17 minute read
Arts
A guide to the holiday events in Chandler
BY THE CITY OF CHANDLER
During the holidays, Chandler lights up.
A festive holiday spirit spills from shops, restaurants, theaters, parks and libraries, where halls are decked, trees are trimmed, and tables are set to celebrate the season.
This year promises heaps of holiday things to do in Chandler. Every must-do holiday list includes a visit to the City’s iconic Tumbleweed Tree, a seat at Ballet Etude’s The Nutcracker, the purchase of the perfect locally made gift for that perfect someone from the Downtown Chandler Farmers Market or Visit Chandler’s Holiday Guide; a walk through the whimsical life-size sweets displays on view during Sugarland; and of course, a commemorative photo with the jolly man himself, at Santa’s House.
Plus, when you’re out and about, remember to grab a toy for Chandler Fire Department’s annual Toy Drive and be sure to keep little elves busy with an array of holiday craft workshops throughout the month hosted by Chandler Public Library.
Chandler for the Holidays celebrates all of winter’s holidays and provides the opportunity for holiday traditions for
Sugarland now through Jan. 2 brightens up downtown Chandler with an interactive
holiday display. (Downtown Chandler Partnership)
you and yours.
Advance tickets are necessary for some attractions and times and dates vary for select events.
Dec 5, Ballet Etudes The Nutcracker
A feast for the eyes and ears with colorful costumes paired with Tchaikovsky’s original score, Ballet Etudes’ Nutcracker is the perfect way to celebrate the holiday season with the entire family.
Through Jan. 2, Sugarland
A spectacular interactive display comprising a candy cane sleigh, a lifesize cup of hot chocolate with marshmallows, giant gumdrops, cookies, colorful swizzle sticks, candy canes, selfie stations and a 5-foot fruit-roll-up slide — all perfect for holiday photos. Sugarland is located at Dr. A.J. Chandler Park, 3 S. Arizona Ave.
New this year is a life-size nutcracker, whimsical trees and beautifully lit reindeer dancing through the palm trees. Family favorites including the candy sleigh, fruit roll-up slide and life-size cup of hot chocolate complete with giant marshmallows will also return and may be experienced anytime of the day or night.
Sugarland’s Canal of Lights also has a few sweet additions, including a candy cane arch and hanging candies that can now be experienced during the day. At night, the walkway over the Commonwealth Canal on Commonwealth Avenue features over 500 colorful lights choreographed to holiday music from 5-10 p.m. daily.
“We’re thrilled to bring Sugarland back to Downtown Chandler for
See HOLIDAYS on page 41
Feline lovers will flock to annual cat show next weekend
SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF
After a pandemic-driven hiatus last year, scores of cats and their masters – well, at least owners – will be descending next weekend on the Mesa Convention Center for Arizona’s largest cat show.
Presented by the Phoenix Cat Fanciers, the show runs 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 11 and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 12 at Mesa Convention Center Building C, 263 N. Center St. Admission is $12 for adults, $10 seniors/ military, $8 children 3-12. People can find a $1-off coupon at phxfeline.com.
In addition, All About Animals Rescue will offer cats for adoption and dozens of vendors selling cat-related products also will be on hand.
The show is a popular gathering for professional exhibitors, vendors and cat-loving spectators – and for good reason.
There are dozens of breeds from tiny cats to Maine Coons that can weigh in at over 25 pounds.
A cat show is composed of a number of separate, concurrently running, individual shows held in the various judging rings throughout the hall. Each ring is presided over by a different judge who has spent years training for the role, one they often repeat at shows around the country and the world.
Every cat is judged according to a written standard for its breed (with the exception of the Household Pet Class, for which there is no written standard). The standard is part blueprint because it describes the ideal specimen for the breed and part constitution because it can be revised by the members of the breed council.
“A breed standard is precise enough to allow judges to evaluate cats accurately, and flexible enough to leave room for differences in interpretation between judges of keen eye and good intention,” according to the national Cat Fanciers Association.
A spectator guide is available to help visitors understand the different breeds’ distinctive characteristics.
There were scores of categories and sub-classes such as Blue Point Female Birman, Balinese-Javanese and seven varieties of Persian cats.
For the most part, though, members largely own purebred felines.
