Andre Bocelli

Andre Bocelli
by LeeAnn Sharpe

Glendale’s Jobbing.com Arena was the venue for Andre Bocelli December 14th, 2007.

What a voice. He filled the arena with such a bold and emotional tenor that it didn’t matter if it was in Italian, and the majority of the audience were unfamiliar with most of the arias from operas he performed. The passion came through with such force as to bring tears to your eyes anyway.

Bocelli, a disciple of Luciano Pavarotti, spoke of the great loss of his friend and dedicated his performance to the memory of his mentor and sang "Nessum Dorma", Pavarotti’s signature song. He said, “Tonight he is with us.” It was so beautiful and heart felt. You could feel the love he put into that song.

And for additional motivation for a magnificent performance, Bocelli said he was performing for his personal hero and special guest in the front row. To the audience’s surprise, Muhammad Ali, former three-time World Heavyweight Champion stood up to wave. As the camera came into focus on his face on the big screens, a roar of applause filled the arena. Bocelli ended the concert donning a pair of boxing gloves autographed by the Champ.

There has been much criticism of this concert tour where most dates are booked into large arenas or venues not particularly suited to the esthetic sounds of opera. But they are the only places large enough to accommodate the massive audiences who rush to see this charismatic singer. Glendale’s Jobbing.com Arena was no exception to the criticism depending on where you were seated. On the floor near the stage sound and lighting were pretty good. The only complaint was the cold. With ice under the flooring it’s bound to be pretty chilly. On the upper levels the concourse noise was surprisingly loud and freezing air from doors open to the outside made the distractions pretty annoying.

But the voices and music were still incredibly amazing. The New West Symphony Conducted by Maestro Steven Mercurio was perfection. Mercurio opened with Verdi’s “Overture from I vespri siciliani”. And for an arena, the sound system of the nearly new Glendale arena is state of the art providing the best possible sound in the cavernous area.

Bocelli opened with "La donna e mobile" from Verdi's Rigoletto, which has great popular appeal and is even familiar to non-opera aficionados. Baritone Luis Ledesma joined Bocelli onstage in the duet “In un coup” from Puccini’s La Boheme. Next Soprano Daniela Bruera took the stage with Verdi's “Ah, Fors'e Lui, Sempre Libera” from La Traviata. Bocelli joined on stage for another aria from La Traviata “Brindisi”.

Maestro Mercurio conducted “Intermezzo” from Manon Lescaut by Giacomo Puccini.

Ledesma returned with a beautifully intense performance of Puccini’s “Te Deum” from Tosca. Bocelli followed with the famous aria from Tosca’s violent conclusion “E Lucevan le Stelle”. The first act was concluded with a rather long Madama Butterfly’s “Viene la sera” with Bocelli and Bruera. The scenes from the opera were played on a large screen behind the orchestra. It was beautifully sung, but a little long for the restless audience.

One couple I spoke to said, “We were expecting a show with more "popera" than opera.” The same was echoed by several others who knew Bocelli more from his pop performances on PBS and on Pop radio stations and television, than from his operatic career for which he is celebrated the world over.

After the Intermission they got their wish for some pop.

Mercurio opened the second act with “Overture from Russian and Ludmilla” by composer Mikhail Glinka, often called the father of Russian classical music.

Then Bocelli gave the gift of his beautiful “Ave Maria” by Schubert, followed by the sacred aria “Panis Angelicus” holding the final note in a mood of veneration for a small eternity.

Daniela Bruera brought a bit of German opera to the stage with “Meine Lippen, Sie Kussen So Heiss” from Franz Lehár's Giuditta.

“Musica Proibita”, “Aranjuez”, and “Mattinata” all by Bocelli followed.

At this point Andrea returned to the stage wearing the white jacket saying it was time for a change of pace. He played the flute at the beginning of the “Melodramma”. Then Heather Headley joined him on stage for “Canto della terre” and “The Prayer”.
The finale was “Time to Say Goodbye” with Daniela Bruera. It is considered Bocelli's signature song and what was obviously what the audience wanted to hear from the beginning. A long and appreciative standing ovation followed.

I can not say enough about Maestro Steven Mercurio and his devoted attention and obvious friendship he bestows on Andrea leading him onto stage and together delivering a most memorable performance. Ticket Prices: $81-$281

Bocelli recently issued “The Best of Andrea Bocelli: Vivire”, his first hits collection. It features his signature “Time to Say Goodbye”.

