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Scottsdale Travel News: November 2009

11/02/2009

UPCOMING ART + CULTURAL EVENTS IN THE SONORAN DESERT
Kicking off a season of artistic endeavors is the Carefree Fine Art & Wine Festival Jan. 15-17, 2010. The streets of downtown Carefree are shut down to make way for more than 160 artists and over 5,000 original artworks ranging from bronze sculptures to glass and mixed-media pieces. Celebration of Fine Art has a reason to celebrate this year as it commemorates its 20th anniversary. Taking place Jan. 16 - March 28, the event brings 100 of the finest artists from around the globe to Scottsdale with more than 40,000 square feet of working studios and pieces from well-known and emerging artists. Consistently ranked among the top arts festivals in the country by readers of American Style Magazine, the Scottsdale Arts Festival returns to the Scottsdale Civic Center Mall in downtown March 12-14. The three-day event has been an Arizona tradition since 1971 and features 200 jury-selected artists throughout North America. Other must-see creative events include the following:

  • Fiesta Bowl ArtWalk (Jan. 2): An ideal start to the New Year! The free event in downtown Scottsdale's gallery district is an ideal time to check out the areas approximately 100 galleries.
  • 57th Annual Parada del Sol (Feb. 20 & 26-28): The longstanding Scottsdale tradition starts with a bang on Feb. 20 with a horse-drawn parade through downtown. Festivities continue Feb. 26-28 at WestWorld of Scottsdale where visitors can take in a professional rodeo.
  • McDowell Mountain Music Festival (April 24-25): Thirteen bands from a wide variety of genres from all over the world come to WestWorld for this family friendly event.

For media information, contact Katarina Kovacevic at kkovacevic@scottsdalecvb.com or (480) 889-2716.

THREE NEW RESTAURANTS BRING WORLDY EATS TO DOWNTOWN
Valley restaurateur Joseph Gutierrez brings his extensive culinary background of more than 30 years to SouthBridge, planting three new restaurants in the no-chains-allowed district. Gutierrez was trained at La Gastronome in the Basque region of France and Spain and his experience includes working at resort restaurants such as the Fairmont Scottsdale and the Ritz-Carlton in Spain.
       The first in his trio is Tutto, which opened in Digestif's former space in July 2009. Offering traditional Italian cuisine, Tutto is open for dinner daily and serves hand-made pastas and pizza. Dine on menu items ranging from fisherman seafood stew to parpadelle pasta with braised rabbit. Mixing food, fashion and entertainment is Acua, which opened August 2009 in the former digs of Canal. The new late-night spot is open until 2 a.m. daily and serves a fusion of French-Asian cuisine. Savor mouth-watering eats like chile- and coffee-crusted diver scallops with artichoke flan, while enjoying fashion shows on the restaurant's runway. Acua also boasts an indoor and outdoor bar, DJ booth, fire pit and VIP lounge.
       The last in Gutierrez's trio is Spanish restaurant Tapas Papa Fritas, expected to open this month. The restaurant's cuisine, which includes Paella and house-made Sangria, won't be the only draw for diners yearning to experience a touch of Spain in Scottsdale. Servers will don the same attire worn during the running of the bulls and live Flamenco shows will take place every Wednesday thru Sunday. For media information, contact Laura McMurchie at lm@scottsdalecvb.com or (480) 429-2253.

THE "GREATEST SHOW ON GRASS" - FBR OPEN - RETURNS TO TPC SCOTTSDALE
The golf tournament of the year returns to TPC Scottsdale Feb 22-28, 2010. Annually sporting the largest crowds on the PGA TOUR, the FBR Open has gained legendary status for drawing the largest crowds in the world for a golf event. With more than 470,000 fans in attendance last year alone, the "Greatest Show on Grass" is four days of parties and golf like you've never experienced. In addition to the 72-hole tournament, the FBR Open features four pro-am events, including the Scottsdale Celebrity-Am at Grayhawk Golf Club. And beyond the golf, there are the football-stadium-type crowds on the 16th hole and nonstop partying at the famous Birds Nest, a temporary nightclub that transforms into the center of Scottsdale's entertainment universe and features an array of bands and entertainment. For media information, contact Rob Myers at rmyers@commlinks.com or (480) 348-7540.

