Lifestyle

March 17 Painted Ponies American Healing Arts Foundation (AHAF) a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity unites with Horses Help, along with Trail of Painted Ponies for the “Painting Live Ponies” event. The gathering is held in the sculpture garden at the Arizona Fine Art EXPO (southwest corner of Scottsdale Road and Jomax Road) March 17, from 1 to 5 p.m.   Renowned artists Bob Coonts and Gene Dieckhoner will kick off the biggest live horse painting event of the year in Arizona by painting the first horse with washable watercolor paints that are harmless to the animals. Veterans from AHAF classes, as well as any other veteran attendees, will paint the second horse. Children of Fallen Heroes will paint a miniature pony.   Veterans are invited to sign up for AHAF and Horses Help classes during this event. AHAF offers free art classes for our U.S. veterans by award-winning art instructors for art therapy. For the veteran that would like to take therapy to a deeper level, the foundation also... More

The Verdi Requiem: Robert Moody conducts the Arizona Musicfest Festival Orchestra, Soloists and Chorus Sunday, Feb. 26 at 3 p.m. “The Verdi Requiem” is a mind-altering experience! Long, arching melodic passages of exceptional beauty are punctuated with thunderbolts of the composer’s apocalyptic vision. Soloists Barbara Quintiliani, soprano; Beth Clayton, mezzo-soprano; Gaston Rivero, tenor; Wayne Tigges, bass-baritone; and a magnificent 200-voice chorus (the Arizona Musicfest Chorus plus the UCLA Chorale) join the all-star Festival Orchestra in Verdi’s dramatic masterwork in all its operatic glory. Definitely not an ecclesiastic requiem! This work of epic proportions was created as a heroic monument and continues to be performed as originally intended, in tribute to beloved cultural icons.   Venue: Pinnacle Presbyterian Church, 25150 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale... More

Brubeck Brothers Quartet with the Festival Orchestra conducted by Robert Moody Friday, Feb. 24 at 7:30 p.m. The second generation of America’s “first family of music,” the Brubeck Brothers Quartet – Chris Brubeck, bass and trombone; Dan Brubeck, drums; Mike DeMicco, guitar; Chuck Lamb, piano – joins the Arizona Musicfest Festival Orchestra conducted by Robert Moody. Dave Brubeck’s memorable “In Your Own Sweet Way,” transcribed for orchestra by brother Howard, begins the evening’s synergy between quartet, orchestra and audience. Then the Quartet swings into classic jazz with the sixty orchestra members as sidemen on “Black & Blue,” “Unsquare Dance,” “Take Five,” and “We’re Still in Love After All These Years.” Among the many highlights in this jazz and classical blend is Chris’ “Concerto for Bass Trombone,” with Chris and the Quartet soloing.   Venue: Pinnacle Presbyterian Church, 25150 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale... More

Maestro’s Mix: Robert Moody conducts the Arizona Musicfest Festival Orchestra Thursday, Feb. 23 at 7:30 p.m. Maestro Moody mixes it up: superb melodies, instrumental pyrotechnics and romance! The four short movements of Antonin Dvorák’s joyous “Serenade for Winds in D Minor, Opus 44” will charm you just as they did Johannes Brahms. It’s a lyrical delight that transcends generations. Felix Mendelssohn’s “Concerto in E Minor for Violin and Orchestra” featuring promising young soloist Andrea Segar is a “sonic marvel,” an absolute powerhouse. “Romeo and Juliet, Suites No. 1 and 2” by Sergei Prokofiev is sexy, zesty, sparkling and dynamic, conveying all the richness of Shakespeare. The bard’s immortal words are woven into the evening’s enchantment, brought to life by lauded Valley actors.   Venue: Pinnacle Presbyterian Church, 25150 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale  ... More

Bob Moody’s Cabaret with Chris Brubeck Saturday, Feb. 18 at 5 p.m. And 8 p.m. Multi-talented Arizona Musicfest Festival Orchestra conductor Bob Moody teams up with the irrepressible blues-pop-classical-jazzman Chris Brubeck (son of the legendary Dave Brubeck) and musician friends in an unscripted evening of music, laughter and fun. This is the night when Bob puts down his baton and sings or plays his favorite tunes, interspersed with backstage stories. Said Chris Brubeck, “I’m looking forward to having a blast making music with the amazingly talented Bob Moody!” Expect memorable music and spontaneous insiders’ stories … it’s improv practiced at its multi-genre best!   Venue: Fairway House at Grayhawk, 8620 E. Thompson Peak Parkway, Scottsdale... More

