Art Studios opening on Mill

Looking to use your creativity on Mill Avenue?  The Downtown Tempe Community (DTC) is looking for artists interested in joining a studio project on the Valley's most popular street.  

Montage, Mill Avenue Art Studios is converting a vacant retail space into an affordable, shared art studio with the goal of encouraging creative activity in Downtown Tempe.  Member artists will have the opportunity to create, display and sell their work on Mill Avenue throughout the year.  This includes having access to the 500,000 attendees of the Fall and Spring Tempe Festival of the Arts.  The studio will also feature monthly Third Thursday art shows featuring the member artists work.  As a member of Montage, artists will also have the opportunity to meet and collaborate with other artists, build new audiences and patrons, and establish themselves as part of the Mill Avenue District community.  Montage will be located at 740 S. Mill Avenue and is slated to open in October 2011. 

For application information please visit millavenue.com/montage 

Third Thursday is Back

Grilled Ave Teriyaki House, Paletas Betty & ICON on Mill

705 S. Forest Ave. They specialize in teriyaki bowls and bentos, the popular Asian take-out meals. Other menu items include sushi, potstickers, kim chi, and more. This is the second restaurant for the mother and daughter ownership team. Their other restaurant, Sushi Ave in Gilbert, has done very well and has been named "one of the best sushi spots in the East Valley".  Let's hope that Grilled Ave will be named one of the best Teriyaki Houses in the East Valley.

 

Also new to Downtown Tempe is Icon on Mill, a gift & accessory store at the Mill Avenue Shops.  Icon aims to be Mill Avenue's street gear shop, featuring men's and women's sunglasses, hats, bags, and kitschy gifts.  The boutique is the second business for the owners of Mill Avenue stalwarts Brand X T-Shirt Shop, Charles Goffnett and Shane Henson.  Icon is located at 414 S. Mill Ave., Suite 121.

We saved the dessert for last! Paletas Betty is a new treat to Mill, located at 425 S. Mill Ave., Suite 109. Using only all natural and local ingredients, Paletas Betty serves up delectable ice and cream Mexican pops. This is  the second location for Paletas Betty, their previous Chandler location has been awarded "Top 10 ice cream shops in Greater Phoenix" and "Best Paletas". ¿Como se dice "delicious"? 
 

Dinner and a Show  

WEST SIDE STORY - September 27 - October 2   

See the award winning West Side Story at Gammage, receive special deals from restaurants, and park for FREE!  

It's been over 50 years since it first took stage, however, West Side Story is still regarded as one of the best Broadway shows ever written. Directed by David Saint, recreating two-time Tony® Award-winning librettist Arthur Laurents' Broadway direction, West Side Story is truly a work of art unmatched by others.

The new Broadway cast album of West Side Story recently won the 2010 GRAMMY® Award for Best Musical Show Album. The Bernstein and Sondheim score is considered to be one of Broadway's most exemplary example of American musical theatre, with such classics as "Something's Coming," "Tonight," "America," "I Feel Pretty," "Maria" and "Somewhere." This show is certainly one you don't want to miss! 

Participating restaurants for Dinner and a Show include: Canteen Modern Tequila Bar, La Bocca Pizzeria and Wine Bar, Monti's La Casa Vieja, Robbie Fox's Public House, Center Bistro, My Big Fat Greek Restaurant, Caffe Boa, DiVerti's Bar & Grill, & Z'Tejas.  

Free Parking/Shuttle

Patrons attending any ASU Gammage show will receive four hours of free parking when presenting their ticket stub at:

•  Centerpoint Surface Lot (5th St. & Maple) 
•  Hayden Square Garage (3rd St. & Mill)  
•  City Hall Parking Garage (5th Street)   

The Orbit Jupiter shuttle will be available free of charge every 15 minutes until 10 p.m.  Pick-up is at bus stops marked with the Orbit decal on the west side of Mill Avenue.  Drop off is on the north side of ASU Gammage.

