Desert Mountain
ECRWSS Local Postal Customer
Carefree
Cave Creek PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID PHOENIX, AZ PERMIT NO. 3418
december 2018
imagesar iz ona .c om
1
THE RITZ-CARLTON RESIDENCES PARADISE VALLEY
One of the world’s most recognized luxury brands, The Ritz-Carlton, is making its entrance into Arizona’s most affluent and desirable area, the town of Paradise Valley. This long-awaited marriage will bring together a masterfully-crafted community of luxury residences within the gates of what will soon become the pinnacle of sophisticated, full-service resort living. 24 REMAINING 81 Villa Residences 1739 to 4466 sq. ft. COMING SOON 39 Estate Homes 5500 to 14,000 sq. ft. Contact Judy Zimet, Esq. to schedule a visit to The Residence Gallery.
Judy Zimet, Esq., REALTOR
®
Residential & Commercial Agent
480-440-3015 Judy@JudyZimet.com • JudyZimet.com
2
Agent is a Preferred Realtor and not an employee of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company. Listed by The Solvere Group, LLC. i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m d e c e m b e r 2 018
THE REAL ESTATE MARKET DOESN’T DICTATE YOUR RESULTS, THE REAL ESTATE TEAM YOU HIRE DOES!
24066 N 90th Way Scottsdale AZ 85255 New Custom Home in Prado Estate
10001 E Balancing Rock Road Scottsdale AZ 85262 Breathtaking Estate in Troon North
5 Bedroom | 6.5 Bath | 7,504 Sqft | Offered at $4,750,000 Contact Austin Bloom at (480) 351-4397 See More Online www.BVOLuxuryGroup.com
4 Bedroom | 7 Bath | 8,070 Sqft | Offered at $3,695,000 Contact Michael Gorman at (480) 508-8312 See More Online www.BVOLuxuryGroup.com
27555 N 103rd WayScottsdale AZ 85262
19465 N 98th Place Scottsdale AZ 85255
Exquisite Estate in Estancia
Just Sold in Silverleaf
4 Bedroom | 4.5 Bath | 6,580 Sqft | $3,250,000 Contact Stephanie Thomas at (480) 372-8554 See More Online www.BVOLuxuryGroup.com
6 Bedroom | 6.5 Bath | 6,630 Sqft | Offered at $3,150,000 CALL (480)999-5460 See More Online www.BVOLuxuryGroup.com
9701 E Happy Valley Road 10 Scottsdale AZ 85255
10200 E Cinder Cone Trail Scottsdale AZ 85262
Sensational Views in The Peak
5 Bedroom | 5 Bath | 5,700 Sqft | Offered at $1,595,000 CALL (480)999-5460 See More Online www.BVOLuxuryGroup.com
Stunning Views in Troon North
4 Bedroom | 4.5 Bath | 5,217 Sqft | $1,499,000 Contact Michael Gorman at (480) 508-8312 See More Online www.BVOLuxuryGroup.com
“Anyone who dreams of an uncommon life eventually discovers there is no choice but to seek an uncommon approach to living it.” - Gary Keller, The ONE Thing Andrew Bloom REALTOR®, Senior Partner Andrew@BVOLuxury.com
(480) 999-5460 | www.BVOLuxuryGroup.com
december 2018
imagesar iz ona .c om
3
RYAN MONTBLEAU
With Jay Allan and Dominick Provenzano Tue., December 4 | 7 p.m. | $23.50–$38.50 “His style is perennial; he sounds as emblematic of the folk music scene ten or twenty years ago.” —Sound of Boston
Upcoming Concerts Mike Stern December 6
Esteban December 23
Over the Rhine December 8
Dom Flemons December 27
Hawktail Opening Act: Dead Horses December 9
The Hot Sardines January 1
The Steve Gadd Band December 13 & 14 Irish Christmas in America December 16 & 17
MusicaNova Orchestra: The Mystical Muse—Cycles of Inspiration and Hope January 6 And many more!
2018 Concert Series sponsored by
4
i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m d e c e m b e r 2 018
MIM.org | 480.478.6000 | 4725 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix, AZ
december 2018
imagesar iz ona .c om
5
dahl restaurants
cucinarustica.com 928-284-3010
dahlanddiluca.com 928-282-5219
pisalisa.com 928-282-5472
mariposasedona.com 928-862-4444 6
dahl restaurant group - Sedona, Arizona - dahlrestaurantgroup.com
i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m d e c e m b e r 2 018
Paradise Valley area projects designed and built by Wine Cellar Experts
WINECELLAREXPERTS.COM december 2018 15979 N. 76th St., Suite A, Scottsdale 480-922-WINE
imagesar iz ona .c om
7
Live Auctions Every Saturday at 10:00am
We specialize in art, antiques, jewelry and collections. CALL TODAY TO CONSIGN!
A RIZONA’S CHOICE FOR SELECT FINE ARTS, ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES 8
i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m d e c e m b e r 2 018
5880 West Bell Road Glendale 623.335.1220 EJSAUCTIONS.COM
roastery of cave creek locally roasted organic coffee
Since the early days of The Cave Creek Coffee Company, Dave Anderson has been poviding the local community with fresh roasted organic coffee for over 20 years. Stop by and visit The Roastery and pick up a bag. (First bag is free.) 7003 E. Cave Creek Road www.roc2.coffee | 480 330 0504 CAVE CREEK, AZ
december 2018
imagesar iz ona .c om
9
16
NEW BEGINNINGS Writer Shannon Severson Photography Courtesy of Western Spirit Scottsdale’s Museum of the West
16
22
22
COMMUNITY EVENTS Writers Amanda Christmann and Joseph J. Airdo
50
CAPTURE THE NIGHT SKY Writer Amanda Christmann Photography by Scott Stulberg
58
A BROTHERHOOD IN STONE
50
58
Writer Amanda Christmann Photography by Bryan Black and Bill Waters
80
THE INNOVATION OF PESAVENTO Writer Amanda Christmann Photography Courtesy of Pesavento Jewelry
128
MEXICAN HOT CHOCOLATE SPICED COOKIES Writer and Photographer Kyndra Kelly
80 10
i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m d e c e m b e r 2 018
114
Buffalo Collection A STATE OF MIND & A WAY OF LIFE
A M E R IC A N BU F FA LO L E AT H E R F U R N I T U R E Experience the ultimate in luxury, comfort & design with furniture from Buffalo Collection. Our furniture is hand-made in America using the finest materials & methods of old world craftsmanship. Let us enrich your lifestyle by creating timeless custom furnishings of the highest quality for your home.
Specializing in Custom Orders
F U R N I T U R E • A R T • A C C E S S O R I E S • TA B L E S • L I G H T I N G • H A N D B A G S
7 0 4 4 E . 5 TH AV E N U E , S C O T T S D A L E , A Z
4 8 0.9 4 6. 39 03
WORLDWIDE SHIPPING • MADE IN THE USA
BuffaloCollection.com december 2018
imagesar iz ona .c om
11
PUBLISHER Shelly Spence
MANAGING EDITOR Amanda Christmann
GRAPHIC DESIGNER Meaghan Mitchell
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Joseph Airdo Lynette Carrington Amanda Christmann Sue Kern-Fleischer Kyndra Kelly Shoshana Leon Shannon Severson Fadi Sitto
PHOTOGRAPHERS Scott Baxter Bryan Black Kyndra Kelly Loralei Lazurek
ADVERTISING SALES Tatum Williams 480-280-9490 tatum@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.
T
Thumbing through the pages of this month’s edition of Images Arizona, I can’t help but notice the diverse and exciting stories our family of writers and photographers have contributed. From once-in-a-lifetime events to local lore, there really is something for everyone to take in this holiday season! Perhaps the most eye-catching contribution is the breathtaking photo essay, contributed by Sedona photographer Scott Stulberg. He and writer Amanda Christmann have managed to put pictures and words to some of the most magical moments in our Arizona skies, and what they have put together is truly remarkable. For me, not only does this photo essay depict the striking heavens that are so vivid in our wide open spaces, but they also serve as a reminder that, no matter where we come from, what we believe or who we are, we are all part of something much bigger than ourselves. Our world is amazing, if we only take the time to recognize the treasures all around us. It never hurts, either, to wish upon those stars. We never know what awaits us if we only dare to dream and believe!
Copyright © 2018 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
12
i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m d e c e m b e r 2 018
Happy holidays from our family to yours! Shelly Spence Publisher, Images Arizona magazine shelly@imagesaz.com 623-341-8221
december 2018
imagesar iz ona .c om
13
T H I S
H O L I D A Y
S E A S O N
—
G I V E
A
S T U N N I N G
STYLISH ITALIAN JEWELRY
[
Exclusive Winter Event Pesavento creates luxurious jewelry with strong, vibrant and instinctive charm. Just like you. FRIDAY + SATURDAY
December 14 - 15 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
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 14
i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m d e c e m b e r 2 018
GraceReneeGallery.com
]
G I F T
december 2018
imagesar iz ona .c om
15
Nicolai Fechin, Still Life with Sunflowers, oil on canvas; Tia Collection, Santa Fe.
The exhibition at this Smithsonian affiliate features a fresh take on Western art, with works spanning nearly a century (1888-1983), and will remain through September 2019 before it proceeds to four additional institutes across the United States through 2021. It’s the first time a traveling exhibition has made its debut at Museum of the West. It features paintings of varied media, sculpture, photography and textiles by both male and female artists in the styles of
16
i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m d e c e m b e r 2 018
Writer Shannon Severson Photography Courtesy of Western Spirit Scottsdale’s Museum of the West
T
The American West has always been a beacon for adventurers, entrepreneurs, trend-setters and, of course, artists. “New Beginnings: An American Story of Romantics and Modernists in the West,” is an exhibition of 100 works by 70 well-known artists from the celebrated Tia Collection that makes its debut at Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West.
“
For heaven’s sake tell people what we have found! Send some artists out here. There’s a lifetime’s work for 20 men. Bert Phillips letter to Ernest L. Blumenschein
19th century classicism and romanticism to early 20thcentury modernism, including art nouveau, realism, cubism, art deco and abstract art. “The community of Scottsdale is tremendously proud to host in its museum the first opening of this unique traveling exhibition and featuring never-before-shown artworks from this renowned collection,” says museum director and CEO Mike Fox. “We are thrilled that our young institution is seen as worthy to be one of a number of other major institutions throughout the country to be sharing the creative inspiration and energy behind the New Beginnings exhibition.” The Tia Collection, from which the exhibit emanates, is named for the collector’s 17-year-old daughter, and includes works from French impressionists to contemporary work from today’s artists. The collection is global in scope and is carefully curated and shared with museums here in the U.S. and around the world. The works here are as varied in style, media and era as the artists who created them. Drawn to the rich landscape, open skies and new and ancient traditions, these creatives visited, often lived in and were inspired by the environs of Santa Fe and Taos, New Mexico during a time of great transition in the world. Rapid industrialization, two world wars, a worldwide flu epidemic in 1918, the Great Depression, the upheaval of the 1960s and massive technological advancements prompted artists to seek new beginnings
december 2018
imagesar iz ona .c om
17
1
“
2
3
4
#1 PETER HURD The Month of July, 1971, egg tempera; Tia Collection, Santa Fe. #2 JOHN MARIN Taos Indian Girl, 1930, watercolor; Tia Collection, Santa Fe. #3 BEULAH STEVENSON Camino del Monte Sol, 1947, oil on board; Tia Collection, Santa Fe. #4 HENRIETTE WYETH The Fourth Saint, c. 1983, oil on canvas; Tia Collection, Santa Fe.
18
i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m d e c e m b e r 2 018
in a new landscape that was unlike anything they had experienced in their cities or countries of origin. The arid climate, pueblo architecture and, in Taos, the lack of electrical service and community water systems until 1935 made it a total departure from the lives these artists had always known. Some, like Joseph Sharp, one of the founders of the famed Taos Society of Artists, made permanent moves to the area, becoming ambassadors of sorts to compel others to make the long, rugged trek to this new environment. And come, they did, permanently placing northern New Mexico on the map. Even today, the state remains home to more resident artists per capita than anywhere else in the country. “It’s not a new idea to take the artists in New Mexico and present it in some fashion,” says Tia Collection Santa Fe curator Laura Finlay Smith, who organized the exhibition. “I wanted to do it in such a way that there is less convention, something unexpected. “The whole idea behind this exhibition is to maintain this historic material and make it fresh and relevant to the 21st century, especially appealing to today’s younger audiences.” That fresh approach begins with how the works are arranged. Pieces are grouped thematically rather than by artist. Colorful panels delineate the themes of “Land & Sky,” “Cultures” and “Working from Life.” The exhibition highlights the ways in which the artists, whether visiting for a time or settling permanently, saw the people and their surroundings and celebrated the every day. They made a new beginning in this place and assigned great value to the environment, the traditions and the people of the area.
december 2018
imagesar iz ona .c om
19
5
6
#5 DOROTHY BRETT Desert Indian, c. 1932/1937, oil on canvas; Tia Collection, Santa Fe. #6 ERNEST BLUMENSCHEIN Portrait of Taos Indian, c. 1929, oil on canvas; Tia Collection, Santa Fe. #7 ALICE SCHILLE September Stroll, c. 1920, watercolor on paper; Tia Collection, Santa Fe. #8 JAN MATULKA Rodeo Rider, c. 1917-20, oil on canvas; Tia Collection, Santa Fe.
7
20
i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m d e c e m b e r 2 018
8
New Beginnings is a sort of time capsule that allows us to see what came before our hurried, digital world. “Land & Sky,” depicts the changing seasons and their affect on the vast landscape and broad vistas that first attracted Sharp, a native of Ohio, and artists from New York, the Midwest and even further, from Europe and Russia, as was the case of Leon Gaspard. Here was a completely foreign environment.
Houseczech✔ by Alena
“There are depictions of Christmas mass in Santa Clara Church and then a Hopi tribal dance,” says Finlay Smith. “Displaying this content side-by-side brings together a powerful contrast narrative to share a broader view and fresh perspective of the artists of this important region and time.” The ways that artists and people from the distinctive cultures of Native American, Hispano and cowboy populations interacted in the everyday are shown in the way they dressed, the way they worshiped and celebrated, and the objects they surrounded themselves with. Modernist and Bisbee, Arizona native Patriciño Barela’s 1950 sculptures, “Crucifixion” and “Peace,” carved from native pine branch and juniper root respectively, are representative of not only religious objects, but also the art of a young day laborer whose work was ultimately “discovered” by WPA officials.
Professional Property Services: House Cleaning
Window Cleaning
Home Watch
“Working From Life” features domestic-scale objects from the studios and homes of the artists and members of the community. Still lifes, stunning portraits, like Robert Henri’s 1917, “Lucinda,” and Leon Gaspard’s hand-painted kitchen table and four side chairs, circa 1940, alive with scenes of Russia, China, Mongolia and North Africa are found here. The collector painstakingly reunited the chairs after being stored, separated and even burned in a fire over the years.
Call or email us for a
The story of New Beginnings will strike the viewer as a rich history of not just a region of the American West, but of America itself.
free estimate
“I’m a huge proponent that Western art is ultimately American art,” says Finlay Smith. “Mainstream American museums tend to group American and Western art as separate, but it should be viewed as part of a broader tradition.”
480-935-8870
scottsdalemuseumwest.org
info@houseczech.com www.houseczech.com december 2018
imagesar iz ona .c om
21
COMMUNITY
2018 DECEMBER
Writers Amanda Christmann and Joseph J. Airdo
Dec. 1, 2, 4, 5
MAKE A WREATH Joi Prater Interiors will host two-hour wreath-making classes. Materials include a 22-inch fresh wreath, French ribbons, ornaments, pinecones and other embellishments. Learn to make bows and make your wreath uniquely your own! Fees to be determined. 748 Easy St., Suite 9, Carefree. 2–4 p.m. Dec. 1, 2; 6–8 p.m. Dec. 4, 5. 602-930-8679; joipraterinteriors.com
NOV. 14–DEC. 30
ELF: THE MUSICAL Phoenix Theatre brings to its stage a musical based on the 2003 classic holiday film about a man who, raised by elves in the North Pole, ventures to New York City to find his father. $36+. 1825 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. See website for performance schedule. 602-254-2151; phoenixtheatre.com
NOV. 23–DEC. 16
BALLET ETUDES’ THE NUTCRACKER Ballet Etudes brings to Chandler Center for the Arts and Mesa Arts Center its 32nd annual production of The Nutcracker, filled with life-size mice, swirling snowflakes, dancing confections and the Sugar Plum Fairy. $25+. See
22
i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m d e c e m b e r 2 018
website for performance schedule. 480-
angel descends on Christmas Eve to
558-2080; balletetudes.net
save him from despair and to show
NOV. 23–DEC. 29
him what the world would have
MIRACLE ON 34TH ST
been like had he never been born. $27. 8670 E. Shea Blvd., Scottsdale.
