Images Arizona September 2019 by Images Arizona Magazine

Tramonto Anthem Desert Hills New River

ECRWSS Local Postal Customer

PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID PHOENIX, AZ PERMIT NO. 3418

September 2019

imagesar iz ona .c om

STEPHEN KELLOGG AND WILL HOGE

Monday, September 30 | 7 p.m. $38.50–$48.50

“The best live act you’ve never seen.” —CBS Radio Upcoming Concerts Across the Sea Featuring Jeff Peterson, Greg Sardinha, and Tsun-Hui Hung September 12 Lúnasa September 14 Southern Avenue September 16 Candy Dulfer October 2 & 3 Bettye LaVette October 8 Acoustic Alchemy October 15 And many more!

Alvino Rey’s 1932 Electr0 A-25

INVENTING AN AMERICAN ICON

Closing September 15!

2019 Concert Series sponsored by

i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m Se pte m b e r 2 019

MIM.org | 480.478.6000 | 4725 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix, AZ

September 2019

imagesar iz ona .c om

WOVEN INTO THE FABRIC Writer Amanda Christmann Product Photography by Carl Schultz

COMMUNITY EVENTS Writer Amanda Christmann

AUTUMNAL ALLURE Writer Joseph J. Airdo Photography by Paul Gill

UPPING THE ANTE Writer Joseph J. Airdo

FRESH FLAVORS Writer Shoshana Leon Photography by Bryan Black

CAPRESE SUMMER FLATBREAD Writer and Photographer Kyndra Kelly

46 4

i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m Se pte m b e r 2 019

NOW UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP

THERESA VOGEL

Owner | Executive Director and Client Engagement Specialist

Anthem resident, Theresa Vogel, has had a life long interest in fitness. She became a member of Sweat and immediately loved the members and community feel of the gym and jumped at the opportunity to acquire this business and become one of the owners. “I love the gym atmosphere and I am really looking forward to making significant improvements to the business along the lines of adding new equipment, technology, and most of all making the client experience second to none,” says Theresa Vogel. Since the acquisition 3 months ago numerous changes have been made to improve the membership experience: New equipment (and more on the way)! Evaluation of technology to enhance the Sweat experience at the gym, at home and when on the road Focus on creating simplicity and transparency for the members across the business Creating mechanisms for membership feedback at all times

ONE WEEK FREE Come experience the difference at Sweat! Call today!

“Sweat is more than just a gym, it has become our community! Sweat offers a positive atmosphere, supportive staff, strong accountability...all in a clean environment. We actually love working out now because of the results & camaraderie!” Theresa & Jerrod Hoeft

623.551.5753 Small Group Training

Private Training

Weight Loss & Toning Challenges

Inbody Analysis

23 Club Accountability Coaching

623.551.5753 | 3655 W Anthem Way, Ste A129, Anthem, AZ 85086 | sweatchallenge.com September 2019

imagesar iz ona .c om

PUBLISHER Shelly Spence

MANAGING EDITOR Amanda Christmann

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Meaghan Hanie

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Joseph Airdo Amanda Christmann Sue Kern-Fleischer Kyndra Kelly Shoshana Leon Shannon Severson Fadi Sitto

PHOTOGRAPHERS Bryan Black Kyndra Kelly Loralei Lazurek Carl Schultz

ADVERTISING SALES Cooper Langston 480-544-8721 cooper@imagesaz.com

Images Arizona P.O. Box 1416 Carefree, AZ. 85377 623-341-8221 imagesarizona.com Submission of news for community section should be in to shelly@imagesaz.com by the 5th of the month prior to publication. Images Arizona is published by ImagesAZ Inc. Copyright © 2019 by ImagesAZ, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction, in whole or part, without permission is prohibited. The publisher is not responsible for the return of unsolicited material.

Local First A R I Z O NA

i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m Se pte m b e r 2 019

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Though it isn’t the holiday season, it’s that fantastic time when curtains open and stage lights shine! The performing arts season is here, and there are few better places to enjoy it than the Valley of the Sun. We’re happy to feature some of the most prolific performing arts organizations in our area in this month’s Images Arizona magazine. We’ve highlighted the seasons of ProMusica Arizona, The Phoenix Theatre Company, Phoenix Symphony, Arizona Musicfest, and Phoenix Chorale, but they provide just a few of the great opportunities to enjoy the talents of local, national and international musicians, actors and performers across the Valley in the coming months. I’d be remiss if I didn’t make special mention of the many smaller independent theater companies and musicians that fill our communities with creativity. I am consistently astounded by the level of talent shown by our friends and neighbors who perform on small local stages. Whether they’re acting in local theater or making music in restaurants and bars, there is no shortage of gifted people here in our little corner of the world. The arts are more than just entertainment. They define who we are as individuals, as a community and as a country. They challenge us, inspire us and unite us, and I couldn’t be more excited to experience them once again with you! Cheers! Shelly Spence Publisher, Images Arizona magazine shelly@imagesaz.com 623-341-8221

September 2019

imagesar iz ona .c om

imagesarizona.com

Ivy Necklace Dancing in the Rain 18 Se pte m b e r karat 2 019 gold with diamonds

O N E

Y E A R

A N N I V E R S A R Y

A N D

E X P A N D E D

G A L L E R Y

CONTEMPORARY JEWELRY + ART

Meet renowned jewelry designer Laura Bicego,

whose Nanis collection is classically timeless and stunningly fashionable. Be the first to see Laura’s

[

newest creations at our annual event. Private Design Collection Her exquisite 18-karat gold creations are one-of-a-kind. Just like you.

October 11 & 12

Friday, 10 a.m.–8 p.m. with wine & appetizers 4–8 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.

]

Located in Historic Spanish Village 7212 E. Ho Hum Rd. # 7 | Carefree, AZ 85377 Open Daily: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. 480.575.8080

GraceReneeGallery.com

September 2019

imagesar iz ona .c om

Writer Amanda Christmann Product Photography by Carl Schultz

In the days before all that is, DinĂŠ people emerged from the third world and into the fourth. It was a time when monsters roamed the land, devouring people and creating chaos. Spider Woman, who lived at the top of Spider Rock, loved the humans, so she sent other deities to guide and teach them. Her husband, Spider Man, constructed the first weaving loom, and it was Spider Woman who taught the DinĂŠ to weave, giving them a way to clothe and protect themselves. It is stories of Spider Woman and other spirits, passed along for generation through songs, dances and ceremonies, that have shaped Navajo history. Traditions deeply rooted in these legends have become part of the DinĂŠ way of life. Navajo weaving is among the most vivid examples.

i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m Se pte m b e r 2 019

MAKING MEMORIES H WESTERN STYLE

OLD WEST SPIRIT NEW WEST TALENT

The DinĂŠ have always been weavers, but over time, straw baskets turned into simple shoulder wraps and dresses. With each generation, new ideas evolved into new materials, designs and uses. All the while, weaving was, and still is, a process that connects the human spirit to the earth and sky. It was a pivotal era in history when Spanish colonizers brought sheep to the Desert Southwest. While weaving had always been sacred, the use of wool deepened the tradition. Master weavers could now raise sheep, treat their fleece and spin it into wool thread. They could then dye the thread and weave it into rugs and other textiles. Throughout the process, weavers respect their sheep, blessing them for their contributions and acknowledging Spider Woman and the earth, sky, and generations who

