Tempe Conventions & Visitors Bureau

Although it may seem like school just started, it’s already time for parents and families to visit Tempe. So clean up your room and get your grades up now because your parents will be here before you know it!

Family Weekend at Arizona State University (ASU) takes place during the first weekend in October when fall has officially arrived, October 1-2. The weather will finally start to cool off a bit, which opens the door for some fun outdoor activities for you and your family to enjoy. Make this Family Weekend memorable by spending the weekend showing your family around Tempe, ensuring them that they indeed sent you to the right school. Here is a list of some unique and fun things to do with your parents that you may not get to do normally.

1. Plan to wake up early one morning and squeeze in a family hike at Papago Park to start off the day right. There’s a great trailhead located at the southwest corner of College and Curry. Your hike will have everyone feeling fresh and ready to take on the day. After, enjoy a delicious breakfast together in the Mill Avenue District. You earned it! NCounter on Mill is close by and has a mouth-watering menu that will leave everyone satisfied.
2. Spend an afternoon strolling in and out of shops around Tempe Marketplace, an outdoor shopping, dining and entertainment district. Be sure to grab lunch while you’re there too!
3. Plan a fun night out – whether you see a show at ASU Gammage, catch a movie at the IMAX theatre at Arizona Mills, laugh out loud at Tempe Improv, or have happy hour on Mill Avenue – no matter what you choose, you’ll be sure you have smiles on your faces.  
4. Saturday is game day! Show some school spirit and spend the day sporting gold t-shirts, tailgating, and watching ASU crush Oregon State!
5. Embrace the beautiful weather and head to Tempe Town Lake. Rent a paddle boat, kayak, or even attempt stand-up paddle boarding.
6. Take the opportunity to dine at a restaurant that you normally wouldn’t. Enjoy the beautiful outdoor patio at House of Tricks and savor seasonally inspired dishes, or head to Top of the Rock Restaurant at The Buttes, A Marriott Resort for world-class cuisine and breathtaking views of Tempe.

There are so many different ways to spend this Family Weekend, but which options you choose to is up to you! No matter what you decide to do, you and your family will experience a weekend full of memories and be left glowing with ASU pride. 

It’s about that time in Tempe where the weather is beckoning me outside! I want to shop, eat, walk, play and relax in the sunny Arizona climate! Here is my top 6 list of fun things to do in Tempe that are all outside:

1. Shop at Tempe Marketplace – This outdoor shopping, dining and entertainment hub is great for window shopping, listening to live music and strolling under the misters. There are several restaurants that offer outdoor dining such as California Pizza Kitchen, San Felipe’s Cantina, Lucille’s Smokehouse BBQ, D’arcy McGee’s and more. I also love going to the free music concerts that take place every Friday and Saturday night at the outdoor Disctrict Stage area – loads of fun and always a seat open!

2. Stroll Through the Mill Avenue District – Funky shops, unique restaurants and located in the heart of downtown Tempe, Mill Avenue is one of my favorite spots to enjoy the Arizona weather. There’s lots to choose from for dining “al fresco.” The House of Tricks, Z’Tejas Southwest Grill, La Bocca Pizzeria  and Rula Bula are just a few of my regular spots to enjoy a delicious meal in an amazing outdoor patio atmosphere.

3. See the Animals at the Phoenix Zoo – The Phoenix Zoo is exciting every time I go. My niece and nephew love this zoo and are entertained from the moment they enter. Exhibits that I can’t miss are the Orangutans, Monkey Village and Sting Ray Bay. If you get to Sting Ray Bay at the right time you can even feed them! For the kids, my niece and nephew love Harmony Farm, Leapin Lagoon and Yakulla Caverns – they can run around and play while you can sit and relax!

4. Explore the Desert at the Desert Botanical Garden – If you ever thought the Sonoran desert was barren, think again! Discover over 5,000 different types of desert plants on display here. The Succulent Galleries and Wildflower Loop Trail are among my favorite exhibits – they take my breath away. The Garden also offers a variety of outdoor events all year long such as live music concerts and a medley of holiday events.

