Scottsdale Blog - Things to do in Scottsdale, Arizona » Kelly Tope

It’s Gonna be an Art-Filled Weekend!

Kelly Tope — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 18:42:34 +0000

Starting tonight, you can take in art all weekend long with the Glass Act ArtWalk and the Scottsdale Arts Festival. After all the rain we’ve been having (which has made the desert gloriously green), its going to be a sun-filled weekend so you can be sure to soak up some rays while soaking up great art.

Tonight marks the 2nd Annual Glass Act ArtWalk, which is the kick-off event to this festival weekend. Art will take center stage along Main Street and Marshall Way, and glass will be in the spotlight at this unique event featuring more than 20 exhibitors. There will also be live music and artist demonstrations (which are really fun because they use fire) staged throughout the Arts District. The event takes place from 7-9 pm on Thursday, March 11 and is compeletely free. Be sure to come early and grab a bite to eat (and do some great people watching as well) before browsing through the galleris. Not familiar with the Arts District? Click here for a map.

After you’ve become an expert in glass, expand your horizons by checking out the 40th Annual Scottsdale Arts Fesival, which takes place this weekend at the Scottsdale Civic Center Mall. Gates will be open Friday and Saturday from 10 am – 6 pm and Sunday from 10 am – 5 pm. Consistently recognized as one of the top in the country, The Scottsdale Arts Festival features more than 200 jury-selected artists from throughout North America to display and sell their work at this three-day event. In addition to an assortment of the finest arts and crafts, attendees can enjoy live entertainment and music, tasty food and beverages, interactive public art, fun art activities for children and families, an online art auction and much more. A $7 admission fee also gets visitors free admission to the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA), free parking and shuttle service. For more Festival information visit www.scottsdaleartsfestival.org or call 480-994-ARTS.

Move Over H1N1, Spring Training Fever Hits Scottsdale!

Kelly Tope — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 20:26:40 +0000

Head to the sunny Sonoran Desert for unbeatable 70-degree weather, America’s favorite pastime, and an unforgettable experience in downtown Scottsdale. Starting today, the San Francisco Giants take the mound at Scottsdale Stadium for 15 home games for the 2010 season of Cactus League spring training. Below is your ultimate guide experiencing spring training and making the most out of your afternoons

Come Early, Stay Late:
With more than 90 restaurants and 50+ lounges, bars and nightclubs within walking distance of the stadium, downtown Scottsdale delivers the ultimate spring training experience. It’s an urban destination with all of the fun and frills of a big city but in a jaw-dropping dramatic desert setting. There’s no doubt that you’ll want to carve out some time to explore downtown Scottsdale and spend time with other spring training fans, who are most likely doing the same thing. For a list of activities and businesses in the downtown are, please visit www.ScottsdaleDowntown.com.

Lawn Spaces or VIP Places – You Choose the Experience:
One of the best things about spring training at the Scottsdale Stadium is that you get to choose how, and from where, you watch the game. There are lawn seats, stadium seats, box seats and VIP seats available for every game, with prices ranging from $7 – $100.

To purchase tickets for lawn/stadium/box seats, please click here. The lawn is a great option if you’re heading out with a group of friends and don’t mind bringing along a blanket or two to sit on. Be prepared for fun-loving crowds and less emphasis on intently watching the game. If you’re a bit more serious about the game and want to experience spring training as you would a regular season game, consider purchasing stadium or box seats.

And for those looking to make a VIP experience out of a day at the stadium, The Charro Lodge is the place for you! True baseball fans can get in the middle of the action in this VIP area, located adjacent to the Giants’ bullpen in right field, with catered food and beverages in a relaxed atmosphere complete with a lounge area and live music at select games. Daily passes for the Lodge range from $85 to $100 based on game date, and Pavilion passes are $125 per person.

Get into More than Just the Game:
There are lots of other ways to experience baseball during March than attending the game. Check out some of the below activities and events that will keep baseball alive long after the final inning.

The inaugural Woodjock concert aims to be a first in music and sports history with athletes and their celebrity friends showcasing their major-league flair on a new field – the stage. Headlined by Chicago White Sox ace Jake Peavy, the event takes place at The Venue on March 11 with ticket prices starting at $30.

You’ll have to head out of Scottsdale for this one, but if you want to see some great history on the Cactus League in the Valley, be sure to check out Play Ball, The Cactus League Experience exhibit. Now in its new home in the Arizona Youth Museum in Downtown Mesa, Play Ball tells the story of the Cactus League and spring training in Mesa and the Phoenix area. Cubs artifacts are abundant in the exhibit, as they should be.

For more information on spring training in Scottsdale, please visit www.PlayBallinScottsdale.com or call 480-421-1004.

