january 9
Swinging on a Star: The Johnny Burke Musical: The late Burke wrote the words to some of our most memorable popular songs--including the title tune, "Pennies From Heaven," "But Beautiful," "Moonlight Becomes You" and "Misty"--and most of his career high notes are hit in this Tony-nominated homage by writer/director Michael Leeds. Arizona Theatre Company continues its 30th-anniversary season with the Southwestern premiere of the work. This week's performances are at 2 and 8 p.m. Thursday, January 9; 8 p.m. Friday, January 10; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, January 11; 1 and 7 p.m. Sunday, January 12; and 8 p.m. Wednesday, January 15, in Center Stage at Herberger Theater Center, 222 East Monroe. The production continues through Sunday, January 19. Tickets range from $24 to $37, available at Herberger and Dillard's; call 252-8497 or 503-5555.
"Rick Hards: Former Lives": Chicago-based artist Hards was struck with the inspiration for the small-scale works in "Former Lives" at an antique store, where he first encountered those stark, sometimes chilling, photographic portraits called tintypes (a.k.a. ferrotypes) that were so popular during the Civil War era. Mostly, the painter deals in artistic reincarnation; he breathes a sort of surrealistic life into these old, dead souls by recasting their images in new, often ironic forms suggested by the subjects' original poses (a reanimation process not dissimilar to the one practiced by the Mexican woodcarvers of Oaxaca on their tortured piles of driftwood). "Former Lives" continues through Saturday, February 1, in the "through the arch" space at Scottsdale's Lisa Sette Gallery, 4142 North Marshall Way. Viewing is free; hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays (and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursdays), noon to 5 p.m. Saturdays. Call 990-7342.
Kruse International Collector Car Show and Auction: A 1971 Pantera Detomaso coupe once owned by Elvis Presley--and sporting a King-size bullet hole, courtesy of the impatient and vehicularly challenged singer--will go on the block, along with other hot cars of the rich and infamous, at this annual blowout. It's scheduled Thursday, January 9; Friday, January 10; Saturday, January 11; Sunday, January 12; and Monday, January 13, at Phoenix Municipal Stadium, 5999 East Van Buren. Admission is $8, $3 for kids. Call 1-800-968-4444.
"The Art of John Lennon": Lennon was a great artist in one sense. In terms of visual art? Not so much. But this touring exhibit, approved by Yoko Ono and produced by the Laguna Beach-based Pacific Edge Gallery of California, does provide an overview for those curious about the late Beatle's paintings and drawings, which we'll charitably term "whimsical." For those who just want to linger in the vicinity of Lennon's aura a little longer, 20 of the songwriter's handwritten lyrics will be displayed. Viewing is free. Hours are noon to 9 p.m. Thursday, January 9; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, January 10; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, January 11; and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, January 12, at the Borgata, 6166 North Scottsdale Road in Scottsdale. For details call 998-1822.
Dannion Brinkley: Speaking of the afterlife, Brinkley was pronounced dead following a 1976 accident, displaying no heart or brain activity for about half an hour. He claims to have visited Heaven and "walked with angels," and the assertions snagged him a book deal and a Fox-TV movie of the week. He describes his life and near-death experiences at 7 p.m. Thursday, January 9, at the Holiday Inn SunSpree Resort, 7601 East Indian Bend in Scottsdale. Tickets are $25. For details call 970-8543.
Disney's Beauty and the Beast: The musical-theater version of the tale is billed as a "silhouette" of the movie company's blockbuster "rather than a replica of it." Alan Menken and Howard Ashman wrote the score, which is augmented by seven new songs, six of them collaborations by Menken and Tim Rice. This week's performances are at 8 p.m. Thursday, January 9; 8 p.m. Friday, January 10; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, January 11; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday, January 12; 8 p.m. Tuesday, January 14; and 8 p.m. Wednesday, January 15, at Gammage Auditorium, Mill and Apache in Tempe. The touring production continues through Saturday, February 1. Tickets range form $20 to $60, available at Gammage and Dillard's; call 965-3434 or 503-5555.
friday
january 10
Kenny Davern and the Rhythm Men featuring Dave Frishberg, Bucky Pizzarelli, Howard Alden, Tony DeNicola and Greg Cohen: Traditionalist Davern, a clarinetist who cut his teeth with the late Jack Teagarden, leads this worthy ensemble. The group inaugurates the "Jazz Evenings" supper-club/cabaret series at the Wrigley Conference Center Ballroom, 6001 North 24th Street, with shows at 7 Friday, January 10; and the same time Saturday, January 11. Tickets are $30. Call 956-5515.
