On Monday, August 21, North America will see its first total solar eclipse in 38 years. The moon will come between the Earth and the sun, blocking the big fiery star from view (although protective eyewear is still required for safe viewing). The path of the eclipse will slope diagonally downward across 14 U.S. states, beginning at Lincoln Beach, Oregon and ending near Charleston, South Carolina.
Arizona isn’t on the total eclipse curve, unfortunately, but we can still expect some partial eclipse action. Meteorologists say peak viewing time is at 10:33 a.m. Let’s celebrate, (natural) black out style.
Party Planetarium Style
Tempe, Phoenix, Tucson, Flagstaff
Several locations throughout the state will be hosting viewing-parties for the big event. In Tempe, Arizona State University will host events from 9 a.m. to noon at the Interdisciplinary Science and Technology Building 4 and on Hayden Lawn. Experts will be available, telescopes will be set up and protective glasses will be provided to the first 2,000 attendees. For more info, visit asuevents.asu.edu.
In Phoenix, the Arizona Science Center’s viewing-party will kick off at 8:30 a.m. and conclude at noon. Protective glasses will be provided for the first 500 guests, and there will be rocket launches, eclipse-related crafts, food, planetarium shows and more. For ticket information, visit azscience.org.
In Tucson, University of Arizona will have a three-day celebration from August 18-21. The festivities will include "Create Your Own Pinhole Viewer" stations and showings of Tucson Sky and Beyond: Eclipse Edition. Protective glasses will be available for purchase. For more information, visit flandrau.org.
In Flagstaff, Lowell Observatory will open early at 8 a.m. and have a livestream from their experts in Madras, Oregon, the optimal location for viewing the eclipse. Telescopes will be set up for viewing in Flagstaff as well. For more information, visit lowellsolareclipse.com.
Grab Your Glasses
Multiple locations
Libraries throughout the U.S. have received protective solar glasses from STAR_Net to help the community view the eclipse safely. Glasses-carrying libraries throughout the state include North Valley Regional Library, Northwest Regional Library, El Mirage Library, White Tank Library. Buckeye, Public Library – Coyote Branch, Goodyear Library, Salt River Tribal Library, Apache Junction Public Library, Pinal County Library District- Coolidge Public Library, Maricopa Public Library and Ak-Chin Indian Community Library.
For a “cooler” eclipse look, all Warby Parker locations are providing free solar viewing glasses, now until August 21. For more information, visit warbyparker.com.
Black Out, Snack Out
Sprinkles, Scottsdale
From August 19-21, Sprinkles cupcakes on Scottsdale and Camelback roads will have an ode to the eclipse with its “black out” dark chocolate cupcake, not that we’ve ever needed a meteorological wonder to convince us it’s time for cake.
As editors of a city lifestyle magazine with a travel section that covers locales far beyond our beloved Phoenix Valley, you can imagine that we get pitched A TON about new and exciting travel offers around the country. Of course, we can't fit everything into a 200 page monthly magazine that only allots five of those pages to regional travel. Sigh... 'tis the nature of publishing.
But it pains us too much to kill all of our darlings. So each month, we scrape a few travel tidbits off the cutting room floor and bring you Travel Bag Bites – bite-sized travel-related goodies (special offers, activities and deals) to snack on while planning your next great escape.
1. Deep Purple & Alice Cooper with The Edgar Winter Band at Ak-Chin Pavilion – August 15
Deep Purple continues their Long Goodbye Tour in support of their latest album, “Infinite.” Alice Cooper will join them as he plays all his hits like “School’s Out” and “No More Mr. Nice Guy.” $15+. 6:30-11 p.m. Ak-Chin Pavilion, 2121 N. 83rd Ave., Phoenix, concerts1.livenation.com.
From its early days as a railway shipping point in the 1880s to its modern status as a “highway city” southeast of Tucson aiming to draw more tourists, Benson has had quite a ride. Three new developments are making Arizona travelers take note.
"We ate at 35 places in three days," Valley super chef Bernie Kantak (The Gladly, Citizen Public House) says of his recent Seattle excursion with Little Miss BBQ pit-master Scott Holmes. He says it with a faint, rueful chuckle. Translation: Yes, we made pigs of ourselves... but we learned so much.
Fast friends after cooking together at the James Beard House in New York City last year, the duo promised to do a culinary R&D trip in 2017. Ultimately, the settled on Seattle. And planned it on the fly.
1. Kabarett at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts – August 11
This isn’t a normal theatrical performance that you may find around the Valley. Kabarett will feature a selection of French and German theater songs, classic film scores, off-beat pop and original music. $12-$19. 8-9:30 p.m. Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, 7380 E. 2nd St., Scottsdale, tickets.scottsdalearts.org.
1. John Mayer at Talking Stick Resort Arena – August 1
The Connecticut-native singer-songwriter is bringing his silky guitar strums and vocals to the Valley. Sing along to classics like “Your Body Is a Wonderland” and new songs like “Love on the Weekend.” $50+. 7 p.m. 201 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix, johnmayer.com.
As editors of a city lifestyle magazine with a travel section that covers locales far beyond our beloved Phoenix Valley, you can imagine that we get pitched A TON about new and exciting travel offers around the country. Of course, we can't fit everything into a 200 page monthly magazine that only allots five of those pages to regional travel. Sigh... 'tis the nature of publishing.
But it pains us too much to kill all of our darlings. So each month, we scrape a few travel tidbits off the cutting room floor and bring you Travel Bag Bites – bite-sized travel-related goodies (special offers, activities and deals) to snack on while planning your next great escape.
1. Vinyl Voices at The Coronado – July 25
Storytelling and record playing collide at Vinyl Voices. Speakers include Jeff Cardello, Michelle Edwards, Kim Porter and more. Hosts Jose Gonzalez and Leslie Barton will engage with the speakers to help them open up about their lives and how music guided their self-discovery. Free. 8-10 p.m. 2201 N. 7th St., Phoenix, facebook.com/events.
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