6130 East Cave Creek Road â&#x20AC;˘ Cave Creek, AZ

www.lastiendascavecreek.com September 2019

imagesar iz ona .c om

came before who passed along knowledge and skills. Weaving only grew more important as European colonizers marched on—and over—Navajo lands and culture. After their homes and way of life had been taken away, it was weaving that gave Diné people something to trade for food, supplies and the basics they needed to survive. Johnson explains: “I am not an expert, but I am a student of Navajo history, to a degree. From what I understand, in about 1868, the U.S. government rounded up all of the Navajo. They went on the Long March, a forced evacuation, and were removed from their own reservation onto a smaller one. They didn’t have any native wool, so they made what were Mexican rugs with machinemade yarn. “In 1890, they were allowed to return to their old Red Rocks Country. The weavers were familiar with weaving, and where else were they going to get clothes? “At the end of the 19th century and beginning of the 20th century, the new design period that we talk about today began. The rugs that were made began to have such a mixture of designs and colorful elements that they were called ‘eye dazzlers.’ They were so beautiful.” When Ken Johnson bought his first Navajo rug in 1958, he didn’t know much about it, or the hundreds of years of history behind it. “At the time, I was a beginning reporter for the Grand Junction, Colorado newspaper,” he says. “I was making about $8 an hour, and the rug cost about a week’s pay.” Johnson had no idea if his rug was worth anything special (it wasn’t). Still, he liked it and decided to invest in a few more. “My first rugs were quite cheap,” he says with a laugh. “I started being more selective after a little while. I learned more about the colors—the vivid colors of Native-woven rugs captivated me.”

i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m Se pte m b e r 2 019

A man named Ed Austin would change things for Johnson. Austin was a salesman for a provisions company that was slowly dying. He’d found a market for his canned goods and wares on the reservation, where he’d drive along winding dirt roads from one unmarked trading post to the next, swapping goods for rugs. “He went all over selling Indian rugs out of his trunk, from Durango to Monument Valley,” Johnson says. “The trading posts had excess rugs they wanted to sell. They didn’t have Amazon in those days, so people had to go to those old posts to find them. Of course, in the early days, unless you lived on the reservation, you wouldn’t know how to get to the trading posts if you wanted to.” There was also not a lot of demand for Navajo rugs in the mid-20th century.

“

“Unless you were a gallery, there really wasn’t a market for them,” Johnson says. “Ed was able to buy rugs quite cheaply and pass them on to his other customers quite cheaply. He helped the traders and the Navajo by doing it.”

It is rare to have more than 30 pieces from a personal collection

“

all in one place,

particularly because

each rug and tapestry represents a piece of history.

influence the look, feel and design of the rugs by requiring tighter weaves, more vivid colors and natural dyes. Styles were developed around traders like John Moore at Two Gray Hills in New Mexico and Juan Hubbell, who operated a trading post in Ganado. These traders became critical to Navajo survival, and also became part of the community. Though there was money to be made, they still often grew to care about people in the communities where they lived. Traders also pushed weavers to create designs that were, by Navajo tradition, not meant to be used. That’s because some symbols were too sacred for the loom. Johnson made a rather unusual find when he stumbled upon an undated rug with kachinas and symbols representing the four directions, along with other spiritual connotations. In Navajo culture, the details in that rug are woven, and therefore a permanent depiction, of a sandpainting—something that simply wasn’t done in years gone by.

Over the next decade, Johnson bought two to three rugs to as many as 30 from Austin each year. He learned to how to feel of the weaving and learned how the various colors work together with the designs. He came to recognize an exceptional rug when he saw it.

Of course, any interpretation of sandpaintings made by someone outside of the Navajo tribe is colored through a cultural lens, so a simplified explanation about what happens during a spiritual ceremony using them would be inaccurate at a minimum.

WHEN CULTURES COLLIDE

Sandpaintings are just as the name infers— colored sand used to paint a picture. They are used in spiritual ceremonies, particularly when someone is sick. A passable explanation would be that spirits are summoned to help heal the person, and then the sandpainting is destroyed, releasing the spirits into the wind.

From the Navajo perspective, traders like Austin were a mixed blessing. On one hand, they created a market. Traders saw profits; weavers often saw their work as a way to maintain their spiritual craft while putting food on the table. On the other, traders recognized that there was a limited market for traditional Navajo rugs. They began to heavily

To make a sandpainting permanent is to break natural law. The spirits cannot be

September 2019

imagesar iz ona .c om

released. Diné people believe that, if you break natural law, you will walk into the chaos you have released in the future. The sandpainting rug that Johnson found was likely influenced by the will of the trader. Woven sometime in the middle of the last century, the trader probably requested the design because he knew it would sell. It was probably not something that the weaver’s family would have condoned. Yet there it was. Johnson bought it. Through the years, he collected several sandpainting rugs. Some he sold, but the majority have become part of a fantastic personal collection of fine and often rare Navajo textiles. He, too, has learned to respect the traditions, processes and talent that go into making each rug. Now in his eighth decade, the rugs and their history have become part of his own life story. “I still have rugs in my office and in my master walk-in closet,” he explains. “Every morning when I go in there, it just brightens my whole day to see those wonderful, vivid colors. To be able to put my bare feet on it does something for me.” Sandpaintings are just as the name infers— colored sand used to paint a picture.

THE COLLECTION “After 1968 or 1969, I had about 450 rugs,” he says. “Through the years, we just kept them. “Twenty years later, we were living in Redstone, Colorado. It was a time warp. There were about 90 people living in it. It had been an old coal and steel baron’s idea to have his English countryside estate. The mansion, now called Redstone Castle, was built as a retreat in this remote 7,000-foot-elevation valley with the Crystal River running through it.

“There was a general store there, so they started selling some of our rugs. We sold about 80 rugs within a couple of years.” Johnson whittled down his collection by giving some away to loved ones and selling others along the way. “My collection is winnowed down to about 55 rugs,” he says. “We ended up with some incredibly valuable rugs and it’s a very unique collection.” Remarkably, Grace Renee Gallery in Carefree now has more than 30 of these high-quality rugs and tapestries, with others available by catalog. They represent regional master weavers from Two Gray Hills, Teec Nos Pos, Crystal, Red Rock Trading and others. “When they arrived last month, people began hearing by word of mouth that they were here,” says Shelly Spence, the gallery’s owner. “Their quality is exceptional, and collectors began coming in with magnifying glasses to see them. What they’re telling me is that these are some of the best quality Navajo rugs they’ve found. I’m really honored that Ken has chosen our gallery to sell them.” It is rare to have more than 30 pieces from a personal collection all in one place, particularly because each rug and tapestry represents a piece of history. “Generations of knowledge are built into each rug,” says Johnson. “They represent a way of life that we can all appreciate. “They really are special.” gracereneegallery.com

September 2019

imagesar iz ona .c om

— HAND-CRAFTED NAVAJO RUGS —

OCTOBER 4 & 5

Friday and Saturday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

.. .. .. .. ..

Hand-Crafted Collection Navajo Rugs Circa 1930-1950’s

.. ..

For centuries, Navajo weavers have preserved their culture and history in the carefully oven strands of rugs and other textiles. A collection of authentic Navajo rugs amassed over 70 years is now featured at Grace Renee Gallery.

— LAURA BICEGO’S PRIVATE COLLECTION —

OCTOBER 11 & 12

.. .

Friday: 10 a.m .– 8 p.m. with Wine and Appetizers: 4 – 8 p.m. Saturday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

.. .. . .. . .. ..

.. ..

. ..

Meet renowned jewelry designer Laura Bicego, whose Nanis collection is classically timeless and stunningly fashionable. Be the first to see Laura’s newest creations at our annual event.

— ITALIAN DESIGNER JEWELRY WEEKEND —

NOVEMBER 8–10

.. .. .. . .. . .. .. . ..

