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 North Valley Symphony Orchestra North Valley Symphony Orchestra will present its 10th anniversary season, bringing an affordable concert experience to the North Valley after a season of virtual, smaller performances. The 2021-22 season includes four musical performances throughout the year, beginning with “Re-Opening Overtures,” 7 p.m. Saturday, October 16, at North Canyon High School Auditorium, 1700 E. ...

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 The Emmy Awards, HBO and sports betting in Arizona have one thing in common. JB Smoove has a hand in them. Earlier this year, Smoove received his first career Emmy nomination for Best Actor in a Short Form Series for his performance as Chief Billy Bills in the “Mapleworth Murders.” The nomination was a long time coming for the acclaimed showman. “I got my start in the industry ...

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski Trudy Hays says the Scottsdale Artists’ School found taking its virtual fundraiser online was “exciting and challenging.” Because patrons around the world had the chance to participate, the school is doing it again. The 28th annual Beaux Arts is set for November 10 to November 13. “Taking Beaux Arts to a virtual platform last year for the first time was both exciting and challe ...

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 Jordan Houston Aromas of baked goods, visions of pitched tents and quiet sounds of community chatter will paint the scene at High Street on Sundays through the spring with the return of its annual farmers market. The Farmers Market on High Street, located off of Loop 101 at 56th Street, officially kicked off Sunday, October 3. It runs from 10 a.m. through 1:30 p.m. Roughly 100 vendors will decorate the N ...

By Jordan Houston North Scottsdale nonprofit is tapping into the empathetic nature of miniature horses for the greater good, offering therapy and reading services for older adults and young children. The Tender Little Hearts Mini Tales and Facilitated Equine Mini Therapy is an assisted equine therapy outreach program. Founded in March 2019 by Terry Holmes-Stecyk, the organization provides assisted therapy f ...

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski Before returning to Scottsdale, the city they call home, Marissa Abdo and Morgan Renfro were team members of Dr. 90210 in Beverly Hills, one of the top 10 practices in the nation for Allergan and Galderma injectables. Working full time, Abdo, MS, RN, CANS, and Renfro, RN CANS, saw nearly 2,000 patients per year. According to Renfro, the average plastic surgeon will see around 5 ...

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski The Buzz Eatery & Treats is aptly named. Customers “buzz” in and out of the new addition to Kierland Commons. The concept serves as a “hive” where shoppers, residents, neighbors and visitors can enjoy everything from a cup of coffee in the morning to a glass of wine in the evening. Guests will also find craft beer on tap, wine, seasonal cocktails, and homemade “buzzy” popsi ...

By Greg Rubenstein Few vehicles inspire driving enthusiasts’ passion as the Supra. Toyota’s 2+2 sports car hadn’t been sold in the United States for more than 20 years, until it wondrously reappeared as a 2020 model. It was a true two-seater, sharing a platform with the BMW Z4 and powered by a 335-horsepower, turbocharged, 3.0-liter, straight-six engine. Fast forward one model year, and this fifth-generatio ...