Madcap musings

Madcap Theaters located in Centerpoint on Mill in Tempe

“Geeks’ Night Out” comes to Tempe this week as the Arizona SCITECH Festival meets “Third Thursdays” in Tempe’s Mill Avenue District — and the fine folks at Madcap Theaters host an Allied Paranormal Investigations team who’ll be “showing the equipment they use in researching potential hauntings.”

MADCAP's mission is providing affordable community-based performance space

Other “Geeks’ Night Out” happenings, taking place at various Tempe locations, feature everything from robotics to astronomy — plus a pop culture trivia competition. Think “Star Wars” vs. “Star Trek.” Folks can dress up like their favorite inventor or don the geek version of business attire for a tech job fair.

Harry Potter meets musical theater at Madcap Theaters in Tempe this month

A little something called “It’s a Musical Showcase” comes to Madcap Theaters for just two shows next weekend. It was conceived and created by a pair of ASU theatre majors, and it features fare you’ll have a hard time finding elsewhere — including a work from “A Very Potter Musical.”

“It’s a Musical Showcase” includes 14 songs, but only the first of two acts is dubbed “family friendly” so parents concerned about such things can opt for having the kids leave at intermission. Featured shows include “Chicago,” “Rent,” “Once Upon a Mattress,” “Wicked,” “Spring Awakening,” “The Little Mermaid,” “Avenue Q,” “Moulin Rouge” and more.

This view of Madcap's snack bar demonstrates that perception is everything

A digital arts festival called “PLAY” comes to Madcap Theaters next month thanks to UrbanSTEW. The festival “celebrates the union of art and technology” — and this year’s theme is “disability perception.” It’ll feature music, dance, activities and exhibits exploring human limits and abilities. Special guests include Crossing 32nd Street, Dulce Dance Company and ASU’s laptop orchestra.

There's plenty of artwork to enjoy in and around Madcap Theaters in Tempe

Temple Grandin, Ph.D., a professor of animal science at Colorado State University best known to most for her advocacy on behalf of those living with autism, comes to Madcap Theaters in March for an Autism Society of Greater Phoenix event that also features Dianne Craft, M.A., CNHP, of Child Diagnostics in Denver.

Three large rabbit sculptures surround a pond near Madcap Theaters

Grandin is a proponent of neurodiversity, the author of many works (including “Animals Make Us Human” and “Animals in Translation” with co-author Catherine Johnson) and the subject of a semi-biographical film (“Temple Grandin”) starring Claire Danes that was released by HBO Films in 2010.

Mellow Mushroom near Madcap Theaters is full of art ala skateboards

Those who favor venues with diverse “off the beaten path” offerings have a friend in Madcap Theaters. A geeky friend, perhaps. But a friend nonetheless. Learn more about upcoming events, included those noted above, by visiting Madcap Theaters at www.madcaptheaters.com.

— Lynn

Note: Click here for details about the Autism Society of Greater Phoenix 13th Annual Autism/Asperger’s Conference, and here to explore Mellow Mushroom offerings.

Coming up: A trio of Tempe galleries, Hands-on history

What a doll!

Tucked away inside of Heritage Square in Phoenix, just steps from the entrance to the better known Arizona Science Center, is a museum packed with vintage dolls and toys. Think Betty Boop, Raggedy Ann and plenty more. Big dolls and small dolls. Boy dolls and girl dolls. Dolls in dollhouses, dolls in baby carriages — even dolls in a classroom complete with blackboard and dunce chair.

A couple of moms were walking through with their children, from preschool through early middle school age, when I arrived. Both moms and children were excitedly pointing things out to one another. The giant dollhouse with panels to each side that swing open into additional rooms. The intricate lace dresses with accessories like parasols, hats and gloves. And unexpected items like toy train sets.

