Page 38 - the NOISE January 2014

ABOVE: Award-winning singer/songwriter Dave Nachmanoff is appearing at PCA January 11. COURTESY PHOTO
ABOVE: Cynthia Sobo & Kevin Rose are producing Mile High Comedy Theater. COURTESY PHOTO
January kicks off a fresh round of arts ‘n venues you can from zero to two the cost is $95. For more info and to register,
culture goodness in Prescott, but it’s also a great time to take a look back. It’s pretty amazing how much can happen in the course of twelve short months, so here’s a review some of the major changes 2012 brought.
New to the gallery scene this year are two fine art venues. First up is the aptly named, and totally charming, A Small Art Gallery. This gallery is located about a block off the Square and features local & regional artists. Currently the gallery is only open Thursday thru Saturday from 10AM until 5PM, so plan your visit accordingly. You can find them in the lovely courtyard building at 115 E. Good- win St., Suite D. Visit their website for info on the work currently showing at asmallartgal- lery.com or call them up at (928) 830-3220.
The other new studio/gallery space well worth checking out is Slade Graves Stu- dio. This is really more of a studio space for Slade Graves, but the artist often opens for Prescott’s 4th Friday ArtWalk. Her work is sim- ply stunning, spanning a range of mediums including encaustic, oil, lithographs and more. The style is a blend of abstraction and figura- tive work that manages to convey an emo- tional and intellectual depth without feeling overly didactic. Basically, her work is amazing and if you can catch the studio open, then it is well worth the time to check it out. If it’s a 4th Friday ArtWalk and you’re feeling lucky, then stop by 234 S. Montezuma. Otherwise, check out sladegraves.com for a preview of her work. Trust me, you’ll be glad you did.
Two favorite music venues, Prescott Can- tina (formerly Coyote Joe’s) and The Bird Cage Saloon made spectacular comebacks this year. One venue closed due to some highly questionable business practices, the other as the result of a fire. Both re-openings were greeted with massive sighs of relief from local music lovers.
While folks are still getting used to the new name, Prescott Cantina remains one of the best places in town to catch live music and their patio is simply one of the best dance
find in Prescott.
It seems that
patrons, musi-
cians and even
the bar and restaurant staff are super happy with what the new management has done with the place. They kept their upstairs venue, The Loft (formerly known as Annie’s Attic), and have reinstated 80s night while coming up with some new ideas. Pay them a visit at 214 S. Montezuma. Head upstairs to check out The Loft.
The Bird Cage is a fave with both locals and out-of-towners. When the bar was destroyed in a fire in May of 2012, you could hear the hearts breaking across town. It seemed like an impossibly cruel joke to have another dev- astating fire on Whiskey Row, considering the history of the Square. But, like the proverbial phoenix rising from the ashes, the Cage re- turned and opened its doors again this year, reclaiming its rightful place as a top place to grab a beer and listen to some tunes. While they weren’t able to re-open in exactly the same location, you can find them a few doors down at 160 S. Montezuma.
On the theater front, there has been a ri- diculous amount of growth, and in the best possible way. The Prescott Center for the Arts (PCA) opened its black box theater, Stage Too, earlier this year. This new space provides a much-needed venue for small cast productions and intimate music perfor- mances, including the January 11th show by award-winning singer/songwriter Dave Nachmanoff. With the entrance located in the alley behind Murphy’s and the Peregrine Book Company, it can be a little tricky to find. Nonetheless, it is a nifty addition to the scene. For tickets to see Nachmanoff and a map to the theater, visit pfaa.net/stage-too.html.
Although not open for performances yet, it’s looking like the Elks Opera House is moving ahead with its plans to open a black box theater space on an upper floor of the theater. This means the number of black box theaters in this little mountain town will go
in very short order. And that is fantas- tic news for theater and arts events in
need of a small, functional and lovely perfor- mance space. Meanwhile, renovations con- tinue at the Elks, with shows still being held on the main stage of the historic theater. For more info on events at the Elks and to keep up with their progress, visit their website at elksoperahouse.com.
The Blue Rose Heritage & Culture Center
is the other major new player on the theater block, although it is technically in Prescott Valley. Still, the brainchild of theater maven and Arizona culture keeper Jody Drake has made its mark in short order. Bringing her extensive theater experience and historical knowledge to the stage is Ms. Drake’s spe- cialty and the plays and programs tend to reflect that vibe of historical accuracy. For info on the theater and its upcoming 2014 season, email jodydrake@cableone.net or pick up the phone and give her a call at (928) 899-5472.
That’s a super quick rundown of some of the notable “newbies” in town, but there are some arts workshops and classes happening in January worth a shout out. January tradi- tionally marks the beginning of the dreaded New Year’s Resolution insanity, but why not make a resolution to have more of the stuff you love? Yeah, okay, there are those who get really excited about a new diet or exercise regimen and good on ‘em. But, for folks inter- ested in adding more fun, more art, more mu- sic and poetry and laughter and straight up awesomeness by actually DOING something, well, this next section is just for you.
If you’ve ever wanted to experience Broad- way choreography first hand, then PCA has just the class for you. Taught by the multi- talented Ashley Fine, this two-day workshop promises to be a fun and active class devot- ed to learning and ultimately performing a choreographed Broadway dance number. The workshop runs from January 11-12, and
check out pfaa.net/classes.html.
For you budding artists who already have
a handle on the basics, but are looking for some reasonable studio space, check out Textiles & Textures. In addition to a range of art and textile workshops, they are now offer- ing studio space. And if you want to be able to sell your lovely work there, well, they can probably work something out with you.
At the tippity-top of this month’s “Don’t Miss” is the brand new Mile High Comedy Theater. This theater group, run by local comedian/radio personality Kevin Rose, and LA-transplant/media arts teacher and super funny lady Cynthia Sobo, is starting off the New Year with a big ol’ giggle. Aimed at teaching Improv and Stand-Up Comedy skills, these two super talented folks are fo- cused on helping students bring all those new skills to the stage.
There are few things in life as valuable as a good laugh, and this dynamic duo are just the ticket to help you find your inner jokester. Don’t listen to me, listen to Neal Brennan, co-writer/producer of The Dave Chapelle Show. Mr. Brennan calls Ms. Sobo “a genuine- ly funny person, which is more than I can say for 90% of people in comedy. She can help you.” Mr. Rose is no slouch himself and has been active on the stand-up circuit statewide as well as his regular gig on Magic 99.1.
To get things rolling in 2014, Mile High Comedy Theater is offering the fantastic deal of $30 for the first month of improv classes. It’s the perfect excuse to have as much fun as possible while learning how to make folks laugh. Frankly, I can’t think of a better way to start off the New Year. For class dates and registration info, hit up their website at mile- highcomedytheater.com.
| Angie Johnson Schmit is looking forward to the New Year shine. slackerwriter@gmail.com
38 • january 2014 • the NOISE arts & news • thenoise.us