Alice Cooper

Alice Cooper

by LeeAnn Sharpe

Alice Cooper’s classic image is one of horror and outrageous antics, the macabre perversion beyond anyone else. In fact, next to Halloween masks of Frankenstein, you can find the Alice Cooper mask resplendent with the trademark black eyeliner and wild black hair. None of it would have built a rock and roll dynasty lasting 40 years if there wasn’t a solid base of really good music. Alice Cooper’s music stands the test of time as rock classics as viable to today’s audiences as they were in 1969 when he started out.

At his recent Arizona State Fair Halloween concert a mother and daughter came out to enjoy the night together. “Alice Cooper was the first concert I went to when I was a teenager and now I’m taking my 15-year old daughter to her first concert to see him too,” says Betty excitedly. The crowd was heavily populated with older Alice Cooper fans, many with families in tow.

Alice Cooper’s portfolio of work is pretty remarkable with some 45 albums. The “Poison” video on YouTube has been viewed 836,992 times! “School’s Out” is still an anthem for every kid in the world on the last day of school. “Only Women Bleed”, “Welcome to my Nightmare”, “Love’s a Loaded Gun”, and “Eighteen,” are favorites the audience mentioned.

On stage Alice Cooper is more than just a rock singer. He becomes a total performer using stage props and characters telling a story through the music. His long legs and lean form carry him in costumes as varied as a white tuxedo or a black lycra jumpsuit cut to expose his front down to the nether lands. His most frequent costume in the past has been a red devil jumpsuit. This night he dons black pants decorated with a skeleton theme, trademark black top hat and a walking stick which he throws to the crowds several times to hysterical cheers.

The emotion and torment he performs are themes the audience can relate to and contribute to the cult like following his fans maintain through decades. His voice can be pretty and melodic when necessary, but more often it is jagged and cutting punctuated with screams and howls.

So how does this rocker take his show mainstream? Alice is in commercials for the Arizona Department of Transportation reminding Arizonans to renew their vehicle registration. More humorous was his Staples commercial where he’s buying school supplies for a petulant little girl who says, “I thought you said school’s out forever.” He responds, “No, the song says School’s out for summer”. Or there’s the Marriott commercial where he tells a guy mowing his lawn to take a vacation with his family so they won’t grow up to be weirdos. Hilarious! Calloway has a commercial where Cooper is a machinist. Of course golf is one of Cooper’s favorite pastimes.

You’ve become an American icon when you appear on the Muppets singing “Schools Out” with the Muppet characters in his trademark red devil jump suit.

A frequent participant in charity golf tournaments, Alice has lent his name to a number of charity projects. The biggest commitment is The Rock, a Christian youth center at the Grand Canyon University campus in west Phoenix. Chuck Savale, Executive Director of the Solid Rock Foundation says, “To date he has helped raise $2.5million.” They are working towards a goal of $7.25M. The 29,450-square- foot center would include sports facilities, a concert hall, recording studios and sound room, coffeehouse, computer lab, a rock-climbing wall, game room, dancing space, skateboard area and other amenities. They believe it can be the model for teen centers across the U.S.

He’s often said Alice is a character he plays as far removed from himself as he can get. That separation has allowed him to maintain a stable personal life. Married faithfully for 30 years and raising three kids his life seems pretty grounded. A tour takes him to the UK, Russia, Denmark, Finland, and Sweden in the coming weeks. But he will be home in time for the December 15th Alice Cooper's Christmas Pudding, a night of comedy and music to raise money for The Rock Teen Center.

Alice Cooper has taken a path he started at 16-years old, followed the curves and turns, climbed the hills and grown in the process. He allowed his music and audiences to mature right along with him as he approaches 60. His humor and outrageousness along with compassion and brains have kept his fans and built a new younger base who pull out mom and dads vinyl and say, “Can I get this on MP3?”

For more photos and extended story visit www.azphm.com/alice.htm

Author: LeeAnn Sharpe is freelance writer/photographer in Glendale Arizona and can be reached at www.leeannsharpe.com or lasharpe@cox.net

Buffalo Chip Saloon And Steakhouse

Buffalo Chip Saloon And Steakhouse
by Cowgirl Connoisseur

The Buffalo Chip is a cowboy's standard hang out in downtown Cave Creek. It has a real western, kinda rough and tumble feel and it comes by it naturally. All those cowboy boots kicking up their heels dancing and hootin' and hollarin' can leave a mark! "Live in the now, but play in the 1800's" is their motto. Aside from the televisions, you could be walking into an 1880's style bar.