. ..

i m a g e sHistoric a r i z o n a . c oSpanish m Se pte mVillage b e r 2 019

Friday: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Wine and Appetizers: 4 – 8 p.m. Saturday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Sunday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. From highly polished silver by Pesavento to chic South Sea pearls by Alessandra Dona, to the exquisite hand-textured gold by Nanis, experience three different designers—ultimately feminine and uniquely Italian.

7212 E. Ho Hum Rd. # 7, Carefree, AZ 85377

480.575.8080

— PAUL PLETKA “ SARSI ” PAINTING —

NOVEMBER 14

Thursday: 4 - 7 p.m. Wine and appetizers served

.. .. .. .. ..

“Sarsi,” a Paul Pletka original painting, from a private collection and is now on display and available for purchase for the first time ever, exclusively at Grace Renee Gallery.

Grace Renee Gallery is a refreshingly beautiful way to explore fine contemporary art in the breathtaking shadows of the Sonoran Desert foothills of Carefree, Arizona. Artfully designed jewelry, inspiring sculptures, spectacular wall art, stunning ceramics and more await.

UPCOMING EVENTS — GOSHWARA JEWELRY — .. .

NOVEMBER 15 - 16

Friday: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Wine and appetizers: 4 - 8 p.m. Saturday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

.. .. . .. .. ..

. ..

. . ..

Sweta Jain’s collection infuses couture with a sumptuous variety of color. Soft shapes and playful sophistication make this jewelry showcase one you won’t want to miss.

— ARTIST RECEPTION WITH PETER KUTTNER —

NOVEMBER 21 .. .. .. .. .. ..

Artist Peter Kuttner’s work embodies a simple yet thoughtful contemporary retrospective. Meet Peter and see for yourself why his work has been featured in national publications, popular films and television shows, museums and private, royal, and corporate collections worldwide.

Thursday: 4–7 p.m. Wine and Appetizers.

GraceReneeGallery.com

September 2019

imagesar iz ona .c om

COMMUNITY

2019 SEPTEMBER

Writer Amanda Christmann

Sept. 13–15

PICKIN’ IN THE PINES Flagstaff’s Fort Tuthill County Park will once again be home to foot-stompin’ fun at the 14th Annual Pickin’ in the Pines Bluegrass and Acoustic Music Festival. This three-day jam session with educational workshops, camping, a barn dance, band contest and more is worth the drive up the mountain! See website for lineup and ticket options. pickininthepines.org

Sept. 6–29

LANCE YAZZIE: MODERN EDGE

Sept. 6–30

EVERYDAY PEACE

fall gathering at Cartwright’s. 6 p.m. $35. Cartwright’s Modern

Take a trip up I-17 to beautiful Sedona

Cuisine, 6710 E. Cave Creek

Navajo artist Lance Yazzie has

and experience Everyday Peace,

Rd., Cave Creek. 480-488-8031;

been sculpting since he was 13,

an exhibit at Goldenstein Gallery.

cartwrightsmoderncuisine.com

and his work has been represented

Opening reception is 5–8 p.m. Sept. 6.

at Bryant Nagel Galleries since he

A meditation will be facilitated Sept.

was 16. Yazzie has since won first

14 as part of the exhibit, and “Follow

place in sculpture at the Santa Fe

the Peace Trail” will take place Sept.

Indian Market, Best of Division at

21 at L’Auberge de Sedona. Contact

the Heard Museum in Phoenix and

the gallery for info and registration.

attendees with a 6- to 7-minute

many other awards. His work will be

150 AZ-179, Sedona. 928-204-1765;

window to share ideas about

featured in a solo exhibition, with an

goldensteinart.com

technology. It’s fun. It’s informal. It’s

artist talk at 5:45 Sept. 6, 5–8 p.m. Bryant Nagel Galleries, 431 SR 179, A1-2, at Hozho in Sedona. 928-2826865; bryantnagelgalleries.com

Sept. 11

LIFE’S AN (INDOOR) PICNIC distillers and merchants will

i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m Se pte m b e r 2 019

Sept. 12

TECH SLAM The Big Ideas Forum provides

fast-moving. Be there! Free. 7 p.m.

Guest chefs, brewers, winemakers,

be on hand for this fun indoor

Anthem Civic Building, 3701 W. Anthem Way, Anthem.

Desert West OB/GYN ANTHEM

is now accepting new patients!

Sept. 14, 15

DOWNTON ABBEY WEEKEND In celebration of the return of the Downton Abbey Dowager and her family that we have loved for

ur board-certified providers offer pregnancy care, gynecology and well-woman services. The office features a relaxing setting, caring staff and great service.

years, the English Rose Tea Room is

Our providers:

hosting Downton Abbey Weekend Sept. 14 and 15. Dress in your favorite Downton costume an enjoy trivia, best-dressed awards, photos

Lisa Jaacks, MD Nina Wilkey, MD

Winter Dowland, DO Andrea Corrick, RN, WHNP-C

and a few surprises. RSVP early. 11 a.m.¬–4 p.m. $60 includes afternoon tea and goody bag. 201 Easy St., Ste. 103, Carefree. 480-488-4812

Sept. 19–22

Accepting most insurance plans!

Schedule at 602.978.1500

Desert West Obstetrics & Gynecology Anthem Office 41810 N Venture Dr, Bldg E-156 • Anthem, Arizona 85086

FROZEN JR.

The enchanting modern classic from Disney is coming to the Musical

www.desertwestobgyn.com

Theatre of Anthem stage! Frozen JR. brings Elsa, Anna, and the magical land of Arendelle to life. It’s sure to warm even the coldest of hearts! See website for showtimes and ticket pricing. 42201 N. 41st Dr.,

FIFTH ANNUAL

Ste. B100, Anthem. 623-336-6001; musicaltheatreofanthem.org

Sept. 21

WATER, BLACK CANYON CITY & ME Award-winning Navajo Nation Poet Laureate Laura Tohe and her son, composer and musician Dez Tillman, will share their historical connections to the landscape surrounding Black Canyon City, as well as the importance of water. Free. 3–5 p.m. Pioneer Masonic Lodge #82, 19055

™

O ctober 18 - 2 7 Admission Monday - Thursday: $10 Friday - Sunday: $15

Fall-themed happenings and live music on weekends. Live Pumpkin Carving DAILY!

E. K-Mine Rd., Black Canyon City. 602-738-8381; facebook.com/ blackcanyonheritagepark

Enchanted Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off Saturday, Oct. 19, 11 a.m.

EnchantedPumpkinGarden.com Carefree Desert Gardens, 101 Easy St., Carefree, AZ 85377 September 2019

imagesar iz ona .c om

Oct. 4, 5

HAND-CRAFTED NAVAJO RUGS Grace Renee Gallery features selections from one of the largest personal collections of authentic Navajo rugs from the 1930s to the 1950s. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Historic Spanish Village, 7212 E. Ho Hum Rd., #7, Carefree. 480-5758080; gracereneegallery.com

Sept. 26

SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY

across the country with its effortless wit and humor. Musical Theatre of Anthem brings the joy to their

STUCK IN A RUT?

stage. See website for showtimes and

Tamra Blankenship will host an

Terms like cell cultivation, stem

ticket pricing. 42201 N. 41st Dr.,

in-depth workshop to help you

cells, and CRISPR-Cas9 appear

Ste. B100, Anthem. 623-336-6001;

develop the tools to help you

often in the media, but one field

musicaltheatreofanthem.org

identify and halt self-sabotaging

is so new that it is still under the

behaviors and create the life you

radar: synthetic biology, the science

desire. Build confidence and reignite

of creating “life forms” from scratch in the laboratory. Join this Big Ideas Forum to discuss and learn more.

