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.
Zara Coming to Scottsdale Fashion Square
Be still our hearts. Spanish mega-retailer Zara is setting up shop at Scottsdale Fashion Square.
Much like competitors H&M and Uniqlo, the fast-fashion chain has hit it big with style-conscious shoppers worldwide, gaining fans for its low prices and on-trend items.
Apart from Fashion Square tweeting that the store's coming soon, specifics about Zara's opening are scant. Our call and e-mail to the store's PR folks haven't been returned yet.
We'll keep you posted with updates as we get them. In the meantime: Who freakin' cares? We're getting a Zara, people!
--Becky Bartkowski
Matt Fahey is no stranger to intense challenges, risk, and life-threatening situations. As a producer and camera operator for Discovery Channel's Deadliest Catch, he's battled many storms and has willingly gone back for more.
We talked with Fahey about how he ended up in film production, why he pursued getting on Deadliest Catch, and his biggest challenge yet -- battling Stage III B colorectal cancer or, as he candidly refers to it, ass cancer.
Fahey grew up in Tucson, where, he joked, he learned his "disdain" for Phoenix, thanks in part to the U of A and ASU rivalry. Fahey currently lives in Flagstaff, which he says he enjoys. Check out the complete story here.
--Darryle Royal
Legendary Comedy Club Tempe Improv to Reopen Its Doors in April
Landmark local comedy club Tempe Improv, which closed last summer after decades of hosting hundreds of superstar stand-ups, is making a return. The legendary laugh establishment, located near University Drive and Rural Road in Tempe, is scheduled to reopen its doors in mid-April.
It's just the latest development in the recent drama-filled history of the Improv, and it has a couple of surprising wrinkles.
Check out the full story here.
--Benjamin Leatherman
For the Love of God, Don't Get Drunk: Five Pro Tips for Surviving Spring Break in Mexico
We salute you, spring breakers. As does Kelly Lewis. The globetrotting travel writer founded Go! Girl Guides to publish guidebooks targeted toward women traveling solo in such places as Thailand and Argentina and share a slew of tips. Que sorpresa, coeds, Lewis has a few recommendations for you adventurers heading to Mexico for spring break.
For the Love of God, Don't Get Drunk
Feel free to enjoy yourself and indulge a little bit, but don't get too crazy. You'll be tempted to drink a lot in Mexico -- beers on the beach, in the street, at dinner, in the hostel, maybe even a michelada or cielo rojo with breakfast to kill your hangover. But getting so drunk that you aren't aware of what's going on, can't remember how you got home, or what you did is a bad idea -- a very, very bad idea. The best way to stay safe is to stay alert and aware of where you are and what's going on around you. So go ahead and have a few, but not so many that you become a sloppy, easy target. Cool?
See the full list of tips for Spring Breakers.
--Becky Bartkowski
If you happen to have a vacation day to burn, it's most definitely gonna come in handy during St. Patrick's weekend. That's because the annual Irish holiday happens to fall on a Sunday this year, which might ordinarily throw a kink into your plans to engage in a massive Celtic-style craic. Those who have free pass from clocking in come Monday morning, however, can sip Guinness while supping on corned beef and cabbage to their hearts content. And there are plenty of places to do so around the Valley, starting on Friday, March 15, until Sunday, March 17, and we've got a list of the best places to get your fill of green beer.
--Benjamin Leatherman
