Arts & Culture
D-backs Digest | Season Kicks Off on a Positive Note
Posted on 4/17/12 by Kyle Maki » No Comments
The season got off to an amazing start with a three-game sweep against the Giants, sending an early statement that last year was no fluke. The D-backs then moved on to San Diego and opened the series with a win. The D-backs entered the game Wednesday as the only remaining undefeated team in the majors. Clinging to a one-run lead in the 8th inning, it looked as though the unbeaten streak may continue for another day. Unfortunately on this night the magic was on the side of the Padres as Chris Denorfia launched a game-winning two-run homer. The D-backs responded with a win on Thursday to claim the series victory.
The D-backs suffered difficult losses in the first two games over the weekend in Colorado. On Friday night the Rockies battled back erasing a four-run deficit and ultimately came away with the victory. Saturday’s loss was even more difficult to swallow. The game was interrupted by a lengthy rain delay in the 4th inning. At the time the D-backs were trailing 5-1. After the delay the D-backs battled back and eventually took the lead and appeared headed to an impressive come-from-behind victory.
With the D-backs leading by one with two outs in the bottom of the ninth, D-backs closer J.J. Putz squared off against D-back killer Todd Helton. Helton jumped on an inside pitch and blasted a majestic shot a mile high into the raindrops and night sky. The ball ended up soaring over the right-field wall just inside the foul pole. As Helton rounded the bases and the Rockies celebrated, the deflated D-backs knew they had let one slip away. Coming back out on Sunday afternoon and trying to avoid the sweep would be a difficult task after such a draining defeat. Fortunately, that’s exactly what they did. The D-backs got an early boost when Chris Young connected on a two-run shot in the first inning. The D-backs were able to maintain a comfortable lead behind a strong performance from starter Trevor Cahill.
What’s coming up this week?
It’s important for the D-backs to forget about the tough losses in Colorado and just focus on the task at hand. The D-backs play their next ten games at home, (starting with last night’s 5-1 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates). After the three-game series with the Pirates, the Atlanta Braves will be in town for four games over the weekend, followed by a three-game series against the Phillies to close out the home stand.
The D-backs begin the week with a 6-3 record. Slightly disappointing to drop a few winnable games, but that’s just the nature of the sport. Overall, there’s nothing wrong with being 6-3. That’s a great start for anyone.
Early observations
Chris Young is leading the team in home runs, RBIs and batting average. Obviously it’s great to get the early contributions from CY. Especially considering Justin Upton has gotten off to a relatively slow start.
It’ll be interesting to see how long of a leash Kirk Gibson will give Josh Collmenter. Heading into the season many experts questioned whether Collmenter was a better option than many of the younger starters in the organization. After his first two starts, Collmenter has by far the highest ERA among starters. It may be too early in the season to start making changes and questioning decisions. Besides, numbers can easily get inflated in April.
The Dodgers are off to an impressive 9-1 start. Meanwhile, it appears as though the Giants are facing life without closer Brian Wilson. He is dealing with elbow issues and is likely facing season-ending surgery.
Bike Chic | Beth Jenkins
Posted on 4/17/12 by Cortney Kaminski » No Comments
Bike Chic is a DPJ series by Fashion intern, Cortney Kaminski. Each week she will be scouting locals who not only ride their bikes but look dapper doing it.
Who: Beth Jenkins
Age: 27
Occupation: Works at the Children’s Museum of Phoenix
Her Neighborhood: Roosevelt and Central
Where Spotted: Biking her way to Turf
What do you enjoy about Downtown? It is really easy; there is so much accessibility.
Where do you like to explore? Gosh, restaurants mainly. There are a bunch of different types in biking distance.
Why do you choose to ride your bike around? Because parking is annoying and meters are so expensive. And it is good for the environment.
How do you balance style with accessibility? Well the weather is nice, so you don’t need layers. You also don’t need to be too dressed up in most places Downtown. I make sure to always lock it up, so I never have to worry about hanging out restaurants for a while.
What she’s wearing:
• Antonio Melani shoes
• Paper Denim & Cloth jeans
• Faconnable blouse
• Kate Landry purse
Her Biking Essentials:
• Bike from Walmart
• Always a lock for security
From the Wire | The Japanese Friendship Garden Announces Anime Contest
Posted on 4/13/12 by DPJ Staff » No Comments
Some news items don’t need translation. That’s why DPJ launched the From the Wire series, so we could serve the destinations here by posting information and announcements – in their own words.
The Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix Announces The Spirit of the Garden Anime Contest
The Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix invites you to submit your best anime/manga creation to participate in this fabulous contest! Select your favorite media supplies, choose your desired character (or design someone new), and submit to the youth (12 and under), teen (13-17 years old), or adult categories (18 and older). Note: No mature content allowed.
Entries accepted through May 1, 2012 at 3:00 p.m. at the Garden. Each piece must be mounted as a poster on light board for display and should be clean, without perforations, lines, holes, tears, and fingerprints; size; 8.5×11” or 11×17” (portrait or landscape). Originality and skill or mastery will count highly for the winners. “The Spirit of the Garden” theme will breathe life into your design; think of the possibilities!
Art Guidelines: Style: A well-developed original style OR the ability to accurately reproduce a pre-existing style. Any artistic style, not just anime or manga style is acceptable. You are not limited to drawing just characters, so please feel free to explore backgrounds and settings. We would like to see anime or Japanese culture characters drawn in your own style.
