Tempe Conventions & Visitors Bureau

It’s hotter than a firecracker on the 4^th of July.  What’s a little heat, when you consider all of the truly horrendous weather that has hit other parts of the U.S. I think we have the perfect weather for the definitive July 4^th celebration that is 60 years old. As a sturdy, year-round desert dweller, I have no intention of chickening out and heading for the hills of northern Arizona or San Diego because I know that I can have all kinds of fun staying right here this July 4^th. Thanks to the annual CBS 5 July 4^th Tempe Town Lake Festival, produced by the Kiwanis Club of Tempe, I’m looking forward to another outstanding evening of activities that will end in the biggest, most spectacular fireworks display in the state.

For kids, parents and anyone who’s beginning to feel the strain of air conditioned cabin fever, there will be plenty of good reasons to forget the temperatures and have some outdoor fun. Beginning at 4:00 p.m., you can enjoy food, entertainment, live music and a special area just for kids. The main stage will feature local entertainers performing rock, country, folk and pop music. Bands will include Jinx the Tragedy, Casey Lee Smith and Roxter.

The Cox Family Fun Fest is the perfect spot for families to gather and enjoy the day. Kids of all ages will enjoy special kids’ entertainment, a free inflatable village, face painting, rock climbing and more. Little kids can always cool off in the Splash Playground at Tempe Beach Park.

Food is an essential part of a great July 4^th celebration and there will be loads of 4^th of July favorites to fuel and cool festival goers. Zatarain’s Food Court will offer summertime favorites such as hamburgers, hot dogs, Mexican food, BBQ, roasted corn and fry bread. There will be no shortage of frosty treats like snow cones and ice cream help keep everyone in a state of brain freeze bliss; lemonade, lots of cold bottled water and other refreshing beverages will be on hand to quench big and little thirsts.

For some lip-smackin’ barbeque and the VIP experience, there will be Big Earl’s BBQ VIP Garden ticket option. VIP ticket holders have reserved seats in a special area to watch the fireworks show, featuring misters to keep cool and a fabulous dinner from Big Earl’s BBQ and two drink tickets for beer (if 21 or older), soda or water. VIP tickets can be purchased online for $60, children ages 5-12 are $30 and children 5 and younger are free. Service fees apply.

Of course, everything leads up to the spectacular grand finale, a breathtaking array of fireworks exploding over Tempe Town Lake. The extravagant 40-minute fireworks show, the largest in the state, will be shot from the Mill Avenue Bridge and choreographed to patriotic and classical music.

General admission tickets are on sale now for $6 at all Fry’s stores through July 4 or online at www.Protix.com with service fees. Children 12 and under are free. Tickets will be available at the gate for $8 or $15 for two. Additionally, tickets are available for $5 at several City of Tempe Outlets through July 3: City of Tempe main offices, Parks & Recreation Administration Office, Kiwanis Recreation Center, Escalante Community Center and the Tempe Transit Store.

The Phoenix Zoo is offering a wild and furry 4^th of July with its 4^th of Zooly BBQ. Festivities begin at 7:00 p.m. and will include a catered BBQ dinner at the Lakeside Lawn, free carousel rides and access to Stingray Bay, face painters, bounce house, special animal guests and music. The evening culminates in a VIP view of the Tempe fireworks show. Beer and wine will be available for purchase at the BBQ Dinner and the fireworks show. Seating will be available at the back of the Zoo. Advance reservations are required and tickets may be purchased on line. Tickets for adults (13 and up) are $40.00; children (3-12) are $35.00 (3-12); 2 and younger are free – reservations are still required.

For information on other Tempe arts and cultural events and organizations, please visit www.TempeTourism.com or TempeScene.com.

With temperatures spiking into the hundred and teens, there’s no denying that summer has arrived and will stick around for the next four months. One of the things I’ll enjoy over the next months is the slower, more relaxed pace that comes with our desert summer. It’s a good time to take it easy and find quieter, more contemplative activities to pursue. 

