Hello lovely people! It’s me, T.J. Triolo, your guide to downtown Phoenix. I’ve got another roundup of some nice events here for you to kick off April, which also happens to be the month of my birthday (even though it’s not for a few weeks). It’s also when spring really takes off, especially considering that spring doesn’t actually begin until late March. So if you ask me, the joke’s on March; April’s where it’s at!
Live at Lunch Series
- Every weekday in April
- 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
- CityScape, 1 E. Washington St.
Apparently, April is National Jazz Appreciation Month. Did you know that? I didn’t. This concert series, presented by CityScape in partnership with Kaaptivate Music, is dedicated to nothing but jazz on your lunch break. It features local bands playing for free in Patriots Park, which you probably know as the courtyard and splash pad in CityScape. Considering how many restaurants there are to get lunch at CityScape and the fact that this concert is free, you really have no reason not to go if you’re taking your lunch break anyway!
You know, this reminds me of one of my favorite movies, “La La Land,” because it features a lot of jazz music. If you haven’t seen it yet, you’ve been living under a rock. WATCH IT ALREADY. Okay, I’m done with my movie endorsement.
Crescent Community Bike Ride
- Thursday, April 5
- Starts at 8 p.m.
- Crescent Ballroom, 308 N. 2nd Ave.
Crescent Ballroom has a new act to show you, and it’s not musical. No, it’s time for weekly community bike rides! Presented in partnership with the Slippery Pig Bike Shop and Bulleit Bourbon, the rides go around downtown Phoenix and last for about half an hour to 45 minutes. After returning, one free round of Bulleit Bourbon is available, along with discounts on beer and burritos.
Cool Nihongo
- Friday, April 6
- Starts at 4:30 p.m.
- Japanese Friendship Garden, 1125 N. 3rd Ave.
This event is all about learning about Japanese culture and language. Whether you know a lot and want to share your knowledge or just want to learn more, this event will give you an opportunity to interact with other Japanese culture aficionados. I love Japanese culture, and I’d like to go if I didn’t already have plans that day. Maybe I’ll try for the one in May or June… Tickets cost $10 per person.
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Death Star
- Friday, April 6 and Saturday, April 7
- Starts at 8 p.m. both days
- Great Arizona Puppet Theater, 302 W. Latham St.
Okay, this sounds really interesting. Picture “Star Wars” as a musical. Now picture the actors all replaced by puppets. Yes, this is a parody of “Star Wars” using puppets. I’m really curious whether there’s a Jabba the Hutt puppet involved. If there is, I can’t help but wonder if there’s also a Salacious Crumb, Jabba’s weird laughing alien pet. Someone attend and tell me! Tickets cost $10 in advance or $12 the day of the event.
PinUp PopUp
- Saturday, April 7
- 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- DeSoto Central Market, 915 N. Central Ave.
With spring and summer coming up, it’s time to break out the short sleeves again. Just one problem: You need new clothes, since yours are looking old and worn out. Not to worry; DeSoto Central Market has just the event to help. PinUp PopUp is a market where vendors will be selling vintage clothes. And because it’s DeSoto, there are plenty of restaurants selling food and drinks to enjoy while you shop. So go and find your favorite new outfit of the summer!
Contact the columnist 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.
