APRIL HAPPENINGS

“CAUSE A SCENE,” A NIGHT OF IMPROVE-INSPIRED STAND-UP

When: April 6

Where: Mic Drop Mania, 51 E. Boston St., Chandler

What: “Cause a Scene” brings some of the best comedians in Arizona, from both the stand-up and improv worlds, together for a show unlike any other. Three of the hottest stand-ups in the Valley take the stage to bring the funny and serve as inspiration for a cast of improvisors, who will then create brand new scenes on the spot!

Info: micdropmania.com/ shows/201423

BACH IN THE COMMUNITY, CLASSICAL MUSIC INSIDE OUT

When: April 6

Where: Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum, 1 E. Main St., Mesa

What: Mesa Arts Center’s Classical Music Inside Out series aims to broaden access to and appreciation for classical music with all ages through a diverse range of community engagements. Led by Artistic Director and Grammy-award winning cellist Zuill Bailey, the Classical Music Inside Out programs bring the sounds of classical music to schools, community groups, hospitals, and more to Mesa and throughout the Valley. Info: mesaartscenter.com/ bachinthecommunity

BUNNY BALLOON BLAST

When: April 7 & 8

Where: Salt River Fields, 7555 N. Pima Rd., Scottsdale

What: Families are invited to experience hot air balloons, free candy for the kids, a free kids zone with tons of inflatables and rides, and tethered balloon rides. Info: saltriverfields.com/ bunnyballoonblast

AVONDALE KIDFEST

When: April 8

Where: Friendship Park, 12325 W. McDowell Rd., Phoenix

What: This free outdoor event promises some high-flying fun and learning for the entire family in celebration of the Week of the Young Child. Enjoy entertainment, a Superhero 5K, splash pad, crafts, fishing, vehicle displays, food trucks, and more.

Info: avondaleaz.gov/government/ departments/parks-recreation/events/ kidfest

MARICOPA COUNTY FAIR

When: April 12 - 16

Where: Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum, 1826 W. McDowell Rd., Phoenix

What: The fair features the largest county fair carnival in Phoenix with over 35 rides, food offerings like Steve’s Flaming hot turkey legs, deep fried coffee, the Mac Doggie Dog, and so much more. Like to shop? The shopping pavilion is filled with over 60 vendors plus there are over 25 more vendors outside. Agriculture and livestock are a part of the fair’s history and tradition and is a mainstay.

Info: maricopacountyfair.org

Loteria Night 2023

When: April 13

Where: Desert Botanical Garden, 1201 N. Galvin Pkwy., Phoenix

What: Don’t miss the exclusive opportunity to play the iconic Mexican lotería game on a Desert Botanical Board tabla created by garden graphic designers! Win fun prizes, including a garden membership, plants, gift cards, and other special items. Enjoy an evening with rounds of lotería, cerveza, and food y más! Doors open at 7 p.m. Loteria starts at 7:30 p.m. Must be 21 or older to attend. Valid identification is required for entry to this event. No person under the age of 21 will be admitted. Please arrive during your ticketed arrival window. Food and beverages available for purchase.

Info: dbg.org/explore/events

BUDS-A-PALOOZA 2023

When: April 14

Where: Downtown Phoenix, 5th St. and Garfield in Roosevelt Row

What: Building off the success of last year’s sold-out event, Buds-A-Palooza 2023 highlights the best of Southwest cannabis culture and lifestyle. Attendees will experience a captivating night of nonstop action, including two music stages with national and local performers. The Buds-A-Palooza 2023 star-studded line-up includes performances from The Expendables, Ballyhoo!, Bumpin Uglies, Fayuca, and Kyle Smith. There will also be an Arizona Glass Masters’ glass blowing demo, 20 local and national stand-up comics performing at the Laughing Gas comedy club, a Sneaker Head Pop-Up Shop, stoner flicks, classes for beginner gardeners, an artisan vendor village, live and interactive art, and food and drinks galore, including 15 food and dessert trucks along with eight bars.

Info: budsapalooza.com

ARRIVAL FROM SWEDEN–THE MUSIC OF ABBA

When: April 14

Where: The Van Buren, 401 W. Van Buren St., Phoenix

What: The Arrival from Sweden plays the music of the legendary Swedish band ABBA. From “Dancing Queen to “Mamma Mia” and much more, these covers are sure to delight. Held at The Van Buren, the venue includes both indoor and outdoor dining, a full bar at the venue’s entrance, and an exclusive VIP lounge.

Info: thevanburenphx.com

JARABE MEXICANO

When: April 14

Where: Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler

What: Jarabe Mexicano invites audiences on a joyride through a versatile songbook of Mexican folk, rock and roll, tex-mex, Latin rock, and reggae-cumbia. Performing on stringed folk instruments and accompanied by lively percussion, Jarabe’s dramatic, harmonized vocals in Spanish and English have gained them the admiration of audiences across the country. This musical celebration of eclectic musical genres and diverse communities is accentuated and intensified by the beautiful, colorful Mexican folk dancing of Ballet Folklórico Quetzalli-AZ.

