SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts offers a wide variety of holiday shows in December — something to suit everyone’s taste — ranging from the tart-tongued Sister in Sister’s Christmas Catechism to masterful mariachis performing in A Merry-Achi Christmas to a singalong to the film Grease. Here’s what’s coming up:
Sister’s Christmas Catechism
The Mystery of the Magi’s Gold
December 8–17
Friday, December 8, 8 p.m.
Saturday, December 9, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Sunday, December 10, 2 p.m.
Friday, December 15, 8 p.m.
Saturday, December 16, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Sunday, December 17, 2 p.m.
Tickets: $39 (M $31)
In an unusually jolly mood, Sister, the tart-tongued, ruler-wielding nun, teaches her students the story of the Nativity and asks for their help to solve the greatest Christmas caper ever – who swiped the gold that the three wise men gave to Baby Jesus? Using the latest forensic technology and her uncanny ability to detect guilt, Sister creates an unforgettable living Nativity with her students to expose the culprit.
Part of the Late Nite Catechism comedies, each performance is unique and will appeal to people of all ages and faiths.
’Twas a Girls Night Before Christmas
The Musical
Saturday, December 9, 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Tickets: $49 (M $41) / $39 / $29
From the producers of the box office smash Girls Night: The Musical comes this new, must-see holiday show. The five ladies we have all come to know and love gather for a night on the town to laugh, cry, gossip and just let their hair down during the craziest of times – the holidays. This musical is guaranteed to resonate with anyone who has survived the holiday season, from visits with in-laws to the overcrowded malls. ’Twas a Girls Night Before Christmas features the touching and hilarious writing by Louise Roche that has entertained audiences worldwide, with classic Christmas songs and contemporary hits that will have everyone singing and dancing along.
Scottsdale Philharmonic
Sunday, December 10, 4. p.m.
$10 / $5
Conducted by Robert R. Nichols, the musicians of the Scottsdale Philharmonic perform their annual holiday program featuring popular classics of the season.
David Britton Christmas
Sounds of the Season
Friday, December 15, 8 p.m.
$39 / (M $31) / $29 / $19
Baritone and Nashville recording artist David Britton and his musicians celebrate the season with an evening of Christmas music from around the world, featuring spirited vocals and comfy, cozy arrangements of familiar favorites blended with soaring holiday anthems. With a sound that is warm, soothing and intensely dramatic, Britton’s powerful voice has received international acclaim, and his diverse musical background ranges from classical opera to rock. Now calling Phoenix home, Britton has been a featured guest artist at Carnegie Hall and performing arts centers from coast to coast.
Mariachi Sol de México® de José Hernández Presents
A Merry-Achi Christmas
Saturday, December 16, 8 p.m.
$59 (M $51) / $39 / $29
A fifth-generation mariachi musician, Maestro José Hernández and his platinum-selling Sol de México have broken countless barriers in mariachi music, becoming the first mariachi ensemble to be nominated for a Grammy® Award. Their original rhythms, fresh sounds and inspiring ideas have energized the world of mariachi for more than 30 years. A graceful blend of classical, pop, jazz, swing and Broadway tunes, Hernandez’s organic, irreverent renditions have become instant classics. This performance includes treasured holiday favorites and selections from the mariachi songbook.
Signature Sponsor: Bank of America
Supporting Sponsors: WESTAF, the Western States Arts Federation; National Endowment for the Arts
Windham Hill® Winter Solstice
30th Anniversary Concert with Will Ackerman, Barbara Higbie, Alex de Grassi, Todd Boston, Ellen Sanders
Thursday, December 21, 7:30 p.m.
$59 (M $51) / $39 / $29
Free for eligible veterans, students and teachers. Patrons 29 and under, 50 percent off.
Windham Hill Records has always been synonymous with the best of today’s jazz, new age and pop instrumentals. Celebrate the winter solstice and its traditions with a concert of original and traditional acoustic music drawn from the label’s multi-platinum-selling Winter Solstice series, as well as its many solo releases. Windham Hill founder and Grammy Award-winning guitarist Will Ackerman; singer, fiddler, pianist and songwriter Barbara Higbie; guitarist and composer Alex de Grassi; composer and guitarist/multi-instrumentalist Todd Boston; and cellist Ellen Sanders come together for a one-of-a-kind holiday experience.