For more information on Dinner and a Show, please visit millavenue.com  

9/11 Memorial- Healing Field

Saturday September 10

Tempe Beach Park

Downtown Tempe has been honored with the privilege of hosting the 8th Annual Healing Field. As a memorial to those who lost their lives in the 9/11 tragedy, Tempe Beach Park will be filled with a beautiful display of three thousand U.S. flags. These 3'X5' flags will stand 8' tall in perfect rows. This living display of heroism will fly as a temporary patriotic tribute to the strength and unity of Americans and will commemorate the 10 year anniversary of all those who died and lost loved ones on September 11, 2001.

You Can Be A Star!

Fantasy of Lights - Opening Night Street Parade

November 26

And...ACTION! We are looking for carolers, entertainers, dance troops, singers, and street performers to entertain the crowd prior to the Opening Night Street Parade for Fantasy of Lights on November 26.  The streets will be filled with people in anticipation of the parade and we want to create an exciting environment by having pre-parade entertainment. This is on a volunteer basis to be a part of the biggest holiday community event in Downtown Tempe.  For more information, please tell us a bit about yourself and email Elizabeth@downtowntempe.com or call 480-355-6060.

Thursday Sept 1

Arizona State Football vs. UC Davis @ Sun Devil Stadium

ASU vs. UC Davis (City of Tempe Night & Faculty/Staff Appreciation)

Bellflower @ Valley Art Theatre

Best friends Woodrow and Aiden spend all of their free time building MAD MAX-inspired flamethrowers and cars in preparation for a global apocalypse.

Friday Sept 2

Closing: Twenty Questions @ Tempe Center for the Arts

The exhibition features 12 Arizona artists working in a variety of media and themes, playing with the popular game "Twenty Questions."

Opening: Viva Riva! @ Valley Art Theatre 

Riva is a small time operator who has just returned to his hometown of Kinshasa, Congo after a decade away with a major score: a fortune in hijacked gasoline.

Saturday Sept 3

Songwriters' Showcase Viewing Party @ Tempe Center for the Arts

Past showcase participants, dignitaries and other guests will be on hand to celebrate and view the first episode of the Songwriters' Showcase on Eight/KAET, Arizona PBS. Open Mic performances will occur throughout the evening.

Wednesday Sept 7

Walk-In Wednesdays @ Tempe Center for the Arts

Walk-in Wednesdays Open Mic offers musicians a chance to play their songs in a friendly, attentive atmosphere void of noisy nightclub indifference. All musicians are welcome.

Opening: Viva Riva! @ Valley Art Theatre 

Riva is a small time operator who has just returned to his hometown of Kinshasa, Congo after a decade away with a major score: a fortune in hijacked gasoline.

Friday Sept 9                          

Arizona State Football vs. Missouri @ Sun Devil Stadium

BLACK OUT! Wear your black ASU gear. TV Coverage: ESPN

Saturday Sept 10

9/11 Memorial - Healing Field @ Tempe Beach Park

The Exchange Club of Tempe in conjunction with the city of Tempe will be the host city to their 8th Annual Healing Field where you will behold a beautiful display of three thousand U.S. flags.

Sunday Sept 11

9/11 Memorial - Healing Field @ Tempe Beach Park

The Exchange Club of Tempe in conjunction with the city of Tempe will be the host city to their 8th Annual Healing Field where you will behold a beautiful display of three thousand U.S. flags.

Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse - Tea Party (preview) @ Childsplay Inc

Full of heart and humor, this Childsplay encore is based on the beloved book authored and illustrated by Kevin Henkes.

Sonoran Chamber Music: Damocles Trio @ Tempe Center for the Arts

The Damocles Trio opens the season with the "Requiem Trio" by Salvador Broton, written especially for the group to commemorate 9/11. It was first performed in New York City on Sept. 11, 2004. This concert will be linked to the Tempe Beach Park 9/11 Healing Field and other city events to commemorate the day.

