Crafeteria 2011
- Friday, Dec. 2
- 6-10 p.m.
- Medlock Plaza: Central Avenue and Camelback
- Getting there: Rail — Central Avenue and Camelback stop
- Regular Price: FREE
Recommended if you like: cutting-edge theater, acclaimed writing
This First Friday, the two-time Best of Phoenix award-winning holiday festival returns to midtown Phoenix for its sixth incarnation. Featuring Stinkweeds record shop, Smeeks candy and novelty shop, Halo Piercing & Jewelry, Frances clothing boutique, and the seasonal shop Frances Studio, Phoenix treasure Medlock Plaza has gifts for even the most difficult people on your Christmas list. Each year, the indie shopping center opens its doors for the evening, presenting one-night-only specials, local crafts, food, and entertainment to jump-start the local shopping season. This year, the festival includes displays in the parking lot from 45 local crafters and artisans, the premiere of Frances Studio’s holiday selection, live music on the patio of Stinkweeds from Tetra String Quartet, and food from local food-truck favorite and founder of the Phoenix Street Food Coalition, Short Leash Hot Dogs.
Snake! Snake! Snakes! with Tobie Milford, Saddles, and Bryant Vasquez
- Thursday, Dec. 1
- Show at 8 p.m.
- The Duce: 525 South Central Avenue
- Bike — Central Avenue and Lincoln
- Price: FREE
Recommended if you Like: Arcade Fire, Andrew Bird, the best in local music
The Duce has it all. Comprising a boxing ring, bar, pie shop, old-school ice cream and soda fountain, and repurposed clothing shop, yes, the Duce also hosts shows. On various Thursdays each month, the Duce plays host to what it deems the best in local music. This week, the massive warehouse venue is featuring a headlining set from rising stars Snake! Snake! Snakes! Since the release of their scorching debut EP, the group has been making waves across the country, with the album reaching #23 on the College Music Journal charts, getting a song on the CW television show Vampire Diaries, and providing the theme song for indie film Tanner Hall. As one of the group’s many local shows in December, the group is looking to debut several new songs from their upcoming full-length. However, folks should plan on arriving early to hear the opening set from infectious local violinist-songwriter (and member of the Whisperlights), Tobie Milford. His Andrew Bird-esque violin loops have set him apart from the rest of the local scene as an act to watch as he develops his classical-meets-indie sound, leading to numerous sets across the Valley, and a sold-out CD release show at Modified Arts last year.
Daniel Hart with Michelle Blades, Stephen Steinbrink, and Where Are All the Buffalo
- Tuesday, Dec. 6
- Show at 8 p.m.
- The Trunk Space
- Getting there: Bike — 15th Avenue and Grand
- Price: $6
Recommended if you Like: classical-folk meets indie, John Vanderslice, ukulele
Known for his collaborations with such indie luminaries as John Vanderslice, St. Vincent, and Physics of Meaning, Daniel Hart strikes out on his own with this headlining show at the Trunk Space. Returning for his first U.S. tour since spending time in China this past year, Hart brings his unique mix of soft vocals, watery electronics, crunchy drums, and swirling violins back to the people. After becoming well-known for his studio work, Hart is looking to put his own name into the public eye, and with his newest video, directed by Charlyne Yi of Paper Heart, he seems to be well on his way. As is always the case at the Trunk Space, the local openers perfectly match the headliner. This time around, fresh off her performance at TEDxPhoenix, Phoenix-based ukulele songstress Michelle Blades leads the charge alongside a solo set from Stephen Steinbrink of long-time local heroes French Quarter, and local duo Where Are All the Buffalo?
Rogue Green – Event Numero Veinticuatro – Eric Corey Freed
- Thursday, Dec. 1
- Salvador Calvano Salon
- 6-9 p.m.
- Getting there: Rail and Bike — Central Avenue and Encanto stop, ride to 7th Street and Sheridan
- Price: $5 with student ID
Recommended if you Like: the “green” movement, thoughtful lectures, engaging in your community
After a few months off scheming for the future, Valley green culture maven Stacey Champion returns with one of her biggest Rogue Green events yet. For each event, Champion invites a leader from the eco-friendly world to lecture on their work, and provide perspective for attendees at the “educational/social/networking” gatherings. This month features LEED AP architect and noted author and lecturer Eric Corey Freed, a leader in eco-friendly architecture in the United States. For over 20 years, Freed has been advancing the cause of environmentally-friendly design as principal of the renowned organicARCHITECT architecture and consulting firm, and co-developer of the Sustainable Design programs at Academy of Art University and University of California, Berkeley Extension. To feed your brain this weekend, there’s no better option than to hear Freed’s wisdom—something much-needed for the future (hopefully green) development of Phoenix.
Downtown Dine Around
- Saturday, Dec. 3
- Restaurants across downtown Phoenix
- 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Getting there: Walk to each participating restaurant, all in the downtown Core
- Price: Free to attend; menu items priced between $2 and $3
Recommended if you Like: Downtown dining, diverse food
Presented by the Downtown Phoenix Partnership, the Downtown Dine Around returns for its second year, this time featuring eleven delectable restaurants all around the center of the city. 1130 The Restaurant, District American Kitchen & Wine Bar, Ghost Lounge, Phoenix Public Market, Province, Sam’s Cafe, Seamus McCaffrey’s Irish Pub, Sing High Chop Suey House, Tilted Kilt Pub & Eatery, the newly-renovated Tom’s Tavern & 1929 Grill, and Z Pizza will open their doors to hungry customers prowling for high-quality cuisine. Everything from bar food, to organic specials, to Irish treats, to Chinese favorites, to pizza will be available for consumption at the various locales participating in the food crawl. The event itself serves a dual purpose, as the restaurants will each be offering low-cost sample plates to patrons throughout the day, while in return, attendees will be asked to donate food to St. Mary’s Food Bank as part of the Partnership’s holiday food drive.
Lighthouse opening reception
- Saturday, December 3rd
- Alwun House Gallery & Gardens
- 7 p.m. – 12 a.m.
- Getting there: Bike — 12th Street and Roosevelt
- Price: $10 in advance at Alwunhouse.org; $15 at the door
Recommended if You Like: illumination, interactive art, experimentation
40 years into its existence in the downtown arts scene, the Alwun House continues to innovate. Lighthouse features all-illuminated art works by a variety of artists from across the state. Pieces cross all boundaries of media, including paintings, video installations, photographs, sculptures, and much more, with the only requirement being that the art lights itself. For the duration of the exhibition, the gallery lights will all be turned down, allowing the house to glow all on its own. At the opening-night fete, the gallery is pulling out all the stops as usual, with an illuminated-costume contest, neon-bending demonstrations by ASU’s very own Neon Club, and other lit performance art. Premier entertainment will come from the horn-laden Valley progressive-rock veterans Captain Squeegee, whose genre-bending sounds will work together with a multimedia light and video show to keep patrons mesmerized throughout the evening.
Events compiled by Connor Descheemaker and ShowUp.com
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