Hi Scottsdale & Phoenix,

Earlier this week, we invited you to Camelot — now we’re taking things one step further with a full-on medieval experience.

🏰 Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament

🤓 Friday Fun Facts

🗞️ Weekly Roundup of news and events

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🍽️Dining

A Medieval Feast and Tournament Experience in Scottsdale

​Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament is a one-of-a-kind dinner theater in Scottsdale, Arizona, where guests enjoy a medieval-themed tournament, live entertainment, and a four-course meal inside a castle-like arena.

• The castle experience: Located at 9051 East Via de Ventura, Medieval Times delivers an immersive experience filled with jousting knights, sword fights, beautiful horses, and crowd-cheering action. Guests are assigned to color-coded sections to support their knight throughout the tournament, making the atmosphere exciting for families, birthday celebrations, and group outings. The venue’s castle-inspired design and live falconry performances make the night feel even more memorable.

• The dining experience is just as entertaining as the show itself, with guests enjoying a four-course meal entirely by hand while watching knights battle in the arena. The menu includes tomato soup, garlic bread, roasted chicken, potatoes, corn, and dessert, making it a hearty and fun medieval-inspired feast. Raising a goblet is part of the full experience, with the venue offering beer, cocktails, wine, and non-alcoholic drinks before and during the show, along with themed souvenir cups guests can take home.

Ticket prices typically start around $70 to $90 per person, depending on seating, packages, and show dates, making it a unique dinner-and-show experience that combines entertainment and comfort food in one unforgettable evening.

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🤓Friday Fun Facts

Presented by Roxx Vodka, the 2026 Spring Arizona Restaurant Week returns May 15-24. Start making your dining plans to enjoy course menus, most of which are curated only for this event, priced at $33, $44, or $55 per person.

Question: As of today, how many participating restaurants are taking part in Spring Arizona Restaurant Week?

A. 200
​B. 235
​C. 270

Check My Answer

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🗞️Weekly Roundup

🔗Camelot Homes holds the Brunch and Browse event from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on May 16. ​

With brunch bites from Amelia’s by EAT, and complimentary coffee and matcha from the Halcyon Coffee Cart, guests are invited to explore the Camelot Homes Design Studio, connect with industry partners, and discover the latest trends in luxury homebuilding. It's a free event but space is limited. Kindly RSVP to reserve a spot. Location: Camelot Homes Design Studio 6607 N Scottsdale Rd.

🔗Valley spots, including Scottsdale spa and restaurants, roll out Mother’s Day celebrations​​

Mother’s Day in the Valley (May 10) brings a wide range of brunches, treats, and experiences designed to celebrate moms in style. Local spots, including AWAY Spa at W Scottsdale, CALA Scottsdale, and The Capital Grille, are offering special ways to mark the occasion.

🔗Arizona Pickleball boom fuels push for official state sport​​

Scottsdale’s JZ Holmes tops the PPA 12U boys doubles rankings as pickleball booms in Arizona. Amid the sport’s rapid growth, a local advocate is pushing to make it the state’s official sport.

🔗Scottsdale introduces a new way to explore Old Town with the launch of Experience Passport​

Guests can visit participating locations (40 businesses offering special promotions), collect stamps, and enter weekly drawings for $100 prizes while creating their own itinerary through shops, dining spots, and public art around Scottsdale. Please see the link to check how it works.

🔗O.M.G. returns to Jazzbird Nights with a genre-blending show​

O.M.G. (Our Musical Genre), a Jazzbird Nights favorite, returns with an electrifying performance blending bluegrass, jazz, classical, and country into one unforgettable show on May 15. Featuring standout artists, the group promises a night of dynamic musical artistry and crowd-pleasing hits. Tickets range from $35–$50. Location: Ravenscroft, 8445 E. Hartford Drive, Scottsdale, AZ 85255.

🔗Free Healing Hospitality Sound Bath Series at Shanti Sound​

Healing Hospitality is hosting a free Sound Bath Series for hospitality professionals at Shanti Sound on May 18 & June 15, featuring calming sound healing with gongs and crystal bowls for deep relaxation and renewal. Location: Shanti Sound, 8010 East McDowell Road.

🔗Cosanti Originals offers hands-on casting workshop and monthly guided tours​​

​Cosanti Originals is hosting its Casting Cosanti workshop on May 15, offering a hands-on experience in creating cast plaster tiles using desert-inspired techniques, along with a guided tour and design session ($125, limited to 15 participants). Guided tours of Cosanti are also available throughout the month.

🔗Mimosas & Mom at Cactus Flower Florists​

Cactus Flower Florists in Scottsdale will host a hands-on floral design class on Friday, May 15, from 3 to 5 p.m. Guests will create a custom arrangement while enjoying mimosas and learning expert design tips. The experience is $85 per person, with all materials and drinks included.

🔗Arizona Restaurant Association hosts Spring Golf Classic May 19​

The Arizona Restaurant Association will host its Annual Spring Golf Classic on Tuesday, May 19, starting at 9:30 a.m. with breakfast, networking, and a shotgun start at 11:00 a.m. The event features golf, raffles, and a silent auction, with proceeds benefiting the AZ Restaurant Strong Fund. Winners and dinner will be announced after the play. Register to play here.

Thank you for reading today’s newsletter! If you enjoyed our weekend round-up, don’t forget to share it with someone looking for a castle-like experience or the perfect spot to celebrate Mother’s Day.

—Ben Murray | Founder @ Desert Rundown

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