via Yelp

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo a day early with El Santo Cantina + Patio Bar + Restaurant, which will open Friday, May 4 and 11 a.m. next to the Scottsdale Quarter. A fiery combination of cantina, patio bar and restaurant (obviously), El Santo is built around a Mexican resort style pool and is the hottest new concept by the Old Town Group that brought us Stingray Sushi, Jimmy Woo’s, Geisha A Go Go and Spanish Fly.

“We thought it was time to introduce a concept like this to the North Scottsdale area,” said Greg Donnally, owner of El Santo Cantina. “Fun music, food and drinks with a cantina vibe are exactly what the area needs. At El Santo it is Cinco de Mayo 365 days a year!”

El Santo Cantina features a Baja style menu prepared by Executive Chef Tim Fields, formerly of Chelsea’s Kitchen, and combines spicy Mexican flavors in both cuisine and cocktails. Outside, patrons can enjoy the resort style pool and patio with private villas, VIP casitas, Palapa Grande Bar, beautiful flowing waterfall and much more.

As a special treat just before the grand opening, El Santo Cantina + Patio Bar + Restaurant will host VIP parties May 2nd and 3rd to preview the venue and raise money for various Valley charities.

Celebrate May Day (the weather will get cooler next week, after all) from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 5 with a JAMMIN Flea Market and May Day Event at Jam in Old Town Scottsdale.  There will be raffles, food, sweet treats and a flea market with 5% of the proceeds benefiting Southwest Human Development.

Children and adults alike will enjoy dancing around the Maypole, wagon decorating, flower tiaras, taking family photos, morning dew spritzes & May Day basket making.

And since Mother’s Day is right around the corner, it’s the perfect time to pick up the perfect gift!

For information, click here.

Jam | 6938 East 1st Street, Scottsdale, AZ |85251

Enter the complex and mesmerizing worlds of three of Phoenix’s most talented surrealistic artists. From tightly rendered traditional silverpoint and ink drawings to vibrant modern impressionism, the Olney Gallery at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral will showcase local art from local artists Jason Hugger, Kathleen Cone and Eric Cox at Mindscapes: A Trinity of Surrealists from 6 to 9:30 p.m. May 4 and May 18. The strong, emotional work of these artists produce rhythmic and almost hypnotic images extrapolated from a world of chaotic dissonance. While we’re not sure what that means, we know the beautiful experience of these works of art will be worth enduring the chaos of both First- and-Third-Friday night traffic.

Olney Gallery at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral |100 West Roosevelt Street, Phoenix, AZ |85003

With 200+ exhibitors, an appearance by Shorty Rossi, star of Pit Boss on Animal Planet; DockDogs, agility demos, all-day entertainment and a mega-adoption event with more than 250 pets available for adoption, the Phoenix Pet Expo from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. April 28 is an important event for you and your pet. However, things can get a little hot and overcrowded. Since we still think it’s a perfect day of information and fun for you and pets of all shapes, sizes, coats and breeds, DLT has a few tips to help you navigate the day safely. Follow the jump, make sure you have a sturdy leash and write down these tips to make you and your pet’s experience a memorable one.

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Earth Day may have been yesterday, but that doesn’t mean the good deeds have to be over. Support a great foundation or just share your love for animals with the Second Annual Artists-For-Animals Fair from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 28 at Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center in Carefree. Benefiting HOPE Emergency Animal Rescue (HEAR), a non-profit, all volunteer organization devoted to enriching the lives of animals through rescue, care, healing and education, the event will feature a Silent Auction with artwork from many talented artists and an all-you-can-eat Mexican buffet. During the past 18 months, over 5,000 injured animals have been rescued off our streets, but more can always be done!

Admission is free; buffet is $35 per person.  Hotel rooms at the Spirit in the Desert are available for $65/night. For information or to make reservations, call 480.488.5218 or click here.

With the end of the school year approaching and the beginning of vacation season looming wonderfully close, there are many things to celebrate this weekend. Perhaps life is one of them (hey, sometimes we are glass-half-full kind of people) but if you can’t think of anything, at least praise the fact that a warm, sunset-tainted evening at the beach may very soon be near. Celebrate that dream with this weekend’s libation, the simply-titled Champagne Cocktail, courteous of our favorite new cocktail-recipe haunt – what else? – Pinterest.

