DPJ Blogs
From the Wire | Phoenix College Jazz Celebration Festival to Benefit Rosie’s House
Posted on 4/04/12 by DPJ Staff » No Comments
Some news items don’t need translation. That’s why DPJ launched the From the Wire series, so we could serve the destinations here by posting information and announcements – in their own words.
Come and enjoy the sounds of saxophonist Chris Vadala at the Phoenix College Jazz Celebration Festival Concert on Wednesday, April 4, 2012. The concert also features the Superstition Jazz Orchestra and the Doublers Collective.
The performance will be in PC’s Bulpitt Auditorium, 1202 W. Thomas Road in Phoenix, starting at 8 p.m. The concert caps off a full day of musical instruction as part of the Music Department’s annual festival. Students from throughout the state travel to PC that day to get professional instruction at the school’s Sessions Recital Hall.
This year’s featured guest, Mr. Vadala, is the director of Jazz Studies at the University of Maryland, where he is also a saxophone professor. He played in the Chuck Mangione Band for many years and has appeared on more than 100 recordings to date, including jingle sessions and film and TV scores. The educator and performer also plays the flute and clarinet.
He will be backed by the Superstition Jazz Orchestra, a dynamic big band made up of top professional musicians from Phoenix. Based in Phoenix College, the band performs under the direction of Milas Yoes, coordinator of Instrumental Music, Jazz Studies, and Humanities at PC. The Doublers Collective will also play with Mr. Vadala and specializes in woodwind instruments in a progressive jazz setting.
In keeping with the educational focus of the performance, students from PC’s Live Sound Reinforcement classes will handle the sound mixing and microphone duties for the live performance. And a group of young students from Rosie’s House, a Phoenix-based non-profit music academy for children, will be performing in the lobby prior to show time.
Admission is $5 and all proceeds will go to Rosie’s House, which provides music lessons and loaned instruments to low-income children.
“It should be a gala event,” said PC’s Yoes. “It will be a night of saxophone madness. We’re thrilled to be partnering with Rosie’s House for this performance.”
Following the concert, a reception at Hob Nobs Café and Spirits, 149 W. McDowell Road, from 10 p.m. – midnight will continue the celebration, with a jam session of PC students and others.
If You Go
When: Wednesday, April 4, 2012 at 8 p.m.
Where: Phoenix College’s Bulpitt Auditorium, 1202 W. Thomas Road
Listen Up PHX | The Lineup 4.2 – 4.8
Posted on 4/03/12 by Erin Bartynski » No Comments
Each week, Listen Up PHX brings you The Lineup, a list of live music events going on in greater Downtown Phoenix, picked by music blogger Erin Bartynski.
Ease in to April’s concert schedule this week with a few of these local live-music suggestions!
Wednesday 4.4: The Afternoon Concert Series at Civic Space Park will have free live music outside from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. Come enjoy your lunch surrounded by grass, sun, and sound!
Portugal. The Man
Thursday 4.5: Dick Dale, the legendary surf guitar-rocker with over a dozen albums under his belt, will be at the Rhythm Room. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $30 in advance and at the door.
The Black Moods will be playing a free rock show at Copper Blues. Doors are at 7:30 p.m., and the show is 21+, so come early and grab a tap beer or two
Friday 4.6: Portugal. The Man will be at the Crescent Ballroom with opening act The Lonely Forest. Doors at 7, music at 8. Tickets are $22.50.
The Arizona Center will host its second installment of the Live Music Series, this week featuring the Michael Villanueva Duo. Music is from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m., no cover.
The Trunk Space will be celebrating their 8th birthday starting at 7 p.m., with live music by Andrew Jackson Jihad, Liam and The Ladies, Dogbreth, and Good Amount. The event is $7, and food will be provided by Green.
Saturday 4.7: Dylan Charles and the Border Crossers will be at The Lost Leaf, playing blues-y folk/funk starting at 9 p.m. 21+, no cover.
Sunday 4.8: Grupo Fantasma will bring their Grammy-nominated Latin sound to the Crescent Ballroom with opening band Fayuca. Doors are at 7 p.m., music starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $11-12, show is 21+.
