This is a curated list of weekly events around the Phoenix area for February 26 to March 3.
Calendar listings include public events and attractions from around the Valley and state. Confirm information before making plans by calling the listed phone number, or check each website for last minute confirmation or cancellations. E-mail calendar.events@citieswestmedia.com to submit events for consideration.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Downtown Chandler Barbecue Festival
March 2-3
Pedal Haus Brewery and SanTan Brewing Company reunite to feature local craft beer, BBQ favorites and live bands performing over the two-day event. The Downtown Chandler Barbeque Festival is held from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, March 2, and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, March 3. Admission prices range from $12 to $25 for a single day. Visit Eventbrite to purchase tickets
M3F Fest
March 1-2
Lane 8, Dominic Fike, SG Lewis, Gorgon City and many more will take over Downtown for another edition of the popular nonprofit music festival. Check website for set times. Weekend ticket packages start at $135. Steele Indian School Park, 300 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix, m3ffest.com
Innings Festival
March 1-2
The best indie and mainstream artists, along with an array of MLB legends, will gather together on the south shore of Tempe Town Lake to celebrate all things baseball. Headliners include Red Hot Chili Peppers, Hozier, Third Eye Blind and local favorites Jimmy Eat World. Check website for set times and ticket prices. Tempe Beach and Arts Park, 80 W. Rio Salado Pkwy., Tempe, inningsfestival.com
Cactus League Baseball Spring Training
Through March 26
The tradition continues in Arizona. Fifteen Major League Baseball teams will start their training here in the Valley as they prepare for the 2024 season, giving fans a unique opportunity to see their favorite players up close and personal, including the 2023 National League Champion Arizona Diamondbacks. Ticket prices and locations vary. cactusleague.com
Babbo Day of Giving
February 29
Babbo Italian Eatery is hosting its third annual Baseball for Babbo Day of Giving event on Feb. 29. All eight Valley Babbo Italian Eatery locations will donate 100% of profits made that day to the Seena Magowitz Foundation, to fund pancreatic cancer research at HonorHealth Research Institute. In addition, Babbo and Roger E. Magowitz, the founder and CEO of the Seena Magowitz Foundation, will each match funds raised up to $50,000. https://babboitalian.com/
Arizona Fine Art Expo
Through March 24
Attendees can meet and watch nationally acclaimed and award-winning artists at work in 124 patron-friendly studios as Thunderbird Artists hosts this art adventure. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. $12, season pass; $10, seniors and military. 26540 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, 480-837-7163, arizonafineartexpo.com
Celebration of Fine Art
Through March 24
This annual juried invitational gathering features 100 artists from across the country who show and sell their gallery-quality work in an intimate studio setting. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Season pass: $10, adults; $8, seniors and military; free, children 11 and younger. 18400 N. Hayden Rd., Scottsdale, 480-443-7695, celebrateart.com
Mini Music Makers & Music Adventures
Through February 29
It’s never too early to introduce children to music. Mini Music Makers is for those ages 0-5 years. Kids will develop their motor and language skills while learning about musical cultures from around the world. Those ages 6-10 can collect passport stamps when they build musical instruments and discover the musical heritage of different continents in the Musical Adventures class. Check website for days and times. Musical Instrument Museum. 4725 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix, 480-478-6000, mim.org
Mesa Contemporary Arts Center
Through February 29
Local and international artists, along with emerging creatives, are displayed in the five curated galleries of this beautiful space. Swoon: Gift in the Rupture, through Jan. 14; and Shepard Fairey – Facing the Giant: 3 Decades of Dissent, through Jan. 21. Mesa Arts Center,1 E. Main St., Mesa, 480-644-6500, mesaartscenter.com
CONCERTS
Bad Bunny
February 27-28
