GetOut Magazine

Check out 10 of the East Valley’s top arts and entertainment scenes
BY THE SUNDAY ARTS STAFF
Jan. 19, 2003

East Valley residents are a hard-working bunch, and when weekends roll around, we like to relax and have some fun. The opportunities are endless, but here are 10 East Valley arts and entertainment ideas to get you started in 2003:

LATE NITE CATECHISM
Now in its third year, Late Nite Catechism is the longest-running professional theater production in Arizona history. Theatergoers are the students in this hilarious, interactive adult catechism class taught by the irrepressible Sister, played by actress Patti Hannon.

Equally enjoyable for Catholics, Protestants, Jews and nonbelievers. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday and 5 and 8 p.m. Saturday.

Scottsdale Center for the Arts, 7380 E. Second St. $32. or www.scottsdalearts.org.

MESA SOUTHWEST MUSEUM
The Valleys premier natural history museum, this 80,000-square-foot downtown Mesa museum is recognized as one of the largest dinosaur museums in the Southwest. But the museum also features permanent exhibits on Arizona history, including its Spanish Colonial period and territorial days. Current temporary exhibits include The Art of Model Railroading, which will run through April 13. On Feb. 15, the museum will open a large exhibit on sharks. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday.

53 N. Macdonald, Mesa. $3-$6. or www.cityofmesa.org/swmuseum.

THE IMPROV
Jerry Seinfeld was the Improvs opening act in 1988, and in the ensuing 14 years, the Tempe venue has brought the countrys top comedians from David Spade to Dennis Miller to the East Valley every Thursday through Sunday.

Tonight, Lewis Black of Comedy Centrals The Daily Show wraps up his weekend visit; next weekend, Caroline Rhea of Sabrina and The Caroline Rhea Show takes the stage. 8 p.m. Thursday and Sunday, 8 and 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

930 W. University Drive, Tempe. or www.tempeimprov.com.

THE POISONED PEN
One of the three largest mystery bookstores in North America, The Poisoned Pen carries more than 15,000 current titles, including Canadian imports, small-press books, travel and literature of the Southwest and recommended modern fiction. The bookstore also offers a full program of book signings, lectures, seminars and mystery conferences.

Open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.

4014 N. Goldwater Blvd., Suite 101, Scottsdale. or www.poisonedpen.com.

BROADWAY PALM DINNER THEATRE
Now in its second season, the 500-seat Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre offers a sumptuous buffet of salads, fi ve entrees and, of course, lots of desserts. The east Mesa venues current production is the Pulitzer Prize-winning musical South Pacific, which runs through Feb. 15.

The Playbill Bar serves cocktails before and after the show, and a lobby gallery showcases works by local artisans. Shows are 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 5:30 p.m. Sunday; 11:45 a.m. matinees are presented on select Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.

5247 E. Brown Road, Mesa. $22 (show only), $35-$41 (dinner and show). or www.broadwaypalmwest.com.

SCOTTSDALE MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART
Located adjacent to Scottsdale Center for the Arts, SMoCA has 18,500 square feet of exhibition space, showcasing the finest modern artwork. Current exhibits include Ansel Adams: Classic Images, featuring 80 stunning prints by the Wests most famous photographer, and Howard Werner: Heroic Vessels, a collection of large-scale woodwork carved by the chain saw-wielding Tempe artist. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tuesday through Saturday (until 8 p.m. Thursday), noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.

7380 E. Second St., Scottsdale. $5-$7. or www.scottsdalearts.org.

MADSTONE THEATERS
Looking for an alternative to the East Valley movie megaplex, which typically has The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers on 18 screens simultaneously?
Madstone, which opened in 2002, offers six screens of cinema classics and arthouse favorites. This weekends lineup includes Bonnie and Clyde, Dr. Zhivago and Suspira. And, yes, for Lord of the Rings fans, theres even The Two Towers. Showtimes vary.

5835 W. Ray Road, Chandler. $4.50-$8. or www.madstonetheaters.com.

REZURRECTION GALLERY
Opened by Damian Johnson, director of the photography lab at ASUs Herberger College School of Art, and his wife, Darci, the hip and trendy Rezurrection Gallery sells eclectic furnishings and artwork, ranging from antique to vintage to new. The current exhibit is United We Stand Responsible, a series of politically themed paintings and prints by P. Eric Waldmann that will be on display through Feb. 5. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.

601 W. University Drive, Tempe. or www.rezurrectiongallery.net.

KOKOPELLI WINERY & CAFE
Located in historic downtown Chandler, the Valleys only winery the largest in Arizona produces 15 varietal wines, three sparkling wines, two blended wines, Port and Ratafia.

Lunch is served 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily at the Kokopelli Cafe; tastings and noshings (cheeses, breads, olives, nuts and chocolate) take place 2:30 to 6 p.m. daily. Kokopelli will begin tours of the winery in February.

35 W. Boston St., Chandler. or www.kokopelliwinery.com.

TALIESIN WEST
Considered one of legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wrights greatest masterpieces, Taliesin West served as his personal home, studio and campus for his architectural school. The complex of buildings in north Scottsdale also includes theaters and a gift shop. Taliesin West offers a range of tours, from panorama tours to desert walks to night tours. All are led by knowledgeable guides.

Open daily, except Easter and Christmas. Cactus Road and Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard, Scottsdale.
$5-$45. or www.franklloydwright.org.