February 26 Live From el Pedregal Premiere El Pedregal Shops and Dining at The Boulders resort returns with a new spring festival featuring lively music, distinctive shopping and refreshing wines. This year’s spring festival will run every Sunday from Feb. 26 to May 2012, from 1-4 p.m.   To kick off the festival, guests will enjoy a live concert by Silhouette, a band made up of Cornelius Bishop, Anthony Kinchion, Tim Forkes, Chris Strong and Alex Holland, which will be performing vibrant R&B, Soul, and Motown music.   Carefree Sundays: Live from el Pedregal Festival is sponsored by AZ Wines and Clear Channel’s EVA 95.5 Radio. The event is free to attend; food and wine tasting tickets are available for purchase.   El Pedregal, conveniently located on the southeast corner of Carefree Highway and Scottsdale Road, encompasses 80,000 square feet of space filled with fascinating boutiques, intriguing art galleries and fun and casual dining. More than 15 shops surround an enticing... More

February 17-19 Waterfront Fine Art & Wine Festival! Thunderbird Artists’ Festival will line the banks of Scottsdale Waterfront with renowned artists, fine wines and talented musicians, creating romantic reflections across the waters.   Featured artists are husband and wife team, Kathy and Rory Chetelat, two fabulous artists who combine their talents in wood and metal work with the beauty of fused glass to create stunning sculptural and wall-hanging pieces.   The Scottsdale Waterfront is a 1.1 million-square-foot project, located in downtown Scottsdale at the southwest corner of Scottsdale Road and Camelback Road.   Festival hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Admission is $3 for adults. A souvenir wine glass and tasting tickets can be purchased together for $10. Parking is free all weekend, and valet parking is available.   www.thunderbirdartists.com/waterfront  ... More

Valentine’s Dinner - Love Songs by Candlelight Tuesday, Feb. 14 at 6 p.m. It’s nothin’ but love, baby, as Barbara Rosene sings all the great love songs at this very special Valentine’s Day dinner cabaret. Seductively rich interpretations of classic romantic tunes will be served, among them: “My Funny Valentine,” “It Had To Be You,” “Fools Rush In,” “My Foolish Heart,” “I Remember You,” and “The Shadow of Your Smile.” Rosene has a heightened understanding of what’s behind a song, having shared the stage with both jazz icons and contemporary greats. This lyrical intelligence, plus her “young Streisand” energy, has earned her rave reviews and the distinction of a place in Scott Yanow’s “Great Jazz Singers.” Conal Fowkes accompanies Rosene on piano and vibraphone.   Venue: Fairway House at Grayhawk, 8620 E. Thompson Peak Parkway, Scottsdale  ... More

Piano Brilliance – Andrew von Oeyen in Recital Sunday, Feb. 12 at 3 p.m. Spend the afternoon with four of the world’s great composers as summoned forth by one of the world’s young stars in his Arizona debut. With his commanding technique and subtle interpretations, von Oeyen is described as “an American treasure” and “one of the greatest pianists of his generation.” Sonatas by Scarlatti, Schumann’s “Carnaval, Op. 9,” Ligeti’s “Musica Ricercata,” Liszt’s “Nuages Gris,” and Verdi/Liszt “Rigoletto Paraphrase” are nothing less than piano brilliance!   Venue: Desert Hills Presbyterian Church, 34605 N. Scottsdale Road, Carefree... More

February 10-12 Wigwam Festival of Fine Arts Lovers of Western and Native American art will not want to miss the Wigwam Festival of Art sponsored by the Wigwam Resort and Western Art Collector Magazine. This spectacular three-day festival will take place in a beautiful outdoor setting from Feb. 10-12.   The festival will be filled with award-winning master artists of Western, Native American and Southwestern genres who work across a variety of media including bronze, stone, oils, pottery, carvings, jewelry and more.   The 2012 featured artist is Sharon Brening who is widely known for her sensitive oil portraits of everyday Native American life. She is an award-winning member of the Western Artists of America.   The visual arts will be combined with culinary arts and performing arts that will make the festival a fabulous experience for all. Dine al fresco and enjoy the Wigwam’s signature dishes prepared in the garden by award-winning chefs, complemented by cocktails and superior... More

