The Downtown Phoenix Pub Crawl tradition continues, a Happy Headless Halloween in front of the State Capitol, and Ian packs ‘em in for his cabaret show at The Ghost Lounge. These are just some of the events on my radar in this edition of Weekend Fun along the light rail.

Friday, October 22nd

Oktoberfest celebration at CityScape Phoenix

Saturday, October 23rd

Part political rally, part improv…a Happy Headless Halloween can be had at the State Capitol 3p (1st Ave at Jefferson)

The monthly tradition Places, Spaces, and Faces community dinner takes place at The Artery 7p (Indian School Rd at Central Ave)

Otsukimi Moonviewing Festival at the Japanese Friendship Garden in Phoenix 5p (Roosevelt St at Central Ave)

Pierce Street Block Party features chili cook off and family fun 6p (Roosevelt St at Central Ave)

Big Brain Daniel aka Steamcrow throws Steamcroween III party at Red Hot Robot 7p (Camelback Rd at Central Ave)

DowntownPhoenix Pub Crawl (and the unofficial Dottsy’s Birthday Party Bus) 8p (Washington at Central Ave)

Madcap Theatre hosts the Air Sex 2010 World Championships 11p (Mill Avenue Station)

Sunday, October 24th

Standing room only at The Ghost Lounge for Ian’s cabaret show Bump in the Night 7p (Van Buren at Central Ave)

A Phoenix light rail map can be found here and information on how to ride can be found here.

A group of urbanists create park(ing) areas in downtown Phoenix, the stars come out for the Arizona Women’s Expo at the Convention Center and two great ways to bring the weekend to a close. These are just some of the on my radar in this edition  of Weekend Fun along the Phoenix light rail.

Friday, September 18th, 2010

Show your support for more public places and less parking spaces during Park(ing) Day on Friday morning (Central and Washington Station).

New fashion exhibit Extending the Runway shines spotlight on the closet of a runway model at the Phoenix Art Museum (Central and McDowell Station)

UPDATE 1: Expo runs Saturday and Sunday

Kirstie Alley and Helen Hunt give keynote speech at the Arizona Women’s Expo at the Phoenix Convention Center (3rd Street/Jefferson or Washington Stations).

Saturday, September 18th, 2010

Culinary celebrity dishes about reality tv and raises money for local charity at Hula’s Modern Tiki (Camelback Station)

Bio Buzz Family Series at the Arizona Science Center (3rd Street and Washington Station)

Steam Crow artist and Phoenix New Times Big Brain Award co-finalist Daniel m Davis says Monster Abduction is REAL at Red Hot Robot (Central/Camelback Station)

Tour de Light Rail is the Only Pub Crawl I like and it takes place on Saturday night (Camelback Station)

Sunday, September 19th, 2010

Talk like a pirate day at the Arizona Science Center (3rd Street and Washington Station)

The Cotton Club is playing at the Phoenix Art Museum (Central and McDowell Station)

Groove is in the park at Civic Space Jam (Central and Van Buren Station) and then later…

Retro HiFi kicks your night up a notch at SideBar Sundays (Central and McDowell Station, then walk or bike west seven blocks).

That’s about it from here. Where will the light rail take you this weekend? Be sure to post your event or tell us what you have planned in the comments below.

See these links for Information on how to ride the Phoenix light rail or bus and this Phoenix light rail map.

Friday, September 10

What’s up Phoenix?

Saturday, September 11th

Rememeber 9/11 during an tree planting event at Steele Indian School Park in Phoenix (Indian School)

Smunchy Smuncho Bar at Ticoz Resto Bar (Camelback Station)

Sunday, September 12

Show your support for my 30 Days of Biking challenge and plan your own trip to visit one of the many restaurants with bike racks along the Phoenix light rail.

Information on how to ride the light rail can be found in previous posts here.

Live bands battle it out against the backdrop of the fabulous Phoenix Art Museum, the Red Dress Tour hits Roosevelt Row and a popular photo essay exhibit highlighting 26 Blocks of Phoenix travels once again! These are just some of the events on my radar in this special First Friday edition of Weekend Fun along the light rail.

First Friday, September 3rd, 2010

The Train Tracks competition returns to the Phoenix Art Museum for Season Numero Dos. I’ve been watching the performances online and this season is going to be goood! In case you don’t know, Train Tracks is a competition where local bands take turns playing an acoustic set on the light rail. The public votes online for their favorite performance, and the bands with the most votes move on to the quarterfinal round at the museum. Live music set to the backdrop of fabulous works of art makes this one of my favorite events in the Valley! In between sets, be sure to check out the Cezanne exhibit which is currently on display. The Phoenix Art Museum is one of the premiere destinations for art and culture in the southwest and admission is free on First Fridays. From the light rail, deboard at the McDowell Station. The museum is directly across the street on the northeast corner of Central Avenue and McDowell. Good eats: The wine bar Cheuvront is just south of the museum and the piano bar My Florist Cafe which is five blocks to the west.

This month, you’ll notice a Good Eats note at the end of each entry. These links are suggested places to eat and drink within walking distance of the destinations mentioned.

Here are some other fun places to hit on a First Friday in Phoenix:

The Coe House (Central Station) will feature DJ MoLo with backup players Bryan Mok & Chanelle Richardson (aka The Epileptic Photographers), artwork by Jon Ashcroft and photos by Jason Garcia. Good eats: Local Breeze

Performance artist Kara Roschi takes YOU on The Red Dress Tour (Roosevelt Station), offering discounts at local businesses to promote walking on First Friday. Don’t forget to wear red! Good eats: Carly’s Bistro

The popular traveling photo essay exhibit depicting 26 Blocks in Phoenix makes a stop at the A.E. England Building (just north of Central Station) at Civic Space Park. Good eats: The Compass Arizona Grill.

My favorite Twitter guilty pleasure @saynomorgan (aka Morgan McNally) brings her art work Sometimes We Cock Our Heads… to SuTRA Midtown Yoga (Encanto Station). Good eats: Switch Wine Bar

UPDATE: Students from Barrett, the Honors College at ASU’s Downtown Campus, are Exploring First Friday on the Light Rail.

Saturday, September 4th

Bunky Boutique (McDowell Station) is celebrating a birthday this weekend, and you get the gift! 30% off selected merchandise through Monday. Good eats: Try Giant Coffee next door or Thai Hut around the corner.

Sunday, September 5th

What’s up, Sunday?

That’s about it from where I’m sitting. What do you have planned over the weekend? Be sure to post your favorite event in the comments below. Follow my First Friday on Twitter and use the hashtag #phxff. Information on how to ride the light rail can be found here and don’t forget about the 30 Days of Biking Challenge – hopefully you’re riding a bike to all the First Friday festivities. Have a great weekend!

Children’s Museum of Phoenix, originally uploaded by LightRailBlogger.

The Children’s Museum of Phoenix engages the minds of kids (from birth to 10 years old) with interactive exhibits and displays. Take the light rail and deboard at either of the 3rd Street Stations. People with kids tell me it’s a little bit of walk with a family in tow which is why you may want to consider riding a bike from the train to finish that last mile of your commute. See a complete list of arts and culture along the light rail here: Valley Metro’s Ride Guide.