Page 36 - the NOISE November 2012

Linda Illumanardi cOURTESY PHOTO
Pat Beary and Inesis Vitols. PHOTO BY MIKE KINCADE
Prescott is swinging into the holiday sea- son as fall weather begins fer really reals in this little mountain town. Serious hikers and mountain bikers won’t mind the extra nip in the air, but the arts and culture peeps will find many events and shows moving back indoors. The few exceptions are, natu- rally, centered around the looming Decem- ber holidays.
The Prescott Center for the Arts (PCA) is really cranking up the heat with three new productions scheduled. For the kids, PCA is putting on an adaptation of Mulan. This ad- venturous tale, made famous by the 1998 Disney animated feature, tells the story of a little girl in China who decides to dress as a boy and head off to war. Directed by Debra White, this should be a fun show for families and Disney fans. You can see Mulan at 7PM on November 15 – 17, or catch a 2:30PM matinee on the 17th or 18th. Hit up the PCA website for full details on show times and tickets at pfaa.net.
Just in time for the post-Thanksgiving blahs, A Tuna Christmas will take the PCA stage to provide some much needed levity. Starring two of Prescott’s best comedic ac- tors, Sean Jeralds and Cason Murphy, this show puts the “fun” in “dysfunctional.” The two-man team will take on the job of por- traying over 20 bizarre, yet oddly loveable, residents of the fictional town of Tuna, Texas. A Tuna Christmas centers on the town’s An- nual Christmas Yard Display Contest. Expect characters ranging from a UFOlogist to an as- piring taxidermist in this sweetly outrageous play that has just enough of a satirical bite to keep things interesting. A Tuna Christmas is only showing for three days, Novemeber 23 – 25, so don’t dilly-dally on getting your tickets. For exact show times and ticket info, check out pfaa.net.
Not satisfied with two shows in one month, PCA is also putting on a show over at the Elks Opera House. Hardcore fans of “tradi- tional” holiday movies will want to beat feet and get their tickets to this stage adaptation
of the holiday
classic, Miracle
on 34th Street. Before folks get too nuts with the whole, “But it’s too early for Christmas” stuff, bear in mind this production doesn’t open until November 30. If this is your cuppa holiday goodness, make sure you get your tickets early, ‘cause this show is only run- ning for a few days. For more info on the cast, show dates and tickets, hit up pfaa.net or or- der your tickets from elksoperahouse.com.
If you want a little more music with your theater, or if you’re not ready to dive into the holiday madness just yet, The Best of Broad- way! might be more up your alley. Lonely Street Productions will be bringing four vocalists to the Elks Opera House to belt out some of Broadway’s most famous and beloved tunes. The music will span the hits from West Side Story to Les Miserables, with plenty of detours along the way. This is a one night only production, so if Broadway is your thing, circle Sunday, November 11 on your calendar. Tickets and show time info are available at elksoperahouse.com .
On the music front, blues fans won’t want to miss out on Kristina Olsen’s show on No- vember 4. The concert, brought to the PCA’s stage in partnership with the Folk Sessions, will be opened by local bluesman Dennis Garvey. Ms. Olsen has played the acoustic circuit internationally and has gotten rave reviews. Seriously, anybody who plays slide guitar like Ms. Olsen is totally worth hauling yourself off the couch to go see live. Order your tickets from the PCA website pca.net, or when you walk up to the PCA box office, give ‘em the discount code “blues” to get $2 off the ticket price.
Per usual, the Raven Café will be serv- ing up a mix of local and visiting musical acts during November. Check out local faves Coatimundi, The Porchlights, the ever-popular Pat Beary and the Twang Machine, and Drew Hall and Andrew Tes- chner. Possibly the most danceable and fun
out of town group
to take the stage is Euforquestra with D Bess. This band’s eclectic blend of rhythms and beats pretty much guarantee at least one swing around the dance floor. While you’re there, check out Hold Fast Tattoo’s show of artwork. The show features a collection of drawings and
paintings, all created by local tattoo artists, and some of the work is truly stunning. Any- hoo, for a full listing of music and dates, hit up the calendar section on the Raven’s web- site at ravencafe.com.
In case you missed it, or just thought you had, the Smoki Museum has a gorgeous show, “Yoimasa,” featuring the paintings of Filmer Kewanyama. This Hopi artist has won multiple awards and has been active in Prescott’s local arts scene in various ca- pacities over the years. Also check out the Smoki’s Annual Trading Post Event, where museum members can get an extra 20% off their gift shop purchases. The event runs from November 15 - 18. It’s a great chance to do a little early shopping and see some outstanding art, all at the same time. For more info on the Smoki Museum shows and events, visit their website at smokimuseum. org, give them a call at 928-445-1230, or just stop by the museum at 147 N. Arizona Street in Prescott.
The ‘Tis is mixing things up this month with two shows. In the mezzanine, take some time to with the “Inherited Memo- ries” show. Featuring carved gourd art by Robbynne Raupers and oil painting by Cynthia Vidal, this show should prove a break from the ho-hum of more traditional fare. Okay, this is not exactly avant garde, but the work is very cool nonetheless. Opening reception is scheduled for Friday, November 9 from 5PM ‘til 7PM.
After checking out the gourds and paint- ings in the mezzanine, do not forget to check out the main gallery show. “Curious Paper” is the first themed show organized by the
‘Tis and features, of course, paper art. Paper is often overlooked as art, usually because most artists can’t wait to cover its surface with pencil, pastel, ink or paint. This show re- ally gives paper a chance to shine in its own right and seeks to redefine the way we see this most basic of art materials. Don’t miss the Opening Reception held in conjunction with the 4th Friday Artwalk on November 23 from 5PM ‘til 7PM. Don’t put off going to see it, ‘cause this show is only up through December 11. For info on the shows and gal- lery hours, check out the gallery website at tisartgallery.com or drop by the gallery at
105 S. Cortez St.
And that brings us to the number one “don’t miss” event for November. At the risk of being accused of rank sentimentalism, I have to put the 17th Annual Holiday Light Parade at the top o’ the list. The parade runs
from 6PM until 9PM on Saturday, Novem- ber 24 and wends its way around Prescott’s historic Courthouse Square. Bundle up and bring your lawn chairs, or try and snag a window seat at one of the local restaurants on the route. Either way, hot chocolate and coffee and easy to come by and it’s kind of nice to just sit back and enjoy the floats and bands.
Yeah, okay, the Holiday Light Parade is not art in any highbrow sense, but it is FUN! After a week of Turkey Day prep madness, a full day of overeating and a Friday spent ei- ther still in a tryptophan coma or exhausted from duking it out at the Black Friday sales, who doesn’t want a bit o’ fun? The lights are pretty, the mood is festive, and the weather is almost always dang near perfect. What’s not to love?
| Angie Johnson Schmit is a movie producer on the side, too. slackerwriter@gmail.com
36 • NOVEMBER 2012 • the NOISE arts & news • thenoise.us