FRIDAY, APRIL 30
Special Events
Gladiadores Unidos
261 N. 17th St.
www.myspace.com/gladiadoreslucha
The colorful and kooky combatants of Gladiadores Unidos — Black Nacell, Rudy Escobedo, and El Diablo — engage in battle during an evening of fierce lucha libre (a.k.a. Mexican wrestling) action. 7 p.m.; $3 for children, $5 for adults. Call 480-399-9996.
Bars & Clubs
Hidden House
607 W. Osborn Rd.
DJ impresario Al Page hosts Steady Mobbin, a night of West Coast hip-hop music featuring spin sessions by Bigie, Blesd One, Kris the Fist, and others. 9 p.m., $5. Call 602-266-1763.
Matador Mexican Restaurant
125 E. Adams St.
www.matador2go.com
Bump your humps to cumbias, reggaeton, and other Latin dance music spun by the Manic Hispanic during Caliente Chica Fridays. 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Call 602-254-7563 for cover.
SATURDAY, MAY 1
Restaurants
Port of Subs
21001 N. Tatum Blvd.
www.portofsubs.com
Turkey Bacon Avocado sandwiches will be available starting at $4.99 during the month of May. Call 480-502-7962.
Bars & Clubs
American Junkie
4363 N 75th St., Scottsdale
www.americanjunkieaz.com
The Junkie Cinco Weekend Block Party kicks off with such drink specials as $5 vodka Red Bulls and Bloody Marys, music from The Spazmatics and The New FO's starting at 8 p.m., and the Floyd Mayweather/Shane Mosley fight will be showing throughout the bar. 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Call 480-990-3000.
Chasers
8005 E. Roosevelt St., Scottsdale
www.myspace.com/chasersliveaz
A triumvirate of Latino ska and psychobilly acts travel from California to take to the stage, including 8 Kalacas, The Rocketz, and Doña Canchis. Valley bands Cultura Libertaria, The Limit Club, Elron, and Rooster Coup DeVille are also on the bill. 7 p.m., $10. Call 480-945-4985.
Club DWNTWN
702 N. Central Ave.
Cinco de Mayo party with DJs Rubas, Alfredo, and Big Latin blasting out hip-hop, salsa, merengue, cumbia, and rock en español. Drink specials include $3 margaritas. 9:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., $10. Call 602-258-8343.
Hollywood Alley
2610 W. Baseline Rd., Mesa
www.thehollywoodalley.com
Legendary local indie band The Vinegar Sting stage a reunion gig, with support from JJCnV, Haunted Cologne, and The Pods. 9 p.m., $5. Call 480-820-7117.
Mateo's Cantina
5508 N. 7th Ave.
www.mateoscantina.com
Witness the Mayweather/Mosley bout during the Fight Night viewing party, which features a sumptuous buffet from 6 to 8 p.m., DJ Tony spinning afterwards, and more. Noon, $20 per person. Call 602-242-4252.
Sky Lounge
132 E. Washington St.
www.myspace.com/skysaturday
Get your groove on during Latin Ladies Night as DJs Kyko, Mario, and Daffy spin cumbia, reggaeton, hip-hop, and dance music. 9 p.m., $10. Call 602-229-1110.
SUNDAY, MAY 2
Special Events
Del Sol Reception Hall
243 S. Mesa Dr., Mesa
Death Machine, Mofo Clown, Payaso Asesino, Prince Azteca and the other performers of AA Lucha Libre Mexicana present a thrilling evening of high-flying and hard-hitting wrestling action. 7 p.m.; $3 for children, $5 for adults. Call 480-834-0772.
Bars & Clubs
American Junkie
4363 N 75th St., Scottsdale
www.americanjunkieaz.com
The Junkie Cinco Weekend Block Party continues with a double elimination dodge ball tournament (featuring a $500 cash prize for the winner and $250 for best costume), food and drink specials, and more. 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Call 480-990-3000.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 5
Special Events
Arizona Piñatas
www.arizonapinatas.com
All Cinco de Mayo piñatas will be on sale, including such beautifully bashable creations in the shape of margarita glasses and chili peppers. Prices range from $24.95 for small to $44.95 for large. Call 480-310-3999 for more info.
