2015-2016 ARTS SEASON PREVIEW LGBT NEWS, VIEWS AND ENTERTAINMENT | VOL. 27, #1 | ISSUE 673 | OCTOBER 2015 | COMPLIMENTARY
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inside this issue Issue 673 | Vol. 27, #1 | October 2015
features
NEWS 10 4 Your Information 12 News Briefs 16 Datebook 18 Local AIDS activist travels to Africa on education and humanitarian mission 24 ONE Community’s annual awards event to spotlight local heroes PREVIEWS AND REVIEWS 88 Without Reservations
Photo by Fernando Hernández.
91 At The Box Office
21
94 Recordings 98 Between The Covers
Celebrate As National LGBT History month, October promises up a wide variety of celebrations – and you’re invited!
Photo courtesy of SWAY Events.
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Create From muses and music to b-boying and social media, here’s a diverse collection of art forms and the artists who create them.
COMMUNITY 100 Guest Columnists 102 All Over The Map 103 Money Talks 104 Balanced Living
Photo courtesy of Desert Overture.
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LGBT NEWS, VIEWS AND ENTERTAINMENT | VOL. 27, #1 | ISSUE 673 | OCTOBER 2015 | COMPLIMENTARY
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Indulge If a single word could summarize the 2015-2016 arts calendar, indulge would be it. Your senses await.
ON THE COVER Angel “Halo” Castro and Elisa Cavallero star in Scorpius Dance Theatre’s Catwalk. (See story, page 50.) Photo by Nancy Lynn Miller.
2015-2016 ARTS SEASON PREVIEW
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Perform We’ve turned the spotlight to the stage to showcase this season’s must-see productions and local groups.
Photo courtesy of Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts.
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inside this issue
on echomag.com web exclusives
Photo courtesy of Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts.
The phyCHO Tour Find out what legendary lesbian comedienne Margaret Cho has to say about taking her show on the road again. echomag.com/phycho-tour
Photo courtesy of bookofmormonbroadway.com.
10 Shows Not To Miss From civil rights to drag pageants, LGBT themes inspire many of this season’s must-see productions. echomag.com/top-10-shows
Photo by Kara J. Philp.
Tom at the Farm Canadian director Xavier Dolan stars in his chilling thriller about a young man coping with the death of his lover. echomag.com/tom-at-the-farm
Miss Gay Western States America 2015 Find out what Miss Gay Western States America 2015 Barbra Seville has to say about heading to nationals. echomag.com/mgwsa-2015
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notes from the
managing editor By Kara J. Philp LGBT NEWS, VIEWS AND ENTERTAINMENT
facebook.com/EchoMagazine twitter.com/EchoMagAZ
D
o you remember back in the beginning of 2015, when we promised you a “Bigger, Better, Longer” Echo Magazine? Did you believe us? Whether or not you’ve noticed the subtle but steady changes we’re making over here at Echo headquarters, we hope that the issue you hold in your hands comes as a welcome surprise. Our October issue is a very important one to us for so many reasons. The first of which is that this month marks Echo’s 26th birthday, and what a wild ride it has been!
In honor of this special occasion, Bill Orovan, Echo’s founder and publisher, shares a few words on the history of the local art scene in “An Art Walk Down Scottsdale’s Memory Lane” on page 100. Another reason this issue serves as an important Echo milestone is that it’s already been one year since we unveiled our new logo, new website and redesigned magazine. We’re proud of the evolution that’s taken place over the course of this year and we thank you – our readers – for joining us on this journey. The third reason this issue is so significant, as you might have guessed by now, is that it is the official 2015-2016 Arts Season Preview. This long-standing Echo tradition celebrates all forms of art and creative expression as well as the artists (most of whom are local) who create or perform it. Because that’s a lot of ground to cover in one shot, this issue had to grow with the demand! Let’s take a tour: Celebrate In this section you’ll find all this month’s community happenings – in Phoenix and beyond. We have event details on Phoenix’s annual Rainbows Festival, Tucson’s Pride in the Desert and Pride on Parade events as well as both the Northern Arizona and Tucson AIDS
Walks. You’re going to want to mark your calendars and join in on these celebrations. Create This section pays tribute to the creators of art. From muses to music and b-boying to social media, you’ll find a diverse collection of art forms, and hopefully become acquainted with a local artist that you weren’t previously aware of. Perform From local chorus groups to touring shows, this section spotlights the stage. Not only does our resident expert Richard Schultz weigh in by offering his suggestions for must-sees in and around Phoenix, he also dishes on national tours and out-of-town shows. And, if you’ve ever considered getting involved in the arts or returning to the stage, we have a wealth of local resources for you, too. Indulge If a single word could summarize this year’s arts calendar, indulge would be it. In this section you’ll find the 2015-2016 listing for every entity that opted to participate in this great resource. If we missed you, be sure to get in touch with our sales department (at 602-266-0550) to be included next year. This letter wouldn’t be complete without a huge thank you to everyone who made this milestone issue possible. Thank you to the local venues and groups that made sure to get us their calendar of events; to the artists, who shared their passion and talent with us; and to Team Echo, who all went above and beyond to make this issue the best it could possibly be. Thank you all. Welcome to arts season!
For more information, see page 37. october 2015
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Editorial MANAGING EDITOR: Kara J. Philp CONTRIBUTORS: Danae Barnes Alex Chambers Tiffany Hopkins Lorraine Longhi Liz Massey David-Elijah Nahmod Desi Rubio Richard Schultz Michael J. Tucker Nate Whitten
Cait Brennan Anthony Costello Laura Latzko Art Martori Melissa Myers Hans Pedersen Terri Schlichenmeyer Marshall Shore Megan Wadding Chelsea Young
Production ART DIRECTOR: Geoff Hulme PHOTOGRAPHY: Bill Gemmill, CJ Minott, Gregg Edelman and Nightfuse.com. Advertising DIRECTOR OF SALES AND MARKETING: Ashlee James ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE: Gregg Edelman National Advertising Representative: Rivendell Media, 212-242-6863
ECHO Readership: 50,000 Copyright © 2015 • ISSN #1045-2346
ACE PUBLISHING, INC.
MAILING ADDRESS: P.O. Box 16630 Phoenix, AZ 85011-6630 Phone: 602-266-0550 Non-Phoenix Metro: 888-echomag Fax: 602-266-0773 Subscriptions: $29/year Email: manager@echomag.com Website: echomag.com Member:
Kara J. Philp is the managing editor of Echo Magazine and can be reached at kj@echomag.com.
SWAY PHX and Echo Magazine have partnered to find the most hip, useful and sought-after gifts in the Valley.
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PUBLISHER: Bill Orovan ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER: Bill Gemmill
Echo Magazine is published by and is a trademark of Ace Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. Written permission must be obtained in advance for partial or complete reproduction of including any advertising material contained therein. Opinions expressed in are not necessarily those of the publisher or staff or ACE Publishing, Inc. does not assume responsibility for claims by its advertisers. Publication of the name or photograph of a person or organization in articles, advertising or listings inis not to be construed as an indication of the sexual orientation of such organizations or persons (unless such orientation is specifically stated). Manuscripts or other materials submitted remain the property of ACE Publishing. Free copies limited to one per person.
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ON THE RECORD “The Church has a rich history of homophobia, which has inflicted so much harm on so many lives. I took this especially personally because I am a Christian who often needs to prove her faith because of her sexuality. How could my fellow believers be the ones to exclude any walk of life? As leaders in faith and the league, I expect my sisters in Christ to fight for inclusion. That’s what we should be doing — that’s the right thing to do. Isn’t that the message?” – Indiana Fever guard Layshia Clarendon opens up about gay acceptance in Christianity in The Players Tribune
MUSIC Not only did Miley Cyrus host the 32nd annual MTV Video Music Awards Aug. 30, she also announced the release of Miley Cyrus And Her Dead Petz, a 23-song project that features “Bang Me Box,” a nearly explicit song about lesbian sex. From there, the singer, who recently opened up about her gender fluidity and pansexual identity, closed out the show with a performance of “Dooo it,” during which she was joined on stage by 30 queens from “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” To listen to the new album, visit soundcloud.com/mileycyrus.
BY the numbers
BROADWAY
The estimated time it will take to complete the 2015 U.S. Trans Survey. The National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE) is inviting anyone over the age of 18 who identifies as transgender, genderqueer or non-binary to complete the survey – the data from which NCTE will use to achieve their goal of getting the largest and most diverse sample possible in order to better understand the unique needs of the trans community. For more information, visit ustranssurvey.org, or see page 12. 10 |
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Writer/director Adam McKay and Funny Or Die have joined forces with Archie Comics to bring Archie, Betty, Veronica, Jughead and the Riverdale gang to Broadway in an all-new musical. “Archie represents a bygone era of America,” McKay said. “And like all bygone eras, there are elements we miss and elements that should be bygone. This will be a musical that deals with both those realities in a bright, colorful and slightly demented way.” Archie made headlines earlier this year when he fatefully took a bullet for a gay friend. For more information, visit archiemusical.com or search @ArchieMusical on all social media channels. 4 your information
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news briefs
EQAZ Joins Advocates in Condemning Plan to Detain Transgender Women at Adelanto LGBTQ advocacy rights group Equality Arizona joined more than 100 national and local LGBTQ, immigrant, and civil rights organizations last month in urging President Obama to stop Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from considering the Adelanto Detention Facility as a center to detain transgender immigrants. The Adelanto Detention Facility in Southern California’s Mojave Desert is
geographically remote and poorly suited for transgender immigrants. According to EQAZ’s Aug. 26 press release, “placing transgender immigrants in the facility would effectively prevent any independent oversight by advocates and would severely limit transgender immigrants’ access to attorneys.” The press release went on to say that, like pregnant women and minor children, LGBTQ individuals are some of the most vulnerable populations in detention. “No one should fear for their life or personal safety in our corrections system,” said Ellie Perez, member of the Equality Arizona board of directors. “LGBTQ people in detention are disproportionately at risk of violence and mistreatment. Equality Arizona is proud to stand by a wide range of diverse organizations from all over our country calling on President Obama to ensure ICE cannot place transgender women in isolated facilities where they are at great risk.” EQAZ joins organizations all across the country that are speaking up against this action.
National Center for Transgender Equality Seek Survey Participants The National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE) is inviting anyone over the age of 18 who identifies as transgender, genderqueer or nonbinary to complete the 2015 U.S. Trans Survey. The survey data, which includes statistics and personal insights, will be used by NCTE to achieve its goal of
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getting the largest and most diverse sample possible in order to better understand the unique needs of the trans community. “We’ve experienced a tremendous amount of highs and lows since the initial launch of the survey,” said Sandy James, Survey Project Manager via email. “Devastating violence against
“Transferring transgender women to the Adelanto Detention Facility, where countless violations and failures to protect vulnerable populations have been documented and reported, is not only dangerous but inhumane,” stated Myra Llerenas, Southern New Mexico Field Organizer for Equality New Mexico. “Rather than finding safety in the U.S., transgender people continue to be misgendered during detention placements, denied transitionrelated care, and humiliated for being trans. Detention is not safe for LGBTQ immigrants.” For more information, visit equalityarizona.org.
trans people continues to rise. And we’ve celebrated more positive trans visibility in media with the appointment of the first openly trans person to work in the White House.” According to an NCTE press release, “the 2015 U.S. Trans Survey will provide us with a clearer picture of our community’s diverse experiences and tell us how we can better meet the needs of trans people in the U.S.” The deadline to take the survey, at ustranssurvey.org, is Sept. 21.
news briefs
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news briefs
Phoenix hosts Phoenix Arts and Culture Commission’s 30th Anniversary Celebration The city of Phoenix will mark the 30th anniversary of the Phoenix Arts and Culture Commission with a celebration of the arts in downtown Phoenix on Oct. 3. The PHX Arts + Culture @ 30 Years Celebration, will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Phoenix Convention Center, Herberger Theater and on Monroe Street between Second and Third streets in downtown Phoenix. The multi-site event will feature music, dance and theater performances, talks and art making demonstrations. This event is free to the public. “The arts are the living heartbeat of Phoenix, and it’s been incredible to watch
and help this community grow since the creation of the Phoenix Arts and Culture Commission 30 years ago,” said Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton. “That is why we tripled funding for the commission when I took office – creating a strong economy and a vibrant arts community go hand in hand.” In addition to the contributions of the nearly 100 arts and culture organizations, the celebration will also feature downtown public art tours, food trucks and activities for attendees of all ages. Additionally, nominees for the fourth annual Mayor’s Arts Awards will be announced from the main stage. PHX Arts + Culture @ 30 Years is
GCPA Retains Gaston as Artistic Director
chorus, the Phoenix Metropolitan Men’s Chorus, as well as specialty ensemble Canyon Echoes and Omaggio Youth Chorus.
The Grand Canyon Performing Arts (GCPA) board of directors announced Marc Gaston (pictured) will continue to serve as the artistic director into the 2016-2017 season.
Throughout his tenure with GCPA, Mr. Gaston has also previously served in other roles, including executive director.
Gaston has served as GCPA’s artistic director for 15 years and, according to the Aug. 20 press release, his creative vision and direction will continue to positively impact GCPA’s mission and community. Additionally, Gaston will continue to lead the artistic vision of GCPA’s flagship
Mesa’s Palms Theatre Announces Closure Mesa’s Palms Theatre, formerly known as Broadway Palm, announced via email Sept. 9 that it’s closing its doors effective immediately. The email announcement was followed by a letter posted to the dinner theater’s website (thepalmstheatre. com) and Facebook page (facebook.com/ thepalmstheatre): Hello Palms Theatre Friends and Family, It is with our deepest and most sincere regrets that we must announce the closure of The Palms Theatre, effective immediately. We have an enormous amount of gratitude for those who have supported The Palms over the years; our dedicated team gave it everything they had (financially, physically, and mentally) to try and make the theatre 14 |
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Photo courtesy of dtphx.com.
sponsored by the Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture, the Arizona Commission on the Arts, Reimagine Phoenix, City of Phoenix Water Services Department, Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport, and the Phoenix Convention Center and Venues. The City of Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture can be found on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram using #PHXArts30. For more information on PHX Arts + Culture @ 30 Years Celebration and a full list of participants, visit phoenix.gov/arts or call 602-262-4637.
non-profit arts organization. For more information, visit phoenixmenschorus.org/grand-canyonperforming-arts, or see “Local Voices,” on page 56.
According to its website, GCPA “strives to be a premiere performing arts organization that unites, inspires, educates and entertains its members, diverse audiences, and supporting partners.” The 2015-2015 season marks the 25th anniversary for Grand Canyon Performing Arts, Arizona’s largest and oldest LGBT
a success. As we’ve seen time and again both locally and nationally, it’s become increasingly difficult for arts organizations to remain relevant in today’s digital world. We gave it our very best, unfortunately the economic realities and enormous overhead required to maintain an operation of this magnitude proved to be more than the market could bear. We exhausted every available option as we sought potential solutions to keep The Palms alive. Our hope was to make it through the summer and build momentum as we head into our 15th Season; to that end, we depleted all of our resources and acquired a substantial amount of debt to survive the difficult summer, which we simply are unable to repay. Regretfully, this leaves us in a position where we are financially unable to make a full or partial refund on advance orders; however, we are humbled and privileged to announce that another prominent Valley Arts Organization has
offered to step up and honor outstanding tickets that were purchased for the upcoming 2015/16 Season (details coming soon). We are saddened that we’ve come to the end of our journey, and we are grateful to everyone who believed in The Palms Theatre and contributed to its survival over the years: to The Palms Theatre team who always gave 110%, to The City of Mesa and surrounding communities, and to the core audience who was willing to support the theatre through thick and thin. We hope that you will continue to frequent theatre, dance, music, galleries, and museums; and that you will always fight to keep the arts alive. With deepest gratitude and sincerest regrets, The Palms Theatre Team
According to the email, additional details will be announced soon. news briefs
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Date book sept. 17 - 21
Shedonism, the official girl parties of Las Vegas Pride, returns to Sin City. The sinful women’s weekend, featuring a startstudded “celesbian” lineup, will take place at SLS Las Vegas and various other locations. shedonismvegas.com sept. 18 & 19
Las Vegas Pride presents the 2015 parade and festival, respectively. The annual Las Vegas PRIDE Night Parade will take place in through the streets of downtown at 8 p.m. Friday (immediately following the 7 p.m. parade pre-show at the Main Stage). The Pride festival will take place from noon to 10 p.m. Saturday at the Clark County Amphitheater. lasvegaspride.org sept. 20, 27 and oct. 4
sept. 26
AIDS Walk Northern Arizona, benefitting Northland Cares, will kick off at 10 a.m. at the Ken Lindley Park Ramada, continue on to the Prescott Courthouse Square and return to Ken Lindley Park. Registration will be open through the day of the event. (See story, page 28.) naz.aidswalkaz.org oct. 11
The 27th annual AIDS Walk Tucson, benefitting he Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation, will kick off at 8 a.m. at Joel D. Valdez Main Library, Jacome Plaza, 101 N. Stone Ave. in Tucson. (See story, page 28.) aidswalktucson.saaf.org oct. 25
Aunt Rita’s Foundation presents AIDS Walk & 5K Run Phoenix, benefitting Central Arizona programs that prevent HIV/AIDS or assist those living with HIV/ AIDS, will kick off at 9 a.m. in Downtown Phoenix. phoenix.aidswalkaz.org
Join Desert Valley Squares for a dance party from 5 to 7 p.m. at Mount of Olives Lutheran Church, 3456 E. Thomas Road, Phoenix. 480-704-9604; info@desertvalleysquares.com.
Photo by C.J. Minott
sept. 22
Arizona Advocacy Network’s fifth annual Breakfast Acknowledging Arizona Advocates will take place from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. at Macayo’s Mexican Restaurant, 4001 N. Central Ave. in Phoenix. azadvocacy.org/2015breakfast Arizona Diversity Council’s DiversityFIRST Awards Luncheon, and best practices sessions, will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at ASU’s West Campus, LaSalla Ballroom, 4701 W. Thunderbird Road in Glendale. nationaldiversitycouncilregistration.org/az/dln sept. 25
Join GLSEN Phoenix for another installment of its recently launched professional development series, designed to raise awareness and promote inclusion, at the Phoenix Pride LGBT Center, 801 N. Second Ave., Phoenix. glsen.org/chapters/phoenix
oct. 2
The Greater Phoenix Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce will host its monthly luncheon from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Wyndham Garden Phoenix Midtown, 3600 N. Second Ave. RSVP at phoenixgaychamber.com.
scottsdalecc.edu/about-scottsdale/ inclusiveness-scc 16 |
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ONE Community’s fifth annual Spotlight on Success awards luncheon and cocktail hour, recognizing local heroes, will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel, 340 N. Third St., in Phoenix. (See story, page 24.) onecommunity.co
oct. 10
Equality Arizona presents the 24th Annual Awards Dinner, a masquerade ball to celebrate award recipients and collective achievements, at 6 p.m. at Chateau Luxe, 1175 E. Lone Cactus Drive, in Phoenix. equalityarizona.org Tucson’s annual Pride on Parade will begin at 6 p.m. and travel along Fourth Avenue. The parade will conclude with the Tucson Pride Block Party at 7 p.m. at Sky Bar, 536 N. Fourth Ave., in Tucson. tucsonpride.org
sept. 30
Scottsdale Community College’s Inclusiveness Council & MOSAIC Reunion presents a free screening of the PBS Frontline documentary, Growing Up Trans from 6 to 8:30 p.m., followed by refreshments and a post-film dialogue, in the Turquoise room, 9000 E. Chaparral Road, in Scottsdale. RVSP via Eventbrite (search Growing Up Trans).
oct. 16
oct. 11
The Illusions Drag Show, a new Las Vegas-style celebrity impersonation show starring hostess Olivia Gardens and performances by Savannah Stevens, Saellah V, Adriana Galliano, Apollo Tobias, Coco St. James and Luna Love St James, will begin at 8 p.m. (meet and greet at 7 p.m.) at Tempe Improv, 930 E. University Drive, Tempe. tempeimprov.com
oct. 17 & 18
Phoenix Pride’s annual Rainbows Festival, which will include two stages of entertainment and more than 150 exhibitors and vendors, will take place at Heritage Square, 113 N. 6th St., in Phoenix. (See story, page 22.) phoenixpride.org/events/rainbows-festival oct. 17
Tucson’s 38th annual Pride in the Desert festival, including a full line-up of entertainment as a mass marriage ceremony, will take place from noon to 8 p.m. at Kino Sports Complex, 2500 E. Ajo Way, in Tucson. (See story, page 26.) tucsonpride.org
MARK OUR CALENDARS
To have your event considered for Echo’s print and online calendars, submit your event details to echomag.com/ community-calendar. All submissions are subject to Echo’s discretion. events
HEAL The World
Local AIDS activist travels to Africa on education and humanitarian mission By David-Elijah Nahmod
O
ut of 2.2 million AIDS-related deaths worldwide in 2013, 1.7 million were in sub-Saharan Africa.
And that’s what took Kirk Baxter, Southwest Center For HIV/AIDS wellness and events specialist, the East African nation of Tanzania earlier this year. The trip was sponsored by HEAL International, a nonprofit organization that provides health education and health-related support to women and to communities with limited resources. HEAL (Health, Empowerment And Light) co-founders Dr. Bertram Jacobs and Dr. Damien Salamone were among those who participated in the mission. Both have worked with HEAL organizational partner Support For International Change as trainers for more than a decade. “Heal is international in scope … We are doing work with at-risk youth in Arizona as well as Tanzania,” said Baxter, who serves as the chair for the organization’s board of directors. “Our primary goal was to meet with Tanzanian leaders and ultimately to open the first HEAL International office there.” Together, the AIDS activists and educators set out on a humanitarian mission with a message of HIV prevention and good health and a goal of stopping the spread of AIDS. Tanzania was chosen as the locale for the mission because of the country’s political stability, making it a safer environment for the volunteers to speak about the topic of AIDS. “What I was totally unprepared for, and totally impacted by, is the scale of the hardship for children in Tanzania,” Salamone said. “Since adults face almost a 50 percent unemployment rate, Tanzanian children are much, much worse off than children in middle and high income countries.” The group, which included students, professionals and members of the HEAL International team, was welcomed by everyone they met in Tanzania, Baxter said. “HEAL has done a spectacular job of building trust over the course of a decade,” he said. “Where we needed introductions, we had them from people familiar with our work and guiding philosophies.” The group’s first meeting was with the country’s Minister of Education.
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Dr. Damien Salamone (top left), Dr. Bertram Jacobs (top right) and Kirk Baxter (bottom left) meet with Tanzania HEAL employees. Photo courtesy of Kirk Baxter.
“We then began meeting with tribal leaders and elders,” Baxter said. “We also met with the director of one of the largest schools we work with, the goal being to build support for the opening of a year-round service center and a shared commitment to the appropriate curriculum for their students.” From there, Baxter said they were upfront about what would be discussed during education programs. “Being graphic was not a concern, because we were dealing with messaging that would be appropriate for school-age children and orphans,” he said. “We were speaking to a population that was in the midst of a public health crisis reminiscent of the AIDS experience in our own country during the early ‘80s.” Baxter also emphasized the importance of listening to what the locals had to say. “It was important to us to listen first,” he said. “From there we developed consensus and approval. In areas that exceed the mission of HEAL, we made the commitment to find organizations we can partner with on issues like helping to deliver clean water supplies not contaminated by bacteria and parasites.”
This trip culminated with the addition of a new HEAL office in Tanzania. “What meant the most to me about our recent work in Tanzania is what the opening of our new headquarters means for the children we serve,” Salamone said. “It means attention. It means health. We are committed to working in partnerships with local and regional hospitals to build health capacity.” The new HEAL center will mean even more than that. “It means love for children living in poverty without parents,” Salamone continued. “We are there.” According to Baxter, the new HEAL headquarters is 2,200 square feet on two acres of land at a price that is the equivalent of $400 (U.S. dollars) a month. For more information on HEAL’s work, in Arizona or Tanzania, visit healinternational.org. David-Elijah Nahmod is an American-Israeli writer who’s lived in New York City, Tel Aviv and is currently based in San Francisco. He’s been published in LGBT publications, monster magazines and SF Weekly, and can be reached on Facebook as David-Elijah Nahmod, Author and on Twitter at @DavidElijahN.
news
OUT ‘n ABOUT Pride Guide Wedding and Honeymoon Expo Aug. 23 at JW Marriott Desert Ridge, Phoenix Photos by Bill Gemmill.
For more Echo photos visit echomag.com/gallery.
EchoMag.com • september 2015
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celebrate EchoMag.com • october 2015
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A Season For Rainbows
Annual festival invites community out for a weekend of celebrating By Laura Latzko
I
n Phoenix, the nation’s sixth largest city, pride and community are celebrated in many ways.
From each individual’s creative expression to the businesses and organizations they choose to support – pride and community can be found in many aspects of daily life.
Everyone’s Invited This year, the festival returns to Heritage Square. But, according to Dani Logan, Phoenix Pride program manager, it will have a different look with the addition of KidSpace and Phoenix Pet Pride areas.
Only a few times a year, though, are there opportunities for the entire community to converge and celebrate pride together – one of which is Rainbows Festival.
The addition of a KidSpace at Rainbows – which will feature children’s activities such as face painting – ties into a larger goal of making Phoenix Pride events more family friendly.
Each fall, as summer begins to fade, this street fair-style event offers the LGBT community and allies of all ages a place to gather, see a full line up of entertainment, eat and drink, shop, become acquainted with local resources, network and – most importantly – celebrate.
“We decided to really put our focus on making families feel more welcome at Pride, [by] giving them an area where they can feel comfortable bringing their kids and spending time,” Logan said. “What we saw was people really love it, and we decided we need to bring KidSpace to Rainbows.”
Produced annually by Phoenix Pride, this year’s festival will take place Oct. 17-18 at Heritage Square in downtown Phoenix.
While well-behaved pets have always been invited to Rainbows, this is the first year there will be specified pet area.
According to Justin Owen, Phoenix Pride executive director, Rainbows Festival invites everyone, from near and far, out to spend quality time together, support community organizations and enjoy local entertainment.
“Our community is so loyal to their pets, and they love their pets,” Owen said. “It’s an area we just wanted to offer because unfortunately, due to the restrictions that we have at the Pride Festival, we aren’t allowed to have animals. At the Rainbows Festival, since we are, we are embracing that.”
“[Rainbows Festival] is not only a chance to reconnect and get together with friends and family,” Owen said, “but [it’s a chance for] people to come out and celebrate the LGBT community in a fun urban setting. To be in downtown Phoenix shows that we’re present, we’re here and it’s OK.” Last year, Rainbows drew a weekend crowd of 25,000. And, according to Owen, the festival has grown in popularity in the past few years. “Each year, we are adding more and more enhancements, just to make it more exciting for everyone,” Owen said. “We’re all about uniting the community and bringing everyone together.”
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The Phoenix Pet Pride area will feature pet vendors, adoption agencies, an off-leash area and the Miss and Mister Phoenix Pet Pride Pageant.
“Arizona’s Greatest Street Fair” Aside from entertainment, it’s the vendors that Rainbows Festival – also known as “Arizona’s Greatest Street Fair” – has become famous for. This year, the event will once again feature a wide variety of exhibitor booths and food vendors.
Photo by Fernando Hernández.
While attendees can expect to see everything from insurance companies and health and wellness resources to local groups looking for new members and clothing brands, Owen said the goal is to bring in businesses and organizations that are committed to the LGBT community. “We pride ourselves on aligning ourselves with exhibitors and companies that aren’t just out to make a few dollars off the community, but that support it year-round and in every aspect,” Owen said. Additionally, Logan pointed out the value of having event sponsors and partnering organizations participate as volunteers or as vendors. “With a lot of these groups, it is getting to know them on a more personal level, rather than just through the sponsor role. Their team members are actively involved,” Logan said. “It’s not just as a marketing gimmick … It’s not just a check. It’s, ‘we believe in your organization. We believe in the mission and vision of Phoenix Pride.’” In recent years, Owen said, the LGBT rights issues that have gained mainstream visibility – such as marriage equality – have shaped the environment at Rainbows. “Allied businesses and attendees come out to the event because they want to show our community that we are loved and supported,” Owen said.
Photo by Gregg Edelman.
Miss and Mister Junior Phoenix Pride Pageant
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The Stars of the Show Rainbows Festival promises two full days of entertainment on both the main stage and community stage. From drag and DJs to musicians and comedians, both stages will feature an assortment of entertainment and music throughout both days of the festival. The main stage, hosted by drag queens Barbara Seville (top) and Afeelya Bunz, will be the place to dance and watch headlining acts – all under a the shade of Lath House Pavilion. For more information on the Rainbows Festival entertainment, including a schedule of events and headliner announcements, like Phoenix Pride on Facebook or follow @PhoenixPrideAZ on Twitter.
Taking Pride In Rainbows Each year, the Phoenix Pride staff plays a big role in planning, organizing and executing Rainbows. However, Owen said, an event of this magnitude wouldn’t be possible without the 150 volunteers and 10 volunteer managers. Throughout the twoday festival, members of local teams, groups and organizations sell alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and take on other duties as part of the Volunteer and Beverage Grant programs. As a result, a portion of beverage sales benefit the entity the volunteers are representing. Since 2008, the programs (Pride and Rainbows festivals combined) have raised over $325,000 for local organizations. “A lot of [the organizations] say that they wouldn’t be Rainbows Festival 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 17 and 18 Heritage Square 113 N. 6th St., Phoenix phoenixpride.org/events/ rainbows-festival celebrate
able to do the work that they do without the assistance of our grants,” Owen said. “We couldn’t do what we do without the community attending our festivals.” Just like the Phoenix Pride Festival, proceeds from Rainbows help to support the Phoenix Pride LGBT Center. “Our festivals and events have truly become fundraisers for the center,” Owen said. “For everybody who attends and shops, it is directly impacting the underserved parts of our community that count on the center for resources and services on a daily basis.” The Phoenix Pride LGBT Center offers a wide variety of services and resources for the community. To find out more about the Phoenix Pride LGBT Center, visit phoenixpridelgbtcenter.org.
Laura Latzko is a Phoenix-area freelance writer, originally from Michigan, who holds a bachelor’s degree in English and communication studies from Hollins University and a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Missouri.
order to increase participation and the diversity of the participants.
he 2015 Miss and Mister Junior Phoenix Pride preliminary pageant will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 19 at the Phoenix Pride LGBT Center.
New this year, only one preliminary pageant will take place, as opposed to multiple preliminary pageants in years past. Additionally, any type of performers, not just drag queens or kings, were welcome to compete.
Presented by Phoenix Pride and one n ten, this event serves as a qualifier for contestants to continue on to compete in the Mister and Miss Junior Phoenix Pride Pageant at Rainbows Festival.
“We think that will bring out some new individuals to participate and really open it up to everyone,” Logan said. “We want this title to be representative of everyone in our community.”
Ahead of the preliminary pageant, contestants were required to perform community service hours as well as compete in the onstage question and visual artistry categories for judging.
For more information, email Patrick Foley at patrick@ onenten.org.
The top six contestants from the preliminary pageant will compete for the Miss and Mister Junior Phoenix Pride titles at Rainbows.
