Arts and Entertainment

March's First Friday events offer a wide variety activities throughout downtown and midtown Phoenix. This month's highlights include the Caramelpalooza at Smeeks and the edgy, short shows of the Phoenix Fringe Festival.

Roosevelt Row Community Development Corporation has been named a finalist for a national grant for creative placemaking because of its dynamic use of space in downtown Phoenix.

This week, the theme is old meet new. Two-tone ska legends meet local innovators. Native traditions meet contemporary art forums. Greek myths inspire avant-garde performance. The vagabond lifestyle meets the modern city. Classic Latin principles coalesce in modern dance. Oh, and spinning for a good cause!

Several local artists have teamed up to decorate a vacant lot in Phoenix with a mural as part of the "What Should Go Here?" community project.

This past weekend, enthusiasts gathered to share and celebrate aspects of Japanese culture at the annual Arizona Matsuri, especially the spirit and art of bonsai.

Phoenix-based indie rock band Knesset's successful tour in Japan launched its debut album and gave the band unique experiences to bring back to the States.

Presidents Day has passed, and Lent has begun –– now let’s hope that doesn’t mean you’ve given up on exploration! This week, the DevilPass brings you another wide array of activities in the downtown area, including a community revitalization project, a benefit show, three new unique plays and the return of a ‘90s indie-rock godfather. Each of these events is close to home, so there’s no excuse not to get out and do something!

Photographers and artists share their different perspectives of Arizona with nontraditional landscapes at "The Forty Eighth: Contemporary Photography at Arizona's Centennial" exhibit at the MonOrchid gallery.

A monthly potluck that brings together community members from all walks of life celebrates its second anniversary in central Phoenix this year.

Something is different this week: Downtown Phoenix really has drawn the best. The Live Music Capital of the World, classic photographic process, rising local stars, a celebration of community, genre legends and the one and only Rhinestone Cowboy all have gathered in our fair city to share their craft. As Phoenix continues its centennial year, downtown is making the case for being a national cultural landmark. This week, celebrate legacy and future, tradition and progression. It’s all downtown.