MXSW Weekend Guide

Friday

Vintage & Vino at Horseshoe Park in Queen Creek

From 10 a.m.-7 p.m. today and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, the twice-a-year vintage market featuring 125-plus vendors takes place at Horseshoe Park & Equestrian Centre. For $25, you get general admission (normally $5), eight wine tastings, and a souvenir glass.

Pizza cutter giveaway at Jimmy & Joe’s Pizzeria

From 10:30 a.m.-10 p.m., stop by any of the family-run pizzeria’s three locations in Chandler, Mesa, or Ahwatukee to get a signature Serious Slice and a drink for just $4.99. You’ll also receive a free Jimmy & Joe’s 10-year anniversary pizza cutter.

Belching Beaver launch party at The Brass Tap in Mesa

From 5-8 p.m., the Mesa Riverview craft beer bar welcomes the beers of San Diego’s Belching Beaver to Arizona. The tap list will feature seven Belching Beaver beers, including its flagship Peanut Butter Milk Stout.

Burning Beards launch party at The Attic in Phoenix

From 5-8 p.m., The Attic welcomes another San Diego area brewery to Arizona with eight of its beers on tap. You can enjoy an all-you-can-eat meal – peel-and-eat shrimp or fish and chips – plus a pint for $24.

Saturday

Grand opening at Bottleshop 48 in Tempe

From 9 a.m.-10 p.m., the 3-month-old beer and wine store throws its grand-opening party with beer, wine, and mead tastings. Speciality kegs will include Four Peaks Sirius Black and Wren House Jomax. Raffle and door prizes.

Arizona Taco Festival at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale

From 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, more than 50 restaurants and vendors will be selling $2 tacos. Also includes tequila and margarita expos, lucha libre wrestling, eating contests, a chihuahua beauty pageant, and live music.

Oktoberfest at North Mountain Brewing in Phoenix

From 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, the north Phoenix brewery will host two days of German-themed food and fun. Be sure to try the special German lager, Happy Kraut, on tap. Live blues and country music from 5-8 p.m.

81st anniversary party at Harold’s Corral in Cave Creek

From 6-11 p.m., one of Arizona’s oldest steakhouse & saloons will celebrate its 81st anniversary with a sunset fireworks show, kids activities, and mechanical bull riding. Live music inside and on patio. $5 cover after 8 p.m.

Hollywood Alley reunion at Shady Park Tempe

From 8 p.m.-2 .a.m., the staff and patrons of the late great west Mesa live-music club will get together for an evenings of memories. The band lineup will include Alley regulars like Fred Green, Zig Zag Black, and Page the Village Idiot.

Sunday

GRAZ pop-up at Peixoto Coffee in Chander

From 8 a.m.-noon, GRAZ Kitchen Fresh sandwich shop will featured in the downtown Chandler coffee shop’s weekly pop-up eatery. GRAZ will be setting up a breakfast burrito bar so you can build your own burro to enjoy with your Brazilian coffee.

Sharp ’N’ It at Ahwatukee Farmers Market

From 9 a.m.-1 p.m., bring your dull knives and scissors to Sharp ’N’ It mobile sharpening at the Ahwatukee Farmers Market, which takes place in the Community Swim and Tennis Center parking lot on the northwest corner of 48th Street and Warner.

‘‘Mad Men’’ party at The Ostrich in Chandler

From 7 p.m.-midnight, don your finest ‘‘Mad Men’’ attire – such as sport coats for guys and cocktail dresses for gals – to help the San Marcos Resort’s basement bar celebrate its first anniversary. Food and drink specials all night, with live music from the Mike Eldred Trio.

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Friday

Ginger Monkey opening in south Chandler

New American restaurant and bar Ginger Monkey opens its doors at 3 p.m. on the southwest corner of Arizona Avenue and Ocotillo in south Chandler. The menu features creative twists on comfort foods, and the bar has 30 beers on tap and numerous wines by the glass. There’s even a special menu for dogs, who have their own patio space.

Four Peaks Oktoberfest at Tempe Town Lake

If you’re heading to the 44th annual Four Peaks Oktoberfest at Tempe Town Lake this weekend, take note: For the first time the German fest is charging admission ($7 in advance or $10 at the gate). Besides food and beer, there’ll be live music, a carnival, and kids activities. Hours are 5 p.m.-midnight today, noon-midnight Saturday, and noon-6 p.m. Sunday.