Miss and Mister Junior Phoenix Pride Pageant Oct. 18 Heritage Square 113 N. 6th St., Phoenix phoenixpride.org/events/ rainbows-festival
According to Dani Logan, Phoenix Pride program manager, a few changes were made to the format of this junior pageant system in
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Spotlight on Success
ONE Community’s annual awards event to spotlight local heroes By Liz Massey
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ast year, ONE Community’s Spotlight on Success luncheon fell on Oct. 17, the day that marriage equality came to Arizona, and some of the very first legal same-sex weddings in the state were conducted at the event. This year, according to ONE Community co-founder and president Angela Hughey (pictured), the fifth annual event will reflect on the landmark victories that the LGBT community has experienced and discuss what will be needed to bring full equality to all Arizonans. The luncheon will take place Oct. 16 at the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown hotel, and will be followed by a cocktail hour to allow additional networking. The event will honor six individuals – five who are receiving a “Local Hero” award, and one who will receive the Change Agent award (see sidebar for a full list of the honorees). According to Hughey, the event’s theme is “faith, family and socially responsible businesses.” Each element of the theme will be demonstrated in the storylines of the honorees, which attendees will learn about through videos that will be played at the event. And as far as faith was concerned, Hughey explained that ONE Community is not just honoring members of faith communities that had shown support for Arizona’s LGBT community, but rather, “It’s the faith that we have in each other to participate in this ongoing conversation about equality that’s proven to be really important this year.” The revenue garnered from the event will underwrite training and education efforts
focused on workplace equality executed by the ONE Community Foundation, Hughey said, adding that such efforts continue to be needed, even though marriage equality has become a reality nationwide. “Seventy-three percent of Arizonans think we [LGBT people] already have employment protections, but we don’t in most parts of the state,” she said. “We’re having lots of cups of coffee educating municipalities and businesses … we need to take this message to the entire state.” Hughey believes ONE Community’s programs to foster an inclusive business environment – such as the UNITY Pledge and the Change Agent program – are making progress and that the organization strives to be exceptionally welcoming to all who support the group’s aims. She added that the Spotlight on Success luncheon was significant to advancing workplace equality at the local level for the same reason. “This is an impactful event,” Hughey asserted. “We can’t continue to work on economic development without the entire community’s support. This conversation is about every single one of us.” For more information about ONE Community’s Spotlight on Success luncheon, or to order tickets, visit onecommunity.co. ONE Community Spotlight on Success Awards Luncheon 11 a.m., Oct. 16, Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel 340 N. Third St., Phoenix.
The 2014 Spotlight on Success luncheon. Photos by Fernando Hernández.
ONE Community’s 2015 Spotlight on Success Honorees Angela Creedon, associate vice president for community and municipal relations at Arizona State University Annie Groth, Certified Family Business Specialist at MassMutual Frank Salls, co-founder of HeartHook Sharicka NuChurch and Donna McHenry The Very Rev. Troy Mendez, dean of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral Nona Lee, senior vice president and general counsel, and Derrick Hall, President/CEO of the Arizona Diamondbacks Change Agent Award: Byrce and Sara Cook
A Word From The Winners “I am grateful to represent a company that believes there is room for everyone and that your life should be your way and to focus on what you value most!” – Annie Groth, MassMutual “While I am deeply humbled to receive this recognition, I accept it alongside the people of my congregation, Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, who have worked tirelessly for decades to promote an environment of radical welcome and inclusion for the people of the city of Phoenix. This recognition makes me hopeful of a brighter tomorrow, where the people of Arizona see the intrinsic value of every person, and together we champion non-discrimination practices in every aspect of our common life together. The ONE Community, and all who will gather at the Spotlight on Success Awards continue to demonstrate that our dreams of full-inclusion for all people, including the LGBT community, are becoming a reality. I am truly grateful to all of you. Thank you.” – The Very Rev. Troy Mendez, Trinity Episcopal Cathedral Liz Massey has been involved in LGBT community-building activities in Kansas City and the Valley of the Sun, and is a former managing editor of Echo Magazine. She can be reached at lizmassey68@gmail.com.
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The Tucson Trio
Southern Arizona invites you to three Pride-themed celebrations By Megan Wadding Photo by Kym Jones.
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ctober is LGBT history month. And whether your definition of celebrating means being a part of a long-held tradition, enjoying live entertainment or simply spending a day with family, Tucson has an event for you. The 38th annual Tucsons Pride in the Desert will take place Oct. 17 at the Kino Sports Complex.
Photo courtesy of tucsonpride.org.
According to April Moss, Tucson Pride president, between 5,000 to 7,000 people from throughout the Southwest and beyond will travel to Tucson to be a part of the celebration. The reason people seem to come from such a widespread area, Moss added, is due in large part to Tucson Pride’s long history.
Photo courtesy of tucsonpride.org.
“It has to do with Tucson Pride being the oldest LGBTQ organization in the state of Arizona,” Moss said. “This is our 38th year. We started back in 1977 and we are one of the oldest Prides in the nation.” Another unique feature of Tucson Pride, implemented in recent years, is that the parade and block party take place a full week prior to the actual festival. This year, the Tucson Pride Parade and Block Party will take place Oct. 10 at Sky Bar on Fourth Avenue. The events were originally separated due to the ongoing construction in the downtown Tucson area. And, according to Moss, the change turned out to be beneficial for the five board members who serve as event organizers. “When we’re putting up the festival … checking vendors in to the festival,” Moss said, “we’d have to leave one [location] to go to the other, and it can make for a very busy … morning.”
A One-Of-A-Kind Wedding In honor of Arizona’s one-year anniversary of marriage equality coming to the state, Tucson Pride will host a a mass wedding ceremony as part of the fesrival. And, to make these nuptuals truly one of kind, international and Billboard Dance Charting artist, Jacinta, will be officiating the ceremony.
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“[Jacinta] is an entertainer and diva, who is also ordained,” Moss said. “[Couples] will have the opportunity to get married at Pride, and with [Jacinta] signing their marriage certificate, [it] might be a collector’s item.”
For information or to make arrangements to be married on stage at Pride, email marriage@tucsonpride.org. Additionally, she stated, there will be no cost to be a part of the mass wedding. Moss, who calls the headliner a personal friend, said that Jacinta reached out to her and asked to perform at Pride. Something that Moss said tends to happen a lot with entertainers. “Entertainers love coming to Tucson,” she said, “… they like the smaller Prides because they don’t get manhandled, and everyone here is down to earth.” When it comes to choosing which artists will take the Pride stage, Moss said she always looks at what will draw people to the festival. “We always try to choose entertainers that everyone in the community wants to hear,” she said. “We also want ones who will engage the audience.” In addition to Jacinta headlining the event’s mainstage, other entertainers include Billboard dance artist, Amuka, who had a smash international hit with “Appreciate Me” featured on “Queer as Folk”, as well as many local artists. “We have local newcomers and R&B and rap lesbian duo Real Gone premiering in the line-up,” said Bill Friar, Tucson Pride entertainment director. “[We also have] newcomer dance and pop artist, Paul Edgewater from Chicago.”
The Best of the Fest Each year, the Pride festival features a wide variety of vendors. This year there will be more than 80 vendors, including a variety of food trucks. According to Moss, the festival offers a great space for local nonprofits to “strut their stuff” to the community. “Many of them don’t have anything to sell. This is where their get their information out there for people,” she said. “We have mortgage business[es] and car dealers and a lot of churches. There are so many different things out there that are of interest to our community.” Rather than featuring food vendors with tents, Moss said they first chose to go with food trucks three years ago.
“The food trucks just pack their bag and go,” she said. “It’s much easier for everyone.”
Photo courtesy of tucsonpride.org.
Moss said also that Tucson Pride offers exclusivity to their food truck vendors, allowing a mutually beneficial relationship to blossom. “I only have one barbecue food vendor, one kettle korn vendor, one hot dog vendor,” Moss said. “We try to have long-lasting relationships with our vendors. We do what we can to make it good for them.” For attendees looking to enhance their festival experience, Tucson Pride is offering a $50 VIP package. The package includes admission to a 30-foot VIP tent, two drink tickets, a meal and loaded “swag” bags. According to Moss, the tent is a perfect place for anyone who wants a shaded spot to sit and watch the entertainers – or host their wedding reception. “[Newlyweds] can bring a cake and have their reception right in the tent,” Moss said. “They can have their whole wedding party there. What they get is a great deal, considering what a wedding anywhere else would cost.” Those in the VIP tent get to see the entertainers up close and personal, Moss added. “It’s all shaded under a nice tent with tables up right next to the stage,” Moss said. “The entertainers usually come in and eat with the VIPs. Our entertainers are great.”
A Family Affair In recent years, Moss said she’s noticed the trend of families becoming increasinly interested in attending the Pride festival together. “We’ve really concentrated on making sure Pride is family friendly,” Moss said. “It’s still a small community here in the Old Pueblo [and the festival] is for all ages.” While some aspects of the celebration can be a little risqué at times, particularly clothing and behavior, Moss said Tucson Pride does try to set some standards to keep things generally family friendly. “What we work on doing is [trying] to put a different picture in peoples’ minds,” Moss said. “While there are certain things we have no control over, we do try to tell people that we expect them to behave in a certain manner.” Ultimately, Moss is proud of the fact that Tucson Pride has always been especially welcoming to families and children. This year families are invited to attend the festival’s family friendly area. “We have three jumping castles ... one is an obstacle course, then a smaller obstacle course, and then a regular jumping castle,” Moss said. “We also have a bungee jump too. A lot of adults do the obstacle course too. ” celebrate
Pride On Parade
Tucson’s Fourth Avenue hosts annual parade and block party By Megan Wadding
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he focus of this year’s Tucson’s Pride on Parade will be groups and organizations that have made great strides for equality this year. Pride on Parade and the Pride Block Party will take place Oct. 10 – the weekend preceding Tucson’s 38th annual Pride in the Desert festival. According to April Moss, Tucson Pride president, the LGBT community has a lot to celebrate this year. According to Bill Friar, Tucson Pride entertainment director, Tempest DuJour will be the celebrity grand marshal of the Parade. DuJour was a part of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” season 7, which aired earlier this year. “Another grand marshal is Amanda Simpson, the Executive Director of the U.S. Army Office of Energy Initiatives and the first openly transgender woman political appointee of any presidential administration,” Friar said. Additionally, The Boy Scouts of America will serve as the parade’s color guard, which Moss believe is a first for the state of Arizona. “The recognition of the transgender community in the military and the Boy Scouts opening up finally has been a long time coming,” Moss said. “We feel that since marriage equality happened, we’ve heard about the Boy Scouts accepting gay individuals and opening their doors, but it didn’t get as much publicity. So we’re doing a lot to help bring that out to the forefront with the parade.” The parade will also feature The Girl Scouts, many local drag queens, the Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation
(SAAF), PFLAG and the local fire department, among others. Immediately following the parade, half of Fourth Avenue will close down and turn in to the Pride Block Party, officially hosted at Sky Bar. “Everyone is there for the Parade and then they head over to the Block Party where we continuing partying for a couple hours,” Moss said. Many local entertainers, including a DJ, will perform at the Pride Block Party. And, according to Moss, Fourth Avenue businesses are all showing their support by staying open later for attendees. “It’s also a way that we’re giving back to the Tucson community because we’re trying to revitalize the Fourth Avenue area,” Moss said. Tucson’s 38th annual Pride in the Desert festival Oct. 17 Kino Sports Complex 2500 E. Ajo Way, Tucson tucsonpride.org Tucson Pride on Parade 6 p.m. Oct. 10 Fourth Avenue, Tucson Tucson Pride Block Party 7 p.m. Oct. 10 Sky Bar 536 N. Fourth Ave., Tucson Megan Wadding is a freelance writer and travel addict with a degree in journalism. Follow her on Twitter at @MeganWadding. EchoMag.com
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A Cause Worth Walking For Northern Arizona and Tucson to host annual AIDS Walks By Desi Rubio
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hroughout the Grand Canyon State, AIDS/HIV awareness and prevention is gaining momentum as event organizers join forces for 2015’s AIDS Walk Arizona. This year marks the second consecutive year that three separate walks will occur in the state within a one-month window. “Bringing awareness to HIV is paramount and I believe that by creating a unified effort, we have a chance to elevate awareness throughout the state,” said Kit Kloeckl, Aunt Rita’s Foundation’s executive director. The first walk, AIDS Walk Northern Arizona (NAZ) benefitting Northland Cares, is scheduled for Sept. 26 at Ken Lindley Park in Prescott. The second walk, the 27th annual AIDS Walk Tucson benefitting Southern AIDS Association Foundation (SAAF), is scheduled for Oct. 11 at the Joel D. Valdez Main Library, Jacome Plaza.
AIDS Walk Northern AZ For the second year, AIDS Walk Northern AZ (NAZ) 2015, which represents Arizona’s northern communities, including Flagstaff, Sedona and Prescott, invites walkers, teams, children and pets from across the state to participate. Northland Cares, an organization dedicated to providing a full range of services for HIV/ AIDS patients in northern Arizona, will be hosting the event. “What we want more than anything is to raise awareness in order to save lives and reduce stigma,” said Tricia Goffena-Beyer, Northland Cares executive director. AIDS Walk NAZ is the newest addition to AIDS Walk Arizona. And, while it may still be
small in numbers, its message is mighty. Funds raised will benefit the various services the organization offers, including support for counseling, housing, medicine and testing. Last year AIDS Walk NAZ raised just over $7,000 and, according to event organizers, this year’s goal is to double those funds. According to Goffena-Beyer, about 190 people in Yavapai County depend upon the services of Northland Cares and she hopes this year’s AIDS walk will help raise awareness around the stigma and discrimination for individual living with HIV/ AIDS. According to event organizers, there have been significant efforts made to grow participation as well. This year, event organizers are hoping for 150 walkers and at least 15 teams. “These are real life tragedies that are preventable and we should all be interested in preventing them for the good of this world,” Goffena-Beyer said. “HIV is a communicable disease – that means it takes everyone working together to learn the facts, get tested and know your status.” The walk will begin at 10 a.m. and will take place at Ken Lindley Part in Prescott. “We will be highly visible within the city as we will have a route that takes us down and around the Courthouse Square where there are a variety of other activities happening,” Goffena-Beyer said. Along the route, Goffena-Beyer said walkers can expect snacks and water as well as volunteers to cheer them on along.
Photo courtesy of facebook.com/aidswalkphoenix. 28 |
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Additionally, walkers are invited to participate in the PAWS For the Cause portion of the fundraiser. For $10, walkers can register to bring their friendly pets to walk with them. Each registered pet will receive bandana and bag of treats. “We love dogs, we love people and people and dogs should love to walk with us,” Goffena-Beyer said.
AIDS Walk Tucson Two weeks after AIDS Walk NAZ hits the streets of Prescott, the 27th annual AIDS Walk Tucson, and related events, are scheduled for the Old Pueblo. As one of the oldest walks in Tucson, this event will take place Oct. 11 and will again raise funds for the SAAF. According to event organizers,100 percent of the proceeds raised from the walk will support services that help in the prevention, education and services for HIV/AIDS in the community. This year is especially memorable to event organizers because it marks the 30th year anniversary of SAAF. And, along with this milestone, comes along a new mission for the organization: “to cultivate a healthy and stigma free society through transformative action.” Throughout the past 30 years, SAAF’s programs have helped reach thousands and the proceeds raised this year will allow the organization to gain momentum for the 1,300 plus clients regularly dependent upon their services. According to Monique Vallery, SAAF’s associate director of development, with the support of the community, AIDS Walk Tucson hopes to have more than 2,000 registered walkers and raise $170,000 this year.
Photo courtesy of facebook.com/aidswalkphoenix.
celebrate
Photo by CJ Minott.
AIDS Walk Tucson also invites walkers to register their pets for PAWS for the Cause portion of the fundraiser for $10. Vallery said she recognizes that pets are extension of family and organizers are excited for the furry friends to participate. Every registered pet will receive an AIDS Walk “neckerchief.” And, while the walk will take place on a Sunday, the entire weekend is dedicated to awareness and prevention and those whose lives have impacted by the disease.
AIDS Walk Northern Arizona 10 a.m. Sept. 26 Ken Lindley Park in Prescott. naz.aidswalkaz.org The 27th annual AIDS Walk Tucson 8 a.m. Oct. 11 Joel D. Valdez Main Library, Jacome Plaza Quilts Opening Ceremony 10 a.m. Oct. 11 aidswalktucson.saaf.org AIDS Walk & 5K Run Phoenix 9 a.m. Oct. 25 Downtown Phoenix phoenix.aidswalkaz.org
After crossing the finish line, walkers are invited to the Quilts Opening Ceremony. For the past 14 years, this ceremony has made panels from the Tucson AIDS Quilt available for viewing. And, in partnership with the National Names Project Foundation, event coordinators will read the names of each person listed on the quilt in remembrance of their lives. “It is one of the most powerful events that happens all weekend,” Vallery said, “[It’s] not only for family members who [knew] the individual, but supporters who may not know anyone who has AIDS – they can come show support.” Tucson Meet Yourself, a three-day folklife festival, will be held the same weekend and is expecting 100,000 attendees to descend on downtown Tucson from Oct. 9-11. “The Tucson Meet Yourself Festival gives us the opportunity to reach even more people,” Vallery said. “There will condom distribution, outreach education and free on-site testing at the festival.”
AIDS Walk & 5k Run Phoenix AIDS Walk NAZ and AIDSWALK Tucson are two-thirds of a powerful collaborative working in unison to deliver a message of awareness throughout the state. AIDS Walk & 5K Run Phoenix is slated for Oct. 25 (look for more details in the next issue of Echo). As the partnership for AIDS Walk AZ grows stronger each year, event organizers in the northern and southern parts of the state agree that, while the goals are set high, seeing the outcome of their efforts is exciting, inspiring and rewarding. Desi Rubio is a Chandler-based freelance writer, who holds a bachelor’s degree in communication and culture. She can be reached at rubiodk@gmail.com.
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OUT ‘n ABOUT Camp OUTdoors! Reunion Aug. 22 at Steele Indian School Park, Phoenix Photos by CJ Minott.
For more Echo photos visit echomag.com/gallery.
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Ruben Gonzales: Setting Himself apart Jessica Starr: Finding Her Muse LGBT Artists to Watch Sensual Media The Heart of the Revolution
Photo courtesy of SWAY Events.
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Setting Himself apART
Local artist and entrepreneur finds inspiration in 1ocal 1andscape By Art Martori
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t’s a steady Tuesday evening at the Royale Lounge when I catch up with downtown Phoenix artist and designer Ruben Gonzales. We’re drinking steadily as the winding, fuzzy-growingfuzzier conversation lands on the day Gonzales’ patchwork of creative efforts finally coalesced into 11th Monk3y Industries, his combined studio, retail spot and co-op in the arts district on Grand Avenue. I’m leaning in close to hear. It’s one of those interludes at the Royale when someone jealously feeds a buck into the jukebox and the usual silence in the shadowy bar is replaced by a rowdy norteño jam. “That day changed a lot in my life,” Gonzales remembers between pulls on a sweating bottle of Miller High Life. That day was in the summer of 2013. Gonzales was hustling to prepare for a trip to Havasupai Falls. The break was much needed. He’d recently scrambled to submit a last-minute application to the non-profit group Seed Spot, hoping for startup funding to get 11th Monk3y off the ground. But instead, he received a form letter denying the application. In his mind, Gonzales was already enjoying the cool water just a few hours away. But then his phone started blowing up. The first call, as it turned out, was from Seed Spot. Due to a glitch in the software used to review applications, Gonzales’ bid had gone unnoticed at first. But they’d finally seen it, and they really wanted to talk. Calling on the other line was the renowned T-shirt designer Johnny Earle (aka Johnny Cupcakes). Earle was bringing his signature cupcake-andcrossbones apparel to town from Los Angeles, and his search for a display space had created quite the buzz throughout the downtown Phoenix art scene. He’d heard about what Gonzales was doing at the time. And he wanted to show at his place. In less than an hour, Gonzales had gotten a nod from a very established underground artist and was well on his way toward seed funding. And there
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was still the trip to Havasupai Falls. “I was like, ‘F*ck yeah!’” laughs Gonzales, now 36, and bearing an impressive nose ring and dark, stylishly combed-over hair.
Gate 11, Flight 11 What started out as a way to earn a few extra bucks to support his hobby eventually grew to become a successful business that employs local artists and designers, and produces work for some of the most well-known entities in metro Phoenix, and beyond. Gonzales hopes to grow 11th Monk3y into a place where aspiring creatives can learn the skills of their trades and get support from someone who’s learned, the hard way, how to make things happen. “Our goal is to help incubate small hobbyists and or people who want to own a small business,” Gonzales said. “It lets the creator or the artist know, ‘Is this something I want to do? Or is this just my hobby that I’ll do every six months?’” He’s at the Royale with friend and 11th Monk3y employee Jason Simons, 30, a recent transplant from South Dakota with a background in fabrication, manufacturing and bicycle mechanics. Simons is somewhat reserved, knocking back beers at a noticeably slower pace. Of a recently completed project that required long days often running into the night, he simply notes, “It’s just easier with two people.” 11th Monk3y takes up half of a redbrick storefront on Grand Avenue at Fillmore Street, south of art-scene landmarks such as Bikini Lounge, Bragg’s Pie Factory and ThirdSpace, where Grand gets just a little sketchier with the foot traffic off Van Buren. According to Gonzales, the quirky name for his operation came to him almost subliminally. “The number 11 I see and remember from my life all the time,” he explains. “I look at my phone, it’s 11:11. I get in line, and I’m number 11. I was getting on an airplane one time, and it was gate 11, flight 11.”
Photos courtesy of SWAY Events.
Married To Business The front rooms of 11th Monk3y are dedicated to retail and screen printing; entering the place you immediately see racks of distinctly urban apparel: hats bearing stylized monkey heads, or shirts with bold screen-printed such words as HERO or C*NT. They’re also a licensed dealer of single-speed and fixedgear bicycles from Tempe-based State Bicycle Co. and Pure Fix Cycles, out of Los Angeles. Managing the screen-printing part of the shop is Michelle Meyer, an animated, attractive 23-year-old who met Gonzales through Seed Spot. She started out as an unpaid intern working her way through a fine arts degree at Arizona State University. But after her internship ended and she graduated, Gonzales had reached a point where he could afford to pay her. Meyer remembers hearing about 11th Monk3y when the internship opened up. She was the only applicant. “I remember reading the email, and I was like, ‘Holy shit, this is awesome,” she said. “Then time got away from me, but it was always in the back of my mind. I started thinking, “What am I doing this summer?” Behind the retail space at 11th Monk3y is a large workshop where Gonzales and Simons design and build just about anything you could imagine. Recent projects include a photo booth ordered by Instagram, outdoor furniture for the Space Between park at First and Fillmore Streets, and a super-slick folding art table for one n ten. Gonzales admits this do-it-all approach can snap up all his free time. “My life right now is super chaotic in the best way,” he said. “We bitch and moan sometimes, but at the end of the day, when create
“... when we look back and see what we’re building and who we’re building it for, it’s very rewarding.” Ruben Gonzales
we look back and see what we’re building and who we’re building it for, it’s very rewarding.” When I ask about dating, going out and having fun, Gonzales just laughs. “Well, I’m married to my business. That’s probably the number-one reason I’m single,” he admits. “We’re the plumber with the leaky faucet because we’re always out fixing everyone else’s.”
B-Boy At Work One weekend, I drop by 11th Monk3y when the crew is finishing up the art table for one n ten. It’s nearly complete by the time I get there. Much like a Murphy bed, the art table mounts to a wall. Folded up, panes on the underside display artwork or act as a whiteboard for dry-erase markers. Folded down, the table offers a sturdy, flat surface for working, and myriad shelves and drawers for storing supplies. Simons is using a cutting wheel to
shape the panes while Gonzales lowers and raises the table’s brushed-metal frame to ensure smooth operation. He explains how the design came to him during the brief silences when Simons shuts off the cutting wheel to check and re-check his work. The signature look of many of his pieces, Gonzales explains, with dark wood contrasting lighter metal, is called “upcycled industrial.” They typically hunt around for reclaimed material or, if that fails, seek donations or just swing by the local lumber yard. “Everything is designed on how I would use it and what the functionality should be,” Gonzales said. “If it’s something that I wouldn’t use, I wouldn’t design it for the client. It has to serve two purposes when we build furniture or art pieces. Visually, to us, we want them to be aesthetically pleasing. They
also need to be functional. Even if it’s an art piece, we want you to be able to walk up to it, touch it, move it, interact with it.” It’s a little funny to see Gonzales today, bouncing around the country and working insane hours, once you learn a little bit about his history. He didn’t have much to do with art and design until 2009, when one evening, strapped for cash, he sat down in his mom’s kitchen, fired up his laptop and started teaching himself graphic design via YouTube videos. His true passion since high school had been b-boying – breakdancing, as it’s also called – where opposing crews of dancers square off in competitions to perform elaborate moves like Indian Steps, Bicycle Pumps and Baby Freezes. The clothing b-boys wore always struck him as unique and stylish, Gonzales remembers, but also a bit spendy for urban kids. He saw an opportunity. “The clothing was really cool. It just wasn’t that affordable. B-boys are broke,” he said. “And so when the concerts came around, I was like, ‘I can do this.’ I wanted to make it affordable and let the community have input on the designs.” So, Gonzales began printing and selling his T-shirt designs at b-boy competitions. Then
he was selling so many he needed racks to display them. So he taught himself how to fabricate metal racks. Then people buying T-shirts started asking where they could buy the racks. So Gonzales got into custom fabrication. He was off and running. “I realized there was a market for me to make a little bit of side cash,” he remembers. “At the same time, I needed to make racks for my clothes. It kinda all started snowballing from one thing to the next, from shirts, to racks, to bicycles, to custom fabrication.”
Home, Sweet Home One of Gonzales’ greatest points of pride – aside from his 19-year career as a b-boy and his burgeoning enterprise – is his hometown. He’s quick to distinguish that he’s not quite a Phoenix native. Rather, he was born in Tolleson, Ariz., and is a product of Tolleson Union High School. Growing up, the population there was about 4,500, which Gonzales describes as “very churchy, very Hispanic.” He admits to getting into a little trouble during his teenage years, but underlying that was always a deep love for his hometown. “Everything was in Tolleson. If they had
a college, I would’ve went to that [one],” Gonzales said. “Everything was just small, family oriented. It’s a small farm town for sure.” Now, on Grand Avenue, he again seems to have found a place he’s reluctant to outgrow, although that might be inevitable given the trajectory he’s on today. Gonzales admits the Grand Avenue scene does have a history of peaks and valleys – with the sudden closures of places like The Paper Heart, Chez Nous and Paisley Violin – and a big part of him would like to be among the people whose success finally establishes Grand as a lasting arts enclave. His relationship with Phoenix is complicated, Gonzales laughs. “It’s not my forever home, but it’s where my heart is. I have a love-hate relationship with Phoenix, just like a lot of natives do,” he said. “You don’t really have to struggle here. You do it in New York or L.A. and you mess up, you probably have to move back home. Here you can keep failing until you don’t fail anymore.” Art Martori is a Phoenix-based freelance writer who contributes to various newspapers and magazines.
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Finding Her Muse
educated me on the sides of dance I was not familiar with,” she said. “While not always on stage, I was constantly learning and was inspired by many talented artists.”
“I knew I had something special with … this magical collaboration of young artists and use of film.”
College was next for Starr, and she landed at the University of Arizona in Tucson where she triple majored in dance, film and photography. Starr acknowledged that the strong arts community in Tucson had a significant impact on her artistic evolution. And this diverse training would serve her well as she set out to find her niche.
Jessica Starr
Valley dancer steps her way into success in LA By Richard Schultz
J
essica Starr’s passion for dance, as well as her conviction to create with a purpose, can be traced back to her local roots. And although this successful artist now resides in Los Angeles, she credits her years in Arizona among her greatest influences. Growing up in Ahwautukee, Starr continually found herself seeking out opportunities to be inspired by the work of others. She tried her hand at everything from baton twirling and acting to gymnastics and playing musical instruments. “As a young artist, I was always involved in just about everything I could get my hands into,” she said. “My mom always supported my eager attitude … Nothing was quite as fulfilling as expressing myself through dance. While I never had the strongest technique or competition scores, I was the most spirited in the room.” By high school, Starr was largely involved in the hiphop dance scene. “Engaging in the many facets of the dance community
After graduation, Starr stayed in Tucson to teach high school dance and save money. And, on a quest for a space that was constantly inspiring, she moved to Los Angeles in 2004. After working numerous jobs steadily her first a year in LA, Starr said she felt a void that she attributed to missing the one-on-one experience of guiding young and eager artists. In no time, Starr saw a clear void LA’s dance market and jumped at the opportunity to fill it. “I saw a strong need for in-house dance workshops with professional dance choreographers,” she said. “I rallied my peers with strong teaching skills and extensive resumes and formed Muse Dance Company to provide in-house professional training.” Throughout the next
nine years, Muse Dance Company traveled the globe conducting dance workshops. The company developed a strong following of committed and uniquely talented artists who also relocated to LA to pursue their careers and maintain their Muse training. Coincidentally, she connected with fellow Phoenix native, Nik Gravelle, who was working as a videographer. Their chemistry was instantaneous and their creative approaches and work styles were highly compatible. Gravelle began filming Muse events, which would cast the same dancers who had been trained by Starr. After the group’s first two-hour stage show in Newport Beach, Starr said inspiration struck. “I knew I had something special with … this magical collaboration of young artists and use of film,” she recalled. “I was approached by a number of supporters and donors who encouraged me to form MusEffect in 2014.” MusEffect is a nonprofit organization with a mission of raising social awareness through the arts. More specifically, MusEffect creates PSAs for online viewing in conjunction with live stage performances. “In a world driven by social media, we
a wide range of audiences, addressing an unlimited amount of topics,” she said. “We aim to encourage dialogue and empower healing through our work.” MusEffect’s immediate goal is to initiate a conversation on social media, in the classroom or at the dinner table. Starr adamantly believes that “silence gives these topics power, discussing them brings us one step closer towards personal healing and resolution.”
resume. Yet, we strive to elevate social consciousness through our work.” According to Starr, Muse’s future plans include an extensive tour of “The Divine Direction,” which will include an appearance in the Valley Oct. 23. In the meantime, visit musedancecompany.com or museffect.org for more information.
Past projects include “Look at Me,” a 2008 commissioned spoken word piece with poet Azure Antoinette that addresses the issue of body image and eating disorders. The troupe has performed at some of LA’s biggest shows, including “Carnival,” “The Choreographer’s Ball” and “Club Jete,” and such venues as Lincoln Center in New York City. Additionally, in 2014, MusEffect created a piece to promote marriage equality titled “Same Love,” performed to Mary Lambert’s “She Keeps Me Warm.”
Photo courtesy of Jessica Starr.
are able to present our work to many who need to see it,” she said. Together, Starr’s artistic vision and Gravelle’s talents behind the camera translate into creative productions with important messages. “We use elements of dance, spoken word and film to create a multimedia platform that enables us to connect with
In August, they released their latest PSA, “When the Hashtag was just a Pound Sign,” which addresses the obsessive reliance our society has developed on technology. In October, they will be releasing “#NoHaters,” a sequel to MusEffect’s most successful PSA to date, “953k Inspiring Action Against Cyberbullying.” “As the creative director, my focus is to remind ourselves daily that we are creating for a larger purpose,” she said. “Yes, we need to pay rent. Yes, we need to audition for bigger jobs to expand our
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aMUSEing Valley Audiences MusEffect and SoulEscape Collaboration 7 p.m. Oct. 23rd Higley Performing Arts Center 4132 E. Pecos Road, Gilbert thesoulescapeintensive.com Richard Schultz is a playwright, actor, director and freelance writer based in Phoenix.
ASU School of Music 2015-2016 Lyric Opera Theatre Season
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Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim Book by George Furth Sept. 25-26; Oct. 2-3 at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 27 & Oct. 4 at 2 p.m.
