Whether you plan to shop for and donate school supplies with your family or support local businesses at a too-cool pop-up market this weekend (April 6-8) , now is the perfect time to give back to the community as Arizona Gives Day took place on April 3.
THURSDAY
Coffee Day of Giving
OK—so it’s not technically the weekend yet, but there is a reason to start celebrating early. On Thursday, April 5, all Valley Dutch Bros. locations will participate in Coffee Day of Giving. Buy any drink all day long and $1 will be donated Phoenix Children’s Hospital. Be sure to bring the kids along as all Dutch Bros. will be dressed as superheroes as a show of strength for Phoenix Children’s patients.
FRIDAY
Trapp Haus BBQ Hosts Fundraiser
Join Trapp Haus BBQ on Friday, April 6 for good eats and a great cause. The crew at Trapp Haus BBQ are proud to support local DJ Louanna Faine (part of the Beatlocker on 101.1 The Beat) in her quest to become Ms. United States. On Friday, April 6, at 6 p.m., the restaurant will donate $1 from every brisket or pulled pork sammitch sold, to Faine and the non-profit, the Real Change Foundation, that seeks to end child trafficking and supports foster children. Faine will participate in a dunk tank where fans and friends alike can “sink” her in the water for a donation. Mr. Softee Ice Cream truck will also be part of the festivities as well as a live DJ.
Dinosaurs in the Desert at the Phoenix Zoo
Finish your week off with a stroll around the Phoenix Zoo and enjoying the limited-time self-guided expedition, Dinosaurs in the Desert, featuring 23 roaring, moving animatronic dinosaurs. The exhibit is on display through April 30.
IndyCar Weekend: Phoenix Grand Prix
Have a car-loving kiddo? The Verizon IndyCar Series is heading to the ISM Raceway for the high-speed action of the IndyCar Weekend: Phoenix Grand Prix. See the brightest stars of IndyCars race for 250 miles under the bright lights, and don't miss the return of the USAC Silver Crown Champ Car Series and Desert Vintage Classic.
SATURDAY
Moonlit Drive-In Movies at the Promenade: Despicable Me 3
The Promenade, located at Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard and North Scottsdale Road, hosts their annual Moonlit Drive-In Movie series this April with the showing of “Despicable Me 3.” Every Saturday night, festivities kick off at 6:30 p.m. in the parking lot near Golden Spoon Yogurt (movie starts at 7:30 p.m.) Moviegoers will enjoy the movies for free with a canned food donation to benefit the Harvest Compassion Food Bank. Viewers are welcome to bring lawn chairs, blankets or other portable seating options. A balloon twister will be on site between 6:45 to 7:30 p.m. offering free balloon animals. Other contests, prizes and activities are planned.
Mini Performance of “Shrek the Musical” at Children’s Museum of Phoenix
From 10 to 11 a.m., the CYT Phoenix production of “Shrek the Musical” brings a mini-performance to Children’s Museum of Phoenix. After, kiddos can meet Shrek, Fiona, Donkey and more of their favorite characters.
Art House Market – Pop-Up Shop Event
The Art House in Gilbert will be hosting their very first Art House Market on Saturday, April 7, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Local artisans, shops and food trucks will be at this event (just in time to pick up some gifts for Mother’s Day next month).
SUNDAY
Sonoran Safari at i.d.e.a. Museum
Head to i.d.e.a. Museum in Mesa to explore the artistic landscape of the world’s 11th largest desert—the only place where the famous saguaro cactus grows in the wild—during the limited-time exhibit, Sonoran Safari. Through art and hands-on activities, guests learn about the desert’s native plants, animals, reptiles and birds. On view through May 27.
Pompeii: The Exhibition at Arizona Science Center
Arizona Science Center’s educational Pompeii: The Exhibition examines life in Pompeii both before and after the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius. This promises to be one of the most significant and immersive international exhibitions to fill the Science Center’s Sybil B. Harrington Galleries. More than 200 precious artifacts on loan from the unparalleled collection of the Naples National Archaeological Museum in Italy, including wall-sized frescoes, mosaics, marble and bronze sculptures, jewelry, statues and ancient Roman coins. (Some areas of the exhibit might not be suitable for children.) On view through May 28.
School Supplies Drive for the Dysart Unified School District
Devote your Sunday to doing good within the community. Surprise Towne Center and Surprise Marketplace kicked off a month-long school supplies drive for the Dysart Unified School District this week and will accept all kinds of school supplies. And, donating school supplies is easy. Simply purchase any school supplies when shopping at Surprise Marketplace and Surprise Towne Center retailers and drop them off in the official donation bin, which is conveniently located just inside the main entrance of Red Lobster at Surprise Marketplace.
