It’s always refreshing seeing one of your favorite restaurants giving back to the community. RA Sushi is no exception. Starting May 27, RA will hosts its 8th Annual Nicky’s Week fundraiser to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. After a long battle with brain cancer at the young age of 13, Nicky Mailliard, a nephew of one of RA Sushi’s original founders, succumbed to his illness. Since then, RA has made an effort to do what they can to help support the hospital’s lifesaving missions.  St. Jude’s is one of the world’s premier centers for research and treatment of pediatric cancer and other deadly diseases since it opened 50 years ago. Since its opening, the hospital has never turned down a patient because of a families inability to pay for treatment.  Check out the menu: »READ MORE

Talk is cheap, but laughs should be free. We feel this must be why Stand Up! Scottsdale is hosting four free comedy shows with recent Last Comic Standing finalist, Adam Hunter. On May 4th and 5th (Cinco de Mayo), you can catch the up-and-coming funny guy with a comedic routine that is “brash, deep and hilarious” all for the low, low cost of nothing. Reserve your seats on the website today and read up on more of what Adam’s been up to here on Stand Up! Scottsdale’s website. Drinks not included.

Who is gonna take home the prize this weekend? Monday we will report on that news but here’s a little snapshot from festival creator Rick Phillips from the field.  [TTF]

And the winner is….great job to the Taco Festival

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Get some fresh air and exercise while participating in the Yoga Rocks the Park series held Sundays through May 6 at two central-Phoenix parks.  The series began three years ago in Denver as a benefit event for Yoga World Reach, a non-profit offering yoga and other alternative therapies to trauma victims around the globe.  Kristina Krump, 33, event coordinator for Yoga Rocks the Park, wanted to bring the weekly event to Phoenix to partner with Valley non-profits. Participating groups include Teach for America, Free Arts of Arizona and the Real Gift Foundation.

The hourlong classes are for yogis of all experience levels. Different instructors lead the classes to provide a variety of teaching methods and experience each week.

“They (instructors) might give a pose that’s more of basic and add options with various levels to that,” Krump said.

Musicians, including two from Los Angeles, will perform during the classes, making for an eclectic mix, she said.  Registration begins at 1 p.m., and vendors and complimentary services will be available, including mini massages, acupuncture, hula hooping and more.  The event also features a Camp Yoga Rocks for children 3 and older hosted by Lil Yogis at Play. Dogs also are welcome.

Participants should bring a mat and towel. SmartWater will provide water and host a giveaway for a six-month supply of water.

Details: 2 p.m. Sundays through May 6. Steele Indian School Park, 300 E. Indian School Road. Margaret T. Hance Park, 67 W. Culvert St. $10. Save $5 when you register online. yoga rocksthepark.com.

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

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.

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 vip@triyar.com

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

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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If you haven’t noticed that the weather has been warming up then you’re missing out.  Here’s some advice because we care about you: get off the computer and go outside (but don’t forget to bookmark DLT.) Grab your suits and sandals because Swim Social Weekends starts at The Saguaro this Friday.

Every day of the weekend will feature a different summer theme at the Picante Pool. Sips & Synchro Fridays kick off this week at 6 p.m. Sip cocktails while watching the sunset all while the Saguaro’s own synchronized swimmers entertain. The Saturday Swim Meet is an all day affair at the Picante Pool. DJ Al Page will be spinning surf rock and 60′s summer jams. Homemade paletas and poolside fare is more than enough to entice you, not to mention the killer spiked lemonade stand. Finish off the weekend relaxed and ready to take charge of the week with Soulful Sundays at the pool. Starting at 11 a.m., complimentary water aerobics classes are open to everyone. Afterwards, DJ Al Page back spinning your funk and Motown favorites.

The Saguaro | 4000 North Drinkwater Blvd | Scottsdale, Arizona 85251

Once again the Phoenician resort will partner with Metta Yoga to host the fifth installment of their Rising Phoenician complimentary yoga outdoor yoga class. Open to the public, this class takes place on Sunday, April 22 at 10 a.m. Start your Sunday off right with a downward dog pose. Become one with nature on the day that counts for it, Earth Day.

The event will feature two 40 minute sessions taught by Amy Shapiro and Karin McAreavy. Everyone who participates will receive a 20 percent savings on spa services booked for the same day at the resort’s Centre for Well-Being. A silent auction with voluntary donations will immediately follow. Donations will benefit Free Arts of Arizona, a charity that heals abused and homeless children through artistic expression.  There’s plenty more going on so do yourself a favor and celebrate Earth Day by becoming one with nature and helping out a good cause.

The Phoenician | 6000 East Camelback Road | Scottsdale, Arizona 85251

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.

Tomorrow is one of DLT’s favorite times of the year: the 34^th Annual Scottsdale Culinary Festival – a celebration of all things food, food, and more food – will begin in Scottsdale. To help you gear up for this week of eating, here are the top five greatest things about the fest – beyond scarfing down all the gourmet hot dogs, desserts and entrees possible, of course.

