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Cool Summer Indoors Activities

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As summer arrives, Phoenix is renowned for its scorching temperatures, making it understandable that you may be seeking enjoyable indoor activities to escape the heat. Here are some exciting indoor options to explore in the Phoenix-Metro area during the extreme summer weather:

Discover museums: Arizona boasts numerous captivating museums. Immerse yourself in the Musical Instrument Museum in North Phoenix, the OdySea Aquarium in Scottsdale, or the Arizona Museum of Natural History in Mesa.

Embark on escape room adventures: Engage in an exhilarating escapade by tackling an escape room challenge. These interactive puzzles and mystery-solving games offer an excellent way to spend quality indoor time with friends or family. United Escapes of America in Tempe features five rooms of varying difficulty, and a bonus is that it’s within walking distance of many fantastic Tempe restaurants!

Enjoy bowling: Delight in the timeless indoor activity of bowling. Many venues offer cosmic bowling, complete with music and blacklights to enhance the fun. Bowlero in North Scottsdale is an excellent option to try out.

Jump into indoor trampoline parks: Leap, bounce, and flip at indoor trampoline parks. These parks typically feature various trampolines, foam pits, dodgeball, and other entertaining activities.

Challenge your skills at gaming arcades: Engage in friendly competition with your friends at a gaming arcade. Enjoy a wide range of arcade games, air hockey, racing games, and more. Dave & Busters has a great selection of popular games and can be found in Phoenix, Glendale, Tempe, and Queen Creek.

Remember, even when enjoying indoor activities, it remains crucial to stay hydrated in Arizona’s summer heat!

Summer Concert Series at McCormick-Stillman Park

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Rock and roll at McCormick-Stillman Park in Scottsdale is back on track for 2023! Enjoy free concerts every Sunday evening with a variety of local bands. Recently recognized as one of the best live music venues in Arizona by Best of American Towns, Sundays at The Railroad Park are the place to be in Scottsdale this May. With Motown, Disco, Rhythm and Blues and Retro 90’s, we’ve got a little something for everyone.

Bring a blanket or chair and relax in the park. Pack a picnic or enjoy something tasteful from Hartley’s General Store or one of the food trucks that will be onsite.

The park’s iconic steam engines pull the Paradise & Pacific Railroad. Train and Carousel rides are $3. Children two and under ride free with a paying adult.

Summer 2023 schedule:

 

Summer Concert Series - 2023

Sun and Sounds at the Scottsdale Civic Center

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Free Sunday concerts return in 2023 to the newly renovated outdoor spaces at Scottsdale Civic Center in Old Town Scottsdale! Experience the best local music in a laid-back, family-friendly atmosphere, surrounded by unique artist vendors, hot food off the grill, cold drinks at the bar, and plenty of good company. Bring your pup and lawn chair for some fun in the sun!

March 5th, 2023

Remi Goode & Gabe Lehrer — noon to 1:30pm: Remi Goode has collaborated and performed with Gabe Lehrer since they were 13. They are both singer-songwriters and guitarists, working as guest artists on each other’s albums and releasing music together. Goode and Lehrer perform folk and pop covers in addition to their originals, utilizing acoustic guitar and their similar vocal ranges to create close vocal harmonies and a uniquely connected sound. Both artists are in the process of recording solo albums.

Hot House Orchids — 2 to 4pm: The blend of talent that formed the Hot House Orchids has its roots in one of downtown Phoenix’s most iconic haunts, the original Welcome Diner at 10th Street and Roosevelt. It was here, at an after-hours Thanksgiving night jam, organized by the diner’s founder Michael Babcock, that three of the four band members made music together for the first time. Fusing elements of rock, soul, and pop, the band’s songs transcend musical mores to create a style all its own. Their self-titled album is available at all online music stores and streaming platforms.

March 12th, 2023

Tatiana Crespo — noon to 1:30pm: Tatiana Crespo is a Costa Rican singer-songwriter living in Phoenix. Her music is a rich medley of Latin styles, blending and blurring the lines between Cumbia, reggaeton, waltzes, bossa nova, and more. Through her bilingual interpretations and fun, cross-cultural stage banter, she never loses the spontaneity of a tropical bird in our arid desert. Having recently returned from a visit to her homeland, she is eager to share her fresh new songs full of loving, healing energy and added instrumentation to her usual blend of accordion and guitar. You may have seen her fronting the local, all-female, Latin music supergroup Las Chollas Peligrosas, and her solo work is every bit as engaging.

