Santan Sun News 10-18-2014: Arts

Local filmmaker starts crowdfunding campaign for movie

BY LYNETTE CARRINGTON

The art of film encompasses many artists working together to tell a compelling story. At the helm of any movie is a storyteller who sets the mood on set, conveys the tone of the story and shoots the film. Chandler writer, producer and director Gita Farid is one such filmmaker who is shooting her latest short film “Ilyushin-A Gentle Mensch Caught in Soviet System.”

Farid, who grew up in England, focuses on writing films based in bygone eras.

“I make historical films,” she says. “I don’t really do contemporary films, and so I’m always fascinated with the past.”

“Ilyushin” transports filmgoers to the 1970s, and Farid’s film reflects the décor, ambiance and grittiness of that time, plus the struggles of the main character, Ilyushin, and his Soviet family.

“This is a story about a fictitious Soviet country where there is a game show, and they randomly pick people. And it brings Ilyushin on to the game show.”

He’s a very simple man who has a sick daughter and, through a game show appearance, he is hoping to save her.

“You have to see the film to see what happens,” teases Farid. “It’s a short film intended to be a pilot for a TV series. But we’re making it into a short so we can submit it around and maybe get some support.”

To help fund the film, Farid has started a crowdfunding campaign on IndieGoGo, with a goal of $15,000. Money raised for the film will go toward costs associated

with casting, production, wardrobe, props and preproduction. The campaign ends at 11:59 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1. To support the film, visit https://www.indiegogo.com/ projects/ilyushin-a-gentle-mensch-caughtin-soviet-system.

Farid recently shot a scene from “Ilyushin” that will be used to help market the film in its IndieGoGo campaign.

“We shot one scene from the film just to show people a little bit about the storyline, and it’s when character Ilyushin meets his love,” Farid explains.

WHAT’S IT WORTH?

The summer is upon us and, with temperatures in the 100s, I am sure you would like the opportunity to get away for a long weekend to a “cool” vacation spot. You can generate that extra cash to enjoy this break by using an asset you already own.

Is there something in your safety deposit box, garage, a drawer or maybe on a wall in your home that has value and can be converted to cash? Take some time and look for this asset that no longer is bringing you pleasure or is not appreciating and find out “What’s it worth.”

There are experts who have the capability to evaluate collectables, jewelry, art, etc. through research and market knowledge who will provide the estimated value of your

item. There are consignment stores on every corner that will take the item and attempt to find buyers. There is also the Internet, which is becoming a mall and shopping center. The valuables that before were not readily saleable now can be sold 24 hours a day. But first you need to have the experts determine a value. From this point, the marketplace will determine the true selling price. Also ask the experts if they are possible buyers of the assets. It will expedite the conversion of the item to cash. Please take the time on one of these hot days to search for valuables that can be converted to funds for a break from the heat. Remember there are experts and buyers who want to assist!

— David Goldstein Owner, Biltmore Loan and Jewelry

“BILTMORE BUYS OR LOANS ON ANYTHING YOU OWN”

Phoenix-based actress and law student Kristina Sabbagh has the role of Ilyushin’s wife, Lena. The Lithuanian-born actress truly understood her character.

“It’s a sad story,” Sabbagh explains. “My character is a strong woman in the beginning.”

Lena gives up her dream of going to school after she falls in love with miner Ilyushin and has a baby who falls ill. Lena also feels that she doesn’t get that much attention because life is hard.

Portraying Lena is a thrill for Sabbagh.

“The first day of shooting was just absolutely amazing,” gushes Sabbagh. “I thought it was going to be fun, but the amount of details that Gita put into the set was incredible. I walked in and said, ‘This is Soviet time.’ I’m Lithuanian. I was born into the Soviet Union so I know the communist system a little bit.”

Farid won acclaim at Phoenix’s Filmstock Film Festival with her World War II era short film “It’s Over!” in 2010. The short film took home six awards, including Most Ambitious Film and Best Set Design. “It’s Over!” was also nominated as Best Short Film and was screened at the 2011 Marbella International Film Festival in Spain. For more information on Farid and her films, visit www.gitafaridfilms.com.

