 Got a taste for adventure, or just a really good hamburger? With scores of unique dining experiences, your hunger pangs will be satisfied in short order. From exotic Ethiopian to innovative Irish, to mighty spicy Mexican, to all- American microbreweries, a meal in Tempe is more than just good eats, it's food for the soul.
After satisfying your appetite, burn off those calories during a night on the town. Take a stroll through the Mill Avenue District and wander in to several of the entertainment venues. This popular gathering place is welcoming and friendly to all walks of life. Check out the raucous dueling piano bar, shoot pool with the local college crowd, sip wine and listen to the soothing sounds of jazz or do the Irish jig, accompanied by one of the best local bands at an authentic pub. Just a 15 minute drive from Mill Avenue, you'll find a host of gay and lesbian hot spots that dot the central Phoenix area including hot dance clubs, leather bars, drag shows and local hangouts.
Theatre Groups and Comedy Troupes, Gallery Walls and Concert Halls
In Tempe, the spirit of the arts is everywhere you look. Get your creative juices flowing, lift your spirits and be immersed in creative expression.
M&I Bank Broadway Across America - Arizona - ASU Gammage, Arizona's premier theatrical venue, hosts an annual Broadway series showcasing blockbuster stage productions including:
- A Chorus Line - September 2-7, 2008
- The Rat Pack - Live at the Sands October 14-19, 2008
- Happy Days - November 18-23, 2008
- Spring Awakening - December 9-14, 2008
- Disney’s The Lion King, January 2-February 8, 2009
- Frost/Nixon, March 31-April 5, 2009
- Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, June 16-21, 2009
Also included in the 2008-2009 ASU Gammage season are the following special engagements:
- Rent - March 17-22, 2009
- Cats - April 7-12, 2009
- Stomp - May 5-10, 2009
- Wicked - July 1-26, 2009
Phoenix New Times Beyond Broadway Series - ASU is always proud to present an incredible array of music dance and groundbreaking theater throughout the year at the inspiring ASU Gammage.
ASU Art Museum's Annual Short Film & Video Festival - This annual spring event showcases up-and-coming film makers and their extraordinary talents.
Arizona State University Art Museum & Ceramic Research Center - Contemporary fired pieces ignite the imagination, while with the renowned, cutting-edge design of Antoine Predock blurs the line of where art ends and architecture begins. An annual self-guided tour through some of the Valley's best studios and galleries is not to be missed.
Tempe Festivals of the Arts - Twice a year, the Mill Avenue District is transformed into an artisan's paradise for one of the foremost arts events in the Southwest. Enjoy quality crafts, art, music, food and entertainment under the warm Arizona sun in March/April and December.
Tempe Music Festival - Spend two days rocking out to some of today's biggest chart-topping names, as well as the best of Tempe's home-grown music scene that has launched such names as Gin Blossoms, Jimmy Eat World and others.
Desert Botanical Garden - If you fancy flora, you'll find this living museum located in beautiful Papago Park and displaying more than 50,000 desert plants from around the world, both fascinating and fun.
Tempescene.com - Visit our entertainment website for updates on Tempe's live music scene and events calendar.
Tempe Center for the Arts - Tempe's new cultural hub showcases the work of Childsplay, A. Ludwig Dance, Arizona Renaissance Theater, Desert Dance and others. The building itself, designed collaboratively by Barton Myers Associates and Tempe's own Architekton, is an interactive work of art on the shores of Tempe Town Lake.
Arizona Dragon Boat Festival on Tempe Town Lake - This international festival celebrates culture and sport through paddling dragon boats, entertainment, good food, arts and crafts, as well as friendly competition of both corporate and community teams.
The Tempe Improv - It's off the cuff, it's off the wall and off the charts funny. Catch some of the wittiest, wackiest and well-known national comics, as well as local favorites in a fun atmosphere.
Year-round fun!
Don't forget to take in these cultural events when you're out and about:
Express Yourself in Tempe | Greetings from Neil Giuliano | Progressive Leadership | Does Your Belt Match Your Shoes? | Where to Eat, Drink and be Gay | Hang Your Hat and Stay a While | Tempe - What's in a Name or It's all Greek to Me | Go hike, go bike, go team | Fun Expressly for Family or the Kid in You | -->Echo LGBT bar map | ASU LGBT resources | Info Request
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