SanTan Sun News; 3-7-15: Arts

WWE alum to appear at improvMANIA

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI

After 37 years in professional wrestling, longtime Gilbert resident Roy Wayne Farris has a story or two to tell.

Otherwise known as the Honky Tonk Man, the 62-year-old Farris will share those tales with fans at improvMANIA, 250 S. Arizona Ave., Chandler, on Saturday, March 7. For information about tickets, call (480) 699-4598. He’ll briefly meet with WWE followers, but next time, he’s hoping he’ll hit the stage.

“This particular time, it’s just going to be an autograph and meet and greet with fans and people who come over for the evening,” Farris says.

He’s no stranger to comedy. He frequently does stand-up comedy, something he’s using to transition away from the ring.

“I work particularly off of the Q&Atype stuff, then I mix humor in with it,” Farris says. “Every story I have has some kind of humorous twist to it because the way professional wrestling and entertainment is intertwined. Some stories are believable, some not.

“After 37 years in that business, you have a vast amount of stories,” Farris continues. That’s why I like for the audience to get involved. They’re the ones who can come up with the things they want to ask me. It then turns into a story. I didn’t take notes or audiotape anything. It’s all off the cuff.”

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Longtime Gilbert resident Farris—who has two children, Megan and Roy, with his wife, Tammy—has lived in Gilbert for 21 years.

“I will never leave Arizona,” he says. “When I leave, I told my kids to take the urn out near Apache Junction and, when the Santa Ana winds blow, to toss me up and say, ‘Dad’s gone again.’”

Farris spent most of his wrestling career on the road, traveling from city to city for different television and house shows. So much so, that his kids lost track of his travels. To his kids and their friends, he was just dad or Mr. Farris—no Honky Tonk Man alter ego here.

“To the kids in the neighborhood, I was just Megan and Roy’s dad,” he says with a laugh. “They were just small children when I was on TV. By the time most of them had reached the age of watching television or wrestling, I was off of television.”

Farris’ last TV appearance was three years ago, although the WWE still shows clips of him occasionally. He also appears in the video game “WWE 2K15.”

Neither of his children is involved in wrestling. Megan is an ASU student majoring in microbiology with the hopes of being a veterinarian, he says. Roy played golf on scholarship for Mesa Community College and now works at a golf course.

“I never pushed my children into anything,” he says. “If they played soccer,

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they had to finish the season— same with tee-ball. If they didn’t like it after the season was over, they didn’t sign up again.

“I’m not a Disneyland dad. I don’t want to relive my youth through my children.”

No regrets

He has few regrets about his nearly four-decade career. If he had any, it was that he didn’t document his career as well as he should have.

“I’ve met so many people throughout my career—and still do,” he says. “I never got any photos of them and things like that. If you’re really in the industry, you don’t say, ‘Oh gosh. Can I get a picture with you?’ I wish I would have.”

reports every day. I can read websites and find out what happens, who got arrested, who did what, etc.”

As a result, fans probably won’t see an autobiography by Farris.

“When it comes down to everyone doing autobiographies, it would have been much easier to get it all together if I took notes,” he says.

“Bret Hart, he did that. I didn’t know he kept notes. He did a book and it was a testament to himself. It was 600 pages. I don’t know if I’d read 600 pages of anything.”

By the same accord, he doesn’t watch “Monday Night Raw,” “Thursday Night Smackdown” or anything else related to professional wrestling.

“I don’t like to read 600 pages about something nor do I want to watch a threehour television show about something I’ve been involved in,” he says with a laugh.

“It’s easier for me to read the Internet

For now, he’s focusing on his own career, which can be followed at www. facebook.com/HonkyTonkManOfficial.

“I want to do the comedy stuff when I can,” says Farris. “This event for improvMANIA will be a good way to start to transition.

“I enjoy the meet and greets because it’s less physical activity. You don’t get hurt too bad shaking hands, unless it’s one of those fellas who want to show how manly they are by how hard they can squeeze your hand.”

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

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Comedian strives to become role model to abuse victims

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI

Lawyer Johnson yearns to be more than a comedian. The 43-year-old former Chandler resident wants to be a voice for abuse victims.

“I support Pitch 4 Kidz,” the effervescent Johnson says. “It helps kids get through family issues like alcohol and drug abuse.

“I think I connected with their program because I was raped as a child. I didn’t have anybody come to me and say, ‘OK Lawyer. I’ve been through what you’ve been through. Everything is going to be alright.’”

