BEST Things To Do In Phoenix
The Event Oracle knows ALL the fun things to do in the land of the Phoenix sun. Select your date above then scroll down to check out what events are going on this week...
-
Carnival of Illusion
Arizona Biltmore Resort
2400 E Missouri Ave
Phoenix, AZ 85016Carnival of Illusion is an evening of Old-World Magic in the style of classic entertainers such as Buster Keaton, Mae West, Gypsy Rose Lee, and Harry Houdini. The hosts have performed as house entertainers at the world's top resorts, Fortune 100 CEOs, to the 200 Most Powerful Women in America and operate the longest-running Arizona theater show. Carnival of Illusion is "Magic, Mystery, and OOOH La La."
-
Bugs. Big Bugs!
Phoenix Zoo
455 N. Galvin Parkway
Phoenix, AZ 85008The Phoenix Zoo is abuzz over its huge animatronic exhibit: Bugs. Big Bugs! Guests can get up close and interact with 21 gigantic bugs made from steel, fiberglass and a special weather-proof “skin.” Watch and learn about the superpowers of the black ant, emperor scorpion, grasshopper and Mexican redknee tarantula. $5 plus zoo admission: $24.95; $16.95 ages 3-12, free for ages 2 and younger. 455 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix. 602-286-3800 or phoenixzoo.org
-
Sonwai: The Jewelry of Verma Nequatewa
Heard Museum
2301 N. Central Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85004Verma Nequatewa began an apprenticeship with her uncle Charles Loloma around 1966. Nequatewa has signed her distinctive work with the Hopi feminine word for beauty, Sonwai, since 1989. It complements her uncle’s name, which was the masculine word with the same meaning.
Nequatewa worked with her uncle for more than twenty years. In that time she not only learned specific jewelry-making techniques but she also learned to distinguish quality stones and to develop a keen design sense. Today, she is recognized as one of the leading Native American lapidary artists. Although her jewelry has been featured in the U.S. and internationally, this will be the first comprehensive exhibition of her work. This exhibit continues the Heard’s emphasis on sharing with our visitors the finest work in contemporary jewelry.
-
Electric Desert at Desert Botanical Garden
Desert Botanical Garden
1201 N. Galvin Parkway
Phoenix, AZ 85008You're invited you to see desert, light and sound unite in a mesmerizing display like never before. Cactus and desert become a living canvas in this nighttime experience, taking visitors on an immersive journey through the garden using light and original music.
Electric Desert includes six site-specific locations, with each experience inspired by and related to the Garden.
Note: The Garden is closed Nov. 22, in the evening on Dec. 24 and for the entire day on Dec. 25 for the holidays.
-
Fragments: Broken Bowls Tell More Tales
Pueblo Grande Museum and Archaeological Park
4619 E. Washington St.
Phoenix, AZ 85034Hear the stories pottery sherds have to tell archaeologists when theses pieces of the past are rediscovered and studied. Fragments: Broken Bowls Tell More Tales, is a temporary exhibit at Pueblo Grande Museum that explores researchers use sherds to uncover a variety of details, such as how the pottery was made, used, and where it was produced. These details aren’t always obvious during examinations of gorgeous whole pottery vessels.
Visitors typically see the most unique and complete pottery vessels of a museums’ collection on display. They seldom see, or know about, the thousands of broken pottery fragments called ‘sherds’ that are preserved in storage. Using local and traded examples, Fragments invites visitors to see how sherds help archaeologists piece together new ideas about the ancestral O'Odham, more commonly known as the Hohokam. The exhibition also features sherds that connect the Hohokam with their neighbors across the Southwest and northern Mexico during the time of the European Renaissance. Visitors can listen to local Native perspectives on archaeology and cultural preservation while experiencing traditional O’odham songs that tell of the mountains surrounding Pueblo Grande and their deep connections to past, present, and future O’odham generations.
-
Monster Fish: In Search of the Last River Giants
OdySea Aquarium
9500 East Via de Ventura
Scottsdale, AZ 85250Guests are invited to dive beneath the surface of the world’s rivers in the new exhibition Monster Fish: In Search of the Last River Giants.
Enormous in size and rapidly dwindling in number, these ancient fish play critical roles in their freshwater habitats. Dr. Zeb Hogan, aquatic ecologist, National Geographic Fellow and host of the Nat Geo WILD series Monster Fish, has spent nearly two decades searching for and studying the rare, large freshwater fish species profiled in the exhibition. The interactive exhibition will include five extraordinary, life-size sculptures of monster fish as well as videos and hands-on interactive activities for audiences of all ages.
Monster Fish takes visitors on a journey to river basins around the world to learn about colossal fish and the people that depend on them. Through detailed maps, sculptures and custom illustrations, the exhibition showcases close to 20 fish species and their diverse freshwater ecosystems. In addition to highlighting the biology of each species, the exhibit depicts the cultural ties between the fish and local people. From mythical tales and storied traditions to threats and conservation efforts, visitors will leave with a greater understanding of the connection between humans and fish.