Carlos Arzarte and the Kind Souls — 2:30 to 4pm: Tucson native Carlos Arzate has been a standout member of the Arizona music community since the ’90s, first known for leading bands like Innisfail and American Android with his huge voice. While those bands were known for their loud, confrontational sound and message, he nurtured a deep love of soul, folk, norteño, and Americana, influences that finally found a home in his solo project, Carlos Arzate and The Kind Souls. The voice is still huge, but these songs also make space for a quiet, yearning, and—at times—sweet side, delivering passionate stories about social inequity, border realities, family, struggle, and triumph.

March 19th, 2023

Japhar Pullen — noon to 1:30pm: Japhar Pullen is a 19-year-old singer/songwriter from Phoenix, Arizona. Influenced by many great dancers, R&B, pop and soul performers, he brings passion and energy every time he is on stage. In 2019, Pullen was the winning solo artist in Alice Cooper’s annual Proof is in the Pudding music competition. He was recently invited to sing backing vocals in the recording studio for an upcoming Sister Sledge release.

Gabriel Bey & Friends — 2:30 to 4pm: Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Gabriel Bey, aka Spooky Kool, has played trumpet since 1960 and performed across the globe, from Thailand to Amsterdam and South Carolina to California. Bey has played with many of the Motown artists who made their way to the Cleveland scene, and he developed many performing and touring groups who started their careers playing his original compositions. You’ll hear the music of Miles, the songs of Kenny Garrett, and the groove of Roy Hargrove—even a little Prince, as defined by Herbie Hancock.

March 26th, 2023

Cisco and The Racecars — noon to 1:30pm: Cisco and The Racecars specialize in bluegrass, folk, and old-time Americana music. Their energetic style, diverse arrangements, and instrumentation create a unique blend of old and new. Under the management and vision of Francisco Briseno, Cisco and The Racecars have taken their place as one of the premier bluegrass bands in the Southwest.

Kim Weston — 2:30 to 4pm: Kim Weston is a vocalist, violinist, band leader, songwriter, poet, and recording artist. She released nine singles in 2021 with an eclectic group of musicians and producers, including Aaron Sterling, Adam Armijo, Brian Chartrand, Clarke Rigsby, Shea Marshall, and more. Her appreciation for jazz is obvious in the production, and poetry is the medium in which her lyrics come to life. Weston’s unabashed perspectives and elegance in lyrical writing are timeless and refreshing, speaking to the human condition from someone who has reflected on the lovely and difficult moments of life. Her jazz band consists of incredible musicians, the top talent in Phoenix, who perform Weston’s originals and put a seductive spin on jazz standards, crowd favorites, and favorite artists, such as Melody Gardot, Norah Jones, Stacey Kent, Esperanza Spalding, Joni Mitchell, and Édith Piaf.

For additional information, visit: scottsdaleperformingarts.org

Scottsdale Western Week

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2023 WM Phoenix Open

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The WM Phoenix Open (WMPO), part of the PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup, returns to Scottsdale February 9th-12th, 2023! Known as both the “Greenest Show on Grass” for its sustainability efforts (it’s the world’s largest zero-waste event) and as “The People’s Open”. The tournament annually brings golf’s biggest names to TPC Scottsdale for the PGA Tour’s best-attended event.

The tournament consistently ranks among the best things to do in Greater Phoenix and, in past years, has drawn upwards of 600,000 fans to its mix of golf, unique photo ops, viewing experiences, and after-hours entertainment!

What to know before you go:

  • Breakfast Club- Each year, thousands of fans line up outside the course’s main gate as early as 4:30 a.m. on Saturday morning for the best possible seats at the 16th hole — and you’re welcome to join them. Fondly referred to as the Breakfast Club, event organizers greet these early risers with breakfast burritos, beverages, music, and live DJs. Since the first golf shot doesn’t take place until somewhere between 9:30 and 10 a.m., think of it as the Black Friday experience of the golf world. Why not check that off your bucket list, too?
  • Autographs & Photos- Player autographs can only be obtained at designated Autograph Zones. On competition days, no standalone photo or video cameras are allowed other than mobile devices. Photo and video cameras can be used on practice days only. 
  • Attire- Golf isn’t the only spectator sport at this event. Here, almost anything goes on the fashion front. While golf gear is recommended – polos, sundresses, and comfortable shoes – you’re likely to see everything from high-end fashion (yes, even heels) to group costumes! Extra note: Fans are encouraged to wear green in support of the tournament’s green/eco-sensitive efforts in an “All-Day Green Out” on Saturday. There are also shops throughout the course where you can pick up a souvenir hat, shirt, and more!

