The Fall 2015 Festival of Tales | Student Review by Nicole Zimora

The Festival of Tales is a FREE storytelling festival at Paradise Community college. From 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., children from the community engage in different types of literacy-based activities: arts & crafts, storytelling and more. During registration each child is given two tickets - one for a “book walk” and the other for a free book.

Children have the opportunity to pick their favorite book at a table set up with hundreds of different types of books for different reading levels. They receive free books by doing the “book walk.” Music plays as they walk around a number placement; when the music stops numbers are drawn and the number called out receives a free book! Children play games centered on literary characters and participate in storytelling sessions in which books are read aloud.

Throughout the event live music was playing provided by the PVCC Ensembles. Two bands played: a jazz band and a Latin jazz band. They had various instruments such as a saxophone, cello, bass guitar, and tambourine as their timbre and a piano. The rhythm of the songs that were being played made you want to get up and dance! It was a fun and great way to spend a Saturday afternoon.

PVCC Festival of Tales - Saturday, December 5th, 2015

On Saturday, December 5th, PVCC’s Education Department and the Division of Fine & Performing Arts proudly present the Festival of Tales; a free, literacy-focused celebration offered to the greater community.

Held from 9am to 2pm, the festival is a day of reading, literacy and cultural activities for children and families that includes storytelling, arts and crafts, games, face painting, live music, food trucks and much more!

Now celebrating its eighth year, FESTIVAL OF TALES brings books to life through the art of storytelling and provides FREE books to children who participate in the activities.

The festival also features live musical performances by Heidi Swedberg and the SukeyJump Band, PVCC faculty and student music ensembles, local elementary schools and community groups. 

For more information, visit festivaloftales.com or on Facebook at PVCC Festival of Tales.

Jazz Under the Stars | Student Review by Sarah Toth

The Jazz Under the Stars event held on Tuesday October 13th in the PVCC outdoor amphitheater was a night of toe tapping entertainment. Between the two “Big Band Music” groups, there was a variety of slow, to moderate, to fast tempos of music. Any age could go out and enjoy the lovely music being played. The causal environment made the whole atmosphere a family-friendly setting. The bands helped each other out on stage during the performance, and the director openly made jokes about himself and the band. The casual setting also made the performance all the more enjoyable. The entire performance was outstanding.

THE INSTRUMENTS BATTLED EACH OTHER IN DISSONANCE AND THEN RESOLVED THEMSELVES IN HARMONIES. MOST BANDS TRY TO STAY CONSTANT WITH THE OTHER SECTIONS, BUT JAZZ IS FREER THAN THAT. 

Each band kept the same tone throughout their movements. Hearing the instruments battling each other out in dissonance to resolve themselves in harmonies was a new experience. Most bands that play will try to stay constant with the other sections, but jazz is freer than that. For example, some pieces played were originally written for other instruments, such as the alto saxophone, but were manipulated for other instruments like the trombone. With each band, it was obvious that for some pieces, certain instruments were the focal point. With other pieces, adding an instrument made a huge difference. The addition of an instrument was the difference in making a classical piece modern.

Each band had soloists in every selection they performed. To highlight the soloists, they would stand and use a mic to amplify their instruments. Not only did the mic help the solo clearer, but the rest of the band would back off the notes and harmonies, just to crescendo back into the piece. In the first band, they had a key soloists perform with them. He is a professor at the University of Central Florida, Mr. Mike Wilkinson. Mike performed in several of the performances and added a new feel to the band.

The first band was bigger than the second band. They had larger sections for the instruments, as well as had more soloists. The first band is what you would think of with a stereotypical jazz band. The second band had an all around new style to the way they performed. The director was an actual band player himself and played in the performance. In this band, there was a more prominent feel to the revolutionary styles of jazz, and added more modern instruments, drum sets and a bass, to modernize the sets. Although the second band had fewer members, the power behind the instruments was well known. In the first band, the crescendos were powerful, and the sound carried throughout the amphitheater. Where the second band lacked in power, it made up for it in the difficulties of the music.

THE FIRST BAND BROUGHT A PROFESSIONAL TROMBONE PLAYER TO ASSIST THEM, WHERE THE SECOND BAND HAD A REALLY COOL ADVANTAGE OF HAVING A COMPOSER IN THEIR SET. 

Each band also brought something different to the table. The first band brought a professional trombone player to assist them, where the second band had a really cool advantage of have a composer in their set. The second band always tries to play a piece of his every show, this shows being titled Burk the Baby.

