We know, the beginning of the work week sucks. But if you take a quick look at the calendar, you'll see we're off to a pretty good week of art events, sports games, dance parties, and more. Here are our must-see events from now to the weekend...
Monday, January 21: Craft Hack @ Gangplank Emulate as we might, we are not and will never be Martha Stewart-style domestic goddesses. Our attention to detail, ability to organize, and DIY spirit will never match that of the millionaire mogul. We need support in our attempts at craftiness, and, luckily, we aren't alone in the matter.
See also: - Top Five Phoenix Arts and Culture Stories of the Week - Weekly Freebie: Open House at Roosevelt Point
Enter Craft Hack, the co-working meetup where aspiring (and established) crafters can stitch, glue, and glitter in the supportive, creative confines of Gangplank HQ, 260 South Arizona Avenue in Chandler. Every third Monday, the event offers networking and demos. Bring your projects and a smidge of can-do spirit to the monthly craftathon. -- Becky Bartkowski
Wednesday, January 23: "Born of Fire: The Pottery of Margaret Tafoya" @ ASU Art Museum Margaret Tafoya is often called the matriarch of the Santa Clara Pueblo potters. The late artist passed away in 2001, but her legacy lives as one of the carriers of Pueblo culture and tradition. Pueblo pottery dates back to A.D. 500 and has deep roots in New Mexico, where Tafoya's large, polished wares are viewed as a blend of the traditional and functional vessel and a fine art form.
Through Saturday, April 20, Tafoya's work will be on view at the ASU Ceramics Research Center. According to CRC staff, Tafoya utilized ancient techniques including coiling and wood firing her clay, which she adorned with a bear paw, a symbol of the Tafoya clan. "You have to have a good heart when you sit down to make this pottery; you have to live a good life," Tafoya once said. "The pottery knows." -- Claire Lawton
Thursday, January 24: How to Survive a Plague Screening @ ASU Memorial Union How to Survive a Plague is a must-see documentary. Don't take our word for it. The powerful film has already won a slew of accolades and nominations from organizations including the Independent Spirit and Academy awards. But you don't have to take their word for it either. Just watch the trailer. Better yet, go see it.
ASU's LGBT organization, Ubiquity, hosts a screening of the David France film, which examines the AIDS epidemic from the perspectives of activists who worked to build disease awareness and helped innovate and test treatments. Sometimes they succeeded and sometimes they failed, but undoubtedly they made an impact. -- Becky Bartkowski
Friday, Januray 25: 4xF @ Fifth Street In December, local art zine Tempe Starving Artist and national creative event troupe FMLY joined efforts to bring dozens of live music shows, open mics, and live paintings to downtown Phoenix. FMLY fest was a one-night takeover on Roosevelt Row, during which Aaron Johnson, owner of book/zine store Lawn Gnome, hosted a lineup of live performances.
On Friday, January 25, Johnson will take the torch again and host 4xF, a FMLY Fest-inspired event that he hopes will become a monthly must-attend (and another reason for creative types and city kids to hang out downtown). It all goes down on Fifth Street between Roosevelt and Garfield streets with live stages at Jobot, Lawn Gnome, Bodega 420, 909 Housing Collective, and more. -- Claire Lawton
Friday, January 25: Pancakes and Booze Underground Art Show @ The Duce Like a traveling circus featuring art instead of elephants, Pancakes and Booze brings underground artists and all-you-can eat ®C you guessed it ®C pancakes to the cities all over the country. During three and a half years of touring, the art show has made its way from Los Angeles, its city of origin, to Brooklyn. Now, it heads to the desert to kick off the new year.
On Friday, January 25, the party comes to Phoenix, bringing together more than 50 underground and emerging local artists to showcase their work at The Duce, 525 South Central Avenue. Live body painting and audio and visual performances from DJ Tonic Kemistry round out the night, during which guests can feast on a pancake bar complete with a variety of toppings and plenty of libations. -- Lauren Saria
Check out more things to do today (and everyday) in our Calendar section ...