The restaurant is open 10am to 10pm with standard cowboy fare. Big Buckin' Burger and Fries at $6.95, 3/4 lb 100% beef chuck, hand ground and pattied, on a toasted bun with cheddar cheese. You can add Bacon, Green Chiles or Red Chili for $1.00 each. On Fridays, it's "All-You-Can-Eat" Cod, Walleye, Lake Perch and Catfish with fries and slaw $9.95 from 5 to 10pm. The fish is hot and delicious and they keep it coming. What a deal! Be sure to get your fill by 10pm, because the tables get pushed back and the dance floor appears and lookout, it gets crazy. They hand cut their own choice steaks and cook the steaks and burgers are on a Mesquite grilled to your likes. Of the hundreds of steaks I've had at the Chip, every single one has been good, tender, juicy and tasty. They are served with cowboy beans, salad, and a honey butter biscuit. It's nothing fancy, just simple straight forward cowboy dinner and uumm ummm good.

Not in the burger mood? How about a Mesquite Grilled Chicken Sandwich, for $7.95, it is a large grilled chicken breast, hot melted cheese, green chilies, tomatoes, and lettuce on a toasted bun, served with fries. Or a Pit Smoked Pork Sandwich and Fries, $7.95, 3/4 pound of smoked sliced pork topped with melted cheese, coleslaw and served on a toasted bun with a side of BBQ sauce. Or the Smoked Brisket Sandwich and Fries, $7.95, 3/4 pound beef brisket with melted cheese on a toasted bun with a side of BBQ sauce. For the salad lover try the Grilled Chicken Salad, $7.95, Platter of iceberg lettuce, slivered purple cabbage, carrots, and tomatoes with a grilled chicken breast, toasted croutons and side of ranch dressing.

The Chet "ATKINS" Platter, is $11.95, it has smoked pork, beef brisket, and grilled chicken breast with dry BBQ rub and a side of low-carb home-style coleslaw. Pit-Smoked Beef Brisket, for $10.95, is one pound of pit-smoked beef brisket with cowboy beans, coleslaw and honey butter biscuit. Or try the Chicken Saloon, for $10.95, chicken breast, tossed green salad, and a honey butter biscuit.

But the most popular item is the 12 oz. choice handcut Ribeye Steak, for $16.95, served with cowboy beans, tossed green salad, and a honey butter biscuit. Cooked to your order with these guidelines, Rare = Cool Red Center, Medium Rare = Warm Pink Center, Medium = Thin Pink Line in Center, Medium Well = No Pink, Well = May Still Be on Fire!

As a center attraction for cowboys in a western town for so many years, the Chip is nothing fancy. But that patina of so many wild nights has a certain attraction. This is where life really happens. It can get wild. Pretty young cowgirls come in their best western ware and dancing boots to two-step with cowboys in Wranglers and fresh Panhandle Slim snap button shirt and of course Stetson hat. They meet on the dance floor and share a few long necks and the next thing you know there are two kids and dog in the back of his Ford F250. Yep, many a romance has begun under that roof.

The atmosphere is just what city folk and tourists want to absorb. The Buffalo Chip even caters to tour groups and parties with a little western town out back. You can listen to the live music, shoot pool, or throw horseshoes, sit next to a fire pit and enjoy beautiful Black Mountain with a cold one!

There's plenty of music and dancing going on with Wednesday Karaoke 8pm to Midnight using one of the best sound system around. Thursday and Sunday you can enjoy free dance lessons (that's cowboy dancing ya'll) from 7 to 8pm, and Live music and dancing with The Pat James Band 8pm till Midnight, every Thursday through Sunday. And check out Mel's Auction out back where you can bring anything in from 7to 9pm to get sold, and of course you're welcome to buy!

The first Sunday of every month during the Fall and Winter from 7 to 9pm the Chip goes theatre with "Murder at the High Noon Saloon", a Comedy/Interactive Theater and Dinner Show. They serve a Prime Rib, Cowboy Beans, Tossed Salad, Sourdough Biscuit and Dessert for $35.00.