That’s exactly what makes Johnson, who now lives in Tempe, actively pursue a fulltime career in comedy.

“I have a mission,” he says. “A voice in life now. I have a gift in life that tells people what I went through. Whatever you’re going through in life, you’re going to be OK.”

Johnson is spreading the word through personal appearances and motivational speaking. His goal is to use the money he makes from comedy shows to fund community centers.

“My life is bigger than comedy,” he explains. “I want to use my comedy as a tool to help people get through their issues and let them know everything is going to be alright.”

Johnson will showcase his comedy when he hosts The Battle of the Dozens from 8:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 18, at the B.A.C. Lounge, 414 S. Mill Ave., Tempe. The show is free with no drink minimum. Call (480) 455-9003 for more information.

“My goal is to go out there, be myself and bring laughter to the people,” says Johnson, who works full time for an aviation company.

“It’s a wonderful thing to make people laugh.”

Never too late to realize dreams

As a child, Johnson spent time in Newburgh, New York, and North Carolina. He and his wife relocated to Arizona to provide a better envoronment for their children.

He started his comedy career when he was 39 years old, proving it’s never too late to realize a dream.

“I’ve always been a comical type of individual,” he says. “Three years ago, someone kept saying, ‘Why don’t you do stand-up comedy?’ I said, ‘I’m not doing no stand-up comedy.’ But then I got frustrated with the material in my head and I just did it.”

He did his first stage show at Stand Up Scottsdale and, by all accounts, it went “really well.”

“The crowd was real receptive to my style and it’s been on ever since,” he says.

He admits he was scared the first time he hit the stage.

“I was trying to rush the comedy so I can get out from under that light,” Johnson says. “It’s that fear that develops your comedy and makes you gravitate toward what you need to do to become great.”

It also gives comedians the confidence to critique material.

“If you don’t have fear as a comedian, your mind and your heart’s just not in it anymore, Johnson says, I’m at a point now where I’m having fun doing comedy. I don’t think about what people think of me. I go

out there and be myself.

“I’ve developed a stage presence where I can absorb people’s attention into what I’m doing, he continues, I think that’s what comes from that fear of getting on stage, making it. It just builds character. It’s a beautiful thing.”

At his March 18 show, Johnson is following the example set by comedians like Kevin Hart and Richard Pryor.

“The Battle of the Dozens has to do with the foundation of comedy,” he says. “You keep insulting each other until someone concedes.

“But we keep it classy. We don’t go too personal. We just see who the best at

cracking jokes to one another is. There’s going to be a $50 cash prize. It’s going to be hilarious.”

But he is maintaining his serious side as well.

“I want people to understand that my life is going to be bigger than comedy,” he says. “Comedy is my talent, but my gift is being a philanthropist and giving back to the community.”

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About face

BY KEN ABRAMCZYK

Artist Tad Smith and Eric Faulhaber, visual arts coordinator at the Vision Gallery, had an idea.

They wanted to pay tribute to some of Chandler’s residents and community volunteers who had a significant impact on the city. They took nominations from the community and Smith drew portraits of them.

“We wanted to honor the people who made a difference and did good things in the community,” Smith says.

“It’s a good way to combine these portraits of those who sacrificed and did things for the community and art.”

Smith’s portraits of 20 of Chandler’s most notable and respected citizens will be highlighted in “The Chandler Portraits Exhibition: The Fine Art of Tad Smith” at the Vision Gallery and the Chandler Center for

the Arts. Smith says he will also have a show at Gangplank Chandler at the same time as the gallery and the Chandler Center. The exhibit at the Vision Gallery features a second set of 20 new portraits. One year ago, Smith drew 25 portraits, including Dr. A.J. Chandler, Eddie Basha and SanTan Sun News publisher emeritus Laurie Fagen, along with members of the City Council. Those portraits will be displayed at the Chandler Center for the

Wide-ranging exhibition

“The Chandler Portraits Exhibition: The Fine Art of Tad Smith” at the Vision Gallery, 10 E. Chicago St., Chandler, and Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave., from March 20 to April 25. Opening reception is from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at both galleries on March 21.

Arts, Smith says.

Yvonne Torres, visual arts assistant at Vision Gallery, says last year’s exhibit was such a great success, the gallery and Smith decided to do it again.

Torres says Smith’s subjects are nominated by the community. “It is the community that wanted those who were chosen,” Torres said.

