Valley Social: Light Rail Pub Crawl 2011

Looking for a way to have some drinks while giving back to a great cause? Join the Greater Phoenix Urban League Young Professionals for their Light Rail Pub Crawl 2011.

The festivities will kick off tomorrow at 5pm @ Maizie's Cafe & Bistro (4750 N. Central Ave) and hit light rail hot spots Hula's Modern Tiki, Macayo's, The Province at Westin, and Cheuvront Restaurant & Wine Bar. Attendees will receive food and drink specials at each location and all proceeds with benefit the Urban League's College Prep Program.

Tickets are only $5 and can be purchased online or at the event.

Valley Social: Sip & Spin - A Scottsdale Bar Crawl

Saturday, May 28th come out and join IconStatus Entertainment and Power 98.3 as they Sip & Spin their way though some of Scottsdale's best bars.

The bar crawl which kicks off Memorial Day weekend will hit Old Town hot spots: White House, Urban 7 Martini Kitchen, Dos Gringos and Upper Deck Sport's Grill.

The event is $7 in advance (buy tickets here) and $10 the day of the event. Registration begins @ 6p at Upper Deck Sport's Grill (4224 North Craftsman Court).

Attendees will enjoy 1 complimentary shot & shot glass, along with a Sip & Spin wrist band entitling them to food and drink specials, with prizes and giveaways at each location.

I always pictured bra crawls being reserved for the rowdy, frat guy college types... but IconStatus is always adding a sophisticated fun touch to their events. This is a great way to experience a bar crawl sans the raggedy college scene.

Valley Social: InterContinental Motelucia Resort & Spa

This past weekend I got together with the girls to enjoy relaxing times at the AAA 4-diamond rated InterContinental Motelucia Resort & Spa in Scottsdale, AZ. It's hard to put into words how stunningly gorgeous this place is- - so I snapped a few pics!





It's easy to fixate on the lack of quality urban nightlife in Arizona and forget how beautiful this state is. To think, this is only minutes away from my house. This resort provided the relaxing weekend we all needed! I felt so recharged... Looking forward to spending the rest of my summer by the pool.




If you find yourself wanting to escape the day to day grind of your life and visit Arizona (or plan a staycation if you're already here), check out these summer specials the resort is having thru September 6th. You won't be disappointed.

Valley Social: Mick Boogie @ Hotel Theodore

My favorite DJ Mick Boogie will be gracing Scottsdale with his presence once again. Spend your 4th of July basking in the sun and enjoying the melodic sounds of this world renowned DJ. He will be at The Pool @ the Hotel Theodore from Noon - 6pm.

Valley Social: High Society Fridays @ Jackrabbit

I'll be celebrating my birthday this Friday the 25th @ Jackrabbit in Scottsdale. Jackrabbit has totally revamped their Friday nights - - great crowd, hip hop/r&b, and a nice venue. I'd love for everyone to come out and have a drink with me as I toast to turning 26 :)

Place:
Jackrabbit
4280 N Drinkwater Blvd
Scottsdale, AZ 85251

Date:
Friday, June 25th

Time:
10p

If you'd like to come out send me an email so I can know to expect you.

Valley Social: 1st & 3rd Thursdays @ Hotel Theodore

If the weekend club rush isn't your cup of tea look no further than 1st & 3rd Thursdays @ Hotel Theodore. Sponsored by My Underground Pass, this bi-monthly event features a laid back, hip hop feel with DJs in 2 rooms, 2 full bars and a gorgeous patio. I'm a sucker for location & atmosphere and this place has both. The crowd is diverse... picture the underground/indie music scene... and I would definitely add this to my list of local Scottsdale hangouts.

Cloud lighting fixtures in the hotel lobby. I was obsessed with these.

The launch featured performances by local AZ rappers/singers. Yes, I was slightly skeptical when they hopped on the stage because I'm always ready to pounce on "rappers" ..... especially "AZ wannabe rappers" but I was pleasantly surprised. I didn't catch the name of the first rapper in the video I shot but he had a nice flow (the catchy hook didn't hurt either).

