"...My father had a foot in each country, where the mud on each boot caked the same, and the dirt sifted the same through each hand. And the earth had but one scent, and as far as he could see . . . the vista was unbroken."So begins By the Hand of the Father, a fusion of music, acting, storytelling, video and photography that examines a generation of Mexican-American fathers -- namely, their struggle to maintain a cultural identity in a new land and pass it on to their children. Taking the stage at ASU's Gammage Auditorium on Saturday, April 26, the production -- shaped from family lore, interviews, home movies and photos -- melds music by Alejandro Escovedo (pictured); stories and poetry by Theresa Chavez, Eric Gutierrez and Rose Portillo; and video by Janice Tanaka.
Showtime is 7 p.m. at the auditorium, Mill Avenue and Gammage Parkway in Tempe. Tickets are $9, $29 and $35, with student, children, and group discounts available. Call 480-784-4444 to purchase. - Jill Koch
The Man Who Would Be King
Kevin Nealon says, "don't be a girlie-man"
4/24-4/27
Kevin Nealon is an unforgettable comedian and the longest-running cast member in the history of Saturday Night Live. He has portrayed some of the late-night show's most memorable characters -- from Franz (of Hans and Franz) and Subliminal Man to impersonations of Larry King and Sam Donaldson. Nealon is set to "pump you up" this weekend at the Tempe Improv, 930 East University.
Showtime is 8 p.m. Thursday, April 24, through Sunday, April 27, with additional shows at 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Tickets, $20, can be purchased at the box office or by calling 480-921-9877. - Eric Schandel
States of the Art
Dancers meld various genres to create the spectacular
Sat 4/26
Instinct may be common to all creatures, but -- as we learned in our last square-dancing class -- rhythm certainly is not. The two will collide, most gracefully, in a dance production debuting at Scottsdale Community College on Saturday, April 26.
In a first-time collaboration, Instinct Dancecorps and the University of Utah's Performing Dance Company present Instinctual: IMPULSE, an "innovative arrangement of athletic and exciting dance" spanning various genres. The production features the talents of guest choreographers Della Davidson, Abby Fiat, Amy Earnst and K.T. Nelson. Instinct Dancecorps, a division of the Maricopa Institute for Arts and Entertainment Technology at SCC, allows students to work on professional artistic projects before entering the job market.
Showtime is 8 p.m. at SCC's Performing Arts Center, 9000 East Chaparral in Scottsdale. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for students and seniors. Call 480-423-6600 for reservations. - Jill Koch
