This December, Scottsdale Arts presents a dynamic lineup of events and holiday performances.
Kicking off with “Assisted Living The Musical®: The HOME for the Holidays” and “Jane Lynch’s A Swingin’ Little Christmas” on Dec. 14, the festivities continue with a Holiday Edition Trivia Night at SMoCA and a “Merry-Achi Christmas,” offering an array of joyous experiences for all.
In other exciting news, explore a diverse range of events from two Memory Lounge workshops and a thrilling Mystery in the Museum at SMoCA to illuminating discussions brought to you by acclaimed artists such as “Keyboard Conversations®️ with Jeffrey Siegel: Chopin and Liszt” and much more!
The following is a list of events and exhibitions from Scottsdale Arts, a nonprofit organization comprising Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA), Scottsdale Public Art, Scottsdale Arts Learning & Innovation, Canal Convergence and Civic Center LIVE. Visit ScottsdaleArts.org for information.
PERFORMANCES AND EVENTS
Memory Lounge: Melissa Waddell
Friday, Dec. 1, 1 p.m.
Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts
Tickets: $20/couple
In this workshop, you will use colorful textured papers to create a bright nature, inspired landscape. Memory lounge is an arts program for people with mild to moderate memory loss and their care partners.
Christina Fernandez: Artist Talk and Performance
Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023, 1 p.m.
Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts
Tickets: $10
Discussing the role of Chicanx and Latinx photography in contemporary art and its continued importance in the dialogue of social and cultural issues, this conversation will be preceded by a special performance in the gallery space.
Keyboard Conversations®️ with Jeffrey Siegel: Chopin and Liszt
Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023, 7:30 p.m.
Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts
Tickets start at $26
Jeffrey Siegel explores the sumptuous melodies and exhilarating virtuosity of Chopin and Liszt. This is the first of four presentations by Siegel in his 45th season at the center.
Knight Rise at Sunset
Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023, 5 p.m.
Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art
Tickets: $45
In this illuminating event and workshop, you will experience the sunset inside the James Turrell Skyspace “Knight Rise” at SMoCA.
Library Creatives: Keepsake Boxes
Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023, 4:30 p.m.
Scottsdale Civic Center Library
Admission: Free
In this workshop, inspired by the “HOME-ING” exhibition, participants will be guided by artist Judith Ann Miller to create assemblage art with personal objects that can be displayed or gifted to a loved one.
ART is Culture, Culture is ART
Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023, 6 p.m.
Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts
Tickets start at $50
“NEW: Art is Culture, Culture is Art,” a film by Nathaniel Fuentes, chronicles the life and legacy of Lloyd Kiva New (Cherokee) as an innovator, entrepreneur and educator who left an indelible mark on Scottsdale.
Mystery in the Museum
Friday, Dec. 8, 2023, 6:30 p.m.
Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art
Tickets: $30, $45/couple
Cryptic messages have been left behind by a mysterious figure, and we need your help to decipher them.
Scottsdale Symphonic Orchestra
Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023, 4 p.m.
Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts
Tickets start at $15
Enjoy all your favorite holiday music, a sing-along and even a visit from Santa while celebrating the magic of the season with the Scottsdale Symphonic Orchestra.
Assisted Living The Musical®: The HOME for the HolidaysThursday, Dec. 14, through Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023, 2 and 5 p.m.Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts Tickets are $37Christmas and retirement will never be the same in this hysterical holiday sequel to “Assisted Living: The Musical,” the runaway hit about the nursing home and beyond. Multiple showings.
Jane Lynch’s A Swingin’ Little Christmasfeaturing Kate Flannery, Tim Davis & The Tony Guerrero QuintetThursday, Dec. 14, 2023, 7:30 p.m.Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts Tickets start at $49Join actress, singer, playwright and author Jane Lynch, along with Kate Flannery, Tim Davis and The Tony Guerrero Quintet, for their holiday spectacular “A Swingin’ Little Christmas.”
Trivia Night @SMoCA: Holiday EditionFriday, Dec. 15, 2023, 7 p.m.Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary ArtTickets: $15Comedian Anwar Newton returns to host an evening rich with holiday-themed movie, television and music references to test your pop culture IQ.
Memory Lounge: Kyllan Maney
Friday, Dec. 15, 2023, 1 p.m.
Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts
Tickets: $20/couple
In this workshop, you will create a unique ornament suitable for gift-giving. Memory Lounge is an arts program for people with mild to moderate memory loss and their care partners.
