Arts Briefs (12/19)

Kerr Cultural Center's Rhythms of Life Series

Arizona State University's Kerr Cultural Center will host its upcoming Rhythms of Life Series starting Saturday, Jan. 3, with Beloved Brahms starring Edward Herrmann as Eduard Hanslik. The series continues Friday, Feb. 6, with the world premiere of Love Letters: From Beethoven To Bernstein starring four-time Best Actress Emmy Award-winner Michael Learned. Friday, March 6, will feature A Beautiful Deception: from Impressionism to Surrealism. The series concludes Friday, April 3, with The Clark-Schuldmann Duo and All That Jazz.

Performances begin at 8 p.m. at 6110 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. Reserved tickets are $20 and $21, and general seating is $17. Student, senior, group and series rates are available.

For more information, call (480) 596-2660 or visit www.asukerr.com.

Heard offers course on Native Peoples of the Southwest

The Heard Museum has a great opportunity to expand your knowledge with its popular Native Peoples of the Southwest Short Course.

The four-session course provides an overview of the Southwest and the first Americans, from the prehistoric peoples and their historic descendants to the people today, who continue to blend their ancient traditions with the challenges of the 21st century.

The course is taught by noted teacher Gina Laczko, Heard Museum educational services manager. Each session begins at 9:30 a.m. and concludes at 12:30 p.m. Jan. 8, 16, 22 and 29, at the Heard Museum, 2301 N. Central Ave.

The cost is $65 ($55 for Heard Museum Members), and the registration deadline is at 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 2.

To register, call Liz Songne at (480) 786-0514 or e-mail lsongne@cox.net.

Phoenix Symphony offerings

The 2008-09 season for The Phoenix Symphony includes the Classics, Pops and Family series, as well as the inaugural Target World Music Festival and superstar performers such as Joshua Bell, Lang Lang and Doc Severinsen.

Season highlights include Handel's Messiah (through Dec. 21), Doc Severinsen - El Ritmo de la Vida (Jan. 30 to Feb. 1), Stravinsky: The Firebird (Feb. 19 to 21), Mahler: Symphony No. 4 (April 9 and 11), Carmina Burana (April 23 and 25), A Salute to Rodgers & Hammerstein (May 15 to 17) and Joshua Bell in Concert (May 23). The season also offers a number of unique offerings such as puppeteer Basil Twist performing in Stravinsky: Petrushka (Nov. 6 to 8), the audience-favorite Bugs Bunny on Broadway (Jan. 3 and 4) and the energetic string trio Time for Three performing on Rachmaninoff: Symphonic Dances (April 2 to 4).

More information is available online at www.phoenixsymphony.org, and a free concert guide detailing the season is available by calling the box office at (602) 495-1999.

Childsplay invites students to experience theater magic

Childsplay, Arizona's professional theater company for young audiences and families, announces the 2009 Spring Academy class schedule. Childsplay Academy offers theater classes for young people ages 18 months through 18 years. All classes take place at the Sybil B. Harrington Campus for Imagination and Wonder at Mitchell Park, 900 S. Mitchell Drive, Tempe. All classes are taught by professional teaching artists.

Spring break sessions are offered March 9 to 13 and March 16 to 20. The spring break classes are one week long and will workshop The Lion King. Each class will have a sharing for families on the final day of class.

For more information and to register online, visit www.childsplayaz.org or call (480) 921-5751 for a brochure.

Seussical the Musical auditions coming up

Valley Youth Theatre (VYT) will hold auditions for Seussical the Musical at 4 p.m. Jan. 5 and 6 at the theater at 525 N. First St.

Those auditioning are asked to bring a photo with name, age, address and phone number on the back (school photos or home snapshots are accepted); bring sheet music and perform one song or ballad (accompaniment is provided); be prepared for a cold reading of the script; have a prepared one-minute Shakespearean monologue (suggested); bring a performing arts resume or a list of prior performances, experience or special skills (if applicable); dress in appropriate dance attire (changing areas provided); and bring a water bottle.

There is no fee to participate in main stage productions, but parents and family members are asked to volunteer with set construction, costumes and front of house during rehearsals and the run of the show.

