WE GET RESULTS! 26th annual `Spirit of Christmas`

Arts
www.SanTanSun.com
December 7 – 20, 2013
65
26th annual ‘Spirit of Christmas’
features more than 150 dancers
BY MEGHAN MCCOY
More than 150 entertainers will
converge on Chandler Center for the Arts
for the 26th annual Spirit of Christmas
variety show.
Michael Cook, instructor at Tempe
Dance and co-director of the Christian
Dance Co., describes the “Spirit of
Christmas” as a variety show featuring
singers, musicians and guest dancers to
showcase different styles and forms of
dance. Ballroom, ballet, jazz, tap, Irish
dancing and award-winning hoop dancer
Tony Duncan will be featured. Duncan
dances with 30 hoops, which he turns
into beautiful shapes on stage, Cook says.
The combination of the different
forms of talent, he explains, will provide
the audience with a chance to enjoy
something a little different than an
average dance show.
The first half of the show, Cook
SEE CHRISTMAS PAGE 67
PERFORMANCE: Chandler musician Sam Braxten will perform at 4 p.m. Sat., Dec. 14, at the
Underground in Mesa during The Hell’s Bells Festival. STSN photo by Adam Moreno
Chandler musician plays Underground
BY MEGHAN MCCOY
Living in Guatemala City, Sam Braxten
learned he had a good ear for music. To
hone his performance skills, he played
every Sunday at his church.
“I was a Christian kid,” says the
23-year-old Braxten, whose real name
is Sam Gomez. “Music was a big part of
my life.”
It still is. Moving to Chandler in 2004,
the pop music artist has embarked on a
solo career, after a 12-year stint in bands,
inspired by a variety of artists ranging
from Train to Jamiroquai, from Sam
Cooke to Gavin DeGraw.
“I have been a part of a band since
I was really young,” he explains. “You
have to rely on others and mix ideas.
Although it was a blast, I realized that
the style of music we were playing
wasn’t really what I wanted to do.”
Early musical career
Armed with some English, Braxten
SEE BRAXTON PAGE 66
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‘SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS:’ The 26th annual “Spirit of Christmas” will feature approximately 150
dancers in the two-act performance. Submitted photo
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Arts
December 7 – 20, 2013
BRAXTON FROM PAGE 65
found it easy to make friends as a
student at Hamilton High School. He
soon started playing in the quintet
Patience Wears Thin, which stayed
together throughout high school. It
played shows around the area at venues
such as the Marquee Theatre and the
now-closed Clubhouse in Tempe.
In 2011, he began playing with Beretta
Sun, the members of which found him
on Craigslist. Through word of mouth,
the band learned there was an opening
at the Sundance Film Festival in Park
City, UT, and it was invited to perform.
Braxten explains that the band prepared
some music and hit the road to perform
at the festival.
“It was really fun,” he says. “It’s really
fun being on the road with your best
friends doing what we want to do. Even
though we were looking forward to
playing at the festival, the fun part was
being on the road.”
Included in its Sundance set was
Maroon 5’s song “Harder to Breathe,”
which was a hit with the crowd. Braxten
explains that the place filled up because
people thought it was actually Maroon 5
playing the song.
“They still stayed and loved it,” he
says.
When the band returned from the
festival in January, Braxten parted ways,
so he could start his solo career. He
changed his stage name, started building
his website and began recording songs at
his Chandler home.
“It was a really hard decision,” he says,
“It was tough news for them because we
were together for so many years.”
Going it alone
In kicking off his solo career, Braxten
discovered that he wanted to learn how
to play the piano.
“I first thought the piano was hard
to play,” he says. “Within four months I
really mastered it to the point where I
could really make songs on my own.”
Now, as a solo artist, Braxten writes
all of his melodies and lyrics, which is a
rewarding experience.
“The messages are 100% me,” he
explains.
Music fans can take a listen for
themselves when he releases his CD,
“The Young & The Lost,” when it is
released to iTunes soon.
“It’s only four songs,” he explains. “It’s
an introduction of who I am.”
The songs describe the life of the
young artist and how he is disenchanted
by the world. He considers his lyrics fun,
original and eccentric. He is recording a
full-length, 11-song CD.
“I come up with melodies all the
time,” he says. “Wherever I go I have my
cell phone and it has a recorder. You will
find me humming into my phone with a
melody.”
Braxten’s next show is 3:45 p.m. Sat.,
Dec. 14, during the Hells Bells Festival at
the Underground, an extension of the
Nile Theater, 105 W. Main Street, Mesa.
He says he is really looking forward to
opening the show. Braxten plays about
once a month live at different venues,
functions and charity shows.
“I mainly try to do cheap and free
shows,” he says. “I don’t want your
money, I want your ears.”
