Tempe Conventions & Visitors Bureau

Super Bowl XLVI is this Sunday! Get your appetites and thirst buds ready for some great parties in Tempe! Still not sure where to get the best seat for watching the game? Here are a few great options to watch the game and get some good eats too!

Cadillac Ranch at Tempe Marketplace -  Watch the Super Bowl come alive at Cadillac Ranch with rich surround sound on one of their 25 HD Plasma TVs or on the 150 inch HD projector. Enjoy $1 Coors Light Drafts, $3 Mimosas and $4 Bloody Marys! 

Buffalo Wild Wings –  What could be better than watching the Super Bowl while eating a basket of hot wings and drinking a cold beer? With TVs located at every angle, there’s not a bad seat in the house for the big game!

Dave & Busters at Tempe Marketplace – Not only can you watch the big game at Dave & Busters, but you can also play several fun games before and after the big game! Score great deals on drinks and appetizers too!

Garcia’s Mexican Restaurant – Attached to Embassy Suites Tempe, Garcia’s offers a Southwest twist on watching the big game. Enjoy a big screen TV as well as free chips & salsa and bean dip! Garcia’s offers local beers on tap too!

Hooters on Mill Avenue – Located in the heart of the Mill Avenue District, Hooters is always a great spot to watch sports games and enjoy drink specials!

San Felipe’s Cantina at Tempe Marketplace – The fun starts at 11 a.m. on Sunday for the Super Party! $10 Bottomless Mimosas, $3 Bud Lights, $4 Skyy Bloody Marys and $4 draft beers. Live music starts at noon and plays until the big game and then post game with Carvin Jones.

Blondies Tempe -  Stop in to Blodies Tempe to watch your favorite team at Super Bowl XLVI in crystal clear HD quality on 1 of their 30+ Panasonic flat screens! While you are there be sure to try their famous wings and drink specials!

The Tavern on Mill – Located just off of Mill Avenue, The Tavern has something for everyone with almost as much seating space inside as outside. 30 television monitors and flat screens are available for your football viewing pleasure.

The Tavern on Mill

Chamber music aficionados are in for a huge treat this Friday when Menahem Pressler, founding member of and pianist for the renowned Beaux Arts Trio, performs with the ASU Chamber Orchestra at ASU Gammage. Since 1946, when his illustrious career began, Menahem Pressler has been performing with the world’s greatest orchestras. Equally regarded as a teacher, he has taught on the faculty of the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music for almost 60 years.  At 86 he continues to captivate audiences performing solo and chamber music recitals to great critical acclaim while maintaining a dedicated and robust teaching career.

Jazz lovers will find much to love this week at Dave’s Electric Brew Pub, Tempe Marketplace, Tempe History Museum  and Desert Botanical Garden.  View a complete listing of Tempe events, or call 480-894-8158 for more information. 

• February 1: Beth Lederman Trio, Dave’s Electric Brew Pub
• February 1: Walk-in Wednesdays Open Mic, Tempe Center for the Arts
• February 1: Class Clowns Comedy Showcase, Tempe Improv
• February 1-5: ASU Lyric Opera Theatre Student Workshop Presents Cabaret, Evelyn Smith Music Theater
• February 2: Gene Pompa, Tempe Improv
• February 2: Avant-Garden: Micronesia, Desert Botanical Garden
• February 3: Shawn Johnson; February 4: Rhythm Edition, Rula Bula Irish Pub & Restaurant
• February 3: Radio Junket, Cadillac Ranch
• February 3: Menahem Pressler with the ASU Chamber Orchestra, ASU Gammage
• February 3: Charlie King and Karen Brandow: Songs of Hope, Songs for Change, Tempe History Museum
• February 3 & 4: Paul Rodriguez, Tempe Improv
• February 3: KC’s Blues Band; February 4: Tractor Pull Divas, Tempe Marketplace District Stage
• February 3: Michael V.; February 4: Pete Pancrazi, Tempe Marketplace Barnes & Noble Fountain
• February 4: Centennial Downtown Historic Walking Tour, Mill Avenue District
• February 4: Quetzal Guerrero, Tempe History Museum
• February 4 & 5: Childsplay Presents: With Two Wings, Tempe Center for the Arts
• February 5: Music on Mill, Mill Avenue District
• February 5: Winter Music in the Garden: Quetzal Guerrero, Desert Botanical Garden

This week Tempe is bursting with events from great music to major art exhibitions to opera, dance and the exciting Shen Yun Performing Arts. This opulent production transcends time and space and will take you through China’s 5,000-year-old culture with an exhilarating performance that entertains, educates, enriches and inspires. It’s a magical journey through ancient dynasties and ethnic regions of China, interspersed with legends of the culture’s creation and stories of courage in China today. The Shen Yun Dance Company was established in New York City in 2006. Its mission is to revive 5,000 years of divinely inspired Chinese tradition, which was all but annihilated after 60 years of Communist rule.

