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Cinco de Mayo Celebrations
May 5, 2012  

Cinco de Mayo is just around the corner & the Mill Avenue District is ready to celebrate!  Canteen and Fat Tuesday are teaming up for the El Mexcellente Cinco de Mayo Block Party on their combined patios at 6th Street and Mill Avenue.  The party runs from 11am to 2am and will feature food and drink specials, two deejays, and a massive corn hole competition.

May 17^th 5pm to 9pm   

The 2011-2012 Third Thursday Season may be coming to a close, but we are going out in style!  On May 17, Girls Night Out will feature the MAD Couture Challenge runway show on Mill Avenue, as well as a designer reception at Here on the Corner.  The monthly concert series continues at Hayden Square Amphitheater as Chicks With Picks brings their all-female singer/ songwriters to downtown Tempe.

The MAD Couture Challenge pairs 8 local designers with Mill Avenue District merchants to create exciting fashions for models to showcase on our Mill Avenue runway.  These designers have been working for months on creating something completely unique which combines both their own ideas and the products of the business they were paired with.  Some of the designs include outfits made of recycled vinyl banners, triathlon gear, a candy dress, and a jacket covered in hair extensions.  We can promise you will see it all.

Our local designers include Sebastien Millon, George Johnson, Mabel Cortez, Keytha Fixico, Anya Melkozernova, Scott Allison, Green Eyed Goddesses, and Xoe.  Each has been paired with one of the following businesses: Mood Swings Salon and Spa, Brand X Custom T-Shirts, MADCAP Theater, Big Bang Dueling Piano Bar, Here on the Corner, Artizen Apparel, Trisports, Candy Addict, Downtown Tempe Community, and Divaz.  

After the runway show, Here on the Corner will host a "Meet & Greet" reception with the designers.  This is your opportunity to see more of their styles and hear their stories, as well as view the MAD Couture Challenge outfits up close.

For the music fans, the ladies of Chicks with Picks will be performing at Hayden Station Amphitheater from 5pm-9pm.  This organization of female musicians showcases over 250 talented women artists, duos and groups.  Bring your friends, grab a seat, and come check out some of their best.

People have been buzzing about the building going up at the southeast corner of 5^th Street and College Avenue.  The presence of cranes and appearance of concrete walls has worked up a frenzy of questions about what could be happening on the old armory lot.  The Downtown Tempe Community is proud to say that the construction is bringing more residents to the Mill Avenue District.  The Hub, a new mixed-use residential development geared for students, is moving ahead quickly and is slated to open in August 2013.

The project includes a 19-story apartment tower with ground floor retail and tenant/ public parking.  The completed building will feature 269 units ranging from studios to 5 bedroom apartments.  Up to 22,000 square feet of retail space will be located at the corner, fronting both Veterans Way and College Avenue.  The retail space should be available by December 2012.   Two levels of on-site parking will be available for both tenants and the public.

The Hub can also boast additional benefits based on their location.  The apartments are located across the street from the Tempe Transportation Center which is the heart of public transit in Tempe.  The transportation center is a stop for multiple bus lines and shuttles and is one of the busiest stops along the Metro Light Rail alignment.  The apartment building is also on the northwestern edge of the ASU main campus, providing close proximity to the Fulton Center, the aquatics center, and Sun Devil Stadium.  Finally, The Hub is only a short 3 blocks away from Mill Avenue, giving residents access to restaurants, shopping, events, entertainment, and much more.

Residential leasing information for The Hub should be available soon. Keep an eye on Millavenue.com for details.

Events in Downtown Tempe     

 Thursday May 3 2012

Opening: Acrylics by Melody Smith @ ASU Art Museum

Visit the exhibition of Queen Creek artist Melody Smith from May 3rd to May 30th. Her style is termed "urban eclectic" and includes a mix of modern and urban designs in acrylic art.

Opening: Art at Gammage @ ASU Gammage

Don't miss the latest exhibits at the ASU Gammage Art Museum featuring oil & pastel work by Becky Joy & Christine Debrosky.