Canadian BrassFriday, Dec. 15, 2023, 8 p.m.Scottsdale Center for the Performing ArtsTickets start at $39Known for embracing engagement as a fundamental element of performance, Canadian Brass performs Christmas classics like “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch,” “A Charlie Brown Christmas” and “Carol of the Bells” during this special “Making Spirits Bright” concert.
Mariachi Sol de Mexico® presents Jose Hernandez’ Merry-Achi ChristmasSaturday, Dec. 16, 2023, 3 p.m.Scottsdale Center for the Performing ArtsTickets start at $44Maestro José Hernández and his platinum-selling Mariachi Sol de México® perform treasured holiday classics and favorites from the mariachi songbook in this holiday fiesta.
Glow Up @SMoCA: Sound Bath at Sunrise
Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023, 6:30 a.m.
Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art
Tickets: $20
Get comfy and lose yourself with a sound bath led by Melinda Milton in the James Turrell “Knight Rise” Skyspace as the sun rises on the shortest day of the year.
Squirrel Nut ZippersChristmas CaravanFriday, Dec. 22, 2023, 8 p.m.Scottsdale Center for the Performing ArtsTickets start at $38From heartwarming ballads to raucous dance tunes, the Squirrel Nut Zippers conjure an atmosphere nestled somewhere between the wondrous lights of Christmas and the backroom din of a speakeasy.
LOOKING AHEAD
Arizona Concours d’Elegance Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024, 9 a.m. Scottsdale Civic Center Tickets start at $85 See a splendid array of 100 rare and historic automobiles in the luxury atmosphere of a stylish garden party at Scottsdale Civic Center.
EXHIBITIONS
Christina Fernandez: Multiple Exposures Sept. 16, 2023, through Jan. 7, 2024 Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art Admission: $7 to $12 “Multiple Exposures” presents a survey of the work of Christina Fernandez, a crucially important Los Angeles-based artist, who has spent more than 30 years in an exploration of gender, labor, migration and her Mexican American identity through photographic storytelling.
Roelof Knol: the space in between Sept. 23, 2023, through July 28, 2024 Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art Admission: $7 to $12 In this new immersive installation, emerging Dutch artist Roelof Knol creates a playful, interactive, audiovisual experience that invites viewers to explore their relationship between digital and physical spaces.
Earth and Sky Sept. 23, 2023, through Jan. 7, 2024 Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art Admission: $7 to $12 “Earth and Sky” highlights artworks primarily from SMoCA’s Collection that touch on how humans inhabit, construct or perceive various environments.
Phillip K. Smith III: Three Parallels Oct. 29, 2022, through Jan. 14, 2024 Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art Admission: $7 to $12 Southern California artist Phillip K. Smith III creates a site-specific, commissioned work that highlights changes in perception as related to light, color, time and space.
_____ space Exhibitions Sept. 22, 2023, through July 28, 2024 Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art Free ____ space (blank space) is a new, experimental, flexible space at SMoCA, currently featuring two installations by artists Kenaim Al-Shatti and Roelof Knol.
HOME-ING: Judith Ann Miller and David Dauncey Oct. 9 through Dec. 31, 2023 Scottsdale Civic Center Library Admission: free Two artists with a passion for deep history and art refer to “home” by using personal imagery and family memories.
Coming to Terms July 21, 2023, through April 29, 2024 Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts Admission: free “Coming to Terms” presents 11 artworks by Arizona-based artists, each aligning with one of 11 terms from a taxonomy for the study of empirical aesthetics.
Breaking the Binary Oct. 11, 2023, through April 15, 2024 Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts Admission: free Featuring surrealistic self-portraits by youth associated with the nonprofit one•n•ten, “Breaking the Binary” explores what being queer means to them.
Scottsdale Public Art Permanent Collection Ongoing Various locations throughout Scottsdale Admission: free More than 150 artworks, many of them large-scale sculptures, can be found throughout the city at parks, in public facilities, and along the streets. See the map at ScottsdalePublicArt.org for locations.
For more information about the events, and to order tickets, visit ScottsdaleArts.org.
Scottsdale Arts would like to thank the following sponsors and partners: City of Scottsdale, Billie Jo Herberger, Nationwide, Panasonic Connect, Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, SRP, Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust, AJ’s Fine Foods, Arizona Commission on the Arts, Arizona Community Foundation, Arizona Republic, Great American Title Agency, Walter and Karla Goldschmidt Foundation, Betty Hum & Alan Yudell, Christine and Richard Kovach, the National Endowment for the Arts, and Tiffany & Bosco.