And some have raised dozens of litters of cats since the 1990s.
Visitors also will be able to peruse yearbooks of prior years’ national and world champion cats. “One of the requirements of getting into the judging program is your commitment and knowledge of a minimum of one breed,” one judge explained.
She said most breeds “are unique because of their specific things attributed” to standards set by a council of breeders “who work to define and improve their breeds.”
“For example, the American Curl has ears that curl toward the back of their head,” she said. “The degree and amount of curl is defined as to what is desirable in that. Other attributes for the American Curl are the profile and the length of body.”
Some competitions are more fun than serious: For example, there are Best Christmas Costume entrants that, like their more regal counterparts, will be gently lifted from their individual cage and placed on a small lab table, where a judge will hold it, pet it and eyeball it carefully.
Some contestants aren’t all that thrilled to be wearing elf caps, red coats
The entrants in the Best Christmas Costume contest at the Phoenix Cats Fanciers show don’t necessarily appreciate holiday merriment. (File photo)
Bayou Bandits offer original Southern rock
BY JORDAN HOUSTON
Contributor
Despite social distancing and economic hurdles brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, The Bayou Bandits is gearing up to launch “gritty” new music.
The Southern rock four-piece, comprised of lead singer/guitarist Joshua Strickland, lead guitarist and background vocalist Jeremy Madig, bassist and background vocalist Jay Kereny and drummer Dan Johnson, has quickly built a reputation in the Arizona music scene with its cover shows.
Blending the sounds of Louisiana swamplands with other elements of Southern rock, The Bayou Bandits has shared the stage with Billboard-topping artists like Jerrod Niemann, David Nail, The Black Moods, Jason Charles Miller and Jonathon “Boogie” Long, among others.
The Bayou Bandits is now tapping into its bubbling notoriety to focus on creating new original music, according to Strickland.
“I think, with this new music, I’ve matured a little more as a writer — it’s a little bit more complex lyrics and definitely more of a punch in the mouth,” said Strickland, a Louisiana native and U.S. Army veteran. “It’s like if The Doors and Marshall Tucker had a love child who was born and raised in South Louisiana with harmonicas and dirty guitar riffs. It’s a whole lot of soul.”
The Bayou Bandits is in the “planning stage” of releasing an EP in the near future, boasting slide guitars guaranteed to inspire a “hell raisin’, Boot stompin’ musical throwdown.”
Operating independently from a record label, Strickland said the band’s recent single “Gasoline” has attracted the attention of “record labels across the country.”
“We’re real proud of that song,” he said. “We started working with a publicist out in Vegas and they’ve been jamming it and loving it. That’s something we’re real proud of — not saying we don’t want to be on a label, because we do. But everything we’ve achieved as a band is on our own.
“It’s been a grind. Whenever you’re independent, you don’t have the same resources as a big label head does, so it’s a matter of shopping your music out there and getting people to hear it.”
The Bayou Bandits stepped into the spotlight in 2019 with the song “Take Me Back,” which landed the band a feature in Comedy Central’s docuseries “Klepper” by Jordan Klepper. “Take Me Back” was then added to The Bayou Bandit’s self-titled album, accompanied by other hits such as, “Dixie Ass” and “Tip ‘Em on Back.”
In early 2020, the band hit the road for its debut tour across the Gulf Coast. The Bayou Bandits amassed scores of fans, including a sold-out crowd in New Orleans, along the way — until lockdown measures halted performances.
Strickland, whose musical careers stems back to playing on Bourbon Street as a “bucket boy” when he was 13, describes honing his singing skills throughout his youth in Southern Baptist churches.
Like many creatives, the singer-songwriter said he draws most of his writing inspiration from his personal life experiences.
“It’s hard for me to write songs about stuff that I don’t know anything about,” Strickland explains. “I write about stuff I know that I’ve lived. It’s hard for me to believe in something that doesn’t have a personal tie to me.”
Having served missions in Kandahar City, Afghanistan, Strickland honored that time with the song “Kandahar.” A live performance of “Kandahar” was recorded an audience member during an open mic night. It was later uploaded on YouTube and has since generated over 3,000 views.
A registered nurse at a Phoenix hospital, Strickland has also written pieces honoring the nurses and frontline workers who powering through the pandemic.
