If Bob Ross were alive today, he'd be painting happy little trees all over the place in ecstatic fervor for all the arts and culture happenings in Phoenix. To help you see the forest for the trees, here's a recap of the top arts and culture stories of the week.
LOLympics: Dreams of the London 2012 Olympics
The London 2012 Olympics kicked off Friday with an opening ceremony that was predictably full of rock hard abs, and kick-ass athletic costumes.
Our own athlete, who goes by LOL, didn't make any of the teams, but is already training for the next round of time trials and strength tests. He has one piece of advice: "Drink your milk prospective Olympians, and one day maybe you too can be an internationally recognized sports hero."
The future of the David Wright House in Scottsdale is looking grim.
The historic home, built by Frank Lloyd Wright at 5212 E. Exeter in the early 1950s, was recently purchased by Nevada-based 8081 Meridian LLC for $1.8 million (the prior owner, JT Morning Glory Enterprises LP, purchased it from the Wright family for $2.8 million in 2009).
And when 8081 Meridian expressed plans to redevelop the land, split the property and "relocate" of all existing structures on the site, fur began to fly in the architecture, historic preservation, and development communities.
The house is absolutely unique, says Scott Jarson, a local artist, writer and real estate agent who's firm specializes in architecturally unique homes. It was designed and built by Frank Lloyd Wright in the early 1950s, the home is the only residence in which the architect used a spiral plan (the same plan he used for the Guggenheim Museum in New York, which was built six years later). Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation members say that several architectural historians and architecture critics consider it to be among the 20 most significant Wright buildings.
And they have less than 60 days to save it.
We found a few other noteworthy Frank Lloyd Wright residences for sale you might want to snatch up around the country before they also become endangered.
--Claire Lawton
SMoCA's Lit Lounge Brings Shaz Bennett, Molly McCloy, Eden Mcnutt, and More to the Stage in August
The next SMoCA Lit Lounge is coming up on August 24, and for those who didn't make it to the sold-out debut on June 22, it might be time to right that wrong.
Lit Lounge, which is best described on the SMoCA Lounge webpage as a little bit This American Life and a little bit rock-n-roll, is a unique fusion of musical and spoken word performances.
And hold it right there -- If that skeptical voice in your head is rolling its eyes and sighing "not another open mic," you can tell him to shove it. Lit Lounge is anything but.
"Lit Lounge, will feature some of the most talented writers, performers and musicians in Arizona performing side-by-side with talent from other parts of the country," says Tania Katan. "Regardless of where they reside, all are a part of a larger dialogue, not "local talent" or 'headliner,' just plain talent."
--Katie Johnson
Suzy Homewrecker's Freaky and Fun Fetish Fashion
By day, Suzy Homewrecker is the supervisor of a local laboratory that studies pathology and immunohistochemistry. At night or on the weekends, however, the 30-year-old crimson-haired vixen becomes a tough-as-nails roller derby queen, a tattooed punk princess, an industrial music DJ, or a gothy, go-go dancer. It all depends on her particular mood or whatever event she's planning on attending.
Fortunately, the fetish model and onetime Suicide Girl is more than fully prepared for any and all occasion, as her red-drenched closet is packed with plenty of outfits -- running the gamut from sexy to chic to surreal -- as well as hundreds of pairs of shoes of every shape and size.
--Benjamin Leatherman
Rehabbing Furniture with Laurie Notaro (a Semi-Drunk How To)
Laurie Notaro is an author, crafter, and expert at finding a good cocktail. She grew up in Phoenix, but is currently based in Eugene, Oregon. Each week, she'll be joining us to share a crafting adventure, draw a flowchart, or remember a few of her favorite things about Phoenix.
To be honest, I'm not all that crazy about Scrabble. The last time we cracked open the box, my husband and I had an argument of historic proportions over the word "aga," (which means tribal lord in Pakistani), that rivaled the ferocity of the time he asked me why I needed to use so much toilet paper. Yes, drinking was involved, but it was only a bottle of Cava, so things really couldn't get too out of hand without giggling becoming involved at some point.
It was about three weeks ago that my husband openly admitted his desire to play his word game of choice al fresco. Despite my apprehension about having root origin word fights that our neighbors could hear, I went on the hunt. I found a forlorn, 1940's circa coffee table tucked in a corner of St. Vinnie's with some nicks and bruises, but nothing too terrible.
--Laurie Notaro
Don't forget to check out Jackalope Ranch's continuing series, 100 Creatives.