Tempe’s music scene rocks this week starting with the Marquee where, all in one week, you can see O.A.R., Parachute, Citizen Cope and They Might Be Giants. There’s also  great jazz, rock, blues, rockabilly, opera–heck you name it and you’ll likely find it somewhere in Tempe. 

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

• January 24: O.A.R. with Parachute, Marquee Theater
• January 25: Stu Siefer Combo, Dave’s Electric Brew Pub
• January 25: Walk-in Wednesdays Open Mic, Tempe Center for the Arts
• January 26: Best of the West Comedy Show, Tempe Improv
• January 26: Music on Mill, Mill Avenue District
• January 27: Lakeshore Jazz Series: Gretchen Parlato, Tempe Center for the Arts
• January 27: Take Cover; January 28: The Jeff Hunt Band, Rula Bula Irish Pub
• January 27: Citizen Cope, Marquee Theater
• January 27: Think Horses Featuring Leon Santiago; January 28:
• Ted Brown’s Mailbox, Tempe Marketplace District Stage
• January 27: Scott & John of Hello Swindon; January 28: Hans Olson, Tempe Marketplace Barnes & Noble Fountain
• January 27-28: Jim Norton, Tempe Improv
• January 27-29: Shen Yun Performing Arts, ASU Gammage
• January 27-February 5: ASU Lyric Opera Theatre Student Workshop Presents Cabaret, Evelyn Smith Music Theater
• January 28: CONDER/dance: Breaking Ground 2012, Tempe Center for the Arts
• January 28-February 5: Childsplay Presents: With Two Wings, Tempe Center for the Arts
• January 29: Miss Gay Arizona, Tempe Center for the Arts
• January 29: Pat Roberts and the Heymakers, Desert Botanical Gardens
• January 29: They Might Be Giants, Marquee Theater
• January 29: Trevor Rogers and The Wilderness, Cadillac Ranch

Childsplay, Tempe’s award-winning theatre for young audiences and families, will preview the world premiere of With Two Wings on January 22 at the Tempe Center for the Arts. The play by Anne Negri, tells the story of Lyf whose overprotective parents have kept him safe in their nest and not allowed him to learn to fly. One day, a hilarious pair of fast-talking twins who have skipped “flock” school burst into their lives challenging everything Lyf thought he knew. Will his parents’ secret reason for protecting him be enough to keep him from the skies?

Tempe also offers some great music this week ranging from jazz to classical to country-western to hip hop and more. View a complete listing of Tempe events, or call 480-894-8158 for more information. 

• January 18: Renee Patrick, Judy Roberts & Dom Moio , Dave’s Electric Brew Pub
• January 18: Walk-in Wednesdays Open Mic, Tempe Center for the Arts
• January 19:  Greg Freiler, Tempe Improv
• January 19: Third Thursday Presents Rose’s Pawn Shop with Ragamuffin Stampede,  Mill Avenue District Hayden Square Amphitheater
• January 20: Johannes Moller, Guitar, Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts
• January 20: The Sullivans; January 21: Sea Merchants Band, Rula Bula Irish Pub
• January 20-21: Jay Pharoah, Tempe Improv
• January 20: Los Guys; January 21: Ratio, Funk, Tempe Marketplace District Stage
• January 20: David & Amy;  January 21: Mary Hoffman Duo, Tempe Marketplace Barnes & Noble Fountain
• January 22: Cinco de Moio, Desert Botanical Gardens
• January 22: Trevor Rogers and The Wilderness, Cadillac Ranch
• January 22-February 5: Childsplay Presents: With Two Wings, Tempe Center for the Arts

What a week and terrific start to 2012.  Broadway musical lovers will be thrilled to know that the classic ROGERS AND HAMMERSTEIN’S SOUTH PACIFIC will be on stage at ASU Gammage Tuesday through Sunday. Set in the South Pacific during World War II, it’s the story oft two couples whose happiness is threated by the harsh realities of war and the conflicts caused by their own prejudices. Lush sets and a gorgeous score complete this this timeless love story.

