If you want our two cents, there's plenty of ways to cut costs without cutting into your social calendar. From free movie screenings at the museum to software-based shenanigans and winter holidays in the heat, here are our top three picks this week for gratis gatherings in the Valley.
See also: Brazil Day Festival Returns to Scottsdale September 6
Contemporary Forum Summer Film Festival: Trance
Love The Goldfinch? Then you might like Danny Boyle's Trance. Starring James McAvoy, Vincent Cassel, and Rosario Dawson, this 2013 thriller follows a fine art auctioneer on the hunt for a missing painting. This movie is being screened for free at Phoenix Art Museum on Wednesday, July 16, at 7 p.m. as part of the the Contemporary Forum Summer Film Festival sponsored by Lisa Sette Gallery. Visit www.phxart.org for details.
Techies are taking to the penthouse at 111 West Monroe for the free networking event PHX Tech Talks. This quarterly event gives software engineers the chance to discuss the latest innovations in the industry while listening to experienced presenters share their insider know-how. The PHX Tech Talk, happening from 5 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, July 15, will feature food, drinks, and a presentation by Steve Thompson, general manager of Uber Phoenix. For more information and to register, visit phxtechtalks.com.
For those who think Christmas can't come soon enough, Historic Downtown Glendale is offering a little holiday pick-me-up with its annual Christmas in July. This community event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, July 19, and features holiday crafts, cookies, shopping, and even a Santa Claus. Despite being 158 days out from the actual day, this event marks the start of installing the 1.5 million lights used to create Glendale Glitters in December. For more information, visit www.visitglendale.com/news/christmasinjuly.
