CitySkate @ CityScape The tradeoff for being able to dress like it's spring break year-round as the rest of the country shivers and sniffles is that we don't get the kind of White Christmas that ol' Bing sang about. If you're still craving some holiday chill, the CitySkate skating rink in downtown Phoenix will put you on ice.
See also: Arizona Cacophony Society Announces Phoenix Idiotarod 2014
CityScape is more known for its eateries and entertainment options than being a civic gathering place (like the public park it devoured), but CitySkate, the Valley's largest real ice rink, brings some people-powered hustle and bustle to the urban shopping center. Gliding guests can count on Chloe's Corner for beer, wine, and hot chocolate, and admission also gets you other retail discounts around CityScape.
CitySkate is open from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. until 11 p.m. at 1 East Washington Street through January 14. Admission is $12 and includes skate rental. For more info, visit www.cityscapephoenix.com or call 602-772-3900. -- Jose Gonzalez
Artist Talk: Julianne Swartz @ Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts Though her minimalist installations speak volumes (audio tracks are involved in some cases), artist Julianne Swartz will discuss her playful, interactive works during a talk at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts.
Swartz's exhibition "How Deep Is Your" is featured at the museum through Sunday, January 26, and features pieces that ask their viewers to engage with them. For example, Loop (2010) is net of multicolored wiring with speakers dangling throughout its tangles. The sounds pull you into the work in a way a typical painting cannot.
The artist will engage in discussion with SMoCA curator Cassandra Coblentz and the audience beginning at 7 p.m. Tuesday, January 7. RSVPs to the free talk are encouraged, but not required, and do not guarantee seating. E-mail [email protected] to let organizers know you plan on attending. For more info, visit www.smoca.org or call 480-874-4665. -- Becky Bartkowski
My Son the Waiter: A Jewish Tragedy @ Herberger Theater Center Google My Son the Waiter: A Jewish Tragedy, and you're rewarded with an ad for death and mourning support services. This is undoubtedly taken in stride by writer/performer Brad Zimmerman, who's made comedy gold out of struggle and disappointment. After decades waiting tables in New York, the underemployed actor began writing about his life and became an in-demand opener for Joan Rivers, George Carlin, and Brad Garrett, as well as playing Ron Pearse. You know, Johnny Sack's lawyer on The Sopranos!
A cozy hybrid of standup and one-man show, My Son has delighted audiences nationwide -- even gentiles who've never picked up a tray -- and now it's at Herberger Theater Center, 222 East Monroe Street, through Sunday, February 2. So start building that word of mouth, so this nice man doesn't have to return to answering his customer's question "What do you do when you're not here?" with "Well, I have other tables . . ." Tickets range from $43 to $53 at www.herbergertheater.ticketforce.com or 602-252-8497. -- Julie Peterson
METALWULF @ Lawn Gnome Publishing & Used Books Editor's note: This event has been postponed.
Genesis Dance Project @ Tempe Center for the Arts They say dance is the universal language of the world. So it makes sense to celebrate the New Year by bringing together some of Arizona's best emerging and professional dance companies. Representing a diversity of dance genres, artists and companies will perform works from their current repertoires at Desert Dance Theater's Genesis Dance Project.
Featured dancers and companies were selected for the festival by a panel of judges and include Dulce Dance Company, Terpsicore Dance Company, and Movement Source Dance Company. Junk Funk, which blends percussion and movement arts by making music with the body and recycled objects, will bring some beats to the showcase, and Chandler's Conversion Dance Project will present "Adrift," a solo project from artistic director Crystal Lewis and freelance dance artist Katie Wiegman.
The Genesis Dance Project will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, January 10, and Saturday, January 11, at Tempe Center for the Arts Studio, 700 West Rio Salado Parkway. Tickets cost $18 for adults and $13 for students. For more information, call 480-962-4584 or visit www.desertdancetheatre.org. -- Lauren Saria
Editor's note: This post has been modified from its original version.
