SanTan Sun News; 2-21-15: Arts

UltraStar hosts Oscar party

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI

Movie fans can experience Oscar night by viewing the Academy Awards at the UltraStar Multi-tainment Theater at AkChin Circle in Maricopa on Sunday, Feb. 22. UltraStar is showing the Academy Awards for free in theater 12, which has a 50-foot screen. An optional $15 package includes an appetizer buffet reception from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., unlimited popcorn and soda, one glass of champagne, one nominee ballot for a chance to win movie tickets or a year and one film swag raffle ticket. For information, visit http:// ultrastarakchin.com/.

“This is the second year we’ve held it in the auditorium,” says Dan Terry, the theater manager. “It’s definitely a dress to impress event. There will be a red carpet, paparazzi and a jazz band playing. It’s a big deal.” During commercial breaks, UltraStar will raffle off movie paraphernalia such as T-shirts, hats, water bottles, movie posters and sweatshirts that the theater

receives throughout the year.

The 12-theater UltraStar Ak-Chin boasts D-BOX motion seats, balcony seating in the Star Class featuring waiter service, and private VIP booths.

There is plenty to do at the UltraStar after watching Hollywood hits. Ten Pins Down features 24 bowling lanes, a Play ‘N’ Win game center, a two-story Urban Arena laser tag maze and a slew of eateries.

“We have all these amazing venues, but we try to really utilize them for awesome events such as the Oscars and leagues in the bowling alley,” Terry says.

“We don’t want to be open and do the same thing every day. We definitely try to stand out and be unique. This is the place to watch the Oscars.”

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

Vision Gallery looks back at Eye Lounge

The Vision Gallery is displaying “Self-Made: 15 Years of Eye Lounge,” an exhibit looking back at works created by a downtown Phoenix artist collective, now thorough Saturday, March 7, at 10 E. Chicago St., Chandler.

Eye Lounge, a contemporary art space run by members and dedicated to supporting emerging and established visual artists in downtown Phoenix, was founded in 2000 and has hosted many group exhibitions. The group moved to its permanent location in December 2001, and participates as a shuttle stop for Artlink First Fridays and is a founding member of Roosevelt Row.

Gallery displays ‘Mezcla’

This spring, the Vision Gallery will exhibit a collection of works drawing on the artist’s diverse heritage, “Mezcla: The Mixed Media Artworks of Emily Costello,” Friday, May 8, to Friday, July 3, with a meet the artist reception Friday, May 8, from 7 to 9 p.m.

The exhibit’s title comes from “mezcla,” a Spanish word for mixing components together for a combination of different but still individual qualities, things or emotions. Aspects of identity, humor, life, love, death, spirituality, dreams and memories are woven throughout the works.

The artist, Emily Costello, was born and raised in a small Arizona copper mining town, and “Mezcla” is a personal reflection of her lineage: half Mexican and half Czech. The work represents a

mélange of cultural references, images and events that have shaped her life, including stories that were passed onto her by her grandparents.

Inspired by Mexican folk artists who make art from the heart and with whatever materials they have at hand, Costello works with found objects in her reassembled and reimagined artwork.

Costello left a corporate job five years ago to paint full time. Since then, she has exhibited in group shows in Arizona, California and New Mexico.

Costello’s commission work includes Chicanos Por La Causa, XICO Inc. and the Arts and Business Council of Greater Phoenix. Her paintings are included in the corporate collections of W.P. Carey School of Business at ASU and Wells Fargo. Costello is a member of the Phoenix Fridays art collective, serves on the board of Cultural Coalition, is a volunteer at Arizona School for the Arts and teaches art classes at Vision Kidz at Vision Gallery.

For more information about this and other exhibits, visit www.visiongallery.org or call (480) 782-2695.

‘Women Making Faces’ artists sought

The Vision Gallery is also inviting women artists to submit traditional portraits by the beginning of April to be consider for inclusion in the “Women Making Faces” exhibition, to be displayed Friday, Aug. 14, to Saturday, Oct. 24.

The exhibition, designed to help promote portrait artists as well as honoring their subjects, will feature celebrated and renowned Arizona women as subjects, painted by some of the best of Arizona’s female portrait artists. Accepted portrait artists must be willing to participate in promotional activities and gallery events during the run of the exhibit.