Karaoke Queens at the St. James: Leo Cortez's work, billed as a "flashback fable filled with song and relentless repartee," centers on several musical drag queens mourning the closing of the title bathhouse. Opening performances are at 8 p.m. Friday, January 10; 8 p.m. Saturday, January 11; and 3 p.m. Sunday, January 12, at Planet Earth Multi-Cultural Theatre, 909 North Third Street. The production continues through Saturday, February 1. Tickets are $9, $7 for students and seniors; those in drag receive a $2 discount. Call 241-1828.
Orion String Quartet: The quartet-in-residence at New York's Lincoln Center is augmented by violinist Ida Kavafian and cellist Fred Sherry at a concert scheduled for 8 p.m. Friday, January 10, at Scottsdale Center for the Arts, 7380 East Second Street. The program includes Ravel's Sonata for Violin and Cello; Brahms' Sextet for Strings in G major, Opus 36; and Marsalis' "At the Octoroon Balls" for String Quartet. The show's co-sponsored by Phoenix Chamber Music Society and Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. Tickets are $18, $5 for students. Call 252-0095 or 994-2787.
"The Art of John Lennon": See Thursday.
Disney's Beauty and the Beast: See Thursday.
"Rick Hards: Former Lives": See Thursday.
Kruse International Collector Car Show and Auction: See Thursday.
Swinging on a Star: The Johnny Burke Musical: See Thursday.
saturday
january 11
Harlem Globetrotters: "Sweet Georgia Brown" is still the team's theme song, and a mix of hot hoops and silly sight gags is still its raison d'etre. The competition, however, has stiffened--slightly: The hapless Washington Generals have given way to the comparatively competent International All-Stars. Games are scheduled at 1 and 7 p.m. Saturday, January 11, at America West Arena, First Street and Jefferson. Tickets range from $8.50 to $75, available at the arena and Dillard's; call 379-7800 or 503-5555.
Tempe Celebration of the Arts: The free event, held in conjunction with the nonpublic U.S. Conference of the International Guild of Musicians in Dance, features a series of movement and music performances. The outdoor activities are scheduled from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, January 11, centered on Tempe Arts Center, located at Tempe Beach Park, First Street and Mill. The premiere of "Sound Dance," a collaboration by choreographer Elina Mooney and composer David Karagianis, follows at 4 at Arizona State University's Nelson Fine Arts Center, 10th Street and Mill. For details call 350-8119 or 965-3014.
NFL Air-It-Out Flag-Football Tournament: The tourney, featuring adult, co-ed and youth divisions, is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, January 11; and the same hours Sunday, January 12, at Tempe's Diablo Sports Complex (48th Street and Alameda) and at nearby Benedict Park (Kyrene and Guadalupe roads). Viewing is free. Also on the agenda: the NFL Experience On Tour, featuring interactive games and contests. Call 517-9833 or 280-9241.
Dale Chihuly: The Seattle-based art-glass master discusses his work at 8 p.m. Saturday, January 11, at Scottsdale Center for the Arts, 7380 East Second Street. The lecture, which continues the "ARTiculations: Evenings With Contemporary Artists" series, is held in conjunction with the center's "Chihuly Baskets" installation (see the Art Exhibits listing); a reception/book signing follows. Admission is $7, $6 for SCA members. Call 994-2787.
