Tempe Conventions & Visitors Bureau

Go Devils!

It might still feel like summer outside, but at Sun Devil Stadium it feels a lot like fall. Why? Sun Devils football!

The first game of the season is September 1 against UC Davis. The Devils have won their last 8 season opening games. And, this will be the first time that we’ve met UC Davis on the football field since 1940. In case you’re wondering, we won that one. Fear the fork.

This is the 99^th season of Sun Devil Football and there’s a lot to look forward to. The Pac-10 is now the Pac-12 with the addition of Colorado and Utah. We’ll have Brock Osweiler as the starting quarterback. He showed everyone his abilities last year and now the 6’8” junior is ready to lead his team. There are 27 seniors on the team, one of the largest senior classes in the nation.

And, last but not least, we’ll see the debut of the new uniforms. This will be celebrated in style at the September 9 game vs. Missouri, where fans are encouraged to wear black. With help from Nike, the Sun Devils reincorporated black into the uniform color scheme as a tribute to ASU football teams of the past who wore black helmets.

If you’re looking for a great fan experience, Tempe is just for you. There are so many choices of where to eat and have a beverage or two with friends before the game…you’re bound to find the perfect spot. The Mill Avenue District and Sun Devil Stadium are both electrified on game days. If tailgating is more your style, I’d like to think that ASU fans have that down to a science.

Get your game tickets at www.thesundevils.com or call 480-727-0000. Let’s all grab our best ASU shirts, do a little maroon and gold face painting and come out in full force to cheer our team to victory. Go Devils!

This Saturday you can view the first episode of Songwriters’ Showcase on Eight/KAET, Arizona PBS with fellow fans of this popular Tempe Center for the Arts program.  The show, which will lead into the outstanding PBS program “Austin City Limits,”  television will air on consecutive Saturdays, beginning this September 3. 

To celebrate, fans are invited to a free viewing party from 9:00 to 11:00 p.m. this Saturday at the Tempe Center for the Arts. Past showcase participants, dignitaries and other guests will be on hand for activities and performances in an open mic setting throughout the evening.

The Songwriters’ Showcase and its sister event, Walk-in Wednesdays Open Mic Night, were created, in part, to foster new musicians. Long-time Tempe musician Walt Richardson hosts the television series, which is produced by Tempe 11. The show features performance clips and interviews with the selected songwriters.

There’s plenty going on this week in Tempe. View a complete listing of Tempe events, or call 480-894-8158 for more information.

• August 30: Open Jam with Chuck E Baby, Rula Bula Irish Pub & Restaurant
• August 31: Red Rocks Music Festival: Chamber Music, Tempe Center for the Arts
• August 31: Class Clowns Comedy Showcase; September 1: Ten for Ten, Tempe Improv
• September 1: Adrenaline Mob with Frequis, Razer, Phoenix and Dragon, Nomadic, Medusa, Wolves of Winter, Against the Natural, Tridon; September 2: Sugar Thieves with The Insects; September 3: Agent Orange with  Dfactor, Jack Steady, Egregious, More TBA, Club Red
• September 1: Jeff Sullivan; September  2: Remedy; September 3: Rhythm Room, Rula Bula Irish Pub & Restaurant
• September  2: Phoenix & Dragon, 910 Live
• September  2: Stellacutta with Dylan Ivie, Venue 104
• September  2 & 3: Garfunkel & Oates, Tempe Improv
• September  2 & 3: Ken Kazin the Wonderama Theater, Tempe Improv
• September 2: Halocene Cd Release Show; September 3: Hello Hollywood with In It For Storms, The Clubhouse Music Venue
• September 2: Hello Swindon; September 3: Caribbean Cruisers, Tempe Marketplace District Stage
• September 2: Shelby James; September 3: Jess Hawk Oakenstar, Tempe Marketplace Barnes & Noble Fountain
• September 2: Fall Frenzy Showdown-Round 3; September 3: Neon Trees, Peachcake, Iamwe; September 4: Pepper, The Expendables , Ballywoo, Marquee Theater
• September 3: Songwriters’ Showcase Viewing Party, Tempe Center for the Arts
• September 3: Exhibition Opening: 100 Museums: Paintings of Buildings That Have Paintings Inside, ASU Art Museum
• September 4: Music on the Patio with Shelby James, Rula Bula Irish Pub & Restaurant
• September 4: Trevor Rogers and The Wilderness, Cadillac Ranch
• September 4: Jam with the Jeff Libman Trio, Robbie Fox’s Public House
• September 4 Jam Session, Venue 104