Women artists based in Arizona who are interested in participating should submit the following:

Up to three digital images of portraits completed recently (pdf or jpg images no larger than 5 inch by 7 inch and 200 dpi). They may be commissioned or studio samples. Submitted portraits represent the artist’s body of work. Either a completed portrait of a notable woman who resides or did reside in Arizona, which can also be considered for the exhibition, or the name or names of a notable Arizona woman the artist is interested in entering for the exhibition. Artists should provide a short narrative as to why this subject should be included.

A single-page professional portrait resume for the jury that includes contact information (phone and email), links for reference and an artist’s statement. This narrative should include an image description with title, size, medium and price of submitted artworks and should be in Word document and/or pdf format. All digital files should be titled with the artist’s last name first then description. (Example: artist Mary Meyers submits: MeyersPortrait1.jpg or

MeyersBiography.pdf)

Artists may email submissions to vision. gallery@chandleraz. gov. Submissions may also be hand delivered or mailed to Women Making Faces Jury: Vision Gallery, 10 E. Chicago St., Chandler, AZ 85225. All submissions must be received by 5 p.m. Friday, April 3. Each artist will receive an email notice that the submission has been received.

All subjects for the exhibition will need to be pre-approved for consistency and so that work done by other artists will not conflict. Once approved, the artist will be required to do her own contacting the subject, photography, sketches or research. Each painting will require the artist to provide the gallery update images and progress reports. By Saturday, Aug. 1, the paintings (which may be on loan from the owner and insured by the center) must be delivered to the Chandler Center for the Arts and available through the run of the show which ends Saturday, Oct. 24. Any sales generated by the Gallery are subject to a 50 percent commission. For more information, call (480) 782-2695. ‘Art Quilts’ continues, seeks submissions

The gallery is also calling for artists to submit work for consideration in “Art Quilts XX: Journeys and Life Cycles,” to be displayed Friday, Nov. 13, to Saturday, Jan. 9. The exhibit will explore the theme of change. Submissions are due Monday, Aug. 24.

“Explore your artistic senses while telling the story of change, whatever that change may be, good or bad, high or low. What acted as the catalyst for your change?” says Loraine Sample, juror for the exhibit.

Artists should submit most significant work to this annual exhibition of contemporary art quilts, showcasing one

of the finest collections of textile art on display in the regional Southwest. The exhibition is produced by the Chandler Center for the Arts and is presented by the Chandler Cultural Foundation and the Chandler Arts Commission.

The Vision Gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. For more information, call (480) 782-2695 or visit www.visiongallery.org.

Chandler High Celebrates 100 Years With Special Centennial Book

Chandler High School is celebrating 100 years of serving East Valley area high school students this year. Founded in 1914, just two years after the city of Chandler was founded, Chandler High School will celebrate its centennial with a special book dedicated to documenting Chandler High’s history and growth, alumni memories, curriculum changes throughout the years and Chandler High School Sports Hall of Fame.

The Centennial Book will include letters from city and state officials, memories of events that occurred over the last 100 years, photos of the current graduating class, local business advertisements and photos of alumni with space to submit a quote for publishing in the book. Chandler High School’s Principal Larry Rother explains the importance of this Centennial Book to the city of Chandler:

“Chandler High is one of a small group of Arizona schools that can say they have served their community for 100 years, and this book will provide the most authentic account of that history from those who lived it – Chandler’s Alumni.”

Chandler High School has a long history of expansion to accommodate the area’s population growth. The school building has undergone several construction developments, most notably the original development in 1922, the frame and architecture of which still stands today. Subsequently, Chandler High School was used as a promotional tool to attract out of state residents who were interested in settling in Arizona and providing their children with superior education.

Chandler High is also home to notable alumni. Among the graduating alumni: several NFL players, major league baseball players, WNBA players, actors, authors and community business leaders, including Eddie Basha, Jr.

The Centennial Yearbook is a very special and memorable anthology that will appeal to Chandler High School alumni and Arizona residents alike.

For information on advertising in the Chandler High Centennial Book or submitting a special memory on your alumni page, please visit www.farabeepublishing.com and click on the Chandler High link. This is also where you can order the Centennial Book for $65. Funds collected will go to the school in the form of scholarships and other school programs.