It happens that The ASU Art Museum is opening an exhibition on July 2 that fills the quiet and contemplative bill to a tee.  In By Myself and with My Friends, six artists explore the complexities of human nature by looking at some of the things we have in common with other living creatures, from our herd mentality to our moments of solace. The exhibition provides an opportunity for reflection, a time to examine and reconsider our own behaviors, to slow down and breathe. 

So experience the  tranquility of  the ASU Art Museum. Or relax over a cool beverage while listening to great live music that’s always happening in Tempe’s cool clubs and restaurants.  Here are a few suggestions.  View a complete listing of Tempe Events or call 480-894-8158 for more information.

• June 28: Open Jam, Rula Bula Irish Pub & Restaurant  
• June 30: Trevor Jones, D’Arcy McGee’s
• July 1: Bad Cactus Brass Band, Tempe History Museum
• July 1: Melia Down; July 2: Hello Swindon, Tempe Marketplace District Stage
• July 1: Grady Music;  July 2: David & Amy, Tempe Marketplace Barnes & Noble Fountain
• July 2: Opening of By Myself and with My Friends, ASU Art Museum
• July 2: The Stand Featuring Guest Musician Dominic Balli, Speaker Nick Crespo  Plus Music by Denae Templeton & The Anthem Band, MADCAP Theaters
• July 3: Music on the Patio with Shelby James, Rula Bula Irish Pub & Restaurant

This Friday, Nicole Pesce will perform at the Tempe Center for the Arts and I’m going to be there to hear this incredibly talented musician for the first time.  She’s been performing in the Phoenix metro area for a while at My Florist Café in Phoenix, which, sadly closed last October, and currently at the Phoenix Ritz-Carlton. 

Nicole sounds like veritable whirling dervish of the keyboard, moving effortlessly through a musical repertoire of 12,000 memorized songs that includes everything from classical to jazz to Lady Gaga. It also sounds like she’s a masterful improviser who can quickly pick up tunes she’s never played before, without sheet music, just by listening to a song or watching it performed on YouTube. I even heard that she’s been seen text messaging while playing intricate piano pieces!

All of this from someone who (a) is just 31 and (b) didn’t immediately take to the piano when she first started taking lessons at age 7. Apparently, the first few months of lessons were rocky for Nicole. I identified with this because, I too, took piano lessons when I was around 7 and discovered that it was hard! Dang it-I gave up; Nicole persevered.

I’m looking forward to being entertained by this musical phenom who’ll be on stage at the beautiful Tempe Center for the Arts this Friday, June 24 at 7:30 p.m. You can read more about her in this interesting article in today’s Tempe Republic. For ticket information, visit http://www.tempe.gov/tca/Calendar.htm

For a full list of Tempe events, please visit our Calendar of Events.

July 4th Tempe Town Lake Festival

Today is officially the first day of summer. And yes, that means that our daytime temperatures are going to hover at or above 100 degrees for a while. But, that’s no reason to complain. There are plenty of things to do in Tempe this summer to help you keep your cool.  

SEA LIFE Arizona aquarium at Arizona Mills has more than 30 display tanks in 12 different habitat zones, making homes for more than 5,000 sea creatures. And, you can see the new Claws exhibit featuring creepy, crawly crabs from around the world. Right now, they’re having a “Beat the Heat Sale” where all tickets for visits through June 30 are only $10. And, tickets are always discounted when you but them on line.

At Prowl & Play, you can explore The Phoenix Zoo in the evening. You and your family can splash around at Leapin’ Lagoon and Yakulla Caverns, participate in squirt gun water wars and the summer “Zoo”cademy and enjoy music, games and more. Prowl & Play takes place from 6:00 – 9:30 p.m. on July 9 and August 13.

The Desert Botanical Garden offers Garden Flashlight Tours through September. You can discover how the desert comes to life when the sun goes down – you might even see nighthawks, snakes and rare night blooming flowers during this nighttime adventure. Flashlight Tours are held at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday and Saturday evenings from June through August and on Saturday evenings in September.