Salud! wine dinner at Montelucia in Scottsdale

Gabriel’s Angels, a non-profit that delivers healing pet therapy to abused, neglected, and at-risk children, hosts its sixth annual Salud! wine dinner from 7-10 p.m. at the Omni Montelucia Resort & Spa. The evening will include live entertainment, a live auction, a raffle, and an opportunity to meet some Angels. Tickets are $300 per person.

Cubs-Giants game at Fibber Magees in Chandler

Few places in the Valley are as Cubs-crazy as Fibber Magees Irish Pub, which will be showing all the team’s playoff baseball games with sound. Food specials will include Chicago dogs, Italian beef, “sah-sich” sandwiches, and pepper and egg sandwiches – all washed down with cans of Goose Island and Old Style beer. First pitch for Game 1 is 6 p.m.

Saturday

10-Year Party at Joe’s Farm Grill in Gilbert

Joe’s Farm Grill in Gilbert celebrates 10 years of delicious burgers, barbecue, and shakes with a party from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Everything on the menu will be 10 percent off, and you can upgrade regular fries to sweet potato fries for $1. Activities will include face painting, a clown, live music, a hot dog-eating contest, and a grand prize giveaway.

Wine & Chocolate Festival at Rawhide in Chandler

Taste a variety of wines and chocolates at the Wine & Chocolate Chocolate Harvest Festival, which takes place 5-10 p.m. Friday and noon-10 p.m. Saturday at Rawhide in Chandler. General-admission tickets – which include 14 2-ounce wine samples, 10 chocolate samples, and two beer samples – are $45 (or $35 on Groupon), and parking is another $5.

Pierogi food truck at Vistara at SanTan Village

It’s National Pierogi Day, and how better to celebrate than a meal from the Steel City Pierogi food truck, which will be a slinging the Eastern European dumplings from 4-7 p.m. at Vistara (map) at SanTan Village shopping center in Gilbert? Along with pierogi, they’ll be offering the truck’s full menu, including stuffed cabbage and haluski.

Sunday

Dog fundraiser at OHSO in Paradise Valley

From 9 a.m.- 1 p.m., OHSO Brewery‘s Paradise Valley location hosts a fundraiser for Saving Paws Rescue., which is dedicated to providing veterinary care and adoptive homes for German Shepherds and Belgian Malinois. Mention Saving Paws to your server and 20% of your check will be donated to the rescue.

Burger Battle at Okra in Phoenix

Okra begins a series of burger throwdowns when chefs Kelly Fletcher (Zen Culinary) and Gio Osso (Virtu, Nico) face off at 3 p.m. Diners can watch the competition, try each chef’s burger, and enjoy an all-day happy hour and half-off bottles of wine. Proceeds go to C-CAP, which helps young men and women start in the culinary arts industry.

The Chef’s Garden dinner at Kai in Chandler

Kai chef Ryan Swanson has crafted a seven-course menu celebrating Arizona’s indigenous cuisine and artisan produce from Ohio’s prestigious The Chef’s Garden. Each course is paired with an Arizona wine. A private reception will begin at 6:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 7. The cost is $165 per person. SVP required: 602-385-5726.

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Today

A Taste of Greece at St. Katherine Church

The Valley’s twice-a-year Greek festival – featuring Greek food and drink, live music and folk dancing, and a marketplace – returns to St. Katherine Greek Orthodox Church in Chandler. Hours are 5 to 10 p.m. today, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $3; kids under 12 are free.

Flancer’s Gilbert launches breakfast menu

After 16 years in business, Flancer’s finally is offering breakfast. Check out the new breakfast menu from 7 a.m. to noon today through Sunday (and again next weekend) at the Gilbert location, where it’ll be available daily starting Oct. 10. It debuts at the Mesa location Oct. 14-16 and 21-23 before going daily.

Firestone Walker mystery sale at Yucca Tap Room 

From 4 to 8 p.m., Yucca Tap Room in Tempe is clearing out its cellar. Buy a Helldorado, Stickee Monkee, 19th Anniversary, or Sucaba draft, and you’ll be eligible to buy one of 55 mystery cases, each containing one boxed Firestone beer plus assorted cans and bottles.

Saturday

Wake & Bike beer breakfast at Pedal Haus

After a three-month closure for major renovations, Pedal Haus Brewery in downtown Tempe is open again just in time for the Tour de Fat (see below). From 9 to 11 p.m., you can gorge on an all-you-can-eat English breakfast with a beer or mimosa for just $10. That includes tax and tip!

