Dear White People
As Trump continues his racist tirades, it’s the perfect time to revisit the 2014 film called Dear White People, which was written and directed by Justin Simien. The film imagines four African-American students navigating issues of identity and race within the context of an elite college where success is often defined by conformity and material wealth. It’s being screened at Civic Center Library, 3839 North Drinkwater Boulevard, Scottsdale. Head to the auditorium to catch the free screening from 5 to 7 p.m. on Monday, August 12. Take note if you’re bringing young family members: The film includes strong language, sexual content, and drug use. Lynn TrimbleMFA Summer Juried Exhibition
During the academic year, you can explore works by emerging artists at ASU galleries. When summer rolls around, ASU School of Art presents its annual exhibition of art by graduate art students, which is a great opportunity to see works by artists you might not have encountered along the beaten path. Artworks featured in this year’s MFA Summer Juried Exhibition were selected by Tiffany Fairall, chief curator for Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum. Participating artists include Ryan Eckert, Carlos Garcia, Thomas Knight, Laura E. Korch, Danica Marlin, Roy Wasson Valle, and others. See their art ranging from paintings to sculpture between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Monday, August 12, at Harry Wood Gallery, inside the ASU School of Art building at 900 South Forest Mall in Tempe. The exhibit is free, and continues through August 30. Lynn TrimbleLatino Cultural Center Meeting
If you want to have a say in city efforts to create a new Latino Cultural Center, now is the time to get involved. A city subcommittee that’s exploring possible locations will hold its next public meeting at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, August 13. It’s happening at the Arizona Latino Arts and Cultural Center, 147 East Adams Street, which is home to one of the Valley’s many organizations focused on Latino arts and culture. The meeting may include renderings for possible designs at various sites, although city officials say that’s subject to change. Keep track of meeting details by watching the webpage for the City of Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture. Lynn TrimbleJump Start Your Fall Garden
Just because it’s August doesn’t mean you can’t start preparing your garden for the fall. Savvy and knowledgeable gardeners have perfected the art of growing vegetables and other plants in our arid desert landscape. Jump Start Your Fall Garden will help you learn how to get your green thumb off on the right foot. Greg Peterson, a frequent speaker and founder of the Urban Farm, will share with you simple steps to make your garden a sustainable supply of wholesome food.Plant the seed from at 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, August 13, at Changing Hands Tempe, 6428 South McClintock Drive in Tempe. This is a free event. Jason Keil