Why Phoenix?
“Why Phoenix?” The answer to this question depends on who’s doing the asking. A significant part of Blare Media’s business model has been to establish strong video production teams across many US cities. After brief consideration, the only question for us was, “Why not?”
The city is at the heart of Arizona’s in the Valley of the Sun. The 5th largest city in the US is truly a metropolis in the desert. There are many reasons why we launched Blare Films Arizona; weather, proximity to distinct topography and landscape, and the region’s motion picture history. But those are just a handful of reasons: Another major component of the attraction is our region’s vibrancy. In short, we have a lot of attractions and things going on, and this page is dedicated to showcasing we have to offer.
Hot Spots
Scottsdale
Scottsdale
Scottsdale stretches 31 miles from north to south, and locals divide the city into North and South (Old Town) Scottsdale. North Scottsdale has several attractions, like the Pinnacle Peak hiking trail, or the popular, luxurious Fairmont Princess Hotel and its surrounding restaurants. However, for those looking for the most options in one area, Old Town definitely offers the greater number of restaurants, bars, pubs, clubs, lounges, luxury hotels, shopping, and the Fashion Square, all easily within an easy walk or a golf cart ride, at most.
Downtown
Downtown Phoenix
The Phoenix Downtown is similar to other large downtowns of America: Very busy during the day but a little less hustle and bustle during the evening hours. However, for fans wanting to catch a Diamondbacks baseball game inside Chase Field, or NBA fans attending a Phoenix Suns basketball game at the Talking Stick Resort Arena, Downtown is the place to be. There are also lots of fun restaurants and breweries to hit after work, and before or after a game. Downtown Phoenix also has many different venues to catch a variety of concerts and comedy shows.
Uptown | Biltmore
Biltmore
From the Arizona Biltmore Golf Club, located in the shadow of the majestic Phoenix Mountain Preserve, to the historic districts in Uptown: This upscale area encompasses mansions and large to midsize ranch houses in Biltmore with the night clubs, breweries, restaurants, pubs and bistros of Uptown. Some are well-known establishments, such as Lou Malnati’s, for those seeking authentic Chicago style pizza: Others, such as SanTan Brewing, just opened its second location outside of the SanTan Valley at the north end of Uptown.
Cathedral Rock
One of the great things about Phoenix is that it’s not far from another great destination, Sedona: Surrounded by red-rock buttes, steep canyon walls and pine forests, you can hunt for vortexes while enjoying breathtaking views of the mountains. Sedona is a serene and spiritual haven for many with a variety of scenic sites to photograph, meditate, or do yoga: It’s also a place packed with adventure for thrill seekers offering numerous hiking and biking to trails. Taken together with the many shops, spas and art galleries, Sedona has something for everyone.
Tempe Town Lake
Tempe is home to Arizona State University, a great destination for students and sports fans alike. Mill Street boasts a number of bars and restaurants where residents and visitors alike can take lunch and dinner. Also, every year Mill Street hosts the Tempe Festival of the Arts: The festival location is adjacent to the Tempe Beach Park, which is home to The Innings Music Festival. Finally, the Tempe Town Lake offers water recreation and a beautiful view that makes you forget you’re in a desert.
Lake Pleasant
The desert summers can get pretty brutal, you might want to hit up some pool parties: Or better yet, take part in the connected party of boats and pontoons on Lake Pleasant, a 10,000-acre man-made lake in a 23,000-acre outdoor recreation area northwest of the Capitol. Because not everybody comes to Lake Pleasant to party, the park also offers plenty of family activities as well: from water skiing, kayaking and fishing to camping, hiking and mountain biking. Additionally, the nearby Pleasant Valley Airport is home of the Turf Soaring School, where you can learn to fly a glider or attend the annual summer glider competition.
Blare Events Calendar
Stay up to date with our area’s events! We cover most of the region’s film and music festivals, mixers and video/technology conferences and expos: handy network opportunities for those looking to market themselves as video, music, and/or media experts or for anyone looking to grow in those fields.