“It’s fun,” Torres says. “There is a great likeness to each portrait, but each portrait is a little different. “

Each person was nominated from a wide variety of sources. Many have served on boards and commissions, and many have been long standing citizens working to grow, nurture, and advance Chandler.

The identities of this year’s portraits will be a surprise for the public. The portrait subjects and/or family members will be invited to view the finished pieces at the opening reception.

Smith’s portrait collection is inspired by the whimsical and colorful works of Roy Lichtenstein and Patrick Nagel. Smith, who also owns The Design Idea, a graphic design company, sets out to create artwork that enhances his subjects’ features with vibrant colors and subtle details of their facial expressions.

Vision Gallery: Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Closed Sunday. Chandler Center for the Arts Gallery: Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. Closed Sunday. Admission is free and open to the public. For information, call (480) 7822695 or visit www.visiongallery.org.

Smith estimates that 90 percent of the portraits he drew for the exhibits originate from photographs he views. “As an artist, I’ve always had a passion for finding a perfect line,” Smith says. “I try to capture that line. I memorize it and capture it on canvas.

“Quite a few of these subjects I have never met before the reception,” Smith says of last year’s event. “I spend hours looking at the photograph, deciding which lines to bring in and which to leave out.”

When asked about dealing with aging faces and the possible sensitivity of subjects to facial lines, Smith says he has found that “less is more” when it comes to drawing those lines.

“Omitting a wrinkle is better than adding a wrinkle,” Smith says. “You just simplify it with the simplest line or curve on the cheek or nose and leave it there.”

Some simple techniques add beauty to portraits, Smith says. “You can elongate the neck and make the eyes bigger, which are tricks you can use.”

Smith says he minimalizes his portraits, using between 10 and 20 colors for his palette for the entire portraits group in this exhibit.

More of Smith’s art will be displayed at Gangplank Chandler, 260 S. Arizona Ave., Chandler, (877) 426-4755. The dates of his exhibited art there are March 20 to April 25. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Tad Smith’s website: www. portraitsbytad.com

Barbecue, beer suits Eli Young Band just fine

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI

If there’s anything that Texas’ Eli Young Band knows, it’s barbecue, beer and music. So the country band’s guitarist James

20,000 pounds of pork ribs, pulled pork, brisket and chicken.

The menu doesn’t stop with barbecue. Other event highlights include the SanTan Brewing Tailgater’s Lawn, UltraStar March Madness Lounge, Chester’s Harley Davidson Pavilion, Porkopolis VIP Quarters, Dickel Hoedown Rodeo Zone, Bulleit Bourbon Barbecue Pit Row, DC Farmers Market, and an expanded kids play zone.

Young says he’ll feel right at home at the Great American Barbecue and Beer Festival on Saturday, March 21, in downtown Chandler.

“Being from Texas, barbecue is the mainstay,” Young says with a laugh. “We love to eat it and we’ve been to barbecue (joints) all over the world. It’ll be a blast.”

The sixth annual Great American Barbecue and Beer Festival will feature more than 100 exhibitors and over 60 of the nation’s top pit masters serving up

The Eli Young Band—which also includes vocalist/ guitarist Mike Eli, bassist Jon Jones and drummer Chris Thompson—will take center stage. The quartet looks forward to playing tracks from its latest release, “Turn It On EP.”

“We’re working those into our set now,” says Young, whose band played the pre-Super Bowl festivities at Westgate earlier this year. “These are pretty much the first shows that we’re debuting all these new songs. It brings new life into the set. It’s been awhile since we’ve had new music. It really is a good change of

pace.”

The pace has been a rather fast one for the Eli Young Band. It has a trio of platinum and multiplatinum No. 1 hits—“Drunk Last Night,” “Even If It Breaks Your Heart” and “Crazy Girl”—under its belt. The quartet took a step back and headed to the studio to record the “Turn It On EP’s” four songs, co-written by the band with producers Ross Copperman and Jeremy Stover.

“We’ve been writing for the last six months,” Young explains. “Everybody will bring a song to the band and we’ll go and demo the songs. These four songs were just demos. But the label heard them and loved them and said, ‘We need to run with this now.’ They wanted to get them out as soon as possible.”

The whole experiences make the Eli Young Band enthusiastic about its stop in Chandler.

“Barbecue, beer and music—can’t go wrong with that,” Young says with a laugh.

Eli Young Band headlines the Great American Barbecue and Beer Festival in downtown Chandler, 3 S. Arizona Ave., Chandler, on Saturday, March 21. Tickets are $10 to $125 for the event that runs from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. For more information, visit www.chandlerbbq.com.