Performances are held in the ASU School of Music's Evelyn Smith Music Theatre, located just north of ASU Gammage. Tickets: $8-$21. Buy tickets online: herbergerinstitute.asu.edu/events/tickets or by phone at 480.965.6447. Group rates available. COMPANY is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. 421 West 54th Street, New York, NY 10019 Phone: 212-541-4684 Fax: 212-397-4684 www.MTIShows.com
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Photo courtesy of Muse Dance Company.
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LGBT Artists to Watch
Meet five community members who are making a name for themselves in the arts By Richard Schultz The Valley is a home to a wide array of talented artists who are making a name for themselves both onstage and behind the scenes. While an entire roster would be too numerous to count, we’d like to introduce you a small sampling of the diverse talents that are part of the upcoming season. Meet Damon J. Bolling, Cole Brackney, Daniel Davisson, Robert Kolby Harper and Toby Yatso, Echo’s LGBT artists to watch for the 2015-2016 season.
“When we decided to do Dreamgirls, we knew we had to find a director who not only had a passion for the work, but also a strong connection with local African American actors,” she added. Bolling was in the Arizona premiere cast of the Black Theatre Troupe’s Dreamgirls at the Herberger Theater Center in 2006. Bolling previously directed for the Hormel New Works Festival at Phoenix Theatre.
Daniel Davisson
Damon J. Bolling
There is little doubt that lighting director Daniel Davisson is one of the busiest working theater artists in the Valley.
Damon J. Bolling is one of those theatre artists who is equally comfortable on stage or in the director’s chair.
Davisson designed for One Man, Two Guvnors at Phoenix Theatre, where he is the resident lighting designer, master electrician and director of production for rentals and special events.
As a performer, with over 30 productions to his credit, Bolling he has performed in the Valley for more than 20 years, has sung on Broadway, and toured the country. Bolling made his musical directorial debut with Desert Foothills Theater’s production of Dreamgirls earlier this year. He will return to DFT in April to direct Smokey Joe’s Cafe with T.A. Burrows and Daniel Kurek. “Damon first started working with us as an actor when we presented Stephen Sondheim’s Company in 2013,” said Meribeth Reeves, Desert Foothills Theater’s managing director. “He was incredible in that role and a true joy to work with.” Bolling kicked off the 2015-2016 season by directing season opener of The Wiz for Mesa Encore Theatre.
In addition to serving as a classic textbook example of a theater artist wearing many hats, Davisson is also the owner and operator for Davisson Entertainment, LLC, a local event and production company with the mission of cultivating and exposing local art and artists.
Cole Brackney According to Ron May, Stray Cat Theatre’s artistic director, Cole Brackney is one of the most talented and up-and-coming young actors in the Valley. “Cole has killer comedic chops, can sing, and is able to hold an audience in the palm of his hand with little more than a mischievous grin,” May said. Brackney is widely recognized for his ability to play a broad range of characters and ages, one example of which was his performance in Stray Cat’s production of Pluto. “It’s hard to find the heart in the character of a killer, but he found it,” May said of Brackney’s strong performance as Bailey in Pluto. “I’m excited to see what the future holds for him.” Brackney has also appeared as James Avery in Nearly Naked Theatre’s Valhalla and as the Wolf in Ethington Theatre’s Into the Woods.
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His lighting designs have gained him numerous awards and accolades, including six AriZoni Theatre Awards of Excellence, which were a result of more than 65 AriZoni Award nominations. Watch for his work in upcoming productions of Company at ASU Lyric Opera, Black Theatre Troupe’s The Taste Test at and The Toxic Avenger at Phoenix Theatre. Robert Kolby Harper Robert Kolby Harper, Phoenix Theatre’s associate artistic director, is an invaluable part of the Valley arts scene. His accomplishments are many and his legacy includes his unsurpassed popularity among audiences and rave reviews from critics. Originally from Georgia, Harper has lived in Phoenix for more than 25 years. In 2002, he became the first Artist-inResidence, a development program for young theater professionals.
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Folles, as Lloyd Dallas in Noises Off, and as Roger Debris in The Producers. For the past five years, Harper has been the director of the Hormel Festival of New Plays and Musicals at Phoenix Theatre, where he has been instrumental in deepening the organization’s commitment to the development of new voices. He has garnered 40 ariZoni Nominations, resulting in 28 ariZoni Awards for directing, choreographing and acting. Toby Yatso Toby Yatso is a multi-talented performer who could be referred to as the Valley’s own Tommy Tune. Tall and lanky, he is as equally charming and dynamic on stage. Yatso is Artist-in-Residence at Phoenix Theatre.
Additionally, Harper has directed numerous Phoenix Theatre presentations, including Shear Madness, Anything Goes, Rent, Avenue Q, Altar Boys. His choreography credits include Spamalot, Hairspray, Guys and Dolls, Cabaret, Chicago, Will Rogers Follies, Thoroughly Modern Millie and Beauty and the Beast. As a performer, he delighted audiences as Albin/Zaza in La Cage Aux
Last season, he wowed audiences as Alex in Buyer and Cellar. This one-man show – in which he played a number of characters, including an unforgettable impression of Barbra Streisand – put his amazing versatility and variety of talents in the spotlight. Additionally, his portrayal as Bert in Mary Poppins, one of last season’s highlights, included an incomparable dance on and around the stage proscenium. As a director, his innate sense of timing and inspired staging led to the successes of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,
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Forbidden Broadway, Bat Boy: The Musical, Smile, and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. Richard Schultz is a playwright, actor, director and freelance writer based in Phoenix.
Wanted: Colorful Characters Do you know a local LGBT theater artist that deserves to be recognized for their contributions to the local arts scene? If so, let us know by sending a note with a short bio to Richard Schultz at RLSchultz41@aol.com.
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Sensual Media Local poet uses Instagram as creative outlet for erotic poetry By Kara J. Philp
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he has but one name, and only one gallery displays her art. Each individual piece of work she creates serves as a glimpse of – more like a curiosity as to ¬– what inspired such an installment. Her name is @theemassacre. Her gallery is Instagram. Her works of art are erotic poems. And her inspiration is drawn from women. “I identify myself as a woman who simply writes poetry,” said the artist known to few as Marie Villalpando. “Sexual encounters and women are my muse. Especially if I have opened up emotionally to that woman, then my writing goes to a whole different world.” While she acknowledges that her poetry is considered erotic, she takes the definition one step further. “I like to say it is ‘soul-fucking erotic,’” she explained. “I take it past many levels of sexual. It is the type of poetry that can make you hot and emotional all in one.” Like artists of other media, her work ebbs and flows depending on what’s going on in her world when she begins to create. “Everything I write is from my perspective and personal sexual experiences,” she added, “because I am a lesbian, [the] majority of my poetry is from a lesbian perspective.” While she’s only called Arizona home for two years – she currently resides in Gilbert – she’s been writing poetry for about a decade. And it shows. “Tonight you are my canvas, I will do with
Photos courtesy of instagram.com/theemassacre.
“Thee massacre is because of who I
you what I please,” she begins in a poem posted just over a year ago under a photo of a naked woman adorned in body paint. She concludes, … “you are my canvas tonight, so we will continue until sunlight to get this masterpiece right.” An appropriate metaphor, since painting is this artist’s second favorite form of expression. “Painting for me is a way that I can express myself in a physical form that my poetry simply cannot do,” she said. “My art is usually done when I’m happiest, sad and, honestly, after I’m done having sex. My art is the best after sex, simply because I am at my most vulnerable and open part of my being. My sex glow shows on my canvas.” While she talks openly about her sexual encounters, she also encourages consumers of her work to take a closer look. “I write for the feelings I can’t express,” she said. “I write for those who can relate to the beauty of being loved, even if you have a darkness about you. I make people see past the physicality of sex and see the emotional and soul-filled, artistic beauty of being transparent and vulnerable to another human.” So, how does someone with such sensual subject matter and vulnerable inspiration end up with such a violent moniker, you ask?
am,” she explained. “I stop at nothing to be the best and kill all competition in every aspect.” Fair enough. And, it’s safe to say that a poet by any other name would write just as sweet. Just check Instagram. Earlier this month, @theemassacre’s poetry-filled (and NSFW) social media account showed nearly 10,000 followers. “I love that my audience is able to relate to my perspectives,” she said. “I’ve always been proud of who and what I am [and] my work has grown from me growing as a person.” Currently, Instagram serves as her studio, her gallery and her journal. But that’s all set to change in the near future. “I am currently working on a blog,” she said. “[The] best way to describe it is a lesbian ‘Sex and the City’ type of blog, entertaining and realistic.” That’s not her only ambition, she also had a started readying her work for publishing. “I’m in the process of a rough draft now,” she said. “All my poetry wrapped into a book. But I won’t give away too much, [I] don’t want to spoil the surprise.” In the meantime, her advice for anyone just starting out or trying to find their voice is: just be yourself. “Writing is something that should be personal, start with what you know and feel,” she said. “Let it all flow naturally; then you can start writing from [an]other’s perspective.” For updates, photos and unedited poetry entries, follow @theeemassacre on Instagram or visit instagram.com/ theemassacre. Kara J. Philp is the managing editor of Echo Magazine and can be reached at kj@echomag.com.
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The Heart of the Revolution Tucson-born pop singer gains international following By Megan Wadding
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ario, the single-named pop singer and songwriter hailing from Tucson, released his latest album this spring and is currently on a tour that will lead him overseas. The Tucson native and graduate of Flowing Wells High School, who now lives in Los Angeles, Calif., said he got his start at a tiny coffee shop on Speedway Boulevard in Tucson back in 2003.
“It was going to be my very first performance ever. The coffee shop had an open-mic night and it was packed,” Dario said. “They had a capacity of maybe 200 people.” Despite having stagefright, Dario said that when the song “Amazing Grace” was suggested to him, he jumped at the chance to perform it. “I remember that everyone in the audience was talking, so right before I sang, I decided that I wanted to be different. When I got up to the mic, I said, ‘Alright, everybody. Shut up. I’m about to sing!’ which made everyone laugh and it broke the ice,” he said, adding that when he was finished he received a standing ovation.
Dario headed to Los Angeles in a rental car shortly after his coffee shop performance, and went on to audition for many television singing shows, including “Pop Stars” and “American Idol.” While he did not get chosen to advance to the final rounds of the competitions, he did make it into the top 100 on American Idol that same year. “It was really a crazy time. I actually slept on the freeway in front of a hotel in Hollywood for three days so I wouldn’t lose my place in line for ‘Pop Stars’ because there were thousands of people waiting,” he recalled. “I made it through the first two rounds and it was a really good experience. It just taught me so much.” According to Dario, the experience of auditioning and seeing how the industry works showed him the importance of perseverance, but also that sometimes you just need to go ahead and make a big leap of faith. “I had really just started honing by craft, but then I decided to just put out an album,” he said. “Then, really all of a sudden, I was opening for Fat Joe and Ashanti and Destiny’s Child. It was crazy.” After officially making the move to Los Angeles in 2006, Dario began working on his first full-length album, Dedicated, which was released in 2007. Dario said his music can’t be confined to just one genre and prides himself on his eclectic sound. “My music really is so many things,” he said, “a little bit of R&B, a little bit of pop, a little bit of dance, a little bit of Latin. Throw them all into a blender and you get a Dario record.” Even as a child, back in Tucson, Dario said he always knew that he wanted to be a singer. “We were raised that we were supposed to go to school, get a job, get married, have kids and just repeat that same cycle,” he explained. “No one really says to you that you can be on television, you can be on the radio, you can be on magazine covers. So it wasn’t until I did the “Pop Stars” audition that I
Photo courtesy of Dario.
A Revolutionary Release Family and creative collaborations inspire Dario’s new album By Megan Wadding
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ith a decade in the music business and six albums to his name, Tucson native and pop singer Dario released his latest full-length album, Revolution (Deluxe), May 5. Revolution is the deluxe release of Dario’s six track Evolution EP, which he released last year.
Photo courtesy of facebook.com/dariofans.
thought, ‘I can do this.’” Dario said that his parents were not too happy about his decision, but that eventually they realized that college was not for everyone and were proud of his success. Over the years, Dario’s following has grown exponentially and he is attracting crowds of more than 20,000. Dario said that, from the start, his audience has been predominantly LGBTQ. “We didn’t market ourselves for that, but the LGBTQ community has been nothing but amazing to me,” he said. “I don’t know how it happened. My agent said a bunch of Pride [festivals] kept calling to book me, so Pride shows were about 80 percent of my last tour. It was amazing. I loved it.” Dario, who was featured on Echo’s cover in September 2011, said that the LGBTQ community could possibly be drawn to the things he sings about, such as self-love and overcoming hardships. “In my music I’m always talking about being yourself and loving yourself exactly the way that you are. And I think the LGBTQ community especially knows a lot about
that, because it’s been hard,” he said. “But, as a community, they’re making huge strides, like how we just legalized gay marriage. Now it’s just marriage! It’s really amazing.” Dario’s newest album, Revolution (Deluxe), was received with rave reviews earlier this year. While his tour is currently heading to Asia, Dario said he would love to come home to Tucson, both to visit and to perform. The last time he had the time to come back was in 2012. “A lot of fans from Arizona, and especially my friends and family keep asking when I’ll be coming back. I’m hoping soon. I’ve been so busy, but I would love to come home,“ he said. “I’m really just a kid from Tucson who wanted to sing and be on stage and move people with my music. I never actually believed it was possible, but here I am.” For more information on Dario, visit darioonline.com. Megan Wadding is a freelance writer and travel addict with a degree in journalism. Follow her on Twitter at @MeganWadding.
The new album’s first single, “Backlash,” broke the Top 40 snatching the #28 slot on the National Independent Digital Radio Chart in its first week and his second single, “Save You,” made the Billboard Top 40 dance chart July 2. “I’m really proud of this album,” Dario said. “I wanted to create a love revolution where everyone just gets along with each other. Stop talking bad about one another and stop being jealous. I wanted to bring people together. Hopefully that’s what we’re doing.” Like his previous album, Revolution also features songs in “Spanglish.” “Spanish was my first language. I’m Mexican and it is part of my culture,” Dario said, adding that the album was specifically written for his father. “My dad speaks Spanish mostly. I’ve also always wanted to make a record for him. And on this record, I’m really getting into it.” According to Dario, his process for songwriting probably differs from most musicians, who tend to create more organically. “I set a timeline. That’s just me. I gave myself seven months to do this album”, he explained. Additionally, Dario said that this is only the second project that’s involved collaborating with other songwriters. All previous songs were written solely by him. “When I was writing my last record, I had just one writer come in to help me,” Dario said. “I really liked the experience. I realized that there are so many points of views out there. When you bring in other creative minds, it makes your project so much better. So for this album, I brought in three other writers and it was amazing.” Revolution debuted at No. 1 on Amazon’s digital sales and held its place for three consecutive days. “The response has been amazing,” Dario said. “I met so many fans on tour. The meet and greets were amazing. It’s all been so fun.”
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OUT ‘n ABOUT Miss Gay Western States America 2015 Aug. 23 at Phoenix Theatre Photos by Fernando Hernández.
For more Echo photos visit echomag.com/gallery.
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Touring Shows: The World Awaits
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Local Theater: All The State’s A Stage
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By The Genre Classical Arts
Photo by Tina Dickson Photography.
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The Scorpius Tale
Phoenix-based dance company gears up for new season By Richard Schultz
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corpius is a constellation of the zodiac that comprises many bright stars. Scorpius is also Latin for scorpion, a creature known the world over for its inexplicable ability to illuminate under just the right light. Knowing this, it makes perfect sense that co-founders Lisa and David Starry would choose the name Scorpius to represent their troupe of stars that has been dazzling audiences from under the spotlight since 1999. As one of the founders of Metropolitan Arts Institute – better known as Metro Arts, an independent, chartered college preparatory arts school in downtown Phoenix – Lisa saw an opportunity to bring a dance company in residency in 1997.
of dance, pop music and fashion. But, more importantly, it has established itself as a grassroots company that found its voice to survive economic hurdles as well as its own growing pains to become a vital and permanent part of the Valley’s arts landscape. While the company has been categorized as contemporary dance, Scorpius defies description by presenting a unique combination of dance, theatre and aerial performing arts. “I incorporate a variety of dance styles, including aerial, sexy burlesque and hip-hop, while featuring popular music and themes that are current and relevant,” Lisa said. In addition to creating full-length “story” productions,
“Scorpius often appeals to audience members who’ve never attended a dance production.” Lisa Starry
Scorpius prides itself in its edgy and inspiring repertory works that further showcase the company’s artistry and ongoing quest to serve dynamic entertainment to its audiences. “Scorpius often appeals to audience members who’ve never attended a dance production,” Lisa said. “Dance doesn’t have to be stuffy and serious! We encourage our audience members to laugh out loud and express their reactions to the performers”. Additionally, Scorpius aims to engage dance aficionados and dance novices alike with its uniquely accessible and
Metro Arts was very supportive of her idea and, two years later, Scorpius Dance Theatre was born. Lisa and her husband, David, who was also the lead male dancer for more than 10 years, worked as a team to get the dance company off the ground – handling everything from choreography and video work to prop design and marketing themselves. During Scorpius’ first year, Lisa met Nicole Olson who became the associate director, choreography assistant and the lead female role of the vampire queen in Lisa’s annual signature cult classic A Vampire Tale. Then, in 2012, Gavin Sisson joined the team and is now one of Scorpius’ lead male dancers, as well as aerial artist and trainer. A key factor to Scorpius’ success and stability thus far, Lisa added, has been its residency at Metro Arts.
Transcending Dance Since its inception, Scorpius has become known for its fascination with the supernatural as well as its savvy staging Scorpius Dance Theatre scorpiusdance.com Oct. 1-10 A Vampire Tale Feb. 25-27 Catwalk April 28-30 L.O.V.E Performances take place at Phoenix Theatre. 50 |
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consistently captivating style of performance art.
2015-2016 Season During a typical season, the dance company performs three to four shows, including A Vampire Tale, which will celebrate its 12th season this year from Oct. 1-10. A Vampire Tale is the end result of Lisa’s fascination with vampires, which began as a 6-year-old watching “Dark Shadows,” a 1960s television soap opera, and then going to bed with a sheet wrapped around her neck to keep the vampires away. This annual production, which was initially created as a new Halloween show, evolves each year to provide a fresh take on this cult classic for fans who have made awaiting the latest incarnation of an annual tradition. The story follows a young woman who is drawn to the dark side and finds herself lured into an assorted band of bloodsuckers. Frightened, yet fascinated by their shadowy showmanship and seductive transactions, the girl struggles to avoid becoming part of their underworld when she becomes infatuated with the king vampire.
A Vampire Tale has received national and international acclaim, including return performances to the Bram Stoker International Film Festival in Whitby, England. Additionally, Lisa said she hopes to create a full feature film to expand her choreography and the show’s characteristic darkness from the local stage to the big screen. Back by popular demand, the original Catwalk returns to Phoenix Theatre Feb. 25-27. Fashion meets dance on the runway in this high-energy production. Set to a heart-thumping soundtrack, this original contemporary dance production fuses funky local fashions, sexy athleticism with Lisa’s distinct choreography. Scorpius dancers will strut their stuff in 18 different choreographic works plus fashion runway spoofs. L.O.V.E, a brand new production, choreographed by Lisa and featuring live original music by Kristofer Hill, will close the season April 28-30. L.O.V.E explores the various meanings of the word and the people and things we express our love toward – from romantic partners and family to friends and strangers who touch us in some way, as well as the earth and the creatures who bring joy to many – and will take audiences on a journey of emotions.
L.O.V.E. Photo courtesy of Scorpius Dance Theatre.
Catwalk. Photo by Ed Flores.
A Vampire Tale. Photo courtesy of Scorpius Dance Theatre. Catwalk. Photo by Ed Flores.
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Just Dance
Valley duo shares career experience and arts cover By Richard Schultz
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f these faces look familiar, it’s for a good reason. Not only are they both a part of Scorpius Dance Theatre, but hopefully you recognize these two from this issue’s striking cover photo, shot by Ed Flores. And now you have an opportunity to get to know Angel “Halo” Castro and Elisa Cavallero, Echo’s 2015-2016 Arts Season Preview cover models. Cavallero, a second generation Phoenician, attended Arcadia High School and trained in dance at Scottsdale Community College. She then pursued a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance at Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle. Upon graduation, she moved to Chicago and then Indianapolis to gain professional experience before returning to Phoenix. Cavallero has been performing with Scorpius Dance Theatre since 2010. Castro started his dance training at South
Mountain High School. He attended the ASU School of Dance where he graduated with a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in Dance. He has danced professionally with many Arizona companies including Scorpius, EPIK Dance Company, the Phoenix Mercury Hip-Hop Squad and the Phoenix Suns Solar Squad. Castro is also the founder, artistic director and choreographer of Halo Movement Collective, which is now in its third season. He received a Nomination for Phoenix Mayor’s Arts Award and was named one of Phoenix’s 100 Creatives of 2015 by the Phoenix New Times. Echo chatted with both about their lives as dancers, their work with this local dance company and the local arts scene. Echo: When did you first realize you wanted to be a dancer? Cavallero: I knew when I was 8. I was allergic to the outdoors so I would spend hours every day improvising to the radio. Castro: I always knew I wanted to be a dancer, but I grew up in theater and didn’t know any different until my senior year in high school where I decided to make the switch. Echo: Who are your influences?
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Cavallero: I am influenced by my directors and my fellow dancers. I am also influenced by my very supportive and loving husband, JP Cavallero. He always knows what to say to get me on the right track. On a larger scale, I look up to Pina Bausch, Martha Graham, Jiri Kylian and Twyla Tharp.
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Castro: I have many influences! I draw inspiration from visual art and music. I am inspired by the designs of Alexander McQueen, Jean Paul Gaultier and Thierry Mugler. Locally, there many amazing artists that inspire me. Echo: Please share your insights about dancing with Scorpius. Cavallero: No two dancers are the same. We are a diverse passionate group of dancers. We are fun, loud and sometimes a little crazy. The bonds we share are irreplaceable. We love
what we do. Castro: You have opportunities for growth and to expand your training into the exciting aerial arts. Echo: What are you looking forward to in the coming season? Cavallero: I am looking forward to returning to Whitby, England, to perform A Vampire Tale for our British audience. With the new show L.O.V.E in April, I thoroughly enjoy the process of setting new work with Lisa. C
Castro: I am excited to see the new production, L.O.V.E This season, the original M Catwalk is coming back. I cannot wait since it Y is probably my favorite Scorpius show! Echo: What’s on your dream list?
CM
MY Cavallero: After performing a solo I choreographed in Austin, I have been CY inspired to produce my own show next CMY summer. Lisa is always really great about nourishing our desires to create our K own work. After seeing so many young choreographers produce shows in Phoenix, I thought to myself, “Why haven’t you done this yet?”
Castro: I am currently also running my own dance company, Halo Movement Collective. My dream is to continue to perform and create work that crosses art disciplines. I would love to continue to explore the fusion of fashion and dance in unconventional spaces. Echo: What’s your impression of the Phoenix arts scene and Valley audiences? Cavallero: Phoenix is unlike any other major city. We are relatively new in the grand scheme. It takes lots of work to get people in your audience. After they see a Scorpius show, they are always happy they came and excited about the next production. Castro: The Phoenix arts are growing! There are a number of up and coming artists that are making Phoenix their home. It is exciting to see more collaboration and new work being created. Richard Schultz is a playwright, actor, director and freelance writer based in Phoenix.
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Desert Overture
Local LGBT wind symphony redefines the orchestra concert experience By Tiffany Hopkins
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n the high-definition digital age we live in, most of what we consume involves downloading, streaming or sharing.
From sports and movies to games and music, nearly all forms of entertainment are conveniently located right at our fingertips. Except for the live experience. After a sneak peek at Desert Overture’s plans for the 2015-2016 season, it’s safe to say they’re on a mission to remind audiences why live music still beats digital downloads. As the Valley’s only LGBT and ally wind symphony, Desert Overture offers a fresh take on the world of orchestra, with its uncommon blend of concert pieces and popular pop tunes. “The way we produce our shows is movielike,” said Scott Helms, Desert Overture’s artistic director. “We have live dancers and it’s all very visual.” According to Helms, guests can expect a variety of different music genres, including today’s biggest hits and songs they know. “It’s just really good entertainment,” he said, adding that they do not play a “typical orchestra concert.” The band’s goal is to not only bring entertainment, but to educate the community by having purpose to their shows. Many of the shows are related
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to LGBT current issues, for example, its previous programs was dedicated to the U.S. military’s repeal of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. In the shows like these, Helms said, the band incorporates narrations between songs, painting a picture for the audience and telling a story the audience can feel. In addition to celebrating and educating the local LGBT community, Desert Overture also provides LGBT musicians a safe and supportive platform to play. “A huge part of our mission to provide a venue for LGBT musicians to come together and create great music,” said Danita Cuker, Desert Overture president. In other shows the band is known for incorporating games like “Name that Tune” and “The Price is Right,” allowing the audience to be involved. Additionally, the concerts feature raffles, costume contests and invitations to get up and dance. In the past the band has dressed up as characters from The Addam’s Family and The Rocky Horror Picture Show. “We have the coolest concerts, they’re just so much fun and we can see that everyone has a great time,” Cuker said. The band thrives as a big family, practicing together, performing together and supporting each other.
Band member Daniel Lopez started playing with Desert Overture in 2008 and said he’s met some of his best friends through this experience. “When I first started, it was like heaven. I was like a kid in a candy store,” Lopez said. “This is about so much more than just an LGBT band. You can see the passion from everyone and we are all connected.” Desert Overture strives to welcome everyone and works to make sure that every new member feels welcome. The band consists of over 50 members belonging to various age groups and demographics. “What’s makes our band different from others is our intensified camaraderie,” Helms said, “Having been through the struggles and the celebrations of the LGBT community. We are there for each other every step of the way.” The group also regularly gives back to the community, by partnering with local organizations. Each year, they march in the Pride Parade and play for AIDS Walk Arizona, as well as donate to Independence Plus, The Phoenix Children’s Hospital and the Tumbleweed Center for Gay Youth. Desert Overture is always welcoming new members, and invite anyone who is interested in getting back into playing music (see website for details). For a full 2015-2016 season schedule, see page 76. For additional information, including audition opportunities, visit desertoverture.org. Tiffany Hopkins is a graduate of Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication who spends her time freelancing and traveling.
Photo by Tina Dickson Photography.
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Two weekends: Nov. 20–22 & Nov. 27–29 y, Saturday, y, Sundayy 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Friday, Engage in th the passion and artistic process at the 19 19th Annual Hidden In The Hills free, sel self-guided studio tour and sale 178 aartists in 44 private art studios in Creek, Carefree and north Scottsdale Cave Cree See paintings, sculpture, jewelry and every art form in between, in a variety of styles and mediums The collectible 113-page full-color direc directory featuring the participating artist’s work includes a map and can be purcha in advance for only $5, either purchased online onli at www.HiddenInTheHills.org or call the Sonoran Arts League Off Office & Gallery at 480-575-6624
PPurchase urchase original works ooff fine fine art directly from nationally recognized artists and emerging new artists Observe artists at work; gain insight into materials and technique Peter Skidd (metal) is at Studio #21
For more information or to customize your route using the interactive map visit:
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facebook.com/sonoranartsleague facebook.com/hiddeninthehills twitter.com/sonoranarts www.hiddeninthehillsblog.com EchoMag.com
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Local Voices
Valley choral groups offer entertainment and fellowship for community members By Danae Barnes
Photo courtesy of Orpheus Male Chorus.
Orpheus Male Chorus
Photo courtesy of Phoenix Metropolitan Men’s Chorus.
The Grand Canyon Performing Arts The Grand Canyon Performing Arts is an umbrella arts organization for four choral groups: Phoenix Metropolitan Men’s Chorus, Canyon Echoes, Harmonic Vibrations and the Omaggio youth chorus. In its 25th year, the overall mission remains to “unite, inspire, educate and entertain.” With a majority of choral members from the LGBT community, the choruses emphasize community involvement. For example, the Phoenix Metropolitan Men’s Chorus plans to volunteer “25 acts of kindness” this year as part of its 25th anniversary celebration and observation. “Music and the performing arts opens up a dialogue where walls can come down,” said Marc Gaston, The Phoenix Metropolitan Men’s Chorus artistic director. “The message is easier to receive – it is amazing to see the healing that has taken place within families. Or, if it doesn’t, we provide a safe environment where people can be authentic, participate in something healthy and fun.” The Phoenix Metropolitan Men’s Chorus is the largest of the groups, the 100-member 56 |
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ensemble incorporates a full orchestra and musical accompaniment to accommodate its wide-ranging musical offerings. This year’s winter season theme is “Silver Bells, 25 years of Holiday Celebration,” and the show will highlight the best concerts from over the years. “We are a serious musical group, but we want our audience to have fun,” Gaston said. In addition to the regular season, the main ensemble auditions for two smaller vocal groups. Canyon Echoes, a 16- to 20-member ensemble serves as “choral ambassadors,” performing at smaller venues or private shows. The 6-member Harmonic Vibrations “primarily focuses on comedy.” Grand Canyon Performing Arts serves as artistic home for the Omaggio youth chorus, one of 9 queer youth choral groups in the nation. The multidisciplinary musical performances allow Omaggio singers to “express their life experience and identify who they are ... giving them a safe environment to use performing arts for selfesteem.” For a full 2015-2016 season schedule, see page 77. For additional information, including audition opportunities, visit phoenixmenschorus.org/grand-canyonperforming-arts.
The Orpheus Male Chorus of Phoenix is the oldest continually performing chorus in Arizona. Under the guidance of Brook Larson, hired in 2009 as the Artistic Director, the group has seen a revitalization of both ensemble size and musical offerings. “Our goal is to both a high quality music output and a community focus,” Larson said. With approximately 90 members in 2015, the Orpheus Male Chorus has tripled in size over the last 6 years. “We have a goal of expanding to as many as 160 members in ten years- ambitious, but I’m sure we are headed in that direction.” The ensemble performs in area churches to accommodate the large group while providing a resonant sound for the audience. Artistically, Larson emphasizes musical accomplishment as well as social impact. “We want to be accessible, entertaining and touching; to create an experience for the audience, whether it is tears, laughter or joy, we want them to have a good experience.” On November 7, the chorus hosts Boys to Men, promoting access to choral training and development for young male singers. The winter theme is “Holidays with Orpheus” with four separate holiday concerts. Each season has an artistic theme, and the spring season “From Pasadena to Broadway” celebrates an invitation to attend the 2016 American Choral Directors Association Conference in Pasadena. As a community chorus, the Orpheus Male Chorus is also involved with outreach and social works, such as volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, packing food for
Photo courtesy of Voices of the Desert.
Voices of the Desert Photo courtesy of Orpheus Male Chorus.
children, and other social programs. “Our members are like family... and we participate as a group in programs that demonstrate human values. “ says Larson. The Orpheus Male Chorus welcomes interested community members to attend rehearsals: “People are welcome to come and to audition [with] us!” The next round of auditions for Orpheus Men’s Chorus is Jan. 5 and 12, at the Central United Methodist Church. For a full 2015-2016 season schedule, see page 77. For additional information, including audition opportunities, visit orpheus.org.
Phoenix Women’s Chorus Many people speak of diversity, but the Phoenix Women’s Chorus goes one step further and sings it! The 50-member group chooses a variety of music from different sources, “traditional, contemporary, and classical styles, as well as several commissioned pieces,” according to their website. As members of the Gay and Lesbian Association of Choirs (GALA), the women’s chorus is dedicated to “enhancing lesbian visibility, [and] celebrating the contributions of women in music.” Their musical selections also represent the artistic view of their new director, Livia Gho.
