Page 44 - the NOISE October 2013

AT LEFT: Beer Baby at the Beatro. cOURTESY PHOTO AT RIGHT: Dustbowl Revival at the Highland Center. cOURTESY PHOTO
AT CENTER: Fulton Caldwell (played by John Bryan) telling the chilling tale of when he heeded the voices in his head and took a knife to his poor wife Bessie. PHOTO BY DAVID COTTLE
The rainy end of summer has faded and event started ence Theater 3000 Featuring some of the most fearsome ghost
the cooler days of autumn are finally here. Prescott loves its fall and winter holidays, and October has a full slate of awesome arts and culture events. There is pretty much some- thing super cool going on around town every weekend this month.
One of the newest, purely homegrown arts shindig has only been around for a few weeks, but is fast becoming a big fave. Every week, Ol- lie’s Project Free ART holds a Found-art-Friday. What the heck is that? Well, artists donate small works of art to Ollie, who then stashes the art somewhere around Prescott and posts a hint on the location on Facebook. It’s a gorgeous combination of senseless acts of beauty com- bined with finders, keepers.
The idea is to expand art appreciation and art making without getting hung up on “fine art” or the notion that art is only worthy and/or worthwhile if there is a price tag attached. Oh, and let’s not forget the harder to define, but no less important side effect of engaging the com- munity with art in a very real way. Plus, FUN! To keep up with the weekly art drop, or to donate a piece of art, find them on Facebook.
A bit of awesome news for Prescott’s young- er jazz students is on the horizon from the Prescott Jazz Society (PJAZZ). Thanks to a grant from the Yavapai Community Foundation, the organization is expanding its Open Ear workshops from once a year to bi-monthly. The group is offering music education and mentor- ing for kids from grades 7th to 12th. This great opportunity for budding jazz-heads allows them to learn from professional musicians like Milt Cannon, Stan Sorenson and Dmitri Ma- theny. The best part is that this isn’t a one-off, but an ongoing project. Contact PJAZZ at 928- 237-7908 for more info on upcoming clinics.
Besides Halloween and Day of the Dead, Oc- tober is also well known for BEEr. The folks over at The Beastro are throwing a super cool fund- raiser event this month that combines beer, the men who love beer with, er, beer belly art. “My Beautiful Beer Baby” features a photo contest of “mandels” (man models) showing off their beer bellies, but, y’know, in a classy way. The
in September,
with the contest
winner walking
away with $100 and a case of artisan beer. What can I say? Owner Kim Meagher loves combin- ing philanthropy and fun and this event deliv- ers on both fronts. Drop by The Beastro at 117 N. McCormick Street, check out the impressive display of beer babies and take a moment to find out how this nifty café/event venue sup- ports a whole host o’ rescue critters.
The Folk Sessions peeps are at it again, this time bringing Dustbowl Revival to The High- land Center. With the cooler weather most def- initely inbound, this is one of the last chances to comfortably dig live tunes at this venue and this band is not to be missed. The nine-piece band from Venice, Calif. serves up a mix of mu- sic that blends bluegrass, swamp blues, gospel and 1930s style hot swing. Head over to High- land Center on Sunday, October 20 at 2PM and make sure to bring your dancing shoes. Tickets are $12 in advance from folksessions.com or $15 at the door.
On the gallery front, the ‘Tis Art Center & Gallery has plenty happening this month. There are two shows opening in mid-October,
“Beautiful Beads, Fabulous Fiber & Marvelous Mud” in the mezzanine, and the “2013 Found Object” show in the main gallery. The best way to catch both shows is probably to plan on making the ‘Tis a stop on October’s 4th Friday ArtWalk. And, putting an art spin on the season, the gallery is hosting a “Creative Spirit Costume Ball” on October 25th. Billed as a fundraiser, the event offers a chance to dress up as your favor- ite artist, enjoy some libations and food, take a twirl on the hardwood floor to some live music, and enjoy the gorgeously renovated third floor. Seriously, it’s worth $5 just to see the space and check out the view of Courthouse Square. For info, check out tisartgallery.com.
