Tempe Conventions & Visitors Bureau

Anyone who’s ready for some good laughs will have two opportunities this week at the Tempe Improv when Gene Pompa and Bill Bellamy bring their comedic talents to Tempe.

Raised in the suburbs of LA, Gene Pompa comes from a multi-ethnic background that infuses his comedy with universal themes that cross all racial and ethnic lines. His stand-up routines appeal to everyone from college age audiences to a more mature crowd.

Bill Bellamy is a writer, actor and stand-up comedian.  He’s appeard in movies, including Love Stinks and Oliver Stone’s Any Given Sunday. He was also on the hit comedy Def Jam’s How to Be A Player and was the voice of Skeeter in Nickelodeon’s hit action-comedy series Cousin Skeeter. 

Here’s the short list of what’s going on in Tempe this week. View a complete listing of Tempe events, or call 480-894-8158 for more information.

• July 12: Open Jam with Mike Mercer; July 15: Remedy; July 16: Take Cover, Rula Bula Irish Pub & Restaurant
• July 14: Gene Pompa; July 15-17: Bill Bellamy, Tempe Improv
• July 15: Sarah Vanell Band; July 16: KC Blues Band, Tempe Marketplace District Stage
• July 15: Pete Pancrazi; July 16: Jeordie & Friend, Tempe Marketplace Barnes & Noble Fountain
• July 16: Reverend Horton Heat and Swingin Utters, Marquee Theater
• July 17: Music on the Patio with Shelby James, Rula Bula Irish Pub & Restaurant 
• July 17: Trevor Rogers and The Wilderness, Cadillac Ranch
• July 17: Jazz Jam Session with the Jeff Libman Trio, Robbie Fox’s Public House
   

Looking for a fun family activity that will bring out everyone’s creative side? Just pack up the kids and head over to ASU Art Museum’s Family Fun day this Saturday. This free event will take place from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. and will focus on the summer exhibition Words of Art: Selections from the ASU Art Museum Collection. There will be plenty of fun activities, including art making projects, performances and a visit from a PBS character from Eight/KAET.

You can always duck into one of Tempe’s cool venues for great live music or the Tempe Improv where top comics will keep you laughing.  Here are a few suggestions. View a complete listing of Tempe events or call 480-894-8158 for more information.

• July 6: Open Jam with Chuck E Baby; July 8: Shawn Johnson & the Paper Snowmen with Special Guest Troy Luccketta of Tesla, Rula Bula Irish Pub & Restaurant
• July 7: Thai Rivera; July 8-10: Godfrey, Tempe Improv
• July 7: Eric Johnson; July 8: AWOL Nation with Idle Red; July 10: Reel Big Fish / Streetlight Manifesto, Marquee Theater
• July 8: Keep Metal Alive, Red Owl/Club Red
• July 8: Mixology; July 9: Ratio, Tempe Marketplace District Stage
• July 8: Andrea Torzala; July 9: Colton Avery, Tempe Marketplace Barnes & Noble Fountain
• July 9: Family Fun Day, ASU Art Museum
• July 9: Capital Down; July 10: Music on the Patio with Shelby James, Rula Bula Irish Pub & Restaurant
• July 10: Trevor Rogers and The Wilderness, Cadillac Ranch
• July 10: Jazz Jam Session with the Jeff Libman Trio, Robbie Fox’s Public House

Are you looking for something fun and exciting to do this weekend, July 8-12? Then check out the MLB All-Star Fan Fest in Downtown Phoenix. The MLB All-Star FanFest is an interactive baseball theme park and the largest baseball fan event in the world. It features interactive exhibits and attractions, Major League clinics and seminars, free autograph sessions with D-backs legends, memorabilia and much more for fans of all ages.

The MLB All-Star FanFest stages from Friday, July 8th to Tuesday, July 12th at the Phoenix Convention Center and is open to fans from 9 am to 8 pm (Tuesday July 12th, 9 am to 6 pm). All attractions are included in the ticket and prices start at $25 for Kids and $30 for adults with special family packs available. There is also a special $10 ticket price on Tuesday, July 12 in honor of the 10th Anniversary of the D-backs World Series win.

One quick tip for all of you staying in Tempe. The Phoenix Convention Center is easily accessible via the Valley Metro Light Rail! For only $3.50 for a day pass you will be able to beat traffic, avoid parking fees and enjoy a convenient ride right to the doors of the Phoenix Convention Center and of course back to your home base in Tempe.

This All-Star Fan Fest video will give you a preview of what you can experience at this dream event for baseball fans.