What's New in Downtown Phoenix?

Downtown Phoenix boosts many exhilarating elements within the Phoenix/Scottsdale Marketplace. If you are not familiar with Downtown, this is the mecca for sporting events, convention business, and many great eateries. Fox Restaurant Concepts is at it again! Recently opened this past spring, Arrogant Butcher, a 7,500 square-foot urban grill hit the CityScape location in downtown and is surely getting many marks for locals.

Paired with your favorite comfort foods like Meatloaf with Mashed Potatoes and fried chicken with honey biscuits, this eatery also offers unique tastes such as the Sweet Potato Tortellini or Chicken & Sausage Jambalaya. Chef has created many talked-about items such as the California Halibut Fish N Chips and Turkey Sloppy Joe – all fun yet alike to our American mind.

Infamous Fox Restaurant Concepts is about creating an experience within a gorgeous, contemporary setting and offering highly flavorful and fresh cuisine.

Join the downtown business crowd, hipsters and event-goers in a relaxed, dimly-lit, modern atmosphere. U.S. Airways Center, located just across Jefferson Street, makes The Arrogant Butcher a mellow spot to stop before basketball and concert events.

After dinner, head over to Lucky Strike Lanes. We try not to refer to this place as a bowling alley. Sure, there are 12 bowling lanes here and you can rent shoes and use their bowling balls. Much more than that, though, Lucky Strike Lanes is a lounge, sports bar and cafe that just happens to include entertainment in the form of bowling.

Downtown Phoenix has sports venues, concert venues, theatre, a world class convention center, and nightlife, but Lucky Strike Lanes is a place where people can meet, at lunchtime or in the evening, for appealing appetizers, a sandwich or burger, a few drinks or for a couple of lines of bowling in a colorful, casual environment. The best part – Lucky Strike can be your group’s private entertainment offering an amusing and causal environment. Please contact AZA Events for more information on hosting your next event.

Plans for the Holiday Weekend?

Staying in Arizona for Labor Day weekend? Good choice! There are a ton of fun activities going on all throughout the state and here are a few…

For those of you staying in the valley this weekend don’t miss First Friday, organized by Artlink, going on tomorrow evening. Every first Friday of each month you can take self-guided tours of downtown Phoenix galleries, studios and art spaces. By holding events like this, Artlink hopes to bring together artists, the public and businesses to better understand, appreciate and promote the downtown Phoenix arts community.

Also going on in the valley at the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa is Native American Dancing. Flute playing and tribal dances will be presented in the resort’s courtyard tomorrow evening, September 2nd. Allow yourself to relax and put your feet up as you observe time-honored tribal dancing or listen to a traditionally flautist.

Lastly, if you are lucky enough to be surrounded by the incredible red rocks of Sedona this weekend you should stop by the Red Rocks Music Festival. This festival will feature world-class chamber and flamenco music, orchestral performances, master classes and workshops all throughout the weekend. It will be a great time, so be sure to check it out!

Have a great holiday weekend and enjoy all of the things that this beautiful state as to offer!

The Desert Dish

Please use THIS LINK to see the August edition of AZA's E-newsletter: The Desert Dish. Happy Friday!

A Day of Fun

Here at AZA we certainly work hard. Below is the evidence that we play hard as well! Here are some pictures from our recent AZA Fun Day:

Hot and Sticky?

El Chorro Lodge’s Infamous (Secret) Sticky Buns Recipe

Ingredients:

Buns:
2 envelopes active dry yeast
1/3 cup warm water

1 2/3 cups warm milk
3 Tablespoons unsalted butter (softened)
3 Tablespoons granulated sugar
2 teaspoons salt
5 cups all purpose flour

Cinnamon Smear:
1/4 cup water
3 Tablespoons ground cinnamon
1 1/2 cups packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick) (softened)

Caramel Smear:
2 cups brown sugar
1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks) (softened)
1/2 cup corn syrup or maple syrup
2 Tablespoons water

1/4 cup water

Process:

1. Dissolve yeast in 1/3 cup of warm water, in a mixing bowl. Beat and then let the mixture sit for five minutes until foamy.