Writer Susan Kern-Fleischer Photographer Jerri Parness   What was Arizona like before our statehood? What brought people here? How difficult were the living conditions?   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, which has been recognized by the Arizona Centennial Commission as an Official Centennial Event and a Centennial Legacy Project, and is a collaboration with the Arizona Historical Society, premieres Thurs., Feb. 2 through Sun., Feb. 19 at Stagecoach Village, 7100 E. Cave Creek Rd., in Cave Creek. Show times are at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and at 2 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets range from $15 to $20 for children under 18, and from $22 to $30 for... More

Three Clarinet Salute to Benny Goodman Friday, Feb. 10 at 7:30 p.m. Dan Levinson’s Palomar Quartet – plus The Anderson Twins – plays the great standards in a tribute to Benny Goodman’s small ensembles. Jazz aficionados call this “The Three Benny Opera!” Generating all the wizardry and excitement of an unforgettable era, from “Avalon” to Wang Wang Blues”: Dan Levinson, clarinet; Pete Anderson, clarinet; Will Anderson, clarinet; Matt Hoffmann, vibes; Mark Shane, piano; Jeff Hamilton, drums. Guest vocalist Molly Ryan adds evocative vocals.   Venue: North Scottsdale Christian, 28700 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale  ... More

February 10-12 Outstanding Fine Art, Exceptional Wines and Exquisite Chocolate! Thunderbird Artists continues their partnership with Salt River Fields at Talking Stick for another fine art and wine festival Feb. 10, 11 and 12 – but with a difference… chocolate! This festival will feature more than 100 juried artists from throughout the world, along with fine wines, live music, tasty food, mouthwatering chocolates and demonstrations by superior chefs, all surrounded by vast panoramic mountain views!   The main stadium at Salt River Fields will be transformed, again, into a fine art paradise with one additional twist, chocolate! With Valentine’s Day quickly approaching, chocolate vendors will be offering mouth-watering confections to sweeten up this loving holiday. This, along with the ever-impressive fine arts and wide variety of wines, will continue the tradition of dynamic and flourishing events put on by the Thunderbird Artists.   Festival hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each... More

Jan. 20 Coffee and Crime Take this rare opportunity to meet nationally known mystery authors, and enjoy gourmet coffee and treats in a beautiful social setting at the Desert Foothills Library (38443 North Schoolhouse Road., Cave Creek, Arizona 85331).    This month join award-winning, best-selling author Donald Bain (aka Jessica Fletcher), writer (and ghost writer) of a myriad of both fiction and non-fiction books, including the “Murder She Wrote” series, based on the TV series. His works include “Coffee, Tea or Me,” a definitive book on caviar, and his autobiography, “Murder He Wrote.” Signed books will be available for purchase.   The cost is $10 per event. Or attend your first in our Authors Series (Mystery Tea or Coffee & Crime) free by becoming a first-time donating member of the Library with a contribution of $35 or more. Seating is limited for this event requiring payment at time of reservation. This event is presented by the Desert Foothills Library in... More

Jan. 20 Anderson & Roe Piano Duo Described as “Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers transposed from the dance floor to the keyboard,” the Anderson & Roe Piano Duo are perhaps the most thrilling young duo performing today. The Juilliard graduates have appeared on NPR and MTV, toured North America and beyond, and performed in nearly every NYC venue imaginable, from Carnegie Hall to children’s hospitals. These Steinway artists bring their joyous camaraderie and refined artistry to every concert arena, and you can expect a performance that is both electrifying and riveting.   Anderson & Roe are appearing at 7:30 p.m. as a part of the Pinnacle Concert Series hosted by the Pinnacle Presbyterian Church, 25150 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85255. Tickets for the event vary from $39 for premium seating, $29 for general admission, $13 for rear floor seating and $7 for students.   480-303-2474 www.pinnacleconcerts.com... More