“A Nurse’s Story (Save You)” was released as an acoustic single in 2020 and immediately gained attention across the United States from fans and multiple state nursing boards and organizations.
Strickland, however, said he is most proud of the band’s success and development as a unit.
“My bandmates are my best friends and it’s not necessarily by choice, either. It’s because we were with each other so much,” he said. “Our lyrics have grown more; our sound has grown more. I feel like our next record is basically the transition from when boy becomes man — a coming-of-age-type tale.”
And the band’s progression doesn’t appear to be slowing down.
The Bayou Bandits will open for the Los Angeles-based American rock band Steel Panther, best known for its satirical lyrics and exaggerated on-stage pastiche of the stereotypical glam metal lifestyle.
“They’re great dudes, we’ve played with them before,” Strickland discloses. “Those dudes are a riot, and they bring the party.”
Southern rock group Bayou Bandits will be rocking the house at the Maruee Theatree
later this month. (Special to SanTan Sun News)
Steel Panther With The Bayou Bandits
WHEN: 7 p.m. Dec. 17 WHERE: Marquee Theatre, 730 N. Mill Ave., Tempe COST: Tickets start at $30 INFO: luckymanonline.com, thebayoubandits.com or thebayoubandits@ gmail.com
HOLIDAYS from page 40
the holiday season,” said Mary Murphy-Bessler, DCCP executive director. “It is the perfect backdrop for family photos, corporate photos and fun selfies with friends that are both magical and whimsical.”
The DCCP is a nonprofit whose mission is to mobilize leadership and resources to advance the development of Downtown Chandler as a regional destination for shopping, dining, living, culture and the arts.
Dec. 11, 18, Farmers Market
Whether you’re looking for fresh produce for your holiday dishes, gour-
CATS from page 40
with bells and even Nutcracker tutus.
A judge will take each cat through a small set of paces that includes waving a wand in front of them to see if they’d get playful. Sometimes, most are in the mood to bat the wand.
Judges say the biggest change they have seen is in efforts by breeders to create cats of different colors. met food items or unique gifts, the Downtown Chandler Farmers Market at Dr. A.J. Chandler Park has everything you need in one place.
Dec. 9, 11, 18, Santa’s House
Santa Claus is coming to town and he’s hanging out at Dr. A.J. Chandler Park. Bring the whole family to visit with the jolly man, himself at Santa’s House for free photos and to share holiday wishes.
Dec. 10, Vision Gallery Holiday Shopping
Find unique artist-created jewelry, ceramics, ornaments, and more for everyone on your list. Enjoy hot chocolate and special treats as your browse through gift-giving delights. The Vision Gallery is located at 10 E. Chicago St.
Because a council writes the standards for any breed, the breeders “want to see those colors in the championship ring.”
The Cat Fanciers Association takes the work of judges seriously, producing annual yearbooks that are an inch thick or bigger that are filled with portraits of cats that won a championship medal.
Achieving that status usually involves attending a number of shows – often around the country – and accumulating
Dec. 11, Sippin’ Santas
It’s a ho-ho-holiday celebration so come decked out in your best Santa costume and cruise around on a self-guided pub crawl in Downtown Chandler with your friends. Enjoy $4 drink specials, live entertainment, endless Santa selfies and a taste of the best specialty drinks in town.
Dec. 11-12, 18-19, Spirit of Christmas Show
The Spirit of Christmas is an energetic variety show featuring a cast of more than 100 dancers, singers, a horse and carriage, special guest performers, and a champion hoop dancer. Performed by Tempe Dance Academy and hosted by Mark Hart.
Dec. 14, Tumbleweed Tree Photos
points that entitle their cats to an increasingly higher status in each subsequent competition.
Racks of medals in different colors and designs will be on display throughout the Mesa Convention Center.
“I think people enjoy working toward a goal and in the Cat Fancy, that goal is to produce and show exceptional cats that meet or exceed the standards,” one judge said. ”I also think people enjoy spending time with their friends
Stop by the Tumbleweed Tree to get your picture taken by the professionals. Pictures are free and will be available for download on the City’s website.