Tempe was recently named the No. 3 most “fun, affordable” city by Bloomberg Businessweek  (just behind Honolulu) in their top 25 fun and affordable cities in America. Nicely done! Tempe has a huge variety of both fun and affordable dining options, and since breakfast is my favorite meal of the day, here is my official list of fun and affordable breakfast spots in Tempe. Trust me – you won’t be disappointed!

1. Chompies: This New York style delicatessen offers breakfast all day long, and the options are plentiful! Their omeletes are amazing, and so are the sweeter options! I particularly love the whole grain pancakes.

2. NCounter: This spot is located in downtown Tempe, offers a fun atmosphere and of course has great food. My favorite, so far, is the Farmer’s Choice egg sandwich. And I definitely would recommend their chai tea lattes…delish!

3. U.S. Egg: U.S. Egg offers both breakfast and lunch, but I always go for the breakfast here. I am sucker for their omelettes, but I also love their famous protein pancakes – filled with blueberries, granola, cinnamon and slivered almonds…they are oh so good!

4. Harlow’s Cafe: This cafe has been a classic neighborhood gathering spot for almost 30 years now. Its old school charm and amazing food make for a great combination! My favorites? The eggs benedict or the huevos rancheros, which are amazing.

5. AZ Bread Company: Great food and a relaxing atmosphere makes this place a treat every time I go ! The menu offers something for everyone, with lots of options and varieties. My recommendation is the French toast…a-maz-ing!

View Tempe Breakfast Spots in a Google map.

Kevin Brown, who plays Dot Com on NBC’s Emmy Award-winning Thirty Rock, will be performing at the Tempe Improv. There’s also some major music happening in venues throughout Tempe, including a performance by ETHEL at the Tempe History Museum.  The Juilliard-trained string quartet plays contemporary music with avant-garde, pop, jazz and world music thrown in to the mix. 

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

• August 23: Open Jam with Chuck E Baby, Rula Bula Irish Pub & Restaurant
• August 23: Alice LaPlante: Turn of Mind, Changing Hands Bookstore
• August 23: Mac Lethal, Club Red/Red Owl Stage
• August 25: Jeff Sullivan, Rula Bula Irish Pub & Restaurant
• August 25: ETHEL, Tempe History Museum
• August 25: Machine Gun Kelly; August 26: This, My Vendetta Cd Release Show, The Clubhouse Music Venue
• August 26: Capital Down, Rula Bula Irish Pub & Restaurant
• August 26: Jean Grae with Mr. Len of Company Flow, Club Red/Red Owl Stage
• August 26 & 27: Rula Bula’s 11th Anniversary Party, Rula Bula Irish Pub & Restaurant
• August 26: Hello Swindon; August 27: Knee Deep Experience, Tempe Marketplace District Stage
• August 26: Tony Putrino; August 27: Just Jade, Tempe Marketplace Barnes & Noble Fountain
• August 26: Showdown For Fall Frenzy – Round 2 with Special Guests; August 27: The VeraGroove with Black Bottom Lighters, Marquee Theater
• August 26-28: Kevin Brown, Tempe Improv
• August 27: Romantasy Cabaret, Club Red
• August 27: Mike Life Global, 910 Live
• August 27: St. Madness; August 28: Forward Down Reverse, Treefingers, Formally Wrong, Only Warning & Guests, The Clubhouse Music Venue
• August 27: Jeff Hunt Band; August 28: Music on the Patio with Shelby James, Rula Bula Irish Pub & Restaurant
• August 28: Trevor Rogers and The Wilderness, Cadillac Ranch
• August 28: Jam with the Jeff Libman Trio, Robbie Fox’s Public House
• August 28: Jam Session, Venue 104

As the summer winds down (well, sort of), I start looking forward to all the activity that September brings. While I enjoy the slower pace of the lazy days of summer, I look forward to the renewed vitality that comes with the influx of returning and new ASU students, football season and all of the events that begin in September.

