Gilbert Sun News; February 2015; Arts

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Arts

February 2015

www.GilbertSunNews.com

ON STAGE “Lend Me a Tenor,” through Saturday, Feb. 14, HT. The Cleveland Grand Opera Company has planned a gala $50,000 fundraiser. World-famous Italian tenor Tito Morelli is slated to sing the title role in “Othello,” but he has other plans.

The McCartney Years, Friday, Feb. 6, HCPA. The McCartney Years boasts that it offers a note-for-note, faithful recreation of a mid-1970s Paul McCartney concert.

“The Midtown Men,” Saturday, Feb. 7, CCA. Watch four stars from the original cast of Broadway’s “Jersey Boys” reunite as they establish themselves as rock stars in their own right, bringing to life their favorite tunes from The Beatles, The Beach Boys, Motown, The Four Seasons and more.

“Hardcore Legend: An Evening with Mick Foley,” Sunday, Feb. 8, SUL. The WWE champion, speaker, author and stand-up artist gives a performance that is by turns uproariously funny, simply surreal and surprisingly sensitive.

“Of Legends and Lovers: Doc and Kate,” Sunday, Feb. 8, CCA. A performance of the story of the West’s most famous dentist, a man who went, as he likes to put it, “from the one who heals to the one who keels” (kills) and his life with Mary Katherine Haroney Cummings.

Roger McGuinn, Saturday, Feb. 14, HCPA. As the leader of the influential 1960s group The Byrds, Roger McGuinn was on the leading edge, combining the rock beat of The Beatles with the folk sensibilities of Bob Dylan.

“Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana: The Soul of Flamenco,” Saturday, Feb. 14, CCA. One of the nation’s premier flamenco and Spanish dance companies celebrates its 30th anniversary season with innovative music, exotic movement, passionate dancing and more.

Bill Boycott Band, Sunday, Feb. 15, HCPA. William Frederick Boycott performs historical, cowboy and original songs about the Wild West, the Oregon Trail and Wyoming, utilizing fiddle, banjo, mandolin, guitar and vocals.

Ryan Shupe and the Rubberband, Saturday, Feb. 7, HCPA. Hailing from Salt Lake City, the five-man band is led by Ryan Shupe, who has been playing violin for most of his life.

2015 Chinese New Year Show, Sunday, Feb. 15, CCA. The Eastern Art Academy hosts the 2015 Chinese New Year Show in a lively and unique show that the entire family will enjoy. The year of the ram is welcomed with song, dance, instrument and martial arts performances and more.

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Lily Tomlin, Saturday, Feb. 21, CCA. Tomlin, one of America’s foremost comediennes, takes the stage with her classic The World Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra, Sunday, Feb. 22, CCA. This performance, with Natalie Angst, features over 40 hit songs from four decades of jukebox chart toppers like “Tuxedo Junction,” “In The Mood,”

“Pennsylvania 6-5000,” “Chattanooga Choo Choo” and “Moonlight Serenade.”

“Love, Sex and the IRS,” Wednesday, Feb. 25 through Wednesday, March 4, TPT. Laughs, mistaken identities and multiple plots take the stage when two out-of-work musicians pose as a married couple, only to be investigated by the IRS. “Menopause the Musical,” Thursday, Feb. 26 through Saturday, March 28, TPT. This hilarious PG-13 musical parody staged to classic tunes from the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s has had audiences cheering, dancing and laughing for over 10 years.

“Strait Country,” Sunday, March 22, TPT. The Strait Country Band featuring Kevin Sterner brings audiences the virtual experience of attending one of George Strait’s concerts.

“Pump Boys and Dinettes,” Wednesday, April 15 through Sunday, May 24, TPT. Fresh off a hit Broadway revival, this fun and energetic musical about life on the roadside tells the story of four gasstation attendants (the “Pump Boys”) and two waitresses (the “Dinettes”) and the country, rock and pop music that gets them through the day.

“Greater Tuna,” Thursday, April 16 through Sunday, April 26, TPT. Take a trip down south to Texas’ third smallest town, Tuna, and meet its quirky and ever-expanding cast of characters hosted by Thurston and Arles on their talk radio show, and all played by two actors.

