Downtown Beat | Upcoming Performances Take Center Stage
8/31/10 • by Si RobinsMissing Phoenix’s theater and live performance scene? It’s kicking back into high gear, starting this First Friday.
Garfield
Suns Spot (Special Edition) | New Faces on Planet Orange(full article)
7/15/10
Come October, the Suns lineup will look quite a bit different.
Sips and Grub | Southern Fried Chicken at Mrs. White’s Golden Rule Café(full article)
7/13/10
Food can take you back to a special time and place. This meal took my stomach on the fantastic voyage to my grandmother’s kitchen.
Suns Spot (Special Edition) | Amar’e Leaving Impacts Downtown Phoenix(full article)
7/08/10
Amar’e Stoudemire is out of Phoenix, and it impacts both the Suns and our Downtown neighborhoods.
CO+HOOTS Brings Co-Working Downtown(full article)
6/28/10
The creative space, in the J.B. Bayless Grocery building, celebrates its grand opening on Friday, July 2.
Central Phoenix Parks in Dire Straits(full article)
5/24/10
A recent Arizona Republic story tells the unraveling state of Encanto Park and others like it.
From the Arizona Room | 900 E. Van Buren St. — Verde Park Pump House(full article)
5/12/10
One of the best examples of 1930s Period Revival style is in Garfield’s Verde Park.
Sips and Grub | Mexican Coca-Cola BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich with Avocado at Welcome Diner (MFTasty)(full article)
5/04/10
MFTasty’s pop-up food tour stopped at the Welcome Diner, offering an eclectic menu of deliciousness.
Never Quite Perfect Timing(full article)
4/06/10
Historic preservation funding is not always easy to come by, as Perfect Timing Entertainment found out. Will Downtown’s most affordable studio have to give up on its dream?
Third Friday: The Kids are All Right(full article)
3/18/10
The Alwun House is all about the community. Just check out the house’s Third Friday show, “Salon des Enfants,” for further proof.
From the Arizona Room | 215 N. 7th St. — Monroe School (Children’s Museum of Phoenix)(full article)
3/17/10
The old Monroe School, now the Children’s Museum of Phoenix, is experiencing a rebirth despite being nearly 100 years old.
Living in 85006(full article)
1/25/10
One of the things that makes Downtown Phoenix interesting is the presence of several residential neighborhoods filled with homes built from the 1920s to the 1950s.
DPJ Yelper of the Week: Tracy K. on Rito’s Market and Mexican Take Out(full article)
12/02/09
Depending on when you go, there may be a line outside the building, and a tedious wait. But all of that is in comparison to the heartbreaking, taste-bud savoring meal you will have.
¡Bienvenidos Here!: A Night of Food, Film, Music and Conversation(full article)
11/10/09
¡Bienvenidos Here! is an initiative of ASU’s art and community class taught by Gregory Sale. It is intended to encourage the bridging of the ASU community with Phoenix, specifically the Garfield district.
Rocky Votolato is Coming to a Living Room Near You(full article)
10/19/09
In one of the most ambitious, original and risky tours of the year, acoustic crooner Rocky Votolato will be playing in a living room in Downtown Phoenix. And, many others all over America as well.
Get Your Boutique On: Bunky, Phoenicia and Red Dog(full article)
10/08/09
Bunky Boutique, Red Dog Gallery and Phoenicia Association each bring something different to Downtown Phoenix, and they are all located at 3rd and Garfield streets.
The Living Dead Invade First Friday in Search of… Stuff?(full article)
10/02/09
The living dead are invading First Friday, but fear not, they won’t be there looking for brains.
First Friday: First @ Park (and a Whole Lot More)(full article)
10/01/09
Friday debuts First @ Park, where Civic Space’s businesses, arts spaces and, well, park space all come together in celebration of First Friday.
It All ‘Adds’ Up: Christoph Kaiser and His Garfield Neighborhood(full article)
9/23/09
Christoph Kaiser is helping to rebuilding Garfield one house at a time. Once an epicenter of gang activity and urban blight in Downtown Phoenix, Kaiser’s houses are now at the heart of Garfield’s resurgence, and among the coolest in Downtown Phoenix.
First Friday Opening of Heritage Square Art Space(full article)
9/03/09
Artist Sean Deckert saw potential in the wide expanses and open-air feel of Heritage Square while he was working as a bartender at Rose and Crown. Now he’s opening an outdoor gallery in the park.
Adobe Home in North Garfield Historic District(full article)
8/27/09
Great opportunity for a historical home enthusiast to own an adobe home in Downtown Phoenix.
Zombies Invade Space 55(full article)
8/25/09
Each month, The Improvised Book Club, an ensemble of some of Phoenix’s best improvisers, chooses a different book to read. Then, on the fourth Sunday of the month, they get together at Space 55 to discuss the book in an open setting and providing their unique take on things. Oprah’s Book Club this is not…
Sips and Grub | Cup of Sweet Toast at Welcome Diner(full article)
8/25/09
For this wondrous journey, I didn’t even need to leave my neighborhood. The Garfield District is blessed with one of those rare finds, the Welcome Diner.
Downtown Event Introduces ASU Students to Art, Commerce and Culture(full article)
8/14/09
Downtown denizens are mixing business with pleasure at a weekend event that will introduce ASU students to the benefits of an urban lifestyle.