Of course everyone associates September with football, which is especially exciting this year with the ASU Sun Devils now part of the expanded Pack 12 Conference. But, did you know that ASU is also the state’s largest producer of arts and cultural programs?  September marks the start of a dizzying array of quality events in music, theatre, opera, dance, literature and art exhibitions that continue through June.

One of my favorites is the ASU Gammage Broadway series of award-winning musicals, which opens next month. From September through June, audiences of all ages will find an incredible lineup of shows ranging from revivals of the timeless classics such as WEST SIDE STORY (the season opener), RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN’S SOUTH PACIFIC and LA CAUGE AUX FOLLES to the cutting edge antics of THE BLUE MAN GROUP. The new smash hits, MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, RAIN: A TRIBUTE TO THE BEATLES and GREEN DAY’S AMERICAN IDIOT will bring rock music of at least three generations and genres to the stage. And, WICKED returns!

Where else in Arizona can fans of Broadway musicals, enjoy such a rich assortment of shows in a beautiful theatre designed by Frank Lloyd Wright at prices much more affordable than they would be in the Big Apple?  Here’s what’s in store.

The 2011-2012 PROGRESSIVE® BROADWAY Across America –Arizona series: 
WEST SIDE STORY: September 27 – October 2, 2011
BLUE MAN GROUP: November 1-6, 2011
IRVING BERLIN’S WHITE CHRISTMAS THE MUSCIAL: December 6-11, 2011
RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN’S SOUTH PACIFIC: January 10-15, 2012 
GREEN DAY’S AMERICAN IDIOT: April 24-29, 2012 
LA CAGE AUX FOLLES: May 15-20, 2012 
MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET: June 5-10, 2012

The 2011-2012 Broadway Across America – Arizona special engagements:
STOMP: December 28-31, 2011
WICKED: February 15 – March 11, 2012
RAIN: A TRIBUTE TO THE BEATLES: May 10-12, 2012

For more information on the 2011-2012 season and to purchase tickets, visit ASU Gammage.  For more information on other arts and cultural events in Tempe, visit TempeScene.com.

West Side Story credit Joan Marcus

Things will really be hoppin’ in Tempe this week as we welcome new and returning ASU students.  I’m also excited about the new music and art space that just opened in Tempe. Venue 104, will celebrate its grand opening this Friday with a bunch of bands, giveaways, raffles, and more fun, all for free. Yep, there’s no cover charge.  Venue 104 will bring even more live music, alternative theatre and visual art to Tempe’s already impressive arts and entertainment scene.  You can read more about the inspiration for Venue 104 in this interesting New Times blog.

There’s plenty to do in Tempe this week. View a complete listing of Tempe events, or call 480-894-8158 for more information.

