Fall 2017 Film Festival @ PVCC

The Film Festival at PVCC is a series of films screened at the Center For Performing Arts over course of the fall semester. This year, the festival theme is Director's Choice, highlighting films from international directors across a variety of genres. Admission to the Film Festival at PVCC is free and open to the public. 

Film Festival at PVCC Presents: Monsieur Hire

August 30th ‧ 6:30 p.m.

PG-13 1989 ‧ Crime film/Drama film ‧ 1h 21m
Monsieur Hire, a misanthropic and voyeuristic tailor, spies on his gorgeous neighbour Alice from across the street. The development of their relationship takes place against the backdrop of another plot, the unsolved murder of a local young woman. Monsieur Hire is hounded by a detective investigating the murder and is also eventually noticed by Alice. Hire propositions Alice to ditch her boyfriend Emile and run off with him to his little home in Switzerland, where he promises to take care of her.

Free Admission ‧ Center for Performing Arts

Film Festival at PVCC Presents: Cautiva

September 13th ‧ 6:30 p.m.

2005 ‧ Indie film/Drama ‧ 1h 55m
In 1994 Argentina, Cristina Quadri (Bárbara Lombardo), a teen from a well-to-do family, leads a charmed life. But when she's summoned in front of a judge one day, she learns the shocking truth of her real parents' disappearance during Argentina's "Dirty War" of the 1970s. Her actual name is Sofía Lombardi, and now she must live with her real grandmother (Susana Campos), a total stranger. With her life forever changed, Cristina works to uncover the deceit that for years kept her from the truth.

Free Admission ‧ Center for Performing Arts

Film Festival at PVCC Presents: The Lunchbox

September 27th ‧ 6:30 p.m.

PG 2013 ‧ Drama film/Romance ‧ 1h 45m
Lonely housewife Ila (Nimrat Kaur) decides to try adding some spice to her stale marriage by preparing a special lunch for her neglectful husband. Unfortunately, the delivery goes astray and winds up in the hands of Saajan (Irrfan Khan), an irritable widower. Curious about her husband's lack of response, Ila adds a note to the next day's lunchbox, and thus begins an unusual friendship in which Saajan and Ila can talk about their joys and sorrows without ever meeting in person.

Free Admission ‧ Center for Performing Arts

Film Festival at PVCC Presents: The Farewell Party

October 11th ‧ 6:30 p.m.

2014 ‧ Drama film/Romance ‧ 1h 35m

Levana and Yehezkel, a married couple in a retirement home, love being together until a pair of devastating challenges suddenly threatens to divide them.

Summer 2017 Flute Choir Concert at PVCC

The Paradise Valley Community College Summer Flute Choir presents its 24th annual concert this summer! The program started in 1994, and the choir is composed of folks from all walks of life: students to doctors, retirees to parents of young families, founding members to those who just started playing with the group this year.

An exciting addition this summer: Catherine McMichael, the composer of one of the pieces the group is playing will be coming in to work with the group on the piece, and share insights into the work's composition.

This work, as well as several others, will be performed on Thursday evening, July 27, at 7:30 pm in the Center for the Performing Arts. Admission to the concert is free of charge to the public. Come up and say hello to someone - we look forward to meeting you then!

Lee Chivers,
Flute Choir Director

The above photos show the variety of flutes in the choir: Contrabass (the BIG one), to bass and alto, regular flute and piccolo.

PVCC's Singer-Songwriter Tribute: Meet the Singers

PVCC is proud to present A Musical Tribute to SINGER-SONGWRITERS on Friday, June 2nd at 7:30pm. Performed by the Union32 All-Star Band with dynamic singer-songwriters Ciara Cisneros, Cameron DeGurski, Janae Dunn, Micah Lukas, Alex Mullins, Ally Owens, and Callie Young.

Featuring music from some of greatest singer-songwriters from the 1970s through today, including James Taylor, Jackson Browne, Joni Mitchell, Bruce Springsteen, Elton John, Billy Joel, Stevie Nicks, Ryan Adams, George Ezra, Vance Joy and much more!