ASU Kerr Cultural Center
6110 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale
www.asukerr.com
Percussionist Joe Garcia and a few of his musician friends perform an evening of Latin Jazz and other global selections. 7:30 p.m., $16.50-$21.50. Call 480-596-2660 or see www.ticketmaster.com.
Casino Arizona
524 N. 92nd St., Scottsdale
www.casinoaz.com
Latino comedians Rudy Moreno, Felipe Esparza, Darren Carter, and others won't be pulling any punchlines during the annual Cinco de Mayo Comedy Fiesta. 8 p.m., $25. Call 480-850-7734 or see www.ticketmaster.com.
Clubhouse Music Venue
1320 E. Broadway Rd., Tempe
www.clubhousemusicvenue.com
Japanese experimental post-rock band Mono go from Tokyo to Tempe as they stop by the Clubhouse on their latest North American tour. Austin indie-rock sextet Balmorhea will open the show. 7:30 p.m., $15. Call 480-967-7977.
Harrah's Ak-Chin
15406 N. Maricopa Rd., Maricopa
www.harrahsakchin.com
The casino's lounge will be serving $1 margaritas, $1.50 domestic drafts, and $2 Corona and Dos Equis bottles. Jaleo performs salsa and Latin favorites and the first 1,100 patrons receive a souvenir margarita glass. 5 to 9 p.m. Call 480-802-5000.
Restaurants
Arriba Mexican Grill
Five Valley locations
www.arribamexicangrill.com
A variety of live entertainment, promo giveaways, and such drink specials as $2 beers, $3 shots, and $4 margaritas will be available at each Arriba restaurant on Cinco de Mayo. 5 to 10 p.m. Call 480-948-9969.
Cafe Carumba
7303 E. Indian School Rd., Scottsdale
www.cafecarumba.com
Shots of Patrón are only $5 all day. 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Call 480-947-8777.
The Compound Grill
7000 E. Mayo Blvd.
www.thecompoundgrill.com
Celebrate Cinco with a performance from folk rocker Martin Sexton and special guests the Ryan Montbleau Band, "fresh Mex" cuisine, specials on Mexican beers, and more. All day happy hour is from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. (with no cover), and the music starts at 8 p.m. (with $20-$22 admission). Call 480-585-5483.
Crave Café & Lounge
505 S. Mill Ave., Tempe
www.cravetempe.com
A "gourmet fiesta" of Mexican eats (including $1 tacos and burritos) will be offered from 4 to 9 p.m. Later in the evening, DJ Thaicoon will work the turntables during the "La Femme Fiesta," which includes a VIP happy hour from 10 to 11 p.m. and no cover for ladies until midnight. Open until 2 a.m. Call 480-784-6700.
Fatburger
414 S. Mill Ave., Tempe
www.fatburger.com
Get $1.99 bottles of Corona until midnight. Open at 10:30 a.m. Call 480 449-9002.
Half Moon Sports Grill
288 E. Greenway Pkwy.
2121 E. Highland Ave.
www.halfmoonsportsgrill.com
Both locations will present Cinco de Mayo patio parties featuring $4 monster margaritas, $3 Tecate and Dos Equis, half-price pollo fundido, and other specials. 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Call 602-933-6600 or 602-977-2700.
Kozy Cactus
4356 E. Cactus Rd.
www.kozycactus.com
Celebrate all day long with a Mexican food buffet, live music from Cactus Homegrown starting at 6 p.m., drink specials on margaritas, tequila shots, and Mexican Beers, and more. 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Call 602-569-5699.
Long Wong's at the Firehouse
1639 E. Apache Blvd., Tempe
www.longwongstempe.com
Live music from Los Patrons and Bye Heart, drink specials, delicious eats, and more. 9 p.m. Call 480-967-0167.
Los Sombreros
2534 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale
www.lossombreros.com
This Mexican eatery offers a slew of Cinco de Mayo specials and a $5 Happy Hour all night long. 4 to 9 p.m. Call 480-994-1799.
Macayo's Mexican Kitchen
All 10 Valley locations
www.macayo.com
Each Phoenix-area Macayo's will serve up $5 16-ounce margaritas and $5.55 combos, in addition to featuring DJs, live music, mariachis, face painters, and various other distractions. Call 602-264-6141.
