Tempe Conventions & Visitors Bureau

It’s almost time. The weekend is just around the corner and Tempe is full of fun activities. I’m glad that I don’t have to pick just one.

Avenue Q is at ASU Gammage through Sunday. If you haven’t seen it yet, you must. The humor is a bit off color, but the songs and dialogue will definitely make you laugh.

The Arizona Aloha Festival is returning to Tempe Town Lake Saturday, March 13 and Sunday, March 14. This fun, free family-friendly event features music, dance and food from Hawaii and the South Pacific.

This weekend is your last chance to see Childsplay’s “Peter and the Wolf.” Childsplay performances are so well done. Children will be captivated and their parents will be too. While you’re at Tempe Center for the Arts for this production, be sure to check out the Chuck Amuck: A Legacy of Laughter exhibit all about cartoonist Chuck Jones.

If you’re looking for a fun night on the town, don’t miss comedian and Fear Factor alum Joe Rogan, the headliner at the Tempe Improv this weekend.

And, if that’s not enough, be sure to get out and enjoy the sunshine. Take a hike up “A” Mountain, stroll around the lake or go the Desert Botanical Garden or the Phoenix Zoo. It’s going to be a beautiful weekend in Tempe!

I’ve been anticipating the arrival of Avenue Q from the moment ASU Gammage  first announced the 2009-10 season.  I could hardly wait for it to open and finally it’s here…all fuzzy, foam rubbery and hilarious.

Loosely-based on Sesame Street and its inhabitants, Avenue Q is one of the funniest Broadway shows ever. The stars are puppets operated by extremely coordinated adult actors who adeptly  manipulate the puppets, while making themselves almost invisible. Some of the puppets resemble certain Sesame Street characters and the songs have a Sesame Street ring to them.  However the residents of Avenue Q are young adults dealing with an adult themes and issues.

Avenue Q irreverently takes on  a number of subjects that can be controversial, such as bigotry, homosexuality, internet porn and graphic puppets sex. Some might find the show offensive.  I, however, about killed myself laughing from the moment the curtain went up.  

Avenue Q will be at ASU Gammage through March 14.  It’s great fun that will have you laughing a lot.

Had an AMAZING time last Saturday, saw an great concert at the Marquee Theater, with dinner to start the evening off. Concert was STS9 (electronic jams) and, the dinner was at Cornish Pasty Co. I knew about the band but didn’t discover how good the restaurant was untill I went there for first time on Sat.
Tempe Rocks!

As if Angels spring training in Tempe wasn’t enough, this weekend Tempe is also home to the Great Arizona Beer Festival, March 6 & 7. Beer lovers rejoice!

This event will feature more than 200 specialty and micro-brewed beers, in addition to live local music, games (Corn Hole anyone?) and great food. Tickets are $40 in advance and $50 at the gate for general admission, including up to 24 beer samples (3 oz each), or $80 in advance/$90 at the gate for VIP admission. The festival runs from 2-6 p.m. each day at Tempe Beach Park.

The best part? All of the proceeds raised benefit the local reading and information service for people who are blind or otherwise print-disabled, Sun Sounds of Arizona. For more info, go to www.azbeer.com.

March could possibly be the best time to visit Tempe. The sunshine is plentiful, there are fun special events throughout the month and of course, it’s time for Cactus League Spring Training.

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim call Tempe Diablo Stadium home from March 4 through April 1. The Cactus League season, which includes 15 teams, officially begins on March 3 and ends on April 3. There will more than 200 games played in Arizona during the season. The Angels will face opponents such as the Cubs, the Giants, the Dodgers, the Brewers and for the first time this year, the Cincinnati Reds.

Tickets at Tempe Diablo Stadium start at just $6. All of the information that you need to plan a day at the ballpark or a trip to Arizona for baseball fun can be found at www.stayintempe.com, including complete game schedules, ticket information, hotel specials and more.

In closing, I’d love to know…what’s your favorite thing about spring training?

I’m trying to remember the name of an Ice Cream parlor that was in Tempe, on Dorsey Lane. They gave you an award for eating “The Pigs Trough”. Can any one help remember, maybe an address if they are still there.

