The pursuit of peace has inspired thoughts poetic -- "We shall find peace. We shall hear the angels; we shall see the sky sparkling with diamonds" (Anton Chekhov) and pragmatic: "I like to believe that people, in the long run, are going to do more to promote peace than our governments... One of these days, governments had better get out of the way and let them have it" (Dwight Eisenhower).On Friday, April 11, Valley voices will join the chorus, as Phoenix College's Creative Writing Program hosts "Poets and Musicians for Peace." Professor Laraine Herring will emcee the evening of readings, featuring poet/musician Jed Allen, singer/songwriter Gus Brett, novelist Barbara Nelson, poetry group Politik N Poetry, and others. The free event begins at 7 p.m. in the Dome Conference Room on the Osborn Campus, 11th Avenue and Flower Road. Call 602-339-6214.-- Jill Koch
Showcase Showdown
Sun 4/13
Music groupies will find their thrill on Mill at the eighth annual New Times Music Showcase, Sunday, April 13. From 6 to 11 p.m., 40 Valley acts plus L.A.-based headliner Maroon5 will groove, jam, rock and/or roll at 10 venues lining Tempe's Mill Avenue. Throughout the event, fans can rock the vote in categories ranging from best punk band to most likely to make it big. A $7 wristband, providing access to all 41 shows, is available at showcase venues, Monkey Mambo and Zia Records. In addition to supporting Body Positive's HIV/AIDS resource programs, proceeds will establish a music scholarship at ASU. See www.phoenixnewtimes.com for a schedule.-- Jill Koch
High Tech, High Art
Thu 4/10
Is it just us, or does the technology-driven society in Blade Runner seem not so far-fetched anymore? As the 21st century marches on, contemporary art seems inexorably wedded to technology. Perhaps the next theory of art will be along the lines of "technology for technology's sake."
On April 10, this marriage drives "Digital Multimedia Theatre," the latest project from Arizona State University's Institute for Studies in the Arts. The amalgam of technological "works in progress" includes "sensing technologies, wireless transmission, multimedia presentation technologies and virtual reality." Contributors include sound designer Eyvind Kang (who contributed to the score for the movie version of Naked Lunch), lighting designer Stan Pressner, director David Schweizer, ASU dance professor Lance Gharavi and performance artist Jeff McMahon.
"Digital Multimedia Theatre" happens at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 10, at the Digital Arts Ranch, located at Myrtle and University in Tempe. Admission is free. Call 480-965-9438 or see http://isa.asu.edu.-- Maidi Terry
