Sushi Roku, known for its hip, haute decor and modern twists on traditional Japanese is set to raise the bar in Scottsdale’s dining scene when it opens this Friday, Sept. 5, at the all-new W Scottsdale Hotel & Residences! Innovative Dining Group pioneered the concept of serving sushi in a sleek, sophisticated environment when the original Sushi Roku debuted in Hollywood. To the Hollywood elite, Sushi Roku has become the place to “see and be seen,” shown through the support and backing from celebrity investors such as Ryan Seacrest, Tori Spelling, and Brett Ratner. So be the first to experience the up and coming Sushi Roku! For more information visit www.sushiroku.com.

Post-night-on-the-town breakfasts and brunches are the best–and sometimes greasy bacon and eggs hit the spot splendidly. Sometimes, however, a more upscale affair is in order. With that said, get ready to enjoy a brand new brunch menu at The Phonecian, coming mid-September. The updated Sunday-morning meals will be held at Il Terrazzo (formerly The Terrace). If you’re in the mood for a brunch that is as delicious as it is beautiful, this Italian-inspired spot is for you. Forget the traditional breakfast buffets and omelet stations of yester-year. Instead, you can look forward to three courses for $65–including a dessert tray–which will be followed by Italian bubbly. www.thephoenician.com.

To time with this year’s Komen Race for the Cure, the Phoenix Art Museum will present “Art for the Cure: Hungarian Modernism from the Nancy G. Brinker Collection.” (Brinker is the founder of Susan G. Komen for the Cure and a former ambassador to Hungary.) This exhibit, which hopes to raise awareness and funds for the Phoenix Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure while shedding light on Hungarian artists, will be on display in the Orme Lewis Gallery starting this Saturday, Aug. 30 through Oct. 26. The museum will donate 10 percent of its net profits to the Phoenix Komen affiliate during the month of October. www.phxart.org; www.komenphoenix.org. – Christine Whitton 

Ever worry about your precious pooch while out getting appetizers and drinks with your friends? Now, during your weekly after-work rendevous you don’t have to fret over who will feed Fido. Every Thursday evening, Three Dog Bakery located at Biltmore Fashion Park hosts the infamous Yappy Hour, a happy hour geared toward you and your dog. Sip some vino and mingle with friendswhile the pups enjoy complimentary doggie treats. Want to indulge your furry friend in something a little more extravagant? Step into Three Dog and pick up a bag of Premium Dog Cookies, Jump ‘n Sit Bits, or, for a special occasion, a doggie cake or party tray. www.threedog.com.

No longer does Ladies’ Night mean the same ho-hum music and watered-down cosmos. On July 31, Trader Vic’s at Hotel Valley Ho introduced a new and improved Ladies’ Night, with an all around exotic, Brazilian theme. Each week this Polynesian hot spot hosts Wild Wahine Thursdays, where three-piece band Caji & Salome perform songs you won’t hear anywhere else. Caji, whose full name is Carlos Eduardo Andrade Santos (whew, what a mouthful), plays the guitar while singing about his life growing up in Bahia. Munch on the fun and unique appetizer specials while ordering up 2-for-1 Flor de Cana Rum drinks. Or, if you’re really determined, surprise a friend by ordering the two of you a Tiki Bowl to share–it is a two-person cocktail, after all. www.hotelvalleyho.com.

Bath and body shop, LATHER, has attracted fans far and wide including Oprah and Jennifer Lopez, so it’s no surprise their products are to die for. Now the shop is doing more than redefining modern skin care–they are helping families and children in need. This Friday, the Scottsdale location at Kierland Commons will be collecting customer donations all day long to go toward Homeward Bound, a charity benefiting families and children affected by homelessness and domestic violence. Anyone who donates to the cause will receive a 15 percent discount off their LATHER purchase. As well as the all-day discount, LATHER will host a cocktail reception from 4 to 8 pm. To RSVP to the evening cocktail event, contact LATHER at 480.483.6633. www.lather.com.

Feel like a little indulgence without the extravagant price tag? This Thursday, fork over only $25 at theever-charming Sweet O Wine & Chocolate Lounge for a mix of perfectly paired wines and chocolates. Once a month, this chic sweet spot located in Glendale’s Westgate City Center hosts wine & chocolate pairings–this month’s will be hosted by chocolatier Pierrick Dubreil and Quail Distributing. If Thursday doesn’t mesh well with your schedule, make sure you stop by for an evening out. The adorable and stylish lounge also serves up irresistible appetizers and meals like the Traditional Bruschetta, Margarita Panini and Warm Goat Cheese Salad. Washing it down with a signature Hot Choc-o-tail? Perfection! www.sweetolounge.com or 623.877.3898 for reservations.

Let’s face it, Arizona folk are passionate about their Phoenix Suns–but what is a great basketball team without great dancers? Luckily, Phoenix doesn’t have that problem. The 2008-09 Suns Dancers were revealed Wednesday night after the airing of ”Making of the Suns Dancers” on KUTP My45. This year, the voting process proved to be slightly different. In true reality-show fashion, fans were able to vote online for their favorite dancer, which accounted for 25 percent and helped the finalists be narrowed down from 32 to 16 dancers. This year’s squad looks better than ever; check out www.suns.com for more info on each of the girls.

Remember a couple months ago, when we broke the good news that adorably eclectic Phoenix boutique Olive Annie was reopening? Well, if you have not yet made time to pop in and rummage through their one-of-a-kind treasures, make it a priority this Friday. Until Aug. 29, Olive Annie will be open 6 to 9 pm every Friday offering you a sweet 20 percent off discount. Even sweeter? The pink champagne and cupcakes you’ll down while shopping the racks and swaying to the sounds of local music. Making a night of it? Olive recommends starting your evening off at Lisa G Wine Bar. Perfect for some post-work, pre-weekend girl time! www.oliveannie.typepad.com.

If your weekends are jam-packed with drinks and dining around the Scottsdale area, your not alone; but it may be time for a visit to downtown Phoenix. No longer a ghost town at dark, in the past few years the area has had an amazing increase in restaurant and nightlife business. One man responsible for this revival is Johnny Chu, who created Asian restaurant Fate and outdoor martini bar Next Door (which is, in fact, next door to Fate). Although downtown Phoenix remains primarily a business venue, since the opening of Fate, more restaurants and bars have been popping up in the area. Next up for Chu? Asian Tapas and Saki Bar Sens, which will open early September and will be located on First Street. www.sensake.com.