Happy Friday, Glendale. You know the drill – grab your coffee (or whatever you sip in the morning), kick back, and let Glendale Brief serve up everything you need to know for the weekend ahead.

📰 In the news

Local happenings: Catch a meal at Arizona Broadway Theatre’s Tootsie show, join firefighters packing supplies for hundreds of families, and watch Loop 101 gain a lane — catch up here.

State-level stories: Tropical moisture from Lorena is boosting Arizona’s flood risk, Amkor is moving packaging plant to Peoria, and pickleball is entering high school sports — see what else is brewing.

National headlines: Mortgage rates are trending down, investors catapult gold above 3500 an ounce, and a tropical wave eyes the Antilles — peruse the best of the rest.

Highlights this week

• Discover harmony between health and wealth
• Create paint pour jars at Fairway Library
• Move, meet vendors, win at SHS
• Join autism educational summit community day
• Score Opening Day tickets benefiting veterans
• Anxiety about debt? Get a free consultation

🫶 We got your back

Thrifting: Who needs a treasure map to score vintage digs and quirky home finds? Your next favorite steal is waiting at local thrift stores.

Benefits: Feeling lost in a sea of paperwork? Arizona offers a heap of programs for everything from health care to housing costs. See every program you qualify for in our guide.

Taqueria: From perfectly charred tortillas to fillings that demand a double order, Taqueria El Sol brings the kind of flavor that requires extra napkins and zero regrets.

Bargain shopping: The best finds aren’t always on store shelves. Amazon’s Deals Page is like a never-ending treasure hunt where the good stuff costs less, with new discounts dropping daily.

Save: The average driver pays $175 a month for car insurance, but most of us are paying way more than we should. If it’s been a while since you shopped around, you’re likely part of that “most of us.” This comparison tool may save you hundreds.

👀 Why just read it when you could be in it?

Own or manage a local business? Thousands of your future fans read our emails and advertising with us is as easy as it gets. Fill out this quick form and we’ll get you in an upcoming edition!

📆 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.

Have an event to share? Submit it here for free →

Today

🌱 Master Gardener Presents: Microgreens @ Georgia T. Lord Library | Friday (9/05) at 12:00pm – Turn your countertop into a mini farm with Master Gardener Terri Kelly. She’ll dish out science-backed tips on seeds, soil, light, and watering—yes, even for the desert. Beginner-friendly, bite-sized, and you’ll be snipping fresh greens in days.

🎨 First Friday: See World-Class Exhibitions for Free @ Heard Museum | Friday (9/5) at 4:00pm – Free admission, open galleries, and two knockout shows: Bob Haozous’s six-decade retrospective and Jerry Jacka’s stunning photography of Indigenous life and landscapes. Cool off in the Heardlings Family Activity Room, browse beautifully crafted finds in The Museum Shop, and grab a Prickly Pear Lemonade from the Coffee Cantina (open till 7:30 pm).

This weekend

🏞️ Ride to Natural Wonders of the World @ RideNow Powersports Peoria | Saturday (9/6) at 8:30am – Sunrise asphalt therapy beckons with a scenic roll through desert, pines, and cacti before we gawk at the Grand Canyon, then huddle over lunch in Prescott for our monthly check-in. Think rolling thunder, questionable route choices, and bragging rights galore.

🦎 West Valley Reptile Showcase @ Glendale Civic Center | Saturday (9/6) at 10:00am – Grab your sense of adventure and head to Glendale’s Civic Center for a reptile rummage through scaly, shelled, and slithery locals. Top breeders bring amphibians, invertebrates, and quirky reptile gear. It’s the perfect place to meet your next cold-blooded roommate.

🎸 Soul Power Band @ Westside Blues & Jazz | Saturday (9/6) at 7:30pm – Sick of your own playlist? Let Soul Power Band rescue your night with electrifying soul, R&B, and funk. Two-drink minimum means hydration or celebration, and they’ve already added a 20% gratuity. Bring your best moves.

🖌️ Sumi-e for Beginners @ Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix | Sunday (9/7) at 9:30am – Discover the art of expressive minimalism with ink, brush, and plenty of white space. Learn essential strokes and ink washes to capture bamboo or blossoms with just a few intentional lines. Beginner-friendly and meditative.

♿ AAWS at the Abilities Expo @ WestWorld of Scottsdale | Sunday (9/7) at 11:00am – Climb an all-inclusive wall, try a ton of adaptive sports, and catch info-packed workshops plus service dog demos that totally steal the spotlight. Discover the newest gear and resources under one roof and connect with the pros who know their stuff. Final day vibes, massive access. It’s free—just register and roll in.

🍷 Drunk Shakespeare – Romeo and Juliet @ The Rose Theatre | Sunday (9/7) at 5:00pm – Shakespeare’s star-crossed lovers get a spirited twist as one actor gets delightfully tipsy while the rest try to keep the Bard on track. Expect improv chaos, audience mischief, and classic lines served with modern snark. A Sunday Funday pick for literature lovers who don’t take iambic pentameter too seriously.

Next week

🍽️ Catering First Taste @ Portillo’s | Monday (9/8) at 5:00pm – Drag your plus one over to Portillo’s for a free sneak peek at their new catering menu, because why cook when someone else will do the heavy lifting? Italian beef, cheesy pasta, and bragging rights included.

🦙 Llove Llife Llama Paint Party @ Throne Brewing | Monday (9/8) at 6:00pm – Monday night at Throne Brewing means swapping your usual happy hour for a llama-themed paint party. Three canvas sizes, a relaxed vibe, and enough beer to coax out your inner Bob Ross, minus the questionable afro. All skill levels welcome, no judgment, just llamas.

🛹 G Flip – The Dream Ride Tour @ The Van Buren | Tuesday (9/9) at 8:00pm – Nothing amps up the grind of highway traffic like our favorite downtown hall being commandeered by an Aussie drummer-turned-pop powerhouse. She’ll belt out earworms you’re going to sing too loud, drop in a surprise guest, and funnel a buck from each ticket to charity.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🎶 Live music & entertainment

• 9/5 Soundbaked Summer Concert @ Good Company – 7 pm
• 9/5 Band of Fools @ Westside Blues & Jazz – 7:30 pm
• 9/6 Magic Mustache Club @ Valley Bar – 6 pm
• 9/6 Ottmar Liebert @ Musical Instrument Museum – 8:30 pm
• 9/7 Mr Gay Painted Desert USofA 2026 and more @ Charlie’s – 3 pm
• 9/7 Kings of Thrash and more @ The 44 – 6 pm
• 9/8 $uicideboy$ Grey Day Tour 2025 and more @ Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre – 6:30 pm
• 9/8 Jon Cleary @ Musical Instrument Museum – 7 pm
• 9/8 MJ Lenderman & The Wind @ The Van Buren – 8 pm

🏠️ Price is right – Glendale 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: Adam Warda (HomeSmart)

Five bedrooms, three baths, and a layout that keeps everyone happy—this Arrowhead Ranch tri-level is all about easy living. Sunlight pours through open living spaces, while two new Trane AC units keep things cool even in July. The three-car garage and four extra slab spots mean parking squabbles are a thing of the past.

Out back, a diving pool and spa turn the yard into a private resort, ready for cannonballs or quiet nights under the stars. Minutes from golf, shopping, and top-rated schools, with 101 access just down the road.

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