• August 16: Open Jam with Chuck E Baby, Rula Bula Irish Pub & Restaurant
• August 18: All Stars Tour featuring Emmure and Alesana, Marquee Theater
• August 18: Wild and Scenic Film Festival; August 19: TCA Fall Arts Kick-off Tempe Center for the Arts
• August 18-21:  Edwin San Juan, Tempe Improv
• August 19: Executives, Captain Squeegee, Obadiah Parker, Dearspeak, Riot For Romance, Instructions, Venue 104
• August 19: Blackjack” with DLG & Tankman with DJ Spear and more, Club Red
• August 19: Peppermint James; August 20: Jazz Con Alma, Tempe Marketplace District Stage
• August 19: Mojo Farmers; August 20: Melanie & Van, Tempe Marketplace Barnes & Noble Fountain
• August 19 & 20: Ken Kaz in the Wonderama Theatre, Tempe Improv
• August 19: Showdown For Fall Frenzy – Round 1 with Special Guests; August 20: Late with Special Guests, Marquee Theater
• August 19: Shining Star; August 20: Ladies Night; August 21: Music on the Patio with Shelby James, Rula Bula Irish Pub & Restaurant
• August 20: A House Divided Cd Release with Special Guests, 910 Live
• August 20: Anarbor with Special Guest, The Clubhouse Music Venue
• August 20: Ladies Night ; August 21: Music on the Patio with Shelby James, Rula Bula Irish Pub & Restaurant
• August 21: Trevor Rogers and The Wilderness, Cadillac Ranch

When was the last time your meal included an amazing view?  Well, what are you waiting for?  There are some great restaurants in and around Tempe that offer up good eats – and the view is included!  Here are my top three choices:

Head up the steep hill next door to the Arizona Grand Resort and get ready to have some good ol’ fun at Rustler’s Rooste!  This mountain-top rustic Western setting features live music nightly, indoor waterfall, famous tin slide, rattlesnake(!) appetizer and stunning views of the Valley.  I go for the Big Burger (yup, it’s big) and the apple pie…oh my.

I’m at the top of the world, looking down on creation…that song always pops in to my head (and I bet it’s stuck in yours now too!) when I visit another fabulous mountain-top restaurant – the Top of the Rock at the Buttes Marriott Resort. The restaurant and it’s world-class menu were both recently updated, but the breathtaking views of the city haven’t changed a bit.  The amazing chefs are always cooking up something new, so be sure to stop by and see what’s fresh today! 

Looking for a little bit more action?  Perhaps something that will entertain the little ones? Try the aviation themed Left Seat Restaurant & Lounge, located next to the Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport’s north runway.  Watch the planes land and depart from the airport while you eat!  The restaurant features aviation décor from airplane photos and air show posters on the walls to model planes hanging from the ceiling. And be sure to check out the huge airplane engine table – very cool!

Top of the Rock at The Buttes, A Marriott Resort

This week marks the time to pick up your Ikea Catalog- Whether you’re in need of fully decorating your new home or simply just wish to spruce up your living room, Ikea is packed with thousands of ways to improve your life. From bedrooms to bathrooms and kitchen appliances to lighting, Ikea has it all for you.

With a creative tagline: “A home doesn’t need to be big, just smart”, and rumors of authentic meatballs from their Swedish restaurant, I decided to check Ikea out myself and see what they had to offer for 2012. Here are some smart savings that caught my eye:

• Pruta Food Saver, set of 17 for $3.99- Store anything you can imagine in these plastic kitchen set containers that come in variety of all different sizes.  
• Pyra Wok 4.99- Works well on all types of cooktops, Non-stick coating for easy cooking, and two handles make it easy to lift the pan. My recent discovery and love of cooking with a wok makes this bargain a must buy!
• Kolja Mirror $9.99- This chique oval mirror is great for bedrooms, bathrooms, or hallways. You can hang this horizontally or vertically depending on what style you’re looking for and its price beats last years of $14.99.
• Alvine Kvist Duvet cover and pillowcases- $39.99- If you’re looking for an affordable way to make a little change to your bedroom, adding a different color or design with a simple duvet cover can do the trick.

The fun didn’t stop there. After getting lost with amazement in all my good finds, I was getting hungry and determined to taste a few items from their Swedish food market. With so many options to taste I decided to go with the new lower priced traditional meatballs. $2.99- 10pc Swedish meatballs with mashed potatoes, cream sauce and lingonberries that will make your mouth water and craving for more! As you exit the checkout there is a cafeteria with warm gooey cinnamon rolls for dessert  that are only $1 and a whole area with a Swedish Market that sells fresh cheeses, jams, pastry’s, cookies and more.