Padre's Modern Mexican
1044 E. Camelback Rd.
www.padresmexican.com
Cinco de Drinco party promising Mexican beers (including $2.50 Coronas), specials on margaritas, live music starting at 7:30 p.m., and more. 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Call 602-277-1749.
Salty Señorita
Four Valley locations
www.saltysenorita.com
Each restaurant will host carnival-themed Circo de Mayo parties, offering such delights as food and drinks, games, giveaways, and music from live bands and local DJs. 11 a.m. to 2 a.m., wristbands start at $10. Call 480-946-7258.
San Gabriel Mexican Café
7000 N. 16th St.
www.sangabrielaz.com
Meal deals, Cinco de Mayo specials, and mouthwatering margaritas will be available all day, with a DJ spinning from 8 p.m. until close. 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Call 602-371-0111.
T.G.I. Friday's
21001 N. Tatum Blvd.
www.tgifridays.com
Save some scrilla with such drink deals as $3 Mexican bottled beers and cheladas and $7.77 premium margaritas. Free chips and salsa will also be served. Call 480-538-1945.
Valle Luna Mexican Restaurant
3336 W. Bell Rd.
www.valleluna.com
Annual Cinco de Mayo tent party, which includes a free appetizer buffet, live music, and entertainment from Devotion, DJs, and more. 3 to 10 p.m., $10. Call 602-993-3108.
Zendejas Grill
19420 N. 59th Ave., Glendale
www.citadelleplaza.com
This combination grand opening party and Cinco de Mayo celebration promises plenty of mojitos and margaritas, live music from the Ron Hoyos Band, and more 3 to 10 p.m. Call 602-398-6434.
Bars & Clubs
Cadillac Ranch
2000 E. Rio Salado Pkwy., Tempe
www.cadillacranchtempe.com
Eating and drinking will abound at the annual Cinco De Rancho celebration, which offers $2 tacos and such liquid refreshment as $2 Dos Equis Amber and Lager, $3 Cuervo Silver, $4 frozen margaritas, and $5 Cabo Wabo Reposado Rocks margaritas. Acoustic musicians perform from 5 to 8 p.m. and DJ Benjamin Cutswell spins from 10 p.m. until close. 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Call 480-894-1111.
Cocomo Joe's
28244 N. Tatum Blvd., Cave Creek
www.cocomojoes.com
Cinco De Mayo party with karaoke, $2.50 Corona and Corona Lights, and more. 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Call 480-538-8008.
D'Arcy McGee's
2000 E. Rio Salado Pkwy., Tempe
Drink specials like $2 Jose Cuervo and $4 margaritas will be available. 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Call 480-557-9087.
Devil's Advocate
955 E. University Dr., Tempe
www.devilstempe.com
Alt-rock station X103.9 presents its Cinco de Mayo Bash with a performance by L.A.'s Crash Kings and other bands, beer, and more. 5 p.m., $10. Call 480-921-2585.
Dos Gringos Scottsdale
4209 N. Craftsman Ct., Scottsdale
www.dosgringosaz.com
Cinco de Mayo fiesta promising live music, DJs, prizes, games, and giveaways all day. 11 a.m. to 2 a.m., $5. Call 480-423-3800.
Horse & Hound Sports Grill
1320 E. Broadway Rd., Tempe
www.horseandhoundsportsgrill.com
The weekly Rockstar Karaoke session will take place. 9 p.m. Call 480-967-7977.
Marc's Sports Grill & Nightlife
4494 W. Peoria Ave., Glendale
www.marcssportsgrillandnightlife.com
The partying action runs all day long with a Mexican fiesta menu, specials on Corona and tequila from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., with karaoke in the MarcTini Lounge and Texas Hold'em in the main room after 9 p.m. Open until 2 a.m. Call 623-842-1053.
Rhythm Room
1019 E. Indian School Dr.
www.rhythmroom.com
Cinco de Mona's Birthday Burrito Fiesta featuring music from The Sugar Thieves, Black Carl, Dry River Yacht Club, Yellow Minute, Home Jones, and more. 7 p.m., $5 (burrito included). Call 602-265-4842.