Skill: Includes technical style (accurate figure drawing or perspective) OR design skill (composition or strong style that takes the place of technical skills) OR mastery over medium (creative or skillful use of one or more medium).
A City of Phoenix Point of Pride, the Japanese Friendship Garden, of Phoenix, Inc. is a joint project between the City of Phoenix, its sister city Himeji, Japan, and the Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department; it is a recognized 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
If You Go
Date: May 4-6, winners will be on display in the Garden
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Tickets: Free with Garden Admission
Location: Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix, 1125 N. Third Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85003
Your Downtown Beer | The Four Crescents
Posted on 4/12/12 by Rob Fullmer » 1 Comment
When people ask where to go or what to do, I’m always doing a mental calculation on the beer situation. People kind of expect it now, but I assure you there is much more under consideration. The mathematical operation is the simple addition of “beer and ____”. If I go here I can get beer and there’s a great patio for people watching. If I go there I can get beer and an amazing fried bologna sandwich.
I became more aware of how this works with other people this week when sustainability advocate and architect, Taz Loomans, recommended Crescent Ballroom as a great place to eat. I realize that Crescent enlisted Chris Bianco and Doug Robson to create the menu, but I think most people think of Crescent Ballroom as premier music and event venue. Taz is not a drinker. She was calculating the Crescent using different math. I decided it might be time to add some more variables to my equation. I concluded there were Four Crescents.
You can catch up on the first Crescent, music, right here in DPJ. I can confirm that my Pastor Burrito was top notch–grilled crispy on four sides and just the right mix of spicy beans an pork. Taz and others offered glowing recommendations of the remaining menu items. Shout out to Courtney Nush who originally reviewed the Ballroom for DPJ, the kitchen indeed delivers (and it’s now open for weekday lunch). Great food is the second Crescent.
I’m going to focus on the beer and leave the cocktail and wine to the expertise of others when I discuss the Lounge as the third Crescent. It’s nice to see that this music venue relegated the Bud, Miller and Pabst to the can cooler leaving 3 of the 4 tap handles to Sierra Nevada Pale, Odell IPA and the local Kilt Lifter. There are cans and bottles of Hop Knot, Guinness, Anchor Porter and premium Mexican beers like Bohemia and Negra Modelo giving beer drinkers of all types to find their groove. I settled in on the Odell IPA on this particular afternoon. The beer’s clean malt, resin-y pine hops and bitterness to the finish amped the sweet heat of the citrus achiote pastor. On a warmer day, I may have chosen the malt rich Kilt Lifter or the more traditional Negra Modelo to balance the burrito spiciness.
While I was there, several at the bar latched onto the Michelada, a preparation of tomato juice, lime, spices, hot pepper and beer. It’s a fitting beer cocktail given the mostly burrito and all southwestern fare.
Knowing Taz is an architect, I’d have to think that the very building figures into her equation. The red brick Ballroom was formerly the F.L. Hart Garage built in 1917. The east facing patio provides plenty of shade and large garage doors create a desirable indoor/outdoor feel. The front lounge is an ideal space for Phoenix living and the re-use of a nearly 100 year old building happens so seldom in the Valley that it’s natural for a beer drinker to celebrate with a tip of the pint.
Cheers to the fourth Crescent!
Crescent Ballroom
308 North 2nd Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85003
(602) 716-2222
www.crescentphx.com
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- Crescent Ballroom
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- Pastor Burrito – sliced pork shoulder marinated in achiote citrus with sliced pineapple, cilantro, white onions & pinto beans.
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- Odell IPA – Bitterness Amplifies Spice
Listen Up PHX | The Lineup 4.10 – 4.15
Posted on 4/11/12 by Erin Bartynski » 1 Comment
Each week, Listen Up PHX brings you The Lineup, a list of live music events going on in greater Downtown Phoenix, picked by music blogger Erin Bartynski.
This week we have two notable shows at the Crescent, more from the Arizona Center’s Live Music Series and the Civic Space Park Concert Series, and a slight change of pace for this blog – a musical!
Wednesday: Combine your lunch break with a music break at Civic Space Park for another installment of the Civic Space Park Concert Series. Music goes from 11:45 a.m. til noon.
Thursday: Neon Indian at the Crescent Ballroom. Doors at 8 p.m., music starts at 9 with opening act Friends. The show is, sadly, already sold out, but it’s worth including on this list both to get those already going excited for it, and to encourage those resourceful concert-goers without tickets to find some. Bug a friend who’s +1 isn’t claimed, post an ad in your apartment’s mail room, and get on Craigslist!
If you can’t come across Neon Indian tickets, don’t despair – your evening of live music is not lost. Head over to the Arizona Center’s Live Music Series, where you can see the Southwest Surfers for free from 5-7 p.m.
Friday: Rock of Ages, the traveling musical which just finished its run at the Mesa Arts Center, will be at the Orpheum Theater downtown at 8 p.m. The show includes songs from Twisted Sister, Poison, Whitesnake, Journey, Foreigner, and more. Check out tickets to the head-bang-worthy comedy here.
Photo courtesy of the Rock of Ages website.
Saturday: Chairlift will play a 16+ show at the Crescent Ballroom with opener Nite Jewel. Doors open at 7:30 and the bands are expected at 8:30. Tickets $12-$13.
Sunday: Sucré, featuring Stacy King of Eisley and Darren King of Mutemath, will be at the Hard Rock Cafe at 8:30 p.m. $10 in advance, all-ages show (must be over 21 to be in the bar area). Listen to their newly-released first album on Spotify.
