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

Spotlight on PR leadership: Jennifer Kaplan, founder of Evolve PR & Marketing, was named 2025 PRNEWS People of the Year honoree and will be celebrated Oct. 7 at Pier Sixty in NYC — see why she was honored.

Healthcare capacity at stake: Maricopa County voters will weigh Prop 409, an $898 million Valleywise Health bond to fund a 200-bed behavioral hospital, specialty center, and expanded care. Early voting begins Oct. 8 — see what the bond funds.

Street food safety push: Maricopa County seized 7,000 pounds of unsafe meat in a crackdown on unlicensed pop-up taco stands after 100-plus illness complaints. Officials say 20 to 30 operate without permits — learn what officials recommend.

Highlights this week

• Tee off to support ACE Mentor Program
• Sip tea to support NICU babies
• Run FORE Cancer at Silverado Golf Course
• Honor heroes at Phoenix community run

Live country music all day, all night

Step through the swinging doors of Rusty Spur Saloon, and you’re back in the 1950s. This 72-year-old spot refuses to change with the times, and that’s exactly why we love it.

Located in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale, it’s the kinda place that has no shortage of cold beer and live country music every day.

The bar stools have stories, and the bartenders do, too. You’ve already been to a hundred faux-cowboy bars. Why not try one of the last real ones?

Open until midnight Sunday-Thursday, and 1am on weekends.

Check out their menu and live music schedule.

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Market magic awaits: Junk in the Trunk Vintage Market is packing 120,000+ square feet with more than 160 small businesses, and they’re adding live music and food trucks. Think vintage finds, clothing, jewelry, furniture, and decor. It’s a Southwest favorite for treasure hunting, shopping, and snacking in one spot. See what’s in store.

Legacy meets living art: Scottsdale Public Art is hosting “Artists of Cattle Track” from Oct 6 to Dec 31, 2025 at the Civic Center Public Gallery, spotlighting creators from the historic Cattle Track Arts Compound. Expect ceramics, sculpture, and desert-inspired pieces by sculptor Mary Meyer. It kicks off a new partnership with plans for artist residencies, plus an audio tour on Bloomberg Connects. Explore the exhibit and partnership.

Market: Fresh veggies, homemade jams, slightly too confident street musicians, and the joy of overbuying produce you swear you’ll cook with this week, Old Town Scottsdale Farmers Market is basically Saturday morning perfection. Start planning now for its grand opening on October 4th.

Modern health: Willow is changing the weight management game with sustainable, flexible, and modern plans to help you feel your best. All their docs are board certified, and you get unlimited access to your physician (AKA… you’ll be in good hands). Take this 2-minute assessment to get started.

Learn something new: If you’ve always wanted to learn a new language, meet italki. They match you with native speakers for personalized lessons starting at just $5/hour. With 150+ languages to choose from and flexible scheduling, you won’t need to rearrange your life (or start a side hustle) to achieve fluency.

📆 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.

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Today

🎃 Adam’s Pumpkin Spice After Dark @ Adams Polishes | Friday (9/12) at 7:00pm – If cold nights and pumpkin spice detail sprays sound more exciting than your couch, swing by Adam’s after hours for an exclusive pre-release of the 2025 collection. Stock up on your favorite cleaners, claim early-bird deals, and marvel at your own fall preparedness.

🎸 Little River Band @ Talking Stick Resort | Friday (9/12) at 8:00pm – Think you still know every word to Reminiscing? Little River Band lands at Talking Stick Resort to remind you why they’ve been serenading us for five decades. Dust off your vinyl collection, leave the carpool karaoke behind, and relish those soaring harmonies you remember.

This weekend

🧩 2nd Annual Autism Educational Summit @ Phoenix Children’s Conference Center | Saturday (9/13) at 8:00am – Looking for a real community moment that’s not just another happy hour? This in-person autism educational summit invites caregivers, curious neighbors, and anyone who’s tired of small talk to swap practical tips and heartfelt stories in a genuinely supportive, local crowd.

