Hula hoops and neon?

When folks gather for this week’s Friend Raiser for Rising Youth Theatre, they’ll be surrounded by retro flair from hula hoops to gymnasium risers. Their fundraiser with a friendly twist takes place Thurs, Aug. 23 from 6-8pm at The Duce in Phoenix, a joint named for the produce once processed there.

I’m told the event, with $12 tickets online or $15 tickets at the door, will feature performances by Rock Steady Crew and minibosses, and that Rising Youth Theatre will get 10% of proceeds in the eats department. Also that the party, complete with nifty games, is fit for all ages.

It’s a fun chance to introduce your kids to vinyl seating, hand-operated kitchen appliances, aluminum bathroom doors and t-shirts for bands that never claim to move like Jagger. Plus retro bikes and motorcycles, a one-time boxing ring and oodles of quaint objects like cookbooks sporting women with beehive hairdos.

The Heard Museum chose gala over grunge (grunge good, mind you) for its annual fundraiser taking place Sat., Oct. 20 at 6pm. The Moondance Gala features “an evening of elegance and glamour” with performance by Mogollon. Leave the hula hoops, even those covered in bling, at home that night as the museum honors Senator Jon and Caryll Kyl.

Come Sat., Nov. 3, you can get your neon on with the Phoenix Art Museum, which is presenting its annual black tie dinner dance. Those of you who’ve still got glow-in-the-dark necklaces from your last Jimmy Buffet concert in the freezer should leave them there. The pARTy starts at 6:30pm that night, and neon will be one of the star attractions.

Bernadette Peters, who needs no neon to glow, is coming to town with music director Marvin Laird to perform at this year’s ARTrageous event benefiting arts education and outreach programs for Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts and Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art. The Sat., Dec. 1 shindig starts at 5pm, and the concert is scheduled for 8:30pm.

The Children’s Museum of Phoenix presents its inaugural Kid at Heart gala Sat., April 6, 2013 at 6pm. I’m told to expect a whimsical circus with a “Cirque de Musée” theme. So maybe, just maybe, I can whip out the old hula hoops after all.

— Lynn

Note: If you actually remember seeing Jimmy Buffet do a concert in a freezer, you’ve got more than neon on the brain. My apologies to folks like Grammar Girl who flaunt the fine print of finessing the English language.

Coming up: Spinning a yarn, Prime time for poets

Rock the Presidents!

Childsplay's "Rock the Presidents" set designed by Holly Winginstad

Though Dwayne Hartford and Anthony Runfola of Childsplay in Tempe are both history buffs, they hadn’t realized that one-fourth of America’s presidents were generals until working on “Rock the Presidents” — a 90-minute musical celebration of the 43 who’ve served in the country’s highest office during the course of 223 years. Or that presidential pets have included a cow, bear cub, alligator and tiger.

The world premiere of “Rock the Presidents” takes place this weekend at Tempe Center for the Arts. The original Childsplay production, in the works for about two years now, features book and lyrics by Dwayne Hartford, an associate artist and playwright-in-residence with Childsplay. Also music by Sarah Roberts, who’s known Hartford for many years thanks to a common thread back in Maine.

Runfola, production manager for Childsplay, directs the work — which has music but no linear story like something you’d experience with a more traditional work of musical theater. Instead, it’s akin to 26 two-minute plays set to music. Think rap, rock, country, folk, blues and more — all part of a CD folks will be able to buy at the show.

Seems neither Runfola, Hartford nor Roberts remember learning more than a few basic facts about the biggies like Washington and Lincoln as they were growing up. All hope children who experience “Rock the Presidents” will leave feeling a little more interested in history. And more connected to history as well. “We don’t look at the past as often as we should to guide us towards the future,” reflects Runfola.

Still, Hartford says he “wanted politics to stay out of this.” He’s not interested in vilifying anyone. There’s a reason he chose to “rock” rather than “mock” the presidents — despite his experience with writing parody. “I grew up in a family that encourages participation in civics and being aware of your part in the community,” recalls Hartford.

“Our presidents were real people,” says Hartford. “They aren’t just statues.” Sure, they all made mistakes. But what he’s celebrating through the work is “their choice to get involved and make a difference.” Hartford sees a common thread binding everyone who’s held the office of president — a desire to help the country, and a belief that they can do just that. “They all believed in the country,” says Hartford, “and the possibilities.” They were optimists.

Both Roberts and Runfola praise Hartford’s decision to portray some of our more recent presidents as children. The approach takes the focus off particular aspects of their politics, and places it on their humanity. And it’s a powerful way to reinforce the show’s main message for children. Anyone, including you, can become president one day.

Your first chance to see “Rock the Presidents” will be this Sunday, Feb. 12 at 4pm — which is Abraham Lincoln’s birthday. It’s a preview performance so tickets are just $12. Regular performances, recommended for ages seven and up, will run Feb. 18-March 4. Folks who attend the 4pm performance of “Rock the Presidents” on Sat., Feb. 25 can enjoy an election workshop before and backstage tour after.

A Childsplay fundraiser on March 2 will feature a special VIP performance of “Rock the Presidents.” The “Rock the Presidents State Dinner” will raise funds for Childsplay arts-in-education programs. “Rock the Presidents” is also available for school tours (grades 2-12) March 13-May 25. Click here for details — and watch for news of the “Rock the Presidents” national tour.

— Lynn

Note: You can enjoy a free MP3 download of the show’s opening number, “Hail to the Chiefs,” a rap song featuring the names of all 44 presidents — click here for details.

Coming up: Favorite presidents — plus presidential pets

Home sweet theater

After learning of a recent “community day” at Desert Stages Theatre in Scottsdale, I decided to head over and check it out myself.

I found dozens of volunteers sorting props on the back lot, building sets for upcoming productions and painting all sorts of candy images on black walls inside Cullity Hall, where Desert Stages opens their production of “Willy Wonka, Jr.” on Fri, May 20.

They even let me sit in as energetic children and teens peforming in “Willy Wonka, Jr.” packed into another performance space to practice various songs from the show.

In keeping with the “Willy Wonka, Jr.” theme, Desert Stages Theatre presents their “Golden Ticket Gala” May 14 at the Scottsdale Hilton Resort. They’re also plenty busy with another show, “The Miracle Worker,” which runs through May 29.

As kids and grown-ups participating in last Saturday’s rehearsals and work day gathered around mid-day to share pizza and perky conversation, it was clear that these families truly relish their time together.

— Lynn

Note: Desert Stages Theatre has just announced that tickets for the “Golden Ticket Gala” can still be purchased through today, so act quickly if you want to be part of this evening featuring dinner, dancing, a silent auction and more. Tickets for adults or children are $60 each. Click here for details.

Coming up: Art by children at St. Joseph’s Hospital