Gilbert Pulse for October 1, 2026: A Gilbert filmmaker’s $1,200 feature, plus concerts and library picks

• 🎬 Gilbert filmmaker Justin Rose made Down Radical for $1,200. The completed feature premieres Friday, Oct. 2, at the Tarzana International Film Festival.
• 🎵 Free concerts return to Water Tower Plaza. The Heritage District series starts Thursday, Oct. 1, and runs Thursday evenings throughout October.
• 🏗️ A 55+ community is proposed near Gilbert Town Square. Plans cover 6.37 vacant acres along Gilbert Road.
• 🌶️ Dave’s Hot Chicken opened on Market Street. The national chain began serving the SanTan Village area about two weeks ago.
• 🚗 Three concerts are worth leaving Gilbert for. Tempe hosts country Friday, Oct. 2; Phoenix has two shows Thursday, Oct. 1.

🎵 Gilbert Concert in the Park starts its October run. Water Tower Plaza hosts free live music from 6:30 to 8:30 PM every Thursday this month. Bring a blanket or lawn chair. Details.

⚔️ K-Pop Demon Hunters takes over the library. Southeast Regional Library hosts a free drop-in party at 5:30 PM for families and children ages five through 12. Details.

📚 Mystery Book Club meets at 2 PM. Southeast Regional Library’s adult discussion group requires registration. Details.

🌱 Master Gardeners answer plant questions at noon. The adult drop-in session at Southeast Regional Library offers practical help without requiring registration. Details.

🧩 Southeast Regional Library hosts a puzzle swap. Adults can trade puzzles and meet other puzzlers at 3 PM. Details.

🎸 Dance Electra plays O.H.S.O. Gilbert. Friday’s Heritage District show adds live music to the dinner-hour crowd. Details.

🐕 Children can read to a therapy dog. Perry Library’s Tales with Tails starts at 10 AM for readers ages five through ten. Details.

🎶 Rio Grande plays O.H.S.O. Gilbert. The Saturday show brings another night of live music to the Heritage District. Details.

Gilbert filmmaker Justin Rose turned a $1,200 production budget into the completed feature Down Radical, which premieres Friday, Oct. 2.

Key facts:

• Budget and completion: Down Radical was completed after roughly 18 months on a $1,200 budget.
• Filmmaker: Gilbert filmmaker Justin Rose directed the Arizona-shot thriller.
• Earlier project: Run Rabbit was Rose’s first feature, completed in spring 2022.
• Festival connection: Down Radical makes its world premiere Oct. 2 at the Tarzana International Film Festival.

What to watch: Any Gilbert screening or wider release details. Read the full story.

🏗️ A 55+ residential project is planned near Gilbert Town Square. Headwaters Gilbert, also called Aspendale Gilbert, would occupy 6.37 vacant acres at 950 S. Gilbert Road, just north of Desert Monks Brewing. Plans describe apartments, a clubhouse, fitness and wellness spaces, courtyards, a pool, and a spa. Details.

🌶️ Dave’s Hot Chicken is now open on Market Street. The restaurant opened about two weeks ago, adding another quick-service option in the broader SanTan Village area. Details.

🦆 Wildlife concerns have surfaced around a Freestone Park project. Recent coverage focuses on possible effects on the park’s fish and ducks, including questions involving avian botulism. Details.

🏠 Gilbert homes took about 46 days to sell. That was the median time on market in Redfin data through May 2026. Details.

🪶 An emu was rescued from a Gilbert canal. Residents found the bird west of Lindsay Road between Elliot and Guadalupe, and it was taken to an animal-care facility. Details.

🤠 Hudson Westbrook plays Mullett Arena Friday, Oct. 2. The Hits Me Tour reaches Tempe at 7 PM, making it the closest valley-wide concert pick to Gilbert. Tickets.

🔥 The BurnDown Tour reaches Walter Studios Thursday, Oct. 1. Knumears, Catalyst, and Love Letter share the Phoenix bill at 7 PM. An unusual three-band lineup. Tickets.

🤘 BABYMETAL plays Phoenix Thursday, Oct. 1. The 2026 world tour stops at Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre at 7:20 PM for one night. Tickets.