Chandler fiction writer releases fourth book

BY DOMINIQUE DEL GROSSO

James Arvid Ellison, an Arizona fiction writer who is known by the pen name J. Arvid Ellison, believes in creating as much purpose as entertainment between the pages.

A Chandler resident, Ellison stands firm in creating thought-provoking substance in his writing without sacrificing the value of a gripping, pageturner.

Ellison recently released his fourth book, “Arrows Through the Heart.” Ellison doesn’t intend to slow down, as his stories, characters and adventures are as much a part of him as anything else.

In “Arrows Through the Heart,” the protagonist, Lawrence, and his family travel to forget the past. The book follows Lawrence’s quest for a new life and the challenges he faces during his travels. Using fact within fiction, Ellison also penned “If Two Are Dead,” “Dangerous Fishing” and “Dangerous Blessings.”

Ellison’s fascination for the Native American way of life began when he was a boy hunting arrowheads on the prairie bluffs southeast of Denver.

Ellison has been a storyteller since childhood, thanks to his father. The ways in which his father told stories during

late-night camping trips—his ability to hold attention with the details, words and imagery—inspired Ellison to keep the stories in his mind brewing.

He didn’t choose writing initially, but his vivid stories and details never waned. After retiring from a 31-year career in the Army, Ellison was eager to speak with someone in the publishing field.

“When I was nearing the end of my military career, I had a story in my head and I didn’t think that I should write it down because I didn’t consider myself a fiction writer,” Ellison says.

“I talked to an editor of youth literature, and she said, ‘You just have to write that story down. It’s a great story.’ I told her that I don’t see myself as a writer. I’m not good at grammar and tenses and spelling and stuff like that, and she said, ‘That’s what editors are for.’ ”

Heeding her advice, Ellison jotted down the story. In just five weeks, the story took shape, line by line, detail by detail. Once complete, he sent the finished product to a select number of publishers, and six weeks later, Ellison received a publishing contract.

Ellison is often inspired. Once that inspiration hits, he puts the story to paper. Sometimes other potential books have to take a backseat.

“Once (the idea is) there, I start adding details to the idea,” Ellison says. “Sometimes I have a character, and sometimes I have a story and then have to build a character. It’s hard to say how it actually works, because it’s different for every book.”

But there’s a common thread among his books. There’s more to his process

than researching a time period, creating characters and enthralling details.

“Every one of my books has a moral theme to it that pops up in the story somewhere along the way,” he says.

“It’s one of my urges. I sometimes get distressed by the literature today that is for entertainment only rather than having something that we learn, experience or we work over in our own heads about where we stand on the issues. Every one of my books has got something in there that’s teaching me, teaching the people that read it, so I have a desire to write good

literature and not just salacious stuff that excites the sense but doesn’t fill the mind.”

Published by Tate Publishing and Enterprises, “Arrows Through the Heart” is available through bookstores nationwide, from the publisher at www. tatepublishing.com/bookstore, or by visiting barnesandnoble.com or amazon.com.

Dominique Del Grosso is a staff writer for the SanTan Sun News. She can be reached at news@santansun.com.

ON STAGE

Pavlo, Saturday, Feb. 21, MIM. Incorporating the world’s most exotic instruments into his classic Mediterranean sound, Pavlo’s sizzling performance combines elements of flamenco, classical and Latin music, accentuated by the presence of the Greek bouzouki.

Paul Thorn, Saturday, Feb. 21, MIM. Thorn has been pleasing crowds for years with his muscular brand of roots music: bluesy, rocking and thoroughly Southern, yet also laden with universal truths.

Lily Tomlin, Saturday, Feb. 21, CCA. Tomlin, one of America’s foremost comediennes, takes the stage with her classic humor.

“The Best of Broadway,” through Saturday, Feb. 21, TPT. Grace Wall, Stuart Moulton, Annamarie Rosano and Walter Belcher present a salute to the music of the Great White Way. It’s a mix of classic showstoppers to modern hits, from “Oklahoma” to “Les Miserables” and everything in between.

“Tumblin’ Tumbleweeds,” through Saturday, Feb. 21, TPT. Michael Goodman stars in this concert that salutes classic country-western music and old-fashioned storytelling. Songs include “Cool Water,” “El Paso,” “Don’t Fence Me In” and “Tumblin’ Tumbleweeds.”

