For Immediate Release Contact:: Amy Richert, Tempe CVB 800-283-6734 Sunny Arizona What’s New in Tempe, Arizona ASU Art Museum Family Fun Day Take a break from the heat at the ASU Art Museum! The ASU 9th Annual Family Fun Day takes place on Saturday, July 12th from 10 am to 2 pm. The family event is being held in conjunction with the “Exploring Dreams” exhibition and continues the dream-inspired exhibition theme with hands-on activities and performances suitable for all ages including: •Dream-catcher and other dream-inspired arts and crafts projects •Dance, music and theatrical performances by CONDER Dance, AZ Opera in a Box and other local groups and volunteers •Photo opportunities for children, with Sister Bear of the Bernstein Bears from KAET Channel 8 •Meet Rocky and the Puckpatrol from the Phoenix Roadrunners hockey team The “Exploring Dreams” exhibition examines the concepts and science of dreams: what dreams are and their purpose and meanings. To further enhance viewer’s experience during the visit, hands-on and informational activities at the gallery are specially designed to encourage visitors to explore their own dreams through images and text. Admission for this event is free. For more information, please visit http://asuartmuseum.asu.edu/ or call (480) 965-2787. Chihuly: The Nature of Glass exhibition at the Desert Botanical Garden The Desert Botanical Garden is preparing to welcome the Chihuly: The Nature of Glass exhibition by renowned artist, Dale Chihuly. The exhibit will feature new and unique works of glass sculpture located along the Garden’s trails. The exhibition will open Saturday, November 22, 2008 and remain until May 31, 2009. Dale Chihuly is known for his innovative glass sculptures and his work is immediately recognizable for its grand scale and use of vibrant colors. Chihuly’s spectacular creations are found in more than 200 museums worldwide including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, London’s Victoria and Albert Museum and the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Member reservations and ticket sales begin Monday, September 15, 2008. Non-Members will be able to purchase tickets beginning Sunday, October 12, 2008.Advanced reservation or purchase is required for both members and non-members. Limited walk-up tickets may be available. Tickets may be purchased online at http://www.dbg.org or by phone at (480) 481-8188 Golfland Big Surf in Tempe – Summer Specials Big Surf Waterpark is America’s first waterpark with one of the world’s largest wavepools. This oasis of good clean fun offers a full mix of rides for the entire family. Featuring great food, in addition to a Subway restaurant inside the park, everyone is sure to find something delicious to eat! Challenge Hurricane Falls, a thrilling speed slide. Captain Cooks Landing will enthrall your little ones. Big Surf summer specials include: •Tuesdays – Free tubes – no coupon needed! •Wednesdays – Free hot dogs (coupon available on www.golfland.com/tempe/) •Thursdays – Bottomless drinks (coupon available on www.golfland.com/tempe/) Also check out the “Summer Splash Season Pass,” the best value for summer fun!For more information please visit http://www.golfland.com/tempe/ or call (480) 947-2477. Childsplay Tickets on Sale Now! Childsplay is Arizona's award-winning professional theatre company for young audiences and families, performing at the Tempe Center for the Arts. The 2008/2009 Childsplay series includes: Miss Nelson is Missing! ?September 13 – October 5, 2008 Getting Near to Baby ?October 25 to November 9, 2008 The Velveteen Rabbit ?November 22 to December 21, 2008 Busytown ?January 24 to February 21, 2009 Rock, Paper, Scissors ?February 28 to March 8, 2009 Ferdinand the Bull ?March 14 to April 5, 2009 The Neverending Story ?April 25 to May 17, 2009 Peter and the Wolf ?June 6 to June 21, 2009 Single tickets purchased at the box office cost $25 for adults and $20 for students/seniors plus box office charges. For reservations please call the Tempe Center for the Art box office at (480) 350-2822 or visit http://childsplayaz.org/. ASU Gammage 08/09 Single Tickets On Sale July 21! The seven show series includes some of today’s biggest hits straight from Broadway along with several Blockbusters that will make their Valley return. The series includes: A CHORUS LINE ? September 2-7, 2008 THE RAT PACK- LIVE AT THE SANDS? October 14-19, 2008 HAPPY DAYS ? November 18-23, 2008 SPRING AWAKENING ? December 9-14, 2008 DISNEY’S THE LION KING ? January 2- February 8, 2009 FROST/NIXON starring