For more information about Braxten,
visit sambraxten.com, reverbnation.
com/sambraxten or facebook.com/
sambraxten.
Meghan McCoy is the Neighbors
and Business section editor for the
SanTan Sun News. She can be reached at
[email protected].
SOLO MUSICIAN: After playing in a band for
many years, Sam Braxten decided to launch
his solo career at the beginning of the year.
STSN photo by Adam Moreno
www.SanTanSun.com
Singles Nine &
Dine Tuesdays at
Bear Creek Golf
Complex
Bear Creek Golf Complex is offering
Singles Nine & Dine Tuesdays starting at
2:30 p.m. Tue., Dec. 10, for a nine-hole
scramble followed by a buffet dinner from
4:30 to 6 p.m. The Couples Nine & Dine
begins Wed., Dec. 11 at the same time.
Nine holes of golf will be played on the
Bear Creek Golf Complex par 59 executive
length Cub Course for singles and couples.
There is no handicap required, winners
will be flighted by scores and everyone
will have a chance to win. There will be
prizes for longest drive and closest to pin
for men and women each, as well as flight
winners.
Cost is $35 during the winter season,
which includes golf, golf cart, dinner
buffet, gratuity, tax and prizes and $25
during the summer season.
Cost is $69 per couple, which also
includes golf, golf cart, dinner buffet,
gratuity, tax and prizes during the winter
season and $49 per couple during the
summer season.
Daylight permitting, singles and couples
can play up to 18 holes, with the front nine
score used for event scoring.
Bear Creek Golf Complex is located at
500 E. Riggs Rd., Chandler. For information
and to reserve your spot call the golf shop
Arts
www.SanTanSun.com
CHRISTMAS FROM PAGE 65
explains will resemble a Rockettes show.
Act I celebrates the joy of Christmas
with dancing to the holiday standards
such as “Santa Claus is Coming to Town,”
“Santa Baby” and “Let it Snow,” Cook says.
He continued that the show includes
the popular “Parade of the Wooden
Soldiers,” which was created in homage
to the Rockettes’ famous dance.
“Kick lines, ballroom, ballet, pointe
and musical theater dazzle the audience,
along with the guest singers and
performers,” Cook says. “The first act
ends with a beautiful falling snow and
ensemble singing and dancing.”
The second half of the two-hour
show has a religious tone with a nativity
scene set up on the stage and dancers
performing to such classics as “Oh Holy
Night.”
“Act II pays tribute to the true
meaning of Christmas, the birth of Jesus,”
Cook explains. “The second act also
acknowledges the many cultures who
participate in Christmas and the birth
of Jesus. Russian folk dancing, Irish step
and Indian hoop dancers round out the
festive and joyous occasion that is the
‘Spirit of Christmas.’”
The performances will be held at 2:30
and 7:30 p.m. Sat., Dec. 14; 2:30 p.m. Sun.,
Dec. 15; 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Sat., Dec. 21;
and 2:30 p.m. Sun., Dec. 22. Tickets range
from $24 to $28 and can be purchased
by calling 480-782-2680 or visiting
chandlercenter.org.
The Chandler Center for the Arts is
located at 250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler.
“Last year over half of the shows sold
out,” Cook says. “It really captures the
audience.”
Meghan McCoy is the Neighbors and
Business section editor for the SanTan Sun
News. She can be reached at meghan@
santansun.com.
PERFORMANCE: The 26th annual “Spirit of Christmas,” which consists of two acts, will take
place later this month at the Chandler Center for the Arts. Submitted photo
December 7 – 20, 2013
‘A Jazzy Holiday’ comes to Chandler
The Queen City Jazz Band from
Denver, CO, is coming to the Crowne
Plaza San Marcos Golf Resort in
Chandler, in a show hosted by Arizona
Classic Jazz Society from 1 to 4 p.m.
Sun, Dec. 8.
Tickets are $10 for ACJS members,
$15 for nonmembers and is free for
anyone younger than 18. Patrons who
join ACJS the day of the performance
will attend the performance for free.
Yearly membership is $25; $35 for
couples. To learn more about ACJS,
visit azclassicjazz.org.
Queen City has enchanted
audiences with music from the
1920s, 1930s and 1940s; gospel music;
early jazz; ragtime; swing; blues and
spirituals for more than 50 years.
Although musicians have come and
gone throughout the years, some
performers have stayed with the band
for at least two decades.
Vocalist Wende Harston adds
life, inspiration and comedy to her
vocals. Performing since childhood,
Harston is professionally trained.
Her teaching career has ranged from
elementary school through college.
Harston also conducts workshops and
master classes for choirs, bands and
individuals in voice, film acting and
theater arts.
