Writer Joseph J. Airdo [dropcap]T[/dropcap]he entire world essentially came to an unprecedented standstill last month in response to the coronavirus pandemic. People stayed home, businesses made drastic modifications to their operations and events of all types were postponed or — in many cases — completely canceled. No one was untouched by what has clearly become…
Writer Joseph J. Airdo Photography Courtesy of Scottsdale Chorus [dropcap]F[/dropcap]or the past six decades, Scottsdale Chorus has been changing the world’s perception of barbershop music. “Many people think of the guys with straw hats, armbands and striped vests,” says Lori Lyford, Scottsdale Chorus’ musical director. “The impression is that it is old fashioned. But we…
Writer Shannon Severson Opening Photo Courtesy of LB Photography All Other Photos Courtesy of David Cottle [dropcap]A[/dropcap] young student steps onto the stage. The crowd is hushed for just a moment, pausing to listen for the first chord she will strum on her guitar. She’s prepared for this, so she takes a deep breath and…
Writer Shannon Severson [dropcap]T[/dropcap]he talons of a gray hawk curl around a bare branch as it takes a hunting break. A playful litter of cougar cubs scratch and climb. A mother elephant and her baby take a stroll through the tall plains grasses. These moments depicting the beauty and personality of animals in the wild…
Writer Joseph J. Airdo Photography Courtesy of Foothills Animal Rescue and Maren Sater Photography [dropcap]T[/dropcap]hink about the time that you first invited a cat or dog into your home to become a member of your family. If you are like most people, that decision — while not made lightly — did not truly take into…
Writer Shoshana Leon Photographer Carl Schultz [dropcap]I[/dropcap]n its eight square miles, the charming town of Carefree has a wide variety of dining options — from wine bars and coffee shops to upscale eateries and pizza parlors. Jo Gemmill of the English Rose Tea Room founded the Carefree Restaurant Association in 2017 to promote the town’s…
Writer Taylor Transtrum Photography Courtesy of Phoenix Art Museum and designer Anamika Khanna [dropcap]I[/dropcap]ndia has always held a special place in Helen Jean’s heart. “A love of this region has long been a professional curiosity of mine,” says Jean, Jacquie Dorrance Curator of Fashion Design at Phoenix Art Museum. “When I was approached by the…
Writer Joseph J. Airdo Photography by Jim Stephens [dropcap]T[/dropcap]he lights go down and the murmurs of the crowd slowly begin to fade. The smells of salty popcorn and sweet funnel cake fill the air. Suddenly, a spotlight turns on with an audible click, revealing a man in a red jacket and top hat standing before…
Writer Joseph J. Airdo Photography by Loralei Lazurek [dropcap]P[/dropcap]roMusica Arizona currently features nearly 100 multigenerational singers and instrumentalists — a monumental increase over the 17 singers with which it started upon its founding 17 years ago. Since 2003, the group has performed more than 175 times for more than 131,000 people. All of that growth…
Writer Joseph J. Airdo Photography Courtesy of Anthem Community Council [dropcap]I[/dropcap]n 1999, the developers of the Anthem community created an event that they dubbed Anthem Market Days. Its name was later shortened to Anthem Days and, 21 years later, it has evolved into a premier business expo and festival that is not only a cherished…