There is one more Music in the Garden concert at Desert Botanical Garden this month. On June 24, you can see The Sugar Thieves and their unique blend of Delta blues. The doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the concert starts at 7:30 p.m. Save room for the tasty food from Fabulous Food Fine Dining and the Patio Café. A cash bar is also available.

The shopping, dining and entertainment hub, Tempe Marketplace, hosts free live music performances Friday and Saturday nights from 7 – 10 p.m. at the District Stage. Listen to a variety of music genres such as rock, alternative, folk and country. Or if you’d rather relax than dance, head to the Barnes & Noble fountain for acoustic musicians Friday and Saturday evenings from 7 – 9 p.m.

It wouldn’t be summer without going to a water park or a splash pad. Tempe Marketplace has a splash pad for kids near Tea Infusion and MoJo Yogurt. That means cool fun for the kids and a desert or coffee for parents. Tempe Beach Park’s Splash Playground is open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. This free park has water cannons, a waterfall, pop up fountains, toy whales and more. America’s original water park, Big Surf, is still popular for family fun. Kids (and adults too) can boogie board at the wave pool or go down one of the many thrilling, fast moving slides. There’s also Captain Cook’s Landing for the little ones. At Golfland/Sunsplash, water-filled fun includes racing down the Bonzi Speed Slides, rafting down Thunder Falls or relaxing along the Endless River. There’s also an arcade, bumper boats, miniature golf and more fun stuff.

And, it wouldn’t be summer without going to an amazing fireworks show on July 4^th. Tempe is lucky enough to be home to one of the biggest and best events around, the CBS 5 July 4^th Tempe Town Lake Festival produced by the Kiwanis Club of Tempe. Gates open at 4 p.m. There will be fun activities for kids, live entertainment, tasty food and of course, a beautiful fireworks display over Tempe Town Lake. Tickets for July 4^th in Tempe are available now.

And, if you want to take a trip away from home without going too far, don’t forget that Tempe hotels and businesses are offering money-saving summer specials. Specials offers for hotels, restaurants and attractions can be found at http://www.enjoytempe.com/.

Enjoy your summer in Tempe and remember….it’s a dry heat!

It’s another great week of live music in Tempe. So slip into something cool and then into one of our cool clubs, restaurants or venues where you can relax and enjoy your favorites from jazz to gospel to the blues performed by the legendary Hans Olson. There’s also some cool summer flickage going on at the MADCAP Theaters, including the weekly Rocky Horror Show movie and audience hijinks. For a full list of Tempe events, please visit our Calendar of Events.

• June 20: Delphine Cortez & Joel Robin, Dave’s Electric Brew Pub
• June 21: Open Jam with Chuck E Baby; June 23: Shelby James, Rula Bula Irish Pub & Restaurant
• June 24: Nicole Pesce, Tempe Center for the Arts
• June 24: The Sugar Thieves, Desert Botanical Garden
• June 24: Chicks with Picks; June 25: Knee Deeep Experience, Tempe Marketplace District Stage
• June 24: Blues Legend Hans Olson, June 25: Mary Hoffman, Tempe Marketplace Barnes & Noble Fountain
• June 24: Str8up Band, Dance; June 25: Furious George, Rula Bula Irish Pub & Restaurant
• June 25: Gospel Fest, Tempe Center for the Arts
• June 25: Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead!, Rocky Horror Picture Show, MADCAP Theaters
• June 25: Gospel Fest, Tempe Center for the Arts
• June 26: Miss Gay Arizona America 2011, Tempe Center for the Arts
• June 26: Music on the Patio with Shelby James, Rula Bula Irish Pub & Restaurant 

Mill Avenue Bridge

Most people prefer planning their evenings after their 5:00 pm shift is over as far away from their work as possible. I am quite the opposite, however, and love to both work and play in the Mill Avenue District. This week my boyfriend and I had a great experience spending an evening in the Mill Avenue District by starting off at The Tavern on Mill for an affordable and delicious bite to eat before seeing a show.