All proceeds from this concert will benefit the Alice Cooper’s Solid Rock to PVCC Pathway Scholarship Fund. Held at the Center for Performing Arts, Admission is $6-$10.  

PURCHASE TICKETS HERE

Ciara Cisneros

Inspired by:

Heart, Kaki King, Pink, Led Zeppelin, Prince, Hosier, Ed Sheeran, Foo Fighters

I got my first taste of performing as a singer in a 6th grade talent show and have loved it ever since. Two years later I found another passion: playing guitar. I'm currently writing my own music and performing at local venues around the valley. I hope to release my first EP by the end of the year or in early 2018. I am beyond excited to be playing with the faculty musicians. I was very fortunate to perform at PVCC during the Alice Cooper Proof in the Pudding contest and at the Festival of Tales, which both took place last year. Both experiences were fabulous, from the beautiful venue to the amazing people at PVCC. I can't wait to see everyone at this show and all for a GREAT cause!

There is nothing like jamming with other musicians who also love music and then connecting with an audience. It blows my mind every time!

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Cameron DeGurski

Inspired by:

Ryan Adams, Chris Cornell, Eddie Vedder, Emily King, D'Angelo, Bill Withers, Justin Pierre

"I'm not going to play anything I can't pour my heart into." 

Straightforward, honest, and un-apologetically raw, Arizona-native Cameron DeGurski (say it with me - "dee" "grr" "ski") doesn't mind baring his soul behind the microphone. He's a self-proclaimed "purveyor of sounds and feels." 

With a style that incorporates elements of folk, soul, grunge, and even alt-country, a genre-specific definition is hard to come by for DeGurski, something he takes pride in. Listeners can find shades of Ryan Adams, Chris Cornell, David Gray, and Bill Withers peeking through in his performances. One word that everyone can agree on? Emotion. 

"I'd rather play something that exudes emotion, and make an audience feel something, ANYTHING, than regurgitate the tunes you can play in any jukebox, at any bar in town. If you want the jukebox, I'll give you a quarter. If you want to share some energy, and leave feeling a little more human, 'I'm your Huckleberry.'"

 I've been a student at ASU, GCC, and I even did a small stint in culinary school - but I've never felt as involved or as much a part of a community as I do here at PVCC. I truly enjoy coming to class and interacting with the other students and faculty. PVCC has really cultivated something special, and I'm glad to be a part of it.

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www.camerondegurski.com

Janae Dunn

Inspired by:

Sara Bareilles, Ed Sheeran, John Mayer, Jason Mraz, Birdy

Janae Dunn is an independent singer-songwriter, and actress in the valley. She has been singing since she could talk, and begun making up my own little ditties shortly after that, and it all blossomed from there. She creates music about promoting self-love, mending heartbreak, and how to navigate the surprises of this rollar-coaster we all call life. Music is much like therapy in some ways for Janae, for it always works as a vessel to unlocking and understanding the emotions and complexities lying within her heart. She thanks God everyday for the creation of music, its incredible power, and the abilities to do it and pursue it. 

I am all about lyrics to a song first: the metaphors and painting pictures and feelings with words. I am super excited to get to perform with a live band; I always love seeing other passionate artists living out their love for music. It's a perfect example of the beautiful power music has in the world and in bringing people together.

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Alex Mullins

Inspired by:

U2, Coldplay, Imagine Dragons, The Killers, Queen, The Beatles, Bruce Springsteen

Alex Mullins is a 23-year-old singer/songwriter from Phoenix Arizona. Alex has been playing around Arizona as well as the greater southwest for the past 4 years both solo and with his former band, Alex Mullins and The Royal. After the disbanding of Alex Mullins and The Royal in 2017, Alex resumed his solo career with a folk, funk, soul and pop flare that stays true to his roots from growing up with the ubiquity of Bruce Springsteen, U2 and countless others. He also continues to compose and write for other artists around the country. His debut EP is set to release in the fall of 2017.

