Just the name “Deft Collective” is enough to pique our interest and have us looking into this show at Retrofit Creations. Twenty-three artists will be showing, including Christopher Conte with his steampunk-y arachnoid sculptures, brothers Chet (a.k.a. “Painter of Dark”) and Rick Zar, who works mostly with light and glass,…
The 31st edition of WrestleMania is next weekend and, in recent years, the annual event has managed to grow to the grandeur to which it always aspired. The trick for the WWE to pull off isn’t having the premier bash in sports entertainment go off without a hitch as much…
Creatives, get ready to rev your right lobes. Spark! Mesa’s Festival of Creativity is offering four days of all things colorful and artsy — from fire juggling and fireworks to interactive displays and live art performances. Featured installations have been created to embody the four elements, fire earth, wind, and…
Now in its eighth year — just as captivating and clever as always — the 2015 contemporary dance and film festival Breaking Ground returns to Tempe for an inspired night of performing arts. Winner of last year’s New Times award for Best Dance Festival and produced by local company CONDER/dance,…
Men, it’s time to get your kilt on and see what you’re made of. We’re talking about the annual Scottish Highland Games—a show of strength, not just physically, but also culturally. Expect traditional Scottish music, from bagpipes to drum and fife corps, along with fine Scottish dancing. Food, games, and…
It wasn’t a lifelong dream or some twist of fate that thrust Bobby Lee into comedy — it was convenience. When the coffee shop where a young Lee was working closed in 1994, he simply went next door to apply for a job. That neighboring business just happened to be…
After you’ve shed your winter cardigan, but before you’ve started your spring cleaning, you may be feeling a bit lackluster, maybe even flavorless. It is common, it happens to everybody, and it’s not a big deal. Phoenix Center for the Arts and Flamenco Por La Vida have teamed up to…
Two words: Mini. Horses. This weekend, you can see a selection of the top miniature horses in Arizona perform in driving, obstacle driving, jumping, roadster, halter, and costume contests (yeah, you read that last one right) at the the 28th Annual AZ Touch of Class Miniature Horse Show.The show will…
For being such a wealthy nation, the well being of our country’s children is truly troubling. The Raising of America, a documentary series soon to debut on PBS, brings the quality education and the importance of healthcare back into focus. Hosted by The Alliance for Family, Friend and Neighbor Child…
Carrie Marill pauses. Over a hot cup of Earl Grey at Songbird Coffee & Tea House in downtown Phoenix, she’s considering what it’s like to be a working artist in a city where art isn’t a top priority, where artists get burnt out, where being talented isn’t enough. “It can…
When Jackalope Ranch issued a 10-question survey asking Phoenicians (and anyone with an opinion of Phoenix) to sound of on the state of the arts in the Valley of the Sun, dozens provided insights on what’s happening in the city’s creative realm. We’ll present a selection of survey responses here…
Given the rich complexity of feminism past and present, we were intrigued to learn of the latest exhibition at Shade Gallery, located at monOrchid in Roosevelt Row. Titled “Feminism Today,” the exhibition features works by 13 local artists — all of them women whom curator Nicole Royse says she’s long…
What happens in the studio, shouldn’t always stay in the studio. Studio Visit Q+A is a new weekly series that profiles artists in their studios. We ask them questions, they provide answers, and then we have a nice discussion about their work. This week: Phoenix artist Daniel Funkhouser. Arizona local…
Nikki Wrangler has a lot going for her: a beautiful home in Scottsdale, a baby on the way, and on a more superficial level, some seriously great skin. While her enviable complexion could be credited in part to her maternal glow, we know the real source stems from something else…
When Jackalope Ranch issued a 10-question survey asking Phoenicians (and anyone with an opinion of Phoenix) to sound of on the state of the arts in the Valley of the Sun, dozens provided insights on what’s happening in the city’s creative realm. We’ll present a selection of survey responses here…
Saving up for spring break? We can respect that. Lucky for those who want to go out without dipping into their vacation funds, metro Phoenix has plenty of free events happening on the daily. From beer-fueled talks among fellow nerds to art exhibitions, here are our top three picks for…
“Crumpled, Dented, and Crushed” “Crumpled, Dented, and Crushed” sounds like what happens to your car following a bad accident. This Herberger Theater Art Gallery exhibit isn’t far removed from that concept, though there is limited car-related art (and what’s there is perfectly wrecked). Mangled goods, so to speak, is the…
When Jackalope Ranch issued a 10-question survey asking Phoenicians (and anyone with an opinion of Phoenix) to sound of on the state of the arts in the Valley of the Sun, dozens provided insights on what’s happening in the city’s creative realm. We’ll present a selection of survey responses here…
We don’t want to hear anyone say that Phoenix doesn’t have any culture ever again, and we’ve got a list of 23 festivals to prove it. This spring will be anything but uncultured in the metro Phoenix area. Phoenix has everything from a modern dance festival and celebrations of Spanish,…
Attention people in Phoenix under the age of 30: We have a list of things you pretty much need to do before you turn 30. Here are 30 things to do before you turn 30 (and if you’re over 30, you can still knock out some of these):…
They can sing, they can dance, after all this is — well, okay, it’s not France, but Phoenix will get its fair share of talented actors taking to the stage for the spring season. Between Broadway musicals, Shakespearian adaptations, and centerstage comedies, we’ve found 15 good reasons to start buying…
When Jackalope Ranch issued a 10-question survey asking Phoenicians (and anyone with an opinion of Phoenix) to sound of on the state of the arts in the Valley of the Sun, dozens provided insights on what’s happening in the city’s creative realm. We’ll present a selection of survey responses here…