5. Water Fun at Tempe Town Lake – Love the water? Try out one of the many boating options on Tempe Town Lake. Stand-Up Paddleboarding is both exceptionally fun and physically challenging. The pedal boats are a great choice when you want to relax on the water a bit more. For big groups I recommend renting a pontoon boat. They fit about ten people and are a blast! When you’re done on the water you can spread out a picnic at Tempe Beach Park and soak in the sun.

6. Take a Hike at Papago Park – Papago Park offers every level of hiking and bike trails galore. Breathtaking views can be seen from “Hole in the Rock,” just a short climb up the rock. The hiking and biking trails are abundant and offer stunning views of the Sonoran desert landscape. I love that it’s located in the heart of the Valley because it makes it such a convenient spot to meet up with friends and family to enjoy a hike, walk or picnic in a lovely spot!

What a week it’s going to be for performing arts in Tempe! ASU Gammage opens another exciting season of Broadway blockbusters with WEST SIDE STORY; fans of the Peanuts comic strip will love the ASU Lyric operas production of You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown. Blink-182, Jimmy Eat World and other great bands will perform at the Arizona Fall Frenzy at Tempe Town Lake.  There are major art exhbitions opening at ASU and there’s much more all week long. View a complete listing of Tempe events, or call 480-894-8158 for more information.

September 27: Open Jam with Mike Mercer, Rula Bula Irish Pub & Restaurant
September 27:October 2: WEST SIDE STORY, ASU Gammage
September 28: Walk-in Wednesdays Open Mic, Tempe Center for the Arts
September 28: Beth Lederman & Mary Petrich, Dave’s Electric Brew Pub
September 29: Music on Mill, Mill Avenue District,
September 29-October 8: Stray Cat Theatre Presents: The Sparrow, Tempe Performing Arts Center
September 29-October 1: Jim Jefferies *SE*, Tempe Improv
September 30: Arizona Fall Frenzy 2011, Tempe Beach Park
September 30-October 2; October 7-9: ASU Lyric Opera Presents You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, Evelyn Smith Music Theatre
September 30: The Love Brokers, Rula Bula Irish Pub & Restaurant
September 30: ASU Art Museum Fall 2011 Season Reception, ASU Art Museum
September 30: Opening Reception: Elise Deringer exhibit One Follows Another,  Night Gallery at Tempe Marketplace
September 30: Benjamin Phillips presents Twilight, Night Gallery at Tempe Marketplace
September 30: Think Horses; October 1: Jed’s A Millionaire, Tempe Marketplace District Stage
September 30: Dulce VAS; October 1: Samba Project, Tempe Marketplace Barnes & Noble Fountain
September 30-October 1: Love Crazy with Ritch Shydner in the Wonderama Theatre, Tempe Improv
October 1-16: Childsplay Presents: Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse, Tempe Center for the Arts
Ocotber 1: Rhythm Edition, Rula Bula Irish Pub & Restaurant 
October 2: Music on the Patio with Shelby James, Rula Bula Irish Pub & Restaurant
October 2: Trevor Rogers and The Wilderness, Cadillac Ranch
October 2: : Jam with the Jeff Libman Trio, Robbie Fox’s Public House

Tempe’s bodacious Stray Cat Theatre opens its 10^th season on Friday with the Southwest Premiere of The Sparrow. It’s the dark tale of Emily Book, the only survivor of an accident that killed her entire elementary school class. This play is described as a “wildly adventurous and blazingly theatrical new work… a hybrid of The Sweet Hereafter, Heroes and Carrie.”  Yep, I think it’s safe to say that it’s going to be another wild season of intense, bold and rewarding theatre from Stray Cat.

Tempe’s arts and cultural scene is in full swing this week with a huge sampler of events, including theatre, dance, art exhibitions, comedy and a bunch of music ranging from jazz to classical to rock from jazz to classical to rock. View a complete listing of Tempe events, or call 480-894-8158 for more information.

