All doubts about Phoenix being a big-league city will be put to rest this weekend as Major League Baseball's All-Star Week continues around the Valley. But whether you're a sports fan or an artsy type more apt to be found at Friday's Arizona Between Nosotros performance at the Arizona Latino Arts & Cultural Center, there's no shortage of killer events around town this weekend.
All-Star FanFest @ Phoenix Convention Center
While it's great to take in a game, the FanFest lets baseball's biggest fans get up close and personal with the players off the field. Friday through Tuesday, the convention center will be decked out with sports memorabilia, interactive exhibits, batting cages and free autograph sessions with D-Backs team members. Tip: Be one of the first mega-fans to line up when the fest opens each day at 9 a.m. and you'll score free commemorative swag including pins, figurines and miniature pennants. Tickets are $25-30.
Ethos @ The Icehouse
The
cavernous open-ceiling historic building is going industrial, and we're
not talking about drill presses or manufacturing equipment. Bring five
bucks (cash only) to the door at 9 p.m. this Friday, July 8, and spend
the night thrashing away to tunes spun by DJs Dark Mark, Kill the Alex,
and Aleta Welling, who will also be showing off her H.R. Giger-esque
sci-fi inspired paintings. Rigor Mortis Doll House and Steam Synthetic
are pairing up for a roaming photo booth: Dress your best and preserve
the memory, because you might not recall much after partaking in the
plentiful mixed drinks and beer available at the on-site bar.
Splash Summer Kickoff Party @ the Lexington Hotel
We're
all feeling a little dirty after this week's epic Phoenix Haboob, and
what better way to rinse off than with a little Psyko Steve. The
Phoenix-area event producer is introducing his new weekly pool party
series this Saturday night from 7-11:30 p.m., headlined by local indie
rock band What Laura Says. Also expect slick, bass-heavy beats from
guest DJ Mr. Coon, and a ton of thrift store bikini-clad hipsters
swaying to Mondegreen and Gospel Claws. Cost is $5.
Frida Kahlo Birthday Celebration @ Vision Gallery
Admit
it, you always wondered what it would be like to have Frida Kahlo's
signature unibrow. Maybe you even penciled one in on your forehead when
you were a kid. An "Ay! Brows!" face painting booth is just one of the
ways that the Phoenix Fridas are celebrating the famed Mexican painter's
birthday week this Saturday. There will
also be a craft area, Frida lookalike contest, and of course, birthday
cake. The celebration happens as part of the Fridas' "I Leave You My
Portrait" exhibit, which includes a mock-up of the artist's bedroom and a
painting of figures from cubist, Renaissance-era, and Die de Los
Muertos artwork bearing gifts for the birthday gal.
Maxim's Diamond In The Desert @ WET Pool Lounge
It's
likely that what goes on in the locker room at the MLB All-Star games
stays in the locker room. Since it'd be tough to score an invite to the
real deal, Scottsdale's W Hotel is offering the second-best thing with a
baseball themed bash at 10 p.m. on Sunday night at the pool deck. Get
your picture snapped at the photo booth, feast on All-American ice cream
and Coneys, or grab a bench and talk some trash in the Old Spice locker
room. Though no celeb guests have been named yet, rumor has it that
some major league hitters could show up to soak up the limelight.
Tickets are $100 at www.wscottsdaletickets.com.
