This is a curated list of weekly events around the Phoenix area for March 4 – 10.
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
Chandler Chamber Ostrich Festival
March 8-10, 15-17
Shaggy and Wynonna Judd headline this year’s edition of Chandler’s celebration of its flightless bird ranching history. There will be plenty of food, music and carnival fun. Check website for scheduling information. $20-$150, Tumbleweed Park, 2250 S. McQueen Rd., Chandler, 480-588-8497, ostrichfestival.com
Mecum Collector Car Auction
March 5-9
Mecum Auctions is parked inside State Farm Stadium this week for its sixth annual auction in Glendale, with an estimated 2,000 classic and collector vehicles and approximately 200 pieces of memorabilia up for grabs to the highest bidders. State Farm Stadium, 1 Cardinals Drive, Glendale. $30 per person, per day, or $75 for a three-day pass; children 12 and younger receive complimentary admission. Gates open daily at 8 a.m. Vehicle auction begins daily at 10 a.m. with Road Art to begin 30 minutes prior. mecum.com
March NASCAR Weekend
March 8-10
It’s that time of year when local race fans gather around the track for the real March Madness. Check out the General Tire 150, Xfinity Series race or Shriners Children’s 500. Call for times and ticket prices. Phoenix Raceway, 7602 S. Avondale Blvd., Avondale, 866-408-RACE, phoenixraceway.com
Arizona Salsa Fest
March 9
Dip your chips into sweet and spicy salsas made right here in Arizona. The festivities begin at 11 a.m. Check website for ticket packages. The Great Lawn at Sportsman’s Park, 9600 W. Sportsman’s Park South, Glendale, arizonasalsafest.com
SandFest
March 9
These aren’t your typical castles in the sand. A sculpture constructed by the Travel Channel’s Sand Masters will be the centerpiece of SandFest, a two-day celebration of all things granular. There will be outdoor activities, sand-sculpting competitions and photo-ops throughout the day. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Call for ticket prices. Children’s Museum of Phoenix. 215 N. Seventh St., Phoenix, 602-253-0501, childrensmuseumofphoenix.org
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
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
The Alice: An Immersive Cocktail Experience
Through April 7
Are you ready to drink and go a little mad? Check out a surreal wonderland of cocktails and other delights at this immersive pop-up experience based on Alice in Wonderland. Check website for times and event location. $47, which includes a welcome drink, two bespoke cocktails and a sweet treat. explorehidden.com
Art Detour
March 1-31
If you love local art but don’t like traveling down a crowded Roosevelt Row on First Friday, then this month-long celebration of our state’s creative culture is for you. The signature event of the festivities is the Art d’Core Gala, which takes place on March 16 at Phoenix Art Museum. Check website for more details. 1625 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, artdetour.com
Walk with Wildlife Tour
March 1-April 30
Have lunch with the lions as you enjoy a guided tour of the animal sanctuary filled with native wildlife, including Mexican gray wolves, bobcats, coyotes, mule deer and black bears. Tu-Sa, call for times. $35, adults; $25, children 3-12; $10 for children under 3. Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center, 27026 N. 156th St., Scottsdale, 480-471-3621, southwestwildlife.org
CONCERTS
An Evening with Yo-Yo Ma
March 9
The accomplished cellist will perform unaccompanied onstage in what is sure to be a memorable performance. 8 p.m., $50-$500, Ikeda Theater at Mesa Arts Center, 1 E. Main St., Mesa, 480-644-6500, mesaartscenter.com
Tough Luvv Fest
March 9
Three 6 Mafia and City Morgue headline the inaugural edition of this hip-hop festival. Sets begin at 1 p.m. Tickets start at $52.50. Mesa Amphitheatre, 263 N. Center St., Mesa, 480- 644-2560, mesaamp.com
Arizona Bach Festival
Through March 17
The baroque icon takes center stage as musicians from a variety of instruments and backgrounds celebrate the composer. Check website for dates, times and locations. $30-$45, arizonabachfestival.org
SPORTS
March NASCAR Weekend
March 8-10
It’s that time of year when local race fans gather around the track for the real March Madness. Check out the General Tire 150, Xfinity Series race or Shriners Children’s 500. Call for times and ticket prices. Phoenix Raceway, 7602 S. Avondale Blvd., Avondale, 866-408-RACE, phoenixraceway.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
Phoenix Suns
The Suns go into the homestretch of the season as they take on the Toronto Raptors, Mar. 7; Boston Celtics, March 9; Philadelphia 76ers, March 20; Atlanta Hawks, March 21; Cleveland Cavaliers, April 3; Minnesota Timberwolves, April 5; New Orleans Pelicans, April 7; and the Los Angeles Clippers, April 9. Call for times and ticket prices. Footprint Center, 201 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix, 602-379-7800, suns.com
Arizona Coyotes
The ice will heat up as the Coyotes take on the Chicago Blackhawks, March 5; Minnesota Wild, March 7; Detroit Red Wings, March 8; New Jersey Devils, March 16; Seattle Kraken, March 22; Dallas Stars, March 24; Columbus Blue Jackets, March 26; Nashville Predators, March 28; New York Rangers, March 30; Vancouver Canucks, April 3; Vegas Golden Knights, April 5; Edmonton Oilers, April 17. Check website for times and ticket prices. Mullett Arena, 411 S. Packard Drive, Tempe, 480-563-PUCK, coyotes.nhl.com
Phoenix Rising F.C.
The action on the field heats up when the Rising kicks things into gear against the Birmingham Legion F.C., Mar. 9; Oakland Roots, March 23; New Mexico United, March 30; Colorado Springs Switchbacks F.C., April 13; and Pittsburgh Riverhounds, April 20. Call for times and ticket prices. Phoenix Rising Stadium, 19593 S. 48th St., Chandler, 623-594-9606, phxrisingfc.com
THEATRE & DRAMA
Dog Man: The Musical
March 7-24
If you have a child under the age of 10, you probably know about author Dav Pilkey’s hilarious series of graphic novels about a hero with the head of a dog and the body of a policeman. Now, his creation gets the musical theater treatment. Check website for days and times. $25-$61.50, The Herberger Theater Center, 222 E. Monroe St., Phoenix, herbergertheater.org
Shrek: The Musical
March 8-9
The reimagined touring production of the hit Broadway musical based on the animated film will feature Fountain Hills native Nicholas Hambruch in the role of the titular big green ogre. There will also be plenty of singing, dancing, puppets and, of course, a talking donkey. F, 7:30 p.m., Sa, 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. $59-$99. Arizona Financial Theatre, 400 W. Washington St., Phoenix, 602-514-2919, livenation.com
The Thorn
March 8-9
The Easter story comes to life in this immersive musical arena show, complete with drama, aerial acrobatics, modern dance and eye-popping visual effects. F, 8 p.m., Sa, 2 p.m. $35-$89. Desert Diamond Arena, 29400 W. Maryland Ave., Glendale, 623-772-3200, desertdiamondarena.com
Drunk Shakespeare
March 1-April 30
If you didn’t like Shakespeare in high school, then this is the event for you. The concept is simple: one performer downs five shots of liquor and takes the cast through a play by the Bard in 90 minutes. Check website for times and ticket prices. The Rose Theatre, 455 N. Third St., Phoenix, drunkshakespeare.com
Beautiful: The Carole King Musical
March 6-April 28
Discover the early career of Carole King in this powerful jukebox musical featuring the singer-songwriter’s music. Call for times and ticket prices. Mainstage Theatre, 1825 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, 602-254-2151, phoenixtheatre.com
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
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
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
PHOENIX magazine’s Dish Fest
March 17
The one thing you need to bring to our food festival is an appetite. There will be unlimited bites from the best chefs in the Valley, with food demonstrations from Jennifer Caraway of The Joy Bus. VIP, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; GA, noon-4 p.m., $70-$105, The Clayton House, 3719 N. 75th St., Scottsdale, phoenixmag.com/dishfest
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
The Black Crowes
April 10
The Robinson Brothers have released their first original album in 15 years, which is a big deal with all the drama that kept them from returning to the studio. Check out the “Hard to Handle” performers playing their new songs, hits and deep cuts in what’s sure to be a wild show. 8 p.m., Check website for ticket prices. Arizona Financial Theatre, 400 W. Washington St., Phoenix, 602-514-2919, livenation.com
Phoenix Home & Garden’s Garden Tour
April 20
The pages of PHOENIX’s sister publication come to life as patrons enjoy exclusive access to a curated selection of the Valley’s most enchanting home gardens during this annual self-guided tour. Attendees will also have the unique opportunity to mingle with Phoenix Home & Garden’s editorial staff as well as architects and designers featured in the magazine. VIP, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; GA, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. $85-$125, Various Valley locations, phgmag.com