I had a the opportunity to meet a couple of travel writers last night for dinner.  It had been a while since they had been to Arizona and they were, to be frank, surprised by the quality of life here.  Locals know the great weather, coupled with beautiful scenery and getaways like the Grand Canyon all combine to make this a great place to live and grow up.  But there is another side to this equation.  There is a spirit of entrepreneurship in Arizona that is leading to a number of small businesses, especially eateries, to open up.  The restaurant we had dinner at last night, St Francis,  just opened a few months ago along the light rail in Phoenix.  Just around the corner, a few other places have sprung up.  Along Tempe’s stretch on Apache Boulevard, a few residential developments have opened and the long missed Long Wongs has finally found a home near McClintock and Apache.  The travel writers not only saw the beauty of Arizona, but also felt the ‘vibe’ that is growing.  I hope this type of creative spirit becomes even more infectious and gives everyone something to talk and write about.

I would have never known I was a huge fan of Marry Poppins until I saw the musical at ASU Gammage. I was fortunate enough to go on opening night last Thursday, which successfully was a sold out performance. The Broadway musical is amazing! I was tapping my feet to the music, singing along to “A Spoonful of Sugar”, and didn’t want the show to end! The music and dancing kept you on the edge of your seat just wanting to get up and join in on the fun! Another thing that really impressed me was how extravagant the set was; there was so much detail in the design and everything they had created for it. I was in jaw-dropping awe about how creative they were in planning all of Marry Poppin’s magic tricks. I’ll save the details for everyone else who hasn’t seen it but let’s just say I’m still puzzled as to how they pulled it off! There was such great atmosphere throughout the night with people of all ages including little ones really enjoying themselves. Marry Poppins had me leaving in a great mood with a young heart and magic in mind! This musical is a must see that will have you singing “supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” on your way out the door!

The show ends February 28th so get your tickets now at ASU Gammage: (480) 965-3434 and www.asugammage.com.

The other day I was consumed by a craving for a really good hamburger and fries.  I’d heard good things about Five Guys Burgers and Fries that recently opened on Mill Avenue. Plus every time I had walked by I noticed that the place was packed, which is always a good sign.  

By the time my friend and I arrived I was so hungry I could have eaten a raw spud from one of the bags of taters that are stacked at the front of the restaurant as part of the cheery red and white décor. This place has real potato pride. They show this pride by displaying the state where that day’s potatoes were grown on a board in clear view for all to see as they place their orders.  I quickly determined that I wanted a “little” cheeseburger with grilled onions and mushrooms. I’d been warned that the regular size was really enormous with two patties and whatever trimmings you want and probably more than I could handle. My friend and I decided to split a regular order of fries because they literally pour them into a big cup which has been placed inside a good-sized paper bag.  It turned out that this was more than enough for the two of us.

We sat down and in a just a few minutes our orders were done (thank heavens because I was practically insane with the anticipation of what awaited my growling stomach and eager taste buds). I was not disappointed. There was nothing small about the “little” cheeseburger.  It was pure perfection, prepared just right, with the delicious grilled onions and mushroom toppings surrounded by a fresh,  soft,  warm bun.  The hand-cut fries were the best, all hot and crispy on the outside and soft and steamy on the inside. 

The whole experience put me in a state of burger and fries euphoria that lasted for days. I’m hooked on Five Guys forever. Writing this has stirred a Five Guys Burger and Fries craving that demands satisfaction. Can you guess where I’ll be heading for dinner tonight?

Every year Valentine’s Day comes around I start thinking…what should we do this year? Fortunately for me, and for you too, there are lots of options to choose from!

Several restaurants are offering special menus for the day of love. Caffe Boa is offering a Valentine’s Day menu from February 12-15. House of Tricks will be offering special dishes prepared by Chef Fletcher on Valentine’s Day. In addition, Rustler’s Rooste will be a great place to have dinner that day too! 

If you are looking to plan an entire weekend, the Aloft Tempe and Regions Bistro & Bar are partnering to offer a special Valentine’s Day weekend package. For $159/night, guests receive a one-night stay at Aloft Tempe, as well as a $50 gift certificate for a romantic dinner at Regions Bistro & Bar, an upscale boutique bistro on Mill Ave. For reservations, visit www.alofttempe.com or call the reservation line at 1-888-625-4946.

To get into the spirit of the holiday, head down to the Mill Avenue District this weekend for a picture with Cupid!  The Downtown Tempe Community and the comedic actors of Marvin’s Room Improv troupe have joined together to bring Cupid and his spirit of romance to Mill Avenue from 6-8 p.m. this Friday and Saturday night. Look for Cupid in front of MADCAP Theaters for a bit of Valentine’s Day fun!

These are just a few of the many options to be a love bug this weekend! If you have any other suggestions please let me know!