So the next time your gang of cowboys and cowgirls gets real hungry and has some energy to burn, do what we do. Say,"Meet ya'll at the Chip!" Buffalo Chip Saloon and Steakhouse, is located at 6811 East Cave Creek Road, in Cave Creek.

PIONEER PEPPER & THE SUNSET PIONEERS TO PLAY THE OPERA HOUSE

Press Release For Immediate release through August 31, 2007 From Media contact LeeAnn Sharpe 602-565-5785
PIONEER PEPPER & THE SUNSET PIONEERS TO PLAY THE OPERA HOUSE IN CAREFREE ARIZONA
Pioneer Pepper & The Sunset Pioneers will charm you right back in time with their classic harmonies on those unforgettable songs like “Ghost Riders in the Sky”, “Tumbling Tumbleweeds” and “Cool Water, as well as treat you to cowboy poetry, rootin’ tootin’ gunfights, trail humor, and good ol’ fashion wild west fun, every Friday and Saturday night at the Carefree Resort Opera House, 7 – 8:30pm starting June 15th all the way through Labor Day, September 1st ,2007.
It’s the place to be this summer as Pioneer Pepper & The Sunset Pioneers perform a Dinner & Show, on Friday and Saturday nights at the beautiful Opera House.Partnered up with the wonderful folks at the elegant Carefree Resort & Villas in Carefree Arizona, they will bring you great old west entertainment in this incredible setting. The Opera House has a rich “old west” atmosphere and The Sunset Pioneers fill it with music, dance, comedy, magic, stories and fun from the exciting era of the singing cowboys!
The Opera House is absolutely stunning with it's western charm and beautiful chandeliers. The adjacent Red Horse Saloon invites you to “belly up to the bar” for some of your favorite wild west beverages. After our evening performances we entertain you with one of our famous and funny gunfights at the Stage Coach Pass. There might even be a campfire or two waitin' for you. The entire evening is a truly unforgettable old west experience. A show for all ages!
The Carefree Resort proudly serves a scrumptious dinner for the series and they are also offering a special “Wild West Weekend Package” that will include a weekend stay at the resort, a Dinner & Show, and a Gunfight! You don't want to miss this great priced summer package deal.
These Singing Cowboys bring plenty of wild west fun along with the music from the era of the singing cowboy Roy Rogers, Gene Autry, Rex Allen, and The Sons of the Pioneers. You can expect western memories and cowboy poetry with a bit of good clean family side splittin’ humor. This cowboy singing group takes you back into the days of the old west with the lonely cowboy spinning tales about his horse, the cattle and the prairie.
The Sunset Pioneers are international entertainers, recently having toured Austria! They have entertained with some of the greats like Mel Tillis, Johnny Western, Marty Robbins son Ronnie, Melissa Gilbert, John Mitchum, and Buck Taylor. They performed for the “Little House On The Prairie” TV show reunion at the Western Film Festival and filmed with the BBC-TV for the TV series “Only In America”. They’re also Fender Artists, a title held by about 140 others in the entire world of Fender Guitars, and they are the official town balladeers of the fastest growing city in the USA, Gilbert Arizona. The Arizona Republic newspaper named them Top Personalities of the year. They have also filmed with the Midwest Country TV show and are now regular featured performers of the show aired on the RFD-TV network.
The group’s leader Pioneer Pepper is an ex-police officer from Illinois. In 1995, he went from cop to cowboy and moved to Arizona to be closer to the old west. He has played guitar and been singing most of his life. Pioneer Pepper has held the title of Illinois State champion guitarist and has performed in several stage productions such as “Fiddler on the Roof” and “Man of La Mancha”. He has taken 1st place in the United States in show band competition with the International School of Music. But his love and passion has always been cowboy music and now proudly rides the trail with his pardners, The Sunset Pioneers. Doc Bellows is Pioneer Pepper’s right hand man and plays a whole wagon full of instruments such as the accordion, piano, keyboard, guitar, bass, mandolin, and sings the upper harmonies in The Sunset Pioneers. Doc taught voice in Ohio before moving to Arizona. Doc's dry wit makes him the perfect straight-man in the knee-slapping stage antics.
Perfesser Rolland taught math at various colleges and universities for 25 years, but remembers returning to music in graduate school, as a diversion from the rigors of his studies. Pioneer Pepper recalls saying “That guy can fiddle”! He’s a 3-time Certified Division National Fiddle Champion, 9 time Arizona State champion, and holds many other titles too numerous to list. Pioneer Pepper is proud to have Perfesser riding along with The Sunset Pioneers and knows you’ll be thrilled to hear his fantastic fiddling when you come out to see us!
Bass player Dusty Cartride gets his name from being an avid cyclist and is also involved in the cycling industry. He has played with music greats like Dizzy Gillespie, but with his other love you could say he is a true “Metal Cowboy” “Yep!” Dusty explains, “You could say I traded my horse for a bike. Sure, I would rather have a horse for companionship, but I don’t have to clean up much after my bike!” Dusty is a classically trained bass player from, New York City and his talents will amaze you.
Pepper’s daughters Cassandra and Calena, (Tussie) age 14 and 12 are also members of the group. Cassandra plays fiddle and Calena plays guitar. They also sing and dance in routines reminiscent from the days of the dance halls, theatres, and opera houses of the old west.. They are both going to be adding new routines to the show in the up coming months and Pioneer Pepper feels he is the most blessed “Pa” in the world to be able to share this incredible ride with his daughters.
Gramps is Pioneer Pepper father, and at 80-years-old, still plays the harmonica on stage, making it a three generation show.
Joining the show for the summer series, is Charlie LeSueur, author of “Riding the Hollywood Trail” and “The Legends Live Host of KFHX 1620am “Riding the Indie Trail” Radio Show, Charlie will shares interesting stories behind the old cowboy songs. Also, Wichita, from Wichita’s Magic Chuckwagon, will be performing some of his magical antics during dinner and before the show.
The Sunset Pioneers don’t play any of the top 40 country and western music that you hear on the radio. They play the music of the cowboy era. Truly entertaining, their music will warm your soul and lift your spirits. Visit their website at http://www.sunsetpioneers.com/ for a list of their CD’s including, Ballads Of The Trails, Music Memories Of The Cowboys, and Fiddle-ology.
Dinner is served at 5:30pm and the Show is at 7:00pm with the Gunfight at 8:30pm. You can come for a Dinner & Show or you are welcome to come just for the Show & Gunfight!Dinner & Show. Is $40 and will include a 3 course meal with choices of soup or salad, entree, dessert, coffee, tax, and tip. That is an unbelievable deal!Dinner & Show for children 12 & Under is $30 with a special children's menu available.Show Only is $15 and $10 for children 12 & under.Groups and Parties Welcome!
Call 480-595-3829 for reservations or log on to http://www.carefree-resort.com/ The Carefree Resort is located at 37220 Mule Train Rd - Carefree, AZ 85377. Take Cave Creek Road to Mule Train Road, turn north and follow the signs to the Opera House, just north of the Carefree Resort & Villas. See ya there pardners!
Photos available On request Photo Caption: The Sunset Pioneers play music from the era of the singing cowboy.

