MDRVRXP: see note below at "Art Films"MDNM
@day:wednesday
@mon:january
@date2:26Martha Graham Dance Company: The most celebrated of all American dance companies observes the 100th birthday of its founder, late dance doyenne Graham, with a performance at 8 p.m. Wednesday at Gammage Auditorium, Mill and Apache in Tempe. It's also the 50th anniversary of Graham's signature work, her choreography for composer Aaron Copland's Appalachian Spring, which highlights the four-part program. Tickets are $22, $19 and $16, available at Gammage and Dillard's box offices. For details call 965-3434 or 678-2222.
@body:Disney on Ice: This sparkling, family-style skate spectacle inspired by Walt Disney's acclaimed animated film musical Beauty and the Beast continues through Sunday at America West Arena, First Street and Jefferson; see Kid Pics for complete performance schedule. Tickets are $22.50, $14.50, $12.50 and $10.50, available at Dillard's box offices. For details call 379-7800 or 678-2222.
Phoenix Open: Those who love to watch other people play golf can get their fill during this world-class segment of the Professional Golfer's Association Tour, held at Tournament Players Club of Scottsdale, Pima and Bell roads. Wednesday's fun includes the Dial Corporation Pro-Am and Xerox Silver Pro-Am. Actual PGA tournament play is Thursday through Sunday, featuring defending champion Lee Jantzen and a field of worthy challengers; all four days are nationally televised on ESPN. The event concludes with the American Express Challenge on Saturday and Sunday and the Oldsmobile Hole-in-One competition on Sunday. Tickets for spectators are $15 per day; various package deals are available. For details call 870-4431.
Kris Kristofferson: Army vet, wild man, musician, vocalist and songwriter Kristofferson is also a fairly competent actor. As Barbra Streisand's co-star in the 1976 film A Star Is Born, Kris did a live concert at Tempe's Sun Devil Stadium. On Wednesday, fans can get a much closer look at Kristofferson as he performs in a more intimate venue, the Mason Jar, 2303 East Indian School. Michael Nitro opens shows at 6:30 and 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $12, available at Ticketmaster outlets. For details call 956-6271 or 784-4444.
MDRVRXP: Both Life and Times and It's All True are history for Feb 2 issue (Life and Times actually was for Jan 26 issue - we fixed). Krista says they may have something opening February 4, but we won't know 'til end of week - she says it's likely that double-feature of Like Water for Chocolate and Strictly Ballroom will continue in lMDNMMDRVieu of anything new. Thanks, CM.MDNM Art Films: Director Jerry Aronson's The Life and Times of Allen Ginsberg (unrated), a documentary-style portrait of the Sixties beat poet and political activist that examines its colorful subject in chronological order via historic film footage, photographs and interviews with period luminaries such as Norman Mailer, Ken Kesey, Joan Baez and William S. Burroughs, plus scenes of Ginsberg reading his own works, continues this week at Valley Art Theatre, 509 South Mill in Tempe. Also, It's All True (G), a documentary examination of a never-finished project by enigmatic actor/director Orson Welles, continues this week; and The Rocky Horror Picture Show (R) is shown at midnight every Saturday. For prices, showtimes and details, call 829-6668 or 784-4444.
@day:thursday
@mon:january
@date2:27Phoenix Symphony Chamber Orchestra: Several acclaimed young musicians from China serve as guest soloists with Phoenix Symphony's 40-member chamber configuration in concert at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Symphony Hall, 225 East Adams. Ma Xiang-Hua, an 18-year-old who plays the erhu (a two-stringed Chinese instrument), along with violinist Lu Wei, 12, pianist Li Chen-Yin, 17, and cellist Ma Wen, 20, joins the orchestra in a program to be announced; principal conductor James Sedares wields the baton. Tickets are $18, $15, $12 and $8, available at the symphony box office, 3707 North Seventh Street. For details call 264-6363.
@body:Windowgames: The Edge Project 94: This brand-new collection of 18 short playlets was created by nine local writers as a follow-up to last season's critically lauded Edge Project collaboration, Voices on the Edge. The world-premiäre run of Windowgames continues through February 12 at Playwright's Workshop Theatre, 3302 North Seventh Street. Performances are at 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays. Tickets are $9 and $7. For reservations and details, call 279-5151.
Smokin' Joe Kubek Band featuring B'nois King: Dallas-bred Kubek is surely the most energetic blues guitarist to come out of Texas since Freddie King. Along with powerhouse vocalist/rhythm guitarist B'nois King, drummer Phil Campbell, bassist Greg Wright, organist Ron Levy and sax man Jim Spake, Smokin' Joe has turned out two red-hot recordings to date, Stepping Out Texas Style and Chain Smokin' Texas Style. Shows are planned for 9 and 11 p.m. Thursday at Char's Has the Blues, 4631 North Seventh Avenue. Admission is $5, good for both gigs. For details call 230-0205.
