Photo courtesy of www.mesaartscenter.com
By: Teresa Bitler
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It doesn?t matter whether you enjoy Broadway, reggae, comedy or ballet?you don?t have to leave the East Valley to experience the fine arts. The performing arts centers in Mesa, Tempe, Chandler, Queen Creek, Higley and Apache Junction offer shows by both local and national performers, art exhibits, classes and festivals. And, while the actors may ?break a leg? during the course of an evening, you won?t have to pay an arm and a leg to appreciate their talent.
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Mesa Arts Center
The Mesa Arts Center (MAC) is the largest performing arts center in Arizona, boasting four theaters, a contemporary arts museum, and 14 visual and performing arts studios where students, residents and non-residents alike, can learn ceramics, jewelry making, drawing, photography, dance, theater, and more. It also features some of the state?s premier performing arts groups, including Ballet Etudes, East Valley Children?s Theatre, Mesa Encore Theatre, and Southwest Shakespeare Company, in addition to celebrities like Bill Cosby (March 30) and musicians like Yo-Yo Ma (April 22).
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But, the MAC is just as well known for its free events and festivals. From noon to 9 p.m. March 9-18, the MAC hosts its inaugural Festival of Creativity. Guests can hear live musical performances, watch artists at work and, for a $5 fee, tour the giant inflatable sculpture Mirazozo. Free music, art and entertainment highlight the Mesa Arts and Culture Festival (MACFest) with upcoming dates March 10, March 17 and April 7. And, on the first Sunday of each month, families can visit the Mesa Contemporary Arts, Arizona Museum of Natural History, and Arizona Museum for Youth for free as part of the Target-sponsored 3 for Free event.
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Tempe Center for the Arts
The Tempe Center for the Arts (TCA) is as much about art as it is about performances. Its gallery displays works by both locally- and internationally-recognized artists, and the small display to the left of the main entrance features works by local high school students. There?s even a sculpture garden, and from the third floor observation deck, you can look out over Tempe Town Lake.
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Of course, there?s more to the TCA than art and great views. Nine performing arts groups, including Childsplay and the Tempe Symphony Orchestra, share the TCA?s two theaters. Upcoming events include comedy group Bully Mammoth (March 17), Brazilian pianist and singer Eliane Elias (March 24), and Childsplay?s Tom?s and the Library Lady (April 7-15).
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Chandler Performing Arts Center
When the recently refurbished Chandler Performing Arts Center opened in August 1989, it became one of the nation?s first joint ventures between a city and a school district. The center, which is located on the Chandler High School campus, hosts nationally-recognized entertainers like Debbie Reynolds, Wayne Newton and Chaka Khan, as well as Ballet Etudes, special events and high school performances.
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It also reaches out to children in the community through its summer camps, Glee camps and art workshops. Once a year, the center?s gallery displays the high school?s artwork and photographs.
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This spring, the center will host The Awesome ?80s Prom (March 19-24), Joan Rivers (March 30), the Chandler Symphony Orchestra (April 18) and Ballet Etudes? performance of Cinderella (May 18-20).
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Queen Creek Performing Arts Center
Part of the Queen Creek High School campus, the Queen Creek Performing Arts Center (QCPAC) offers a mix of touring theatrical and community productions, plus a special event series that in the past has featured country performers like Vince Gill and Little Big Town. In the upcoming months, the community theater will present Pride and Prejudice (April 20-23) and Oliver (June 22-25). Spring break camp is March 12-16 and March 19-23.
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Higley Performing Arts Center
The Higley Performing Arts Center, located on the Higley High School campus, brings theatrical and musical productions to the Gilbert community. At times, the 1,220-seat theater serves as a venue for the Chandler Performing Arts Center?s offerings, but is also home of the Copperstate Repertory Co., which will stage Seussical this spring (March 23-31). In addition to theatrical works, the repertory company offers musical theater camps in October, March and June, coinciding with the school?s breaks.
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Apache Junction Performing Arts Center
Although used primarily by the school district?it is part of the local high school, after all?the Apache Junction Performing Arts Center does provide some community programming. On Monday evenings through March, the Arizona Lecture Series concludes with Explorations, Disappearances & Murder in Canyon Country (March 12), Desert Drugstore (March 19) and Goldfield?s History in the Superstition Mountains (March 26).
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Locations
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Mesa Performing Arts Center
One East Main St., Mesa
www.mesaartscenter.com
480-644-6500
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Tempe Performing Arts Center
700 W. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe
www.tempe.gov/tca
480-350-2829
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Chandler Performing Arts Center
250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler
www.chandlercenter.org
480-782-2680
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Queen Creek Performing Arts Center
22149 E. Ocotillo Road, Queen Creek
www.qcpac.com
480-987-7469
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Higley Performing Arts Center
4132 E. Pecos Road, Gilbert
www.higleyarts.org
480-279-7190
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Apache Junction Performing Arts Center
2525 S. Ironwood Road, Apache Junction
www.ajusd.org
480-982-1110
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Other Venues
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Chandler-Gilbert Community College Performing Arts Center
www.cgc.maricopa.edu
480-732-7000
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Stray Cat Theatre
www.straycattheatre.org
480-634-6435
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Hale Centre Theatre
www.haletheatrearizona.com
480-497-1181
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Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre
www.broadwaypalmwest.com
480-325-6700
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