Arizona Broadway Theatre brings to
7 p.m. Thursdays–Saturdays; 2
its stage a musical based on the 1947
p.m. Sundays. 480-314-0841;
classic holiday film about a last-minute
donbluthfrontrowtheatre.com
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
NOV. 30–DEC. 2
Santa-replacement who may or may
prices and performance schedule. 623-
PHOENIX SYMPHONY’S HOLIDAY POPS
776-8400; azbroadway.org
Experience a festive concert of
NOV. 29–DEC. 29
seasonal favorites performed by the
not be the real Santa Claus. 7701 W. Paradise Lane, Peoria. See website for
IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE
Phoenix Symphony and the Phoenix Symphony Chorus. $25+. 75 N. 2nd St., Phoenix. See website for
Don Bluth Front Row Theatre adapts
performance schedule. 602-495-1999;
for its stage the 1946 classic holiday
phoenixsymphony.org
film about a man whose guardian
NOV. 30–DEC. 16
BLACK NATIVITY The Black Theatre Troupe brings back
B E T T E R C L U B S . B E T T E R R E S U LT S .
P X G 0 3 1 1 G E N 2 I R O N S.
to its stage Harlem Renaissance poet Langston Hughes’ musical that boasts a powerful message of joy, hope, victory and liberation. $38. Helen K. Mason Performing Arts Center,
B I L LY H O R S C H E L 5x PGA TOUR Winner 2014 FedEx Cup Champion
1333 E. Washington St., Phoenix. See website for performance schedule. 602258-8129; blacktheatretroupe.org
NOV. 30–DEC. 23 A CHRISTMAS STORY
Desert Stages Theatre adapts for its stage the 1983 classic holiday film about a 9-year-old boy’s quest to get a genuine Red Ryder BB gun
S C H E D U L E YO U R F I T T I N G N O W.
under his Christmas tree. $28/adults; $22/students and seniors. 7014 E. Camelback Road, Scottsdale. 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. 480-483-1664; desertstages.org
Nobody makes golf clubs the way we do. Period.
P X G . C O M / 1.844.PLAY.PXG
N/E Corner Pinnacle Peak and Scottsdale 23587 N. Scottsdale Rd. | 480-502-0555 Monday–Saturday 9am – 6pm | Sunday 11am – 5pm
Dec. 1
SCOTTSDALE ARTS GALA Celebrate the arts in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale! Featuring Tony, Emmy and Golden Globe nominee Matthew Morrison, star of “Glee” and Broadway’s “Hairspray.” $150–500. Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, 7380 E. 2nd St., Scottsdale. 5 p.m. 480-499-8587; scottsdaleperformingarts.org
Dec. 1
YOUTH ORCHESTRA CONCERT North Valley Symphony Orchestra’s three youth orchestras will be performing their annual holiday concert. Free. Cactus Shadows High School, 5802 E. Dove Valley Rd., Cave Creek. 3:30 p.m. northvalleysymphony.org
december 2018
imagesar iz ona .c om
23
Dec. 7
SCHIEFFER ARTIST’S RECEPTION Noted American artist Wayne Thiebaud provides the inspiration for gallery favorite artist John Schieffer’s latest collection of hyper-realistic paintings. He brings to life childhood jacks, marbles, and other toys while also rendering adult beverages that will quench your thirst. Meet the artist and feast your eyes on these remarkable new works. Free. Bonner David Galleries, 7040 E. Main St., Scottsdale. 480-941-8500; bonnerdavid.com
DEC. 1–16
SNOW QUEEN
Dec. 3
Hans Christian Andersen’s magical
BUS IT TO THE EDDIE BASHA COLLECTION
wintry fairy tale set to composer
Cave Creek Museum's inaugural
Sergei Prokofiev’s score. $28/adults;
adventure begins with a day trip
$23/seniors; $14/students. Herberger
to the Eddie Basha Collection in
Theater Center, 222 E. Monroe St.,
Chandler. Includes charter bus,
Phoenix. See website for performance
admission to the museum and a
schedule. centerdance.com
Scandinavian Christmas smorgasbord
Dec. 1, 8
lunch. Contact the museum for
Center Dance Ensemble brings to life
HOLIDAY CHOCOLATE MAKING
pricing and availability. Cave Creek Museum, 6140 E. Skyline Dr., Cave Creek. 8:30 a.m. 480-488-2764;
Discover the lost art of hand-dipping
cavecreekmuseum.org
chocolate at this class for ages 13 and
Dec. 3
up. Sponsored by CCUSD’s Education Shadows High School, 5802 E. Dove
RAPTORS IN YOUR BACK YARD
Valley Rd., Cave Creek. 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
You’ve seen the hawks circling
480-575-2440; ecsforall.org
overhead and heard the owls hooting
& Community Services. $150. Cactus
in the evening and early morning,
24
i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m d e c e m b e r 2 018
but do you have a grasp of the true superpowers they exhibit? See them up close and learn how you can help them. Donations appreciated. Holland Community Center, 34250 N. 60th St., Scottsdale. 6:30 p.m. azfcf.org
Dec. 4
STEAM OPEN HOUSE Foothills Academy's Elementary Campus (K-6) in partnership with the Arizona Science Center and Kiwanis Club of Carefree will hold hands-on, minds-on STEAM learning activities for all ages. Free. 4720 E. Lone Mountain Rd., Cave Creek. 5-7 p.m. 480-292-9819
Dec. 4
CELEBRITY MAKE-UP APPLICATION CLASS Charlie Green, make-up artist to the stars, will be demonstrating a gorgeous Christmas/New Year's
make-up look for one of our local residents! It is fun, informational, educational, and best of all, brings
the art of organization
out the inner beauty in all of us. Free. Foothills Food Bank donations accepted. Desert Foothills Library, 38443 N. Schoolhouse Rd., Cave Creek. 5–6:30 p.m. 480-488-2286; charliegreen.com
DEC. 5
AN IRISH CHRISTMAS Take a journey through Christmas in Ireland with dancing, singing and traditional Irish music celebrating the international spirit of the holiday season. Features an award-winning cast of Irish dancers, including Riverdance principal dancer Caterina Coyne. $23+. Orpheum Theatre, 203 W. Adams St., Phoenix. 7 p.m. phoenix.ticketforce.com
Dec. 6
WINE AND DINE Kick off the holiday season with the SHOPS Gainey Village during their third annual Holiday Wine and Dine Christmas event. Enjoy acoustic music, horse and carriage rides, cookies, baked goods, coffee and hot chocolate, cookie decorating, raffles and wine tasting. Free. 5–8 p.m. 8777 N. Scottsdale Rd.,
Home Offices
Garages
Entertainment Centers
Wall Units
Scottsdale. theshopsatgaineyvillage.com
DEC. 6–23
A CHRISTMAS CAROL Scottsdale Musical Theater Company brings to its stage the Broadway musical adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic holiday novel. “The Nanny” and “Days of Our Lives” actor Charles Shaughnessy portrays Ebenezer Scrooge. $42+/ adults; $25/children. Tempe Center for the Arts, 700 W. Rio Salado Pkwy., Tempe. See website for
480-998-2070 www.closetfactory.com
www.facebook.com/closetfactory
follow us: www.twitter.com/closetfactory
performance schedule. 602-909-4215; scottsdalemusicaltheater.com
closets | garages | home offices | entertainment centers | pantries | wall units wall beds | craft rooms | laundry rooms | mud rooms | wine rooms ©2016 Closet Factory. All rights reserved. ROC#175443 december 2018
imagesar iz ona .c om
25
DEC. 12–16
HANDEL’S MESSIAH Join the Phoenix Symphony, the Phoenix Symphony Chorus and world-class soloists in Handel’s masterpiece in churches and venues throughout the Valley. The acclaimed “Hallelujah” chorus highlights these performances featuring some of the most glorious sacred music ever written. $29+. See website for performance schedule. 602-495-1999; phoenixsymphony.org
Dec. 7
Doubletree Ranch Rd., Scottsdale.
jewelry designs available through Dec.
CHRISTMAS IN CAREFREE
6–9:30 p.m. hyattregency.com
16. Turquoise Tortoise, 431 SR 179, A3, at Hozho, Sedona. 928-282-2262;
Visit Carefree’s fine art galleries, the
Dec. 7–24
MASTER JEWELER
beautiful Desert Gardens and the many great shops Carefree has to offer during the First Friday Art Walk. This month’s walk is full of holiday surprises! Free. Downtown Carefree. 4-7 p.m. carefree.org
Dec. 7
OBADIAH PARKER Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch’s Center Stage Bar features some of the best live music in the Valley nearly every night. Join acoustic soul performer Obadiah Parker, who has built a strong following with strong vocals, impressive songwriting and unique, soulful style. Free. 7500 E.
26
i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m d e c e m b e r 2 018
Master jeweler Michael Grant,
turquoisetortoisegallery.com
DEC. 7–23
known for his unmatched devotion
12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS
to turquoise, will unveil his latest
Experience 12 holiday tales woven
necklaces, cuffs, earrings and more,
together with traditional and unique
of a variety of the finest all-natural,
music of the season in Fountain
hand-cut turquoise. Opening
Hills Theater’s presentation of a new
reception 5–8 p.m. Dec. 7. Lanning,
musical by Peter J. Hill. $12+. 11445
a Bryant Nagel Gallery, 431 SR 179,
N. Saguaro Blvd., Fountain Hills. 7:30
A1-2, at Hozho, Sedona. 928-282-
p.m. Thursdays–Saturdays; 2 p.m.
6865; lanninggallery.com
Sundays. 480-837-9661; fhtaz.org
Dec. 7–16
DEC. 7–9
Enjoy an opening artist reception
Hear the Phoenix Symphony
Dec. 7, 5–8 p.m., for internationally
perform festive favorites and
recognized Navajo artist Alvin
beloved movements from holiday
Yellowhorse and his museum-quality
masterpieces while hula hoops,
JEWELRY OF ALVIN YELLOWHORSE
CIRQUE HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR
strong men, contortionists, aerialists
and jugglers from Troupe Vertigo perform on stage—and 40 feet above it. $25+. Symphony Hall, 75 N. 2nd St., Phoenix. See website for performance schedule. 602-4951999; phoenixsymphony.org
DEC. 7–9
IT’S CHRISTMAS Hear “The 12 Days of Christmas” like you’ve never heard it before as ProMusica Arizona takes you on a musicological journey through the holiday favorite as well as many other traditional, classical, contemporary and even whimsical pieces. Includes performances at American Lutheran Church and Cross of Christ Lutheran Church in Anthem. $22/adults; $20/seniors; $12/students. See website for performance schedule. 623-326-5172; pmaz.org
Dec. 8
PAPA HUGS CONCERT AND HOLIDAY SING ALONG Kids of all ages will enjoy this event starring local performer David Sharpe of Papa Hugs. Enjoy his original music as well as several holiday sing along songs. Free. RSVP. Desert Foothills Library, 38443 N. Schoolhouse Rd., Cave Creek. 1–2 p.m. 480-488-2286; desertfoothillslibrary.org
Dec. 8
GOLDEN REEF STAMP MILL RUN See Arizona's only fully operational 1,000-pound, 10-stamp ore crushing mill slam down in synchronized precision just as it did 100 years ago. This stamp mill was carried down from the Golden Reef Mine on Continental Mountain. Free with museum admission. Cave Creek Museum, 6140 E. Skyline Dr.,
Preparing young minds to thrive in today’s global society. CAVE CREEK UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT offers well-rounded and rigorous academic programs.
Cave Creek. 1:30 p.m. 480-488-2764; cavecreekmuseum.org
Dec. 8
HOMESPUN WIGS FOR LITTLE CANCER FIGHTERS The Magic Yarn Project is a 501(c)3 non-profit whose mission is to bring magic into the lives of children battling cancer. Join them to create a wig inspired by a Disney character that is warm and soft, providing a magical escape for these brave children. No experience is required. $60 includes lunch and supplies. RSVP. Desert Foothills Library, 38443 N. Schoolhouse Rd., Cave Creek. 10 a.m.–2 p.m. 480-488-2286; desertfoothillslibrary.org
STEAM at Desert Sun Academy FRENCH IMMERSION • SPANISH PRE-K-6 • STEAM
DEC. 8,9
SING WE NOW OF CHRISTMAS Let the Sonoran Desert Chorale lift your spirits with thrilling brass and organ accompaniment in the familiar melodies of traditional carols and other festive favorites. Includes
480.575.2000
www.CCUSD93.org
december 2018
imagesar iz ona .c om
27
OVERTURE KIERLAND OPENING FOR 55+ Greystar is pleased to announce the opening of Overture Kierland, a new 55+ active community. Rent is typically 50 percent below other independent living communities. Overture Kierland offers thoughtfully designed, fully appointed one- and two-bedroom residences with designer finishes and fixtures, and loads of on-site amenities. The community is located within walking distance to Scottsdale Quarter and Kierland Commons, and is minutes away from nearby recreation and outstanding golf courses. overturekierland.com
performances at First United Methodist Church in Mesa and La Casa de Cristo
Cave Creek Museum, 6140 E. Skyline Dr., Cave Creek. 2–4 p.m. 480-488-
website for performance schedule. 480-
COLDWELL BANKER GLOBAL LUXURY CONCERT SERIES
835-7059; sonorandesertchorale.org
This month’s concert features
DEC. 8–16
Swedish-born vocalist Vismaya
PINNACLE CONCERT SERIES
Hagelberg, with Mark Decozio on
It’s one of the most anticipated
piano and Allen Ames on bass and
concerts of the season! Join the
violin. $35. El Pedregal Tohono
Pinnacle Chancel Choir, Pinnacle
Experience the joy of the season
Ballroom at The Boulders, 34505 N.
Pealers and special instrumental guests
as the Christian Dance Company
Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale. 4 p.m. 480-
as they combine forces to create a
celebrates the 31st anniversary of its
204-7292; coldwellbankeconcerts.
magical experience. Free. Pinnacle
holiday show featuring a cast of more
eventbrite.com
Presbyterian Church, 25150 N. Pima
Dec. 9
Rd., Scottsdale. 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. 480-
Lutheran Church in Scottsdale. $18/ adults; $15/students and seniors. See
THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS
than 100 dancers, singers and guest performers including World Champion
2764; cavecreekmuseum.org
Dec. 9
303-2474; pinnacleconcerts.com
Mark Hart and even a horse-drawn
IT’S A COWBOY CHRISTMAS
carriage. $30/adults; $28/children and
Join Gary the Singing Cowboy and
seniors. Chandler Center for the Arts,
Dusty, his trusty horse, for holiday
SING WE NOW OF CHRISTMAS
250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler. See
caroling at Cave Creek Museum. Take
The Sonoran Desert Chorale has been
website for performance schedule. 480-
photos and share cookies with Santa
delighting audiences for 25 years,
820-0795; chandlercenter.org
Claus. Free with museum admission.
and this year is no exception. Join
hoop dancer Tony Duncan, emcee
28
Dec. 9
i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m d e c e m b e r 2 018
Dec. 9
them for their Christmas celebration at La Casa de Cristo Lutheran Church. $15–$20; discounts available for online tickets. 6300 E. Bell Rd., Scottsdale. 3 p.m. 480-305-4538; sonorandesertchorale.com
DEC. 9
SALT RIVER BRASS’ HOLIDAY POPS Join the Salt River Brass as it celebrates its 31st annual concert of holiday classics. $18+/adults; $16+/students and seniors. Mesa Arts Center, One E. Main St., Mesa. 3 p.m. 602-334-4556; saltriverbrass.org
DEC. 9
THE SCOTTSDALE PHILHARMONIC’S HOLIDAY CONCERT Experience a special holiday program as Ajay Patel and Alex Zhang conduct the Scottsdale Philharmonic in performances of several traditional classics of the season. $5+. Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, 7380 E. 2nd St., Scottsdale. 4 p.m. 480-951-6077, scottsdalephilharmonic.com
DEC. 9–16
HOLIDAYS WITH ORPHEUS Join the Orpheus Male Chorus of Phoenix as it presents traditional and contemporary holiday songs. Includes performances at churches throughout the Valley. $20/adults; $15/seniors and students; free for children under 12. See website for performance schedule. 602-698-7890; orpheus.org
DEC. 14–18
A CHORALE CHRISTMAS Join internationally renowned conductor Dr. Anton Armstrong as he leads the Phoenix Chorale in bringing the spirit of the St. Olaf Christmas Festival to churches throughout the Valley. $38/adults; $33/seniors and military; $18/students. See website for performance schedule. 602-2532224; phoenixchorale.org
Dec. 14
MARK CORTALE PRESENTS BROADWAY Two-time Tony Award winner Sutton Foster and multitalented pianist Seth Rudetsky present a cabaret-style concert not to be missed. $59–89. Center for the Performing Arts, 7380 E. 2nd St., Scottsdale. 8 p.m. 480-499-8587; scottsdaleperformingarts.org
Dec. 15
ART PARTY AT EL PEDREGAL Alyson Miller, Marless Fellows, Nancy Romanovsky and April Howland will be the featured demonstrating artists. Free.
december 2018
imagesar iz ona .c om
29
DEC. 13–24
BALLET ARIZONA’S THE NUTCRACKER The Nutcracker comes alive with 30 world-class professional ballet dancers and 50 children performing as angels, dancers and soldiers alongside larger-than-life dancing mice. $33+. Symphony Hall, 75 N. 2nd St., Phoenix. See website for performance schedule. 602-381-1096; balletaz.org
The Gallery at El Pedregal, 34505 N.
and a visit from Santa. Free. North
the first mariachi ensemble to be
Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale. Second Floor.