Daily activities:

Saturday, February 4th: Concert in the Coliseum – Featuring Maroon 5 and Walker Hayes, the concert will take place on a massive stage that will be built in the middle of the 16th hole fairway strictly for this special Saturday show. Doors for this concert will open at 3:30pm (This event is 21+.)

Monday, February 6th (All fans admitted free courtesy of Ford Free Days): Practice Rounds for PGA TOUR pros only

8:30am – Carlisle Pro-Am, TPC Scottsdale Stadium Course

Tuesday, February 7th (All fans admitted free courtesy of Ford Free Days): Practice Rounds for PGA TOUR pros only

10am – R.S. Hoyt Jr. Family Foundation Dream Day Activities

Motivational talks and Q and A with PGA TOUR professionals

Trick Shot Show

Junior Golf Clinic Presented by PING

Located on the TPC Scottsdale Champions Course Practice Range

11am – San Tan Ford Special Olympics Putting Challenge

Located at the TPC Scottsdale Stadium Course Putting Green, the Special Olympics Putting Challenge features Special Olympics Arizona athletes, celebrities or sports stars and business leaders from the community. The event is open to all ticket holders and media and lasts about an hour.

Wednesday, February 8th

8:30am – Annexus Pro-Am, TPC Scottsdale Stadium Course

3:30pm – Coors Light Birds Nest entertainment tent opens

3:30pm – WHOOP Shot at Glory, TPC Scottsdale 16th hole

Thursday, February 9th

7:30am – WM Phoenix Open 1st round

3:30pm – Coors Light Birds Nest entertainment tent opens with

Jason Aldean and special guest MacKenzie Porter

Friday, February 10th

7:30am – WM Phoenix Open 2nd round

3:30pm – Coors Light Birds Nest entertainment tent opens with Machine Gun Kelly

Saturday, February 11th

9:00am – WM Phoenix Open 3rd round

ALL DAY GREEN OUT – everybody is encouraged to wear green to support the green/eco-sensitive efforts of the tournament

3:30pm – Coors Light Birds Nest entertainment tent opens

The Chainsmokers with special guest Gryffin

Sunday, February 12th

9:00am – WM Phoenix Open 4th round

2023 Battett-Jackson Auto Auction

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The Barrett-Jackson collector car auction will once again be held at WestWorld of Scottsdale. Several one-of-a-kind cars up for sale and plenty of related events will be coming January 21st-29th.

What cars will be for sale at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale 2023? Among the notable cars up for auction this year are:

  • A 1966 Shelby Group II Mustang built for Ken Miles, the British race car driver and a member of the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America.
  • A 2005 Porsche Carrera GT, one of only 644 sold in the U.S. during its production run.
  • A 1956 Lincoln Continental custom Mark II built by Sic Chops in Cave Creek.

“This past year marked the most successful year of auctions in Barrett-Jackson’s history, setting new heights and breaking hundreds of world auction records, and we are keeping our foot firmly on the accelerator heading into 2023,” Craig Jackson, the chairman and CEO of Barrett-Jackson, said in a statement. 

“This year’s Scottsdale auction will once again provide an unforgettable experience for our guests with an extraordinary docket and a host of activities that demonstrate why we deliver the World’s Greatest Collector Car Auctions.”

Barrett-Jackson 2023 ticket prices and discounts:

The festivities begin January 21st with Family Day, when children 12 and under are admitted free with a paying adult. Among the exhibits will be the capsule from the Blue Origin rocket, showcased at STEM Fest before moving to the Exhibitor Marketplace for the rest of the event. Blue Origin is the aerospace manufacturer owned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.

When: Saturday, January 21st-Sunday, January 29th; gates open at 8am daily.

Where: WestWorld of Scottsdale, 16601 N. Pima Road.

Admission: Starts at $25 for adults for one-day general admission.

Additional details: call 480-421-6694, or visit www.barrett-jackson.com.

Scottsdale Celebrates the 4th of July!

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Be Red, White, and COOL at WestWorld of Scottsdale’s 4th of July Celebration!

