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Artist, therapist team up on kids’ motivational book

BY PAUL MARYNIAK Glendale Star Staff Writer

Though their occupations are very different, Lisa Sterne of Glendale and Suzanne Whitaker of Ahwatukee have spent years engaging and inspiring children.

Sterne is a master’s-level therapist who specializes in child development and parent-child relationships, while Whitaker is an artist and muralist who has painted dazzling murals in corridors and classrooms of elementary and middle schools throughout the Valley.

Now, they are collaborating on a series of four picture books to help kids ages 7 to 13 turn some of the challenges typical for their age into opportunities for developing a strong sense of self.

Written by Sterne and illustrated by Whitaker, all four books are focused around a cat named Onyx.

Their fi rst book, titled “What If I Try? A Book About Creating Yourself,” due to be released this month, addresses the frustration or timidity that can arise when a child wants to achieve a goal or skill that may initially elude their mastery. “It’s basically the idea of speaking to kids about what do you do when you aren’t so good at something, but you want to give it a try or you want to learn about it,” Sterne explained. “Or where do you go to ask for help to learn more about something you’re interested in but you might not be ready for yet?

“It’s helping kids deal with those insecurities and encouraging them to just do what makes them happy even if they aren’t that good at it. Who cares? Maybe you won’t make the choir, but you can still enjoy singing, for example.”

Sterne said such self-doubt and frustration often fronts children who are diagnosed autistic or with an attention-defi cit/hyperactivity disorder.

Sterne believes that empathizing with children and earning their trust is the key to their healthy development, even in spite of trauma.

This book and those that will focus on building resilience and communication, both of which develop children with a strong sense of self, she added.

For example, the second book will deal with sadness, the third will focus on feelings of being overwhelmed by life and the fourth will address uncertainty.

Once Sterne completed her fi rst sto-

Therapist Lisa Sterne of Glendale and artist Suzanne Whitaker of Ahwatukee show some of the illustrations for the fi rst of their four motivational books for children that will be built around a cat named Onyx. (Photo by Pablo Robles)

Artist Suzanne Whitaker created a cast of cartoon animals that befriend Onyx. (Special to Glendale Star) ry, she needed an artist to illustrate it. She looked no further than Facebook, where she had met Whitaker through several shared interests. Sterne not only saw Whitaker’s work but also had seen a picture of her pet black cat, whose name is Onyx. Soon, the project was set in motion. “What was really funny was Lisa and I met and I told her some of the rough ideas that I had for each page and how to break it out. It was not the way she saw it,” Whitaker recalled.

“So, some of the things were really easy to visualize — like some of the words that she had. I knew what Onyx would be doing in that situation. And some of them were a little harder to get to and had to be reworked a couple of times.”

As Onyx grapples with his own insecurity, he gets inspiration from animal friends all cast by Whitaker with the same kind of inventiveness and

Onyx, the main character of the two women’s book, is a named shared by Whitaker’s pet cat. (Special to Glendale Star) warmth that have made the characters on her school murals a hit with legions of kids.

Assisting the two women in publishing and marketing the fi rst of Onyx’s journeys is Nadeen Hathaway of the Marigold Marketing Group, which specializes in developing social media strategies for businesses.

Whitaker also credits Hathaway with helping the fl ow of the book and the intermingling of Sterne’s words and Whitaker’s images.

While the book won’t hit the market until next month, Sterne and Whitaker have launched a crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo to raise $7,000 to create enough copies for schools and nonprofi ts that work with children.

Indiegogo is a platform where creative people raise funds for works in progress, and so far, Sterne and Whitaker are about a quarter of the way to their goal.

On Indiegogo, people can buy the book, make a donation toward its wider distribution and even buy stickers and totes bearing Onyx’s face.

To order the book or help Whitaker and Sterne with their plan for its mass distribution, go toindiegogo.com/ projects/what-if-i-try-a-motivationalchildren-s-book#.

Couple jazzes up speakeasy-style Westside nightclub

BY ALLISON BROWN Glendale Star Staff Writer

Stepping past the velvet curtain and into Westside Blues and Jazz is like stepping back in time to visit an authentic toe-tapping, head-nodding, speakeasy-style nightclub from the Roaring ’20s.

With its live music, plush couches, moody lighting, antique fi xtures, swivel stools, fully stocked bar and even an LED sign buzzing above the stage, Westside Blues and Jazz is an escape from the normal day to day and an experience unlike anywhere else in the Valley.

A tough start

“It’s been on my bucket list for 25 years,” said Paul Vincent Perez, owner of the nightclub. “So, when I retired in 2019, I was just driving around with nothing to do and I thought, ‘You know what, I’m going to open up a little blues and jazz club.’”