The performance, “A Jazzy Holiday,”
will showcase selections like “Rudolph
the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” “Frosty
the Snowman,” “There’s No Place Like
Home for the Holidays” and “The
Christmas Song” (Chestnuts Roasting
on an Open Fire). Harston’s favorites
include “Five Pound Box of Money” by
Pearl Bailey, “Merry Christmas Baby”
(Charles Brown), “Christmas Blues,”
“Santa Baby” by Eartha Kitt, and “Santa
Claus is Coming to Town” by Hank
Ballard.
ACJS will also be collecting
gifts for the Salvation Army at the
performance. They ask that donors
bring new, unwrapped items. Wrapping
paper as part of the donation is also
welcome, as are monetary donations.
Receipts for tax purposes will be
available.
To learn more, call 480-895-9241 or
visit azclassicjazz.org.
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Arts
December 7 – 20, 2013
Copperstar
offers
performances,
discount
www.SanTanSun.com
Chinese New Year in Chandler
Copperstar Repertory is gearing up to
perform a few shows in coming months,
and is offering discounted tickets on an
upcoming show.
“Plaid Tidings: Forever Plaid’s Special
Holiday Edition” will run Dec. 12 through
20 at the Tempe Center for the Arts.
Frankie, Sparky, Jinx and Smudge return
to weave the magic of the ‘50s and ‘60s
into the holiday performance. Rosemary
Clooney has encouraged the boys to
return to Earth this year to make things
right. Featured music includes 1950s
tunes and holiday gems like “Let It
Snow” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little
Christmas.”
Presale tickets for “Plaid Tidings” are
available for 20% off.
Copperstar is also scheduling
audition appointments for “Children of
Eden,” planned for February at Tempe
Center for the Arts; and “Oliver!” set for
April at the Mesa Arts Center.
Visit tca.ticketforce.com for tickets.
For more information about auditions or
other programs at Copperstar Repertory,
call 480-207-1177 or visit CopperstarRep.
org.
Chandler Center for the Arts will
celebrate the Chinese New Year with
special entertainment at the 2014
Chinese New Year Show, presented by
the Eastern Art Academy (EAA) and ASU
Confucius Institute at 4 p.m. Sun., Jan. 19.
The 2014 Chinese New Year Show
focuses on traditional Chinese dance
but will also incorporate powerful
martial arts, instrumental and vocal
performances.
EAA, a co-presenter of the 2014
Chinese New Year Show, continues to
bring authentic Chinese dance programs
to local audiences. The performances
showcase diverse customs and arts
styles from many Chinese ethnic groups.
These traditional Chinese dances will
be performed by approximately 100
dancers at EAA, ranging from 5-yearold dancers to professional-level
performers in solos, duets, trios and
groups. Traditional Chinese props will be
used on stage, such as floating ribbons,
lanterns and silk fans.
The EAA holds classes in traditional
Chinese arts as well as cultural programs
for children and adults, including
Chinese dance, fine arts, martial arts, Tai
Chi, traditional Chinese painting and a
bilingual language program.
The festivities take place at the
Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N.
Arizona Ave., Chandler.
Tickets are $15. To purchase tickets
or for more information, call Chandler
Center for the Arts at 480-782-2680 or
Eastern Art Academy at 602-490-8613.
RINGING IN THE CHINESE NEW YEAR: Young performers are just part of the Chinese New
Year festivities that the Eastern Art Academy is bringing to the Chandler Center for the Arts.
Submitted photo
CounterPoint puts
on Christmas show
PERFORMANCE PREP: Glee Minor girls
preparing for “Christmas Dreams.” Top row
left to right: Hailey Seidl, Isabelle Wisdom,
Megan Ruangamunchiel, Kaylee Bassler. Front
row: Erin Garner, Annika Almquist, Frankie
McNellis. Submitted photo
The CounterPoint Studio of Music
and Performing Arts brings “Christmas
Dreams,” a Christmas musical, to the stage
at Baker School of Music 7:30 p.m. Fri.,
Dec. 13, and Sat., Dec. 14. The performers
in the musical, many from Chandler and
Gilbert, train in voice throughout the year
under the direction of Tracie Jones from
CounterPoint Studios.
General admission to the performance
is $10; children younger than 10 are $7. To
find out more, call 480-321-8810 or visit
counterpointmusicarts.com.
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Local youth
shine in
‘Nutcracker’
Several Chandler residents will
perform in the upcoming Ahwatukee
Foothills Nutcracker Ballet, to be held
at 7 p.m. Fri., Dec. 20, and 2 and 7 p.m.
Sat., Dec. 21, at Desert Vista Fine Arts
Theatre, 16440 S. 32nd St., Phoenix.