Freewill--the Rush Tribute: Diehard fans who couldn't get tickets to Tuesday's sold-out Rush concert may have to settle for this thrifty imitation. The sound-alike band Freewill plays a program of Rush standards at 9 p.m. Thursday at the Roxy, 2110 East Highland. Tickets are $7, available only at the door; those who show either a KUPD-FM Red Card or an actual Rush concert ticket can get in for $5. For details call 954-7838.
@day:friday
@mon:january
@date2:28Hal Holbrook in Mark Twain Tonight: Ever since creating his original homage to Mark Twain in 1954, veteran actor Hal Holbrook of TV's Evening Shade has become inseparably identified with that beloved American writer. Back then, it took the youthful Holbrook several hours to apply the heavy makeup and shaggy wig required to transform himself into the elderly Twain; now, 40 years and countless performances later, far less artificial aging is required. Holbrook performs his one-man show at 8 p.m. Friday at Gammage Auditorium, Mill and Apache in Tempe. Tickets are $25, $22 and $19, available at Gammage and Dillard's box offices. For reservations and details, call 965-3434 or 678-2222.
@body:Phoenix Roadrunners Hockey: Arizona's International Hockey Leaguers battle the San Diego Gulls at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday at Veterans' Memorial Coliseum, 19th Avenue and McDowell. Both teams will return to vie again on February 8. Tickets are $14, $12, $10 and $8, available at Coliseum and Ticketmaster outlets. For details call 340-0001, 784-4444, 340-0002 or 258-6711; also see Sports listing.
Montanaro Dance Company: Montreal-based choreographer Michael Montanaro has been called the "Spielberg of dance" for his seemingly magical, high-tech productions. The company presents a spectacular, multimedia work titled "Non angli sed angeli (Not angles but angels)" at 8 p.m. Friday at Paul V. Galvin Playhouse at ASU Fine Arts Center, Tenth Street and Mill in Tempe. Tickets are $10 and $5, available at ASU and Dillard's box offices. (The group also offers a lecture/demonstration at noon Thursday, also at the Galvin facility.) For details call 965-6447 or 678-2222.
Blacksmith Union: San Diego's young quartet has served up its brand of 90s pop in opening gigs for Gin Blossoms, Cracker and Blues Traveler. The hardworking Blacksmiths have just released a CD titled Purge on their own label, and will embark on a national tour this spring. The Union takes the stage at 8:30 p.m. Friday at the Roxy, 2110 East Highland. For details call 954-7838.
Willie and the Professor: Heaping helpings of hillbilly humor and bluegrass, Cajun and gospel/camp-meeting songs are in store when this zany bunch of country cutups gets together. Six-time Arizona fiddle champ Dr. Peter Rolland rounds up his rowdy quartet for a performance at 8 p.m. Friday at Kerr Cultural Center, 6110 North Scottsdale Road in Scottsdale. Tickets are $10, available at Kerr, Gammage and Dillard's box offices. More information: 965-KERR (5377), 965-3434 or 678-2222.
Herberger Headliners II: Local celebrities, community leaders and amateur thespians such as Jerry Colangelo, Mark DeMichele, Dan Cracchiolo and Grant Woods join seasoned stage pros Kathy Fitzgerald, Robyn Ferracane, Michael Collins and Bob Sorenson in a comical variety show titled "Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow." The original work, created by writer/director Michael Barnard, was inspired by actual Arizona headlines. Performances are at 8 p.m. Friday and 7 p.m. Saturday in Center Stage at Herberger Theater Center, 222 East Monroe. Tickets are $50 for Friday's show, $175 for Saturday's (includes cocktails and dinner with the cast). For details see Theatre listing; for reservations call 252-TIXS (8497).
Doc Severinsen and Phoenix Symphony Pops: Venerable TV comedy team Bill Skiles and Pete Henderson add some wacky gags and sound effects to this program, titled "Laugh-In With Doc." Flashy trumpet master Severinsen, erstwhile bandleader on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and Phoenix Symphony's principal pops conductor since 1983, leads performances at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday at Symphony Hall, 225 East Adams. Tickets range from $36 to $12, available at Dillard's and the symphony box office, 3707 North Seventh Street. More information: 264-6363 or 678-2222.
Homesick James: He was born in 1910, and this veteran Chicago blues slide-guitar legend, a cousin of Elmore James, is still going strong. Also see Screed on page XX. Chico Chism's Chicago Blues Band opens the show at 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Rhythm Room, 1019 East Indian School. Cover is $3 at the door. For details call 265-4842.
@day:saturday
@mon:january
@date2:29Parada del Sol: Scottsdale's famous "Parade of the Sun," touted as the world's longest horse-drawn procession, features floats, marching bands and horses galore, but nary a motor vehicle. The 1994 parade (a preliminary to next week's Parada del Sol Rodeo at Rawhide) steps off at 9:15 a.m. Saturday at Scottsdale and Indian School roads, whence it proceeds south to McDowell Road and Los Arcos Mall, where the postparade Trail's End Celebration features dancing, live country music, staged shoot-outs, food booths and more from noon to 4 p.m. All events are free. For details call 990-3179 (parade and rodeo) or 945-6376 (celebration). Also see below.
