Dec. 29, 2014

Out & About Calendar

Top things to do this week What to see and do in the Valley

Holiday Season Favorites

Dec. 26, 2014 – Jan. 1, 2015

SNOW WEEK

Arizona Science Center

Arizona Science Center’s Snow Week is back this year with new demonstrations and activities throughout the week. Celebrate the season with more than 30 tons of snow blanketing Heritage and Science Park’s grassy hill in white. Happening daily during Snow Week 2014, the event includes special liquid nitrogen ‘explosive’ demonstrations at 12.15 p.m. and 4.15 p.m. on the SRP Canyon Terrace.

Arizona Science Center

600 E. Washington St., Phoenix

Dec. 26, 2014 – Jan. 1, 2015 l Info l Tickets

Through Dec. 30, 2014

LAS NOCHES

DE LAS LUMINARIAS

Desert Botanical Garden

Desert Botanical Garden celebrates its 37th year of "Las Noches de las Luminarias." For 16 magical nights, the Garden will come to life with the soft glow from more than 8,000 hand-lit luminaria bags, thousands of white twinkle lights and the vibrant sounds and sights of 10 entertainment groups. Enjoy dinner at the Garden with family and friends, and stroll each path with a warm cup of cider or cocoa.

Desert Botanical Garden

75 N. Second St., Phoenix

Dec. 26 – 30, 2014 l Info l Tickets

Through Dec. 31, 2014

HOLIDAYS AT THE HEARD

The Heard Museum

A Southwestern tradition, Holidays at the Heard is a must-see for your family, friends and out-of-town guests, starting Fri., Dec. 26, and continuing through Wed., Dec. 31, 2014.

Visitors can enjoy fry bread as they experience American Indian music and dance performances including Choctaw, Hopi, Maricopa and Navajo dancers as well as crowd favorites like hoop dancing and fancy dancing.

Heard Museum

2301 N. Central Ave., Phoenix’¨

Through Dec. 31, 2014 l Info l Tickets

Dec. 31, 2014

NEW YEAR'S EVE CELEBRATION

The Phoenix Symphony

End the year on a high note and join one of the most entertaining guest conductors, Stuart Chafetz, as he conducts The Phoenix Symphony in the Valley’s most popular New Year’s Eve Celebration. Enjoy famous Strauss waltzes and seasonal classics and contemporary favorites from Rodgers and Hammerstein and Simon and Garfunkel. Don’t miss this joyous and popular musical celebration that is sure to sell out.

The Phoenix Symphony

at Symphony Hall

Dec. 31, 2014 l Info l Tickets

Dec. 31, 2014

AN EVENING WITH

PAULA POUNDSTONE

Mesa Arts Center

While there is no doubt that Poundstone is funny, the thing that separates her from the pack of comics working today and that has made her a legend among comics and audiences alike is her ability to be spontaneous with a crowd. Poundstone says: “No two shows I do are the same."

Mesa Arts Center

One E. Main St., Mesa

Dec. 31, 2014 l Info l Tickets

Jan. 3, 2015

NEW YEAR'S CELEBRATION

Musical Instrument Museum

Start off 2015 with a bang by enjoying the vibrant sights and sounds of MIM. Join mini tours, make musical instruments, hear a jazzy story, and dance along in a New Year’s parade.

Musical Instrument Museum

4725 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix

Jan. 3, 2015 l Info l Tickets

Through Jan. 11, 2015

ZOOLIGHTS

The Phoenix Zoo

ZooLights, one of the largest holiday light shows in the country, returns to Phoenix Zoo to illuminate the holiday season with 3.8 million lights and 700 sparkling displays. Longer hours this year: 5.30 p.m. – 10.30 p.m.

The Phoenix Zoo

455 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix

Nov. 24, 2014 – Jan. 11, 2015, 2014 l

More events

PEREGRINE HEATCOTE

Bonner David Galleries

7040 E. Main St., Scottsdale

Dec. 4 – 23, 2014 l More info

The culture of Heathcote’s work promotes the classy and elegant lifestyles of last century’s pre war period. Every painting includes stunning subjects with a romantic ambiance.

MARY POPPINS

Phoenix Theatre

100 E. McDowell Road, Phoenix

Through Jan. 4, 2015 l Info l Tickets

Mary Poppins promises an enchanting mix of irresistible story, unforgettable songs, breathtaking special effects and a message about hope, optimism and perseverance.

SCOTTSDALE ARTWALK

Scottsdale Arts District

Every Thursday l More info

The historic Scottsdale ArtWalk happens every Thursday night. Galleries get active with a night full of art openings, live music, food samplings and more. Hosted by the Scottsdale Gallery Association in partnership with the City of Scottsdale.