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

“It’s fun, but you don’t make fun,” Smith says of the respect he conveys for his subjects.

Smith expressed his appreciation for Faulhaber and the Vision Gallery for the opportunity to show his respect for his subjects and pay tribute to them.

“I’ve really enjoyed doing the portraits, and appreciate Eric and I doing this project, I appreciate the support from the gallery and the community,” Smith says.

Torres believes the exhibit reflects the best of Chandler.

“We’re really proud of it,” Torres says. “These are people who go to bat for the community, show civic pride and they are what Chandler is all about.”

Ken Abramczyk is an associate editor at the SanTan Sun News. He can be reached at ken@timespublications.com.

•

Jones works to ‘engage’ audience

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI

Writing about life’s events is the job of any songwriter. The 1980s pop star Howard Jones is no different.

Out promoting his new project, “Engage,” Jones is looking forward to writing

again, specifically about his parents’ deaths.

“My parents passed away last year— quite close to each other,” says Jones, calling from Los Angeles. “I want to write something about that.

“I think that’s my job, really, to put into words and music, the things that we all go through and articulate things. People can relate to that and feel that everyone has these things and everyone goes through these things. I really feel like my job is to describe those events and to show how you deal with them, and how you evolve.”

Jones will show how his music has evolved with a 4 p.m. Saturday, March 7, show at The Good Life Festival at Encanterra Country Club in San Tan Valley. The show is headlined by Rick Springfield.

Jones is bringing with him a three-piece band—him, a drummer and an extra keyboardist/sequencer.

“We’re going to do stuff from my whole career, play all the hits,” he says. “I’ll do a couple brand new things as well.”

He’s referring to “Engage,” a multimedia show that encompasses different art forms.

“There’s a short ballet piece and a contemporary dance

piece,” he says. “It has elements of classical music and pop/electronic. It’s everything that I love all mashed up together. We have a lot of audience involvement as well.”

He will not be performing the “Engage” show in its entirety, instead opting for a few tracks.

“I’d like to perform it everywhere, but it’s quite a complex show,” Jones says. “It’s unique to nighttime. There are screens in the front and back. We will play a couple tracks from it for people to get a taste of it.”

Mostly, his set will include hits like “Things Can Only Get Better,” “No One is to Blame” and “Like to Get to Know You Well.” Playing those songs for years can get tiresome, but Jones keeps it fresh by regularly revisiting the songs.

“We redo the sounds and change the way that we play it a bit,” he says. “Like with ‘Things Can Only Get Better,’ with the end of that, we add a dance remix of that song.

“I worked with (electronic DJ) Cedric Gervais last year and that gives things a new twist.”

Howard Jones and headliner Rick Springfield perform on Saturday, March 7, at Encanterra Country Club, 36460 N. Encanterra Dr., San Tan Valley. Howard Jones performs at 4 p.m., with Rick Springfield to follow at 6 p.m. Tickets are $35 to $75. For more information, visit www.thegoodlifefest.com.

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

ON STAGE

Michael Londra’s Celtic Fire, Sunday, March 8, CCA. Celtic Fire generates an electric atmosphere that sweeps audiences away to Ireland, its culture, its land, its pubs, its music and its heart.

Jam Session: Ioannis Goudelis, Sunday, March 8, TN. A jam session with Goudelis; instrumentalists and vocalists welcomed to sit in.

“Bring Back that Lovin’ Feelin’: A Salute to the Righteous Brothers and Blue-Eyed Soul,” Sunday, March 8 to Tuesday, March 10, TPT. Spend an evening with us as we salute groups 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.”

Superstition Jazz Orchestra, Wednesday, March 11, TN. The orchestra of professional and community jazz musicians presents a show featuring original big band pieces by Michael Collins, Trent Kynaston and Mike Crotty.

Western Fusion Trio, Wednesday, March 11, HAC. Vocalists, violin, guitar and bass come together in for an afternoon of strings, voice and great music.

Cal Tjader Project, Thursday, March 12, TN. With exciting performances of mambo, cha cha cha and other grooves, The Cal Tjader Tribute Band pays homage to one of the most important Latin-jazz artists of the last century.

Danielle Cooke Plays the Music of Bill Evans, Friday, March 13, TN. Cooke pays tribute to Bill Evans, playing in a style that evokes a sound both lyrical and harmonically rich.

