We're Hosting a Party!

^{TOGETHER WITH}

Good morning, Scottsdale. You’re reading Scottsdale Scoop, your insider pass to what’s fun, fresh, and worth checking out around town. Every issue features hand-picked events, local business spotlights, and hidden gems that make our city great.

This weekend I ventured out to Tempe and hit the RAF event. Not sure if there are any wrestling fans here, but it was awesome. Lots of big UFC fighters in attendance!

There’s a lot to cover this week. Let’s get into it.

Grab your boots and get ready for some serious Western action because Rodeo Scottsdale is back March 5-8 at WestWorld's Equidome Arena and this year is extra special. The 73rd annual Parada Del Sol Rodeo added a fourth performance on Thursday night, giving you even more chances to catch "The West's Most Western Rodeo" in the West's Most Western Town.

All eight professional rodeo events are on the lineup: saddle bronc, bareback bronc, tie-down roping, barrel racing, steer wrestling, breakaway roping, team roping, and of course, bull riding. Performances are at 7:00PM Thursday through Saturday and 2:00PM on Sunday. Gates open two hours early but I'd recommend showing up at least an hour before if you want good parking and seats without missing any action.

Pro tip: tickets are digital-only and this rodeo sells out every single year. Get yours through the official site and watch out for scammers!

Speaking of WestWorld, a city council report released this week revealed some interesting numbers. The facility has lost millions in revenue and incurred $51 million in operational expenses, according to AZ Family. The biggest issue? Branding. Most people still think WestWorld is just for horse shows when it actually hosts about 80 events per year including Barrett-Jackson.

The silver lining: WestWorld generated $164 million for the local economy in 2024, and the city council believes it's worth continued investment. They'll be reviewing a strategic plan to make the facility more profitable going forward.

We've got another community happy hour lined up! Join us at North Italia in Arcadia for an evening of great food, great company, and local connection. Your RSVP includes a complimentary beverage, passed bites of their scratch-made favorites, and samples of their limited-time pizzas. Something I’m personally excited to try is their Elote pizza which will have chorizo, roasted corn, cotija, tajin aioli 😋.

Space is limited and we're asking for a $10 commitment fee to make sure everyone who registers gets a spot. Come meet fellow Scottsdale neighbors who care about community and love great food!

I used ACP Painting on my own house back in 2021 and the experience was so good that I’m excited to share. From the first phone call to the final walkthrough, everything was professional and stress-free.

This veteran-owned company has been serving the Valley since 2005 and they've got the track record to prove it: A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and 5-star reviews across Google, Yelp, and Home Advisor. They handle everything from interior and exterior house painting to cabinet refinishing and stucco repairs.

What really sets them apart is the attention to detail. They show up on time, communicate throughout the project, and they even offer a complimentary color consultation if you're stuck on paint choices. Their team knows how to prep surfaces properly so the finish looks smooth and lasts.

Whether you're refreshing a single room or tackling a full exterior repaint, ACP Painting delivers quality work at a fair price. For a limited time, they’re offering Scottsdale Scoop subscribers 15% off which is a huge value.

Request your free estimate here.

As an avid reader myself, I love being able to highlight a cool bookstore in our community. The Poisoned Pen has been a Scottsdale institution for decades and it's so much more than just a place to buy books.

This independent bookstore specializes in mystery and crime fiction but carries an incredible selection across all genres. What really sets them apart is their author event programming. They host conversations with bestselling writers multiple times a week, streaming simultaneously on Facebook Live and YouTube so you can tune in even if you can't make it in person.

Recent guests have included names like Rhys Bowen, Nick Petrie, and Naomi Hirahara. It's like having a front-row seat to the literary world right here in Scottsdale. If you're a book lover who hasn't checked them out yet, you're missing one of our neighborhood's true gems.

I know this section usually features fine dining spots, but I wanted to shake things up and give you a fun, casual option for your next date night.

Diego Pops in Old Town Scottsdale is one of my personal favorites and I can absolutely vouch for the food. Their tacos are made fresh from scratch and the Brussels Sprout Nachos are worth stepping out of your comfort zone for. The drinks are solid too.

What makes it a great date spot is the vibe. It's housed in a historic Southwestern pottery shop with an open kitchen, playful decor, and an extended outdoor patio with tons of misters when it’s hot outside.

If you're looking for something low-pressure but still feels like you put thought into it, Diego Pops hits that sweet spot.

Thursday, March 5

🤠 Rodeo Scottsdale | WestWorld of Scottsdale | 7:00 PM (multiple days)

🎨 ArtWalk | Old Town Scottsdale | 7:00 PM

Friday, March 6

😂 Patrick Warburton | Desert Ridge Improv | 7:30 PM (multiple days)

🎨 Scottsdale Family ArtsFest | Scottsdale Civic Center | 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM (multiple days)

🥟 Cocina Latina - Tamales | Royal Palms Resort & Spa | 12:30 PM

Saturday, March 7

🎵 Sister Sledge Ft. Sledgendary | Talking Stick Resort | 8:00 PM

🎨 Scottsdale Family ArtsFest | Scottsdale Civic Center | 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM

🎺 Paquito D'Rivera | Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts | 7:30 PM

👨👩👧 Family Workshop: Desert Masonry Concrete Creations | Taliesin West | 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM

🥧 Pastry Class – Soufflés | Classic Cooking Academy | 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM

🥟 Pierogi Party | Classic Cooking Academy | 3:00 PM – 5:30 PM

🛒 Old Town Scottsdale Farmers Market | Old Town Scottsdale | 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM

🎸 Sweet Home Alabama - Tribute to Lynyrd Skynyrd | Casino Arizona | 7:30 PM

🍾 Cala Grand Brunch | Cala | 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Sunday, March 8

🎵 Sun & Sounds: Lunes | Bolero Jonze | Scottsdale Civic Center | 12:00 PM

🎹 Piano Heist | ASU Kerr | 7:00 PM

Featuring the most expensive home sold in Scottsdale this week at $4.8M! I know some people hate the blocky, square architecture, but I personally like it. The spa-style bathrooms are a nice touch!

Here’s the link if you want to check it out.

Trek the Andes with an all-female crew in Peru. Join a women-run tuk tuk tour in Cambodia. Enjoy a traditional hot stone bath experience at a women-owned farmhouse in Bhutan. Intrepid’s new small-group Women’s Expeditions in Peru, Cambodia and Bhutan provide immersive local experiences for travellers, while supporting women-run businesses.

Explore the new trips

Scottsdale Scoop is 100% free and independently run (it's just me over here). Your support helps me keep bringing you the best local spots, events, and inside scoop on what's happening in Scottsdale every week. Your contribution will go towards keeping the Scoop going so we can have more fun in community events! really appreciate all the support all of you 🙂 - John