We enjoyed amazing dinner at The Tavern on Mill and were able to take advantage of “Taco Tuesdays,” offered every Tuesday with $2 tacos and beer. They offer chicken, carne asada, mahi mahi, and pork tacos along with your choice of a variety of cold domestic or imported beers for only $2 – and you can’t forget the abundance of chips and salsa included. This is a great taste for an even better deal!

Our next stop was the Marquee theatre where we planned to spend most of our evening. We walked over from Mill Avenue to see a performance from Matt & Kim who just left the Bonnarro Festival in Tennesee with over 85,000 in attendance to perform for their Tempe friends. This duo from Brooklyn creates a giddy, punk, pop-dance music that brings a full house of energy to any crowd. Kim was in awe as she noted, “I’ve never seen a town quite like Tempe that has this much energy on a Tuesday night!” Prepare for Kim as she stands atop her drums, runs in circles on stage, and waves her arms griped with drumsticks to get the crowd roaring. It’s not your last chance to check out this extraordinary band; they hinted that they would soon return to the great town of Tempe this fall (To perform at Tempe Beach Park at Fall Frenzy along with headliners Blink 182).

Ending the evening, we came across a completely unexpected yet beautiful view. The Valley Metro Light Rail literally transforms from a transportation route during the day, to an art masterpiece along Tempe Town Lake at night! The light rail bridge that crosses over the lake lights up with a variety of bright florescent lights that reflect onto the water below. As the train rides by every few minutes it also carries its own light with it. When the waters ripples, the lights reflections dance on the water, creating an eye catching, rippling light show effect on the water. I felt as if I was experiencing my own version of the famous Bellagio water show in Vegas right here in Tempe! If you ever have the opportunity, I would recommend walking through Tempe Beach Park during the evening to view this hidden masterpiece.

We can’t wait to try out more date night options on Mill Avenue. The ASU Art Museum on campus includes over four main exhibits of contemporary art, is open late until 7:00 pm every Tuesday and has free admission. You can also treat that special someone to taste the new delicious frozen yogurt shop on Mill Avenue, Red Mango, before you make your way to Tempe Boat Rentals for a ride out on the water to view the beautiful dancing light show that I promise you won’t forget.

After living in Tempe for almost 4 months I came to realize that I have not yet been to an Arizona Diamondbacks baseball game. I quickly looked up the D-Back’s schedule online and saw that a couple of good games were coming to town, found a good deal for tickets on stubhub.com, and was ready to go!

Two days later, I got off of work as usual at around 5:00 pm and met up with a friend at Rula Bula’s on Mill Avenue where we enjoyed some Irish fish’n chips.  The game started at 6:40 pm which left us just enough time to grab another happy hour drink before we hopped on the Metro Light Rail. We beat rush hour traffic, avoided parking fees and made it conveniently to Downtown Phoenix in under 20 minutes. We got off at Third Street and Washington where we followed the crowd half a block to Chase Field.

The game was a great experience. The stadium was nice, clean and truly impressive. Even though it was a 105 degrees outside, the roof of the stadium was left open which made it almost an outdoor game. Still the temperature was nice and cool inside.
The D-Backs played a good game and after going into an extra inning they beat the San Francisco Giants, current World Series Champions, that night. Everything came together perfectly for my first baseball experience in Arizona.

After the game, we walked to the next Metro Light Rail station which is literally right across the street from Chase Field. Going back to Tempe was a little more crowded than going to the game; nevertheless we managed to get seats on the train and enjoyed the great view of the light-up bridge when we crossed over Tempe Town Lake into the Mill Avenue District again.

We decided to end the night same way we started it; with a drink in one of the countless cool bars on Mill Avenue.

After this great experience I can only recommend taking the Metro Light Rail to Downtown Phoenix sporting events and conferences. It’s just easy, convenient and inexpensive.

Celebrate with your dad this Sunday, June 19, in Tempe! Tempe has lots of great Father’s Day deals for dining, attractions and relaxation. Here’s a full list of fun things to do to with your dad on Father’s Day (and save a buck or two)!

