This Week in Scottsdale 3 October – 9 October 2011

Help Wanted! It takes a fair amount of time to compile this weekly list. We could use some help. If you are willing to work for glory and food (and the occasional age-appropriate beverage), please let us know! Also, please email your event info as early as possible, including Date, Time, Description, Location, Website Link, and Email/Phone Contact Info. Thanks!

There’s always something happening in Scottsdale!

Here are a few Scottsdale activities events (and occasionally an event from a neighboring city). This list focuses on inexpensive (or FREE) events and activities, and those that offer unique experiences and good value. If you are interested in participating, please check information links or call to confirm, as dates/times are subject to change.

Spotlight Event: Railfare 2011 at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park, Saturday and Sunday. See below for details.

Ongoing

• Ends Wednesday 5 October.  Scottsdale Classic Horse Show, Free parties, great food, relax, mingle, and watch the special events. Everything for horse and home can tempt you with the offerings from a great line-up of vendors. WestWorld.
• Through 9 November. Speak Peace: American Voices Respond to Vietnamese Children’s Paintings, Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, 480-874-4654.
  
• Through 19 November. Arizona Fall Ball, times vary, Scottsdale Scorpions @ Scottsdale Stadium, Salt River Rafters @ Salt River Fields at Talking Stick,
• Through 1 January 2010. David Rogers’ “Big Bugs” at the Desert Botanical Garden (Phoenix), 480-941-1225.

Monday 3 October

• 3-5 p.m, Monday Movies at the Library. New Releases every week! Contact David Court or Dereth DeHaan, Desert Foothills Library, 480-488-2286, Desert Foothills Library, 38443 North Schoolhouse Road, Cave Creek, 85327.

Tuesday 4 October

• Noon to midnight, 11th Annual Scottsdale International Film Festival, Ends Tuesday October 4, Harkins Camelview 5 Luxury Cinema and Harkins Fashion Square. Outstanding international and domestic cinema with celebrity-attended parties, $10-160, 602-410-1074.
• 5 p.m. City Council meeting at the City Hall Kiva. Highlights include Item 8B, residential rezoning for a parcel under the approach path for Scottsdale Airport,  Item 10 for Council member Borowsky to change her vote to NO on the sale of city land east of SkySong to Mark-Taylor, and Item 11, relating to the Scottsdale Cultural Council and the Public Art program. Watch Cox CityCable Channel 11 or streaming via your computer.

Wednesday 5 October

• 4 p.m. Get Over It. Through 5 October. Kids 9-12 work with Dana Sherman, the school program director at Scottsdale Prevention Institute, to help overcome anxiety and fear, solve problems, and build trust, empathy and coping skills through the use of rock climbing as a metaphor for challenges in life. A different topic is covered each week. Registration required. AZ On the Rocks, 16447 N. 91st St., Suite 105 Scottsdale, AZ, 85260. azontherocks@gmail.com 480-502-9777.
• 7 p.m. FREE: Signscape Architecture presentation. With Annie Han + Dan Mihalyo of Lead Pencil Studio, the architects behind our exhibition Extended Collapse with ASU Professor Jason Griffiths as they explore the fascinating and humorous trend to co-mingle architecture and commercial signage. This will be their last visit to Arizona for the Architecture + Art exhibition. Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts,

Thursday 6 October

• 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free SMoCA Thursdays, Designed by award-winning architect Will Bruder, SMoCA’s five-gallery minimalist building (an ingenious renovation of a former movie theater) includes a public “skyspace” by the acclaimed artist James Turrell (one of only a handful in the world), where visitors can experience the ever-changing light of the desert sky. Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, (480) 874-4666.
• 6 p.m. Free Flow Yoga every Thursday through October 27. 8-week series of FREE classes for everyone, including those new to yoga. On the WET Deck near SWEAT Fitness Center for vinyasa flow and power yoga. Extended happy hour at Shade Lounge follows from 7 to 9 p.m. with such drink offerings as $3 beers, $5 well drinks and select wines, plus half-off food items. Bring your own mat. Presented by W Scottsdale and Lululemon Athletica AZ.
• 7 to 9 p.m. every Thursday, Art Walk, Scottsdale Arts District, just west of Scottsdale Road along Main Street and on Marshall Way north of Indian School Road to Fifth Avenue.

Friday 7 October

• 7 – 9 p.m. Music in the Garden Fall Concert Series presents Sonoran Jazz Project at Desert Botanical Garden, members $15, non $21.

Saturday 8 October

• 7-10:30 am, Giant for Women Wahine Warrior I, women’s mountain bike race, McDowell Mountain Regional Park.
• 7:30am – 2 pm Electronic Recycling Day at the City Corporation Yard located at 9191 E. San Salvador.  For additional information on the items collected, please go to http://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/recycle/recyclingelectronics or call (480) 312-5600.
• 10 am – 5 pm, Railfair 2011 at McCormick Stillman Railroad Park. FREE model train displays and exhibits, new 10,000 square foot Model Railroad Building displaying O, N, and HO scale trains, moonwalks, and other entertainment.  Free tours through the Roald Amundsen Pullman car, a former presidential car.  Seldom-seen railroad equipment will be on display.  Train and carousel rides are $2.00 each, with children under three riding for free with a paying adult.
• 4pm – 8pm, McDonald’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Classic Car Show – Every Saturday night for over 20 years! Classic cars and motorcycles in a free open air event complete with 50’s era music provided by “Party Time DJ’s. An average night showcases anywhere from 250 to 500 cars and up to 150 motorcycles. FREE admission. The Pavilions at Talking Stick.
• 7 – 9 p.m. Big Bugs Movie Nights. Have you dusted off those lawn chairs? We’ll be showing Charlotte’s Web.  Space is limited, reserve your spot now. Admission: Included with paid Garden admission or Membership (must show Member ID to be admitted). (480) 481-8188. Desert Botanical Garden.

Sunday 9 October

• 10 am – 5 pm, Railfair 2011 at McCormick Stillman Railroad Park. FREE model train displays and exhibits, new 10,000 square foot Model Railroad Building displaying O, N, and HO scale trains, moonwalks, and other entertainment.  Free tours through the Roald Amundsen Pullman car, a former presidential car.  Seldom-seen railroad equipment will be on display.  Train and carousel rides are $2.00 each, with children under three riding for free with a paying adult.
• 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Fall Wine and Jazz Festival at el Pedregal. A live concert by R&B artist and winner of the Phoenix Music Awards, Mother’s Favorite Child. Free admission; food and wine tasting tickets are available for purchase. El Pedregal encompasses 80,000 square feet of space filled with fascinating boutiques, intriguing art galleries, and fun and casual dining. Over 15 shops surround an enticing courtyard and amphitheater. (480) 488-1072.
• 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm, band Category 5 (Classic and Modern Rock) is this week’s act for Sundays LIVE at the Quarter (every Sunday in October). After leisurely Sunday shopping head over to *The Quad  and enjoy live music by local favorites. Scottsdale Quarter, The Quad is located near True Foods.