Hello my downtown Phoenix people! It’s T.J. Triolo, your guide to downtown Phoenix. I have some interesting events for you this week, especially for those who love wine, food and the arts. Gee, sounds like things fancy people are into! I also like these things, so does that make me fancy? Somehow I doubt it. Anyway, here are your events for the week!
Empty Bowls 2019
Friday Oct. 25
11 a.m.–2 p.m.
Arizona Center
455 N. Third St.
Fight local hunger while satisfying your own hunger with lunch in an artisan-made bowl you get to take home. Unlike most lunches you’d get dining out, this one lets you take the bowl home without having to steal it from a restaurant! Lunch includes Southwestern-style Adovo pasta with or without chicken. Proceeds go to Waste Not, a nonprofit dedicated to fighting hunger in the Phoenix area. This event costs $20.
Herberger Theater Festival of the Arts
Saturday Oct. 26
11:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
Herberger Theater Center
222 E. Monroe St.
Let’s face it: Without the arts, our lives would probably be pretty boring. This festival features performances from local arts organizations, activities for kids, food, beer and wine, vendors and even pet adoptions. So in theory, you could come to see a performance, have some good food and go home with a snuggly dog. This event is free to attend.
The Prego Expo
Saturday Oct. 26
11 a.m.–4 p.m.
Phoenix Convention Center
100 N. Third St.
If you have a baby, are having one soon, or just want to know about pregnancy and babies for any reason, check out the Prego Expo. It features more than 70 exhibitors dedicated to pregnancy and childcare. There will also be educational seminars about parenting, giveaways, product demos and the ability to add products to a baby registry app. Tickets cost $15 in advance, $18 the day of the convention.
Noche en Blanco
Saturday Oct. 26
5–10 p.m.
Margaret T. Hance Park
67 W. Culver St.
Picnics in the park usually aren’t this fancy. It’s time to indulge your inner fancy person like Iggy Azalea and go to a gourmet picnic while dressed in white, complete with craft beer, fine wine, strings of lights and a toast at sunset. This dinner is inspired by a similar event started in Paris more than 30 years ago. Naturally, if it’s high-class and involves food, the French are the ones to think it up. Ah man, I’m just making myself hungrier now. Individual seats cost $35 each, while a table for eight costs $250.
Grape Arizona Wine Event
Sunday Oct. 27
1 p.m.–5 p.m.
Heritage Square
113 N. Sixth St.
Admission to this event includes a lot. You get all of the following: tasting tickets for a dozen wines, a four-pack souvenir wine bottle bag and souvenir wine glass, an event program, food from local restaurants, live music and vendors. That’s a lot packed into the $55 admission price! There are also more wine tasting tickets available at the event. I do wonder if four hours is enough time to see and do everything. Otherwise, if you go and can’t do everything you’ll have to whine about it. If you didn’t catch that, I’m disappointed.
Contact the reporter at tjtriolo@asu.edu.
Downtown Devil's community section editor. I also write the Downtown Digest, a weekly column with things to do, with experience writing news articles and creating news videos as well. Graduating from ASU in May 2020.