Fingerpicking good: Cave Creek musician shines at festival

Fingerpicking good: Cave Creek musician shines at festival

by LeeAnn Sharpe

CAVE CREEK – Forty years of playing the guitar has taken Cave Creek resident Greg Sabena, 51, to a good many music competitions and put him in league with some incredibly talented musicians.

Sabena admits he was once considered the type who “doesn’t play well with others,” but he played solo well enough recently to score a 2nd place award at the Wickenburg Bluegrass Festival. He qualified to win in the specialty instrument category because Sabena fingerpicks the strings rather than using a pick to play his guitar.

“When they don’t have a separate category for fingerpick guitar, you get grouped in specialty instruments,” Sabena says. “I play 6‑ and 12‑string guitar instrumental, totally self‑taught.”

Several thousand bluegrass music lovers attended the festival held Nov. 10‑11, which Sabena won in 2001.



Established 27 years ago, the festival featured the Four Corners championship contests this year for fiddle, flatpick guitar, banjo, mandolin and specialty instruments. The festival places autoharps, dulcimers, accordions, fingerpick guitars, harmonicas, the dobro, or any such folk instrument in the specialty category.

Contestants have three minutes to strum their stuff and hope to impress three “blind judges” who listen through headphones. The competition is done in this manner so the judges will not be influenced by the performers’ appearance.

