Fans of Lil Dicky‘s semi-autobiographical show Dave are going to have to wait a bit for season four. Today (February 1), Variety reported that Dave has been paused at FX Networks.
The news arrives weeks after Lil Dicky, whose real name is David Burd, released the soundtrack album for Dave, titled Penith. The album also marked his first long-form audio release in almost nine years.
“After some back and forth, there are no current plans for a fourth season of Dave right now, as Dave Burd has decided to take an extended break to focus on music and other ventures,” FX said in a statement. “That does not rule out the possibility of doing something in the future. We love the show and sincerely appreciate the creative excellence Dave, Jeff Schaffer, the cast and crew delivered with every episode. We are excited that our partnership with Dave will continue as he develops future projects for us through his overall production deal with FXP.”
The show first premiered in 2020, telling the story of a fictional version of Dicky’s struggle to be taken seriously as a rapper. The third season, which premiered last year, sees Dicky on a cross-country tour, filming a documentary in hopes to find the love of his life.
“Making Dave has been and continues to be a dream come true,” said Dicky in a statement. “But there are other creative ventures that I am dying to pursue as well,” Burd said. “For the past 5 years, I’ve poured every fiber of my being into the show, and after three amazing seasons, this feels like a good time to press pause to give myself the bandwidth to do some of the other things I have always wanted to do. I am beyond excited about what I have planned for the future and am enormously appreciative of FX for their continued partnership.”
The 2024 NBA All-Star rosters are now set, with the coaches’ selections for the 14 reserves being announced on Thursday night. As is always the case, there are a number of players that will feel they met the criteria for an All-Star berth only to get left off of the rosters.
This year felt like there was a particularly deep pool of deserving candidates, which makes for fertile ground for snub talk. The truth is, there aren’t enough roster spots for how many All-Star caliber players exist in the NBA today. Everyone on the 12-man roster for the East and West has a deserving case, as do these players that sit on the outside looking in. As always, there’s the potential for injury replacements to pull some of these names into the festivities in Indianapolis, but for now they’ll just have to try and turn it into some positive motivation going forward.
The Celtics boast the NBA’s best record and while Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown rightfully grab headlines, the addition of Kristaps Porzingis has unlocked another level for Boston on offense. Porzingis doesn’t have the gaudy stats of some of his other All-Star contenders, but watching Boston play, it’s impossible not to see how vital he is to their success. Even with a middling year as a three-point shooter, he’s having a career-year with efficiency overall, providing Boston with not just floor spacing from the center position but a much-needed cutting and rolling threat at the rim. Ultimately, his lower games played total and averages being a level below the other All-Star candidates keeps him off the roster, but given how often coaches reward the league’s best team with a third All-Star, it was a bit surprising to see him left off.
Trae Young (Hawks): 27.0 ppg, 10.9 apg, 2.9 rpg; 42.3/36.8/86.3 shooting; 42 games
Young being left off the All-Star roster (again) is equal parts shocking and not surprising. The Hawks guard is producing at an insane level this season, as the only player in the league averaging 25+ points and 10+ assists per game, and is doing so on strong efficiency. However, the Hawks have underperformed to expectations this season, at times looking like a flat out disaster (especially on defense where Young carries a reputation as a poor defender), and on top of that Young is not exactly a beloved figure within the league, as evidenced by him finishing sixth in both player and media voting. He was left off by the coaches last year with a similar stat line for an underperforming Hawks team, and unfortunately for Young, history repeated itself this year as he fell short in a brutal class of Eastern Conference guards.
Derrick White (Celtics): 15.8 ppg, 4.7 apg, 4.0 rpg; 45.8/40.0/89.5 shooting; 44 games
White’s case is entirely based on his critical importance to the Celtics being the best team in the league, as his two-way brilliance has been vital to Boston holding the NBA’s best record. Unfortunately for White, this is an incredibly deep year for East guards, and as such being a very good point guard on the best team is not enough to land an All-Star nod. White absolutely deserves the praise he’s gotten for his play this season, but this year just wasn’t one where the coaches could ignore some of the other incredible guard performances to get him a roster spot.