Experience the Southwest’s Greatest Dog Show!

Kelly Tope — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 23:01:08 +0000

One of the largest all-breed dog shows west of the Mississippi River will take place this weekend at WestWorld of Scottsdale, with more than 150 breeds of dogs in competition. The Fiesta Cluster Dog Show is a perfect event for the whole family, and allows the public a chance to see over 3000 dogs from across the country compete at the Southwest’s largest dog show on grass.

Agile show dogs compete for five days for top honors in a number of obedience and agility trials, preceded by one
day of independent specialty shows and a terrier group show. Some come to compete just for fun, while others see it as an opportunity to train for other, upcoming dog shows.

Though no dogs will be sold during the it is considered a good opportunity for the public to see a number of different dog breeds on display to determine whether a certain breed would be a good fit in a particular family’s home. The public will also have the opportunity all week to microchip their dogs. The cost is $25 to ensure their dog is safely returned if it runs away or becomes lost. Additionally, a DNA testing event, which costs $35, is available all week to determine the dog’s breed.

There is no cost to enter, and no ticket required. However, attendess will need to pay $5 for a parking fee at WestWorld ($5 for the whole family is pretty reasonable, if you ask me).

You can find more information online at www.fiestacluster.com

Invest in the Community by Joining in Community Love

Kelly Tope — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 17:36:10 +0000

This past Fall, artist Jesse Fairchild recruited dozens of volunteers to create over 100 signs which feature expressions of positivity. “Paint the most positive word in your life,” he instructed. The results range from love, to dance, to ice cream. Now it is time to use these optimistic expressions to create one simple act of community kindness.

On Wednesday, March 24th Scottsdale Public Art and artist Jesse Fairchild will stage Community Love along the entire 25 miles of Scottsdale Road. Scottsdale Public Art is seeking volunteers to help stage this happening.

WE NEED YOU to help us stage this performance of hope and encouragement to the typical passerby. On an otherwise-mundane spring afternoon one hundred volunteers will be given the hand painted poster boards to display on select street corners along Scottsdale Road. Everyone will be placed in proximity to one another to create a visual sequencing that impacts an unsuspecting public audience.

WHEN: Wednesday, MARCH 24th
3:00pm Meet at the LOVE Sculpture at Scottsdale Civic Center for instructions and to pick up your sign. You will randomly select your “message” by pulling from premade hand painted signs.
4:00pm Station yourself at designated street corner. All stations to be filled for allotted duration. To create an impact, we are filling as many Scottsdale Road corners as possible.
6:00-6:30pm With sunset comes the close of the happening. Volunteers return signs to group leaders at Scottsdale Civic Center.

WHERE:
Meet at the LOVE Sculpture at Scottsdale Civic Center: 3839 N. Drinkwater Blvd. Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Proceed to designated corner along Scottsdale Rd.

WHY:
One simple act of community kindness. A social experiment to change the commute in Scottsdale, then goes viral via social media, and reaches the world.

INTERESTED? Contact:
Anne Gatz
agatz@sccarts.org
(480) 874-4667

Giddy on Up – The Parada del Sol Rides into Town this Weekend!

Kelly Tope — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 22:52:39 +0000

The 57^thAnnual Parada del Sol kicks off this weekend with the “World’s Largest Horse Drawn Parade”. The Parade will be held Saturday February 20, 2010 at 10:00 am and runs north up Scottsdale Road, from Oak to Indian School. Immediately following the Parade, the annual Trail’s End celebration will take place in Old Town Scottsdale on 1st Avenue and Main St, between Brown Rd and Scottsdale Road. This huge block party is for all ages (and it’s free) so bring the whole family! Activities include the Kid’s Area with games and pony rides, food and merchandise vendors and live music! Main Street, east of Scottsdale Road will become “Pink Street”. Pink Street will have non-profit organizations and vendors who provide breast cancer education and support to patients, family and friends. One of the Pink Heals Tour Fire Trucks will also be there for breast cancer survivors to sign. This is the perfect time to come out and celebrate Scottsdale’s Western History, while enjoying idyllic weather. (Map of Downtown Scottsdale)

The following weekend, February 26-28, head out to the annual Parada del Sol Rodeo at WestWorld. The Rodeo is a PRCA Sanctioned Rodeo and will consist of four action-packed performances. The Rodeo will take place Friday at 7 pm, Saturday at 1 pm and 7 pm and Sunday at 2 pm. You can buy tickets online by clicking here. In addition to the rodeo (which is a darn good time in itself), you can find live music on Friday and Saturday nights after the rodeo performances and the official After Rodeo Dances at Whiskey River Saloon on Friday night and Handlebar J’s on Saturday.