ASU Karsten Golf Course
www.asukarsten.com
Give dad what he really wants this Father’s Day…the gift of golf!  The ASU Karsten Father’s Day Gift Pack includes:
- (2) Rounds of Golf (valid through September 25, 2011)
- PING Karsten golf shirt
- Sleeve of Titleist golf balls
- Breakfast or lunch in the Trophy Room Restaurant

All for $99 plus tax…a savings of over $50.00!

You may purchase the gift through Father’s Day, Sunday, June 19.  Contact a member of ASU Karsten’s professional team at (480) 921.8070, and they will be happy to mail or deliver your gift. 

Monti’s La Casa Vieja
www.montis.com
Join Monti’s in celebrating Father’s Day and try Chef Jimmy’s delicious special! 12 oz. Herb Encrusted Prime Rib served with garlic truffle fries & grilled pancetta wrapped asparagus topped with an aged balsamic vinaigrette $24.95

Four Peaks Brewery
www.fourpeaks.com
Four Peaks Brewery will be offering a special Father’s Day Lunch Buffet at their Tempe location – buy Dad a round of his favorite local beer!

Z’Tejas Southwestern Grill
http://tempe.ztejas.com
Z’Tejas is be celebrating “Dads & Grads” with their gift card promotion. For every $25 gift card purchase, guests will receive a $5 bonus card to use for themselves! The offer is valid until June 19^th and bonus cards may be redeemed June 20^th-July 31^st and up to two at a time can be used. 

Naranda Spa at The Buttes, A Marriott Resort
www.ButtesMarriottResort.com
The “Ultimate” Dad Spa Package – available June 1 through June 30 - $249 plus tax

NARANDE CUSTOM MASSAGE – 50 minutes
This customized service allows the therapist to create a personalized therapy just for you. Using different styles of massage and body work creates overall balance and the ultimate in relaxation.

GENTLEMEN’S FACIAL – 50 minutes
Specifically formulated for the special skin care needs of men, this deep cleansing, therapeutic and relaxing treatment leaves your skin toned and revived. Please avoid shaving altogether – if necessary, shave at least two hours prior to your treatment.

NARANDE PEDICURE – 50 minutes
With a warm paraffin treatment, mud mask and exfoliating foot treatment.
*Dad will be served a light lunch included with package.

The Center Bistro
www.thecenterbistro.com 
On Friday, June 17, The Center Bistro is offering dads a 10% discount and one $2 beer (FYI – The Center Bistro is closed on weekends).

Stratum Laser Tag Headquarters
www.stratumhq.com
This Father’s Day, June 19, enjoy “Dad plays ONE FREE GAME OF LASER TAG when you buy a multi game special or Dad gets $5 off unlimited laser tag play from 1-6 PM when you purchase an unlimited play pass.” 

Coupon is available at www.stratumhq.com/holidayhours.html. Reservations always recommended. Call 480-545-5500 for more information. 

Tempe Marketplace
www.tempemarketplace.com
Tempe Marketplace is offering a Vestar Visa Gift Card for Father’s Day - give dad the gift of whatever his heart desires! 

Arizona Mills
www.arizonamills.com
Now through Father’s Day, June 19, anyone who purchases a $100 or more American Express Gift Card at Guest Services, will receive one FREE round of golf at The Arizona Grand Golf Resort (200 of these to be given away, while supplies last).

Tempe is all about live music this week and there’s plenty of it from jazz to blues to rock to indie.  As the temperatures rise, you’ll find cool temperatures along with a cool vibe in Tempe’s clubs, restaurants and music venues.  Here are just a few samples of this week’s groovy music events.  View a complete listing of Tempe events, or call 480-894-8158 for more information.

