Travel Events in Scottsdale, Arizona in August 2009

CELEBRATING THE ART OF FASHION IN DOWNTOWN SCOTTSDALE: Scottsdale Fashion Week kicks off in high gear Nov. 5 with the Milan-inspired Wearable ArtWalk through the Scottsdale Arts District where models prowl the streets in notable one-of-a-kind pieces of ‘art to wear’ clothing and jewelry. The event features local, national and international designers and runs through Nov. 7 with runway shows taking place at the Scottsdale Waterfront and SouthBridge districts.

Scottsdale Fashion Week features an 80-foot tented runway that will showcase a selection of leading designers and an outdoor catwalk under the Sonoran Desert stars highlighting up-and-coming tastemakers. For true VIP treatment, head to the luxury Lifestyle Showcase and browse high-end jewelry, watches, hand-crafted clothing and accessories, and jaw-dropping automobiles. Last year’s Scottsdale Fashion Week featured a grand finale from internationally renowned designer Zang Toi whose creations have graced the wardrobes of celebs like Eva Longoria and Ivana Trump. For media information, contact Bitsy Susich at bitsypr@earthlink.net or (602) 320-1343.

25 YEARS OF PUBLIC ART CELEBRATED IN SCOTTSDALE
Approaching its 25th year in 2010, Scottsdale Public Art has transformed the city into an outdoor art gallery with more than 70 permanent and 30 temporary artworks encompassing an array of artistic expressions. Creative works range from traditional bronzes such as George-Ann Tognoni’s trio of galloping horses to contemporary and experiential pieces like James Turrell’s skyspace Knight Rise at the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art. To celebrate this milestone, Scottsdale Public Art will bring new exhibits and artwork to the city in the coming months.

Following Toby Atticus Fraley’s endearing Robots in Flight and the playful world of Bubble Fountain by Arizona artists Melissa McGurgan and Marco Rosichelli, the next Bell’e Art installation, Barn Devil by Christopher Fennell, debuts Sept. 1. This dynamic sculpture will be constructed of reclaimed wood specifically for the bell tower at the Scottsdale Civic Center Mall and truly activate and define the space. Minutes from downtown Scottsdale, two artworks will debut on the Indian Bend Road recreational corridor. A massive series of earthworks and sculptures by Laura Haddad and Tom Drugan will channel high velocity floodwaters rushing through the wash at the road crossing. At the District One municipal complex, internationally recognized artist Dennis Oppenheim’s Garden of Evidence will feature six architectural aluminum cactus forms with criminal evidence providing the imagery for the landscape elements including tools of investigation, pieces of a thematic puzzle and more. Set for completion in fall 2009.

GREEN STREET SCOTTSDALE: DISCOVERING THE CITY’S SUSTAINABLE SIDE
Part celebration, part art exhibit, part music festival, and all environmentally friendly, Green Street Scottsdale will honor the 2009 Greenbuild International Conference & Expo being held at the Phoenix Convention Center Nov. 11-19. Taking place on the evening of Nov. 12, the event in the downtown Scottsdale Arts District and adjacent SouthBridge and Scottsdale Waterfront neighborhoods will showcase the city’s sustainable efforts with a special Scottsdale ArtWalk. The Scottsdale Arts District will play host to artist demonstrations, live music and special promotions at select nearby restaurants while SouthBridge and the Scottsdale Waterfront will feature even more entertainment and restaurant specials as well as exhibits showcasing a variety of sustainability initiatives in Scottsdale. Featured exhibits will include the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art’s Flip a Strip program highlighting new ideas for outdated strip malls; Scottsdale’s McDowell Sonoran Preserve; talks by local architects; and a photo gallery of all LEED-certified projects in the city. There also will be a live Jazz concert produced by the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, an outdoor beer garden where you can sample some of the country’s tastiest brews courtesy of Draft Magazine and a special catering truck that will serve grab-and-go menu items made with all local ingredients that place special emphasis on organic dishes.

SCOTTSDALE’S DINING SCENE: CHANGES AND UP-COMING DEBUTS
Digestif one of restaurateur Peter Kasperski’s renowned downtown restaurants, has found a new home in the location that used to house Chef Nobuo Fukuda’s Sea Saw. The new, intimate location for the gastropub seats 35 and brings you closer than ever to the masterful creations of Chef Payton Curry who whips up farm-to-table delights like house-cured prosciutto and crispy pork shoulder with arugula. Known just as much for his mouthwatering meals as for his mop of wild, curly hair and lovable personality, Curry is the mane (pun intended) attraction in the new digs, which feature a front-and-center kitchen with plenty of up-close seating at the interactive counter and surrounding tables.

Two all-new eateries from Fox Restaurant Concepts are set for downtown Scottsdale. Modern Steak will open Oct. 19 in the soon-to-be Barney’s wing at Scottsdale Fashion Square and feature a menu with various price and smaller portions as well as a trendy, modern design. Besides a rockin’ menu, you’ll also enjoy an onsite concierge to assist with all of your Scottsdale needs, a public art piece designed by a local artist that emulates a tree-like canopy with fire elements, and Modern Burger, a “walk-up” menu and window for on-the-go shoppers who want a taste of the restaurant without the sit-down experience. Fox’s other venture, Culinary Dropout, is opening in January 2010 at the Scottsdale Waterfront and will focus on cocktail culture with hand-crafted chef-driven drinks and an upscale bar food menu.

Other options set for the Scottsdale scene include Yellow House from the husband and wife team who brought you Grazie Pizzeria in downtown. The European-style bakery will focus on breakfast and open later this month next door to the pizzeria. Then there’s Calistro Bistro from Chef Devin Walsh who is putting the finishing touches on the California-style “green” restaurant opening at DC Ranch also this month and let’s not forget Parc Central at the new Scottsdale Quarter, which is set to debut in December and, if its anything like the Hollywood original, will boast a champagne and oyster bar and tapas-style French-Asian food.

MONDRIAN SCOTTSDALE ASKS GUESTS: WHO DO YOU WANT TO BE?
Slip away on vacation under a new guise with Mondrian Scottsdale new Who Do You Want to Be? campaign. As part of the special, the hotel is offering five new packages with distinct experiences suited for every type of traveler. Run away from daily stresses with The Escapist package and delight in every indulgence needed for a relaxing weekend. Catch up on your Z’s with a late check-out after waking up to breakfast in bed or add a little “spirit” to the night with a 25 percent discount on mini-bar products. The package starts at $100 and includes 25 percent off at Agua Bathhouse Spa, one complimentary movie per night, a bottle of champagne or wine, and $100 in food and beverage credits. A little self-indulgence isn’t such a bad thing with The Hedonist package that includes a free mini spa treatment, complimentary breakfast, a box of cupcakes from Asia de Cuba and a pitcher of caipirinha to enjoy poolside as you delight in life’s greatest pleasures. Rates start at $120.

The Romantic brings lovebirds together for a chance to rekindle the romance as you enjoy a complimentary room upgrade, breakfast in bed with your sweetie, champagne and strawberries, and a late check-out. Want to live the high life? The Socialite allows you to do just that with complimentary cocktails, VIP treatment at Asia de Cuba and guaranteed high-roller access to Redbar. And for those who can’t get away for a little fun, The Road Warrior offers business travelers tools essential for success. A room upgrade, complimentary business center access, wireless internet, unlimited local calls, continental breakfast, daily newspaper and in-room coffee service are included in addition to a special concierge that unpacks your bags for you! Packages are valid thru Sept. 30.

August 3, 2009   Posted in: Uncategorized