Jazz Under the Stars was a very fun experience. From learning about music in class, to really hearing it live and in person is a whole new experience. From a college band, that amount of perfection put into these pieces was amazing. You wouldn’t have been able to tell if this was a class, or if it as a group of people doing what they love. Jazz Under the Stars was a really good all around experience.  

Lecture and Workshop with Ana Thiel, International Glass Artist

Internationally known glass artist, Ana Thiel will be at PVCC in the ceramics studio to teach a workshop in techniques for casting molten glass in sand molds, Friday and Saturday, October 30, 31, 8am-4pm. Interested students, faculty or staff are encouraged to participate. The cost is free. Contact David L. Bradley to register.

On Sunday, November 8th, 3pm in the Center for Performing Arts, Ana will give a lecture on her artwork and philosophy of art. Free admission. Read below for more information on Ana and her artistic philosophy.

How is a sculpture born? How can something come into form, being, that was not here before? How is the actual process?

Visiting artist Ana Thiel will share moments from her own (decades long) experience as she illustrates the various ways that the process from inception to completion actually takes place. She will describe how ideas are formulated, including the moments of struggle, escape, depth, discovery, and some of the hidden factors that she takes into account to actually allow a piece to exist or not in working with a fascinating material such as glass.

In short, Thiel will show us how she works through the creative process and how the creative process works through her.

The lecture will take place at the PVCC (Paradise Valley Community College) Center for Performing Arts auditorium in Phoenix, Arizona.

Sunday, November 8th at 3:00pm.

Admission is free, all are welcome.

Born in Mexico City, Ana Thiel first trained for Industrial Design and became actively involved in glass as an art medium in the 80s after attending Pilchuck Glass School, where she studied with James Carpenter, Bertil Vallien, Dan Dailey and took a master class with Stanislav Libensky and Jaroslava Brychtova. Her art is exhibited both in Mexico and internationally. Thiel has taught workshops in many countries and has been invited as a resident artist in the US, Japan, Egypt, Spain and France. Ana Thiel now lives and works in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.

For more information, please visit:     www.anathiel.com

PVCC FINE ARTS OPEN HOUSE

This free event features demos, performances, tours, workshops, and hands-on activities.
Music, dance, theatre, costume design, creative writing, film, and studio recording are among the fine and performing arts programs that will be showcased on Saturday, October 10, 2015, from 1pm-4pm at Paradise Valley Community College’s Center for the Performing Arts (CPA). 

Information about classes, programs, events, scholarships and performance opportunities will be available, and those in attendance will be treated to a variety of special performances and workshops throughout the afternoon. There will be multiple opportunities throughout the afternoon to attend the workshops, tours and demos.

Schedule:

• 1-4 pm– CPA Mainstage, Costume Department, Computer Lab, Recording Studio, Art Studio, Ceramics Studio

•       Stage Combat and Theater "Games" presentations.

•       Dance Improvisation workshop and performances of student dance pieces.

•       A selection of scenes from PVCC’s presentation of The Outlaw Robin Hood.

•       Studio Recording, Audio Mixing, DJ techniques and Electronic Music demonstrations.<

•       Openlab with students working in various art mediums including ceramics, drawing, painting and sculpture.

The day offers something for everyone!  Parking is free and families are welcome.  For more information, visit paradisevalley.edu/fine-arts, or call 602-787-7738.

#thisweekatpvcc: Free Film Festival, Music Festival and Food Trucks!

FILM FESTIVAL @ PVCC - THE ARTS AND ARTISTS THROUGH FILM PRESENTS:

Mrs. Henderson Presents (Great Britain, R; 103 min.)

Wednesday, September 30th @ 6:30pm. Free Admission. CPA-Mainstage Theater.

First Saturday Outdoor Concert Series: October 3, 2015 at 6:00pm, Free Admission

Paradise Valley Community College’s Center for the Performing Arts (CPA) will host a series of music concerts on the first Saturdays in September, October and November 2015. These free performances are presented on the CPA’s outdoor amphitheater stage from 6-8 p.m., and audience members are invited to bring a folding chair or blanket as the space accommodates lawn seating only.  Several of Phoenix's most popular Food Trucks will be on site to serve concessions. Cash donations will be accepted. Kids Craft Area supervised by students in PVCC's Education Program.

October 3rd Event Features:

Music: Rebel Heart (Country/Blues/Rock)

Food Trucks: Frites Street - Gourmet Pomme Frites and Tom’s BBQ

Fine & Performing Arts Student Spotlight Video - Lindsay, Dance

A short video highlighting PVCC's dance program and the experiences of student Lindsay Bush. Learn more about PVCC's dance program at: www.paradisevalley.edu/dance

Fall 2015 Visual Arts Events at PVCC

The PVCC Visual Arts Department is pleased to host the following events, workshops and visiting artists during Fall of 2015. We hope to see you there!

