Mesa Arts Center Announces Their February 2010 Calendar

MESA CONTEMPORARY ARTS (MCA) FALL EXHIBITS AND EVENTS

31st Annual Contemporary Crafts January 22 - March 14, 2010

Highlighting the finest in contemporary crafts from around the country, Mesa Contemporary Arts'Annual Contemporary Crafts exhibition has become a benchmark for innovation and quality. Representative of traditional craft mediums including ceramics, fibers, basketry, metals, wood, glass, jewelry, papermaking and book arts, this exhibition showcases 52 artworks by 42 artistsfrom 18 states.

Station Identification by Teresa Sullivan January 22 - March 14, 2010

Through her intricate beaded tapestries, jewelry and sculpture, Oregon artist Teresa Sullivannarrates the stories of people discovering their own special powers and abilities. From the superheroines found in comic books and science fiction novels to the real mentors in her life, the tiny, delicate beads that are used to create her pieces become transformed into bold, self supportingartworks.Teresa Sullivan received the 30th Annual Contemporary Crafts' Juror's Choice Award in 2009 and was awarded a solo exhibition in the Dr. Ruth Tan Lim Project Room.Polar Obsession by Paul NicklenThrough February 28, 2010A renowned nature photographer, Paul Nicklen has been featured in many magazines, includingthe prestigious National Geographic. This exhibition focuses on the wondrous creatures and remote landscaping found in the polar regions of our planet.

Picturing Maricopa A Community Photography Project January 4 - February 15, 2010Like other art, photographs provide experience placing the viewer in a moment in time and conveying the message of that moment. Few nonprofits have budgets that allow them to hireoutstanding photographers. Even so, we know that quality photography is essential for theseorganizations to tell their stories to their clients, their community partners, and potential donors.Organized by the Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust, Picturing Maricopa features 15photographers who captured the operations and people who benefit from 15 local nonprofit organizations, providing them with the photographs and usage rights to convey their message.

George Winston Friday, February 5, 7:30 p.m.

Ikeda Theater: $35Inspired by the seasons, solo pianist George Winston plays over 100 solo piano concerts a year in America and beyond. Hisconcerts feature a variety of styles, including his melodic folkpiano, stride piano, New Orleans R&B piano, Vince Guaraldi'sPeanuts pieces, and more. His Latest CD is entitled GULF COASTBLUES AND IMPRESSIONS A HURRICANE RELIEF BENEFIT. In concert, George will be performing songs from his latest CD,as well as selections from his seasonal favorites AUTUMN, DECEMBER, WINTER INTO SPRING and SUMMER; his themed album FOREST, PLAINS, andMONTANA - A LOVE STORY; his album dedicated to composers: LINUS & LUCY - THE MUSICOF VINCE GUARALDI, and NIGHT DIVIDES THE DAY - THE MUSIC OF THE DOORS.

HAl Holbrook In Mark Twain Tonight Saturday, February 6, 7:30 p.m. Ikeda Theater: $60/$50/$40/$30The year 2010 marks the 175th anniversary of his birth and the 100thanniversary of his death. To celebrate the Year of Mark Twain, The MesaArts Center welcomes back Hollywood veteran and acclaimed actor HalHolbrook in his Tony Award winning "Mark Twain Tonight!" This one man show is always fresh with material gleaned from Mark Twain's writingsand reveals HAl Holbrook's rare ability to portray both the wit and witticismof this country's finest author. HAl Holbrook has appeared in nearly 40 films- his most recent won him an Academy Award nomination for his role in "Into the Wild." Don't miss this opportunity to see HAl Holbrook in "Mark Twain Tonight."

Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo Thursday, February 11, 7:30PM

Ikeda Theater: $47/$37/$27Dancing the fine line between high art and high camp, LesBallets Trockadero de Monte Carlo delights audiences around the world with its parodies of classical works from Swan Lake and Giselle to Graham. Known affectionately as the Trocks, this is a company of professional male dancers who combinea loving knowledge of classical ballet with a wicked sense of fun, displaying a startling mastery of technique that will appeal to dance aficionados and complete novices alike.

