Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers

Tempe Arizona Light Rail Kickoff

Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers to perform at Destination: Tempe light rail opening event Tempe Arizona

Tempe Arizona light rail opening event  features Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers to perform.  Entertainment, family activities and free rides to mark light rail’s debut in Tempe, Arizona. What’s there to do in the Valley once the presents are unwrapped and the holiday leftovers have been gobbled up? Party in Tempe, of course!  The city is gearing up for a major celebration in conjunction with the opening of light rail on Saturday, Dec. 27, and has arranged a terrific lineup of entertainment to mark the occasion. Destination: Tempe includes the light rail grand opening, the Insight Bowl, Insight Fiesta Bowl Block Party, APS Fantasy of Lights, P.F. Chang’s Rock ‘N’ Roll Marathon and other fun celebrations of the season.

Residents across the Valley will mark the opening of the new 20-mile light rail system with parties along the alignment on Saturday, Dec. 27. That day in Tempe, there will be free celebrations at five of the city’s nine light rail stations, with a centerpiece community party from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. near the new Tempe Transportation Center at Fifth Street and College Avenue. The new Tempe Transportation Center also will be celebrated Dec. 27, alongside the light rail festivities. As the transit hub of Tempe, the center serves local and regional bus patrons and, starting in late December, light rail riders.  Arizona band Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers will headline Tempe’s main light rail station celebration from 4:15 to 5:30 p.m. In addition, the Chris Parker Project will play two sets on the main stage from 2-3:45 p.m. Chuck E. Baby and the Allstars will play from 10 a.m. to noon, and Ringo McLennonSon will play from noon to 2 p.m. Fireworks over “A” Mountain will wrap up the day starting at 5:30 p.m.

Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers’ well-known passion for green causes makes the band an especially good fit for Tempe’s biggest light rail celebration, which will focus on environmental sustainability. Clyne, an Arizona State University alumnus, started The Refreshments in the 1990s, which evolved into Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers. Current band members include Clyne, P.H. Naffah, lead guitarist Steve Larson and bassist Nick Scropos. Their latest CD, Turbo Ocho, was released in March. More information about the band is available at www.azpeacemakers.com. A downloadable photo of the band is available at Tempe’s Web site  The Chris Parker Project, headed by Mix 96.9 FM disc jockey Chris Parker, is a popular cover band that performs the work of diverse artists from the country, hip-hop and rock genres. CPP’s unique sound includes a lively horn section and the powerful voice of lead singer Chris Parker. More information about the band is available at www.chrisparkerproject.com.

Chuck E. Baby and the Allstars is a lively Arizona cover band – more information is at www.chuckebaby.com. Ringo McLennonSon is a local Beatles tribune band – more information is at www.ringomclennonson.com.

Beyond the tents and attractions at Tempe’s largest party Dec. 27, there will be parties from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the light rail stations at: Priest Drive and Washington Street; Third Street and Mill Avenue; Dorsey Lane and Apache Boulevard; and Apache Boulevard and the Loop 101.

From Dec. 29 through Jan. 15, the Tempe Rail Rewards program will allow shoppers to collect 10 punches from participating businesses and be entered into a drawing for prizes such as a $250 US Airways gift card, tickets to the upcoming Childsplay production of Busytown and more. The drawing will take place Jan. 16. For more information and to get an entry form, visit www.destinationtempe.com. For questions, e-mail business@tempe.gov or call 480-858-2059.

Just a few days after riding the rail, head over to Sun Devil Stadium on Wednesday, Dec. 31, to cheer on the Big Ten and Big 12 teams playing at the 20th annual Insight Bowl. The game kicks-off at 4 p.m. Tickets are available at www.insightbowl.org. Football fans can continue the festivities at the Insight Fiesta Bowl Block Party on the night of Dec.  31 in the Mill Avenue District. More than 100,000 revelers are expected to attend Arizona’s biggest and best midnight countdown event.

All things Destination: Tempe can be found at www.destinationtempe.com – check the site for updates each week until the event.

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