Historic Fixer on 2 1/2 lots in Garfield(full article)
8/04/09
A property like this rarely becomes available. This is probably one of only ten truly individually significant historic buildings in the Garfield historic district. Built in 1913, an original, nearly 2100 sq ft, two story brick bungalow with formal living, formal dining, large kitchen with original cabinetry and a huge pantry and laundry room. Great sized bedrooms downstairs, four bedrooms, bath, and foyer landing upstairs. Terrific windows throughout and solid wood floors in much of the house.
Courtney Marie Andrews’ Painter’s Hands(full article)
7/29/09
Phoenix-born-and-bred singer/songstress Courtney Marie Andrews is throwing a mega-folk party at Modified Arts on Friday, July 31 to celebrate the release of her second full-length record, Painter’s Hands and a Seventh Son. Andrews has been crooning up arts venues around Phoenix for several years now and is a founding member of budding Phoenix label River Jones Music.
The Merry Chef Caravan From the North(full article)
7/10/09
If you happened to be wandering through the streets of downtown Phoenix last Third Friday, there is a good chance you may have seen a group of foodies hopping from one spot to another well into the night.
There’s a decent chance you may have even recognized one or two of them as the masterminds behind some of the Valley’s best restaurants. This was the first incarnation of the downtown chef crawl, and it kicked off with a glorious mix of late-night noshing, old-fashioned exploration and drinks, drinks and more drinks.
What the Folk!(full article)
6/17/09
Like the soothing geeeetar pickin’ of some good folk? Downtown is about to chime with acoustics. Thursday, June 18 is the Phoenix Annual Summer Folk Festival presented by River Jones Music.
A Big, Melty Cupcake in the Sun(full article)
6/15/09
You see, the Chuseum, as I like to call it, is turning 1. Yes, it is a cranky little toddler and it needs some sweet, sweet sugar to put it in a coma-like euphoric state. It is bound to be a sticky and delicious affair.
Your Third Friday Options(full article)
5/14/09
There’s a rather large list of happenings for this month’s Third Friday festivities. Choose wisely, downtowners.
Up at the Clarendon Hotel, Phoenix Friday Nights is having a special rooftop sunset edition with grub from the brand spankin’ new Gallo Blanco on the ground level. It’s a 2-for-1: Check out the much-hyped foodstuff and meet your fellow Phoenicians. Win!
Get Yer Culture Pass(full article)
4/13/09
If you have a library card with any public library in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa, Glendale, Tempe or Chandler, you just won free admission to a number of downtown area museums. All you have to do is stroll in to your local branch, and say, “I’ll take a Culture Pass, please,” and you’ve scored free admission [...]
Fringe entering final weekend(full article)
4/02/09
The Phoenix Fringe Festival (PHX:fringe) presents innovative, experimental and provocative theatre by local, national and international artists. PHX:fringe seeks to develop a cutting-edge, urban audience by offering an edgy assortment of performance choices in non-traditional downtown spaces. The PHX:fringe promotes artistic exploration by supporting the risky, adventurous work of established and emerging artists while also providing accessible, affordable performances to the community.
Take The Canalscape Survey(full article)
3/15/09
ASU and other public and private sector partners are exploring the possibility of creating vital urban hubs where canals meet major streets throughout metro Phoenix. These hubs could range in size and character, depending on community requests. ASU students are conducting a public survey and would like your feedback.
Need Creative Space? Like Historic Buildings?(full article)
3/12/09
Join other small businesses in this very cool spot, actually being deemed the Creative Spot. Built in1926 as one of the first downtown Phoenix grocery stores, the JB Bayless building has been painstakingly restored by its long-time owner, Joseph Lewis, earning National Historic accreditation. Wood beam trusses, stained concrete floors, concrete pillars, and red brick construction within soaring, 15-foot ceilings create the surrounds. And wide panels that slide on tracks create the private, highly modular environment you desire to explore your creative options!
Guide To Art Detour 2009(full article)
3/06/09
For proof that art lovers are about more than schmoozing and sipping cheap wine from plastic glasses, one need look no further than Art Detour, the free, self-guided tour of downtown artist studios, galleries, and art-friendly businesses. Now in its 21st year, the Phoenix tradition, which typically draws upwards of 10,000 patrons, has bridged the wide gap between artists and suburb dwellers who think art should match their throw pillows. This year, both art fans and the artless will find the Detour even more accessible, thanks to light rail and a new, improved shuttle system.
Art Detour, Kid Detour This Weekend(full article)
3/04/09
Downtown Phoenix during First Fridays can be a little overwhelming, with hordes of people trying to get their monthly art fix in the span of four hours. So for people who want to enjoy their art and culture in a slightly more relaxed setting, there is Art Detour. The once-a-year, all-weekend event lets visitors take a self-guided tour through the art galleries and studios in central Phoenix.
March Is Phoenix Arts Month!(full article)
3/03/09
Every weekend during the month of March, arts events will be hosted in downtown Phoenix and surrounding neighborhoods, along with events, exhibitions, and performances on other days throughout the month. In recognition of the local arts community and these public festivals, Mayor Phil Gordon has proclaimed March as “Phoenix Arts Month” and invites everyone to attend and celebrate.
Downtown Phoenix on International Stage this week(full article)
2/09/09
Just a few weeks ago, Arizona captured the international sports spotlight with the Cardinals Superbowl appearance and now this coming week we get to be in the spotlight again, this time by hosting the NBA All-Star Game and associated events.




