5 Artsy Things to Do in Metro Phoenix This Week

"Momentum"

Desert landscapes, posable wooden mannequins, and a PT Cruiser. These are some of the subjects you’ll find in Heather J. Kirk’s multimedia pieces shown within the Herberger Theater Art Gallery. Kirk’s “Momentum” features a range of photographic art from straight prints to prints on aluminum with 3D elements added. The free guest-curated exhibit will be on display at 222 East Monroe Street until Sunday, May 31. On Monday, May 18, the exhibit will be on view from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information and to preview some of Kirk’s pieces, visit www.herbergertheater.org/art-gallery. Evie Carpenter


Seed Spot Demo Day

Twice a year since its inception, a local start up has brought to the stage a variety of future entrepreneurs: Valley movers and shakers with a dream and some semblance of a plan. Through day and evening programs and outreach to high school students, downtown-based Seed Spot specializes in “incubating ventures with social impact.”

During demo days, the final “graduation” from these sessions, presenters have three minutes to pitch their proposals. Winning companies are then awarded prizes, among which is the $5,000 Impact Award, voted on by audience members.

Doors open at 5 p.m., and demo presentations begin at 6 on Tuesday, May 19, at Herberger Theater Center, 222 East Monroe Street. Attendance is free, but advance sign-up is required. Visit www.seedspot.org to RSVP and for more information. Janessa Hilliard


"Collective Dissent: The SMS Portfolios"

Sometimes, art isn’t meant to be shown off in a museum but, rather, delivered right to your door. Or at least, that’s about what artist William Copley thought when he aimed to avoid the systematic approach of museums and galleries in 1968 with his artwork-by-subscription project, SMS — or “Shit Must Stop.” Starting on Saturday, May 16, through the beginning of September, Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, 7347 East Second Street, will showcase some of these portfolios, including art from Christo, Marcel Duchamp, and Yoko Ono, in "Collective Dissent: The SMS Portfolios." Admission to the museum is $7 for adults and $5 for students. The museum is open on Wednesday, May 20, from noon to 5 p.m. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit smoca.org. Evie Carpenter

Innovations

The relationship between dancer and choreographer can be inspiring — and a bit cyclical. The late George Balanchine saw something special in Ib Andersen when he was a principal dancer with the New York City Ballet and created several roles for him. Now, as artistic director of Ballet Arizona, Andersen is looking to the next generation of dancers to push choreographic boundaries. Andersen directs original choreography from Joseph Cavanaugh, Myles Lavallee, Tzu-Chia Huang, and Nayon Iovino for the second annual presentation of Innovations. See work from those who could be the next masters through May 24 at Dorrance Theatre, 2835 East Washington Street. Showtime is 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 21. Tickets are $25 to $55 through www.balletaz.org. Becky Bartkowski


Painting Churches

One of the coolest things about a visit to Theatre Artists Studio is seeing a neglected great play from the past 30 or 40 years. Tina Howe’s 1982 Painting Churches is one of those gems. And while the Studio generally rolls a strike with set design, lighting, and all the other production elements, it’s acting at which the troupe truly shines, and it’s acting that pushes Howe’s Pulitzer-finalist script into the must-see category. Studio members Patti Davis Suarez and Dee Rich, along with guest artist Tony Hodges, will deliver nuanced performances in the run, which continues through Sunday, June 7. Showtime on Friday, May 22, is 7:30 p.m. at 4848 East Cactus Road in Scottsdale. For tickets, $10 to $20, visit www.thestudiophx.org or call 602-765-0120. Julie Peterson

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