By Alex Gallagher After seeing record sales of art last year, the Celebration of Fine Art has returned for its 32nd year with high energy and hopes for continued success.  Located off of Loop 101 and Hayden Road, 40,000 square feet of tents comprise home to 100 artists who have covered just about every inch of wall space with art and converted their slice of the space into their own studios where guests and ...

By Jordan Houston Lucia Micarelli is not the average violinist. The New York native, who has toured with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra as a featured violinist and concertmaster, is known to seamlessly blend genres, ranging from bluegrass to Led Zeppelin, all on one stage. A powerhouse performer, Micarelli has captivated audiences by guiding them on a dynamic journey through her vast musical tastes — and she’ ...

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski It’s 10:30 a.m. and saxophonist Kenny G has just finished his daily three-hour practice session. He’s prepared and ready to entertain Arizona Musicfest patrons on Saturday, February 19, at Highlands Church in North Scottsdale. “We’re looking forward to playing any gigs these days,” he says with a laugh. “Seriously, Scottsdale’s always fun. “I think we put on a really great show ...

By Bridgette M. Redman After decades of teaching and conducting sacred chorale music, Scott Youngs is eager to be part of the Arizona Masterworks Chorale. There, he can explore the options available for a large community chorale. Youngs has taken the helm of the 42-year-old Arizona Masterworks Chorale as artistic director. This comes on the heels of a long career with All-Saint’s Episcopal Cathedral in Phoe ...

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski Kathy Colace Laurinaitis, with one side of her face drooping, struggles to relax and let her bright, natural smile shine through during a photo shoot in her luxurious condo. Interviews and photo shoots are important to Laurinaitis, as, for the last year, she had surgery for a blueberry-sized benign tumor on her brainstem and now deals with its aftereffects. She documented part ...

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski Arizona Musicfest unveiled its starry lineup of exceptional artists to celebrate the return of live indoor concerts in North Scottsdale. Following the challenges and disappointments of last season, Musicfest has regrouped and renewed its commitment to bringing the joy of music. In its largest season, Musicfest will produce 30 concerts between November and April. “As our communi ...

By Bridgette M. Redman The dream of two Valley jazz supporters will open its doors this October. Bob and Gretchen Ravenscroft have built the new 30,000-square-foot performing arts venue bearing their name at 8445 E. Hartford Drive in the Scottsdale Perimeter Complex. The first resident company to perform there will be Lakeshore Music, which is moving from the Tempe Center for the Arts. The opening show, the ...

By North Valley Magazine Staff Maestro Hector Olivera will perform during the Desert Hills Presbyterian Church’s second dedication concert for the state-of-the-art Rodgers Infinity 361 digital and pipe combination organ. Part of the Arts at the Rocks series, the concert at 3 p.m. Sunday, November 7, is expected to be filled to capacity, creating an experience of a lifetime for those who can attend the free ...

By Laura Latzko Tucson gallery owner and painter Diana Madaras has had a 45-year love affair with the city’s landscape and wildlife. Each fall, she takes that relationship and parlays it into her annual show. This year, she dubbed it “Love Affair,” and it runs from Saturday, October 23, to Sunday, November 7, at her gallery. For “Love Affair,” Madaras painted desert landscapes and floral scenes as well as p ...

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski Hidden in the Hills is celebrating its silver anniversary the last two weekends of November with free, self-guided tours featuring 191 artists at 45 private studios in the Desert Foothills communities. Coordinated by the nonprofit Sonoran Arts League, the event is Friday, November 19, to Sunday, November 21, as well as Friday, November 26, to Sunday, November 28. Londoner enthr ...

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski The effervescent Amelia McLean comes bounding into North Italia in Gilbert. “Here I am!” she says enthusiastically. McLean has plenty of reasons to be excited. She’s headlining her first show of all-original music on Thursday, October 14, at the Rebel Lounge in Phoenix. The day prior, the “American Idol” alum is releasing an EP, “Light I Can Follow.” “I don’t know if there are ...

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski Bruce Kirkwood studied accounting at the University of Southern Mississippi, but something else was tugging at his heartstrings. Music. “It was hard to pass up my passion,” Kirkwood says about pursuing a music career. “I knew I’d have a lot of regrets if I chose accounting.” A professional violinist, the North Phoenix resident is set to release his debut album, “Passion,” on No ...

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski Kathleen Sabol comes to the door of her parents’ Carefree Ranch home in North Scottsdale. The glamorous blonde is wearing subtle-yet-glistening jewelry — pieces she made herself. Sabol founded Mila + Stevie, a modern bohemian glam jewelry line she handcrafts herself. She mixes natural gemstones and metals to create dainty to statement pieces. The company is named after her fluf ...

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski After Ralph Marchetta graduated high school, he worked his way through ASU at Veterans Coliseum. He served as a parking attendant, a merchandise vendor and janitor. His life changed in 1992 when he was offered the chance to move with the Phoenix Suns to Downtown Phoenix. Thanks to that opportunity, he has witnessed the evolution of America West Arena to what is now known as Pho ...

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski Susan Morrow Potje has a motto for this year’s Celebration of Fine Art: Celebrate art 6 feet apart. “I think it’s a good, happy place for people to come to,” says Potje, who helms the event with her husband, Jake. The 31st annual festival runs 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Sunday, March 28, with strict rules in place. Masks are required, and patrons who are ill must stay home. Potj ...