There was a time where I thought Barnes was actually going to make the roster with the leap he’s made, but then January happened and the Raptors took a nosedive. Barnes has been terrific this year, but his production has not been outrageous enough to earn him an All-Star nod on a team struggling the way Toronto has. The Raptors clearly believe in Barnes’ upside as a star of the future, as they’ve shifted their organizational plan to building around him long-term. If that pans out, All-Star selections will be part of his future, but for now, he’s on the outside looking in.
Gobert’s always a weird case in these sorts of things. His game isn’t exactly fun to watch, he’ll never create baskets for himself or others, and let’s be frank, his game doesn’t translate to an All-Star game. But at the same time, when it comes to impacting winning, Gobert is up there with anyone else in the league, as he’s the lynchpin of what has been the best defense in the league for more than half of the season. He looks as good as ever on that end of the floor and trying to score at the rim against him continues to seem like a miserable experience. Ultimately, the Wolves were going to get two All-Stars, one being Anthony Edwards, and the coaches went with Towns over Gobert for the other spot.
De’Aaron Fox (Kings): 27.2 ppg, 5.5 apg, 4.1 rpg; 46.7/38.0/72.4 shooting; 40 games
The Kings getting double snubbed is particularly brutal, and one wonders if their two stars split votes among coaches. Fox just keeps finding ways to get better. This year, he’s managed to become a reliable shooter from behind the three-point line, which has long been considered his biggest achilles heel on that end of the floor. On the other side of things, he continues to be one of the best perimeter players in the league at interrupting the flow of an opposing offense, as his steal and deflection numbers are among the best of his career. He just makes good things happen for a Sacramento team that has continued to stay above the Play-In line in the Western Conference.
One of the most unique players in the NBA, Sabonis’ touch around the rim, playmaking, and rebounding are invaluable for the Kings. While De’Aaron Fox shoulders the largest scoring load on the team, Sabonis generally takes care of the rest. Only Nikola Jokic executes more passes per game than the Lithuanian big man, who is a killer when he’s able to direct the Sacramento attack from the nail. A special bonus snub shout out goes to Alperen Sengun of the Houston Rockets, who is brilliant in a similar role on a team that isn’t quite as good as Sacramento.
The 2024 NBA All-Star rosters are now set, with the coaches’ selections for the 14 reserves being announced on Thursday night. As is always the case, there are a number of players that will feel they met the criteria for an All-Star berth only to get left off of the rosters.
This year felt like there was a particularly deep pool of deserving candidates, which makes for fertile ground for snub talk. The truth is, there aren’t enough roster spots for how many All-Star caliber players exist in the NBA today. Everyone on the 12-man roster for the East and West has a deserving case, as do these players that sit on the outside looking in. As always, there’s the potential for injury replacements to pull some of these names into the festivities in Indianapolis, but for now they’ll just have to try and turn it into some positive motivation going forward.
The Celtics boast the NBA’s best record and while Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown rightfully grab headlines, the addition of Kristaps Porzingis has unlocked another level for Boston on offense. Porzingis doesn’t have the gaudy stats of some of his other All-Star contenders, but watching Boston play, it’s impossible not to see how vital he is to their success. Even with a middling year as a three-point shooter, he’s having a career-year with efficiency overall, providing Boston with not just floor spacing from the center position but a much-needed cutting and rolling threat at the rim. Ultimately, his lower games played total and averages being a level below the other All-Star candidates keeps him off the roster, but given how often coaches reward the league’s best team with a third All-Star, it was a bit surprising to see him left off.
Trae Young (Hawks): 27.0 ppg, 10.9 apg, 2.9 rpg; 42.3/36.8/86.3 shooting; 42 games
Young being left off the All-Star roster (again) is equal parts shocking and not surprising. The Hawks guard is producing at an insane level this season, as the only player in the league averaging 25+ points and 10+ assists per game, and is doing so on strong efficiency. However, the Hawks have underperformed to expectations this season, at times looking like a flat out disaster (especially on defense where Young carries a reputation as a poor defender), and on top of that Young is not exactly a beloved figure within the league, as evidenced by him finishing sixth in both player and media voting. He was left off by the coaches last year with a similar stat line for an underperforming Hawks team, and unfortunately for Young, history repeated itself this year as he fell short in a brutal class of Eastern Conference guards.
