Urban AZ’s first Spoken Word Showcase brings together a range of poetic performers, along with R&B artists Dwele and Bilal with a band, at 8:30 p.m. Saturday, May 18 at Celebrity Theatre in Phoenix.

Phoenix film makers Marcus A. Stricklin and Sandy Kim, of Future Legends Production, have been invited to the Cannes Short Film Corner for the production of their film, “The Last Dance,” working with children actors from Ahwatukee.

Hard rocker Tom Keifer would be among the first to say that life doesn’t go as planned. The long-time musician, best known for his lead role in the band Cinderella, released his first solo album – ”The Way Life Goes” – April 30 after a 10-year process and a long struggle with partial vocal chord paralysis — the ruination of many music careers.

New York • When he first started working with Imagine Dragons, music producer Alex da Kid was looking for some inspiration for the Broadway musical, “Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark.”

Don Williams performs from a repertoire of fan favorites including “You’re My Best Friend,” “Tulsa Time” and “I Believe in You.”

The same local dance company that takes audiences deep into vampire territory each autumn with its acclaimed "A Vampire Tale" is going into uncharted waters.

Ahmed Alsoudani says that America is a dreamland. Yet, his complex paintings of violence and warfare are very much influenced by his upbringing.

This summer “Cinderella,” “High School Musical” and “Legally Blonde” will all be making their way to the main stage at Ahwatukee Children’s Theatre (ACT).

Children will listen to other children in a way they don’t to adults, says Bobb Cooper — and he’s hoping an awful lot of them get to do just that over the next two weeks.

Start marking your calendars with all the shows you plan to see this season. Arizona Theatre Company has announced its 2013-2014 lineup.

This sweet kitty Angel needs a chance at a loving forever home. She is really no trouble at all, but simply has a blood virus that has a slight chance of getting passed to other cats so she should be an only kitten or housed with another FIV-positive cat.

MGM’s “The Wizard of Oz” is the rare film adaptation that has officially become even more cherished than the timeless book that inspired it. Over the years, “The Wizard of Oz” has influenced numerous sequels, prequels, and reimaginings in just about every entertainment medium. Although there have certainly been some good additions to the “Oz” franchise, it’s unfortunate all of them must live in the shadow of an unbeatable classic. While nothing will ever top the Judy Garland version, the most we can ask from a modern “Oz” interpretation is that it remains true to L. Frank Baum’s universe while also sprinkling in something fresh. On that basis, director Sam Raimi sufficiently delivers in his vibrant and fun “Oz the Great and Powerful.”

Elaine Paige, the British songstress who played the inaugural role of Eva Peron in “Evita” and is known as “The First Lady of Musical Theatre,” performs in Mesa.

A former board member and longtime volunteer, Jim Colletti returns to this year’s Sedona International Film Festival in an entirely new role: first-time filmmaker. Originally from New York, Colletti moved to the East Valley nearly 20 years ago – buying his first home in Chandler and opening a business in Gilbert before relocating to Mesa. He has been living in central Phoenix for about 2 years now, where he runs his graphic art/advertising agency Element Design along with his artist management/record label OEO Entertainment.

We have our fair share of Disney animated favorites, but from time to time it’s fun to treat the family to a live theater production of a classic fairy tale. Valley Youth Theatre’s “Rapunzel,” playing Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through March 10, is a great option.

The four members of the band Fat Tree, Sam Bischof, 27, and the Jacobs brothers — Eric, 31, Kyle, 28, and Samuel, 25 — are East Valley residents who have been performing together since high school.

Nature is larger than life in this mosaic performance of dance, music, puppetry and choreography from director Moses Pendelton.

At Silver Star Playhouse, Broadway shows and popular musicals are remade with a splash of comedy — including funny songs, amusing characters and a delightful smattering of local humor.

Hale Centre Theatre stages the popular Broadway musical, including songs “Some Enchanted Evening,” “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outta My Hair” and “Bali Ha’i.”

So far, so good in 2013 for Chandler Center for the Arts.

Stomp, on stage Wednesday and Thursday in Phoenix, has been making international headlines since it burst onto the music scene in the early ’90s. The renowned street performers continue to wow audiences, using everything from brooms and boots to trash cans and Zippo lighters to create a percussive experience like no other.

“Oliver,” a staple in most children’s theaters, is making its way to Ahwatukee Children’s Theatre (ACT) for the first time this year.

Danny Zelisko presents Brian Setzer’s Christmas Rocks! Extravaganza, with special guest Totsy, at 8 p.m. Tuesday at Celebrity Theatre. 

A total of 32 Phoenix nonprofit arts and culture organizations received $525,346 in grant funding in the 2012-13 fiscal year from the Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture.