Neighbors
www.SanTanSun.com
January 3 – 16, 2015
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Neighbors Chandler STEAM Club Neighbors PAGE 52
St. Mary’s Parish a step closer to additional church
Where to Eat PAGES 68-70
Spirituality PAGE 61
Realtor wins Alamo Drafthouse Cinema to debut downtown award for professionalism and altruism BY CURT BLAKENEY
NOTABLE REALTOR: Shivani Dallas was recently given the 2014 Katie Lance Woman of Strength Award. Submitted photo BY CURT BLAKENEY
Few people know communities better than real estate agents, and few people know Chandler better than Shivani Dallas. In recent years, her dedication as a neighbor and a professional has shown through her work, drawing the attention of other leading Realtors and garnering her multiple accolades, such as Realtor SEE REALTOR PAGE 49
Grill in Scottsdale—but this is Downtown Chandler has the first of its kind in Chandler. plenty of restaurants and bars Alamo Drafthouse will feature and amalgamations of both. This eight screens of first-run movies, year, downtown Chandler will classic movies, independent films get its first restaurant/bar/movie and special events, with seating theater combo with the planned for 825 moviegoers. The theater is opening of the Alamo Drafthouse expected to open later this year. Cinema. Arizona franchise rights “Our goal is to open for the holder Paschich Alamo Holdings new ‘Star Wars,’ which is Dec. 18,” LLC., is bringing the eight-screen Paschich says. “We know this is theater, bar and restaurant an aggressive target, but we like a to Chandler, the first Alamo challenge.” Drafthouse in Arizona. Alamo Drafthouse has been The new establishment will be heralded for its high exhibition located in the planned mixedstandards, earning accolades use development from Vintage like “Best Theater Ever” (Time Partners dubbed “The Row,” an Magazine) and “the coolest entertainment project on the theater in the world” (Wired). southwest corner of Arizona The Austin-based chain made Avenue and Chandler Boulevard. news recently when it decided The Alamo Drafthouse Cinema to pick up the controversial film in Chandler will be managed by “The Interview,” which had a partner Craig Paschich, who has tough time finding a home after been with Alamo Drafthouse a cyber-terror attack directed at Cinemas for nine years and Sony Pictures Entertainment, the served as president for the past movie’s distributor. three. Paschich and his wife, Kim, “First-run movies are our bread are relocating their family to and butter, but we also do a lot Chandler to be involved in all of alternative programming,” aspects of the business. Paschich says. “We will hire a local “I have been spending about creative programming manager seven to 10 days a month in to make sure we bring interesting Arizona throughout this process, events to the theater that the and once we start construction, I locals want to see and enjoy.” will spend even more time there,” Of course, it will ultimately MOVIE TIME: Craig and Kim Paschich are relocating to Chandler Paschich says. “We have two be judged by the caliber of food. from Austin to open the new Alamo Drafthouse Cinema. Photo by young kids who will finish school Annie Ray The menu at Alamo Drafthouse in early June, so we’ll move to Chandler, according to Paschich, (KPIs) on demographics that we focus on,” Arizona sometime after that.” will be comprised of 60 percent Paschich says. “I just love the feel of the He mentions that his company had core items that all Alamos have: pizza, town and this location.” been looking “for months” for the perfect burgers, sandwiches, salads, appetizers The cinema-eatery concept is not site for its first Arizona venue and found and desserts. The other 40 percent will entirely new to the Valley—there are that Chandler was the perfect spot. be at the discretion of local management. similar facilities like the Studio Movie “It hit all 10 key performance indicators
SEE CINEMA PAGE 46
Celebrate the ’80s with ‘Die Nasty in Dallas’ BY LYNETTE CARRINGTON
The spirit of the classic board game “Clue” comes alive in “Die Nasty in Dallas,” Murder Ink Productions’ interactive murdermystery romp that also pays homage to memorable 1980s TV shows. “Dinner murder mysteries are so popular because they let the audience get into the act,” says Marney Austin, executive producer
at Murder Ink Productions. “Die Nasty in Dallas” is Murder Ink’s latest show and is based on shows like “Dallas” and “Dynasty,” with a splash of “Miami Vice.” The more engaged the audience is, the more outrageous and hilarious the production becomes. “People really get into it and have a lot of fun,” Austin says. Dressing up for the murder mystery dinner isn’t mandatory, but makes it a more interactive show for everyone,
DIE NASTY: Marney Austin as Miranda Allister-Barrington-Chadwick-Davenport-EdmondsFrancis-The Countess Von Grainger, Joe Chandler as Detective Crockett and Dyana Carroll as Chyna Evans-Barrington perform in Murder Ink Productions’ “Die Nasty in Dallas.” STSN photo by Lynette Carrington
so guests are encouraged to break out the massive shoulder pads, sky-high hair, glamorous gowns and dapper suits. Shows usually attract 40 to 80 attendees and are kept small to ensure an engaging and interactive experience. Tickets are $85 and the whodunit production includes a no-host cocktail hour, a three-course gourmet Italian buffet dinner, the show and nonalcoholic beverages. Performances, the next of which is from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, are held at Fazio’s Catering Hall, 700 W. Warner Rd., Chandler. SEE DALLAS PAGE 51