Ikea has great savings with quality product. They care about their people and the environment, make shopping easy and dinning affordable. Don’t forget to bring your kids, who eat FREE August 1-21, and check out their play center as well as many family fun activities that Ikea hosts. One upcoming event is in celebration of a Swedish tradition- All You Can Eat Crayfish Party On August 19^th.

Wow! This is a huge week in Tempe for live music with major artists and bands on stage throughout the city.  There will be Matisyahu and the Australian indie electronic group at the Marquee, Afroman and Y & T at Club Red, and Platinum B at Rula Bula. The adorable and enormously talented brother/sister team Booboo & Fivel Stewart will be at Tempe Marketplace. They’re joining forces with Childhelp, Inc. in a free benefit concert to end child abuse. Tempe will definitely rock this week.

Great music and more great entertainment are in store for you in Tempe this week. View a complete listing of Tempe events, or call 480-894-8158 for more information.

August 8: Open Jam with Chuck E Baby, Rula Bula Irish Pub & Restaurant
August 10 : Matisyahu with Tea Leaf Green, Marquee Theater
August 10: Afroman, Club Red
August 11: Best of the West Comedy Show, Tempe Improv
August 12: The Parade, The Holy Ghost Circuit, Deadlines & Diamonds, 910 Live
August 12: B Platinum, Rula Bula Irish Pub & Restaurant
August 12:  Cut Copy with Active Child, Marquee Theater
August 12: Comfort For Change; August 13: Kryptonite’s Back To School Bash with See This Through with Ostara, Avilion, As Thick As Thieves, Within Our Reach, Five Times The Fall, All Eyes On Evelyn, An Undying Will, Heroes of The Fallen, The Clubhouse Music Venue
August 12: Y & T, Club Red
August 12: Los Guys, Alternative Band,Tempe Marketplace District Stage
August 12: Scott & John of Hello Swindon; August 13: Mary Hoffman, Tempe Marketplace Barnes & Noble Fountain
August 12-13: Ken Kaz in the Wonderama Theater; August 12-14: J. Scott Homan Red Neck Comedy Show, Tempe Improv
August 13: Booboo & Fivel Stewart, Tempe Marketplace District Stage
August 13: Capital Down; August 14: Shelby James, Rula Bula Irish Pub & Restaurant
August 14: Trevor Rogers and The Wilderness, Cadillac Ranch

What better way to cool off than with a delicious cold treat! During the heat of the summer, I’m always on the hunt for the best frozen yogurt, ice cream and iced beverages. Here’s a list of my faves in Tempe:

1. Mojo Yogurt: My favorite combo at this frozen yogurt establishment is usually white boy vanilla, cookies & cream and mango tango. It’s an odd combination I know, but that doesn’t make is any less craveable!

2. Cookiez on Mill: Did anyone mention a cookie sandwich? If that’s what you’re craving, Cookiez on Mill is the only place to go! My favorite is mint chip ice cream in a chocolate chip cookie.

3. Red Mango: Smoothies, smoothies and more smoothies! Red Mango has lots of frozen yogurt flavors and mix-ins, but I head there for the smoothies. They are refreshing and delicious!

4. Yogurtland: This frozen yogurt shop offers the widest variety of flavors and mix-ins that I have seen yet. Lots of choices here -and who doesn’t love having choices! My fave here is the pistachio, chocolate twilight and strawberry. Yum!

5. Baskin-Robbins: A childhood favorite of mine – Baskin-Robbins always tastes good! The best flavors in my opinion? Gold medal ribbon, jamoca and daquari ice.

6. Tea Infusion: Iced tea in every flavor! Take a break at Tea Infusion and try one of their many varieties of tea. Their red teas are all tasty, and for a special treat – try their chai tea – it’s amazing.

7. Xtreme Bean: Blended drink heaven! Lots of choices and all delicious! Try an Iced Mocha Java to get your morning started or the Cookies and Cream Frapp for an afternoon treat!

Cookiez on Mill