It’s been a long hot summer here in the Valley, especially for theater lovers. That’s because Phoenix’s premier performance venue, the Herberger Theatre, has been closed for renovations since May. However, grab your dancing shoes and your opera glasses because this Saturday, the Herberger is pulling back the curtain on its stunning $16.6M new look with a family-friendly festival.

Originally built in 1989, the Herberger hosts approximately 175,000 patrons a year, including some 30,000 students who might not otherwise experience the joys of live performing arts. However, by earlier this year, this performance hall in Downtown Phoenix was starting to show signs of age. Now, following a wall-to-wall refresh, this permanent home to the Actors Theatre, Arizona Theatre Company and Center Dance Ensemble, is better than ever. Look for a dramatic new lighting display in the main rotunda, a new outdoor patio and seating area, and a new covered entrance named The Kax (pictured) in honor of the late arts patron Kax Herberger, that will provide shade for patrons going to the Herberger’s popular Lunch Time Theater.

So who’s ready to party? Held this Saturday, October 2, the Herberger Festival of the Arts is a massive street fair sprawling across the theatre grounds and out onto the streets of Downtown Phoenix. Enjoy theatrical performances, food, art, live music, film festival shorts by the Phoenix Film Foundation, a children’s activity area and more.

222 E. Monroe, 602-252-8497

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