And he did. Having dreamt about the club for 25 years, Perez already had a clear vision of what he wanted. With his partner and co-founder Cindi Jackson at his side, Perez said he thought, “Well, we’ll fi gure it out,” even though this was the fi rst time either of them had opened a nightclub. Once he decided to go for it, Perez rented and renovated a building and was ready to open less than a year later, in April 2020.

Of course, when the club was ready to open, the world was shutting down

Paul Vincent Perez, owner, and his partner and co-founder Cindi Jackson opened Westside Blues and Jazz to bring live music to the West Valley. (Photo by Pablo Robles) due to the pandemic. At fi rst, they, like many, just pushed the dates back, but it soon became apparent that this would last longer.

Westside Blues and Jazz was temporarily shuttered. Worse, because the club had not offi cially opened, did not have employees yet and Perez had no previous proof of income since his retirement, “we got zilch,” according to Perez. They paid rent for an empty building for a year with zero income or relief money.

Their break came April 9, when they opened with limited seating, plastic shields, temperature checks and masks. It wasn’t what they expected, but it was a start. Music fans were eager to see bands perform again. The club opened at full capacity July 1, after state restrictions were lifted, and fi nally had its offi cial grand opening July 8.

“It’s been great. Just about every night we’re sold out,” Perez said. “We’re just getting to the point on a nightly basis of breaking even. We’re just starting to make a few bucks. But to make up for the year? No, that will

SEE JAZZ PAGE 22

JAZZ FROM PAGE 21 take a while. That’s kind of where we’re at right now. But I’d be happy if I break even for the rest of my life in this business. I’m a happy guy. I’m not really in it for the money. I’m in it for the music, and this is my retirement.”

Prioritizing the music

While it was Perez’s idea to open the club, Jackson is just as much of a jazz lover, even a bit of an expert. She grew up immersed in jazz and wanted others to fall in love with it, too.

“Jazz is in my blood,” Jackson said. “As the niece of Arizona saxophonist Lou Garno, I was empowered to open a jazz club that celebrates and honors the history of blues and jazz. We also opened Westside Blues and Jazz out of necessity; we knew there weren’t any full-service blues and jazz clubs in the Valley that offered live music in a traditional lounge setting. We wanted to change that.”

Westside Blues and Jazz is the first live music lounge to open in the West Valley. True to the duo’s goal, the space looks like an authentic, basement speakeasy lounge. The servers even wear flapper dresses to tie together the vintage theme.

While the style may have a throwback look, the club has a professional, updated sound and lighting system to give the audience the best experience possible. Quality is important to the couple. It’s what sets them apart.

“I could get local bands (for cheap) where I could be making money right now, but I didn’t open it up just to sit in the corner and have a beer and listen to music. I can go to any local bar and do that,” Perez said. “The success to this type of business is the quality of music. You keep the quality, they will

Westside Blues and Jazz is an authentic toe-tapping, head-nodding, speakeasy-style nightclub from the Roaring ’20s. (Top photo by Pablo Robles, bottom photo submitted) come. I will not sacrifice that for money or anything. I’ll close before I turn it into (an average bar) or I’ll get up there and sing karaoke.”

The couple said it’s important to stick with jazz and blues. Perez said part of their mission is to revive jazz and bring it back into the community, as clubs similar to Westside have fizzled out over the years. More than just a creative sound, jazz often has a deep-

Guests can enjoy enjoy a myriad of signature cocktails, wines and beer, along with classic bar food. (Submitted photo) er meaning, Jackson added, and many songs deal with issues still prevalent.

For now, all the club’s bands are local artists, many of whom have not had a space to perform live in over a year. The gigs at Westside Blues and Jazz are critical to some of these artists, while just plain fun for others. As the club draws in more revenue, Perez said they will be hiring quality musicians from all over.

Something for everyone

The club’s crowd is a mix of ages, races and personalities, with something for everyone.

“We’re finding jazz is more of the older crowd, it seems like, but our jazz that we have here, it’s not like people conceive,” Perez said.

“If they haven’t heard jazz, they think of that elevator music and stuff like that, but our bands are top-of-theline rhythm and blues mix.

“Blues is a little younger crowd, under 40s, I would say. Then you’ve got the over-65 crowd who were around from my generation, who remember all those great blues bars (that used to be) here. There’s a mix. That’s why we try and diversify a little on the music, like throwing in a little R&B, but we don’t want to get away from the foundation of the blues and jazz.”

For those really feeling the music, Perez emphasizes that it’s a nightclub, so guests are free to celebrate the music.

“Certain nights, they’ll be screaming and shouting. It’s a rowdy nightclub,” Perez said. “People chitchat and socialize. It’s not a concert hall. People can get up and dance in any open spots they want. We encourage that.”