Area Events
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Why Target Events
Blare Films of Arizona is a top-flight video production company working in Phoenix. Our proven expertise producing corporate and organizational videos, TV commercials, music videos, documentaries and films, in 4k and 6k aerial and ground-based video, has been demonstrated time and again serving clients both large and small: And so to keep our finger on the pulse of Arizona’s business needs and trends, Blare Films’ social media team dedicates several hours every month to researching and posting a Calendar of Events for metropolitan area including Scottsdale, and Tucson. By keeping our calendar current, the team serves both Blare Films and the broader Arizona video production community in providing information about the following event categories:
Films Festivals – Thanks to our varied and visually stunning landscapes, Arizona has historically attracted major motion picture companies to bring work here. Perhaps you’re more interested in smaller independent films than big blockbusters: Arizona has some great places for those, too. Sedona and Jerome have long been regarded as ideal host cities for film festivals and when they do, we’ll let you know about it.
[Chandler International Film Festival is one of the exciting and awe-inspiring events of the film festivals.]
Music Festival – You’ve heard of the Coachella Music Festival but there are plenty of others. In fact, 2018 was the first year Blare Films started capturing footage at music festivals, filming Marriot promos at the Coachella Music festival, and creating video content for W Hotel’s first annual Music Festival, the “Wake Up Call,” and the “Kaaboo De Mar” footage for Odwalla.
[Innings Festival is a two-day featuring event for rockstars, pop stars and country performers, culinary demos, as well as curated food vendors.]
Mixers and Award – Blare Films loves to party and has maintained a presence at most business, technology and marketing mixers. To us it’s important to participate and mix with like-minded professionals, and being able to network in a more relaxed setting makes it even better. We also feel that attending awards ceremonies, especially those honoring broadcast and video content, can be especially useful.
Two of the best Networking Resources in the area:
Network After Work
They are probably the largest business mixer organize in the United States. They cover 85 US cities with and over 5 million subscribed website members. Their local area events are hosted by some of the hottest restaurants, pubs, and lounges in Downtown Phoenix, Uptown and in Scottsdale. Network After Work Website
Networking Phoenix
They host, co-host, promote and/or track even daily networking events. It is a homegrown organization led by Gelie Akhenblit and they do an incredible job. If networking is critical to growing your business they will keep you busy. Networking Phoenix
Video/Technology Conference and Expos – “CES” and “NAB” are trade shows where groundbreaking technology is unveiled, innovative solutions are displayed and game-changing trends are exposed, but there are many others events out there as well. Blare Films routinely works these shows, filming interviews, capturing B-Roll footage, recording keynote speakers, and even participating in live streaming of the e3 videogame conference. But even when we aren’t working an event we’ll make an effort to attend just to keep current on rapidly changing technology that constantly reshapes our industry.
If you know of an event that should be included in our Phoenix Events Calendar, please send us a message on our contact form.
Blare finds the best events in the area!
What some events do not make the Blare Calendar?
There are many events that don’t make our calendar. There are two events that bring a ton of visitors to the area. Those events are the Phoenix Open and the Barrett-Jackson Auto Show. These two events impact the community in a major way. The impact is similar to hosting a Superbowl! Luckily these events are annually and specific the the Phoenix area. This why it’s important for us to mention them. Phoenix Lights Event
Two Marque Events
There are two events that bring lots of visitors to the area. Those events are the Phoenix Open and the Barrett-Jackson Auto Show.
