Arts grant deadline nears

The Scottsdale Cultural Council is now accepting applications for the Community Arts Grant Program, which provides funding for Scottsdale and Valley arts and cultural organizations to foster community engagement, professionalism and long‑term growth in Scottsdale’s arts community.

Approximately $50,000 is available for the 2007‑08 grant period. Grant requests should be at least $1,000, no more than $10,000, and should be for activities occurring between July 1, 2007, and June 30, 2008. The application deadline is April 14, 2007.

An all‑volunteer panel comprised of arts, community and business leaders will review the applications and make recommendations for funding to the Scottsdale Cultural Council’s board of trustees. Official notification of grant awards will be mailed by July.

Information, guidelines and applications are available online at sccarts.org or by e‑mailing artsgrants@sccarts.org or by calling (480) 874‑4660.

Cancer center  friends plan gala

“An Evening in the Park,” the 20th annual fundraising gala for the Friends of the Arizona Cancer Center, will take place at 6:30 p.m., March 10, in the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort and Spa at 5225 E Pathfinder Dr. in Phoenix. The goal of the evening is to raise funds to support the Arizona Cancer Center’s mission to prevent and cure cancer.

The silent auction will include luxurious trips, creative getaways, trendy and vintage jewelry, inspiring art and cool sports and spa packages. In addition to the action at the auction, enjoy a hosted bar with a gourmet dinner followed by dancing.

Some of the live auction items include a three day stay at Miraval Spa in Tucson; a one‑week stay in luxury home in Pinetop; a San Francisco trip with a stay in a private condo on Nob Hill; one week in a private five‑bedroom, four‑bath villa in the exclusive Palmilla enclave in Cabo San Lucas; and  two tickets to the Wednesday practice round and opening round of the Masters in Augusta, Georgia in April.

Tickets are $250 per person with tables of 10 for $2,500. For more information, visit friends.org.

Courtesy photo The world famous Wiggles and their group of pals bring their “Racing to the Rainbow Tour” to the Dodge Theatre for two shows March 8. (Click picture for full size image)

The Wiggles are coming, the Wiggles are coming The world famous Wiggles are bringing their “Racing to the Rainbow Live!” Tour at 3 and 6:30 p.m. March 8 to the Dodge Theatre. Join The Wiggles, Captain Feathersword, Dorothy the Dinosaur, Henry the Octopus, Wags the Dog, and all the Wiggly Dancers at their new live concert tour. The Wiggles, the world’s most popular preschool band, have performed 300 shows to more than 1.5 million fans since 2005 in the United States. The group has performed more than 200 shows annually and have sold more than 22.5 million videos in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. Tickets for Phoenix are available through all Ticketmaster locations at icketmaster.com and the venue box office. Prices range from $18‑$35. Seating for tickets purchased at the $35 level will take place in the “hot potato seats” and will include an exclusive Wiggles giveaway. The Dodge Theatre is located at 400 W. Washington St. in Phoenix. Call (602)‑379‑2800 for information.

Museum offers kids’ program

Cave Creek Museum will present Ancient People Detectivities from 1‑2 p.m. on March 10.

This program introduces children to the science of archaeology. Children will learn about ceramics, stone tools, animal bones, plant material and other artifacts and participate in a virtual excavation of a Hohokam Indian site.

The class is sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Carefree and is free to children 7‑10. Cave Creek Museum is located at 6140 E. Skyline Dr. in Cave Creek. Call (480) 488‑2764 for information.

Ax to perform at SCPA

Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts will present a recital by pianist Emanuel Ax at 7:30 p.m. on March 14. Ax is renowned  for his poetic temperament, virtuosity and breadth of his performing activity.

Each season his schedule includes appearances with major symphony orchestras, recitals in well‑known concert halls, chamber music collaborations, and the commissioning and performance of new music. For this recital, he will perform works by Ludwig van Beethoven and Robert Schumann.

Tickets are $62 from the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts at (480) 994‑2787 or online at scottsdaleperformingarts.org.

Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts is located at 7380 E. 2nd St. in Scottsdale.

Take 6 set to take Scottsdale

Take 6, a celebrated a capella ensemble will perform at 7:30 p.m. on March 18 at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts.

Founded in 1985 on the campus of Oakwood College in Huntsville, Ala., Take 6 mixes the sounds of jazz, gospel and rhythm and blues. The group has been nominated for a Grammy Award 18 times, winning 10. Its members have performed with Miles Davis, Stevie Wonder, Ella Fitzgerald, Al Jarreau and Wynton Marsalis. Despite its success, Take 6 remains committed to its devotional roots and using music as a ministry.

Tickets can be purchased for $40 from the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts at (480) 994‑2787 or online at scottsdaleperformingarts.org. Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts is located at 7380 E. 2nd St. in Scottsdale.

Courtesy photo (Click picture for full size image)

Terry Earp benefit raises $10,000 Arizona State Historian Marshall Trimble and Bob Boze Bell, publisher of True West Magazine, conducted the live auction portion of a recent fundraiser to help defray medical expenses of playwright/actress Terry Earp, wife of Wyatt Earp. Terry Earp sustained major injuries when struck by a vehicle while biking last year, and is recuperating in a Colorado rehabilitation facility. The fundraiser was held at the Sierra Bonita Grill in Phoenix. More than $10,000 was raised to help cover medical expenses. Photo: Arizona State Historian Marshall Trimble (left) and Bob Boze Bell, publisher of True West Magazine, conducted the live auction portion of a recent fundraiser to help defray medical expenses of playwright/actress Terry Earp, wife of Wyatt Earp.

Arts festival set for Peoria

The City of Peoria’s Celebration of the Arts Festival will showcase a varied collection of fine art exhibited and available for purchase by area artists featuring ceramics, painting, photography, wood, glass and jewelry items.

The event will take place from 5‑10 p.m. March 16 and 10 a.m.‑4 p.m. March 17 on the grounds of the Peoria City Hall Municipal Complex, 8401 W. Monroe Street. Parking and admission are free.

A variety of culinary treats and wine tastings will be available. For the literary minded, Library Fest will celebrate books and feature readings from authors, a friends book sale, art activities for children, and star gazing. 

Live entertainment featuring various types and styles of music, as well as roving entertainment will add to the festivities. Movie buffs can view an award‑winning, local independent film followed by a question and answer session with the director on March 16.

Children’s Museum receives million dollar grant

Christmas came early for the Children’s Museum of Phoenix in the form of a $1 million grant from the Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust.

Established in 1998 as the Family Museum of Phoenix, the funds will start renovation on the historic Monroe School in downtown Phoenix which will be home to the new facility.

The grant allows the museum to begin the heavy construction needed to transform the massive space into a children’s museum, including the demolition of two floors to create a three‑story high atrium space which will serve as the museum’s entrance.

For more information, visit childrensmuseumofphoenix.org.

Musicfest honors Katzen

Howard “Buzz” Katzen was awarded the Arizona Musicfest “Volunteer of the Year Award” at “Arizona Musicfest 2007 Interlude,” a reception for the Festival Orchestra and all Musicfest volunteers at the Pinnacle Peak Country Club.

Katzen, a lifelong jazz afficionado, was honored for bringing nationally known jazz musicians to Musicfest.

He developed his appreciation for the genre as a youngster growing up in New York City. Although he studied piano briefly as a child, he gave it up for the lure of the baseball diamond, a move he regrets to this day.

A chance meeting with Roberta Pappas, director of Musicfest, led to his current position as Musicfest volunteer. He now is responsible for assembling the talent for three jazz shows a year.