GetOut

For more community news visit SanTanSun.com

Phoenix Scottish Games a feast for the senses

BY PAUL MARYNIAK

Executive Editor

For 56 years, thousands of people each March have gathered at Steele Indian School Park in Phoenix to celebrate their Scottish Heritage.

But starting Friday afternoon, March 4, men in kilts, men and women tossing boulders and stirring marching bands will dominate the landscape of Gilbert Regional Park as the Phoenix Scottish Games come to town for the weekend.

Guys like Ian Lundy and Kevin Conquest can’t wait.

Lundy spent the first 60 years of his life in Scotland before moving to Chandler, where he set up a business called Scottish Genealogy that works primarily with Americans eager to trace their Scottish roots.

Kevin Conquest of Mesa was born and raised in America with Scottish roots on his mother’s side – confessing, “I’m mostly English, but as I like to tell people in the Scottish circles, nobody’s perfect.”

Both men have big roles in the games. Lundy will be holed up in the genealogy tent with other professionals helping visitors trace their Scottish roots. Conquest will be gloriously attired in his black-feather bonnet, tartan kilt, ornate waistcoat with assorted buckles and badges as he leads bands in a heart-stopping march to the tune of bagpipes and drums.

The games standmay be the largest non-town sponsored event yet at the 272-acre park.

And they will use a good chunk of that real estate as Lundy and Conquest promise a bigger, bolder and more engaging simultaneous series of competitions, entertainment acts and other activities that will more than make up for the loss of the 2021 games to COVID

“I do like the park,” said Conquest, the drum major of the Mesa Caledonia Pipe Band. “The layout is more agreeable to Scottish Highland Games. So, the format that you’re going to see on the field would look very similar to how the Scottish Highland Games will be laid out in Scotland that take place on track-and-field-type arenas, indoor-outdoor tracks and outdoor field. We’re able to lay it out very similar to that.

“Another big draw to Gilbert this year was the amphitheater stage that they have at the park, which was a huge win for the entertainment. The sound on that stage is so impressive, having already done a couple of test runs. It’s just amazing. It was an absolute win for us. It’s also a different part of town, so we stand to open up to a new demographic.”

Not Scottish? No worries, they stressed. Most everyone and anyone will find something to enjoy.

“It’s almost like you’re being immersed in all things Scottish,” Lundy said. “People everywhere are wearing kilts. People are playing the bagpipes. People are dancing. People are competing in various different events. Scottish music is blaring from different clans.”

Added Conquest: “A fantastic show

Kevin Conquest, pipe major for the Mesa Caledonian Band, will be leading the Twilight Tattoo that will open the Phoenix Scottish Games. (YouTube)

See SCOTTISH on page 48

Longtime Chandler benefactor’s photos on display

BY SRIANTHI PERERA

Contributor

Chandler resident Robert J.C. Rice, whose name is on the city’s latest elementary school, is known for his volunteerism but not so much for his photography.

Until now.

Rice exhibits his work in a show titled “Essence of a Photographer— Fifty Years of Images by Robert Rice” through March 19 at Art Intersection, 207 N. Gilbert Road, Gilbert.

Six bodies of work are shown, comprising more than 100 pieces, mostly monochrome.

“This represents 50 years of taking pictures and trying to find something that is meaningful and that meant something to me and hopefully meant something to someone else,” Rice said.

His creativity can be seen in the diverse range of images – from simple daily life to beautiful, striking landscapes as well as portraits commemorating personal events and relationships.

“Roberts’ photography shows us not only his imagination and heart, but the successful transition between the abstract and reality,” said Alan Fitzgerald, owner of Art Intersection.

Rice expresses his life’s journey with his work on show.

“From the memorialized images of Roz, his close college friend, to his heartfelt poetry from Alone After Midnight, then his majestic portfolio, The Field, about the cycle of life, and enticing collections of travel and landscape photographs, and finally, his Opus 99 portfolio of still life, architecture, and landscape images, we feel Robert in every stage and chapter” wrote Fitzgerald.

Rice, who has lived in Chandler since 1980, was a U.S. Air Force officer and a senior manager of manufacturing at Intel.

He has been an active volunteer: at the board of the Chandler Unified School District and the Valley of the Sun YMCA, at the Rotary Club and Read on Chandler, among others.

In 2020, Chandler Unified School District’s Robert J. C. Rice Elementary was named for him – an honor he called “very humbling.” He also served on the school board for 16 years and developed long-range plans and goals that helped transform the district.

Rice grew up in Jackson, Ohio and has dabbled in photography since high school. He used a Polaroid Swinger camera at first and bought a more sophisticated one when in college.

In the mid-1970s, he moved to Arizona and set up a dark room in his walk-in closet at home. He moved to Chandler to work for Intel, which he did for 23 years.

There wasn’t too much time for photography during that period, but after retirement in 2001, he took it up again extensively. He also traveled, and the color photographs in the show were taken during trips in Iceland, Morocco, Italy and Ireland, among other countries.

“Mainly, I like to photograph the things that are of interesting design, still life that has a nice kind of elegant design or flow to it,” he said.

