Art meets community college

Head to SCC Wednesday for a film documenting the voyage of German Jews aboard a ship that no one wanted

Looking for low-cost or no-cost dance, music and theater productions? Fond of supporting the creativity of local students and those who teach them? Eager to experience art or film you won’t see elsewhere?

Then check out these offerings coming soon to Valley community colleges.

Chandler-Gilbert Community College presents…

“Get a Life” — an original CGCC production that “explores all the little things in life that drive us crazy from the cradle through the golden years.” March 24-27.

“14” — a play by Jose Casas that’s “based on interviews with Arizonans and their various different attitudes towards the contemporary issues of undocumented immigration.” Performed by Teatro Bravo April 1 & 2.

Mesa Community College presents…

“Student Art Show” — featuring diverse works of visual art. April 11-21.

“Almost Maine” — a play by John Cariani about residents of a “remote, mythical town” in which “residents find themselves falling in and out of love in unexpected and often hilarious ways.” April 22-30.

Paradise Valley Community College presents…

“Rumors” — a play by Neil Simon that recounts the adventures of four upper class couples embarrased by unexpected circumstances. April 9-17.

“Spring Dance Collection 2011” — a “compilation of dance works” choreographed by dance and adjunct faculty. Includes modern dance, jazz, ballet, hip hop, ballroom and other forms of dance. April 29 & 30.

Scottsdale Community College presents…

“Voyage of the St. Louis” — a documentary film that’s part of the SCC and Anti-Defamation League “The Many Faces of Hate” film series. It recounts the journey of 937 German Jews denied haven in 1939 by “every country in the Americas.” March 23.

Unique plays coming soon to Valley community colleges include SCC performances of works by Eugene Ionesco (Photo: Laura Durant)

“The Bald Chairs” — two one-act plays by Eugene Ionesco, both “from the school of drama known as the Theatre of the Absurd, a genre that often includes irony, slapstick humor and word play.”  March 31-April 9.

Each of these community colleges — as well as other community colleges in the greater Phoenix metro area — list art, dance, film, music and theater events online.

With just a little legwork, you can uncover a multitude of low-cost and no-cost events to enjoy with family and friends while supporting the budding artists in our midst.

— Lynn

Note: Our state universities — ASU, NAU and UA — also offer a wealth of visual and performance art open to the public. So stay tuned to their online calendars as well.

Coming up: More free and discounted arts events

The arts, schools & tax credits

I’ll be attending two “Evening of Arts” performances by Arizona School for the Arts in “mommy mode” next week, as students from various music, dance and theater classes perform at the Children’s Museum of Phoenix.

The events are meant to showcase student talent for parents and community members, and to raise awareness of Arizona’s school tax credit program — through which qualified donations to public and private schools can earn tax credits for donors.

ASA is one of several charter schools for the arts showcasing student work in coming days and weeks

Our youngest child graduates from high school next year, so this will be our last year making these contributions with our parent hats on — but I expect we’ll keep giving for as long as the tax credit is around as a way to help schools fund various extra-curricular activities.

“Evening of Arts” is free and open to the public, but isn’t the only opportunity to enjoy student performing arts in the coming days and weeks.

This weekend you can enjoy performances by students at New School for Arts and Academics in Tempe (near ASU Gammage).

The NSAA “Winter Showcase” takes place at the NSAA campus Sat, Dec 4, at 5pm. It features “a mix of duets from [the] musical theatre class and duo scenes from [the] acting class.” Tickets are $7/adults and $5/students.

Students of Metropolitan Arts Institute in Phoenix participate in “First Friday” on Fri, Dec 3 — and Lisa Starry notes that you can save the dates Feb 11, 2011 and March 7, 2011 if you’d like to enjoy Metro Arts dance department performances.

Your neighborhood schools — public/charter or private — may also be holding special tax credit events, or simply inviting those interested in student programs to make donations through the tax credit program.

Of course, all of our schools — whether or not they have an arts focus — need individual, corporate and community support year-round. Donations. Volunteerism. Participation in events like these music, dance and theater showcases.

I hope you’ll attend at least one performing arts program at a Valley school this season, allowing our talented and hard-working students to share their many gifts with you as well.

— Lynn

Note: Click here to learn more about Arizona school tax credits

Coming up: This new daddy is an ogre…