Bike Chic | Vincent Porter
Posted on 4/03/12 by Cortney Kaminski » No Comments
Bike Chic is a new DPJ series by Fashion intern, Cortney Kaminski. Each week she will be scouting locals who not only ride their bikes but look dapper doing it.
Who: Vincent Porter
Age: 21
Occupation: Student at W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University
His Neighborhood: Tempe
Where spotted: Central Avenue and Van Buren Street, Downtown
What do you enjoy about Downtown? It has a city feel without the feel of a rat race.
Where do you like to explore? I like to go to the Crescent Ballroom pretty often, and of course I go to class on the Downtown campus.
What is your biggest reason for riding your bike around rather than a car? Gas. Gas is way too expensive.
How do you balance looking nice with riding a bike? I don’t really force anything, I just kinda put things on and go.
What he’s wearing:
• Ezekiel shirt
• Levi jeans
• Keds shoes
• Ray-Ban sunglasses
His biking essential:
• Headphones and iPod
• 1985 Peugeot bicycle
Listen Up PHX | White Rabbits at the Crescent Ballroom
Posted on 4/02/12 by Erin Bartynski » No Comments
For Listen Up PHX’s concert recaps, I’m trying something new: I’ll be taking notice of specific things at each show I go to, and recap them in a bullet-friendly list. So, here goes my first structured recap for the White Rabbits show last Friday night at – where else? – the Crescent Ballroom.
Atmosphere: While waiting for White Rabbits to take the stage, the mood was tense and impatient – more so than normal for anxious concert-goers. It felt like there was a collective attitude of, “I’m bored, let’s get this show on the road!”
Once the show was on the road, though, it was a very chill crowd. Not much dancing (even during the most upbeat tracks), not a lot of singing-along, just a collective and contented bopping of heads and swaying of bodies. It was almost like everyone who had come out that night was just there to see some live music on a Friday, and not necessarily familiar with the band. However, everyone seemed to really enjoy the show, and I’d venture to say they got a few new album downloads that night.
Opening Act: Not Gull, as advertised, but Zombie Jesus. I have to say, although his sound was decidedly not my style, he was a talented multi-tasker, playing guitar and drums at the same time. He got a pretty solid cheer from about a fourth of the crowd by the end.
Opening Song: Heavy Metal from their new album Milk Famous. Watch their newly-released video for the track on YouTube.
Closing Song: Kid On My Shoulders from the 2007 album Fort Nightly.
Favorite Song: Percussion Gun from the 2009 album It’s Frightening.
What the Crowd Wore: As usual at the Crescent, the crowd was mostly 20-somethings to 30-somethings, with styles ranging from the typical button-down wearing hipster to (surprisingly) the typical Ed Hardy-t-shirt wearing dude.
What the Band Wore: Blue jeans and lots of fitted, v-neck t’s. Guitarist/vocalist Alexander Even broke the trend with a grey tank.
Band’s Drink of Choice for the Evening: Tecate.
Blogger’s Drink of Choice for the Evening: PBR.
Fashion Roundup | April Sales
Posted on 3/30/12 by Cortney Kaminski » No Comments
April Showers have not seemed to have put a damper on the awesome deals this month. Take a look at the shops below for a few deals that will certainly spice up your wardrobe.
(6th Street and Roosevelt)
– Traci Nelson and Jasmine Jarrett, Owners of Butter Toast Boutique
- 6th Street Clothing Swap on April 22; see Facebook for more details
(7th Avenue south of Camelback Road)
– Jessica Carroll, Owner of Blueberry Deluxe
- 50% off any non-handmade item with a coupon from their newsletter
- 10% off entire purchase on First Friday with a coupon from their newsletter
(7th Avenue and Indian School Road)
– Annamarie Sanchez and Sarah Bingham, Owners of Antique Sugar
- Open until 9 p.m. of Third Thursday; 20% off storewide
- Easter Egg Hunt of April 7; eggs will contain gift cards, discounts and candy
(Central Avenue south of Roosevelt Street)
– Misty Guerriero, Owner of Vintage by Misty
- All jackets and vests are 20% off
- 20% off for any ASU student with a valid i.d.