One particular horizontal image of a piazza in Venice catches the eye because he captured it in five separate images together. A software program helped stitch them together, align digitally and balance the final version.

“It is a 180-degree picture. Optically, it does not look quite like that, but that’s what it is,” he said, adding “A few pictures come out of the camera that

Robert J.C. Rice of Chandler presents 50-years of his photography at Art Intersection in

Gilbert. (Srianthi Perera/SanTan Sun News Contributor)

Dust Bowl exhibition to open at Chandler Museum

SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

Chandler Museum, 300 S. Chandler Village Drive, Chandler is offering a variety of free programs next month as well as a new exhibit.

The museum is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 1-5 p.m. Sunday. It is closed Mondays. Information: 480-7822717 or chandlermuseum.org.Exhibits

“Picturing Home: Dust Bowl Migrants in Chandler” is the new exhibit, running March 8- August 13, portrays the influx of Dust Bowl migrants into Chandler in the late 1930s. Government photographers Dorothea Lange and Russell Lee documented unique stories showing these migrants and their dwellings, which were often temporary.

This exhibition is a history of Dust Bowl Chandler through unique black and white photographs. It examines what home looked like and makes connections between 1930s Chandler and Chandler today. It includes themes of housing, migration, agriculture, technology, self-sufficiency, and empathy.

People are welcomed to stop by March 12 and March 13 for hands-on activities inspired by this exhibition. Explore cameras, create a story using photographs, and make your own milk bottle label. From 10 a.m.-2 p.m. March 12, the musical duo Side by Side will perform.

Public Objects: Artwork from the City’s Permanent Collection

through March 27.

Government photographers shot photos of Dust Bowl migrants in Chandler in the 1930s and their work is on display at Chandler Museum. (Courtesy of Chandler Museum)

Since the public art ordinance was established in 1983, the City of Chandler has steadily collected or commissioned artwork from local, regional, and national artists.

While many people have seen the monuments, murals, and sculptures on public view throughout Chandler, this exhibition aims to highlight the gallery pieces the city has acquired through the years. From paintings and photography to ceramics and quilts, the City’s collection is as diverse as its population.

Programs Noon-12:30 March 1: A History of Public Art in Chandler

When you’re out and about in Chandler you might spy a utility box adorned with cactus wrens and quail, walk through an archway of giant metal flowers, or snap a selfie next to a mural that radiates color. What do these diverse creations have in common? Since 1983, Chandler has developed innovative, sustainable ways to fund and acquire artworks that are relevant to neighborhoods and accessible to everyone.

Peter Bugg, city visual arts coordinator, will discuss the city’s program.

Guarantee a seat at: eventbrite. com/e/history-bites-community-and-creativity-a-history-of-public-art-in-chandler-tickets-239492236727

11 a.m.-2 p.m. March 19: Games of the Dust Bowl Era

What did kids play with during the dust bowl era? Purchased or homemade, this selection will highlight the history of the 1930s.

Bring your family and toy with classic games and toys. Brush up on the classics or explore something new! Each month features a different set of games and toys. Outdoor games and activities will be available in the courtyard weather permitting.

10:30-11:15 a.m. March 2 and 16: Cotton

From sprout to boll, spring in as we uncover what has been taking root in Chandler. Flourish with cotton farming themed sensory bins and crafts.

These 45-minute programs are led

See MUSEUM on page 50

Join us on our next Village Adventure!

The Village is more than just fi tness; we are a community that enjoys social activities as much as staying healthy. We host monthly happy hours, lead local hikes, offer cooking classes, trips, and daily excursions. Having fun, making friends, and trying new things is all part of living your best life and we want to help you do that. Mention this ad for a

7-day VIP Membership

VILLAGECLUBS.COM

Left: Men and women compete in “heavy athletics competition” at the Scottish Games March 5-6, hurling large rocks and engaging in tug of war and other feats of strength. (Phoenix Scottish Games) Right: The games also include plenty of dance contests and performances as well as a variety of musical acts. (Facebook)

SCOTTISH from page 46

starts off Friday night, also on Saturday and Sunda. You have nonstop entertainment going on all day. …But also you have athletic competitions going on. On the northwest side of the field will be the Highland dancing. People who come to the games, they certainly won’t be bored. there will be something from the minute the gates open to the gate close, and there’s plenty to see and do there.

“I think we have about seven different entertainment acts this year happening on the stage in addition to the five-minute drumming competition on the stage, so that’s going to be pretty exciting.” For the first time in the Phoenix Scottish Games’ history, a 90-minute “Twilight Tattoo” concert will open the weekend on Friday night.

In this case, we’re not talking about ink on skin. A tattoo concert is a tradition dating back to Europe in the 17th century, when Dutch innkeepers would shout, “doe den tap toe” or “turn off the taps” to alert soldiers on leave that it was time to return to their barracks.

Over time, that phrase was shortened to “tap toe” and anglicized to “tattoo.”

“As the centuries moved on, the tradition evolved into a what is now an evening pageant of music and marching,” said games spokesman Darryl Toupkin. “These entertaining shows can be found in countries all over the world with the Scots perhaps having perfected the artform.”

