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Ostrich Fest brings family fun, Grammy winners

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI

Staff Writer

The Four Tops’ Duke Fakir is up for any musical adventure and, this March, that includes the Chandler Chamber Ostrich Festival.

“We usually play Phoenix, but anywhere else in Arizona is a good, new adventure,” Fakir said with a laugh.

“We should enjoy the festival. Anything that’s different than the normal scenery or even makes it a little more exciting for us.”

The Four Tops are among the musical acts at this year’s Chandler Chamber Ostrich Festival, which features national and regional musicians, attractions, more than 50 carnival rides, food vendors. Ostriches will roam freely in a desThe Chandler Ostrich Festival returns after a two-year pandemic hiatus and it’s so much bigger that it will be held on two weekends. Chandler residents can attend on March 17

for free. (Chandler Chamber) ignated area at the festival. For the first time in 32 years, the festival will take place on two weekends: Friday, March 11, to Sunday, March 13, and Friday, March 17, to Sunday, March 20.

“We are thrilled to bring two weekends of Ostrich Festival family fun to our community so guests will have the opportunity for double the fun,” said Terri Kimble, the Chandler Chamber of Commerce’s chief executive officer and president.

“We have been working diligently with the city of Chandler and SLE to plan the safest event possible for what is expected to be the best Ostrich Festival ever with our most diverse musical talent lineup to date.”

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Puppets put a new spin on TV show ‘Golden Girls’

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI

Staff Writer

Betty White was beloved by many, but Samantha Lee Mason gets to share that adoration nightly.

She plays White’s character, Rose, in “That Golden Girls Show!” a new “theater experience” that parodies classic “Golden Girls” moments – with puppets. Mason lists the reasons to see the show: cheesecake, laughter, Jazzercise, shoulder pads, sex and schemes.

“It’s super fun,” Mason said. “The character of Rose is known for being very sweet and, playfully, somewhat dim. She’s very earnest and naïve.

“I love getting to bring her to life every day on the stage. Playing Betty White’s character – especially since her death – does bring a lot of weight to the world. It wasn’t there to begin with since I started. I now have the great pleasure to carry on Betty’s legacy the best way I can.”

The 75-minute “That Golden Girls Show!” hits the Chandler Center for the Arts stage on Thursday, March 17, to Sunday, March 20.

“Our story is told through three episodes of the ‘Golden Girls,’” she said. “They’re not episodes that were directly pulled from the actual show. It’s an amalgamation of different lines in the series with a new storyline within the world of the show. It’s very short, very sweet and you’ll laugh the whole time.”

She confesses that even she has a hard time keeping cool during the performance.

“I tend to be pretty good in terms of staying with it in the show,” she said. “But there have been a few moments when something crazy happens and you have to really focus. That’s the beauty of Samantha Lee Mason gives a hilarious yet reverent spin to the one-time hit TV show "Golden Girls" with her puppet extravaganza coming to Chandler Center for the Arts.

Chandler residents will have a chance to attend the Ostrich Festival for free on St. Patrick’s Day, courtesy of the Chamber.

To claim two adult and up to four children’s tickets good only for March 17 – dubbed Chandler Community Day at the Chandler Chamber Ostrich Festval – residents must act by March 7.

Simply go to March 17 on the “buy tickets” page at ostrichfestival.com, then once you get to the checkout page enter your address and ZIP code. “For the first time we are offering all our Chandler residents a chance to come see this great family friendly festival for free,” Kimble said. “If you live in Chandler and haven’t had a chance to experience the Ostrich Festival, this is your chance.”

The Four Tops are co-headlining with fellow Motown legends The Temptations on March 20.

Additional headliners include Grammy award-winning The Band Perry coheadlining with pop star Uncle Kracker (March 11), Grammy-nominated country act Walker Hayes (March 12), rapper Flo Rida (March 13), the ’80s cover band Spazmatics (March 17), the legendary The Beach Boys (March 18) and Grammy winning R&B star Nelly (March 19).

The 86-year-old Fakir – the lone surviving original Four Tops singer – said he’s slowing down from touring, but he is leaving a legacy with songs like “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)” and “Reach Out I’ll Be There.”

“I’m at an age where I’m not going to perform for too much longer,” he said. “I’m way up there and, at my age, very few people are performing. It’s time for me to ease out of the business and ease out with the wonderful story for The Four Tops.

“Hopefully the younger Tops will keep this going.”

To keep The Four Tops alive, Fakir is working on a memoir for London’s Omnibus Press as well as a Broadway musical, both of which are called “I’ll Be There.”