“I want to bring an international perspective, the different and current musical trends around the world, connecting choir to that community – that’s the strength that I bring.” Gho said, adding that the chorus is “made out of women who just love singing together, and support social justice issues ... everyone just loves being at rehearsal- everyone loves to participate in the entire process.” This year the chorus is introducing a “price-less” ticket for their concert season. In lieu of traditional pricing, Gho said the “audience can pay for the musical experience, and also donate at the concert. We want to extend our programming to those who cannot otherwise afford it, and also invite new audience members.” Their artistic season includes four shows: two holiday shows on Nov 21 and 22 at the their new home in the Church of the Beatitudes, and two spring offerings in May. The chorus can also be spotted participating in such LGBT and local events as the Festival of the Arts, Pride Parades, Rainbows Festivals and World AIDS Day. The chorus has also been invited to participate again this year in the GALA festival in Denver in July 2016, a tradition for the group since 2000. For a full 2015-2016 season schedule, see page 77. For additional information, including audition opportunities, visit phoenixwomenschorus.org.
As the only mixed choir in Phoenix, Voices of the Desert performances present audiences with a combination of dancing, singing, costuming and, yes, puppets. “We think of ourselves as an adult Glee show choir. Lots of staging, dancing, costumes,” said Keith Clark, Voices of the Desert artistic director. “We like to do fun music, but we will also have some serious ballads. We give fun, energetic music that keeps the audience entertained.” Housed at the Phoenix Center for the Arts, the 35-member chorus aims to “serve as goodwill ambassadors for all sexual orientations through musical performance,” according to the choir’s website. “Part of our mission is to help performers grow,” Clark said. “Why not try choreography, or dance, or something theatrical? People come with a fear of getting rejected, and we have tons of stories of people breaking out of their shell, and we watch them blossom.” According to Chris Craig, Voices of the Desert marketing director, the chorus’ season includes “approximately three shows a year, with smaller performances, about one to two shows a month, in addition to fundraisers.” In addition to this season’s trio of concerts, Voices of the Desert will perform as part of Rainbows Festival and World Aids Day events (to name a few). For additional information, including audition opportunities, visit voicesofthedesert.org.
Photo courtesy of Voices of the Desert.
Photo courtesy of Phoenix Women’s Chorus.
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Danae Barnes is a writer, agitator and general gadabout who ecently landed in the beautiful desert mystery of Phoenix. She can be reached via carrier pigeon or by email at b.danae@gmail.com. EchoMag.com
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The World Awaits
22 reasons to take in a touring show this season By Richard Schultz
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ach season, touring shows bring the world closer together. By hosting an eclectic array of themes, performance styles and talent, local stages continue to offer a wide array of titles – from contemporary and popular to classical and even obscure – certain to appeal to varied tastes. With so much to choose from this arts season, we recommend broadening your horizons by taking in one of these touring shows. The world awaits. Broadway Across America | ASU Gammage | asugammage.com Jan. 12-17 If/Then Tony Award winner and Broadway superstar Idina Menzel (Wicked, Rent, Frozen, “Glee”) will reprise her critically acclaimed performance as Elizabeth, a role and a Broadway musical written specifically for her. This original new musical with unforgettable songs and a deeply moving story by the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning creators of Next to Normal follows two distinct storylines in the life of Elizabeth, a city planner who moves back to New York to restart her life in that city of infinite possibilities. When her carefully designed plans collide with the whims of fate, her life splits into two parallel paths and she finds herself at the intersection of choice and chance. Menzel will be joined by original cast members LaChanze, Anthony Rapp and James Snyder. Feb. 16-21 The Bridges of Madison County One of the most romantic stories ever written, The Bridges of Madison County first captured the nation’s attention as a bestselling novel. This two-time Tony Awardwinning Broadway musical follows the tale of Iowa housewife Francesca Johnson and her life-changing, four-day whirlwind romance with traveling photographer Robert Kincaid. It’s an unforgettable story of two people caught between decision and desire, and chance encounter becomes a second chance at so much more. 58 |
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March 15-20 A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder Coming direct from New York, this 2014 Tony Award winner for Best Musical tells the uproarious story of Monty Navarro, a distant heir to a family fortune who sets out to jump the line of succession by – you guessed it – eliminating the eight pesky relatives (all played by one fearless man) who stand in his way. All the while, Monty has to juggle his mistress, who is after more than just love; his fiancée, who is his cousin (but who’s keeping track?); and the constant threat of landing behind bars. Of course, it will all be worth it if he can slay his way to his inheritance – and be done in time for tea. June 14-19 Newsies They delivered the papers, until they made the headlines. Direct from Broadway and winner of the 2012 Tony Award for Best Score and Best Choreography, this high-energy explosion of song and dance is filled with one heartpounding number after another. Based on true events, Newsies tells the captivating story of a band of underdogs who become unlikely heroes when they stand up to the most powerful men in New York. It’s a rousing tale about fighting for what’s right and staying true to who you are. Broadway in Tucson | broadwayintucson.com
Sheltered from the outside world in an underground cavern, the lonely, romantic man tutors and composes operas for Christine, a gorgeous young soprano starto-be. As Christine’s star rises and a handsome suitor from her past enters the picture, the Phantom grows mad, terrorizing the opera house owners and company with his murderous ways. Still, Christine finds herself drawn to the mystery man. This production boasts many exciting special effects including the show’s legendary chandelier, staging, choreography, scene and lighting designs. March 30-April 3 42nd Street The quintessential backstage musical comedy classic is the song and dance fable of Broadway with an American Dream story and includes some of the greatest songs ever written, including “We’re In The Money,” “Lullaby of Broadway,” “Shuffle Off To Buffalo,” “Dames” and “I Only Have Eyes For You.”Based on a novel by Bradford Ropes and Busby Berkeley’s 1933 movie, 42nd Street tells the story of a starry-eyed young dancer named Peggy Sawyer who leaves her Allentown home and comes to New York to audition for a new Broadway musical and becomes a star. March 28 Star Trek-The Ultimate Voyage Trekkies, your show has arrived! This lavish production includes an impressive live symphony orchestra and international solo instruments. The concert will pair some of the greatest music written for the franchise as well as the most iconic footage from the films and television seriesin high definition to a 40-foot wide screen. This never-beforeseen concert event is perfect for music lovers, filmgoers, science-fiction fans and anyone looking for an exciting and unique concert experience.
Oct. 21-Nov. 1 The Phantom of the Opera Following an acclaimed sold-out tour of the United Kingdom, Cameron Mackintosh’s spectacular new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s phenomenal musical success is bigger and better than ever before. Based on the 1910 horror novel by Gaston Leroux, which has been adapted into countless films, The Phantom of the Opera follows a deformed composer who haunts the grand Paris Opera House. perform
Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts | scottsdaleperformingarts.org Oct. 17 Margaret Cho’s The psyCHO Tour Beginning with her early days on the scene in Southern California, comedian Margaret Co has always been the agent provocateur of stand-up comedy. Cho has been developing brand new material for her latest show, The psyCHO Tour (There’s No I in Team, But There’s a CHO in Psycho), which she said is about insanity, and about the anger she feels about everything happening in the world right now – from police brutality to racism to the rising tide of violence against women. From singlehood and Boko Haram to Caitlyn Jenner’s transition and female empowerment, Cho tackles difficult subjects with sensitivity and razor-sharp insight. Nov. 7 Alan Cumming Uncut Tony Award winner Alan Cumming is beloved around the world for his range of iconic performances on stage and screen, from his roles as the emcee in Cabaret on Broadway and the CBS drama “The Good Wife” to his appearances in the blockbuster X-Men and Spy Kids films. He is also the author of the recent New York Times best-selling memoir, Not My Father’s Son. Cumming brings his adults-only one-man show to Scottsdale for a night of irreverent humor, showbiz stories and songs. Jan. 23 See Jane Sing! From her roles as cheerleading coach Sue Sylvester on the Fox hit series “Glee” to dog trainer Christy Cummings in the improvisational comedy film Best of Show, actress Jane Lynch is known for her magnificent comedic timing and scenestealing one-liners. The Emmy and Golden Globe award winner performs her acclaimed cabaret-style show, which also features Kate Flannery (Meredith from “The Office”), Tim Davis (the vocal arranger of “Glee”) and the Tony Guerrero Quintet.
Feb. 13 One Night With Joan Collins Joan Collins possesses a star quality that circles the globe. In five decades, she has come to define what it means to be a living legend. As an accomplished actress, author, producer, humanitarian and entrepreneur, she has built a career that places her in the unrivaled ranks of international superstar and icon. In this candid and highly entertaining onewoman show, Collins, as glamorous as ever, shares behind-the-scenes stories and videos, including rarely seen outtakes, from her showbiz career.
Are you feeling overwhelmed, unsupported, lost, or frustrated? Trying to find your “new normal”? Ready to move forward and make the most of your life?
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Feb. 20 Broadway Back Together: Avenue Q The talents of the original cast members of the Tony Award-winning smash hit Avenue Q are showcased here in one-ofa-kind concert. Performers John Tartaglia, Ann Harada, Stephanie D’Abruzzo and Alex Gemignani share stories and favorite songs from Avenue Q and their many other Broadway and TV appearances.
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Mesa Arts Center | mesaartscenter.com Nov. 10-15 Evil Dead - The Musical This hilarious, recordbreaking Canadian musical tells the outrageous story of five college friends spending the weekend in an abandoned cabin in the woods after accidentally unleashing an evil force that turns them all into demons. Those familiar with the show will remember that audience members sitting in the designated Splatter Zone get covered in fake blood as the production incorporates some fun “real-life” effects during certain scenes. In addition to some dismembered limbs, demons telling bad jokes and catchy tunes, such as “Look Who’s Evil Now” and “All the Men in My Life Keep Getting Killed by Candarian Demons,” the show features a saucy combination of wit and sexual innuendo. Jan. 12-17 Riverdance - The 20th Anniversary World Tour The international Irish dance phenomenon is back. Drawing on Irish traditions, the combined talents of Riverdance performers propel Irish dancing and music into the present day. Experience an innovative and exciting blend of dance, music and culture. Of all the performances to emerge from Ireland – in rock, music, theatre and film – nothing carries the energy, the sensuality and the spectacle of Riverdance.
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March 12 The Screwtape Letters This is a smart, provocative and wickedly funny theatrical adaptation of the C.S. Lewis novel about spiritual warfare from a demon’s point of view. The play, set in an eerily stylish office in hell, follows the clever scheming of one of Satan’s Senior Tempters, Screwtape. He advises his nephew, a junior tempter, on enticing a human “patient” toward damnation. In this topsy-turvy, morally inverted universe, God is the enemy and the Devil is our Father below. The stakes are high as human souls are hell’s primary source of food. Theater League | theaterleague.com Jan. 15-17 Million Dollar Quartet
bookwriter Thomas Meehan (Hairspray), this big-time Broadway musical is truly one of the funniest shows around. March 18-20 Ragtime At the dawn of a new century, everything is changing and anything is possible. Set in turn-of-the-century New York, Ragtime follows the stories of an upper-class wife, a determined Jewish immigrant and a daring young Harlem musician – all of whom are united by their desire for and belief in a brighter tomorrow. This Tony award-winning musical, for Best Book and Best Musical Score, is truly a timeless celebration of life. Chandler Center for the Arts | chandlercenter.org Feb. 27 Steppin’ Out Live with Ben Vereen & Trio
March 8-13 Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding This one-of-a-kind night of entertainment is staged as a festive celebration in which the audience doesn’t just watch, but participates directly in everything from the first toast to the last slice of cake. As two colorful and madcap Italian-American families come together as one, everyone in attendance joins in the fun as guests of the bride and groom. Everyone loves a wedding, especially when it’s enlivened by surprises and unexpected family drama. By blurring the line between fantasy and reality, the show’s magic and draws the audience in through eating, drinking, dancing and conversing. Before you know it, you’ll be caught up in the celebration, partying along with the rest of Tony and Tina’s family and friends, as if you’ve known them for years. Higley Center for the Arts | higleyarts.org Nov. 21 Wyatt Earp: A Life on the Frontier
On Dec. 4, 1956, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins gathered at Sun Records in Memphis for what would be one of the greatest jam sessions ever. Million Dollar Quartet brings that legendary night to life, featuring a score of rock hits that includes “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Fever,” “That’s All Right,” “Sixteen Tons,” “Great Balls of Fire,” “Walk the Line,” “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On,” “Who Do You Love?,” “Matchbox,” “Folsom Prison Blues” and “Hound Dog.” This musical captures the singular moment when four major talents came together to become a red-hot rock ‘n’ roll band.
Broadway legend Ben Vereen has been dazzling audiences for more than half a century. The show highlights Vereen’s unique artistry, combining a tribute to Broadway and Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis, Jr. and features such hit songs as “Defying Gravity,” “Stand By Me” and “My Way,” “Steppin’ Out Live.”
Meet the man, not the myth, behind the story Hollywood didn’t tell. Set in the mid1920s, an elderly Wyatt Earp tells of his adventures during the final days of the American frontier from Arizona to Alaska. Earp reluctantly speaks to fictional reporter Mr. Noble of his time in Tombstone, Ariz., his life afterward and the sometimes-turbulent 47 years he spent traveling and prospecting with his wife, Terry Earp. This one-man play, written by Terry Earp, features the contemporary Wyatt Earp (a descendent of Virgil Earp) as his famous relative.
March 4 The Second City - Fully Loaded
Feb. 19-21 The Producers Based on the Academy Award-winning 1968 film of the same name, this is the story of down-on-his-luck theatrical producer Max Bialystock and mousy accountant Leo Bloom. Together, they hatch the ultimate scam: Raise more money than you need for a sure-fire Broadway fiasco, and pocket the difference. With tunes and a book by superstar comedian Mel Brooks and co60 |
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Chicago’s legendary sketch and improv comedy theatre returns to Chandler featuring hilarious sketches, songs, and improvisation. This must-see night of classic sketch and improv features some of Chicago’s brightest stars doing what they do best: finding laughs in everything from hotbutton issues to headlines.
Richard Schultz is a playwright, actor, director and freelance writer based in Phoenix.
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All The State’s A Stage
Add an out-of-town show to your next road trip itinerary By Richard Schultz
T
he Grand Canyon State is home to many inspiring landmarks – from that corner in Winslow, Arizona, that the Eagles were standing on in “Take it Easy” to Frank Lloyd Wright’s architectural proficiency that is the Grady Gammage Memorial Auditorium. And many great artists have inhabited the furthest reaches of this great state – from Paolo Soleri’s Arcosanti in Mayer, Ariz., to John Wayne’s 26 Bar Ranch in Eagar, Ariz. So the question is: Why would one limit themselves to consuming the arts in only their hometown venues? The next time you head out of town to play tourist – regardless of where you are from or where you’re heading – be sure to take on the role as an arts patron as well. In sampling local talent of neighboring communities, you will be supporting the people and organizations that bring the arts to these audiences.
Tucson Borderlands Theatre | borderlandstheatre.org Sept. 10-27 Más Commissioned and developed through a National New Play Network playwright residency, and further developed by a Tucson Pima Arts Council Individual Artist Grant, this original play was one of eight recently selected for the national Latino Theater Commons Carnaval play festival in Chicago. Based on a true story, Más details a community struggling to hold onto their history, identity and humanity as they fight to save Mexican American Studies in the Tucson Unified School District. Dec. 3-6 A Tucson Pastorela This Tucson holiday tradition, written by Howard Allen and the Pastorela ghostwriters, returns after a one-season hiatus. While shepherds make the harrowing journey to find the baby Jesus, audiences are treated to a generous serving of farcical satire lampooning 2015’s biggest political and pop cultural events. 62 |
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65, is vigorous, vivacious, hearty, successful in business, and living in Palm Springs with a wife he’s crazy about. He realizes he’s been getting older and the world around him has been getting younger. Should this champion “deelmayker” hang it up and count his blessings or try to win the multimillion dollar account of a reluctant 30 year old dotcom entrepreneur? March 5-6 Ethel Merman’s Broadway
April 14-May 1 Ghosts of Lote Bravo Playwright Hilary Bettis’ new play, a National New Play Network Rolling world premiere, was developed at the Julliard PlayLab and Kennedy Center. Juanda Cantu’s daughter, Raquel, has disappeared in the desert outside Ciudad Juarez. Through visions offered by La Santa Muerte, Juanda is shown Raquel’s past only to discover that her daughter had hopes, dreams and courage Juanda knew nothing about. Invisible Theatre | invisibletheatre.com Oct. 13-25 Bakersfield Mist Maude, an unemployed bartender living in a trailer park, has bought a painting for a few bucks from a thrift store. She’s now convinced it’s a lost masterpiece by Jackson Pollock worth millions. But when worldclass art expert Lionel Percy arrives at her trailer home in Bakersfield to authenticate the painting, he has no idea what he is about to discover. Inspired by true events, this hilarious and thought provoking new comedy-drama by Stephen Sachs is a Southwest premiere that asks vital questions about what makes art and people truly authentic. Jan. 30-31 Gene Kelly – The Legacy Legendary dancer, director and choreographer Gene Kelly brought astonishing grace and athleticism to the movies. His engaging onscreen personality is so accessible we feel like we know him. In fact, we know very little. In this unique, live one-woman show, Patricia Ward Kelly, his wife and biographer, uses brilliant film clips, previously unreleased audio recordings, keepsakes and stories to guide an unforgettable journey into the life and heart of the man who changed the look of dance on film and became one of the world’s most beloved and iconic stars. Feb. 9-21 Deelmayker In a world premiere, Tucson playwright Warren Bodow has written an enchanting and insightful play that examines the nuances of human motivation. Bernie Harris,
In an Arizona premiere, Rita McKenzie recreates her award-winning off-Broadway portrayal of Ethel Merman, the Queen of the Broadway Musical. The score includes timeless songs, including “I Got Rhythm,” “There’s No Business Like Show Business,” “Everything’s Coming Up Roses” and 20 more of Broadway’s all-time greatest songs. McKenzie weaves Merman’s larger-thanlife story with her signature tunes.
FLAGSTAFF Theatrikos Theatre Company | theatrikos.com Sept. 25-Oct. 11 Good People David LindsayAbaire’s comedy focuses on Southie, a Boston neighborhood where a night on the town means a few rounds of bingo, where this month’s paycheck covers last month’s bills, and where Margie Walsh has just been let go from yet another job. Facing eviction and scrambling to catch a break, Margie thinks an old fling that has made it out of Southie might be her ticket to a fresh new start. But is this apparently self-made man secure enough to face his humble beginnings? Margie is about to risk what little she has left to find out.
PRESCOTT Prescott Center for the Arts | pfaa.net Nov. 12-22 Barefoot in the Park Paul and Corie Bratter are newlyweds in every sense of the word. He’s a straight-as-anarrow lawyer and she’s a free spirit always looking perform
for the latest kick. Their new apartment is her most recent find and it’s too expensive with bad plumbing and in need of a paint job. After a six-day honeymoon, they get a surprise visit from Corie’s loopy mother and decide to play matchmaker during a dinner with their neighbor Velasco. And everything that can go wrong does in this Neil Simon masterpiece. Paul just doesn’t understand Corie, as she sees it. He’s too staid, too boring and she just wants him to be a little more spontaneous, running “barefoot in the park” would be a start.
WICKENBERG
Renewal Arts | facebook.com/renewalarts
Del E. Webb Center for the Performing Arts | dewpac.org
Nov. 13-14 Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland Follow that rabbit to a delightfully entertaining world of childhood fantasies. Alice journeys into a world of talking animals, comic royalty and races where the contestants run in circles. There are also the Mad Hatter’s frantic tea party, the watchcarrying White Rabbit and talking flowers. Along the way Alice must deal with a sneezing duchess and a baby that turns into a pig. The finale has Alice watching a trial, but she suddenly finds herself the accused. The family play gives a modern view to an old classic, where nonsense makes quite good sense.
March 12-13 Always…Patsy Cline
March 24-April 3 And Then There Were None Eight guests, and two houseservants, who have never met each other, or their apparently absent host, are lured to a house on an island off the coast of Devon, England. Upon arrival, a mysterious voice accuses each of having gotten away with murder and then suddenly one drops dead of poisoning. One down and nine to go! The mystery and excitement never lets up in this Agatha Christie classic.
This musical play, written by Ted Swindley, stars Carter Calvert as Patsy Cline and Sally Struthers as Louise Seger, the Houston housewife who shaped Cline’s career. Seger befriended the star in a Texas honky-tonk in l961 and continued a correspondence with Cline until her death. This funny and touching tribute celebrates the career and life of the singer who died tragically in a plane crash in 1963. The country mega hit score includes “Crazy,” “I Fall to Pieces,” “Sweet Dreams” and “Walking After Midnight”.
Richard Schultz is a playwright, actor, director and freelance writer based in Phoenix.
November 2015
7 Red Grammer “Hooray for the World” . . . . . . . . 11am 7 Michael A. Pollack Presents Tower of Power . . . . 7:30pm 20 Gaelic Storm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7:30pm
December 2015
12 Dmitri Matheny’s THE SNOWCAT . . . . . . . . . . 11am 18 The Texas Tenors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7:30pm 22-31 Zoppé-An Italian Family Circus . . . . . . . . . Times Vary
January 2016
TI M B E R!
A Production of Cirque Alfonse!
1-3 15 17 23 29 30
Zoppé-An Italian Family Circus . . . . . . . . . Times Vary Black Violin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7:30pm TIMBER! A Production of Cirque Alfonse! . . . . . . . 7pm Deana Martin - Honoring Dean Martin & Frank Sinatra 7:30pm Moscow Festival Ballet presents Don Quixote . . . 7:30pm Fiesta Mexico-Americana with Los Lobos . . . . . 7:30pm
February 2016 6 12 14 20 27
The Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra . . 7:30pm Tap Factory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7:30pm The Summit – The Manhattan Transfer meets Take 6 . 7pm Frankie Avalon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7:30pm Steppin’ Out LIVE with Ben Vereen & Trio . . . . . 7:30pm
March 2016
4 The Second City Fully Loaded . . . . . . . 5 Vicki Lawrence & Mama: A Two Woman Show 8-13 Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Rita Rudner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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. . 7:30pm . . 7:30pm . Times Vary . . 7:30pm
April 2016
1 The von Trapps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7:30pm 2 Flamenco Kings starring Los Vivancos . . . . . . 7:30pm
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By The Genre
Here’s our top 5 in the musical, comedy and drama categories By Richard Schultz
I I
n our daily lives, smartphones and social media reign king. Yet, in this midst of our technology-driven society, live performances are more sacred than ever before. nWhile the major urban sprawl thegenres Phoenixproduction stylesofand metropolitan area,and it can difficult for niche vary, the dynamic immediate researchers, professionals academics communication between a and performer to meet and find individuals and audience is other a guarantee. Andto collaboratethemes with onstrike new ideas research. divergent up a and diverse
array of palpableinterested emotional for For individuals inresponses queer audiences. research in particular, one Phoenix-based group is seekingyou’re to unite likeminded So, whether looking for a people and give them a forum for discussion and harmonious blend of music and lyrics, innovation. craving a hearty laugh or wanting to be
moved by in the searing reality of drama, the Housed Arizona State University’s upcoming theater season offers School of Social work, InQUEERy is strong an contenders in each of the following interdisciplinary collaborative that aims genres. to enhance the field of study related to sexual orientation, gender identity and self expression.
Musical
Now roughly two years old, the group was founded with a mission to build a Company, ASU Lyric Opera Theatre community of scholars that are invested Sept. 25-Oct. 4 and enhance knowledge in queer research, about available resources for individuals Stephen Sondheim’s game-changing interested queer studies. and honest musical is in a sophisticated look modern, adult relationships. ForatVern Harner, a co-chair and founding From musical most renowned member of thetheater’s group, their work as a second composer, Company year master’s student is in largely the fieldregarded of social as a trailblazer thetodark-comedy, work sparked anof idea create a space modern-musical and ison the winner where individuals genre could focus queer of seven Tonythe Awards, including Best issues within frame of social work. Musical, Best Score, Best Lyrics and Best “We realized there were a lot of us doing Book. On the night of his 35th birthday, this LGBT and queer-focused research,” confirmed bachelor Robert contemplates Harner said. “But it would take us a while his unmarried state. Over the course of to find each other and discuss what others a series of dinners, drinks and even a were doing because we were so siloed.” wedding, his married friends explain the Harner the group Natasha pros and founded cons of taking on awith spouse. And Mendoza, an assistant professor in ASU’s the habitually single lead character is School Work. forced of to Social question his adamant retention teaches classes on LGBT array issues, of Mendoza bachelorhood during a hilarious with an emphasis on evidence-based of interactions. treatment of substance abuse disorders. In its beginning stages, InQUEERy Snapshots: A Musical Scrapbook, mainly networked and discussed their Arizona Theatre Company individual research, but the group has now Tucson: Nov. 28expanded to include Dec. 19 | Phoenix: presentations Dec. 30-Jan. 17 on research This new romantic methodology, social musical comedy work practice and blends of the various some LGBT issues best-loved songs at its monthly from composer meetings. Stephen Schwartz’s At the group’s Broadway September shows meeting, (Wicked and 64 |
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Godspell) with some of his lesser-known gems. Meet Sue and Dan, a couple who have drifted apart after 20 years of marriage. Together, they discover a box of photographs that leads them to relive the for example, on how to memories ofdiscussion their pastcentered selves. Snapshots competently collect LGBTQ re-imagines favorites fromdemographics Stephen on surveys and Schwartz’s vastapplication catalogueforms. in new and exciting ways in a story which every “Typically, surveys just in have sexual couple will see themselves. orientations listed as gay, straight or bisexual, which is no longer an accurate representation of our Passing Strange, community,” Harner iTheatre said. “We’re going to Collaborative talk about how we Feb. 5-20 these can develop In this daring criteria to more musical, that takes accurately reflect you on a journey the population.” across boundaries Mendoza echoed of place,point identity theatricalthe Harner’s andand underscored convention, Stew brings the story of importance of relaying thisusinformation to a young bohemian who charts a course the rest of the community. for “the real” through sex, drugs and rock are great opportunities people ‘n’“These roll. Winner of the 2008 Tonyfor Award to learn how to collect data while honoring for Best Book, this funny and moving gender and sexual minority coming-of-age tale offers status,” a vivid look at Mendoza said. “It’s more complicated than a middle-class Los Angeles teenager who what many who consider themselves grows up topeople be a singer-songwriter. His allies might route takes understand.” him from the church choir to Otherband projects on by the in a punk andbeing fromworked sexual liberation collective include autoethnographic Amsterdam to anan artistic straitjacket in a research project that highlights what which it Berlin arts commune — a hell from means to be queer and work in the queer he emerges with an epiphany. Loaded community, well and as discussions on with with soulfulas lyrics overflowing boundarythis issues when members of the passion, show takes audiences on a LGBTQfor community also involved with quest personalare discovery and artistic social work. authenticity. “The queer community in Phoenix is still very of small, so weTheater do run into things like City Angels, Works boundary issues, especially where that Feb. 19-March intersects with 6 social work,” Harner said. This clever and multi-Tony award“For example, if I’m a therapist and you’re a winning is well overdue a client andmusical I stop seeing you, it’s notfor ethical revival. actually shows inwith one,you. for me toIt’s then start atwo relationship with twowork, interwoven plotsa–client, one dealing In social we say ‘Once always with the writing of a screenplay and the a client.’” other, the enactment of that screenplay. These boundary issues can create several Set in glamorous seductive 1940s difficult to navigateand situations to confront Hollywood – the world filmwork studios within the framework of of social andand a flimsy negligees – the show chronicles member of the queer community, situations the Stine, a young thatmisadventures Harner believes of can be dealt with headnovelist, attempting screenplay for on through discussionaand open dialogue. movie producer/director, Buddy Fidler. While not anthe official university Interestingly, show boasts two organization, theone group’s affiliation with musical scores: provides the cast ASU’snumbers School ofto Social gives it a with helpwork reveal certain foothold toorinvite students,particular faculty and emotions to celebrate members of community moments inthe thesurrounding way that only music to come outthe and“other” discussscore research issues can and wasand written to
emulate a period movie soundtrack. It’s entirely appropriate, then, that the final curtain comes down on this sidesplitting musical comedy with two happy endings. Rock of Ages, Arizona Broadway Theatre May 27-June 19 It’s the tail end of the big, bad 1980s in Hollywood, and the party has been raging hard. Aqua Net, Lycra, lace and liquor flow freely at one of the relevantStrips to thelast queer Sunset community.venues, legendary a place wherenext sex machine Stacee Jaxx The group’s meeting will include takes the stagebyand cladagroupies a presentation Lisascantily Daughters, line up toprivate turn their fantasies into reality. licensed counselor, on the power of Amidst thearts madness, aspiring rock star expressive therapies. Drew longs to the stage the next Daughters is take a counselor for as Integrated big thing and longs for small-town Mental Health Associates, a private girl Sherri, offthat the bus from Kansas with Arizonafresh practice competently serves stars in her eyes.particularly But the rock and roll LGBT individuals, transgender fairy-tale is about to end when German adolescents. developers sweep into town with plans also hopes see more to The turngroup the fabled strip to into just another attendancestrip by members the community capitalist mall. Theofscore features in future meetings, well as Journey, attendance by hits by rock bands as like Styx, Bon faculty and student researchers, in order to Jovi, Whitesnake and more. bring a well-rounded and diverse group of opinions to discussions.
Comedy “It’s a very different experience having
someone with an academic knowledge of queer and having people who Sex withtheory Strangers, Arizona Theatre are members of the community,” Harner Company with Stray Cat Theatre said. “It’s just a great opportunity to for Phoenix: Sept. 24-October 11 | Tucson: researchers and community members to February 11-21 come together and have a dialogue and a Letting a stranger in can befrom discussion about what we always can learn dangerous. each other.” A new comedy about the calculations people are making to find InQUEERy’s next meeting will take place love or fame in an age of social media, Oct. 22. For more information and updates, brightly-lit phone screens and blogging. join InQUEERy’s Facebook group at facebook. A raging snowstorm traps two beautiful com/groups/inqu33ry. strangers in a secluded cabin. Opposites instantly attract, undeniable chemistry ignites, and sex is imminent. As dawn rises, however, what could have been just a one-night stand transforms into something much more complicated.
Almost, Maine, Theater Works Oct. 30-Nov. 15 Welcome to Almost, Maine, a town that’s so far north, it’s almost not in the United States. It’s almost in Canada and it almost doesn’t exist because its residents never got around to getting organized. So it’s just … Almost. One cold, clear Friday night in the middle of winter, while the northern perform
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lights hover in the sky above, Almost’s residents find themselves falling in and out of love in the strangest ways. Knees are bruised. Hearts are broken. Love is lost, found and confounded. And life for the people of Almost, Maine, will never be the same. This romantic and whimsical play by John Cariani is ideal for any date night! Deathtrap, Mesa Encore Theatre Jan. 8-24 Seemingly comfortably ensconced in his charming Connecticut home, Sidney Bruhl, a successful writer of Broadway thrillers, is struggling to overcome a “dry” spell, which has resulted in a string of failures and a shortage of funds. A possible break in his fortunes occurs when he receives a script from a student in the seminar he has been conducting at a nearby college – a thriller which Sidney recognizes immediately as a potential Broadway hit. Sidney’s plan, which he devises with his wife’s help, is to offer collaboration to the student. The younger man quickly accepts. Thereafter suspense mounts steadily as the plot begins to twist and turn with devilish cleverness. Stupid F*cking Bird, Stray Cat Theatre March 12-26 You’ve never seen Chekhov’s The Seagull like this. Irreverent, contemporary, smart, inventive and very, very funny, playwright Aaron Posner’s bold and cheeky sort-of update thrusts audiences into a country house where unrequited desire is drowned in equal parts alcohol and sarcasm. In true Chekhovian fashion, actresses, playwrights, doctors, and novelists bare their souls as they search desperately for the truth of love and art. This bold script skillfully remixes the renowned “subtext” of the classic play into exuberant and hysterical scenes and songs. The Gospel According to Thomas Jefferson, Charles Dickens and Count Leo Tolstoy: Discord, Arizona Theatre Company Tucson: April 9-30 | Phoenix: May 5-22 This laugh-out-loud, whip-smart new comedy takes the third U.S. President, the author of A Christmas Carol and the author of War and Peace, locks them in room with no exit and has them hash out their views of scripture and the true meaning of existence. This provocative 66 |
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and funny play is a fascinating insight into the spiritual lives of three of the most creative thinkers that ever lived. This blistering battle of wits from Scott Carter, executive producer of HBO’s “Real Time with Bill Maher,” also prompts a look into all our lives as they ponder if they were able to do enough with the lives they led – and if they didn’t, what about the rest of us?