If cast, Seussical will run from March 6 to 22.

For more information, call (602) 253-8188, ext. 4, or visit www.VYT.com.

String orchestra musicians needed

An East Valley String Orchestra is forming. There are no auditions.

For more information, call Linda at (480) 895-5150.

Jewish Film Festival focuses on sophisticated audiences

The 2009 East Valley Jewish Film Festival offers cinematic gems featuring sports, history, Holocaust themes and current worldwide forces.

The following films will be screened at the Pollack Tempe Cinemas, 1825 E. Elliot Road, Tempe: Sunday, Jan. 18, The Counterfeiters, 3 and 6:30 p.m., speaker is Rabbi Irwin Wiener; Sunday, Jan. 25, Nowhere In Africa, 3 and 6:30 p.m.; Sunday, Feb. 8, Constantine's Sword, 3 and 6:30 p.m., speaker is Rabbi Bonnie Koppell; and Sunday, Feb. 15, The Little Traitor, 3 p.m. only.

Tickets for a single film are $9 each; four-film packages are $32.

For more information, call (480) 802-9391.

Bands wanted for ArenaFest

Musical talent is being sought from all over to play at an event this summer called ArenaFest. ArenaFest will schedule 91 interactive events that include sports, gaming, dating, competitions and live entertainment. During each event, two up-and-coming bands will get the opportunity to perform live, on stage, and be seen and heard by thousands of fans. The US Airways Center is one of the arenas on the schedule.

The first round of the competition runs until Feb. 28.

For more details or to sign up, visit http://arenafest.sellaband.com.

DBG offers botanical art and illustration classes

A new session of botanical art classes begins Jan. 6 at the Desert Botanical Garden, 1201 N. Galvin Parkway. Offerings are suitable to a variety of interests and all skill levels are welcome. Courses are five weeks long and are taught by knowledgeable instructors who work in the field of botanical art.

Fees for each class are $215 for members and $270 for non-members unless otherwise noted. For more information or to enroll, call (480) 481-8146 or visit www.dbg.org.

Music in the Garden Winter Concert Series

The Desert Botanical Garden, 1201 N. Galvin Parkway, will host Sunday concerts from noon to 2 p.m. on the Ullman Terrace, featuring some the Valley's premier musicians.

Schedule: Jan. 18, Mex-Sal (salsa); Jan. 25, Try Me Bicycle (folk rock); Feb. 1, Novo Mundo (Brazilian world); Feb. 8, Back Porch Bandits (bluegrass); and Feb. 22, Lyra (classical guitar and violin).

General seating tickets are $14 for members, $20 for non-members, $8 for children ages 3 to 12 and free for ages 2 and younger. Ticket price includes Garden admission. Advance ticket purchase is strongly recommended.

For more information or to purchase tickets, go online to www.dbg.org, call (480) 481-8188 or visit the box office.

Valley Youth Theatre's 20th anniversary season

Remaining shows in Valley Youth Theatre's anniversary season include: A Winnie The Pooh Christmas Tail, through Dec. 23; A Midsummer Night's Dream, Jan. 23 to Feb. 8; Seussical The Musical, March 6 to 22; and Geppetto and Son, By Stephen Schwartz, An Arizona Premiere, May 1 to 17.

For ticket information, visit www.VYT.com and download a form or call (602) 253-8188, ext. 309.

Broadway season at ASU Gammage

Remaining shows in Arizona State University Gammage's 2008-09 M&I Bank Broadway Across America - Arizona season include Spring Awakening, Dec. 9 to 14; Disney's The Lion King, Jan. 2 to Feb. 8; Frost/Nixon starring Stacy Keach, March 31 to April 5; and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, June 16 to 21.

M&I Bank Broadway Across America - Arizona special engagements during the 2008-09 season include Rent, March 17 to 22, 2009; Cats, April 7 to 12; Stomp, May 5 to 10; and Wicked, July 1 to 26.

For more information or tickets, visit the box office, www.asugammage.com, Ticketmaster locations, www.ticketmaster.com or call (480) 784-4444.