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SUL—Stand Up Live 50 W. Jefferson St., Phoenix Tickets: (480) 719-6100, www.standuplive.com

HT—Hale Theatre 50 W. Page Ave., Gilbert.

Tickets: (480) 497-1181, www.haletheatrearizona.com

TPT—The Palms Theatre 5247 E. Brown Rd., Mesa Tickets: (480) 924-6260, www.thepalmstheatre.com

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HCPA—Higley Center for the Performing Arts 4132 E. Pecos Rd., Gilbert.

Tickets: (480) 279-7190, www.higleyarts.org

Arts

www.GilbertSunNews.com

February 2015

29

Welcome to Animal Winner Family Board Game!

PICTURE PERFECT: Photographer Jim Moon’s photographs are included in the 11th annual Arizona Fine Art Expo. GSN photo by Lynette Carrington

Photographer featured at Arizona Fine Art Expo

BY LYNETTE CARRINGTON

The Arizona Fine Art Expo has been drawing visitors from around the world to Scottsdale since 2005. This year is particularly special for Gilbert photographer Jim Moon, who was chosen to participate in the prestigious expo.

“This event is juried every year,” Moon explains. “I actually submitted to be included next year, but they chose me for this year’s expo.”

Officials from the event, which is produced by Thunderbird Artists, were impressed with his work.

“Jim contacted me and wanted to do this event,” says Judi Combs, Thunderbird Artists’ founder.

“I juried him in because I like his quality and I don’t bring in a lot of photographers, but he’s outstanding.”

Moon shoots a variety of subject, including Westerns, landscapes, vintage vehicles and buildings and even one dramatic photo of lightning striking over grain silos in North Gilbert.

“It took an hour and a half and 200 shots to get that one special photo,” Moon says of his lightning photo snapped a block from his home.

Longtime shooter Moon started shooting photos at the age of 8 and took formal photography instruction in high school.

After a hiatus from photography, he returned to it in 2008 as a way of relieving stress. A multiple heart attack survivor, he left the medical marketing field to take up professional photography full time. His work has been met with praise.

Moon received accolades in April 2014 when he was chosen to be the first photographer nationwide to be exhibited at Thomas Kinkade Gallery.

In recent years, Moon has traveled

throughout Arizona and to Hawaii, Wyoming, California, British Columbia and Colorado to capture the breathtaking landscape images that are included in the expo.

He focuses on high dynamic range photography which, he says, makes viewers feel like they can reach through and touch it.

High dynamic range photography takes an image and merges three to five frames capturing different light levels to create a photo with unique lighting and depth.

“I’m literally painting my photos in a computer,” adds Moon.

Moon’s work is collected by a variety of people.

“Doctors, lawyers, business owners, CEOs and accountants buy my work. It’s a little bit of everybody across the board,” he explains.

“I have one customer who just collects my Western photos, so he buys all of my rodeo shots, including photos taken at the Gilbert Days Rodeo.”

One Gilbert Days Rodeo image is included in this year’s Arizona Fine Art Expo. Additional photos from Moon can be seen at http://jimmoon.photoshelter. com.

Nearly 100 artists from all over the world will be featured in the 11th annual Arizona Fine Art Expo, which runs 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Sunday, March 29.

Participating artists come from diverse places such as California, Colorado, Minnesota, Kansas, Virginia, Africa, Iraq, England and Mexico.

An onsite café at Arizona Fine Art Expo features sandwiches, soups, salads, paninis, burgers and more. Season tickets are $10, or $8 for military and seniors. Arizona Fine Art Expo is located at 16540 N. Scottsdale Rd. Visit www. arizonafineartexpo.com or call (480) 8377163 for additional information.

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February 2015

3 conservatory grads up for major Grammys The music industry’s highest honors will be awarded during the Grammy awards on Sunday, Feb. 8, in Los Angeles, and three different graduates of CRAS— The Conservatory of Recording Arts & Sciences—may be called to the stage to accept the award for their work.

In total, 47 different graduates of CRAS hold credits for their work with 50 artists/ bands who are up for awards in 42 out of 83 categories. An example of a credit would be formal professional credit as an engineer, assistant engineer or production assistant on a nominated song or album.