Film fans who dig a little comedy mixed in with their horror won’t want to miss the 3rd An- nual Fright Night at the Elks Opera House Theater on Saturday, October 5. The bill fea- tures a completely local version of Mystery Sci-
style riffing on Ed Wood’s classically awful “Plan 9 from
Outer Space.” Local comedians Kevin Rose and Cynthia Kitts Sobo will join comedian wannabe Andrew Johnson-Schmit in skewer- ing one of the best, worst movies ever made. Immediately after these shenanigans, the short flick Dead Votes Society will play, followed by George romero’s groundbreaking zombie masterpiece, Night of the Living Dead. Get yer tix for this night of screams ‘n laughter online at elksoperahouse.com or call the box office at 928-777-1370. Show starts at 7PM.
After their split from Sharlot Hall Museum, the Blue Rose Theater has come back bigger and better than ever in their new digs over in Prescott Valley. Blue rose founder and director, Jody Drake, adores the ghost stories of the sea- son and is super excited the theater company is presenting The Lonesome Valley Haunting. Mix- ing history and the supernatural, the show tells the story of Arizona mining magnate Charles Massicks, his extended dance with death after a shooting accident, and the strange aftermath of his death. The show will play every Friday, Saturday and Sunday in October, so no excuses for not checking it out. Tickets are only $5. For more info, give Jody a call at 928-227-2737 or head over to the Blue rose Heritage and Cul- ture Center at 7200 2nd Street in Prescott Valley.
The kiddies will get their sugar rush taken care of on the epic Mount Vernon Halloween candy route — they actually shut down the street for the hundreds, if not thousands of tiny trick-or-treaters who hit Prescott’s Halloween row – but the grown ups have a tasty selection of holiday themed entertainment, too.
In fact, there are so many events on the weekend before Halloween and Day of the Dead that several arts organizations have teamed up for this months top event, Week- end of the Dead.
October 25th and 26th, the Ghost Talk will take over the main stage at the Prescott Cen- ter for the Arts (PCA). Show times are 6PM and 7:30PM, with an extra 9PM show on the 26th.
stories of Prescott and Arizona, the Ghost Talk is hugely popular and has become a local tradi- tion. Because some of the stories are a bit in- tense, this show is not recommended for chil- dren under seven. Also, “no cry babies, whiners, or yellow-bellied scaredy-cats are allowed,” so consider yourself fair warned. All proceeds from the Ghost Talk will benefit youth pro- grams at the West Yavapai County Guidance Clinic and PCA. You can get your tickets online at pca-az.net or pick up the phone and call 928-445-3286. On the visual art side of things, PCA’s art gallery will also be hosting a show of Day of the Dead themed pieces. This show features the work of regional artists and their interpretations of this traditional Mexican holi- day. The mix of 2-D and 3-D work is available for viewing through November 4.
Also on the spectral calendar are cemetery tours hosted by the Yavapai Cemetery Associa- tion, beginning Saturday, October 26. If you’ve ever wanted to check out some of the area’s historic cemeteries and get the low-down on Prescott’s Citizen’s Cemetery, now is your chance. A walking tour will run about $15 and you can feel good knowing the cash is going to a volunteer organization that helps maintain the grounds and the history of our buried trea- sures. For tickets or info, check out the website at yavapai.us/ycc/citizens-cemetery or call Ju- lie Holst at 928-713-8807.
The Smoki Museum has featured Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) art and culture for several years and is essentially the umbrella or- ganization for Prescott’s Weekend of the Dead. Be sure to stop by Sunday, October 27th and check out their celebration featuring music, dancing, vendors and food. Oh, and if there is a special loved one or family member who is no longer living, the museum will also have a tra- ditional ofrenda, or altar, there for you to leave a memento. There is no charge for the event and it is always a really great way to actively participate in a lovely tradition. SmokiMuseum. com or call ‘em up at 928-445-1230.
| Angie Johnson Schmit knows her fake blood. slackerwriter@gmail.com
44 • october 2013 • the NOISE arts & news • thenoise.us