Tempe Conventions & Visitors Bureau

Thanksgiving and Black Friday are behind us, but there is still a flurry of holiday activities ahead. Yes, the holiday season is in full swing and there are plenty of seasonal programs and other great entertainment options taking place this week in Tempe, including the 42^nd Annual Tempe Festival of the Arts.

• November 29: Jamin’ Jazz Productions Presents Stu Siefer Combo, Dave’s Electric Brew Pub
• December 1: Meet David Sedaris: Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk, Changing Hands Bookstore
• December 1: Walk-in Wednesdays Open Mic with Walt Richardson, Tempe Center for the Arts
• December 2: Thursday Night Market, Tempe Urban Garden
• December 2: Music on Mill, Mill Avenue District
• December 2: Shelby James; December 3: The Detonators; December 4: The McCarthy Brothers, D’Arcy McGee’s Irish Restaurant & Pub
• December 2-5: Tempe Little Theatre Presents The Agony and the Agony, Tempe Center for the Arts
• December 3: Sunday Morning Down; December 4: Ted Brown’s Mailbox, Tempe Marketplace District Stage
• December 3: Sydney Sprague; December 4: Jake Dean, Tempe Marketplace Barns & Noble Fountain
• December 3-4: Keltic Kowboys; December 5: Music on the Patio: Shelby James, Rula Bula Irish Pub and Restaurant
• December 3-5: Tempe Festival of the Arts, Mill Avenue District
• December 3-5: Stray Cat Theatre Presents: Learn to Be Latina: Tempe Performing Arts Center
• December 4-5: Childsplay Presents Junie B. in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells!, Tempe Center for the Arts
• December 5: Aebi/Coulson Jazz Jam, 7:00-10:00 p.m., John Henry’s Restaurant
• December 5: Sunday Night Jam Sessions Led by the Jeff Libman Trio, Dave’s Electric Brew Pub

It’s Thanksgiving week and that means time with friends and family, feasting and watching football and enjoying our beautiful springy November weather. There’s also a feast of arts and entertainment events taking place the week of November 21. Remember this is just a sample. For a complete listing of Tempe events, visit http://www.tempetourism.com/events/Calendar/ and www.tempescene.com or call 480-894-8158.

• November 21: Sunday Night Jam Sessions Led by the Jeff Libman Trio; November 22: Jamin’ Jazz Productions Presents Delphine Cortez  and  Joel Robin, Dave’s Electric Brew Pub
• November 22: Jennifer Jordan: The Last Man on the Mountain: The Death of an American Adventurer on K2, Changing Hands Bookstore
• November 25: Shelby James, D’Arcy McGee’s Irish Restaurant & Pub
• November 26: Book Signing: Apolo Ohno: Zero Regrets: Be Greater Than Yesterday, Changing Hands Bookstore
• November 26: Think Horses; November 27: Knee Deep Experience, Tempe Marketplace District Stage
• November 26: Gradymusic; November 27: Melanie & Van, Tempe Marketplace Barns & Noble Fountain
• November 26-27: The Love Brokers; November 28: Shelby James; Rula Bula Irish Pub and Restaurant
• November 26-27: Tempe Little Theatre Presents The Agony and the Agony, Tempe Center for the Arts
• November 27: Fantasy of Lights Opening Night, Mill Avenue District / 6:00 p.m. / Free
• November 27: Bob Bob Corritore’s Blues Bash II, Tempe Center for the Arts
• November 27: The Drive Party Band; November 28: Aebi/Coulson Jazz Jam, John Henry’s Restaurant
• November 27: Meadowlark Lemon Book Signing: Trust Your Next SHOT: A Guide to a Life of Joy, Changing Hands Bookstore
• November 27-28: Childsplay Presents Junie B. in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells!, Tempe Center for the Arts

Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas the Musical photo credit Paul Kolnik

I’ve grown up watching How the Grinch Stole Christmas every year on television. It’s one of my all time favorites. After last night, when I watched the musical version of this holiday classic at ASU Gammage in Tempe, I fell in love with this story all over again.

Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas the Musical will be at ASU Gammage through November 21. It’s an amazing production. The sets look like they were torn from the pages of the Dr. Seuss classic. The story was narrated by Max the dog, the Grinch’s  reluctant partner in crime. Telling the story from Max’s perspective was an excellent way to translate the story to the stage. And, he sang some of my favorite songs in a lovely barritone.

