Talking Stick Resort Is Reopening Soon — Here's When Concerts Will Return

The Scottsdale resort and casino reopens on September 24. The concerts, however, will take a little longer.

September 18, 2018

Image: Talking Stick Resort in Scottsdale.

Talking Stick Resort in Scottsdale. Courtesy of Talking Stick Resort

Help us weather the uncertain future

We need to raise $7,000 to meet our goal by August 10. If you’re able to make a contribution of any amount, your dollars will make an immediate difference in helping ensure the future of local journalism in Phoenix. Thanks for reading Phoenix New Times.

We know — the economic times are hard. We believe that our work of reporting on the critical stories unfolding right now is more important than ever.

Contribute Now

Progress to goal

$7,000

$3,000

Audio By Carbonatix

[
          {
            "name": "GPT - Billboard - Slot Inline - Content - Labeled - No Desktop",
            "component": "21251496",
            "insertPoint": "2",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
          },{
            "name": "STN Player - Float - Mobile Only ",
            "component": "21327862",
            "insertPoint": "2",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
          },{
            "name": "Editor Picks",
            "component": "16759093",
            "insertPoint": "4",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
          },{
            "name": "Inline Links",
            "component": "17980324",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 8,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          },{
            "name": "GPT - 2x Rectangles Desktop, Tower on Mobile - Labeled",
            "component": "21934225",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 8,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
            "maxInsertions": 25          
          
          },{
            "name": "Inline Links",
            "component": "17980324",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 12,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          },{
            "name": "GPT - Leaderboard to Tower - Slot Auto-select - Labeled",
            "component": "17012245",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 12,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          }
        ]

Gamblers and concertgoers rejoice: Talking Stick Resort in Scottsdale is reopening next week after being closed for six weeks.

The Scottsdale hotel and casino, which shut down in mid-August due to monsoon storms, announced that it will be open to the public once again on Monday, September 24.

Its concerts, however, are going to take a little longer to get going.

Talking Stick closed on August 11 after a massive thunderstorm caused flooding, power outages, and other damage to the Scottsdale resort. An estimated 600 people, including guests and employees, were evacuated from the property following the incident.

Officials from the Salt River Pima Indian Community, which owns Talking Stick, had originally hoped to reopen the resort within days. Repair delays and other issues, however, kept the resort closed for more than six weeks now, acording to a statement posted on Talking Stick’s website and social media.

“After the dedicated work of staff and skilled contractors, the necessary repairs were made to restore the property’s electrical system and other areas,” the statement read. “We appreciate everyone’s patience during this time, as we made the decision early on to only reopen the property after ensuring quality work was completed, verified, and authorized by qualified agencies.”

Talking Stick’s closure caused the cancellation of many events, including multiple music events. The resort’s popular Release pool party series – which was supposed to run until Labor Day and feature appearances by such DJs as Jauz, Zedd, 3LAU, and DJ Diesel (a.k.a. Shaquille O’Neal) – wound up being nixed.

Performances by rockers Burton Cummings and Daughtry, which were originally scheduled to take place on September 7 and 8, respectively, were rescheduled.

According to the websites for Talking Stick and local promoter Danny Zelisko, who puts on many of the bigger gigs at the resort, concerts will resume on Sunday, September 30, with a show featuring Boy George and Culture Club with The B-52's.

Here's a rundown of upcoming concerts at Talking Stick Resort.

Boy George and Culture Club
With The B-52's and Tom Bailey
Sunday, September 30
7 p.m.
$40-$200
Pool at Talking Stick Resort

Nick Swardson
Saturday, October 13
8 p.m.
$30-$130
Salt River Grand Ballroom at Talking Stick Resort

Aaron Lewis
Friday, November 2, and Saturday, November 3
8 p.m.
$35-$100
Salt River Grand Ballroom at Talking Stick Resort

Pablo Cruise
Friday, November 9
8 p.m.
Showroom at Talking Stick Resort
$20-$75

Benjamin Leatherman is a staff writer for Phoenix New Times where he focuses primarily on arts, culture, music and nightlife. He joined New Times in 2003. Prior to that, he contributed to magazines such as Tips & Tricks and The Wrestler. Benjamin has earned multiple awards from the Arizona Press Club including an award for sports enterprise reporting in 2009 and an award for statewide arts reporting in 2014. He holds a bachelor’s of arts in journalism from Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication.

A message from Benjamin Leatherman: If you value independent journalism, please consider making a contribution to support our continued coverage of Phoenix's music, events and entertainment scenes.

Support Today