★ Bull Riding is back for 2022!
★ Mutton busting for children
★ Mayor Ortega presents “The Canine Stars Stunt Dog Show” featured on America’s Got Talent
★ Live Performances of “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” from feature film Encanto and more!
★ Lively games such as the Cha Cha Slide, chicken dance, & more!
★ Balloon Artists and face painters!
★ Good old-fashioned cake walks ​
★ Parade of Heroes honoring outstanding community leaders in the fields of Safety, Fire Safety, Veterans, Neighborhood, Healthcare and Community
★ And of course, at the end of the night, the largest fireworks display in Scottsdale!

For 2022, WestWorld of Scottsdale in McDowell Mountain Ranch is excited to work with Scottsdale Community Partners. If you would like to leave a donation on their website, you could assist people in the local Scottsdale community with healthy food, emergency services, and more. DONATE HERE

For parking and details, visit: scottsdale4th.com

Ready to move to McDowell Mountain Ranch in North Scottsdale? Give us a call to preview homes for sale! Chris 480-754-9077 & Cheryl 480-754-9477

 

Cinco de Mayo 2022

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Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with Phoenix’s top places for tacos!

Carolina’s
1202 E Mohave St, Phoenix, AZ 85034 – 602.252.1503

Carolina Valenzuela is the O.G. of the Phoenix’s Mexican food scene. Since 1968, the smell of freshly made tortillas has attracted diners far and wide. After more than 60 years, having only three options for tacos — shredded beef, chicken, and machaca (the one to get, featuring dried meat mixed with spices and rehydrated) — has not slowed business in the least.

Fry Bread House
4545 N 7th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85013 – 602.351.2345

Phoenix residents have long argued over whether or not fry bread counts as a taco, but Arizona’s indigenous peoples had customized and mastered the “Indian taco” long before it was introduced to modern audiences. Fry Bread House owner Cecilia Miller of the Tohono O’odham Nation has made her Melrose District spot the epicenter of Indian fry bread, which serves as a soft and filling blanket for homemade refried pinto beans with cheese and lettuce.

Taco Chelo
501 E Roosevelt St, Phoenix, AZ 85004 – 602.368.5316

While most are drawn to the Instagram bait that covers the walls, Monterrey-born Chef Suny Santana does an impressive job bringing the taqueria flavors to trendy Roosevelt Row in downtown Phoenix. A classic carne asada will satisfy, thanks to the handmade flour or corn tortillas, but the barbacoa is what makes the trip worth it — especially with some frijoles a la charra or chicharrones on the side.

Barrio Cafe
2814 N 16th St #1205, Phoenix, AZ 85006 – 602.636.0240

Alongside Chris Bianco, Barrio Cafe’s Silvana Salcido Esparza is the face of the Phoenix food scene. The James Beard Award winner has gone against the grain of the usual northern Mexican food in the Valley with Barrio Cafe, which features an array of Mexico’s southern delicacies. While her chiles en nogada (a traditional stuffed poblanos dish) have become synonymous with her cooking, Esparza’s Tecate-battered fish tacos are crisp but light, making them a must-have dish.

Crujiente Tacos
3961 E Camelback Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85018 – 602.687.7777

Chef Richard Hinojosa has said that his Arcadia joint isn’t a Mexican restaurant. Upon first glance at the menu, his statement rings true: Hinojosa’s innovative take on dishes include a Korean fried chicken taco topped with gochujang and mojo de cebollin (a sauce made from chives), and handmade tortillas fused with ingredients like cilantro or cardamom. The potato taco is equally noteworthy thanks to its legitimately spicy taste, which stems from a secret hot sauce and mashing of poblano chiles in the potato.

Tacos Huicho
1941 E Oak St, Phoenix, AZ 85006 – 480.398.6766

If a taco shop’s litmus test is how nondescript the location seems, Tacos Huicho takes the cake. Situated in a dead-end street against the massive wall of the 51 freeway, Cuernavaca natives Maria Torres and Mauricio Mena make the best al pastor in the city. The couple layers their pork with chiles and pineapples and throws it on the spit twice a week to roast and carve, where it can weigh up to 80 pounds.