The “Booker T” rapper held the title of most-listened-to artist on Spotify two years in a row, making him the only current musician capable of filling up the Footprint Center two days in a row. 7 p.m. Check website for ticket prices. Footprint Center, 201 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix, 602-379-7800, footprintcenter.com
Innings Festival
March 1-2
The best indie and mainstream artists, along with an array of MLB legends, will gather together on the south shore of Tempe Town Lake to celebrate all things baseball. Headliners include Red Hot Chili Peppers, Hozier, Third Eye Blind and local favorites Jimmy Eat World. Check website for set times and ticket prices. Tempe Beach and Arts Park, 80 W. Rio Salado Pkwy., Tempe, inningsfestival.com
SPORTS
Cactus League Baseball Spring Training
Through March 26
The tradition continues in Arizona. Fifteen Major League Baseball teams will start their training here in the Valley as they prepare for the 2024 season, giving fans a unique opportunity to see their favorite players up close and personal, including the 2023 National League Champion Arizona Diamondbacks. Ticket prices and locations vary. cactusleague.com
ASU Men’s Basketball
February 28
Cheer on the Arizona State University Sun Devils as the team battles University of Arizona, Feb. 28. Call for times and ticket prices. Desert Financial Arena, 600 E. Veterans Way, Tempe, 480-727-0000, thesundevils.com
Phoenix Suns
February 29
The Suns could make the playoffs for another year. But before they do, they’ll have to battle the Houston Rockets, Feb. 29. Call for times and ticket prices. Footprint Center, 201 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix, 602-379-7800, suns.com
Harlem Globetrotters
February 29
Devin Booker brings plenty of swagger to the court, but that’s nothing compared to the razzle-dazzle of the Harlem Globetrotters. No backboard will be safe as the clown princes of basketball dunk their way across the Valley for three jaw-dropping shows. 7 p.m., $30-$120. Mullett Arena, 411 S. Packard Drive, Tempe, 480-563-PUCK, mullettarena.com
THEATRE & DRAMA
My Fair Lady
Through March 30
Based on the play Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw, this musical by famed composers Lerner and Loewe is about a professor who attempts to introduce a Cockney flower-seller to high society. Check website for days and times. $30-$65. Hale Centre Theatre, 50 W. Page Ave., Gilbert, 480-497-0277, haletheatrearizona.com
Intimate Apparel
Through March 3
The story of an African American seamstress and how her revolutionary clothing changed lives is told with flair by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Lynn Nottage. Check website for showtimes and ticket prices. Tempe Center for the Arts, 700 W. Rio Salado Pkwy., Tempe, 833-282-7328, atc.org
The Truth About Winnie Ruth Judd
Through March 17
One of the most notorious true-crime cases in Arizona history gets the theatrical treatment in this bizarre drama about murder, the press and suitcases. Call for times and ticket prices. Judith Hardes Theatre, 1825 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, 602-254-2151, phoenixtheatre.com
John Loves Mary
Now through March 2
This comedic play is about a World War II soldier whose good deed, marrying his buddy’s British sweetheart to sidestep immigration laws and bring the two together, doesn’t go unpunished. Check website for days and times. $25-$30. 8989 E. Via Linda, Ste. 118, Scottsdale, 480-314-0841, donbluthfrontrowtheatre.com
Sh-Boom! Life Could Be a Dream
Through March 5
Accompanied by a soundtrack that includes classic songs like “Fools Fall in Love” and “Earth Angel,” a doo-wop group enters a radio contest to make the big time. Check website for days and times. $30-$65. Hale Centre Theatre, 50 W. Page Ave., Gilbert, 480-497-0277, haletheatrearizona.com
THINGS TO DO LOOK AHEAD
Bruce Springsteen
March 19
The Boss has left his residency on the Great White Way and is hitting the road with his band for a tour that includes songs from his soul covers album Only the Strong Survive. 7:30 p.m., $75-$350, Footprint Center, 201 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix, 602-379-7800, footprintcenter.com
Arizona Bike Week 2023
April 3-7
Brantley Gilbert and Godsmack are scheduled to perform at one of the nation’s largest bike rallies. In addition to the great music, attendees can enjoy parties, bike and stunt shows, and demo rides. Check website for schedule. Rally passes start at $99. WestWorld, 16601 N. Pima Rd., Scottsdale, azbikeweek.com