“There’s a story about the Tops and a lot of people don’t know the true story,” he said. “It’s very interesting and it will be in the book that’s coming out in May, too.

“I want them to know how and why we stayed together all these years; how it was and what it took for us to do that. The life we lived early in our career was very different and very exciting. When we were young, we all said a book was something we would do together. Unfortunately, we never did that. I have the honor of telling the story.”

Fakir anticipates the book and the musical will be hits. “I’ll Be There,” the musical, will be ready by the end of the year, although it has not been cast yet.

“I can’t wait for people to read, hear and go through the life of The Four Tops,” he said. “The wonderful part is my career is still going. It’s amazing to me. We have so much fun on stage. The audience makes it fun, too – especially nowadays because they’ve been pent up for so long.”

Country rocker Uncle Kracker – known to his family as Matthew Shafer – wishes he could be in town for Motown night, as he’s from suburban Detroit.

The former Kid Rock DJ anticipated his set will be primarily hits like “Follow Me,” “In a Little While” and Smile” and his cover of “Drift Away.”

“When I do these things, I try not to get all new stuff on everybody,” he said with a laugh. “I want to show up and have fun. I want to please them with stuff they’ve heard.

“I want the crowd to participate. After all, everybody needs to help out. If we’re going to be there, we all have to do some lifting.”

Later this year, Shafer will start releasing music again, tunes he recorded during the pandemic-induced break from touring.

“I go crazy if I’m not in the studio,” said Shafer, who has kids ranging in age from 1 “and some change” to 22. “I get the itch if I’ve been out of it too long. I’ll probably do a tour around an actual album release, instead of one-off dates like this. I just can’t wait for this festival. It will be great to play for families again.”

If you go

WHEN: Chandler Chamber Ostrich Festival WHEN: 2 p.m. to midnight Friday, March 11; 10 a.m. to midnight Saturday, March 12; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday, March 13; 4 to 11 p.m. Thursday, March 17; 2 p.m. to midnight Friday, March 18; 10 a.m. to midnight Saturday, March 19; and 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday, March 20 WHERE: Tumbleweed Park, 2250 S. McQueen Road, Chandler COST: Tickets start at $20 for ages 13 and older; start at $15 for children 4 to 12; free for children younger than 4. Chandler residents qualify for free tickets on March 17. See the website for more information. INFO: ostrichfestival.com

Dust Bowl exhibition to open at Chandler Museum

ARIZONAN 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: 480-782-2717 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: ArtGovernment photographers shot photos of Dust Bowl work from the City’s migrants in Chandler in the 1930s and their work is on Permanent Collection display at Chandler Museum. (Courtesy of Chandler Museum) through March 27. Since the public art ordinance was established in 1983, the City of Chandler has steadily collected or commissioned artworkfrom local, regional, and national artists.

While many people have seen themonuments, 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 devel-

oped 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-creativitya-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 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.

GOLDEN from page 31

live theater.”

A Chicago native, Mason is a trained musical theater performer who attended Indiana University. Now residing in New York City, she had puppeting experience, thanks to a run with “Reusable the Musical,” written and directed by John Tartaglia.

“Most of my other performances are in musical theater,” she said. “I lived in Japan and worked for Tokyo Disney Resort for a year and a half. I wanted to travel the world, and that was the best way to do it.”

Mason admits she wasn’t an “avid watcher” prior to her auditions for “That Golden Girls Show!” She saw it on Hulu, fell in love with it and binged the entire series.

Now, she gets it.

“That Golden Girls Show!” kicked off its jaunt in 2016 and was forced to close down – just like the rest of the world – due to the pandemic.

“The audience response has just been amazing, too,” she adds. “We look out in the audience and they’re wearing ‘Golden Girls’ face masks. It’s just overwhelming.

“This is the farewell tour now. Fans should see it before it’s gone.”

If you go

WHAT: “That Golden Girls Show!” WHEN: Various times Thursday, March 17, to Sunday, March 20 WHERE: Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Avenue, Chandler COST: Tickets start at $36 INFO: 480.782.2680, chandlercenter.org

Moments that define life, matter.

Being over 45 years of age is a new stage in life—it’s the age of ‘reality’ or practicality. At some point we’ve had to deal with the horrible human truth that we’re not immortal, that our health isn’t on autopilot. Whether we have an ongoing condition or we suspect that there might be an issue on the horizon, we have questions, we need answers from someone. Question is, who is that someone?

Schedule your visit now by scanning the QR code.