Hello downtown Phoenix people! It’s T.J. Triolo, your guide to downtown Phoenix events. I’m back with another round of things for you to do. Now that St. Patrick’s Day is over and you’re probably finished with whatever you did for it, you may be in a state of crisis. Why? Because you’re not sure what you can do this next week to top how much fun you just had. Fear not, that’s what I’m here for!
Paw-Pup Park Grand Opening
Monday March 18
2–3 p.m.
West of Phoenix City Council Chambers
200 W. Jefferson St.
Cities aren’t usually thought of as dog-friendly, but downtown is sending a completely different message with a new temporary dog park. The opening ceremony is on Monday, and yes, you can bring your pups. The ceremony will include remarks from outgoing Mayor Thelda Williams, Councilman Michael Nowakowski and Councilwoman Felicita Mendoza. My only question: Can I bring my precious cats? This event is free.
Baseball Behind Barbed Wire
Wednesday March 20
12–1 p.m.
Arizona State Capitol Museum
1700 W. Washington St.
This looks at the awful history of Japanese in internment camps during WWII. This exhibit looks specifically at one activity that grew popular locally- baseball. It even led to a baseball league in Arizona’s Gila River Internment Camp. Bill Staples Jr., an expert on Japanese American baseball who authored a book about famous player Kenichi Zenmura, will be giving a talk on the internment camp league. This event is free.
The Great Reveal
Wednesday March 20
5–10 p.m.
Arizona Science Center
600 E. Washington St.
This seems like a pretty mysterious event. The outside of the Arizona Science Center will be made to look like an antique vault on the outside using special effects. Storytelling and family-friendly activities will also be included, all to celebrate rotting corpses wrapped in bandages. The Mummies of the World:The Exhibition looks at mummies from all types of cultures and should be fun for all ages. The big reveal is going to happen twice at 7:30 and 8:30. The reveal outside can be viewed from Heritage Square for free, but admission to the Science Center is $18 for adults.
Arizona Bao Fest
Sunday March 24
11 a.m.–7 p.m.
Unexpected Art Gallery
734 W. Polk St.
It’s a festival dedicated to all things bao. If you don’t know what bao is, they’re steamed Asian buns containing entire meals inside of them. They usually have good stuff like meat inside of them. There will also be Asian fusion food available, including noodles, rice bowls, skewers, desserts. There will even be a game room. All this is from a variety of more than 10 local places, so take your pick! Tickets cost $12 if ordered beforehand, $15 at the door.
Sunday in the Park
Sunday March 31
1 p.m.–sunset
Margaret T. Hance Park
67 W. Culver St.
Take a break from crazy life! Let’s face it, if you’re reading this you probably live in the city, and city life is stressful. Come to Hance Park and take a break at Sunday in the Park. Bring whatever you want to relax, be it a book, lawn chairs, even a couch as long as you can then take away at the end of the day. There will be a DJ, food and drinks available for sale and volleyball courts. Admission to the park is free.
Contact the reporter at thomas.triolo@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.