Mexican brunch class at El Palacio

From 10 a.m.-noon, El Palacio Mexican Restaurant chef Anthony Serrano will teach you how to make chilaquiles, New Mexico enchiladas, Mexican eggs Benedict with a homemade English muffin, and a Peppered Maria (a spicy Bloody Mary). The class is $15, which includes lunch and a cocktail.

October brat fry at The Pork Shop

The annual month-long brat fry returns to The Pork Shop in San Tan Valley this weekend. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Saturday in October, get a classic brat for $1 or a bacon brat for $1.50.

Tour de Fat at Tempe Town Lake

New Belgium Brewing’s annual bike celebration wraps up its 2016 national tour at Tempe Beach Park. Activities start with a costumed bike ride at 11 a.m. Starting at noon, there’ll be live music, a game show, a fashion show, eclectic entertainment, food vendors, and, of course, plenty of New Belgium beers. Tickets are $10.

SanTan Brewing Oktoberfest at downtown Chandler

Grab your lederhosen and dirndls and head to downtown Chandler’s Dr. A.J. Chandler Park for polka music, German food, and craft beer from 3 to 11 p.m. Roger Clyne & the Peacemakers and Reel Big Fish head the entertainment lineup. Tickets are $10 at Bashas’, $12 at SanTan, and $15 day of show.

Chile Pepper Festival at Roosevelt Row

Twenty local restaurants offer their best chile pepper dishes from 5 to 10 p.m. along Roosevelt Row in Phoenix. The fest also includes onsite chile roasting, cooking demos, live music, salsa dancing, activities for kids, a talent show, a beer garden, and a gourmet margarita station. Admission is free.

Remodel/rebrand relaunch at McFate Tap & Barrel

After a makeover, the addition of 10 more taps, and a name change, McFate Tap & Barrel in Scottsdale hosts a relaunch party. The brewpub’s updated menu will be unveiled with all-day happy hour pricing, which means $1 off McFate beers and $2 off appetizers.

Sunday

1-year anniversary at Crust Chandler

From noon to 6 p.m., Crust celebrates its first year in downtown Chandler with half-off pizzas (excluding 20-inch and Sicilian pizzas), drink specials, and free desserts. Face painters and balloon artists entertain the kids.

Rosh Hashanah dinner at Chompie’s

From 5 p.m. to close, all five Chompie’s locations recognize the Jewish New Year with a four-course menu, for dine-in or take-out, featuring roasted chicken, braised brisket, salmon, or roasted turkey breast. Cost $29.99 per adult or $14.99 for children under 10. Items also are available a la carte.

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Today

Arizona Restaurant Week: The fall edition of our twice-a-year Restaurant Week wraps up this weekend. Through Sunday, more than 100 participating restaurants throughout the Valley are offering special three-course menus for either $33 or $44 per person.

Wild Thing tapping: After discovering a rare batch of wild hops in northern Arizona, brewmaster Uwe Boer and his crew from SunUp Brewing in Phoenix collected them to make a one-of-a-kind beer, Wild Thing IPA, which is being tapped today.

4th Friday Car Show: Gilbert’s Nicantoni’s Pizza hosts its final monthly car show at its current location. The pizzeria is moving at the end of this month to a new location on Gilbert Road.

A Night of Rising Stars: The James Beard Foundation’s touring fundraiser arrives at The Camby in Phoenix tonight. Celebrity chef Amanda Frietag is the special guest at a cocktail reception preceding a $275-per-plate dinner.

Saturday

Bell’s Fruit & Loops: Start your day with all-you-can-eat breakfast cereal from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. as Yucca Tap Room in Tempe hosts a Bell’s Brewery promo, where the nine featured ales will include Sparkle Berry, Mango Habanero Oberon, and Raspberry.

Garlic Festival: Queen Creek Olive Mill is selling its harvest of organic garlic at its third annual Garlic Festival on Saturday and Sunday. The free-admission event also will include a special garlic menu, food trucks, a beer garden, live music, chef demos, and more.

Sriracha Festival: A $50 ticket ($70 at the gate) gets you unlimited food tastings and four alcoholic drinks at the first annual Sriracha Festival at Heritage Square in downtown Phoenix. The 21-and-over event also has live music, a mixology contest, and games.

Casual Pint Oktoberfest: Bratwurst and fresh pretzels are on the menu for the first major event at the recently opened Casual Pint craft beer and market in Chandler. Watch or compete in stein-holding and sausage-eating contests.

