Community

From A to Z - Abba to Les Miz - Broadway’s Best! March 2 and March 3 at 7:30 p.m. Signature tunes from hit shows “Mamma Mia!,” “Chicago,” “Rent,” ”Jersey Boys,” “Les Miserables,” “Phantom of the Opera,” “Cats” and “Jesus Christ Superstar,” sung by Broadway’s Nat Chandler and Teri Dale Hansen, backed by a hot piano combo, make this the ultimate Big Apple experience. Chandler’s multi-faceted career on Broadway includes title roles in shows from “Camelot” to “Spamalot.” The recipient of two Barrymore Award nominations for Best Actor, Chandler is also an accomplished vocalist, appearing as a soloist with orchestras around the country. Hansen headlined in Broadway, London’s West End and U.S. National Tour musical theater hits, earning a Kennedy Center Irene Ryan Award nomination and “Variety” accolades for “real vocal chops!” With major credits that range from Hal Prince’s Tony-winning “Showboat” to Gershwin at Lincoln Center,... More

Classical Passion: Robert Moody conducts the Arizona Musicfest Festival Orchestra Tuesday, Feb. 21 at 7:30 p.m. Robert Moody opens Festival Orchestra Week with the magnificent instrumental and emotional resonance of Joseph Jongen, Edward Elgar and Jean Sibelius. Following intermission is a wonderful surprise piece selected by the Maestro and announced from the podium, a true revelation! Noted organ soloist James Jones and the orchestra join forces in Jongen’s triumphant tour de force, the “Toccata.” Elgar’s “Concerto in E Minor for Cello and Orchestra” is a tender and introspective work performed with heightened depth by soloist Brant Taylor, distinguished member of the Chicago Symphony. The Sibelius “Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Opus 43” is a radiant paean to the joy of living, the Finnish composer at his most powerful best. This concert has passion written all over it.   Venue: Pinnacle Presbyterian Church, 25150 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale... More

February 18 MIM Celebrates Arizona’s Centennial with “I Am AZ Music” Exhibition On Feb. 18, the Musical Instrument Museum (MIM) will add its voice to the statewide centennial celebration by showcasing Arizona’s musical contributions to the world. Through a special exhibition, public programs, teacher curriculum and video stories, MIM will document how music making continues to be an integral part of Arizona’s cultural fabric.   “I Am AZ Music: MIM Celebrates 100 Years of Arizona Music” examines Arizona’s history through a musical lens. Beginning with the original statehood celebration in 1912, MIM’s exhibition tells the story of numerous musicians, musical instrument makers, recording studios, performing arts organizations and musical traditions significant to Arizona’s past, present and future. The exhibition consists of more than 30 exhibits, each one including artifacts, photographs and audiovisual content designed to bring the subjects to life.   “The... More

February 17-19 Carefree Indian Market and Cultural Festival Award-winning Native American art, music and dance are coming to downtown Carefree Arizona as Magic Bird Festivals presents the Carefree Indian Market and Cultural Festival.   The three-day Indian cultural festival takes place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Feb. 17–19, at Carefree Desert Gardens, 101 Easy St. in downtown Carefree. Live performances are slated at 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. daily.   Set amid the town’s new four-acre, cactus-filled botanical gardens and adjacent to the town’s famous Carefree Sundial, the first-ever cultural festival will feature live hoop dancing and musical performances, along with Native American arts and crafts made by tribal member artisans from throughout the country.   “We are honored to present the first Indian cultural event in downtown Carefree. We feel privileged that such talented and world-renowned Indian artists have agreed to participate in this first-of-a-kind event for the... More

Journeys in Jazz – Tamir Hendelman Trio Thursday, Feb. 16 at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 17 at 7:30 p.m. Tamir Hendelman leads the Trio in music inspired by his travels and personal journey as a jazz pianist. From Alaska to New York, and Thailand to Israel, Hendelman and his Trio – Paul Keller, string bass; Sean Dobbins, drum set - explores jazz standards, Brazilian music, blues and his Israeli roots. “Wrap your Troubles in Dreams” as you enjoy tunes by Duke Ellington, Jerome Kern, Horace Silver, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Charlie Parker, and Lerner and Loewe. Hendelman performs and records with celebrated artists such as Gladys Knight, Diana Krall, Natalie Cole, and Barbra Streisand.   Venue: Fairway House at Grayhawk, 8620 E. Thompson Peak Parkway, Scottsdale  ... More