Salty Señorita
Four Valley locations
www.saltysenorita.com
Señoritaville Cinco de Mayo parties will dominate each location, offering patrons plenty of party space, as well as food and drink specials, live music and DJs, games and prizes, promo giveaways, and more. Noon to 2 a.m. $10. Call 480-946-7258.
San Felipe's Cantina
2000 E. Rio Salado Pkwy., Tempe
www.sanfelipescantina.com
The tequila will be flowing like water at this Tempe Marketplace drinkery during its Cinco de Drinko Party, as $3 early bird specials on Sauza and Hornitos (as well as Dos Equis) will be offered from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. A Boy Named Sioux performs at 3 p.m., followed by Party McFly at 7 p.m. Open until 2 a.m. Call 480-515-2337.
Scottsdale Cigar Club
14525 N. 79th St., Scottsdale
www.scottsdalecigarclub.com
Partake in the shop's annual cigar and tequila tasting. 4 to 10 p.m., $10 (includes a free cigar). Call 480-946-7833.
Shady's
2701 E. Indian School Rd.
Enjoy the mellow sounds from the lounge jukebox, free pool until 7 p.m., drink specials, and more. Call 602-956-8998.
SideBar
1514 N. 7th Ave.
www.sidebarphoenix.com
Slap on your kookiest cookie duster for the Cinco de Mustache affair, where patrons are encouraged to wear facial hair (real or otherwise) while DJs Tricky T, Sean Watson, and Jared Alan will be in the mix and drink specials will be served. 9 p.m. Call 602-254-1646.
CAN'T MISS
Cinco de Mayo Salsa Challenge
Feeling bold? Put your taste buds to the test by sampling the potent picantes and other badass salsas that will be slung on Saturday, May 1, at El Pedregal Marketplace, 34505 North Scottsdale Road in Scottsdale. More than a dozen different Valley eateries (such as Dos Diablos, The Spotted Donkey, and El Encanto) will tempt the tongues of those in attendance. Meanwhile, live entertainment will be provided by Tropical Vibes Dance Company and the all-female Mariachi Pasion ensemble. The chips fall where they may from noon to 3 p.m. Admission is free. Call 480-488-4100.
Chandler Cinco de Mayo Festival & Chihuahua Races
Though Chihuahuas aren't exactly built for speed, it's almost guaranteed you'll see plenty of the pint-size pups running their little legs off during this popular local Cinco event on Saturday, May 1, at the Chandler Downtown Library, 100 East Commonwealth Avenue. Countless Chihuahua owners from across the Valley will race their pooches for more than $750 is cash prizes (and the delight of the crowd), as well as entering the diminutive doggies into the yearly "King and Queen Chihuahua" pageant. (Entry fees are $10 for the "King and Queen" contest, $20 for the races, or $25 for both. Registration is at 11 a.m., limited to 150 dogs). Meanwhile, the festival itself will feature a colorful array of vendors, food and drinks, carnival games, live music and entertainment, rides, workshops, folkloric dancing, and more. (A free health fair will also be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.) 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., free.
Cinco de Mayo Phoenix Festival
Legendary funk-rock band WAR will headline this two-day extravaganza taking place smack dab in the middle of downtown Phoenix during Cinco weekend. A five-block stretch of Jefferson Street will transform into a massive fiesta featuring a variety of vendors and such family fun and activities as product sampling, ballet folklorico performances, games, live music, and more. Gates will be open 2 p.m. to midnight on Saturday, May 1, and noon to 10 p.m. on Sunday, May 2. Admission is $5 for adults and free for kids 12 and under. Call 602-279-4669.
Skandalo de Mayo
Wanna keep celebrating Cinco long after everyone else has called it quits? The cool cats at AZ Rockabilly have the same thought in mind as they're flying in Latin ska band Inspector from Monterrey, Mexico, to headline this frenetic fiesta on Thursday, May 6, at Club Red, 2155 East University Drive in Tempe. L.A.'s South Central Skankers and New Mexico's The Big Spank are also scheduled to appear. Doors open at 7 p.m. and pre-sale tickets are $15. Call 602-348-7179.