Sept. 27

PAJAMA PARTY AT THE ZOO

Free. 7 p.m. Anthem Civic Building,

Things will be a little wild at Up All

3701 W. Anthem Way, Anthem.

Night Pajama Party at the Phoenix Zoo! The whole family is invited for this

Sept. 26–29

THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE

Sept. 27–29

your passion. See website or call for cost and location. 480-213-6033; tamrablankenship.com

Sept. 28

interactive experience as the nocturnal

GO GREEN

animals begin their day when the sun

Anthem residents are invited to attend

goes down. Register by phone or online.

the Anthem Community Council’s semi-

480-488-2286; phoenixzoo.org

annual Go Green recycling event. One form of Anthem residency identification

The 25th Annual Putnam County

required. See website for complete list

Spelling Bee has charmed audiences

of recyclable items. 8–11 a.m. Be in

i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m Se pte m b e r 2 019

line prior to 10:45 a.m. Free. Anthem Community Park lower parking lot,

the art of organization

41703 N. Gavilan Peak Pkwy. Enter at Whitman Dr. and exit onto Gavilan Peak Pkwy. onlineatanthem.com

Oct. 8–Nov. 19

THE IMPROV SQUAD Teens 12–17 years old are invited to join Musical Theatre of Anthem’s new comedy troupe, The Improv Squad, to learn the art of improvisation, comedic timing, character creation and physical comedy. Rehearsals will be held Oct. 8–Nov. 12 from 6:45–8:45 p.m. Performance will be Nov. 19 at 7:30 p.m. $175, includes t-shirt. Limited to 20 participants. 42201 N. 41st Drive, Suite B100, Anthem. musicaltheatreofanthem.org

PROMUSICA ANNOUNCES SEASON One of the Valley’s most beloved music organizations has announced its 17th season lineup. $12–$24; children 15 and under enter free with paid adult. pmaz.org

EMPTY BOWLS ONLINE AUCTION

Home Ofﬁces

Garages

Entertainment Centers

Wall Units

It’s time again for one of the North Valley’s most anticipated fundraisers, Empty Bowls. Sonoran Arts League artists design beautiful bowls that will be sold to help hungry neighbors in need through Foothills Food Bank & Resource Center. The event will be held Oct. 18, but bowls are available beginning Sept. 3 on the online auction. Bid on your favorite today! foothillsfoodbank.com

480-998-2070 www.closetfactory.com

www.facebook.com/closetfactory

imagesar iz ona .c om

Oct. 11, 12

MEET LAURA BICEGO Renowned jewelry designer Laura Bicego, whose Nanis collection is classically timeless and stunningly fashionable, will be visiting Grace Renee Gallery from her home in Italy for this annual event. Free. Friday 10 a.m.–8 p.m. with wine and appetizers 4–8 p.m. Saturday 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Grace Renee Gallery, 7212 E. Ho Hum Rd., Carefree. 480-575-8080; gracereneegallery.com

NVSO ANNOUNCES LINEUP

collage painting, “All Tied Up,”

Annual membership, which includes

featuring a rare scarlet ibis. Each

the High Holiday Services, is $70

North Valley Symphony Orchestra

year, the popular glossy artist

per person. A traditional Break

(NVSO) is pleased to present its

directory features a juried artist

-the -Fast buffet dinner follows at

eighth orchestral season, bringing

chosen among dozens of entries.

the Anthem Country Club for an

an affordable concert experience

This year, there were more than 75

additional charge. 623-322-0957;

to communities of the Phoenix

submissions. Hidden in the Hills will

fkesselman@cox.net

North Valley. Concerts take place

take place Nov. 22–24; Nov. 29 and

at North Canyon High School

30; and Dec. 1. hiddeninthehills.org

Auditorium 1700 E. Union Hills Dr., Phoenix. $5 each concert, or $15 for a season pass. 623-980-4628; northvalleysymphony.org

NVJC HIGH HOLIDAYS CELEBRATIONS Rabbi Janet Bieber will lead

SHE’S GOT IT COVERED

services for North Valley Jewish

Hidden in the Hills has announced

Hashanah evening service will be

the cover piece and artist for its 23rd

held Sept. 29; morning service Sept.

Annual Hidden in the Hills Artist

30. Kol Nidre evening service will

Studio Tour directory: Scottsdale

be Oct. 8. Yom Kippur morning and

painter Sue Hunter’s mixed media

Yizkor service will be held Oct. 9.

i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m Se pte m b e r 2 019

Community Association. Rosh

RESTAURANT

Bar & Grill at Rancho Mañana WEDDINGS

Authentic Arizona 480.488.0698 TontoBarAndGrill.com @tontobarandgrill

CATERING

@tontobarandgrill @tontobarandgrill @tontoweddings

5736 E. Rancho Mañana Blvd., Cave Creek, AZ 85331

BE THE CAPTAIN OF YOUR COMFORT...

Pick which Option Floats your Boat! On Qualifying TRANE A/C Systems

0% APR/72 Mo +

$800 Instant Rebate

0%APR/72 Mo + $200 Instant Rebate + 10 Year Labor Warranty

$800 Instant Rebate +

10 Year Labor Warranty

$1400 Instant Rebate +

No Interest for 18 Mo

AIR CONDITIONING ELECTRICAL • PLUMBING WATER TREATMENT ARIZONA’S

HIGHEST

RATED

HOME

SERVICE

COMPANY

*PurcahseofQualifyingEquipmentRequiredandCallforDetails.SeeyourindependentTraneDealerforcompleteprogrameligibility,dates,detailsandrestrictions.**TheWellsFargoHomeProjectscreditcardisissuedbyWells FargoBankN.A.,anEqualHousingLender.Specialtermsapplytoqualifyingpurchaseschargedwithapprovedcredit.ThespecialtermsAPRwillcontinuetoapplyuntilallqualifyingpurchasesarepaidinfull.Themonthlypaymentfor thispurchasewillbetheamountthatwillpayforthepurchaseinfullinequalpaymentsduringthepromotional(specialterms)period.TheAPRforPurchaseswillapplytocertainfeessuchasalatepaymentfeeorifyouusethecardforother transactions.Fornewaccounts,theAPRforPurchasesis28.99%.Ifyouarechargedinterestinanybillingcycle,theminimuminterestchargewillbe$1.00.Thisinformationisaccurateasof8/1/2018andissubjecttochange.Forcurrentinformation,callusat1-800-431-5921.Offerexpires11/15/2019.Pertainingtomanufacturer’sconsumerdiscountportiononly:*RebatepaidintheformofaTraneVisaPrepaid®card.UseyourVisaPrepaidcardanywhereVisadebitcards areacceptedintheUnitedStatesandU.S.Territories.Thecardmaynotbeusedatanymerchant,includinginternetandmailortelephoneordermerchants,outsideoftheUnitedStatesandU.S.Territories.CardisissuedbyTheBancorp Bank,MemberFDIC,pursuanttoalicensefromVisaU.S.A.Inc.Paycloseattentiontotheexpirationdateprintedonthefrontofthecard.Cardisvalidthroughthelastdayofthemonth.Youwillnothaveaccesstothefundsafterexpiration.

