'Discover Phoenix' invites students to engage with their community

Arizona State University is offering the “Discover Phoenix” series on the Downtown Phoenix campus to help students engage with the thriving community that surrounds them.     

The program exposes students to a wide range of cultural, sports and entertainment options near campus. This year’s lineup features events ranging from a community bike ride to a comedy showcase to arts and cultural festivals.

“This year, we strove to make the series eclectic, offering something for the variety of tastes and interests we know students have,” said Liz Smith, outreach director for the university vice provost’s office on the Downtown Phoenix campus. “The season kicks off with a local favorite, the First Friday Art Walk, and ends with ice skating in the desert at CityScape – and stops at numerous iconic local landmarks along the way.”

The series begins as ASU launches the Urban Devil smartphone app, designed by students in the New Media Innovation Lab at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication to help students find things to do on campus and in the surrounding area.

The Downtown Phoenix campus is home to close to 10,000 full-time students pursuing academic programs in the College of Health Solutions, the College of Nursing and Health Innovation, the College of Public Programs, the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College, the School of Letters and Sciences and the Cronkite School.

Information on each event can be found on the Urban Devil app or at urbandevil.asu.edu. All events are open to ASU students, faculty and staff.

The Discover Phoenix series starts Sept. 7 with the monthly First Friday Art Walk. Subsequent events will take place throughout the semester.

The full schedule:

First Friday Art Walk
7 p.m., Sept. 7
Arizona Science Center, 600 E. Washington St., Phoenix, AZ 85004

Start at the Arizona Science Center and make your way to Roosevelt Row to experience the best of downtown Phoenix’s cutting-edge arts scene.

Critical Mass Bike Outing
7 p.m., Sept. 28
Steele Indian School Park, 300 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85012

Meet bicyclists from around the Valley at this event to spread awareness about bicycles and cars sharing the road. Relax after the ride with free food in Civic Space Park.

Herberger Art Festival
noon, Oct. 6
Herberger Theater Center, 222 E. Monroe St., Phoenix, AZ 85004

The third annual Festival of the Arts in downtown Phoenix features performances by local theater groups as well as live music, dance, film shorts and food.

Grand Avenue Festival
noon, Oct. 20
Oasis on Grand, 1501 NW Grand Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85007

Experience the revitalized Lower Grand Avenue Arts and Small Business District as participating businesses celebrate art, culture and adaptive re-use.

Healthful Cooking Demo
7 p.m., Oct. 30
Fair Trade Café, 424 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85004

Ingrid Hirtz, your “community cook,” shares recipes you can prepare right in your residence hall with fresh, local ingredients.

Comedy Showcase: Jill Bryan
8 p.m., Nov. 28, 8 p.m.
Stand Up Live, 50 W. Jefferson St. #200, Phoenix, AZ 85003

Check out comedy headliner Jill Bryan, the brains and voice behind the weekly segment “What a Mouth” on the nationally syndicated “Lu Valentino Show.”

Ice Skating in the Desert
7 p.m., Dec. 8
CityScape, 1 E. Washington St., Phoenix, AZ 85004

Lace up and enjoy seasonal ice skating at CityScape. Follow that with holiday shopping and dining to make it a triple axel.