Chandler Symphony Orchestra performances

The Chandler Symphony Orchestra (formerly the San Marcos Symphony) will perform concerts at the Chandler Center for the Arts, 205 N. Arizona Ave., at 8 p.m. Feb. 6, 3 p.m. March 29 and 3 p.m. May 10.

All of the concerts are free. Donations are accepted to help defray operating costs.

For information, call the box office at (480) 782-2680.

Phoenix Chorale

Offerings for the 2008-09 50th anniversary Phoenix Chorale season begin with a concert entitled "Retro: Then & Now," featuring music from the first public performances of the Phoenix Chorale in 1958. In honor of the 50th anniversary, artistic director Charles Bruffy has programmed music from the Chorale's five-decade history throughout the season. 

On the schedule: "Home for the Holidays" (Dec. 18 to 21), 50th Anniversary Gala, "Sing to Love" (Feb. 14), "With the Kansas City Chorale" (Feb. 21, 22, and March 1), Festival of the Male Voice, "Boys to Men VI" (Feb. 28) and "Amazing Grace" (April 25, 26, and May 3).

A new ticketing program is available for anyone 25 and under to attend any Phoenix Chorale concert for free. These seats are available starting 10 minutes before each performance and are subject to availability.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.phoenixchorale.org or call (602) 253-2224.

Live Met Opera series returns

The new series features live transmissions of five new productions, including one Met premiere. Each live performance will be followed by an evening encore presentation the second Wednesday after the live performance.

Locally, this season's Met Opera series will be showing at AMC Ahwatukee 24, 4915 E. Ray Road.

The remaining schedule is as follows: Dec. 20, Thaïs - Jan. 7, encore presentation; Jan. 10, La Rondine - Jan. 21, encore presentation: Jan. 24, Orfeo Ed Euridice - Feb. 4, encore presentation; Feb. 7, Lucia di Lammermoor - Feb. 18, encore presentation: March 7, Madama Butterfly - March 18, encore presentation; March 21, La Sonnambula - April 1, encore presentation; and May 9, La Cenerentola - May 20, encore presentation.

For details on the operas, visit the Met's Web site at www.metopera.org/hd. For ticket information, visit www.FathomEvents.com.

ASU Art Museum upcoming exhibitions and events

The Arizona State University Art Museum, located at Tenth Street and Mill Avenue in Tempe, continues to present contemporary art with exhibitions in all media by regional and international, emerging and established artists.

Upcoming schedule:

- Through Jan. 4, The Other Mainstream II: Selections from the Collection of Mikki and Stanley Weithorn.

- Jan. 24 through April 26, Breathing is Free: 12,756.3 - The First 1,500, New Work by Jun Nguyen-Hatsushiba. Artist performance: Jan. 20 to 30. Artist performance reception: Feb. 20, 7 to 9 p.m.

- Through Jan. 25, ASU Herberger College School of Art Faculty Exhibition.

- Through Jan. 25, Nadia Hironaka: The Late Show.

- Feb. 14 through May 16, Eden Revisited: The Ceramic Art of Kurt Weiser. Reception: Feb. 20, 7 to 9 p.m. Friday Conversations in the Gallery: Feb. 20, 11 a.m., local artist Kurt Weiser.

- Feb. 17 through July 26, Social Studies: Project 4. Artist in residence. Reception: Feb. 20, 7 to 9 p.m. 

- Through Feb. 28, Midstream: New Ceramics from the Heartland.

- March 21 through May 30, NCECA Clay National, 43rd Annual NCECA Conference, April 8 to 11, Ceramic Interface: From Dawn to Digital.

- March 28 through May 31, Potters on Paper: Selections from the Collection. Reception: April 9, 5 to 7 p.m.

- April 2009, 13th Annual ASU Art Museum Short Film and Video Festival. Date to be announced, check website for details http://asuartmuseum.asu.edu/filmfest.

- May 16 through Aug. 30, 10th Annual Summer Family Exhibition, Food: Feasts for the Eyes from the Permanent Collection. Family Fun Day: July 10, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The ASU Art Museum is part of the Herberger College of the Arts at Arizona State University. Entry is free. Hours are 11 a.m.  to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and until 9 p.m. Tuesday during the academic year, and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday.