Stefan Karl played the Grinch to absolute perfection. He had the Grinch’s bad attitude down pat and his comic timing was superb. He was scary, funny and at the end, charming, with loads of vocal talent.

The audience was full of families and even the littlest of theater goers, my 2 year old daughter, were captivated. She’s still talking about the Grinch and Max today, and so am I.

If you’d like to see How the Grinch Stole Christmas the Musical at ASU Gammage, tickets are still available. Go to www.asugammage.com for more information. Enjoy the show!

The Grinch ushers in the Holiday season this week in Tempe. From November 15 through 21 there’s so much to do. With theatre, opera, arts exhibitions, author events and plenty of live music, it’s positively an arts and entertainment extravaganza all week long!  For a complete listing of Tempe events, visit http://www.tempetourism.com/events/Calendar/ and www.tempescene.com or call 480-894-8158.  

• November 15: Stan Sorenson, Dave’s Electric Brew Pub
• November 17-21, Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical, ASU Gammage
• November 18: Thursday Night Market, Tempe Urban Garden
• November 19: Songwriters’ Showcase IV, Tempe Center for the Arts
• November 19: Friday Conversations@11:  Sherri Beadles,  Laurie Petrie-Rogers, ASU Art Museum
• November 19: Pitchapalooza, Changing Hands Bookstore
• November 19: The Mixology; November 20: Kip Fox Band, Tempe Marketplace District Stage
• November 19: Michael V; November 20: Grains of Sand, Tempe Marketplace Barns & Noble Fountain
• November 19-20: Race Brown; November 21:  Aebi/Coulson Jazz Jam, John Henry’s Restaurant
• November 19 & 20: Shawn Johnson and the Foundation; November 21: Shelby James, Rula Bula Irish Pub and Restaurant
• November 19-20: ASU Lyric Opera Theatre Presents The Secret Garden, Evelyn Smith Music Theatre
• November 19-21: Tempe Little Theatre Presents The Agony and the Agony, Tempe Center for the Arts
• November 20: Big Daddy D & the Dynamites, D’Arcy McGee’s Irish Restaurant & Pub
• November 20-21: Childsplay Presents Junie B. in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells!, Tempe Center for the Arts

There’s a lot going on in Tempe this week, November 8-14.  Here’s a quick peek, but there’s much  more. For a complete listing of Tempe events, visit http://www.tempetourism.com/events/Calendar and www.tempescene.com or call 480-894-8158.

• November 11: Friday Conversations@11: Mary Lucking, Saskia Jorda and Erin Sotak, ASU Art Museum
• November 11: Thursday Night Market, Tempe Urban Garden
• November 11: The Dark Side of Dr. Seuss with Dennis Nyback, Madcap Theaters
• November 12: Music in the Garden Fall Concert Series, Desert Botanical Garden
• November 12: Ratio, Tempe Marketplace District Stage
• November 12: David & Amy, Tempe Marketplace Barns & Noble Fountain
• November 12: Trevor Jones, D’Arcy McGee’s Irish Restaurant & Pub
• November 12: The Spin, Rula Bula Irish Pub and Restaurant
• November 13: Hello Swindon, Tempe Marketplace District Stage
• November 13: Mary Hoffman, Tempe Marketplace Barns & Noble Fountain
• November 13: The McCarthy Brothers, D’Arcy McGee’s Irish Restaurant & Pub
• November 13: Keltic Kowboys, Rula Bula Irish Pub and Restaurant
• November 14: Sonoran Chamber Music: Ridge Trio, Tempe Center for the Arts 
• November 14:  Aebi/Coulson Jazz Jam,  John Henry’s Restaurant

This Sunday, November 7, will be the inaugural Women’s Half Marathon! The scenic, walker-friendly half marathon course begins in Old Town Scottsdale and winds along the Arizona Canal adjacent to Papago Park. The race will finish in beautiful Tempe Beach Park. Immediately following the race, participants will be able to celebrate their running achivements at an unforgettable lakefront party.

The race weekend begins with a Health and Fitness Expo, taking place this Friday, November 5 and Saturday, November 6, at the Doubletree Paradise Valley Resort in Scottsdale. Be sure to stop by the Tempe Info Booth at the Expo and say hello! We’ll be happy to answer all your questions and give you ideas about what to see and do while you’re in Tempe! And more importantly, give suggestions on great restaurants for eating before and after your run!

