COVER STORY UNPLUGGED AND UNFORGETTABLE: AUGUST ACOUSTICS RETURNS TO PEORIA

Photos courtesy of Peoria Center for the Performing Arts

Experience the vibrant soundscapes of Arizona’s finest folk and bluegrass talents at the Peoria Center for Performing Arts this August, in an intimate, free music series set to strike a chord with music lovers. Located at 10580 N. 83rd Dr., doors open at 6 p.m. and performances start at 7 p.m.

Enjoy performances of acoustic tunes played by a talented lineup of local Arizona folk and bluegrass artists. Grab a beer or glass of wine and some light snacks from the PCPA Concessions and settle in for an entertaining evening of musical storytelling!

August 2

Sophia Rankin

Tucson native, Sophia Rankin, is an accomplished multi-instrumentalist and singer/songwriter with a diverse repertoire that spans the musical genres of folk, pop, rock, and Americana. Her two first solo CDs, released before and during her attendance at the University of Arizona Fred Fox School of Music, were positively received by press and promoters alike. She landed first-place awards at both the 2017 Tucson Desert Song Festival and the 2018 Stefan George Songwriting competition. She now leads her own band, Sophia Rankin & The Sound, with members Connor Rankin, Ben Arthur, and Noah Weig-Pickering. Her third and latest album, “Too Close to the Riptide,” ventures deeper into classic elements of rock, pop, and folk music alike. Her expansion from a solo artist to a band leader pushes her to explore new sounds without straying far from her folk upbringing. Sophia is also a music teacher for grades kindergarten through fifth.

This evening, Sophia is joined by her brother and drummer, Connor Rankin. Connor is a senior at the University of Arizona majoring in film and television. Connor first picked up the sticks in 2019 when Sophia needed a drummer. He also plays piano, ukulele, and the cajón. Rankin’s music can be found on popular streaming and purchasing services.

August 9

Liz & Pete

She’s Liz, he’s Pete, they are Liz & Pete. Liz Cerepanya and Peter Dalton Ronstadt join musical forces to explore material old and new. Cerepanya’s heartfelt voice with Dalton Ronstadt’s haunting harmonies and rich guitar arrangements captivate the mind and tug at the heart.

After a few passing introductions in their shared music scene, Cerepanya joined Dalton Ronstadt, Linda Ronstadt’s nephew, on stage at Monterey Court in Tucson in the fall of 2019. They had an opportunity to work up a few songs, including Rodney Crowell’s “Leaving Louisiana in the Broad Daylight,” and an instant musical match was realized. Quickly Liz & Pete began exploring material including the timeless songs of Alan Garr, songs of their favorite songwriters and singers, new and old compositions by Dalton Ronstadt, as well as classic songs from his father Michael Joseph Ronstadt’s repertoire. Liz & Pete’s natural element is just the two of them on stage accompanied by an acoustic guitar and the Pennsylvania Stompbox.

August 16

Ryanhood

Named ‘Best Group/Duo’ in the International Acoustic Music Awards, acoustic-duo Ryanhood got their first break more than a decade ago as street-performers at Boston’s Quincy Market. It was there that they were spotted by a college booking agent and thrust into the college touring scene, where “Campus Activities” magazine would name them “one of the most requested acts by college buyers all across the country.” They’ve since gone on to perform more than 1,000 shows in 46 U.S. states over the past decade, and have shared stages with Jason Mraz, Matt Nathanson, Train, and many more. Residing in Tucson, where they have won more than a dozen Tucson Music Awards, Ryanhood was also recently named the “Discovery of the Year” by John Platt at WFUV in New York City and was a featured act at Australia’s National Folk Festival in 2018.

Their latest album “Under the Leaves,” sees the pair’s lead guitarist Ryan David Green stepping into the role of sole producer, weaving a tapestry of lush strings and rich harmonies. The album, like their shows, is driven by strong acoustic guitar performances and is at turns energetic, hopeful, and quietly moving—a musical invitation to breathe, and to soak in a river of melodies and harmonic hooks.

Cameron Hood, the band’s primary lyricist, has waded into those musical rivers with dream-like verses about seeds and forests, breath and wind, and the cycles and seasons that frame our lives.

