Scottsdale This Week: Oct 24-30

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 free or  inexpensive events & activities that offer unique experiences and good value, as well as links to City government meetings. If you are interested in participating, please check information links or call to confirm info, as dates/times are subject to change.

Also check our Great Links page.

Ongoing

• 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 January 2012. David Rogers’ “Big Bugs” at the Desert Botanical Garden (Phoenix), 480-941-1225.
• Until Oct 31: Scottsdale’s annual Pink Light District. Express your love, appreciation and gratitude of those touched by breast cancer
  by sponsoring pink light bulbs, which are glowing brightly on the Marshall Way Bridge in downtown Scottsdale.
• Scottsdale’s Downtown Trolley is a free ride to anywhere you want to go Downtown. Ride around in environmentally friendly bio-diesel shuttles complete with air conditioned comfort during warm weather and fresh air during cooler temperatures. The Downtown trolleys run daily, every 15 minutes from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Thursdays until 9 p.m. for ArtWalk. The Downtown trolleys connect with Scottsdale’s free Neighborhood Trolley, Tempe’s Orbit trolley system, the Valley Metro bus system and even Light Rail. More information on the Scottsdale’s trolley routes can be found here or by calling (480) 312-3111.

Monday 24 October

• 6:30 p.m. View Plans for Brown’s Ranch Trailhead. The City of Scottsdale is currently making plans to construct the Brown’s Ranch Trailhead which will be located in the northern region of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. Free.

Tuesday 25 October

• 4:00 p.m. City Council Special Meeting at the City Hall Kiva. Watch Cox CityCable Channel 11 or streaming via your computer. Items continued from the Tuesday, Oct 18 Council meeting: more airpark residential entitlements covered in our column on that subject have major implications for the city planning process and the whole purpose of Scottsdale’s General Plan.
• 5:00 p.m. City Council Meeting at the City Hall Kiva. Watch Cox CityCable Channel 11 or streaming via your computer. General Plan Amendment meeting.
• 6:35 p.m. Scottsdale Scorpions vs. Javalinas, Scottsdale Stadium, 7408 E. Osborn Rd., $6 adults, $5 kids & seniors.

Wednesday 28 October

• 7 p.m. Grand Opera Cinema Film Series: The Elixir of Love from the San Francisco Opera at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, downtown. The film was recorded in Italian with English subtitles. Tickets $12.

Thursday 27 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. Presented by W Scottsdale.  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.
• 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.
• 6 to 10 p.m. every Thursday, ArtBridge Thursdays, Featuring painters, sculptors, illustrators, wood carvers, metal smiths, weavers, and
  other artists.  Live Music and artistic demonstrations. Marshall Way Pedestrian Bridge. Free.
• Free horse-drawn carriage or horse-drawn trolley rides are available every Thursday during ArtWalk 7-9 p.m. along Main Street and every Saturday from 1-4 on Brown and Main Street.

Friday 28 October

• 12 – 6 p.m. International Gem & Jewelry Show at WestWorld. $8 per person.
• 7 – 9 p.m. Music in the Garden Fall Concert Series presents Sergio Mendoza y la Orkesta at Desert Botanical Garden, members $15, non $21.
• 7 – 9 p.m. Opening of SMoCA Lounge [New Times article], downtown Scottsdale by the Blue Moose. Free admission, cash bar, break dancing and live painting performances, complimentary homemade ice cream.

Saturday 29 October

• 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Life in the Desert Fair, McDowell Mountain Regional Park. Guided desert hikes with park rangers, guided mountain bike rides with national champion mountain biker Tyler Coplea, bike rentals and horseback rides. Native bird and desert animal exhibits, a desert safety presentation, a book signing, and food and beverages. 16300 McDowell Mountain Park Drive, near Fountain Hills. Admission is $6 per vehicle.
• 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.
• 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. Old Town Farmer’s Market features local growers and specialty food producers. Wide variety of organic and pesticide free produce, seasonal specialities, natural meats, free range eggs, artisan breads, local cheeses, jams, tamales, and more. 3802 N. Brown Avenue. Free.
• 6:35 p.m. Scottsdale Scorpions vs. Rafters, Scottsdale Stadium, 7408 E. Osborn Rd., $6 adults, $5 kids & seniors.

Sunday 30 October

• 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm, Shallow Water is this week’s act for Sundays LIVE at the Quarter. Enjoy live music by local favorites. Scottsdale Quarter, on The Quad, located near True Foods. Free.
• Free horse-drawn carriage or horse-drawn trolley rides are available every Thursday during ArtWalk 7-9 p.m. along Main Street and every Saturday from 1-4 on Brown and Main Street.
• Sommelier Sundays at Iruna. Valley sommelier David M. Johnson offers an informal wine tasting on Sundays. Tapas are available for purchase. 7217 East 1st Street, Scottsdale.