Special Events
Chandler Downtown Public Library Courtyard
100 E. Commonwealth Ave., Chandler
Got a Chihuahua that's both cute and quick? Those wee beasties will be celebrated during Chandler's Cinco de Mayo Festival, where they can participate in both the yearly Chihuahua races and beauty pageant, which are the hallmark of this event. The races will take place promptly at 2 p.m. followed by the contests that crown the king and queen Chihuahua, as well as various cash prizes. (Entry fees are $20 for the races, $10 for the pageant, and $25 for both.) Meanwhile, the festival itself will include Latin bands, traditional dancing, food and drink vendors, a lowrider show, and other festivities. 10 a.m., free. Call 480-310-2018.
Cinco de Mayo Phoenix
200 E. Van Buren St.
www.cincophx.com
More than 200,000 people are expected to pack intersection of Second Street and Van Buren for this annual two-day Cinco block party and fiesta. A slate of entertainment is planned, including folkloric dancing, traditional music, and boxing exhibitions. The live entertainment scheduled includes a performance by El Chicano and Los Lonely Boys on Saturday, May 3, followed by Ozomatli and Los Lobos on Sunday, May 4. Food and drink vendors, carnival rides, arts and crafts demonstrations, and a variety of games are also planned. Hours are 2 p.m. to midnight on Saturday, May 3; and noon to 10 p.m. on Sunday, May 5. General admission is $5-$10 for the event, VIP access to the concerts is $25 each day, and an all-inclusive VIP pass is $50.
The Comedy Spot
7117 E. 3rd Ave., Scottsdale
www.thecomedyspot.net
Danny Serrano will host the "Drinko de Mayo Comedy Show" on Sunday, May 4, which will feature such comics as Richard Galaviz, Jr., Miguel Diarte, Gabe Bell, Mike Dapper, John Griggs, and others. 7 p.m., $10. Call 480-945-4422.
Garcia's
Six Valley locations
www.garciasmexicanrestaurants.net
Cinco de Mayo will bring live music, free kids meal with additional purchase, and other food and drink specials at all local Garcia's restaurants on Monday, May 5. Call 602-866-1850.
Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino
5040 Wild Horse Pass Blvd., Chandler
www.wingilariver.com
Legendary funk band WAR will offer a special Cinco de Mayo weekend performance in the casino's Ovations Live! Showroom on Friday, May 2. 8 p.m., $28-$58. Call 800-946-4452.
Bars & Clubs
Apollo's Lounge
5749 N. 7th St.
www.apollos.com
DJ Roya and DJ Funkfinger will rain down indie tunes and dance tracks during the one-year anniversary of their monthly dance party Tongue Tied on Saturday, May 3. A love-themed costume contest for a $200 in liquor, a champagne toast, mixtape swap, and other fun will also take place. 9 p.m., $5 cover after 9:30. Call 602-277-9373.
Aunt Chilada's
7330 N. Dreamy Draw Dr.
www.auntchiladas.com
An entire weekend of Cinco shenanigans will transpire at this North Phoenix bar and restaurant. The four-day party starts on Friday, May 2, with music from Marble Heart at 7:30 p.m., drink specials like $4 Avion Silver shots from 2 p.m. to close, appearances by the Avion Girls, and more. The celebration continues on Saturday, May 3, with a performance by Hypnotix at 7:30 p.m., $4 Don Julio Silver starting at 2 p.m., and a Vladimir Putin look-alike contest with a $100 cash prize at 9:30 p.m. The offerings on Sunday, May 3, include a bocce tournament, giveaways, music from Essence Groove Factory at 6 p.m., and chance to hang out with the Cruz Tequila and PBR girls. Finally, the Cinco shindig on Monday, May 5, will feature DJ Mike G., classic rock from Kung Fu Grip, a dunk tank for charity, and more. Call 602-944-1286.
The Blind Pig
3370 N. Hayden Road, Scottsdale
www.blindpigaz.com
Special Cinco de Mayo food and drink samplings sponsored by Southern Wine & Spirits and Traeger Grills will take place on Monday, May 5. Call 480-994-1055.
Calico Jack's Cantina
6770 N. Sunrise Blvd., Glendale
www.calicojacksglendale.com
There won't be merely one Cinco celebration taking place at Calico Jack's in honor of the holiday. In fact, its proprietors are planning a five-day "Saga de Mayo" that will certainly test your partying mojo. It begins with "Uno de Mayo" on Thursday, May 1, which will feature tequila cocktail competition starring its bartending staff. Day two on Friday, May 2, will include a "Sexy Seniorita" competition for $200 in cash and prizes, followed by live bands and a achance to win a trip for two to Mexico on Saturday, May 3. Meanwhile, the "Cuatro de Mayo" party on Sunday, May 4, will feature a special brunch at 10 a.m. and a cash giveaway for those in the best Star Wars-themed costumes; and the main event on Monday, May 5, will include $3 margaritas all day long, live music, DJs, and more. Call 623-877-5225.