Valley Social: Saturday Nights @ Urban 7

The nightlife offerings for urban professionals in the Phoenix area have long been suffering. If you find yourself cringing at the thought of Friday nights at Myst or Saturday nights at PHX, Icon Status Entertainment & Epiphany Events are coming to the rescue.

A-List Saturdays will be a monthly event, the first being held at Urban 7 Martini Kitchen in Scottsdale this Saturday night. Finally, a central old town location and sophisticated, urban crowd - - you know, the kind with legitimate business cards - - I'm definitely looking forward to this. The cover is $10, DJ Cedric Ceballos will be on the 1s and 2s and there will be featured drink and appetizer specials.

If you'd like to reserve a VIP table contact Icon Status @ 480.655.5467.

Valley Social: Primebar Grand Opening

Fine food and beverages will be yours to enjoy as Primebar celebrates their grand opening in the Scottsdale Quarter Thursday night. Phoenix magazine is hosting the event, which will feature a silent auction benefiting The ALS Association's fight against Lou Gehrig's Disease.

Things start at 6p and capacity is limited so be sure to get there early.


Primebar
15037 N. Scottsdale Rd.
Scottsdale, Az 85254

To claim your VIP pass and be entered to win a $100 gift card from Primebar, go to www.facebook.com/PhoenixMagazine or e-mail clutton@citieswestpub.com (or click the banner)

Ebony Socialites

Last night I had the pleasure of joining the Ebony Socialites for an evening full of cocktails, conversation and positive energy. Mindi Abair provided the background music as we enjoyed the picture perfect grounds of the Hyatt Regency in Scottsdale. Since moving back to Arizona earlier this year, I've been in need of expanding my social circle of girlfriends... especially energetic, professional black women. I found Ebony Socialites on MeetUp.com (a site I highly recommend for anyone looking to branch out) and can say that my first experience with them was great. Has anyone else used MeetUp.com before?

Wonderful Ladies of Ebony Socialites

(I'm 3rd from the left)

Cocktails & Shopping @ Macy's

Monday night I attended the Macy's Sex and the City 2 Cocktails and Shopping event. I was excited to combine 2 of my favorite things (shopping and cocktails) for a night of fashion and socializing. Models wore fashions by designers like Rachel Roy and were styled by Phoenix Fashion Week designers.

Dirty Blonde kept the drinks flowing with their signature ready-to-drink cocktails. Ladies, these are a must have for any summertime get together. Currently they have 4 flavors and can be found at your local BevMo.

Mr. P-Body manned the 1s and 2s (even letting me jump behind the turn tables for a photo opt)

SJP NYC was the featured fragrance. Don't let the loud packaging fool you - - this stuff smells great!

Sex and the City 2

I was among the lucky few to attend the Arizona premiere of Sex and the City 2 Monday night! As expected the fashion did NOT disappoint. Keep an eye out for Miranda's dress at the wedding. To.Die.For!!! They really stepped it up with Miranda's character this go round.

In my opinion, the 2nd movie was MUCH better than the first. I enjoyed the natural progression of the characters' story lines, unlike how forced it seemed in the first movie (i.e. Carrie being jilted at the altar, Steve cheating on Miranda). The marriages felt more authentic and realistic in this film and I think more people will be able to relate.

I don't want to give anything away but the movie is good. Grab your stilettos, best girlfriends and cocktail of choice and head out to see it on Thursday night! I'm looking forward to hearing what everyone else thinks.

Valley Social: Cocktails & Shopping

Got a case of the Mondays? Well, you're in luck! All of the buzz surrounding Sex and the City 2 has brought numerous events to the city of Scottsdale - - definitely keeping a smile on my face and social calendar. Retail giant Macy's was a partner on the movie and will be featuring looks from the hit film (styled by Phoenix Fashion Week designers) @ The Impulse Room on the 2nd floor of Macy's Scottsdale Fashion Square. The party will feature drinks by Dirty Blonde Cocktails, music by Mr. P-Body and a chance for the best dressed lady to win a $1000 "skin care makeover" to Paradise Valley Skin Klinic (yes, clinic spelled with a K and no they aren't kappas lol). Mondays can be a bit sluggish so this will be the perfect end to a hard day of work. Things start @ 5p so swing by on your way home and enjoy some great fashion, tasty drinks and cool sounds.