Lynette Carrington is a freelancer for the SanTan Sun News. She can be contacted at lynette@santansun.com

Fall into shows at Chandler Center for the Arts

There’s plenty to see on stage this fall at the Chandler Center for the Arts, including music and even a murder mystery.

Dinner and a death

Guests get a chance to be part of the show in an interactive murder mystery at 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1. The phrase “Break a leg!” takes on a whole new meaning when the big names of Chandler come together for a dinner gala at the City’s crown jewel—the Chandler Center for the Arts. Molly Sirus, Chandler High School’s most famous (or infamous) alumna, is the evening’s honorary chairwoman. Mayhem ensues when

Molly’s boyfriend, plastic surgeon and tabloid favorite Hugh Van Helsing, is found bludgeoned to death in the green room with a mannequin leg from the Little Black Dress exhibit. With the building in lockdown, the gala goers are forced to work together to find out who among them is a murderer. The cost is $125 and includes dinner and the interactive murder mystery show.

Black Violin

The musical trio Black Violin will hit the stage at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7. Virtuoso violinists Wil B and Kev Marcus meld highbrow and pop culture through a fusion of classical, jazz, hip-hop, blues

Crime pays in writing boot camp

Aspiring authors can learn tips about writing mystery short stories at the Sisters in Crime (SinC) Desert Sleuths Chapter Short Story Boot Camp from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sat., Oct. 18, at Stonegate Community Clubhouse, 11551 E. Mountain View Rd., Scottsdale.

Desert Sleuths member Dana KingEsquer, who writes several mystery series under the name Dane McCaslin, including “Becklaw’s Murder Mystery Tour,” “Murder at the Miramar,” “Legend,” “Sweet Death” and “Murder in the Grove,” leads the session, which is $20 for DS members, $25 for nonmembers. Bring writing tablets and pens, a laptop or electronic tablet, as

attendees will write several “short short” stories during the session.

Author panel

The Boot Camp will be followed by a free “Ask the Authors” panel discussion from 1 p.m. to 1:50 p.m., featuring published short story authors in Desert Sleuths anthologies, with a book signing by authors. Anthologies will be available for sale.

The three-hour, hands-on workshop will help attendees develop captivating stories, polish work and hone writing skills—regardless of experience. Seating is limited. Cost for the workshop is $20

and rhythm and blues in a way that will please fans of everything from Bach to Beyonce. Joining the classically trained violinists is DJ TK on turntables. Tickets are $18, $22 and $28.

Quilters have ‘Permission to Play’

Stop by the Chandler Center for the Arts Friday, Nov. 7, through Saturday, Jan. 17, to enjoy 69 art quilts that reveal an art quilters’ playful response to stories they aspire to tell. The art quilts were created by allowing each artist’s inner child the opportunity to travel a road of self-discovery for the exhibition theme “Permission to Play.”

improvMANIA offers free intro classes

Kids, teens and adults who want to give improvisational acting a try have their chance beginning next month, as improvMANIA, 250 S. Arizona Ave., Chandler, offers “Intro to Improv” classes for free before students continue with paying classes.

The kids’ improv class begins at 12 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, the teens’ class starts at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, and the adults’ class begins at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 5.

improvMANIA opened its improv comedy theater in Chandler in September and produces and performs fast-paced, family-friendly improv comedy based on audience suggestions—similar to the hit television show “Whose Line Is It Anyway?”

for Desert Sleuths members; $25 for nonmembers.

Sisters in Crime Desert Sleuths Chapter is part of an international organization that promotes professional development and advancement of women crime writers to achieve equality in the industry.

Register for the boot camp online at www.DesertSleuths.com by clicking on events. Visit their website to learn more about the organization and to read the latest newsletter. The chapter also has an anthology, “SoWest: Crime Time,” available to read online at www.goo.gl/ kRulyx.