ASU Basketball: Bill Frieder's Arizona State University roundballers host a game against their archrivals, Lute Olson's University of Arizona Wildcats, at noon Saturday, January 11, at ASU Activity Center, Sixth Street and Stadium Drive in Tempe. CBS is scheduled to televise the match nationally. If tickets are available, they're $16; call 965-2381.
"The Art of John Lennon": See Thursday.
Kenny Davern and the Rhythm Men: See Friday.
Disney's Beauty and the Beast: See Thursday.
"Rick Hards: Former Lives": See Thursday.
Karaoke Queens at the St. James: See Friday.
Kruse International Collector Car Show and Auction: See Thursday.
Swinging on a Star: The Johnny Burke Musical: See Thursday.
sunday
january 12
Clara Bargellini: The Mexico City-based art historian/author speaks about "Religious Art in Colonial Spain" at 2 p.m. Sunday, January 12, in the Whiteman Lecture Hall at Phoenix Art Museum, 1625 North Central; a reception follows. The event, sponsored by Friends of Mexican Art, is held in conjunction with PAM's "Converging Cultures: Art and Identity in Spanish America" installation (see the Art Exhibits listing). For details call 257-1880 or 257-1222.
Jean-Yves Thibaudet: The stylish, France-born pianist continues the "Evenings With Steinway" series at Scottsdale Center for the Arts, 7380 East Second Street, with a performance at 7 Sunday, January 12. The program includes Debussy's "Isle Joyeuse"; Liszt's "Jeux d'eau a la Ville d'Este"; and pieces by Wagner and Verdi. Tickets are $10, available at the center and Ticketmaster; call 994-2787 or 784-4444.
"The Art of John Lennon": See Thursday.
Disney's Beauty and the Beast: See Thursday.
Karaoke Queens at the St. James: See Friday.
Kruse International Collector Car Show and Auction: See Thursday.
NFL Air-It-Out Flag-Football Tournament: See Saturday.
Swinging on a Star: The Johnny Burke Musical: See Thursday.
monday
january 13
Ann Zwinger: The author of the recent Downcanyon, a nonfiction work about the Colorado River through Grand Canyon, reads from her various writings at two separate events on Monday, January 13. Zwinger continues Arizona Center for the Book's "Feast for the Mind" series at noon at Christopher's, 2398 East Camelback. The cost is $20, which includes lunch. Reservations and prepayment are required (call 265-2651, extension 600). The writer then moves to Kerr Cultural Center, 6110 North Scottsdale Road in Scottsdale, for an evening reading sponsored by the Writer's Voice of the Scottsdale/Paradise Valley YMCA. Paul Morris reads first; the event starts at 7:30. Tickets are $7, $3.50 for students and seniors, available at the center and Dillard's; Writer's Voice members get in free (call 965-5377 or 503-5555).
Kruse International Collector Car Show and Auction: See Thursday.
tuesday
january 14
The Caribbean, Islands of Eden: Filmmaker Dale Johnson will be on hand to introduce his travelogue. It screens at 7 p.m. Tuesday, January 14, continuing the "Armchair Traveler" series at the Sundome, 19403 R.H. Johnson Boulevard in Sun City West. Tickets are $6, available at the 'dome and Dillard's; call 975-1900 or 503-5555.
Disney's Beauty and the Beast: See Thursday.
"Rick Hards: Former Lives": See Thursday.
wednesday
january 15
"Native Voices: Reflecting Forward": Heard Museum Guild's annual lecture series opens Wednesday, January 15. Gerard Baker, superintendent of Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, hosts a program titled "Little Bighorn Battlefield: A Change in Interpretation" at 7 p.m. at the Heard, 22 East Monte Vista. Baker's program is repeated at 10 a.m. Thursday, January 16, at the museum and at 7:30 that evening at Carefree Inn, 37220 Mule Train Road in Carefree. The series continues through Thursday, February 13. Tickets to each lecture are $11, $9 for members; dinners are available for a separate fee. Call 252-8840.
Disney's Beauty and the Beast: See Thursday.
"Rick Hards: Former Lives": See Thursday.
Swinging on a Star: The Johnny Burke Musical: See Thursday.