FIGHT WINTER'S CHILL WITH HOT SPA SPECIALS AND DISCOUNTS
Prep yourself for the upcoming holiday party season at The Spa at Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North. The 80-minute Apricot Ginger Rejuvenation begins with an exfoliating sugar scrub devised to revive and brighten. After ridding the body of dull skin, relax with a massage using apricot ginger oil to hydrate and improve circulation. The Rejuvenation costs $155 and is available thru December. For media information, contact Kim Cole at kim.cole@fourseasons.com or (480) 513-5049.   
       Indulge in a guilt-free wintertime treat at The Centre for Well-Being at The Phoenician. The Centre's trio of seasonal spa offerings includes all of the essentials for head-to-toe pampering and will last thru December. Options include the customizable On the Go Facial Glow, the Pep in Your Step Massage, which includes a foot, back, neck and shoulder rub, and the Luscious Lemon Lavender Hands & Feet experience ideal for rough and dry skin. Pricing for these offerings starts at $69. For media information, contact Denise Seomin at denise.seomin@luxurycollection.com or (480) 423-2657.
       Special seasonal treatments aren't the only spa deals that can be found in Scottsdale. The city's renowned relaxation centers also are offering discounts on some of their most sought-after experiences. The Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa at Gainey Ranch's Three for Free offer includes a third night free with two paid nights and a 25 percent discount at Spa Avania. And every Wednesday, Hotel Valley Ho's VH Spa offers 60- and 90-minute spa services for $60 and $90 respectively. For Hyatt Regency Scottsdale media information, contact Ann Lane at ann.lane@hyatt.com or (480) 483-5597. For Hotel Valley Ho media information, contact Kristin Escalera at kescalera@hotelvalleyho.com or (480) 421-7734.

OLD TOWN FARMERS MARKET RETURNS WITH NEW CHEF-DRIVEN PROGRAM
Following rave reviews from its inaugural year, the Old Town Scottsdale Farmers' Market returned to downtown in October 2009, taking place every Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. thru May 2010. The lively market has quickly become a local favorite and features products from the best local growers in the Valley with more than 40 vendors providing a variety of organic vegetables and fruits, flowers, herbs, a coffee roaster and an assortment of handmade items including pastries, jams and baked goods. Beginning Nov. 7, the Old Town Scottsdale Farmers' Market will be hosting the Farm Sessions, a unique "farm-to-table" experience where Scottsdale's best local chefs will lead participants on a shopping excursion through the market and demonstrate a seasonal cooking class using only locally sourced ingredients. You'll leave the session with a recipe card and shopping list, resource guide, organic cotton shopping tote and enough ingredients to prepare the dish for two at home. For media information, contact Katarina Kovacevic at kkovacevic@scottsdalecvb.com or (480) 889-2716.

GET INTO THE HO-HO-HOLIDAY SPIRIT WITH SPECIAL EVENTS IN SCOTTSDALE
WestWorld of Scottsdale will be turned into a holiday world of colors, lights and designs this season with the Scottsdale Fantasy of Lights. The drive-through lighting event is the perfect way for families to get into the spirit! The event runs Dec. 2 - Jan. 2, 2010 and is $10 per car Monday through Wednesday, and $13 per vehicle Thursday through Sunday. The Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts continues the celebration with Windham Hill's Winter Solstice: Night Sky Essays on Dec. 19, a one-time concert event featuring some of Windham Hill recording label's most celebrated artists. Enjoy performances from chart-topping musicians like Samite, pianist Liz Story, multi-instrumentalist Barbara Higbie and guitarist Sean Harkness. The unforgettable journey features the cool rhythms of the snow-covered north, the vibrant sounds of Africa and the sublime beauty of a winter's night sky. Tickets start at $32.Finally, check out Holidays at the Heard for more family friendly fun. The annual event held at the Heard Museum features music and dance performances, artist demonstrations, and special programs that will introduce you to the Southwestern lifestyle. For media information, contact Katarina Kovacevic at kkovacevic@scottsdalecvb.com or (480) 889-2716.

CULINARY OFFERINGS SATISFY MORE THAN JUST HEARTY APPETITES
Food connoisseurs have a new way to connect with each other thanks to social networking group FoodiesLikeUs.com. As the brainchild of food lovers Jay Pizarro and Susie Timm, the online community provides culinary adventures focusing on experiential, affordable activities. Included in the mix of experiences are social and educational events, behind-the-scenes tours of Arizona restaurants and meetings with notable area chefs. Beginning this winter, foodies can indulge in all the tastes of Scottsdale with the group's trolley tours. From 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., the tours will visit three different downtown Scottsdale restaurants for a three-course dinner and be offered Dec. 3, Jan. 21 and Feb. 25. Restaurants include Metro Brasserie, Petite Maison and Cowboy Ciao. For media information, contact Beth Cochran at beth@wiredprgroup.com or (602) 758-0750.
       Celebrating food and history, Arizona Food Tours offers a delicious insider's look into the restaurants that dot downtown Scottsdale. The Taste of Old Town Scottsdale tour is a walking food and historical exploration that opens minds and palates with tales of the area's rich history - one taste at a time. Travel along the same streets that were infamous stomping grounds for some of the West's greatest cowboys in the early 1900s while enjoying historical tales and special food tastings from participating restaurants and shops. For media information, contact Annie Breheny at annie@arizonafoodtours.com or (480) 293-4096.

Scottsdale Convention & Visitors Bureau Contacts:
Vice President of Communications
Laura McMurchie
Direct: 480-429-2253
LM@Scottsdalecvb.com

Director of Public Relations
Tatum Luoma
Direct: 480-889-2719
tluoma@scottsdalecvb.com 

Communications Coordinator
Katarina Kovacevic
Direct: 480-889-2716
kkovacevic@scottsdalecvb.com