Ingredients

• 1 sugar cube or 1/2 teaspoon sugar
• 6 dashes bitters
• .5 oz brandy
• .5 cup Champagne, chilled
• Maraschino cherry
• Lemon slice

Preparation

Place sugar in a champagne flute or cocktail glass; sprinkle with bitters. Pour brandy into the glass. Top with Champagne. Garnish as desired.

Join W Scottsdale, A Frostchild Production and Triyar Entertainment for the second annual Larry Fitzgerald Double Play VIP After-Party this weekend from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday, April 21 at the W Hotel in Scottsdale. Hosted by Larry Fitzgerald, the event will benefit The First Down Fund, which was established by Fitzgerald to help kids and their families by funding positive activities for kids during the summer and throughout the year, helping kids and families in crisis, and supporting health-related organizations that work with families.

Guests are welcome to try their luck at Blackjack, Roulette and Craps for the chance to win many sweet prizes. Admission is free; VIP access tickets are $75.00. To purchase, click here.

This event is for guests 21 years of age and older.  For more information or to reserve your VIP table or cabana, call 602-405-0099 or email [email protected]

W Scottsdale, WET Pool Deck |7277 East Camelback Road, Scottsdale AZ |85251

How many of us actually keep track of when we purchased and started using certain types of makeup? Not as often as we’d like, though it would be a great idea, we admit. Keeping track of your makeup’s age keeps you at low risk for skin problems – on the other hand, letting that foundation sit around for an extra few months direly puts you on the line for developing breakouts, allergic reactions, discoloration and other unsightly horrors. Zethina’s to the rescue! Until May 5, the Westside cosmetic and skin care spa is accepting your old makeup, in return for which they will give you $5 for each old cosmetic item, which applies to the purchase of a new item.  Trade in as many old items as you like and stock up on new makeup that’s actually good for your skin. All they ask is for no sample-size products.

In addition, Zethina’s is providing the following Mother’s Day Specials, because it is just around the corner, remember?

• Give mom a brightening facial with eye treatment, mini make-up lesson and up-to-date spring/summer trends. Includes a new lip color and eye shadow of her choice.  Cost is $175 ($260 value).

• Treat Mom to a 75-min massage/reflexology combo, 45 minute enzyme facial for just $145 ($185 value)

For more information, click here.

Zethina Cosmetics and Skin Care|19420 N 59th Avenue E-510, Glendale, AZ |85308

We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again – fashion really is happening here in the Valley. Case in point: if you’re here tonight and you love fashion, cancel all of your plans and head over to The Mint in Scottsdale as Runway Magazine will host a Spring Fashion Show and Launch party. Titled a Fashion Industry Night (meaning, your hot-tot stylish self with rub shoulders with other lovely stylish folks), guests will see a swimwear fashion show, have a chance to meet Twilight’s Angela Sarafyan and other celeb guests and of course, celebrate the launch of Runway’s Spring 2012 issue, on which Sarafyan covers. This event is free and open to the public, so grab your besties and your highest heels and have fun, because that’s what fashion is really all about, isn’t it?

The Scottsdale Culinary Festival began this week, and while we already named what we believe are the festival’s top five coolest things and events, there is tons more to see, do and taste this weekend. From an exclusive SKYY Bar, to the Southwest Festival of Beers from noon to 7 p.m. Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday – to a $5 Tequila Experience serving margaritas and an Epicurean Expo with the latest in kitchen gadgets– the list is endlessly fun. Click past the jump to preview the happenings.

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Whether you like it or not, it will be 100 degrees this weekend, and while this means air-conditioning-everything season has officially begun, it is also the unofficial start of swimsuit season, and we want to be ready. Thankfully, swimsuit gurus Everything But Water has remembered that April pretty much means summer here in the Valley and has taken us into consideration. The largest specialty retailer of swim and resortwear in the U.S. will have a BECCA and BECCA ETC trunk show with designer Rebecca Virtue from 1 to 3 p.m. April 21 at Everything But Water’s Scottsdale Fashion Square store location. Customers will also enjoy sweet treats, personal fittings, and a chance to win a BECCA makeup basket, swimsuit and (sweet!) a cover-up of their choice – because, though it’s time to be poolside, we need at least a another month yet to go without a cover-up.

For information, click here.

