SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | MARCH 1, 2020
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
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Scottsdale Arts Fest marks big anniversary BY KRISTINE CANNON Progress Staff Writer
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very spring in Scottsdale, the flowers bloom, the Spring Training games are in full swing – and the Scottsdale Arts Festival opens up to the public for three days with the best-of-the-best local art, plenty of fun family-friendly activities and nonstop live music. This year is a particularly special year for the festival, taking place March 13 through 15 at the newly renovated 20-acre Scottsdale Civic Center Park. It’s the Scottsdale Arts Festival’s 50th anniversary. And to celebrate and commemorate its milestone year, Scottsdale Arts Festival has commissioned longtime attendees and local husband and wife printmakers Stephen and Bonnie Harmston, known collectively as HarmstonArts, to
Scottsdale Arts Festival’s featured artists are local husband and wife printmakers Stephen and Bonnie Harmston. Known as HarmstonArts, Stephen and Bonnie’s art studio is located in the garage of the Chandler home they purchased 34 years ago. (Chris Mortenson/Progress Staff Photographer)
create an original piece of art. “When they came to us and said, ‘It’s the 50th anniversary, and we want you,’ it really does mean a lot to us because we have a real strong history with this show,” Bonnie said. “Of all the shows we do all across the country over the years, there’s a few shows we have a real tender spot for, and we always get very excited to go,” she added. This year’s festival will showcase more than 180 jury-selected artists from the United States and beyond. Attendees will have the opportunity to both experience and purchase works ranging from paintings, sculptures, and ceramics to jewelry, photography, and more. Hands-on family-friendly activities include banana screen printing, a scav-
see ARTS FEST page 42
Nikki and Brie bring party to Valley Ho BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Progress Staff Writer
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ust because Valley natives Nikki and Brie Bella are pregnant, it doesn’t mean they can’t throw a party. The former WWE Divas will kick off Cabanas After Dark, the Hotel Valley Ho’s poolside parties under the stars, at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 7. The party and a VIP rooftop meet and greet also introduce their new Bonita Bonita rosé and signed bottles will be available. “We’re so beyond excited,” says Nikki, who recently announced her engagement to her former “Dancing with the Stars” partner, Artem Chigvintsev. “Brie and I are known as winos. We love being
Nikki and Brie Bella are hosting a party Friday at Hotel Valley Ho to introduce their new wine. (Special to the Progress)
part of the wine industry. Just because we’re pregnant, it doesn’t mean we can’t have a pool party and make mocktails. This, we know: the Bellas know how to throw a good party.” Brie adds it makes sense to celebrate Bonita Bonita in Scottsdale. The Bellas were born 16 minutes apart Nov. 21, 1983, in San Diego and raised on a farm near Scottsdale. The soccer-playing girls graduated from Chaparral High School in 2002. “Obviously, Arizona is home to us. Every time we have something to launch or showcase, the first thing we think about is here. We’re these young girls with big dreams and to introduce Bonita Bonita at home makes it much more special. Everyone can taste our rosé, which is fantastic, at
see BELLA page 45