• September 20: Open Jam with Frank Mackey, Rula Bula Irish Pub & Restaurant
• September 20: Performance with A View: Tetra String Quartet; September 21: Walk-in Wednesdays Open Mic, Tempe Center for the Arts
• September 21: Blaise Lantana & Stan Sorenson, Dave’s Electric Brew Pub
• September 22: Music on Mill, Mill Avenue District
• September 22:  Berta Rojas, Guitar, ASU Katzin Concert Hall
• September 22: Greg Freiler & Joleen Lunzer; September 23-24: Dustin Ybarra, Tempe Improv
• September 23: Ballet Under the Stars, Tempe Center for the Arts Outdoor Amphitheater
• September 23: Fall Frenzy Showdown, Marquee Theater
• September 23: Take Cover, Rula Bula Irish Pub & Restaurant
• September 23: Kip Fox Band; September 24: Knee Deep Experience, Tempe Marketplace District Stage
• September 23: David & Amy; September 24: Mary Hoffman, Tempe Marketplace Barnes & Noble Fountain
• September 23-October 8: Stray Cat Theatre Presents: The Sparrow, Tempe Performing Arts Center
• September 23-25: Love Crazy with Ritch Shydner in the Wonderama Theatre, Tempe Improv
• September 24: Benefit Concert Featuring Tyler Fiore; Lakeshore Jazz Series: Bob Ravenscroft Trio, Tempe Center for the Arts
• September 24: Exhibition Opening: Juan Downey: The Invisible Architect, ASU Art Museum
• September 24-October 16: Childsplay Presents: Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse, Tempe Center for the Arts
• September 25: Patrick DeGuire, Tempe Improv
• September 25: Music on the Patio with Shelby James, Rula Bula Irish Pub & Restaurant
• September 25: Trevor Rogers and The Wilderness, Cadillac Ranch
• September 25: Jam with the Jeff Libman Trio, Robbie Fox’s Public House

It’s about that time when the weather starts to cool off and the outdoors start to beckon! Tempe is an excellent place to experience all the delights of outdoor recreation without having to go too far.

Tempe Town Lake is one of my favorite spots to enjoy the outdoors. The walking/biking paths around the rim of the lake offer great views and a full five mile loop. For those looking for a shortcut to your run or biking expedition, a new pedestrian bridge is opening this October that will cross over the lake near the Tempe Center for the Arts.

If you’re a water sports person, no problem, Tempe Town Lake is the place. Tempe Boat Rentals offers paddleboards, kayaks, pedal boats, hydrobikes and other boats to rent. Prices range from $15 per hour for a 2-person pedal boat or single kayak to $20 per hour for a paddleboard to $75 per hour for an electric surrey or pontoon boat. My favorite is stand-up paddleboarding – a great workout and so much fun!

Love to hike? Tempe has lots to choose from. Just north of Tempe Town Lake, Papago Park is the perfect place to hike, mountain bike or picnic, while surrounded by beautiful desert vistas.  “A” Mountain is another great hiking spot, located in the Mill Avenue District and offering magnificent views of Tempe and ASU. Nearby, South Mountain Park/Preserve is the largest municipal park in the country, with more than 58 miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding.

The Tempe Crosscut Canal Multi-use Path Phase II is now open! Tempe just completed a new walking and biking path that connects Papago Park to Tempe Town Lake. The Crosscut Canal is a one-mile, non-motorized path that connects to the existing 1.25 mile path – connecting Tempe with the city of Scottsdale via Papago Park. I haven’t tried the new path yet, but I’m excited to see the breathtaking views awaiting me.

For a more relaxing outdoor activity, take a Segway tour around Tempe Town Lake. The Tempe Town Lake Discovery Tour is $75/person and features a 90-minute tour of the lake and surrounding areas and 30 minutes of training before hand so you’ll ride like a pro. The wind in your face and sun on your skin will make you feel like a kid again.