Derrick White (Celtics): 15.8 ppg, 4.7 apg, 4.0 rpg; 45.8/40.0/89.5 shooting; 44 games
White’s case is entirely based on his critical importance to the Celtics being the best team in the league, as his two-way brilliance has been vital to Boston holding the NBA’s best record. Unfortunately for White, this is an incredibly deep year for East guards, and as such being a very good point guard on the best team is not enough to land an All-Star nod. White absolutely deserves the praise he’s gotten for his play this season, but this year just wasn’t one where the coaches could ignore some of the other incredible guard performances to get him a roster spot.
There was a time where I thought Barnes was actually going to make the roster with the leap he’s made, but then January happened and the Raptors took a nosedive. Barnes has been terrific this year, but his production has not been outrageous enough to earn him an All-Star nod on a team struggling the way Toronto has. The Raptors clearly believe in Barnes’ upside as a star of the future, as they’ve shifted their organizational plan to building around him long-term. If that pans out, All-Star selections will be part of his future, but for now, he’s on the outside looking in.
Gobert’s always a weird case in these sorts of things. His game isn’t exactly fun to watch, he’ll never create baskets for himself or others, and let’s be frank, his game doesn’t translate to an All-Star game. But at the same time, when it comes to impacting winning, Gobert is up there with anyone else in the league, as he’s the lynchpin of what has been the best defense in the league for more than half of the season. He looks as good as ever on that end of the floor and trying to score at the rim against him continues to seem like a miserable experience. Ultimately, the Wolves were going to get two All-Stars, one being Anthony Edwards, and the coaches went with Towns over Gobert for the other spot.
De’Aaron Fox (Kings): 27.2 ppg, 5.5 apg, 4.1 rpg; 46.7/38.0/72.4 shooting; 40 games
The Kings getting double snubbed is particularly brutal, and one wonders if their two stars split votes among coaches. Fox just keeps finding ways to get better. This year, he’s managed to become a reliable shooter from behind the three-point line, which has long been considered his biggest achilles heel on that end of the floor. On the other side of things, he continues to be one of the best perimeter players in the league at interrupting the flow of an opposing offense, as his steal and deflection numbers are among the best of his career. He just makes good things happen for a Sacramento team that has continued to stay above the Play-In line in the Western Conference.
One of the most unique players in the NBA, Sabonis’ touch around the rim, playmaking, and rebounding are invaluable for the Kings. While De’Aaron Fox shoulders the largest scoring load on the team, Sabonis generally takes care of the rest. Only Nikola Jokic executes more passes per game than the Lithuanian big man, who is a killer when he’s able to direct the Sacramento attack from the nail. A special bonus snub shout out goes to Alperen Sengun of the Houston Rockets, who is brilliant in a similar role on a team that isn’t quite as good as Sacramento.
Pizza has a side dish problem. This is a universal issue for all pizza places, whether you’re a fan of the big delivery chains, or have a favorite pizzeria in your neighborhood. This is because most pizza sides are bread-based. Considering pizza is bread with sauce, cheese, and toppings on it, coupling that dish with more bread can be pretty boring. Also redundant.
Don’t get me wrong, I love garlic bread and cheese bread as much as anyone else, but you only have so much room for bread, and at the end of the day I find myself choosing the pizza over these delicious bread sides because, well, pizza tastes better. This problem has kind of been remedied by pizza chains and restaurants adding wings to the menu. But wings are a meal themselves, so paired with a pizza you’re forced to make this choice: do you go HAM on the wings, or eat one or two wings and focus on the pizza?
This is an important question to ask yourself especially as we approach Super Bowl weekend. But I think Papa John may have solved the conundrum with its new Calzone Papa Bites.
Launched at the tail end of January, the Calzone Papa Bites are available for a limited time and are essentially bite-sized little pizzas. The Bites are hand-stuffed with mozzarella, garlic herb ricotta, green peppers, pepperoni, and Italian sausage served with a side of pizza sauce for dipping. It takes pizza and turns it into a side dish!
