Great Wolf Lodge waterpark retreat, family play time indoor fun, Rhythm Is Life steel band concert, and more. 
Happy Friday, Scottsdale. You know the drill – grab your coffee (or whatever you sip in the morning), kick back, and let Scottsdale Brief serve up everything you need to know for the weekend ahead.
📰 In the news
Local happenings: Major horse shows at WestWorld fueling downtown tourism, Scottsdale cracking the top ten for degree holders, and a hidden speakeasy unveiling nostalgic summer cocktails — catch up here.
State-level stories: Toyota’s new 5.5 mile desert test track, a coast to coast train pulling into Flagstaff, and steep discounts on prescriptions for Arizonans — see what else is brewing.
National headlines: Federal judge orders fresh review of gray wolf safeguards, OPEC+ output increase pushes oil under seventy dollars, and a mislabeled pasta recall — peruse the best of the rest.
Highlights this week
- Mesa hosts weekly community farmer’s market event
- Dance goth beats while fundraising for LGBTQ+
- Rick Springfield headlines nostalgic 80’s music tour
- Steve Earle performs live at Talking Stick
- Compare home equity loans for free
🫶 We got your back
Pizza: You could settle for any old slice but sometimes you need a pie that actually wows. Scottsdale’s best-kept spots are serving up everything from deep-dish cheese bombs to wood-fired masterpieces. Check out pizza hideaways that will have you drooling.
Wildlife: Arizona delivers a front-row seat to nature’s best at these wildlife viewing spots. If you’re looking for an escape from staring at a screen, it might be just what you need.
Tidy: After spending a weekend lining up matching containers, you still end up with chaos three weeks later. These real-life hacks work with your messy beautiful life, and sustainable organization tips prove it.
Florist: In need of a last-minute gift, a romantic gesture, or just some color in your life, The Flower Cart arranges petal-powered masterpieces that speak volumes without saying a word.
Family: An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial fee just to be seen to x-rays, surgery, medicine, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could get up to 90% cash back on your vet bill with this pet insurance plan.
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📆 Around town this weekend
All events are subject to change without notice. This is entirely outside our control. Please check official event pages and social media for the most up to date information.
Today
🍯 Chompie’s Two New Hot Honey Menu@ Chompie’s Restaurant | Friday (8/8) at 7:00am – Chompie’s is turning up the sweet heat all summer long with two fiery, crave-worthy breakfast beasts. Whether you’re team Country Fried Steak or Hot Honey Crispy Chicken, both are stacked on jumbo biscuits and drenched in golden spicy drizzle. Warning: nap required afterward.
🏳️🌈 Queer Goth Nite @ The Rebel Lounge | Friday (8/8) at 8:30pm – Picture ruffed-up vinyl, lashes sharper than your ex’s tongue, and a crowd who actually thinks black is a color, all rolled onto one dance floor at Rebel Lounge. Expect queer DJs, drag divas, vendors, live snaps, and a donation to Ripple PHX with every ticket.
This weekend
🎸 Rick Springfield: I Want My 80s Tour @ Talking Stick Resort | Saturday (8/9) at 7:00pm – Rick Springfield’s I Want My 80’s Tour lands here with all the ’80s hits you’ve memorized. Leave the DSLR at home, bring your ID, and remember it’s a 21 and up gig, rain or shine, with seats or a spot to rock in the pit.
🎸 Steve Earle | Saturday (8/9) at 8:00pm – If you appreciate gravel-voiced honesty and guitar hooks that feel like home, Talking Stick has Steve Earle, the guy whose songs Johnny Cash and Emmylou Harris coveted for their records. Expect razor-sharp storytelling, just enough rebellion, and bragging rights for decades.
🐱 Kitty’s Rave @ Marquee Theatre | Saturday (8/9) at 9:00pm – Whether you’re revisiting your rave roots or just need a sweaty dance fix, Kitty’s got you covered. General admission chaos, $10 parking, no refunds, and a night you’ll barely remember.