Top 5 Things About the Fest

Celebrity Guests: It’s only fitting that the state’s biggest culinary event should draw some of the biggest stars.  This year, the Great Arizona Picnic will host two of the Travel Channel’s best, Andrew Zimmern and comfort food gladiator Adam Richman.  Shows are at 1 and 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; tickets are $30 in advance and $40 at the door.

Platinum VIP Experience: This year, the Scottsdale Culinary Festival has more to experience than ever before: celebrity guests, tasting events, art shows, concerts, after parties, and more!  With the Platinum Picnic VIP ticket – a $500 value for $300 and $250 on Saturday and Sunday – festival-goers will have it all at their fingertips.  For the first time, one ticket grants access to literally all that the Festival has to offer!

Burger Battle: From 6 to 10 p.m. Thursday April 19 at Scottsdale Stadium, sixteen of the Valley’s best chefs will meet in friendly competition to see which burger makes mincemeat of the others!  For $55, the burgers, and the deciding vote, can be yours!

Picnic After Party: Just because the sun goes down doesn’t mean festival-goers have to.  The excitement continues afterward at Clayton on the Park with DJ entertainment, dancing, and great drinks for only a $10 admission.

Epicurean Expo: Located on the Picnic grounds inside the beautiful Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, check out the latest kitchen gadgets, cookware, knives and cutting-edge appliances.  From 12 p.m. until 6 p.m., peruse delicious treats, olive oils and savory sauces all while watching renowned chefs teach you new tricks of the trade.  Admission is included with your Great Arizona Picnic ticket.

For more information or to purchase tickets, click here.

Friday the 13th is usually a day filled with the paranoid and superstitious being extra careful. The W Scottsdale wants you to forget all that and get your dance on. Tonight at 9 p.m. the W presents another installment of their Skam Artist DJ Series. Until 2 a.m. you can party with the hip and fashionable while listening to the beats of DJ Five, resident DJ at the legendary Tao Nightclub in Las Vegas. He brings his world class mixing skills for an amplified experience like no other. Tonight is for those over 21. So knock on wood, throw salt over your shoulder, or whatever it is to get your superstitions in order and come out and play at Shade Lounge at the W Scottsdale. For VIP table and cabana reservation information, call (602) 405-0099. Don’t forget your dancing shoes.

The Shade Lounge | 7277 East Camelback Road | Scottsdale, Arizona 85251

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

TEXAZ Grill want’s everyone to help celebrate Texas’ 176th year of independence. Now we know we just celebrated our great state’s centennial, but let’s show our neighbors two doors down a little love.

From 2 to 5 p.m.  Saturday, April 21, all visitors of TEXAZ Grill will receive a cup of free Blue Bell ice cream. Tito’s Vodka will be in house too to hand out free swag and souvenirs. To keep the spirit alive, Gail Starr will be playing some Texas inspired ballads all afternoon.

If free ice cream isn’t enough to entice you to join the festivities, check out these awesome drink specials they’re offering as well.

• The Santa Anna Shake

Kahlua and Republic Tequila, Blue Bell ice cream, topped with whipped cream and chocolate syrup.

• The Longhorn

Tito’s Vodka, Kahlua and cream with a splash of Dr. Pepper.

• Cowboy Coffee

Republic Tequila, Kahlua, Bailey’s, and Coffee.

TEXAZ | 6003 North 16th Street | Phoenix, Arizona 85016

You don’t have to be in New Orleans to enjoy some delicious home-cooked Cajun food. The sixth annual Great Cajun Cook-off and Food Fest will be happening this Sunday, April 15 at the Lath House Pavilion at Heritage and Science Park in downtown Phoenix.

This casual and family-oriented event is perfect for everyone. It will feature an amateur Cajun cook0ff and a Food Fest with food from the best Cajun and Southern Restaurants around town. Gumbo, jambalaya, red beans and rice, BBQ, bread pudding, greens and much, much more will be the cuisine of the day.

Enjoy food and drink from Abita Beer, Beauregard Food Co., Circle H BBQ, Copper State Coffee, Flavors of Louisiana, Jamburritos, and New Orleans Sno Balls.

Did we mention crawfish will be served by the plate full? Don’t forget your bib and we’ll see you there.

Heritage Park | 115 North Sixth Street | Phoenix, Arizona 85004 

Image via azcentral

The Australian dance troop, Marrugeku, explores the past, present and future of indigenous cultures. This production inspired by the seasons of Western Australia’s Yawuru people, Buru, blends hip-hop, stilt dancing and storytelling with original songs and music reflecting life for young people in the community of Broome. Show times are 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Saturday, April 14th only! Tickets range from $29 – $39 dollars. For more information or to purchase tickets, click here.

Chat with Marrugeku before the show, free for ticket holders at 7:00 p.m. in the Virginia Piper Theatre.

Also, enjoy OrigiNation: A Festival of Native Cultures, Saturday and Sunday from noon-4:00 p.m. at Scottsdale Civic Center Park. For more information aon the park, click here.