The Waste Management Phoenix Open:
Known as the Waste Management Phoenix Open for title sponsorship reasons, the Phoenix Open is a professional golf tournament on the PGA Tour. Established by Bob Goldwater in 1934 when he was Tournament Chairman. Goldwater is known as the Father of The Phoenix Open. Held in late January/early February at the Tournament Players Club (TPC) of Scottsdale, the event’s relaxed atmosphere has earned it the nickname The Greatest Show on Grass, and made it one of the most popular events on the PGA Tour calendar. But the Phoenix Open isn’t just a important golf tournament, it is a total spectacle that includes a star-studded music lineup: 2019 features Old Dominion, Jake Owen, Lee Brice, Snoop Dogg, The Chainsmokers, Martin Garrix and more! Learn more
2019 Waste Management Phoenix Open Promo:
Barrett-Jackson
The event, established in 1971 with headquarters in Scottsdale, is so widely recognized around the globe that the words, The World’s Greatest Collector Car Auctions® are officially trademarked by Barrett-Jackson. Barrett-Jackson also hosts events in Palm Beach, Florida; the Northeast at Connecticut’s Mohegan Sun; and Las Vegas, Nevada; yet none are of these events are close to the scale of the Phoenix auction. Read More
Here is a cool video from Mike Brewer and Edd China and their “Wheeler Dealers” show:
2019 Sneak Peak at Other Popular Events
Phoenix Lights
The Phoenix Lights, sometimes called the Lights over Phoenix, were the unidentified flying objects observed on March 13, 1997 in the skies over the U.S. states of Arizona, Nevada and the Mexican state of Sonora. The same name was given to the dance music festival with a hashtag #TheLightReturns. The music festivals returns April 6th, 2019 and runs though April 7th, 2019. For more information visit: Phoenix Light Music Festival
M3F (McDowell Mountain Music Festival)
The M3F, the non-profit musical festival is also on our calendar. This Phoenix area event was established in 2004 and has since become a hot destination for the festivalgoers. Previous acts include; Flume, Beck, The Avett Brothers, Slightly Stoopid, Kid Cudi, Chromeo, Father John Misty, Grouplove, The Revivalists, DJ Mustard, The Roots, and others. To learn more, visit: McDowell Mountain Music Festival
Innings Festival
This is a two-day festival featuring rock, pop and country stars performing, as well as culinary demos, and curated food vendors. The date is set and so is the lineup: March 2nd and 3rd, 2019, with Incubus, Eddie Vedder, Sheryl Crow, Cake, Grouplove, Blues Traveler, Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers, Guster, Black Pistol Fire, Dorothy, The Baseball Project, Jimmy Eat World, Band of Horses, St. Paul and the Broken Bones, Shakey Graves, Liz Phair, Mat Kearney G. Love and Special Sauce, all performing. For the complete schedule, visit: Innings Festival
HELPFUL RESOURCES
Previously known as the Greater Phoenix Convention & Visitors Bureau Visit Phoenix is a private, not-for-profit organization that markets Greater Phoenix to a global audience of travelers and books conventions into the Phoenix Convention Center and area hotels and resorts. Visit Phoenix cultivates and maintains relationships with meeting planners, travel journalists, travel agents and tour operators. We produce advertising campaigns promoting leisure travel and meetings, coordinate site visits, conduct media tours and maintain the official tourism website for Greater Phoenix.
You can review their annual accomplishments 2016-2017 Fiscal Report
Corporate Headquarters: 400 E. Van Buren St., Ste. 600 Phoenix, AZ 85004 (602) 254-6500
Phoenix New Times is a free print and digital media company based in Phoenix, Arizona. The online coverage if updated daily and it features local news, restaurants, music and arts, as well as narrative journalism. A weekly print issue circulates every Thursday. All major city newspapers post community events on the in the weekend section. Good thing they have websites now because they include more events. Phoenix Times Website Link
Built as the largest entertainment hubs in the across websites, eventbright has become popular in Phoenix. It helps that their website ranks high. It’s platform actually extends global. It allows anyone to create, find, and attend events that spark their interest. From music festivals, city marathons, major conferences, community events, and fundraisers, business mixers and more. Their mission is to bring the world together through live experiences.
Main Office 155 5th St, 7th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94103 (888) 201-2414
A great local resource in the Phoenix Metro area. The website itself reads like a news magazine and is a truly organic site. They look to cover the hottest trends, restaurants, events and attractions in the Valley of the Sun.PHOENIX.ORG Website Link
Another homegrown website owned by the Arizona Republic newspaper. Like many websites that are off shoots of newspapers, AZCentral, covers breaking news, in-depth sports coverage, things to do, travel and opinions. This is another great resource for Phoenix events.
Headquarters 200 E. Van Buren St., Phoenix, AZ 85004 (602) 444-4920
A national online calendar and events discovery service owned by Entercom. It keeps you up to date on upcoming local events, concerts, festivals, kids events, pet events, and more in Phoenix metro area. Comprehensive listing of the most popular events. Entercom Headquarters 401 City Avenue, Suite 809 Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004 (833) 277-7040
Why is Phoenix a Destination?
Phoenix is the metropolis of the southwest. It's year-round sun and warm temperatures make it a destination for retirees. The sprawling communities are accompanied by high tech industries that also make the region attractive to young professionals.
