Blog

Does the sight of a cloche hat with feathers tickle your fancy? Do you adorn your walls with vintage advertising signs? Would the sight of a rusty flour sifter make your day? Then you have to check out Merchant Square in Chandler, AZ. more What Is Merchant Square? Imagine a warehouse stuffed full of collectibles, antiques, and memorabilia for your viewing pleasure. Now picture an outdoor marketplace where you can shop underneath the expansive Arizona sky. How about including a separate area where you can find charming decor exclusively for the home and garden? Add to the mix an old-fashioned cafe that is guaranteed to fill your belly with comfort food. Now you can start to get an idea of what is offered at the square. The Indoor Marketplace With over 58,000 square feet of space in the main warehouse alone, you would think they have plenty of room. But this store is jammed packed with vintage goods of all flavors. Pickers, collectors, and bargain hunters can all score that one of a kind piece to bring home. 250 shops are arranged within the gigantic space, and you'll discover all sorts of knick-knacks as you stroll down the aisles. One store might feature old toys, while another will burst with books. You will feel the delight of your inner child as you stroll down memory lane. The Outdoor Marketplace This area is where you will find larger pieces. From farming equipment to industrial tools, if you like your vintage rusty be sure to visit the Outdoor Marketplace. DIY'ers are certain to score here. You can transform a wooden door into a shabby-chic coffee table, or stick an old iron gate in the garden as a trellis for climbing plants. The possibilities are endless. Highland Yard Vintage Highland Yard is the place for those looking to spruce up a bland room in the house. The newest addition to the square dedicates 6000 square feet to treasures suited for the home and garden. Additionally, you may find local artists and designers practicing their craft. Highland Yard is only open four days a month, so be sure to check the calendar before you go. This is one highlight you won't want to miss. American Way Market Cafe The restaurant at the square not only features great food but is packed with vintage as well. The owners chose to decorate with great pieces they picked up all over the country. They repurposed the booth seats from a dance hall and snagged the chairs from an old schoolhouse. Don't let the decor distract you from the home-cooked food though. The cafe's outstanding menu features American classics such as pulled pork and barbeque chicken sandwiches. Plus you can sample a vintage soda from the fountain to wash it all down. If you can't fit all of your fabulous finds in your current vehicle, then it may be time for an upgrade. Swing by Earnhardt Ford today and check out our wide selection of vehicles in all sizes. At Earnhardt Ford, we've been the home of the No Bull promise since 1951.

Phoenix, Arizona, is home to an eclectic group of people from different backgrounds and cultures. Because of the diversity here, residents can learn a lot from each other. If you're looking to try a new hobby or learn something new, then this city is the perfect place to start. Below are a few different places in Phoenix, Arizona, where you can begin to widen your horizons. more StoneMan Climbing Company Whether you are new to rock climbing or need technical instruction, StoneMan Climbing Company has experienced rock climbing guides to help you along the way. Instead of staying in a climbing gym, the guides take you out to real rocking climbing locations. They also provide you with the safest and most comfortable gear out there. The locations you can choose from in the Phoenix area include McDowell Mountain and Camelback Mountain. Choose from two, four, or eight-hour hikes depending on how much instruction you want to get in a day. Before you know it, you'll be a rock climbing pro. Evolve Dance & Fitness Evolve Dance & Fitness offers dance classes for people of all ages. It's the perfect place to bring your children to lessons while learning some moves of your own. Their youth and adult classes cover a wide variety of dance styles. Some styles their experienced staff teach include ballet, lyrical, pointe, jazz, tap, and hip hop. Depending on the dance class, your child may also be able to participate in their winter and summer recitals. Throughout the year, Evolve offers fun events such as a heels dance class and an Empower & Inspire dance workshop. Art Classes in Phoenix Maybe you've always wanted to unleash your creative side. Phoenix is home to many institutions that offer art classes. Art can help you express yourself and learn more about who you are. Phoenix Center for the Arts offers arts and cultural opportunities through their education, programming, and advocacy efforts. Their mission is to offer arts education to people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. They offer classes in ceramics, dance and movement, glass, metals and jewelry, mixed media, painting and drawing, photography, printmaking, and many more art mediums. Milkweed Arts is another place in Phoenix that is committed to art education. Their slogan is "Quality Art, Quality Education," which shows through their wide offering of classes and events. Here you can learn how to work with glass, wood, metals, and more. They offer college-level art education workshops without the college price. Adults can learn about art at a high level without the trouble of taking a college course. This is just the beginning of all the fun, new things you can learn in the Phoenix, Arizona, area. This city is full of individuals who find it important to nourish their minds, bodies, and souls. By learning a new hobby, you can expand your interests and meet new people while having a good time. Try something you never considered before; you might find out it's your new favorite activity. image via pixabay