Chandler youth playing parts in the
performance include Hamilton High
student Ashlyn Weninger; Jacobson
Elementary student Courtney Sandnas;
Summit Academy student Emma
Murray; Aprende Middle School student
Morgan Eaton; Chandler Christian
Academy student Kaiya McDonald
and Success Center Preschool student
Braelynn McDonald.
A special appearance by Santa Claus
follows the matinee performance on
Dec. 21.
Limited seats are available. To
purchase tickets, call 480-706-6040
or drop by Dance Studio 111 at 4910 E.
Chandler Blvd., Suite 111, Phoenix. For
more information, visit afnutcracker.
com.
Arts
December 7 – 20, 2013
69
Holiday tradition returns to VYT ‘Christmas
Carol’ at ACT
“A Winnie-the-Pooh Christmas Tail”
returns to the stage through Mon., Dec.
23, at Valley Youth Theatre, 525 N. 1st
St., Phoenix.
Based on the stories of A.A. Milne,
“A Winnie-the-Pooh Christmas Tail” has
entertained Valley audiences since 1995
and has become a holiday tradition for
many families. VYT alumna and Golden
Globe Award nominee Emma Stone
played Eeyore twice and Rabbit once in
the production.
As per tradition, audiences are
asked to bring new, unwrapped
stuffed animals to the performance
to donate for Chandler-based
nonprofit organization Operation
Noah. Donations will be collected in a
dropbox in the VYT lobby during every
performance of “A Winnie-the-Pooh
Christmas Tail.”
Tickets are $18, plus service fees, and
are available for purchase online at vyt.
com or by calling the box office at 602253-8188, ext. 2.
The Ahwatukee Children’s Theatre
brings Scrooge, Tiny Tim and a slew of
holiday specters to life as they present “A
Christmas Carol.” The musical runs about
two hours, and aims to get audience
members into the Christmas spirit as they
learn a little about life, love, redemption
and the true meaning of the holidays.
Shows are 7 p.m. Sat., Dec. 7; 1 and 4
p.m. Sun., Dec. 8; 7 p.m. Fri., Dec. 13 ; 2 and
7 p.m. Sat., Dec. 14; 1 and 4 p.m. Sun., Dec.
15; 7 p.m. Fri., Dec. 20; and 2 and 7 p.m.
Sat., Dec. 21.
Tickets are $16 and can be purchased
at ACT, located at 5051 E. Elliot Rd. or by
logging onto seatyourself.biz.
Call 480-705-9319 first to check
availability.
Light show returns to Pollack plaza
The annual larger-than-life holiday
light display has returned to the Pollack
Royal Palm Shopping Center, home
of Valley real estate entrepreneur’s
Michael Pollack’s Tempe Cinema at
McClintock and Elliot roads in Tempe.
The display began almost 12 years
ago outside Pollack Headquarters in
Mesa with 250,000 lights, and has
grown to more than 500,000 lights at
its Tempe location.
“This is truly the most exciting time
of the year for Pollack Investments,”
says Pollack. “Our workers and
volunteers spend weeks arranging our
new animations, huge displays and
stringing up more lights every year
to make what we do both inside and
outside of Pollack Tempe Cinemas,
one of the Valley’s most beautiful and
festive displays.”
Pollack says this year will be extra
special as the shopping center mogul is
also celebrating 40 years in real estate.
Pollack’s festive light display will be
up until New Year’s Day.
HOLIDAY HUMBUG: Michael Rubino as
Scrooge in ACT’s production of “A Christmas
Carol.” Submitted photo
70
Arts
December 7 – 20, 2013
‘Lion King’ has lion-sized economic impact
Disney’s “The Lion King” celebrated
its third smash engagement at
Tempe’s ASU Gammage, entertaining
more than 80,000 patrons during 32
performances in the four-week run
which concluded on Sun., Nov. 17.
The majority of theater-goers were
Valley residents, but the number also
included ticket buyers from all over
the Southwest and even Mexico.
It is estimated that the Tempe
engagement of “The Lion King”
generated a $22 million economic
benefit to the city from travel,
hotels, restaurants, parking and
other businesses patronized by both
theatergoers and production staff.
This figure is based upon a Touring
Broadway League report which found
that, on average, Broadway tours
contribute an economic impact 4.1
times the gross ticket sales to the
local metropolitan area’s economy.
“This recent run of ‘The Lion King’
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was phenomenal. New patrons as well
as longtime attendees were blown
away with the major talent of this
production. I am thrilled that ASU
Gammage’s run of ‘The Lion King’
meant big business for our local
businesses. This amount of economic
impact is remarkable,” says Colleen
Jennings-Roggensack, executive
director of ASU Gammage.