The Phoenix area is also known for high-end spa resorts, Jack Nicklaus–designed golf courses, and vibrant nightclubs. Other highlights include the Desert Botanical Garden, the Phoenix Zoo, and numerous casinos.
Many private tech, bio, medical, manufacturing, and app development companies are lured to the Phoenix area and thrive in this desert metropolis. Self-driving vehicles are being tested in the street of Southern Scottsdale: Uber, Google and Nuro are a few of the names. Amazon will be testing their drone delivery service at some point as well.
Universities here partner with private industry to provide opportunities for their students, with Arizona State University and Tucson's University of Arizona leading the way. Both universities are participating with ideas and prototypes for the Hyperloop, a conceptual high-speed transportation system designed to send pods through a tube at speeds up to 700 miles per hour. This makes the Phoenix area a destination for advanced students as well.
There are tons of opportunities in the Phoenix area for those in our video production industry. The area is rich in film makers and the Arizonan landscape lends for some incredible cinematography. With large growth across all industries, also will the need for corporate, promotional, testimonial and other types of video. With this section in our website we intend to help steer you into some business and career opportunities. While also enjoying yourself!
VIDEO PRODUCTION IN THE PHOENIX AREA:
There is also an abundance of opportunity in the Phoenix area for those in our video production industry. The area is rich in filmmakers and the Arizonan landscape lends itself to some incredible cinematography. And with growth across all industries, the need for corporate, promotional, testimonial and other types of video content seems limitless at this time.
Sports Are Part of Area's Events
For years, corporation and companies have been buying out suites in our sports venues to entertain their clients.
In professional sports, our area is home to the Arizona Cardinals NFL team, the Phoenix Suns NBA team, the Arizona Diamondbacks MLB team and the Arizona Coyotes NHL team. The city is also a host to UFC events.
In college sports, we boast ASU football and basketball programs that draw a large number of fans. Even the area's Grand Canyon University's basketball team is starting to grow their crowd.
And don't forget about spring training in Arizona, because that’s when you’ll see a large number of MLB teams play each other during their exhibition season. It’s titled the Cactus League, below is a list of the Cactus League teams followed by their home ballpark:
| Team | Ballpark | City |
| Arizona Diamondbacks | Salt River Fields | Scottsdale |
| Chicago Cubs | Sloan Park | Mesa |
| Chicago White Sox: | Camelback Ranch-Glendale | Phoenix |
| Cincinnati Reds | Goodyear Ballpark | Goodyear |
| Cleveland Indians | Goodyear Ballpark | Goodyear |
| Colorado Rockies | Salt River Fields | Scottsdale |
| Kansas City Royals | Surprise Recreation Campus | Surprise |
| Los Angeles Angels | Tempe Diablo Stadium | Mesa |
| Los Angeles Dodgers: | Camelback Ranch-Glendale | Phoenix |
| Milwaukee Brewers | Maryvale Baseball Park | Phoenix |
| Oakland Athletics | Hohokam Stadium | Mesa |
| San Diego Padres | Peoria Sports Complex | Peoria |
| San Francisco Giants | Scottsdale Stadium | Scottsdale |
| Seattle Mariners | Peoria Sports Complex | Peoria |
| Texas Rangers | Surprise Recreation Campus | Surprise |
When it comes to this area's events we have you covered!
Remember, it doesn't matter if you are looking for; "events next 14 days," "free events today, "events next 3 days," "Hispanic events in 2019," things to do with family," "events this weekend," or "what is there to do tonight?" If it’s in the Greater Phoenix Metro Area, our lists of resources will help you find it.
Need Physical Phoenix Direction
The Visitor Information Center provides maps and travel guides to attractions in the Valley of the Sun, neighboring cities and statewide. Local art is on display and for sale through the Herberger Gallery. In addition to assisting walk-in guests, the center also assists visitors via telephone and email. Located downtown on the exterior of the Phoenix Convention Center West Building, opposite the Hyatt. Visit Website
Visitor Information Center
125 N. 2nd St., Ste. 120, Phoenix, AZ 85004
With this section in our website our goal is to help steer you into business and career opportunities, all while providing information to take some time out to enjoy life, Phoenix style!