“I’ve been heavily influenced by all of the masters of the 20th century and play most every style–a cross of classical, folk, jazz and bluegrass,” Sabena says of his style.

“The selection of music depends on the venue. Wickenburg is more a country and bluegrass event, where at the Nationals in Winfield, Kansas, I might play something more complicated.”

Sabena says, “I’ve done studio work for years. I’m not in a band. My kindergarten teachers said ‘doesn’t play well with others,’ so I’ve stayed solo.”

Although he performs most often in California, Sabena has played at the Scottsdale Center for the Arts and occasionally at the Cave Creek Coffee Company.

Reluctant to toot his own horn, Sabena didn’t offer his credentials. But an Internet search reveals a discography of his recordings, including a duet with National Champion Todd Halwell playing “Last Steam Engine Train”.

Guitar makers, also known as luthiers, boast that Sabena plays their instruments and include Lance McCollum of Dream Guitars in Colfax, Calif., and famed luthier Bozo Podunavac in Florida, endorsements that obviously influence guitarists aspiring to attain his level of virtuosity.

His concerts take him all over the Southwest and California for many music festivals and engagements. “Nothing in particular is on the schedule right now,” he says. “But I’m sure there will be more on the horizon.”

In a world electrified and amplified into a cacophony of sound, it’s refreshing to listen to the raw simple notes of fingerpicked guitar.

These days Sarena works at Blue Sage Art Gallery at el Pedregal in Carefree between gigs.

“I supplement the hundreds of dollars I make playing guitar every year by working here,” Sabena says, laughing.

Ballet Arizona brings romantic ‘Swan Lake’ to life

Ballet Arizona brings romantic ‘Swan Lake’ to life
The Phoenix Symphony accompanies with Tchaikovsky
by LeeAnn Sharpe

If you were to see only one ballet in your entire life, it would have to be Ballet Arizona’s lavish production of “Swan Lake,” regarded by many as the greatest of all classical ballets. With choreography by Olga Evreinoff and Ib Andersen following Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov’s classic interpretation, “Swan Lake” will be performed Nov. 3‑5 at Symphony Hall with The Phoenix Symphony conducted by Timothy Russell.

“Swan Lake” is the ultimate fairy tale portraying the tragic romance between the Swan Queen and Prince Siegfried, complete with a moonlit lake, swan maidens, and mystifying wizardry. First performed at the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow in 1877 with a specially commissioned score by Tchaikovsky, “Swan Lake” did not open to critical acclaim. However, Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov staged a tribute to Tchaikovsky in 1895, which became the definitive version. Since that time, countless choreographers have staged versions of this classic.

“‘Swan Lake’ immediately brings to mind beautiful choreography and the music of Tchaikovsky,” states Ballet Arizona Artistic Director Ib Andersen. “The combination of his score with the work of Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov are the reasons why, season after season, ‘Swan Lake’ continues to be one of the most famous and crowd‑pleasing ballets.”



Choreographer Olga Evreinoff, of St. Petersburg’s famed Vaganova Ballet Academy, regularly coached for many of the world’s best companies, including The Royal Ballet, English National Ballet, the Royal Swedish, and Royal Danish Ballets. She practices traditional Russian ballet technique with grander, more dramatic moves appropriate to “Swan Lake.”

To grant further insight of the production, Ballet Arizona offers a pre‑performance chat 45 minutes before the show to provide background information and firsthand knowledge of the ballet. Artistic Director Ib Andersen will participate in this part of the ballet’s presentation, which is open to all interested ticket holders. A short question and answer session is included in the discussion.

Tchaikovsky’s “Swan Lake” is one of the most fulfilling and memorable experiences you can share with friends and family, offering riveting entertainment for young and old alike.

As part of Ballet Arizona’s ongoing commitment to education, over 2000 students from schools throughout the Valley are expected to attend the November 2 student matinee, which includes a post‑performance question‑and‑answer session between dancers and the students.

Phoenix is truly blessed with a symphony and conductor who can make the music come to life, with emotion so powerful it can take your breath away. Performing this powerful production of “Swan Lake,” Ballet Arizona, now in its 21st season, unites pure, romantic music with brilliant choreography. “Swan Lake” is about passion and the power of young love, of deceit and treachery.

