Drag is an exercise in excess, showcasing some of the most glamorous and the hilariously campy queens. Though considered a female impersonator, a drag queen’s point isn’t to masquerade as a woman. The goal is to exaggerate femininity with beautiful, sequined dresses and over-the-top makeup. The pageant system is a…
William Shatner’s clearly The Transformed Man, as his 1967 record asserts. His meteoric rise began with Star Trek, reassuring everyone that space was “the final frontier” before boldly overacting in every episode of the show’s three-year run. The criticism and laughter he garnered have never stopped him from doing things…
In recent months, Lady Gaga has taken a small step away from the bizarre. Abandoning all egg portals and meat dresses, she’s taken to a more demure look with auburn locks and simple black dresses. Oh, and face masks. Don’t forget the face masks. Even though she’s toning down the…
Beyoncé will hold court at this year’s Super Bowl halftime show as the planet’s preeminent pop star. And up until a few weeks ago, we would’ve assumed members of her former group, Destiny’s Child, would spend the day noshing on seven-layer dip like the rest of us. But, the pop…
In November, Tempe-based artist and ASU Professor Mary Hood received enough funding through Kickstarter to launch “Map(ing) 2013,” the third biennial that will take over Arizona State University’s Night Gallery in January. Hood writes that the project, established in 2009, investigates the personal and cultural histories of Native American and…
Stroll along the verdant paths of the Desert Botanical Garden, 1201 North Galvin Parkway, and you’ll find plenty of plant life that could qualify as art. Look closer, and you’ll see that alongside some of that flora is manmade artwork — specifically the nature-inspired sculptures by artist Carolina Escobar. In…
Time to grab a few (empty) cans, scissors, and a pair of gloves — Tempe’s Four Peaks Brewing Company is hosting a Beer Can Masterpiece contest this month and it’s looking for entries. Prizes include gift cards, gallery space, and Four Peaks fame … But let’s be honest, we’re all…
James E. Garcia wears a lot of hats. The Phoenix-based creative is a playwright and journalist who’s taught writing and ethnic studies courses at Arizona State University since 2003 and has worked as a reporter, columnist, foreign correspondent and television and radio commentator. In 2002, Garcia founded the New Carpa…
This week, NASA released the first images of the dig site where the Curiosity Rover, which landed on Mars in August of 2012, will collect the first drill sample on Mars. Curiosity sent the image of the site taken at the lowest point of Gale Crater that scientists are describing…
Steve Wiley is Jackalope Ranch’s Parent Hood. He’s a slightly unorthodox father of five who will weigh in weekly with his mildly-rebellious views and observations. If you’d like to see how he came to write this column, watch the intro video. This week he ponders how an anti-authority hoodlum ends…
What: We are entirely positive that if Parks and Recreation’s Tom Haverford were to stage a Treat Yo’self 2013, this fine leather wallet would be on his to-buy list. Where: Bison Made is a leather goods manufacturer housed in monOrchid. The brand specializes in handmade wallets, like this rustic and…
Because there’s nothing more fashionable than a hot model in a tight pair of jeans and an automatic weapon, Philipp Plein gave his runway audience tickets to all kinds of gun shows this week. The German fashion designer is known for stirring the fashion hot pot — he named Lindsay…
This morning, the hardworking community members at Mesa Arts Center and International Sonoran Desert Alliance in Ajo received some very good news. ArtPlace, a national initiative that supports creative placemaking through grants and loans around the country, announced that 104 applicants in 72 communities in 33 states were named finalists…
When the WWE Superstar known as Ryback faces off against opponents in the ring on TV shows like Raw every week, the 6-foot-3 musclebound titan doesn’t just wrestle them. In fact, he tends to destroy his foes with hard-hitting and painful-looking moves like clotheslines, slams, and his devastating finishing move,…
If you’ve always wanted to see the (sometimes organized) chaos of an artist’s studio with insight from the artist and art experts, Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art and Ultimate Art & Cultural Tours have good news. On January 16, February 20, and March 30, SMoCA staff and Ace Bailey will…
Heads up fashionable bike and beer fans, Phoenix-based bow tie company Dapper+Dash is teaming up with The Bicycle Cellar and The Handlebar on Tempe’s Mill Avenue on January 26. Beers + Bikes + Bow Ties will include three workshops on the three topics with special deals on, you guessed it,…
After existing in the purely conceptual realm, the Tempe Museum of Contemporary Art will officially open its doors for the first time this month. Co-founder Christian Filardo originally used the name for his home and workspace where he runs record label Holy Page. From there, the idea grew into a…
Buckle up, Phoenix art community: Art Detour will return in March for its 25th annual event in downtown Phoenix and applications for artists and galleries are now available online. The weekend event, officially organized by Downtown non-profit Artlink, includes two days of studio tours and gallery openings on March 2…
No Pants Light Rail Ride 2013 in Downtown Phoenix When temperatures get a freezing as they have been lately then bundling up is the thing to do, right? Maybe, unless you happened to be one of the participants in this year’s No Pants Light Rail, which took place on Sunday,…
Later this month, a three-day contemporary dance and film festival will take place at Tempe Center for the Arts. >Breaking Ground 2013 Festival will feature three days of dance performances and films by choreographers and performers from Arizona and other states. As an added bonus, they’ll also host two Masters…
Stashed behind downtown Phoenix’s panoramic skyline and collection of neighborhood hideaways, sits Metro Retro, the modern furniture and accessories shop for the evocative soul. Owner, Heidi Abrahamson, is responsible for her store’s nostalgic ambiance and constructive fashion, suitable for any on-the-go, working woman. Her resume includes a modeling career, jewelry…
Each week, Jackalope Ranch brings you a free event, workshop, or you-name-it happening in Phoenix. Because sometimes the best things in life really are free. This week’s freebie: Opening Reception for FRAMED: Artist-Made Picture Frames Third Friday is this week, which means plenty of fine are freebies are coming your…
