Things to Do in Scottsdale AZ: Late August and September 2012

Looking for something to do in Scottsdale and the surrounding areas? Here's an overview of some events coming up in the greater Scottsdale area over late August and September 2012.

- The Secret Garden musical - From August 31 to October 6, the Hale Theater in Gilbert is staging a production of The Secret Garden. Sit back and enjoy this long-treasured and award-wining story.

-  Sustainable Edible Gardening - August 25th - The Maricopa County Cooperative Extension is holding a class on how to create a low-maintenance, sustainable and edible garden. They will even be covering some edible plants of the more exotic variety. If you cannot make this class, on September 5th, there will be a class on how to attract Monarch Butterflies to your garden as they migrate through Arizona.

- Forever in Blue Jeans? One of the most well-loved performers is coming to the Valley on August 29th. Neil Diamond is coming to the US Airways Center in downtown Phoenix to perform. The show starts at 8 o'clock and I'm certain you'll be singing along almost the entire time.

- Between now September 1st, get your cowboy on at the Will Rogers Follies at the Arizona Broadway Theater. Full of big production numbers and modeled after the Ziegfeld Follies, this production about the life of Will Rogers is certain to entertain.

- If you're in the Biltmore area and have some free time, the Arizona Biltmore Resort is hosting a Marilyn Monroe exhibit called The Marilyn Paintings: Portraits of the Goddess by Ludvic. It will be in place until September 5 and entrance to this exhibit is complimentary.

- Phoenix Cooks! returns on September 4th. This is the eighth installment of this great food and kitchen show. It will showcase many top area chefs and dining establishments. There will be classes, tastings, a raffle and more.  Phoenix Cooks! will take place at the Westin Kierland in Scottsdale on September 1 from 10 AM to 3 PM.

- Les Miserables is back by popular demand and will be playing at ASU's Gammage theater between September 11 and 16. This was well-received before and should be even better this time around.

- Ballet Arizona is performing Ballet Under the Stars from September 20 through September 29. These family-friendly performances are free and will take place all over the Phoenix Valley. Please see the link for the different locations.

- And one final classic music performance... On September 4th, Crosby, Stills and Nash will be performing at the Phoenix Convention Center in Symphony Hall. It should be a great show in a beautiful setting in downtown in Phoenix.

Once again, this is just a quick snapshot of some upcoming events. Please feel free to add any others in the comment section.

Originally posted on Live Better in Scottsdale