February 11-12 ProMusica Arizona Chorale and Orchestra ~ The Arizona Centennial Concert In celebration of the Arizona Centennial, ProMusica Arizona Chorale and Orchestra (PMAZ) is presenting The Arizona Centennial concert. This official Arizona Centennial event will feature music that celebrates the diversity of Arizona’s cultural history since becoming a state on Feb. 14, 1912. PMAZ will perform newly-commissioned pieces for orchestra and choir, created for the special occasion as well as works by Carlos Chavez and Randall Thompson.   The Arizona Commission on the Arts (ACA) commissioned two pieces to celebrate Centennial. The orchestral piece is called “Arizona Centennial Overture,” and was composed by Sy Brandon, a resident of Cottonwood Arizona. Mr. Brandon’s one-movement piece uses many elements of Native American music in the first two sections, and then transitions into a raucous celebration reminiscent of music of the early settlers of Arizona.   The ACA also... More

February 25 Celebrate Mardi Gras Louisiana Style! You don’t have to be from the Bayou to enjoy Cajun food and fun at the Ninth Annual Louisiana Heritage Mardi Gras Festival at RoadRunner Restaurant in New River Feb. 25 at 5 p.m.   This fun family event has raised funds for a variety of people, schools and organizations over the last nine years. The event has grown into one of the top fundraisers for the communities of Desert Hills, Anthem and New River. Original recipes of gumbo, boiled crawfish, and po-boys take over the menu in the evening spirited by a live band and good times.   This year, all money raised will go to assist Katie Wagner and her family. Katie is a 15-year-old sophomore of Anthem, Arizona who has been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer called rhabdomyosarcoma. The entire community has come together to hold hands and assist in her fight against the disease.   Anthem State Farm Agent Nanette McClelland-Miller, a Louisiana native, hosts this fun-filled event each... More

February 29 Kindergarten Roundup Kindergarten registration for children turning five years old by Sept. 1, 2012 will be held Wednesday, Feb. 29 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at all Cave Creek Unified School District elementary schools. If you have questions about enrolling your kindergartener, please contact the district office at 480-575-2000 or contact the individual school directly:   Black Mountain Elementary – K-6 – Friend of Core Knowledge® 480-575-2100 33606 North 60th Street   Desert Sun Academy – K-6 – Friend of Core Knowledge® 480-575-2900 27880 North 64th Street   Desert Willow Elementary – K-6 – Spanish Immersion 480-575-2800 4322 East Desert Willow Pkwy   Horseshoe Trails Elementary – K-6 – Equine Program 480-272-8500 5405 East Pinnacle Vista Drive   Lone Mountain Elementary - K-6 – STEM (Science Technology Engineering Math) 480-437-3000 5250 East Montgomery Road  ... More

Writer Donna Kublin     The journey that led to Carefree Desert Gardens being listed on the national registry of the American Public Gardens Association, all started with two women who thought downtown Carefree needed “a little sprucing up.” The four-acre Gardens located in the town center are now a spectacular showpiece with hundreds of cacti and plants, many unique including several rare species.   It all began in October 2010. Carefree resident Marilyn Maloney contacted Mayor David Schwan to discuss her concern that the garden was looking a little tired after its 2001 debut, and that she wanted to help improve it. June Reilly, also a resident, had talked with the Mayor and several members of the Town Council expressing the same sentiment. Mayor Schwam put the two women in touch with each other and they soon met for coffee.   Maloney and Reilly really hit it off and found they had a similar passion for plants, enhancing the town center, and getting things done. Maloney, a... More