Drama
Gnawing the Bone: Re-fleshing Myth and Tale From a Feminist Perspective, Sheworxx, Tucson Nov. 12-15 This original collection of seven short plays, written by Sheworxx ensemble members, offer fresh takes on the iconic female characters. Sleeping Beauty, Rapunzel and the various witches of these well-known tales will share their uncensored stories in sitespecific performances across the campus of an indoor/outdoor venue. Audiences will move through the show, interacting with each of the short performances in its own unique environment. Sheworxx is an evolving community of Tucson-based theater makers, playwrights, directors, actors, dramaturgs and designers building gender parity in theater locally and globally through community engagement, mentoring, peer education, and the production of works by female-identified and feminist playwrights.
Taste Test, Black Theatre Troupe
Grand Concourse, Theatre Artists Studio
Oct. 9-25
Jan. 15-31
The biggest cola company in the world is about to shock America. This engaging drama by Frank Higgins tells the story of how the announcement of the company’s bold new idea is affected by the very distinctly different cultural backgrounds of three women in the company. Jewel, an African American ad executive who came of age in the ‘60s, is thrust into a role in the company by her former college roommate, Mary. As the second in command of the company, Mary must balance her Asian sensibilities against the “Old World” style of the company’s aging leader, Clair. This intense game of survival and success leads to the question: “What would it take for your best friend to betray you?”
Having dedicated her life to religious service, Shelley runs a Bronx soup kitchen with unsentimental efficiency, but lately her heart has not quite in it. Her brisk nature masks an unsettling fear that her efforts are meaningless. When Emma, an idealistic but confused college dropout, arrives to volunteer, her reckless mix of generosity and self-involvement pushes Shelley to the breaking point. With keen humor and startling compassion, this fascinating play, written by Heidi Schreck, navigates the mystery of faith, the limits of forgiveness and the pursuit of something resembling joy.
St. Joan, Space 55
Based on the real-life story of Alonzo Fields – this production revisits Fields’ career – from being forced to give up his dream of becoming an opera singer to accepting a job at the White House where he was quickly appointed Chief Butler. This production is set on the eve of his last day on the job and Fields reflects on his 21 years of service to his country with humor and pride. Culled from Fields’ private papers, diaries and interviews, this unique perspective details how he served four U.S. presidents and their families, as well as their famous guests, including Winston Churchill, Marian Anderson, Errol Flynn and the king and queen of England, through the years.
Oct. 9-24 Expect this edgy local theater company to boldly redefine a classic of the modern theatre. This production poses the question: “Is it God or conviction and belief that allow a teenage girl to lead an army and crown a king?” Space 55’s take on George Bernard Shaw’s drama traces the life of Joan of Arc and explores the themes of faith, nationalism and Protestantism. From the time she appears to her regional governor, the production follows her during her visit to the Dauphin (where she is undeceived by his disguise), to the siege of Orleans, to Charles VII’s Coronation at Rheims, to her trial and recantation and culminates with her death at the stake.
Looking Over the President’s Shoulder, Black Theatre Troupe Feb. 5-21
Richard Schultz is a playwright, actor, director and freelance writer based in Phoenix.
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Classical Arts
Ballet Arizona | balletaz.org
Local organizations aim to redefine themselves to reach new audiences By Richard Schultz
A
ccording to dictionary.com, there are 18 definitions of the word classic.
From “of enduring interest, quality, or style” to “an article, as of clothing, unchanging in style” the common idea is something that’s timeless as well as essential. Classical arts are both. But that does not change the fact that Arizona’s classical arts organizations are in the midst of redefining themselves to reach new audiences and develop new works. By enduring the hardships of the economy of recent years, these organizations recognize the need to aspire toward new creative horizons to attract audiences and financial support. In the meantime, the local opera, ballet and symphony invite you to be a part of their 2015-2016 seasons.
Arizona Opera | azopera.org
rainforest and hopes to find her long lost lover, a butterfly hunter who disappeared in the jungle many years ago. Wracked by storms and a cholera outbreak, she and her fellow passengers are drawn deeper into the Amazon where fantasy and reality intertwine and their hopes and dreams are tested. Carmen Tucson: January 30-31 Phoenix: February 5-7 Carmen, the most famous Gypsy seductress in all of opera, ensnares countless men throughout Spain. When the dutiful soldier Don José falls prey to her charms, all hell breaks loose in this classic story of adoration and jealousy, pageantry and rage. Set against the backdrop of Spain during its Civil War, San Francisco Opera star mezzo-soprano Daniela Mack brings the fiery and fierce Carmen to life.
Arizona Lady Don Giovanni
Tucson: Oct. 10-11 Phoenix: Oct. 16-18 As one of its “stories worth singing,” Arizona Opera becomes the first major U.S. opera house to premiere Emmerich Kálmán’s musical treasure. Written in 1953 as a love letter to the Southwest, the hopes and dreams of leading lady Lona Farrell ride on the back of one horse, “Arizona Lady,” winning the Kentucky Derby. Reminiscent of the greatest Golden-age Hollywood musical comedies, Arizona Lady is full of lively, upbeat music, cheerful, soaring arias and a wacky libretto, performed in German, English and Spanish with English supertitles. Florencia en el Amazonas Phoenix: Nov. 13-15 | Tucson: 21-22 Inspired by the magical realism of celebrated author Gabriel García Márquez, Florencia en el Amazonas is a journey through the physical and mystical worlds of love, desire and the mighty Amazon River. Florencia Grimaldi is travelling through the enchanted 68 |
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Phoenix: February 26-28 Tucson: March 5-6 Mozart’s Don Giovanni can’t resist women and women can’t resist him. With so many conquests, his servant, Leporello, can barely keep track of them all! Giovanni’s attention comes in the form of harassment and lies, and rages unchecked until the father of the beautiful Donna Anna arrives to put him in his place. Falstaff Phoenix: April 1-3 Tucson: April 9-10 Never before seen on the Arizona Opera stage, Verdi’s masterful interpretation of Shakespeare’s classic Elizabethan buffoon comes to life in this new production opening April Fool’s Day. Irascible, randy and boastful, John Falstaff concocts a scheme to seduce the wealthy Wives of Windsor and nab their riches. His plot quickly unravels in a series of elaborate pranks as the clever women enlist everyone to outwit the old rascal.
Coppélia Oct. 29-Nov. 1 This comic ballet tells the story of an eccentric toymaker, life-size dancing dolls, and a young couple in love. Love triumphs over all in this beloved ballet, but only after a case of mistaken identity and hilarious mayhem. The Sleeping Beauty Feb. 11-14 This treasured fairy tale full of curses, fairies and fantasy displays all the charms and grandeur of classical ballet. This enchanting work mesmerizes with stunning costumes, dazzling sets and Tchaikovsky’s magnificent score. Today’s Masters 2016 March 24-27 Spring begins with a program of contemporary ballets that represent the continuing development of the art form and its artists. The performance features choreography that pushes the boundaries of classical ballet, including the works by Ballet Arizona’s Ib Andersen. All Balanchine 2016 May 5-8 Ib Andersen is one of a handful of artists worldwide authorized by The Balanchine Trust to stage Balanchine’s masterpieces. Three ballets by the genius choreographer, George Balanchine, include Symphony in Three Movements, a work that Ballet Arizona will perform for the first time. This ballet is a large ensemble work that references the jazz influences of the Igor Stravinsky composition. Apollo, the ballet that Balanchine considered his artistic coming of age, is the famed story from Greek mythology in which Apollo, the god of music, is visited and instructed by three muses. Walpurgisnacht fills the stages with feminine charm and intoxicating beauty. Taken from the last act of Faust, it depicts the May Day Eve celebration with colorful costumes and flowing hair.
Phoenix Symphony | phoenixsymphony.org Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 9” Sept. 18-19 Maestro Tito Muñoz debuts his second season as The Phoenix Symphony’s Virginia G. Piper Music Director with Beethoven’s most celebrated and final masterpiece, “Symphony No. 9,” featuring the famous “Ode to Joy.” This openingnight program also features “American Symphony” by Adam Schoenberg, one of the most celebrated young composers of our time. Tribute to the Brave
recognized pianist Shai Wosner, a BBC New Generation Artist, will make his Arizona debut performing the enigmatic “Piano Concerto No. 20” in a program that also features the delightful and popular “Eine kleine Nachtmusik” and the whimsical overture to the operatic comedy “Le nozze di Figaro” (The Marriage of Figaro). Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 7” Jan. 22-23 “Symphony No. 7,” which Beethoven felt was one of his best works, is primarily known for the hypnotic and beautiful second movement, which has been featured in many film scores including the Academy Award-Winning The King’s Speech; the symphony is both stirring and inspirational. The program opens with Andrew Norman’s new kinetic work, “Unstuck,” which musically documents his ability to overcome writers block.
Oct. 2-4 The APS Pops series kicks off with a dynamic multimedia experience in tribute to all who have fought for the freedom and those who revere our country’s great history as we mark the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, the 100th anniversary of World War I and the 75th anniversary of World War II. Westwater Arts returns to Phoenix with powerful symphonic photochoreography using hundreds of archival photographs projected on screens above the orchestra. Brahms’ “Symphony No. 2” Nov. 20-21 Tito Muñoz leads the orchestra in Brahms’ “Symphony No. 2.” After waiting many years to complete his first symphony, Brahms produced his second symphony almost overnight. The lilting “Symphony No. 2” is generally regarded as the most genial and relaxed of Brahms’s four works in the genre, but its finale is jubilant and electrifying. The program opens with Brahms’ ebullient Academic Festival Overture and 26-year-old South Korean violinist Jinjoo Cho plays Stravinsky’s neoclassical violin concerto.
Othello Jan. 15-30 Set in the sunbleached outpost of Cyprus, this tale of love and treachery boils with fury, honor, and consuming passions. The Moor Othello, a celebrated general but also an outsider, shares a boundless love with Desdemona, a Venetian aristocrat, but their happiness could be undone by the deceitful Lago, Othello’s military aide.
Wittenberg The Gershwin Experience: Here to Stay
Feb. 26-March 12
March 11-13
It is October 1517 in northern Germany and the characters of Hamlet, his mentor John Faustus, and Faustus’ colleague and Hamlet’s instructor and priest, Martin Luther, all collide in a brilliant theatrical construction by David Davalos. How these three men’s sagas overlap and intertwine and how they end up irrevocably affecting the course of each other’s lives is the substance of this comedy that reveals the story behind the stories of Hamlet, Doctor Faustus and the Protestant Reformation. This delightful romp shines with clever wordplay and absurdist plot twists fortified by thought-provoking themes.
This multimedia concert celebrates the genius of George and Ira Gershwin with hits like “I Got Rhythm,” “Strike Up the Band,” “The Man I Love,” “S Wonderful” and other favorites. Featuring leading Grammy award-winning soprano Lisa Vroman, and tap dancing sensation Ryan VanDemBoom, this event also showcases rare audio and video footage, family photos and elegant, state-of-the-art visuals of the Gershwins.
Southwest Shakespeare Company | swshakespeare.org The Merry Wives of Windsor Oct. 16-31 Sir John Falstaff, a visitor to the town of Windsor and needing money, sends letters to Mistresses Page and Ford in the hope of wooing them and tapping into their husbands’ fortunes. The women discover his intention and, enlisting Mistress Quickly as their messenger, set a trap. One of the merriest of Shakespeare comedies is peopled with riotous characters, such as Parson Hugh Evans and the insane Doctor Caius, all leading to a farcical mix and uproarious resolution.
Twelfth Night March 29-April 5 This deliciously dark comedy of mistaken identities and misdirected passions offers a touchingly human celebration of the delights and agonies of love, pride and celebration. Lovers and misfits, clowns and gentry collide in an entertaining cocktail of comic confusion. The vain and authoritarian Malvolio has commanded that there “shall be no more cakes and ale,” but he is taken in when a plot is hatched to fool him into thinking the lady of the house is in love with him.
Masterful Mozart Jan. 8-9 An all-Mozart program with pieces composed during the prolific and final years of Mozart’s short life includes “Symphony No. 39.” Internationally perform
Richard Schultz is a playwright, actor, director and freelance writer based in Phoenix. EchoMag.com
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Opera Theatr Lyric e
2015 2016
C O M PA N Y
l’elisir d’amore The Drowsy Chaperone
Company Music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim Book by George Furth Sept. 25, 26; Oct. 2, 3 at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 27 & Oct. 4 at 2 p.m.
Guadalupe Music composed by James DeMars Libretto by James DeMars, Robert Esteva Doyle and Graham Whitehead Sung in English and Spanish with English supertitles Nov. 19, 20, 21 at 7:30 p.m.; Nov. 22 at 2 p.m.
Grease Student Workshop Production Book, music and lyrics by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey Jan. 15 at 7:30 p.m; Jan. 16 at 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. Jan. 17 at 2 p.m.
L’elisir d’amore (The Elixir of Love) Composed by Gaetano Donizetti Libretto by Felice Romani Sung in Italian with English supertitles Feb. 25, 26, 27 at 7:30 p.m.; Feb. 28 at 2 p.m.
The Drowsy Chaperone Music and lyrics by Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison Book by Bob Martin and Don McKellar April 15, 16, 21, 23 at 7:30 p.m. April 17 & 24 at 2 p.m. Performances are held in the ASU School of Music’s Evelyn Smith Music Theatre, located just north of ASU Gammage. Tickets: $8-$21. Buy tickets online: herbergerinstitute.asu.edu/events/tickets or by phone at 480.965.6447. Group rates available.
october 2015 • EchoMag.com 70 | COMPANY and THE DROWSY CHAPERONE are presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI); GREASE is presented by special arrangement with SAMUEL FRENCH, INC.; Orchestral reduction for L’elisir d’amore by Tony Burke © Pocket Publications.
indulge BalletBoyz at the Scottsdale Center for the Arts. Photo by Elliott Franks.
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THEATER Arizona Broadway Theatre, Peoria azbroadway.org Mainstage: Oct. 16-Nov. 15 Nov. 27-Dec. 27 Jan. 15-Feb. 13 Feb. 26-April 3 April 15-May 8 May 27-June 19 July 15-Aug. 7 Aug. 26-Sept. 18 Concert Series: Aug.31 Sept. 24-Oct. 4 Oct. 26 Nov. 2 Dec. 7 Dec. 21 Jan. 25 Feb. 1 March 14 March 21 March 28
West Side Story A Christmas Carol: The Musical Carousel Fiddler on the Roof The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas Rock of Ages Shrek: The Musical Pageant: The Musical Comedy Beauty Contest Remember the King Menopause: The Musical (select dates) The Man in Black Early Rock & Roll Classic Country Christmas Christmas with the Rat Pack, December 21 56 – The 1950s Rock & Roll Revue ABBAFAB December ‘63: The Jersey Boys Tribute Dream Lover: Bobby Darin The Magic of Manilow
Hershey Felder As Irving Berlin Tucson: Sept. 16-Oct. 4 Phoenix: Oct. 8-25
BEYOND Series: Oct. 17 Holding It Down | Vijay Iyer/Mike Ladd Nov. 10 Feet Don’t Fail Me Now | Rhythmic Circus Nov. 21 Moon Medicine | Sanford Biggers Jan. 30 On Behalf Of Nature | Meredith Monk March (date TBD) Open House: Aaron Landsman April 16 Black Girl | Camille Brown & Dancers (linguistic play)
ASU School of Music Lyric Opera Theatre music.asu.edu/events Company Guadalupe Fall Music Theatre Showcase Grease L’elisir d’amore The Drowsy Chaperone Spring Music Theatre Showcase
Performances take place at the Helen K. Mason Performing Arts Center in Phoenix.
Disgraced Tucson: Oct. 17-Nov. 7 Phoenix: Nov. 12-29 Snapshots: A Musical Scrapbook Tucson: Nov. 29-Dec. 19 Phoenix: Dec. 30-Jan. 17
Hershey Felder As Irving Berlin. Photo courtesy of arizonatheatre.org.
ASU MainStage School of Theatre, Film, Dance theatrefilm.asu.edu Oct. 2-4 Oct. 5-14 Oct. 6 Oct. 7 Oct. 16-25 Oct. 22-23 Oct. 29-30 Oct. 30-Nov. 8 Nov. 2 Nov. 3 Nov. 4 Nov. 5 Nov. 6-8 Nov. 13-22 Nov. 20-22 Dec. 4 Jan. 29-31 Feb. 12-21 Feb. 19-21 Feb. 19-28 March 24-25 March 25-April 3 March 31-April1 April 15-17 April 15-24 April 28
Of Mice and Men Tucson: March 5-26 Phoenix: March 31-April 17
Black Theatre Troupe, Phoenix blacktheatretroupe.org
April 8-24
The Gospel According to Thomas Jefferson, Charles Dickens and Count Leo Tolstoy: Discord Tucson: April 9-30 Phoenix: May 5-22 Phoenix and Tucson performances take place at the Herberger Theater Center and the Temple of Music and Art, respectively.
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Fall Forward! Statewide Artist Residency Ana Teresa Fernández: Entre Nosotros Statewide Artist Residency Ana Teresa Fernández: Beyond Boundaries Statewide Artist Residency Ana Teresa Fernández: Feminism, Borders, Art A Streetcar Named Desire Fall Undergraduate Project Presentations Fall Graduate Project Presentations Dry Land Adam’s Dogs The Alexandria Play The Secret Language of Roses And Me, Alexander Emerging Artists I Brooklyn Bridge Emerging Artists II Fall Film Capstone Showcase Emerging Artists III Lasso of Truth Transition Projects The American Play Spring Graduate Project Presentations She Kills Monsters Spring Undergraduate Project Presetations Dance: Inventions & Conventions On Display ASU concert choir, chamber singers, choral union and chamber winds present Arthur David’s King David
See website for performance locations.
Oct. 9-25 Dec. 4-20 Feb. 5-21
Fences Tucson: Jan.16-Feb. 2 Phoenix: Feb. 11-28
october 2015
Broadway Season: Oct. 20-Nov. 8 The Book of Mormon Nov. 24-29 A Christmas Story Jan. 12-17 If/Then Feb. 16-21 The Bridges Of Madison County March 15-20 A Gentleman’s Guide To Love And Murder April 5-10 42nd Street May 4-8 Annie June 14-19 Newsies
Sept. 25-Oct. 4 Nov. 19-22 Nov. 30 Jan. 15-17 Feb. 25-28 April 15-24 April 25
Arizona Theatre Company arizonatheatre.org
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ASU Gammage, Tempe asugammage.com
The Taste Test, Frank Higgins Black Nativity, Langston Hughes Looking Over the President’s Shoulder, James Still Black Pearl Sings, Frank Higgins
Performances take place at Helen K. Mason Performing Arts Center in Phoenix.
Borderlands Theater, Tucson borderlandstheater.org Sept. 10-27 Dec. 3 -6 March 3-6 April 14-May 1 Oct. 3-4
Más A Tucson Pastorela Barrio Stories, location(s) TBD. Ghosts of Lote Bravo Conjunto Blues, location TBD.
Performances take place at Temple of Music and Art Cabaret Theater unless otherwise noted.
Broadway in Tucson broadwayintucson.com Sept. 29-Oct. 4 Annie Oct. 21-Nov. 1 The Phantom of the Opera Dec. 4 “MythBusters” Jamie and Adam Unleashed Jan. 5-10 Riverdance Feb. 16-21 The Book of Mormon March 28 Star Trek the Ultimate Voyage March 30-April 3 42nd Street April 22-24 Chicago Performances take place at Centennial Hall.
Desert Foothills Theater, Scottsdale dftheater.org Sept. 27 Two Characters in Search of a Laugh Oct. 25 Seth Rudetsky’s Big Fat Broadway Nov. 13-15 and 20-22 The Drowsy Chaperone Dec. 20-21 Soul of Broadway Holiday: The Return Jan. 8-10 and 15-17 TBA School Edition April 1-3, 8-10 and 15-17 Smokey Joe’s Café May 13-15 and 20-22 Alice in Wonderland July (dates TBA) 2016 Summer Drama Also see Desert Foothills under Youth Theater.
Desert Stages Theatre, Scottsdale desertstages.org Sept. 4-Oct. 25 Oct. 2-Nov. 1 Nov. 6- Jan. 11 Nov. 13-Dec. 20 Jan. 8-Feb. 7 Jan. 22-March 13 Feb. 19 - March 20 March 25 - May 15 April 8 - May 8 May 20-June 26 June 3-July 24 July 8-Aug. 8
Of Mice and Men The Addams Family Miracle on 34th Street Annie Jr. Thoroughly Modern Millie Brighton Beach Memoirs Back to the ‘80s Glenngarry Glen Ross 9 to 5 the Musical Shrek Jr. Moon Over Buffalo Into the Woods
Fountain Hills Theater fhtaz.org Mainstage: Sept. 4-20 Oct. 16-Nov. 1 Jan. 22- Feb. 7 April 1-17 May 6-22
South Pacific Any Number Can Die La Cage aux Folles (adult themes) Play It Again, Sam Curtains
Mainstage Too: Aug. 21-30 Nov. 6-22 Jan. 8-17 March 11-27:
Sylvia (adult language) Sunday in the Park With George Talley’s Folly Quilters: A Musical
Special Engagement: Dec. 4-20 A Christmas Carol: The Musical
Hale Center Theatre, Mesa haletheatrearizona.com Through Oct. 10 Through Nov. 17 Oct. 15-Nov. 28 Dec. 3-24 Dec. 31-Feb. 13 Jan. 18-April 19 Feb. 18-April 2 April 7-May 14 May 19-July 2 July 7-Aug. 20
Something’s Afoot Heaven Can Wait Mary Poppins A Christmas Carol Beau Jest The Andrews Brothers Anything Goes The Diary of Anne Frank Me and My Girl West Side Story
Lunch Time Theater and Dance Theater: Oct. 5-15 J is for Justice Oct. 22-23 Reflections Nov. 9-19 Two Old Broads Talk Turkey Nov. 30-Dec. 17 Fruitcake Follies, A Half Baked Musical Treat Dec. 11-18 Frances Smith Cohen’s Snow Queen Jan. 11-21 Operantics Feb. 15-25 Hour of Decision March 3-4 Daughters of Eve March 14-31 Themes and Variations April 20-21 American Voices May 2-12 The Nightmare of Henry VIII May 16-26 WWWD (What Would Walt DO?) June 6-16 Never Trust an Alligator in an Easter Bonnet Mrs. Wyatt Earp June 20-30 July 11-21 Judy Garland: A Musical Legacy July 25-Aug. 4 Legends of Song Aug. 8-18 Land of a thousand Dances
Invisible Theatre, Tucson invisibletheatre.com Main Stage: Oct. 13-25 Nov. 12-15 Nov.19-21 Jan. 30-31 Feb. 9-21 March 5-6 April 19-May 1
Herberger Theater Center, Phoenix herbergertheater.org Sex With Strangers Hershey Felder as Irving Berlin Port Authority Reflections Disgraced Chasing Shadows Frances Smith Cohen’s Snow Queen Holiday Cabaret Spirit of the Season Snapshots: A Musical Scrapbook Becoming Dr. Ruth Passing Strange Ghashee w Mashee (the Dumbass) Fences Daughters of Eve Of Mice and Men American Voices The Gospel According to Thomas Jefferson, Charles Dickens and Count Leo Tolstoy: Discord May 20-June 4 The Velocity of Autumn Sept. 24-Oct. 11 Oct. 8-25 Oct. 16-31 Oct. 22-25 Nov. 12-29 Dec. 2 Dec. 5-20 Dec. 11-13 Dec. 14 Dec. 30-Jan. 17 Jan. 27-Feb.28 Feb. 5-20 Feb. 6 Feb. 11-28 March 3-6 March 31-April 17 April 24 May 5-22
Bakersfield Mist Sanger: One Woman, One Story Trans Scripts – A Verbatim Play Gene Kelly – The Legacy at the Berger Performing Arts Center Deelmayker Ethel Merman’s Broadway at Berger Performing Arts Center I Ought To Be In Pictures
Women’s Voices, Women’s Lives Play Reading Series: Dec. 1 March 2 March 10-14
Looking For Magic by Beverly King Pollock Anna Karenina Lives by Germaine Shames Let’s Live A Little by Kathleen Clark
Performances and play readings take place at Invisible Theatre unless otherwise noted. Photo courtesy of herbergertheater.org.
Phoenix Theatre phoenixtheatre.com Through Oct. 4 Oct. 28-Nov. 22 Nov. 18-Dec. 27 Dec. 17-23 Dec. 18-22 Jan. 20-Feb. 7 Jan. 26-Feb. 19 Feb. 24-March 20 March 16-April 3 April 6-May 1 May 6-22 May 18-June 12 June 8-July 10
Chicago. Image courtesy of phoenixtheatre.com.
iTheatre Collaborative, Phoenix itheatreaz.org Aug. 21-Sep. 5 (select dates) Grounded Oct. 16-31 (select dates) Port Authority Dec. 11-13 Christmas Cabaret with Jeff Kennedy Feb. 5-20 (select dates) Passing Strange May 20-June 4 (select dates) The Velocity of Autumn
Chicago at Mainstage Theatre The Toxic Avenger at Hormel Theatre The Wizard of Oz at Mainstage Theatre Holiday Cabaret with Maestro Jeff Kennedy at Hormel Theatre Arizona Opera presents Holiday Favorites at Hormel Theatre Calendar Girls at Mainstage Theatre The Magic Books at Hormel Theatre Evita at Mainstage Theatre Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill at Hormel Theatre The All Night Strut! at Mainstage Theatre The Hormel Festival of New Plays and Musicals at Hormel Theatre When You Wish: The Story of Walt Disney at Mainstage Theatre Avenue Q at Hormel Theatre
Scottsdale Community Players/Greasepaint Youtheatre greasepaint.org Oct. 16-25 Dec. 11-20 Feb. 19-March 6 March 18-20 May 6-15
The Producers Oliver! Heathers The Musical Bare Bones Acting Company Honk!
Performances take place at Stagebrush Theatre in Scottsdale.
Scottsdale Musical Theater scottsdalemusicaltheater.com Oct 29-31 Feb 3-6
Sondheim On Sondheim Hello, Dolly
Performances at Tempe Center for the Arts.
Theatre Artists Studio, Scottsdale thestudiophx.org Sept. 4-20 Oct. 16-Nov. 1 Nov. 27-Dec. 13 Jan. 15-31 Feb. 26-March 13 April 8-24 May 20-June 5 June 16-26
Crimes of the Heart American Myth Cinderella Grand Concourse The Weir The Outgoing Tide Equal Opportunity Offenders: Music from “South Park” New Summer Shorts 2016
Theater League, Phoenix theaterleague.com/phoenix Nov. 27-28 Dec. 11-13 Jan. 15-17 Feb. 19-21 March 18-20
Cirque Dreams Holidaze Rat Pack Christmas Million Dollar Quartet The Producers Ragtime
Performances take place at the Orpheum Theatre in Phoenix.
Theater Works, Peoria theaterworks.org Man Of La Mancha, Gyder Theater Almost Maine, McMillin Theater The Quitmaker’s Gift, Gyder Theater I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, McMillin Theater Feb. 19-March 6 City Of Angels, Gyder Theater April 8-24 Vanya And Sonia And Masha And Spike, Gyder Theater Oct. 9-25 Oct. 30-Nov. 15 Dec. 4-20 Jan. 22-Feb. 7
Performances take place at the Peoria Center for the Performing Arts.
Performances take place at Herberger Theatre Center in Phoenix.
Mesa Encore Theatre mesaencoretheatre.com Nov. 6-22 Jan. 8-24 March 4-13 April 8-24 May 20-29
Fiddler on the Roof Deathtrap Monty Python’s Spamalot Boeing Boeing Sweeney Todd
Performances take place at the Mesa Arts Center.
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Stray Cat Theatre, Phoenix straycattheatre.org Sept. 24-Oct. 11 Sex With Strangers Arizona Theatre Company presents a Stray Cat Theatre production at Herberger Theater Center Stage West.
Dec. 4-20 Feb. 11-21
Heathers: The Musical at Tempe Performing Arts Center Sex With Strangers
Arizona Theatre Company presents a Stray Cat Theatre production at Temple of Music and Art in Tucson.
STUPID FUCKING BIRD at Helen K. Mason Center for the Performing Arts June 24-July 16 Green Day’s “American Idiot” at Tempe Center for the Arts March 12-26
The Quiltmaker’s Gift. Photo courtesy of theaterworks.org.
youth THEATer Childsplay, Tempe childsplayaz.org Sept. 13-Oct. 18 Sideways Stories from Wayside School Oct. 25-Nov. 22 The Smartest Girl in the World Nov. 15-Dec. 27 A Year with Frog and Toad Jan. 24-Feb. 7 Perô, Or the Mysteries of the Night Feb. 14-April 10 Goodnight Moon April 24-May 29 Pete, Or the Return of Peter Pan* Performances take place on weekend dates at Tempe Center for the Arts. *Play title and dates are subject to change.
Desert Foothills Youth Theater, Scottsdale dftheater.org Oct. 2-4 and 9-11 Disney’s The Jungle Book Kids Feb. 19-21 and 26-28 The Children’s Hour
Fountain Hills Youth Theater fhtaz.org Sept. 25-Oct. 11 Dec. 4 -20 Feb. 12-28 April 22-May 1 May 27-June 12
Aladdin, Jr. Junie B. in Jingle Bell Batman Smells Into the Woods Dear Edwina, Jr. Miss Minnie’s Melodram-odeon!
Peter & The Wolf. Photo courtesy of azpuppets.org.
Great Arizona Puppet Theater, Phoenix azpuppets.org Baby Bear Goes to School Puppet Slam (for adults) Little Bunny’s Halloween The Little Red Hen Imagine This! 2015 The Night Before Christmas Cinderella Puppet Slam (for adults) Cinderella’s Ball The Adventures of Super Puppy Magical Moonshine Theatre presents Puppylocks and the Three Bears Feb. 10-28 Hotel Saguaro March 2-6 Parasol Puppets presents Little Red Riding Bug March 4-5 Puppet Slam (for adults) March 9-27 Jack Rabbit and The Easter Basket March 30-April 3 Eulenspiegel Puppet Co. presents Peter & The Wolf April 1-2 Puppet Slam (for adults) April 6-May 1 The Three Little Pigs May 4-29 Rumpelstiltskin May 6-7 Puppet Slam (for adults)
Through Oct. 4 Oct. 2-3 Oc.t 7-Nov. 1 Nov. 4-8 and 14-29 Nov. 10-13 Dec. 2-27 Dec. 29-Jan. 27 Jan. 1-2 Jan. 17 Jan. 20-31 Feb. 3-7
Youth Works at Theater Works, Peoria theaterworks.org Sept. 11-27 Oct. 17, 24 and 31 Nov. 6-22 March 4-20 April 2, 9 and 16 May 6-22
The Jungle Book BOO! A Halloween Spooktacular The Secret Garden Charlotte’s Web Secret of the Rainforest Twilight’s Quest
Performances at Peoria Center for the Performing Arts.
