For almost a quarter of a century, Arizona’s most prominent party was held every spring at Montgomery Stadium at the northeast corner of Seventh and Van Buren streets. From 1926-1955, the Masque of the Yellow Moon was the city’s hottest ticket, quickly selling out the 10,500-seat stadium. But what exactly was this event that garnered so much attention? “The best description of the Masque I heard was that it was like a Super Bowl halftime show but without the football game,” Marshall Shore, Phoenix’s Hip Historian, says. The event started in 1926 when the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce created a f ..read more

Elyssa Bustamante is ensuring Downtown Phoenix stays fun, fresh, and funky. Bustamante, mainly known as “The Funky Latina,” is an event producer, host, and DJ based in Phoenix. In 2022, Bustamante founded The Funky Latina Music Festival, an annual event highlighting Latinx indie artists, making it Arizona’s premier Latinx indie music festival. No stranger to the spotlight, Bustamante began her career as a music blogger and has hosted various events, including the pop-up concert series “Joy to the Polls,” the Latina-owned “Mujeres Mercado,” and many other live performances throughout Arizona. T ..read more

In 1989, Artlink Phoenix’s Art Detour officially launched in Downtown Phoenix as a Saturday afternoon event, which has since grown to include many of Arizona’s major cities and now encompasses the full month of March. Art Detour 36 offers a self-guided tour of art and culture events, allowing patrons to explore what they want to see when they want to see it. Every year promises ambitious day trips to far-flung areas, such as Carefree, Gilbert and Tubac. But, one doesn’t need to wander far for immersion in the arts. Don’t look further than the area that helped shift the perspective of Phoenix a ..read more

The seasons are changing in Downtown Phoenix. In the air and on the stage.  After a tumultuous pandemic that left many Downtown Phoenix theaters with uncertain futures, today, the Downtown Phoenix arts and culture scene is thriving.  Just recently, the Americans for the Arts released a study that showed Arizona’s nonprofit arts and culture industry generated over $1 billion in economic activity in 2022. “Arizona Opera has been continually producing before the pandemic and even through the pandemic, we stayed very active. What drives us is our mission to connect people through this ar ..read more

**Notice to readers: This article contains language that refers to cisgender queer people at times. Please note that this is not intended to exclude specific groups within the LGBTQ+ community but to explain specific historical happenings pertaining to certain groups.   The Phoenix LGBTQ+ community has made significant progress thanks to various movements and influential individuals who have contributed to advancements in our city and beyond.   To celebrate the queer community in Phoenix that brave individuals built and younger generations live in, it’s important to pay homage to tho ..read more

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, Downtown Phoenix Inc. is bringing back DTPHX Lotería, which will take place Friday, Oct. 6-Sunday, Oct. 15. The community-wide activation will incorporate a variety of businesses located Downtown. Lotería has been played throughout Mexico for hundreds of years and is similar in concept to American Bingo. It uses 54 widely varied characters and symbols of Mexican culture on a “tabla” with a corresponding deck of cards. In order to win, a player must get four symbols, in any pattern, in a row. Downtown Phoenix Inc. does this with symbols that represent local ..read more

As someone who works Downtown and is constantly outside with the public, I often get asked “What is there to do here?” While this question is often asked by out-of-towners I have been shocked to hear the same from my fellow Phoenicians. I may be biased because I believe that I stay in the loop when it comes to games, trendy restaurants, and the latest place for a cute Instagram picture, but there is so much more to Phoenix than the heat and sunsets. All the iterations of this question have their own connotations, but I want to focus on a particular one. One that I get asked by people who are a ..read more

In the summer, air conditioning is your friend! When air conditioning arrived in the Valley, this new luxury first appeared Downtown, mainly in commercial spaces, such as the Westward Ho in 1929 and the former Fox Theatre, located on Block 23, in 1931. Eventually, air conditioning in the desert became commonplace, but more so a necessity to weather the summer months. Below are a few Phoenix Community Alliance Member art and culture institutions that will encourage you to get out of the house periodically but not break a sweat while you do! Phoenix Art Museum (1625 N Central Ave.)  On dis ..read more

Does anyone else need to touch some grass? We certainly know the feeling. When life gets hard or work gets too busy, it’s time for a break. Whether you take a walk or enjoy your packed lunch somewhere new, Downtown Phoenix has several spots for that much-needed recharge. May is Mental Health Awareness Month, so in your times of need, these hidden jewels are here whenever you need them. Peace Park is hidden between the Arizona Convention Center and Arizona Center at the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix. (Photo: Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix) Peace Park In the midst of the bustling city i ..read more

Phoenix Fan Fusion 2023 is upon us. Grab a Phoenix Down, your best cosplay attire, and get ready to nerd out.  Fan Fusion occurs Friday, June 2, to Sunday, June 4, at the Phoenix Convention Center in Downtown Phoenix.  This year, high-profile guests include Marvel’s own Hawkeye, Jeremy Renner; Hocus Pocus’ Mary Sanderson, Kathy Najimy; and James & Oliver Phelps, best known as the mischievous Fred and George Weasley in the Harry Potter film series.  Voice actors, comic creators, local artists, tabletop teams, and epic cosplayers will also assemble this Fan Fusion weekend. If ..read more