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy’s Wild And Swingin’ Holiday Party
Saturday, December 22, 8 p.m.
$69 (M $61) / $49 / $39
SOLD OUT
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy blends the classic American sounds of jazz, swing and Dixieland. The band’s original horn-infused music and legendary high-energy show introduce the genre to a new and younger generation while remaining cognizant and respectful of the music’s rich legacy. Big Bad Voodoo Daddy continues its decades-long mission to celebrate and revitalize jazz and swing music – America’s original musical art form – and bring joy to audiences around the world.
Presenting Sponsor: Fred J. English and Sara M. English Charitable Trust
Sing-a-long-a Grease
December 26–30
Tuesday, December 26, 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, December 27, 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, December 28, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, December 29, 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Saturday, December 30, 2 p.m., 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Stage 2
General Admission: $18
Grease is the word! Sing-a-Long-a Grease is a fully interactive screening of the classic film with subtitled lyrics. Audience members are encouraged to dress up like a Rydell High T-Bird or Pink Lady, and sing along and dance with John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John and the gang. Poodle skirts and saddle shoes, black leather biker and powder-pink jackets, chiffon scarves and skinny ties are recommended, as are pink wigs and greased pompadours. Each screening features a host who will lead a vocal warmup for the audience, demonstrate how to “hand-jive,” heckle in all the right places and deploy the contents of their free goody bags. The host also will judge the costume competition and award prizes.
SCOTTSDALE ARTS
Through its partnership with the City of Scottsdale, the nonprofit Scottsdale Arts (formerly known as Scottsdale Cultural Council) creates diverse, inspired arts experiences and educational opportunities that foster active, lifelong community engagement with the arts. Since its founding in 1987, Scottsdale Arts has grown into a regionally and nationally significant, multi-disciplinary arts organization offering an exceptional variety of programs through three acclaimed divisions – Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA) and Scottsdale Public Art – serving more than 400,000 participants annually.
SCOTTSDALE CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
Since 1975, Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts has provided a stage for a wide range of artists and genres, creating shared, inspiring experiences for the community that celebrate artistic excellence and cultural awareness. Today one of the premier performing-arts halls in the western United States, the Center presents a diverse season of music, dance, theater, comedy and film from around the world.
LOCATION AND PARKING
Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts is located at 7380 E. Second St. in downtown Scottsdale. Free parking is available in the public parking garage located to the west of Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts on Wells Fargo Avenue. Additional free parking is available at the Old Town Parking Corral at East Second Street and Brown Avenue and at the Civic Center Library parking garage located on Drinkwater Boulevard at East Second Street.
ACCESSIBILITY
Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts offers performance accommodations to enhance audience members’ experience, including: American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation or live audio description with two weeks advance notice. Assistive-listening devices and wheelchair seating are also available. Visit www.ScottsdalePerformingArts.org/visit/accessibility/ or contact the Member and Patron Services Box Office at 480-499-TKTS (8587) [TDD: 480-874-4694] for further details. Please inquire about services when ordering tickets.
TICKET DISCOUNTS
Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts offers a variety of ticket discounts for Scottsdale Arts members at the Friends level and above, groups of 10 or more and those purchasing packages to four or more events in one order. The Center provides free tickets to selected events for eligible students, teachers and active-duty military and veterans, and 50-percent off tickets to selected events for patrons 29 and under. Visit www.ScottsdalePerformingArts.org/visit/tickets-discounts/ or call 480-499-TKTS (8587) for more information.
THE STORE
The award-winning Store at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts supports the mission and diverse programs of the nonprofit Scottsdale Arts. The Store’s unique selection of merchandise includes artist-made jewelry, stylish furnishings for home and office, unique creations by Arizona artists, fair-trade and upcycled/recycled global crafts, music, books, greeting cards and imaginative toys. Purchases are tax free, and members receive a 10 percent discount. Gift wrapping and shipping are also available. The Store is open seven days a week: Monday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Sunday, noon – 5 p.m.; and throughout most evening events. Phone: 480-874-4644.
HOW TO REACH US
Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts
7380 E. Second St.
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
www.ScottsdalePerformingArts.org
480-499-TKTS (8587)
MEDIA: For interviews, digital photographs or additional information please contact:
Tina May
Senior Communications Specialist
Scottsdale Arts
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 480-874-4663