The Walkens, Friday, March 13, HAC. With high energy, memorable performances and a wide range of talent, this band has performed with national acts such as The Gin Blossoms, Men at Work, The Posies, Little Feat, Collective Soul and more.

DaisyTrain, Saturday, March 14, HAC. Made up of Arizona’s best and notable musicians, DaisyTrain performs the most current country hits and rocks them with a Texassized dose of flash and flair.

Eric Rasmussen’s School of Tristano Quartet, Saturday, March 14, TN. The quartet performs material from Rasmussen’s “School of Tristano” CDs, featuring music by and inspired by Lennie Tristano, Lee Konitz, Warne Marsh and more.

Jam Session: Dom Moio, Sunday, March 15, TN. The Nash’s regular Sunday jam session this week includes the percussive talents of Dom Moio. There’s always a solid core trio. Student jazz musicians are welcome, with house band, grand piano, guitar and bass amp, drum set and sound all provided. Singers welcome.

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

Bandstand Shows, Wednesday, March 18, HAC. Get dancing with an afternoon of bandstand music.

Matt Williams, Thursday, March 19, TN. Williams, an accomplished jazz pianist and vibraphonist, performs.

Garibaldi, Friday, March 20, CCA. Artist David Garibaldi creates 6-foot portraits of pop icons, set to music, in this unique performance art show.

Contemporary Jazz: Shea Marshall, Friday, March 20, TN. Marshall, a true working musician with versatile and extensive talents and a universal approach to sound, performs on the piano, with Bob Lashier on bass and Emerson Laffey on drums.

Rock Lobster, Friday, March 20, HAC. Rock Lobster covers songs from Billy Idol’s “White Wedding” to Cyndi Lauper’s “Girls Just Want to Have Fun.” You might even get invited on stage to rock out your best ‘80s dance.

Nashville Gold–Country Tribute, Saturday, March 21, HAC. Come out and hear all of your country favorites from past and present with this interactive group.

Mainstream Jazz: Russ Schmidt Quintet, Saturday, March 21, TN. Schmidt; also known for his talent at composing and arranging, performs piano and vocals; with Brice Winston on saxophone, Mike Ozuna on guitar, Ted Sistrunk on bass and Rob Moore on drums.

Jazz In AZ Party: Jim Nistico and Jazz Express, Sunday, March 22, TN. Jazz festival

favorite Nistico plays the saxophone; together with Dave Henning on piano and Jack Radavich on bass and with special guests Joe Magnarelli on trumpet and Dick Weller on drums.

Jam Session: Chris Finet, Sunday, March 22, TN. Enjoy three hours of jazz at this all-ages jam session, this week featuring Chris Finet on bass and as bandleader, Raul Yañez on piano and Dom Moio on drums.

“Strait Country,” Sunday, March 22, TPT. The Strait Country Band featuring Kevin Sterner brings audiences the virtual experience of attending one of George Strait’s concerts.

Yesterday Once More, Wednesday, March 25, HAC. Once named the “the best doowop group in Arizona,” the band plays doo-wop, music from the 1950s and 1960s, Motown sounds and rock and roll.

Carmela y Más, Thursday, March 26, TN. Join Carmela for the sounds of merengue, salsa,

ON STAGE VENUE INDEX

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

HAC—Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino’s The Lounge 15406 N. Maricopa Rd., Maricopa Tickets: (480) 802-5000, www.harrahsakchin.com

cha cha and rumba as well as Latin Jazz.

Last Friday Late Night Jam Session, Friday, March 27, TN. The Nash’s Last Friday Late Night Jam Sessions showcase the wide array of talent in the Valley as musicians drop in. This session features Matt Williams on the piano, Ben Hedquist on bass and Ryan Anthony on drums.

Smooth Groove, Friday, March 27, HAC. Smooth Groove delivers a nice blend of funk, Latin rock, rap and rock and roll.

“The Troubadour Experience,” Saturday, March 28, HAC. This George Strait tribute show covers hits like “Ocean Front Property,” “All My Ex’s Live in Texas,” “One Night at a Time” and “I Just Want to Dance With You.”

Spring Fundraiser Concert: “The Jazz Message: Celebrating the Legacy of Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers,” Sunday, March 29, TN. Featuring an all-star line-up of Messenger alums.

TN—The Nash 110 E. Roosevelt St., Suite 110, Phoenix Tickets: (602) 795-0464

TPT—The Palms Theatre 5247 E. Brown Rd., Mesa Tickets: (480) 924-6260, www.thepalmstheatre.com