Here is everything we love about the new offering:
Calzone Papa Bites
Dane Rivera
Tasting Notes & Thoughts
What struck me first about the Calzone Papa Bites was how much flavor was packed into a single bite. The ratio of bread to toppings here is perfect, each bite provides a blast of garlic-heavy flavor with a mix of Italian herbs, nutty/ creamy cheese, vegetal peppery notes, and savory meaty characteristics, all elevated by a bright sauce that adds some umami sumptuousness to the whole thing.
My only real gripe is the same gripe I have with calzones in general — the meat never really gets a chance to crisp up in the way that it would if it was topping a pizza and thrown in an oven. But that’s a minor gripe ultimately, I’ll gladly accept that shortcoming given the price ($4.99 for an order of 8) and form factor. These Calzone Papa Bites are a true joy to eat and in my opinion, the best side dish to ever come to a big chain pizza place.
Especially because now you don’t have to choose between wings and pizza, you can indulge in both and come away completely satisfied. Papa Johns’s just ensured its presence on my upcoming Super Bowl food spread.
Dane Rivera
The Bottom Line:
The ultimate pizza-centric side dish. Order these and a side of wings and you have the perfect combination of the best flavors a big national pizza chain has to offer.
The complete list of All-Star reserves for the 2024 edition of the game has been revealed. On Thursday night, the Inside the NBA crew revealed which players will round out the rosters in Indianapolis later this month, with each conference getting two guards, three frontcourt players, and a pair of wild cards in addition to the already announced starting lineups.
Unsurprisingly, there are a number of big names who just missed out on starting nods coming off the bench, like Steph Curry and Kawhi Leonard in the Western Conference and Donovan Mitchell and Jaylen Brown in the Eastern Conference. Here are the complete rosters for each conference now that reserves have been announced:
Eastern Conference
Reserves
Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics
Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers
Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks
Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat
Julius Randle, New York Knicks
Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers
Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic
Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns
Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves
Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers
Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers
Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves
Steph Curry, Golden State Warriors
Paul George, Los Angeles Clippers
Starters
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Luka Doncic
LeBron James (captain)
Kevin Durant
Nikola Jokic
With just 12 roster spots for each conference, there are a handful of players that missed out in the East and West that have legitimate gripes as snubs, but it’s hard to argue the players selected by the coaches didn’t also have All-Star worthy campaigns through the first half of the season. There is the potential for the rosters to change, as Joel Embiid’s status going forward is unclear after suffering a knee injury earlier this week.
Joel Embiid never looked fully healthy during a loss to the Warriors on Tuesday night, coming off of back-to-back missed games with knee soreness, and things got considerably worse when the star had to leave the game in serious pain after Jonathan Kuminga landed on his outstretched knee going for a loose ball.
The way Embiid’s knee bent back looked bad in the moment and the reigning MVP was in considerable pain on the floor, but was able to limp off to the locker room. After testing the last two days, the Sixers and Embiid have been working with doctors to determine the next steps, and on Thursday night the team announced he had suffered a left lateral meniscus injury and would be out through the weekend, at least, while working out a treatment plan.
Per Sixers:
An MRI following Wednesday’s game and further evaluation revealed an injury to the lateral meniscus in Embiid’s left knee. Embiid, in consultation with the 76ers medical staff and several leading specialists, is OUT through weekend while treatment plan is finalized
There was a bit of confusion about what exactly Embiid was dealing with, as Shams Charania had initially posted that Embiid suffered a torn meniscus, but the team’s statement said nothing about a tear and the timetable given certainly doesn’t line up with a full tear. It’s possible there’s a partial tear that may not require surgery, but at this point we do not know the entire diagnosis nor do we know a full timetable for his return. All we know is the Sixers will have to navigate at least a few more games without their star center before we get a complete picture after this weekend.
Joel Embiid never looked fully healthy during a loss to the Warriors on Tuesday night, coming off of back-to-back missed games with knee soreness, and things got considerably worse when the star had to leave the game in serious pain after Jonathan Kuminga landed on his outstretched knee going for a loose ball.
The way Embiid’s knee bent back looked bad in the moment and the reigning MVP was in considerable pain on the floor, but was able to limp off to the locker room. After testing the last two days, the Sixers and Embiid have been working with doctors to determine the next steps, and on Thursday night the team announced he had suffered a left lateral meniscus injury and would be out through the weekend, at least, while working out a treatment plan.
