Page 42 - the NOISE April 2015

ABOVE: Carnivaleros bring their eclectic blend to Raven Cafe 4/25 & 5/1. PHOTO BY BILL MOELLER | AT CENTER: Chalk it Up! Prescott chalk artist using grid technique. COURTESY PHOTO
ABOVE: 2014 Granite Creek Clean Up volunteers clean up local creeks & provide unusual art materials for the One Man’s Treasure show. COURTESY PHOTO
The weather is gorgeous in April, making it the perfect create their own chalk art piece. It is not unusual to see mul-
time of year for one of the most awesome annual outdoor events in Prescott. There are plenty of other arts ‘n culture activities around town to keep the indoor crowd happy, too. Inside or outside, Prescott’s scene is waking up with some new events and old favorites.
Speaking of old favorites, Prescott Center for the Arts (PCA) is putting on a production of Steel Magnolias. Theater fans who like their female characters with plenty of barbed South- ern charm will get a kick out of this Robert Harling play. A little bit of comedy, some tear jerker fare and snappy repartee from some of Prescott’s best local actors make for a fun night out. The show opens April 9 and runs through April 18. Your last chance to catch Good People over at Stage Too is on April 4. The original stage play, by David Lindsay-Abaire, mixes comedy and drama. Set in a Boston neighborhood, expect sharp east coast dialogue from working class characters try- ing to figure out how to make ends meet and still connect with each other. Ticket information for both shows, exact show times and dates are available at pfaa.net or by calling the PCA box office at 928/445-3286.
The music scene in town is also starting to wake up, with an emphasis on danceable tunes and patio action. Brick ‘n Bones on Montezuma is regularly booking in local favorites like the Cheek Tones on the weekends. For more hard rock- ing fare, check out The Bird Cage or The Drunken Lass. For more mellow fare El Gato Azul is a good bet and books music from Thursday through Sunday.
One of the more interesting musical hootenannies this month is happening over at the Raven Café. Put on your dancing shoes and head over on Saturday, April 25 (or Fri- day, May 1) to check out Carnivaleros. Founded by multi- instrumentalist Gary Mackender (formerly of The Mollys), the band’s sound is an eclectic mix of musical styles. Fusing together zydeco, Tex-Mex, circus music and a dash of Eastern European themes, Carnivaleros is not to be missed. For a taste of their sound, visit their website at carnivaleros.com or check it out in person at 142 N. Cortez Street.
There are some gallery shows worth checking out this month, including the One Man’s Treasure preview at ‘Tis Art Center & Gallery. Featuring art made from trash picked up during the Prescott Creeks annual Granite Creek Cleanup, expect a range of creative perspectives. In May, the artwork will be auctioned off at Prescott College, with all proceeds benefitting Prescott Creeks and their ongoing work in the community.
Arts Prescott Cooperative Gallery will be featuring pho- tographer Michael Wilson in April. Mr. Wilson’s work primarily focuses on Arizona landscapes. His nature photos are frankly stunning and well worth making the trip to the gallery. For an idea of his photographic sensibility, visit his website at michael-wilson.com or for a more general idea of what the gallery is offering this month, visit artsprescott.com. To view the photographs in person, head over to Arts Prescott at 134 S. Montezuma Street.
For something truly extraordinary, mark your calendars for April 4. Arcosanti is hosting a dinner and show event featuring the Arizona Taiko Drumming Troop: Ken Koshiro & Jakara with special guest, Japanese bamboo flute player Koto Kono. Mr. Koshiro performed as a folk rock musician in Los Angeles for several years. After the 9/11 tragedy, he was moved to create the Thousand Cranes Tour that culminated with a performance at Ground Zero in New York City on the one year anniversary of the event.
Mr. Koshiro reconnected with his Japanese roots when he discovered Taiko drumming in 2004. Since then, he has worked to hone his skills and has collaborated with Native American musicians on multiple projects. Tickets are $40 for dinner and the show or $20 for the performance only. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 928/623-7135.
While all the usual suspects in the Prescott scene are cer- tainly worth a visit, the hands down top event for April is Chalk it Up! Prescott. Now in its seventh year, the chalk art festival attracts over 4,000 locals and tourists to view the street art or take chalk box in hand and join in the fun.
The tradition of street art stretches back to the 16TH Century in Europe. Artists would sketch out drawings on the sidewalk to attract business. There is still a very strong tradition of street art and sidewalk chalk art festivals in several European countries. Chalk art has become popular in the US as well.
One of the more frequent questions asked is what happens in case of rain. The festival organizers typically laugh and shrug. The ephemeral nature of chalk art is part of its beauty and is embraced by the festival. Still, rain in April is rare for Prescott, so odds are on the side of good chalking weather.
There are plenty of events that bill themselves as family friendly or all-ages, but Chalk it Up! Prescott actually delivers the goods. Envisioned as a free, community-based festival, a free box of chalk is available to anyone who wants to stake out a square of National Bank of Arizona’s parking lot and
tiple generations working together on a blank bit of asphalt. For those looking for a more highbrow experience, Chalk it Up! Prescott also brings in guest professional artists. This is also a great opportunity for amateur chalk artists to pick up some pro-tips and learn some new techniques. There are
several local professional artists who frequently participate, creating some truly stunning work.
As the artists get down and dirty with chalk art, live music and performances help keep the creative energy flowing. It’s very much the upbeat, neighborly vibe found at Prescott’s best outdoor arts events. Like the Bluegrass Festival later in the year, Chalk it Up! Prescott is a festival where folks who may not have seen each other in a few months will run into each other and catch up while admiring a piece of art.
The festival is a uniquely community supported affair, with local businesses joining together to support the event. This year Chalk it Up! Prescott has joined forces with West Yavapai Guidance Center, operating under the clinic’s non-profit sta- tus. WYGC recognizes the therapeutic value of creativity and community involvement; and it seems to be a good partner- ship for the two organizations. The event is completely free, but any donations or proceeds will go to support next year’s festival and core programs that promote mental health.
There is no registration needed, but artists looking to par- ticipate are encouraged to show up early for their pick of the art spaces and to snag a box of chalk. Also highly recom- mended are sunscreen, a hat, a towel or kneepad and a water bottle. Even when the weather is cool, the Arizona sun can definitely lead to sunburn or heat exhaustion. Don’t stress too much if you forget, though. There is water and sunscreen available on site.
There is something beautiful about watching a community come together over a shared art experience. Throw in some great music, fresh air and a truly experiential opportunity and you have the recipe for an absolutely fantastic local art date.
So mark your calendars for April 18 – 20 and plan on hitting the parking lot between 10AM and 4PM. After a full day of street art awesomeness, there are plenty of local restaurants within easy walking distance, so don’t feel the need to rush right home. For more information on the festival, this year’s guest and visiting artists or to explore volunteer opportuni- ties, visit PrescottChalkArt.com.
| Angie Johnson Schmit has her box of chalk, thank you very much. angie@thenoise.us
42 • APRIL 2015 • the NOISE arts & news • thenoise.us