Acoustic Brotherhood Carrie Rodriguez, Alejandro Escovido, Los Lonely Boys

Friday, February 12, 7:30 p.m. Ikeda Theater · $32

Los Lonely Boys (guitarist Henry Garza and his siblings, bassist Jojo and drummer Ringo, Jr.) hit the ground running in 2003 with their triple-platinum self-titled debut release; winning a Grammy for its #1 global hit Heaven. Their influences are legion, ranging fromBuddy Guy and Stevie Ray Vaughan to mentors Santana and Willie Nelson, but in the end, it's about brotherhood-all three members ofthis Texican trio give the group musical dynamics and vocal harmoniesthat can only come with genetic bonds. They are joined by AlejandroEscovedo, who has journeyed through several musical incarnationsin his 20-plus-year career in punk rock, and Carrie Rodriguez, thefeisty fiddle-playing, mandoguitar-slinging singer/songwriter from Brooklyn who adds some "chica" to the Brotherhood.

Quinn Lemley: Gotta Get a Gimmick Saturday, February 13, 7:30 p.m.

Piper Repertory Theater: $42 Come play in the outrageous world where humor and attitude prevail in this high energy, fast-paced, sexy Vegas-style production. There isone show-stopping hit after another complete with sequins, feathers, gorgeous girls, and Quinn paying homage to the music and world ofBurlesque to Broadway. Inspired by the outrageous Bette Midler, wittyGypsy Rose Lee, and the illustrious icons of Burlesque, vivacious Quinn Lemley, star of the acclaimed THE HEAT IS ON! Celebrating Rita Hayworth, and her sizzling backup girls, sing and dance up a storm with unforgettable hits such as "Hey Big Spender," "Ten Cents a Dance,""Let Me Entertain You," " My Man," "You Don't Own Me," "My Heart Belongs To Daddy," and BIG SURPRISES!!! Don't miss this fun, fast-paced, glamorous production!

TAOFriday, February 19, 7:30 p.m.Ikeda Theater: $18/$28/$38Athletic bodies and contemporary costumes meetexplosive Taiko drumming and innovative choreographyin this show that has critics waxing lyrical about TAO'sextraordinary precision, energy, and stamina. With hundreds of sold-out shows, and more than a million spectators, TAO has proven that modern entertainmentbased on the traditional art of Japanese drumming, hasmassive international appeal.

Kathleen Madigan Saturday, February 20, 7:30 p.m. Piper Repertory Theater: $35

With raves for her comedy specials on HBO and ComedyCentral, Kathleen Madigan brings her hilarious outlook on life to thisspecial night of standup. A regular guest on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and The Late Show with David Letterman, Kathleen has an accessible and unpretentious style that has earned her a devotedfollowing. So kick back, relax, and get ready to laugh until your sides split!"Contains adult content" STAGEWORKS Captain LouieMusic and Lyrics by Stephen SchwartzBook by Anthony Stein-Based on the book The Trip by Ezra Jack KeatsJanuary 28 th - February 7 th Fridays 7:30 p.m.Saturdays 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Sundays 2 p.m.

Nesbitt/Elliott Playhouse: $15 Adults/$14 YouthAfter moving to his new neighborhood, young Louie feels lonesome and is without any friends. Looking for something to cheer himself up on Halloween night, Louie returns to his old neighborhood friends in an imaginary journey on the wings of his favorite toy,his little red plane. The story is full of tricks and treats through the whimsical music and lyrics ofStephen Schwartz. Most of all, Captain Louie is about the true meaning of friendship, whether it ismaking new friends, or the importance of maintaining old ones.

FESTIVALS AND EVENTS TARGET PRESENTS3 FOR FREE

The Mesa Contemporary Arts (MCA), Arizona Museum of Natural History, and Arizona Museumfor Youth will all be free to the general public from noon to 5 p.m. on the first Sunday of each month. The three Museums are located within blocks of each other in downtown Mesa. Familyfun will include interactive exhibits and special engagements such as free outdoor concerts onMAC's Shadow Walk.

FREE OUTDOOR CONCERT

1pm-4pm in the Wayne and Kathye Brown Sculpture CourtyardRiverproofRock, pop, and variety from a Mesa band

A NIGHT OUT IN DOWNTOWN MESA

September- JuneSecond Friday of every month 6:30- 9:30 p.m.In conjunction with the Downtown Mesa Association, Mesa Arts Center offers free outdoorconcerts, ticketed performances in the theaters, and free admission to Mesa Contemporary Arts. Downtown merchants and restaurants are open until 10 p.m.