2. Combine 1 2/3 cup warm milk, 3 Tablespoons of softened unsalted butter, 3 Tablespoons of granulated sugar and 2 teaspoons of salt. Mix well.

3. Next, gradually mix in the yeast mixture. Then add 2 cups of all purpose flour and mix well. Continue, adding the remaining 3 cups of flour to form a soft, sticky dough.

4. Place the dough on a lightly floured surface and knead gently for 1 minute to form a smooth dough ball. Place the dough ball in a large, lightly greased bowl. Turn the dough to coat. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel and place in a warm place for 40 minutes to allow the dough to rise.

5. In the meantime, in a clean mixing bowl, combine ¼ cup of water and 3 tablespoons of ground cinnamon. Mix until smooth. Next, add in 1 ½ cup light brown sugar and ½ cup (one stick) of softened butter. Mix until smooth to form a cinnamon smear.

6. In another clean mixing bowl, Combine 2 cups of light brown sugar, 1 cup (two sticks) of softened butter, syrup and 2 tablespoons of water. Mix until smooth to form a caramel smear.

7. After 40 minutes, place the dough on a lightly floured surface and divide the dough ball into 2 equal parts. Place one half of the dough back in the bowl and recover.

8. Roll the remaining portion of the dough into a 9”x18” rectangle.

9. Spread the cinnamon smear evenly over the dough. (Be sure to spread evenly and thinly or you will have a mess on your hands).

10. Roll the dough and smear up to enclose the filling. Pinch closed the seam to insure it is sealed. Cut into 1 1/2 – inch pieces.

11. Repeat steps 8-10 with the remaining dough ball.

12. Spread half of the caramel smear in a 9”x13” baking pan and arrange the rolls in a single layer in the pan. Spread the top of the rolls with the remaining caramel smear. Let the rolls rise for 30 minutes.

13. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Sprinkle ¼ cup water evenly over the rolls and place on the middle of the oven rack. (I suggest placing a large foil-lined baking sheet under the pan to catch any drips).

14. Bake for 10 minutes. Gently press the rolls down with a metal spatula.

15. Bake for an additional 20 minutes longer until golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow for the rolls to cool for 5 minutes. Serve warm and enjoy!

IncentiveWorks 2011 - Toronto

AZA Events President, Lori James, is getting excited to return to Toronto for the 10th year to participate in IncentiveWorks, August 23rd – 24th, 2011. IncentiveWorks is a leading, well-known industry trade show for meeting and event planners that brings together hoteliers, DMCs and other industry related professionals together for a 2 day event. AZA Events will have a booth in conjunction with the Scottsdale Convention and Visitors Bureau, Booth #1723. Come visit us to see why Scottsdale and Arizona is one of the US leading incentive and meeting destination.

Stunning Scottsdale!

When you think of Scottsdale, what comes to mind? Sophistication, charm, energy... Check out this exciting video which is surely to inspire you to host your next event in our backyard!

Five Fun Ways to Keep Cool This Summer!

Looking for ways to beat the heat in Arizona? Here are five suggestions:

1. Start off your day right with an early morning hike and a spectacular Arizona sunrise. The Scottsdale McDowell Sonoran Preserve has several beautiful trails to explore as well as the Pinnacle Peak Hiking Trails and Camelback Mountain. Bring along your four legged friend if they are up for the challenge too!

2. Have you been to the Musical Instrument Museum yet? Take a day to see what all of the buzz is about...and be inspired! They are now offering a summer series for kids, so bring the little ones with you.

3. Satisfy your sweet tooth by visiting Sweet Republic, Yogurt Builders or The Gelato Maker for a cold, afternoon treat! Look out for great deals at Groupon.com or LivingSocial.com.

4. Do you feel the need for speed? Check out the F1 Race Factory for some indoor go-kart racing. Call us today to hold an event at the track!

5. Forget saving up for a rainy day, indulge yourself by going on a shopping spree at the Scottsdale Fashion Square Mall, there are some great summer sales going on!

Enjoy!