‘The Cowgirl Who Became a Justice: Sandra Day O’Connor’
Through May 23, 2015
McClelland Irish Library,
Irish Cultural Center
1106 N. Central Ave.
602-864-2351
An interactive exhibition for all ages that demonstrates how a cowgirl from a ranch in Arizona became the first female to serve on a Supreme Court. This exhibition is not the typical retrospective. Drawing largely from the book co-authored by Justice O’Connor and her brother, H. Alan Day, the exhibition expands upon moments from her life, connecting both ranch life and bench life. The exhibition features family and public life photos, ranch artifacts on loan from the Day family, items on loan from the O’Connor family, and selected editorials. Admission for this exhibit is $10 adults, $8 for seniors/students with ID, and $5 for children ages 6-17.
Native + You (NU)
6-10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3
Heard Museum
2301 N. Central Ave.
602-252-8848
The Heard debuts “First Fridays: Native + You,” where visitors can join in the groovings of DJ Randy Boogie, enjoy break-dancing and see fabulous lowrider vehicles on display, all on the theme “Cruise Control at the Heard.” Admission is free. Visit www.heard.org/firstfridays.
‘A Vampire Tale’
Scorpius Dance Theatre
Oct. 3-5 & 9-11
Phoenix Theatre
100 E. McDowell Road
602-254-2151
For the eleventh consecutive year, this show indulges audiences with all the trimmings: dark and sexy drama, quirky and comedic episodes, and visually stunning aerial feats. The show evolves annually to provide a fresh take on this cult classic, and fans make a ritual to attend “A Vampire Tale” every season to see what juicy developments choreographer Lisa Starry has in store. New this year, the lead male role of Viktor will be performed by Gavin Sisson. Tickets start at $25. Visit www.scorpiusdance.com.
‘Fall Follies’
Phoenix Girls Chorus
5 & 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4
Central United Methodist Church
1875 North Central Ave.
602-252-5562
The chorus kicks off its 33rd choral season with a fun and casual concert featuring a preview of songs that will be sung throughout the season: classical, multi-cultural, a cappella, spiritual, Broadway and more. Girls in 2nd-12th grades who are interested in auditioning for the chorus are invited to attend either concert for free. Otherwise, tickets are $12 for premiere seating, and $6 for general seating. Call for tickets.
Captain Jack’s Space Attack
10:30 p.m. Oct. 4 & Nov. 1
Space 55
636 E. Pierce St.
www.space55.org
By Charlie Steak and Ron Foligno, featuring more of the adventures of Captain Jack and his band, Space Attack, as they explore the galaxy searching for a new home after the destruction of Earth in the year 3013. Also featuring a revolving cast of the denizens of whatever planet(s) are featured in each episode, and audience participation. Live music! Drinking songs! Meteorite attacks! Tickets are $5 at the door.
‘Music for Sacred Spaces’
Sonoran Desert Chorale
3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5
Valley Presbyterian Church
6947 E. McDonald Drive
480-305-4538
Inspired by the sound of singing in the cathedrals of Bayeux, Rouen, Metz, Chartres, and Strasbourg, the Sonoran Desert Chorale sings music of the masters including Monteverdi, Mozart, and Mendelssohn. Tickets are $18 for adults/$15 for seniors, students and groups of 10 or more. Visit www.SonoranDesertChorale.org.
‘One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest’
Oct. 9-11 & 16-18
John Paul Theatre, Phoenix College
1202 W. Thomas Road
A charming rogue contrives to serve a short sentence in an airy mental institution rather in a prison. This, he learns, was a mistake as he clashes with the head nurse. Quickly, he takes over the yard and makes a dangerous enemy of the nurse even as he becomes a hero to the other patients A matinee is available on Oct. 17. Tickets are $15 general admission, $10 students, and are available at the box office or online at www.phoenixcollege.edu/theatre.
‘Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike’
Arizona Theatre Company
Oct. 9-26
Herberger Theater
222 E. Monroe
602-256-6995
The hilarious winner of the 2013 Tony Award for Best Play. In rural Bucks County, Pa., Vanya and Sonia have frittered their lives away in their family’s farmhouse full of regret, angst and the alarmingly ambiguous prophecies of their housekeeper Cassandra. Enter their sister, self-absorbed movie star Masha, with her boy-toy Spike, and the stage is set for an absurd weekend of hilarity and global warming. Contains mature language. Visit www.arizonatheatre.org.
Susan Boyle in Concert
8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17
Orpheum Theatre
203 W. Adams St.
877-840-0457
The exclusive 21-city tour stops in Phoenix on a coast-to-coast kick off of two-time Grammy nominee Boyle’s first U.S. tour. She will be performing a contemporary repertoire of iconic album tracks and never-heard-before classics. After dazzling judges on Britain’s Got Talent, Boyle soared into the spotlight with 300 million YouTube hits and counting. She has No. 1 albums in over 40 countries and has sold more than 22 million albums worldwide. Tickets are $47 to $97 plus fees. For tickets, call or visit http://phoenix.tickforce.com.
‘Speed the Plow’
Oct. 17-Nov. 2
Theatre Artists Studio
4848 E. Cactus Rd, #406
602-765-0120
Two Hollywood insiders and a seemingly innocent newcomer straddle the chasm between business and art while they debate whether to produce a spiritual novel or a surefire blockbuster. Speed the Plow, a satirical dissection of the greed of Hollywood, received a Tony nomination when it premiered. Tickets are $20 for general admission; $15 each for seniors age 65 and older and members of the military (active and retired), and $10 for students age 25 and younger. Visit www.thestudiophx.org.