Valley Youth Theater, Phoenix vyt.com Oct. 9-25 Dec. 4-23 Feb. 5-21 April 8-24 June 10-26
James and the Giant Peach A Winnie The Pooh Christmas Tail Pinocchio Pinkalicious The Musical Disney’s The Little Mermaid at the Herberger
Performances take place at Valley Youth Theatre unless otherwise noted.
Puppet Works at Theater Works, Peoria theaterworks.org Oct. 17, 24 and 31 BOO! A Halloween Spooktacular April 2, 9, 16 Secret of the Rainforest Photo courtesy of vyt.com.
dance
music
Ballet Arizona, Phoenix balletaz.org
Arizona State Fair, Phoenix azstatefair.com/concerts
Coppelia with the Phoenix Symphony at Symphony Hall Dec. 11-27 The Nutcracker with the Phoenix Symphony at Symphony Hall Feb. 11-14 The Sleeping Beauty with the Phoenix Symphony at Symphony Hall March 24-27 Today’s Masters At Orpheum Theatre May 5-8 All Balanchine at Symphony Hall May 17-June 4 (Tues-Sat) An Evening At Desert Botanical Garden
2015 Coliseum Concert Series:
Oct. 29-Nov. 1
Ballet Under the Stars: Sept. 24 at Beardsley Park, Sun City West Sept. 25 at Estrella Lakeside Amphitheater, Goodyear Sept. 26 at Steele Indian School Park, Phoenix Oct. 1 at Tempe Center for the Arts Amphitheater, Tempe Oct. 2 at Fountain Park, Fountain Hills
Center Dance Ensemble, Phoenix centerdance.com Oct. 22-25 Reflections Dec. 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19 and 20 Frances Smith Cohen’s Snow Queen March 3-6 Daughters of Eve April 20, 21 and 24 American Voices in the KAX Stage at the Herberger Performances take place at Herberger Theatre Center’s Stage West in Phoenix unless otherwise noted.
Scorpius Dance Theatre, Phoenix scorpiusdance.com Oct. 1-3 and 8-10 A Vampire Tale Feb. 25-27 Catwalk April 28-30 L.O.V.E
American Voices. Photo courtesy of centerdance.com.
Oct. 17 Oct. 18 Oc.t 21 Oct. 22 Oct. 23 Oct. 28 Oct. 29 Oct. 30 Oct. 31 Nov. 1 Nov. 4 Nov. 5 Nov. 6 Nov. 7
Bret Michaels Benefiting the Life Rocks Foundation Meat Loaf Rick Springfield Sheryl Crow Gary Allan Jackson Browne Jane’s Addiction Flo Rida Third Day Natalia Jimenez Aaron Lewis with William Elliott Whitmore Jason Derulo Hanson with Nelson Old School Jam featuring performances by: Stevie B., Lisa Lisa, Debbie Deb, Nu Shooz, and JJ FAD
Arizona Opera azopera.org Arizona Lady Tucson: Oct. 10-11 | Phoenix: Oct. 16-18 Florencia en el Amazonas Phoenix: Nov. 13-15 | Tucson: Nov. 21-22 Carmen Tucson: Jan. 30-31 | Phoenix: Feb. 5-7 Don Giovanni Phoenix: Feb. 26-28 | Tucson: March 5-6 Falstaff Phoenix: April 1-3 | Tucson: April 9-10 Phoenix and Tucson performances take place at Symphony Hall and Tucson Music Hall, respectively.
Arizona Opera Bookclub azopera.org/bookclub Sept. 17 Arizona Opera Book Club kick-off party at Changing Hands Bookstore in Phoenix. 2015-2016 Titles: Lazy B: Growing up on a Cattle Ranch in the American Southwest by Sandra Day O’Connor and H. Alan Day Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel García Márquez Carmen by Prosper Mérimée Mozart’s Women: His family, His Friends, His Music by Jane Glover The Merry Wives of Windsor by William Shakespeare
Desert Overture, Phoenix desertoverture.org Oct. 24 “Trick or Treat!” at Phoenix College’s John Paul Theater Dec. 11 Glendale Glitters, at Glendale First United Methodist Church April 2 “Name That Tune!,” at LaSala Ballroom, ASU West June 12 (concert title TBA) at Tempe Center for the Arts
Lucky Man Concerts, Tempe Sept. 24-27 Summer Ends Music Festival summerendsaz.com Oct. 30-Nov. 1 Monster Mash Music Festival monstermashaz.com March 17-19 and 25-26 Pot of Gold Music Festival potofgoldaz.com
Musical Instrument Museum, Phoenix mim.org Exhibitions: Through Oct. 11 “Beyond the Beat: Drums of the World” Events: Oct. 3-4 Oct. 10 Oct. 17-18 Nov. 7-8 Dec. 5-6 Dec. 19-20 Concerts: Sept. 18 Sept. 20 Sept. 21 Sept. 22 Sept. 25 Sept. 26 Sept. 27 Sept. 29 Sept. 30 Oct. 1 Oct. 2 Oct. 3 Oct. 4 Oct. 6 Oct. 8 Oct. 9 Oct. 10 Oct. 16 Oct. 15 Oct. 17 Oct. 18
Experience the Alps Musical Icon: John Lennon Family Weekend: Music in Disguise MIMFest Experience Scandinavia Hear Them Ring Roy Rogers with special guest Carlos Reyes Lizz Wright Justin Townes Earle Doyle Bramhall II James Cotton Simone Dinnerstein Cooder-White-Skaggs Lera Lynn David Cook Cimarrón The Lone Bellow Emily Bear Lisa Fischer Solid Soul Featuring Mavis Staples and Joan Osborne Joey Alexander David Sanborn Electric Band Dar Williams Jimmy Webb Joan Armatrading Patricia Barber David Bromberg
Oct. 19 Oct. 20 Oct. 21 Oct. 22 Oct. 23 Oct. 25 Oct. 28 Nov. 2 Nov. 4 Nov. 9 Nov. 13 Nov. 22 Dec. 2 Dec. 3 Dec. 4 Dec. 5 Dec. 5 Dec. 6 Dec. 16-17 Dec. 18-19
Jon McLaughlin SFJAZZ Collective Angèle Dubeau & La Pietà Peter Asher and Albert Lee Gypsy Soul Te Vaka Debashish Bhattacharya The Danish Quartet Nicki Parrott, Rosanno Sportiello and Eddie Metz Trio with Jacob Fisher Bruce Cockburn Dave Simonett Chris Potter Trio Christmas with the Nelsons The Bad Plus, plus Joshua Redman Liz Story and Lisa Downing Dmitri Matheny’s The SnowCat Sibelius 150th Jubilee Concert Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano “Fiesta Navidad” Irish Christmas in America Marty Ashby’s 6th Annual Holiday Jazz Celebration Featuring Ann Hampton Calloway
Orpheum Theater, Flagstaff orpheumflagstaff.com Sept. 19 Sept. 20 Sept. 22 Sept. 25 Sept. 26
Oct. 2 Oct. 3 Oct. 16 Oct. 17 Oct. 28 Nov. 5 Nov. 13 Nov. 19 Nov. 21 Dec. 14
Mitis (DJ of everything EDM) Blackalicious (hip hop influencer) Justin Townes Earle Sugarbeats Beans and Rice Fundraiser: music and storytelling with Henry Poore & the Poore Boys Nahko and Medicine for the People Zappa Plays Zappa “One Size Fits All” 40th Anniversary Tour Young Thug David Bromberg Quintet Greensky Bluegrass Jillian Ann featuring Blake Bradly Iration PRISM Drag Show Ryan Bingham Machine Head
Orpheus Male Chorus, Phoenix orpheus.org Oct. 4: Legacy Concert Series with Phoenix Children’s Chorus Oct. 25:Joint concert with St. Nicolai Youth Choir of Einbeck, Germany Nov. 7: Boys to Men Dec. 6, 8, 13 and 15 Holidays With Orpheus April 24, 26 and May 1 From Pasadena to Broadway See website for performance locations.
Phoenix Boys Choir phoenixboyschoir.org Dec. 8-20 Winter Wonderland March 4-5 Vision For Peace May 7 The Happiest Songs on Earth Oct. 8, Nov. 19, Jan. 21, Feb. 11, March 17, April 21 and May 19 Songs for Our Heroes See website for performance locations.
Phoenix Chorale phoenixchorale.org Oct. 16-18 Dec. 18-22 March 4-6 April 22-24
Brahms Requiem A Chorale Christmas American Folk Big Blue Marble
See website for locations.
Phoenix Symphony phoenixsymphony.org May 29-31 May 31 June 5-6
Phoenix Theatre Collaboration Oliver! With Phoenix Theatre rePLAY: A Video Game Symphony of Heroes
Phoenix Women’s Chorus phoenixwomenschorus.org Oct. 31 Nov. 21 and 22 May 14 and 15 June (date TBD)
“For Good” Gala She Began to Fly - Rise Again She Began to Fly - Take Flight Pre-GALA performance
Sonoran Desert Chorale, Mesa sonorandesertchorale.org Where the Earth Meets the Sky Oct. 10 at First United Methodist Church, 15 E. First Ave., Mesa. Oct. 11 at La Casa de Cristo Lutheran Church, 6300 E. Bell Road, Scottsdale. Glad Tidings! Music for a Winter’s Night Dec. 12 at First United Methodist Church Dec. 13 at La Casa de Cristo Lutheran Church Of Heaven and Earth March 5 at First United Methodist Church March 6 at La Casa de Cristo Lutheran Church Between Oceans: Songs of the Americas April 30 at First United Methodist Church May 1 at La Casa de Cristo Lutheran Church
Phoenix Metropolitan Men’s Chorus phoenixmetropolitanmenschorus.org Oct. 24 Rocky Horror Picture Show Sing-A-Long at Steele Indian School Park’s Memorial Concert Hall Nov. 14 Salon Concert: Great Gatsby Cabaret at a private residence Dec. 18-20 Holiday Concert: Silver Bells at Phoenix College’s John Paul Theatre March 27 Salon Concert: Martini Cabaret at the Kerr Cultural Center April 23-24 Canyon Echoes presents Broadway Our Way at ASU’s Galvin Playhouse May 20-22 Busting Out All Over at Phoenix College’s John Paul Theatre
Ryan Bingham. Photo courtesy of orpheumflagstaff.com.
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Crescent Ballroom, Phoenix crescentphx.com/calendar Sept. 26 Sept. 27 Sept. 28 Sept. 29 Sept. 30 Sept. 30 Oct. 2 Oct. 3 Oct. 4 Oct. 5 Oct. 6 Oct. 7 Oct. 10 Oct. 11 Oct. 12 Oct. 13 Oct. 14 Oct. 16 Oct. 18 Oct. 19 Oct. 20 Oct. 22 Oct. 23 Oct. 25 Oct. 26 Oct. 27 Oct. 28 Oct. 29 Nov. 4 Nov. 6 Nov. 7 Nov. 8 Nov. 9 Nov. 10 Nov. 11 Nov. 13 Nov. 15 Nov. 18 Nov. 20 Nov. 21 Nov. 22 Nov. 23 Nov. 25 Dec. 17
Los Dias De La Crescent Algiers Foreign Language Clean Bandit Bar Flies: Take A Walk The New Mastersounds “Made For Pleasure” Tour Joyce Manor The Dear Hunters Calexico Nortec Collective: Bostich & Fussible Aterciopelados Matoma Fayuca Battles Twin Shadow: Night RallyTour Misterwives Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. Fidlar Heartless Bastards: Restless Ones Tour Gang of Four Eagles of Death metal Mudhoney Toro Y Moi Django Django William Fitzsimmons Tobias Jesso Jr. DIIV Greensky Bluegrass Pure Bathing Culture Of Montreal Bob Schneider The Dandy Warhols Ride In The Valley Below Health Youth Lagoon Young Dubliners Deafhaven A New World: Intimate Music From Final Fantasy Murs Toadies Lucero The Black Moods, The Pistoleros, Dead Hot Workshop, Banana Gun Graveyard
The Vienna Boys Choir. Photo courtesy of tucsonsymphony.org.
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Valley Bar, Phoenix valleybarphx.com/calendar Sept. 27 Sept 30 Oct. 1 Oct. 2 Oct. 2 Oct. 3 Oct. 4 Oct. 5 Oct. 6 Oct. 7
Oct. 9 Oct. 9 Oct. 10 Oct. 11 Oct. 11 Oct. 12 Oct. 14 Oct. 15 Oct. 16 Oct. 16 Oct. 17 Oct. 18 Oct. 19 Oct. 20 Oct. 21 Oct. 22 Oct. 23 Oct. 23 Oct. 25 Oct. 27 Oct. 28 Oct. 29 Oct. 30 Oct. 31
Giant3 Sand Talk in Tongues Vacationer Empress of Café Latino: Tradicional Cumbia, Salsa y Cubano Southside Soul feat. Kenny Gilmore King Dude Max Frost The Mynabirds Round About Midnight: Celebrating Jimmy Smith, the music of the B3 Organ Master Braids Café Latino: Tradicional Cumbia, Salsa y Cubano Telekinesis/Say Hi History Underground: Obscure Anecdotes of Phoenix Events Wolf Alice Albert Hammond, Jr. Marian Hill Good Old War Givers Café Latino: Tradicional Cumbia, Salsa y Cubano David Ryan Harris Horse Feathers Chad Valley Small Black Bob Moses Mason Jennings The Motet Café Latino: Tradicional Cumbia, Salsa y Cubano Skylar Spence Noah Gundersen Nobunny/The Coathangers Haunted: Underground Stories Café Latino: Tradicional Cumbia, Salsa y Cubano The King Khan & BBQ Show
Nov. 1 Nov. 3
Nov. 4 Nov. 6 Nov. 8 Nov. 8 Nov. 9 Nov. 12 Nov. 13 Nov. 15 Nov. 16 Nov. 20 Nov. 21 Nov. 24 Nov. 27 Nov. 28 Dec. 4 Dec. 13 Jan. 26
Oddisee Round About Midnight: Celebrating the Music of Charles Mingus & Ornette Coleman (performed by the Will Globe Quartet) David Ramirez Café Latino: Tradicional Cumbia, Salsa y Cubano History Underground: Obscure Anecdotes of Phoenix Events Beat Connection Tops Born Ruffians Café Latino: Tradicional Cumbia, Salsa y Cubano Here We Go Magic Keep Shelly in Athens Café Latino: Tradicional Cumbia, Salsa y Cubano The Good Life A Silent Film Café Latino: Tradicional Cumbia, Salsa y Cubano Darwin Deez Israel Nash History Underground: Obscure Anecdotes of Phoenix Events Cas Haley
Tucson Symphony Orchestra tucsonsymphony.org Nov. 4 Nov. 28-29 Dec. 4 and 6 Dec. 12-13 Dec. 19-20 Jan. 16-17 Feb. 20
Feb. 27 April 30
The Vienna Boys Choir at the Tucson Music Hall Pixar in Concert Spanish Inspiration, French Impressionism: Ravel & Falla A Southwest Nutcracker presented by Tucson Regional Ballet Magic Of Christmas Byron Stripling: Sounds Of New Orleans Peter and the Wolf, featuring dance by the Tucson Regional Ballet, at the TCC Leo Rich Theater André Watts Plays Rachmaninoff Cindy Ellen: a Wild Western Cinderella at the TCC Leo Rich Theater
Performances take place at the Tucson Music Hall unless otherwise noted.
PERFORMING ARTS CENTERS Chandler Center for the Arts chandlercenter.org Nov. 7 Nov. 20 Dec. 18 Dec. 22 Jan. 15 Jan. 17 Jan. 23 Jan. 29 Jan. 30 Feb. 6 Feb. 12 Feb. 14 Feb. 20 Feb. 27 March 4 March 5 March 8 March 18 April 1 April 2
Michael A. Pollack Presents Tower of Power Gaelic Storm The Texas Tenors-Deep In The Heart of Christmas Steena Murray presents Zoppe, An Italian Family Circus Black Violin Cirque Alfonse Timber! Deana Martin, Honoring Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra Moscow Festival Ballet “Don Quixote” Fiesta Mexico-Americana with Los Lobos Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra Tap Factory The Summit featuring Take 6 and The Manhattan Transfer Frankie Avalon Steppin’ Out LIVE with Ben Vereen & Trio The Second City Fully Loaded Vicki Lawrence & Mama: A Two Woman Show Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding Rita Rudner The von Trapps Flamenco Kings starring Los Vivancos
Higley Center for the Performing Arts, Gilbert higleyarts.org Oct. 10 Oct. 16 Oct. 17 Nov. 4 Nov. 21 Dec. 11 Dec. 18-20 Jan. 8 Jan. 9 Jan. 10
The Magic And Illusions Of Eric Giliam The Rave: A Tribute To The British Invasion The Heartlight Show: Jack Wright Performs The Best Of Neil Diamond Mandy Barnett Wyatt Earp: A Life On The Frontier Arch Allies: The Music Of Journey, Reo Speedwagon, Styx Southwest Youth Ballet Presents “The Nutcracker” On The Air: A Tribute To Bob Hope & Radio Stars Of The 1940s Jim Curry: Take Me Home The Music Of John Denver Acoustic Eidolon: World Music For The Soul
Jan. 14 Jan. 15 Jan. 16 Jan. 28 Feb. 5 Feb. 24 March 4 March 5 March 12
The Abbey Road Band Ryan Shupe And The Rubberband Peter, Paul And Mary Remembered & Friends Blinddog Smokin’ Nelson Illusions Close To You: The Music Of The Carpenters Jason Coleman: The Piano Magic Of Floyd Cramer One Great Night Of Folk Music 2016 Crystal Trio
Mesa Arts Center mesaartscenter.com Sept. 25 Sept. 26 Oct. 1 Oct. 14 Oct. 15 Oct. 18 Oct. 22 Oct. 24 Oct. 24-25 Oct. 27 Oct. 30 Nov. 5 Nov. 6 Nov. 10-15 Nov. 17 Nov. 18 Nov. 19 Nov. 27 Nov. 29 Dec. 6 Dec. 7 Dec. 8 Dec. 12-13 Dec. 16 Dec. 27 Jan. 12-17 Jan. 20 Jan. 24 Feb. 4
Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis Jazz at Lincoln Center, Wynton Marsalis and The Phoenix Symphony National Circus and Acrobats of the People’s Republic of China Zoltán Mága Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club Adios Tour Taylor Davis Bach “Goldberg Variations” The David Grisman Sextet Dia De Los Muertos Festival The Moth Jeff Daniels and The Ben Daniels Band Youssou N’dour Portland Cello Project Evil Dead: The Musical Rioult Dance NY National Geographic Live: Blue World Double Sharp Under The Streetlamp Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer The Musical Mannheim Steamroller The Milk Carton Kids Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox Mesa Arts Festival Dave Koz & Friends Christmas Straight No Chaser – The New Old Fashioned Tour Riverdance – The 20th Anniversary World Tour National Geographic Live: Gorongosa Reborn ArcAttack Frank Sinatra, Jr. Centennial Celebration with The Phoenix Symphony
Riverdance. Photo courtesy of mesaartscenter.com
Feb. 5-6 Feb. 10 Feb. 11 Feb. 12 Feb. 12 Feb. 21 Feb. 27 March 1 March 2 March 10 March 12 March 18-19 March 17 March 22 March 26 March 28-30 April 3 April 12 April 21
One Drop Of Love National Geographic Live: Spinosaurus: Lost Giant Of The Cretaceous Quint Quintet Antonio Rocha Doo Wop & Rock N’ Roll Gregory Porter The Music Of Whitney Houston with The Phoenix Symphony The Triplets Of Belleville National Geographic Live: K2: Danger And Desire On The Savage Mountain Juilliard String Quartet The Screwtape Letters Spark! Peter Yarrow And Noel Paul Stookey of Peter, Paul And Mary Igudesman and Joo: And Now Mozart Chris Botti with the Phoenix Symphony Disney’s Beauty And The Beast Star Trek: The Ultimate Voyage Rain: A Tribute to The Beatles The Johnny Clegg Band
Paradise Valley Community College paradisevalley.edu/cpa The Arts And Artists Through Film Presents: Mrs. Henderson Presents Oct. 3 First Saturday Concert Series: Rebel Heart (country rock) Oct. 9-11 and 16-18 The Outlaw Robin Hood Oct. 10 Fine & Performing Arts Open House Oct.13 PVCC Jazz Big Bands Concert Oct. 21 The Arts And Artists Through Film Presents Together Oct. 27 PVCC Chamber Ensembles Concert #1 Oct. 29 PVCC Chamber Ensembles Concert #2 Nov. 7 Battle of the Bands @ PVCC Auditions Nov. 7 First Saturday Concert Series: A Night on Broadway Nov. 12-14 and 19-21 Student-Directed One Act Plays Nov. 13 Classic Rock Live: A Tribute to the 1970s Nov. 19 Classical Ensembles Concert Nov. 20 Jazz Big Bands Concert Dec. 4-5 Fall Dance Collection Performances Dec. 5 PVCC Festival Of Tales Jan. 28-31 Desperado LGBT Film Festival Feb. 3 The Arts And Artists Through Film Presents: The Page Turner Feb. 17 The Arts And Artists Through Film Presents: II Postino Feb. 20 Phoenix Experimental Arts Festival Feb. 26 The Secret In The Wings Feb. 27 The Phoenix Opera Presents An Evening At The Opera March 1 Chamber Ensembles Concert #1 March 2 The Arts And Artists Through Film Presents: Strictly Ballroom March 3 Chamber Ensembles Concert #2 March (dates TBD) Classic Rock Live: A Tribute To 1979 March 23 The Arts And Artists Through Film Presents: Moliere April 6 Jazz Under The Stars Concert April 15-17 and 22-24 The Odd Couple (female version) April 29-30 Spring Dance Collection Performance May 2 Jazz Big Bands Concert May 5 Classical Ensembles Concert May 6 Battle Of The Bands Winners Concert and CD Release Party June 17-19 and 24-26 Dirty Rotten Scoundrels July 28 Summer Flute Choir Concert Sept. 30
Rebel Heart. Photo courtesy of paradisevalley.edu/cpa.
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Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts scottsdaleperformingarts.org An Evening With Jesse Cook Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, Virginia G. Piper Theater Oct. 17 Margaret Cho: The psyCHO Tour (adult content/language) Oct. 23 Chucho Valdes: Irakere 40 Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, Virginia G. Piper Theater Nov. 3 Akram Khan Company Nov. 5 Opening Night of the 15th Scottsdale International Film Festival Nov. 6–9 The 15th Scottsdale International Film Festival at Harkins Shea 14 Theatre, Scottsdale Nov. 6 An Acoustic Evening With Lyle Lovett and John Hiatt Nov. 7 Alan Cumming Uncut: An Evening of Song and Stories From Scotland’s Beloved Man-Child (adult content/ language) Nov. 14 Broadway: The Big Band Years Nov. 27 The Capitol Steps: Mock the Vote Nov. 15 Virginia G. Piper Concert Series: Jean-Yves Thibaudet Dec. 1 Keyboard Conversations With Jeffrey Siegel, Music of Joyous Celebration Dec. 5 ARTrageous Benefit Gala starring Martin Short Dec. 6 Lightwire Theater: A Very Electric Christmas Dec. 10 The TEN Tenors: Home for the Holidays Dec. 11-20 Sister’s Christmas Catechism: The Mystery of the Magi’s Gold Dec. 18 A Merri-Achi Christmas Dec. 19 The Legendary Count Basie Orchestra Jan. 8-March 25 (Fridays) Late Nite Catechism Jan. 9-March 26 (Saturdays) Late Nite Catechism III: ’Til Death Do Us Part Jan. 10-April 3 (select Sundays) Sunday A’Fair Jan. 13 Close Encounters With Music, Grand Piano Quartets: Brahms and Dvorak Jan. 15 Monterey Jazz Festival on Tour, featuring Ravi Coltrane, Nicholas Payton, Raul Midon, Gerald Clayton, Joe Sanders and Justin Brown Jan. 16 Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Pinchas Zukerman, Principal Guest Conductor and Violin Soloist Jan. 17 The Peking Acrobats Jan. 20 San Francisco Opera: Grand Opera Cinema Series Show Boat Jan. 23 See Jane Sing! With Jane Lynch Jan. 24 Virginia G. Piper Concert Series: Emanuel Ax Oct. 8
Jan. 26 Jan. 28 Jan. 29 Feb. 3
Feb. 5 Feb. 10 Feb. 12 Feb. 13 Feb. 14 Feb. 17 Feb. 19 Feb. 20 Feb. 23 Feb. 27 March 4-5 March 6 March 10-11 March 11-13 March 16 March 17 March 18 March 19 March 20 March 25 March 26 March 29 April 1 April 2 April 2 April 3 April 6 April 19-24 April 30
Keyboard Conversations With Jeffrey Siegel, Splendor From Silence Celtic Nights: Spirit of Freedom Canadian Brass Close Encounters With Music, Grand Piano Trios: Schubert, Mendelssohn and Arensky Hubbard Street Dance Chicago The Hot Sardines Peter Nero One Night With Joan Collins (adult content/language) Virginia G. Piper Concert Series: Orion Weiss San Francisco Opera’s Grand Opera Cinema Series: Capuleti e I Montecchi BalletBoyz Broadway Back Together: Avenue Q Keyboard Conversations With Jeffrey Siegel, The Golden Age of the Piano Michael Feinstein: Sinatra Centennial Celebration Pilobolus La Gran Fiesta: A Celebration of Latin and Hispanic Cultures TAO: Seventeen Samurai The 46th Scottsdale Arts Festival San Francisco Opera’s Grand Opera Cinema Series: La Rondine Cherish the Ladies: Irish Homecoming Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds: The Story Behind the Songs John Pizzarelli & Jessica Molaskey Virginia G. Piper Concert Series: Angela Hewitt globalFEST on the Road: Creole Carnival An Evening With Ana Gasteyer Keyboard Conversations With Jeffrey Siegel, Musical Pictures Ignite Phoenix No. 18 Arturo Sandoval and Poncho Sanchez Tommy Tune: Taps, Tunes and Tall Tales OrigiNation: A Festival of Native Cultures San Francisco Opera’s Grand Opera Cinema Series: Cinderella National Theater of Scotland’s The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart David Sedaris
ASU Concerts at the Center: Oct. 26 Octubafest Nov. 9 Violin Extraordinaire Nov. 16 Woodwind Spectacular Nov. 23 ASU Big Band Night Jan. 25 20th-Century Impressions: Chamber Music with Harp Feb. 8 Joie de Vivre! French Duos for Winds and Piano
Feb. 22 Feb. 29 March 21 March 28
Caio Pagano/Avanti Chamber Music Festival Saxophone Chamber Ensembles of ASU What’s New? Piano Showcase
Talk Cinema: Oct. 13, Nov. 17, Dec. 15, Jan. 12, Feb. 9, March 8, April 12 and May 10 at the center’s Stage 2. Performances take place at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts Virginia G. Piper Theater unless otherwise noted.
Tempe Center for the Arts tempe.gov/tca Sept. 22
Sept. 26 Oct. 1 Oct. 2 Oct. 2-Jan. 2 Oct. 3-4 Oct. 11
Performance with a View presents Students of Soprano Carole FitzPatrick, ASU professor Lakeshore Music: Byron Stripling Quartet Ballet Under the Stars “Green and Gray” Opening Reception “Green and Gray” Edith Piaf: A Centennial Celebration El Puente Festival presented by Childsplay
Ballet Under the Stars. Photo courtesy of tempe.gov/tca.
Art After Work: Le Chat Noir In the Spotlight Performance with a View: ASU students of Anne Kopta Oct. 20 ASU Concert Choir and Choral Union Oct. 21 ASU Men’s Chorus, Women’s Chorus, Barrett Choir Oct. 24-Nov. 22 Childsplay presents Smartest Girl Oct. 24 Lakeshore Music presents Cyrille Aimee & the ASU Concert Jazz Orchestra’s “Burstin’ Out” Oct. 25 Hayden’s Ferry Concert Series presents Hermès Quartet Oct. 26 Tempe Symphony Orchestra season opener Oct. 29-31 Scottsdale Musical Theater Company presents Sondheim on Sondheim Nov. 2 Tempe Winds Nov. 4 Arizona Wind Symphony Nov. 8 Phoenix Youth Symphony Nov. 14-Dec. 28 Childsplay presents Frog and Toad Nov. 17 Performance with a View presents piano music of ASU faculty composer Jacob Adler Nov. 18 Art After Work: “Keep Calm and Coffee On” Nov. 21 Lakeshore Music presents New West Guitar Group with Sarah Gazarek Nov. 22 Hayden’s Ferry Concert Series presents: Piano Trio Oct. 14 Oct. 16 Oct. 20
The Heartlight Show – Neil Diamond tribute act Dec. 4 Songwriters’ Showcase Dec. 8 Performance with a View presents ASU Community Flute Ensemble with Elizabeth Buck Dec. 11 Art After Work: Jingle all the Way Dec. 19 Lakeshore Music presents: Phoenix Boys Choir’s Tempe Town Christmas Celebration Jan. 3 Saving Arizona Blood Drive Jan. 13 Arizona Wind Symphony presents Cityscapes: A Musical Travelogue Jan. 15 “Merely Players” Gallery Exhibition Opening Reception Jan. 15-May 14 “Merely Players” Jan. 16 Lakeshore Music presents Martin Luther King, Jr. birthday celebration with Dennis Rowland Jan. 19 Performance with a View presents: CONDER/dance Jan. 20 Art After Work: “Cherry Blossom Kimono” Jan. 23 Carnival of Illusion Jan. 23-Feb. 7 Childsplay presents Pero or the Mysteries of the Night Nov. 29
Ongoing Events (every Friday): hello FRIDAY Tempe Comedy Concert Series
visual art Exposures International Gallery of Fine Art, Sedona exposuresfineart.com 19th Annual Fall Artist Shows: Oct. 2 and 3 Barbara Westwood and Bill Worrell Oct. 9-10 Jd Challenger, Rebecca Tobey and Doug Adams
Five15 Arts Gallery, Phoenix 515arts.com 2015: September October November December
Anne Howey Falvey Henry Bellavia Joan Thompson Sam Dahl
2016: January February March April May
Deb Hodder Mary Shindell Art Detour Marlys Kubicek Wendy Willis
Heard Museum, Phoenix heard.org Through Nov. 29 “Beautiful Games: American Indian Sport And Art” Through April 3 “The Houser/Haozous Family: Celebrating A Century” Oct. 31-Feb. 8 “Frida Kahlo: Her Photos,” Jacobson Gallery Oct. 31-Sept. 28 “Las Favoritas De Frida,” Selections From The Heard Collection, Lovena Ohl Gallery Feb. 6-April 17 “Confluence: Inter-Generational Collaborations,” Lincoln Gallery Feb. 27-Sept. 30 “Personal Journeys: American Indian Landscapes,” Jacobson Gallery April 9 “Over The Edge: Fred Harvey At The Grand Canyon And In The Great Southwest,” Sandra Day O’Connor Gallery Ongoing Exhibits: “Home: Native People In The Southwest” “Around The World: The Heard Museum Collection” “Every Picture Tells A Story” “Remembering Our Indian School Days: The Boarding School Experience” “We Are! Arizona’s First People”
“History And Collections Of The Heard Museum” “American Indian Veterans National Memorial” Public Events: Oct. 2-June 3 First Fridays At The Heard Oct. 16-18 Heard Museum Shops Annual Fall Sale Oct. 24 Moondance At The Heard Gala Nov. 19 Spirit Of The Heard Award Nov. 14-15 El Mercado De Las Artes Nov. 21 and March 19 Heard Museum Council American Indian Art & Artifacts Appraisal Day Nov. 27- 29 Ornament Marketplace Dec. 12-13 Members Holiday Shopping Weekend Dec. 26-31 Holidays At The Heard Feb. 13-14 The 26th Annual World Championship Hoop Dance Contest March 5 The 57th Annual Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market April 2-4 Heard Museum Guild American Indian Student Art Show & Sale April 9 A Gathering Of Carvers: Katsina Doll Marketplace April 22-24 Heard Museum Shops Annual Spring Sale June 26, July 24, Aug. 28 and Sept. 25 Free admission on the fourth Sundays of the summer months
Phoenix Art Museum phxart.org Through Oct. 18 “One-of-a-Kind: Unique Photographic Objects from the Center for Creative Photography” Through Nov. 15 “American and European Art from the 1920s and 1930s” Through Feb. 28 “Masterworks of Spanish Colonial Art” from Phoenix Art Museum’s Collection Oct. 3-Jan. 31 “Ai Weiwei: Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads: Gold” Oct. 24-Nov. 12 “INFOCUS PhotoBid” exhibition November 13 “INFOCUS PhotoBid” silent auction Nov. 4-March 6 “The White Shirt According to Me” and “Gianfranco Ferré Designs” Nov. 21-Feb. 14 “Liliane Tomasko: The Last 10 Years” Nov. 28-April 17 “Cameos: Sculpture in Miniature” Dec. 5-May 15 “Flowers, Fruit, Books, Bones: Still Life from the Center for Creative Photography” Jan. 17-March 27 “Michelangelo: Sacred and Profane” Masterpiece Drawings from the Casa Buonarroti Feb. 27-June 5 “Super Indian: Fritz Scholder, 1967-1980” April 2-Aug. 7 “Arizona Costume Institute 50th Anniversary” April 16-May 29 “Phoenix Rising: The Valley Collects” April 27-May 29 “2015 Contemporary Forum Grant Winners” exhibition May 28-Oct. 30 “David Taylor”
Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art smoca.org Exhibitions: Sept. 12-Jan. 10 “Kelly Richardson: Tales on the Horizon” Oct. 2 SMoCA’s Fall Opening Celebration Oct. 2-Jan. 10 “Archilumen” at the SMoCA Young @ Art Gallery Oct. 3-Jan. 10 “Architecture + Art Chris Fraser: Looking Back” Oct. 3-April 24 “Bruce Munro: Ferryman’s Crossing” Film Screenings: Nov. 19 Tom Sachs’ 2015 film A Space Program
Sonoran Arts League, Cave Creek sonoranartsleague.org Taste of Cave Creek Art Exhibition and League Booth Nov. 20-22 and 27-29 Hidden in the Hills Artist Studio Tour & Sale Dec. 11-13 Holiday Artisan Market at The Gallery at el Pedregal January-March K-12 Art Contest April 1-3 Art Stuff Sale April 1 Art In The Garden April 7 Celebration of Art June 6-17 Summer Art Camp, Foothills Art Academy Monthly Art Event: Trunk Show at The Gallery at el Pedregal takes place the third weekend of every month. Oct. 21-22
See website for additional location details.