Crescent Ballroom
308 N. 2nd Ave.
www.crescentphx.com
Latin reggae-rock band Fayuca performs on Monday, May 5, with support from Ritmo Latino, RUCA, The Wiley One, and Kim Capria. 8 p.m., $5. Call 602-716-2222.
Dos Gringos
4209 N. Craftsman Court, Scottsdale
www.dosgringosaz.com
A four-day fiesta featuring DJs, drink specials, live bands, giveaways, and more is scheduled to take place from Friday, May 2, to Monday, May 5. Call 480-423-3800.
El Hefe
4425 N. Saddlebag Trail, Scottsdale
640 S. Mill Ave., Tempe
www.elhefe.com
Both locations of this "Super Macho Taqueria" will host two-day Cinco de Hefe block parties on Saturday, May 3, and Sunday, May 4. DJs such as Fashen will drop hot beats, the TVs will be tuned to the Floyd "Money" Mayweather/Marcos Maidana pay-per-view boxing match on May 3, and there's likely to be giveaways, sombreros, and sexy staff members dancing on the bars. Doors open at 11 a.m. each day. Call 480-257-2797 or 480-945-6200.
Fat Tuesday
680 S. Mill Ave.
www.fattuesdaytempe.com
Cinco de Drinko party on Monday, May 5, with three different DJs performing both inside the club and out in its courtyard. Drink specials like $2 Bud Light Limes and $4 margaritas run until 6 p.m. Doors open at 11 a.m. Call 480-967-3917.
Joe's Grotto
13825 N. 32nd St.
www.joesgrotto.com
The hard rockers and metal monsters of Zack Attack, (sic)monic, Souless, 3 Seconds More, Discordant, Footer, and Reason to Rebel will stage a Cinco weekend show on Friday, May 2. Tickets are $8 in advance, $10 at the door. Call 602-992-1007.
Marc's Sports Grill
4494 W. Peoria Ave., Glendale
www.marcssportsgrillandnightlife.com
Marc's becomes "Marco's" on Monday, May 5, during Cinco De Mayo Fiesta Party, which will include a special Mexican food menu filled with green chili burros, chicken enchiladas, quesadillas, tacos, mexican pizza, nachos and other eats. The bar will also serve such drink specials as $2.75 margaritas on the rocks, $2.25 tequila shots, $3.25 tequila sunrises, $3.25 Coronas, and $3.50 Dos Equis pints. Free Texas Hold'em game for gift certificates will start at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m., karaoke takes place in the lounge at 9 p.m., and happy hour prices will be offered from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Call 623-842-1053.
Monarch Theatre
122 E. Washington St.
Trap music DJ/producer Bro Safari will headline the Tres de Mayo dance fest on Saturday, May 3, at this downtown Phoenix nightclub. 9 p.m.; $15 general admission, $25 for VIP access. See www.relentlessbeats.com.
Monkey Pants Bar & Grill
3223 S. Mill Ave., Tempe
www.monkeypantsbar.com
Need a laugh? Head for this silly Mill Avenue joint for its annual "No Irish Allowed Mexican Pants Off Dance Off" on day, May 5, where its proprietors claim you can "celebrate like a real vato at Tempe's most Anglo bar" on Cinco de Mayo. Oh, and there will also be specials on tacos and tequila to boot. Call 480-377-8100.
Rhythm Room
1019 E. Indian School Road
www.rhythmroom.com
Rhythm Room mainstay Mona Watkins returns to her former stomping grounds for her annual "Cindo De Mona" affair on Monday, May 5, which will feature Santana tribute band Supernatural, a Latin dance lesson and performance by the Arizona Lindy Hop Society, and a special fire performance by Ghazaal Beledi. 7:30 p.m., $5. Call 602-265-4842.
The Shout! House
6770 N. Sunrise Blvd., Glendale
www.theshouthouse.com/az
Celebrate during Cinco with drink specials and the always-entertaining dueling pianos. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the pianos start at 8pm. Call 623-772-1500.
Yucca Tap Room
29 W. Southern Ave., Tempe
www.yuccatap.com
The two-day Vagfest kicks off on Friday, May 2, and will feature a slew of female-fronted local bands performing. The lineup includes Cherie Cherie, Man Hands, Katterwaul, Bleeding Rainbow, and Scorpion vs. Tarantula on May 2, followed by Shovel, Numb Bats, White Murder, French Girls, and The Sex on Saturday, May 3. The music starts at 8 p.m. both nights. Admission is free. Call 480-967-4777.
