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

📰 In the news

Local happenings: Loop 101 upgrade adds a lane and signs, students can win AZ529 funds with dream job essays, and Falcon 9 launch brightens Arizona skies — 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

• Tee off for Guide Dogs of America
• Connect at Autism Caregiver and Community Day
• Become a docent at Japanese Friendship Garden
• Explore wellness vendors and outdoor workouts
• Anxiety about debt? Get a free consultation

🫶 We got your back

Burgers: Who needs lettuce when you can have melted cheese and a perfectly seared patty? These burger joints in Phoenix serve up the kind of indulgent perfection that makes you forget you ever cared about counting calories.

Benefits: Feeling lost in a sea of paperwork? We’ve got a heap of programs to help with 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, Taco Guild 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

🤠 A Tribute to the Women of 90’s Country @ Hale Centre Theatre | Friday (9/5) at 4:00pm – Dust off your boots and cue the nostalgia. This honky-tonk throwback salutes the queens of ‘90s country—think Shania, Reba, and the Chicks—served up with powerhouse vocals and rhinestone flair. It’s twangy, it’s sassy, and it’s your ticket to belting along unapologetically.

🎸 Soundbaked Summer Concert @ Good Company | Friday (9/5) at 7:00pm – Nothing beats an indie set without the arena buzz, minus your mom’s overstuffed sofa. Soundbaked’s Valley gig serves punchy live tunes, craft cocktails, and an immersive sensory spin that’ll have you bragging to anyone who’ll listen.

This weekend

🦌 Hunt Fest @ Scheels | Saturday (9/6) at 9:30am – Hunters, gear up: Hunt Fest is back for its second round and it’s bigger than ever. Expect top vendors like Vortex, Dead Air, and Swarovski, plus seminars, raffles, and exclusive event-only deals. It’s totally free, totally family-friendly, and the first 100 folks through the doors score a free Hunt Fest hat. Pro tip: get there early.

🌟 Embracing Your Journey Expo @ New Vision Center for Spiritual Living | Saturday (9/6) at 10:00am – Sunday afternoons at the old community center usually mean crossword puzzles and questionable kombucha, but here you’ll swap the sudoku for self-improvement booths, snarky life coaches, and decent free samples. It’s the life advice you’ve secretly Googled, served with local charm, coffee, and zero judgment.

🌊 Step Forward Day @ St. Mary’s Food Bank | Saturday (9/6) at 11:30am – Dust off your blue and orange and rally with Phoenix Waves at St. Mary’s Food Bank to pack emergency food boxes for folks who need a lift. No treadmill required; consider it weight training for your soul.

👪 Grand Time Together @ Heard Museum | Sunday (9/7) at 10:00am – Heard Museum means ditching dusty archives for glittery chaos this Grandparents Day, as kids and their wise elders tackle hands-on art, interactive exhibits, and a surprise guest or two. It’s the only place you’ll see finger-paint diplomacy, epic storytelling, and minimal eye-rolling under one roof.

🥕 DIG – Fast, Fun, Fresh Fall Veggies @ Maricopa County Master Gardeners | Sunday (9/7) at 2:00pm – Ready to turn your thumbs a little greener? This hands-on veggie gardening class covers everything from soil prep to pest control—and even some of the juiciest seed catalog recs. Whether you’re a planting rookie or seasoned sprouter, you’ll leave with the skills (and inspiration) to grow your best fall garden yet. $15 gets you in.

👑 Mr Gay Painted Desert USofA @ Charlie’s Phoenix | Sunday (9/7) at 3:00pm – Glamour, talent, and fierce competition collide at this dazzling double-header pageant. Snag a VIP table and witness the crowning of charisma-packed kings who know how to command a stage. Expect big energy, bold looks, and a crowd that brings the heat.

Next week

🏗️ Build Your Own Million Dollar Business @ AC Hotel Phoenix Biltmore | Monday (9/8) at 9:00am – Nothing beats dreaming up your empire with zero startup cash in this town. A local guru who’s built and sold more ventures than you’ve tried fad diets will spill his millionaire secrets. Stick around, and you get your ticket fee refunded.

🏀 Phoenix Mercury vs. Los Angeles Sparks @ PHX Arena | Tuesday (9/9) at 7:00pm – Grab your jersey and ditch the cash, court-side action awaits when the Mercury host the Sparks at PHX Arena. Expect high-flying hoops, sneaker squeaks, and a free light-rail ride. Just flash your mobile ticket, because paper passes are so last season.

🚌 G Flip – The Dream Ride Tour @ The Van Buren | Tuesday (9/9) at 8:00pm – Craving neon riffs and drum-heavy pop nostalgia? G FLIP’s Dream Ride Tour rolls into town with enough earworm hooks to keep you camped out for merch. Clear bags only, no mini-backpacks, but every ticket’s dollar fuels equity, access, and dignity.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🎶 Live music & entertainment

• 9/5 Postgame Concert Field Pass @ Chase Field – 6:50 pm
• 9/5 Dirty Bits @ Phoenix Center for The Arts – 7 pm
• 9/6 Magic Mustache Club @ Valley Bar – 6 pm
• 9/6 Ottmar Liebert @ Musical Instrument Museum – 8:30 pm
• 9/7 Sister Sadie @ Musical Instrument Museum – 7 pm
• 9/7 North by North @ Last Exit – 7:30 pm
• 9/8 $uicideboy$ and more @ Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre – 6:30 pm
• 9/8 Ang Sirena and more @ The Rebel Lounge – 7 pm
• 9/8 Jon Cleary @ Musical Instrument Museum – 7 pm

🏠️ Price is right – Phoenix 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: Melissa Coram (Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Arizona Properties)

Crisp white stucco, black-framed windows, and a low-slung entry dial up the curb appeal, while a modern garage door and angular overhang keep things interesting. Inside, vaulted ceilings with exposed beams and a textured stone fireplace wall bring mid-century cool, and the wide-plank hardwood floors are ready for sock slides or serious lounging. The kitchen is all about clean lines and secret storage, with dual dishwashers and a waterfall island that begs for impromptu happy hours.

Slide open the glass doors for instant resort vibes in the backyard, complete with synthetic turf and a pool that basically runs on vacation mode. The spa-like primary suite is tucked away for maximum zen, and the split layout means everyone gets their own corner of calm. Steps from the Greenbelt and local favorites like OHSO, this spot nails the Arcadia Osborn lifestyle with a wink and a whole lot of style.

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