Scottsdale’s Museum of the West: Western Spirit scottsdalemuseumwest.org Through Oct. 31 “Inspirational Journey: The Story of Lewis and Clark Featuring the Artwork of Charles Fritz” Nov. 7-May 31 “A Salute to Cowboy Artists of America and a Patron: 50 Years of Amazing Contributions to the American West” Ongoing Exhibitions: “Courage and Crossroads: A Visual Journey through the Early American West” “Confluence of Cultures in the American West: A Selection of Contemporary Artists from the Peterson Collection” “The A.P. Hays Spirit of the West Collection” “Heritage Hall”
Wilde Meyer Gallery, Tucson wildemeyer.com Oct. 1-31 Group shows at all three Wilde Meyer Gallery locations Oct. 1 Opening Reception
mixed media Desert Botanical Garden dbg.org Music In The Garden Concert Series: Oct. 2 Chuck Hall Band (Blues) Oct. 9 Traveler (World Fusion) Oct. 16 Walt Richardson and Friends (Reggae, Rock) Oct. 23 Tommy Ash Band (Honky-Tonk Country) Oct. 30 Fatigo (Mariachi meets Indie Rock) Nov. 7 Dennis Rowland (Jazz) Nov. 14 Big Nick and the Gila Monsters (Blues) Exhibits: Sept. 26-Nov. 14 Meet the Caterpillars Oct. 3-Nov. 14 (Saturdays) Monarch Butterfly Walks Oct. 16-Jan. 10 Beyond Blue – Cyanotypes Of Laslo Layton Nov. 22-May 8 Bruce Munro: Sonoran Light At Desert Botanical Garden Oct. 23-Nov. 1 Exhibition of Ofrenda Events and Festivals: Oct. 23-25 The Great Pumpkin Festival Oct. 29 Cuisine and Culture Oct. 31-Nov. 1 Dia De Los Muertos Oct. 31-Nov. 1 La Procesion – The Procession Nov. 6-8 Chiles & Chocolate Nov. 20 Bruce Munro: Sonoran Light At Desert Botanical Garden Grand Opening Event Nov. 27-28; Dec. 10-13, 16-23 and 26-31 Las Noches De Las Luminarias Dec. 8 or 9 Phoenix Boys Choir Holiday Performance Jan. 23 Dog’s Day In The Garden The Seasonal Table Spring Series: Feb. 20-21 Corks & Cactus March 5, 12, 19, 26 and April 2 Scottsdale Artists League Spring Paintout April 1 Agave On The Rocks April 8-10 Scottsdale Artist League Show And Sale April 8-10 Central Arizona Cactus And Succulent Society Show And Sale April 23 Planet Celebration: Earth Day At Desert Botanical Garden April 30 Dinner On The Desert May-September (Thursdays And Saturdays) Garden Flashlight Tours
Workshops: Sept. 26 Sept. 26 Sept. 27 Sept. 27 Sept. 28 Sept. 30 Oct. 1 Oct. 2 Oct. 4 Oct. 3 Oct. 3 Oct. 3 and 7 Oct. 4 Oct. 4 Oct. 5 and 10
Compost Tea Cooking with Pomegranates Cooking 101: Fish Expressive Botanicals Moonscape Photography The Magic of Mushrooms Songbird Gardens Understanding Your Camera Birding by Ear Herbs for Patio Gardens Printmaking 101 Digital Desert Photography Next Steps Pruning Trees and Shrubs Faux Ancient Pottery Gourd Birds of Prey – Hawks Eagles, Kites and Falcons Oct. 6 Introduction to Adobe Photoshop Elements Oct. 6 A Geological Narrative of Arizona Oct. 6, 13, 20 and 27; Nov. 3, 10 and 17 (Tuesdays) Sunrise Tai Chi Oct. 7 Pumpkin Perfection Oct. 7 and 10 Urban Gardening Oct. 7 Cultivating Desert Roses: Adeniums Oct. 7, 14, 21 and 28; Nov. 4, 11 and 18 (Wednesdays) Sundown Yoga Oct. 8 Best Bulbs for Desert Gardens Oct. 13 Adobe Photoshop Elements: Next Steps Oct. 13 Going Nuts Oct. 13-14 Tree of Life Mosaic Oct. 14 and 21 Caring for Your Desert Garden Oct. 15 Capturing Fall Colors: An Introduction Oct. 15 Explore Organic Gardening Oct. 16 Starry Skies Oct. 17 Mexican Border Specialties – Trogons, Phainopepla and More Oct. 17 Capturing Fall in the Field Oct. 18 iPhone and iPad Photography Oct. 18 The Spice is Right Oct. 18 Cyanotype Printing Oct. 18 Day of the Dead Portrait Print Oct. 18 Berry Gardening Oct. 19 and 26 Home Landscape Design Basics Oct. 20 Selection and Care of Fruit Trees Oct. 20 Adobe Photoshop Elements: Finishing Touches Oct. 21 Day of the Dead Altar Oct. 22 Importance of Soils Oct. 26 Birds in Pen and Ink Oct. 27 Vegan Mexico
Moonscape Photography Seeds, Germination and Planting Arizona Snakes Composition Earth Journaling and Aravaipa Canyon Shooting for the Stars: An Introduction Sweet and Savory Holiday Cooking Glass Inlay Gourds Grafting Fruit Trees Shooting for the Stars: In the Field Home Landscape Design Basics II Orioles, Meadowlarks, Blackbirds and More Nov. 10 and 12 Luxurious Lighting Nov. 10 Vegan Chili Nov. 11 Arizona Pioneer History to 1912 Nov. 12 What’s Wrong with My Vegetable Garden? Nov. 12 Water Harvesting: Design to Implementation Nov. 13 The Secret of Lighting Nov. 14 Irrigation System Maintenance Nov. 14 Creative Soups Nov. 15 Introduction to Macro Photography Nov. 15 Beetle Appliqué Nov. 14 iPhone and iPad Photography Nov. 15 Selecting and Growing Herbs Nov. 17 Green Chile Corn Tamales A Holiday Treat Nov. 18 Arizona Fish Nov. 18 Landscape Lighting Nov. 18 Photography: The Art of People Nov. 21 Holiday Desserts Oct. 27 Oct. 29 Oct. 29 Oct. 30 Oct. 30-31 Nov. 2 Nov. 4 Nov. 14 Nov. 4 Nov. 7 Nov. 9 and 16 Nov. 10 and 14
Children and Family Workshops: Sept. 18 and 25; Oct. 2 and 9 Baby Boojums! Sept. 26 Hands to the Earth: Seeds, Beads and Clay Oct. 11 Fairy Gardens Oct. 13-Nov. 20 Seedlings fall session Oct. 31 Monarch Magic Nov. 13 Night Photography: Painting with Light Jan. 12-Feb. 19 Seedlings winter session March 22-April 29 Seedlings spring session
Bruce Munro: Sonoran Light At Desert Botanical Garden. Photo courtesy of dbg.org.
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Space 55, Phoenix space55.org
festivals
Heritage - Stories of Arrival and Identity P.H.I.L Talks - Know Your Rights! Mom Speaks Up! And How! (Fridays and Saturdays) “St. Joan” Seven Minutes in Hell Storyline - Sisters He Said/She Said The Relationship Lives! Nov. 20 Neil Gaiman’s Birthday Party Dec. 3-20 (Thursdays-Sundays) A Bloody Mary Christmas Dec. 19 Seven Minutes under the Mistletoe Dec. 31 Resolutions Jan. 9 Storyline Feb.12-27 (Fridays and Saturdays) Snowbirds Feb. 13 Seven Minutes in Love March 5 Storyline March 13 The Rides of March March 25-26 Nine Muses April 8-23 (Fridays and Saturdays) Night of the Chicken IV, May 7 Storyline May 13-28 (Fridays and Saturdays) Here be Dragons III June 11, 18 and 25 Seven Minutes in Heaven (x3) Sept. 18-19 Sept. 25-26 Oct. 3 Oct. 9-24 Oct. 30 Nov. 7 Nov. 13-14
The Late-Night Series: First Saturdays (Sept. 5-May 7) Captain Jack’s Space Attack Second Fridays (Sept. 11-May 13) S&M Comedy Hour Third Saturdays (Sept. 19-May 21) The Revival Fourth Fridays (Sept. 25-May 27) Out The Box Fourth Saturdays (Sept 26-May 28) The Storrs Objection
Arts Festivals: Oct. 24
The Grande Fest, Casa Grande azindieartsfestivals.com
Nov. 7
Festival of the Arts, Herberger Theater Center, Phoenix herbergertheater.org
Nov. 29-30 Phoenix Flea facebook.com/phoenixflea
Community Festivals: Oct. 17-18 Rainbows Festival, Phoenix phoenixpride.org/events/ rainbows-festival Nov. 14
The 11th Annual Certified Local Fall Festival, Phoenix localfirstaz.com
March 5
Melrose Street Fair, Phoenix m7streetfair.com
April 2-3
Phoenix Pride Festival phoenixpride.org
Film Festivals: Nov. 5-9
Scottsdale International Film Festival scottsdalefilmfestival.com
Jan 29-31
Desperado LGBT Film Festival, Phoenix desperadofilmfestival.com
April 7-14
Phoenix Film Festival phoenixfilmfestival.com
The 10th Annual Certified Local Fall Festival. Photo by Fernando Hernández.
From the 7 Minutes series. Photo courtesy of space55.org. 84 |
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WITHOUT RESERVATIONS
The Perch Pub and Brewery Story and photos by Chelsea Young
W
alking into The Perch Pub and Brewery in historic downtown Chandler is like stepping out of a concrete jungle and into a secluded rainforest. The indoor/outdoor space is surrounded by lush greenery – landscaped gardens flank the walkways and patio and strings of white lights illuminate the canopy of trees – which makes you feel as though you’re tucked away in a secret garden. Add to that the sound of birds playing, pecking, and cawing, and you’re in for a unique dining (and drinking) experience.
“While The Perch is a pub, brewery and full restaurant, it’s also home to a collection of more than 100 tropical rescue birds.” Chelsea Young
Why the birds? While The Perch is a pub, brewery and full restaurant, it’s also home to a collection of more than 100 tropical rescue birds. This means that, yes, you can dine alongside colorful parrots, cockatoos and macaws.
And, while they stay in their cages, your table chatter will most likely be punctuated by bird noises (Courtney the cockatoo joined our dinner conversation). My dinner date and I arrived around 6 p.m. on a Saturday. We didn’t make reservations and had to wait about 15 minutes for an indoor table. I’d recommend reservations for larger parties, especially during our hotter months, as indoor seating is very limited. While sipping house-brewed beers at the rooftop patio and bar seemed like the perfect way to wait for our table, I wasn’t impressed with the service and the clubesque music on the rooftop seemed loud and uncharacteristic for a dinner crowd at a place with such a laid-back vibe. Nevertheless, I chose The Perch Batch 28 Blonde and my date ordered The Perch Rosemary IPA. I always gravitate toward blonde ales, as they are refreshingly light and make for perfect summer sipping. But this blonde ale packed a stronger punch than I expected – it was more malty and heavy for my taste. Conversely, I’m not usually a hops fan, but I enjoyed savoring the Rosemary IPA, perhaps because I love anything herby – and you can definitely smell and taste the rosemary in this selection.
Inside the FnB kitchen. 88 |
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Before we finished our beers, our table •
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The Perch burger.
Jalapeno-marmalade wings.
was ready. We were fortunate to have one of the brewers as our server, and he was, of course, very knowledgeable about the beer selection. I enjoyed his explanations of the different flavor profiles, and he was happy to bring us as many tastes as we liked before we committed to an entire pint. We sampled several other house-made specialties, including Zilla Cuke (which had a hint of cucumber), Belgian Peach (a very sweet take on a peach beer), Cinnamon Honey Nut Brown (a darker brew that tasted like Christmas in my mouth) and the Grilled Lemon Cream Ale
(it’s actually made with grilled lemons!). I opted for a pint of the Grilled Lemon Cream Ale while my dinner date went for the Zilla Cuke. The craft beer here is very well priced. Beyond giving free tastes, you can opt to order a 5-ounce pour for only $2 and a 16-ounce pint is just $5 (for most of the beers on the menu, anyway). For an appetizer, we ordered the goat cheese tater tots, mainly because anything with goat cheese is an automatic win for me. This tater tower was piled so high, and topped with two generous dollops of a whipped goat cheese, that we scarcely made a dent.
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were tender and the flavor just spicy enough. After just two appetizers, it was apparent that The Perch does not skimp on portions. For our main course, we also took our server up on two more recommendations: the margherita pizza and The Perch burger. Made in a brick oven (which we could see from our table), the pizza comes decorated with mozzarella, tomatoes, and housemade chimichurri sauce. While the beerinfused crust was absolutely amazing, the sauce (actually a chimichurri-flavored pesto) was a less-than-delightful surprise. To me, a margherita pizza is not pestobased and, unfortunately, I really have to be in the mood for pesto to enjoy it. The margherita pizza.
I was a bit disappointed that the goat cheese wasn’t somehow in the tots, versus on top, which would have ensured goat cheese in every bite. We both preferred the normal (non-goat cheese) tots, which were crisped to perfection, served alongside our burger. According to our server, the jalapenomarmalade wings are one of the best things on the menu. And he was right. Soon, a plate of 12 jumbo-size wings arrived, garnished with a side of ranch dressing and slices of green apple as an alternative to the usual celery. The wings
The Perch is quite a literal name for this burger: Situated on a brioche bun, it’s stacked high with bacon, an onion ring, jalapeno marmalade, avocado spread, lettuce, tomato and a fried egg. Unfortunately, our server didn’t ask our preference on how we wanted it cooked, so when he brought it to us, he said he had them cook it medium (as opposed to coming back and asking us our preference, I suppose). It was definitely overcooked, and although the runny egg yolk and jalapeno provided nice flavor, it was an expensive risk. Overall, I was really impressed with our server – from the tastes of different beers to offering us boxes and a carryout
bag for our extra food. Every table was full (another good sign), yet our server always came to check in on us regularly, something I’m finding increasingly rare in restaurants these days. As the temperature continues to drop, and the interest in fall flavors spikes, I would recommend the outdoor ambiance of The Perch for seasonal craft beers and warm, comfort food-inspired appetizers. Just know that if you add an entrée to your order, you’ll be taking leftovers home (because you can’t feed the birds)!
The Perch Pub and Brewery 232 S. Wall St., Chandler 480-773-7688 perchpubbrewery.com Chelsea Young is a writer, editor, poet, author and entrepreneur with a passion for food and travel. She’s been published in more than a dozen publications, and can be reached via chelseayoung.com.
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AT THE BOX OFFICE By Hans Pedersen
He Named Me Malala In theaters Oct. 9 | PG-13 | 87 minutes
A profile of an amazing young woman, Malala Yousafzai, the youngest person to ever win the Nobel Peace Prize. Chronicling Yousafzai’s work and advocacy for girls’ education when she was just 15 years old, this documentary tracks events leading up to the brutal Taliban attack when gunmen shot her in the head on a Pakistan school bus. The tragedy caused an outcry and transformed the teen into an even more powerful figure – an international activist who battles for children’s rights worldwide. Director David Guggenheim’s documentary also showcases her address to the United Nations while shedding light on the massive impact one courageous person can have.
Cooties In Theaters Sept. 18 | R | 88 minutes
Is he gay or isn’t he? That’s the ongoing question about Tracy, a teacher of ambiguous sexuality played by Jack McBrayer of “30 Rock” (we get an answer eventually). He and Elijah Wood, Rainn Wilson, and Jorge Garcia play the elementary school staff in this hilarious and freakishly frightening terror-fest about kiddos who’ve gone rabid from tainted cafeteria food: they’ve become zombies, a la 28 Days Later, and want to consume humans for dessert. There’s entertainment and gore aplenty as the adult workers try to escape the confines of the school that’s guarded by the super-powered carnivorous kids with the munchies.
Freeheld Stonewall In theaters Sept. 25 | R | 129 minutes
Roland Emmerich directed the big-budget film on the 1969 riots at New York City’s Stonewall Inn that sparked the gay liberation movement. Based on real-life characters, the movie centers around a young white man, Danny, who has run off to NYC. One cannot deny the controversy surrounding this movie: some folks online say the movie is revisionist history that minimizes the role of trans women and drag queens of color who actually started the protest. Others argue all the main players that night at Stonewall are represented, including the trans woman who started the riot. Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Ron Perlman co-star in the drama. movies
In theaters Oct. 9 | PG-13 | 103 minutes
Skilled actresses Ellen Paige and Julianne Moore are a dream team as partners demonstrating a fierce commitment to justice when they launch a landmark lawsuit. In this docudrama, New Jersey same-sex partners Laurel Hester and Stacie Andree challenge the domestic partner benefits law that discriminates against them when doctors hand Hester a death sentence. The movie is based on the 2007 documentary about how police lieutenant Hester was denied pension benefits for her partner. Co-starring Steve Carrell as a vociferous activist, the film is reportedly driven by strong performances that could generate buzz at Oscar time. Hans Pedersen is a freelance writer based in Phoenix. EchoMag.com
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Out and Around
New Logo documentary invites viewers to join world-traveling lesbian couple By David-Elijah Nahmod
T
he latest release by Logo Documentary Films, Out and Around: What’s Wrong With My Love?, follows San Francisco-based lesbian couple Jennifer Chang and Lisa Dazols on their yearlong trip around the world. Produced in conjunction with the It Gets Better Project, the video of their journey screened on Logo Aug. 17 and is now available for online viewing. Logo cameras followed the women across Asia and Africa as they visited countries where LGBT people were tolerated as well as countries where being LGBT was dangerous. In each of the 15 countries they visited, the couple spoke with local leaders of the LGBT movement. Their travels made for an eye-opening cultural exchange throughout which they found many commonalities with men and women who come from cultures decidedly different from their own.
As the journey continued Chang was forced to confront the truth about her family’s homophobia, and their refusal to accept her sexuality and her relationship. Chang and Dazols, now a happily married couple, spoke to Echo about their grand adventure and about visiting countries where LGBT people are not welcome. “We learned that you have to be respectful when you are a visitor of local laws,” Dazols said. “There are still 72 countries where homosexuality is a crime, so obviously there very serious reasons to be cautious while traveling. We took cues from the local LGBT individuals about safety in their own country.” A key component of the couple’s experiences abroad were the wide array of social observations – both good and bad – they made along the way. “In Kenya we learned quickly that we cannot walk hand-in-hand, as if we were walking down the street in our hometown of San Francisco,” Dazols said. “In public we refrained from touching one another or acting intimate in any way. We didn’t realize what a stressor it is not to act like a couple until we had to.” When Chang and Dazols visited Brazil, they learned that the country’s LGBT citizens enjoy many federal equality laws even as they deal with a rampantly homophobic culture. “It’s one step to pass equality laws and another large step to fight institutionalized homophobia,” Chang said. “No movement stops with the passing of laws. The implementation and cultural change takes time.” India was one of the more unforgettable countries the women visited – they said it was the “most and least” enjoyable of the many stops they made.
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“We loved India’s unique culture when we spent three weeks meditating in an ashram in Northern India as well as the days we took cooking classes in Delhi,” Dazols said. “We hit rock bottom during the 12 hour bus rides and almost getting scammed at a train station.” Chang and Dazols also met inspirational role models during their trip. “We met David Kuria, Kenya’s first openly gay political candidate,” Chang said. “Despite death threats, he decided to run for Senate because of his conviction to improve the [conditions] of his country. We worried for the safety of the people we met and often asked ourselves if we would have their courage to take such risks.” Following their documentary project, Chang and Dazols legally wed. “[There is] nothing more validating than legally pronouncing your love in front of family and friends,” the couple said in unison. “Our year of travel was great preparation for marriage as we really got to know each other while working on the project.” To view Out and Around, visit logotv. com/shows/logodocumentary-films. David-Elijah Nahmod is an American-Israeli writer who’s lived in New York City, Tel Aviv and is currently based in San Francisco. He’s been published in LGBT publications, monster magazines and SF Weekly, and can be reached on Facebook as David-Elijah Nahmod, Author and on Twitter at @DavidElijahN.
movies
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recordings
Years & Years Communion Interscope |
The accolades keep coming for Years & Years. The British electro/dance trio was picked by MTVU as the 2015 “Artist To Watch,” Buzzfeed called them “the next big thing in pop,” and the BBC dubbed them “The Sound of 2015.” (Previous winner: Sam Smith. Just sayin.’) Fronted by the willowy, sensual, baby-faced Olly Alexander, Years & Years is a captivating band that combines shimmering pop sensibilities with an uncommon gift for complex storylines. On Communion, Alexander has a lot to say about relationships – gay, straight and otherwise – and his bandmates provide some truly gorgeous sounds.
Photo courtesy of facebook.com/AgainstMe
Against Me!
23 Live Sex Acts Total Treble/INgrooves Music Group |
It’s not exactly like Laura Jane Grace has ever had a “laid back” phase, but the rush of activity and attention that came when she came out as transgender has been a whirlwind, even for somebody who’s used to global fame. She kicked off 2014 with the release of future-classic Transgender Dysphoria Blues, followed by a world tour as well as a television series, “True Trans” (editorial humblebrag disclosure: I’m in it for a bit). Now that extraordinary year is commemorated in a new live album, 23 Live Sex Acts, a record as raw, powerful and uncompromising as its cover. And yeah, what a cover: severed sex organ on a plate, in the style of a lurid old newspaper advertisement, claiming the show was recorded “live at the Gritty Clit.” Wal-mart featured display placement assured! It’s a graphical representation of Grace’s dark wit and lyrical honesty. She’s never shied away from the difficult, awkward or even lurid aspects of the trans experience (or the public perception of same). On Transgender Dysphoria Blues it was a revelation, but here, presented in live form, the songs take on a raw power and urgency that transcend their studio versions. Trans anthems like “True Trans Soul Rebel” burns with a blinding, righteous fury, while even old hits like “Thrash Unreal” take on a new edge. 94 |
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It’s especially moving to hear Grace revisit 2007’s “The Ocean,” from Against Me’s Sire Records debut. “If I could have chosen, I would have been born a woman,” she sang then. “My mother once told me she would have named me Laura. I would grow up to be strong and beautiful like her.” It took courage to write those words in the guise of a male punk frontman; it was like a prayer for even the possibility of escape. To hear Grace sing them now, having come through the fire and become her fully realized self, is not only an extraordinarily emotional moment of catharsis, it should give anyone, anywhere, the hope that no matter how long the odds feel, anything is truly possible if you refuse to give up. And, 23 Live Sex Acts is an amazing document of survival and triumph.
Alexander’s “coming out” has been a low-key affair, but the added perspective and overt male-male pronouns give new weight and resonance to songs like “Real” and the outstanding “Memo” (about a heartbreaking breakup between Alexander and an ex) and the more universal “Take Shelter.” Alexander’s lithe R&B vocal styling is tender, nuanced, filled with longing and a kind of achy desperation. “Nobody’s gonna tell me I need help,” he sings. “You hold me and I close my eyes…I’m shy…can I be what you like?” “King,” a monster pop hit in the United Kingdom, swirls with a dizzying, hypnotic synth riff. “They say it’s easy to leave you behind – I don’t wanna try,” Alexander sings, recalling a bit of Michael Jackson on “PYT” for a moment. The chorus comes crashing in with a huge cinematic flourish, as Alexander spins another tale of attraction, tension and uncertainty. He’s a powerful performer who conveys deep emotion with a casual gesture. It’s glorious to live in a time when chart-topping pop music no longer has to censor or blunt same-sex attraction, and Communion is a limitlessly great pop record that deserves your attention.
music
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FKA Twigs M3LL155X
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Once in a while you get an artist who’s absolutely willing to push deep into the unknown, to follow whatever creative impulse strikes strongest, no matter where it goes. FKA Twigs’ third EP, M3LL155X (pronounced “Melissa”) does that and more. It’s essential listening and should, if taken as directed, completely blow your mind. Nothing about FKA Twigs has been ordinary; this isn’t basic pop music about varying shallow shades of love. Like PJ Harvey before her, FKA Twigs is strongly connected to the idea of power: Power in relationships, power between men and women and the power of desire itself. It can be uncomfortable, as in “I’m Your Doll,” a seemingly self-objectifying statement that twists upon itself until, in the video, Twigs turns up in the bed with her own blow-up doll. And it gets weird from there. The short film, in fact, is essential and revelatory, almost inseparable from the music. “In Time” finds her dealing with the primal forces of pregnancy and cursing her lover, over a stark beat breakdown and an almost psychedelic warp in her personal universe. The buzzing, eerie “Glass & Patron” finds her giving birth to background singers in the back of a van. The finale, “Mothercreep,” slinks to its angular conclusion with a daring, gutsy reversal of expectations. It’s a rare day when an artist commands music and film, combined, with such power. Over its five staggering songs, M3LL155X packs in more artistry than lesser talents manage in their entire careers.
Cait Brennan is a singer/songwriter and freelance writer based in Phoenix.
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Top 10 Must-See Fall Concerts By Cait Brennan
W
hen Labor Day is in the rearview mirror, you know summer is really gone. Besides the cooler temps, this can only mean one thing: Fall concert season is upon us! The remainder of 2015 is jam-packed with live concert excitement. Don’t take my word for it, here’s a look at 10 brilliant shows you mustn’t miss in the season ahead:
sept. 30
Sam Smith at Gila River Arena The elusive Mr. Smith dodged us earlier in the year; his August show was postponed due to fatigue and the need for vocal cord surgery (and not at all because someone told him what Phoenix is like in August). Thankfully, he rescheduled and, ICYMI the first time around, he’s bringing his great voice and chart-topping songs to Gila River Arena in Glendale Sept. 30.
oct. 13
Florence + the Machine at Ak-Chin Pavilion
sept. 24-27
Summer Ends Music Festival at Tempe Beach Park By “Summer Ends,” they mean the calendar, not the temperature. We do live on the surface of the sun, you know. So hydrate, lather up the sunscreen, and get ready to have your face rocked off by a lineup that includes Kanye West, Big Sean, Cold War Kids, Spoon, Jimmy Eat World, Brandon Flowers of the Killers, Manchester Orchestra, Slightly Stoopid and even Hozier. Hm, I wonder if he’ll play “Take Me To Church”?
Yeah, the dog days (of summer) are over, and her initial buzz may have died down a wee bit, but dollar for dollar, there’s no more powerful voice in music today than Florence Welch. The new album, How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful, will undoubtedly restore the band’s shine. And, after a nearly fouryear layoff, Florence + the Machine are the best they’ve ever been.
oct. 16
Marina and the Diamonds at Marquee Theatre From debut single “I Am Not A Robot” to this year’s “Froot,” Welsh-born Marina Diamandis has cut a swath of originality across a couple of continents. It’s a rare treat to see her perform in the Valley and she crushes all opponents in the female electro vocalists department.
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oct. 19
Janet Jackson at Comerica Theatre Your personal nastiness is not my business, but I call her Janet, and she’s back after an unconscionably long hiatus with a new album (coming soon) and a global tour that will likely propel her back to the top. Welcome back, Janet.
oct. 22
Madonna at Gila River Arena Did you know that BBC radio refused to play Madonna’s recent single because she was “too old”? Age ain’t nothin’ but a number, baby, and Madonna is still epic (in the classical sense of the word, like Mt. Everest or some kind of Versaceclad tsunami). Seeing a Madonna show now is like what seeing Paul McCartney is for lovers of the Beatles – it’s a rare, nearly oncein-a-lifetime opportunity to catch a great artist doing what they do best. She’s not going to be doing this forever, kids. Get out and catch her, so you can lord it over some young whippersnapper in 20 years.
oct. 25
oct. 26
Frank Turner and the Sleeping Souls at The Pressroom
William Fitzsimmons at Crescent Ballroom
Oh sure, the popular kids will be over at the Marquee Theatre seeing ex-MCR frontman Gerard Way, and the beardy types will be over at the Orpheum watching Sufjan Stevens. But you? You’re fierce, baby. You like bold, hard-edged honesty and raucous, singable, soul-lifting anthems true to the spirit of punk. Frank Turner brings all that and more from Meonstoke, UK to the stage at the Pressroom. Don’t know who he is? Trust me on this: one Frank Turner show and you will be a fan for life.
I know nothing about William Fitzsimmons’ personal sexuality, but I do know that nobody, not even the rain, has such a large lesbian following. The man is even cited on afterellen. com as a “lesbro” – a “male friend to lesbians,” according to their lexicon. His folky, heartfelt, sometimes stark music explores all the deepest corners of the human experience, and there’s great beauty in that, no matter who you are.
oct. 27
nov. 13
Iggy Azalea at Gila River Arena
Melissa Etheridge at Ovations Live at Wild Horse Pass
This is where I make a bunch of puns about Iggy Azalea’s show. Like it’ll “change your life” and you should get off “work” and “bounce” down there to see it, and don’t forget to wear something “fancy.” Well, I’m not going to do that. I’m not some cheap word tramp here to dance for your amusement. Go to the show if you want. I’m certainly not going to “beg for it.”