Celebrate all things (food) local as Josh Hebert, chef/owner of Posh Restaurant, and Chow Locally host a locavore dinner from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, April 30 at Posh Restaurant in Scottsdale. Not only will all the ingredients for the dinner be sourced from local farmers, but many resident farmers from around the Valley will also be at the restaurant to discuss the ingredients and farming in Arizona. The cost for the four-course dinner is $49 per person. Reservations required.

For more information or to make reservations, click here or call 480.663.7674.

Posh Restaurant | 7167 East Rancho Vista Drive, Scottsdale, AZ | 85251

POSH Restaurant opened in the heart of Scottsdale in 2009 as the first and only “Improvisational Cuisine” concept in the Greater Phoenix area. Created by Chef Joshua Hebert, the modern multi-course “menu” is thoughtfully composed everyday based on seasonal offerings, inspiration and the palates of each guest. The fare is globally inspired French cuisine, and whether choosing 4 courses or 15, Chef Joshua and his innovative culinary staff focus on making the entire experience truly unparalleled.

Last month Avery Lane, North Scottsdale’s newest destination for fine furniture consignment, antique and specialty gifts, celebrated their grand opening in style while supporting local charities. Proprietor Darlene Richert hosted over 250 guests for the event which benefited Childhelp and Crisis Nursery. Guests were ushered through sweeping black and white drapes and greeted by a French accordion player and entertaining mime, complimenting the divine Jean Claude Boisset Champagne and Herb Box fare. In addition, the Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce graced the evening with a ribbon cutting which included a warm welcome from Scottsdale City Councilman Bob Littlefield.

Avery Lane showcases treasures from famous lines such as Kreiss, Drexel Heritage, Clive Christiansen, Robb & Stucky and Ethan Allen – from some of Scottsdale, Paradise Valley and Arcadia’s most fabulous homes as well as local interior designer’s warehouses. In addition to fabulous furniture finds, browse gorgeous French, Italian and English antiques from the 17th and 18th century or find a charming gift in the shops gift mart. Avery Lane also features divine toffee from local bakery Sweet-Stops and is one of the few locations in the Valley where shoppers can pick up a box of the sweet treats. For more information, click here.

Avery Lane|15613 North Greenway-Hayden Loop, Scottsdale, AZ |85260

via Refinery29

Don’t get us wrong – we’re super excited and thoroughly charmed by anything Justin Timberlake does, from saying Bye Bye Bye (you remember, we know) to making sure sexy is back to starring in hot rom-coms with hot starlets. But like Refinery 29 said, JT’s newest endeavor – having nothing to do with music, fashion or being devastatingly handsome – “is just confusing.” Joining the ranks of retail powerhouses the Mint family (StyleMint, JewelMint, ShoeMint, and BeautyMint), Timberlake is teaming with decorator Estee Stanley to bring not only his loyal obsessives, but also anyone else with a penchant for design the European-inspired HomeMint, a business geared towards – you guessed it – modern, artsy, discounted home accessories. As oddly as this announcement seems, we can’t help but feel a little smitten with the idea, as anything in which Timberlake has ever dabbled seems to turn into gold. Now, as long as he shows up on the doorstep with every package we order, we’re set for life.

Via Cline Wine

Have you ever tasted a wine and liked it, but didn’t know why? Have you ever stared at a wine list and didn’t know where to begin? Wine is fun, fascinating, and not at all frightening if you have some basic tools. Increase your understanding and enjoyment of wine at the Introduction to Wine education class from 6:30-8:30 p.m. May 2 at ABC Bartending School in Tempe. The class is open to anyone age 21 or older with valid I.D.; you need not be an enrolled student at ABC to participate.

Freelance food and drink writer Geri Koeppel of Phoenix will teach the course and share slides and information from wine producing areas she has visited. The class will go over different varieties, the winemaking process, how to taste wine, the wine “flavor wheel” and major wine regions. It will include five tasting samples: one sparkling wine, two whites, two reds and a dessert wine. Light snacks will be provided as well.

Wines will be provided by Sandy Wasserman of Empty Glass Wine Co., Pasofino Wines & Spirits, and Sam Pillsbury of Pillsbury Wine Company.

For reservations, call the ABC Bartending and Casino School at 480-777-2333.

ABC Bartending School | 5024 South Ash Avenue Tempe, AZ | 85282

Healthy on-the-go kitchen and coffeehouse D’LISH will celebrate the grand opening of their second location at 6 a.m. Monday, April 23 in Tempe.