Friday May 4 2012

Opening: More Than Frybread @ Valley Art Theatre

Watch how one food item can identify a culture in More Than Frybread.

Songwriters Showcase VII with Francine Reed @ Tempe Center for the Arts

Witness the greatness of Francine Reed, who has appeared with Miles Davis, Stanley Jordan, Smokey Robinson, Etta James, and The Crusaders.

Saturday May 5 2012

First Saturdays for Families @ ASU Art Museum

Don't miss First Saturdays for Families at ASU Art Museums. Children ages 4 to 12 are welcome to attend and participate in FREE art lessons and projects.

National FREE Comic Book Day @ Pop Culture Paradise

Join Pop Culture Paradise as they celebrate National FREE Comic Book Day at their new location, 715 S. Forest Ave.

Rio Salado Triathlon and Expo @ Tempe Beach Park

Gear up for the 2^nd annual Iron Gear Sports Rio Salado Triathlon. Consisting of a Sprint Triathlon and an Olympic Triathlon, the Rio Salado has a race just right for you level of experience.

Cinco de Mayo at Macayo's Depot Cantina @ Macayo's Depot Cantina

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with live music featuring Kyle Phelan, Jeff Clay Band, Monkeys in Space, Wayside, Katastro and more.

El Mexcellente Cinco de Mayo Block Party @ Fat Tuesday Bar

Fat Tuesday and Canteen Modern Tequila Bar are teaming up to bring a huge Cinco de Mayo bash to Mill Avenue.  The event will feature deejays, drink specials and much more.

School of Rock's Cinco de Mayo with Ronnie from Jersey Shore @ School of Rock 

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with Ronnie from MTV's Jersey Shore.  Tickets are $10 in advance and $20 at the door.

Thursday May 10 2012

Rain a Tribute to the Beatles @ ASU Gammage

FROM ED SULLIVAN TO ABBEY ROAD! - Combined with actual Beatles footage and live performances, this is one tribute you don't want to miss.

Friday May 11 2012

Opening: God Bless America @ Valley Art Theatre

From stand-up comedian and director Bobcat Goldthwait comes a scathing and hilarious attack on all that is sacred in the United States of America.

Sunday May 13 2012

Tempe International Triathlon @ Tempe Beach Park

Join the 11^th Annual Tempe International Triathlon at Tempe Beach Park. But hurry! Registration sells out at 900 athletes.

Monday May 14 2012

Watercolor & Wine with Kathryn Tartaglia @ Montage Art Studio on Mill

Painting with Watercolors is wonderful fun, but adding wine to the painting process will bring a new dimension to your painting.  Learn this new technique with Kathryn Tartaglia, an award winning artist/instructor.

Tuesday May 15 2012

Performance with A View: Stephen Cook @ Tempe Center for the Arts

Pianist Stephen Cook presents "Picturing Ravel," a multi-media presentation of music and art. The featured paintings were all admired by Ravel who regarded painting as right behind music in human importance.

Opening: La Cage Aux Folles @ ASU Gammage

George Hamilton stars as Georges, an eccentric night club owner in this Tony Award Winning Broadway Show.

Thursday May 17 2012

Make 'em Laugh Presents... part Dux @ MADCAP Theaters

Help Revive the Live Comedy Scene in Tempe, Arizona! "Make 'em Laugh Presents", an ongoing series of original stand-up comedy performances will be returning to the MadCap Theaters "Third Thursday" event in Tempe, Arizona.

Third Thursday Presents Chicks with Picks @ Hayden Square Amphitheatre

Chicks with Picks bring their local talent and flavor to Third Thursday's Girls' Night Out. Check them out at Hayden Square Amphitheater after the M.A.D Couture Challenge & fashion show.

Third Thursday Presents Girls Night Out

Fashion takes over Downtown Tempe in this 2^nd annual Girls' Night Out Event! Watch as local designers team up with Mill Avenue District businesses to create garments out of the unimaginable in the M.A.D Couture Challenge. Runway begins at 5^th Street and Mill Ave.