Dig out your best Western Wear and join us for boot-scootin’ good ole’ time at the 57^th Annual Parada del Sol!

Celebrate 75 Years of Golf

Kelly Tope — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 18:39:12 +0000

Make Plans to Attend the Newly Renamed Waste Management Open

The Waste Management Open, formerly named the FBR Open, celebrates its 75^th year of play next week at TPC Scottsdale. The tournament, annually sporting the largest crowds on the PGA TOUR, takes place February 22-28, 2010 and brings back defending champion Kenny Perry, who will compete for the $6,000,000 purse.

The tournament has grown immensely over its 75 year history here in the Valley of the Sun, bringing in a record 538,356 fans in 2008. The fun and festivities will continue this year and in addition to being known as the “The Greatest Show on Grass,” the tournament is also being dubbed the “The Greenest Show on Grass.” With Waste Management as the title sponsor, a variety of eco-friendly initiatives are being introduced to the tournament in 2010. These include: solar powered trash compactors, printing tickets on recycled paper with soy ink, recycling stations staffed during peak hours and serving soda and beer out of cans (rather than pouring into plastic cups). Look for more eco-friendly initiatives to be introduced in the coming years as well.

The Waste Management Open has gained legendary status on the PGA TOUR and is known for its loud crowds and party atmosphere that flow well into the night. Be sure to check out the celebrated 16^th Hole, where cheering (and sometimes booing) is common after a player finishes the round. Also, make plans to keep the energy flowing into the night with the Birds Nest Music Festival, which features bands like Collective Soul, Static and O.A.R.

Tickets for the Waste Management Open will be available right up until tournament time (you can even purchase tickets at the gate) and cost only $25 each for single day admission. However, if you want to watch the Tournament in style, you might consider purchasing tickets for the Phoenix Suns 16 Skybox Lounge (which includes a seat at the 16^th Hole, as well as food and drink).

Come and celebrate 75years of great golf in the Valley!

Experience the Thrill of the Hoop Dance

Kelly Tope — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 18:18:22 +0000

Looking for a non-traditional Valentine’s Day (or weekend) activity? Then be sure to check out the 70 hoop dancers from across North America who will showcase their skill and talent as they compete for the prestigious World Champion title at the Heard Museum in Phoenix this weekend.

For those of who you’ve never had the pleasure of witnessing a hoop dance , it basically consists of dancers in traditional Native American dress, who incorporate hoops (about 3-4′ in diameter) into thier dances. This could include everything from stepping through the hoop to spinning multiple hoops on the dancer’s arm. Of course, I’m doing the hoop dancing no real justice in my description (it’s by far one of the most amazing things I’ve ever seen) so you really do need to get out an experience it for yourself.

The 20th Annual World Championship Hoop Dance Contest will take place February 13-14 at the Heard Musuem. Tickets are $12 for adults and $3 for children and can be purchased online or at the door.

The tradition of dancing with a hoop has an extensive history among Native people. The hoop or circle is symbolic to all Native people. It represents the Circle of Life and the continuous cycle of summer and winter, day and night, male and female. Some Native people use hoop dancing as a part of a healing ceremony designed to restore balance and harmony in the world, which is not performed publicly.

It has been suggested that the people of Taos Pueblo, New Mexico, first began performing a dance in which a performer passed though a hoop. Recently, the hoop dance has become more popular in dance circles, powwows and contests throughout North America. Young dancers are learning from accomplished hoop dancers, and new innovations are appearing.

During performances, dancers will incorporate speed and agility as they manipulate their bodies through one to more than 50 hoops. Some dancers also incorporate creative designs and difficult manipulations of the hoops to present unique variations of the dance. Through the hoop dance, accompanied by either Northern or Southern drums, the performers express distinct cultural traditions, as they are judged on a variety of categories.

Celebrate the 55th Annual Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show

Kelly Tope — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 17:27:36 +0000

Since 1955 the Annual Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show has set the pace in the Arabian horse world. The first show was held at the grounds of the Arizona Biltmore Hotel. The show has since moved to Westworld of Scottsdale and has grown from 50 horses to nearly 2000 horses bringing top owners, trainers and breeders from around the world competing for a chance at winning. A win at Scottsdale can mean big money in the breeding barns.

Come see the competition and watch Arabian horse owners from all 50 states and more than a dozen countries from around the world bring their very best to compete in the 11 day festival. This year’s show will take place from February 11-21, with classes running all day, every day. For a complete show schedule, please click here.

Tickets range in price from $10 (single day, genral admission) to $50 (eleven day pass), with children 12 and under being free. To download a 2-for-1 coupon, click here. Tickets can be purchased online at www.ticketmaster.com or at the gate.

