Comedy, Circus-Themed Art, Season Kickoff and More Set for the Mesa Arts Center, Sept 2014

The following list includes September events in Mesa Arts Center's Performing Live series, exhibitions in the Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum, and more.

Performing Live

Last Comic Standing

Sept 17, 2014 | 7:30 p.m.

Ikeda | $40 | Pre Show Dinner available

America's most compelling comedy competition and NBC's Emmy Award-nominated series "Last Comic Standing" returns. The lively laugh fest resumes with the funniest up-and-coming comics working today, performing hilarious sketch, improv, and stand-up comedy.

The Best of Jethro Tull, Performed by Ian Anderson

Sept 20, 2014 | 8 p.m.

Ikeda | $45-$75 | Pre Show Dinner available

*In partnership with Danny Zelisko Presents

Legendary prog pioneers Jethro Tull featuring Ian Anderson hits the Ikeda Theatre to perform The Best of Jethro Tull and songs off his latest album Homo Erraticus. Anderson has performed in more than 54 countries, is widely considered an icon of the genre and is recognized as the protagonist of the flute in rock music.

Australian Pink Floyd

Sept 25, 2014 | 8 p.m.

Ikeda | $45-$70 | Pre Show Dinner available

*In partnership with Danny Zelisko Presents

Having sold over 4 million tickets in concerts that have taken place in 35 countries, The Australian Pink Floyd Show is rightfully hailed as one of the most in demand touring entities. The Times described them as "The Gold Standard." This act is so good they were even engaged by David Gilmour to perform at his 50th birthday celebration!

Crosby, Stills & Nash

Sert 26, 2014 | 7:30 p.m.

Ikeda | $54-$135 | Pre Show Dinner available

*In partnership with Danny Zelisko Presents

A rare opportunity to see one of the most influential bands of our time in the intimacy of the 1570-seat Ikeda Theater. More than four decades since CSN first harmonized in Laurel Canyon, and played their first-ever concert at the legendary Woodstock festival, they continue a creative partnership that is one of the most influential and enduring in music.

Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum

Still Moving: Imagining the Circus in a New Way

Photographs by Bertil Nilsson

Sept 12 - Dec 7 | South Gallery

The contemporary circus builds on the old traditions of the circus while fusing it with theatre and dance practice. In his photographs, Swedish artist Bertil Nilsson captures the beauty of human form as well as fortitude of these modern day performers. His work provides a glimpse of a mysterious world, where dedication and extensive training are all part of the profession.

The Ringmaster

Phillip Curtis' Circus Art

Sept 12 - Nov 30 | SRP

Arizona icon Philip Curtis continues to captivate and inspire with his surrealist art. Dubbed the "Magritte of the Old West," Curtis became known for his metaphoric imagery and elongated Victorian figures in barren desert landscapes. His caged animals, band wagons and parade processions, which are the focus of this exhibition, provide a glimpse into the bygone era of the traveling circus.

Ten-In-One

Contemporary Art Goes Circus!

Sept 12 - Jan 25 | Main

Ten-in-One, which is a reference to sideshow attractions, focuses on artists whose works embody the circus aesthetic with a contemporary twist. The exhibition features 10 acts (10 artists) in one show: Carrie Battista, Lisa Brawn, John Dunivant, Tyson Grumm, Jan Huling, Martin Janecky, Sergei Isupov, Jessica Joslin, Liz McGrath and Mike Stilkey. These artists capture spectacle and entertainment that circuses provide as well as the resonating influences they continue to have on popular culture.

Sideshow

Luster Kaboom

Sept 12 - Jan 25 | Project Room

Around the corner and tucked out in the night there's a wagon with a cage that's filled with fright. A big ugly monster from God knows where, one look into his eyes and you'll surely be scared. But really is he all that bad? Maybe he's lonely, maybe he's sad. We should go see him and feed him some candy and if he eats us instead, I'm sure that will be dandy. Let's all go, go to the Sideshow!

Circus Today

Pencil Drawings by Mark McDowell

Sept 12 - Jan 4 | North Gallery

A painter, printmaking and fine art book publisher, Arizona artist Mark McDowell has become known for his distinctively graphic focused drawings in colored pencil on birch wood panels. Circus Today features McDowell's latest body of work, which showcases the classic imagery often associated with circuses: acrobatic performers, animal acts, sideshow curiosities, and of course, the iconic big top tent.

Festivals

Mesa Arts Center Season Kickoff

September 12, 2014 | 6-10 p.m.

FREE!

All things circus collide on Friday, September 12 as Mesa Arts Center celebrates the start of the 2014-15 season with five new Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum exhibitions, free circus events and entertainment across campus, delicious fair foods, creative art studio demonstrations, hands-on experiences and more!

About Mesa Arts Center: The Mesa Arts Center, owned and operated by the City of Mesa, is a unique, architecturally stunning facility located in the heart of downtown Mesa. Arizona's largest arts center is home to four theaters, five art galleries, and 14 art studios. Guests, patrons, and students come to Mesa Arts Center to enjoy the finest live entertainment and performances, world-class visual art exhibitions, and outstanding arts education classes. The Mesa Arts Center mission is to inspire people through engaging arts experiences that are diverse, accessible, and relevant. For more information, visit mesaartscenter.com.