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Local country pop star Ava Terry releases third single
BY JORDAN HOUSTON Peoria Times Staff Writer
Phoenix resident Ava Terry was 9 years old when she won her first singing competition. Now, the 18-year-old is making a name for herself as budding pop country artist across the state.
Terry, a Liberty High School graduate, has released her third and latest original single, “Time Machine,” featuring an “’80s throwback vibe.” The song is available on all streaming platforms, including Spotify and Apple Music.
Terry has spent a majority of her blossoming career performing for local charities and professional sporting events throughout the greater Phoenix area. With songwriting under her belt, Terry said she strives to create “fresh” music that “translates to many audiences.”
“I have always been drawn to the ’80s,” she said.
“‘Time Machine’ is a product of me wishing I could go back in time when things seemed lighter and brighter and there was no social media and cellphones.”
A “Nash” version of “Time Machine” is also in the works, Terry continued, boasting a “little more country flare.”
During her time in COVID-19 quarantine, Terry said she maximized her downtime to focus on making music and learning how to write original pieces.
“I had to make the choice to either put my music on hold and just record cover songs or move forward somehow,” she said. “I decided to take advantage of the time away from school and do something productive.”
Using Zoom, Terry collaborated with Nashville songwriter and producer Kipp Williams, of Dr. Luke’s Prescription Songs, to write five songs — all of which are inspired by her life.
Terry said she wants her music to be “relatable to all ages.”
“I hope my songs make people feel good while touching their heart in some way,” Terry said. “I like to write from the perspective of seeing the good in things in life instead of just the bad parts.”
Growing up in Phoenix, Terry said she embraced her passion for singing at 8 years old.
She recalled idolizing the talents of Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston from very early on.
“I have always loved music,” Terry said. “Michael Jackson was my idol when I was 5 years old. I must have watched the movie ‘Selena’ about 100 times as a kid.”
A year later, Terry won the Great American Talent Search in Peoria, marking the beginning of her singing career at 9.
The pop country artist, who was encouraged by her voice coach Lise Hopson of Redhead Studios to enter, won the junior division of the competition.
“There were three rounds of eliminations, which were a few weeks apart,” Terry said. “I just remember feeling like it was a big deal just like the TV show.”
The local talent has since gone on to perform the “Star-Spangled Banner” at numerous sporting events, including a 50,000-person crowd at an Arizona Diamondbacks game, as well as volunteer-sing for a plethora of charity and church events.
Singing provides a “purpose” in Terry’s life, she shared, while also making her feel “safe.”
“I want to inspire people and take them on an emotional journey with my voice,” she said. “It sounds weird, but I love to bring tears to people’s eyes, in a good way. I think God gave me a gift and I should take on the challenge and do something with what He has given me.”
Terry’s ultimate inspiration as an artist is country singer and songwriter Carrie Underwood, she continued.
She said Underwood’s lifestyle and morals continue to motivate her to be the “best version” of herself.
“I am so moved by how she seems to connect her whole life with her life on the stage,” Terry stated. “It’s so genuine and cohesive. Her strong faith shows through in her music, which I admire. She is brave and unafraid to be herself.”
Another element of Terry’s musical journey is her desire to give back to the community.
The 18-year-old frequently volunteers at the Community of Grace church in Peoria in both its services and community music productions, she explained.
Terry also offers her vocals to charity organizations like the United Way, the Kiwanis Foundation and even the Peoria Police Department.
“Since I can remember, my family has raised money every year for the Pacific Northwest Kiwanis Foundation and their annual walkathon to feed less-fortunate families at the holidays,” she shared.
This fall, Terry plans to expand her musical palette at Belmont’s College of Music and Performing Arts in Nashville, Tennessee.
Terry will attend the school’s Commercial Music Program, which is by audition only, and minor in music business, she said.
“I am super honored and very excited,” Terry said.
“Time Machine’s” music video premiered on YouTube at 9 p.m. Monday, July 14.
“Time Machine,” and Terry’s other singles, are available on Spotify or Apple Music. For more information, visit her website, avaterrymusic.com.
Aspiring singer Ava Terry, an 18-year-old Phoenix resident, released her third original single, “Time Machine,” on all streaming platforms. (Photo courtesy of
Angela Terry)
ANSWERS PAGE 16 ACROSS
1 Parking place 4 Toy block name 8 Narcissist’s love 12 Bashful 13 Cameo shape 14 Russian river 15 Home 17 Wheels of fortune? 18 One of the Fab Four 19 Doze 20 Con games 22 Facebook action 24 Director Wertmuller 25 Tyrannize 29 Vichy water 30 Church keyboard 31 Big D.C. lobby 32 Realm 34 Hertz rival 35 Swiss peaks 36 Justice Kagan 37 Waterlogged 40 Mideast airline 41 Say it’s so 42 Rectangular game pieces 46 Painter Magritte 47 Regarding 48 Shell-game item 49 Initial chip 50 Optimum 51 Stately tree
DOWN
1 Leary’s drug 2 Discoverer’s call 3 Ear membrane 4 Venue 5 Satan’s forte 6 Lass 7 Flamenco cheer 8 Morose 9 Buffalo’s lake 10 Hobbling 11 Broadway failure 16 “-- Rock” 19 Epidermis 20 Rosebud, to Kane 21 Pisa farewell 22 Trademark symbols 23 One-named supermodel 25 Faucet problem 26 Letter holder 27 Ms. Brockovich 28 Tabula -30 Unique 33 “Amen to that!” 34 Actor Rickman 36 “Adam Bede” author 37 Poet Teasdale 38 Roasting spot 39 Bloke 40 911 responders 42 Wee dollop 43 Sugary suffix 44 Moray, for one 45 America’s uncle
EVEN EXCHANGE
by Donna Pettman
Each numbered row contains two clues and two answers. The two answers differ from each other by only one letter, which has already been inserted. For example, if you exchange the A from MASTER for an I, you get MISTER. Do not change the order of the letters.
