#ArtLitPhx: Phoenix Mural Festival

Phoenix Mural Project is hosting the first Phoenix Mural Festival May 4 starting at 6:00 pm through May 6, ending at 10:00 pm. There will be murals all over the valley, you can find the complete festival map here. There will be 82 artists and 48 new murals in one weekend.

On Friday May 4 Festival artists will be featured at Unexpected Art Gallery (734 W Polk St, Phoenix, AZ 85007). Saturday, May 5 there will be live mural painting, and Sunday, May 6 there will also be live mural painting and an artist celebration at Unexpected Art Gallery where there will be demonstrations, performances, music and more!

 

#ArtLitPhx: Roosevelt Row First Friday ARTS Market

 

Roosevelt Row will be having First Friday ARTS Market on the first friday of every month from 6:00-10:00 pm

Roosevelt Row Arts District is a walkable, creative district in the urban core of downtown Phoenix that is nationally known for its arts and cultural events, award-winning restaurants, galleries, boutiques and live music. RoRo is fostering an urban renewal with rehabilitated bungalows and new infill projects. The Arts District connects downtown Phoenix to historic neighborhoods including Garfield, Evans Churchill, F.Q. Story, Willow, Roosevelt, Historic Roosevelt and Grand Avenue.

The Artists’ District connects downtown Phoenix to historic neighborhoods including Garfield, Evans Churchill, F.Q. Story, Willo, Roosevelt, Historic Roosevelt and Grand Avenue. Roosevelt Row begins at 7th Avenue and extends east to 16th Street. On the north side it begins at Interstate 10 and extends south to Fillmore Street.

A BIT OF HISTORY

Roosevelt Row has been a vital mixed use area from the earliest days of the establishment of Phoenix. Many of the concrete sidewalks in the neighborhood were poured in 1909, three years before Arizona officially became the 48th State. In the early 1940s, when there were approximately 30,000 people living in Phoenix, numerous businesses were established along Roosevelt Street. The flower shop at Fifth Street and Roosevelt has been in continuous operation since 1948.

In the 1970s, parts of the area were re-zoned as a high-rise incentive district leading to land speculation and a decline of the neighborhood that lasted until the late 1990s.

The blighted area was attractive to artists because the boarded-up buildings and former crack houses were affordable for studio and gallery space. The arts were a major factor in the revitalization of the area and crime rates plummeted as more people began to venture into the area to experience the cultural vibrancy.

The corridor is re-emerging as one of the most dynamic areas in downtown phoenix and a valued cultural resource in the metropolitan region and the state.

#ArtLitPhx: JAZZ meets POETRY: Tribute to Gil Scott-Heron

This month’s JAZZ meets POETRY event is a Tribute to Gil Scott-Heron, and will be held at The Nash (110 E Roosevelt St, Phoenix, Arizona 85004) on April 26 from 7:00-10:00 pm.

JAZZ meets POETRY is a new series at The Nash for 2017-2018 that places poets and jazz musicians center stage to make art that is expressive, interactive and captivating.

Part theatre part concert, this performance tributes Gil Scott-Heron — considered to be “one of the most important progenitors of rap music” (AllMusic’s John Bush) — with original poetry, spoken word and musical accompaniment provided by The Nash Music by The Geibral Elisha Movement.

SPECIAL GUEST: Brooklyn, NY-based artist Tai Allen, who released a book and soundtrack project — No Jewels — in 2017. In 2010, his album “Easy Readin’” was awarded Album of the Year by the National Poetry Awards. He is a member of the National Black Writers Conference Steering Committee and has also served as the Conference’s Poetry Cafe host. Allen also is creative director for Arts+Crafts, where he curates an annual Tap+Cork Brooklyn Beer & Wine Fest, and creates performance opportunities for emerging artists, djs and poets.

Advance tickets: $15, $8 Students (25 & under with ID). At the door: $20, $10 Students (25 & under with ID).

#ArtLitPhx: spark! After Dark: Collective Kaleidoscope

Fade the lights and turn up the music. Every third Saturday from October to June Mesa Art Center’s campus will be taken over by a new artist with a unique, crazy-fun theme–complete with live art, live music, great eats, and much more.

This month, create art with these amazing artists:

Melissa Waddell, Sierra Joy, Matt Dickson and Claire Worden

Projection art with Sylvia Frost and Bryn Corbett

Live painting with Tara Sharpe

Mural zone by Ciara Bernal and Kyllan Maney

Interactive large scale window coloring

DJs The Ladies of Wax (Victoria Aguilar and Karen Hartman)

 

This month’s spark! After Dark: Collective Kaleidoscope will be on Saturday, February 17 from 8pm to 11pm at the Mesa Arts Center (1 E Main St, Mesa, Arizona 85201).