Canyon High School, 1700 E.
nominated for a Grammy Award—
480-575-6685; sonoranartsleague.org
Union Hills Dr., Phoenix. 7 p.m.
perform treasured holiday favorites.
Dec. 15
northvalleysymphony.org
$29+. Scottsdale Center for the
Dec. 15
Performing Arts, 7380 E. 2nd St.,
A CHRISTMAS CAROL The Carolyn Eynon Singers will present Charles Dickens’ “A
Sharon Brening, Cave Creek Museum’s
Christmas Carol.” Refreshments will
artist in residence will discuss how
be served and children will love the
her canvases allow viewers to share a
IRISH CHRISTMAS IN AMERICA
historic Old English Dickens village.
personal glimpse into the lives of people
Take a memorable glimpse into the
$25/adults; $12.50/children under
that shape the American landscape. Free
enchanting spirit of Christmas as
12 years. Christ the Lord Lutheran
with museum admission. Cave Creek
the finest traditional artists from
Church, 9205 E. Cave Creek Rd.,
Museum, 6140 E. Skyline Dr., Cave
Ireland bring you on a fun-filled
Carefree. 4 p.m. ctlcarefree.org
Creek. 2–3:30 p.m. 480-488-2764;
journey through the holiday season.
Dec. 15
cavecreekmuseum.org
This family-friendly performance
DEC. 15
features stirring Irish ballads, lively
WINTER WONDERLAND CONCERT
30
Scottsdale. 7 p.m. 480-499-8587;
ADULT DISCOVERY SERIES
scottsdaleperformingarts.org
DEC. 16, 17
instrumental tunes and thrilling Irish
North Valley Symphony Orchestra
A MERRY-ACHI CHRISTMAS
presents “Winter Wonderland,”
Maestro José Hernández and his
Phoenix. See website for performance
including classical holiday favorites,
platinum-selling Sol de México—
schedule. 480-478-6000; mim.org
i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m d e c e m b e r 2 018
dancing. $35+. Musical Instrument Museum, 4725 E. Mayo Blvd.,
DEC. 21
DRUMLINE LIVE HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR Witness the energetic choreography, dazzling vocalists and talented musicians of marching bands from Historically Black College and University performing holiday classics with the energy of hip-hop, jazz, soul and Motown. $38+. Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler. 7:30 p.m. 480-782-2680; chandlercenter.org
DEC. 27
MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER CHRISTMAS Experience the magic as the spirit of the season comes alive with the signature sound of Mannheim Steamroller. The program celebrates the group’s recent anniversary of 30 years since the first Christmas album and 40 years since the first Fresh Aire album. $40+. ASU Gammage, 1200 S. Forest Ave., Tempe. 7:30 p.m. 480-965-3434; asugammage.com
Dec. 29
REMEMBERING DEBBIE REYNOLDS Jan Sandwich and Nicole Pesce present a wonderful new show filled with backstage stories, humor, and of course, great songs like “Tammy,” “Singin' in the Rain” and many more. Free. RSVP. Desert Foothills Library, 38443 N. Schoolhouse Rd., Cave Creek. 1–2 p.m. 480-488-2286; desertfoothillslibrary.org
Dec. 28–30
BLOCKBUSTER SCORES: MUSIC FROM TV AND FILM Join the Phoenix Symphony for a visual and auditory treat as they play the scores of some of your favorite classic films and television. $25+. Phoenix Symphony Hall, 75 N. 2nd St., Phoenix. See website for schedule. 602-495-1999; phoenixsymphony.org
LYBERGER TAPPED TO LEAD DESERT MOUNTAIN GOLF John Lyberger, PGA, one of the most highly regarded golf professionals in the country, has been named PGA director of golf at Desert Mountain Club, the only private community in the world with six Jack Nicklaus signature golf courses. Lyberger will oversee a golf staff of 75 employees serving 1,900 members across golf courses and pro shops. In early 2019, Desert Mountain Club will open a new, par 54 course, No. 7 at Desert Mountain, and celebrate the reopening of its original course, Renegade, following an extensive renovation. desertmountain.com
december 2018
imagesar iz ona .c om
31
Dec. 31
PHOENIX SYMPHONY NEW YEAR’S EVE GALA Enjoy a cocktail reception, a sumptuous dinner and dance to the full Phoenix Symphony orchestra. A champagne toast and many other surprises will make ringing in the New Year special. Proceeds benefit Phoenix Symphony’s outreach and education programs, helping bring joy to music to over 125,000 children and adults in hospitals, homeless shelters, schools and more. $500; sponsorships available. Arizona Biltmore, 2400 E. Missouri Ave., Phoenix. 8 p.m.–1 a.m. phoenixsymphony.org
TICKETS ON SALE FOR SEDONA FILM FEST Advance-sale passes are now on sale
Phoenix Children’s Chorus, Phoenix
Dec. 20. See website for details.
Film Foundation, Phoenix Performing
azcitizensforthearts.org
Arts Center, Phoenix Theater, ProMusica Arizona Chorale and
of more than 1,400 entries, and the
SCOTTSDALE LEAGUE FOR THE ARTS ANNOUNCES GRANTS
silver celebration includes a full lineup
Scottsdale League for the Arts, the
Valley Youth Theatre, WHAM Art
of events. Non-member advanced
non-profit group that presents the
Center and Young Arts Arizona Ltd.
sale price is $920; $875 for members
Scottsdale Culinary Festival each
The league has donated more than
before Dec. 31. Beginning Jan. 1,
April to raise funds for Arizona
$4.5 million to the arts since 2000.
the cost is $1,150. See website for
arts programs and development,
scottsdalefest.org
additional pricing. 928-282-1177;
announces its 2018 grantees: Ballet
sedonafilmfestival.org
Arizona, Center Dance Ensemble,
for the 25th Sedona International Film Festival Feb. 23–March 3. This year, 160 films have been selected out
32
program. Submission deadline is
Orchestra, Rosie’s House: Music Academy for Children, Scottsdale Arts, Scottsdale Philharmonic, Southwest Shakespeare Company,
Childsplay, Del E. Webb Center
DANCE WITH ME GALA
CALL FOR COLLEGE ART SUBMISSIONS
for the Performing Arts, Desert
Tickets are on sale for this year’s 11th
Foothills Community Theater,
Annual Ballet Arizona Dance with
Arizona Citizens for the Arts is
Detour Company Theater, Inc., East
Me Gala to be held January 25 at
looking for artwork created by
Valley Children’s Theater, Fountain
Phoenix Art Museum. Tickets for this
college students in the last two
Hills Theater, Frank Lloyd Wright
black tie event start at $600 and table
years to be considered for use as
Foundation, Free Arts for Abused
sponsorships start at $6,000. 602-343-
the official artwork for the 38th
Children, Grand Canyon Chamber
6522; balletaz.org
Annual Governor’s Arts Awards
Music Festival, Heard Museum,
i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m d e c e m b e r 2 018
4 8 0.6 5 9.2 9 6 4
8912 E PINNACLE PEAK RD SUITE F-7, SCOTTSDALE, AZ 85255 LOCATED IN LA MIRADA SHOPPING CENTER
W W W. G O O C H I E G O O.C O M
december 2018
imagesar iz ona .c om
33
T
There really is nothing like an Arizona Christmas. Granted, to experience a white Christmas, you’ll need to drive north to Flagstaff. But the Valley more than makes up for its lack of snowfall with the exceptionally festive live performing arts programs presented in Phoenix and its surrounding communities this time of the year. From national acts making guest appearances in our state to local groups pulling out all of the stops to make our December days merry and bright, Santa Claus himself couldn’t throw a lump of coal without hitting at least one stage that is lit up like a Christmas tree and populated with some of the most talented individuals this side of the North Pole. For starters, Mannheim Steamroller—a musical group whose signature sound has become synonymous with Christmas—is set for a 7:30 p.m. Dec. 27 performance at ASU Gammage in Tempe. Meanwhile, Drumline
34
i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m d e c e m b e r 2 018
Writer Joseph J. Airdo The Nutcracker (Courtesy of Kellan Meko - Ballet Etudes) december 2018
imagesar iz ona .c om
35
Live will bring its holiday show to Chandler Center for the Arts at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 21. They are just two examples of a long list of holiday headliners that are certain to be the Valley’s biggest Yuletide draws. Of course, our state’s stages also do a spectacular job of booking acts that explore holiday traditions through a culturally diverse lens. Maestro José Hernández’s platinum-selling Sol de México—the first mariachi ensemble to be nominated for a Grammy Award—will perform its popular Merry-Achi Christmas show 7 p.m. Dec. 15 at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts. Moreover, two different Irish Christmas performances will take place—one featuring Riverdance principal dancer Caterina Coyne at 7 p.m. Dec. 5 at Orpheum Theatre in Phoenix, and another produced by Oisín Mac Diarmada of the award-winning Irish group Téada Dec. 16 and 17 at Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix. But that is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to all of the holiday happenings in the Valley. The richness of performing arts organizations in our communities create a Christmasy atmosphere that is guaranteed to deck your halls all December long.
Fountain Hills Theatre (Courtesy of Fountain Hills Theatre)
Black Nativity (Courtesy of Black Theatre Troupe)
Candy Canes And Silver Lanes Aglow
The Broadway plays and musicals sampled during Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade last month likely whet your whistle for live theater. Fortunately, the Valley’s various theater troupes are presenting a wide array of holiday shows at venues far closer than New York City. One such show—which boasts a score by Broadway giants Alan Menken and Lynn Ahrens—is Scottsdale Musical Theater Company’s presentation of “A Christmas Carol.” “The Nanny” and “Days of Our Lives” actor Charles Shaughnessy portrays Ebenezer Scrooge in the musical stage adaptation of Charles Dickens’
36
i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m d e c e m b e r 2 018
timeless holiday classic Dec. 6–23 at Tempe Center for the Arts. “The holidays can be a stressful time for many reasons,” said David Hock, executive producer of Scottsdale Musical Theater Company. “Getting to work on such a joyous holiday musical is a nice way to escape the madness of shopping malls, airports and traffic. You can't help but get wrapped up in the spirit of the show.” At the other end of the spectrum of holiday classics is “A Christmas Story,” which Desert Stages Theatre in Scottsdale is presenting through Dec. 23. The play’s script was taken almost directly from the 1983 film of the same title. Desert Stages Theatre marketing and social media coordinator Virginia Olivieri especially enjoys this particular Yuletide tale because of its meaningful message. “‘A Christmas Story’ emphasizes for me the importance of my family, my children and the special moments—whether good, bad or crazy—we get to spend together,” Olivieri said. “Holiday shows remind us of where we come from and that no matter what there's no place like home.” Meanwhile, Black Theatre Troupe is presenting its annual production of “Black Nativity” through Dec. 16 at Helen K. Mason Performing Arts Center in Phoenix. Black Theatre Troupe executive director David Hemphill said the performance is a significant part of the holidays for African Americans in the same way that “A Christmas Carol” and “The Nutcracker” are traditions for other audiences. “It is a joyous celebration of music and dance that touches a special chord within everyone this time of the year,” explained Hemphill, noting that he has worked on “Black Nativity” every season for the past 40 years. Other holiday shows include “12 Days of Christmas” through Dec. 23 at Fountain Hills Theater, “Miracle on 34th Street” through Dec. 29 at Arizona Broadway Theatre in Peoria, “It’s a Wonderful Life” through Dec. 29 at Don Bluth Front Row Theatre in Scottsdale and “Elf: The Musical” through Dec. 30 at Phoenix Theatre.
december 2018
imagesar iz ona .c om
37
Salt River Brass (Courtesy of Salt River Brass)
Phoenix Symphony (Courtesy of the Phoenix Symphony)
Phoenix Chorale (Courtesy of Chris Loomis - Phoenix Chorale)
It's the Right Time to Rock the Night Away
The Valley’s various instrumental bands are also providing audiences with plenty of opportunities to partake in the sounds of the season. The Scottsdale Philharmonic will present its holiday program 4 p.m. Dec. 9 at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts. It will include composer Leroy Anderson’s “A Christmas Festival,” an arrangement of festive favorites such as “Silent Night,” “Carol of the Bells,” “March of the Toys” and “Joy to the World.” “The holiday program is all about music that creates a feel-good moment, a special childhood memory with family or the excitement of what’s to come during the season,” said Joy Partridge, the Scottsdale Philharmonic’s president and violist. “Sharing the spirit of the season through music creates a fond memory for all of us at the Scottsdale Philharmonic.” Meanwhile, North Valley Symphony Orchestra will present its holiday program—Winter Wonderland—7 p.m. Dec. 15 at North Canyon High School in Phoenix. Liberty Elementary School’s chorus will join the musicians during the program for a performance of composer Sergey Prokofiev’s “Winter Bonfire.”
38
i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m d e c e m b e r 2 018
“Whenever we involve other organizations in our concerts, it helps us build community—an important aspect of the art,” said Kevin Kozacek, music director for North Valley Symphony Orchestra. “[Working] on holiday music for a concert helps me enjoy the spirit of the season. This concert is all about the cold, wintry aspect of the holidays—which, living in Phoenix, sometimes we miss.” The Salt River Brass will also do its part to get the Valley in the Christmas spirit with its Holiday Pops concert 3 p.m. Dec. 9 at Mesa Arts Center. The performance will showcase a mix of traditional and jazz arrangements of festive favorites such as “The Nutcracker Suite,” “White Christmas” and even a Motown-style version of “Jingle Bells.” “The Salt River Brass' annual holiday concert always gets me in the cheerful spirit,” said Ross Kerley, the band’s secretary and tuba player. “I feel that it's not really the holiday season until I perform with Salt River Brass. Everyone in the Salt River Brass loves our fantastically enthusiastic audience that comes from near and far, and this concert feels like we're giving back to them.” The Phoenix Symphony has its fair share of holiday programs as well, including a Nov. 30–Dec. 2 Holiday Pops concert and a Dec. 7–9 Cirque Holiday Spectacular collaboration with Troupe Vertigo that pairs classic Christmas music with circus-type acts on the stage—and 40 feet above it. The Phoenix Symphony will also bring performances of George Frideric Handel’s “Messiah” to five different venues across the Valley Dec. 12–16.