La Santisima
1919 N 16th St, Phoenix, AZ 85006 – 602.254.6330

Maybe it’s because owners Felipe Guzman and Cristina Meillon are from Guadalajara, one of the most metropolitan cities in Mexico, that La Santisima offers such a wide array of regional dishes. The seemingly endless menu options, huge salsa bar, and gigantic servings may be overwhelming at first, but it’s hard to go wrong. Noteworthy tacos include the Andalucia, with potato and chorizo, the Baja Sur dogfish shark taco, or some surprisingly impressive vegan and vegetarian options like La Condesa, with poblano and mushrooms.

Cocina 10 at Crescent Ballroom
308 N 2nd Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85003 – 602.716.222

Pizza legend Chris Bianco’s time in Phoenix has rubbed off on him, and it can be seen in his development of the menu at downtown Phoenix’s Crescent Ballroom. The music venue and bar offers Mexican food that can stack up against any taqueria, with standouts like the barbacoa, al pastor, or fish tacos. Regardless of the order, ask for their molcajete salsa, always perfectly mixed with a kick.

Ta Carbon
2929 N 43rd Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85019 – 602.682.7701

Ta’Carbon is almost worth visiting purely for its name, which is a play on words of the Mexican saying, “Está cabron” (used amongst friends to mean anything from “that’s awesome” to “that’s tough”). But the true reason people come to this westside restaurant is almost exclusively for the carne asada. Behind a flurry of employees at the counter, heaps of smoky, well-cut carne are piled onto tacos from the mesquite. This can only be improved by ordering the Taco Hazz, a mix of melted cheese and green chile.

Tacos Jalisco
3060 N 68th St, Scottsdale, AZ 85251 – 480.941.9095

Old Town Scottsdale is covered from head to toe in flashy restaurants that prefer to be labeled as “concepts,” so the traditional taqueria style of Tacos Jalisco is a welcome respite. Despite the growth of the surrounding area, the spot has been a neighborhood favorite since 1996, thanks to the Reyes family’s carne asada. Its standout taste is thanks to the red adobo salsa in which it’s cooked, though the family has refused to reveal how it’s made.

After you enjoyed the perfect taco, let’s find your next perfect home! Call/text us today to get started! Chris 480-754-9077 & Cheryl 480-754-9477

Goat Yoga in Gilbert

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Goat yoga is one of those things that sound like a joke. But it is very real! Spend an hour specially trained goats in costumes, doing yoga with you!

Take your yoga to the next level while enjoying a class with specially trained goats. Start your day off cuddling with furry friends! Head to the outdoor venue in Gilbert to join a Goat Yoga class accompanied by furry costumed friends. The class is suitable for guests of all ages and no prior yoga experience is required.

The sweetest Alpacas are available for a hugging booth throughout class. Special guests included- Maisy the Cow, James the Camel and Desert Tortoises.

Schedule your Goat Yoga session here: www.goatyoga.com

 

2022 Waste Management Phoenix Open

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The Waste Management Phoenix Open, also known as “The People’s Open” and “The Greenest Show on Grass”, returns to TPC Scottsdale February 7th-13th, 2022 with all of the great golf, along with the iconic 16th Hole coliseum and evening concerts at the Coors Light Birds Nest.

Here’s everything you need to know about tickets, the celebrity Pro-Am tournament, and who’s performing at the Birds Nest:

-The Phoenix Open will be again be held at TPC Scottsdale, 17020 North Hayden Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85255, in Scottsdale.

-There is no admission cost for the first two days of the event, Monday and Tuesday, February 7th & 8th. Golfers will be out on the course for practice rounds ahead of the tournament.

-The Annexus Pro-Am, which pairs pro golfers with athletes and other notable people, will be held on Wednesday, February 9th. The PGA tournament will run Thursday – Sunday, February 10th-13th. General admission is $50 on Wednesday (Pro-Am), Thursday, and Sunday, and $75 on Friday and Saturday. There is no admission cost for kids 15 and younger when accompanied by a paid adult. Tickets can be purchased via wmphoenixopen.com/tickets.

-Parking passes are required for the reserved lots nearest the tournament and are typically part of sponsorship packages. However, there are three free parking lots at WestWorld of Scottsdale, Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, and Lot H with a free shuttle to the Phoenix Open.

-Once the tournament play ends on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, the Birds Nest concert venue opens outside the tournament gates. This is an adults-only 21+ concert venue and an additional ticket is required. Diplo, Sam Hunt, Macklemore, and Kygo will each headline one night of the Birds Nest concert series. General admission starts at $75, and increases as the event gets closer. VIP tickets start at $285. Tickets can be bought at https://coorslightbirdsnest.com.