And much more than the dancing and music put Ballet Arizona’s magnificent production on the stage. Lighting design by Michael Korsch adds immeasurably to the mood, while the scenery, as presented by David Walker, courtesy of the Texas Ballet Theater, assures audiences of the perfect setting. The lavish costumes which bring so much life to the ballet are designed by Peter Cazalet in Act I & II, Scene 1 and Acts I & II, and by Zack Brown in Scene 2, (courtesy of Atlanta Ballet).

Symphony Hall is located in downtown Phoenix at 75 North 2nd Street. Performances are November 3 at 8 p.m., Nov. 4, at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Nov. 5, at 2 p.m. Tickets run from $10 to $104, with special reduced pricing for Saturday matinees. Children 12 and under are admitted for 50 percent off for all shows. Discounts are also available for seniors, students, K‑12 teachers, active duty military, and groups of 10 or more. For tickets, call Ballet Arizona at (602) 381‑1096, or Ticketmaster at (480) 784‑4444. The Ballet Arizona box office is located at 3645 East Indian School Road in Phoenix, and is open Mon.‑Fri. 9 a.m.‑4:30 p.m. Tickets are also available at any Ticketmaster Outlet located in Fry’s Marketplace, Wherehouse Music, Tower Records; and online at www.balletaz.org or www.ticketmaster.com.

Starlight Community Youth Theater brings ‘The Wiz’ out from behind curtain

If you believe, then you’ll be there’
Starlight Community Youth Theater brings ‘The Wiz’ out from behind curtain
by LeeAnn Sharpe

“Believe that you can go home, believe you can float on air, then click your heels three times, if you believe, then you’ll be there,” says Glinda the Good Witch.

Ease on down the road to the Starlight Community Youth Theater’s “The Wiz,” when believing is seeing at performances Nov. 3‑4 and Nov. 9‑11 at Boulder Creek Performing Arts Center.

Based on the ever popular L. Frank Baum book “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” published in 1900, “The Wiz” first hit the Broadway stage in 1975 and ran for four years, winning seven Tony awards. A subsequent Hollywood movie starring Michael Jackson, Richard Pryor and Diana Ross received limited acclaim in 1978. But none ever received the attention of the 1939 classic Judy Garland “Wizard of Oz” movie, a traditional holiday favorite.



Oz characters Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin Man, Cowardly Lion, the Wizard, Glinda the Good Witch, and the Wicked Witch of the West are so entrenched in the American lexicon that quotes like “Toto, I’ve a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore,” and “There’s no place like home,” have become cliches.


So how will “The Wiz” Director Mark Oesterle, a local assistant school principal, bring this production to life in Anthem? The script, an updated, urban, version of “The Wizard of Oz” has Dorothy whisked from her inner‑city neighborhood to the mystical land of Oz. All the characters from “The Wizard of Oz” are in this production, but with a modern urban flavor. And where the Broadway show and film version were primarily African American, this show takes on a lighter hue as a result of the suburban demographics of the North Valley.

One way this production will bring its own flavor is through Anthem resident Sherry Henderson, who is choreographing her 5th show with Starlight. Henderson has performed on Broadway and currently teaches dance at Dynamic Motion Dance Academy, and her experience will accent the production.

The show’s Musical Director Mark Foreman (AriZoni 2006 Award winner for Best Music Director in “The Who’s Tommy”) with his bRocktasmic! Orchestra Foreman will instill interesting sound in songs from “The Wiz,” including “Ease on Down the Road” sung by the characters as they dance down the Yellow Brick Road.

Foreman’s, or 4man’s, as he writes his name, bROCKtasmic! Orchestra consists of Assistant Music Director Steve McCarvel, Drums Nick Seagull, Bass Chris Pernice, Guitar Cody Carter, and a 13 piece bROCKtasmic! Orchestra. It’s a brilliant blend of rock and orchestra with a modern, edgier feel, plus lush orchestrations of yesteryear.

Foreman says, “[I’m] Very excited about working on ‘The Wiz’, and looking forward to working with an orchestra this size. In a show of this nature it’s important to have as many of the little details as possible. Things like the trumpet hits and string lines ala Shaft, native to 70s black music were needed to make this show authentic.”

Dorothy’s role in this production will be shared by Abby Belliston and Allysa Luders, and the Scarecrow role will be shared by Carissa Marston and Channing Pickett, who is also the Dance Captain, working under the direction of choreographer Henderson.