Designer Reception @ Here on the Corner

Join the after party! Strut your stuff over to Here on The Corner after the Girls' Night Out Fashion Walk and M.A.D Couture Challenge for the award show ceremony and designer reception.

Friday May 18 2012

Opening: Heddatron @ Stray Cat Theatre

Stray Cat Theater goes all out for their 10^th Anniversary Celebration with a special performance of Heddatron.

Saturday May 19 2012

Bully Mammoth @ Tempe Center for the Arts

The boys of Bully Mammoth are at it again! Join Phoenix's best and only sketch comedy group as they mix it up at Tempe Center for the Arts.

Reoccurring Events

Every Tuesday

Ladies' Night @ Robbie Fox's Public House

Complimentary Champagne on Robbie for all ladies. First 25 ladies through the door receive gift bags put together by Robbies Fox's.

Open Mic Night @ Rula Bula Irish Pub & Restaurant

This is sure to be the hottest open jam in the Valley. Come and have the opportunity to jam with some of the best musicians around...or simply jam solo.

Tuesday Trivia @ Hooters of Tempe

Do you think you're smart enough? Join Hooters of Tempe every Tuesday night for Trivia from 8pm-10pm.

Every Wednesday

All You Can Eat Wings at Hooters @ Hooters of Tempe

Eat ALL the wings! $9.99 a person (some restrictions apply).

Walk in Wednesdays Open Mic Night @ Tempe Center for the Arts

Join Host Walt Richardson for a night of music with Valley singer/songwriters vying for a place in the televised Songwriters' Showcase.

Wing Wednesday @ Devil's Den Sports Grill

25 is magic number at the Devil's Den on Wednesdays. Come out and grab some 25 cent wings and some 25 oz. beers at the Devils Den!

Wednesday's Booster Club Draft & New Comic Book Day! @ Pop Culture Paradise 

Booster Drafts takes place from 7pm-8pm. $15 dollar entry fee (comes with a free soda). FULL prize support. $32 or 8 packs to winner, 6 to second, 2 to third and 1 to 4th!

Wednesday Night Pub Trivia @ Rula Bula Irish Pub and Restaurant

Stop into Rula Bula on Wednesday Nights at 8pm to play Pub Trivia, the valley's best teams compete for prizes.

Every Thursday

Music on Mill

Musicians and performers, covering a gamut of musical genres, will activate the streets and give visitors a positive, unique experience in the Mill Avenue District. 

Open Studio at Artizen Apparel @ Artizen Organics

Artizen Apparel welcomes all every Thursday for Open Studio sessions. Drop in, make art, and just chill out. Bring your friends and your creativity. Complementary coffee served. 

Texas Holdem' @ Devil's Den Sports Grill

Get your poker face on and head down to the Devil's Den. Games are free to play, and participants receive additional chips with purchase of food.  Prizes are awarded to the winners of each game. 

Theme Nights @ Hooters of Tempe

School girls, referees, and cow girls! Oh my! Join Hooters of Tempe for Theme Nights every Thursday!

World of Warcraft CCG Tournament @Pop Culture Paradise 

World of Warcraft CCG tournaments! @ 6pm. $5 entry. Prize supported. We will have a judge on hand. Sanctioned events!

Every Friday

Friday Night Magic @Pop Culture Paradise 

Fan of Magic the Gathering? Well, get your type 2 decks ready then !

Every Saturday

Live Music @ Rula Bula Irish Pub & Restaurant

Rula Bula keeps the tradition of live music alive for more than 12 years. Enjoy the sounds of valley's best local talent every Saturday night at Rula Bula.

Warmachine! @Pop Culture Paradise 

Are you ready for a battle? Then come to Pop Culture Paradise with your army for this weekly tournament.

Ongoing Events

Through 6/2/2012: Miracle Report: Julianne Swartz and Ken Landauer, Social Studies 8

Through 12/17/2012: Weekday Mass

 Check out all Downtown Tempe events at millavenue.com/events