Here’s a few reasons why we’re so excited about this new race: the Women’s Half Marathon features a patent-pending two-in-one finisher’s medal and charm, a designer goodie bag, technical race shirt, makeovers and a post-race cookie café. These special ”extras” make this event fun and unique for women. Another reason to get excited – The national beneficiary of Women’s Half Marathon events is Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

We hope to see you at the expo and race on Sunday either as a participant or a spectator! This event is sure to be a blast for all involved!

Still need to register? Visit http://womenshalfmarathon.com/scottsdale-tempe/ for details!

With Halloween under our belts and the holidays looming large on the horizon, it’s not a minute too soon to begin making that list, checking it twice and setting forth on that annual gift hunting and gathering ritual we face with a mix of  high anxiety and expectations. Whether you’re all set to strike out and hit the stores right now or you’re still in the exploratory (aka denial/ procrastination phase) here’s a helpful time and energy saving tip: Think Tempe First for finding the perfect, most appropriate and affordable treasures on your list. Tempe’s friendly disposition, eclectic selection of stores and central location will get you in the holiday spirit and make the whole gift-gathering experience easier, stress-free and more fun.

Here are a few suggestions to get you started:

•Tempe Marketplace has 1.3 million square feet of shopping, dining and entertainment options. Shoppers will love stores such as Barnes & Noble, Gap, Guess, Cost Plus World Market and one-of-a-kind retailers like Urban Angles, Divaz Boutique and Tea Infusion.

•Arizona Mills is Arizona’s largest value-oriented mall. Find impressive savings at 175 manufacturer brand name stores, including: Last Call from Neiman Marcus, Off 5th Saks Fifth Avenue Outlet, Nike, Tommy Hilfiger and Kenneth Cole.

•Shop at one of the best independent bookstores in the country – Changing Hands Bookstore. Besides the impressive collection of new and gently-used books, the store  also carries a full line of holiday cards and gifts, including hand-crafted items by local artists.

•Next door to Changing Hands, Hoodlums Music & Movies has an impressive collection of new and used CDs, DVDs and records.  Zia Record Exchange is also a local favorite for discovering new music.

•Find that perfectly unique gift for the person who has everything at the 42^nd Annual Fall Festival of the Arts, December 3-5. Held in Tempe’s entertaining Mill Avenue District, this award-winning three-day festival showcases original art by more than 400 juried artists.  Works representing 18 visual art categories, ranging from digital photography to woodworking to jewelry to painting may be purchased directly from the artists. 

•The largest IKEA on the West Coast, IKEA Home Furnishings in Tempe will insure that your place is the prettiest on the block, all decked out in the festive regalia you’ll find in the colorful selection of holiday decorations and accessories. 

•Mill Avenue District is the original walkable urban downtown district and it’s a perfect change of pace if you’re feeling dazed and frazzled. Take a leisurely stroll down the brick-lined side walks and you might find exactly what you’re looking for in one of the hip stores such as Urban Outfitters, American Apparel or Brand X Custom T-Shirts. Tired of driving? The light rail will take you right to Mill Avenue.

•Find that perfectly unique gift for the person who has everything at the 42^nd Annual Fall Festival of the Arts, December 3-5. Held in Tempe’s entertaining Mill Avenue District, this award-winning three-day festival showcases original art by more than 400 juried artists. Works representing 18 visual art categories, ranging from digital photography to woodworking to jewelry to painting may be purchased directly from the artists. 

There’s a lot going on in Tempe this first week in November. Here’s a quick peek, but there’s lots more. For a complete listing of Tempe events, visit http://www.tempetourism.com/events/Calendar/  and www.tempescene.com or call 480-894-8158 

November 4: Thursday Night Market, Tempe Urban Garden 

November 5: The Detonators; November 6 : The Reese Jimenez/Tom Mein Duo, D’Arcy McGee’s Irish Restaurant & Pub 

November 5: Traveler; November 6: The Spin, Rula Bula Irish Pub and Restaurant

November 5: Jed’s A Millionaire, Original Alternative Band; November 6: Southwest Brewfest: Brews and Bands, Tempe Marketplace District Stage

November 5: Scott & John of Hello Swindon, Guitar and Percussion;  November 6: Leah Koestner, Adult Contemporary Guitarist, Tempe Marketplace Barns & Noble Fountain

November 5: Harbhajan Mann, Punjab actor and singing sensation, Tempe Center for the Arts

November 6: Dance the Night Away at the TCA, Tempe Center for the Arts                                                                                          

November 7:  Aebi/Coulson Jazz Jam, John Henry’s Restaurant