While individuals with a credit aren’t personally called to the stage to accept the award, they directly played a role in the nominated recording. Among the credits received by CRAS grads are nominations for Record, Song and Album of the Year including music from Pharrell, Ed Sheeran, Beck, Taylor Swift, and Iggy Azalea with Charli XCX. Of the graduates who may be called to the stage, two graduates will compete against each other for Record of the Year as Eric Weaver is nominated as vocal engineer for Iggy Azalea w/ Charli XCX’s “Fancy,” and Sam Holland as engineer for Taylor Swift’s “Shake It Off.” Graduate Darrell

Thorp is nominated for two Grammys (Album of the Year and Engineered Album) for his work as engineer of Beck’s album “Morning Phase.”

“We love all the awards shows because there are always so many CRAS graduates that are nominated and win,” says Kirt Hamm, administrator of CRAS. “We take great pride in the success of our graduates but there are few phone calls we love receiving more than from a graduate calling to tell us about their first award nomination. You don’t need to be an audio expert to hear the joy and pride in their voice as they thank us for helping them achieve this career milestone.”

Graduate Weaver is thrilled with his nomination.

“When I attended CRAS, I merely wanted to be able to put food on the table while making records and now I have the honor of being nominated for a GRAMMY,” he says.

“My time in Arizona at CRAS gave me the necessary technical vocabulary and knowledge to be an immediate asset capable of understanding the studios’ and clients’ needs. That preparation allowed me to maximize the learning experiences available when working hand in hand with

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Arts

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GRAMMY NOMINEE: Conservatory graduate and Grammy nominee as Vocal Engineer for Record of the Year, Eric Weaver, in front of an SSL board. Submitted photo

the industry’s most talented engineers, producers and artists.”

CRAS is a nationally accredited, private postsecondary college dedicated to those who seek a career in the music, game audio, live sound, broadcast and post production for film and TV industries. CRAS graduates succeed in the highly competitive fields of studio recording technology and engineering, live sound engineering and

music production/post-production for film, corporate presentations, television and game audio design. Widely recognized as a leading audio recording school in the United States, students attend the fiveday per week, 11-month program held at CRAS’ Arizona campuses in Gilbert and Tempe.

For more information about CRAS visit www.cras.edu.

The Oak Ridge Boys remain relevant after five decades

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI

Kindhearted and thoughtful, Duane Allen strives to keep his band, The Oak Ridge Boys, relevant while he continues to enjoy his decadeslong career.

“I think probably the reason that we are still going is because the four of us love doing what we’re doing,” Allen says.

“We feel we are doing some good with people who maybe are not reached by the newer artists who are now on radio. We’ve had our time on radio and we’re very grateFOUR OF A KIND: The Oak Ridge Boys will perform at ful for that.”

Newer artists, he says, are making Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino’s Ovations Live! Showroom on Friday, Feb. 6. Submitted photo a “huge dent” on radio and filling coliseums, ballparks, stadiums and “People know what we are going to arenas. These new acts, however, help make our dates, show up sober and we’re The Oak Ridge Boys, too.

see RELEVANT page 32

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Craftsman, history meet at Schimmel Shop

Arts

February 2015

31

BY LYNETTE CARRINGTON

Chad Schimmel moves about his woodshop with a lithe agility— cutting, drilling, sanding and painstakingly assembling a variety of items at his Schimmel Shop. He took what started out as a hobby, applied his woodworking and technology skills, and carved out a niche that provides one-of-aWRITING HISTORY: A piece of wood decking from the kind items that, in some cases, are USS Texas battleship has been carved and sanded historical keepsakes. into a custom pen. Photo courtesy of Schimmel Shop Gilbert resident Schimmel creates estimated to be 3,400 to 3,600 years old. handmade pens, razor handles, It was the oldest living bald cypress tree steampunk-themed jewelry, interior when it was destroyed by arson in 2012. design and furniture. The pieces he Someone sent the block of wood to creates are entirely unique because of the Schimmel knowing he would appreciate it materials used, their whimsical qualities and use it for something. and because they are handmade. Pens Other unique products are bolt-action are some of the most in-demand items, and bullet pens. including those made “It’s such a popular from the deck wood group of people that of the USS Texas want these pens— battleship. hunters, shooters and, “They took this especially lately, the wood off of the USS audience has gotten Texas and I got it bigger,” explains in chunks like this,” Schimmel. “Bullets just Schimmel explains as seem to make good he displays the long pens because of the 2-inch-thick planks way they are shaped.” with ghost gray paint He has a few choice on one side. bullets that he uses for “I’m always after pens and occasionally old woods because a customer will bring they have some in a bullet of their significance. It’s own. tough and I have to Woodworking is search around.” a longtime passion The Battleship THE DESERT REIMAGINED: A cholla skeleton of Schimmel’s.