Coming up…

TALK CINEMA

Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts

7380 E. Second St., Scottsdale

Jan. 13, 2015 l Info l Tickets

EUGENE ONEGIN

Arizona Opera

1636 N. Central Ave., Phoenix

Feb. 6 – 9, 2015 l Info l Tickets

From Pushkin’s classic poem comes Tchaikovsky’s theatrical magnum opus. Onegin is a man egotistical enough to turn his back on love and a gun on his best friend. Set in St. Petersburg and the snowy Russian countryside, this new production features David Adam Moore in the title role.

A THOUSAND CRANES

Childsplay

at Tempe Center for the Arts

Jan. 17 – 25, 2015 l Info l Tickets

THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOTHES

Valley Youth Theatre

525 N. First St., Phoenix

Feb. 6-22, 2015 l Info l Tickets

NAPOLI U.S. PREMIERE

Ballet Arizona

with the Phoenix Symphony at Symphony Hall

Feb. 12 – 15, 2015 l Info l Tickets

Not-to-miss exhibitionsA selection of the best ongoing exhibitions in the Valley

What's new?

BEYOND THE BEAT: DRUMS OF THE WORLD

Musical Instrument Museum

4725 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix

Nov. 15, 2014 – June 21, 2015 l Info l Tickets

Beyond the Beat: Drums of the World will explore the immeasurable cultural and historical significance of drums around the world through the presentation of dozens of drums of all shapes, sizes, materials and uses from Asia, Oceania, Africa, the Middle East, Europe, Latin America, and the United States.

More exhibitions

THAT'S THE WAY I LIKE IT!

Heard Museum

2301 N. Central Ave., Phoenix’¨

April 26, 2014 – Feb. 8, 2015

With the help of its visitors, the Heard has selected a group of artworks to create a wonderful collection of its most recent contemporary acquisitions. The donated items were given to the museum by varied collectors who recognized each artist’s ability to transform and create a work of art, and your votes have helped to curate and create the final exhibit. More info

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC: EARTH EXPLORERS

Arizona Science Center

600 E. Washington St., Phoenix’¨

Sept. 21, 2014 – Jan. 4, 2015

Earth Explorers revolves around some of Earth’s most spectacular eco-zones – the polar regions, oceans, rain forests, mountains and caves, and the African savanna – bringing the unparalleled adventures of National Geographic to life. Earth Explorers allows guests of all ages to experience awe-inspiring parts of the world. More info

FISH OUT OF WATER

Desert Botanical Garden

75 N. Second St., Phoenix

Sept. 26, 2014 – Jan. 4, 2015

Artist Joe McAuliffe and the Desert Botanical Garden celebrate the water that sustains present-day societies in Arizona. With gyotaku impressions of fish from local canals, rivers, lakes and ponds, Dr. McAuliffe uses this ancient Japanese technique to tell stories that reflect his interest in natural history and conservation, and the relationships of fish and human culture. More info

COVERT OPERATIONS: INVESTIGATING THE UNKNOWNS

Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art

7374 E. Second St., Scottsdale

Sept. 28, 2014 – Jan. 11, 2015

Covert Operations considers a generation of artists working post-9/11 and exercising the tools of democracy to collect and reveal previously unreported information. More info

RICHARD T. WALKER: THE PREDICAMENT OF ALWAYS (AS WE ARE)

ASU Art Museum

51 E. 10th St., Tempe

Sept. 27, 2014 – Jan. 3, 2015

Richard T. Walker’s videos, photographs, installations and performances take seclusion, human nature and dialogue as their subjects. Focusing on the experience of our surrounding environments, his works highlight clashes between innate desire, cultural interpretation and reality, becoming almost behavioral studies of the act of experiencing. More info

FASHIONED IN AMERICA

Phoenix Art Museum

1625 N. Central Ave., Phoenix

Oct. 11, 2014 – March 15, 2015

The exhibition brings together the best American talent and underscores the value of supporting domestic design and manufacturing. Featuring more than 30 ensembles and accessories, the exhibition will highlight work by contemporary designers such as Wes Gordon, Oscar de la Renta, J. Mendel, Monique Lhuillier, Anna Sui, Libertine, Rosie Assouline, Shinola, Patrick Ervell and Nanette Lepore, … More info

DON COEN – THE MIGRANT SERIES

Phoenix Art Museum

1625 N. Central Ave., Phoenix

Oct. 18, 2014 – Feb. 1, 2015

Created by Colorado-based artist Don Coen, these 15 large-scale photo-realist portraits tell the visual story of migrant farmers in today’s United States, a group of our population rarely considered in fine art. The works take a human-centric approach, highlighting the unique personalities of each subject and acknowledging both their personhood and work ethic. More info

ALL THAT GLITTERS IS NOT GOLD

Phoenix Art Museum

1625 N. Central Ave., Phoenix

Nov. 1, 2014 – March 1, 2015

Patented in 1873, platinum prints (and their close cousin, palladium prints) have been produced nearly constantly, right to the present. At different stages in the medium’s history, the platinum process has been used to achieve different artistic goals. The exhibition presents platinum photographs from the collection of the Center for Creative Photography. More info