“We were thrilled to return to
the Valley, where ‘The Lion King’ has
always been so warmly welcomed
and embraced,” says Jack Eldon,
vice president, domestic, for Disney
Theatrical Productions. “We thank the
community for another sensational
engagement and look forward to
returning in the near future.”
The North American touring
productions of “The Lion King” have
been seen by more than 15 million
theatergoers and grossed over $1
billion to date. After 11 years on the
road, “The Lion King” continues to
play to standing room only houses
throughout North America.
www.SanTanSun.com
Children’s Choir
holiday concert
Clear voices and bright eyes take the
stage 7 p.m. Fri., Dec. 13, and Sat., Dec.
14, as The Chandler Children’s Choir
presents “Sparkling Stars” at the First
United Methodist Church of Mesa.
The performance, featuring the young
singers, seeks to evoke the feeling of
a night sky long ago, when a star of
wonder sparkled in the night.
For more information, visit
chandlerchildrenschoir.org or call 480699-9846.
Arts
www.SanTanSun.com
December 7 – 20, 2013
71
Big events at Scottsdale Center this season
Scottsdale Center for the Performing
Arts has several unique opportunities
and shows planned this season.
free goody bags, and judge a costume
competition. Running Dec. 27-30 in
Scottsdale Center for the Performing
Arts, Stage 2. General admission is $15.
Be a movie critic for an evening
Talk Cinema showcases sneak
previews of award-winning independent
and foreign films at Scottsdale Center
for the Performing Arts, Stage 2.
Audiences are among the first to
see a new movie and discuss it with
special guests, almost like critics and
industry insiders have at film festivals.
Talk Cinema films are selected from
leading festivals by critic Harlan
Jacobson. The selection may be an indie
comedy, a provocative documentary
or the next breakout hit. Screenings are
introduced and followed by moderated
conversations hosted by distinguished
guest speakers. Talk Cinema is held once
a month; the next one is 7 p.m. Tue., Dec.
10. Admission is $19.
Take 6: The Most Wonderful
Time of the Year
With 10 Grammys and a host of
other awards and critical praise, Take 6,
a quintessential a cappella ensemble,
will perform 8 p.m. Fri., Dec. 13, in the
Virginia G. Piper Theater. The group
features voices united in harmony
against a riptide of syncopated rhythms,
ornate arrangements and funky grooves
that combine gospel, jazz, R&B and pop.
Celebrating the spirit of the season, they
New season guide
A complete listing of the center’s
2013–14 events are showcased in its
newly published 45-page season guide,
which may be viewed or downloaded
through ScottsdalePerformingArts.org.
Patrons also may request to receive a
free printed copy of the guide by mail.
New ticket offers
perform classic Christmas songs and
contemporary numbers. Tickets start at
$39.
Oh So Acoustic Christmas
Now musical stars, participants
from NBC’s “The Voice” (Javier Colon),
“America’s Got Talent” (Michael Grimm)
and “The Sing-Off” (the six-person
a cappella ensemble Committed)
celebrate the holiday 8 p.m. Fri., Dec. 20,
in the Virginia G. Piper Theater. Tickets
start at $29.
Canadian Brass Holiday Concert
Five talented brass musicians form
the legendary Canadian Brass perform
a vast repertoire ranging from Baroque
masters to marches, big band, Broadway
and popular song. This holiday concert,
8 p.m. Sat., Dec. 21 in the Piper Theater, is
a musical journey through time featuring
classics of the season by Bach, Brahms
and more. Tickets start at $39.
Sing-a-Long-a Grease
Sing-a-long-a Grease is a fully
interactive screening of the classic film
with on-screen subtitles. Audience
members are encouraged to dress up
like a Rydell High T-Bird or Pink Lady
and sing along with John Travolta,
Olivia Newton-John and the gang. Each
screening features a host who will lead
a vocal warm-up, demonstrate how to
hand-jive and deploy the contents of the
As part of its ongoing commitment to
making the arts accessible, the nonprofit
Scottsdale Center for the Performing
Arts is introducing initiatives this
season: Patrons 29 years and younger
will receive 50% off tickets to selected
events, while students and veterans will
receive free tickets to selected events.
A complete list of available events and
eligibility requirements are available
at ScottsdalePerformingArts.org. The
center will continue to offer a range of
ticket prices for every budget, as well as
discounts for members and package and
group sales.
For more information on any
of the shows, call 480-499-8587,
email [email protected] or visit
ScottsdalePerformingArts.org. Connect
on Facebook at Facebook.com/
ScottsdalePerformingArts or on Twitter
@ScottsdaleArts.
72
Arts
December 7 – 20, 2013
ON STAGE
“Peter Pan,” through Sun., Dec. 22, DST.