September 2019

imagesar iz ona .c om

View to the East by Robert Goldman Writer Joseph J. Airdo Photography Courtesy of Grand Canyon Conservancy

Landscape painter Robert Goldman believes that the awe of the majesty of the Grand Canyon is the ultimate creative fuel for an artist. “The Grand Canyon presents a uniquely dramatic geological and pictorial wonderland which contains all the elements necessary for a work of art,” says Goldman, who lives in Prescott. “Certain times of day, such as dawn or dusk, are the icing on the cake, and can provide a truly sublime and compelling image which cannot be conveyed by a photograph.” Goldman is one of 23 artists who will be painting en plein air—outside, on-location—Sept. 7–15 at various locations around Grand Canyon National Park. The week-long event is part of the 11th Annual Grand

i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m Se pte m b e r 2 019

Canyon Celebration of Art, which aims to provide a vibrant experience for visitors, a venue for artists inspired by the canyon and a fundraiser to benefit arts programming. “It is a wonderful opportunity to see artists at work,” says Kathy Duley, coordinator of the event. “They are free to paint anywhere they feel the inspiration along the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.” Duley adds that, although part of the fun is when visitors happen upon artists accidentally, there will be scheduled demonstrations at pre-determined locations throughout the week. Artists are also asked to check in with Duley, who then reports artist hotspots to stores and hotels so that visitors can embark on their own scavenger hunt.

“

Good art of the Grand Canyon uses whatever emotion the artist experienced in the canyon to energize their art and communicate emotionally with their viewer. Elizabeth Black

“The Grand Canyon is a very challenging place to paint because of its vastness,” says Duley, noting that participating artists will gather for a meet-and-greet reception 5:30–7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13 at El Tovar North Porch. “There is so much going on and so many different formations. The light and the shadows are constantly changing.” Dawn Sutherland, another one of this year’s participating artists, likens painting the Grand Canyon to having coffee with an old familiar friend. “Although the relationship is comfortable, the conversation is stimulating and thought-provoking,” Sutherland explains. “Each visit brings new conversation. The vast variety of forms, reflections in the shadows, the color of rock and water and changing light result in endless material with which to work. “This old friend challenges my thought and observation. I owe our relationship the best of myself and my painting skill.”

Artist Elizabeth Black calls the Grand Canyon her spirit guide. “There is a whole lot of emotion attached to any deep encounter with the Grand Canyon—ranging from awe, wonder, humility and excitement to fear, despair and exhaustion,” Black says. “Good art of the Grand Canyon uses whatever emotion the artist experienced in the canyon to energize their art and communicate emotionally with their viewer.” At 8 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, artists will participate in a quick draw event in which they will have two hours to complete a painting of the Grand Canyon. Those paintings will be auctioned off to the public at 11 a.m. at Bright Angel Trailhead. Proceeds from the auction will go toward establishing a dedicated art venue at the South Rim. “Grand Canyon National Park and the Grand Canyon Conservancy both have wonderful art collections, but there is no place to see them,” Duley says. “This will likely involve repurposing an already existing building. We are currently in the process of doing feasibility studies about where that might be.” All of the plein air art produced during the event will be shown alongside studio-produced pieces at the historic Kolb Studio in an exhibition and sale that will benefit the dedicated art venue. The exhibition and sale will remain open through mid-January. A grand opening reception is scheduled for 11 a.m.–1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15. “During the grand opening, we allow people to go down into the residency below the Kolb Studio,” Duley says. “Most of the time you cannot get down there unless you are on a special tour, and we have paintings down there that did not get hung in the gallery.”

September 2019

imagesar iz ona .c om

Doris Camp by Paula Kosanovic Swain Colors of the Morning Rain by John D. Cogan

Inner Gorge with Adjustment Layers by Elizabeth Black

EXPERIENCE Grand Canyon Celebration of Art i m a g e|s aGrand r i z o n aCanyon . c o m SeNational pte m b e rPark 2 019| Free with $30 Park Entrance Fee | grandcanyon.org/coa 26Sept. 7â&#x20AC;&#x201C;15

Duley adds that art has always played a critical role in the appreciation of our national parks, and that the Celebration of Art event helps to keep the artistic tradition part of the Grand Canyon experience. Prior to its establishment as a national park, the Grand Canyon was the subject of paintings produced by artist Thomas Moran, who was instrumental in the creation of the National Park Service. “Photography is definitely a spectacular way to capture [the Grand Canyon], but through painting, artists can focus on certain things and highlight certain aspects that they see,” says Duley, noting interesting patterns, designs and light are all things with which artists can play. “I have watched artists grow, learn about the Grand Canyon and bring on different visions of it. They find new places to paint that present different perspectives.” Light Rain Over the Unkar Delta by Marcia Molnar

Artist Amery Bohling agrees that a good artist can preserve the color and beauty of the canyon in a different way than a photograph. “Only so much of the color and perspective that we see with our eyes is caught on film in the way we see it in person,” Bohling explains. “The distant blues at sunset can be dulled to a blackish hue, and those fiery reds of Isis at sunset are easily turned to a flesh tone. You may also notice the loss of drama and vertigo you felt standing on the edge. “Artists strive to bring the viewer all the sensations that come with visiting the canyon and put it to canvas.” Artist John D. Cogan adds that it is impossible to view the Grand Canyon as merely an artifact of erosion, adding that artists see things that often go unnoticed by the casual observer, and use their skills to bring these gems to the viewer's attention, allowing them to engage the canyon with a renewed vision.

In the Flow of Time by Bill Cramer

“Clouds and rain, fog and snow become part of the total canyon experience,” Cogan says. “They soften the rocks, change their shadowing and colors, and conspire to emphasize temples and other formations. Even on a clear day, the atmosphere sinks into the canyon to paint the distant rim and farthest corners many different shades of blue and purple. “It is all an artist’s delight.” grandcanyon.org/coa September 2019

imagesar iz ona .c om

i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m Se pte m b e r 2 019

Writer Joseph J. Airdo Photography by Paul Gill

The best place in Arizona to see a lot of color in autumn is the White Mountains because it has got the most aspens. Even after the fires, they are coming back and starting to look really nice again. Paul Gill

At first glance, spring is the season that possesses the greatest symbolic significance. The blooming flowers and greener grass indicate the concepts of rebirth, rejuvenation and renewal. But upon closer examination, autumn may hold a more substantial message. Any Arizonan who has ever traversed our spectacular state in search of its autumnal beauty knows the serene imagery that can be found out in nature this time of the year. The jaw-dropping red, orange and yellow pigments in our fall foliage encourage us to leave our air-conditioned houses for the first time in months and embark on hikes, not only in our own neighborhoods, but also in the farthest reaches of our state. Paul Gill has spent the last 30 years of his career as a nature photographer. His images have been featured in countless publications and collections, inspiring people who come to witness the childlike wonderment with which he approaches his work. Although Gill photographs our planet’s natural elegance year-round and has shot in several states, he has a special place in his heart—and in his eye—for autumn in Arizona. His commitment to capture the uncommon occurrences of fall in the Valley requires him to essentially live out in nature for days on end. Images Arizona is honored to share some of Gill’s fall photography—which vividly illustrates this season’s symbolic significance. It is our hope that this month’s photo essay inspires you to fully appreciate the beauty that briefly adorns our state this time of the year while acknowledging that it is actually ever-present. September 2019

imagesar iz ona .c om

i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m Se pte m b e r 2 019

THE MAGIC OF NATURE Contrary to popular belief, those incredible colors have not just magically appeared out of thin air. They have been there all along. Thinking back to high school science classes, we know that sunlight fuels plant cells that contain chlorophyllâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;the chemical that not only converts light into energy but also gives leaves their gorgeous green color. When sunlight abates in autumn, that chlorophyll breaks down and allows the hidden red, yellow and orange hues to illuminate.

