Editor’s note: This begins an occasional series about Van Buren Street. I’m obsessed with Van Buren Street. I spend way too much time thinking about this once-bustling thoroughfare, which rather quickly became — and stayed — a miles-long punch line to a joke about how Phoenix is a town that…
I usually snark it up on this blog but if I were to make wise cracks about this very serious disease, you could classify me as pure evil.Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, along with Banner Health, is hosting “Arts Engagement”, a series of workshops for individuals with early to mid-stage…
Some significant changes have taken place at our Valley’s “official” community theaters — the ones that tend to bear the name of the city or community they call home, have been around a couple of decades or more, that have some loyal subscribers and feel a duty to present relatively wholesome entertainments with…
Even though I recently betrayed my feminist roots by writing this piece, I still have loyalty to the cause. Especially when it comes to Art History.It’s no secret that, historically, female artists haven’t really gotten their fair shake. Lack of education, lack of opportunity for status and all that baby-raising…
The security guards at the Safeway at Seventh Street and McDowell Road better be on high alert today. Ditto for the one’s at Fry’s, Trader Joe’s, or any other grocery store in the CenPho area. Por que? Because their markets just might be missing some shopping trolleys. There’s no great…
It’s really no secret that I’m a big fan of the independently owned boutique. I have a hunch that most slightly fashionable women who loved art class as kids have fantasized at least once in their lives about opening their own little spot; filled to the brim with adorable garments,…
The club will be reading and discussing A Different Truth by Katherine L. Hotchner. Sun., Jan. 24, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., 2010…
This day marks 65 years since the liberation of Auschwitz and museums in Spain, Canada, Hungary, Mexico, Kosovo, and Finland are joining the Phoenix Art Museum in a humanitarian chain for the realization of world peace. The museums are screening Finnish filmmaker Rax Rinnekangas’ hour-long documentary The Colours of the…
What humbly started out as a Web site to give directions to a New Year’s Eve party so many years ago has grown into an online community focused on local music with plenty of in-real-life action. Last March’s SHIZZFEST gave Phoenix a homegrown, multi-stage music blowout; and presently, a new…
Many people believe that when faced with a tough decision – like whether to change careers or dump your boyfriend – the universe gives you signs. A medical school billboard, a giant exit arrow, or a love letter from your BFF in your guy’s underwear drawer can determine your future…
The NFL season has been going off since August, so we know your wife/girlfriend/boyfriend/roommate/dog or whoever that hates football hates you right now, too. If you need a place to watch the AFC Championship and the NFC title tilt, then head to the Football Weekends event at Devil’s Martini where…
Our city’s runners usually pound out their lengthy jaunts on sidewalks and asphalt. Yuck. Those dedicated souls deserve a better environment – one that doesn’t mean inhaling exhaust and dodging speeding cars. And since Phoenix boasts thousands of acres of desert preserves, the McDowell Mountain Frenzy Trail Runs fit the…
Are you reading this while shivering on the couch with your ex-boyfriend’s ratty blanket that barely covers the goosebumps? Well, lose the minus zero and heat up like a hero during the Snuggie Pub Crawl, scheduled to take place at five different watering holes at Tempe Marketplace, 2000 East Rio…
The year 2009 seemed to be a banner one for the Love Me Nots. The Valley’s best outlet for Detroit-driven garage rock dropped the Jim Diamond-produced Upsidedown Insideout that features Nicole Laurenne’s rollicking vocals leading the torrent of Farfisa-hammered sounds and fuzzy guitar licks. The effort even garnered a generous…
If you haven’t heard, Mesa is so hot right now. Not because of the second edition of the sexy Mormon calendar (though that is pretty freaking hot), but on account of a bustling Main Street Mesa art scene anchored by Mesa Contemporary Arts, who will soon unveil its Spring Exhibitions…
If you find it hard to meet people in Phoenix, we suggest hitting up downtown, where honest-to-goodness community exists. Don’t feel comfortable moseying your way into an established scene? No worries because a new spot called Fractal is holding its official grand opening tonight in hopes of attracting all sorts…
It’s called the Melrose Crawl, but it’s neither a groovy new dance nor a limb affliction. It is, instead, a monthly evening of nighttime shopping in downtown’s most vintage-centric district: Seventh Avenue between Camelback and Indian School roads. Some wise marketing soul nicknamed this strip of land “Melrose,” and now,…
Imagine getting up on a stage, hearing one word, and having to come up with comedic brilliance, on the spot, with no script or coaching allowed. It’s enough to make some people sweat bullets. But it’s all in a day’s work for The Torch Theatre’s recent improv class graduates. About…
Actors Theatre present this production about the amazing adventures of Louis de Rougemont. Fridays, Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 2 p.m.; Thursdays, 7 p.m.; Wed., Feb. 3, 7 p.m. Starts: Jan. 22. Continues through Feb. 4, 2010…
The discussion will cover F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic The Great Gatsby. Wed., Jan. 27, 7 p.m., 2010…
Get all downward-facing doggy in the gorgeous setting of Usery Mountain Regional Park. Tue., Jan. 26, 9 a.m., 2010…
Why are low-budget horror films loved? Because they’re less scary than the real horror of everyday life — like Carrot Top and Fox News. Good thing for us, the Phoenix Fear Festival and Convention is serving up its third year of life’s more manageable monstrosities in a 13-hour long slaughter-fest…
