From the Editor:
Welcome to WE NXF, The Nextgen Art of Local Discovery.
Phoenix is visibly shifting into spring. Days are warming, patios are prepped to open (if they haven’t already), outdoor markets are starting up again, trails are buzzing, and even larger desert events are on the horizon. Locals are shedding winter layers and stepping into sun-filled mornings and long, golden evenings — the unmistakable cue that spring is waking up in Phoenix.
— Lionel Reddick Jr.
Editor-in-Chief
The Art of Local
Local is not small.
Local is foundational.
This publication will:
• spotlight real creators and ideas in real time
• celebrate experience over promotion
• document culture before it’s labeled
This publication will not:
• recycle the obvious
• center trends detached from place
• treat Phoenix as a backdrop
We document momentum.
We value depth.
We move with purpose.
This is WE NXF.
The Art of Local.
The Pulse
Patio Energy Is Back
What’s happening: Outdoor tables are full again.
Where you feel it: Roosevelt Row, Arcadia, Central Phoenix corridors.
Why it matters: Patio season is Phoenix’s social reset. Conversations stretch longer. Happy hours spill into sunsets.
Outdoor Markets Are Buzzing
A few great options in the Phoenix area:
Uptown Farmers Market — Local produce + strong neighborhood turnout
Downtown Phoenix Farmers Market — Vendors, music, downtown energy
Desert Hiking Culture Peaks (Before the Heat)
Trails filling up:
• Camelback Mountain
• Piestewa Peak
• South Mountain Park
Best time: Sunrise + sunset
Why now: This is the sweet spot before triple digits return.
Early Festival Momentum
Happening now / building soon:
Melrose Street Fair — Vendors, live music, neighborhood energy
Cactus League Spring Training — Packed stadiums across the Valley
Arizona Renaissance Festival — Outdoor market + performance culture
It’s not peak festival season yet — but the calendar is swelling.
The Scout
Get to know a Phoenix’s lifestyle and outdoor culture creator:
Outdoor creative to watch.
@selma_explores — Outdoor & Travel Creator
Who she is: Selma Escobar is a Phoenix-based content creator who highlights hikes, parks, scenic spots, and outdoor experiences across Arizona’s desert and mountain landscapes. Her feed blends adventurous trail shots with travel tips and eye-catching photography that resonates with valley explorers and weekend wanderers alike.
Why she’s worth following:
- Focuses on local hikes and outdoor spots around Phoenix and Arizona
- Great visuals that inspire people to explore nature before summer heat
- Content useful for both locals (new spots to try) and visitors (what to see)
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/selma_explores
The Experience
Here is a place to experience exploration, social content, and genuine local engagement:
A Space Rooted in Culture
Option 1: Sunset at Hole-in-the-Rock
Go: 45–60 minutes before sunset
Walk: ~0.3 miles, easy climb
Vibe: Laid-back, social, golden-hour glow
An effortless way to tap into spring energy. The rock naturally frames the skyline, the desert light hits differently this time of year, and the whole experience feels very Phoenix — simple, scenic, shared.
Option 2: Saturday Morning at Uptown Farmers Market
Go: Early (before 10 a.m.)
Stay for: Coffee, citrus, local makers
Vibe: Community-forward, open-air, slow morning
Simple. Seasonal. Very Phoenix.
The Next
In our upcoming issue: Women Building Phoenix — Founders. Organizers. Creatives. Leaders shaping the city as it moves into its most social season.
Stay tuned.