Writer Shannon Severson
While there’s certainly nothing wrong with being a regular at your favorite restaurant or routinely participating in a beloved hobby, sometimes it’s nice to break with routine and try something out of the ordinary.
What better month for novelty than one that celebrates love and friendship? Whether with a significant other, family or dear friends, Arizona is replete with date nights that are different — and sometimes even daring!
On Cloud Wine
There’s love language and then there’s wine language, but it doesn’t have to be complicated. The Wine Collective owner Zoya Vora-Shah invites guests at her Scottsdale tasting room and bottle shop to sample sips and sweets or use their senses to try new varietals and learn about wine in ways that enhance enjoyment.
Among Vora-Shah’s offerings are sensory wine tastings, prepaid experiences by appointment for four or more participants that are available year-round, but make for a great double-date or friends night. A presentation of 150 aromas and six varietals teaches the language of wine in an approachable way, mimicking how the owner herself first learned about enjoying wine and pairing it with food.
“It’s a deep dive,” Vora-Shah says, “[It’s] a wonderful experience to have with anyone who loves wine and wants to get into understanding more about it. The experience is unique to any place in the valley and opens up a new way to enjoy wine. My passion is really to decipher wine and make it more approachable.”
Sweets for My Sweetie is another option that is being offered Feb. 14–18. Vora-Shah makes it a priority to partner with woman-owned businesses, and this pairing of wine with chocolates and other sweet treats will focus on products from local female artisans. The tasting can incorporate red wine, white wine or bubbles, according to guest preference.
Pillars of Passion
Frank Lloyd Wright’s desert masterpiece becomes the backdrop for sunset viewing, wine sipping and socializing as guests can walk along the pathways of the estate and visit one or two indoor spaces.
Sunsets and Sips events run 5–7 p.m. on Feb. 8, 14 and 22. This is the architectural treasure’s most popular program, joined by the live musical performances of TW Live and the In Conversation speaker series, which “explores the connections between architecture, art and nature.” An informal, hosted conversation brings the audience and experts together; four of the eight sessions for the year will be online.
“At Taliesin West, we use our cultural programming to bring people together and to give our local residents a reason — beyond tours — to visit and enjoy the property,” says Alexandra Freyermuth, Taliesin West’s manager of cultural programs. “Programs like [these] offer guests ways to connect with each other while they enjoy the beauty of Wright’s work.”
Arizona’s own classical jazz musician, Richard Brennan, will bring his original music to Taliesin West’s Garden Room on Feb. 17 from 6 to 8 p.m. Brennan’s soulful compositions are characterized as best experienced live and in person.
Films and Flirtations
Take in a movie under the stars at Harkins Moonlight Cinema as a Scottsdale Fashion Square rooftop is transformed into an open-air cinematic experience showing classic films — which change weekly — every Friday and Saturday night for a ticket cost of $14.50. It’s an attraction that has been in the works for a while and has been well-attended since its debut in October 2021, with many sold out showings.
“We had been planning for Moonlight Cinema ever since we opened our Camelview at Fashion Square location and saw the views from the top level,” says Harkins Theatres president and CEO Mike Bowers. “We are always looking to create unique moviegoing experiences. Arizona’s beautiful evenings and luminous night skies were a perfect fit for an open-air cinema experience where movie lovers and families can snuggle up and experience their favorite classic movies under the stars. The response from our guests has been phenomenal.”
High-tech touches like wireless stereo headphones deliver the best sound to each guest as they settle in on lounge chairs in front of a huge screen. It’s “BYOB” — Bring Your Own Blanket, but blankets, beanies and scarves can also be purchased at the venue. The usual Harkins concessions are offered, including hot cocoa, and there is a selection of wines, local beers, espresso drinks, cocktails and “The Stardust,” a Moonlight Cinema exclusive.
I Wanna Be Loved Bayou
As they say in New Orleans, “Laissez les bons temps rouler!”
The Phoenix Symphony brings the sounds of a Mardi Gras street parade to the Orpheum Theatre Feb. 23–25 as part of its APS Pops Series. Bring your belle or beau as audiences are served a steaming hot helping of New Orleans jazz. It’s all being led by Byron Stripling, a trumpeter, singer and conductor who will “stand in for Satchmo” on “St. Louis Blues” and will sing “What a Wonderful World,” all while conducting the symphony’s talented musicians on music synonymous with New Orleans natives, including Fats Domino and Mahalia Jackson.
Riddles and Romance
The fun of a scavenger hunt and the charm of a picnic meal in a scenic location come together in one unique adventure. Once a Mystery Picnic Date is reserved and paid for, a set of clues arrives in your inbox. Solving the clues leads primarily to locally owned small businesses for elements of the picnic, a point of interest or scenery stop, and the final location: a park where you can spread out your picnic blanket and enjoy the fruits of your clever clue-solving.
“A Mystery Picnic Date is one of our most popular experiences, making it a great option for Valentine’s Day,” says Samantha Schuster, U.S. delivery team lead for the Australian parent company AmazingCo. “Not only do you get to explore an area together while solving riddles and clues, but you also have the chance to get to know each other better through fun games and conversation starters designed to create a deeper connection.”
Your adventure can be arranged either in town — Scottsdale or downtown Tempe — or a bit further away in Prescott or Sedona. Upgrade options for a hot drink to kickstart the day, an extra snack or a bottle of wine can be added to many experiences. Most cities are a mix of driving and walking to the destinations, but it varies. Participants say that even if they’re locals, they enjoy visiting a place or two to which they’ve never been. The company also offers gift cards.
Queen of Hearts
Enjoy a “through-the-looking-glass” evening in a secret Phoenix location as part of the “Alice in Wonderland’ Pop-Up Cocktail Experience. Guests 21 and older step into Alice’s Mary Janes and travel to a lavishly outfitted Wonderland, following the White Rabbit to encounter the Caterpillar and White Queen through an adventure that features riddles and hidden secrets in mirrors, a human-scale chess match, and a croquet game.
At $47, the whimsical 90-minute journey includes a welcome drink, two bespoke cocktails and a sweet treat. There are also family-friendly versions of the party, hosted by the White Queen.
Courtship on the Court
Sometimes it’s fun to add a little competition to date night. Pickleball is a sport that is easy to play, even if you haven’t done so before. Chicken & Pickle, located in Glendale’s Westgate Entertainment District, features indoor and outdoor pickleball courts, yard games, a full restaurant and a bar.
“Once you get a paddle in someone’s hands, they fall in love with the game,” says CJ Hoyt, the venue’s pickleball manager.
On Feb. 21, the venue will host a Sweetheart Pickleball Tournament for both social and competitive players. One week earlier, on Valentine’s Day, it will host an interactive murder mystery dinner and dessert show for guests 21 and older.
Love is in the Air
A hot air balloon ride may be the bucket list date you’ve dreamed of, a memorable adventure to celebrate a milestone or maybe even a way to pop the question “on cloud nine.” Rainbow Ryders will offer a $165 Valentine’s Day gift certificate special Feb. 1–14 for rides beginning on Feb. 19. Baskets accommodate 12–14 passengers.
“Here at Rainbow Ryders, love takes flight in a hot air balloon,” says Scott Appelman, the company’s founder and CEO. “Drift through the clouds, share breathtaking views and create timeless memories checking off a bucket list item together. In the sky, every date, wedding or proposal becomes an elevated celebration of love.”
Early birds can enjoy morning sunrises while floating over the Sonoran Desert. Evening rides afford views of the brilliant sunsets of Arizona legend. Every flight ends with a celebratory champagne toast and refreshments back on the ground.
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