LOWDOWN

NOTES OF FALL

Embrace the impending cooler temperatures with Scottsdale Quarter’s Fall Concert Series. The free event, which takes place in The Quad, will kick off Sept. 11 from 5 to 7 p.m. with a performance by international touring country band Chad Freeman & Redline. The series will run every Saturday at the same time through Oct. 23. The remaining lineup includes rock bands, country rock bands, high-energy dance bands and more. In addition to live music, attendees can also peruse work by local artists. www.scottsdalequarter.com.

BOOKS & BREWS

Mountain Shadows is celebrating National Read A Book Day (Sept. 6) with the launch of its new Library Coffee Cart. The pop-up experience, featuring design-focused books and creative coffee drinks, will be offered Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Hotel guests and locals alike can head to The Living Room, where they will find the cart, along with books from TASCHEN’s beautiful Bibliotheca Universalis series, with design, art, and fashion titles. Drinks offered include the iced Design Nut, with two shots of espresso, cola, turbinado syrup, black walnut bitters, and whole-milk foam; and the Coconut Matcha Latte, which is made with coconut milk, matcha, maple syrup, vanilla, and cinnamon, available hot or iced. www. mountainshadows.com.

TAKING FLIGHT

Renata’s Hearth, one of the new concepts launched with Arizona Biltmore’s recent renovations, is a dinner-only destination serving up modern Latin cuisine. The restaurant recently unveiled a lineup of spirit and cocktail flights, hand-selected by Renata Hearth’s “flight attendant.” Options include tequila, vermouth and cocktail flights, all designed to pair with signature menu items such as Kumiai oysters, wagyu New York steak and roasted Chilean sea bass. Diners can choose from four tequila and mezcal flights (each featuring four tastes), one vermouth flight (featuring four tastes), and two cocktail flights (featuring three tastes) showcasing mixed liquors. The restaurant is also offering to-go cocktails, which serve six people. www. renatashearth.com.

IT’S ELECTRIC!

Known for its luxury electric vehicles, Lucid Motors launched its first Arizona retail location at Scottsdale Fashion Square last month. While at the Lucid Studio, visitors can experience the Lucid Air and learn more about the brand’s full lineup, with plans for a separate Lucid service center to open later this year. The company, which has a manufacturing plant in Casa Grande, Arizona, sells high-performance electric vehicles offering 500-plus miles of projected range on a single charge and quarter mile times as low as 9.9 seconds. Models start at $77,400. www.lucidmotors.com.

SIPS FOR ALL

Maple & Ash’s brunch is already the talk of the town and the hot spot is giving diners another reason to spread the word: large format drinks. Available during the day, these new shareable sippers – which join the restaurant’s tableside mimosa service – serve two to four (or more!) people. Options ($65-$125) include tequila-based B.A.E. (Big Agave Energy), rum-based Boujee & Boozy, and vodka-based Spill the Tea. Those visiting the surf-and-turf destination for dinner should keep an eye out for the whiskey and mezcal flights, which are also a new menu addition. www. mapleandash.com.

GRAPE EXPEDITIONS

The Wine Wagon recently launched, allowing Scottsdale residents and visitors alike a seamless way to travel to and from Arizona’s popular wine region. Hop on the luxe bus and enjoy a full day of exploring the Verde Valley’s wine country. Seats to Cornville must be booked in advance and guests will meet the bus at a North Scottsdale location, where they will travel to three wineries before heading back home. Wineries are dependent on occupancy at each location but may include: Oak Creek Vineyard and Winery, DA Ranch, Javalina Leap or Page Springs Cellars. Individual tickets are available ($99) and The Wine Wagon can also be rented out entirely ($2,500) for groups. Wine tastings and lunch not included in ticket price www.azwinewagon.com.

