Practical Art
Practical Art is located on the West side of Central Avenue just North of Camelback.
One of my favorite places to shop in my neighborhood is Practical Art. Everything in this fun boutique is handmade by Arizona artisans. It’s the perfect place to find a gift for that person who has everything or to find a unique piece of usable art for your home. The staff is super friendly and they always have some sort of treat waiting for you when you visit from fresh lemonade, to tequila to ice cream. Every First Friday they feature a new artist and usually have live entertainment, wine and cheese. So, next time you are in Phoenix stop by Practical Art for a unique piece of practical art to take home.
Make sure to say hello to the friendly staff. They usually have treats for customers.
These glasses and vases are made from recycled wine glasses. We love giving these as housewarming and hostess gifts.
Aren't these plates and bowls cool? We love shopping at Practical Art for unique items for our home.
Practical Art has everything you need for dinner parties too! Cheese plates, knives, servers etc.
Practical Art is located at 5070 North Central Avenue in Phoenix. More photos from Practical Art can be found on Flickr.
Things to do for Labor Day in Greater Phoenix
BBQ
Celebrate the holiday weekend with some delicious BBQ. Pick up pre-marinated meats for fajitas from La Tolteca , premium steaks from Hobe Meats, or locally made sausages and brats from Schreiner’s Fine Sausages .
Free things to do
This Friday (September 2nd) is First Friday so admission is free at the Phoenix Art Museum (6-10pm) , the Arizona Science Center for Adults Night Out ( 5:30-9pm, no kids, just adults acting like kids) and the Children’s Museum ( 6-10pm, lines can get long so get there early).
On Saturday and Sunday, Bank of America customers can get free admission to the Phoenix Art Museum and Musical Instrument Museum through the Museums on Us program.
More free things to do in Greater Phoenix.
Stay and play with special Labor Day packages
Take advantage of the many Labor Day packages that area resorts and attractions are offering this weekend.
Events
There are always plenty of events going on in Phoenix, especially over a holiday weekend.
If you are a foodie, don’t miss Phoenix Cooks this Saturday at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa. This indoor event has opportunities to learn, cook, taste, sip, and experience the pleasures of the culinary lifestyle.
Spend the holiday weekend floating down the Lower Salt River rapids for the end-of-the-summer bash with four local radio stations playing your favorite tunes.
This is the last Saturday to catch a fireworks show at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess. Get there early to get a good seat by the pool, or make reservations at one of their fabulous restaurants for a pre-fireworks meal. Fireworks start at 9:15pm.
Pretend you are in paradise this Sunday at Zog’s Tiki Lounge Party at the Rhythm Room. This fun event features entertainment, tunes from surf rock bands, tiki carving and tiki art. Of course there will be tiki drinks and food from the Hey Joe Filipino food truck.
Have a great weekend!
Free things to do in Greater Phoenix
Getting out of the house and having fun doesn’t have to cost a fortune. We’ve found some great things to do in Greater Phoenix that are FREE.
The Phoenix Art Museum has several opportunities to take in exhibits for free. If you are a Bank of America customer, you can get free admission through the Museums on Us © program the entire first weekend of every month. Every Wednesday (3-9pm) and First Friday (6-10pm) there is free admission for all.
Another great First Friday deal is the Target sponsored free admission at the Children’s Museum of Phoenix (6-10pm). We’ve heard that it gets crowded fast, so get there early.
One of our favorite free deals in Phoenix is Adults Night Out every First Friday at the Arizona Science Center (5:30 – 9pm). No kids, just adults acting like kids. This weekend (August 13-14) everyone gets free admission for Fry’s Free Weekend (10am – 5pm).
Tony Bennett called the Musical Instrument Museum his favorite museum in the world. See if you agree for free the first weekend of the month with Bank of America’s Museums on Us © program.
One of our favorite places to visit and to take guests is the Desert Botanical Garden. Every second Tuesday of the month admission is free (1-8pm). On October 25th admission is free (9:30am – 5pm) as a part of the valley-wide CALA Festival.
As the name suggests, FilmBar shows movies and serves libations. You can catch an independent film for free on your birthday. Bring a friend to buy you drink.
Arizona wines have been getting quite a bit of attention as of late; try some for free every Wednesday and Saturday at the Downtown Phoenix Public Market’s Urban Grocery. Check their calendar for the featured winery and hours.
This Friday (August 12) celebrate the opening of Yogurtini at CityScape with free fro-yo (11am – 2pm).
Did we miss anything? Tell us in the comments below.
What to do for First Friday – August
First Friday is here again! The heat won't stop us from enjoying all of the fun that First Friday has to offer. Here's a quick roundup of what's going on this Friday night.
“Luck Nothing” by Jeff Falk and Annie Lopez Opening Reception at Willow North Gallery 2811 N. 7th Avenue, 6-10pm, Free
Local artist Jeff Falk’s collage works are featured, as well as the photography of Annie Lopez.
Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Los Angeles Dodgers Chase Field 401 E. Jefferson Street, 6:40pm, $12 and up
This season has been an exciting one for our home team. Make sure to stay after the game for a fireworks display.
Buy tickets for the Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Los Angeles Dodgers game.
“In Your Head and Under Your Bed” Opening Reception at Modified Arts 407 E. Roosevelt Street, 6-9pm, Free
Ten artists are featured in this exhibit at Modified Arts inspired by the subconscious and dreams. Pieces range from paintings to sculptures to fabric designs.
Kendal Hathaway Artist Reception at Sutra Midtown Yoga 2317 N. 7th Street, 7-9pm, Free
Yoga studio turned art exhibit, Sutra Midtown always puts on a great show for First Friday. During the opening reception, Sutra will be collecting art supplies (Items Needed: acrylic paint sets, watercolor sets, oil pastel sets, packages of paintbrushes, canvases, watercolor paper, charcoal sets, packages of clay, glue/hot glue, beads, feathers, etc. ) for the Bergamot Institute and will be serving seasonal sangria.
First Friday at the Phoenix Art Museum 1625 N. Central Avenue, 6-10pm, Free
Enjoy free Museum admission every First Friday! Experience great art from around the world, delight in a drink from ARTenders and enjoy a variety of entertainment on the First Friday of every month.
For August, giddy up to a mix of bluegrass, Old-Time, cowboy/country, folk and originals performed by the Back Porch Bandits. Banjo player Josh Tharp, mandolin monster Billy Parker, bass boy Joel Dowling and guitarist/ringleader Ken Clemmer will have you dancing in no time. So dust off those boots and come boogie with the bandits!
Adults Night Out at Arizona Science Center 600 East Washington Street, 5:30 - 9pm, Free
Explore the Center's exhibit galleries on the First Friday of each month from 5:30 to 9pm. Free for everyone. Please leave children at home. Additional evening options include: A lecture presentation at 7 p.m. (free); and an IMAX film or planetarium presentation at 8:15 p.m. (Regular admission fees apply for film and planetarium presentations.) Additional fees apply for entrance to featured exhibitions.
Betsy Ganz at Practical Art, 5070 North Central Avenue, 7-9pm, Free
Snacks and drinks will be served. Make sure to browse around the store to find that perfect gift for that upcoming birthday, anniversary, etc.
First Friday Mobile Food Court, 408 E. Roosevelt Road, 7pm
Try the delicious mobile cuisine of Riteway Catering Company, Sunshine and Spice, Short Leash Hot Dogs, Sweet Republic, Jamburritos Cajun Grille – Express, and Frufrupops.
Broadway at Gammage
The Phoenix area is lucky to have Gammage Auditorium (pronounced GAM-idge, if you're not from the area), which is known for both for its architecture as well as the shows it hosts, largely musicals straight from New York. Tickets start at about $23, and they are still available for an amazing lineup of Broadway musicals:
9 to 5 The Musical
February 22 - February 27
Fiddler on the Roof
March 29 - April 3
Billy Elliot The Musical
April 27 - May 8
Mamma Mia
May 17 - May 22
Gammage also hosts its "Gammage Beyond" series which includes dande performances from dance companies from around the country, plays and musical performances. To see the upcoming engagements, check out the schedule.
While you're there, make sure to take a close look at the architecture of Gammage Auditorium, which is a Frank Lloyd Wright design and was built in 1964. So many shows tour here because it is designed to be as acoustically perfect as possible. (It's named after former ASU president Dr. Grady Gammage, who campaigned to turn Arizona State College into Arizona State University in 1958.)
ASU Gammage
1200 South Forest Avenue
Tempe, AZ 85281
(480) 965-5062
Cezanne and American Modernism
Going to any of the art museums in town is always inspiring, but when a big show comes to town, you just can't miss it.
Morgan Russell. Portrait of Cezanne. 1910. Collection of The Honorable and Mrs. Joseph P. Carroll.
Phoenix Art Museum now presents Cézanne and American Modernism, a collection of numerous artists showing some of the best pieces in post-Impressionist modern art.
Cézanne was called "the father of us all" by both Matisse and Picasso, and in this collection you'll see numerous works from Cézanne, Morgan Russel, Marsden Hartley and other top artists of the time. The exhibit runs through September 26.
You'll see works like Cézanne's Five Apples, Bathers, View of the Domain Saint-Joseph and more. You'll also see:
Marsden Hartley, Purple Mountains, Vence, 1925-26. Collection of Phoenix Art Museum. Gift of Mr. & Mrs. Orme Lewis.
Oscar Bluemner. Jersey Silkmills (Paterson). 1911 (repainted 1917). Private Collection. Photographer: Peter S. Jacobs, Fine Arts Photography.
...and other amazing pieces from the late 19th century to the early 20th century. It's truly a must-see.
Phoenix Art Museum
1625 N Central Ave
Phoenix, AZ 85004
602-257-1222