Per Sixers:
An MRI following Wednesday’s game and further evaluation revealed an injury to the lateral meniscus in Embiid’s left knee. Embiid, in consultation with the 76ers medical staff and several leading specialists, is OUT through weekend while treatment plan is finalized
There was a bit of confusion about what exactly Embiid was dealing with, as Shams Charania had initially posted that Embiid suffered a torn meniscus, but the team’s statement said nothing about a tear and the timetable given certainly doesn’t line up with a full tear. It’s possible there’s a partial tear that may not require surgery, but at this point we do not know the entire diagnosis nor do we know a full timetable for his return. All we know is the Sixers will have to navigate at least a few more games without their star center before we get a complete picture after this weekend.
Peanut butter and jelly, gin and tonic, Scottsdale and a winter wellness vacay – some things belong together, ya know? While I’ve enjoyed traveling in The Grand Canyon State during all seasons, there is nothing like leaving my home in Colorado bundled up only to land in sunny Arizona, peel off my outer layers, and pop on my sun hat for some rest and rejuvenation during the winter months.
This past December, I escaped winter’s icy grasp early, spending some time enjoying the warm weather, great food, outdoor recreation, spa treatments, and luxurious Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Bungalows for a few days. The resort offered the perfect balance of upscale and sleek while still feeling down-to-earth and relaxing – just what a weekend snowbird wants in a resort.
Drawing inspiration from iconic designers and mid-century artists, Andaz is ideal for focusing on wellness and spurring creativity as the new year begins with inspiring surroundings, luxurious amenities, and several pools to enjoy a cocktail beside (because, hey, sometimes that’s the self-care we need). Here is what I loved about it, and why you will too:
WHY IT’S AWESOME:
Emily Hart
The thing you’ll notice first when driving onto the Andaz Scottsdale property is the aesthetic. It’s the kind of place that doesn’t have an Instagram “spot” — rather, the entire property is the spot. But it’s not cheesy; the lines are sleek and modern but timeless. The landscaping around the property is southwestern but minimal, with cacti dotting the well-manicured meandering paths.
The interiors are mid-century and artistic, with inspired details and large, light-filled bathrooms. For lack of a more exciting word, it feels truly like a retreat – but it’s conveniently just minutes from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport and Old Town Scottsdale.
IN-HOUSE FOOD AND DRINK:
Emily Hart
Weft & Warp Art Bar + Kitchen at Andaz Scottsdale is a restaurant I’d highly recommend regardless of whether you are staying on property – the highest praise for a hotel or resort dining option, if you ask me. The evening vibe is dark and sleek, often with live music, a lively bar, a chefs’ exhibition kitchen, and a gorgeous patio with views over Camelback Mountain.
The Meditteranean menu at Weft & Warp is just eclectic enough and incredibly well curated, with inventive cocktails made using fresh local ingredients. On my last visit, I enjoyed the Half Roasted Chicken with endive kale salad and lemon thyme vinaigrette, with a side of Potato Purée – made with Yukon gold, mascarpone, gruyere, chives and topped with truffle butter that I’m still dreaming about.
I’d stay on the property for brunch and head back to Weft & Warp to sit on the patio, enjoy a Froot Loops Cappucino (with Froot Loop infused milk that is much more nuanced and elevated than you might imagine), egg white omelet, or a Chilaquiles Verdes.
Food and drinks are also available at the stunning Turquoise Pool. The poolside service was truly exceptional and a great way to spend some downtime as the year begins. I’d go for a frozen Rise of the Phoenix – mango-habanero-infused vodka, mango, with a prickly pear swirl – and the chicken shawarma wrap on a lazy pool day.
AMENITIES:
Emily Hart
Private entrances
Private patios
Outdoor showers in select rooms
Fully stocked bars in the room
Pet-friendly
Access to Cattle Track Art Compound and individual artists’ studios
Yoga, meditation, and fitness classes
Seasonal welcome beverage
House car service within a three-mile radius
Filtered water bottle refill stations
Electric vehicle charging stations
24-Hour Fitness Center
Access to resort bicycles, recreational center activities and lawn games
Evening turndown and daily housekeeping
Three pools
Palo Verde Spa & Apothecary
Emily Hart
While wellness isn’t all spa days, massages, and hot tubs – they definitely contribute to my overall wellness plan. So, of course, I was excited to visit the award-winning Palo Verde Spa & Apothecary at Andaz Scottsdale. I spent an entire afternoon lounging at the spa pool with some sparkling wine and a magazine after one of the best massages of my life. The staff was incredibly helpful and courteous, and the vibes were clean, sleek, and artistic, with luxurious amenities and beautiful views.
