Downtown Digest: Explore different cultures, small worlds and outer space

I’m back! It’s T.J. Triolo, your downtown Phoenix guide. Although I’m a student and the school year is ending, I’ve got some good news for you: I’ll still be writing the Downtown Digest over the summer. Yes, that means you get even more of me! Isn’t that great? Of course it is. Now, on to the events for this week!

Nikon Small World Exhibit

• Ongoing daily through July 20
• 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Science Center hours)
• Arizona Science Center, 600 E. Washington St.

I like tiny things. I drive tiny cars, I have tiny pet fish, and I live in a relatively small apartment. Naturally, I can appreciate this event! It’s an ongoing exhibit at the Arizona Science Center featuring 20 photographs of microscopic objects. There had better be some of tiny aquatic life. If so, I must go see them! Admission to the exhibit is included with Science Center admission.

Asian American/Pacific Islander Heritage Event

• Thursday, May 3
• Starts at 11 a.m.
• Renaissance Square, 2 N. Central Ave.

Here’s a free event celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander culture. There will be cultural displays, music and, of course, food vendors. There will also be a keynote address from Arizona State Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Yee. This sounds like a fun event — international cultures fascinate me, and Asian cultures are some of the ones that interest me the most! This event is free, by the way, so go on your lunch break if you’ve got time.

Science with a Twist – Trek, Wars and Who II

• Friday, May 4
• 6 – 10 p.m.
• Arizona Science Center, 600 E. Washington St.

It’s May the Fourth, and that means “May the Fourth be with you!” I’m a nerd, and this night is all about sci-fi, featuring Star Wars, Star Trek and Doctor Who. There’s an episode of Doctor Who where the 12th Doctor and his companion Donna went to Pompeii, and they were there when it erupted thanks to some lava monster aliens. So it’s a fitting sci-fi themed day for adults to enjoy Pompeii: The Exhibition before it leaves the Arizona Science Center. Why adults only? Well, there are cocktails involved, including “Make It So” Margaritas and Sonic Screwdrivers from the Space Cantina. There’s also a tour of the Empire in the planetarium and a costume contest. To all my readers: Someone please dress as my favorite Star Wars character, the amazing slug crime lord Jabba the Hutt. Bonus points for you if you bring along a plush toy of Salacious Crumb, Jabba’s giggly Kowakian monkey-lizard! Admission is $10 for Science Center members and $12 without a membership.

Dear Listener Exhibit Opening: Not a Block Party

• Friday, May 4
• 6 – 11 p.m.
• Heard Museum, 2301 N. Central Ave.

The Heard Museum is having an opening ceremony for a new exhibit on First Friday, courtesy of artist Nicholas Galanin. Galanin is of mixed heritage from Tlingit-Unangax and non-native ancestry, and he comes from Sitka, Alaska. This probably sounds dumb, but where I mainly know Sitka from is The Proposal, a romantic comedy starring Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds that takes place there. Yes, the movie’s definitely worth watching, but you should go to the exhibit instead for some real Sitka culture. Galanin has mastered more forms of art that I can ever hope to — he’s done sculpture, installation, video, performance and new media. If computers aren’t involved, my artistic ability is limited to stick figures and other simple stuff! This opening event will also feature live music, including Shabazz Palaces, Indian Agent and Heebie Jeebies. The event is free with museum admission. Admission is $10 for students, $15 for members and $20 for general admission if purchased online. Tickets cost more at the door, so don’t wait!

Cinco de Mayo Phoenix Festival 2018

• Sunday, May 6
• 12 p.m. – 10 p.m.
• Cesar Chavez Plaza, 201 W. Washington St.

Okay, I’ll admit, I’m guilty of not knowing exactly what Cinco de Mayo is about until I saw the event description for this festival. It celebrates Mexico’s military victory over the French Army at the Battle of Puebla in 1862! Now that I’ve given you a history lesson, let’s move on to the event itself. It’s a street festival that will have live music, including Ozomatli, a music group that performs a variety of types of music. I mainly recognize them because their song “City of Angels” was on the soundtrack of a great street racing game I had years ago. There will also be games, food and giveaways, so come win prizes! Tickets cost $10.

Contact the columnist at tjtriolo@asu.edu.