Arts & Culture Bars & Nightlife Business Development Community Food, Restaurants & Dining Music & Events Spotlight Travel, Shopping & Leisure Fara Illich January 8, 2016

This weekend’s forecast: Mostly sunny and especially eventful.
In addition to an onslaught of football fan festivities — Downtown Phoenix is the epicenter of arts, culture, food, science, music and beer this Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

wearethislivingmoment

(Photo: www.thislivingmoment.com)


We Are This Living Moment: An Ambient Performance
From Friday, January 9 to Sunday, January 10, artist Katharine Leigh Simpson will transform the grounds of the Herberger Theater Center into an outdoor audio-visual experience. The participatory art installation will incorporate sculpture, intricate paper art, fabric, video projection, performance, light, and music by The Album Leaf’s Jimmy LaValle. Each night will have a different theme — each designed to remind us of our existence, growth and opportunities to bloom. LaValle will perform live the night of Friday, January 9. For more information visit www.thislivingmoment.com.
DTPHX City Sampler
Designed to give visitors a sampling of all Downtown Phoenix has to offer, the DTPHX City Sampler is great for locals too. From Friday, January 9 through Monday, January 11, nearly 20 restaurants and bar in and around downtown will offer at least two samples of signature food and drink — all for $5. For a list of participating locations visit, www.dtphx.org/citysampler.
Grand Opening Weekend of Cobra Arcade Bar
Get your game on and have a drink while you do. Featuring 40 arcade games, a stellar bar and game-inspired murals — the highly anticipated Cobra Arcade Bar officially opens Friday, January 8 on Second and McKinley streets.
bethhebrewsynagogue

(Photo: Brandi Porter)


“Downtown” Shabbat Service at the historic Beth Hebrew Synagogue
For the first time in 40 years, the Beth Hebrew Synagogue will hold shabbat services on Friday, January 8, featuring music by members of the indie rock band Sun Bones plus soloist Lindsey O’Shea. The synagogue opened in 1955 and is now being restored by local developer Michael Levine. The free service is open to everyone and begins at 8 p.m., with food provided by Crescent Ballroom.
Four Peaks Beer Extravaganza at Crescent Ballroom
Crescent Ballroom is throwing a block party on Second Avenue, this one in celebration of one of man’s greatest accomplishments: beer. On both Friday and Saturday nights, you can enjoy your choice of beers from Four Peaks Brewing Co. while you nosh on culinary delights from local food trucks and play games like corn hole and giant Jenga. The festivities also feature live music by Sand Rubies and The Pistoleros on Friday and DJ Sean Watson and friends on Saturday. Snag tickets ($3 in advance) and more details here.
(Photo: Connect2STEM)

(Photo: Connect2STEM)


Connect2STEM
The University of Arizona and COX Communications have joined forces to host a free, family-friendly festival celebrating all things science, technology, engineering, math and medicine. Featuring 65 interactive games and activities, Connect2STEM is the place to learn how to garden, get hands-on experience with a life-sized synthetic cadavers that can talk, breathe, bleed and sweat, or practice stitching and suturing. Located on the Phoenix Biomedical Campus, the event is on Saturday, January 9 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
grandavenue

(Photo: Brandi Porter)


Take a Walking/Grid Bike Tour of Roosevelt Row and Grand Avenue
With a mural on nearly every wall, a unique building on every corner, local shops, art galleries and restaurants, plus heaps of character — the Roosevelt Row and Grand Avenue neighborhoods are some of the most interesting parts of town. Just take a stroll down Roosevelt Street headed west from Seventh Street, making sure to venture down side streets, to discover all the arts and small business district has to offer. Hop on a Grid Bike and ride over to lower Grand Avenue, between Van Buren and 15th Avenue, where art seems to touch everything from fences to planters. Take a walk down the diagonal street or take advantage of the wide bike lanes, as you pass by mural after mural after historic building.