Grammy Award winner Melissa Etheridge has become practically an annual visitor to the Valley in recent years; on this stop, she’ll be playing solo, bringing an intimate feel to some of her classics as part of the “This Is M.E. Solo” tour.
Cait Brennan is a singer/songwriter and freelance writer based in Phoenix.
MELISSA ETHERIDGE FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13 | 8PM
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With your Players Club card at the Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino box office, or at face value through 877-840-0457 or WinGilaRiver.com EchoMag.com
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between the covers
Stonewall: Breaking Out in the Fight for Gay Rights By Terri Schlichenmeyer
Y
our favorite hangout isn’t all that fancy.
It’s comfortable, though: you’ve got places to sit and your friends are always around. Best of all, nobody says you can’t be there – everybody’s welcome all the time. It wasn’t always that way, though, as you’ll see in Stonewall: Breaking Out in the Fight for Gay Rights by Ann Bausum (pictured). There was a full moon that night, and it was hot. Not hot like you’d describe a person but “beastly hot,” weather-wise, and it was even hotter inside New York’s Stonewall Inn. For years, it’d been illegal in many cities to dance with someone of the same sex. With a few rare exceptions, being gay could get you fired from work, rejected by family and generally ostracized. If you were a man wearing women’s clothing, you could be arrested immediately. But the Stonewall Inn allowed dancing, drinking, cross-dressing, and the police looked the other way because, as Bausum explains, the Mafia had ties to the Stonewall Inn and
bribes kept things running. By June 1969, this covert freedom started causing problems: “closeted homosexuals” involved in an international bond scandal were spotted at the Stonewall Inn by “organized crime operatives” with blackmail on their minds. The New York Police Department was ordered to close down the Stonewall Inn. In the wee hours of June 28, they raided the packed bar. Needless to say, it didn’t go well. As partiers and staff were arrested, a crowd began to form to taunt police – and it grew as people ran to pay phones to call friends. Some of those arrested were freed; others were roughly handled. Bausum says that one of the latter, a lesbian, asked the crowd if they were going to do anything about it – and they did. At first, pocket change rained down on the police, then pebbles, stones, bottles and, eventually, burning containers. Some of the officers took refuge inside the bar, awaiting backup that didn’t arrive for nearly an hour as 2,000 people raged in the streets. Riot crews eventually showed up, and were mocked. The unrest, Bausum recounts, lasted several nights. What lasted longer was that lesbians, gay men, transgender community members, drag queens and crossdressers suddenly knew that they weren’t alone. Although it can become somewhat florid for the sake of drama, Stonewall is a nicely surprising book filled with history that few younger people may know.
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The surprise comes in what author Ann Bausum shares, which seems tame by today’s news, perhaps even quaint: nobody was seriously hurt, and the single death was accidental and barely related. That almost made me afraid readers might forget that the riot marked the
coalescence of activism for gay rights (better known as LGBT rights today), but Bausum anecdotally reminds us repeatedly of Stonewall’s significance. Final chapters bring the battle for LGBT rights up to the present, touching on the AIDS epidemic, pride parades and the fight for marriage equality. This historical account is meant for teen readers ages 12 and up, but it might be a challenge for those on the younger end. It certainly can be enjoyed by adults unfamiliar with the details of this event. Stonewall: Breaking Out in the Fight for Gay Rights By Ann Bausum Viking, 2015 | $16.99. Terri Schlichenmeyer, The Bookworm, lives on a hill in Wisconsin with two dogs and 13,000 books. She’s been reading since age 3 and, to this day, she never goes anywhere without a book.
BONUS BOOK: To read Terri Schlichenmeyer’s review of A Matter of Breeding, by Michael Brandow, visit echomag.com/betweenthe-covers-a-matter-of-breeding. books
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guest columnist
An Art Walk Down Scottsdale’s Memory Lane By Bill Orovan
S
cottsdale’s Main Street wasn’t always the art center of Arizona. Back in 1972 there were only five galleries on the now-venerable street – all in the one block between Scottsdale Road and Marshall Way, with a smattering of other galleries spread out around the downtown area of “The West’s Most Western Town,” as they liked to refer to Scottsdale in those days. Three of the galleries, Steckler, Stagg and The Pavilion, decided to make the scene a little more complete by inviting the visiting Utah Repertory Ballet Company to perform on the street one Saturday afternoon. This was the beginning of the 43-year-old Art Walk, the longest running event of its kind in the United States. Shortly thereafter, the other two galleries began to participate, as well as more and more galleries which had migrated to Main Street, and the Saturday afternoon event was intelligently moved to Thursday nights – a much more comfortable situation, especially during the 100-degree plus summer months. Entertainment remained an important part of the Art Walk, and included everything from strolling guitarists to full orchestras. Many of the galleries started serving wine and baked goods, often homemade, and with people walking from gallery to gallery, a glass of wine in hand, it made for a popular way to spend a very pleasant evening. Soon the gallery scene was really
booming, and the second block, from Marshall Way to Goldwater Boulevard (then called 70th Street) began to be populated by even more galleries. And the restaurants in the neighborhood became reservationsonly on Thursday nights. The gallery scene was again expanded when Elaine Horwitch pioneered Marshall Way between Indian School Road and Fifth Avenue by opening a gallery in a brand new building built specifically for an art gallery – a first in Scottsdale. This set the precedent for this adjunct art center and, before long, both blocks were lined with galleries as well. Main Street and Marshall Way joined together for a really giant Art Walk – so big it was almost impossible to see it all in the three-hour window on Thursday evening. To add further to the festive atmosphere, many galleries began to move their artist’s openings from the weekend to the Art Walk evening. At its zenith, the Art Walk was comprised of more than 80 galleries in the four blocks of Main Street and Marshall Way. Although the walk was started by contemporary
galleries, the Scottsdale arts complex now features styles as divergent as contemporary, experimental, western, classical, limited editions and even decorative, so there’s something for everyone. There are names that everyone recognizes, such as Renoir and Keith Haring, as well as local museum-collected artists and unknowns who might become tomorrow’s biggest stars. Now, 43 years later, THE Art Walk has become a household name for residents and visitors alike. Scottsdale is considered one of the major art centers of the U.S., and a destination for serious art collectors worldwide. All this from three insightful galleries trying to give their clientele a more complete art experience.
Bill Orovan is the publisher of Echo Magazine.
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Photos by Bill Gemmill.
guest columnist
Why is there no LGBT theatre group in Phoenix?
By Steve Schemmel
I
n August of 1979, Bud Guiles asked his Philly high-school friend and NYC roommate, me, to join him in presenting a production of three one-act plays, written by Robert Patrick, as a benefit for Dignity Phoenix. As publicity and word-of-mouth spread, we received a call from Helen K. Mason, head of the Black Theatre Troupe, offering the use of BLT’s stage. That warm, wonderful lady opened her arms to “The Boys,” as she called us, saying “We’re both still fighting discrimination, let’s help each other.” Planned for two performances, the first show sold out and extended for three more. Alerted that someone was going to present “gay theater” in then-largely homophobic Phoenix, local critics saw the show and loved it. Robert Patrick attended the Oct. 12 performance, afterward praising cast and crew. Tucson called and asked for two performances there. They sold out three and said they could have sold out another three. After much persuasion, I finally convinced Bud we should start a group. Bud had produced theater in LA and I had produced in New York City. Dignity gave us $300 from the initial production and we formed the group Theatre For Gays, complete with a board of directors.
members, under the philosophy that “If gays complain they are discriminated against, how can we discriminate against others?” As word of the group spread throughout the Valley, there were many threats of arson, physical violence and death. When these threats were presented to Phoenix’s Chief of Police in 1980, he responded with “Whadda you expect? Bunch of f*cking faggots.” And the police took no action. As a result, Bud and I spoke with Helen and advised her that we didn’t want to endanger her personnel or theater and would move our production elsewhere. Helen refused our offer, saying, “We’re all fighting for equality, boys. Together we’ll face them down.” The show opened in June 1980, and again sold out – without incident from the cowardly homophobes. In 1983, Janus finally leased a building from the city and received a very nice welcoming letter from then Gov. Bruce Babbitt. It must be noted that Janus was always a strictly volunteer group. The only monies paid were royalties to playwrights, theater rentals, printing and such. No one else – actors, directors, crew, ushers, staff or boardmembers – received payment for their much-appreciated services.
What two friends started with $300, blind optimism and hard work went on to produce 35 critically acclaimed and successful productions over the course of eight years. Bud relocated to California, after his seventh attempt to resign from the board. He passed away Nov. 29, 2006. I resigned in late 1986, when I relocated to Los Angeles. Janus’ last production was took place in October 1987, after it was discovered that the treasurer allegedly embezzled all the funds. In the ‘90s, Joe Marshall picked up the torch and created The Alternative Theatre Company, eventually moving to New York around 2007. And, in 2000, Damon Daring took his 1999 tax return and created Nearly Naked Theatre Company which is still producing “off-beat” theater and an occasional LGBT production. But the question still remains: With the plethora of LGBT plays and musicals still being written and produced all over the country, and with Phoenix being the sixth largest city in the U.S., why is there no LGBT theater group in the Valley? Steve Schemmel is a former Echo Magazine account executive who has spent more than 50 years producing, directing and performing in New York, Los Angeles and Phoenix.
The following April, I presented a Theatre for Gays check to a Central Avenue church for rehearsal space. The church said they couldn’t accept a check with the word “gay” on it, so I wrote a personal check. As a result, the group changed its name to Janus Theatre Company. Janus was a mythological god whose temple had no doors, remaining open at all times to those who wished to enter, stay as long as they wished and leave when they were ready. Janus is also the symbol used for the masks of comedy and tragedy. Janus Theatre Company set by-laws and filed for incorporation. It also decided Janus should not be limited to strictly LGBT EchoMag.com
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ALL OVER THE MAP
Creative Intentions
Everyone has the potential to be creative. Yes, everyone. You, me, your sister, even the grumpy man next door. Not all creativity is artistic. There are profoundly creative engineers, teachers, landscapers, research scientists, nurses, even project managers. As psychologist Abraham Maslow said, “A first-rate soup is more creative than a second-rate painting.”
By Liz Massey
E
very year, Echo publishes a fabulous arts issue. Perhaps because I am a writer and because I was born into a tribe of passionate amateur musicians, I think about creativity more than the average person, probably even more than the average creative person.
Creativity follows a process. It may not always be visible, and different people have described it in different ways, but there are definitely factors that encourage creativity (open-mindedness, curiosity, suspending judgement) and discourage it (competitiveness, anxiety, criticism).
For six years, I published a blog entitled Creative Liberty, which I dedicated to “celebrating and exploring the creative process.” You can still find it if you Google my name and the name of the blog together, although I’m no longer adding new posts. Blogging for that long about creativity shifted my opinions on what creativity is, who possesses it, and how it functions. In the beginning, I thought the blog might support a creativity coaching practice; I quickly realized that for me, trying to coach artists would be like trying to coach (very talented) house cats, and that it would be a more natural fit for me to share the wonder and joy of the creative process with those who found it exhilarating too. As I studied the dynamics of creativity and interviewed artists and innovators, it was inevitable that I would ponder the supposedly “special” relationship that LGBT people have with creativity. The conclusion I came to is that I don’t believe queer people are naturally more creative ... What I think actually happens is that necessity is the mother of invention, and when members of our tribe have been threatened by a hostile dominant culture, they’ve used their creativity to adapt and survive – often in colorfully transgressive ways. During my blogging period, I came into
creativity into your life, here are a few suggestions I can offer.
Complacency is the biggest obstacle to creative work. Thinking there’s only one right way, or that you have to be right 100 percent of the time, is a sure way to see any original ideas you might have dry up and blow away. I find that I have to constantly shake up my perceptions by “cross pollinating” my brain with ideas from people, industries, cultures and topics I might never seek out otherwise. contact with a lot of people who created just for the joy of it. Sadly, I also interacted with a lot of people who refused to admit they were creative because it wasn’t how they made a living. I came to understand that one of my roles in life is to act as an agent provocateur of creativity – someone who finds ways to entice ordinary people into creating their own paintings, stories, dances, songs, parties, games, etc. This role has an element of activism in it, for people who can rely on their own ingenuity are typically also people who can survive hard times, and who don’t depend on the media or consumer culture (or, God forbid, ministers and political leaders) to define their lives for them. So, even though my blog is essentially on permanent hiatus, I’m still a passionate pied piper for creative activity. If reading the Arts Issue whets your appetite to bring more
Owning your own creative power is a profound act of self-love. Allowing your creations – music, art, dance, first-rate soups, home decorations, or whatever – to come to life prevents a sort of emotional stagnation that I find nearly unbearable. And letting others see you being creative can provide inspiration for their own creative journeys. LGBT people know better than other cultural groups that creativity isn’t primarily a pretty frill whose purpose is to entertain the power elite; it is, at its most glorious, a shocking, powerful, disruptive force that upends the traditional order of things. It’s that sort of creative power that we truly celebrate with our Arts issue. As author Tom Robbins in “Even Cowgirls Get The Blues” put it, “In times of widespread chaos and confusion, it has been the duty of more advanced human beings – artists, scientists, clowns and philosophers – to create order. In times such as ours, however, when there is too much order, too much management, too much programming and control, it becomes the duty of superior men and women to fling their favorite monkey wrenches into the machinery. To relieve the repression of the human spirit, they must sow doubt and disruption.” Liz Massey has been involved in LGBT community-building activities in Kansas City and the Valley of the Sun, and is a former managing editor of Echo Magazine. She can be reached at lizmassey68@gmail.com.
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money talks
Managing material and money matters after marriage By Melissa Myers and Michael J. Tucker Melissa Myers: Not only is same-sex marriage legal nationally now, we also have a wave of local couples celebrating their first wedding anniversary this month. Michael J. Tucker: That’s right! Oct. 17 marks one year of legally recognized same-sex marriages in Arizona! Myers: What kinds of steps should couples be considering to adjust to their new legally married status, either before or after they get married? Tucker: Well, by now I am seeing that most couples seem to understand that once they marry, they will almost certainly be filing joint income tax returns with the IRS and the Arizona Department of Revenue going forward. Myers: Folks who get married can choose to file as married filing separately, but in most cases that is less advantageous in terms of how much income tax liability they will owe. Tucker: Another latent income tax issue has to do with couples that own houses,
land or brokerage accounts as joint tenants with right of survivorship. Myers: Now that they are married, those couples can transfer those assets to community property with right of survivorship. Tucker: That shift may save a lot of capital gains taxes if one of the spouses dies and then the surviving spouse sells the asset at a profit. Myers: Couples can achieve such changes on financial accounts – other than IRAs or retirement plan accounts – by instructing the asset custodian to change the title to community property with right of survivorship. Tucker: And married folks can change their house titles by having a deed drawn up to transfer each such house title from joint tenancy with right of survivorship to community property with right of survivorship. Myers: Shouldn‘t these changes happen sort of automatically?
Tucker: Once married, couples need to take affirmative steps to make sure their property is titled in a way that reflects their wishes. Myers: Same-sex married couples may take a while to understand community property. It’s a whole new concept in many of our circles!
TAKE IT ONLINE To read the rest of this issue’s conversation visit echomag.com/ money-talks-october-2015.
Melissa Myers is a certified financial planner with Camelback Retirement Planners, in Phoenix, a registered representative with Commonwealth Financial Network and a registered investment adviser. Michael J. Tucker is an attorney with Michael J. Tucker, P.C., in Phoenix, and is a certified specialist in estate and trust law. For more information, see their ads in this issue. This material has been provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute either tax or legal advice. Investors should consult a tax or legal professional regarding their individual situation. Neither Camelback nor Commonwealth offers tax or legal advice.
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balanced living
Your Business, Your Body, Your Life By Nate Whitten
W
hen you look at pictures and read stories of people who have successfully transformed their body, do you find yourself becoming motivated to make the same kind of changes? How about the infomercials with the “rags-to-riches” entrepreneur who now has all he ever dreamed of and touts that by purchasing his plan for wealth and happiness, you can too! Very few of us ever really follow through with the steps outlined in the get-richquick workbook (that is now collecting dust under the nightstand). The reason this happens is because this type of media is designed to play on your emotions in order to get you purchase the “life-changing” workout video or meal plan. Every successful entrepreneur will tell you that the goal is the “win.” It’s not the money, it’s not the fame – it’s having a strategic plan to get to the next plateau of successful winning. It only makes sense then, that if you apply some of these strategies that business owners use to your
life, you’ll end up achieving the “win” in a healthy and sustainable way. Here are nine ways to get the win, whether it’s at work, at the gym or at life goals in general:
1. Get Organized To be successful in business, organization is critical to completing tasks and staying on top of things. When you go through your day unorganized, you’ll end up doing whatever is easiest. That will not get you where you want to be. Similarly, wandering around the gym, unfocused for an hour does not count as working out. Organize your workout, your day, your grocery list. Write down your plan for the day or the week, and check off items as you’ve completed them.
2. Keep Detailed Records All successful businesses keep detailed records, by doing the same you’ll know where your business stands financially and what potential challenges you could be facing. The same applies to your body. Keeping record of how much weight you’ve lifted, and how many reps, will be a good gauge to keep your momentum moving upward. When you’re tired and feeling slight, you’ll be more likely to forget that you are capable of moving around an extra 20 pounds on the dead lift. If you are hoping to adjust your caloric intake, you will not be able to have accurate measurements unless you keep records. The Three Musketeers candy bar may have less fat and, in a moment of weakness, you go for that on the run. But by the time you’re sitting down for dinner and
contemplating whether or not you can afford that second glass of wine, you’ve forgotten all about the candy bar (oops!).
3. Analyze Your Competition Competition breeds the best results. To be successful, you can’t be afraid to study and learn from your competitors. After all, they may be doing something right that you can implement in your own business. Analyzing your competition doesn’t mean you have to become what they are. It allows you the opportunity to see what is and is not working for them. Competing isn’t about being a better carbon copy of the blonde-haired, blue-eyed twink getting all the glances. It’s being the hot brunette daddy with mysterious brown eyes that steals the attention away from the competition.
7. Prepare to Make Sacrifices Starting a business is hard work, and after the doors open, your work has just begun. You’ll most likely have to put in more hours than you would if you were working for someone else. And be prepared to make sacrifices, such as spending less time with family and friends, in order to be successful. When it comes to your body, sacrifices like cutting out all sugar may be overwhelming and leave you feeling like a failure if you give in to temptation. Setting yourself up for success means being realistic in your goals and your timeline and the sacrifices you have to make.
9. Be Consistent Consistency creates positive habits that will help your business succeed over the long term. And your life and your fitness plan are just as important as your business. As old habits are replaced with new ones, you’ll find that your entire lifestyle is now geared toward making decisions that contribute to helping you get to the win. The chaos of emotions will no longer be your driver; rather it will be your functional and well-organized approach to success that will get you what you’re really striving for. Whether it’s your business, your body or your life, you will be successful. Nate Whitten is a successful living coach and personal trainer in Phoenix. Find out more at natewhitten.com.
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Greenway Pkwy 20
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Lincoln
40th St. 44th St.
8 23 27 2 6 11 17 25 Indian School 16
Your Neighborhood Community bar...
Cr
26
Camelback
Thomas
ve Ca Northern 7th St.
Central
7th Ave.
27th Ave.
43rd Ave.
51st Ave.
Glendale 17 Bethany
Shea Blvd
ee
N
Dunlap
Cactus
k
Thunderbird
Country Dancing Leather/Bears Entertainment (drag, strippers, etc.)
1
aNViL 2424 E. Thomas Road
M, d, L 602-956-2885
15
NUToWNe saLooN 5002 E. Van Buren St.
M, N, L 602-267-9959
2
aPoLLo’s 5749 N. Seventh St.
MF, N, e 602-277-9373
16
oFF ChUTe Too 4111 N. Seventh Ave
Me 602-274-1429
3
aQUa NighTCLUB NighT CLUB 1730 E. McDowell Road
F, N, e 602-253-0689
17
oz 1804 W. Bethany Home Road
MF, N 602-242-5114
4
Bar 1 3702 N. 16th St.
M, N, e 602-266-9001
18
PLazMa 1560 E. Osborn Road
MF, N 602-266-0477
5
Bs WesT 7125 E. Fifth Ave.
MF, d, e 602-200-9154
19
reBar/BLiss 901 N. Fourth St.
MF, N, r 602-795-1792
6
BUNkhoUse 4428 N. Seventh Ave.
M, N 602-200-9154
20
raiNBoW CaCTUs 15615 N. Cave Creek Road
MF, N 602-971-1086
7
Cash iNN 2140 E. McDowell Road
F, C 602-244-9943
21
rosCoes 4531 N. Seventh St.
M 602-285-0833
8
CharLie’s 727 W. Camelback Road
M, C, e 602-265-0224
22
royaL ViLLa iNN 4312 N. 12th St.
M 602-266-6883
9
CrUisiN’ 7Th 3702 N. Seventh St.
M, e 602-212-9888
23
sTaCy’s @ MeLrose 4343 N. Seventh Ave.
M, F 602-264-1700
10
Fez 105 W. Portland St.
MF, r 602-287-8700
24
The ChUTe 1440 E. Indian School Road
M 602-234-1654
11
harLey’s BisTro 4221 N. Seventh Ave.
MF, r 602-234-0333
25
The roCk 4129 N. Seventh Ave.
M 602-248-8559
12
FLex sPas PhoeNix 1517 S. Black Canyon Hwy
Me 602-271-9011
26
TiCoz resTo-Bar 5114 N. Seventh St.
MF, r 602-200-0160
13
karaMBa 1724 E. McDowell Road
d 602-254-0231
27
zoaN 4301 N. Seventh Ave.
F 602-265-3233
14
koBaLT 3110 N. Central Ave., Ste. 125
MF, e 602-264-5307
daily bar specials
S
m
t
w
t
f
S
Bunkhouse $1 drafts and HH prices all day and night
6 p.m., 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.: Free-to-join poker. HH prices for participants. Winners get $10 Bunkhouse bar tabs
7 and 10 p.m.: Free-to-join poker. HH prices for participants. Winners get $10 Bunkhouse bar tabs
9 p.m. Karaoke
Underwear night: $1 off all drinks if in skivvies!
8 p.m.-close: 8 p.m.-close: $2.50 Miller family $2.50 Bud family products. 4 p.m. products and 6 p.m.: Freeto-join poker
cash inn $2 Rolling Rocks from 7 p.m.-close
$1 Off You-Call$1 Off You-Call-Its $3 Three Olives DJ Jaypea Dance Its 7 p.m.; 2-Step 7 p.m.; Poker at lessons @ 7:30 8 p.m. night 8 p.m. p.m. w/ Jorge; Line Dance lessons @ 8:30 p.m. w/ Chandelle
$1 Well drinks and Country/Top 40 $3 IPA’s from 8-10 Dance Party 8 p.m. p.m.
charlie’s Super HH 4-7 p.m., $3 pitchers; $3 Long Islands open to close
2-8 p.m. 2-for-1 well and domestic bottles, $3 pitchers; 8 p.m.-close, 1/2 off cocktails and beer for those in underwear, $3 Jack Daniels
2-8 p.m. 2-for-1 well and domestic bottles, $3 pitchers; 2-for-1 cocktails and beer 8 p.m.close
2-8 p.m. 2-for-1 well and domestic bottles, $3 pitchers; $3 Three Olives vodka flavors, 8 p.m.-close
2-8 p.m. 2-for-1 well and domestic bottles, $3 pitchers; 2-for-1 cocktails and beer openclose
2-7 p.m. 2-for-1 well and domestics, $3 pitchers; HH 7-9 p.m.; $1 well and domestics, $1 drafts 10 p.m.midnight
Noon-7 p.m. 2-for-1 well and domestics; HH 7-9 p.m.; $1 well and domestics, $3 Absolut and Bacardi flavors 10 p.m.-midnight
HH open to close; Drag Bingo 9:30 p.m.; $5 Absolut cocktails
Karaoke 9 p.m.; HH open to close
HH 11 a.m.8 p.m.; Martinis & Massage 6 p.m.; $5 Martinis, $5 Bacardi flavors; Garden Variety Revue with Olivia Gardens 9 p.m.
HH 11 a.m.8 p.m.; Trivia Night w/cash prize 9 p.m.; $4 Stoli cocktails 8 p.m.– midnight
The HH Hotspot $3 signature cocktails, $2.75 domestics, HH until 11 p.m. video bar
HH 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; Showtune night 6-9 p.m.; Karaoke 9 p.m.; Celia Putty’s 2 Girls One Cup Show (every second Saturday)
2-4-1 ALL DAY; $3 monthly charity shots ALL DAY; live DJ, top 40 and dance
Thirsty Thursday; HH and $1 draft pint, 4-8 p.m.; $1 draft pint AND wells, 8 p.m.midnight; live DJ, top 40 and dance, 8 p.m.close
HH, 4-8 p.m.; $3 monthly charity shots ALL DAY; $2 Kamikaze shots ALL DAY; live DJ, top 40 and dance, 8 p.m.close
HH, 4-8 p.m.; $3 monthly charity shots ALL DAY; $2 Kamikaze shots ALL DAY; live DJ, top 40 and dance, 8 p.m.-close
koBalt HH 10 a.m.8 p.m.; Bar Match Buy-In Dart Tourney 2 p.m.; 2-4-1 call drinks 7-8 p.m.; Karaoke 9 p.m.
stacy’s @ Melrose $1 Rolling Rock pints and well drinks until 10 p.m.
Karaoke, 9 p.m.-close; HH and $3 monthly charity shots ALL DAY
HH, 4-8 p.m.; $1 draft pint, $3 monthly charity shots, $4 Mojitos and Caipirinhas ALL DAY; live DJ
(Subject to change without notice; check with bartender when ordering.) EchoMag.com
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october 2015
| 109
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| 111
OUT ‘n ABOUT Equality Arizona’s Aqua Pura Aug. 30 at Hotel Palomar Phoenix Cityscape Photos by Bill Gemmill.
For more Echo photos visit echomag.com/gallery.
1440 E. Indian School rd., Phoenix | 602-234-1654 112 |
october 2015
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www.chuteaz.com
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lambda directory Please support our advertisers who help keep Echo free.
Community Tire & Automotive Specialists p. 115 Compu-Tech Automotive p. 99
To find out more about advertising in Echo, call 602-266-0550.
BARs & clUBs
AccommodAtions Royal Villa
p. 105
AccoUntAnts/ tAX PREPARAtion Camelwest Tax Service p. 105 Jeffrey J. Quatrone PLLC p. 95 Robert F. Hockensmith, CPA, PC p. 32 Steve Price, CPA p. 107
AdoPtion Arizona’s Children Association Southwest Adoption Services
p. 103 p. 59
AdUlt EntERtAinmEnt/ REtAil Chute Flex Spas Phoenix Off Chute Too
p. 112 p. 113 p. 111
AiR conditioning & HEAting KB A/C and Heating LLC p. 108 Valdez Refrigeration p. 105
APARtmEnts East-West Apartments p. 105
ARt gAllERy Exposures International Gallery of Fine Art p. 11 Francesca’s Art Gallery p. 23
AttoRnEys Arentz Law Group Dean O’Connor, PC Jackson White - Attorneys At Law Law Office of Melody Harmon Phillips Law Group Tyler Allen Law Firm Udall Shumway Law Firm 114 |
october 2015
p. 32 p. 20 p. 85 p. 95 p. 13 p. 4 p. 99 •
AUto sERVicEs
BAkERy
Shelley’s Desserts
Bunkhouse Cash Inn Country Charlie’s Phoenix Kobalt Bar at Park Central Stacy’s @ Melrose
BEVERAgE
Absolut Vodka
BUsinEss/ PRofEssionAl sERVicEs
p. 107 p. 108 p. 113 p. 9 p. 113 p. 93 p. 5
Greater Phoenix Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce p. 31
cosmEtic PRocEdUREs
Skin Sultry Medical Aesthetics Willo Medi Spa
coUnsEling sERVicEs
p. 111 p. 107
p. 106 p. 95 p. 2
EVEnt PlAnnERs EVEnts
AIDS Walk Arizona Broadway Theatre ASU Gammage ASU Lyric Opera ASU Lyric Opera Company Chandler Center for the Arts Equality Arizona Dinner Gloria Gaynor Hidden In The Hills Live It Up Phoenix
EchoMag.com
finAnciAl sERVicEs
p. 65
JW Advisors Inc.
p. 106
Parker and Schmidt Clothiers
p. 107
Nate Whitten
p. 105
foRmAl WEAR
HEAltH & fitnEss
HomE fURnisHings
The Mattress Man
p. 111
Arizona’s Mr. Fix It Don’s Painting Service Lyons Roofing Quandt Landscaping Rainbow Bug Richard A. Peel Construction
p. 106 p. 106 p. 52 p. 106 p. 106
Hospice of the Valley
p. 20
HomE sERVicEs
Maricopa County Community College District p. 47 Vermillion Events
IVF Phoenix
A2Zhomecleaners.com p. 107
dEntists
EdUcAtion
fERtility
HomE clEAning
Deaf Access of Arizona p. 42 Mariann Arcari Rubin, LCSW p. 59 Arcadia Dentistry My Dentist Open Wide Dental
Melissa Ethridge p. 97 Orpheum Preview p. 47 Rainbows Festival p. 86 & 87 Rainbows Festival Kick Off Party p. 110 Scottsdale Center For the Arts p. 116 Stonewall p. 29The Battle at Stacy’s @ Melrose p. 37 Zombie Ball p. 43
p. 105 p. 67 p. 53 p. 48 p. 70 p. 39 p. 63 p. 25 p. 32 p. 57 p. 17
HosPicE
p. 20
PlUmBERs Brothers Plumbing Freddy Fox Rooter PlumberTime
PsycHic AdVisoR Psychic Consultant Elizabeth Lee Edison Midtown Patriot Commercial Properties The Sieb Organization
p. 41 p. 61 p. 65
REAltoRs Arizona Gay Realtors Alliance p. 3 Berney Streed, Re/Max Excalibur p. 107 Bradley B. Brauer, HomeSmart p. 3 David Oesterle, ReMax p. 3 Fred Delgado Team, Keller Williams p. 3 Jan Dahl, HomeSmart p. 3 Matthew Hoedt, Realty One p. 3 Michael Smith, One Realty Group p. 107 Nicholas Yale, Realty Executives p. 3 Shawn Hertzog, West USA p. 3
REligioUs gRoUPs Community Church of Hope p. 105 First Congregational UCC p. 105 L.I.F.E.-Love Is The Fundamental Element p. 101
REstAURAnts
Benefits Arizona p. 102 Health Markets Insurance p. 15 Hector Cerda, Allstate p. 3 Desert Massage Service p. 106
Easley’s Fun Shop
mAssAgE
p. 106
REAl EstAtE
Angry Crab Shack China Chili Hula’s Modern Tiki Marcellino Ristorante
insURAncE
p. 65 p. 106 p. 107
p. 90 p. 89 p. 89 p. 89
REtAil p. 103
moRtgAgEs
REtiREmEnt PlAnning
moVERs
Calvin Goetz, Strategy Financial Group p. 3 Camelback Retirement Planners p. 105
Jeremy Schachter, Pinnacle Capital Mortgage p. 3 Apartment Movers Two Men and a Truck
PHARmAciEs
p. 20 p. 106
CVS/CareMark Pharmacy p. 95 Fairmont Pharmacy p. 61
sAlons R Salon Salon Exodus
p. 61 p. 107
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