Eye Candy (and Actual Candy) at the Grand Ave Festival

Hey, remember Grand Avenue? You know, that crazy diagonal street where The Paper Heart and The Red Door used to be? Apparently, some First Friday-goers are so dazzled by the flashy spectacle that is Roosevelt Row that they've forgotten poor little Grand, which is currently seeing a Renaissance of cool shops and galleries.

Thanks to Zoe & Babs' garbage-bag bikini, we won't ever forget Grand -- and we'll recycle more.

Grand Avenue's merchants, from the Trunk Space to Paisley Violin to Devious Wigs & Things, were tired of being neglected... so this past Saturday they brought out their big guns for the Grand Avenue Festival of fashion, food, art and general merriment. All manner of freaks and geeks (and yes, even a few normal people and families) turned out for the event, giving Grand a much-needed boost.

Big guns and big hair = Big hottie.

Girls in balloons and a preview of the new Sweets n' Beats candy/vinyl shop after the jump...

Austin is famous for its "Keep Austin Weird" campaign (Portland, OR has one too). Phoenix hasn't exactly nailed down its identity yet, so why not start a "Make Phoenix Weird" campaign? Clearly, at least a few Phoenicians might be on board for that, like this crazy guy who wouldn't stop dancing long enough for us to snap a decent pic:

We also spotted a chemically challenged (or chemically enhanced? You decide.) hippie spouting poetry from a rooftop, someone in a leather fairy mask and a guy in a bicycle helmet with a dead plant on top...

​We much preferred the sight of the "live mannequins" from Devious Wigs & Things, who strutted in recycled fashions and balloon art dresses from BalloonsbyMarie.com down the catwalk of Grand Ave., stopping to pose on concrete pedestals. After hearing at least five passersby wondering if the models had anything else on underneath, we were tempted to grab a pin and find out.

​ ​Sweets & Beats, the combination record and candy store sandwiched between The Trunk Space and Bikini Lounge, hasn't officially opened yet, but it's looking pretty schweeet with its Kool-Aid-colored walls and exposed brick.

​They even sell wax moustaches, for all of you Dr. Horrible fans.

​And racks of these, if you prefer a different kind of wax.

​Sweets & Beats is a pretty decent (albeit small) music venue, as evidenced by the Liam and the Ladies concert that took place late in the afternoon. The crowd went wild for their jamming sax beats and fun vocals, singing along with the lyrics and dancing like they were calling the great voodoo spirits. We're not sure how the logistics will work out with another live music venue, The Trunk Space, right next door. But we're looking forward to finding out.