Out & About Calendar
Top things to do this weekWhat to see and do in the Valley
Top events of the week
Dec. 12-28, 2014
THE NUTCRACKER
Ballet Arizona with the Phoenix Symphony
The magic of The Nutcracker illuminates the stage with more than 150 performers, hundreds of costumes and the beauty and athleticism of Ballet Arizona’s nationally recognized dancers. A timeless holiday tradition for all ages. Choreography by artistic director Ib Andersen danced to Tchaikovsky’s famous score.
“Ballet Arizona’s ‘Nutcracker’ is one of the three finest productions of the nearly 20 I’ve seen across America.” – Alistair Macaulay, The New York Times.
Ballet Arizona
at Symphony Hall
Dec. 12 – 28, 2014
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
Nov. 28 – 29, Dec. 5 – 6, 12 – 13, 19 – 23, 26 – 30, 2014
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
More events
Mesa Arts Center
One E. Main St., Mesa
Dec. 9, 2014
Academy Award and GRAMMY winning artist Melissa Etheridge will take the stage to perform songs from her new album, This is M.E., as well as some of her greatest hits like Come to My Window, I’m The Only One and I Want To Come Over.
Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts
7380 E. Second St., Scottsdale
Dec. 19, 2014
A proud fifth generation mariachi musician, Maestro Jóse Hernàndez and his Platinum-selling Sol de Mexico have broken countless barriers in mariachi music, becoming the first mariachi ensemble to be nominated for a Grammy Award.
HANDEL'S MESSIAH
The Phoenix Symphony
at Symphony Hall
Dec. 10 – 14, 2014
Children's Museum of Pheonix
215 N. Seventh St., Phoenix
Dec. 13, 2014
During a yummy breakfast, children can meet and take a picture with Santa Claus! Then, spend the rest of your day playing in the Museum and enjoying all of our snow activities!
Valley Youth Theatre
525 N. First St., Phoenix
Dec. 5 – 23, 2014
A Phoenix holiday tradition which has been delighting Valley families since 1995!
HEAR THEM RING
Musical Instrument Museum
4725 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix
Dec. 21, 2014
Chimes and jingles will fill the halls at MIM as we celebrate instruments that ring. See performances featuring hand bells, steel pans, and marimbas, try your hand at gamelan, and learn how these instruments make their unique sounds.
Childsplay
at Tempe Center for the Arts
Nov. 22 – Dec. 28, 2014
The Childsplay holiday favorite is back! Based on Barbara Park’s bestselling books, the hilarious Junie B. and her holiday hijinks will leave kids laughing for days.
TAIL TALK
Bonner David Galleries
7040 E. Main St., Scottsdale
Dec. 4 – 23, 2014
Special artist reception and book signing: Thurs., Dec. 4, 2014
Scottsdale Arts District
Every Thursday
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…
EUGENE ONEGIN
Arizona Opera
1636 N. Central Ave,., Phoenix
Feb. 6 – 9, 2015
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.
Not-to-miss exhibitionsA selection of the best ongoing exhibitions in the Valley
What's new?
Musical Instrument Museum
4725 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix
Nov. 15, 2014 – June 21, 2015
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.
Phoenix Art Museum
1625 N. Central Ave., Phoenix
Nov. 16 – Dec. 28, 2014
Annual celebration that brings together collectors, fans, and leading artists of the American West. This year's 37 artists are highly accomplished artists. The over 100 new works of art will be in a variety of media (paintings, drawings, sculptures and photographs) that feature landscapes, still-lifes, historical and contemporary genre scenes of cowboys, settlers, American Indians, wildlife and the modern, or “New West.” Info l Tickets
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
PAULO BRUSCKY: ART IS OUR LAST HOPE
Phoenix Art Museum
1625 N. Central Ave., Phoenix
Sept. 6 – Dec. 28, 2014
First U.S. Exhibition Covering Brazilian Paulo Bruscky’s Career Comes to Phoenix Art Museum. Includes artworks ranging from mail art to video. 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
ASU Art Museum
51 E. 10th St., Tempe
Sept. 27, 2014 – Jan. 3, 2015
FASHIONED IN AMERICA
Phoenix Art Museum
1625 N. Central Ave., Phoenix
Oct. 11, 2014 – March 15, 2015
Phoenix Art Museum
1625 N. Central Ave., Phoenix
Oct. 18, 2014 – Feb. 1, 2015