-
Ragnar Kjartansson: Scandinavian Pain and Other Myths
Phoenix Art Museum
1625 N. Central Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85004-1685"Ragnar Kjartansson: Scandinavian Pain and Other Myths" triggers multi-sensory aspects of the Icelandic artist's practice through text, painting, performance, and song. This focused exhibition will enlighten visitors to recurring themes in Kjartansson’s work such as Nordic identity, melancholia, repetition, and popular culture. Referencing everything from Edvard Munch to the musical super group ABBA, Scandinavian Pain and Other Myths will introduce Phoenix audiences to one of the most creative and engaging contemporary artists working today.
-
Worlds of Wonder – Lunch Time Dance Theater
Herberger Theater Center
222 East Monroe Street
Phoenix, AZ 85004An imaginitive spellbinding performance of new and old works featuring the raw and fascinating “Rite of Spring” choreographed and set to Stravinsky’s magnificent score ‒ preceded by an opening first act based on “Creation”‒ choreography by CDE Assistant Artistic Director, Diane McNeal Hunt; Amber Robins and guest artist, Nicole Olson.
-
Spring Out To Lunch Concert Series
Mesa Arts Center
One East Main St
Mesa, AZ 85201Every week is a different sound, a different style. Relax and enjoy captivating live music and the marvelous Arizona weather in the beautiful, shady outdoor setting of The Wells Fargo Garden at Mesa Arts Center. Delicious lunch items are available for purchase from our regular caterer, Life of the Party. Seating is limited so you are encouraged to bring your favorite comfortable folding chairs, cushions and/or blankets. See you there!
-
Historic Downtown Phoenix Food Tour
Downtown Phoenix
Phoenix, AZ 85003This three-hour guided walking tour brings you on a culinary voyage through Downtown Phoenix. You will walk through the hustle and bustle of our Downtown to try five different tasting locations, stopping at historic landmarks, and showcasing one of the most haunted hotels in the US. $60.
-
Wine Tasting
Hidden Track Bottle Shop
111 W Monroe St #120
Phoenix, AZ 85003Tastings are always free and provide a great opportunity for locals and visitors alike to taste 4-5 unique, high-quality selections and learn a bit about wine. Free.
-
Makana
Musical Instrument Museum
4725 E. Mayo Blvd.,
Phoenix, AZ 85050Hailing from the isle of Oahu, Makana is an internationally acclaimed slack-key guitarist, singer, composer, philosopher, activist, and one of Hawaii’s cultural ambassadors to the world. He is recognized as one of the top guitarists in the United States by Guitar Player magazine and has been honored in Hawaii with the prestigious Kī-Hō‘alu (Slack Key) Foundation Legacy Award. In 2018, he was invited to showcase at South by Southwest (SXSW).
Virtuosic and versatile, Makana’s music defies description. Makana uses over one hundred tunings to fashion a massive, resonant, symphonic sound without use of loop pedals or gimmicks. His live performances are an exhilarating ride through the breadth of slack key, folk, rock, bluegrass, ethnic music, and jazz, and his distinctly original songs are infused with the spirit of Hawaii along with his own brand of “slack-rock.” He has supported acts ranging from Santana and Sting to Jason Mraz, Joe Walsh of The Eagles, Bad Company, Leon Russell, Chris Isaak, Elvis Costello, Gotye, Jack Johnson, and many others. His music has been featured on three Grammy-nominated records, including the soundtrack for Academy Award–winning film The Descendants.
-
Worlds of Wonder
Herberger Theater Center
222 East Monroe Street
Phoenix, AZ 85004An imaginative spellbinding performance – featuring the raw and fascinating “Rite of Spring” choreographed and set to Stravinsky’s magnificent score ‒ preceded by an opening first act of new works focused on “Creation” – choreographed by Center Dance Ensemble Assistant Artistic Director, Diane McNeal Hunt; Amber Robins and guest artist, Nicole Olson.
-
Jersey Boys
Phoenix Theatre
Phoenix Theatre
1825 N Central Ave
1825 N Central Ave
Phoenix, AZ 85004You may know Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, but you’ve never seen their story like this. Featuring hits like “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Walk Like A Man,” “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” and “December, 1963 (Oh What A Night),” Jersey Boys tells the rags-to-riches story of how four boys from New Jersey became a legendary sensation. Get behind the music and experience this Tony Award®-winning true-life musical phenomenon!
-
Robert Kelly
Tempe Improv
930 E University Dr
Tempe, AZ 85281Robert Kelly's comedy is deeply rooted his own life and relationships which makes it honest, abrasively funny, yet refreshingly vulnerable. He has been winning over audiences for years touring clubs, colleges and theaters, including repeat performances at Montreal’s Just For Laughs Festival.
His one-hour special Robert Kelly: Live at the Village Underground debuted on Comedy Central and is now available on Netflix. Besides being a fixture on Comedy Central, Robert recently starred as Bam Bam in Denis Leary’s FX show Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll and can also be seen as Louie CK's brother Robbie on the hit series Louie. His other acting credits include roles in Trainwreck, Maron, Benders, Nurse Jackie andInside Amy Schumer. Robert currently hosts the top rated podcast “You Know What Dude?” that can be found on iTunes. Robert is also the co-founder of the RiotCast podcasting Network.