Paddleboarding on Tempe Town Lake

David Rogers' Big Bugs at Desert Botanical Garden

I’m always up for a visit to Desert Botanical Garden. Its beauty is enough to bring visitors back again and again, but their special events are icing on the cake – or maybe flowers on the saguaro in this case. This fall is no exception.

“David Rogers’ Big Bugs” just opened to the public on Monday, September 12. From now until January 1, 2012, the Garden is filled with 11 huge, whimsical bug sculptures that range from seven to 25 feet long. Sculptor David Rogers created these incredibly large insects from natural materials like found wood, cut saplings, twigs and bark.

According to David Rogers’ Web site, http://www.big-bugs.com/, these sculptures made their debut at the Dallas Arboretum in 1994 and have continued to travel across the country. Insects outnumber us by epic proportions, and we rarely think about their complex societies and how they often times work together for the common good. By taking bugs that usually go unseen and recreating them in such a large scale, it creates a “role reversal of dimension and perception.”

There are many fun special events taking place at the Desert Botanical Garden this fall that have incorporated “David Rogers’ Big Bugs” into their theme, including:

• Moonlight Masquerade – September 30
• Big Bug Movie Nights, starting on October 1
• Bug of the Week Discovery Stations at Avant-Garden, October 6-November 17
• Get Back: A tribute to the Beatles on November 4, part of the Music in the Garden Fall Concert Series
• Bug Brunch, November 5 & 6

For more information about visiting the Desert Botanical Garden, please go to www.dbg.org or call 480-941-1225.

After much hard work, preparing for an amazing line-up, and with promises of being “the event of the year”, there is no doubt that anyone would consider skipping out on Arizona Fall Frenzy. This one of a kind music festival never disappoints.

On Friday, September 30th, X103.9 FM  brings back the days of those boys who sang you the popular singles “What’s My Age Again” and “All the Small Things”. That’s right, Blink-182 is back to reclaim their headlining spot for the evening! They will be bringing new music with them for the first time in a few years.

Also joining Blink 182 will be bands Jimmy Eat World and Matt & Kim. Jimmy Eat World, originally formed in Mesa, has proudly performed at numerous events in Tempe including last year’s Fiesta Bowl Block Party for New Year’s Eve. Come see them and expect to hear all of their favorite and biggest hits! Matt & Kim bring great fun to the stage. This duo-band is what I look forward to seeing most. They create giddy, punk, pop-dance music that brings a full house of energy. Prepare for Kim as she rocks out atop her drums!

The Arizona Fall Frenzy will feature some of today’s hottest recording artists. Expect more than just music. Multiple food vendors and beverage stands will be in arms reach at this event, as well as sponsor booths, arts and crafts and much more. Don’t forget the festival is conveniently located adjacent to the Mill Avenue District which includes a large variety of options for restaurants and bars prior to your fun fest. Make your night safe and easy by riding the Metro Light Rail for only a few dollars. It’s just one block from the Tempe Beach Park and open until 2:00 a.m. on the night of Fall Frenzy. This will be a night for both locals and out of state visitors to come together to experience and enjoy great music.

Arizona Fall Frenzy
September 30, 2011 4:00 PM
Rain or Shine Event.
Tickets: $55.00 in advance (Military & Student discounts available), $60.00 day of show
www.arizonafallfrenzy.com

What a week for music! Remember those three sweet-faced boys from Oklahoma who made up the band known as Hanson back in the ‘90s? Remember “MMMBop” (love that song)? Well they’re all grown up,  married with kids, still sweet-faced and still singin’ up a storm.  They’re on tour at the Marquee (thank you Marquee) on Tuesday. I’m telling you these guys can sing! Before the Jonas Brothers there was Hanson.  And, there’s a lot more great live music in restaurants and night spots throughout Tempe.  View a complete listing of Tempe events, or call 480-894-8158 for more information.

