Writer Joseph J. Airdo Photography Courtesy of Arizona Musicfest and Samuel Xu [dropcap]P[/dropcap]ianist Samuel Xu believes that music is more than just a combination of sounds that have rhythm, melody or harmony. “Music is a language that is meant to be shared with others,” he says. “It is a very powerful force. Just look at…
Writer Shannon Severson Photography by Jonas Jungblut [dropcap]T[/dropcap]he art of R. Nelson Parrish might appear as varied as his background and diverse interests. Parrish is a painter, sculptor, muralist and photographer. He is drawn to adventure sports as a means to push the body and mind to further limits. He has traveled around the world….
Writer Amanda Christmann Photography Courtesy of Scott Yates [dropcap]I[/dropcap]t has been said that life is about reinventing one’s self. When one of Arizona’s most renowned woman chefs, Lisa Dahl, first told me she was opening a burger restaurant in the then-less-than-swanky former Outlets at Oak Creek, I have to confess that my initial thought was…
Writer Joseph J. Airdo Photography Courtesy of Cirque du Soleil [dropcap]W[/dropcap]hen Aruna Baata first expressed her dream to become a contortionist to her father, he gently advised her to consider other circus skills. “My dad always told me that maybe contortion would not be the best fit for me,” says Baata, noting that she is…
Writer Shannon Severson Photography Courtesy of Grace Renee Gallery [dropcap]S[/dropcap]tanding before a piece of David Rothermel’s art is to view not just layers of color and texture, but also a process and vision honed by 45 years of inspiration and introspection—and maybe a touch of divine connection. “I want [people] to bask in the glory…
Writer Shannon Severson Photography Courtesy of Ballet Arizona and Alexander Iziliaev [dropcap]T[/dropcap]wenty years ago, the future of Ballet Arizona—and ballet in Arizona—hung in the balance. The cultural landscape in Phoenix was in its infancy and struggling to gain a foothold. Within a week of being hired as artistic director by then-Board Chair Gwen Hillis, Ib…
Writer Amanda Christmann Photography Courtesy of Bob Bacon [dropcap]S[/dropcap]prinkled throughout the Valley are nearly iconic landmarks that inspire nothing shy of reverence, not only for their beauty and elegance, but for the sanctity they elicit. The Boulders Resort and Golf Club, The Princess Hotel and Conference Center, and Cochise/Geronimo Golf Clubhouse at Desert Mountain are…
Writer Joseph J. Airdo Photography Courtesy of the Musical Instrument Museum [dropcap]Y[/dropcap]ou may at first feel a little uneasy upon walking into the Musical Instrument Museum’s new special exhibition Congo Masks and Music: Masterpieces from Central Africa. But do not worry—that feeling is normal. “Masks have a threatening character,” says Marc Felix, one of the…
Writer Joseph J. Airdo Photography Courtesy of Elysian Desert Distilleries [dropcap]I[/dropcap]t starts off soft on your palette. Then the flavors of caramel and vanilla hit your tongue. You feel the warmth as it goes down, but with no harsh bite or burn. “When it comes to Carefree Bourbon, the No. 1 word we hear is…
Writer Shannon Severson Photography by Bill Pack [dropcap]A[/dropcap]merica has a special love affair with the automobile, but Arizona takes it a step further—becoming a hub for car enthusiasts and collectors with a plethora of auctions each year. Phoenix Art Museum’s Legends of Speed is a landmark exhibition that brings the thrill of racing and its…