Stacy Keach? March 31-April 5, 2009 CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG ? June 16-21, 2009 M&I Bank Broadway Across America – Arizona special engagements during the 2008-2009 season include: RENT ? March 17-22, 2009 CATS ? April 7-12, 2009 STOMP ? May 5-10, 2009 WICKED ? July 1- 26, 2009 Single tickets will go on-sale to the general public on July 21. www.asugammage.com (480) 965-3434 Four Points Sheraton Tempe – Now Open! Location: Apache Blvd. and Rural Road The Four Points Sheraton Tempe reopened in April 2008 after undergoing a more than $10 million renovation. The renovations began at the former Holiday Inn Phoenix/Tempe – ASU in April 2007 with the bulk of work beginning in July 2007. This is the first Four Points by Sheraton in Tempe. www.fourpointstempe.com Hotels Under Construction Marriott Residence Inn Location: Fifth St. and College Ave. This project will include an 11-story, 185-room hotel with ground floor restaurants and retail and a community parking structure. The expected completion date is fall 2009. www.ResidenceInn.com aloft Location: Rural Road and Playa del Norte, just south of the Loop 202 Aloft hotels, Starwood’s much-anticipated new brand in the select-service hotel category, delivers stylish design, accessible technology and a hip urban attitude. Starwood anticipates the first aloft hotels to open in early 2008, with 500 properties worldwide expected by 2012. Each aloft hotel features a modular development program based on a 138 room prototype, and incorporates W’s heritage: a totally sensory experience, with design integrity and attention to materials as much as to details. The expected completion date is December 2008. www.starwoodhotels.com/alofthotels/ Light rail trains now testing As you drive, bike or walk in Tempe, please be aware that METRO has begun light rail vehicle testing. The expanded test track currently runs vehicles from 26th Street and Washington to just east of Mill Avenue. The test zone will continue to expand throughout the 20-mile alignment during the summer and fall months. Testing will run right up until our grand opening weekend of December 27 – 28, 2008; official revenue service begins December 29. Please follow these safety tips to remain safe around the Valley’s newest transportation system: •Light rail is quiet; always listen for bells and look for flashing train headlights. •Pedestrians, use the crosswalk and obey all signals. •Never drive, bike, walk or skateboard in the track way. •Obey the traffic signals; turn only with a green arrow. For more information on light rail safety, visit www.metrolightrail.org/safety. Also plan to join us for the festivities and free rides during our grand opening celebration during the weekend of December 27 – 28, 2008! Upcoming Tempe Events For more events in Tempe, visit www.tempecvb.com/calendar.asp. Exhibitions at ASU Art Museum: 'NOW: Selections from the Ovitz Family Collection' – through September 28, 2008 'Synthetic Reality' – through August 2, 2008 'Memory Works’ – through August 30, 2008 Exploring Dreams’ Images from the Collection – through August 30, 2008 ASU Art Museum For more information: (480) 965-2787 http://asuartmuseum.asu.edu ASU Art Museum Family Fun Day July 12, 2008 ASU Art Museum For more information: (480) 965-2787 http://asuartmuseum.asu.edu 'Masters of Illusion: Unveiling the Mystery of Trompe l’Oeil' May 3, 2008 - August 2, 2008 Tempe Center for the Arts For more information: (480) 350-2822 www.tempe.gov/tca Friday Night Fun for Summer at the Phoenix Zoo June 6, 2008 – August 1, 2008 The Phoenix Zoo For more information: (602) 273-1341 http://www.phoenixzoo.org Oliver! June 12, 2008 – July 26, 2008 Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre For more information: (480) 325-6700 www.broadwaypalmwest.com Alice in Wonderland June 22, 2008 – July 24, 2008 Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre For more information: (480) 325-6700 www.broadwaypalmwest.co JAMN Jazz @ TCA - Jazz Masterworks Orchestra with Fred Forney July 25, 2008 Tempe Center for the Arts For more information: (480) 350-2822 www.tempe.gov/tca Honky Tonk Angels July 31, 2008 – September 27, 2008 Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre For more information: 480-325-6700 www.broadwaypalmwest.co JAMN Jazz @ TCA - Conrad Herwig, trombonist August 22, 2008 Tempe Center for the Arts For more information: (480) 350-2822 www.tempe.gov/tca A Chorus Line September 2, 2008 – September 9, 2008 ASU Gammage For more information: (480) 965-3434 www.asugammage.com ###