New Belgium Beer Dinner: Hangar 9 in Chandler is calling it a beer dinner, but it’s more of a tap takeover by the Colorado brewey, along with some well-paired food specials.

Sunday

Okra Whiskey Dinner: Chef Cullen Campbell is creating a Southern dinner menu inspired by secret family recipes, which are being paired with whiskey cocktails from mixologist Micah Olson at Okra in Phoenix. Cost is $55 per person.

Jazz & Jambalaya: With the (slightly) cooling temperatures, live jazz returns to Southern Rail in Phoenix on Sunday nights. Three great bands are scheduled to perform. Specials include half-off all bottles of Arizona wine.

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Arizona Restaurant Week

The twice-a-year Arizona Restaurant Week returns for its fall edition. Through Sunday, Sept. 25, participating restaurants are offering special three-course menus for either $33 or $44 per person. It’s a great opportunity to check out places like House of Tricks, Nico Heirloom Kitchen, or Bernard’s at Ocotillo Golf Resort at wallet-friendly prices. You’ll find the full list of restaurants and their special menus here.

Rock the Guac

Who makes the best guac in the Valley? That’s what they’ll find out when top chefs like Bernie Kantak, Matt Carter, Aaron May, Doug Robson, and Anthony Serrano compete in Rock the Guac, a new event from the folks behind next month’s Arizona Taco Festival. It runs 6-9 p.m. today at the Hotel Valley Ho in Scottsdale. Your $40 online-only ticket includes unlimited samples and two drinks.

Tacos & Randalls

Tempe’s newest brewery, The Shop Beer Co. (formerly Cartel Brewery), will be pairing tacos and Randalled beers at 5 p.m. today. enjoy a grilled rockfish taco with Desert Pale Ale infused with pineapple and habaneros, or a banana leaf pork taco with (480) Pale Ale flavored with citrus peel, coriander seed, and tequila-soaked oak chips.

My Wine Cellar patio

Have you noticed how summer’s scorching temperatures finally are starting to cool off in the mornings and evenings? My Wine Cellar in Ahwatukee is celebrating the re-opening of its popular patio (with gorgeous views of South Mountain) by extending happy hour from 3 to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Stop by for a $5 glass of wine or $2 off a large craft beer.

Knee Deep tap takeover

Whole Foods Chandler’s The Watering Hole will host a tap takeover for Knee Deep Brewing from 6-8 p.m. Friday. The highlight will be a keg of the Auburn, Calif., brewery’s Hop-De-Ranged quadruple IPA. They will be tapping nine beers total, including five from the draft-only Aviator Series and the new Big Sipper double IPA.

Oktoberfest celebrations

Oktoberfest season begins this weekend with a pair of events. SunUp Brewing in Phoenix will be offering a four-course Oktoberfest dinner at 6 p.m. tonight. Cost is $35 per person and you can buy tickets here. Starting at noon Saturday, Two Brothers Tap House & Brewery in Scottsdale will be celebrating all day with two special beers, authentic German food, and games.

Rockin’ Taco Street Fest

The biggest event of the weekend likely will be El Palacio Mexican Restaurant‘s fifth annual Rockin’ Taco Street Fest, which has grown too large for the restaurant’s parking lot and moves to downtown Chandler. From noon to 9 p.m. Saturday, there’ll be creative tacos, Lucha Libre wrestling, chihuahua races, ballet folklorico dancing, and more. Tickets are $8 online or $10 at the gate. Children 12 years old and under will be admitted free with a paid adult.

Hoppageddon

Papago Brewing in Scottsdale will hold its annual Hopageddon – a celebration of IPAs – from noon to close Saturday. Every tap will be dedicated to IPAs, including SanTan Kilohop, Bell’s Oracle, Port Hop Concept Mosaic and Eureka, Four Peaks Barrel Aged Raj, Lumberyard Bright Angle Single Hop, Founders Sleeper Cell, Sierra Nevada Tropic IPA Cask, and Knee Deep Hop-De-Ranged Quad IPA.

Halfway to St. Patrick’s Day

Why celebrate St. Patrick’s Day just once a year? Harvey American Public House in Gilbert will have Irish food and drink specials from 2 p.m. to midnight Saturday. They’ll also be tapping some specialty kegs from Arizona and out-of-state breweries, and giving away brewery swag. Chuck E. Baby & The AllStars will take the stage at 8:30.

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