Chasing fall color in Arizona starts on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon in late September and explodes in aspen yellow from the San Francisco peaks along the Mogollon Rim to the White Mountains in October. The red maples flow out from below the Mogollon Rim through the desert and down to the Mexico border through November. Then, rivers of cottonwood and sycamore follow the streams and rivers through the Sonoran desert through December.

Fallâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s miracle teaches us a valuable lesson. Astonishing beauty is all around us at all times. Sometimes, though, it is just hiding beneath the surface, waiting for the perfect moment to reveal itself.

Paul Gill September 2019

imagesar iz ona .c om

i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m Se pte m b e r 2 019

Fall in Arizona is something you really have to experience. I hook up my pop-up camper to the back of my four-wheeldrive truck, and that is pretty much where I live for about three months. I start off in late September to capture the end of monsoon bloom and keep shooting through December. Paul Gill

September 2019

imagesar iz ona .c om

ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPHER Paul Gill fondly recalls experimenting with his father’s Instamatic camera in the 1960s. “My father used to take our whole family on summer trips across the U.S.,” says Gill, noting that it was during these trips that he was allowed to use the Instamatic camera to capture the many locations his family visited. “My father was very big on travel and exploring.” Gill credits those experiences during his youth, as well as his father’s love of nature and his mother’s work as a painter and illustrator with what he has discovered to be his own life’s calling—nature photography. “I have always had a camera from a very early age,” says Gill. “Growing up in Scottsdale, the Sonoran Desert was where I was first inspired by the light and the local nature, which is the prime subject of most of my work now.” Gill attended Scottsdale High School and quickly found himself developing and printing black and white film in Scottsdale Vocational Tech’s graphic design dark room. He then attended Scottsdale Community College and later transferred to Arizona State University, where he received a degree in fine art. Although Gill has always been drawn to photography, that is not where his journey as an artist began. In the 1980s, Gill took a job as an art director for the Scottsdale Center for the Arts. He spent 17 years working in the graphic design world until he realized that he is happiest in motion and at play. “Something that I had lost sitting behind a desk for decades was the disconnect with nature and the childhood wonderment of the world,” Gill explains. “It is this playful scene of discovery through visualization of the natural world that keeps me motivated.”

i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m Se pte m b e r 2 019

Gill tried his hand at painting, but quickly discovered that his photography captured much more interest from others and better fulfilled his own passion. “I gave up on the graphic design business and went right into nature photography,” says Gill. “I just burned out on graphic design and decided that I wanted to live out in the middle of nowhere and come straight out into nature. It really was kind of a hobby gone wild and has gotten out of control. Nature photography is now my whole life.” Gill believes that his graphic design skills can be seen through his images. They tend to be sharper and more graphic than the euphoric and almost dreamy look of others’ photography. It is that unique aesthetic that has attracted the attention of Arizona Highways magazine, National Geographic and many other publications that have featured his work. In addition to having more of his images featured in next year’s National Geographic calendars than any other photographer, Gill is honored to have his work included in “100 Views”— the official publication of Grand Canyon National Park’s centennial. His photography is also displayed in a number of private and corporate collections, including the Smithsonian, Arizona State Capital, APS and State Farm Stadium. “There is enough in the fascinating, ever-changing world of nature to keep and hold my interest,” says Gill. “It is what I have not seen yet that is my biggest motivation. The more remote an area, the more I want to take a closer look for its hidden treasures.” paulgillphoto.com

September 2019

imagesar iz ona .c om

40613 N. HARBOUR TOWN CT., ANTHEM

Offered at $425,000

RE/MAX Pro fe s s i o n al s | L i n da Re h w a l t | 6 0 2 -4 0 2 -1 1 3 6 | l in d a r e h w a l t @ a z r e a l t y. c o m

i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m Se pte m b e r 2 019

Surreal sunrises + peaceful golf course + stunning views Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t let the reasonable price fool you! This 2+ bedroom, 2.5 bath Anthem Country Club cul de sac home is a gem of a find! Sunrises are surreal with peaceful golf course and stunning east-facing back yard mountain views. Cool evenings by the gas fire pit with built-in bench seating are what Arizona living is all about. Inside, the home is bright, open and cheery. Unique architectural details, stone floors, designer interior details, and thoughtful spaces make it stand out among the rest. A split master bedroom, large eat-in kitchen with granite countertops and a sizeable island, raised-panel cabinetry and gas fireplace are just a few features that will make you happy to come home. There is also a nicely appointed formal dining room and a family room for making memories. The original owner has upgraded and pampered this home to perfection. Extensive plantation shutters, slab granite counters with a stone backsplash, under-cabinet lighting & pullouts, skylights, a 2014 TRANE HVAC system, tankless hot water, soft water, R/O, laundry sink and cabinets, a confetti epoxy garage floor, and extended pavers in the entry courtyard and back patio are just a few of the great perks of this unique home. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t let this one pass you by! Call Linda today!

Please call Linda for your private showing. Linda Rehwalt RE/MAX Professionals 602-402-1136 lindarehwalt@azrealty.com

September 2019

imagesar iz ona .c om

Writer Joseph J. Airdo

One year ago this month, I was invited to join Images Arizona magazineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s family of writers. I was beyond thrilled to have been offered the opportunity to write about a topic that had enthralled me throughout my entire lifeâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;the performing arts. From a very young age, I have been fascinated with music, theater and movies. If it can be seen on a stage or screen, then I have a very strong desire to be in the audience. My love affair with the performing arts started out slightly different, though. Initially, I had dreams of being a showman myself, as I danced, sang and performed skits for just about anyone that I could convince to stand still for three minutes. Looking back at home movies, I can now only describe my efforts as cringe-inducing. But my passion for the performing arts was abundantly clear. I pursued that passion through writing about themâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;especially movies. I have lived in Arizona my entire life, therefore I have always been aware of the many wonderful performing arts organizations that we have in the Valley. However, it was not until I began writing for Images Arizona magazine that I truly understood how fortunate I am to live here. Our performing arts options are unique, diverse and paramount.

i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m Se pte m b e r 2 019

MICHAEL BOLTON ARIZONA MUSICFEST

All of the Valley’s performing arts organizations are worthy of our attention and attendance. I encourage you to explore all of the performance opportunities that our incredible community has to offer. In looking through this season’s programs, I have identified some of the music and theater organizations whose performances I personally would not miss for the world.

ARIZONA MUSICFEST Arizona Musicfest has been providing Arizona audiences with affordable and convenient access to a diverse lineup of culturally rich musical acts for the past 28 years, and this season is no exception. Arizona Musicfest’s executive and producing director Allan Naplan says that the organization has increased the number of Fall Fest and Holiday Fest performances this season, and it strives to present even more celebrity guests than ever before. Multi-platinum recording artist and actress Vanessa Williams opens Arizona Musicfest’s Fall Festival Nov. 8, followed by Academy of Country Music’s top female vocalist Sara Evans on Nov. 16. Its holiday festival is headlined by jazz ensemble New York Voices Dec. 5 and Juilliard-trained sibling piano quintet The 5 Browns Dec. 14.

VANESSA WILLIAMS ARIZONA MUSICFEST

Photo provided by Arizona Musicfest

Musicfest’s winter festival is even more spectacular, with performances by the John Pizzarelli Trio Jan. 27, Chris Botti Jan. 31 and Michael Bolton Feb. 27. The celebrity artist that I am most excited to see—Tony Danza—will grace the stage Jan. 24, performing his favorite songs while interweaving stories about his life and personal connection to the music. Meanwhile, Michael Feinstein will make Feb. 14 a most memorable Valentine’s Day for audiences when he performs a concert filled with classic love songs. Arizona Musicfest’s season will culminate March 13 with a performance from the Official Blues Brothers Revue. “Musicfest continues to develop a strong and enthusiastic patron base that has embraced our programming and our charitable mission,” says Naplan, noting that the money Arizona Musicfest makes from concerts it produces benefits a variety of music education programs in the Valley. “We are tremendously fortunate to produce concerts and community programming for such a receptive and growing audience, and we look forward to another successful season.”