@body:Alberta Ballet: Some 20 dancers from Canada, Europe and the Americas make up this classical troupe. Choreographer John Butler's "Carmina Burana," with music by Carl Orff, highlights the program for two performances at Scottsdale Center for the Arts, 7380 East Second Street. Shows are at 8 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $19 and $17, available at the center and all Ticketmaster locations. For details call 994-ARTS (2787) or 784-4444.
Fishbone and Mighty Mighty Bosstones: Fishbone sets its stinging social commentary to punk, hard-core and ska rhythms. Known for its wildly energetic live shows, Fishbone delivered a killer set during last year's Lollapalooza tour. Hard-core/funk/jazz/metal act Mighty Mighty Bosstones opens the all-ages show promptly at 4:30 p.m. Saturday at Club Rio, 430 North Scottsdale Road in Tempe. Tickets are $16.50, available at the club and Alternatix locations. For details call 894-6779 or 266-8111.
"Crossing Borders" Opening Celebration: The mammoth, multidisciplinary project "Cruzando Fronteras/Crossing Borders" at Scottsdale Center for the Arts, 7380 East Second Street, opens with a festive outdoor celebration on the surrounding mall from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Live entertainment includes local Latin/salsa/world beat band Zum Zum Zum, masked skull dancers, giant puppets and Mexican folk singer Lalo Guerrero. Inside, visitors can view an audience-participation performance/installation titled "The Temple of Confessions" and several related exhibits, including "Guillermo Gmez-Pea and Coco Fusco: The Year of the White Bear," "La Frontera/The Border: Art About the Mexico/United States Border Experience" and "Alfred J. Quirz: Hystorical Narratives"; see Art Exhibits listing for details. Admission and all activities are free. More information: 994-2301.
Parada del Sol Rodeo Kickoff Dance: The rodeo isn't until next week, but eager cowboys and cowgirls can warm up at Saturday's big boot scoot at Rawhide Pavilion in Arizona's famed 1880s Old West town, 23023 North Scottsdale Road in Scottsdale. McBride and the Ride, Boy Howdy, and Clinton Gregory perform; the fun begins at 8 p.m. For details call 990-3179 or 563-1880. Ricky Skaggs: Country crooner Skaggs, also a pretty mean guitarist, always brings along a great band. Not a crossover kind of guy, Skaggs usually sticks close to the tradition of Nashville's golden age. He performs at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Sundome, 19403 R.H. Johnson Boulevard in Sun City West. Tickets are $23, $18, $12 and $7, available at Dillard's box offices. For reservations and details, call 975-1900 or 678-2222.
@day:sunday
@mon:january
@date2:30Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra: Eighteen top national jazz musicians, including Marcus Roberts, Jon Faddis and Joshua Redman, join forces in this fantastic ensemble. The touring group performs the music of Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonious Monk, George Gershwin and many other top American jazz composers in concert at 8 p.m. Sunday at Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 North Arizona Avenue. Tickets range from $32 to $12, available at Ticketmaster outlets. For details call 786-3954 or 784-4444.
@body:Janiva Magness Band: Magness, also known as "Miss Mojomatic," has been based in Los Angeles for the last six years. But longtime local fans know that this intense blues vocalist had previously reigned as queen of Phoenix clubs for many years. Janiva's back in town to celebrate her birthday with a homecoming blowout at 9 p.m. Sunday at the Rhythm Room, 1019 East Indian School. Cover is $5 at the door. For details call 265-4842.
@day:monday
@mon:january
@date2:31Free Music: Why pay money to hear good music if you don't have to? On Monday, contemporary folk act Dj Vu, fiddler Harry Palmer, and folk duo Donna and Wally perform from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Peoria Library, 8463 West Monroe, part of the "Monday Melodies" series; for details call 412-7566. Also on Monday, Wendy Dupont performs a variety of new music in a noon concert at Patriots Square, Central and Washington, part of the City Sights n' Sounds series held there most weekdays; for details call 262-4627. Also see Music listing.
@day:tuesday
@mon:february
@date1:1Camelot: The original 1960 Broadway production of Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe's musical version of T.H. White's The Once and Future King featured Richard Burton as King Arthur, Julie Andrews as Queen Guenevere and a rising young crooner named Robert Goulet as Sir Lancelot. Now, 34 years later, the mature Goulet returns to Camelot in the central role of King Arthur. Performances are at 8 p.m. Tuesday through February 4, 2 and 8 p.m. February 5 and 2 and 7 p.m. February 6 at Gammage Auditorium, Mill and Apache in Tempe, part of the Xerox Valley Broadway Series. Tickets range from $38.50 to $24.50, available at Gammage and Dillard's box offices. For reservations and details, call 965-3434 or 678-2222.
@body:Phoenix Suns Basketball: Our defending NBA Western Conference champs return home to meet the Los Angeles Clippers at 7 p.m. Tuesday at America West Arena, First Street and Jefferson. Tickets are $28, $22, $19 and $10, available at the arena and Dillard's box offices; for details call 379-SUNS (7867), 379-7800 or 678-2222. Also see Sports listing.