Tempe Conventions & Visitors Bureau

Christmas is over, which means the shopping frenzy is coming to a close — or just beginning for those who are bargain seekers. I spent quite a bit of time at Tempe Marketplace during the holidays. While my goal was buying gifts, I also noticed that they have a regular schedule of live music in the District. The music was a nice distraction from the holiday craziness. Check out their calendar at http://www.tempemarketplace.com/happenings/events-new.aspx. Thursdays through Sundays, they have bands and acoustic musicians at the District stage or at this cool, relaxed spot known at the Harkins Living Room. While you will no longer hear “Carol of the Bells” or “Silent Night” wafting from their stages, you will definitely be able to check out some of our fabulous local bands. And, on the third Thursday of each month, the Edge 103.9 hosts national and regional alternative rock bands for free. This a great addition to Tempe’s music scene.

If you haven’t been to I AM, The Center yet, stop what you’re doing and go. It’s a combination of a cafe, yoga studio and inspired offices. It’s located in the Brickyard, just east of Borders. The organic food and wine are fabulous (I never knew a tomato could taste that good, seriously) and the vibe inside makes you feel a little calmer, a little more sane. They have a calendar of classes in their yoga studio, which range from relaxing to challenging to dance-inspired. Check out their Web site at www.iamthecenter.com. 

Driving home from IKEA, along I-10 in South Tempe, this past Saturday I was struck by an amazing sight. It was one of those “I wish I had a camera” moments, but doing 75 amid five lanes of freeway traffic, you can understand why I preferred to take a mental picture instead. There is a stretch of highway that affords an unobstructed view of what I’m about to describe. To the left was Downtown Phoenix, shrouded in the steel grey grips of the Valley’s first winter storm. To the right, literally bathed in brilliant beams of sunshine, breaking through the mist was Downtown Tempe. As if stretching out to meet those sunrays halfway were the tall buildings that are transforming the Tempe skyline. I occurred to me at that point that Tempe is literally and figuratively rising to the occasion. There was Downtown Phoenix, more or less as it has looked for the past 10 years — languid and lifeless. And glowing in the promise of what is being built, was Tempe; fresh, new and gleaming with excitement. Much is happening in Downtown Tempe. Much that will spread more than a little sunshine to its neighbors.