Arts and Entertainment

A nonprofit jazz-education and performance center on Roosevelt Row held a ribbon-cutting ceremony during the venue's weekly jam session in anticipation of its grand-opening concert.

An exhibit displaying recycled materials repurposed into functional tote bags is the latest in a series focusing on unique and functional art at downtown Phoenix's MADE Art Boutique.

The first annual Roosevelt Row Chile Pepper Festival hosted by Roosevelt Row Community Development Corporation will include live music, on-site chile roasting and dozens of local restaurants and chile experts sharing their love for peppers and everything the unique vegetable can do.

Even if the weather isn’t quite as cool as we’d like, downtown’s creative community is already beckoning us outside with three tantalizing outdoor events this week alone. Check out some ballet from the Valley’s only professional troupe, some one-of-a-kind spicy food over on Roosevelt Row and a bicycle-driven pub crawl.

Downtown musicians Tobie Milford and Henri Bernard provide the soundtrack to "The Immigration Paradox," a movie that will premiere at Phoenix's Orpheum Theatre on Thursday. The movie's subjects range from undocumented immigrants to "tea party" activists, and the film touches on Arizona's Senate Bill 1070 and the DREAM Act.

Culture reigns supreme this week in downtown Phoenix. Indie hip-hop lingers alongside premium fashion, new music venues co-exists with potlucks, and a documentary aims to expose the truth of one of the world’s most powerful charities. Enlighten all parts of the brain, and take a stroll through town.

Lawn Gnome Publishing will feature a comic book drawing workshop every Tuesday evening beginning this week led by comic book artist Matthew Molleur.

With all the signs of progress in downtown Phoenix, it’s time to take a look at some old favorites. Short Leash Hot Dogs and Urban Beans, The Torch Theater, Lawn Gnome Publishing, The Firehouse and the Trunk Space are all bringing out their best work this week, presenting movies, poetry championships, improv, forgotten musical favorites and more all within a brief light rail ride of the Downtown campus.

A new academic year brings a slew of new bodies to downtown Phoenix. Lesson one of this metropolitan culture: First Friday arts walk.

Although Phoenix is refusing to relent with the heat, that shouldn’t stop anyone from taking a walk outside their door into downtown. This week’s prime entertainment comes from a more pop-centric place.