Whether you’re catching a few preseason baseball games, or you’re planning on playing a couple rounds of golf, make sure you check out the unique arts and entertainment options that Scottsdale has to offer. The entrepreneurial and adventuresome spirit from which Scottsdale was founded is directly reflected in the art and music of the area. With many weekly and monthly events for the arts, as well as multiple centers for modern art, Scottsdale has become a main hub for art in the United States.

Public Events

Scottsdale offers a variety of public events for the arts and has quickly become known as a national pit-stop for art collectors. At the annual Scottsdale Arts Festival, 200 jury-selected artists from around the nation come to show off their talents in:

– Ceramics

– Digital art

– Drawing/pastels

– Glass

– Jewelry

– Painting

– Photography

– Printmaking

– And more

Along with the great variety of artistic talents on display, you can also enjoy music from local bands, delicious cuisine from the area, and special admission prices for students and children. Held during the beautiful spring weather, the Scottsdale Arts Festival has become a local hit and can’t miss annual event.

In addition to the Arts Festival, Scottsdale offers more frequent events for artists and local galleries. Every Thursday evening the Scottsdale ArtWalk takes place in downtown Scottsdale along Main Street and Marshall Way. During ArtWalk, galleries team up with local businesses and performers so that guests can browse through the exhibits, eat and drink in nearby restaurants, and enjoy live music throughout the entire evening.

Museums

While the public art scene is rapidly growing, Scottsdale has always been committed to preserving the arts in the region through its Native American heritage and Western traditions. The Scottsdale Historical Museum captures the city’s history through photographs, artifacts, and displays that change throughout the year.

There’s also a growing devotion to contemporary art, and the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, or SMoCA, reflects the city’s commitment to art from the past through the present. Devoted to contemporary art, architecture, and design, SMoCA challenges your expectations about visiting an art museum and challenges your expectations about visiting an art museum by presenting exhibits with a contemporary twist. Recently, SMoCA has introduced the SMoCA Lounge – a space that exists to inspire creativity, imagination, and fun for the community. There are also a number of interactive exhibits at SMoCA that make visitors part of the art.

Performing Arts and Nightlife

Scottsdale’s artistic atmosphere extends into the nightlife as well with many evening performances taking place throughout the year. The Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts offers over 200 performances and events every year. Ranging from Broadway performances to comedy routines, the Center offers an excellent variety of entertainment. Also, its convenient location in the heart of downtown allows you to enjoy yourself at one of the many local restaurants before you see a show.

While the Scottsdale nightlife is more well-known for its celebrity hot-spots and massive nightclubs, there are a handful of local lounges that serve up creative cocktails and offer unique atmospheres. Most of these more laid back atmospheres are connected to the luxurious resorts, like at The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa where Weiser Whiskey Bar & Cantina offers guests fine tequilas, specialty whiskey drinks, and an upscale Mexican-inspired menu. For a more rustic feel, check out the Rusty Spur Saloon, once Scottsdale’s first bank, where the creativity of the locals is on show. You can browse through the wild designs on the walls while you listen to some local live tunes. Wherever you go in Scottsdale, the unique artistic flavor of the city will follow you throughout your visit.

Taylor Thomas is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Mr. Thomas is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to travel.

Peg Smith is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Ms. Smith is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to travel. http://www.laserspinelocations.com/scottsdale/

Author Bio: Taylor Thomas is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Mr. Thomas is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to travel.

Category: Travel
Keywords: travel