The comedy theater is launching its kids’, teens’ and adults’ programs in November. Kids’ and teens’ classes are four-week classes with a showcase at the end. The adult class is a six-week class with a showcase at the end for family and friends.

For those who decide to sign up, the kids’ class is $50, the teens’ class is $75 and the adult class is $99.

improvMANIA produces shows every Friday and Saturday night at 7 p.m. (family-friendly) and 9 p.m. (unfiltered). For more information call (480) 6994598 or visit www.improvmania.net.

Fledgling country singer’s career like a ‘dream’

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI

Playing Country Thunder, opening for Kenny Chesney at University of Phoenix Stadium, and singing with Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland at AkChin Pavilion sound like dream gigs to any unsigned artist.

But country singer Mary Hoffman, formerly of Chandler, has accomplished that and more in her short career.

“I’ve gone from playing in my bedroom to stuff you dream of,” says an effervescent Hoffman. “You imagine yourself in your room on a big stage, rocking out. Then it just happened. I don’t even have a record deal and I get to do stuff like that. I’m so grateful.”

The Mesa resident, who plays The Wigwam in Litchfi eld Park nearly every week, will showcase her material on Thursday, Nov. 13, at the Mesa Arts Center’s Out to Lunch Concert Series.

“That’s going to be cool,” says the married mother of a 6-year-old son. “That’s always a blast. They’re there for the music. They actually care to listen.”

Longtime musician

The daughter of an aerospace engineer, Hoffman bounced around the United States, living in West Virginia, Ohio and Arizona before graduating from Mountain View High School in 1999. One thing remained constant throughout her formative years—her love of music.

“Growing up, my parents played a little bit of country,” she says. “But I was raised on The Beatles, Simon and Garfunkel.

“My mom and dad had all those old records. My mom played them over and over, especially The Beatles’ ‘Let It Be.’”

The tide turned, however, when she heard Martina McBride’s “Independence Day.”

“I thought, ‘What is this music?’” she recalls. “‘What is this music that means something?’ After that, I was just hooked.”

Besides McBride, Hoffman was inspired by Reba McEntire, Whitney Houston and Jewel. Alaskan singersongwriter Jewel, known for her song “You Were Meant for Me,” is the reason why Hoffman picked up the acoustic guitar.

“If you sing and play the guitar, you don’t have to rely on anyone else,” says Hoffman, who earned a Bachelor of Science degree in communications from ASU. “That’s what I thought was so cool about her. She could just play the guitar and sing—and everybody’s just mesmerized.”

Hoffman, who released a self-titled limited edition EP, is working on a fulllength album. She’s taking everything she learned from the Chesney, Sugarland and Country Thunder shows and rolling it into her own performance and sound.

“I’ve been watching concerts since I was 10 years old,” she says. “I’d have VHS tapes of Garth Brooks and Reba. I’d watch those tapes over and over.

“Now I take notes of what I saw at Country Thunder, or Cardinals stadium.”

Hoffman opened for Chesney during his 2008 “Poets and Pirates Tour” after winning a local band competition. The bill also featured appearances by Gary Allan, Keith Urban, Sammy Hagar and Uncle Kracker.

“The stage was so big,” she says with her brownish-hazel eyes open wide. “The chairs just kept getting smaller as I was looking up. I had to stop looking up because it was so crazy.

“The funniest thing though, was doing sound check. The bass drum was so intense that it threw me off the stage. Doing that every week would be so amazing. That would be insane.”

Mary Hoffman performs from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 13, at the Mesa Arts Center’s Out to Lunch Concert Series, One E. Main St., Mesa. Tickets are free. For more information, call (480) 644-6500. For a complete list of her shows, visit www.maryhoffman. net/gig/.

Christina Fuoco-Karasinski is the executive editor of the SanTan Sun News. She can be reached at christina@ santansun.com.

Arts

‘Ode’ to art, Chinese culture

Local art and Chinese culture take center stage at the Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler, at 7 p.m., Nov. 15, as the American Chinese Arts and Culture Exchange Association presents its second annual “Ode to Peace,” with the theme of “Embrace Thanksgiving: A Music and Dance Extravaganza from East to West.”