In Texas Foundation has been mixed with resin and sculpted gave Schimmel wood into a one-of-a-kind pen. Photo courtesy high school, he was involved in and, in return, he of Schimmel Shop woodworking and has made a custom pen honed his skills over for the organization. the years.

“I got back some more wood and some “I did woodworking a lot in high school,” little cards; certificates that show the he explains. “Then I didn’t do anything wood is real, so it’s really a cool thing,” for a few years because of college and Schimmel states. then I picked it back up. I think I’m a born He also has battleship deck wood from tinkerer.” the USS North Carolina. The teak wood Woodworking was a side business was on the ship for 70 years and imparts a that increasingly got bigger. A few years majestic plum-colored hue that makes for ago, he was torn between keeping his beautiful pens or razor handles. The ship decking pens and razor handles are popular job as a manager at Bass Pro Shops in Mesa and making the move to grow his with veterans and those who collect woodworking business. He decided to military or patriotic items. open Schimmel Shop full time. In his shop Other woods that Schimmel uses for he also creates imaginative lamps from pens and razor handles include used repurposed vintage items, clocks and liquor barrels that, when drilled and small furniture. sanded, impart a sweet smell into the Andrea McKay, the owner of Garden woodworking shop.

Gate Custom Floral Design in Gilbert “I’ll use anything that has a fun story to Town Square, saw Schimmel’s work on the it,” notes Schimmel.

Instagram page of Fluff It Marshmallows He has one piece of wood from The in Gilbert.

Senator tree in Big Park Florida was

A WATCH REPURPOSED: Chad Schimmel creates unique handcrafted pens, like this version that contains a vintage Mickey Mouse watch with its parts repurposed into a pen design. GSN photo by Lynette Carrington

“When I noticed the woodwork, I thought, ‘That’s exactly what I need,’” she recalls. “I actually went into their store and looked at the work that Chad did.”

So impressed with his work, she enlisted Schimmel to create a counter and table for her retail space, each having a crisp, light country style.

“I called him and he was wonderful,” McKay says. “He went right to work and

his price was really reasonable.”

This year, Schimmel will be looking to expand on the fixtures and furniture portion of his business.

Schimmel Shop is located at 224 E. Chilton Ave., Suite 10, Chandler. Visit www.impeccablepen.com for a list of products and upcoming shows. Email chadschimmel@gmail.com or call (480) 510-0717 for custom work inquiries.

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Arts

February 2015

RELEVANT from page 30

not going to cancel our dates,” he says.

“They can depend on us. Probably over a period of years, we made our living on repeat dates. We go to almost the same places every year. Ninety percent of our dates are repeat business.”

The Oak Ridge Boys target venues such as fairs and festivals; attractions that boast a board of directors with everyday folks.

“They know The Oak Ridge Boys because they grew up with our music,” Allen says.

Allen and his bandmates—William Lee Golden, Richard Sterban and Joe Bonsall—are hoping to fill Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino’s Ovations Live! Showroom on Friday, Feb. 6. Allen not only loves Arizona for its fans, but its weather, too.

“We always enjoy coming to Arizona because the weather is usually better in the fall and winter months,” he says. “We always come out there in February and the weather is usually a lot more pleasant than it is in other parts of the country.

I love Arizona because of the different landscapes from the desert part all the way up to the mountainous part. I think it’s a beautiful state.”