Hark Now, Hear the Angels Sing
The Valley’s choral organizations also have Christmas covered. ProMusica Arizona will present its annual holiday show—a collaboration of both its chorale and its orchestra—Dec. 7–9 at American Lutheran Church and Cross of Christ Lutheran Church in Anthem. Jan Sandoz, a member of the chorale and a board chair, said her favorite part of this year’s performance is a new satirical arrangement of “The 12 Days of Christmas.” “As a singer, I love performing all the familiar sacred and secular tunes of Christmas,” Sandoz said. “But they can become rather stale without changing them up a bit. With these new arrangements, I find that it simply adds a little sparkle to my traditional favorites.” Audiences have several other choral concerts from which to choose throughout December, including a number of performances by the Sonoran Desert Chorale, the Orpheus Male Chorus of Phoenix and the Phoenix Chorale at various locations throughout the Valley.
december 2018
imagesar iz ona .c om
39
The Nutcracker (Courtesy of Kellan Meko - Ballet Etudes)
Visions of Sugar-Plums Danced in Their Heads
Of course, no Christmas would be complete without a performance of “The Nutcracker.” A big-screen adaptation of the holiday classic set to composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s enduring score is playing in movie theaters thanks to Walt Disney Pictures, but the story comes to life on stage courtesy of Ballet Etudes through Dec. 16 at Chandler Center for the Arts and Mesa Arts Center. Ballet Etudes is tied with Ballet Arizona for the longest-running production of “The Nutcracker” in the Valley. Resident choreographer and marketing manager Kellan Meko, whose parents founded Ballet Etudes in 1986, said the production—which traditionally has its first performance on the day after Thanksgiving of each year—holds a particularly special meaning to her. “On Thanksgiving, the smell of the cooking turkey swirled in the air with the smell of the hot glue gun as last-minute alternations were made to props and headpieces,” Meko explained. “As the creative and logistical forces behind ‘The Nutcracker,’ my parents were at every performance, whether working backstage or performing onstage in character roles, so this production is my holiday season and has wonderful memories tied to it.” Ballet Arizona and Phoenix Ballet are also presenting their own productions of “The Nutcracker” throughout December. Meanwhile, Center Dance Ensemble is performing Frances Ford Cohen’s “Snow Queen” at Herberger Theater Center through Dec. 16 and the Christian Dance Company will present the 31st anniversary of its holiday show “The Spirit of Christmas” Dec. 8–16 at Chandler Center for the Arts.
40
i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m d e c e m b e r 2 018
december 2018
imagesar iz ona .c om
41
Writer Amanda Christmann Photography Courtesy of Royal Palms Resort
T
The year was 1926. World War I had ended eight years prior, and the Roaring 20s were in full swing. While Phoenix’s once-booming cotton industry had all but dried up following the war, a new era of growth had begun in the Valley of the Sun—one writer Scott Fitzgerald referred to as the “greatest, gaudiest spree in history.” It was a booming time to be in Phoenix, and everyone who was anyone wanted a piece of the dream. Among them was a 62-year-old New York industrialist and financier named Delos Willard Cooke. A nephew of finance mogul JP Morgan, he’d made his fortunes in the railroad and steamship industries, and had decided it was time to enjoy life for a change. Cooke’s motivation was his love for his wife, Florence, who was in ill health at the time. New York winters had been particularly cold in recent years, and common thought was that the warm, desert air would be therapeutic for her. Cooke resigned from his job, writing that he was ready to “devote most of my time to the welfare and happiness of my wife from now on. She has first claim on me.”
42
i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m d e c e m b e r 2 018
Cooke likely heard about Phoenix, in part,
completed in 1929. In a sad twist of irony,
because the Southern Pacific Railroad was
it was not Florence Cooke who succumbed
making big news as it expanded through
to her illness, but Delos who died suddenly
the city. Prior to its 1926 groundbreaking
two years later at the age of 66.
at Union Station downtown, Phoenix was relatively isolated from the rest of the country.
For six years, Florence worked to maintain
With the railroad came industry and culture—
the estate, then made the heartbreaking
and an unprecedented boom in population.
decision to sell it to WE Travis, who was then the president of Greyhound Bus Lines.
A few miles outside of the city hustle, the highest peak in the area called to Cooke. The
The Travis family owned and loved the home
rugged sandstone and granite escarpments
for the next five years. They added a second
of Camelback Mountain, and the teeming
story to the mansion’s west wing that included
desert wildlife, appealed to a part of him that
a chapel and office space for a priest, who
he hadn’t satisfied back east. With a stroke
lived on-site and pastored nearby residents.
of a pen, he purchased 65 acres and began to build El Vernadero, their 3,500-square-
It was another tragedy—the death of Travis’s
foot Spanish revival winter haven.
wife—that led to a third and fourth changing of hands, first to Aviola Radio Company
The home was designed to echo the ambiance
president John Ross, then to Biggest Little Big
of some of the couple’s favorite moments
Band in America leader Al Stovall.
in Europe. Seven decades later, many of its Granada-tiled roofs, arched windows
Stovall saw a different future for the home.
and Juliet doors remain as comforting and
It was the mid-1940s. World War II had
stylistic as the day the Cookes imagined
ended, and the American Dream had taken
them. White stucco walls gleamed cleanly
on a new aspect: travel. He built 15 casitas
in the Arizona sun, and sound construction
west of the original home and converted
and elevated ceilings kept the house relatively
rooms in the main house to suit guests.
cool on the hottest of days.
FUN FACTS
ABOUT ROYAL PALMS The first hotel guests paid $35/night. There are 193 palm trees and 14 varieties on the property.
In 1948, the first visitors checked in to the hacienda
newly dubbed Royal Palms Inn. Through
styles also influenced the home’s design.
the years, it would become a resting point
Hand-selected tiles, imported from Spain,
for the likes of Frank Sinatra, Groucho
were chosen to personalize the portico
Marx and other big stars.
Mediterranean
and
Mexican
surrounding a large outdoor courtyard. This was where the Cookes would entertain
Today, 70 years after the first bricks were laid,
their neighbors and guests—the Biltmores,
the grounds of the Royal Palms have undergone
the Wrigleys, the Wrights and more names
significant transformation, but they still reflect
on the list comprised of the “who’s who” of
the comfortable grandeur of the 1920s. One of
the Phoenix and American elite at the time.
the most highly regarded resorts in the Phoenix area, it has served as a temporary stay for
Towering palm trees, all the rage in the
the Hollywood elite and for Presidents of the
Valley, were planted along the home’s
United States and their families.
grand driveway to welcome them. Those
Two palm trees grow inside T. Cook’s dining room.
palms
would
eventually
become
the
property’s namesake.
The on-site restaurant, T. Cook’s, is still a low-key hot spot for recognizable names, partly for the great food and drink menu,
There was no shortage of love put into
and partly because it offers a sense of
the home, but the Cookes' enjoyment of
anonymity not found in other places.
it would be short-lived. El Vernadero was
december 2018
imagesar iz ona .c om
43
Peaceful rooms decorated in aqua blue and umber wind through a maze of walkways. Many have private patios, and offer a cozy respite for those who choose to simply enjoy the beauty. A rich-looking library with a tiger oak fireplace that once decorated the Chicago office of famed area developer Fred Unger invites visitors to relax for a while, and large, versatile conference rooms have formed the backdrop for everything from lively wedding receptions to corporate meetings. Outside, daybeds and cabanas filled with lounging visitors surround a pool that conjures images from “The Great Gatsby.” The Alegria Garden, set for one of two weddings to take place on the day we visited, is a short distance away. Its striking arrays of aromatic flowers are stunning. The Vernadero Lawn, where a 1920s-themed 70th anniversary party was held earlier this year, shows the resort’s relatively new focus on attracting visitors of all ages. Cornhole, Jenga, and an outdoor fireplace where s’mores are served regularly are all part of its permanent fixtures, although guests have hosted many types of events in the largely private space. The Alvadora Spa and 24-hour fitness center offer enough services and amenities that guests never need leave the property. What began as one couple’s dream has transformed into a much-loved piece of Phoenix history. For 70 years, the Royal Palms Resort has been transformed by dreamers and doers into a place where time stands still, and where the breathtaking beauty of Camelback Mountain can be enjoyed to its fullest.
royalpalmshotel.com
44
i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m d e c e m b e r 2 018
FUN FACTS
ABOUT ROYAL PALMS “Sunstroke,” a 1991 film, was shot at Royal Palms. The imported Spanish tile mural “Lady of Spain,” located in front of T. Cook’s, is one of only two in the world. There are 73 fireplaces and 24 fountains on the property. The original mahogany front doors still greet guests. There are 24 tiles located in the archways around the courtyard, each representing a province in Spain where the Cookes vacationed. The spelling of T. Cook’s was originally likely a mistake; it was later explained as part of Delos Cooke’s admiration for explorer Captain James Cook.
OUTDOOR LIVING AT ITS FINEST
HIGH END, LOW-VOLTAGE, OUTDOOR LIGHTING
FREE BBQ LIGHT WITH ANY INSTALL OVER $2000!
LIGHTING, IRRIGATION, LANDSCAPE
www.lettherebelightllc.com (480)575-3204 info@lettherebelightllc.com Licensed | Bonded | Insured december 2018
imagesar iz ona .c om
45
Writer Fadi Sitto Photography Courtesy of Town of Carefree
I
It’s 80 degrees, palm trees are swaying in the wind and Santa sometimes wears a cowboy hat on weekends. It must be time for Christmas in Carefree. No snow or reindeer, but Carefree’s distinct identity makes up for it with plenty of decorated twinkling lights, family-friendly attractions and holiday spirit. Just take that scenic drive north from Phoenix or Scottsdale to a classic Arizona setting, and you’ll be transported to a vibrant desert wonderland. Centered around the prominent Carefree Sundial, this annual extravaganza invites you to explore the sights and sounds of this charming desert oasis town. Carefree Desert Gardens will be all dressed up as you stroll and enjoy the crisp holiday nights amongst the lighted Sonoran flora. The picturesque laidback community of Carefree is nestled in the Sonoran Desert Foothills and is regarded as one of the most visually inspiring places in Arizona. Carefree thrives with culture and showcases its elegant desert lifestyle through top-notch architecture, world-class culinary arts and true civic involvement. The neighborly care of this quintessential Arizona town are proudly on display during the Christmas in Carefree event.
46
i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m d e c e m b e r 2 018
december 2018
imagesar iz ona .c om
47
“
Be a kid again! The full weekend of holiday-themed activities kicks off December 7.
You’re sure to have a smile from ear to ear as you look up and see the giant 25-foot-tall Christmas tree. The official tree lighting ceremony is Nov. 30 at 5 p.m., and will be officiated by Mayor Les Peterson. Santa also arrives on this day. Following the tree lighting, head over to the pavilion for a screening of the beloved holiday classic, The Polar Express. Complimentary hot cocoa and snacks will be handed out and each family will receive a beautifully engraved Christmas bell as a special holiday keepsake. “I’m a film person,” says Beth Renfro, director of marketing and communications for the Town of Carefree. She’s passionate about this new attraction and plans to show holiday films as an annual tradition accompanying the tree lighting ceremony. An important part of this year’s festivities is the Chanukah menorah lighting ceremony. Beginning Dec. 2, congregants from Temple Chai and members of the Jewish Social Group of Cave Creek and Carefree will host the lighting. Local families will be invited to light the menorah each evening, with a special ceremony Dec. 9 that will include the Temple Chai Cantor and Choir. The services are open to attendees of all denominations and faiths. Be a kid again! The full weekend of holiday-themed activities kicks off Dec. 7. Enjoy breakfast with Santa, an openair holiday market, live music and even Santa’s workshop—not to mention the holiday pet parade, and of course the always-competitive Christmas cookie contest.
Christmas in Carefree peaks with the new-look community holiday parade and the always spectacular Saturday evening fireworks show. This year’s parade promises to be something special. The route winds around the gardens and will include Miss Arizona, marching bands and, of course, Santa. As a new attraction this year, classic car owners from Carefree and surrounding neighborhoods are invited to showcase their prized possessions in the parade. “There’s going to be a reimagining of the parade,” Beth explains. Christmas in Carefree has been a staple on the Arizona event calendar for the past decade, but this year’s event will offer attendees something new. Beth has a vision of making this holiday event a unique community experience by bringing it back to its roots. She is focused on making it more community centered and showcasing the Carefree local footprint. The town’s ultimate vision is to curate an annual tradition for the residents of Carefree, matching the vibe of this town and keeping it Carefree. The value of this wonderful community event fosters and enhances this essential Arizona town. Having Christmas in Carefree right in our own backyard is sure to get you in the holiday spirit.
EXPERIENCE Christmas in Carefree Dec. 7–Dec. 9 | 10 a.m.–8 p.m. | 8 Sundial Cir., Carefree | Admission to the gardens is free | 480-488-3686 | carefree.org
48
i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m d e c e m b e r 2 018
ADDITIONAL WAY TO GIVE
TOGETHER WE CAN CHANGE LIVES IN THE DESERT FOOTHILLS COMMUNITY
“One of my biggest surprises in working with the Y, was to learn that 100% of the donations that we make stays right here in our community. These gifts are used to make an impact for our kids, seniors, veterans, cancer patients, and others in need.” - Dan Cox, Desert Foothills Family YMCA Advisory Board Member
DONATE TODAY at valleyYMCA.org/donatedffy DESERT FOOTHILLS FAMILY YMCA
Make a real difference in the lives of deserving people in our community. Donate up to $800 at no extra cost to you to the Valley YMCA CARES initiative.
valleyYMCAcares.com Valley of the Sun YMCA is not a tax advisor. Please contact a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific tax situation.
december 2018
imagesar iz ona .c om
49
Writer Amanda Christmann Photography by Scott Stulberg
O
Our beautiful land is known for its desert landscapes and radiant sunsets, but those of us who call Arizona home know that, when the sun settles in for its evening rest, the darkness holds some of the most truly magical moments.
50
After dark, shadows of mountains majesty frame beautiful spacious skies illuminated by dazzling distant stars and galaxies. In Sedona and much of northern Arizona, russet cliffs stand proudly beneath bespangled heavens. The stars spin a dizzying maze through the treetops of our ponderosa pine forests. Here in the Valley of the Sun, the moon often seems to expand into infinity. i m a gtakes e s a r i zcenter o n a . c ostage m d ein c eamsky b e rthat 2 018
Sedona photographer Scott Stulberg has brilliantly turned stargazing into an art. He has managed to capture some of the most enchanting secrets of the night. We hope you enjoy his work as much as we do! asa100.com asa100.com/workshops Find Scott’s breathtaking book, "Passage to Burma," on his website.
A MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT “Years ago, I took a trip up to the Grand Canyon around sunset with my wife and one of my students. After the sun went down, they both wanted to leave and come back to Sedona but it was during August, and I was just hoping and praying that we might see some lighting bolts. “I decided to wait in the dark and keep my fingers crossed and my prayers were answered within about an hour. The first bolt hit right in front of my eyes directly over the Grand Canyon, and I yelled to them, ‘Let's go! Get our cameras and tripods! This is it!’ “I will never forget that moment for the rest of my life. For the next two hours, all I could do was scream while I was shooting some of the most spectacular lightning of my life. It was absolutely one of the most remarkable times I've ever had as a photographer. “My favorite image from that night ended up in the front pages of National Geographic, in the Visions of Earth section, as a double-page spread. Turned out to be one of those times where your intuition as a photographer really paid off.” ~Scott Stulberg
Sedona After Dark
Milky Way over Courthouse Rock Sedona
It's a big beautiful world out there with so much to photograph. Everyone should grab a map and somehow, some way, get to some of those amazing places that you've always dreamed about—but don't forget your camera! Scott Stulberg
december 2018
imagesar iz ona .c om
51
Grand Canyon
52
i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m d e c e m b e r 2 018
Red Rocks Sedona Moonlight
ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPHER Scott Stulberg was born and raised in Los Angeles beneath the lights of Hollywood. His father, Gordon Stulberg, who was president of 20th Century Fox during Scott’s high school years, gave him his first camera—a plastic one that took roll film—when he was 10 years old. “That was the beginning of an amazing odyssey and I completely fell in love with capturing everything I could,” says Scott. “When I turned 13 years old, my parents built an amazing darkroom for me in the basement, and that was absolutely life-changing for me. I spent night after night under the safe lights and really understanding what photography was about. I really feel it was that darkroom that completely made me fall in love with photography.” Today, he not only captures incredible moments and sights; he teaches workshops worldwide to help others find and express the beauty in the light, and in the dark.
december 2018
imagesar iz ona .c om
53
Photographic possibilities become endless when imagination and knowledge collide after dark. Movement, color and light combine to give results that are often unseen with the naked eye. That is what is so incredibly addicting about shooting after dark. The results from long exposures capture things that can just blow you away. It's really a whole other world out there shooting after the sun goes down! Scott Stulberg
Milky Way over Cathedral Rock
ABOUT PHOTOGRAPHING THE NIGHT SKY Scott Stulberg has become an expert at catching the stars, the moon, lightning and other wonders in digital images, and it’s not a simple feat. Anyone who has attempted to capture night sky beauty knows that it is incredibly difficult to translate the remarkable sights into a two-dimensional photo. Those who are able to do it well are rewarded. “There is something definitely unique and eye-catching about a good image that was shot after dark. Whether it includes the Milky Way, star trails or car trails, incredible architecture from a beautiful European city or so many other things, somehow the viewer gets drawn into your images and realizes this is totally different from daytime photography,” Stulberg explains. Adds Scott, “I guess the most difficult part of photographing after dark is that you're dealing with no light, and you have to understand your camera gear inside out. You do have a headlamp on for some of the time, but you can't have that on too much because you'll ruin your shots and everyone else’s shots around you. “You also have to be pretty well-versed in what settings you need to capture longer exposures, or even if you want to do multiple exposures to do things like stacking images, exposure blending or shooting for even an hour or so to capture star trails. Even though all of this can be difficult at the beginning, after a while it becomes just second nature. Sometimes— actually a lot of the time—it's a lot more fun and even a lot more rewarding.”