Gates will open March 4 at 5 p.m. with Celtic folk music by The Noble McCoys, followed by Traveler with Scott Jeffers taking the audience through a tour of world music.

At 7 p.m., Tattoo Drum Major Conquest will strike up The 103rd Arizona Regimental Band, The Los Angeles Fifes & Drums, The Mesa Caledonian Pipe Band, vocalist Erica Lue and the Twilight Tattoo Highland Dancers for a 90-minute show.

Over the following two days, guests can wander among the tents each of the 30 Scottish clans will have set up.

See SCOTTISH on page 50

SCOTTISH from page 48

Or they can watch spectacular tests of strength in the Caber Toss, Sheaf Toss, Hammer Throw and “Putting the Stone” with male and female competitors of all ages from across North America.

Along with interactive displays, the event hosts the Highland Dance Championship and the Desert Southwest Pipe Band Championship.

Then there are performances of traditional folk and bluegrass music with roots in the lowlands and highlands, plus The Wicked Tinkers, Stoney Bank and Christopher Yates in one of the many Four Peaks beer gardens located throughout the festival.

The Celtic Village will offer more than 30 merchants with clothing, music instruments, jewelry, baked goods and other traditional culinary treats such as traditional shortbread cookies and Highland beef dishes.

And what would games called “Scottish” be without Scotch whisky tastings. Even car lovers will find something to gawk at as they vote for their favorite vintage vehicle at the British Car Display and Show while equine enthusiasts can enjoy a Clydesdale horse exhibit.

Organizers have even arranged a visit from the Highland Royal Court, led by Mary Queen of Scots.

Toupkin said Arizona is home to more than 175,000 Scots.

“Everywhere you look you can see deep ties between Arizona and Scotland,” he said. “Douglas, Arizona was named for a Canadian-Scotsman and the Rose Tree Museum in Tombstone features a rose tree grown from a cutting shipped to a young Scottish bride from her family in Scotland in 1885.

The Phoenix Scottish Games are produced by the Caledonian Society of Arizona, the largest Celtic organization in the state, promoting Scottish culture through art, education and athletics. Funds raised at the event supports scholarships to aspiring and professional Highland athletes, musicians and dancers and/or other individuals or organizations whose mission, project or program promotes Scottish heritage.

If you go

What: Phoenix Scottish Games When: 5-8 p.m. March 4 for the Twilight Tattoo, 9 a.m.-6:30 p.m. March 5, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. March 6. Where: Gilbert Regional Park, 3005 E. Queen Creek Road, Gilbert. Tickets: $15 Friday, $25 single-day admission Saturday or Sunday, special packages also available. Information: phoenixscottishgames.com.

RICE from page 46

are just perfect. Any photographer is going to do something to enhance or highlight the area they want to.”

Is there a reason why he stuck so long with photography?

“It’s just one of the things that resonate with me from a creative end,” he said. “I like to look at pictures and when

MUSEUM from page 47

by our friendly educators who compare everyday items, then and now. With new themes each month, program participants will begin together with a central topic and then break off into family groups to engage in several activity stations. Geared toward ages 3-5.

10:30-11:15 a.m. March 30: Museum Helpers

Become a museum helper, learn what people at the museum do, and create your own exhibit idea.

These 45-minute programs are led by our friendly educators who compare everyday items, then and now. With new themes each month, program participants will begin together with a central topic and then break off into family groups to engage in several activity stations. Geared toward ages 3-5.

10:30-11:15 a.m. March 9 and 13: Art Tots

Pitch in to create a community-based work of art at the museum and take a small painting with you to share with your neighborhood.

Want to make art with your little one but don’t want to clean the mess? Come for a 45-minute program led by our friendly educators that is an age-appropriate introduction to different art styles and concepts.

With new themes each month, program participants will begin together with a central topic and then break off into family groups to engage in several art-centered activity stations. Geared toward ages 3-5.

I make one, I like to make one that I really like and that gives me happiness and if someone else likes it too, that’s even better.”

Fitzgerald, who has known Rice for more than a decade, said, “His work is very unique. He has good eye for composition, and beyond the composition, his technical ability in his printing is absolutely superb. It is a characteristic that’s hard to fine-tune and all good photographers have this ability to see, to capture an image and then print it. I’m surprised his work is not further out in the world.”

Ansel Adams, Henri Cartier Bresson, Edward Weston, and Michael Kenna influenced Rice’s photography. He studied with Ansel Adams in the mid-1970s in Yosemite and Tom Mallonee in the early 2000s.

Rice surrounds himself in photographic works from acknowledged masters in the field to unknown, energetic, early career photographers.

Characteristically, any proceeds that he earns from the current show are to be donated to the Chandler-Gilbert YMCA.

Information: artintersection.com

What’s next

Serving Arizonans in all forms of learning at all stages of life

Ambition, curiosity, creativity and passion don’t fit in any one box. No matter who you are or how you learn, ASU is here to help you and your family.

Our learning options are growing every day. Visit ASU for You to travel the world through virtual field trips, access research learning tools through the library; conduct experiments with K–college science labs; and enhance your professional skills with badge and certificate programs.