On Sunday get ready to rock and roll when the popular P.F. Chang’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona Marathon & 1/2 Marathon returns. Will you be there as a participating runner or as an enthusiastic music-loving spectator who enjoys rooting for the athletes and listening to all the great live music? With 70 live bands, 40 cheer squads and a free headliner concert, the P.F. Chang’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon & ½ Marathon is both a sporting and a cultural event and is as much fun for the spectators as it is for the athletes. Once again, Tempe’s the finish line. And a grand finish it will be when everyone will want to head over to ASU Sun Devil Stadium, that “little old place where we can get together,” to hear some of the best dance music ever performed by headliners the B-52s.

Yep, it’s a great week to be in Tempe! Check out this short list of this week’s highlights. View a complete listing of Tempe events, or call 480-894-8158 for more information.

- January 10-15: ROGERS AND HAMMERSTEIN’S SOUTH PACIFIC, ASU Gammage
- January 11: Joel Robins & Friends, Dave’s Electric Brew Pub
- January 11: Walk-in Wednesdays Open Mic, Tempe Center for the Arts
- January 11: Arizona Wind Symphony: Arizona’s Centennial, Tempe Center for the Arts
- January 12: Music on Mill, Mill Avenue District
- January 12: Ten for Ten, January 13-14: Alex Reymundo, Tempe Improv
- January 13: Shawn Johnson; January 14: Capital Down, Rula Bula Irish Pub
- January 14: Sundance Studios’ Winter Recital; January 14: Bully Mammoth, Tempe Center for the Arts
- January 13: Chronic Hippies; January 14: Shawn Johnson & The Foundation, Tempe Marketplace District Stage
- January 13: Gradymusic; January 14: Tera Crisalida, Tempe Marketplace Barnes & Noble Fountain
- January 15; P.F. Chang’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona Marathon & 1/2 Marathon, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Finish line: Tempe
- January 15: Trevor Rogers and The Wilderness, Cadillac Ranch

If you have a case of the post-holiday blues, here’s a cure that will have you bouncing back to the perky and vivacious person you were before and all through the holidays.  It’s Kevin O’Dea’s Comedy Circus at the Tempe Improv this Thursday, January 5. Part stand-up comedy, part music, part cutting edge modern comedy and part circus side show, Kevin O’Dea’s Comedy Circus combines almost every type of live show performance into one entertainment-filled evening.

For those of you who are ready for something more on the mellow side, there are plenty of options to choose from. Here’s the short list; view a complete listing of Tempe events, or call 480-894-8158 for more information.

• January 4: Songstress Vicki McDermitt & Bassist Dwight Kilian, Dave’s Electric Brew Pub
• January 4: Walk-in Wednesdays Open Mic, Tempe Center for the Arts
• January 5: Kevin O’Dea’s Comedy Circus, Tempe Improv
• January 5: Music on Mill,  Mill Avenue District
• January 6: The Love Brokers; January 7: Rhythm Edition, Rula Bula Irish Pub
• January 6-7: Anthony Jeselnik, Tempe Improv
• January 6: Hello Swindon; January 7: Ghetto Cowgirl, Tempe Marketplace District Stage
• January 6: Tony Putrino; January 7: Lawrence Zubia, Tempe Marketplace Barnes & Noble Fountain
• January 8: Big Nick and the Gila Monsters, Desert Botanical Garden
• January 8: A Celebration of the Fritts Organ, Organ Hall, Arizona State University
• January 8: Trevor Rogers and The Wilderness, Cadillac Ranch

It’s not too late to experience a great show at ASU Gammage in Tempe. Broadway is at your doorstep with four more shows left this season, and in Tempe, dinner and a show is the best way to enjoy it. Here are the remaining shows of the 2011-2012 Boradway season in Tempe:

Rodgers and Hammerstein’s South Pacific, January 10-15, 2012: “Set on a tropical island during World War II, the musical tells the sweeping romantic story of two couples and how their happiness is threatened by the realities of war and by their own prejudices”The story of three lifelong friends, forced to choose between their dreams and the safety of suburbia.”