54
i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m d e c e m b e r 2 018
Twilight Zone Milky Way
After dark images have so much ‘stopping power’—images that make you stop and engage with the photo, wondering what is going on and why this particular image makes you feel the way you do. Scott Stulberg
december 2018
imagesar iz ona .c om
55
STULBERG ON PHOTOGRAPHY “Do your best to never stop learning. Reading everything you can, taking classes, searching on Google, and just being tenacious about studying photographs and techniques from other photographers.
Star Trails over the Chapel Sedona
Milky Way above Sedona
56
i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m d e c e m b e r 2 018
“Try to decipher not only how somebody shot something, but what was in their mind at the time. … So many photographers shoot the same exact way, every time they shoot. They don't think about different perspectives, trying to capture the scene a different way and hardly ever think outside the box. “What gets you noticed is what made Steve Jobs an absolute genius. His motto was ‘Think Different.’ I have always had that in my mind when I pushed myself more with photography throughout the years. You have to push yourself all the time or you will never get where you want to be.”
december 2018
imagesar iz ona .c om
57
A
Among stunning displays of teal malachite and a sparkling spectrum of purple amethyst, a sense of tranquility seems to float in the air at Rare Earth Gallery in the heart of Cave Creek. Inside the doors is art of a scope not available anywhere else, and the medium is Mother Earth herself. In some ways, that peaceful feeling is by design: the contemporary new 9,000-square-foot gallery with both indoor and outdoor displays is carefully curated to create a natural and artful feast for the eyes. It’s the depth and breath of the brightly colored natural stones, hand-blown glass art, over 150 displays of jewelry and striking landscape décor that initially takes one’s breath away. Though they vary from the very large to the very small, some of the most impression-forming pieces are chunks of giant boulders, sectioned, polished and often illuminated to highlight shining inner facets. One can’t help but feel humbled and closer to the earth when surrounded by gems from within its depths. In other ways, the repose is serendipitous—a surprising development just as delightful for visitors as it is for owners, Wayne Helfand and Chad Brandfass. Over 40 years ago, Helfand began to develop his enthusiasm for earth art. He envisioned the creation of the largest natural art gallery in the U.S., making rare and unusual gems and minerals available to everyone, from new rock hounds to the most discerning of designers.
58
i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m d e c e m b e r 2 018
Writer Amanda Christmann Photography by Bryan Black and Bill Waters december 2018
imagesar iz ona .c om
59
Brandfass came from an entirely different background. He had a passion for the culinary arts. He graduated college with both culinary and marketing degrees, which laid a strong foundation for this exciting direction. When Brandfass and Helfand met, they soon recognized that their combined talents were more than a good fit; they were synergistic. “It was a brotherhood,” said Helfand with a smile. “It still is today.” With nothing more than a dream and a few dollars in their pockets, they set out to find and create something so unique that people would come from far and wide to see what they were doing. “We wanted something that was not just a rock shop, and not just a home décor store; we wanted to create a gallery filled with art of the earth,” Helfand said. They created more than that. Together, they built a destination. Visitors come from all over the world, often spending hours appreciating the complexities and beauty found in each piece. It’s a passion felt by Rare Earth Gallery’s owners, and shared by those who walk the expansive floor of the gallery. “I started mining opals in Australia at 19 years old,” said Helfand. “It fascinated me—the mesmerizing things that
60
i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m d e c e m b e r 2 018
came out of Mother Earth. I’m still mesmerized on a daily basis, and I get to share that with people who come in our doors every day.” “For me, this is a wonderful creative outlet,” Brandfass added. “I design and create concepts for many of the art pieces you see here. Instead of creating culinary flavors, I have the opportunity to create a visual taste, which generates a wonderful connection with our customers.” He added, “Art is such a personal thing, it is very rewarding to bring such joy to people.” From showroom design to concepts in art glass, Brandfass takes great pride in his work. Helfand, too, finds satisfaction in seeing decorative minerals and other finds go from the mine to the showroom floor. For both, it takes a great deal of imagination, know-how and finesse.
december 2018
imagesar iz ona .c om
61
“It’s a amazing platform to work with,” said Brandfass. “It takes vision and a well-honed eye to turn raw material into a work of art. We take great pride in bringing this art of the earth to a full-blown, finished creation. They find the most satisfaction in seeing others connect deeply and on an integral level with what they are doing. “So many times, people come in here and are moved to tears,” said Helfand. “We make art of the earth available like never before, for everyone. Not everyone is going to go to South America or Asia, or to the bottom of the sea or inside a volcano so that they can see these things in their natural settings. That’s what we have here. Being able to see it, feel it—and even own it if they’d like—can be a very moving experience.” Rare Earth Gallery is unique in that, from coarse boulders to cut and highly polished minerals, they offer a tremendous selection of indoor and outdoor home décor. There is something for everyone and at every price point, from new rock hounds to the most discerning of home decorators. Every year, Helfand and Brandfass travel to dozens of exhibitions and distant locales around the world to procure the best of the best in minerals and gems. In their mind’s eye, they not only look for natural beauty, but they see everything from jewelry to tables in the azurite, turquoise, malachite, onyx, petrified wood and other stones and minerals they find. They have the unique ability to see a stone or a boulder in the raw and recognize its creative potential. “We are always on the lookout for artistic beauty in the things we find,” said Brandfass. “It’s about having an eclectic eye,” Helfand added. “It’s about having the wherewithal and experience to recognize a work of art when it’s in front of us.” It’s a talent, and a gift for those who appreciate and enjoy the love of their labor.
62
i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m d e c e m b e r 2 018
december 2018
imagesar iz ona .c om
63
64
i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m d e c e m b e r 2 018
Inside the gallery, creamy swirls of onyx, lit from inside, glow with warmth. A tabletop created from rose quartz creates a gentle calm. Brandfass and Helfand often collaborate with local metal artists to create displays that highlight the facets and intricacies of the natural art. Inlaid, backlit gemscapes combine fine metal work with brilliant stones to create an almost three-dimensional element to wall art, and Chihulyinspired blown glass chandeliers fill spaces with a modern, completely unique style. From stone to glass bowls and vases made from colorful natural materials and an impressive selection of fountains, statues, tables, chairs and other one-of-a-kind works are a feast for the eyes inside Rare Earth Gallery. A significant section of the gallery—50 cases in all—is dedicated to an unparalleled selection of jewelry in every color and design imaginable. As beautiful as the necklaces, bracelets, earrings and rings are, their cost is often significantly less than one might expect. Together, this pair is doing more than just selling stones and rocks; they’re bringing people closer to the earth in a profound way. They’re finding ways to manifest beauty—and joy—in their own lives, and in the lives of the thousands of people who have come through their doors. And that’s rock solid. rareearthgallerycc.com
december 2018
imagesar iz ona .c om
65
S
Steve Koyle walks among giants. Wearing utility shorts, a well-worn t-shirt, a baseball cap and Bedrock sandals, Koyle looks at home in the Cambodian bush, despite the steady downpour of rain that’s soaked him to his skin. In front of him, a 55-year-old, 3.2-ton elephant named Sambo is standing, resting her enormous foot upon a stool. As he files away at rough spots and nail edges, Sambo is remarkably relaxed. She, like hundreds of other elephants in six countries who have endured cruelty in captivity, trusts Koyle completely. Armed with a tiny budget and a small supply of tools, Koyle has spent the better of the last three decades caring for animals, and the last 16 years focused on elephants. Once a zookeeper at the Phoenix Zoo, his passion for pachyderms has led him to temples and villages throughout Southeast Asia in an unflagging effort to eliminate inhumane religious and other captivity practices. Sambo’s story is heartbreaking, but not unique. She was caught in the wild of the Aural Mountains before Cambodia’s Khmer Rouge plunged the country into civil war. At the time, she was one of five elephants caught and trained to give children rides. Pol Pot’s regime murdered the other four, and left Sambo with deep cuts on her legs. She still bears scars that are difficult to look at. After the civil war, in the early 1980s, she was brought to Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s capitol, where she became a permanent feature, giving rides to tourists and even gaining infamy as one of the most famous elephants in Cambodia. In 2012, after more than 30 years working in the city, she was retired. Thanks to Elephant Livelihood Initiative Environment (ELIE) and with help from Abraham Foundation, USAID, and over 80 private
66
i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m d e c e m b e r 2 018
Writer Amanda Christmann Photography by Bryan Black and Courtesy of Elephant Care Unchained december 2018
imagesar iz ona .c om
67
donors, funds were raised to bring her to ELIE’s acclaimed elephant sanctuary called The Elephant Valley Project (EVP). At the sanctuary, she has developed an especially close friendship with another elephant named Ruby, and together they now roam the Cambodian refuge’s protected area of forest for the first time in their adult lives. Like other elephants at EVP, Sambo now has a healthy diet and the ability to roam as she pleases, but years of abuse and neglect led to problems with the most susceptible part of an elephant: her feet.
Enter Steve Koyle and his non-profit, Elephant Care Unchained. With his beard growing long from his month in the country, Koyle leans over Sambo’s foot, keenly aware that one misstep could crush him. Years of experience have given him confidence, however, and Sambo is a well-trained girl.
MAHOUT:
A person who works with, rides and tends to elephants.
68
i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m d e c e m b e r 2 018
He uses a hoof knife to shave one of Sambo’s large toenails to remove cracked areas and dead tissue. “Elephants walk on their toes,” he explains. “Over time in captivity, they’re walking on hard, unyielding surfaces, which leads to their feet breaking down. It’s the worst thing for an elephant to be on hard surfaces for an extended period.” In the wild, elephants travel many miles each day, foraging for food and following normal migratory patterns. Grass, natural soils and varied vegetation condition their feet, cuticles and nails. In captivity, they are chained in place— often permanently—or allowed to walk only on concrete or hard-packed dirt.
The result is that the pads of their feet and their nails become overgrown. They become cracked and abscessed, and elephants in captivity are often incapacitated or worse by infections and pain. By teaching local mahouts how to care for the elephants’ feet, and instill the idea of positive reinforcement and humane treatment that go along with that care, Koyle is making a difference one elephant at a time.
CARTWRIGHT’S MODERN CUISINE
IS IS MORE MORE THAN THAN A A RESTAURANT; RESTAURANT; IT’S IT’S A A TRUE TRUE ARIZONA ARIZONA DINING DINING EXPERIENCE EXPERIENCE
“From as early as I can remember I’ve always had a love for animals,” says Koyle, who earned his zoology degree from Michigan State University in 1999. In March 2002, he accepted a job at Phoenix Zoo, where he was charged with care of the zoo’s trio of elephants. For 14 years, he dedicated his life to that work, attending workshops and trainings all over the world to learn to best provide them with the environment and treatments they needed. Along the way, he became an expert in elephant care, and began teaching others how to properly care for elephants. “In March 2013, I borrowed money from my retirement fund and took my first trip to India,” he says. “I spent 30 days there helping a non-profit organization in northern India. That experience really opened my eyes to the brutal treatment that captive-held Asian elephants endure daily.” One of the biggest challenges Koyle faced was that, despite their “holy” status in temples of Southeast Asia, elephants have been mistreated, chained in place and communicated with through hitting or yelling. Koyle began showing caretakers the
Award-winning menus, focused on prime beef, wild seafood, game, boutique farms, and unique regional ingredients
• STEAK
• SEAFOOD
• SUSHI
HAPPY HOUR DAILY: 4PM to 6PM 6710 E. Cave Creek Rd., Cave Creek, AZ 85331
480.488.8031 CartwrightsModernCuisine.com december 2018
imagesar iz ona .c om
69
alternative approach he’d been using in Phoenix, using positive reinforcement and healthy treats. “Almost immediately, they relaxed,” Koyle says. “It was such an incredible feeling to see the elephants light up when they were treated with consideration. Elephants are incredibly intelligent and capable of sentience and emotion. They had never been regarded or treated with respect, and the majority of them responded tremendously to positive treatment.” He quickly realized that, by teaching foot care, not only would he benefit Asian elephants by addressing one of their most painful and problematic issues, but he could also begin to change the relationships that mahouts have with their elephants. In July 2016, he formed Elephant Care Unchained, and has made consulting with elephant people and working with elephants his full-time job. For much of the year, he travels to sanctuaries, zoos and other locales to teach mahouts to detect abscesses, trim elephant nails, clean elephant foot pads, diagnose illnesses and prescribe treatment. In many places, his ideas have been welcomed; in others, he’s gotten into dangerous situations. In Hindu temples, elephants are chained alone in tiny stalls so that they can be visited by hundreds of visitors who hope to be blessed by the animals. The elephants are often malnourished, and foot care is non-existent. In addition, elephants are social creatures, and in the wild, they develop close relationships with others in their herd. In captivity, babies are stripped from their mothers, and they are denied companionship by their own kind. Often the chained elephants develop psychological coping behaviors, such as swaying back and forth or other forms of self-stimulation—much as humans have been documented to do if subjected to isolation or torture. The problem is that the elephants earn money for their mahouts, whether they’re in a temple or, like Sambo, are used to make tourists happy. “When you see how mahouts live and struggle to feed themselves, it is understandable why they treat elephants the way they do. This doesn’t justify the suffering, but you can understand why so many elephants live in poor conditions.
70
i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m d e c e m b e r 2 018
“
The hardest thing in life is knowing that you can help, but not being able to. Steve Koyle, Elephant Care Unchained
Elephants are treated like just another commodity,” Koyle explains. Often the work is heartbreaking. “Most everyone is aware that African elephants are poached for their ivory at an alarming rate—an extinction rate. But what I find even sadder is that not many people are aware of what’s happening to the Asian elephant. One-third of all Asian elephants are captive, and the majority are being enslaved and brutalized.” With a limited budget and a staff of one, he knows this will be an uphill battle, but he’s already working partnerships and planning his next move to do what he can. “The hardest thing in life is knowing that you can help, but not being able to. I'm really tired of going to places and feeling helpless,” he says with emotion. “I visited a place a few days ago. I thought they only had two elephants, but as I strolled around the screams and roars of pain lead
me to discover more elephants going through the same abusive breaking process for entertainment. “It’s times like these that make me question what I'm doing.” Koyle doesn’t charge for his consultant work. He works with local organizations that are already dedicated to helping the elephants, sharing his knowledge and training methods, and he relies solely on donations. He keeps his own expenses to a minimum to stretch their impact as far as he can. As frustrated as he becomes, he never gives up hope. “First, I believe change is possible. It is my mission to improve elephant care globally. The more education and information that is available to people, the greater chances for improved elephant wellness. We must all strive to accelerate this cultural shift toward improving elephant lives. This means we also have to help improve the lives of those who care for them. “Elephant Care Unchained is dedicated to saving the world’s elephants. We have accomplished so much already in just a short period of time in six countries, and will continue to do so.” Finished trimming Sambo’s feet, Koyle watches as the beautiful old elephant saunters into the bush. She sees her friend Ruby and picks up her pace. As the two walk away together, Koyle smiles. These little victories keep him going. For Sambo and so many other elephants like her, these are the only victory worth fighting for. elephantcareunchained.com
december 2018
imagesar iz ona .c om
71
Writer Joseph J. Airdo Photography Courtesy of McDowell Mountain Music Festival
P
Preparations are currently underway for a festival that will bring an eclectic mix of live music performances to the Valley while promoting arts and culture—and doing a great deal of good for a few deserving nonprofit organizations. Set for March 1–3, the McDowell Mountain Music Festival—or M3F for those hip enough to know the lingo—will once again take over Hance Park, 67 W. Culver St. in Phoenix. The festival is a unique blend of live art, food, crafts and of course music concerts. Festival director Heather Rogers believes the event’s overarching draw for attendees is the well-rounded arts-based experience that it offers.
