1. Practical Art Random Craft Night: Let’s Color! – May 17
This is the launch event for the weekly Practical Art Random Craft Night. Each week will feature different artistic mediums from paper crafts to jewelry making. To kick things off: coloring, natch. Some supplies are provided and all are welcome. Free. 6-8 p.m. Practical Art, 5070 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, practical-art.com/events.
Each week, we round up the best arts events, and some under-the-radar finds, from around the Valley.
Your mom deserves the world, of course, but who’s got the budget for such a purchase? It’s definitely not on sale at Costco. In lieu of the entire world or even a private island, we’ve come up with a list of local goodies to pamper Phoenix moms on Mother’s Day on any budget, from free to platinum.
1. Firestorm Film Festival – May 2
Arizona Christian University Communication majors will show an original screenplay during this third annual festival. This is a chance to financially support their talents as well as celebrate their achievements as each student has written and directed their own short film. Free. 7-10 p.m. The Picture Show in Paradise Valley Mall, 4568 E. Cactus Rd., Phoenix, arizonachristian.edu.
1. On the Trail of Nazi Art Thieves at the Valley of the Sun – April 26
David Lewis, co-founder of the Commission for Looted Art in Europe and founder of the Schorr Collection of Old Master and 19th Century European paintings, and Hannah Lewis, Holocaust survivor and Schorr Collection co-founder, will speak about their personal experiences restoring objects of art looted by the Nazis during WWII.
1. Gallery Talk: Longer Ways to Go at Phoenix Art Museum – April 19
This exhibition dives into photos taken on America’s tangled web of roads and how they influenced the evolution of an American identity. The photos explore rural life, nature, westward expansion and personal freedom. Free. 7-8 p.m. Phoenix Art Museum, 1625 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, phxart.org.
If you were born somewhere between 1982 and the early aughts, there’s a good chance your home is overrun with houseplants, and your Instagram feed is cluttered with close-up succulent shots.
1. AZ Wine & Dine – April 13
Arizona continues making its mark on the foodie world with AZ Wine & Dine. The sixth annual event brings together top chefs, restaurateurs and beverage makers from around the state for an evening of sampling. Presented by Arizona Lodging & Tourism Association, the event includes live entertainment, a silent auction, and tastings from boutique wineries and microbreweries. 5-8 p.m. $69-$79. Scottsdale Quarter, 15059 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, azwineanddine.com, 602-604-0729.
1. Phoenix Film Festival at Harkins Scottsdale 101 – April 6-13
Arizona’s largest film festival is back this week, screening more than 175 films, hosting film making seminars, throwing parties and creating an enjoyable experience for all movie enthusiasts. Industry Night is on Friday and completely free. Kids’ Day and Arts Day take place on Saturday. Release your inner nerd on Sunday for Geek Day. A schedule of the screenings and all events are available on their website. $13 for individual screenings, $120 for the festival. Harkins Scottsdale 101, 7000 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix, phoenixfilmfestival.com.
1. March Madness Music Fest at Margaret T. Hance Park – March 31-April 2
The 2017 Division I Men’s Basketball Championship will be taking place on April 1 and 3 at the University of Phoenix Stadium, but you don’t need to be a big hoops fan to enjoy the FREE three-day concert in Downtown Phoenix to celebrate the end of March Madness. Keith Urban will be playing on Friday. The Chainsmokers, Grouplove and more will take over on Saturday. The weekend will end with Aerosmith, Macklemore, Blink-182 and Nathaniel Rateliff on Sunday. F, 4-10 p.m.; Sa, 2-10:30 p.m.; Su, 3-10 p.m. Margaret T. Hance Park, 67 W. Culver St., Phoenix, ncaa.com/marchmadness/musicfest.
“The Greatest Show on the Green” has returned to the Valley this week. The Phoenix Open’s main event will start on Wednesday with the Annexus Pro-Am and will end Sunday. And while there’s plenty of golf sightings to be had – 2016 winner Hideki Matsuyama is back to defend his title – we all know golf isn’t really why people love the Phoenix Open. Rowdy parties at the 16th hole, the annual tumbles of drunk sorority girls in heels, and major music acts in the Birds Nest provide entertainment galore for those of us who can’t quite muster the enthusiasm for thwacking a little white ball toward a hole in silence.
#1: John Jorgenson at Musical Instrument Museum, January 22
Multi-instrumentalist John Jorgenson’s gypsy jazz guitar might remind you of the great Django Reinhardt, and in fact, he portrayed Reinhardt in the 2004 movie “Head in the Clouds” starring Charlize Theron. He’ll bring his talented quartet to MIM for a pristine-sounding performance of gypsy jazz, with maybe just the slightest touch of bluegrass. $38.50-$45.50. 7 p.m. January 22 at Musical Instrument Museum. mim.org
#1: Dr. Ordovich’s Grand Exhibition at Alwun House, January 14:
Randall De Souza Clarkson is a world-traveling musician and illustrator – and now, he’s “Dr. Ordovich” for his latest multimedia project, a 27-song concept album and book inspired by his journeys through Mexico, the West Indies, Brazil and Ireland. This exhibition includes live performances augmented by circus-style sideshow acts. $9 in advance, $14 at the door. 7 p.m. January 14 at Alwun House. alwunhouse.org
#1: Jerusafunk at Valley Bar, January 8
In this show dubbed “East Meets West,” Phoenix’s own “klezmer gypsy jazz” band, Jerusafunk, performs their unique brand of boogie on a bill that also includes local rabab prodigy Qais Essar and his new backing band, The Qosmonauts, and L.A.-based Jewish cultural revival band Mostly Kosher. $5. 8 p.m. January 8 at Valley Bar. www.facebook.com/events/1607808399527245/
#1: The Music of David Bowie at Symphony Hall, December 30
Backed by a full rock band and the Phoenix Symphony under the direction of conductor Martin Herman, vocalist Tony Vincent pays tribute to the late David Bowie, singing tunes from the flamboyant star’s vast hit list. Audiences can expect to hear renditions of “Rebel Rebel,” “Space Oddity,” “Fame,” “China Girl,” and “Changes,” among others. $59-$119. 7:30 p.m. December 30 at Symphony Hall. phoenixsymphony.org