Park West, foundation partner for Follow the Fork event
BY PEORIA TIMES STAFF
Park West and the Peoria Education Foundation have teamed up to offer West Valley culinary enthusiasts a new progressive dining and entertainment event, Follow the Fork.
From 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 2, guests can enjoy tastings from participating Park West restaurants, along with music, interactive art and photo opportunities, as they raise funds for the foundation.
“We’re so excited to partner with the Peoria Education Foundation and bring West Valley residents a fun way to try our fabulous new restaurant mix, many of which are first-of-a-kind concepts on the west side,” said Kelly Price, Park West’s business development manager.
“It’s our pleasure to offer our culinary community a comprehensive new event that serves a good cause that we all want to support — Peoria students.”
VIP tickets start at $50 and include a private VIP reception with refreshments at Sicilian Butcher from 5:30 to 7 p.m.; exclusive “midnight snack” swag bag with cookie samples; beverages; tastings at participating restaurants; and a special VIP area. Purchase tickets at shopparkwest.com.
General admission tickets are $25 and include tastings at participating restaurants and midnight snack swag bag.
Participating restaurants include BJ’s Steakhouse; Cabin Whiskey and Grill; Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar; Grimaldi’s Coal Brick-Oven Pizzeria; Jalapeno Inferno Bistro Mexicano; Kasai; Mary’s Mountain Cookies; Olive Gourmet; Pita Jungle; Sicilian Butcher; Wildflower and Yama Sushi.
Park West is located at 9744 W. Northern Avenue.
July 15, 2021
BY ALLISON BROWN Peoria Times Staff Writer
The word “potpourri” literally means “a mixture of things,” which accurately describes the new summer exhibit at the West Valley Art Museum.
The “Potpourri of Prints” collection contains works dating back from 1969 to early 2000s and includes artists from all over the states as well as Mexico, Germany, England and Poland.
One painter, Earl Bliss, is a member of the Crow Indian Nation and expresses his heritage in his artwork. Richard Acott is from Colorado but spent his winters in Surprise and has sculptures on display at the exhibit.
Besides the variance in artists, there is also a major differentiation in the types of printmaking techniques. There are lithographs, serigraphs, etchings, intaglio, and the mezzotint process.
Then there is the contrast between bright, bold paintings; dreamy watercolors; the fine, black-and-white lines of illusion art; and graffiti-like street art.
“It’s the contrast between things like (color and style) that are such fun,” said Connie McMillin, the West Valley Art Museum Board of Trustees secretary and treasurer. “They’re not hung next to each other. Everything is in the eye.”
Jacquie Mitchell, admin volunteer at the art museum, agreed and said everyone has different works that they are drawn to.
“A lot of people like the colorful Mexican ladies, but if they like animals, they like those watercolor paintings,” Mitchell said. “I had a 7-year-old tell me his favorite was the painting of a girl looking out over the water.”
If beauty is in the eye of the beholder, then it might take some time to fully appreciate the art on display by Elaine Rothwell. Rothwell created illusion or ambiguous images, which seem to change based on perception. The most notable in this collection is a print that contains 13 self-portraits hidden within the image.
“When I first looked at it, I didn’t see anything,” Mitchell said. “Then I saw one, and it took me weeks to find all of them.”
Every single piece in the exhibit belongs to a collector in the West Valley who wishes to remain anonymous. This anonymous collector has spent years buying and selling at auctions online and has cultivated a “major, major print collection,” according to McMillin.
The works on display are part of his private collection and are on loan to the art museum, which makes the viewing experience more exclusive.
“We work with him and with his suggestions, and that’s what this is: Potpourri means diversity and variety of all types of fine art prints, rather than just doing one thing, one era or one style,” McMillin said.
“Everything in the show is from his private collection, so the public wouldn’t usually get to see these.”
The WVAM Gallery is on the first floor of Peoria City Hall and is free to the public. This specific collection will be on display until Sept. 16. The art museum is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and from noon to 6 p.m. on Thursdays.
WHAT: ”Potpourri of Prints” art exhibit WHEN: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays to Wednesdays; noon to 6 p.m. Thursdays through Sept. 16 WHERE: First floor inside Peoria City Hall at 8401 W. Monroe Street, Peoria COST: Free INFO: 623-972-0635, wvam.org/exhibitions
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Fry’s to host 3D mammogram screenings
BY PEORIA TIMES STAFF
Mobile On-Site Mammography by SimonMed is offering 3D mammogram screenings to encourage early detection in the fight against breast cancer.
On July 17, the company will host the screenings at Fry’s grocery store located at 5771 W. Thunderbird Road from 1 to 4 p.m. MOM said most insurances will be accepted, including Medicare and Medicaid. The screenings will also be offered for a cash fee of $217.
MOM offers the newest 3D mammography technology, accompanied by a professional staff that focuses on patient comfort, care and privacy. Each exam takes only 15 minutes. Screening results are sent to the patients’ health care provider, and they receive notification of the results at their home.
Mobile On-Site Mammography has been dedicated to the early detection of breast cancer by providing mobile mammography screening serves to women where they work and live, at both the work site and community events, in all 15 counties in Arizona.
To schedule an appointment, call 480-967-3767 or 1-800-285-00272. Physician referrals are not required for a screening mammogram.