The World Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra, Sunday, Feb. 22, CCA. This

performance, with Natalie Angst, features more than 40 hit songs from four decades of jukebox chart toppers like “Tuxedo Junction,” “In the Mood,” “Pennsylvania 6-5000,” “Chattanooga Choo Choo” and “Moonlight Serenade.”

David Cook, Sunday, Feb. 22, MIM. The rock singer-songwriter and winner of the seventh season of “American Idol” performs.

Fifty-Six, Sunday, Feb. 22, TPT. Fifty-Six brings American roots music back to its roots, with hits such as “Johnny B. Goode,” “Shake, Rattle and Roll,” “Sleepwalk” and “Honey Train.”

Billy Childs, Monday, Feb. 23, MIM. In a performance featuring Becca Stevens, the Grammy-winning jazz pianist performs music from his new album, “Reimagining Laura Nyro.”

MIM Musical Interludes Series featuring ASU Contemporary Percussion Ensemble, Wednesday, Feb. 25, MIM. Presenting a program of exotic

rhythms and vibrant colors, drawing from the formative repertoire of the twentieth century and new works by student composers.

“Love, Sex and the IRS,” Wednesday, Feb. 25, through Saturday, March 28, TPT. Laughs, mistaken identities and multiple plots take the stage when two out-of-work musicians pose as a married couple, only to be investigated by the IRS.

“Menopause the Musical,” Thursday, Feb. 26, through Saturday, March 28, TPT. This hilarious PG-13 musical parody staged to classic tunes from the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s has had audiences cheering, dancing and laughing for over 10 years.

“The Miracle Worker,” Thursday, Feb. 26, through Saturday, Feb. 28, TCBC. Based on true events, the story tells of Helen Keller, the blind, deaf and mute child who has grown up untaught and uncontrolled. When her desperate parents hire Annie Sullivan, they get more than they expected in a governess who insists that Helen can learn.

Flipside 45, Sunday, March 1, TPT. This concert is a musical tribute to the hits and forgotten gems of the ‘60s and ‘70s, with a little bit of the ‘50s and ‘80s thrown in for good measure. Songs include timeless treasures from greats such as The Beatles, Carole King, Wilson Pickett and more.

“Luck of the Irish,” Tuesday, March 3, to Sunday, March 15, TPT. Sing along during an evening of pub songs, jigs, stories and good

times, with tunes including “Irish Washer Woman,” “When Irish Eyes are Smiling,” “Irish Lullaby” and “Danny Boy.”

“Charlotte’s Web,” Tuesday, March 3, to Saturday, March 28, TPT. E.B. White’s American classic comes to life with Wilbur the piglet, Charlotte the quick-thinking spider and their friends in this adaptation by Joseph Robinette.

Cesar Millan Live, Saturday, March 7, CCA. Come witness live training demos and participate in an audience question-andanswer session.

Michael Londra’s Celtic Fire, Sunday, March 8, CCA. Feel the electric atmosphere that sweeps audiences away to Ireland.

“Bring Back that Lovin’ Feelin’: A Salute to the Righteous Brothers and BlueEyed Soul,” Sunday, March 8 to Tuesday, March 10, TPT. Spend an evening with the group as it honors acts such as The Righteous Brothers, Dion and the Belmonts and The Kingsmen. Classic hits will include “Unchained Melody,” “Just Once in My Life,” Runaround Sue,” and “The Wanderer.”

“December ‘63,” Tuesday, March 17, TPT. The music of Frankie Valli comes to life in this recreation of a Valli concert experience, showcasing the greatest hits and classic songs from the Four Seasons.

“Strait Country,” Sunday, March 22, TPT. The Strait Country Band featuring Kevin Sterner brings audiences the virtual

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experience of attending one of George Strait’s concerts.

“Nashville Gold: The Story of Country Music,” Sunday, March 29, TPT. This salute to the greatest country artists covers everything from the honky-tonk heroes to the musical outlaws to the urban cowboys.

“Good Rockin’ Live,” Wednesday, April 1, to Saturday, April 4, TPT. Come and listen to the hits of Roy Orbison, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley in this tribute to the birth of rock and roll.