For more information, call (480) 965-2787 or visit the museum online at http://asuartmuseum.asu.edu.

www.mc.maricopa.edu/community/outback.

Desert Chordsmen ready for the asking

The Desert Chordsmen Barbershop Chorus of Sun Lakes has two quartets - Twilight Time and The Four-Gone-Conclusions - both of which are available to sing for your organization. Also, men looking for a special Valentine treat may request a quartet to sing for your special lady.

Currently, 25 men are in the chorus singing tenor, lead (the melody), baritone and bass. Men that enjoy singing are invited to join. On Monday evenings, between 6:30 and 9 p.m., the Desert Chordsmen gather at the Sun Lakes Health Center (southeast corner of Alma School and Riggs roads) to sing close (four-part) harmony.

For more information on having the chorus sing at your event, call Ron Young at (480) 895-3462 or Milt Eitreim at (480) 895-2668. To learn more about joining the chorus, give Norm Noble a call at (480) 802-3130.

Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre shows

The Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre, located at 5247 E. Brown Road in Mesa, will offer the following performances this season: Holly Jolly Christmas, through Dec. 25; The Best Little Whorehose in Texas, Dec. 31 to Feb. 14, 2009; Singin' in the Rain, Feb. 19 to April 11; Ring of Fire, April 16 to May 30; High School Musical, June 4 to Aug. 1; and Mid-Life! The Crisis Musical, Aug. 6 to Sept. 26.

For more information, call (480) 325-6700 or visit www.BroadwayPalmWest.com.

Childsplay productions

Childsplay, Arizona's professional theatre company for young audiences, has announced its 2008-09 Season at the Tempe Center for the Arts, 700 W. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe. Childsplay is offering eight productions for the public through June 2009 that includes one world premiere, two old favorites, three regional premieres, three musicals and seven page-to-stage adaptations.

The season will include: The Velveteen Rabbit, through Dec. 21; Busytown, Jan. 18 preview at 4 p.m., runs Jan. 24 to Feb. 21, 2009; Rock, Paper, Scissors, Feb. 28 preview at 1 p.m., runs Feb. 28 to March 8; Ferdinand the Bull, March 14 preview at 1 p.m., runs March 14 to April 5; The Neverending Story, April 19 preview at 4 p.m., runs April 25 to May 17; and Peter and the Wolf, May 31 preview at 4 p.m., runs June 6 to 21.

For information, visit www.childsplayaz.org. or call (480) 350-2822.

Kerr Cultural Center's Chamber Music Series

Arizona State University's Kerr Cultural Center will continue its upcoming Chamber Music Series Feb. 8 with Music of the Southwest - featuring Arpeggio and Friends and concludes March 29 with Night in Vienna - featuring The Four Seasons Orchestra.

Performances begin at 3 p.m. at 6110 N. Scottsdale Road. Reserved tickets are $18 and $19, and general seating is $15. Student, senior, group and series rates are available.

For more information, call (480) 596-2660 or visit www.asukerr.com.

March events at The Scottsdale Center For The Performing Arts

Upcoming performances in March at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, 7380 E. Second St., Scottsdale, include: An Evening with Lily Tomlin, March 7; Jeffrey Siegel's Keyboard Conversations, The Longevity of the Short Piece, March 12; Etta James and the Roots Band, March 19; 39th Annual Scottsdale Arts Festival, March 20 to 22; Close Encounters with Music: Beethoven and Shostakovich, March 21; 2008-09 Virginia G. Piper Concert Series: Antonio Pompa-Baldi, March 22; Reduced Shakespeare Company: Completely Hollywood (abridged), March 24 to April 5; The Joffrey Ballet, March 26 and 27; Concerts Under the Stars: Madeleine Peyroux, March 31.

Other events include Late Nite Catechism III: ‘Til Death Do Us Part, ongoing; Sunday A'Fair, Jan. 11 to April 12; and Native Trails, Jan. 15 to April 11.

For more information, call (480) 994-ARTS (2787) or visit www.scottsdaleperformingarts.org.