Lights. Camera. Action! There is truly nothing that compares with live theatrical and musical performances, and the Phoenix, AZ area has numerous theater companies, operas, and performing art groups to choose from. Whether looking for a night out with friends, a unique date experience, or a cultural experience with your family check out these three art and entertainment experiences in Phoenix. more Arizona Theatre Company With more than 130,000 theater lovers attending theatrical performances at the beautiful Herberger Theater Center in downtown Phoenix and the Temple of Music and Art in Tuscon, the Arizona Theatre Company (ATC) has earned its recognition of being "The State Theatre". With the largest subscriber base of any Arizona performing art organization, ATC continues to produce new seasons of quality productions reflecting the various forms of world theater including new works, musicals, contemporary plays, and the classics, allowing audiences to immerse themselves in the rich emotional joy and experience found only through live theater. The Arizona Theatre Company share's their company's passion of the arts through various community events, access initiatives, educational opportunities, and outreach programs. With over 700 engagement and education activities available via summer programs and schools, ATC is committed to introducing Arizona's youth to the creative power dramatic literature has and demonstrating how it can enrich their lives. Arizona Theatre Company's Herberger Theater Center is located in downtown Phoenix at  222 E. Monroe Street. They are open Monday – Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with 6 p.m. curtain times Wednesday - Friday during performance weeks. They are also open weekend hours on performance weeks Saturday - Sunday from 12 - 5 p.m. with a 6 p.m. curtain time. Carnival of Illusion Don't miss your chance to experience Arizona's favorite show to celebrate, laugh, and have fun at. Eyed and Sarlot's Carnival of Illusion gives visitors a peek into the life of old-world performers like Gypsy Rose Lee, Harry Houdini, Mae West, and Buster Keaton. With raving guest reviews stating "delighted, wonderful, and amazed at a presentation that doesn't include special effects and technology but rather talent, wit, and the personalities of two very unique people. Being taken back in time was pure magic" Located at 2400 E Missouri Ave in Phoenix check their website for times, dates and availability of shows. Arizona Opera Originally founded as the Tucson Opera Company in 1971 by dedicated opera enthusiasts, Arizona Opera has presented more than 170 fully-staged concerts and operas since it's inaugural year. The company's rich artistic history blends Their artistic history is rich with a blend of American operas, operettas, turn-of-the-century masterpieces, and traditional repertoire featuring verismo, baroque, and bel canto works. They have also twice presented Wagner's complete Ring Cycle, an accomplishment only met by for other North American companies. Arizona Opera is located on the corner of Central Avenue and McDowell Road in Uptown Phoenix's Arts District at 1636 N. Central Avenue with box office hours of Monday - Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Don't miss your opportunity to experience the exciting art and entertainment experiences Phoenix has to offer. image via pixabay

Painting is a fun way to express your creativity. Paint and sip locations allow you to paint and enjoy your favorite beverages. In Chandler, Arizona, you can find several spots that offer paint and sip nights, as well as other social events for those who want something different. more Burst of Butterflies At Burst of Butterflies, you can take advantage of the social and fun atmosphere in Chandler. This location is in the historic downtown. Along with the option to paint on canvases at Burst of Butterflies, you can also throw pottery, paint pottery or glass, or fuse glass pieces together to create beautiful works of art. This spot also offers pallet/board art. When you arrive, you'll receive all the supplies you need to paint, and you don't need to worry if you aren't a skilled artist. You can use a traceable pattern or one of the design template Paintings, allowing you to focus on the strokes of your brush and mixing and blending your colors. Walk-in painters are welcome, or you can put together a private canvas party for you and your closest friends. Buffalo Jump Winery Buffalo Jump Winery is a local Chandler winery offering sip and paint sessions as well. When you attend one of the regular sessions, you can enjoy an entertaining experience led by a skilled artist. Start with a blank canvas and leave with a masterpiece you'll be proud to hang on your wall. The comfortable atmosphere is designed for artists of all skill levels. As you paint, you'll also be able to sip a glass of local wine, a craft wine cocktail, or sangria. If you prefer, you can also choose from the selection of refreshing non-alcoholic beverage options. The sip and paint sessions include all the equipment and materials needed to create your art piece. You can register to attend one of these sessions on the Buffalo Jump Winery website. Some of the sessions are themed, such as a girls' night or couples' painting. The space can accommodate up to 60 guests, so grab a group of friends and book your spot. Uptown Art Uptown Art is another local art studio where locals can tap into their creative sides. You'll receive hands-on art instruction, smocks, and paint supplies, allowing you to focus on creating a painting that you'll be proud to show off. This studio is BYOB, so make sure to bring whatever you'd like to drink as you paint. They do provide cups, bottle openers, and corkscrews. Some of the paint events on the schedule are designed for artists of all ages, while others are meant for older guests. You can also reserve the space for a private event if you'd like to enjoy some time with your loved ones. Whether you're planning a unique date night, looking for a place to spend some time with your best girlfriends, or seeking a relaxing and quiet evening out, you can have a great time at these paint and sip spots in Chandler.