• June 14: Open Jam with Mike Mercer, Rula Bula Irish Pub & Restaurant  
• June 16: Sarah Vanell, D’Arcy McGee’s
• June 16: Farewell Party for Pianist Barb Catlin with Dom Moio on Drums, Tom Williams on Bass, Dave’s Electric Brew Pub
• June 17: Music in the Garden: The DelRayz, Desert Botanical Garden
• June 17: The Persuaders; June 18: Peppermint James, Tempe Marketplace District Stage
• June 17: Mellis Calvert Duo; June 18: Pete Pancrazi, Tempe Marketplace Barnes & Noble Fountain
• June 17: The Paper Snowmen; June 18: Hamptons, Rula Bula Irish Pub & Restaurant
• June 18:  Rocky Horror Picture Show, MADCAP Theaters
• June 18: Encore Dance Center: “Evolution of Encore,” Tempe Center for the Arts
• June 19: Music on the Patio with Shelby James, Rula Bula Irish Pub & Restaurant

When most people travel, they want to find out what the locals do…where to eat, where to go out, where to shop and where to get a caffeine boost from a barista in a cool, independent coffee house.

When it comes to Tempe, Arizona, I’m about as local as you can get. I’ve lived here my entire life. So, here are a few suggestions for things to do in Tempe, as told by someone who calls this great city home.

First thing in the morning, I’d go for a hike in Papago Park. The trailhead off of College, just south of Curry by the park is the perfect place to start. It’s not a difficult trail, but be sure and wear sunscreen and bring water. You’ll be able to see a model of a prehistoric Hohokam dwelling, created by ASU students years ago. And, if you continue past the summit on the east side of the park, you can see the real thing – the Loma del Rio Hohokam ruin.

It doesn’t take much for me to work up an appetite, so after the hike, I’d definitely want a good breakfast. One of my favorite Tempe restaurants is US Egg at Mill and Baseline. The friendly, efficient staff always delivers delicious food so fast that my stomach doesn’t even have time to rumble. Everything on their breakfast menu is great, but my favorite item is the protein pancakes. It’s a whole grain batter with slivers of almonds and a generous amount of blueberries. I wish I could eat them every day.

Next, I might browse through the racks at Changing Hands Bookstore, one of the best independent bookstores in the country. They have a terrific children’s section, a ton of fiction and non-fiction selections and always, many items on sale. You might even be lucky enough to catch one of their author events or children’s story times – they have a full calendar that will satisfy readers of all ages.

After that, I’d head to Tempe Marketplace for more shopping. From Target to Pier 1 to Stein Mart to Gap, I can always find a few things that I can’t live without. There are lots of excellent restaurants to choose from on site, but for lunch, I can’t pass up Spinato’s Pizza. It’s located across Rio Salado Parkway from Tempe Marketplace, on Smith Road. This family owned restaurant has what I think is the best pizza in town. Once you’ve tasted the sauce, you’ll have a hard time getting pizza anywhere else.

With a full stomach and new books and clothing in my possession, next I’d head to Zia Record Exchange for the best selection in music. I love iTunes as much as the next person, but nothing beats browsing through the vast collection at Zia, including CDs, DVDs and vinyl. I usually pick up something new in addition to getting a CD from one of my favorite 80’s alt rock bands.

For a little pick me up after all of the music searching, I’d stop in to Cartel Coffee Lab for a tasty chai latte in one of the coolest atmospheres around town. The crowd is always a great mix of creative types and I always feel like I’m in the know just because I’m there.

After resting for a bit, dinner would be next on my agenda. There are so many restaurants in Tempe that I love…Canteen Modern Tequila Bar, Oregano’s, Cornish Pasty Co. and Mucho Gusto to name a few. But, on this day, I would have to go with Four Peaks Brewing Company. This world-famous (at least it should be!) microbrewery is an excellent choice for Tempe dining and of course, beer too. It’s a little off the beaten path, located at 8^th Street and Dorsey, but that’s part of its charm. It’s located in a historic creamery building that thankfully has a new life as a community gathering place. Try anything made with beer bread, or check out their daily specials. You’ll be glad that you did.

And, if I still had energy left, I would head to Mill Avenue to listen to live music or relax on an outdoor patio. You can’t go wrong with Mill Avenue restaurants and bars like Rula Bula Irish Pub, the Tavern on Mill or La Bocca Pizzeria & Wine Bar.

Sounds like the perfect day in Tempe to me!