It is humbling to play alongside such talented musicians with savant qualities. All the essentials to recording, performing and live sound were instilled in me at PVCC. Performing here is like a small college reunion every time.

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Ally Owens

Inspired by:

Ann Wilson, Joan Jett, Tracey Chapman, Michael Jackson, Guns N Roses, Tina Turner, Aretha Franklin

18 year old Ally Owens performs a wide range of music throughout the Valley as a soloist as well as with her band, Second Soulstice. She was the 2013 Prescott Idol winner, 2015 Miss Tempe’s Outstanding Teen and made it to the semi finals of both the 2014 and 2016 Alice Cooper’s Proof is in the Pudding Talent Competition as a soloist. Ally also enjoys community service including performing at the St. Vincent de Paul Hearts and Hands monthly event, the Annual Arthritis Walk and Juvenile Arthritis Convention as well as creating a fundraiser for the Arthritis Foundation called Mocha for Moola - musical event geared to raise funds. She was selected to be a part of the Arizona Ambassadors Choir and this June she will be traveling to Europe performing with the group.

It's always great to work with new musicians and having new learning experiences. I performed at the Festival of Tales at PVCC and it was fun to interact with the kids and help them see how great music is. Performing on the PVCC stage for Proof is in the Pudding was a great experience!

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Callie Young

Inspired by:

Stevie Nicks, Lana Del Rey, Heart

Callie Young is a sixteen-year-old singer/songwriter from Phoenix, Arizona. She plays guitar, ukulele, piano, and has been performing since she was ten. She was a two time finalist in Alice Cooper's Proof is in the Pudding Competition and has been featured on Alice's Taste of Christmas Pudding CD. Callie had the privilege of being able to perform at the 2017 NAMM Show at the Anaheim Convention Center- the biggest music trade show in the nation. She plays all over the valley at concert venues, restaurants, coffee shops, festivals, and so much more! Callie will be recording and EP this summer.

Playing with a band is always such a fun experience. Don't get me wrong, I love playing with my guitar. But having the chance to dance around and use your whole body when you perform is amazing. 

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Student Feature: Taylor Wilson for Women's History Month

The Sustainable Guide to Uterus Ownership | A Lecture by Taylor Wilson

For Spring 2017's Women's History Month, PVCC Fine Arts student Taylor Wilson presented her lecture titled "The Sustainable Guide to Uterus Ownership". Held on March 29th and attended by students of Karen Fehr (health and wellness) and Tatum Voeller (sustainability), Taylor addressed the taboo topic of menstruation. Her lectured called attention to global mistreatment of women and presented sustainable feminine care products such as reusable cloth ads, Thinx brand underwear, and menstrual cups as viable options to pads and tampons. 

Taylor's presentation also brought up a remarkable statistic: "According to flow, the average woman throws away 250-300 pounds of pads and applicators in a lifetime, and considering the average woman menstruates for 38 years, that’s about  62, 415 pounds of garbage!" Taylor discussed the material benefits of switching to sustainable products, "An estimate is that over the course of a lifetime a woman could save $4000 by switching to use of a menstrual cup." 

We got a chance to ask Taylor more about her lecture. She shared with us the motivation for this talk, her experience at PVCC and what she hopes listeners came away with:

What is your major/medium as an art student? 

I work in a way that doesn't restrict me to certain mediums. Really, my process is to work from a concept to whatever medium best represents it. I usually start with some form of interview process where I ask others around me questions related to my topic in order to generate ideas for what will best work.

What motivated you to give this talk? 

I became interested in the topic of menstruation after becoming aware of sustainable menstrual products like the DivaCup, which were a healthier option than what I had been raised to be aware of. In doing research, I discovered many of the stigmas and taboos that women internationally have to deal with that can even prevent them from having access to information about their bodies.

Describe your experience as a PVCC art student.

