MXSW Weekend Guide for Sept. 23-25

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.