Be sure to check out the video below for a sneak peek of what to expect while out visiting the show.

Raise Your Glasses to the Carefree Fine Art & Wine Festival this Weekend

Kelly Tope — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 21:57:51 +0000

Travel the world over and you would be hard-pressed to find a more spectacular gathering of artists than at the Carefree Fine Art & Wine Festival. The streets of downtown Carefree are closed this weekend, making room for more than 160 artists and in excess of 5,000 original masterpieces of fine art. You can find exceptional pieces of work in all mediums, including bronze, sculpture, jewelry, painting and more!

The beautiful backdrop of Carefree, its many splendors and the fantastic art on hand isn’t all the Carefree Fine Art & Wine Festival has to offer the thousands of people who attend each year. The festival holds the title of Arizona’s largest wine-tasting event, featuring first-class wines from Arizona, California, Australia, Germany, Austria, France and Italy.

Live entertainment is a mainstay at this annual festival and this year is no different, featuring the enchanting music of the “Lord of the Strings” Arvel Bird, an internationally known violinist.

The festival runs today thru Sunday (January 15-17) from 10am – 5pm each day. Parking is free and admission is only $3. Get out and enjoy great weather, art and wine this weekend at the Carefree Fine Art & Wine Festival!

**Please note that the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon & 1/2 Marathon takes place Sunday, January 17. For road closures and tips on getting around town on Sunday, please click here.

Scottsdale Events Season 2010

Kelly Tope — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 22:45:08 +0000

Warm, sunny days and clear, blue nights make the perfect setting for events so it should come as no surprise that Janaury kicks off event season here in Scottsdale. Beginning this weekend, a fury of events decends on Scottsdale and gives both residents and visitors alike limitless options for getting out and enjoying the great weather!

Below is just a sampling of events taking place in the next two weeks. For a full list of events, please click here.

Rockin’ ArtWalk
January 14, 2010 | 7:30-9:30pm
Scottsdale Arts District
(480) 421-1004
www.scottsdalegalleries.com
Scottsdale’s galleries will have some bands of their own rocking out at this special ArtWalk, held in conjunction with P.F. Chang’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona Marathon & 1/2 Marathon, which “runs” right through the Scottsdale Arts District Sunday, January 17.

Arizona Fine Art Expo
January 14 – March 28, 2010
Scottsdale and Jomax Roads
(480) 837-7163
www.arizonafineartexpo.com
The EXPO unites an impressive gathering of 100 nationally celebrated and award-winning artists that passionately produce art in studios. They can be seen painting in all mediums, sketching in pen & ink, pastels and pencil, assembling mosaics, sculpting clay, carving wood, composing mixed media on canvas, welding, designing and sculpting jewelry.

Celebration of Fine Art
Scottsdale Rd. & Mayo Blvd. (just south of the Loop 101)
January 16 – March 28, 2010
(480) 443-7695
www.celebrateart.com
The Celebration experience is unique. The opportunity to meet 100 working artists, visit their studios, find out how and why they do what they do and participate in their creative processes is something that you simply won’t find anywhere else. Visitors can meet the artists and watch them working in the full spectrum of art media.

P.F. Chang’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon & 1/2 Marathon
January 17, 2010
Phoenix, Tempe, Scottsdale
www.arizona.competitor.com
Whether you’re out to support family and friends or just want to catch some outstanding live music, there are heaps of sights sounds and enjoyment for all. You’ll experience the best beats of Arizona’s music scene as you cheer on loved ones and watch runners, walkers and elite athletes race through the cities of Phoenix, Scottsdale and Tempe.

Native Trails
January 21 - April 10, 2010 (most Thursdays and Saturdays, noon – 1:30pm)
Scottsdale Civic Center Mall
480-421-1004
www.scottsdalenativetrails.com
This year marks the eighth season of free noontime festivals for Native Trails. Come experience this celebration of Native American culture, song and dance.

Sunday A’Fair
January 24 – April 11, 2010 (most Sundays, noon-4:00pm)
Scottsdale Civic Center Mall
480-994-ARTS (2787)
www.scottsdaleperformingarts.com
Now in it’s 23rd season, this event features concerts and performances by the Valley’s top entertainers, a diverse selection of arts and crafts available for sale, hands-on activities for children and families and free docent-guided tours of the sculptures on the Scottsdale Civic Center Mall.

Arizona Sun Circuit Quarter Horse Show
January 24 – February 1, 2010
WestWorld of Scottsdale
(480) 419-6318
www.suncircuit.com
Watch 1,500 of the country’s best quarter horses compete for $200,000 in prizes. Horse and riders from around the world ride in five rings over eight days.