🌙 Filipino Night Market: Food and Culture Festival @ AZ International Marketplace | Saturday (9/13) at 4:00pm – From sizzling street food to live cultural performances, this night market is a feast for all the senses. Wander the stalls, grab a halo-halo, and soak up the energy of a true Filipino fiesta. Pro tip: arrive hungry, leave very, very full.

📺 Parks and Rec Rewind: 90s Night @ Scottsdale Civic Center Plaza | Saturday (9/13) at 6:00pm – Take a break from the usual weekend shuffle and swing by the Civic Center for a totally free 90s rewind party. DJ Tranzl8r spins throwback beats, arcade cabinets glow, and yes, there’s laser tag and a cocktail garden for the grown-ups who still think they’re kids.

🏃 Tunnel to Towers 5k @ Tempe Beach Park | Sunday (9/14) at 7:30am – Patio-worthy weekend? More like Tunnel to Towers–worthy sweat session. Join your neighbors on a 5k through downtown Tempe to support families of our fallen heroes, get some fresh air, and secure major bragging rights if you outrun those ‘casual walkers.’

❤️ Guilty Pleasures @ Tempe Center for the Arts | Sunday (9/14) at 3:00pm – Need an excuse to blast cheesy movie themes guilt-free? Desert Overture, Phoenix’s LGBTQIA+ ally wind symphony, presents “Guilty Pleasures,” a playful concert mixing timeless film scores and surprise favorites, just enough brass and humor to remind you why weekends were invented.

🎶 Carnatic 2.0 – Carnatic Fusion @ ASU Kerr | Sunday (9/14) at 4:15pm – Whether you’re a seasoned raga aficionado or still think Carnatic is a new CrossFit class, Carnatic 2.0 scrambles classic South Indian ragas into adventurous mashups. Expect hypnotic rhythms, unexpected harmonies, and enough musical flair to make your playlists jealous.

Next week

📖 Ghost Poetry Slam @ The Rebel Lounge | Monday (9/15) at 7:30pm – Sharp words, raw stories, and a mic that doesn’t lie—welcome to Ghost Poetry Slam. This 21+ showdown brings poets and performers to the stage for an evening of rhythm, rhyme, and real talk. Grab a drink, find a seat, and get ready to snap along.

🎶 Pile @ The Rebel Lounge | Tuesday (9/16) at 8:00pm – Boston’s indie-rock heavyweights are rolling into Phoenix with their signature blend of gritty riffs and haunting vocals. Expect a night that swings from tender to thunderous, all within a single set. If cathartic, head-nodding jams are your thing, you’ll want to be front and center.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🎶 Live music & entertainment

• 9/12 Tribal Seeds and more @ Marquee Theatre – 6:30 pm
• 9/12 Francis Ellis @ Tempe Improv – 7 pm
• 9/12 Hans Olson @ Time Out Lounge – 7 pm
• 9/12 Little River Band @ Talking Stick Resort – 8 pm
• 9/13 Francis Ellis @ Tempe Improv – 7 pm
• 9/13 Steve Treviño @ Talking Stick Resort – 8 pm
• 9/13 Fly By Midnight @ The Rebel Lounge – 8 pm
• 9/14 Goon and more @ The Rebel Lounge – 8 pm
• 9/16 Pile @ The Rebel Lounge – 8 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: Christine M Espinoza (RETSY)

Sunlight pours into this fully reimagined Summit home, where a reworked floorplan and hardwood floors set the stage for some seriously stylish living. The great room’s electric fireplace brings the cozy, while the chef’s kitchen is all about double islands, a custom buffet, and KitchenAid everything, including a six-burner gas range with griddle. The spa-inspired primary suite comes with its own washer/dryer, soaking tub, and storage galore. Out back, a brand-new pool with water feature and fresh turf makes every day feel like vacation.

Backing to a wash in award-winning McDowell Mountain Ranch, this spot is surrounded by trails, playgrounds, and a top-tier pickleball league. Two heated community pools, tennis courts, and a Phil Mickelson-designed golf club are all just minutes away, with the 101 and North Scottsdale’s best eats and shops right outside the neighborhood.

Make your guess, then (and only then)… see how much it costs →