Opening almost two years ago, The Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix has brought music from all of the world to the Valley. The goal of the MIM is to collect and display musical instruments from every country, culture, and respected musicians. The museum wants to share the love, it preserves, protects, and shares beautiful music so that future generations can enjoy it too.

Opening this weekend, the MIM is celebrating the rich history of Arizona music with its newest exhibition, “I AM AZ Music.” With musicians from Canyon Records to Alice Cooper to Wallace & Ladmo, the exhibition open now until January 2013 is an interactive celebration of Arizona’s vast musical culture. Check the gallery of I AM AZ Music after the jump:

MIM | 4725 E. Mayo Boulevard | Phoenix, Arizona 85050 »READ MORE

February 14 marks the 100th birthday for Arizona, but the capitol is getting the party started early. For this momentous occasion the Arizona Centennial Commission and 2012 Foundation proudly presents its premier signature event, Arizona Best Fest Phoenix.

Best Fest starts Saturday February 11, noon – 10:00 p.m. and continues through Sunday, noon – 6:00 p.m. The free event celebrates the centennial with live music, traveling museums, cultural villages, and a Western town. The fest is also the destination for the Arizona Centennial Motorcycle Ride. Also included are Arizona wines and craft beers, Arizona 100 Art Show, and a family fun zone for the kids.

Gov. Jan Brewer will greet the top 48 riders in the Arizona Centennial Ride, the 48th being the most significant since Arizona is the 48th state. Musical performances include Arizona’s own Michelle Branch and The Gin Blossoms.

Taking over the Arizona State Capitol complex from 10th Avenue to 17th Avenue, Washington Street will be transformed into “Centennial Way.” Though parking is available, guests are encouraged to take the Light Rail and connect with city buses that will be dropping passengers off at the east entrance.

Celebrate the centennial the best way and head over to Arizona Best Fest Phoenix February 11 and 10. For more information click here.

Here are the top stories of ALL TIME (aka last week) just in case you missed it.

Bringing the music news to the people, guitarist-turned-contributor Scott Johnson of the Gin Blossoms returns in this month’s “Found Out About You” with an insider look into the recording studio at the MIM, plus details of the museum’s upcoming centennial exhibit.

By now you’ve probably spent and hour or two visiting the Musical Instrument Museum (MIM) in Scottsdale. If you have not been, you must go (after you’ve read my article of course.)  Not only do the guitars make this picker drool, but the rock star-worthy recording studio housed adjacent to the main stage now available for recording your own tracks is impressive to say the least. If you’re a musician and you’ve got a tissue handy to wipe the drool from your lips, here’s what the MIM has stocked for your next album: »READ MORE

Bringing the music news to the people, guitarist-turned-contributor Scott Johnson of the Gin Blossoms returns in this month’s “Found Out About You” with an insider look into the recording studio at the MIM, plus details of the museum’s upcoming centennial exhibit.

By now you’ve probably spent and hour or two visiting the Musical Instrument Museum (MIM) in Scottsdale. If you have not been, you must go (after you’ve read my article of course.)  Not only do the guitars make this picker drool, but the rock star-worthy recording studio housed adjacent to the main stage now available for recording your own tracks is impressive to say the least. If you’re a musician and you’ve got a tissue handy to wipe the drool from your lips, here’s what the MIM has stocked for your next album: »READ MORE

Welcome guitarist-turned-contributor Scott Johnson from the popular local-bred band, Gin Blossoms. Each month, Scott will bring his favorite music news to the people in this “Found Out About You.”

For those who don’t know Charlie Levy of Stateside Presents, he cut his teeth on the local music scene back in the heyday of Tempe, booking the popular Nita’s Hideway and other Tempe hot spots. Now returning from a stint in Tucson, he’s back with a bang, opening the anticipated Crescent Ballroom in downtown Phoenix. “Top of October and that’s all I’ll commit to,” comments Levy on the actual opening date of the Phoenix venue. However, Crescent’s website shows Blind Pilot & Dan Mangan booked for October 3rd at 7:00 p.m. The 7,000 square foot venue will offer two rooms, each with a unique vibe. The smaller Crescent Lounge, opening daily at 4:00 p.m., will be a place for singers, songwriters and DJ’s to gig and will be free for music-goers. The ballroom will open for larger shows featuring new artists like Black Joe Lewis and the Honey Bears.

