MXSW Weekend Guide for Oct. 7-9

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.