I can’t wait to go back for another treatment.
ROOM TYPES:
Emily Hart
There are several room types – and 185 bungalows and suites for guests to enjoy. While the property feels expansive, at the same time, it doesn’t feel crowded, with ample parking, green space, and amenities dotted throughout it.
Bungalows
One of the main accommodation types on the 23-acre property is the bungalows with mid-century modern decor, ample space, high ceilings, and natural light. Inspired by design icons Charles and Ray Eames and Florence Knoll, bungalows offer outdoor patios and local art.
Suites
I loved spending time on the private patio of my Saarinen Studio King Suite at sunrise and sunset with a drink, watching the light reflect on Camelback Mountain in the distance. The suite was inspired by legendary architect and industrial designer Eero Saarinen, who famously designed the Gateway Arch in St. Louis (now a major US National Park) and the iconic Womb Chair (that’s in each Saarinen Studio King Suite). The bathroom is a stand-out, with a large skylight, a huge shower with multiple shower heads, and a spacious countertop with luxury amenities. Other suites offer private Turquoise Pool cabanas, outdoor showers, multiple bathrooms, in-room Tonal smart-gym systems, and cruiser bikes.
The Retreat
For a more private “resort within a resort” experience, 20 bungalows and a villa are situated around a private pool in The Retreat section of Andaz. The bungalows in The Retreat mirror those in the other portions of the resort but in a more exclusive area ideal for large gatherings, or wedding parties. Also in this exclusive enclave is Albers House, a sizeable residential-style villa inspired by artist Josef Albers that boasts two main suites, living and dining areas, an in-room gym, retractable walls, cruiser bikes, two bathrooms, soaking tub, outdoor shower, and outdoor firepit and grill.
BEST THINGS TO DO/EAT/DRINK WITHIN THE ANDAZ HOUSE CAR SERVICE AREA:
A unique perk at Andaz Scottsdale is its house car service that will drop visitors anywhere within a 3-mile radius of the resort free of charge. Luckily, that radius has many attractions, restaurants, bars, museums, and shops. Here is what I recommend.
Shop, Sip & Dine In Old Town Scottsdale:
Emily Hart
Old Town, Scottsdale’s historical and cultural district, is jam-packed with restaurants, shopping, nightlife, and attractions. The perfect place to meander and shop local at The Merchantile of Scottsdale, an indoor marketplace where local businesses, artists, designers, and makers come together to showcase and sell their merchandise, before stopping at Native Art Market, a Native-owned and operated storefront that sells only Native handmade items, and directly support the makers.
Grab a bite to eat or a drink at Farm & Craft, a healthy and sustainable restaurant that features a specific Wellness Menu, before stopping for a flight at local Arizonan Merkin Vineyards Tasting Room – owned by Maynard James Keenan, the lead singer of Tool – or The Rusty Spur Saloon, Scottsdale’s oldest bar.
Visit Scottsdale Museum Of Contemporary Art:
Emily Hart
Browse the rotating exhibits at Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art in a building that was once a movie theater and reconceptualized as a minimal architectural gem. I especially loved the interactive exhibit by Roelof Knol: The Space in Between, and Christina Fernandez: Multiple Exposures, a survey of some of the artists’ work over the last three decades.
BEST THING TO DO WITHIN A 20 MIN CAB RIDE:
Hike At McDowell Sonoran Preserve:
Emily Hart
Wellness means a lot of different things to different people, but getting out into nature is undoubtedly a part of most people’s wellness plans. A great perk of visiting Scottsdale is that despite having all the luxuries of a city, you are never far from outdoor adventure. I headed out to McDowell Sonoran Preserve for a guided sunrise hike with REI Co-op Experiences at the Gateway Loop Trail one morning and was blown away by the remote beauty so close to the resort. While the loop is easily doable for nearly anyone, the guided hike was a great choice for me to learn more about the desert’s unique history, wildlife, and desert plants.