72
i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m d e c e m b e r 2 018
“It’s the on-site ability to walk through the gates and get lost for a little bit,” said Rogers, noting the McDowell Mountain Music Festival offers people an opportunity to get out of their homes and out of their normal routines to do something social and fun. “It's not only the music; it's the food, it’s the people, it’s the art, it’s the crafts and it’s the interaction.” The festival has come a long way since its humble beginnings in 2004 at WestWorld of Scottsdale. This year’s event will feature three stages on which about 35 bands will perform, including headliners ODESZA and Empire of the Sun. Previous headliners include Flume, Beck, Kid Cudi, Chromeo, Father John Misty, Grouplove, The Avett Brothers, The Revivalists, DJ Mustard, The Roots, The Shins and Slightly Stoopid. Organizers try to present an eclectic mix of music each year to excite attendees. “We have a wish list that we add to constantly,” Rogers explained. “Everyone is always sending in suggestions and ideas. We try to bring a little bit of everything that people may not hear on a daily basis or really even get a chance to hear here in Phoenix.” ODESZA is a prime example of something that is out of the Valley’s ordinary list of performances. Harrison Mills and Clayton Knight’s electronic music has been thrilling audiences since the duo’s debut in 2012. After a seat atop Billboard's dance/electronic charts, a gold single and a Grammy nomination, the indie band now sells out large arenas without the benefit of mainstream press or radio airplay. ODESZA has instead found success through wordof-mouth and social media raves about its explosively entertaining performances that feature an 11-piece ensemble, including a horn section and a marchingband drumline. Rogers believes that it is that quality that makes the act perfect for the McDowell Mountain Music Festival.
december 2018
imagesar iz ona .c om
73
“If you do any checking on YouTube or have seen ODESZA at another festival, you know that their whole production and everything will bring a lot to the festival,” Rogers said. “It will really give people that ticket value of the show.” Similarly, Empire of the Sun is another electronic music duo that is sure to satisfy attendees—especially since the band does not make it to the Valley very often due to their busy touring schedule. The act has performed in more than 100 cities in just the last two years alone. Empire of the Sun collaborators Luke Steele and Nick Littlemore have seen plenty of success, with their albums selling more than three million copies and their singles scoring multi-platinum selling status. Their single “Walking on a Dream” was recently the most Shazamed song in the U.S. Empire of the Sun has racked up more than 650 million Spotify streams and more than 300 million YouTube plays. In addition to the headliners, the McDowell Mountain Music Festival will feature a long list of other performances from national, regional and local acts. Rogers is especially fond of the local acts that help round out the festival’s diverse lineup. Valley local acts benefit from the event’s exposure through poster and T-shirt sales, helping them expand their audience base and to possibly even reach new heights with their careers. That support of the arts is one of the event’s primary goals.
EXPERIENCE THE MUSIC McDowell Mountain Music Festival i mMarch a g e s a r i z1–Sunday, o n a . c o m dMarch e c e m b e3r| 2 018 Park | 67 W. Culver St., Phoenix | $125/3-Day General Admission | 602-343-0453 | m3ffest.com Hance 74Friday,
The McDowell Mountain Music Festival aspires to provide financial support and education to familybased charities. One hundred percent of the proceeds from the festival benefit local non-profit organizations. Phoenix Children’s Hospital’s music therapy program is a highlighted recipient this year. “It’s a community give-back,” said Rogers, noting the 2018 event raised $65,000—a total that she hopes to at least meet if not exceed in 2019. Smiles for Special Needs and Habitat for Humanity of Northern Arizona will also benefit this year. The McDowell Mountain Music Festival has raised more than $1 million since its first event, and the tally continues to grow as it evolves. Food trucks and other vendors will be on site, as will a drum circle conducted by AZ Rhythm Connection. Children can enjoy a few arts and crafts in an area designed to promote music, art and culture at a young age. Finally, live art demonstrations will take place at various locations around the park. “I like how [the McDowell Mountain Music Festival] has developed,” Rogers said. “In the beginning, we had maybe one person that came and did a little live art while the musicians were playing. Now it’s a lot more. The music inspires you and enhances the art. And while watching the artists’ [demonstrations], you listen to the music in a different way.” m3ffest.com
december 2018
imagesar iz ona .c om
75
Writer Shoshana Leon Photography Courtesy of Timothy Fox
76
i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m d e c e m b e r 2 018
K
Kovo means “to carve” in Greek. It is a fitting name for a new restaurant in Paradise Valley featuring rotisserie meats and other Mediterranean favorites. Located in the Paradise Village Gateway shopping center on the northeast corner of Tatum and Shea, KOVO Modern Mediterranean highlights the traditional cuisines of the Mediterranean region with a contemporary flair and a diverse menu. KOVO is run by Yianni Ioannou who grew up helping in his family’s restaurant on the island of Cyprus in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. After moving to the United States, he operated several Greek restaurant chains in multiple states. “We are excited to bring to the Valley the simple, delicious flavors and bright spices of the Mediterranean,” said Ioannou. “This area of the globe is a melting pot of cultures and culinary influences. This diversity of cuisine is showcased at KOVO in a modern, approachable way. I’m very excited to serve some of my family’s recipes at KOVO.” The menu at KOVO offers a wide selection of cuisine from the Mediterranean region, highlighting rotisserie meats carved to order, Greek favorites and wood-fired items. House specialties include ground lamb burger, grilled lamb chops, wood-fired salmon, and a carved meat platter featuring lamb and beef gyro meat, chicken gyro meat and homemade Greek sausage. There are many items on KOVO’s menu that are ideal for sharing, including a variety of crispy wood-fired pizzas.
december 2018
imagesar iz ona .c om
77
Mediterranean and Greek favorites available as shared plates include hummus, tzatziki, grilled eggplant and halloumi cheese, grilled octopus and crazy feta with jalapeno and chipotle peppers. Other shareable items include cheese and meat boards, as well as sweet and savory bruschetta, from salami with pesto and olives to feta with berries and balsamic glaze. KOVO also offers an assortment of homemade sweet and savory Mediterranean pastries, including spanakopita, baklava, loukoumades and bougatsa, as well as Greek yogurt creations. KOVO has a full bar serving beer, wine and spirits. Signature cocktails include a cucumber mule, sangria with fresh fruit and a new old fashioned made with tequila. There are draft beer options from Arizona and Italy, as well as seasonal selections. The wine list includes red, white, rosé and sparkling wines from Greece, France, Spain and Italy, as well as California, Washington and Oregon. The nearly 4,000-square-foot restaurant features a modern design with an open and airy feel. The space seats more than 140 guests with an expansive outdoor patio and a wraparound indoor/outdoor bar. KOVO is open for lunch and dinner daily, and there are plans to introduce a weekend brunch. KOVO offers happy hour Monday through Friday from 3–6 p.m. with $2 off signature cocktails, shared plates and bruschetta, as well as $4 draft beer, house wine and well cocktails. On Mondays and Tuesdays after 8 p.m. guests can enjoy a bottle of select wine and pizza or bruschetta for $20. For those who enjoy shared plates, Mediterranean fare and carved meats, KOVO offers these and much more in an approachable and tasty way in an open and friendly atmosphere. “Dining out in the Mediterranean culture is a very celebrated and social affair,” said Ioannou. “At KOVO, we’ve created an energetic communal environment, from our community table and our open dining room to our bar and patio.” kovomedi.com
78
i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m d e c e m b e r 2 018
Pinnacle of Scottsdale S h o p p ing C e nte r
NE Corner, Pinnacle Peak & Scottsdale Roads
Home to Safeway, Starbucks, Tomaso’s and many more!
Discover local favorites & essentials nearby, all at Pinnacle of Scottsdale! Grocery
THE BOURBON CELLAR
Safeway
Di ning
23623 N. Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale AZ 85255 x www.TheBourbonCenter.com For reservations, please call: (480) 595-5868
The Bourbon Cellar Starbucks Subway JJ’s Delicatessen Jalapeño Inferno Lorenzo’s Pizza Pita Cafe Toyama Sushi Tomaso’s
The Bourbon Cellar is a true farm to table dining experience. Chef Doug shops local markets to bring you the freshest vegetables, salads, and fruits in the valley while he spends a lot of the time hand-trimming all of the meat products so that you get a flavor like no other.
health & personal care Arizona Hair Co. Body Solutions Barber Shop Elements Massage OrangeTheory Fitness
Services
A great selection of craft beers, spirits, wines, and cocktails. Come Join Us for
$5 Drink Specials All Day, Every Day! Happy Hour 3-6 10% off all food
We have the largest bourbon selection in the Valley!
Now open at 11:00 am for lunch!
Pinnacle of Scottsdale / 23425 North Scottsdale Road / Scottsdale, AZ 85255
Cleaners at the Peak Dana Tax Infinite Care Pharmacy Lonni Hill Merrill Lynch Pinnacle Animal Hospital Realty Executives Shell Super Pumper Spa 810 UPS Store
Specialty retail Ace Hardware Arizona Flower Shop Baudine’s Mad About Shoes Diva Divine Boutique Hornacek’s Golf Shops Jamie’s Nail Boutique Stag Tobacconist Wave Therapy
december 2018
imagesar iz ona .c om
79
W
When it comes to designer jewelry, Marino Pesavento and Chiana Carli have the market on combining technology with sophistication. From a hidden room in their Vicenza, Italy workshop, the two have not only created beautiful necklaces, bracelets, earrings and rings, but they’ve developed an innovative— and highly secret—formula that makes their sterling silver and gold jewelry easy to identify as Pesavento originals. Thin, silky lines define the Pesavento style. Sleek rows of diamonds and understated yet elegant stone mounts bring a sense of panache with none of the gaudy brazenness some designers choose to emphasize. While some designers focus on creating diamond rings, for example, a Pesavento ring is a thing of beauty in itself, and diamonds may provide a subtle and exquisite element. Since 1992, Pesavento Jewelry has redrawn the boundaries of what jewelry should look like. It’s a beautiful marriage of contemporary design and forward-thinking scientific experimentation. From his office in Italy, Marino Pesavento shared his vision. In eloquent, accented English, he summed up his work.
80
i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m d e c e m b e r 2 018
Writer Amanda Christmann Photography Courtesy of Pesavento Jewelry and Loralei Lazurek december 2018
imagesar iz ona .c om
81
82
i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m d e c e m b e r 2 018
“One thing is that I work a lot in order to find a uniqueness in our jewels, not only the shape but also the finish,” he said. “Our style is unique, and because the quality is the top, our silver jewels are as if they are done in gold. They are unique and beautiful, and completely different from others. “If you want to distinguish yourself and to be your own person, you will love our jewels.” Pesavento features two kinds of finishes: one they call “Polvere di Sogni,” and the other, evident in their Spring collection, is defined by thin bands of metal intertwined. “They are sparkling, very beautiful and very feminine,” Marino says. The Polvere di Sogni finish is created using nano technology—something completely original in the jewelry market. Micro particles are cut into hexagonal shapes to give these pieces an unreplicated shimmering sparkle. “Polvere di Sogni—that one is very special finishing. No one copies it. I decided to protect and put this work in special area I call the Coca Cola room. Nobody can enter this room; it is very unique, and we must do this to protect it.” To describe this finish is difficult, simply because it is unrivaled. It is a combination of eye-catching shine and rich texture—the kind of piece that makes others take a second look
december 2018
imagesar iz ona .c om
83
84
i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m d e c e m b e r 2 018
and ask, “Where did you find that?” “It’s something very new, and we are very confident it is working very well,” Marino says. “It is contemporary, modern and clean. We like a lot of architectural style—we like a clean style.” By all accounts it is resonating with women across the globe. Pesavento is currently positioned in mediumto top-end jewelry markets in approximately 50 countries and growing. Its availability in the U.S. is limited, but Grace Renee Gallery, which opened in Carefree’s historic Spanish Village shopping center in late October, has chosen to feature it among their fine jewelry collection. “Everybody thinks that the American market is different, and everyone thinks that the German market is different,” says Marino when asked about breaking into the North American market. “Something beautiful is beautiful everywhere. A beautiful woman is beautiful everywhere. It doesn’t matter if she comes from Italy, America or Germany. It doesn’t matter where you are from. We have focsed our attention in order to create jewelry for international taste. “The people with an open mind who are in contact with other cultures understand what we are doing. It is different. We call our style an international style.”
december 2018
imagesar iz ona .c om
85
86
i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m d e c e m b e r 2 018
“
Something beautiful is beautiful everywhere. A beautiful woman is beautiful everywhere. It doesn’t matter if she comes from Italy, America or Germany. “Pesavento Jewelry is art,” said Grace Renee Gallery owner Shelly Spence. “When I opened Grace Renee Gallery, I wanted to bring something to the area that no one else was making available, and Pesavento does that,” she explained. “The jewelry we choose is an expression of ourselves. For me, Pesavento represents a part of myself that’s refined and sophisticated. I believe there are a lot of women who will feel the same way, and who will relate to it on a deeper level, the same way it resonates with me.”
Celebrity Makeup Artist exactly what Marino strives to create. It’s not about versatility so much as it is about individuality. “We like when the woman selects jewelry for the kind of clothes she is wearing, and for the correct mood she is feeling,” he says. “It is a way to help the person wearing it to express themselves through their jewelry. It is a way to deliver good energy and to make them feel good.” Marino and his partner Carli, who are often described as twin souls, strive to make “poetry” of their designs. “We have always been attracted to jewels because of the shape and opportunity to express our vision of beauty. Before we began Pesavento, what we saw in the windows of the jewelry stores—we were not impressed. We want to create a new brand, identity and vision for jewelry.” Through timeless yet state-of-the-art design, Pesavento is doing just that.
Published Covers from Charlie's Portfolio
World Renowned Celebrity MakeUp Artist offers Professionally Tailored MakeUp to enhance Your Own Unique Eye Shape, Bone Structure and Skin Type. I had an amazing “Bring it On” afternoon with Charlie. She suggested I bring in my own cosmetics collection and gave me a lesson on applying makeup using all my products and her recommendations for alternatives, plus many techniques. Very Valuable! Add to that her great personality what more could a girl ask for. Best part, I still look and feel like me, only better.
CHARLIE GREEN
gracereneegallery.com
Spence’s reaction to Pesavento was
EXPERIENCE Pesavento Friday, December 14–Saturday, December 15 | 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Grace Renee Gallery | 7212 E. Ho Hum Rd., #7, Carefree | 480-575-8080 gracereneegallery.com
Charlie's clients include
Heidi Klum, Angelina Jolie, Christy Brinkley Gisele Bündchen, Martha Stewart, Jewel Kelly Clarkson and More ! iamCharlieGreen@icloud.com
917-544-2425 CharlieGreen.com
6602 E. Cave Creek Rd By Appointment Only december 2018
imagesar iz ona .c om
87
Writer Shoshana Leon Photography Courtesy of The Boulders Resort and Spa
T
The Boulders Resort and Spa is named for the 12-million-year-old rock formations that make it so distinctive and so majestic. Set in the spectacular foothills of the Sonoran Desert in Carefree, the award-winning resort has a tranquil vibe and a variety of culinary options that will appeal to locals and visitors alike. “The Boulders is truly an authentic Arizona experience, from the lush desert landscape that is surrounded by the ancient boulder formations to a nature-lover’s paradise where the terrain and plant life have been left virtually untouched to allow indigenous plants and wildlife to prosper,” said Executive Chef Kyle Lipetzky.