Dec. 22, Sons of Serendip
This charismatic quartet returns to Chandler to perform their unique arrangements of popular holiday songs sure to get you in the spirit of the season.
Dec. 31, The Best of Broadway
With Musical Director JR McAlexander, spend an evening enjoying the greatest hits from Broadway, performed by four powerhouse vocalists and a 10-piece orchestra. Then ring in the New Year with a champagne toast and party favors.
and producing quality examples of their breeds.”
There are only three Cat Fanciers Association affiliates in Arizona, all based in the Valley.
Besides showing off their cats, competing for medals and sometimes working to create new breeds, members also give back to the community by providing support to a broad array of animal rescue organizations.
Chandler Museum off ers several major exhibits
SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF
Chandler Museum, 300 S. Chandler Village Drive, Chandler is off ering a variety of free programs this month. The museum is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 1-5 p.m. Sunday. It is closed Mondays. Information: 480782-2717 or chandlermuseum.org.
Bigger than Boxing: Zora Folley and the 1967 Heavyweight Title, through Feb. 13.
On March 22, 1967, at Madison Square Garden, New York City, two men face off in the ring for the Heavyweight Championship of the World – Muhammad Ali and the challenger from Chandler, Zora Folley.
“Bigger than Boxing” features the stories of these two boxers, the circumstances that weighed heavy on each man, and the fi ght that was a turning point in both of their careers.
Greatest Photographs of the American West, through Feb. 27. Drawn from the signifi cant holdings of the National Geographic Archive, “Greatest Photographs of the American West” chronicles the history and grandeur of the people and places that defi ne the American West. It off ers a broad understanding of a region that has long captivated photographers.
Each image captures a diff erent aspect of the West including interactions among the people, visitors, and wildlife, as well as landscapes with endless skies, boundless plains, and dramatic mountains.
Programming
Adult Programs
History Bites, noon-12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 7.
“Native land acknowledgment: what it means and why it matters”
Have you heard or read a native land acknowledgment? Ceremonies that recognize previous caretakers of the land are traditional in many Native American communities. If you live in or around Chandler, your home, workplace, or school is built on land stewarded by the predecessors of today’s O’odham (Pima) and Piipaash (Maricopa) people. Doreen Garlid, a Navajo Nation member and the fi rst Native American Councilmember elected in Tempe, guided the creation of that city’s Native Land Acknowledgment proclamation. Join us as she shares her deeply personal account of what acknowledgment means, whom it honors, and why it should be familiar to everyone living here now.
Register: eventbrite.com/e/historybites-native-land-acknowledgmentwhat-it-means-and-why-it-matterstickets-187051685627
Docent Tours
Sundays 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Free 45-minute tours led by our volunteer docents will give you insights into the architectural and artistic components of the museum campus as well as details about Chandler’s history.
Pre-register to guarantee your spot. eventbrite.com/e/docent-tour-tick-
Bruce Dale’s 2001 photo of Monument Valley, Utah, is among the pictures on display at
Chandler Museum. (Special to SanTan Sun News)
ets-169158306047.
Tour groups limited to 8 participants. Have a group of 8 or more? Call 480-782-2879 to schedule a group tour, available on Fridays.
Museum in a Box
Dive into culture, history, and art at home with a themed activity box. Each Chandler Museum in a Box includes instructions and supplies for three-fi ve activities. Museum in a Box is available for sale in the Museum Store.
Build It! Frank Lloyd Wright in Chandler
Explore architecture with a Frank Lloyd Wright themed activity box. Design a city, test your building skills with edible construction supplies, and review shapes hidden within authentic Wright drawings. This Chandler Museum in a Box contains all needed supplies for three activities, stories about Wright’s time in Chandler, and the book Who Was Frank Lloyd Wright from the popular Who Was? series. $18, ages 7-10.
Merry & Bright: Southwest Holiday Traditions
The holiday season is fi lled with unique traditions—and the Southwest is no exception! This Museum in a Box contains supplies for four Southwest-themed holiday activities and a book. Families will learn about The Legend of the Poinsettia, and then follow instructions to make bright fl owers out of felt. Other merry projects include: working together to design luminarias, arranging mini cotton-boll wreaths, and assembling a tree inspired by Chandler’s Tumbleweed Tree! $15.
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