The permanently protected nature preserve offers more than 225 miles of trails over 30,500 contiguous acres of Sonoran Desert. There is no charge for parking or access, and it is incredibly well-kept – I highly recommend spending some time here.
Explore The Desert Botanical Gardens:
Emily Hart
While technically in Phoenix, the Desert Botanical Garden is close enough — and stunning enough – for the slight detour. The spectacular garden offers the world’s finest collection of arid-land plants from deserts worldwide. With five thematic trails to meander, special events – I loved the Las Noches de las Luminarias exhibit at sunset – and 50,000 desert plants to explore, the perfect balance of outdoorsy and laid-back makes for a very serene outing.
While there, be sure to stop at Gertrude’s for a meal – on the patio if you can – for local and fresh dining with an incredible atmosphere. I fell in love with the Elote Fritters, followed up with Chickpea Curry on Forbidden Rice. The extensive beer and wine list offers many Arizona local sips and inventive cocktails.
BED GAME: 9/10
Emily Hart
I judge a hotel bed primarily by how much time I spend in it outside of sleeping — despite all my other options. Do I stay in bed in the morning with my coffee or go to a new coffee shop? Work from bed in the afternoon or find a wine bar? The more I choose the bed, the better it is, of course. And when I tell you I chose this bed over almost anything during this trip, you might be surprised I wasn’t the least bit sick or even tired; it was just that comfy.
The linens were perfectly cozy, and the mattress was huge and just firm enough, with a large TV ahead and all the outlets and reading lights you’d ever need at arm’s length.
SEXINESS RATING: 9/10
Emily Hart
The sleek design of this hotel is evident in everything, with great art, clean lines, luxury linens, and a whole lot of beautiful people throughout the grounds. Andaz feels very adult, although it is not strictly adults only. Bonus points for the Let’s Stay In (The Shower) Package — which includes a dual shower in your suite.
VIEWS/PIC SPOTS: 9/10
Emily Hart
Andaz Scottsdale was literally created with art in mind, and that’s clear when looking for views and photo ops. The map of the resort lists popular Instagram locations directly – but I’d argue it’d be hard to find a bad view here. The bungalows and suites are sleek, the rooms are thoughtfully designed, and the landscaping perfectly brings in the desert vibes.
BEST SEASON TO VISIT:
Emily Hart
Like many warm desert locales, January – March is high season, fall and spring are still pleasant, and summer is hot, but you’ll find much more affordable rates (and if your plan is to sit at the pool with some drinks, why not?)
IF I HAD TO COMPLAIN ABOUT ONE THING:
Emily Hart
I spend a lot of time camping in tents and my car in fairly remote locales, so you might be surprised that when it comes to hotels, I can be sort of a… bougie bitch?
But, alas, I am who I am.
With that in mind, there is nothing more luxurious to me than a room service breakfast, and unfortunately, the resort didn’t offer it, at least during my visit. On the plus side, the mini bar is stocked, priced reasonably, and offers several complimentary drinks and snacks. I also love (and yes, I know this is the complaint section, but this property is just too good) that stylish Pantone mugs and a to-go option accompany the normal coffee and tea service in the room. The aesthetic is everywhere here, and details make the place.
BOOK HERE:
Book your 2024 wellness getaway here. Rooms start at $710/ night.
INSTAGRAM IMAGES TAKEN AT ANDAZ SCOTTSDALE RESORT & BUNGALOWS
We’re one week away from the NBA trade deadline, and presumably, talks will heat up among teams in the coming days. Before that can happen, however, the Memphis Grizzlies and the Houston Rockets decided to make the first trade of the month involving a pair of players who have spent the season sidelined.
According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the Houston Rockets will acquire veteran center Steven Adams from the Memphis Grizzlies. In exchange, Memphis gets Victor Oladipo, along with a trio of second-round picks in the NBA Draft.
The Memphis Grizzlies are trading Steven Adams to the Houston Rockets for Victor Oladipo and three second-round picks, sources tell ESPN.