Voted Best Fast-Food by Phoenix Magazine, D‘LISH provides a healthy alternative, made-to-order experience that can be enjoyed conveniently via eat-in or drive-thru dining.  Additionally, with an affordable and varietal menu, the ever popular kitchen and coffee house provides its guests with an opportunity to visit multiple times a week or even in one day. “We are over-the-top excited and grateful for this opportunity to conveniently serve tasty and healthy options to more valley residents,” says D’LISH Founder Chad Knudson. “The Tempe location will be a terrific addition.”

D’LISH provides organic and all natural fresh ingredients, including locally grown produce when available.  D‘LISH also chooses to reduce impact on the environment by recycling and using earth friendly products

The menu offers a wide selection of fresh tastes including breakfast, salads, ‘wiches, bowls and burgers. The protein packed quinoa black bean burger is vegetarian, but eats like a true burger; especially the TOP NOTCH style with grilled onions, crispy bacon, swiss and bbq sauce served on a soft artisan bun.

In addition, D’LISH offers a drink menu ranging from coffee, teas, smoothies and shakes including their signature, drink, the Breakfast Buzz.

D’LISH|1135 East Apache Boulevard, Tempe AZ|85281

It’s the perfect time of year to have a grand ol’ party – sit under the sun, sip on mojitos and lemonade – bask in the weather that’s still cool enough to stand for more than five minutes. What better way to do this (ok, besides the beach, which we don’t have) than with an old-fashioned Kentucky-derby style shindig? To celebrate their new specially-created Woodford Reserve Bourbon Whiskey, the J.W. Marriott Camelback Inn will have just such a southern-style affair from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. April 26 at BLT Steak. The resort’s Beverage Director, Trudy Thomas, visited her home state of Kentucky to work alongside Woodford Reserve’s Master Distiller Chris Morris and blend a personalized batch of the whiskey just for Camelback Inn. According to Morris, what makes this batch so unique is that the Camelback’s version is spicier than the original, creating a “less rounded flavor” that’s “much more focused on the palette in an exciting and dynamic way.”

Introduced by a horse-drawn carriage, this one-of-a-kind selection will debut at the party April 26, accompanied with BLT Steak appetizers and mint juleps.

For more information, click here.

The Phoenix chapter of the American Marketing Association will feature keynote speaker Arizona Diamondbacks President and CEO Derrick Hall at the organization’s tenth annual Spectrum Awards from 5 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, May 9 at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts. The awards honor Phoenix-based advertising and creative firms for their outstanding contributions to the industry.

No stranger to diamonds of the baseball sort, Hall will share his lively and engaging perspective on his “Circle of Success,” which has helped the D-backs produce uncommon results.  His remarks will detail the results-driven mission that focuses on performance, community, culture, financial efficiency and an unparalleled client experience.

After Hall’s comments, there will be an awards celebration to pay tribute to marketing, design, interactive, and public relations efforts in 13 categories with more than 60 individual awards presented. An expert panel of professionals reviews all entries prior to the ceremony and chooses winners based on a 100-point rating system. The awards portion of the evening culminates with the coveted presentations of Marketer of the Year, Lifetime Achievement, People’s Choice and Best in Show awards selected among the evening’s event attendees. Cost is $100 for AMA Phoenix Members and $110 for non-members.

To purchase tickets, click here.

Every month, Liberty Market serves a Community Dinner to showcase the famous eatery’s culinary talent and to bring the community together over great food, great wine and great conversation. This month’s feast, the “Perked Up Dinner,” will be at 6:30 p.m. Monday, April 30 at the Market and is inspired by one of almost everyone’s favorite can’t-live-without beverages, coffee. As experienced with the Market’s E61 Bar and delectable coffee creations, this is something Liberty Market understands. To celebrate, each course of the dinner will contain coffee or will be a twist on coffee culture. Check out the menu after the jump:

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Now that our last cold weekend is over until like, December, it’s officially warm enough for a cool midday treat – though when it’s free, it could be fifty degrees outside. Blue Bell Creamery’s mobile ice cream parlor will be outside the Arizona Republic / News 12 building from 12:30 to 2 p.m. this Wednesday, April 18 serving free scoops of its newest flavor: Strawberry Banana Pound Cake, which features sweetened strawberries and fresh sliced bananas with flavorful pound cake pieces and a whipped topping swirl. The community is welcome to stop by anytime for a free sample of this flavor or, if that doesn’t catch your fancy, a sample of Coconut Fudge, Southern Blackberry Cobbler or Homemade Vanilla.