I have had an amazing experience in PVCC's art program. I came from doing IB Art in high school and needed someplace that would allow me to continue to foster that development and growth with a bit more conceptual rigor than I would find in a basic art class. The classes that I took over the last two years, especially with Adria Pecora, have done that and then some. I've been given to many opportunities to push myself and my work to a place that I would not have been able to achieve on my own, and I am so appreciative of that.

Describe a positive interaction had before, during or after your talk (either with a faculty member or participant).

Many of the questions that I received during my lecture were encouraging in that there were people that were genuinely interested in the new ideas I was presenting, and I received a request to submit an application to teach most of the same information at a local summer camp.

What do yo hope listeners take away from your lecture?

I hope the people that came to hear me speak came away with knowledge that there are more options in the world than just the disposable products we have all been taught to be aware of, and that they are at least willing to try something like a menstrual cup that could save them money and could prevent more non-biodegradable waste from filling landfills and polluting the environment. I also hope that I was able to spread awareness of the need for women in the developing world to have access to information about their bodies and of the taboos that need to be broken in order for them to have a better quality of life.

Taylor Wilson is an interdisciplinary artist currently residing in Phoenix. She is passionate about sharing the art world with the community and using art to foster understanding between others. She has been featured in the Emerging Artist's Exhibition on PVCC's campus in 2017 and received the PVCC Visual Arts Scholarship in 2016. 

Four Events Celebrating The 50th Anniversary of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band

PVCC'S SGT. PEPPER'S PROJECT:

Lecture: The Significance of the Album Cover

Thursday, February 16th, 12:30pm-2:00pm, Center for the Performing Arts Theater, Tomi Johnston (Art History Professor)

Lecture: The Revolutionary Recording Process

Tuesday, February 21st, 12:30pm-2:00pm, KSC 1000A, Dr. Brett Reed (Music Professor)

Performance: A LIVE recording session

Wednesday, March 1st, 12:30pm-2:00pm, Center for the Performing Arts Music Room (CPA 115), Dr. Brett Reed and Dr. Christopher Scinto

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50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OF THE BEATLES'

SGT. PEPPER'S LONELY HEARTS CLUB BAND CONCERT

March 10-11, 2017 at 7:30pm,  $8-$20 admission.  (Sunday, March 12th performance canceled).

Come and experience the Beatles' legendary album performed live by the PVCC Faculty Rock Band, Special Guest vocalists and a 30 piece orchestra.  Proceeds from this event will benefit the Paradise Valley Community College Student Scholarship Fund. 

Click Here to purchase tickets online

Student Spotlight: The Ghostlight Project

by Courtney Kenyon

On January 19th, the night before the inauguration of our newly elected president, at 5:30pm various theatres all over the country turned on one light. It was a solemn reminder of the times ahead, but it was also a light of hope and courage.

PVCC was no different. At the appointed time, with a small, but mighty, gathering in the Studio Theatre, on a rainy evening, our light was lit. Our ghost light. In the theatre world, a ghostlight is lit at the end of the night when all the work is done and serves as a single light source for safety and visibility should anyone enter the theatre after hours. Of course, that’s just the practical use. On January 19th, our ghost light was lit in solidarity with other theatres as a message that we are a safe space. This initiative was brought to our humble theatre by The Ghostlight Project. 

I found a small blurb about this initiative while scrolling through articles on BroadwayWorld and didn’t think much of it. About a week later, I saw a theatre with whom I have previously worked was participating and it was then that it hit me: I needed to do it, too. So I asked Andrea Robertson, the head of the theatre department, if PVCC could also participate and she enthusiastically wrote back, “Of course!” I only had a couple of days to put anything together, so our ceremony was very humble, but it was incredibly powerful.