Wednesday Sept 14

Walk-In Wednesdays @ Tempe Center for the Arts

Walk-in Wednesdays Open Mic offers musicians a chance to play their songs in a friendly, attentive atmosphere void of noisy nightclub indifference. All musicians are welcome.

Thursday Sept 15

Third Thursday

Mark your calendars because Third Thursday is BACK with special Music on Mill performances!

Saturday Sept 17

Opening: Mixing it Up: Building an Identity Exhibition Opening @ Tempe Center for the Arts

This exhibition celebrates and examines how works created by Mexican American artists are influenced by the cultures of both Mexico and the United States.

Monday Sept 19

ariZoni Theatre Awards of Excellence @ Tempe Center for the Arts

The 21st Annual ariZoni Theatre Awards of Excellence ceremony celebrates the Phoenix metropolitan area's 2010-11 Season in professional, community and youth theatre.

Tuesday Sept 20

Performance with A View: Tetra String Quartet @ Tempe Center for the Arts

Tetra is a string quartet founded by four young professional musicians who teach and perform in the Phoenix community. Chrystal, Heidi, Jenna and Louis formed Tetra in 2009, and since then have been working to create a musical presence in Arizona. From classrooms, to coffee shops, to concert halls, Tetra strives to in infuse life into the community through chamber music.

Wednesday Sept 21

Walk-In Wednesdays @ Tempe Center for the Arts

Walk-in Wednesdays Open Mic offers musicians a chance to play their songs in a friendly, attentive atmosphere void of noisy nightclub indifference. All musicians are welcome.

Friday Sept 23

Ballet Under the Stars @ Tempe Center for the Arts

Spend a relaxing evening under the gorgeous Arizona sky as Ballet Arizona continues its annual season opening tradition with Ballet Under the Stars.

Saturday Sept 24

Nathan's Expo/Triathlon

Red Rock proudly announces the Fifth year of the Nathan Tempe Triathlon. Come out in compete in either the Olympic, Sprint or Relay (Olympic AND Sprint) race. Nathan will be the fourth event in the Red Rock Co Arizona Triathlon Series. The swim is hosted in the calm waters of Tempe Town Lake, followed by the best Olympic bike course in Tempe, and a run along the multi-use path around the lake.

Arizona State Football vs. USC @ Sun Devil Stadium

(Champion's Weekend) TV Coverage: ESPN/ESPN2

Sunday Sept 25

Nathan's Expo/Triathlon

Red Rock proudly announces the Fifth year of the Nathan Tempe Triathlon. Come out in compete in either the Olympic, Sprint or Relay (Olympic AND Sprint) race. Nathan will be the fourth event in the Red Rock Co Arizona Triathlon Series. The swim is hosted in the calm waters of Tempe Town Lake, followed by the best Olympic bike course in Tempe, and a run along the multi-use path around the lake.

Tuesday Sept 27

Opening: West Side Story @ ASU Gammage

More than 50 years ago one musical changed theater forever. Now it's back, and mesmerizing audiences once again.

Wednesday Sept 28

Walk-In Wednesdays @ Tempe Center for the Arts

Walk-in Wednesdays Open Mic offers musicians a chance to play their songs in a friendly, attentive atmosphere void of noisy nightclub indifference. All musicians are welcome.

Friday Sept 30

Fall Frenzy @ Tempe Beach Park

The 3RD ARIZONA FALL FRENZY comes to Tempe Beach Park and promises (again) to be the event of the year. This year's lineup: Blink 182, Jimmy Eat World, and Matt & Kim.

Ongoing Events

Through 10/16/2011: Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse

Full of heart and humor, this Childsplay encore is based on the beloved book authored and illustrated by Kevin Henkes.

Through 10/28/2011: Exhibition: Photos of Tempe

Tempe has been honored as one of the most "playful" cities in the United States. This exhibition will feature original photographs of the people and places that make Tempe a wonderful place to "live, work and play."