Photo provided by Arizona Musicfest

Arizona Musicfest Box Office 7950 E. Thompson Peak Parkway, Scottsdale azmusicfest.org September 2019

imagesar iz ona .c om

PHOENIX CHORALE

Photographer Tim Trumble

PHOENIX CHORALE On the vocal side, the Phoenix Chorale has a stellar season ahead under its newly appointed artistic director, Christopher Gabbitas. The double Grammy Award-winning artist has spent the last 15 years as a member of British a cappella vocal ensemble The King’s Singers. In planning the Phoenix Chorale’s season, Gabbitas worked to shine a light on Renaissance choral music— which he believes fits incredibly well alongside the right contemporary music. “A personal aim is to weave a tapestry between ancient and modern, and to convince our audiences that there is still a place for music that was written over 400 years ago but still lives and breathes today,” Gabbitas says. “I know of other wonderful ensembles in the Valley who concentrate on early music, or contemporary music, but not many encourage versatile programming that spans the ages in the way we would like to.” Gabbitas is also looking at incorporating various other song styles into the Phoenix Chorale’s repertoire this season. “The chorale has performed jazz and folk before, of course, but there are areas of contemporary pop music that lend themselves well to a cappella realization,” he notes. “So we will work on that, too. It is all about encouraging depth of audience and persuading people that choral music is accessible and enjoyable for everyone.” The Phoenix Chorale’s four-concert series includes Lux Aeterna in October, A Chorale Christmas in December, and Birth and Rebirth in April. But its Cosmos concert series Feb. 29–March 1 sounds most intriguing. The chorale intends to take audiences on an interstellar journey through cultures—both ancient and modern—with music inspired by the night sky, including songs composed by Thomas Weelkes, Frank Ticheli, Morten Lauridsen and Ola Gjeilo. Phoenix Chorale Box Office 100 W. Roosevelt St., Phoenix phoenixchorale.org

i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m Se pte m b e r 2 019

Photo provided by The Phoenix Symphony

THE PHOENIX SYMPHONY THE PHOENIX SYMPHONY We need not always look to celebrity guests who visit from other parts of the country to entertain us and expand upon our culture. The Valley’s various performing arts organizations demonstrate that we have plenty of tremendous talent in our own backyard, too. Case in point is The Phoenix Symphony, whose season begins Sept. 20 with Ludwig van Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 5.” The concert kicks off the orchestra’s two-season celebration of the composer in honor of his 250th birthday. The Phoenix Symphony’s chief marketing officer Todd Vigil says that the Beethoven celebration is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the orchestra’s program. This season will see an expanded lineup of multimedia concerts in which a full feature-length film is screened while the orchestra performs the movie’s score live on stage. “Based on popular demand of shows like the 2018 sold-out run of ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas,’ we have added more multimedia concerts with fan favorites such as ‘Home Alone,’ ‘Stars Wars: The Empire Strikes Back’ and ‘Disney in Concert,’” Vigil says. “In addition, we pay tribute to some of the earliest roots of the big screen and film scoring with Charlie Chaplin’s 1931 humorous and entertaining classic ‘City Lights.’” The Phoenix Symphony performance that I am anticipating most is its Music of ABBA concert, which takes place Feb. 7–9 and features Finnish pop sensation Rajaton. “Mamma Mia” and its sequel, both of which utilize the music of Swedish pop group ABBA, are my favorite movie musicals of all time, thanks in large part to their upbeat soundtracks. Seeing that remarkable music—including “Dancing Queen,” “Take a Chance on Me” and “Super Trouper”—come to life on stage in an explosion of sound, light, dance and sheer grooviness through The Phoenix Symphony is certain to be a personal highlight of the season. Symphony Hall 75 N. Second St., Phoenix phoenixsymphony.org

September 2019

imagesar iz ona .c om

ORCHESTRA PROMUSICA ARIZONA

CHORALE ORCHESTRA PROMUSICA ARIZONA

Photographer Azy Scotten

PROMUSICA ARIZONA ProMusica Arizona, which has both orchestral and choral components, is also starting its first season under a new artistic director. Patti Graetz, who had previously served as an assistant conductor and conductor of the Women in Song vocal ensemble, took the position in April, and is also the group’s principal conductor. ProMusica Arizona Executive Director Yvonne Dolby says that Graetz is bringing innovation and understanding of musician and audience preferences as she plans this season’s performances, which include Celebrate America in November, and Joy to All the World in December. Things spice up in the spring as ProMusica Arizona collaborates with the Arizona State University Mariachi ensemble and Carolyn Eynon Singers for a Latin-inspired concert in April. It should be a very lively and entertaining performance, as should be its Baroque to Bluegrass concert in May, when the ensemble aims to demonstrate the connection between what, at first glance, appears to be two very different types of music. “This season is unique in that every concert includes work by a living composer,” says Graetz. The music of John Williams, Craig Bohmler, Joseph Julian Gonzales and Tim Sharp will be featured. “I have always been an advocate for performing works by living composers. I have been in contact with Tim, Joseph and Craig and they are excited that we are performing their work and may even come to the performances.” pmaz.org

i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m Se pte m b e r 2 019

Photographer Reg Madison

HAIR THE PHOENIX THEATRE COMPANY THE PHOENIX THEATRE COMPANY The theater scene in the Valley has never been stronger, with so many companies from which to choose— including Scottsdale Musical Theater Company, which has carved out a niche for itself by presenting shows that feature widely known celebrities like Cory McCloskey, Peter Scolari, Charles Shaughnessy and Dawnn Lewis. However, this season belongs to The Phoenix Theatre Company, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. The company has 10 shows on its schedule, including a pair of classics that pay tribute to some of its milestones over the years. The Phoenix Theatre Company’s producing artistic director, Michael Barnard, explains that “The Sound of Music,” which will grace its stage Nov. 13–Dec. 29, was the production that rescued the company from the brink of bankruptcy in the 1980s. The company is also bringing “HAIR” back to its stage May 20–June 28, notable because the group previously produced the musical in 1988, to celebrate its 20th anniversary. “Messages of acceptance and hope are present throughout our centennial season,” says Barnard. Two of its shows—the Broadway blockbuster “Kinky Boots” and the world premiere “Americano!”—are very different from one another, yet they share a significant sentiment. “We can let our differences divide us or we can let what we have in common bring us together and make something beautiful,” says Bernard. While the historic and thematic significance are true highlights of The Phoenix Theatre Company’s momentous season, its playful spring spectacles of “Something Rotten!” March 18–April 19 and “The Rocky Horror Show” April 15–June 7 are the productions that I am most eager to experience. Phoenix Theatre 1825 N. Central Ave., Phoenix phoenixtheatre.org

September 2019

imagesar iz ona .c om

DESERT FOOTHILLS THEATER

Photographer Mike Benedetto

DESERT FOOTHILLS THEATER Professional theater is not the only thing flourishing in the Valley, as community theater is also better than ever before. One such group that is especially notable is Desert Foothills Theater. Tia Wooley, who took the position of managing director last year after the season had already been set, is looking forward to focusing on outreach.

