Ah, the sinful sensuality of rock ‘n’ roll. Hey kid, you were lucky to be born when you were. In the old days, folks had to hide their records from their parents. “The devil’s music,” they called it. Yes, Beelzebub himself supposedly created the classic four-chord progression and hip swivel…
Christmas is rough on bad dressers. The dirty looks and snide remarks from people who don’t like you are one thing, but the worst insult comes when all of your friends and family buy you new clothes. It’s a subtle reminder that people are embarrassed to be seen with you…
If Jackson Pollock hadn’t fathered abstract expressionism, what would today’s art world look like? That’s a question Perrin McEwen has spent some time contemplating ®C not that he wants a definitive answer. “I don’t think our world would be possible,” McEwen says. “He forced us to look at art in…
Well folks, it turns out that shitty movie with John Cusack was right. We’re all doomed to die in a series of natural disasters and freak occurrences on Friday, December 21, with the intolerable company of Amanda Peet. But, if you know you’re going to parish, you might as well…
Predictions of the end times are always a tricky undertaking. Everyone from Nostradamus to Bible-thumping yahoos have whiffed out. Reacting to such prognostications, though, is much easier: Go live it up. The newish multimedia art collective Insatiable Strange does just that with a sci-fi- and eschatologically-themed exhibition opening Friday, December…
We have the dubious distinction of having met and been uncomfortably hit on by Jeff Dowd, who you might know better as “The Dude” or the dude who “The Dude” is based on, anyway. In spite of the awkward advances (guy does not look like Jeff Bridges, okay?), we can…
When it comes to holiday gift giving, it really is the thought that counts, and no gift indicates well-spent time and energy like a hand-made one. Unfortunately, not all of us inherited the crafty gene. You know, the one that allows us to recreate projects from the pages of Home…
We have no idea what you’ll see at Space 55’s 7 Minutes Under the Mistletoe. But neither has Space 55. Somehow, though, the acts who’ve each arranged to perform for less time than it takes to bleach your teeth always step up their game to bring live art that is…
For as long as most hoops junkies can remember, the Phoenix Suns and the Lakers have jointly dominated the NBA’s Pacific Division. Inversely, the Clippers and the Warriors routinely have been division punching bags. Oh what a year or two can do. With the mighty Lakers reeling and the Suns…
The Arizona Cardinals’ failure to make good on the promise of their undefeated first month was no shock to a fanbase used to mediocrity. In spite of this, the Cards have managed to disappoint even the most hardened cynics with the way that they squandered their season. Whether it was…
For more than three hundred years the New Mexican tradition of making lights out of easily obtained sand and paper bags has brought a peaceful glow to the Southwest region throughout the holidays. These strategically placed path finders were originally designed as a guide to welcome the Christ child into…
For a dose of traditional Christmas fun, head to Symphony Hall. Ballet Arizona will perform The Nutcracker in all its sugary, imaginative glory through Christmas Eve. Fri., Dec. 7, 7:30 p.m.; Sat., Dec. 8, 2 & 7:30 p.m.; Sun., Dec. 9, 1 & 5:30 p.m.; Fri., Dec. 14, 7:30 p.m.;…
The latest Christmas meme of “Santa saw your Facebook pictures; you’re getting clothes and a dictionary for Christmas” suggests that nowadays folks may be a little more naughty than nice. Even if you wake up on Christmas morning to find a pack of socks and a thesaurus with a bargain…
You’d be hard-pressed to find Bucky Miller without a camera in hand. The local photographer and recent graduate of ASU’s photography program has an eye for the everyday; his photographs, presented in sequences, capture moments, objects, interactions, and experiences in urban settings. He describes his latest collection, “Destroyer,” as part…
We may not have frosted windowpanes or sleigh rides, but, on upside of Phoenix’s joyous 70-degree winters, we do have great weather for barhopping. This holiday season the Downtown Phoenix Partnership has pitted some of the area’s bars and restaurants against each other in a six-week holiday cocktail competition that…
When Jenny Ignaszewski packed her bags and headed to Florida earlier this year, the art community lost one of its brightest, most energetic members. Ignaszewski (who also goes by Iggy) has a long history in the Phoenix art scene. For years, she was a graphic designer for the Arizona Republic…
The Valley of the Sun conjures up images of palm trees, golf courses, and seemingly endless asphalt. But Brazilian-based Mexican artist Héctor Zamora hit the outskirts of town to gain a greater understanding of the intersection of modern life with the native environment in preparation for his current exhibition “Architecture…
The cultural history of China dates back thousands of years with ideas, images and sayings still propagating through modern culture — particularly in the West. Yet, the 1960s Cultural Revolution attempted to erase that past for a future that could be shaped. Following Chairman Mao’s 1975 death, artists reset their…
It’s been said that you can’t take it with you once it comes time to shuffle loose the mortal coil, especially any and all cash one might have in their wallet or the bank. So if y’all happen to be one of those foolish enough to believe that the end…
This January, Ovation Television Network is looking to award a community project in the U.S. a “viewer’s choice” Innovation Grant by popular vote. The InnOVATION Grant Program was born from its short docu-series “Motor City Rising,” which features a group of artists working to revitalize parts of Detroit. Producers realized…
Now that our seemingly never-ending Indian summer has finally ended and winter has descended upon the Valley, we can all proclaim that Christmastime Is Here and get in that holiday spirit. Nothing gets the Cycle offices more amped for the holidays than the glittering of hundreds upon thousands of little…
Laurie Notaro is an author, crafter, and expert at finding a good cocktail. She grew up in Phoenix, but is currently based in Eugene, Oregon. Each week, she’ll be joining us to share a crafting adventure, draw a flowchart, or remember a few of her favorite things about Phoenix. Today,…