Info: chandlercenter.org/events/jarabemexicano-0

MUDDY KIDS

When: April 15

Where: Bell Bank Park, 6321 S. Ellsworth Rd., Mesa

What: Muddy Kids is a 1.5- and 2.2-mile adventure event series for kids ages 5 to 15, with fun and challenging obstacles, mud, and entertainment for the whole family.

Info: bellbankpark.com/events/muddykids

Eco Fashion Week

When: April 15 – 22

Where: 117 E. 5th St., Suite 101, Tempe

What: Eco Fashion Week is an annual event produced by FABRIC during Earth Week. It is a week-long event created to educate the public on sustainable fashion and to celebrate, recognize, and support sustainable fashion brands. All proceeds go to FABRIC Tempe, an Arizona nonprofit organization that supports apparel entrepreneurs with sustainable resources.

Info: fabricincubator.com/community/ eco-fashion-week

DONUT JUDGE ME 5K RUN/WALK

When: April 22

Where: Downtown Chandler Stage, 178 E. Commonwealth Ave., Chandler

What: Make the run worth it and the sweetest 5K of the year. This is the only 5K that gives you fresh, delicious, fullsize donuts on course and at the finish line.

Info: 131events.com/donut-judge-me5k/donuts-chandler

COMPASS

When: April 22

Where: ASU Gammage, 1200 S. Forest Ave., Tempe

What: What do systems of power in America look like? How do those systems fail us? How can we reenvision them? Who are the voices of people paving the way for this new vision? These are the questions that are addressed in COMPASS. Expertly blending documentary, dance and immersive theater, COMPASS plunges inside the mind of advocates not invited to the table of today’s systems of political power.

Info: asugammage.com/shows-events/ compass

MELISSA ETHERIDGE

When: April 23

Where: Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler

What: Melissa Etheridge stops at Chandler Center for the Arts as part of her national “One Way Out” tour. Known for her confessional lyrics and raspy, smoky vocals, she’s remained one of America’s favorite female singersongwriters for more than two decades.

Info: chandlercenter.org

Junk In The Trunk Vintage Market

When: April 21 - 23

Where: WestWorld, 16601 N. Pima Rd., Scottsdale

What: Junk in the Trunk Vintage Market, a semi-annual shopping experience that connects shoppers with local artists, makers, and curators, has a reputation for featuring quality vendors selling oneof-a-kind items and inspiring design. This is a popular attraction for shopping enthusiasts across the Southwest. Attendees can shop all things vintage, local, and handmade in a space of over 120,000 square feet filled with 160+ small businesses from across the country offering a vast selection of clothing, jewelry, furniture, vintage, décor, and much more. Other highlights of the market include food trucks and live music.

Info: junkinthetrunkvintagemarket.com

Arizona Tiki Oasis

When: April 27

Where: Hotel Valley Ho, 6850 E. Main St., Scottsdale

What: Enjoy a wide range of resort activities while sipping tropical cocktails and wearing your festive aloha wear. Bask in a variety of curated experiences: sip crafted cocktails by top mixologists, browse the pop-up Art Show, relax in a cabana by the pool, schedule a soothing spa treatment, attend an educational seminar, relish the rooftop sunsets, sway to the Tiki Oasis soundtrack, reserve Hotel Valley Ho luau tickets, shop the outdoor marketplace with a variety of artists, makers and traders and, of course, enjoy the overall Tiki island-in-the-desert vibe. Although many events will be all ages such as the marketplace and seminars, the overall event is adult oriented. Arizona Tiki Oasis benefits Arizona Preservation Foundation. Info: aztikioasis.com

RV SUPER SHOW

When: April 27

Where: WestWorld, 16601 N. Pima Rd., Scottsdale

What: If you’re searching for a new or used camper van, 4x4 adventure van, motorhome, or luxury 5th wheel, start your journey at an RV show in Arizona. Info: rvshowusa.com

ARIZONA ULTIMATE WOMEN’S EXPO

When: April 29 – 30

Where: Phoenix Convention Center, 33 S. Third St., Phoenix

What: Shop at hundreds of boutique shopping booths featuring the very best Arizona has to offer in shopping, fashion, food, entertainment, cosmetics, travel, jewelry, accessories, home decor, entertaining, and much more. Spend a relaxing day being pampered with spa treatments, massages, shopping, samples, celebrity keynote speakers, plus enjoy endless retail therapy.

Info: thewomensexpo.com

BALLET

ETUDES PRESENTS “SLEEPING BEAUTY”

When: April 29 & 30

Where: Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler

What: In this two-act ballet, Princess Aurora, condemned at her christening by the evil fairy Carabosse to prick her finger and die on her 16th birthday, is saved by the magical gift of the good Lilac Fairy, who declares the princess will only sleep until awakened by true love’s kiss.

Info: chandlercenter.org/events/balletetudes-presents-sleeping-beauty