February 3-19 In the Devil’s Frying Pan In honor of Arizona’s Centennial celebration, Desert Foothills Theater (DFT), a program of the Foothills Community Foundation, is presenting a new form of theater through an original play, “In the Devil’s Frying Pan,” which tells the story of the founding of Arizona through first-person accounts of life in the Territory prior to 1912. This theatrical event premieres Feb. 3 and runs through Feb. 19 at Stagecoach Village, 7100 E. Cave Creek Rd., in Cave Creek.   The cast is comprised of 100 people from the community, many of whom provided feedback on the early drafts of the script to shape it into the final version. An officially sanctioned Arizona Centennial Event and Legacy Project, the play includes a mix of professional actors, families, students, and other residents interested in participating in this once-in-a-lifetime event.   Show times are at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and at 2 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets range from $15... More

February 7 “Get to Know Holly Matson” Mixer Holly Matson is running for Anthem Community Council as a Country Club Candidate. Join Holly on Feb. 7 from 4-6 p.m. for a “Get to Know Holly Matson” mixer at Cafe Provence. Attendees will receive 15% off their bill.   www.hollymatson.com... More

Grand Opening Party at A Wild Hair Salon & Day Spa A Wild Hair has opened at their new location at 39510 N. Daisy Mountain Dr. in Anthem, and they want to celebrate with you! Join them Feb. 9 from 5 to 9 p.m. for the A Wild Hair Grand Opening Party. Food and drinks will be available, and you’ll have a chance to win great services, products and gift baskets.   The salon and day spa is offering the same great services, including hair styling and professional color, facials, pedicures, waxing and more, from their new spot in the Fry’s shopping center. New clients receive $10 off services.   623-551-5561 www.awildhairaz.com  ... More

Anthem Veterans’ Memorial Update The Anthem Community Council announced Anthem Veterans’ Memorial Planning Committee has raised over $193,000 to date and is looking for the final $25,000 to offset the building costs and establish a maintenance fund.   “We are grateful to the many veterans, families, local businesses, organizations and corporate sponsors who assisted in financing this project. We are looking for a few more corporations or individuals who are able to assist us in fully funding the project,” said Liz Turner, memorial marketing and communication chair/volunteer.   The committee used various fundraising means, including the sale of commemorative veteran pavers as well as family, business and organization pavers; bench and Armed Forces seal sponsorships; Friends of the Memorial, who exceeded $500 in donations; and corporate sponsorships. Currently, 900 pavers engraved with names of veterans are placed in an honor circle around the five-pillar memorial, with room... More

February 4 Eighth Annual Pet Adopt-a-Thon The Eighth Annual PACC911/Anthem Animal Extravaganza and Adopt-a-Thon will take place in the Anthem Community Park on Saturday, Feb. 4, between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. The event, sponsored by PetSmart Charities©, is open to the public.   More than 50 animal rescue organizations will have pets available for adoption, including purebred and mixed-breed dogs and puppies, cats and kittens, bunnies, guinea pigs, rats and even horses. All pets will be spayed/neutered and up-to-date on vaccinations.   “It is so rewarding that the residents of Anthem have wholeheartedly embraced this now annual event since its debut in 2005, “ said event chair and PACC911 Board Member Eileen Proctor. “As in previous years, hundreds of healthy and adoptable animals will be crossing their paws that they will find their new forever homes in this beautiful community.”   At last year’s event, approximately 170 pets found new homes. This year, organizers are hoping... More

You probably know Linda Rehwalt’s name, even if she didn’t help you sell or buy your house. That’s because you see her on the back of this very magazine, ImagesAZ, every month. Linda has been advertising with Images since it began, much like she’s been selling real estate in Anthem for the last 10 years.   “I was here the very first day Anthem opened to the real estate community and was here with clients the first day they started selling lots for new construction, so I guess you can say I’ve been in Anthem since its inception,” said Linda. “Real estate is my business and Anthem is my home.”   As a real estate agent with RE/MAX Professionals, Linda says the most rewarding part her of her job is helping her clients achieve their goals, and ending the day with happy clients.   “Our mission is to provide real estate service to our clients that sets the standard in the industry,” she said. “To do that we focus on the needs of our clients and work to treat them as... More