Peter Pan whisks the audience away
with Wendy, Michael and John as they
fly over the rooftops of London to
Neverland.
“Sleeping Beauty KIDS,” through Sun.,
Dec. 29, PT. Classic fairytale told Disney
style with songs from the beloved film,
including “Once Upon a Dream,” along
with new songs like “Maleficent!” and “A
Little Magic Now.”
Tom Papa, through Sun., Dec. 8, TI.
Veteran stand-up comedian performs
his clean but cutting comedy.
“A Swingin’ Christmas,” through Sat.,
Dec. 21, PT. Six-piece band and topnotch singers bringing classic Christmas
tunes to life, in select matinee and
evening performances.
“voiceLab: Holiday Soundtrack,” Sun.,
Dec. 8, MIM. Arizona Opera’s Studio
Artists celebrate the season with classics
at “Holiday Soundtrack.” A spread of
cookies and milk follows the concert.
“Cabaret,” Sun., Dec. 8, and Sun., Dec.
15, TAS. Set in Berlin in 1931, this musical
focuses on the nightlife at the seedy
Kit Kat Klub and revolves around the
relationship of an English Cabaret singer,
Sally Bowles, and an American writer,
Cliff Bradshaw.
Anjelah Johnson, Thu., Dec. 12, through
Sun., Dec. 15, SUL. Rising comic star,
former professional cheerleader for
the Oakland Raiders, and television and
Internet personality performs stand up.
Riders in the Sky: Christmas the
Cowboy Way, Fri., Dec. 13, MAC. Sit in
a moonlit canyon by a camp fire and
listen to songs of the holiday season.
For 30 years, Riders in the Sky has been
keeper of a flame passed on by the
Sons of the Pioneers, Gene Autry and
Roy Rogers.
“Ballroom With A Twist,” Fri., Dec.
13 through Sun., Dec. 15, OT. The
critically acclaimed international dance
production plays the Orpheum Theatre
for five performances, wowing with
costumes, music and routines.
“Legally Blonde,” Fri., Dec. 13,
through Sun., Dec. 22, ST. Greasepaint
Youtheatre presents the musical
“Legally Blonde” about overcoming
stereotypes and believing in yourself.
Maria Bamford, Sun., Dec. 15, TI. Known
for her insightful, self-deprecating
comedy and cult favorite status,
Bamford will perform for one night
only.
Bryan Callen, Thu., Dec. 19, through
Sun., Dec. 22, TI. The comedian seen
on HBO, Comedy Central, “MAD TV,”
Showtime and more performs stand up.
www.SanTanSun.com
Aries Spears, Fri., Dec. 20, through
Sun., Dec., 22, SUL. Known for his work
in “Shaq’s All-Star Comedy Jam” and on
“Def Comedy Jam,” Spears brings his
unique flavor of words and comedy to
Phoenix.
Paula Poundstone, Sat., Dec. 21, MAC.
Comedian Paula Poundstone brings
her special brand of wry, intelligent
comedy to the mic. She has been
performing standup for 25 years, and
is known for her personalized routines,
a regular stint “Wait Wait… Don’t Tell
Me,” and more.
Al Madrigal, Fri., Dec. 27, and Sat.,
Dec. 28, SUL. Stand-up comedian and
correspondent in “The Daily Show with
Jon Stewart” performs.
David Spade, Sun., Dec. 29, and
Mon., Dec. 30, TI. Star of “Rules of
Engagement,” “Tommy Boy,” “Joe Dirt”
and more performs in this special
event.
Straight No Chaser, Tue., Dec. 31, MAC.
The acclaimed a cappella group puts
on a New Year’s Eve show.
Gabriel Iglesias “Fluffy,” Tue., Dec.
31, SUL. Known for his numerous
television and movie roles as well as
live performances and DVDs like “I’m
Not Fat...I’m Fluffy,” Iglesias’ stand-up
comedy is a mixture of storytelling,
parodies, characters and sound effects
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that bring his personal experiences to
life.
Bobby Lee, Tue., Dec. 31, TI. The funny
man known for his roles in “MAD TV,”
“Chelsea Lately” and more stops by
Tempe on New Year’s Eve.
“Driving Miss Daisy,” through Sun., Jan.
12, DST. This Pulitzer Prize-winning play
premiered off-Broadway in 1987. Set in
Atlanta, the poignant and sometimes
gritty story spans a quarter of a
century and centers on two characters,
Jewish widow Miss Daisy and her
African-American chauffer-turnedfriend, Hoke.
“Bravo Broadway,” Fri., Jan. 3, through
Sun., Dec. 5, SH. Accompanied by
three world-class soloists, the Phoenix
Symphony will play selections from
“Cabaret,” “Phantom of the Opera,”
“Les Misérables,” “Hairspray,” “Chicago,”
“Thoroughly Modern Millie,” “Show
Boat,” “My Fair Lady” and more.