The program will include a variety of artists and cultural disciplines from around the world.

Featured presenters include artistic director and coloratura soprano Yayu Khoe singing the French opera coloratura classic “Indian Bell Song” from “Lakme,” Zhou Jiang on piano, the violin duo Joy Pan and Lan Qiu, Zhigang Chen on cello, the Arizona Chinese Chorus, the Arizona Chinese Instrumental Ensemble, the Mesa City Band Trombone Quartet, the alternative band RadioDriveBy, the Arizona Asian American Association and more.

Tickets are $15, and can be purchased at the Chandler Center for the Arts Box Office at (480) 782-2680 or www. chandlercenter.com. Tickets can also be purchased at the Eastern Art Academy, 1100 N. Alma School Rd., Suite 18, Chandler, and at Super Ranch 99 Market at COFCO Chinese Cultural Center, 668 N. 44th St, Phoenix. For more information visit www.acacx.com and www.facebook. com/acacxorg.

MCC offers sneak peek at new performing arts center Oct. 25

Mesa Community College is hosting an open house in celebration of the completion of its new 462-seat Performing Arts Center (PAC) 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, at its Southern and Dobson campus, 1833 W. Southern Ave., Mesa. The public is invited to be among the first to preview the venue as they enjoy light refreshments and tours of the completely renovated former movie theater.

MCC’s talented students provide a sneak preview of music, dance and musical theatre that will be regularly showcased in this exciting state-of-the-art-venue. Students and faculty will lead guided tours, which will include behind-the-scenes areas

such as performance classrooms, music practice rooms and the scene shop, in addition to the main stage.

“We are excited to be able to open our doors to our community to showcase the talents of our vocal, instrumental and dance students in this long-awaited world-class venue,” says Sue Anne Lucius, chairwoman of MCC’s Music Department.

The PAC’s inaugural season officially kicks off Oct. 30 and 31, with the dance performance “Who Dunnit,” presented by MCC’s Dance Company with special guests On Tap and Propel, followed by the Act I Musical Theatre’s production “Hairspray,” Nov. 13, through Nov. 22.

Free creative aging classes through MAC

Mesa Arts Center’s Creative Aging Program, now in its third year, is offering adults 55 and older three unique workshops in storytelling, movement and visual arts for free, through the end of November. Designed to offer social and creative outlets to enhance self-esteem, morale and physical health for older adults, the classes will be held at the Mesa Arts Center, One E. Main St., Mesa, and are free and open to the public. Participants are asked to draw on life stories and will explore experiences through visual arts, movement and storytelling. Led by professional teaching artists, the workshops provide vital tools and opportunities for older adults

Dia de los Muertos at MAC

Dia de los Muertos Festival returns to the Mesa Arts Center from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, and 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26. The ninth annual event celebrates the memory of departed loved ones.

The free festival will offer a nonstop schedule of live entertainment, participatory children’s activities, a wide variety of food options, studio demonstrations and a mercado marketplace, featuring traditional and contemporary merchandise, jewelry and Mexican arts and crafts from more than 30 local artisans and vendors.

The centerpiece of the traditional Dia de los Muertos festivities is a community altar, where guests can leave mementos in honor of their loved ones who have passed. Altars created by community groups, schools and

families will also be on display for a festival contest sponsored by the Mexican Consulate and Mesa Association of Hispanic Citizens.

In the Bookmans Family Activity area, festival participants of all ages are invited to create a traditional sugar skull or ceramic pin or to contribute a paper flower to construct a large-scale, colorful skull over the course of the weekend. Families can also enjoy the Taylor Troupe Stiltwalkers and performances by juggler James Reid. Featured festival performances include award-winning author Stella Pope Duarte with Liliana De Leon-Torsiello, Fiesta Mexicana Dance, Folklorico Lindo y Querido, Mariachi Pasión, Mariachi Corazón de Phoenix, Mariachi Juvenil los Primos, Mariachi Viva, Noemy Esparza, Nuance Jazz,

to maintain and improve physical and mental health.

