July/August Best of the Valley 2026

The Best of the Valley feature you’re about to read reflects dozens, maybe even hundreds of such lineages.

Meet the master mixologists and boffo beverage concepts that make possible the latest incarnation of our summer cocktail demo series.

Self-taught songstress and rhythm guitarist Haley Green grew up on reggae and rock, but she never planned on performing it full-time.

Terri Camberlango took the scenic route to a career in creative talent management. She signed with a modeling agency at age 14, a life-changing opportunity that eventually took her out of her native Phoenix.

Sun City wasn’t the first retirement community in the U.S. – that would be Youngtown, its neighbor in the Northwest Valley – but it was the most successful, thanks to amenities like a grocery store and recreation center.

Travel stories from the beaches of Mexico to the restaurants of France.

A recent eruption of sports and live entertainment innovations offers jackpot summer fun that has nothing to do with slot machines.

Blaise Lantana and I were trying to do a radio interview about how she’s retiring from her nighttime hosting job at KJZZ, the local National Public Radio affiliate. People kept interrupting.

Shamika Moore remembers her first visit to Trunk Space back when it was located along Grand Avenue. “There was art everywhere, everyone was cool and the musicians were really good,” recalls the singer-songwriter. 

Parag and Rupa Shah have owned shops around the Valley for more than two decades, but Scottsdale’s Gift-ology has been the one to stick.

When clay artist Lori McMinn decided to make ceramic bowls from local cactus, the first thing she did was to phone the Arizona Department of Agriculture.

Our favorite things to do in the summer months in the greater Phoenix area.

Our curated list of the top events to seek out for the coming week and weekend.

Every week, we present a curated list of live music in a wide range of genres around the Valley. This week, we feature a rapper who is keeping it in the family.

Every week, we present a curated list of live music in a wide range of genres around the Valley. This week, we feature a retro festival and the grandson of a country music legend.

Our curated list of the top events to seek out for the coming week and weekend.

Our curated list of the top events to seek out for the coming week and weekend.

Every week, we present a curated list of live music in a wide range of genres around the Valley. This week, we feature a seasonal social event.  

Our curated list of the top events to seek out for the coming week and weekend.

John Mellencamp’s Dancing Words tour comes to Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre on Aug. 9.

Every week, we present a curated list of live music in a wide range of genres around the Valley. This week, we feature a special pop-up show from a currently-unhoused indie music venue.

Still & Barrel opened in North-Central Phoenix last spring with one of the most ambitious whiskey programs in town.

Enjoy the best happy hour deals at Nobu Scottsdale, Saint Urban and The Neighborly.

Our local product-guru has eyes on glorious granola, craft coffee beans and confetti cake mix.

Reviews of new spots in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Chandler and Glendale.

A Silver City couple brings their mothers’ recipes – and New Mexico’s most famous chile – to northeast Mesa.

A new Arcadia market-restaurant hybrid leans on sourcing and vibes to cast a lingering Italian spell.

The men behind MercBar revive the moribund Esplanade dining scene with a trio of top-flight eateries.

Wielded by top Valley chefs, the arepa slays diners with the power of Latin American flatbread.