Wicked, February 15-March 11, 2012: Back by “Popular” demand. Entertainment Weekly calls WICKED “the best musical of the decade,” and when it last played ASU Gammage in 2009, it broke box office records and sold out in record time.

Green Day’s American Idiot, April 24-29, 2012: “Direct from Broadway, the smash-hit musical AMERICAN IDIOT tells the story of three lifelong friends, forced to choose between their dreams and the safety of suburbia.”

La Cage Aux Folles, May 15-20, 2012: “A tuneful and touching tale of one family’s struggle to stay together… stay fabulous… and above all else, stay true to themselves!”

Million Dollar Quartet, June 5-10, 2012: “One of the greatest jam sessions of all time. MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET brings that legendary night to life with an irresistible tale of broken promises, secrets, betrayal and celebrations featuring timeless hits.”

Dinner & A Show in the Mill Avenue District:
Show your ticket stub and receive special deals at participating restaurants before or after the show on Mill Avenue. Check out our website for specific deals and locations.

The deals don’t end there – Patrons attending any ASU Gammage show will receive four hours of FREE parking in specified lots when presenting your ticket stub.

Looking for somewhere different to eat? Below are three of my favorite off-the-beaten-path restaurants that are off Mill Avenue, yet still conveniently located near the theatre:

1) Pita Jungle - Offers an eclectic blend of fresh and healthy ingredients with creative art and hipster energy. Serves pitas, flat bread pizzas, and great main courses, all with a Greek flair. I always get the trio blend of hummus and pita and can’t ever stray away from their lentil fetoosh salad.
1250 E. Apache Blvd./ 480-804-0234

2) Yupha’s Thai Kitchen - Being a native to Tempe and having a love for Thai food, I will vouch that this place will serve up some of the best authentic Thai in Tempe as well as the warmest and friendliest customer service. You will be sure to run into the owners at this family owned spot and fall in love with their Yellow curry or pad thai.
1805 E. Elliot Rd, Suite 115/ 480-839-0576

3) Cornish Pasty - This English based restaurant has great history behind the works and provides warm, full hearted, Pasties with all different fillings. They are giant flaky calzone type pockets with over twenty options of signature pasties to choose from. My favorite: Portobello Chicken. This smaller spot requires a tighter squeeze yet creates a great atmosphere and ambiance as its always full, with pasties baking warm in the oven.
960 W University Dr # 103/ 480-894-6261

Tempe is truly the place to be as we bid farewell to the 2011 and ring in the 2012. Let’s start with the Fiesta Bowl Block Party. As Arizona’s biggest and most exciting New Year’s Eve bash, the Fiesta Bowl Block Party is a jam-packed evening of fun and entertainment for the entire family. With rockin’ bands, beer gardens and a host of entertainers, this is one fantastic celebration you won’t want to miss! This year’s featured band is Tempe’s own Gin Blossoms

Or, maybe you want to send 2011 out with a bang at ASU Gammage where you can hear and feel the rhythms of STOMP. The eight–member troupe uses everything but conventional percussion instruments — matchboxes, wooden poles, broom, garbage cans, Zippo lighters, hubcaps.  No need to wait for New Year’s Eve for this one because it will be on stage all this week.

It’s always good to end the year on a funny note and you can by heading to The Tempe Improv to see Kevin Nealon, December 30-31.  Some of you will remember him from Saturday Night Live; others know him as Doug Wilson in the critically acclaimed, Golden Globe nominated Showtime series Weeds. 

For more things to do on New Year’ Eve and all week long, view a complete listing of Tempe events, or call 480-894-8158 for more information.