🐺 Great Wolf Lodge Scottsdale @ Great Wolf Lodge | Sunday (8/10) at 7:00am – Forget your sad backyard sprinkler, this Scottsdale retreat tosses you into a waterslide wonderland with suites starting at $99 and free waterpark access for six. Use code 2508HSTD for extra discounts on eats, merch, and the peace of mind your inner kid demands.
💦 Foam Frenzy @ Arizona Boardwalk | Sunday (8/10) at 10:00am – Grab the kids and sunscreen for a foam fest in the Boardwalk Courtyard, where foam parties, fire truck water cannons, and squirt-gun battle zones await. It’s free fun, a solid excuse to ditch the sprinkler hose, and a cheeky way to kick off summer.
🥁 Rhythm is Life Steel Band Concert @ Desert Mission United Methodist Church | Sunday (8/10) at 3:00pm – Grab your sunnies and your penchant for detours, and head to the church in North Scottsdale for World Steelpan Day plus Trinidad-born steelpan magic. Rhythm Is Life Steel Band turns pews into a tropical speakeasy, no passport required, just a ten-spot donation, and a tan.
Next week
🧊 Chill Out @ Chompie’s Restaurant | Monday (8/11) at 7:00am – Chompie’s is rolling out two summer specials so generous you’ll wonder if they went on vacation and brought savings back. Drop $20 in-house and unlock 20% off deli, bakery treats, or snag a free pint of soup with any Empire State platter, you’re welcome.
🌯 Military and First Responders Discount – 2nd Tuesdays @ Burrito Express | Tuesday (8/12) at 7:00am – If you need justification for your monthly burrito binge, try this: every second Tuesday your favorite hometown spot open since 1995 gives 15% off to military and first responders. Flash your ID, claim your hero reward, then eat like you earned it.
👨👩👧👦 Family Play Time | Tuesday (8/12) at 5:00pm – Whether you’re dodging rogue Cheerios or refereeing a paint-smeared Picasso in training, this free, weekly drop-in play session gives parents and caregivers full access to an indoor adventure zone. Think pint-sized furniture, sensory havens, and zero-judgment corners for curious under-fives.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
🎶 Live music & entertainment
- 8/8 Queer Goth Nite @ The Rebel Lounge – 8:30 pm
- 8/9 Teachers Lounge @ Tempe Improv – 3 pm
- 8/9 Rick Springfield @ Talking Stick Resort – 7 pm
- 8/9 The Local Spirits @ ASU Kerr – 7:30 pm
- 8/9 Haiden Henderson @ The Rebel Lounge – 8 pm
- 8/9 Marisela @ Celebrity Theatre – 8 pm
- 8/9 Steve Earle @ Talking Stick Resort – 8 pm
- 8/10 Rhythm is Life Steel Band @ Desert Mission United Methodist Church – 3 pm
- 8/10 Forever Grey @ The Rebel Lounge – 7:30 pm
- 8/11 Ash Pluto @ The Rebel Lounge – 7:30 pm
🏠️ Price is right – Scottsdale edition
How it works: We’re going to give you some facts about a home for sale, including a picture of the outside, the kitchen, and one additional room. Your job? Guess how much it’s listed for (preferably before you click to find out).
Listed by: Jody Angel (HomeSmart)
This Scottsdale stunner skips the HOA and brings the wow, thanks to a full reimagining by 555 Angel Designs. Custom woodwork, multi-door sliders, and a chef’s kitchen with honed marble counters and walk-in pantry set the scene for effortless entertaining. The open floor plan flows into a dining space that’s equally ready for dinner parties or pancake mornings.
The primary suite is pure luxury with direct pool access, a spa-worthy bath, and a closet that might require its own zip code. Out back, a private oasis awaits with a sparkling pool, gazebo, and fresh landscaping, all just minutes from Scottsdale’s best eats and greens.
Make your guess, then (and only then)… see how much it costs →
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