The Oak Ridge Boys promise an evening

that includes a mixture of their hits, like “Elvira” and even a cover of The White Stripes’ “Seven Nation Army,” as well as deep cuts.

“We have a computerized list of everything we’ve ever done in every city,” Allen says. “We try to rotate our hits among the over 50 charted singles we have over the last five decades. We will pick some of the most popular ones, but we will add songs we didn’t do last time.”

The Oak Ridge Boys will soon have even more songs to add to their set list. Allen’s New Year’s resolution is to record a “brand new album with the 12 best songs from the best writers in the world.”

“We are going to record them as if we are the newest group on the block,” Allen says. “I’m a song man. I believe that recording great new songs is the future.”

The Oak Ridge Boys perform at 8 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 6, at Wild Horse Pass Hotel and Casino’s Ovations Live! Showroom, 5040 Wild Horse Pass Blvd., Chandler.

Tickets are $30 to $80. For more information, call (877) 840-0457 or visit http:// bit.ly/1BWldvG.

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TROUBADOUR: Billy Dean, shown here with his band, will play acoustic shows in Mesa. GSN photo courtesy Facebook

Dean craves ‘spiritual’ connection with fans

shows, I have to say. They’re not really A Quincy, Florida, native, country singer rehearsed. I tell the same stories, sure, Billy Dean is used to hearing about folks but I do different songs every night. I who flee the bitter cold of the north and know about 2,000 songs. I do a show in head to the southeastern United States.

Branson, Missouri, which is where I met But thanks to his friends The Duttons, The Duttons. I don’t get a chance to sing Dean has traveled west to spend part these other songs.” of his winter in Mesa, performing at the This year, Dean is relaunching his family’s East Valley High School theater. company, Billy Dean Music Group, and “The Dutton family was so nice to tell working with two artists from “America’s me about this well-kept secret,” he says Got Talent:” Chloe Channell and Jason as he power walks through Mesa. “This is Pritchett. Also, there’s a collaboration a great place to do shows in the winter. with Alabama in the works.

“I’m from Florida, so I’m used to people “Believe it or not, Randy Owen and going down to Florida to get out of the Teddy Gentry just recorded ‘An American cold. I didn’t think about with a Remington,’” he the desert of Arizona. says about the song he They’re really nice to recorded with Larry open the theater to me Gatlin. and see if I can reconnect “Through that process, with some of my fans in they said, ‘We’d love to the area.” cut a project on you.’

Dean is playing several It’ll be nice not to have dates at The Dutton to sit behind the desk Family Theater in February and just be a singer for and March. He’s playing a while. We may do that acoustic shows, during this year. which he tells stories “Those guys meant about songs like his hits a lot to me growing “Only Here for a Little up. To work side by SELFIE: Dean shared this selfie on While,” “Somewhere in side with them, it’s a Facebook in January saying, “I’ve My Broken Heart” and “If got the feeling I’m not in Misgreat honor. They’re the There Hadn’t Been You.” souri anymore.” Photo courtesy most successful band in “I’ve been in Nashville Facebook the history of country for 30 years,” Dean says. music.”

“I’ve had the great privilege of learning No matter which project he’s working and hearing about the stories behind the on, Dean stresses the importance of hits. People hear hit songs on the radio all songwriting, having followed in the the time.” footsteps of James Taylor, Dan Fogelberg Dean’s sense of humor also shines and John Denver. during the performance.

“It’s my inspiration,” he says. “It’s “A lot of comedy comes out,” he says. what I grew up listening to. This is my “It’s the old troubadour style of me, a opportunity to do it on this scale without guitar and piano. It’s as if they’re in my all the clutter. It makes for a really living room. That’s how I feel at The spiritual experience.”

Duttons’ theater. It’s a nice intimate evening.”

Billy Dean performs through Dean performs two 45-minute Wednesday, March 11, at The Dutton sets, with a 20-minute intermission in Family Theater at East Valley High School, between.

7420 E. Main St., Mesa. Tickets are $27 for “I cover a lot of music history in that adults. For more information, call (480) time,” he says. “I do like the solo acoustic 840-6874 or visit www.theduttons.com.

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI

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