The Downtown Digest is back and better than ever! Well, maybe not ever. I’ve probably done better ones before… Anyway, my name’s T.J. Triolo and I’m your guide to what’s going on this week in downtown Phoenix. Here are some of the most interesting events I could find for you:
Kids in Focus Exhibit Opening Gala
- Thursday, March 29
- 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
- Arizona Science Center, 600 E. Washington St.
This exhibit features 60 photos taken by 30 at-risk kids ages 10 to 13. Through mentorship programs with photographers, the kids went on local trips and took pictures of what they saw. I think this program sounds like a great opportunity to give kids a constructive, creative hobby that can help them in the future. This opening gala features the kids who took the pictures and their photographer mentors. If you can go, I would encourage it, especially considering the event is free!
The Ivy Event
- Thursday, March 29
- 6 p.m.
- MonOrchid, 214 E. Roosevelt St.
This is a networking event for creative people. Just one catch: The event’s organizers don’t want you to think of it as a networking event. It’s an event where creative people, such as artists, can come together and meet other people like them and have a good time. Of course, food and drinks are included with the ticket price, with cocktails and mocktails from Iconic Cocktail Co., food from Conceptually Social, cotton candy from Sweet Wool Co. and a raffle ticket. I’m glad to see cotton candy is included, representing the most important part of any meal: dessert! Tickets cost $30.
Rock Lobster
- Friday, March 30
- 9:30 p.m.
- Copper Blues, 50 W. Jefferson St.
Wow, this one brings back memories. I saw this band years ago when I was a lot younger because my parents are big fans of ’80s music, which is what Rock Lobster covers. The band is named after the famous B-52s song. (No, they’re not named after the weird lobsters that don’t have claws, which we used to serve the tails of at a restaurant where I once worked.) There’s no cover charge for this performance.
D-backs Race Against Cancer
- Saturday, March 31
- Chase Field, 401 E. Jefferson St.
This 5K run and walk benefits Arizona nonprofits that help those with cancer. Starting at Chase Field, the course ends… at Chase Field. Be sure to bring your running shoes and plenty of water, especially with temperatures on Saturday reaching into the 90s. Ugh… not that time of year again with the temperatures, please! It costs $40 to register for the 5K, and $20 for the 1 Mile Banana Boat Family Fun Walk ($5 for kids).
Cultural Crawl
- Saturday, March 31
- DeSoto Central Market, 915 N. Central Ave.
This event’s description says it was “founded by three black creatives from Washington, D.C. with the goal to create a safe space for individuals/groups to drink, eat and explore.” The event also aims to support local businesses and murals nearby, which we’ve been losing some of with all the construction going on lately. This event actually travels around the country, and the organizers have decided to honor our lovely Phoenix by coming here. If you live here and haven’t been exploring your city much, then what are you waiting for? This event gives you the perfect opportunity. Tickets start at $10.
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.