‘Seminar’
Actors Theatre
Oct. 24-Nov. 9
Helen K. Mason Performing Arts Center
1333 E. Washington St.
602-888-0368
This provocative comedy from Pulitzer Prize-nominee Theresa Rebeck follows four aspiring young novelists who sign up for private writing classes with Leonard, an international literary figure. Under his recklessly brilliant and unorthodox instruction, some thrive and others flounder, allegiances are made and broken, sex is used as a weapon and hearts are unmoored. Ticket prices range from $34 to $45 for reserved seats, plus fees. Visit www.actorstheatrephx.org.
Modern Spirit: The Art of George Morrison
Oct. 25-Jan. 11, 2015
Heard Museum
2301 N. Central Ave.
A comprehensive array of drawings, paintings, prints and sculptures from an important American Indian modernist. The exhibition surveys the prolific career of Chippewa artist George Morrison (1919-2000), a distinctive and well-loved artist whose works bring together concepts of abstraction, landscape, and spiritual reflection and draw from his physical and spiritual homelands— speaking to both American urban settings and to the solitude of Northern Minnesota. Free with regular museum admission. Visit www.heard.org/currentexhibits/Morrison.html.
Shemer Anniversary Open House
10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25
Shemer Art Center
5005 E. Camelback Road
602-262-4727
A Who’s Who list of 30 Arizona ceramic artists have come together in celebration of the Shemer’s 30th Anniversary year in a special one-day fundraiser for the center that features 30 mugs available for sale, each at $30. Each special gift includes a “mug shot” of the artist, bio and contact info. The event is open to the public and free of charge. The Open House will include coffee provided by Arizona roasters, and refreshments.
¡Fiesta! Concert
7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24
Paradise Valley Community College Theater
18401 N. 32nd St.
602-787-7738
Presented by Phoenix Opera and hosted by PVCC. Join Phoenix Opera’s Los Tres Tenores when they join up with Flamenco dancer Yumi La Rosa and members of the Mosaico band for a night of hot Latin music and dance. Advance tickets are $15 general admission, $8 students, plus fees. Tickets are $4 more at the door. Visit https://www.phoenixopera.org for a link to the ticket page; tickets are sold through PVCC.
Elgar’s ‘Viola Concerto’
Musica Nova
4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26
Central United Methodist Church
1875 N. Central Ave.
Featuring viola soloist Milena Pajaro-van de Stadt. The concert includes a new work by a MusicaNova composition fellow, as well as “Viola” Concerto Op. 25 by Sir Edward Elgar, and P. I. Tchaikovsky’s Orchestral Suite No. 2. Tickets are $20 adults/$15 students and seniors, and youth 17 and younger are free when accompanied by a paid admission. Visit www.musicanovaaz.com.
Artist Talk: Paulo Bruscky
7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29
Phoenix Art Museum, Singer Hall
1625 N. Central Ave.
602-257-1222
In connection with the exhibition Paulo Bruscky: Art is Our Last Hope, artist Paulo Bruscky will present a lecture on his work spanning 5 decades. Free with museum admission. Visit www.phxart.org.
Herberger Theater Festival of the Arts
11:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1
Herberger Theater Center
222 E. Monroe
602-254-7399
The festival is a diverse, family-friendly event that celebrates the arts and our community with live music, theater and dance performances, food, children’s activities, rescued pet adoptions, film shorts, tequila tasting and more. Admission is $5, free for children 12 and younger, and (with ID) active military/veterans, police, fire and emergency medical personnel. Proceeds benefit the theater’s Youth Outreach Programs. Visit www.herbergertheater.org.
Seven Minutes in Hell
9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1
Space 55
636 E. Pierce St.
www.space55.org
A no-holds-barred-anything-goes-Halloween-variety-show! At each 7 Minutes show, the stage is opened to local performers, who each get 7 minutes to do whatever they want. Over the years, 7 Minutes has featured: spoken word, musical numbers, sketch comedy, standup, interpretive dancing, dinosaur burlesque routines, competitive doughnut eating contests, action figure battles, musical rubber chickens, naked stage magic, heartbreaking true life storytelling, arm-wrestling, live drawing, group hugs, sleight of hand, improv and more. Adults-only show. Tickets are $10 at the door.
Desert Gathering Jewish Music Fest
3-7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 2
Steele Indian School Park
300 E. Indian School Road
602-910-7472
A free celebration of contemporary Jewish music. Enjoy traditional Jewish food (available for purchase) while listening to Peter Himmelman, Todd Herzog, Distant Cousins, 76th Street, and more. The festival aims to celebrate all denominations of Judaism. Visit www.desertgatheringaz.com.
‘Day of the Dead’
Phoenix Chorale
3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 2
First United Methodist Church
5510 N. Central Ave.
602-253-2224
The Phoenix Chorale honors this weekend of memorial observances through requiem settings by two choral masters: Herbert Howells and Maurice Duruflé. The Howells Requiem examines the pain of loss, deep grief, and eternal hope; Duruflé wrote his Requiem for choir and organ in memory of his father. The chorale also will pay tribute to Harvey K. Smith, beloved conductor of the Phoenix Boys Choir, with a world premiere written by J.A.C. Redford. Tickets are $32 for adults, $13 for students with ID, plus fees, and are available at: www.phoenixchorale.org/tickets.
‘Rigoletto’
Arizona Opera
Nov. 14-16
Phoenix Symphony Hall
75 N. 2nd St.
602-266-7464
A court jester isn’t quite so funny when he has revenge on his mind. With unforgettable arias that are synonymous with Italian Opera and a dramatic, twisting plot, this opera by the famed Guiseppe Verdi features dark assassins, a philandering Duke and the self-sacrificing Gilda. This lush production set in 16th century Mantua features baritone Michael Corvino as Rigoletto. Tickets are $25-$135, plus fees. For tickets, visit www.azopera.org.