GREAT UPCOMING EVENTS

BY ELIZABETH LIBERATORE

Picnic for a Purpose

Sept. 11, The Farm at South Mountain

September is an optimal time to picnic in the Valley, as summer temperatures begin to transition to fall. Enjoy cooler climates this month with the Gentry Foundation for Autism at its fourth annual fundraiser — this year's theme is Picnic for a Purpose. Gourmet picnic baskets, live and silent auctions, an open bar and a craft beer truck, live music by Rock Lobster, and more are on the evening’s agenda. All event proceeds will help further the organization’s mission to decrease the average age of autism diagnosis for families in financial need so that their children can access early intervention services. 5:30-10 p.m. Individual baskets, $250; Couples baskets, $450. www.thegentryfoundation.org.

Women Against MS Luncheon

Sept. 17, Arizona Biltmore

Women Against MS (WAMS), a nationwide education fundraising campaign that creates an empowering environment for women living with multiple sclerosis (MS), cordially invites you to the Women Against MS Luncheon. Learn more about MS and celebrate the strength of those living with it. There will be a delicious lunch, an auction, an opportunity to learn more about WAMS’ impactful work, and a keynote address by international artist, cancer survivor, and spokeswoman for the MS Society Lydia Emily. Event proceeds will benefit the National Multiple Sclerosis Society of Phoenix. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. $100. e.givesmart.com/events/mJg.

Limitless Potential Brunch

Sept. 18, Omni Scottsdale Resort and Spa at Montelucia

Girls on the Run (GOTR) is creating a world where every girl knows and activates her limitless potential and is free to pursue her dreams. The Limitless Potential Brunch, hosted by the GOTR Maricopa and Pinal Counties Council, will allow attendees to support the organization’s empowering mission and vision. The event will feature a delicious brunch, cocktails, a keynote speech given by The New York Times bestselling author Kate Parker, a silent auction, goodie bags, and more. Olivia Fierro, 3TV Good Morning Arizona anchor, will emcee the event. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. (Registration opens at 10:30 a.m.). $150. www.gotrmc.org.

Evening to Paws

Sept. 25, Omni Scottsdale Resort and Spa at Montelucia

Over the past 50 years, Arizona Animal Welfare and League (AAWL), the state’s oldest and largest no-kill shelter, has saved the lives of more than 100,000 animals. For its golden anniversary, AAWL invites you to the Evening to Paws Annual Gala, a critical fundraiser that continues to support the shelter’s mission. Dress to impress in black and gold cocktail attire and enjoy a live and silent auction, craft cocktails, dinner, live entertainment, and more. Here’s to 50 more years of giving animals a second chance to find a loving home. 6-9 p.m. $250. www.eveningtopaws.org.

Arizona Smiles

Oct. 1, Downtown Phoenix

Nonprofit Smiles and Beyond provides the gift of a new smile to survivors of domestic violence and former incarceration based entirely on donations and volunteer dentists and labs. The organization’s annual fundraiser, themed Arizona sunset happy hour this year, supports all things local and the nonprofit's mission. Join Arizona Smiles for a sunset happy hour at 360 E. Coronado Road, Phoenix. There will be live music, food, drinks and plenty of fun! In keeping with the local theme, attendees are encouraged to stay downtown and enjoy First Fridays on Roosevelt Row. 5:30 p.m. $45. www.smilesandbeyond.org.

Connections of Hope Gala

Oct. 1, Omni Scottsdale Resort and Spa at Montelucia

Don your best cocktail chic attire to celebrate the Valley’s youth at Connections of Hope Gala, Teen Lifeline’s largest fundraiser. Attendees will enjoy dinner, live and silent auctions, an award ceremony, and entertainment by local youth. President and CEO of Mercy Care Lorry Bottrill will be the evening’s honoree. The memorable evening supports the lifesaving work of Teen Lifeline, a nonprofit that prevents teen suicide in Arizona through several programs, including a peer-to-peer hotline that offers connections of hope to troubled teens daily. 6 p.m. $300. www.teenlifeline.org.