Summer entertainment heats up in The Valley
Something that college students often have to look forward to, going into summer, are the events that are organized during the time many take off from school. Concerts are a chance for fans to experience the music they love live, and also often serve as an opportunity to be exposed to acts they had never heard prior to an event. An annual event, the Vans Warped Tour has made a stop in Arizona for many years, and draws large crowds every time it does. Asking Alexandria is just one of many bands in a long list of performers that are slated to appear on stage when the tour comes to Mesa, on June 23 at Quail Run Park. To find out more information about the Vans Warped Tour visit www.vanswarpedtour.com.
MICHELLE CHANCE / Mesa Legend
Those that are looking to be entertained might also enjoy taking a trip to downtown Mesa, taking in a play or watching a musical, of which there are many scheduled at the Mesa Arts Center this summer.One particular show of note that will appear there is The Wizard of Oz, an adaptation to stage intended for all ages May 8 – 10, as well as May 15 – 17. To find out more about this and other shows at the Mesa Arts Center, visit www.mesaartscenter.com.
The summertime is also a great time to explore the wider world, outside of the classroom. Arizona has many travel destinations to choose from; one of the most prominent is the Grand Canyon. Grand Canyon National Park is an area rich with beauty and history, and is the one of the nation’s oldest national parks. Established in 1919, though it was federally protected in 1893, archaeological artifacts have been found that date back more than 10,000 years. There are a variety of options available to those looking to make the journey north to the park.
There are free shuttles from the South Rim, that take visitors to various areas of the park, with lodgings available to those that make reservations. Those looking to spend some time outdoors can also reserve a spot at one of the campgrounds designated at the park, though one can also camp elsewhere as long as certain conditions are met. There are three Native American reservations that border the park, and camping on reservation land is only allowed if one has a tribal permit.