ERTH’S Dinosaur Zoo Live, Fri., Jan
10, through Sun., Jan. 12, MAC. A
visual experience of giant puppetry,
inflatable environments, flying and
crawling creatures and more. Get up
close and personal with creatures that
inhabited Earth millions of years ago.
Itzhak Perlman, Thu., Jan. 16, MAC.
World-renowned violinist returns to
Mesa to perform.
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8743 E. Pecos Rd. Ste. 123, Mesa
2757 S. San Tan Village Pkwy., Gilbert
(SW of Ellsworth on Pecos Rd.)
Fri.- Mon. 10a.m.-5p.m.
(Corner San Tan Village Pkwy. & Market St.)
Mon.-Sat. 10a.m.-7p.m. • Sun. 10a.m.-5p.m.
480-987-6576
480-726-7400
Arts
www.SanTanSun.com
December 7 – 20, 2013
ON STAGE VENUE INDEX
PT – The Palms Theatre
5247 E. Brown Rd., Mesa
Tickets: 480-924-6260, thepalmstheater.com
TAS – Theatre Artists Studio
4848 E. Cactus Rd., Scottsdale
Tickets: 602-765-0120, thestudiophx.org
DST – Desert Stages Theatre
4720 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale
Tickets: 480-483-1664, DesertStages.org
ST – Stagebrush Theatre
7020 E. 2nd St., Scottsdale
Tickets: 480-949-7529, greasepaint.org
TI – Tempe Improv
930 E. University Dr., Tempe
Tickets: 480-921-9877, tempeimprov.com
MAC – Mesa Arts Center
One E. Main St., Mesa
Tickets: 480-644-6500, MesaArtsCenter.com
SH - Symphony Hall
75 N. Second St., Phoenix
Tickets: phoenixsymphony.org
VYT – Valley Youth Theatre
525 N. 1st St., Phoenix
Tickets: 602-253-8188, vyt.com
MIM – Musical Instrument Museum
4725 E. Mayo Blvd, Phoenix
Tickets: mim.org
SUL – Stand Up Live
50 W. Jefferson St. #200, Phoenix
Tickets: 480-719-6100, standuplive.com
The Fab Four, Fri., Jan. 17, MAC.
Meticulous tribute band The Fab
Four recreates Abbey Road in Mesa
as they celebrate each era of The
Beatles’ incredible musical journey.
afternoon concerts in the Wells
Fargo Garden performance area on
the Shadow Walk. Jan. 23 features
Bad Cactus Brass Band; Jan. 30
features The Burchfield Brothers.
Cirque Éloize (El-Waz): “Cirkopolis,”
Sat., Jan. 18, and Sun., Jan. 19, MAC.
Journey through an industrial yet
fanciful world inspired by the
rich visual legacy of classic films
“Metropolis” and “Brazil.” Twelve
performers tell the story in an
uninterrupted stream of dazzling
acrobatics, music and video
projections.
Matthew Morrison with the
Phoenix Symphony, Sat., Jan. 25,
MAC. The star, known for his role as
Will Schuester on Fox TV’s “Glee,”
but a Broadway star before that,
joins the Phoenix Symphony.
Mark Morris Dance, Tue., Jan. 28,
MAC. The dance group’s performance
combines wit, grace of movement
and performance with live music.
“Out to Lunch” concert series, Thu.,
Jan 23 and Thu., Jan. 30, MAC. Free
Paint Your Own Art
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480-464-6077
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Mon. to Fri.
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73
hanks to the Arizona Charitable Tax Credit Lay, A.R.S. 43-1088, donate to
Chandler Gilbert Arc and receive a tax credit. [This Working Poor Tax
Credit is in addition to the education tax credits…you can take advantage of
both tax credits in the same year.]
Chandler Gilbert Arc has been serving people with Intellectual and
Developmental Disabilities in the East Valley since 1975, providing community
living, vocational, day treatment and training opportunities daily.
Contributions earn dollar-for-dollar tax credit on your Arizona Income Tax
return. Taxpayers filing as single or unmarried head of household have a maximum credit amount of $200; married taxpayers filing jointly have a $400 maximum
credit. New for 2013: There is no longer a requirement to itemize deductions!
Please make your check payable to:
Chandler/Gilbert Arc Charitable Tax Fund
3250 N. San Marcos Place
Chandler, AZ 85225-7789
Check to see if your employer will match your donation
http://doublethedonation.com/cgarc
www.cgarc.org
We also accept Mastercard, Discover and American Express.
