Renaissance Invites You to a Global Day of Discovery
Renaissance Phoenix Downtown invites you to enjoy any one (or all!) of its Global Day of Discovery events taking place from 5 a.m. to midnight on Wednesday, June 19. According to Renaissance, the underlying idea is that “the world is in each of our hands” and the brand wants to encourage people to explore different communities and cultures.
The celebration will include delicious food, coffee demonstrations, cooking demonstrations, all-day drink specials at ICON Lounge, DJ William Reed, musical performances by Parker Morden, and a very special mural-in-progress. Read more
AJ’s Summer Wine Spectacular Tasting Event
Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts hosts AJ’s Summer Wine Spectacular Tasting Event on Sunday, June 23, from 3 to 6 p.m. Come out to discover new favorites, mingle with other oenophiles and support the SCPA’s programs. Read more
Hotel Palomar Hosting a Pillow Fight and Rooftop Party Tonight
LUSTRE Rooftop Garden at Hotel Palomar Phoenix will host a party on Wednesday, June 5, to debut its brand-new menu. Come enjoy complimentary cocktails, light bites, a juice bar, table tennis and entertainment. But while that party kicks off at 6 p.m., you’ll want to arrive an hour early, in time for the pillow fight — yes, pillow fight — going down at 5 p.m., plus the $1 signature cocktails and tasty nibbles from the Blue Hound kitchen.
What kind of an occasion is marked with a pillow fight, you ask? It’s the one-year anniversary of Kimpton’s Hotel Palomar Phoenix. Time sure does fly when you’re having so much fun. Read more
TF Swim by Tiffe Fermaint Available Exclusively at Nostra Style House
Phoenix fashion designer Tiffe Fermaint has released a collection of swimwear, called TF Swim, in collaboration with local boutique Nostra Style House. The looks feature retro silhouettes with edgy fabrics and accents, like metallics and cut-outs. Read more
Idina Menzel at Symphony Hall for One Night Only
Tony Award winner Idina Menzel will perform at Symphony Hall in downtown Phoenix on Saturday, June 8. And it’s hard to believe, but there are still some seats left!
Menzel is best known for her roles in Wicked (as the original Elphaba) and Rent, as well as her recurring role on the hit TV show Glee. If you’ve always dreamed of seeing this Broadway superstar sing live, here’s your opportunity. Read more
Circulating: Taste of Italy
People who love what they do have an undeniable energy and joy about them, wouldn’t you agree? Such is definitely the case with Chris Nicosia, executive chef at the southern Italian restaurant Sassi in North Scottsdale.
I recently attended a very special cena (Italian for “dinner”) there and wrote about the experience for bite. Highlights included the charming villa setting and atmosphere, the savory delectables and chef’s enthusiasm for a certain sea creature on his menu. Read more
Butterfly Wonderland Spreads Its Wings
Butterfly Wonderland, dubbed the largest butterfly pavilion in the United States, opens May 25 in Scottsdale. This unique living museum aims to teach visitors all about the life cycle of these fanciful creatures, with the highlight being a rainforest-like atrium filled with thousands of butterflies. Read more
New Fox Restaurant Little Cleo’s Focuses on Seafood
Little Cleo’s Seafood Legend is now open on Seventh Street between Bethany Home and Camelback roads. The restaurant serves dinner Monday through Saturday from 5 to 10 p.m. (closed Sunday), and the menu is divided into small plates and large plates, with a variety of veggies and greens, oysters at market price, and more. Read more
Escape to Hotel Palomar in Downtown Phoenix
You had better check where you’re at with your PTO, because another Southwest summer is fast approaching and those scorching temps mean the same thing every year: It’s time to get out of the Valley.
But if you’ve already crunched the figures and determined a flight out just isn’t going to happen anytime soon (well, soon enough, anyway), one local hotel is prepared to make you an offer you can’t refuse. Hotel Palomar Phoenix at CityScape is serving up some sweet staycation deals that allow you to retreat from the heat in style and comfort without breaking the bank. Read more
Phoenix Symphony Young Professionals Hosting a Membership Event
The Phoenix Symphony Young Professionals (PSYP) is hosting a membership event at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 8, at the downtown offices of Snell & Wilmer. PSYP invites you to enjoy complimentary cocktails, appetizers and entertainment while learning more about the benefits of joining their organization and supporting the arts in Arizona. Read more
Circulating: Garden Fresh
If you haven’t scheduled a lunch date at the Desert Botanical Garden any time recently, then you are missing out. I recently profiled the garden’s new restaurant, Gertrude’s, for bite following a taste-test, and I have to say, it was everything I hoped it would be and more. Read more
Composer John Williams to Join Phoenix Symphony for Special Performance
Composer John Williams — who wrote the iconic scores for films such as Star Wars, Harry Potter, Jaws, E.T., Schindler’s List, Indiana Jones, Jurassic Park, Saving Private Ryan, and dozens of others — will be collaborating with The Phoenix Symphony for a very special performance on Sept. 28, to benefit the symphony’s education and community outreach programs. Read more
Circulating: Award-Winning Architecture
I interviewed Erik Peterson, principal architect with local firm PHX Architecture, for the April 2013 issue of Mesa Luxury Living, and he had a lot of positive things to say about the future of architecture in Arizona, plus the company’s work on the reincarnated Wigwam resort in Litchfield Park. Read more
AZ Blogger Conference Takes Place This Saturday
The AZ Blogger Conference (ABC) returns for its second year this Saturday, April 27. Organized by the Phoenix Style Collective, the event will be held at Hotel Palomar at CityScape in downtown Phoenix and feature guest speakers, networking, activities, pop-up shops, a cash bar, snacks and an after-party. Read more
Discover Delightful Italian Cuisine at Davanti Enoteca
I recently attended a Buzzcation event held at Davanti Enoteca in Scottsdale and am now just a wee bit obsessed. I’ve already spent an unusual amount of time poring over the menus, trying to decide what to taste-test on my next visit to this eatery, aspects of which are inspired by the owner’s gastronomical adventures in Italy. Read more