“I feel so exuberant after I leave here,” says Rita Hawkins, an 83-year-old participant in the program.

Workshops include “Mature Moving Me,” a collaborative dance class for seniors that is appropriate for all levels and all abilities; “In the Round Sculpture,” a series of hands-on sessions focusing on the creation of mixed-media abstract sculptures; and “What’s Your Story,” a 90-minute workshop that leads participants in transforming memories into recorded history or legend.

MAC’s Creative Aging Program extends beyond on-site workshops to include

Free admission is offered to patrons attending “Who Dunnit” in costume on Oct. 31.

MCC’s commitment to providing affordable arts and entertainment to the community couples the PAC shows with performances in the college’s newly remodeled MCC Theatre. The theater’s fall season launched with the family favorite “Rumpelstiltskin” Oct. 10. Additional information about upcoming shows and events at MCC’s Performing Arts Center and Theatre may be found online at www. mesacc.edu/pac and www.mesacc.edu/ theatre-shows, respectively.

artist-in-residence programs in area adult resource centers, adult day cares and adult living communities, such as Oakwood Creative Care, Fellowship Square Living Community and New Frontier for Lifelong Learning.

In March, Mesa Arts Center will collaborate with the Arizona Commission on the Arts to hold a Creative Aging Summit to convene arts organizations, teaching artists and aging and healthcare service providers interested in the significant impact the arts can have on quality of life for older adults.

For more information, visit www. mesaartscenter.com/outreach/outreachprograms/Creative-Aging.

Orchestra Kaliente, Sherry Finzer, Si Se Puede Foundation, Sol Gitana, Unidos en Armistad and more.

The festival will culminate in a performance and an open procession to the community altar led by Mariachi Pasion at 4:45 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26.

is located at

E. Main St., in downtown

There is no charge to attend the Dia de Los Muertos Festival, and parking is free. More information can be found at www. MesaArtsCenter.com or by calling (480) 6446500.

Vision’s ‘Explorations’ explores artistic visions

A new “exploration” of fiber, fabric, texture and art is set to open Friday, Nov. 7, at the Vision Gallery, 10 E. Chicago St., Chandler, and will run through Saturday, Jan. 17. The show, “Explorations,” gathered submissions from Arizona artists with the Surface Design Association and aims to highlight varied approaches, media and pieces through the different techniques used by the artists as they study and grow in their craft.

Nancy Nakamoto, SDA state representative and organizer of the exhibit, says innovation and taking risks as an artist are central components to the exhibit.

SDA artist Miriam Otte agrees. “It’s important for artists to take risks. ‘Explorations’ celebrates moving toward unexplored territories of new techniques, new media and new compositions,” she says.

Carol Eckert of Tempe, a well-known fiber artist recognized for her compositions of animal symbols and myths from cultures around the world, will curate the exhibit. Eckert’s fiber sculptures have become noteworthy additions to many private and public collections including Racine Art Museum in Wisconsin, the Denver Art Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and the Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Museum.

The Surface Design Association is a national nonprofit organization of artists dedicated to supporting and improving

ART OF EXPLORATION:

“And a Wolf Shall Devour the Sun” and “In the Garden of Evil,” works by Tempe artist Carol Eckert, who will curate the “Explorations” exhibit. Submitted photo

the practice of surface design—the coloring, patterning and structuring of fiber and fabric—by inspiring creativity and encouraging innovation through publications, exhibitions, conferences and educational opportunities. The nearly 4,000 members include artists, designers, educators, curators, gallery owners, students and textile enthusiasts from around the world. New members are invited to join at www.surfacedesign.org.

The exhibit is free and open to the public. For more information about the Vision Gallery, call (480) 782-2695 or visit www. visiongallery.org.

ON STAGE

“Mr. Burns, a Post-Electric Play,” through Sat., Oct. 25, S55. In this American dark-comedy play, postnuclear meltdown, there’s no electricity, no TV, and the survivors are living in small groups when a few people around a campfire start to piece together their memories of an episode of “The Simpsons.” This imaginative story explores how the pop culture of one era might evolve into the mythology of another.

“Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,” through Sun., Oct. 26, VYT. Watch as this musical, based on the first story in C.S. Lewis’ “The Chronicles of Narnia,” comes to life on stage.

Larry the Cable Guy, Sat. Oct. 18, CCA. Daniel Lawrence “Larry” Whitney, best known as Larry the Cable Guy, brings his unique brand of humor to the stage.

Ali Jackson Trio, Sat., Oct. 18, MAC. The talented jazz drummer hits the stage with his group.

Under the Streetlamp with Gentleman’s Rule, Sat., Oct. 18, and Sun., Oct. 19, MAC. One of America’s hottest vocal groups returns to the Mesa Arts Center to perform an electrifying evening of classic hits from the American radio songbook.

“The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane,” Sun., Oct. 19, through Mon., Nov. 16, TCA. Childsplay brings back last year’s breakout hit, based on Newberywinner Kate DiCamillo’s beloved book. Centered on an exceptional toy that becomes lost, the play tells a fantastical story of finding friendship, finding yourself and eventually finding your way home.

“Freedom Rock Experience,” Mon., Oct. 20, CCA. Award-winning C.T.S. rock band and the Chandler High School Orchestra perform a benefit concert honoring the life and memory of Wendi VanBriesen, a friend to many in the community. Proceeds go to VanBriesen’s family and the Chandler High Orchestra.

“Frankenstein,” Wed., Oct. 22, through Sat., Nov. 1, TT. Discover new chills in an old tale as Actor’s Youth Theatre brings Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein” to the stage just in time for Halloween.

Penn and Teller, Fri, Oct. 24, MAC. Winning awards, winning over audiences and redefining their genre with their unique performances, the iconic duo hits the stage with their singular blend of magic and comedy.

BLEND: Phoenix Meets Houston, Fri., Oct. 24, and Sat., Oct. 25, CCA. Enjoy an evening of modern and contemporary dance works in this shared concert event between the Phoenix-based

Conversion Dance Project and the Houston-based Rednerrus Feil Dance Company.

“Seussical the Musical,” Fri., Oct. 24, through Sun., Nov. 2, ST. See your favorite Dr. Seuss characters on stage, including Horton the Elephant, the Cat in the Hat, Gertrude McFuzz, Lazy Mayzie and Jojo. The characters transport the audience from the Jungle of Nool to the Circus McGurkus to the invisible world of the Whos.

“Viola Concerto,” Sun., Oct. 26, MN. Milena Pajaro-van de Stadt performs for the MusicaNova program. She is a

multiple international award-winning soloist and a member of the Dover Quartet.

“A Glorious Harmony,” Sun., Oct. 26, CCA. The Phoenix Youth Symphony, formed from the Valley’s top student instrumentalists, teams up with The Phoenix Boys Choir for an afternoon of amazing music.

Emily Bear with Zuill Bailey, Thurs., Oct. 30, MAC. Composing since she was 3 years old, Emily Bear, now 12, has been called the next Mozart. The piano prodigy, who is mentored by the legendary producer Quincy Jones, performs an evening of unique and lively music.

Ziggy Marley, Fri., Oct. 31, WHP. A sixtime Grammy winner, Emmy winner, humanitarian, singer, songwriter and producer, Ziggy Marley performs his signature reggae tunes.

An Evening with Bill Cosby, Sat., Nov. 1, MAC. One of America’s most beloved comedians of all time, Bill Cosby has captivated generations of fans with his comedy routines, iconic albums and best-selling books such as “Fatherhood.”

“One Drop of Love,” Sat., Nov. 1, MAC. A multimedia one-woman show produced by Ben Affleck, Matt Damon and writer/performer Fanshen Cox DiGiovanni, it incorporates film, photographs and animation to examine how “race” has been constructed in the United States and how it can influence our most intimate relationships.

