10 minute read
BEAT THE HEAT
Candlelight Concerts // Photo Courtesy of Fever
Writer Shannon Severson
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TThere’s no doubt that Phoenix has a reputation for fantastic outdoor experiences... for most of the year. However, when our temperatures grow infernal, we tend to hunker down indoors or get out of town entirely. But there’s no need for seasonal hibernation or an allout escape if you’re looking for some one-of-a-kind entertainment this summer. The buzz word of the moment is “immersion,” with indoor experiences that offer a feast for the eyes, ears and mind — while simultaneously providing a super simple way to beat the heat.
IMMERSIVE ART
Descend from the street level in the heart of Scottsdale and enter the world of Viennese modernist painter Gustav Klimt, who is probably most well-known for his “Golden Phase” in which he used gold leaf in “The Kiss.”
At Immersive Klimt: Revolution, the iconic artist’s work is put into historical perspective as you are surrounded by projected images and accompanying music from both Klimt’s era and more recent years, that is a completely enveloping — and even meditative — experience.
Klimt was a leader of the Viennese secession that transformed European arts culture in the late 19th century. Despite the traumatic loss of his father and brother and the raging of the first world war, the artist continued to produce and evolve in his subject matter and use of color.
The “Friends” Experience // Photo by Superfly X
The “Friends” Experience // Photo by Superfly X The “Friends” Experience // Photo by Superfly X
Richard Ouzounian, creative consultant for Lighthouse Immersive — which produces immersive experiences with Impact Museums for Klimt and Vincent Van Gogh in the same Lighthouse Artspace — says the motto for the show is, “Surreal. Seductive. Sublime.”
“Klimt’s often surreal work kept bending the boundaries of reality in a manner made for this kind of all-encompassing show,” Ouzounian says. “His seductive works like ‘The Kiss’ acquire even more power when blown up to 50 times their original size. And the way that images, sound and color all unite wind up giving the viewer a truly sublime experience.”
MOOD-LIT MUSIC
If you close your eyes, music can transport you to another time and place, stirring emotions and memories as the melody ebbs and flows. When you open your eyes at a Candlelight Concert, you’re also in a beautiful space.
Phoenix is one of 80 worldwide cities to host performances of this type in churches, libraries, mansions and museums. Classical music lovers, jazz fans and pop aficionados alike will probably find a performance that suits their taste.
More than 31,000 people have attended the experience in venues all over the Valley.
This May, The Children’s Museum of Phoenix will be the site of tributes to contemporary artists Taylor Swift and Queen by the Listeso String Quartet, as well as the music of pop sensation Ed Sheerhan. At The Phoenix Art Museum, patrons have their choice of Vivaldi’s
Artopia: The Immersive Art Experience // Photo Courtesy of Fever Immersive Klimt: Revolution Photo Courtesy of Immersive Klimt: Revolution
Immersive Klimt: Revolution Photo Courtesy of Immersive Klimt: Revolution
Four Seasons or romantic jazz performances featuring Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole and more. Several of these artists will be featured in June performances indoors and outdoors at Butterfly Wonderland.
Feverup communications specialist Farah Jad says that Candlelight Concerts provide classical music fans an opportunity to be reminded of why they fell in love with the genre and music fans of all genres an opportunity to hear some of their favorite songs in a new way.
“Watching a crowd wave a candle in the air as they sing along to ‘We are the Champions’ or seeing a little girl dance with her mom to ‘Under the Sea’ with background animal noises at the Phoenix Zoo are things you’ll only catch at a Candlelight Concert,” Jad adds.
TECHNOLOGY AND WONDER
Phoenix is just the second city to launch Artopia: The Immersive Art Experience after the innovative and collaborative exhibition’s successful opening in Chicago last year.
Merging art and technology, visitors take a self-guided tour through a brightly-colored, creative world filled with large-scale light installations, massive sculptures and murals by street artists from Arizona and across the country. Projection mapping and sound reactive LEDs, including a healing Solfeggio frequency dome, draw visitors to participate in the art itself.
Meanwhile, Wonderspaces — a 16,000-square-foot art venue inside Scottsdale Fashion Square — has,
Musical Theatre of Anthem’s Fantastic Fifteenth Season
Ages 6-12 Auditions: July 2022 Performances: July 15-16, 2022
Ages 13-18 Auditions: July 2022 Performances: July 28-30, 2022
Ages 13-Adult Auditions: Aug. 2022 Performances: Sept. 22-25, 2022
Ages 6-13 Auditions: Aug. 2022 Performances: Nov. 3-6, 2022
Ages 14-18 Auditions: Oct. 2022 Performances: Dec. 8-11, 2022
Ages 6-Adult Auditions: Feb. 2023 Performances: Apr. 27-May 14, 2023
Ages 8-18 Auditions: June 2023 Performances: June 15-17, 2023
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Join Us For Our 2022 Summer Offerings
Ages 8-18 June 6-18, 2022
Ages 6-18, grouped by age June 20-24, 2022
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Acting Classes (Ages 7-14) Tuesdays - Aug. 16 - May 16 Dance Audition Prep Master Class (Ages 12-18) Mondays - Aug. 15 - May 15 Improv Games (Ages 9-16) Tuesdays - Aug. 16 - Oct. 11 Improv Troupe (Ages 12-18) Tuesdays - Aug. 16 - Oct. 11 Vocal Technique & Audition Prep (Ages 7-14) Tuesdays - Aug. 16 - Oct. 11 Fairytale Theatre (Ages 5-8) Wednesdays - Aug. 17 - Oct. 12 TheatreTheatre SpecialSpecial SkillsSkills (Ages 9-14) Wednesdays - Aug. 17 - Oct. 12 Haunted House Workshop (Ages 11-18) Oct. 3 - Oct. 30 24 Hour Theatre Project (Ages 12-17) Jan. 21 - Jan. 22 Visit our website for more information! www.musicaltheatreofanthem.org
Wonderspaces “The Immigrant” by Michael Murphy. Photo by Yadira Villarreal
over the last three years, featured 60 different artists from all over the world. The installations are visually impactful and often interactive, all meant to make the viewer think, discuss and feel a sense of wonder.