Once I’d finished touring the museum, I had nearly as much fun poking around the gift shop — where I spotted items for folks of all ages. I spied several gifts I wish I’d known about when my daughters were dancing in “The Nutracker,” including a trinket box that looks a lot like Mother Ginger and a minature grandfather clock with adorable mouse. Also lots of things perfect for grandmothers, small artists and others.

My favorite finds included “Cinderella” and other miniature books, several sets of nesting dolls, a couple of Star Wars items, coloring books free of pop culture influence, finger puppets and lots of accessories with vintage images of dolls, children, pets and more. I came home with several items for my college-age daughters, and a little something for my mother-in-law too.

Originally the museum was “The Stevens House,” built in 1901. But today each room houses dolls along shelves, inside display cases and in other settings. My favorites sit near a fireplace and small wooden rocking horse, which looks like a smaller verion of the one my mother built from scratch for my son Christopher. Also the school room, where a tall display case houses “Gepetto’s Workshop” and blackboard drawings include a music scale.

The home’s hallway is filled with photos in what look like antique frames. Inside one frame there’s a charming list titled “Rules of Teachers 1872.” Rule #3 notes that “Men teachers may take one evening each week for courting purposes, or two evenings a week if they go to church regularly.” Rule #6 states that “Women teachers who marry or engage in unseemly conduct will be dismissed.”

Apparently teachers were permitted to read the Bible or “other good books” after putting in a ten hour work day, and those who performed “without fault for five years” received an extra 25 cents pay per week. Job duties included whittling writing instruments, cleaning chimneys and bringing two items to school each day — a bucket of water and a scuttel of coal.

The Arizona Doll and Toy Museum is also close to the Rosson House Museum and the Children’s Museum of Phoenix, so you can enjoy several museums during a single outing. If you go before the holidays, take time to explore the museum gift shops for last-minute goodies (all my purchases at the Arizona Doll and Toy Museum were tax free). You’ll be finishing off your list while supporting the ongoing gift of arts and culture to all our families.

— Lynn

Note: Always check museum hours, location/parking details and admission costs before heading out. I paid just $3 for admission to the Arizona Doll and Toy Museum.

Coming up: What’s your sign?

Photos: Lynn Trimble

Pop meets culture

I ran into a single father of two young children Thursday at Desert Ridge Marketplace. He was browsing through the gift shop of the Arizona Pop Culture Experience, a museum featuring pop culture fare from baseball cards to action figures.

Think comic books, posters, music with sci-fi themes and more. My 21-year-old son Christopher tagged along, and was excited to see Hot Wheels cars like those he played with as a child.

Turns out the Arizona Pop Culture Experience was part of a special preview screening of the new movie titled “Green Lantern” and that the dad, Tim, had seen it. He described it as “much better than I expected” but said the film, rated PG-13, was a bit too intense for little kids.

Call ahead before you hit the museum if you want to enjoy a full tour. I popped in during off hours so I wasn’t able to see the venue in all its glory. There are actually two stories, and some new exhibits in the works — so my photos below offer just a taste of all the Arizona Pop Culture Experience has to offer.

I didn’t see some of the things I’ve come to expect at more traditional museums, like signs explaining materials I wasn’t familiar with. For those well-versed in pop culture, no such descriptions are necessary — but I’m a mere neophyte at best. Next time I’ll bring my 18-year-old daughter Lizabeth along to translate.

You can click here for Arizona Pop Culture Experience hours, location and such. It’s unlikely I’ll get out to see “Green Lantern” this weekend, so I hope those of you who do will take a few minutes to add a comment to this post — telling me what you think of the film and whether you recommend it for other families.

— Lynn

Note: Tim shared that he’ll soon be moving his family to a small town called Victor, Idaho. He asked about finding parenting resources (like those we share in RAK each month), and I’m happy to report that there’s a library in Victor — which means they’ll get to enjoy plenty of outdoor time plus the summer reading program and other activities presented by the library. Libraries make a great first stop when you’re new in town or vacationing with kids.

Coming up: One World, Many Stories