News Channel 12 Plaza |200 E. Van Buren, Phoenix, AZ | 85004

Ladies, grab your girlfriends and head to The Melting Pot for a red hot Ladies’ Night Out fondue party April 17-19. Relax in a booth with a glass of wine in hand and let the gossip begin – but whatever you do, wear red! For women wearing the crimson shade, dinner will be $25 per person, but for those not in red, the dinner will be available for $30.

Three courses of fondue fun will be available, including creamy cheese fondue with an assortment of bread and crisp apples, a petite entrée complete with a dipping sauce trio and a melody of shrimp, choice cuts and fresh veggies. The dinner is complete with a sweet chocolate fondue that comes with brownies, rice crispy treats, cakes and fresh fruit. What better way to ditch the mid-week blues than to deck yourself out in a sexy red dress?

For more information, click here.

East Valley full-service day spa Fuchsia is expanding! The Spa will celebrate their new amenities from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, May 18 with a Grand Opening Celebration featuring discounts on annual memberships, raffles and prizes. Fuchsia is expanding to provide new services, including the first blow dry bar in the East Valley, custom airbrush tanning, larger manicure and pedicure stations to accommodate groups, additional treatment rooms, a larger relaxation area and a couples’ massage suite. During the party, Fuchsia will also offer complimentary blow-out styles from its signature “look-book;” complimentary nail services, lip or chin waxing, chair massages and demonstrations of facial services. The event will also include food, drinks and dessert. Not to mention – the first 25 people in the door as well as all Fuchsia members will receive a luxury-packed goody bag. We’ll so be there! Free and open to the public. For more information, click here.

Village Square at Dana Park Shopping Center |1822 South Val Vista Drive, #103, Mesa, Arizona | 85204

Great makeup starts with great skin. But when we’re subjected to harsh weather, lots of sun and a dry climate like this all the time (not to mention those free radicals), maintaining perfect skin in Arizona can be a challenge. However, obtaining celebrity skin might be possible, at least with LATHER. Based on the recommendations of makeup artists from shows like Dancing with the Stars, How I Met Your Mother and Community, LATHER is launching a new Perfect Canvas Face Kit  for $59.00, a collection of travel-sized favorites packaged in a sleek zippered makeup bag available at LATHER in Scottsdale. Follow the jump to see which essentials are included.

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Want to look your best and support your community, too? Then book your calendars for 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. this Saturday, April 14, as Scottsdale’s Van Dyke Laser & Skin will host an Open House to benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. There will be a Silent Auction with $20,000 worth of fabulous product and procedures with 100% of the proceeds benefitting JDRF, live demonstrations on innovative new FDA-approved fat-reducing technologies like CoolSculpting and Liposonix with Dr. Susan Van Dyke; refreshments, live music, incredible discounts, a chance to speak one-on-one with vendors about procedures and products and more free educational presentations about the latest/greatest in cosmetic dermatology. Prepay and receive a 10% discount on products and procedures, bring a friend and receive a 20% discount!  No reservation needed.

For more information, click here.

Van Dyke Laser & Skin | 5206 North Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, AZ |85253

via MTV

Time to celebrate spring fashion…Fall 2012 style (hey, admit it: we all love when new stuff rolls around). Fashion Group International, Arizona Chapter will have a Fall 2012 Trend Report in the Park from 6 to 8:45 p.m. April 26 at Biltmore Fashion Park and Saks Fifth Avenue. Join FGI from 6 to 7 p.m. for a pre-party at Saks featuring refreshments, networking, a chance to win raffle prizes and the latest in beauty trends in the Cosmetics department. Susan L. Berman, President & CEO of Fresh Start, will also be present to speak about the organization. Stick around as from 7:50 to 8:45 p.m. FGI will present the Fall 2012 Ready-to-Wear Trend Report and artist and designer Silvia Bours will speak about her gorgeous one-of-a-kind designs, trends and her success with Phoenix Fashion Week.

Cost is $40 for FGI Members and $50 for non-members. Seating will be provided for those who RSVP. For more information or to purchase tickets, click here.

GIVE BACK: Help underprivileged women reinvent their look by bringing a gently-used, interview appropriate item from your closet to donate to the Fresh Start Self Esteem Room.

Saks Fifth Avenue | 2502 East Camelback Rd, Phoenix, AZ | 85016