And not everyone has to come for the music. Westside Blues and Jazz has an outdoor seating area for those who want to hear the music in the background while they enjoy a beverage, from a myriad of signature cocktails, wines and beer, along with classic bar food like a soft pretzel, fries and even a grilled cheese. There is also bar seating, where patrons get more of the music than outside but can still sit back and chat. Perez said he wanted the space to be comfortable for everyone.

“We have people dress up, like couples who come in on a date,” Perez said. “But no one feels uncomfortable sitting next to a guy in shorts and sneakers. If they wanted to dress up, they could go to Scottsdale, but we want you to be comfortable. We want you to enjoy your time here, sit back, relax, have some drinks, dance, whatever.”

Westside Blues and Jazz

WHEN: 5 p.m. to midnight Thursdays; 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays; and noon to 8 p.m. on Sundays WHERE: 17045 N. 59th Avenue, Suite 104, Glendale COST: $15 to $20 cover for adults, depending on the day; children and youth free. Reservations are recommended INFO: westsideblues.com

Local actor excited movie is opening Phoenix Film Festival

BY ANNIKA TOMLIN Glendale Star Staff Writer

When deaf Mesa actor Troy Kotsur received the script for the Apple Original Film “CODA,” he immediately saw himself in the role.

“I thought this is most definitely a role for me,” Kotsur said. “Thinking about all of the experiences that I have had in the theater and the opportunities I’ve had and the challenges that I’ve had, for this thing to come was fantastic and a great opportunity.”

In “CODA,” which stands for child of deaf adults, 17-year-old Ruby (Emilia Jones) spends her time as an interpreter for her parents, who are played by Kotsur and Academy Award-winning actress Marlee Matlin. While working early mornings on the family’s struggling fishing boat, Ruby joins her school choir and finds her voice and a potential new life.

“CODA” will open the Phoenix Film Festival on Thursday, Aug. 12, followed by its theatrical and Apple TV+ streaming release on Aug. 13.

Kotsur was thrilled to work with Matlin, saying it is a “tiny, tiny, tiny world where I finally get to work with her, but it was a blessing.”

“I remember when I was in high school, I saw her win an Academy Award, which was incredibly inspiring seeing a deaf person win an Academy Award,” he said. “It gave me motivations in thinking maybe this is something that I can do, or at least something that I can pursue.”

Still, parts of the movie were challenging. For example, the family’s fishing business is central to the film. He has no experience with that.

“I like water sports. I like waterskiing, but fishing, no, and I don’t eat fish either,” he said. “So, I figured if I am not going to eat them, why am I going to catch them? I’d rather leave that for other people.”

Kotsur, Jones and Daniel Durant, the latter of whom plays the older brother, had to learn to chop the heads off fish, sort them and other fishing boat tasks.

“We had to get up at 2 a.m. to do this,” Kotsur said. “We went out with real fishermen on their boat and watched how they did what they did. It is a filthy, filthy place.”

Also troubling were the birds who swarmed overhead.

“You have to hose the place down when you are done, and when you get out, (the smell) never quite gets off of you,” Kotsur said. “It’s amazing, and you know you are covered in bird

Troy Kotsur, a deaf actor from Mesa, and Academy Award-winning actress Marlee Matlin perform side by side in “CODA,” which will be featured in the Phoenix Film Festival on Aug. 12 and available theatrically and on Apple TV+ Aug. 13. (Photos courtesy of Apple TV+) droppings from them flying overhead, so that was a new experience for me.” However, the boat was one of his favorite parts of filming “CODA,” but he gives credit to the “great director, great writer and amazing story.” “We saw whales,” Kotsur said. “I had never seen whales out in the ocean, and certainly not in Arizona.

“(Another favorite) is the moment where I am watching my daughter sing and really trying to understand what this means for her. He’s really trying to connect with his daughter in a really important way.”

On the flip side, the most difficult scene was easy for Kotsur to answer.

“I would say the love scene with Marlee Matlin,” Kotsur said. “I mean, no, seriously, it is challenging.

“You know, you do what is best for the movie, I guess, though. We just have to be professional, but it’s not like on stage. When you have a love scene on stage, it’s very small and it’s very quick. In film, it has to look like you know what you’re doing.” During the filming, the cast ensured the sign language was in context. “We were there with our sign masters, Ann Tomasetti and Alexandria Wailes, who were helping us develop the sign language as we were training to go out on the boat, watching us making sure that we were doing what we were supposed to do,” Kotsur said. “We had all of these tools that we had to learn how to use, this hammer with almost, like, a nail coming off of its head. We had to kind of develop signs for those tools and ask what would be sort of a natural sign language gesture so that they would see that and go, ‘OK, that is the sign we are going to use for that.’ We were literally developing a language along the way.” Kotsur sees it as a “blessing” to have his film opening the Phoenix Film Festival and hopes people within his hometown and old friends come out to see it. “It’s just great to have this here, my little piece show up in this festival,” Kotsur said. “It’s wonderful, and it’s an honor.”