Merle Haggard, Fri., Nov. 7, WHP. The Okie from Muskogee brings classic Americana to the stage with hits like “Workin’ Man Blues,” “Sing Me Back Home” and “Mamma Tried.”

David Sedaris, Wed., Nov. 5, MAC. Sedaris brings his satire, keen observation, sardonic wit and incisive social critiques to the stage, slicing through euphemisms and political correctness.

Arizona Classic Jazz Festival, Thurs., Nov. 6, through Sun., Nov. 9, SM. The Arizona Classic Jazz Society presents traditional jazz bands from all over the country in this celebration of the musical style.

ON STAGE VENUE INDEX

CCA—Chandler Center for the Arts

250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler Tickets: (480) 782-2680, www. chandlercenter.org

MAC—Mesa Arts Center

One E. Main St., Mesa Tickets: (480) 644-6500, www. mesaartscenter.com

MN—MusicaNova

Central United Methodist Church

1875 N. Central Ave., Phoenix Tickets: (480) 585-4485, www. musicanovaaz.com

S55—Space 55

636 E. Pierce St., Phoenix Tickets: (602) 663-4032, www.space55.org

SDC—Sonoran Desert Chorale

First United Methodist Church, 15 E. First Ave., Mesa and Valley Presbyterian Church, 6947 E. McDonald Dr., Paradise Valley Tickets: (480) 305-4538, www. sonorandesertchorale.org

Vince Gill and the Time Jumpers, Tues., Nov. 11, MAC. Perennial MAC favorite Vince Gill returns with a country music experience, opening and then joining some of Nashville’s finest studio musicians including Ranger Doug, Dawn Sears and fellow Country Music Hall of Famers Larry Franklin and Billy Thomas. The Time Jumpers are an 11-member band that has made major contributions across the country music industry for the last 30 years.

“Nat Geo Live: Coral, Fire and Ice,” Wed., Nov. 12, MAC. Explore a hidden universe through the eyes of the photographic team of David Doubilet and his underwater partner, Jennifer Hayes.

“He Said-She Said,” Fri., Nov. 14, and Sat., Nov. 15, S55. An evening of solo performances by 10 Valley artists, responding to contemporary and timeless prompts to create 10 totally new and different responses.

Jessica Lang Dance, Thurs., Nov. 20, MAC. Hailed as “a master of visual composition” by Dance Magazine, Lang

SM—San Marcos Golf Resort

One San Marcos Pl., Chandler Tickets: (480) 620-3941, www. azclassicjazz.org

ST—Stagebrush Theatre

7020 E. Second St., Scottsdale Tickets: (480) 330-5918, www.greasepaint. org

TCA—Tempe Center for the Arts

700 W. Rio Salado Pkwy., Tempe Tickets: (480) 350-2822, www.tca. ticketforce.com

TT—Tuscany Theatre 861 N. Higley Rd., Gilbert Tickets: (480) 907-7050, www. tuscanytheatre.com

VYT—Valley Youth Theatre 525 N. First St., Phoenix Tickets: (602) 253-8188, www.vyt.com

WHP—Wild Horse Pass Ovations Showroom

5040 Wild Horse Pass Blvd., Chandler Tickets: (520) 796-7777, www.wingilariver. com/wild-horse-pass

and her dance company transform classical ballet language and rigor into artfully crafted, emotionally engaging, contemporary works.

The Tenors, Fri., Nov. 28, MAC. This group brings memorable melodies to the stage, blending classical music and contemporary pop.

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Sat., Nov. 29, WHP. Celebrating its 21st anniversary, the nine-piece ensemble swings and parties on stage with its irresistible tunes and infectious energy.

“A Winnie-the-Pooh Christmas Tail,” Dec. 5 through Dec. 23, VYT. Join everyone’s favorite Pooh Bear, along with his friends Piglet, Eeyore and more as they bring a Christmas story to the stage for the holidays.

“Rejoice and Sing!,” Sat., Dec. 6, and Sun., Dec. 7, SDC. Be a part of this annual tradition as the audience is invited to join the chorale in singing carols to celebrate the joys of the holiday season.