88
i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m d e c e m b e r 2 018
In addition to spacious accommodations and a wide array of activities and amenities, the resort offers a number of dining options that celebrate local ingredients and regional cuisine. “We have several different onsite dining experiences, all reflecting the region’s sights, tastes and smells,” said Chef Lipetzky. The Palo Verde is The Boulders’ signature restaurant offering contemporary Southwestern cuisine. With expansive windows and a relaxing outdoor patio, guests can enjoy scenic views of the resort’s duck pond and rolling greens, as well as glimpses of the local wildlife, from quail and rabbits to the occasional sightings of bobcats and javelinas. In keeping with the Southwestern theme, the Palo Verde’s breakfast options include chilaquiles and huevos tacos with red chile pork. The dinner menu includes shareable items, from halibut and shrimp ceviche to barbacoa lamb tacos. Entrees include seafood, chicken, ancho-glazed meatloaf with cactus pear barbecue sauce and Sonoran spiced beef tenderloin with chile butter. The Spotted Donkey Cantina is located at El Pedregal, which offers dining and shopping options close to the resort. The restaurant is known for authentic Mexican cuisine, from freshly made guacamole and carne asada to Hatch chili pork stew, tacos, enchiladas and fajitas. The Spotted Donkey offers several cocktails made with the restaurant’s exclusive Herradura Double Barrel Reposado tequila featuring smoky, caramel and vanilla flavors. Chef Lipetzky describes the cuisine at the resort’s Spa Café as “simple, honest and good food.” The menu utilizes fresh ingredients from the resort’s organic garden, and offers vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options. New additions to the Spa Café menu include a pulled chicken tostada, ahi tuna lettuce wraps and chocolate beet cake. The Grill Kitchen and Bar features an exhibition kitchen and a patio with fairway views. Menu options range from Southwestern dishes like ahi tuna tostones and smoked brisket queso to steaks, sandwiches and salads. Ideal for shared plates and
december 2018
imagesar iz ona .c om
89
90
i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m d e c e m b e r 2 018
cocktails, Discovery Lounge offers floor-to-ceiling views, a fireplace and a humidor. One of the resort’s unique offerings is an organic garden that grows a variety of herbs and seasonal vegetables, including carrots, celery and heirloom tomatoes. The garden also has several citrus trees and prickly pear cacti that produce fruit for desserts and cocktails. The garden offers a chef’s table and an outdoor kitchen where guests can enjoy cooking demonstrations. With seating for up to 50 guests, the garden is a tranquil location for cooking classes, receptions and special events. Beyond the dining options with Southwestern flair, The Boulders offers its guests a relaxing desert experience. The Boulders has 220 guest accommodations including 160 newly renovated guest casitas. The 33,000-square-foot spa features 24 treatment spaces, a fitness center, yoga studio and full-service salon. Guests can also enjoy golf, tennis and four swimming pools. The resort offers several activities to highlight the beauty of its desert location including horseback riding, hiking and hot air balloon rides. As the holiday season approaches, The Boulders will be adorned with Christmas trees and lights strung throughout the grounds. Guests can also enjoy seasonal treatments at the spa, and festive holiday menus at several of its restaurants. Heading into spring, The Boulders will offer more wine dinners, cooking classes and culinary demonstrations. The resort will also introduce new menu items and cocktails. For baseball fans, The Boulders will offer special spring training packages complete with team-themed nachos. Arizona is home to many scenic resorts, each with its own unique features. For a true Arizona experience in a setting like no other, The Boulders Resort and Spa showcases the best of the desert. theboulders.com
december 2018
imagesar iz ona .c om
91
Writer Joseph J. Airdo Photography Courtesy of Phoenix Symphony
I
Imagine watching your favorite movie without any background music emanating from the speakers. Sure, the dialogue is still snappy and there’s a lot to look at on the screen, but suddenly it seems as though the jokes, the action and the emotion have all been sanded down. The entertainment experience becomes blunt and lifeless. Without music, you don’t feel as connected to the characters or as vitalized by the action. Now imagine that, just as you press play on your DVR, a full orchestra appears in your living room and begins performing the theme song that you hear every week. Chances are, you have never been more fired up for your favorite TV show. The Phoenix Symphony is well aware of how music enhances the entertainment value of our favorite movies and TV shows. That is why it is celebrating their auditory amplitude during Blockbuster Scores: Music from TV and Film, a program that the arts organization hopes will draw audiences off of their couches and into the seats of Phoenix Symphony Hall this month to experience them in a whole new way. The performance, which the organization is marketing as “Symphony and Chill” (a play on the popular “Netflix and chill” phrase), started percolating when the Phoenix Symphony staff was discussing their admiration for “Downton Abbey.” Chief marketing director Todd Vigil explained that he and his colleagues began bandying about ideas on how to incorporate the popular historical drama’s score into one of their programs.
92
i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m d e c e m b e r 2 018
“The idea [progressed] and we decided to create a show around what everyone watches on Netflix, Amazon and Hulu,” Vigil said. “There are so many great scores out there in television and movies right now, so we wanted to do that.” Phoenix Symphony staff sat down to discuss the show with California-based conductor Stuart Chafetz. “We gave him some ideas ... and he went and built this wonderful program that features some fantastic music from a variety of shows and has great depth,” Vigil said.
RESTAURANT
WEDDINGS
CATERING
Cater your next event with us!
Chafetz said music from TV and film rarely gets the appreciation that it deserves. He added that Hollywood is filled with a number of classically trained composers who came to America from Europe. The conductor simply could not pass up the opportunity to tip his hat to composers like Michael Giacchino and Alan Silvestri who have created some of the most instantly recognizable music in existence. “All of us need to be reminded about how much depth goes into writing a good film or television score,” said Chafetz, noting composers have to find a way to meld symphonic music with pop culture and create a hook that will resonate with audiences. “That level of artistry is truly mesmerizing.” Chafetz—like Vigil and many other people around the world—is a fan of “Downton Abbey” and believes Scottish composer John Lunn’s music sets the perfect tone for the series’ stories. He also chose to include the theme for the show’s PBS sibling “Masterpiece Theatre” and kick the entire concert off with “Song of the Toreador,” the music that has recently become known for its use on Amazon’s “Mozart in the Jungle.” Theme songs from FOX’s animated comedies “The Simpsons” and “Family Guy” also make appearances during the program. Chafetz felt compelled to honor the songs’ composers Danny Elfman and Seth McFarlane, respectively. He is especially fond of McFarlane—a comedian and voice actor who has also become quite well-known for his contributions to the musical arts. Other TV scores that will be part of the performance are “The X-Files,” “Lost,” “House of Cards” and “Game of Thrones.” Meanwhile, movie scores include “Star Trek: Into Darkness,” “The Incredibles,” “X-Men: The Last Stand,” “Wonder Woman,” “Back
Reserve Christmas Eve Dinner, Christmas Day Dinner To-Go and New Years Eve Dinner with us.
480-488-0698
Lunch and Dinner Daily 11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Happy Hour 3:00 - 6:00 p.m. Sunday Brunch 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. 5736 E. Rancho Mañana Blvd., Cave Creek, AZ 85331
TontoBarandGrill.com december 2018
imagesar iz ona .c om
93
to the Future” and “E.T.” Of course, the “Ghostbusters” and “Mission: Impossible” themes are also thrown in there for good measure. Incorporating pop culture into its performances is certainly not a new concept for the Phoenix Symphony, which has been presenting music scores for a number of years in the traditional orchestral format. The organization has found plenty of success with tributes to motion picture composers like John Williams as well as with performances built around the Academy Awards. The Phoenix Symphony has also discovered that there is a market for showing full feature-length films while its orchestra performs the movie’s score live on stage. It has been slowly working its way through the “Harry Potter” franchise, with the third film in the series having received the orchestral treatment just last month. “It's a three-pronged approach,” Vigil explained. “It appeals to our traditional audience who loves great music and great orchestrations. It also appeals to fans who want to experience a favorite film of theirs in a whole new way. And it attracts new audiences—folks who may be scared by the traditional thoughts of a symphony.” Vigil added that witnessing 100 musicians performing a film score live on stage while the film is being played overhead is a powerful experience—one that is very appealing to a wide array of audiences. That
MUSIC Blockbuster Scores: Music from TV and Film i mDecember a g e s a r i z o n a28–Sunday, . c o m d e c e mDecember b e r 2 018 30 | Phoenix Symphony Hall | 75 N. 2nd St., Phoenix | $25+ | 602-495-1999 | phoenixsymphony.org 94Friday,
Our Encore 2018-2019 Season is evident by the fact that the Phoenix Symphony’s presentation of “The Nightmare Before Christmas” each October is its number one show of all time from a revenue and ticketing perspective. Chafetz has never before experienced an energy like the one exhibited by the audience during “The Nightmare Before Christmas.” It is easy to overlook a cultural institution such as the Phoenix Symphony in a time when people are so addicted to their smartphone screens, and Chafetz finds it a refreshing change of pace to see people of all ages in the audience of such shows. These are people that the conductor believes may otherwise never experience the benefits of live orchestra. “With the symphony orchestra, you're right there,” Chafetz said. “You're hearing it in surround sound, but in natural surround sound. You don't have to turn your speakers up. It's surrounding you in the hall. And once you hear the music, you can just visualize.” John Williams’ score for “Jurassic Park” is another piece of music that will be showcased during the Phoenix Symphony’s presentation. Chafetz explained that it is difficult to not see the dinosaurs towering over you the moment that you hear the score’s first note. “It's amazing what kind of imagery this music creates,” the conductor continued. “We don't need screens or visuals. We've got it all in our own minds. We're just taking it to the next level by focusing on what gives us that imagery within the symphony orchestra, being there and appreciating this wonderful music for what it is.” Chafetz challenges anyone to imagine what “2001: A Space Odyssey” would be like without the “Also Sprach Zarathustra Fanfare”; what “Raiders of the Lost Ark” would be like without “The Raiders March”; or what “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” would be like without its iconic five-note signal. “Can you imagine what Jaws would be like without its music?” Chafetz said. “Two notes transformed a generation of people that freaked out and didn't want to go into the ocean. Just two notes. That's the power. That's the level of importance that the film score plays.” phoenixsymphony.org
The Coldwell Banker Global Luxury Concert Series Sandi Hess, Managing Broker 602-295-9422 Bob Pfeiffer 480-766-0509 • Rhonda Solomon 480-415-4233 • Sandy Esmay 602-574-0585 • Megan Fernandez 623-764-3216 • David Crozier 480-748-8890 SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2018 @ 4 PM Alice Tatum, Vocalist with Nicole Pesce, Keyboard, Bob Lashier, Bass & Todd Chuba, Drums SUNDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2018 @ 4 PM Swedish Born Vocalist Vismaya Hagelberg with Mark Decozio, Piano & Allen Ames, Bass/Violin SUNDAY, JANUARY 13, 2019 @ 4 PM Beth Lederman, Keyboards, with Felix Sainz, Bass/Vocals & Emerson Laffey, Drums SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2019 @ 4 PM Saxophonist Joseph Wytko with Special Surprise Guest SUNDAY, MARCH 24, 2019 @ 4 PM Oregon’s Singer-Songwriter Joni Harms & Nashville’s Songstress Olivia Celebrating Authentic Country & Western Music SUNDAY, APRIL 14, 2019 @ 4 PM Trio We3 Featuring Nicole Pesce, Keyboardist, Renee Grant Patrick, Vocalist & Violinist Suzanne Lansford – A Special Grand Finale Concert!
Tohono Ballroom at El Pedregal At Boulders Resort & Spa
34505 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85266 Concert info: (480) 204-7292 • JosephMusic@cox.net Ticketing: coldwellbankerconcerts.eventbrite.com SPONSORS: GRACE RENEE GALLERY • IMAGES AZ MAGAZINE • SPOTTED DONKEY CANTINA AT EL PEDREGAL • BAGS & RAGS • CAREFREE COVERINGS WINDOW FASHIONS WALLICK & VOLK • CAREFREE TRAVELER~CRYSTAL CRUISES • FAUXPAUL LPL FINANCIAL~RYAN TORONTO • CAREFREE DENTISTS • CORNERSTONE SERVICES • STEVE STENTO~WATERCOLOR ARTIST • JSC ROOFING DAN D’AGOSTINO MASTER AUDIO SYSTEMS • DOVE VALLEY ANIMAL HOSPITAL MARIA NIXON~LINGGI FARMERS INSURANCE AGENCY • JOSEPH MUSIC EVENTS • LAW OFFICES OF MARY T. HONE • MMHC MUSIC PUBLICATIONS B MONTE MORGAN • MUSIC MASTERS STORE • QUAIL RUN STUDIO~BETH COX SECURITY TITLE AGENCY~SUSAN CUNNINGHAM, VP • SOUTHWEST PORTRAITS • STEFAN MANN • SUN TECH AIR CONDITIONING • TECH 4 LIFE T’S CONSTRUCTION & DEVELOPMENT • BETSY & GARY SWENSON december 2018
imagesar iz ona .c om
95
T
The Dorris Opera House may sound like a mere myth to some thanks to the limited remaining evidence of its existence and the tall tales of its heyday that involve a “massacre.” However, it is in fact one of Phoenix’s most significant pieces of history, contributing culture to the city thereby putting it on the map and stimulating its growth. “Opera houses were very important for virtually any community,” said Dr. Philip VanderMeer, Ph.D., an emeritus history professor at Arizona State University. “They were a way for a small city or town like Phoenix to say, ‘Look! We're cultured! We've got opportunities here!’” Dr. VanderMeer specializes in American history and has a particular interest in the history of Phoenix. In 2002, he wrote “Phoenix Rising,” a book about the history of postwar Phoenix. In 2011, he published a follow-up book titled “Desert Visions and the Making of Phoenix, 1860-2009,” in which his research on the Dorris Opera House appeared. Contrary to popular belief, Phoenix was not a Western town in the traditional sense of the term. Rather than being known for cattle ranching and mining, the city was primarily a hub for agriculture. Its access to water and the fertility of its soil made it appealing to early settlers. But its growth depended on attracting travelers and new residents. “Phoenix is really trend-setting in history,” Dr. VanderMeer said. “It's a great model for the shape that cities have taken. Looking at how Phoenix grew and why it grew is important. What made Phoenix most successful was its leadership, which combined interest in high-tech, quality education, military contracts and bases and providing a full range of cultural amenities.”
96
i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m d e c e m b e r 2 018
Writer Joseph J. Airdo Photography Courtesy of USC Digital Library and U.S. Library of Congress
The Dorris Opera House is an example of one of those cultural amenities. It was particularly notable because it was a large, three-story, brick building as opposed to a wood building that could have easily burned down—as they often did in those days. Architect S. E. Patton began construction on the Queen Anne-style theater in 1896. Boasting a pair of gorgeous conical towers, 20 bay windows and a 1,200-person capacity, the project cost $35,000—which, adjusted for inflation, would translate to about $1 million today. Retail stores sat on each side at ground level while a simple marquee and vertical sign marked its entrance, which led down a long corridor to the theater. The theater’s ceiling featured a breathtaking mural of three North American Indian maidens. “Phoenicians were looking to adopt styles that were popular elsewhere,” Dr. VanderMeer said. “They imitated architecture from the East because those were the people they were trying to impress. It was not until further into the 20th century that architecture in Phoenix really began to shift away from that.” december 2018
imagesar iz ona .c om
97
Patton’s Grand Theater, as it was originally called, opened its doors Nov. 2, 1898 with a presentation of the play “At Gay Coney Island,” which played to a sold-out audience. Similar to other theaters at the time, the venue played host to a wide range of entertainment over the years—from plays and musical events to book readings and movies.
“
The theater made national headlines on Dec. 16, 1899, when actors Paul Gilmore and Lewis Monroe were shot on stage during what came to be called the Great Gilmore Massacre.
The theater made national headlines on Dec. 16, 1899, when actors Paul Gilmore and Lewis Monroe were shot on stage during what came to be called the Great Gilmore Massacre. A chorus fired muskets that were supposed to be filled with blank cartridges during a battle scene in a touring production of “Don Caesar” at Patton’s Grand Theater. However, the muskets were mistakenly filled with small missiles intended for target practice.
“[The Dorris Opera House] was a multi-purpose facility,” Dr. VanderMeer noted. “Theaters were among the very first air-conditioned buildings in Phoenix so that made them especially attractive. When Phoenix was starting out in the 1870s, there were essentially no public buildings, so meetings were held in places that were large enough, like saloons. Opera houses then became available as a place in which groups could meet.”
The accident eventually cost Monroe his life as a result of lockjaw associated with a bullet wound to his hand. The production’s star Gilmore received six bullet wounds, with the worst being to his legs. He was initially not expected to survive, much less ever appear on stage again, but doctors were able to remove a bullet from his knee in March 1900. He returned to work in October 1900 for a production of “Under the Red Robe.”
The theater continued to change names over the years as it changed hands. In the early 1910s, it was renamed the Elks Theatre and was the official home of Elks Club meetings. Notable performances during this time included the play “Pirates of Penzance,” the film “Birth of a Nation” and a concert featuring John Philip Sousa—the conductor who composed U.S.’s National March “The Stars and Stripes Forever.”
Despite Gilmore’s recovery, the incident sparked rumors that his acting troupe was jinxed—especially when, just a few days later, actress Kathrine Kidder fainted on stage due to extreme exhaustion during one of the troupe’s productions. She hit her head so hard on the floor that even audience members in the back row of Patton’s Grand Theater could hear the thud.
The theater was renamed again to the Apache during the Great Depression. In 1957, it changed names one final time to the Phoenix Theater when it was purchased by John Diamos and his brothers, who also owned theaters in Tucson, Nogales, Douglas, Bisbee and Tombstone. During this time, it served primarily as a movie theater.
Patton sold the theater to E. M. Dorris on Dec. 29, 1899, just two weeks after the Great Gilmore Massacre.
98
i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m d e c e m b e r 2 018
Dorris renamed the theater the Dorris Opera House, the name to which it is most commonly referred today. It was then that the theater played host to not only performances but also Salt River Valley Water Users’ Association meetings. Behind the opera house doors was formed what is now known as the Salt River Project.
But by 1965, the theater’s heyday had long passed. Whereas Phoenix once featured a pedestrian business environment in which retail stores,
restaurants and entertainment venues were situated within walking distance of one another, traffic and shopping malls threatened and eventually caused the collapse of the traditional downtown area. “Starting in 1968, movie theaters were being built in malls,” Dr. VanderMeer explained. “Malls were designed to be suburban downtowns. That was a major shift. There were no people going downtown to see movies so these places kind of dwindled. [The Dorris Opera House] was one of a number of buildings that were really not being used, as there was no particular use for them anymore.” The building that once played host to spectacular performances for sold-out audiences eventually served as nothing more than a municipal annex for city clerk election materials. Over the years, its conical towers disappeared, its bay windows were bricked in and its interior art was hidden behind political posters. Phoenix Mayor Terry Goddard and others attempted to spearhead plans to preserve the historic building but the Orpheum Theatre—located just about one block to the east—eventually earned more support. The cost to restore two similar theaters to their former glory would have proven to be too high, so the Dorris Opera House was destroyed in 1985 to make room for the Phoenix Municipal Court. Interestingly, shopping malls—the very thing that killed the Dorris Opera House and other downtown Phoenix attractions—have recently seen a decline in foot traffic as people head online for their retail needs. As a result, outdoor shopping concepts that resemble downtown Phoenix’s pedestrian business environment complete with restaurants and entertainment venues are striving once again. “You have a change in the last 15 years, as people don't want that internal experience,” Dr. VanderMeer said. “It's very clear across the country and Phoenix is part of that national trend. It is a pedestrian-oriented [trend] with people wanting to go outside.” Just as they did when the Dorris Opera House was the prime example of Phoenix’s cultural prowess.
december 2018
imagesar iz ona .c om
99
Writer Fadi Sitto Photography Courtesy of Desert Botanical Garden
20th
20th century French philosopher Jacques Maritain said, “Art comes from a deeper part of the intellect, not the reasoning part alone. There is an interpenetration of art and nature so that a place comes alive because of its history.� The alive and breathing botanical history of the Sonoran Desert is as glorious as ever with light and sound this winter. Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix is once again gifting us an outdoor gallery of nature, colors and art imitating actual life. Electric Desert, a garden art installation, is here. Electric Desert is an immersive virtual nightscape exhibit of original music, sounds and light emanating directly onto the distinctive and sprawling Desert Garden landscape. Uniting in a mesmerizing display like never before, the garden’s cactus and desert become a living canvas in this nighttime journey, unlike any other exhibit experience to visit Arizona.
100
i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m d e c e m b e r 2 018
Klip Collective, based in Philadelphia, is a creative studio that uses virtual reality, projection mapping, storytelling and soundscapes to create captivating, immersive sensory experiences. Self-taught creative and Klip Collective founder Ricardo Rivera designed this integrative experience after studying the natural desert. He played off the vibe of the space, bringing the nocturnal desert to life, and succeeded in accentuating the form and movement by creating pattern off of pattern. Klip Collective has been creatively beaming cutting edge projection events in a diverse array of environments across the world since 2003. They broke through on the arts scene in 2015 with a similar show, “Nightscape,” hosted at Longwood Gardens just outside of Philadelphia. The show received international acclaim and had over 175,000 visitors. The Electric Desert exhibit in Phoenix encompasses seven site-specific locations, with each experience inspired by and related to the garden. The exhibit showcases unique abstract imagery mapping accompanied by ambient electronic soundscapes. It took over a year to create, six weeks to install and a crew of 40 to build. As you walk under the Phoenix Sonoran moon, it’s hard to fathom that there are over nine acres of landscapes covered by light. The desert is a vibrant, pure abstraction. “I just want to inspire people, ignite their imaginations and create a place where people are in awe,” says Ricardo. Ricardo Rivera is a filmmaker at heart and a true pioneer of video projection mapping, having earned a United States patent for his technological breakthroughs in the medium. His work has been featured multiple times at the Sundance Film Festival, including the commissioned festival bumper in 2014. He doesn’t take for granted the subtle splendor of our surroundings here in the Arizona desert. The scenic outdoor garden environment is the perfect setting for Electric Desert’s illusionary vision and shapes.
december 2018
imagesar iz ona .c om
101
Imagine a cactus garden under the Arizona desert sky. Now imagine that garden as a living canvas of inspiration and eye candy for your senses. Quite possibly the most inspiring phase of Electric Desert is the cactus gallery. The majesty of the seemingly endless stretch of nighttime cacti of different sizes and shapes are eye-opening, unapologetic. It’s as if they want to tell you their story as you walk by. “Take your time.” That’s what Ricardo told me when I asked him if he had any advice for me when visiting the Electric Desert exhibit. Taking his advice to heart, I purposefully took my time taking it all in. The artist’s advice was spot on. Standing still at one of the trailheads and taking in the large vista, an intuitive perspective rushes through you, as if you are part of a family of all things alive and thriving right in front of you.
EXPERIENCE Electric Desert at Desert Botanical Garden Through May 12, 2019 | Monday through Sunday, 6–10 p.m. | 1201 N. Galvin Pkwy., Phoenix | 480-941-1225 | dbg.org $24.95–$29.95 youth; Free for members i m a g e s a r i z oadults; n a . c o m $12.95–$15.95 d e c e m b e r 2 018
102
I felt a sort of camaraderie with the other people walking through the Electric Garden. The self-guided walking tour allows you to interact with the surrounding beauty on your own terms. Just wandering off in any direction within the garden trails, you’ll feel a sense of well-being while being happily lost amongst the desert plants. The Desert Botanical Garden, located within Papago Park in Phoenix, is a stunning 140-acre botanical garden. This world-class natural treasure was founded by the Arizona Cactus and Native Flora Society in 1937 and established at this site in 1939. Thanks to a small but passionate group of local citizens who saw the need to conserve the beautiful desert environment, and the support of social influencers of the time such as Gertrude Divine Webster, the garden’s presence grew. This popular city garden sees almost a half a million visitors annually and has more than 50,000 plants, including 379 species that are rare, threatened or endangered. Plant life is carefully displayed throughout themed scenic walking trails and exhibits that illustrate topics such as conservation, desert living, wildflower plants and people of the Sonoran Desert. Today, Desert Botanical Garden is a spectacular open-air museum and a landmark of pride for Valley residents. Electric Desert is one more delightful way to experience its beauty. dbg.org
december 2018
imagesar iz ona .c om
103
Writer Shoshana Leon Photography Courtesy of Castle Hot Springs
104
i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m d e c e m b e r 2 018
A
An hour north of Phoenix in the rugged Bradshaw Mountains, Castle Hot Springs, one of Arizona’s first luxury resorts, was destroyed in a fire 42 years ago. Much to the delight of guests, it will be reopening its doors, and with its opening will come historical charm, modern amenities, fresh culinary options and relaxing activities in a peaceful setting. “Castle Hot Springs is ideal for adventure and wellness seekers, as well as people who appreciate the rich history,” said Castle Hot Springs’ Steve Sampson. “We see many Arizonans being frequent guests, as well as affluent travelers.” Castle Hot Springs gets its name from the natural hot springs that produce over 200,000 gallons of pure, odorless 120-degree mineral water a day. It has an interesting history and some very famous guests, including the Rockefellers, Vanderbilts and several United States presidents, including Woodrow Wilson, Calvin Coolidge and Herbert Hoover. In 1945, a young John F. Kennedy spent a few months at Castle Hot Springs recovering from his wartime injury. In 1867, U.S. Army Colonel Charles Craig and his soldiers came upon the hot springs after they captured a gang of robbers in the Bradshaw Mountains. Frank Morrill Murphy, a self-made millionaire from Wisconsin, opened Castle Hot Springs as a luxury healing retreat in 1896. Murphy’s brother, who became territorial governor of Arizona in 1898, moved his Arizona office from Prescott to Castle Hot Springs during the winter months. After Frank Murphy died in 1917, Castle Hot Springs had a few more owners before being sold to the Talley family, who owned the Arizona Biltmore. In 1976, a spark from a fireplace burned the main hotel building to the ground. Following the fire, the Talleys donated the property to Arizona State University, which used it as a conference center until selling it in 1987.
december 2018
imagesar iz ona .c om
105
106
i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m d e c e m b e r 2 018
The property exchanged hands a few more times before being purchased in 2014 by a partnership of local investors and managed by Westroc Hospitality, which has restored and revived some of Arizona’s most cherished properties including Hotel Valley Ho, Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain Resort and Spa, and Mountain Shadows. “The ownership and management group consist of Arizona natives who are doing this for the legacy and history of Castle Hot Springs and Arizona,” said Sampson. “The vision is for Castle Hot Springs to be reborn as a luxury wellness and adventure retreat, and to once again become a premier resort destination.” The revamped Castle Hot Springs will have 32 luxury cabins and bungalows, some of which will have piping directly from the hot springs into oversized tubs with an open ceiling, offering a relaxing soak under the stars. Resort guests have many options to recharge, including soaking in the hot springs, taking a hike, resting by the pool or enjoying a massage. Castle Hot Springs’ culinary operations will be led by Executive Chef Chris Brugman, a graduate of Le Cordon Bleu who was formerly with Mountain Shadows and Fox Restaurant Concepts. The resort’s culinary offering is described as “Harvest of the Day,” utilizing fresh ingredients grown on site. Varieties of heirloom tomatoes and an array of citrus will be used for creative mixology. “Adjacent to the resort’s main lodge is an organic farm and greenhouse, which will provide over 150 types of rare fruits and vegetables to the restaurant,” said Sampson. “Chef Brugman and our resident agronomist Ian Beger will select what produce is perfect for each day’s menu.
december 2018
imagesar iz ona .c om
107
108
i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m d e c e m b e r 2 018
Celebrate the Holidays the Carefree Way! Carefree Desert Garden “Glitters”
“The pure mineral water from the hot springs will be funneled into an old laundry building, which is being renovated into the Castle Hot Springs Brewery. We also have an outdoor grill, smoker and pizza oven. The resort will feature Western-style barbecues and cookouts.” Although there are modern amenities and upscale accommodations, Castle Hot Springs will provide a respite from today’s busy and connected world. “We have restored five of the property’s original buildings,” said Sampson. “The mood, music and aura of the property will be directly from the early 20th century. It will be a step back in time. We will also have horses and stables on property as Castle Hot Springs was always a Western destination.”
Nov. - Jan.: 5 – 10 p.m. Stroll and enjoy the beauty of the Gardens this holiday season! Marvel at our 26’ Christmas tree housed beneath the largest Sundial in the western hemisphere.
Chanukah Celebration
Begins Sunday, Dec. 2, 5:30 p.m. Local families are invited to light the menorah each evening, with a special ceremony on Sunday, Dec. 9th.
Christmas in Carefree - Dec. 7 - 9
Weekend activities include: Breakfast with Santa, the Carefree Community Holiday Parade, live music, Saturday evening fireworks and special holiday-themed activities all weekend! Admission to the Gardens is FREE!*
Friday, Dec. 7: Noon - 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. * Fee for some holiday events. Visit the website or call 480-488-3686.
ChristmasInCarefree.com Carefree Desert Gardens | Sanderson Lincoln Pavilion | 101 Easy Street, Carefree, AZ 85377
Castle Hot Springs will provide guests with a taste of history as they enjoy the tranquil surroundings and soothing hot springs that have brought people to the resort in search of relaxation and healing since 1896. Castle Hot Springs 5050 E. Castle Hot Springs Rd., Morristown, AZ 480-367-6240 castlehotsprings.com
december 2018
imagesar iz ona .c om
109
110
i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m d e c e m b e r 2 018
december 2018
imagesar iz ona .c om
111
ma r k e t p la ce
Eggnog Breakfast Strata A perfect family breakfast for Christmas morning, or any morning! Make ahead of time, and then pop in the oven on the morning of the big day. Feel free to substitute any kind of leftover bread that you have. I just love the way the croissants look and taste! Serves 10-12
Ingredients: 8 croissants (can be stale) 8 eggs 3 cups eggnog Zest of one orange (save 1 teaspoon for ricotta topping) 1 tablespoon sugar 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Topping: 1 container ricotta cheese 1 teaspoon orange zest 1 tablespoon honey Cranberry relish (homemade or store-bought)
Directions: Cut croissants into chunks and place in greased 9x13 baking pan. Beat eggs with wire whisk or with hand mixer. Add eggnog and orange zest. Pour over croissants in pan. Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight. One hour before ready to bake, remove croissants from refrigerator and uncover. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Sprinkle croissants with cinnamon sugar mixture, then replace the foil. Bake in preheated oven for 45 minutes, then remove foil and bake an additional 15 minutes, or until the top is golden and crispy.
Writer and Photographer Kyndra Kelly
Combine the ricotta, orange zest and honey and whip with electric mixer until light and fluffy, about two minutes.
kyndraclaire.com
112
i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m d e c e m b e r 2 018
To serve, cut into squares and top each with a dollop of ricotta and a spoonful of cranberry relish.
m a r k e t p la ce
december 2018
imagesar iz ona .c om
113
Mexican Hot Chocolate Spiced Cookies This small batch recipe is the perfect holiday cookie. Full of spices but not too sweet, they are sure to be a hit! Mix up a batch of royal icing and make them look like snowflakes! Makes 20–24 cookies, depending on cookie cutter size.
Ingredients: 1 stick softened butter 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup all purpose flour 1/2 cup powdered sugar 1/4 cup cocoa powder 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ancho chili powder 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
Royal Icing: 2 cups powdered sugar 1 tablespoon meringue powder 3–4 tablespoons water
Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In mixing bowl, cream butter until smooth. Add vanilla and mix well. In another bowl combine flour, sugar, cocoa powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and chili powder. Add to butter mixture and combine just until dough comes together. Turn out onto a floured counter and roll out about 1/4" thick. Cut with desired cutters, re-rolling dough as necessary. Writer and Photographer Kyndra Kelly
kyndraclaire.com
114
i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m d e c e m b e r 2 018
Transfer to parchment lined cookie sheet and bake 1520 minutes. Do not over bake. Cool completely on wire racks and frost.
december 2018
imagesar iz ona .c om
115
Live where others vacation!
North Scottsdale-Carefree Office 34305 N. Scottsdale Road Scottsdale, AZ 85266
P. 480-488-2400
Client Focused and Results Driven
The Boulders Community 480-488-7550 Bouldersrealestate.com for complete market information.
When you work with us you get double the service and double the results. Sandy Comacchio 480-440-6706 Cynthia Rahrig 480-650-1401
$1,000,000 Fabulous Territorial Custom with Mountain Views! 4 Bed/4Bath Pool, Spa, Sunsets! Barb Watson 303 887-8278
At the Boulders. Fabulous NEW 2017 Construction. Stunning SW Classic Interiors. Fine finishes. Arlene Little 480-239-7130
$1,900,000 Beautiful Sunsets Views await you in this one-of-a-kind Mediterranean style home in Desert Mountain. Kathy Reed 480-262-1284
Lot for sale. $1,150,000 Golf course, sunset, mountains and city light views in Desert Mountain Joanie Barreiro 480-235-2776
Gem in Cave Creek, zero steps, 2/2/2, 1 acre, w/Sunsets, $450K Debbie Omundson 480-375-1522 www.CarefreeProperty.com
$1.219,000 Mirabel Club! 3 bedroom, 3.5 baths. Highly upgraded and meticulously maintained. Patrick Rice 970-846-5461
360 Views + Sunsets | Great Rm + 3 Suites + Casita | 6 Cars + RV Debbie Omundson 480-375-1522 www.CarefreeProperty.com
116
i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m d e c e m b e r 2 018