Photographer Larry Wooley

“I am excited because it is my first season where the shows are ones that I have selected, with the assistance of a play selection committee,” Wooley says. “Living in the very far north end of Scottsdale, there is a lot of land between us and the rest of the world. To that extent, I have slated shows that appeal to a wide variety of age groups and provide acting opportunities for various abilities and ages.” Desert Foothills Theater’s lineup includes “Pirates of Penzance, Jr.” and “Honk, Jr.” for younger performers, as well as “Annie Get Your Gun” for families, “Godspell” for older teens and young adults, “Steel Magnolias” for adults” and “And Then There Were None” for all ages. Most of its productions are performed at Cactus Shadows Fine Arts Center.

DESERT FOOTHILLS THEATER

i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m Se pte m b e r 2 019

Two of its productions that will be performed at Holland Community Center are among those that intrigue me the most. “Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus,” which Desert Foothills Theater has adopted as a new holiday tradition for itself, will run Dec. 2022. Meanwhile, April 17–19, the group will produce “Fair Game”—a new musical written by its resident playwright Andrea Markowitz. “Producing a new musical is not easy,” Wooley notes. “There are writes, rewrites and readings in preparation. We have had invited-audience readings, obtained feedback from the audience, more rewrites, more readings and more invited-audience feedback. This is an opportunity for any actor to be involved in a piece of performance art that has never been done before.” And there are plenty of opportunities this season for any Valley resident to become an audience member of these and the many other wonderful performing arts organizations that we are exceptionally fortunate to have in Arizona. Desert Foothills Theater Box Office 34250 N. 60th St., Scottsdale dftheater.org

INJURY SCREENING

September 2019

imagesar iz ona .c om

Writer Shoshana Leon Photography by Bryan Black

Chelsea Flaherty, center, co-owns The City Creamery with her husband Austin Hoepf, right, and his uncle Charlie Bolton, left.

There is something about the rustic signs, the nods to the past, and the down-to-earth sensibility of folks around this town that makes Cave Creek a little different than most. Sure, there are fun shops, great restaurants, and fun bars in lots of Arizona cities and towns, but Creekers seem to know a secret ingredient that draws crowds from all over the country. From the 1930s Standard gas station that is now Big Earl’s Greasy Eats, to the legend of cowboy saloonery that is Harold’s Cave Creek Coral, it’s nostalgia that’s on the menu in Cave Creek. At The City Creamery, it’s served up with a side of hand-crafted ice cream and homemade goodness. When Charlie Bolton, his nephew Austin Hoepf, and Austin’s wife Chelsea Flaherty opened the doors at The City Creamery next to Prickly Pear Inn in January 2018, it didn’t take long for folks to start lining up at the doors. People may have been enticed by the idea of a cold treat in the desert heat, but it hasn’t been only the delicious flavors that keep them coming back.

i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m Se pte m b e r 2 019

Walk into The City Creamery just about any time of day, and you’re likely to hear the sound of rock salt and ice churning and turning cream (and a few other ingredients) into something special. For many of us, The City Creamery brings back fond memories of childhood—back when there were only four channels on television and garden hoses doubled as entertainment and water fountains. Churning ice cream on the front porch was a neighborhood event—one that always came with the risk of running out of spoons. The City Creamery has captured those moments, and made plenty more memories, in every lick. With flavors like Huckleberry Honey Lavender flavor (a nod to the creamery’s Montana roots), to Cowboy Coffee made with ingredients procured with a handshake from The Roastery of Cave Creek, there’s no shortage of sweet adventures at The City Creamery. Of course, they’ve still got the old standards we all grew up with, but who can turn down a taste of rich Raspberry Rose or decadent Wedded Bliss? Co-owner Chelsea Flaherty, who has been a Creeker all of her life, loves what she is contributing to the business, and to the town. She graduated from Cactus Shadows High School, and her roots have kept her grounded in community. “There were very few ice cream options when I was growing up, so I’m proud to bring this option for homemade ice cream to this area,” she said with a glow of enthusiasm. “Cave Creek has a very special small town feeling even though it’s right outside of a big city. It is truly a hidden gem in Arizona. Though her heart is always in Cave Creek, Flaherty also spends time at The City Creamery’s two Montana locations in the hot summer months. The group purchased the Montana businesses five years ago, then brought their ice cream to Arizona a year and a half ago. All three operations have been embraced in their respective communities, and they're now looking for a second Arizona location.

September 2019

imagesar iz ona .c om

A RECIPE FOR SUCCESS The City Creamery seems to be doing everything right in their little corner of Cave Creek. Everything is made in-house, from ice cream to their hot fudge, sea salt caramel and waffle cones. The ice cream is made in five-gallon batches, and the ingredients are always fresh. The shop itself has a great vibe, and there’s something nearly magical about watching the ice cream as it’s being made. “Customers can taste the quality of the homemade products and the fresh ingredients we use,” said Flaherty. “We have recipes for more than 100 flavors of ice cream. We like to be different and creative and try new things, from Dill Pickle ice cream to Candied Jalapeño ice cream. We love our customers to try these unique flavors and let us know what they think. The City Creamery has been good for Cave Creek, and Cave Creek has been good to it. They’ve formed partnership with Cartwright’s Modern Cuisine, Raven Gastropub, Raven’s View and Big Earl’s, and they see themselves as part of a larger effort to maintain the town’s unique personality in a fast-paced and increasingly homogenous landscape of retail stores and chain restaurants. Growing up in the restaurant business, Flaherty seems to have a solid take on what it takes to scoop success.

i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m Se pte m b e r 2 019

“

The products we create and the experience we give customers make us proud. It’s truly a labor of love. We love to see the joy on our customers’ faces when they are eating our ice cream and loving it.

MAKE YOUR WALLET HAPPY. Save. Combine Home & Auto. Nanette McClelland-Miller, Agent 39504 N Daisy Mtn Dr Ste 114 Anthem, AZ 85086

623-742-6866 nanettemiller.com

“

Chelsea Flaherty

“I learned from the bottom up,” she said. “I learned how to treat employees, how much your attitude matters as a leader and the importance of good customer service. Restaurants need both great food and excellent customer service to thrive. You can't have one without the other.” She and her co-owners plan to keep dishing out delicious nostalgia for a long time to come. “Our products are made with lots of love,” she said. “ I think our passion rubs off on people.” The City Creamery 6268 E. Cave Creek Rd., Cave Creek citycreameryicecream.com

September 2019

imagesar iz ona .c om

Caprese Summer Flatbread This delicious Caprese recipe is the freshest and most simple summer appetizer, and a unique twist on the plain old Caprese salad! All puff pastry is different, so make sure to peek at the recommended temperature and cooking time before throwing away the packaging. Time: 30 minutes Makes: 1 large puff pastry

Ingredients: 3–4 peaches 1 package puff pastry Parmesan cheese 4–6 heirloom tomatoes cherry tomatoes (if desired) 1/4 cup jarred pesto mozzarella balls basil balsamic drizzle (if desired)

Directions: Preheat oven according to directions on puff pastry. Roll out puff pastry and place on sheet pan with parchment. Spread pesto out evenly onto puff pastry, leaving just about 1/2 inch of space to the edge. This will be the crust. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and bake according to the directions on puff pastry packaging. Remove from oven and let cool completely. Begin slicing tomatoes. It doesn’t matter if they are different sizes or shapes—that’s what makes this recipe fun! Place evenly onto puff pastry. Layer with mozzarella and basil. Drizzle with balsamic drizzle and a sprinkle of salt. Ta-da! Enjoy!

Writer and Photographer Kyndra Kelly

kyndraclaire.com

i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m Se pte m b e r 2 019

September 2019

imagesar iz ona .c om

i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m Se pte m b e r 2 019