With the suspension of large events and many of our favorite venues shut down until further notice, it’s time to get creative when it comes to things to do. From upbeat music to good food to fall festivities, here are five ways to safely celebrate the start of October this weekend.
1. Look on the bright side with Sonoran Desert Chorale.
Mesa’s Sonoran Desert Chorale, a renowned choral group that has performed across the globe, is now holding virtual concerts via YouTube. On Saturday, October 3 at 7:30 p.m., Sonoran Desert Chorale will perform uplifting songs to bring hope to viewers. Titled Reaching for the Light, the concert will feature moving music like “Prayer of the Middle Ages” by Howard Hanson and Paul Simon’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water.”
2. Eat enchiladas for a good cause.
Fans of music and Mexican food rejoice! Local fave Los Sombreros has teamed up with rock legend Alice Cooper to bring a delicious fundraiser to the Valley. A portion of proceeds from the Solid Rock Enchiladas and the Welcome to My Enchilada Night family meal will be donated to Cooper’s Solid Rock Teen Centers, a nonprofit organization that provides free art and music programs to youth ages 12 to 20.
3. Check out FOUND:RE’s new art exhibit – and stay awhile.
FOUND:RE, an art-centric hotel in Downtown Phoenix, started welcoming guests again on October 1. The reopening coincides with the launch of its newest exhibit, Portraits & Icons, which celebrates the style of everyday people and the accomplishments of the world’s most influential icons. It will run through mid-February 2021.
4. Get your shop on, then enjoy live art and music.
After a socially distant shopping spree at Scottsdale Quarter, stay for a free outdoor concert that features artists on stage and on canvas. Groove to tunes from local bands while painters create art to the music. This Saturday, October 3 from 5 to 7 p.m., enjoy a performance by The Instant Classics and live painting by Kyllan Maney.
5. Get lost in a corn maze.
It’s finally fall! To celebrate, Vertuccio Farms in Mesa is kicking off its fall festival and corn maze, which offers socially distant fun for all ages. Enjoy a mini hay maze, pedal race cars, a barrel train ride, a giant spider web and, of course, a sprawling pumpkin patch and famous 5-acre corn maze.