It's Not Just Tequila

Want to know what's spicing up the night on Cinco de Mayo? Put away the blender and the salt and head to one of the more than 100 celebrations and activities taking place all over the Valley. We have everything from parties south of the border to kid-friendly fiestas. But mostly, we're gonna tell you about every beer bash and margarita fest within a lime's throw of your kitchen. Mariachis included.

You could be the winner of four Diamondbacks tickets, a $40 gift certificate to Carrabba's Italian Grill, and a case of Corona! To win, just count the number of Corona bottles that appear throughout the print version of this Cinco de Mayo Guide and enter your guess online at phoenixnewtimes.com/corona. The winner must be 21 years or older and will be selected through a random drawing of all correct entries. Winners will be notified by phone by Monday, May 9.

Special Events

Thursday, May 5

Fort McDowell Casino
10424 N. Fort McDowell Rd., Fountain Hills

"Cinco de Mayo Party: Fiesta at the Fort." Food and drink specials, live entertainment. 8 p.m. Free. Call 800-THE-FORT.

Glendale Arena
9400 W. Maryland Ave., Glendale

Elton John performs live. 8 p.m. $35-$125. Call 623-772-3200 or see http://www.glendalearenaaz.com.

Glendale Community College
6000 W. Olive Ave., Glendale

Choir concert, 7:30 p.m. Free. Call 623-845-3713.

The Improv -- Tempe
930 E. University Dr., Tempe

Comedian Robert Schimmel. 8 p.m. $18. Through Sunday, May 8. Call 480-921-9877.

Lake Pleasant
I-17 and Pleasant Harbor (45 minutes northwest of Phoenix)

"Cycle de Mayo." Live music with the La Mombo Combo Band, and more. Live performance by the Samba Dancers. Various daily and nightly activities including fireworks, Cowtown paintball, the famous Belize chicken drop, party boats, comedy, bikini bike wash, the Soft Tail Biker fashion show, dyno-drags, motorcycle stunt teams, biker best of show, and more. $1 million Texas Hold'em charity tournament. Proceeds for the entire event will benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Through Sunday, May 8. $15 one-day ticket. $35 four-day ticket. $60 to $130 to enter the Texas Hold'em tournament. Call 602-229-2992 or see www.cycledemayo.com.

Friday, May 6

Desert Botanical Garden
1201 N. Galvin Pkwy., Phoenix

Live jazz with Lila Sherman. $8-$16. Children under 3 are free. Call 480-941-1225.

Rocky Point, Mexico
On the Sea of Cortez, 60 miles south of the Arizona border

"SunSplash Festival '05" at the Princesa Resort. Live music with Sistah Blue, Undercover Acoustic, Ellington Effect, Shawn Johnson and the Foundation, Keepin' the Day Job, Scotty Spenner, and Tommy K. Food and drink concessions on the beach and near resort's pools and hot tubs. 7 to 11 p.m. Friday, May 6, and noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, May 7. All ages. Call 888-262-4508 or see www.seasidemexico.com.

Saturday, May 7

Cinco de Mayo Celebration -- Scottsdale
Paiute Park, 3210 N. 66th St., Scottsdale

Live music with Lupita y Los Dannes, the Scottsdale International Club dancers, food, raffle prizes, and games. 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Free. Call 480-312-2771.

Cinco de Mayo Festival -- Chandler
AJ Chandler Park, 3 S. Arizona Ave., Chandler

Music, food, arts and crafts, children's activities, Chihuahua races, and the crowning of the festival's King and Queen Chihuahuas. Noon to 8 p.m. Free. Call 480-782-2735.

Cinco de Mayo Festival -- Downtown Phoenix Copper Square
Washington St. between Central and 4th Ave., Phoenix

"Food City Cinco de Mayo." Nine blocks of festivities with more than 100 entertainers, and arts and crafts and food vendors. Live music with Los Lobos and KC and the Sunshine Band, Grupo Refuego, Bronco, Innovacion, and many more. 1 p.m. to midnight Saturday, May 7, and noon to 10 p.m. Sunday, May 8. $5, children 12 and under free. Call 602-279-4669.

Desert Ridge Marketplace
21001 N. Tatum Blvd., Phoenix

"Battle of the Bands." Live music by Eighth Day, Poetic Anxiety, Clayborn, and more. CDs and shirts giveaways. 7 p.m. Free. Call 602-787-6646.

Friday, May 13

Desert Botanical Garden
1201 N. Galvin Pkwy., Phoenix

Live Latin jazz with Cinco de Moio. $8-$16. Children under 3 are free. Call 480-941-1225.

Bars and Clubs

Thursday, May 5

Anderson's Fifth Estate
6820 E. 5th Ave., Scottsdale

"Cinco de Mayo Gothic Style." Area 51 Gothic night with $1 drafts and $2.50 iced tea. Call 480-994-4168.

Apollo's
5749 N. 7th St., Phoenix

Gay Karaoke with Ron. No cover. Call 602-277-9373.

Arizona Joe's
417 S. Winchester Rd., Apache Junction

Live country music with Western Electric. Call 480-983-6115.

Arizona Roadhouse & Brewery
140 W. Warner Rd., Chandler

Latin dancing with live band. Call 480-726-0505.

Baby Dolls
3522 Grand Ave., Phoenix

Corona and tequila drink specials, exotic entertainment all day. $5 cover. Call 602-336-9777.

Baja Tilly's Cantina
1123 W. Broadway Rd., Tempe

"Cinco de Mayo Fiesta" with Mega 104.3, DJ Jerry, live music from Los Bad Boys and Straight Up, and the Bud Girls and Cazadores Girls. $5 Cazadores shots. $3 Bud and Bud Light 16-ounce cans. All night. $10 cover. Call 480-968-6224.

Barwinkles
5930 W. Greenway Rd., Glendale

Karaoke at 9 p.m. Drink specials. Call 602-938-9330.

The Big Bang
501 S. Mill Ave., Tempe

Sing along with dueling pianos. Call 480-557-5595.

Brennan's Sports Bar
13610 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale

Special menu served all day. Games and cash prizes at 8 p.m. DJ at 9 p.m. No cover. Call 480-951-8837.

BS West
7125 E. 5th Ave., Scottsdale

Kamikaze Karaoke. No cover. Call 480-945-9028.