Please contact Carol at (480) 892-9422, ext. 104
Chandler/Gilbert Arc is an IRS Section 501(c) (3) non-profit organization
and is a qualifying charitable organization registered with the Arizona Department of Revenue.
74
December 7 – 20, 2013
Arts
www.SanTanSun.com
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy swings into Chandler
BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI
Scotty Morris of Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
doesn’t hesitate to answer when he’s asked
about his fondest Christmas memory.
“Until I was about 12, I always had handme-down bicycles,” Morris tells the SanTan
Sun News. “Seriously, I had five different
bicycles my entire 12 years.
“On my 12th Christmas, my dad and
my mom like totally busted out and got
me and my brother really cool matching
bicycles, which were seriously the coolest
bicycles ever. I just never forget coming in
the garage and seeing the bicycles. That was
the ultimate Christmas moment for me. We
had those bikes until those bikes couldn’t
run anymore.”
Morris and his band of swing revivalists
hope to create Christmas memories for fans
at Wild Horse Pass on Fri., Dec. 27, when
the act performs in support of its holiday
release “It Feels Like Christmas Time.”
“It’s the one time of year we bite the
bullet and play a bunch of holiday music,”
Morris explains. “The last 10, 11 years,
we’ve been doing Christmas shows all of
December. It’s turned out to be one of the
more fun tours we do all year long.”
Although Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
released a holiday collection demo,
“Watchu’ Want for Christmas?,” and the
Christmas album “Everything You Want for
Christmas,” this album is truly top rate, he
says.
“It was more fun because we actually
sat back and made lists of songs that we
actually wanted to do and the kind of
approach we wanted to take on it,” Morris
says.
Coming on the heels of “How Big Can
You Get? The Music of Cab Calloway” and
“Rattle Them Bones,” “It Feels Like Christmas
Time” carried the band’s momentum further.
“We felt like we were on a roll,” Morris
explains.
The challenge of “It Feels Like Christmas
Time” was to create songs that were
“different and interesting and creative.”
“The curse of Christmas songs is that
they’re all really, really simple—simple
melodies, really simple tunes,” Morris says.
“They’re very repetitive, but they’re
engrained in us. Everybody knows those
Christmas songs and everybody and their
brother has a Christmas record. To do
something different and unique yet stay
true to the band’s sound, that was the
biggest thing we were going for in this
record. The fact that it’s Big Bad Voodoo
Daddy, we just tried to put new spins on
tunes and bring something different to the
listeners.”
Morris and the rest of Big Bad Voodoo
Daddy will spend the new year recording
their next album. He actually began penning
the tunes before the band hit the studio to
record “It Feels Like Christmas Time.”
“I was actually already writing a bunch
of music when we were just finishing up our
Christmas tour of last year,” he says.
“My plan was to start rehearsing the
band right after the Christmas tour and then
go and start making a new record. The first
week of January, our label asked if I would
Women’s League
hosts fashion show
COMING TO TOWN: Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
continues the holiday spirit with a show at
Wild Horse Pass on Fri., Dec. 27. Submitted
photo
be interested in putting together a new
Christmas album. I talked with the guys in
the band and everyone thought that would
be a good and fun idea.”
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy spent most of
last year on the record.
“It was funny because I was full-bore
Christmas music all through the summer,” he
says. “It was interesting.”
Morris even tried to get in the spirit of
things.
“There’s a big tree right as I’m walking by
to go up into the studio,” he says. “So I put
one Christmas ornament on that tree and
every time I walked by, I just smiled.”
Christina Fuoco-Karasinski is the editor of
the SanTan Sun News. She can be reached at
[email protected].
The Ocotillo Women’s League will host
a fashion show with Chico’s on Jan. 20.
Local members will model the clothing
at their monthly luncheon. Tickets for
the fashion show and luncheon, which is
catered by Bernard’s, is $17.
For more information visit owlsgroup.
org or contact JoDee Fritz at 602-228-0230.
The community service meets the first
Monday of the month at the board room
at Ocotillo Golf Resort, Bernard’s at 10
a.m. The Ocotillo Women’s League meets
the third Monday of the month for their
luncheon at 11:30 a.m. at the ballroom at
Ocotillo Golf Resort.
League has busy fall with
community service
The league began the fall by giving
gently used clothing for men, women and
children to the Clothes Cabin. In October,
they started making stocking milk bone
treats for their furry friends and metal
whisks filled with candy and a bow for
holiday cheer for human friends during
their holiday project. They were sold for
$5. They collected almost $500 for the
Mathew’s Food Crossing and One Dog
Arizona.
A project the league will hold in 2014 is
a Fun Bus trip to hear music and lunch at a
local casino with donations going towards
a local charity. They also plan on beading
necklaces for cancer patients to help
“Beads for Beauty.”
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