13 Nov 23rd–Nov 29th, 2023 phoenixnewtimes.com phoenix new Times | NEWS | FEATURE | FOOD & DRINK | ARTS & CULTURE | MUSIC | CONCERTS | CANNABIS | F or much of the year, we shine a light on what’s wrong with the Valley like that friend speaking truth to you in a way that no else can. But like that cher- ished bestie, we also celebrate the things that we love most about you. So as we lean into the best season Phoenix has to offer, we asked our editorial team to share what they’re thankful for in the Valley. Much like us, it’s an eclectic list. So as you gather around a Thanksgiving table, spend a few minutes to enjoy the feels we’re offering and celebrate the start of the holiday season. Music, memories and more There are so many things I’m thankful for in Phoenix, but here’s just a few I’ve thought about recently: As the Phoenix New Times music editor, I’ve spent plenty of time immersing myself in the local music scene, and I can tell you that we’ve got something special here. Any night of the week, in every corner of the Valley, there’s live music happening, from superstars at State Farm Stadium to up-and-comers in tiny bars. In the local scene, artists collaborate, show up to each other’s gigs and produce stellar music across all genres. It’s inspiring to watch. As a Phoenix resident for more than 30 years, I’ve seen plenty of people, places and things come and go. Some I don’t miss — looking at you, Joe Arpaio. But my memo- ries and sense of nostalgia for others persist, and I’m not alone. Look at the thousands of people who showed up to bid farewell to Metrocenter, or the folks who came to the “Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure” Circle K for a movie screening before the convenience store changed hands. We may not have the longevity of other U.S. cities, but people who have lived here for a decent length of time hold these parts of Phoenix’s past close to their hearts, and I love it. Let’s be real: A lot of Phoenix is brown (desert) and gray (concrete). But for a few glorious weeks each spring, the city bursts into color. The blooming season lights up front yards, hiking trails and roadside cactuses with bright flowers in every color. The brevity of the phenomenon only adds to its sweetness, and my camera roll holds the memories of spring’s gift to us to tide me over until next year. — JENNIFER GOLDBERG Piestewa Peak and poetry Banana breakfast. The Piestewa Peak Summit Trail is my favorite hike in all of Phoenix, but she’s not the star of the show here. It’s the bananas. Endeavoring on this hike on a Friday morning before sunrise is ritual. Not just for me, but also for over a dozen Phoenicians who venture into the darkness with head- lamps and a haze of sleepiness. We trudge our way through the hot air — or recently, slightly-more-bearable air — and look forward to Ken Koshio’s drumming. For Koshio, this is a daily undertaking. But for this less- committed neophyte who still gets winded every time, the ceremonies await at the end of my week. After an arduous climb through the rocky trail, hikers take in the music, listening to Koshio play taiko, an ancient Japanese drum- ming practice. The descent is always easier, but even more so when you know what’s waiting for you at the trailhead: A big card- board box of bananas. “Enjoy :),” reads a pen scribble on the box. Maybe it’s the runner’s high. Maybe it’s the electrolytes I’ve depleted after the elevation gain of 1,200 feet. But, somehow, the fruit tastes sweeter at this dirt-ridden trailhead. It’s nothing grandiose. It doesn’t need to be. I don’t know who is leaving a drawer’s worth of bananas at this popular hiking spot, but the gesture is characteristic of the togetherness of the hiking community in Phoenix. I always start my day on a good note when I have Piestewa Peak bananas for breakfast. The Phoenix poetry scene. Ghost Poetry Show at the Rebel lounge, Write Club at W.H.A.M. on the west side, Poetry Night at ChaChas Tea Lounge hosted by Copper Courier. Poetry in Phoenix no longer feels like a pit stop for bigger names to tour in, but an inviting and booming creative space for writers, new and old, to perform in and connect with others. Many of these shows are leaning away from the lackadaisical, open mic style that can often feel jumbled, instead nurturing a traditional slam approach. The host at Ghost Poetry show spends the first 10 minutes teaching the crowd how to hiss and snap, explaining how voting works and celebrating newcomers. Writers are also welcome to join writing sessions to brainstorm and build relationships with other creatives. I didn’t stumble upon this creative hub on my own. I go to watch my brother, a high school English teacher who’s recently picked up slam poetry. I watch him trans- form on stage with the other poets, stomping and frowning and giving them- selves away. I’m just thankful to witness it. — ITZIA CRESPO Righteous gems of the Valley If watching countless hours of “Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown” taught me anything, it’s that hidden gems are out there just waiting for anyone willing enough to hunt for them. Here in the Valley, our vast sprawl is rife with such undiscovered treasures. Hole-in-the-wall eateries and dives tucked into nondescript strip malls. Quirky and charming shops known to only a few. Off-the-radar dance parties at underground venues or out in the desert. Unique local curiosities that have to be seen firsthand. Discovering these spots has been some- thing I’m thankful to have experienced. Like encountering the quaintly cluttered Books on 7th Ave, a treasure trove of tomes hidden in a quiet corner of Sunnyslope. Or visiting the delightfully retro Superstar Video in Glendale, one of Arizona’s few remaining video rental stores. Roam around town and there are other gems to discover. There are greasy spoons like the comfortably shabby Parson’s Family Restaurant in Glendale. If you’re in the mood for Chinese, the cash-only window-service takeout joint Liyuen in south Phoenix and the late-night food stand Lucky Wok in north Phoenix are both favorites of those in the know. Or, if you’d like to whet your whistle some- where off the beaten path, the kitschy Tallyho Cocktail Lounge in Scottsdale is a fun drinking destination thanks to its mix of Olde English décor and old-school vibes. Lesser-known attractions can be found throughout the Valley. Did you know there’s a technology museum in Tempe called Vintage Lasers and Holograms? You do now. The Arizona Falls along Indian School Road near 56th Street or the Oak Street Alley Murals in Phoenix’s Coronado Neighborhood both make for fun strolls. There is much more out there. You’ll have to take it from here and uncover some hidden gems yourself. They’re well worth seeking out. — BENJAMIN LEATHERMAN More than meets the eye As a California native, I never thought I’d live anywhere else. Once I got past the triple-digit summers and the never- ending 202 traffic that makes me feel like I’m playing a real-life version of “Mario Kart,” I found a city ever-abundant in identity. The people of downtown Phoenix are the driving force of a cultural renaissance that creates a charm that can’t be repli- cated anywhere else. Its allure is intoxi- cating, with hidden gems on just about every corner. Here are a few places that remind me that Phoenix is truly one-of-a-kind: Killer Whale Sex Club is not a sex club. Behind the muraled walls of the repur- posed bungalow-style building, you’ll find a speakeasy-like bar that prides itself on being on the anti-batch-cocktail band- wagon. Its menu is filled with high-quality handcrafted drinks and hilarious items for purchase that will make you do a double take. The ambiance is enticing with its dim lighting and Polaroids of customers that you’ll have to see for yourself. All In One Phoenix has more to it than meets the eye. This family-owned busi- ness is a one-stop shop for all things fashion-related. Owned by a husband and wife, the store is split between a clothing side and a hall of rooms reserved for makeovers and waxing. From Celebrate the holiday with our list of what we’re most thankful for in the Valley. By Phoenix New Times Writers >> p 14