Friday, September 18th, 6-9pm

CHINESE CERAMIC MASTER ARTISTS EXHIBIT AND RECEPTION

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See exceptional ceramic masterpieces created by Chinese Ceramic Master Artists. Meet the artists and enjoy refreshments, live music and a silent auction to benefit the PVCC Glassblowing Program. 

Saturday, September 19th, 5-9pm

FIRED UP! HANDS-ON CERAMIC WORKSHOP

PVCC Ceramics Studio (D Building)
 

Choose a handmade ceramic pot, apply raku glaze, and watch your piece transform before your eyes into Art. This event is from 5-9pm in the PVCC Ceramics Studio (D Building) and is $25 per person. Proceeds benefit the PVCC Glassblowing Program. 

Friday and Saturday, October 30 & 31, 8am-4pm

VISITING ARTIST SERIES: GLASS WORKSHOP WITH ANA THIEL

PVCC Ceramics Studio (D Building)
 

Free for PVCC students, this hands-on workshop introduces participants to techniques for working with hot glass by pouring, casting and combining with other materials. Registration is limited. Reserve a spot by emailing david.bradley@paradisevalley.edu.

Sunday, November 9th, 3-4pm

VISITING ARTIST SERIES: LECTURE WITH GLASS ARTIST ANA THIEL

Center for Performing Arts Main Stage
 

Ana Thiel is an internationally known artist who uses hot glass combined with other materials to create art. She was educated at Pilchuck Glass School, founded by Dale Chihuly, and has exhibited and taught around the world. She lives in San Miguel De Allende, Mexico. Free to the public, held at the Center for Performing Arts Main Stage.

For more information Contact David L. Bradley, Visual Arts Faculty
Email: david.bradley@paradisevalley.edu
Phone: (602) 787-6615
Office: M-165

 

Faculty Landscape Photography on Display at Desert Foothills Library

You are all invited to view the spectacular landscape images of three Valley photographers:
WILLIS PETERSON | former resident of Cave Creek, Former Chairman of Photography, Glendale Community College, long time Arizona Highways contributor
JERRY SIEVE | Long time resident of Cave Creek, Teacher at Paradise Valley Community College, long time Arizona Highways contributor
TOM BAKER | Current resident of Carefree, Photography student)

The images will be on display at:

Desert Foothills Library
September 21- October 5, 2015
38443 N. Schoolhouse Road
Cave Creek, Arizona

For more info email sieveimages@gmail.com

 

Free First Saturday Concert Series at PVCC

This fall, the First Saturday Concert Series returns to PVCC with free outdoor concerts every First Saturday of the month in August, September, October and November of 2015.

These free performances are presented on the CPA’s outdoor amphitheater stage from 6-8 p.m., and audience members are invited to bring a folding chair or blanket as the space is lawn seating only. Several of Phoenix's most popular food trucks will be on site to serve concessions.

August 8th, 2015: An Evening in Brazil with Grupo Liberdade| 6pm | Free Admission

Featuring exciting music and dance performances by GRUPO LIBERDADE and the SAMBAZ DANCERS. Grupo Liberdade is a performance group dedicated to freedom of expression through Culture, Movement & Sound. They promote COMMUNITY, DIVERSITY & EMPOWERMENT drawing upon the traditional & contemporary rhythms of Brazil and beyond while bringing an original sound & energy to our desert metropolis.

September 5th, 2015: The Cal Tjader Tribute Band| 6pm | Free Admission

With exciting performances of Mambo, Cha cha cha, and other grooves, The Tjader Tribute Band pays homage to one of the most important Latin-jazz artists of the last century.

October 3rd, 2015: Rebel Heart: Country Rock| 6pm | Free Admission

Rebel Heart is a 5 piece band from Arizona consisting of seasoned stage veterans covering percussion, lead guitar, bass, and lead vocals. The dual vocalists carry a powerful and soulful sound and presence. They offer a variety of country, rock, and blues ranging from old to new.

November 7th, 2015: A Night on Broadway| 6pm | Free Admission

Featuring vocalists Kristen Drathman and Tommy Strawser, enjoy a night on broadway with your favorite show tunes. 

For more information about events at the Center for the Performing Arts, view our Fall 2015 Events Calendar or call 602-787-7738. Box Office hours are noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday thru Friday and one hour prior to show.

The Center for the Performing Arts is conveniently located at 34th Street and Union Hills at the east end of the campus of Paradise Valley Community College in North Phoenix. Parking is free.