The economy has definitely seen better days. For many it has been difficult to very find work but Del Frisco’s Restaurant Group has come to the rescue. This Saturday, April 14 at 10 a.m.,  make your way over to the Esplanade Center on Camelback, next door to the Starbucks, where Del Frisco’s will host a job fair and to hire 150 personable, determined and professional individuals for positions in the front and back of house.

Del Frisco’s offers benefits rarely seen in the restaurant industry. It includes a compensation package, 401k retirement savings, full, medical, dental, and vision, domestic partner coverage and management eligibility upon hire (managers will receive additional benefits like long and short-term disability insurance and life insurance.) Del Frisco’s Restaurant Group owns and operates 31, soon to be 32, restaurants nationwide, perfect for those of you not particularly attached to the Valley.

Esplanade | 2415 E Camelback Road | Phoenix, AZ 85016

Vintage flea markets are a great reason to get away from the Valley. Driving to Pasadena to find a  perfectly aged armoire makes for a great road trip – but although the heat is rising, the price of gas right now just doesn’t make road trips as easy – or fun – as they used to be. Thankfully, someone got a clue and is bringing a vintage market here. At 10 a.m. May 5 at WestWorld, Valley antique/vintage/full-on junk obsessives will have a chance to do what they do best at Junk in the Trunk Vintage Market, a day of vintage treasure hunting with some good old fashioned giveaways, design inspiration and handmade vintage themed goods from a slew of vendors like Blue Eyed Owl, Chic Headbands, Strawberry Hedgehog, Winifred Street and many more. We don’t know about you, but we’re absolutely pining for a little more junk in our trunks, and we love that it won’t require a road trip!

Early bird admission is $8 for adults and lasts from 9 – 10 a.m. General admission is $4; children under 12 are free and admission is free after 3 p.m. A portion of ticket sales will benefit Young Life, a non-denominational Christian organization serving youth in Phoenix.

Tickets are on sale now for the Chick-fil-A Leadercast Central Phoenix, a one-day leadership event broadcast live from Atlanta, Georgia to Central Phoenix. The phenomenon, which last year boasted an attendance of 85,000 leaders from seventeen countries, will be hosted locally from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, May 4 at First Christian Church in Phoenix. Hosted local leadership enthusiast and Realtor Leslie Guiley, the event will feature many of the world’s top leaders, including Soledad O’Brien, Tim Tebow, Patrick Lencioni, best-selling author and president of The Table Group; John Maxwell, author of The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership; Burberry CEO Angela Ahrendts and many others.

“When I think of leadership I think of giving back to the community,” says host Leslie Guiley. “We want attendees to know that they can make a difference in the local community just by buying a ticket!”

For more information or to buy a ticket, click here.

Grand Canyon University will bring the Valley a taste of the 1920’s with The Boy Friend, on stage from Friday, April 13 to Sunday, April 22 at Ethington Theater at GCU. Hosted by the College of Fine Arts and Production, the Broadway hit is the story of Polly Brown, a schoolgirl in the Jazz Age living life on the French Riviera without a young man with whom to share her adventures.  The British Theatre Guide calls this “a…virtuous production…a ripping evening’s entertainment,” and just like us, we’re sure you’ll want to keep going back! Performances are scheduled as follows:

Friday, April 13: 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 14: 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 15: 2:00 p.m.
Friday, April 20: 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 2: 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 22: 2:00 p.m.

For more information, click here or call 602.639.8880 to purchase tickets.

Four Peaks Brewery will celebrate fifteen years of their one-of-a-kind craft beer with Randomonium, a day-long gala April 21 at Tempe Beach Park featuring music, great food, carnival rides, fireworks and of course, booze. (mostly beer – duh – but for the rest of you, margaritas and sangria will be flowing generously).  Entertainment will include performances by The Airborne Toxic Event, Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears, Jonathan Tyler and the Northern Lights and more – but the fun doesn’t stop there. Grub will be provided by fourteen of the best food purveyors around, such as Short Leash Hotdogs, Gourmet Fry Bread, Hey Joe, Jamburritos, Sweet Republic, Mojo Bowl, T-licious LLC Mobile Foodtruck and Tom’s BBQ.

But wait – we said carnival rides and fireworks. Since the celebration is for all ages, there will be giant slides, obstacle courses, corn hole, a zip line, snow, and when the sun goes down, fireworks.

Sponsored by Vitamin Water, Fry’s Food Stores and Alliance Beverage, VIP tickets are $125 and feature covered seating, ten beers and food; general admission tickets are $40 through April 21 and can be purchased at any Fry’s location. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Arizona Coalition to End Homelessness and the Melonhead Foundation.

The Melonhead Foundation provides support to children with cancer and their families. The foundation offers financial support and a resource center to families in Arizona. Melonhead recently started a Camp Wannahealyah to provide a positive natural healing experience for pediatric cancer patients and their families, free of charge.

For information, email FourPeaksEvents@gmail.com.