The finale brings the entire cast together to sing, “Everybody look around...’Cause there’s a reason to rejoice you see. Everybody come out. And let’s commence to singing joyfully. Everybody look up. And feel the hope that we’ve been waiting for. Everybody’s glad. Because our silent fear and dread is gone. Freedom, you see, has got our hearts singing so joyfully. Just look about. You owe it to yourself to check it out. Can’t you feel a brand new day?”

You owe it to yourself to check out “The Wiz” a joyful production with plenty of talent and enthusiasm. It’s just what Anthem resident Pat Bennett believed the youth in the North Valley needed, a theatrical home, when she, along with Oesterle, Henderson, Paul and Betty Towne and a dedicated crew of volunteers created the nonprofit community theater corporation, Starlight Theater in 2005. A steady stream of community theatre proves Starlight has been successful. As with all community theater, they look forward to seeing you at the theater.

“The Wiz” will play Nov. 3‑4 and 9‑11 at the Boulder Creek Performing Arts Center, 40401 North Gavilan Peak Parkway, in Anthem. The shows start at 7 p.m. For more information, call (623) 566‑7991 or visit www.starlightcommunitytheater.org.

2nd Annual Wild Western Festival Pioneer Living History Museum

The 2nd Annual Wild Western Festival came to Pioneer Living History Museum in North Phoenix at Pioneer Road and I-17 on Saturday and Sunday, September 23rd-24th. Thousands of western lifestyle enthusiasts came out to enjoy the beautiful fall Arizona weather and plenty of cowboy shootin’, hootin’ and hollarin’, cowboy music and good eats.

DR “Buck” Montgomery bills his event as “Where History meets Hollywood”. Stars of the old westerns including Whitey Hughes, Donna Martell, Peter Brown, Don Collier, Gregg Palmer, Bob Hoy, Marie Harmon, and authors Cheryl Rogers-Barnett and Charlie LeSueur were on hand to sign autographs.

One man from Wittman says he came in to see some of his favorite entertainers from the golden age of the silver screen. “It was a time when the western reigned and the cowboy code was the way we lived.” Donna Martel commented, “It was a simpler time.” Marie Harmon reminisced about all of the stars she had worked with, “So many are gone now.”

From the moment you entered the old west town, musicians greeted you with old west ballads. A mix of modern vendor booths selling everything from resort hotel vacations to guided desert excursions for tourist and beachfront properties in Mexico, stood next to the old west merchants with cowboy hats and sheriff stars for the kids. The big barbeque pit had burgers, dogs, ribs and chicken smelling mighty good. Traditional festival fare like snow cones and kettlekorn were doing a steady business too.

Decked out in classic cowgirl fringed riding skirt and shirt Pistol Packin’ Paula entertained a good-sized audience seated comfortably on the lawn. Her rope tricks, gun spinning and whip cracking had the crowds oohing and aaahing throughout her performance. After, she took time to sign autographs and pose for pictures with fans.

Sourdough Slim and Dave Bourne took the stage at noon with a duet of piano and song. Bourne, known as the piano player in the HBO hit series “Deadwood” where his music is used as background in the Gem Saloon, showed his historian expertise as he told stories about each of the songs he played. Some were familiar, but most never made the top 40 list of hits, even back in 1880.

A nice group of award winning traditional cowboy musicians were on hand playing at one of three stages throughout the weekend. Paula Strong and Walt Richards were Western Music Association Best Duo Harmony of the Year in 2005, Tom Hiatt and the Sundown Riders, known as an Arizona Cowboy Balladeer, and Bill Barwick, “voice of the Western Channel” sang and told stories of the old west.

The World Champion Moontee Sinquah Indian Dancers and Flute player added to the traditional western flavor of the event.

Most popular were the gunfights in the old west town with Kowboy Kal, Joey Dillon, Gary “Bad Dog” Bennett, DR “Buck” Montgomery, and Pioneer’s stunt cowboys shooting it out. Crowds gathered early for seats in the grandstand or to stake out a place along the fence to catch the action up close. These gunfighters used more humor than fear in their act and the crowds enjoyed their antics.

All in all, it was a very worthwhile and entertaining festival of old west fun. A bit of advice if you attend next year, wear a hat. Even with the cooler temperatures, the sun was intense with little opportunity for shade. And drink plenty of water.
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