It is finally getting cool and the October happenings are rolling out.
Well, to be fair, if you think 95 degrees is hot, it is not yet cool. But, seriously, this time of year it peaks at 95 for about an hour so before and after that is much nicer, especially over night.
So, here’s our curated list of October happenings that sparked our interest. If you have suggestions for November, please share.
Phoestivus is happening! Okay, it’s obviously not going to happen in October, but I want to make certain you know two crucially important facts. First, Phoestivus is happening on December 15th and 16th. That’s two days in a row -Wednesday and Thursday. We are no longer going to host the event two Thursdays in a row. We took the opportunity of the year off to make this change which we’ve been wanting to do for a while.
Let me repeat that. Please don’t show up a week after you see that the first night of Phoestivus happened and expect to find anything more than an empty parking lot, with tumbleweeds and all.
Second, we are asking for a small $5 ticket purchase. I really, really, really did not want to do that. But the pandemic virtually eliminated our fundraising last year. Remember, this is a fundraiser for Community Food Connections, which produces the Downtown Public Market. But, be assured that your $5 goes directly to running the weekly market that you’ve come to love so much.
All Puppet Players is Back. Frankly, these guys should be paying me because I talk about their shows so much. Aw, but no. I couldn’t. They are just so funny and innovative.
Imagine a cross between the muppets and adult improve comedy –but without the uncomfortable silence you get at improve comedy. All Puppet Players is back now with their new adaptation of The Creature from the Black Lagoon.
In December, they will be back with their holiday favorite, Die Hard – A Christmas Story. Seriously, if you’ve not seen this, do it. These guys are hilarious. Leave the kids at home unless you are prepared for them to repeat some seriously adult themes around the dinner table for the rest of their childhoods.
The Art & Science of Arachnids. The Phoenix Science Museum has something for all ages, in case you need to make it up to them for that time you got a baby sitter so you could go to a puppet show; their big eyes welling up with tears as they watch you walk out the door, saying, “Why, mumsie? Why can’t we see the puppets?”
Uh, yeah. Anyway. Arachnids. They are creepy, crawlie and the art is to behold. The Art & Science of Arachnids features 3 themed cubes which hold 100 live arachnids. The Science Cube discusses arachnids that are not spiders or scorpions, deadly spiders of North America, and arachnids in medicine. The Arts Cube illustrates the connection we have with arachnids in film, literature, and music. Various flip panels allow interaction with the guests. The Culture Cube highlights arachnid folklore and mythology, arachnid conservation, and arachnids as food. Open daily
Play DTPHX Lotería to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. Explore new places, discover local businesses, and appreciate some cool, Mexican-inspired art by playing DTPHX Lotería, Wednesday, Sept 15th – Friday, Oct. 15th. Part art walk, part game, part scavenger hunt, participating in DTPHX Lotería is an easy and fun activity for whole family. How to Play: Pick up a “tabla” (bingo-like playing card) at any participating downtown business, or from a DTPHX Ambassador. Each tabla will feature 16 downtown businesses depicted Loteria style – a colorfully-illustrated card symbolizing the location. Find the card that corresponds with the business (the artist-designed poster will be displayed in the window or on property), go inside and get your tabla stamped. Once you get at least four in a row, that’s Loteria! Players who get four across, in a row, diagonal, a two-by-two box (4 images) anywhere on the tabla get a free sticker sheet. ?Fill the entire card to get a commemorative enamel pin!? Free.
Oscar Muñoz – Invisibilia at The Phoenix Art Museum. Oscar Muñoz: Invisibilia is the first mid-career survey of Colombian artist Oscar Muñoz’s work in the United States. this exhibition will introduce U.S. audiences to a broad scope of his evolving practice. Beginning with his early, stark charcoal drawings from the late 1970s and early 1980s. The exhibition will also include approximately 50 exemplary works from his most evocative series created during the late 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s to the present day, including site-specific work, to trace the evolution of his practice. Katz Wing for Modern Art. $23.
The Match Guide to Wine event is at FOUND:RE on October 13th. I’ve been pretty open about my limited knowledge of wine. I just don’t taste those hints of raisin, chocolate and goat cheese that they claim is in a wine from a valley next to another valley that has a candy factory specializing in raisin and goat cheese chocolate bar. But I do like a nice wine tour and do my best to learn. Anywho! The Match Guide to Wine will discuss all the things that I fail to absorb about wine and offer wine tasting samples accompanied by light fare. Bottles of the wine sampled will be available for purchase with a 15% off discount. $25.
Chicano Batman will be at the Van Buren on October 24th. I’ll be honest, I’ve had it in my mind for a decade to see them in person. My problem is really just organization. I don’t keep a handy list of the bands I want to see in person. Then I’m remiss in checking calendars and, poof, I miss them. I don’t plan to do that this time. You might see me at their show. The band’s signature funky style can be attributed to their musical influences, The Beatles and Black soul musicians Curtis Mayfield and the Delfonics, according to Wikipedia. You might see me there wiggling my hips to the beats.
The Local First October Business Mixer will be at DigIt Gardens on October 13th. Frankly, its just nice to see these events happening again. DigIt is regularly a sponsor of the Phoestivus Market. So, naturally, we love them. October’s Phoenix Business Mixer is hosted by Dig It Gardens. Join Local First Arizona in a beautiful and unique venue surrounded by green plants, art, music, and positive atmosphere. Business Mixers are held on a monthly basis for LFA Members. Even non-members may join in.
