates a great atmosphere and ambiance as its always full, with pasties baking warm in the oven.
960 W University Dr # 103/ 480-894-6261

Tempe is truly the place to be as we bid farewell to the 2011 and ring in the 2012. Let’s start with the Fiesta Bowl Block Party. As Arizona’s biggest and most exciting New Year’s Eve bash, the Fiesta Bowl Block Party is a jam-packed evening of fun and entertainment for the entire family. With rockin’ bands, beer gardens and a host of entertainers, this is one fantastic celebration you won’t want to miss! This year’s featured band is Tempe’s own Gin Blossoms

Or, maybe you want to send 2011 out with a bang at ASU Gammage where you can hear and feel the rhythms of STOMP. The eight–member troupe uses everything but conventional percussion instruments — matchboxes, wooden poles, broom, garbage cans, Zippo lighters, hubcaps.  No need to wait for New Year’s Eve for this one because it will be on stage all this week.

It’s always good to end the year on a funny note and you can by heading to The Tempe Improv to see Kevin Nealon, December 30-31.  Some of you will remember him from Saturday Night Live; others know him as Doug Wilson in the critically acclaimed, Golden Globe nominated Showtime series Weeds. 

For more things to do on New Year’ Eve and all week long, view a complete listing of Tempe events, or call 480-894-8158 for more information.

• December 27-30: Las Noches de las Luminarias, Desert Botanical Garden
• December 27- January 1: Santa Claws at SEA LIFE!, Sea Life Arizona
• December  27- 31: STOMP, ASU Gammage
• December 28: Michael Powers Group, Dave’s Electric Brew Pub
• December 28-29: Class Clowns Comedy Showcase, Tempe Improv
• December 29: Music on Mill, Mill Avenue District
• December 30: The Love Brokers; December 31: The Jeff Hunt Band, Rula Bula Irish Pub
• December 30:  Soulfly; December 31: Authority Zero, Marquee Theater
• December 30-31: Kevin Nealon, Tempe Improv
• December 30: Peppermint James; December 31: Knee Deep Experience, Tempe Marketplace District Stage
• December 30: Andrea Meila; December 31: Pete Pancrazi, Tempe Marketplace Barnes & Noble Fountain
• December 31: Meat Puppets, The Clubhouse
• December 31: Fiesta Bowl Block Party, Mill Avenue District
• December 31: Save the Family’s Hearts of Gold New Year’s Eve Celebration, Tempe Center for the Arts

It’s your last chance to see that the loveable reptile and star of Lyle the Crocodile, presented by Childsplay, this week at the Tempe Center for the Arts. Fortunately it’s playing every day this week with two performances at 1:00 and 4:00 p.m., Monday-Friday and Saturday at 1:00 p.m. The whole family will love this show about the charismatic, caviar-loving, tap dancing crocodile and the Primm family who he lives with in NYC.

Here’s a sample of the events in Tempe this week. View a complete listing of  Tempe events or call 480-894-8158 for more information.

• December 19-23, 26-30: Las Noches de las Luminarias, Desert Botanical Garden
• December 20: Open Jam, Rula Bula Irish Pub & Restaurant
• December  20-24: Childsplay Presents Lyle the Crocodile, Tempe Center for the Arts
• December 21: Jan Sandwich & Joel Robin Holiday Show, Dave’s Electric Brew Pub
• December 21: Walk-in Wednesdays Open Mic, Tempe Center for the Arts
• December  22: Music on Mill, Mill Avenue District
• December 23: Phoenix Boys Choir Christmas Tour, Tempe Center for the Arts
• December 23: PKW, Original Alternative Band; December 24: The Little Women,Victorian Carolers, Tempe Marketplace District Stage
• December 23: The Sahnas Brothers, Mediterranean Guitar Duo; December 24: Melanie & Van, Easy Listening Acoustic Duo, Tempe Marketplace Barnes & Noble Fountain