Being a theatre artist, I’m not usually overly political. In fact, I’ve been told that I’m “militantly opposed” to politics. And while that might be true to some extent, this time it’s different. I won’t make this writing about politics, but I will say this: as an artist, as someone who makes their living in the arts, as a woman, as an LGBTQ ally, as someone who believes in the unity of science and the arts, and as someone who believes that anyone and everyone should be able to express who they are and be loved for it, my world is threatened. Our world is threatened. But standing in that room, holding hands with my friends, the people I love, my voice shaking and tears escaping my eyes, I knew I was not alone.

The Ghostlight Project’s mission is this, “Inspired by the tradition of leaving a ‘ghost light’ on in a darkened theater, artists and communities will make or renew a pledge to stand for and protect the values of inclusion, participation, and compassion for everyone--regardless of race, class, religion, country of origin, immigration status, (dis)ability, age, gender identity, or sexual orientation. 

January 19th is a moment of gathering within a larger resistance to intolerance at all levels. We aim to create brave spaces that will serve as lights in the coming years. We aim to activate a network of people across the country working to support vulnerable communities. This is not a substitution for protests or direct action, but rather a pledge for continued vigilance and increased advocacy.”

I think it goes without saying that PVCC is a brave space. A safe space. A space of inclusion. I’ve known that since the first day I walked into class. The dedication, inclusivity, love, and compassion that encompasses every person that walks through those doors is an inspiration. It’s something for which, personally, I’ve yearned since my high school theatre days. And I won’t sit idly by while it’s threatened. I will fight for those I love and for those I don’t even know. We will be a light and we will tell the world that all are welcome here.

With love,

Courtney Kenyon

For more information about The Ghostlight Project, please visit www.theghostlightproject.com.

 

Glass-blowing Event: Handmade Holiday Ornaments

GLASS-BLOWING EVENT:  HOLIDAY ORNIMENTS

Saturday, December 3rd, 2:00pm-5:00PM, $45 Admission

 

Start a NEW family tradition this Holiday by creating colorful blown-glass heirlooms!

Each person will design and create their own free-blown-glass holiday ornament.

 

Within each 15-minute time slot, two people will work in tandem with either Seth Fairweather, glassblowing faculty or Mike Butzine, visiting glassblowing artist. Space is limited. 

 

Click here for Event Registration

Saturday Concert Series: Grupo Liberdade

October 15th will be an exciting day at PVCC!

PVCC Fine & Performing Arts Open House from 1:00p-4:00pm

Saturday Concert Series with Grupo Liberdade and Queso Good food truck at 6:00pm.

Grupo Liberdade is a performance group dedicated to freedom of expression through Culture, Movement & Sound. We promote COMMUNITY, DIVERSITY & EMPOWERMENT drawing upon the traditional & contemporary rhythms of Brazil and beyond while bringing an original sound & energy to our desert metropolis. Specializing in Batucada including the Afro-Brazilian styles of Samba, Samba Reggae, Côcos and Maracatu, Grupo Liberdade strives to share the infectious sounds of Brasil with Arizona to further enrich, move & inspire.   

Since 2004, the group has performed throughout Arizona under the direction of Brazilian native, Poranguí from leading the Annual Phoenix Parade of the Arts through downtown Phoenix, to drumming & dancing in the new year for thousands of party-goers at the historical Hotel Congress in Tucson.  Founded in 2008 by Angelique Starks, the SambAZ Dancers have quickly become one of the liveliest and most notable Samba acts in the country.  Dedicated to creating music to move the body & soul, this project brings together diversity on all levels with an incredible show of talented musicians & dancers that must not be watched, but experienced! 

Jazz, Film + Art at PVCC: Three Free Events, One Night

On Wednesday, October 19th, the Center for the Performing Arts will host three FREE events for the campus and community. 

5:30pm – CPA Lobby/Art Gallery: Closing reception for the art exhibit A STRIKING MARK 

6:30pm – CPA Mainstage Theater: TELL NO ONE, the first film of the 2016-2017 Film Festival, whose theme is international mystery and suspense films.

7:00pm – CPA Outdoor Stage: JAZZ UNDER THE STARS featuring music performed by PVCC Jazz Ensembles