Page 34 - the NOISE November 2014

ABOVe: Solo, multi-media construction by Anne legge at the FROM CeNTeR: Snowflakes by fiber artist Joe Manginelli; Folk singer/ ‘Tis Gallery & Art Center. COURTeSY songwriter Cosy-Sheridan is performing at Stage Too. COURTeSY
November marks the mad dash into the holiday season. While the holidays can ratchet up the speedometer for folks, they can also serve as a chance to slow down a bit and spend time with friends and family. Whether you’re looking for an activity to do with visitors or a respite from the holiday madness, Prescott has plenty of arts ‘n cul- ture shindigs on tap to keep everyone on an even keel.
In keeping with the Thanksgiving holiday spirit, Prescott Alternative Transportation is hosting their third annual Cranksgiving, a food drive crossed with a scavenger hunt to benefit the Open Door food pantry at the Coalition for Compassion and Justice (CCJ). On Sunday, November 23, participants will meet up to ride their bicycles to various gro- cery stores around town in search of grocery items from their scavenger hunt list. There will be prizes for the first cyclist to complete the challenge, most food collected by weight, best costume and best decorated bicycle. It seems the best benefit events manage to combine philanthropy with fun and this event is a perfect example. Plus, there’s the added benefit of burning a few extra calories before the big feast day. For more info, or to register for Cranksgiving, hit up their website at prescottbikeped.org.
For those looking to simply relax in nature this month, there are actually quite a few free admission dates in the Prescott National For- est. From November 8th through the 11th, the $5 admission to Lynx Lake, Granite Basin and Thumb Butte recreation areas will be waived. So go take a hike, feed the ducks, drop a line in Lynx Lake or pack a picnic and soak in some of the natural beauty that makes this mountain town unique.
After spending some time in the great outdoors, take that money you saved on admission fees and hit up the Courthouse Square. With the summer season over, there are fewer crowds to contend with on the ac- tual Courthouse Plaza. Before heading off to one of the galleries, bars or restaurants, take a few minutes to check out some of the stat- ues, plaques and monuments. There’s quite a bit of local history and art that’s easy to miss.
Speaking of history, three bars in the
downtown
area are worth
a looksee for
more than just
their brews:
The Palace,
The Birdcage
and Lyzzard’s
Lounge. Best known for the huge bar that was famously hauled to safety during the big Whiskey Row fire in 1900, The Palace also has plenty of historical memorabilia in what amounts to a mini-museum.
Ironically, the bar at The Birdcage is from the same era and survived the 2012 fire that otherwise decimated the building. When the original location was destroyed, the bar relo- cated a few doors down and is still in opera- tion. Both The Palace and The Birdcage are on Montezuma Street, directly across from the Courthouse Square.
Lyzzard’s Lounge is located about a block north of the Square on Cortez Street and also features a stunning, carved bar from Austria. Although not located on Whiskey Row, Lyzzard’s has been around for about as long as The Palace and The Birdcage and caters more to a local clientele. All three bars have distinct personalities, and each is worth checking out.
If theater is your bag, then Prescott Cen- ter for the Arts (PCA) is a good bet this month. On the main stage, a production of Neil Simon’s The Odd Couple should be good for a good laugh. For those unfamiliar with the play, the plot is fairly straightforward. Two bachelors, clean freak depressive Fe- lix and quintessential slob Oscar, share an apartment and generally drive each other crazy. This is a fun, relatively light play for those in need of a holiday pick-me-up. The show runs on weekends from November 20- 30. For tickets and exact show times/dates, call the PCA box office at 928-445-3286 or online at pfaa.net.
Over at PCA’s Stage Too, the improv com- edy group, The Improvitonians has a show scheduled for November 15 at 8:30PM. Ad- mission is $5, with no one under 17 years old admitted without a parent. With all the stress of preparing for a big holiday, a night
outtolaughcanbe a huge help. This show also features stand-up comedy from Washington, DC tax accountant, Ken Watter. For tickets and a map
to Stage Too, go to pfaa.net.
On the other end of the cultural spectrum,
Literary Southwest is featuring a reading by two writers, laila lalami and laura Tohe, on Friday, November 14th. After the reading, there will be a Q&A session & book signing. Ms. Lalami is a Moroccan novelist, short story writer and essayist. Her most recent novel, The Moor’s Account, a story that follows the life of a Moroccan slave and his adventures as part of an expedition to America. Ms. Tohe is a multi- talented Diné librettist and poet. Author of several books, Ms. Tohe is also a Professor with Distinction in Indigenous Literature at Arizona State University. The event is scheduled for 7PM in the Susan N. Webb Community room at Yavapai College Library. For more informa- tion, visit yc.edu/hassayampa or call series director Jim Natal at 928-776-2035.
Arcosanti is hosting another interesting cultural event on Saturday, November 15. “Connect Concert: Beethoven, Buildings & BMW Motorcycles” will investigate how mu-
sic, architecture, and engineering connect us all within a larger context. This chautauqua will feature pianist Lynne Haeseler and archi- tect Jeff Stein. Part lecture, part performance, this event promises to provide plenty of food for thought in the relaxed but beauti- ful setting of Arcosanti’s Café. Tickets run $40 for dinner and performance or $20 for per- formance only. For more information and to order tickets, visit arcosanti.org or call 928- 632-7135.
On the music front, there are two shows that look to be extra awesome. First up, for- mer Prescott singer/guitarist Kaileena Mar- tin is back in town for a brief visit. She is slated to play on the patio at El Gato Azul on Wednesday, November 12 from 6 to 9PM. A favorite with locals, Ms. Martin’s show is not to be missed. Bear in mind that El Gato has gotten stupid popular, so make your reserva-
tions early.
The other biggie in live music is the No-
vember 14th concert by renowned folk singer Cosy Sheridan. Ms. Sheridan’s songwriting tends to the sharp and sharply funny and she is known as a dynamic performer. A highly respected touring folk musician, she has performed in venues such as Carnegie Hall and the Philadelphia Folk Festival. Catch her 7:30PM show at Stage Too and make sure to bring your sense of humor. Tickets are $20 and are available from the PCA box office at 928-445-3286.
The top event for November is a tie, cover- ing Thanksgiving weekend November 28 & 29. First up is the 4th Friday ArtWalk. This month’s event falls on the day after Thanksgiving, so expect an extra awesome art ramble. While it’s pretty much impossible to go wrong with any of the galleries in Prescott this month, the ‘Tis Gallery & Art Center has a really ter- rific show scheduled, “A Strand of Fiber to a Grain of Wood.” Featuring fiber art by Jo Manginelli and multi-media constructions by Anne legge, this looks to be one of the best art pairings of the year. On an (almost) unrelated note, Ms. Legge is also known for her work as a colorist for the celebrated ani- mation series, The Simpsons. Both artists will be at the artists’ reception scheduled for the ArtWalk from 5 to 7PM. For more info on the show, visit tisartgallery.com or stop by the gallery at 105 S. Cortez and check it out.
The second event for this month’s top spot goes to the 19th Annual Holiday light Pa- rade. This has become a big deal for locals and marks the official kick-off to the holiday mayhem. Sponsored by the Prescott Down- town Partnership, the parade is extending its route and, for the first time, will end with a bonfire and live entertainment at Mile High Middle School. Folks tend to show up early to stake out a good spot on the parade route and parking is limited, so bear that in mind. Parade starts at 6PM with the parade route starting at Cortez Street & Carleton. Dress warm and bring your sense of fun.
| angie Johnson schmit may take special notation on parade floatation. slackerwriter@gmail.com
34 • november 2014 • the NOISE arts & news • thenoise.us