What’s up my downtown peoples! It’s T.J. Triolo, your guide to downtown Phoenix life. Well, it’s now July, which means this year is halfway over already. It’s kind of weird to be halfway through 2019. It means this entire decade is almost over, but I suppose that’s also a cause for celebration. Speaking of celebrations, Independence Day is in a few days, so go out and do something fun for it!
The X-Files Trivia
Tuesday July 2
Starts at 7 p.m.
Valley Bar
130 N. Central Ave.
Apparently UFO Day is coming up. I didn’t know that was a thing. It reminds me of the recent news stories of UFOs that people in the Navy kept seeing … Anyway, in honor of UFO Day, Valley Bar is hosting an “X-Files” themed trivia night, complete with discounts on drinks. I thought “The X-Files” was another crime drama show. Hmm, if it’s about aliens and supernatural stuff, I think maybe it needs a crossover with “Supernatural” before “Supernatural” ends! This event is free.
Fourth of July
Thursday July 4
10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Phoenix Art Museum
1625 N. Central Ave.
The Phoenix Art Museum is open on July 4, complete with discounted admission all day for everyone, along with special Independence Day food and activities. This, of course, includes burgers, hot dogs and snow cones. What is America if not a barbecue-obsessed country? I’m certainly not complaining, barbecue ranks as one of my favorite types of food. Tickets cost $7 for adults, $4 for children.
Fourth of July Weekend on the Rooftop
Thursday July 4–Sunday July 7
Starts at 11 a.m. each day
Lustre Rooftop Bar
2 E. Jefferson St.
A little party never killed nobody, and right here right now’s all we got! It’s celebration time for July 4, and Lustre is kicking the party up a notch. There will be live bands Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 1–4 p.m., poolside barbecued food available until 9 p.m. and cabanas and couches available to rent. If you don’t already have a pool, come celebrate at a great rooftop pool here. The event has no cover charge.
5th of July Fireworks Spectacular
Friday July 5
Starts at 9:10 p.m.
Chase Field
401 E. Jefferson St.
I admit, the time I found listed for this online is approximate. The fireworks show starts after the Diamondbacks game finishes, which is usually around 3 hours after the game starts, and the game starts at 6:10 p.m. So if you’re already going to see the game, just stay afterward to watch the fireworks happen with the roof open! If you want to watch from inside the stadium, you’ll need to go to the game beforehand. Otherwise, well, these are fireworks that go high in the sky, so you should be able to see them from anywhere downtown!
Dirty Disney
Saturday July 6
Starts at 8 p.m.
Crescent Ballroom
308 N. Second Ave.
Drag queens are taking on Disney stories and making them highly inappropriate, which makes this event only for those 21 and over. I love this idea; I like this type of humor and tend to love crazy parodies. Weird Al Yankovic anyone? Disney stories listed include “The Jungle Book,” “The Little Mermaid,” “Beauty and the Beast” and more. I’m already thinking of what titles could possibly substitute for the original titles in more offensive versions of these stories. Tickets cost $20 in advance, $25 on the day of the show.
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.