Crescent Ballroom, 308 N. 2nd Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85003

Blind Pilot Image via The Bowery

Earlier this year, Phoenix’s 12 News began broadcasting live from its brand new home in the heart of Downtown. Even cooler, the station now features a ‘state of the art’ street-front studio, so you and your friends can embarrass yourselves appear on live TV, a la the Today Show‘s studio in Times Square. Personally, we can’t wait to watch the 24/7 excitement that is Downtown Phoenix, including the occasional businessperson hustling by, and maybe a lost tourist or a hungover ASU student. We kid, (we hope.)

But real story here is the TV station’s new location, wedged into the 10-story tower originally built as the HQ of the Arizona Republic newspaper. In other words, these former local media titans have shrunk so much that they both fit inside the same building.

But hey, it’s a party right? Click here to get details on today’s all-day street festival, culminating with a fireworks show and concert by the Valley’s-own Gin Blossoms. [Update: A scheduled appearance by the Today Show's Al Roker has been canceled, and the event will now double as a blood-drive/fundraiser in the wake of the terrible tragedy in Tucson.]

Meanwhile, to learn more about this corporate spin job, click read more.

Image via AZ Central

»READ MORE

Notice anything different between the two pictures at left? (Other than, you know, the different angles and the poor picture quality.)

If you’ve ever boozed at Four Peaks Brewery, you may have noticed the small, unpretentious white building next door with the giant guitar on top. Turns out, the demure structure is Uranus Recording Studio, home to the Gin Blossoms and other fav local bands. And as of yesterday morning, some scheming theives have snatched the studios pride and joy right off its very roof. Studio owner Robin is offering a $500 reward for the guitar’s safe return.

Have any info? Email us and keep your eyes peeled. Where would you even hide this thing?

Did you catch the Phx New Times‘ in-depth report on AZ’s budding Medical Marijuana industry “Pot of Gold”? (Great headline BTW.) We did, all 5,464 words of it, although we may have started skimming at one point. It’s a solid breakdown of all the people and organizations scrambling to get a slice of this potential financial juggernaut, including allegations of shady shenanigans between wannabe dispensary owners and the bureaucrats in charge of regulating pot dispensaries. And like all local controversies involving politics and name-calling, there’s even a Jason Rose sighting.

That said, the only thing missing from this long, detailed (and long) story was any mention of the New Times‘ own massive financial stake in medical marijuana.

»READ MORE

As chosen by you, here are the most popular stories OF ALL TIME (aka last week). Just in case you missed it.

Introducing Desert Living Today‘s newest column: This Month in Magazines. A redux of 5 Valley print dinosaurs glossies, we’ll take you from cover to cover (and then some).

Hello, and welcome to the first edition of DLT‘s This Month in Magazines. Every 30 days or so, we’ll be slicing and dicing 944 Phoenix, Arizona Foothills Magazine, Phoenix Home & Garden and Phoenix Magazine, as well as one rotating special guest star. This month? Everybody’s fav coffeehouse pub, Java Magazine!

We’ve got a lot to cover (get it?), so let’s get started. »READ MORE

Introducing Desert Living Today‘s newest column: This Month in Magazines. A redux of 5 Valley print dinosaurs glossies, we’ll take you from cover to cover (and then some).

Hello, and welcome to the first edition of DLT‘s This Month in Magazines. Every 30 days or so, we’ll be slicing and dicing 944 Phoenix, Arizona Foothills Magazine, Phoenix Home & Garden and Phoenix Magazine, as well as one rotating special guest star. This month? Everybody’s fav coffeehouse pub, Java Magazine!

We’ve got a lot to cover (get it?), so let’s get started.

»READ MORE