The trade is certainly an unusual one, as Oladipo has spent this year working to rehabilitate a torn patellar tendon that he suffered as a member of the Miami Heat last postseason. As Wojnarowski noted, he’s on an expiring contract and injury woes have plagued Memphis this season, meaning that they’re on course to enter this offseason with plenty of cap space and a lottery pick.
Grizzlies are creating more salary flexibility and draft assets around a 2024 offseason where they’ll get a chance at a high lottery pick and a chance to fortify a contender around Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Desmond Bane. https://t.co/TwVSguXH0x
Adams, meanwhile, suffered a knee injury in January of 2023 and tried to avoid surgery, which led to him missing the Grizzlies’ run in the postseason. But unfortunately for Adams, he had to go under the knife in October and got ruled out for the entirety of the 2023-24 campaign. He’s under contract for one more season, and if he’s able to get healthy and stick around next year, he’s a proven big man who could serve as a reliable backup for Alperen Sengun.
Afrobeats is one of the fastest-growing genres in the country. There are big names who have seen global success, but there are even more talented up-and-coming artists looking to achieve the same type of success. Finding those artists can be tough, but we’ve got you covered. Every week, we’ll share an update on the best new afrobeats songs you need to hear and hopefully, you can find someone new to add to your rotation.
It’s been a little while since the last update of this weekly afrobeats column, and since then we’ve received plenty of music and news from the genre’s artists.
Here are some releases on the new music front that you should check out:
Kizz Daniel & Davido — “Twe Twe”
More than five years after their last collaboration (2018’s “One Ticket”), Kizz Daniel and Davido reunite for a remix of the former’s “Twe Twe.” The lively track was originally released by Daniel in December in dedication to a woman’s assets. Now with the addition of Davido, “Twe Twe” gets a well-deserved boost as the record will surely be in rotation throughout the year.
CKay — Is It You?/Mysterious Love
Ckay closed 2023 with a deluxe reissue of Sad Romance and he isn’t wasting any time getting new music to his fans in 2024. He dropped off his double-sided single “Is It You?”/”Mysterious Love” to start his 2024 campaign. Both are love-themed records that will surely play well with the upcoming Valentine’s Day holiday for afrobeats lovers.
Fave — “Belong To You”
Though she didn’t release a project in 2023, last year was a big year for Fave. Her year was highlighted by an appearance on Davido’s “Kante” and singles like “Silence” and “Pop Cover.” She brings her momentum into 2024 with “Belong To You” which strikes as an enthralling ballad that expresses her commitment to a partner through the good and bad.
KJ Spio — “Undress You” Feat. Oxlade & Sarkodie
KJ Spio kicks off 2024 by uniting Oxlade and Sarkodie for his new single “Undress You.” The latter two artists jump on the record to express their desires for intimacy with the special woman in their lives. The track follows Oxlade’s “Katigori” and “Paino” singles and Sarkodie’s “Otan.”
Del B & Majeeed — “Luv You”
Later this year, Del B will drop off his Del Beast EP which features just four songs to its name. He begins the rollout for that project with “Luv You” with rising afrobeats singer Majeeed. Love is in the air for the two singers and all they want to do is show it on their passionate and sweet-natured single.
Wondah & Kemuel — “Stay”
Producer Wondah delivers his first single as a lead artist beside Nigerian singer Kemuel. Together, the two artists for “Stay” which is a vibrant amapiano record. As for Kemuel, he hops on the track to sing about his wish to be freed from a situation that no longer serves him.
Candy Bleakz — “Wale (Remix)” Feat Simi
After releasing “Wale” last spring, Candy Bleakz is giving it new life with a remix alongside Simi. The new take of the record breathes new life into the song as Simi takes over the first verse with her unique vocals and a soulful string of lyrics. The remix follows Candy Bleakz’s “Free For All” and “Not Holy” records with Bad Boy Timz and Blaqbonez, respectively. As for Simi, she released a remix of Spyro’s “Only Fine Girl” to end 2023.
Tiphe — “Keep Tapping”
At just 18 years old, rising afrobeats singer Tiphe is taking the genre by storm. A viral TikTok video helped catapult the singer toward a mass following that is excited about what the future holds for him. In his latest step, Tiphe released “Keep Tapping” as his first record of 2024. It’s a record that serves as motivation for the hustlers of the world as Tiphe tells them to “keep pushing.”
Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
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