• December 27-30: Las Noches de las Luminarias, Desert Botanical Garden
• December 27- January 1: Santa Claws at SEA LIFE!, Sea Life Arizona
• December  27- 31: STOMP, ASU Gammage
• December 28: Michael Powers Group, Dave’s Electric Brew Pub
• December 28-29: Class Clowns Comedy Showcase, Tempe Improv
• December 29: Music on Mill, Mill Avenue District
• December 30: The Love Brokers; December 31: The Jeff Hunt Band, Rula Bula Irish Pub
• December 30:  Soulfly; December 31: Authority Zero, Marquee Theater
• December 30-31: Kevin Nealon, Tempe Improv
• December 30: Peppermint James; December 31: Knee Deep Experience, Tempe Marketplace District Stage
• December 30: Andrea Meila; December 31: Pete Pancrazi, Tempe Marketplace Barnes & Noble Fountain
• December 31: Meat Puppets, The Clubhouse
• December 31: Fiesta Bowl Block Party, Mill Avenue District
• December 31: Save the Family’s Hearts of Gold New Year’s Eve Celebration, Tempe Center for the Arts

It’s your last chance to see that the loveable reptile and star of Lyle the Crocodile, presented by Childsplay, this week at the Tempe Center for the Arts. Fortunately it’s playing every day this week with two performances at 1:00 and 4:00 p.m., Monday-Friday and Saturday at 1:00 p.m. The whole family will love this show about the charismatic, caviar-loving, tap dancing crocodile and the Primm family who he lives with in NYC.

Here’s a sample of the events in Tempe this week. View a complete listing of  Tempe events or call 480-894-8158 for more information.

• December 19-23, 26-30: Las Noches de las Luminarias, Desert Botanical Garden
• December 20: Open Jam, Rula Bula Irish Pub & Restaurant
• December  20-24: Childsplay Presents Lyle the Crocodile, Tempe Center for the Arts
• December 21: Jan Sandwich & Joel Robin Holiday Show, Dave’s Electric Brew Pub
• December 21: Walk-in Wednesdays Open Mic, Tempe Center for the Arts
• December  22: Music on Mill, Mill Avenue District
• December 23: Phoenix Boys Choir Christmas Tour, Tempe Center for the Arts
• December 23: PKW, Original Alternative Band; December 24: The Little Women,Victorian Carolers, Tempe Marketplace District Stage
• December 23: The Sahnas Brothers, Mediterranean Guitar Duo; December 24: Melanie & Van, Easy Listening Acoustic Duo, Tempe Marketplace Barnes & Noble Fountain

Las Noches de las Luminarias, held annually at the Desert Botanical Garden, is a whimsical event nestled in the desert landscape that really highlights the holiday season. If you think you have already witnessed the charm of the garden wait until you experience its transformation at night! The special event includes over 8,000 individual hand lit luminaire bags that are lined up along the walkway to guide you through the beautiful garden trail. Nestled in every corner awaits a musical group that serenades you until you’re ready to move onto the next tune. There are a total of ten groups that perform nightly.

There were a few special groups that I had the pleasure enjoying last week when visiting: Mariachi Pasión - a traditional mariachi band of over 6 all dressed to a T, with guitars, violins and great voices all lined up to greet visitors at the entrance. Another traditional group who has been in the Valley performing for many years: The Reed Family. Margo, Michael and Francine gushed out their soul vibes with Jazz and R&B tunes that resonated through the whole garden and drew in big crowds.

Holiday decorations filled the garden, including a magnificent sky-scraping tree made completely from red poinsettia plants. The touch that really adds to the experience is the integrated art exhibition: David Rogers’ Big Bugs. Big is an understatement. The eye catching bigger-than-life size bugs remind me of the movie Honey I Shrunk the Kids and really switches the role of bug vs. human life size! They are a beautiful look at insect critters with a total of 11 bugs made from a variety of different materials.

Growing up as a native to Arizona, this event really puts a new perspective to the ordinary desert landscape we all are used to seeing. There is no doubt that you will enjoy this event and after experiencing it, become even more excited for your holiday adventures. Las Noches de las Luminarias is a great event for families to come together, couples for a romantic date night, and even groups for work events and holiday parties. Don’t forget to bundle up warm and bring your gloves and scarfs as it gets a bit nippy in the evening.

The garden offers drink stands where you can purchase hot cocoa and hot apple cider to sip on and warm you up, as well as bar drinks throughout the trails. You can also make a full night of it by purchasing dinner tickets at the box office which includes Fabulous Food’s signature buffet menu with a variety of tasty options.

Luminarias offers guests a choice of 22 nights in December, including dates between Christmas and New Year’s Eve. December 8-30, 5:30-9:30 p.m.
Visit the Luminarias page for pricing, specific dates and details.

Desert Botanical Garden
480-481-8188
1201 N. Galvin Parkway Phoenix, AZ 85008