One of Wonderspaces’ newest installations is “The Immigrant” by Perceptual Art pioneer Michael Murphy — a 3D halftone sculpture created from 2,300 wooden balls that, when viewed from a distance, reveal the image of the artist’s partner. Another is “Radiance (Infinity Box No. 6)” by Matt Elson — a two-person experience where the view from the arranged windows changes with your position.
FRIENDS, GENIES AND MORE
Those four exciting experiences are merely the tip of the iceberg, though, when it comes to the infinite number of ways that you can have fun while simultaneously beating the heat this summer.
The “Friends” Experience will wrap up its run May 8 in Phoenix after having been a huge hit for both casual and superfans of the iconic 90s sitcom. Visitors walk through 12 rooms filled with set recreations, history and fun facts about the show. There are many photo opportunities and, just like the characters, everyone ultimately winds up at the Central Perk coffee shop with the legendary orange couch.
Meanwhile, a waitlist is forming for Genie’s Secret Bazaar: An Exploratory Magical Adventure — an experiential event set to debut in June at a secret venue. Visitors will explore a space modeled after the classic Arabian Nights tale of “Aladdin and the Magic Lamp.” Doors open to reveal secret rooms where magicians, games, fortune tellers and other performers will entertain. Guests will also be able to purchase exotic food and drinks from around the world.
Visit Images Arizona’s website — imagesarizona.com — to discover additional air-conditioned adventures all summer long.
Experience
Immersive Klimt: Revolution
Immersive Klimt: Revolution See website for dates and hours
Lighthouse Artspace
4301 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale $35+ | immersiveklimt.com
Candlelight Concerts
See website for dates, times and locations $30+ | candlelightexperience.com
Artopia: The Immersive Art Experience
See website for dates and hours
Artopia
313 W. Apache St., Phoenix $29+ | artopiaexperience.com
Wonderspaces
See website for dates and hours
Scottsdale Fashion Square
7014 E. Camelback Road, Scottsdale $24; youth, student, senior, teacher, military and healthcare worker discounts available wonderspaces.com
The “Friends” Experience
Through May 8 See website for times
Paradise Village Gateway
10845 N. Tatum Blvd., Phoenix $30.50+ | friendstheexperience.com
See website for dates, hours and location $30+ | geniessecretbazaar.com
RECIPECrispy Chicken Thighs
Serves: 4
Writer and Photographer Francine Coles thefancypantskitchen.com
It is very difficult to make crispy chicken thighs without searing them on the cooktop and making a huge-splatter mess, right? Wrong! With this method — along with the freshest spring ingredients — you will not have to go to a restaurant for amazing crispy chicken anymore!
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon granulated garlic 2 teaspoons sweet paprika 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika 1/8 teaspoon cayenne Kosher salt 1/4 cup vegetable oil 2 pounds skin-on, bone-in Freshly ground black pepper chicken thighs 3 large leeks (white and pale green 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil parts only, sliced 1/4-inch thick) 4 garlic cloves (thinly sliced) 2 bay leaves 5 2-inch long strips of lemon zest 1/3 cup dry white wine 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth 1 cup fresh peas (may substitute thawed frozen peas) 1/2 cup mint leaves (torn if large)
Directions:
In a medium bowl, combine garlic, paprika, cayenne and 1-1/2 teaspoon salt. Rub one tablespoon of the spice mixture under the skin of the chicken thighs, making sure to leave the skin attached.
In a large bowl, combine vegetable oil with the remaining spice mixture. Add the chicken thighs and turn to coat. Let sit at room temperature for 40–45 minutes, or cover and refrigerate for up to one day, turning the chicken thighs occasionally.
Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Pat the chicken thighs dry with a paper towel then season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Place chicken thighs on a foil-lined rimmed baking sheet. Roast until the chicken is cooked through and the skin is crackly and crisp, 40–45 minutes.
About 15 minutes prior to the end of roasting the chicken, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add leeks and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly softened, about 3 minutes. Add lemon zest and bay leaves and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 20 seconds.
Deglaze the skillet with wine, scraping up any brown bits stuck to the bottom with a wooden spoon. Cook until the liquid has almost completely evaporated, about 3 minutes. Add broth and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat and maintain a slow simmer for 10 minutes.
Add peas to the skillet. If using fresh peas, heat for 3 minutes. If using thawed frozen peas, cook until warmed through, about 1 minute. Toss in mint then season with more salt, if needed. Remove bay leaves.