August 23

Cross-Eyed Possum

The Cross-Eyed Possum (CEP) is fresh off of winning the Pickin’ in The Pines band competition in Flagstaff. From Prescott, CEP is an identical twin led acoustic family trio, consisting of two core members of the band Sugar and the Mint (2017 winners of Telluride Bluegrass’s band competition).

Their set is a unique blend of originality, musical proficiency, explosive vocal performance, and accessibility. The Possum’s have been wowing Arizona audiences since 2013 and are anticipating their second studio album.

More information for both series can be found on the city of Peoria website at www. peoriaaz.gov/PCPA, and on their Facebook and Instagram pages at @PeoriaAZArts.

September Mix Series

September also promises exciting musical performances at the Peoria Center for the Performing Arts. September Mix, a free live music series continues the fun every Wednesday evening. Showtime starts at 7 p.m., with doors opening an hour earlier.

The series kickstarts on September 2, featuring the dynamic sounds of American roots music from The Sugar Thieves, followed by indie rock vibes of the Significant Others on September 9. On the 16th, the New Orleans Groove & Soul of NOLAZ Band will enliven the crowd. The series wraps up with the reggae rock rhythms of Fayuca on the 23rd.

Each act offers a unique musical flavor, from blues and country to soul, ensuring a diverse sampling for all music aficionados. Enhance your experience with refreshments from the PCPA Concessions. Don’t miss this golden opportunity to appreciate a medley of local talents.

Significant Others

Benevilla Benefitness Adaptive Gym Celebrates One Year Anniversary

Photos courtesy of Benevilla

The Benefitness Adaptive Gym, located at the main campus of the nonprofit Benevilla, opened one year ago with the goal to prove physical fitness and a healthy lifestyle is no longer out of reach for anyone.

What makes this adaptive gym different from other local gyms? Benefitness

Adaptive Gym offers an innovative and exciting way to help those in our community with different abilities, special considerations, and on-going clinical needs. The equipment and facilities in the Benefitness Adaptive Gym are specifically designed to meet the needs of people with various physical limitations, including wheelchair accessibility. The equipment has adjustable heights and positions so exercises can be done standing, sitting, or in a walker, and the machines are adaptable for upper or lower body workouts.

In the first year, Benefitness has achieved some amazing milestones. Originally the adaptive gym was scheduled to be open four hours a day. Now, classes have been extended to six hours per day. The gym is open to the public Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Since opening, Director Lorrie Karn and her coaches have run over 1,900 classes. Of those, over 900 of them have been Rock Steady Boxing, for those diagnosed with Parkinson’s or Beneboxing classes for individuals wishing to take boxing-based classes who are not diagnosed with Parkinson’s.

The Benefitness Adaptive Gym is staffed with nationally certified coaches who are disciplined to work with people with different abilities and special considerations. The coaches are knowledgeable about the different modifications and adaptations that may be necessary to help clients reach their fitness goals.

The team of coaches provide specialized group and individual fitness programs and classes helping strengthen those with physical challenges and movement disorders (e.g., Parkinson’s, dementia, MS, and more). Classes and programs are designed for those with early onset diagnoses and those with progressive stages. Their programs help improve participant’s physical efficiencies, mental acuity, strength, balance, agility, and overall wellbeing.

New program additions include one on one training sessions with Smart Glove technology. The Neofect Smart Glove is a high-tech rehab device measuring movements of the forearm, wrist, and fingers with accelerometer and bending sensors. The Smart Glove works interactively through entertaining games and activities to increase hand and arm movement and functionality.

Benefitness has also added a Bio-electrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) tool as part of their member assessment process. This method is used to monitor health by looking at body composition. It measures body fat in relation to lean body mass and is said to be more accurate than BMI testing.

This month, the adaptive gym is adding nutrition coaching as an essential element in the battle against aging. Nutrition coaching aims to provide personalized guidance to help members meet their nutritional needs, manage chronic conditions, maintain a healthy weight, support bone health, boost immune function, and promote overall wellbeing. Nutrition programming greatly supports workout efforts for maximum fitness results.

Benevilla is also excited to offer their Member Assistance Program (MAP) for those needing financial help to join their adaptive gym. Thanks to a grant from Gila River Indian Community, qualifying members can receive financial assistance to participate in any range of services from classes to individual training. So far, 10 members have taken advantage of the program totaling over $11,000 in assistance.

For more information on services, volunteer opportunities, to take a tour, or donate to Benevilla, call 623-584-4999 or visit benevilla.org.