-September 12: Tempe Healing Field, Tempe Beach Park
-September 13: Hanson, Mieko, Marquee Theater
-September 13: Open Jam with Mike Mercer, Rula Bula Irish Pub & Restaurant
-September 13: Kittie, Dirge Within, Diamond Plate, The Clubhouse Music Venue
-September 14: Walk-in Wednesdays Open Mic, Tempe Center for the Arts
-September 15: Third Thursday and Music on Mill, Mill Avenue District
-September 15: Ten for Ten, Tempe Improv
-September 16: Del The Funky Homosapien, Bukue One, Serendipity Project, Winstrong; September 17: Sicmonic with Special Guests, Marquee Theater
-September 16: Shawn Johnson & The Foundation; September 17: Jeff Hunt Band Rula Bula Irish Pub & Restaurant
-September 16: Jeff Hunt Band; September 17: Gradymusic, Tempe Marketplace District Stage
-September 16: Shawn Johnson & the Foundation; September 17: Mellis Calvert Duo, Easy Listening Acoustic Duo, Tempe Marketplace Barnes & Noble Fountain
-September 16: Kamelot with Black Guard, Tristania, The Agonist; September 17: Strictly for The Wicked Tour, The Clubhouse Music Venue
-September 16-18: Felipe Esparza Special Event, Tempe Improv
-September 17: Exhibit Opening: Mixing it Up: Building an Identity, Tempe Center for the Arts
-September 17-18: Childsplay Presents: Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse, Tempe Center for the Arts
-September 18: Music on the Patio with Shelby James, Rula Bula Irish Pub & Restaurant
-September 18: Trevor Rogers and The Wilderness,  Cadillac Ranch
-September 18: Jam with the Jeff Libman Trio, Robbie Fox’s Public House

There’s much to do in Tempe this week.  Childsplay opens its season at the Tempe Center for the Arts with Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse. Full of heart and humor, this play is based on the beloved book authored and illustrated by Kevin Henkes.  Childsplay is Arizona’s award-winning professional theatre company for young audiences, families and the young-at-heart.

Funny man and master of improvisation Wayne Brady will be on stage at the Tempe Improv. Wayne is well-known as a regular who kept us laughing at his hilarious improvisational antics on the hit comedy series Whose Line Is It Anyway?

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

• September 5: Pepper, The Expendables, Ballywoo; September 6: Cold War Kids, Marquee Theater
• September 6: Open Jam with Frank Macky, Rula Bula Irish Pub & Restaurant
• September 7: Walk-in Wednesdays Open Mic , Tempe Center for the Arts
• September 7: Class Clowns Comedy Showcase; September 8: Improv at The Improv, Tempe Improv
• September 8: Jeff Sullivan; September 9: Lexington Field , Rula Bula Irish Pub & Restaurant
• September 9: Fall Frenzy Showdown, Marquee Theater
• September 9: Jake Dean and The Granting, Alternative Band, Tempe Marketplace District Stage
• September 9: Pete Pancrazi; September 10: Michael V, Tempe Marketplace Barnes & Noble Fountain
• September 9 & 10: Wayne Brady, Tempe Improv
• September 9 & 10: Ken Kazin the Wonderama Theater, Tempe Improv
• September 9: Powerman 5000; September 10: The Fair and Debonair, The Clubhouse Music Venue
• September 9: Vinyl Tap, America’s Premiere Tribute to Classic Rock; September 10: Afro Baile Presents 2nd Annual Brazilian Day, 910 Live
• September 10: Capital Down, Rula Bula Irish Pub & Restaurant
• September 10-12: Tempe Healing Field, Tempe Beach Park
• September 11: Childsplay Presents: Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse, Tempe Center for the Arts
• September 11: Sonoran Chamber Music: Damocles Trio, Tempe Center for the Arts
• September 11: Music on the Patio with Shelby James, Rula Bula Irish Pub & Restaurant
• September 11: Trevor Rogers and The Wilderness, Cadillac Ranch
• September 11: Jam with the Jeff Libman Trio, Robbie Fox’s Public House