“Pump Boys and Dinettes,” Wednesday, April 15, through Sunday, May 24, TPT. Fresh off a hit Broadway revival, this fun and energetic musical

ON STAGE VENUE INDEX

CCA—Chandler Center for the Arts 250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler Tickets: (480) 782-2680, www.chandlercenter.org

MIM—Musical Instrument Museum

4725 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix Tickets: www.mimmusictheater.themim.org

about life on the roadside tells the story of four gas station attendants (the “Pump Boys”) and two waitresses (the “Dinettes”) and the country, rock and pop music that gets them through the day.

“Greater Tuna,” Thursday, April 16, through Sunday, April 26, TPT. Take a trip down south to Texas’ third smallest town, Tuna, and meet its quirky and ever-expanding cast of characters hosted by Thurston and Arles on their talk radio show, and all played by two actors.

TCBC—Tri-City Baptist Church 2211 W. Germann Rd., Chandler Tickets: http://bit.ly/1zE5Rcl TPT—The Palms Theatre 5247 E. Brown Rd., Mesa Tickets: (480) 924-6260, www.thepalmstheatre.com

Western music highlighted at library talk

Arizona’s heritage of Western music will be explored during the “Our Stories” speaker series 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, at the Chandler Public Library’s Sunset Branch, 4930 W. Ray Rd., Chandler.

“Don’t Fence Me In” will be presented by musician and storyteller Igor Glenn. Through his music and stories Glenn will share the cowboy songs, yodeling, Western swing and mariachi music. He will also discuss the mission and programs of the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix, where he is a docent. This lively, family-friendly program will include hands-on opportunities with instruments used in Western music, and maybe even a sing-along.

Glenn has lived and played music in Arizona since the 1960s. In addition to many string instruments, he plays harmonica, kazoo and foot percussion. He is perhaps best known in Arizona as the leader of Igor’s Jazz Cowboys, a highenergy band that plays a wide range of styles, including New Orleans, Western swing, old-time gospel and Tex-Mex. When he is not providing tours at the Musical Instrument Museum, Glenn enjoys teaching children about music and performing in local venues.

The “Our Stories” series continues at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 28, at the Sunset library with a presentation on edible and medicinal plants of the Sonoran Desert. Botanical expert, avid gardener and artist Jean Groen shares the history and uses for the desert weeds. Discover what plants can be eaten and which have been used for their medicinal qualities.

“Our Stories” is presented by the Chandler Museum, Chandler Historical Society and the Chandler Public Library. For more information on these and other museum events, call (480) 782-2751 or visit www.chandleraz.gov/museum.

Desert Dance hosts renowned NYC dance company in Tempe

Desert Dance Theatre, a Tempe-based contemporary dance company, will host H.T. Chen and Dancers at the Tempe Center for the Arts, 700 W. Rio Salado Pkwy., Tempe, in a weeklong residency of community outreach activities, school performances and workshops from Monday, March 23, to Saturday, March 28.

H.T. Chen and Dancers, a renowned New York City-based company, will offer an experience for students of all ages from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Friday, March 27, in a school performance and dance-based educational show, “Eight Strokes and the Moving Word.” Cited by educators as “the field trip of the year,” the show includes award-winning choreography, explores the culture and history of Asians in America. Through dance and calligraphy, students are shown the stories and meaning behind the words and dances in a presentation combining live performance, video projections and interaction. This school performance is available by reservation through Desert Dance Theatre: http://bit.ly/19f3OX0.

Throughout the residency week, there will be open rehearsals and workshops in traditional Chinese Ribbon Dance, calligraphy, contemporary dance and fitness. Families are encouraged to participate in workshops for fun, health and good luck for the New Year. Check for schedule and updates at www.DesertDanceTheatre.org.

The residency will culminate in a featured performance of “South of Gold Mountain” at the Tempe Center for the Arts at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 28. The production takes inspiration from the rich history of the Chinese who settled in the southern states before World War II.

For tickets contact the TCA Box Office at (480) 350-2822 or www.tempe.gov/tca.

For more information call Desert Dance Theatre, (480) 962-4584 or go to www.DesertDanceTheatre.org. For more information on H.T. Chen and Dancers visit www.ChenDanceCenter.org.