“Downtown Digest” is your weekly preview from Downtown Devil. Here, we’ll share information about community meetings, arts and culture events, and more. If you have suggestions for upcoming Downtown Digests, please let us know by emailing news@downtowndevil.com.
Newest music venue, The Van Buren, opens
- Wednesday, Aug. 23
- 8 p.m. – 11 p.m.
- The Van Buren: 401 W. Van Buren St.
Related to: Charlie Levy, The Van Buren, music venues
The much-anticipated music venue from Charlie Levy, The Van Buren, makes a grand opening with the Cold War Kids and Joywave. The 20,000-square-foot building on Fourth Avenue and Van Buren Street will be able to hold 1,800 listeners – three times larger than Levy’s Crescent Ballroom. The venue currently has bands booked every month for the rest of this year.
Phoenix Center for the Arts Open House
- Saturday, Aug. 26
- 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- Phoenix Center for The Arts: 1202 N. 3rd St.
Related to: Phoenix Center for The Arts
Instructors from dance to creative writing will be hosting 20-minute workshops for the whole family. There will also be watercolor, ceramics and jewelry demos to watch. A Kids Drop Off Zone for kids four and over will be available for them to get in touch with their artsy side.
Solar Eclipse Viewing at AZ Science Center
- Monday, Aug. 21
- 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- AZ Science Center: 600 E. Washington St.
Related to: AZ Science Center, solar eclipse
There will be hands-on activities focused on the sun as everyone prepares for the rare occurrence. The eclipse will begin at 9:13 a.m. with the maximum eclipse happening at 10:33 a.m. Special glasses to view the sun will be handed out for free to the first 500 guests.
Historic Preservation Commission
- Monday, Aug. 21
- 3:00 p.m.
- City Hall 200 W. Washington St.
Related to: Historic Preservation bonds, 30-day demolition hold
This week’s Historic Preservation meeting summarizes the year for historic preservation in the city and charts the path forward. There will be reviews of the status of the state’s Historic Preservation Bond Funds and the city’s policy of putting a 30-day hold on demolition permits for buildings deemed historic by the commission. Finally the first phase of the meeting will conclude with the commission’s plan for 2017-18. Starting a 5:00 p.m., the Commission will have its first meeting with new commission members Greta Rayle, Helana Ruter and Bruce Cutting.
