Phoenix, AZ

Like the mythical bird, downtown Phoenix is rising from its ashes. Once a place that many feared to tread at night; once crowed by destitute homeless and frightening figures; the downtown Phoenix area has been undergoing a cultural revival that is hitting full stride. 

Copper Square

Representing the “new wave” of the renaissance, Copper Square is a business center embodying over 90 restaurants, bars and markets, and consisting of 90 square blocks of safe streets. 

During the day, visitors and residents of the downtown area mingle with Phoenix’s high-powered attorneys, government officials, and business elite. After dark, crowds from across the valley congregate for good food, festive parties, and alluring atmosphere. 

Sports Centers and Venues 

US Airways Center, formerly known as America West Arena, is home to the Phoenix Sun during basketball season. But, when balls aren’t bouncing down the courts, the arena is host to such nationally recognized music acts as Metallica, Nine Inch Nails, and Green Day, not to mention family oriented entertainment such as the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus, and even business events that bring in a fortune, like motivational speaker Zig Ziggler. 

Home of the 2001 World Series Champions, Chase Field (formerly Bank One Ballpark) brings hundreds of fans not only to watch the D-Backs play, but also to many new and recently established stores and eateries in many of downtown’s shopping districts, most notably the Arizona center – one of the first anchors for business revitalization. 

Chicago the Musical, Dave Attell, Barney the Dinosaur, Nickelback, these are just a few of the diverse types of acts that grace the stage of the Dodge Theatre, a dynamic and welcoming auditorium. 

The Phoenix Orpheum, featuring classic architecture and red velvet seating was home to Democratic President Primary Debates in 2003, and serves the role of movie theater, opera house, and more.  Not to be forgotten in the midst of the larger venues, the Herberger Theater may be small, but it’s the best place in the valley to spend a day at an off-Broadway show. 

Schools and Museums

Arizona State University chose the downtown area to build an expansion to its campus. 

ASU’s mission can be summarized in three words – quality, access and impact,” ASU President Michael Crow said at the opening ceremony. “Our downtown campus provides high-quality education and greater access to students who are either just graduating from high school or working adults achieving their educational goals. Additionally, the new campus helps ASU accommodate the state’s burgeoning college-age population and demand for higher education.”

Situated next door is the kid-friendly Arizona Science Center, featuring interactive exhibits, a planetarium, and world renowned traveling displays, such as Body Worlds.  Not alone, the Phoenix Art Museum and Museum of History are also nearby. 

Government and History 

The seat of power for both the City of Phoenix (fifth largest city) and Maricopa County (fourth largest county), are situated downtown. Recent mass construction projects, such as the Downtown Justice Center on Jackson Street proves the government’s dedication to the surrounding area. 

The Rossen House, situated in Historic Heritage Square, is the first brick building constructed in Phoenix. Not far away is the State Capitol, where visitors can learn about the settlement and establishment of statehood that state underwent.  

Far from complete…

Though a lot of the hard work has been done, there is yet much to do. The largest infrastructure project that downtown has ever undergone, Phoenix Metro’s light-rail project is a long way to completion, though tracks already crisscross Phoenix streets. 

“I do think we are five years away from the time when everyone says, ‘Wow,’” says Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon, “We have people walking and living in downtown. There’s momentum that has been created.”

 I am already saying ‘Wow’ for myself. Join me as we explore many of the aforementioned highlights of downtown Phoenix as well as several destinations in the surrounding cities. Already one of the top five largest cities in America, Phoenix is setting out to show that it is also among the greatest. 

Phoenix, AZ, Arizona, Copper Square, bars, restaurants, ASU, sports, venue, shows, shopping

Doors open for Canned Heat’s last performance at 7 tonight at 1019 E. Indian School Road. It’s a show for those 21 and older. Tickets are $16. You can call 602.265.4842 for more information or Canned Heat’s website.

Canned Heat, The Rhythm Room, jam

As a creative, I’m always excited to find a new event supporting the arts. Here’s one if you enjoy music, poetry reading and watching painters create. It’s simply called Paint, which is open to the public every Tuesday’s 8 p.m. at The Paper Heart Arts Venue
at 750 N.W. Grand Avenue. It’s $3 before 10 p.m. and $5 after 10.

art, music, poetry, Paint, The Paper Heart Arts Venue

The First Fridays Artwalk for June is coming up. It’s a monthly event where downtown Phoenix art-friendly business and more than 80 galleries participate to give thousands of artists and art lovers a place to network and share their passion of the creative.

The Phoenix Public Library, located just south of McDowell Road on Central Avenue, is the place to start because it offers a First Fridays brochure that illustrates where all the member galleries are in the downtown Phoenix area. Starting at the Phoenix Library also offers you the best shuttle bus route for the night. The shuttles run every 20 minutes.

First Fridays Artwalk, Phoenix Public Library, Arizona

Tony Bennett will be at the Symphony Hall, 75 North Second Street, at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $65-$125.

Forrest Smith will perform at the Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza at 1700 West Washington Street tonight at 6 to 6:30.

Matt & Kim, a indie/pop duo, will be performing at The Trunk Space, at 1506 N.W. Grand Avenue starting at 8. Tickets are $6.

Tony Bennett, Forrest Smith, Matt & Kim

woo HOO! Who needs the Salt River tube rides when there’s Big Surf and Waterworld that are going to be opening this Saturday for the season. This is literally cool for the family do, especially starting on a weekend holiday.

Tempe’s Big Surf website at http://tempe.golfland.com/ for prices, due to height requirements. There are group packages and season passes, so go check it out or call 480.947.2477.

Waterworld Safari takes you on an African-themed adventure located 4243 W. Pinnacle Peak Road. Again, the prices vary due to height requirements, however season passes, events, arcade, rentals, and group packages are available.

Big Surf, Waterworld, Phoenix, Tempe, Arizona

Queen Creek’s Schnepf Farms is inviting the public to pick peaches off its trees until they’re bare. The crop is reported to be at 70 percent and offering six different kinds to choose from. The only cost is $2 a pound. If you’re wanting to give this a go but are worried about getting up on a ladder to get your peaches, not to worry! The trees are right to the ground so there isn’t any need for ladders. You have a choice to place your juicy fruit in bags or boxes, which are provided by the farm. Some great things to keep in mind should you have a thing for peach-picking right now: Arizona peaches take a few days to ripen yet easy to freeze for later.

The farm is located at 24810 South Rittenhouse Road out in Queen Creek and this Saturday and Sunday are the last days this experience is open from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can call 480.987.3100 for more information, or go to schnepffarms.com.

Queen Creek, Arizona, Schnepf Farms, peaches

If you love the simplicity of a grid style street layout, then you may want to check out this exhibit hosted by Trunk Space tonight from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Nine photographers’ work gives you a cool look of the East/West running roads of Metro Phoenix. This event runs until June 11th and can be viewed most everyday. It can also be enjoyed on First Night, June 1st. If you’re interested, call for event times and prices at 602-256-6006.

R&B artist John Legend is performing 8 tonight at the Celebrity Theatre, located at 440 North 32nd Street, Phoenix. The doors open at 6:30 p.m., with the theater doors opening at 7 p.m. Tickets range from $42 to $60.

Try the La Casa del Mariachi at 1420 North 24th Street to feed your hunger before the concert.