A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS August in the Valley means kids go back to school. We find clever ways to avoid the heat each weekend and the Valley arts scene is ready to welcome us with new exhibits, beautiful performances and unique happenings. I’ve looked ahead at the Frontdoors Arts & Culture Calendar and several season previews as we prepared this special issue and put together my CAN’T-MISS list for the coming months. Let me know what you are looking forward to seeing this spring for a reader’s choice version of arts picks in my January column. Enjoy! From the Frontdoors Arts & Culture Calendar: AUG August 27 | Chris Isaak is stopping by Mesa Arts Center. Sounds like the perfect opportunity for a wicked girl’s night out! mesaartscenter.com SEPT September 1 | I have an email in to my friends at Scottsdale Artists’ School to find a beginner painting class. This has been on my bucket list for a long time and I can’t wait to give it a try. scottsdaleartschool.org Sept. 8 – Oct. 13 | Parents and grandparents, take a weekend to read “The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane” by Kate DiCamillo to the kiddos and then treat them to Childsplay’s beloved production of the story at the Herberger Theater. childsplayaz.org 27 0 1 0 8 Andrea Chris Isaak is making his way to Mesa in August. OPEN DOORS { publisher’s page } 48 FRONTDOORS MEDIA | AUGUST 2019
OCT Mid-October | In hopes that the weather blesses us with our first glimpse of cooler temps, a morning visit to the Phoenix Zoo will be in order. A lot of baby animals were born in late spring, so it will be prime time for their debuts. phoenixzoo.org Oct. 31 – Nov. 3 | The Phoenix Symphony will play the whimsical score from Tim Burton’s Nightmare Before Christmas as you watch the movie live. This was a sell-out in 2018 so I’m thrilled we get another chance to do this. phoenixsymphony.org NOV Nov. 1 – April 30 | Squidsoup returns to SMoCA with Murmuration , a site-specific artwork that will use a networked data system to connect hundreds of lights and audio sources, creating a responsive data swarm. So cool! smoca.org Nov. 3 – March 15 | My teenage son has become quite the car guy so we can’t wait to check out Legends of Speed at the Phoenix Art Museum. This landmark exhibition will include an unprecedented collection of more than 20 legendary cars by Maserati, Mercedes, Alfa Romeo and Ford, among others. Vroom! phxart.or g Nov. 13– Dec. 29 | I’m so excited for all of the amazing shows being produced for Phoenix Theatre’s 100 th season. “The Sound of Music” will be the perfect family outing over the holidays. phoenixtheatre.com 31 15 0 3 0 1 1 3 @AndreaTEvans Andrea Tyler Evans PUBLISHER Murmuration will provide a thrilling audiovisual experience. (artist rendering) See some of the most successful and famous racecars of all time at Legends of Speed . Photos by Bill Pack / V-12 Enterprises. AUGUST 2019 | FRONTDOORS MEDIA 49