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.
The Jackalope Flea: An Arts and Crafts Supply Sale in Downtown Phoenix
Every January, we're big fans of cleaning out our closets, dusting out the studio, and buckling down with some serious inspiration for the New Year. And lucky enough for all of us, so are a few Phoenix-based artists.
Come one, come all to the first Jackalope Flea. We've invited a dozen or so artists and collectives to clean out their supply closets and sell their goods in the Phoenix New Times parking lot on Saturday, January 12, from 9 a.m. to noon.
On hand will be music selected and played by Jason Woodbury, editor of New Times music blog, Up on the Sun as well as refreshments, caffeine, and plenty of inspiration to kick off your next project.
Bring cash (a few vendors will take your credit/debit card), a few friends, and enough trunk space for some much-needed supplies.
--Claire Lawton
Suit Up: The No Pants AZ Light Rail Ride Is Scheduled for This Weekend
A quick public service announcement: If you're not looking to share a bench and some quality skin time with a few pants-less commuters (and yes, they are just happy to see you), you might want to take the car on January 13.
The No Pants Light Rail Ride ride is organized by members of Improv Everywhere, the braintrust who brought you the train station flash mob, the mall santa musical, and hundreds of other "surprise" choreographed scenes in public places.
Participants of this year's ride, scheduled for Sunday, January 13, plan to occupy seats on all forms of local public transportation in their (hopefully new, clean, and full-coverage) underwear.
See the complete details on the No Pants Light Rail Ride.
--Claire Lawton
Downtown Phoenix's Butter Toast Boutique to Close in February
On the heels of Nostra Style House leaving Sixth Street for Roosevelt, news has come that Butter Toast Boutique will shutter.
The shop, owned by Jasmine Jarrett and Traci Nelson, made a name for itself carrying boho-chic vintage clothing and helped make Sixth Street a shopping destination in Downtown Phoenix.
Jarrett says that she and Nelson have been thinking about closing up shop since October 2012, and with their lease up next month they feel it's time to move on. "I think both Traci and I are just ready for something new," she says. "There wasn't any financial or personal struggle... It is just time."
Butter Toast will remain open through Friday, February 1. Through January, all vintage items in the store will be half-off. That includes everything from shoes and clothing to wall fixtures and picture frames.
--Becky Bartkowski
Jen Deveroux Seeking Submissions for Valentine's Day-Themed Photography Show
When it comes to Valentine's Day, there are generally two types of people: Those who are totally twitterpated with a celebration devoted to hearts, flowers, and romance, and those jilted or cynical folks who either are refugees from multiple bad relationships or simply don't give an eff about the occasion.
With this in mind, Jen Deveroux is hoping that the all-photography group exhibition inspired by Valentine's Day that she's organizing will offer works that will pique the interest of both lovers and haters of the hearts-and-flowers holiday. As such, the nightlife promoter is seeking photos from local shutterbugs that either commemorate or condemn the notion of love and romance.
The currently untitled exhibition -- which will be on display at Gypsy Bar on Saturday, February 9 -- will feature photos encompassing all manner of subjects related to matters of the heart.
See more details and how to submit your own photography.
--Benjamin Leatherman
1920s Fashion Shows a Leap Forward at Phoenix Art Museum
The 1920s made a whole lot of noise. On the precipice of the Great Depression, the decade made its mark on American history with glamorous living and social evolution. World War I had ended. The stock market boomed. Prohibition banned booze. Formality lost. Optimism won.
Women got the vote. And their hemlines rose.
This fashion movement is the subject of Phoenix Art Museum's exhibition "Modern Spirit: Fashion of the 1920s." The decade saw the greatest forward leap in clothing innovation of the past century, when stretch fabric was invented, straight-line cuts rejected feminine curves, and dresses' dropped waistlines drew athletic silhouettes.
Read the full story from this week's print edition.
--Becky Bartkowski
