Monday Mashup: Gratitude
I want to send out a huge thank you to everyone who participated in the #ChandlerHunt on Friday. It was a huge learning experience and twice the amount of fun I thought it would be. Ya’ll rock, and I wish I could give you a hug (in a totally, not creepy kind of way).
I also want to thank the businesses that put up with me and were more than willing from day one to participate. Gangplank, Serranos, Inspirador, Di Sciacca, Sibley’s West, San Tan Brewing Company and Dashawn from Costco. Please make sure to visit them and tell them how amazing they are. (You can find Dashawn at the Chandler Mall Costco. Look for this charming fellow)
Also, thank you to Jennifer at the Downtown Chandler Community Partnership, for introducing me to all the right people. Give them a shout and ask how you can help make Downtown Chandler even more awesome than it is.
Thankyouthankyouthankyou.
Oh, and we did have a show. The Sugar Thieves get better every time I see them, but here’s the video, if you need proof.
Weekend Preview: I’m so excited and I just can’t hide it.
Horrible song to have stuck in your head this early in the morning. But it really does sum up my mood, so in the long run, it’s all good.
Tonight is the amazing, once a year, over the top Downtown extravaganza: Sugar Thieves and #ChandlerHunt.
It’s officially fall, but really it’s still the tail end of summer, and we want to do it right. The show starts at 7:30 and the doors open at 6:30. If you’re participating in #ChandlerHunt, you’ll have enough time to hit all the stops and still get a good seat, no worries. As always seating is first come, first served. If you haven’t heard Sugar thieves before, you’ve been missing out. They are so much fun to listen to and an outright blast to see live. Give them a listen to here, and I’ll see you tonight!
Annnnnnd #ChandlerHunt. You can still register here, or just show up! It’s not like your name has to be on a list, we just wanted to get a rough headcount of people so we know how much stuff to put out. Also, the prizes are awesome, and not just from CCA. On a stop and see something you like? That might be one of the prizes that we’re offering to those who complete the hunt. And I’ll have something for everyone, so come out and watch for a Tweet and Facebook post around 5:45.
And for being such a great blog audience, here’s my final #ChandlerHunt clue.
If you’ll notice, the color of the chiles matches the color of the awnings outside this location.
(#ChandlerHunt)
See you tonight!
Monday Mashup: It still feels like summer
Once our Summer Concert series ends, it won’t though!
Our last Free Summer Concert is this Friday at 7:30 pm, and we’re partying with Sugar Thieves. If you haven’t seen or heard them, you’re really missing out. I heard them during Mardi Gras and it was electrifying. I wandered around until I could find them and then just hung out there. And, it’s a free concert. Holla if you love free.
Don’t forget, come to Downtown Chandler before the concert (aim for sometime between 5:30-6 pm) and participate in #CHANDLERHUNT. We’re giving out awesome prizes, and some of the participating locations are giving some away too, so no matter what, you’ll walk away with some #swag. You can grab some friends and split the prize or ditch them and keep the glory to yourself. But it’ll be fun. So tell as many people as you can, and I’ll see ya’ll on Friday.
Speaking of #ChandlerHunt, have you seen the clues? Look through the blog, and look around at some of the Downtown establishments, they might look a little familiar.
Weekend Preview: First day of fall
Overheard at the office yesterday “Today is Friday Eve, which is much better than Friday Eve-Eve, which was better than Tuesday, because Tuesday sucked.”
I think we’re all looking forward to the weekend around here, and with good reason.
Come on down Saturday night for the 12th Annual C3HR Mariachi Festival. Not only do you get to hear and see some amazing performers, but you can get some food (for just a couple of bucks).
Oh yeah, I just said that. So you can imagine the smells that will come from the Center on Saturday, you won’t be able to resist that. And if the promise of amazing home cooked Mexican food isn’t enough to draw you in, check our Facebook for what we have in store for you tomorrow.
Also, don’t forget that #ChandlerHunt is a week from today. Have you found any clues?
Monday Mashup: Salty Edition
Q: How do you make Mondays awesome?
A: Combine International Talk Like A Pirate Day with a Monday Mashup. Yarrrrr.
(I believe I be havin’ too much merriment wif’ a holiday such as this).
The rest of this post with be in non-pirate speak, but if the sound of that doesn’t put the wind in your sails, feel free to translate it with this. And then send me the results, because I know they’re going to be hilarious.
Who came by the Raices Community Reception? Pics, or it didn’t happen.
A quick shout out to the performers of the Intel Variety Show, who raised $30K for the Girls Leadership Academy of Arizona. You guys are amazing and did such a wonderful job for a great cause. High fives to each and every one of you.
This weekend we’re continuing the CALA Festival celebration with the 12th Annual Chandler C3HR Mariachi Festival, and if you haven’t gotten your tickets yet, get on that. I know for a fact that one of the price ranges has sold out, and the others are right behind it.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to practice my pirate-y laugh. I tried it earlier this morning and instead of sounding like Capt. Barbossa I sounded like a chinchilla screaming. Oy.
Weekend Preview: Made it to another Friday
Even though today is a very sober day at the Center, I’m still going to carry out my weekly duties with a Weekend Preview.
This weekend we don’t have a Free Summer Concert show, but we do have the Intel Variety Show tomorrow night (It’s a good cause, and it’s fairly inexpensive) and the Raices Community Reception tonight from 6-8. It’s a wonderful way to see how Chandler got it’s start, and to show how much Hispanic culture influenced Chandler in its early days and how it continues to do so.
The best part? You can read up on the histories of the families featured in the exhibit, and it was pretty cool to see some of the grandparents and great-grandparents of my friends and learn about their families.
If you’re coming out for Chandler Art Walk (which you totally should, because it’s awesome) you’ll have enough time to visit the Center and then walk a few feet to the Art Walk.
(Ps. #ChandlerHunt, you in? If you aren’t yet, I’ll sweeten the pot by adding a few clues here and there. But you’ll have to check the bog, because I won’t be blasting those posts all over Creation.)
Monday Mashup: Ask and you shall receive
Another case of the weekend gone missing.
Chandler Symphony’s Pops Concert was a HUGE success on Friday. They not only packed the house, but the packed the lobby too. Thank you guys so much. It’s a great feeling to see such an amazing support base in the community. <3 you.
The Get Out Expo went really well, and a big thanks to everyone who came out, and those who came out and either said the secret phrases or did the not-so-secret High Five. The looks from the other booths cracked me up. If you couldn’t find us, or weren’t able to make it out, all the information that we had at the Get Out Expo can be found here, here and here.
Don’t forget to sign up for #ChandlerHunt. You don’t want to be left out of the fun, do you?
Also, groups can now buy tickets (minimum of 10) to Awesome 80′s Prom. It’s at least 10 kinds of awesome and really fun and different way to spend the evening.
Since there isn’t a Free Concert this weekend at CCA, you could spend your weekend checking out #ChandlerHunt and Awesome 80s. Just sayin’.
(Ps. Those of you at the Get Out Expo that said you got to the Pops Concert early because of my warnings on Facebook and Twitter made my weekend. High fives all around!)
Weekend Preview: No rest for the wicked
Not that we’re wicked, we all just have wicked senses of humor. Makes our world go ’round.
This weekend we have two opportunities to get out and have some fun. Tonight we have the Chandler Symphony Pops concert, and this is one of our most popular summer concerts. The Symphony always puts on a great show, and they fill the house up quickly. Doors open at 6:30, seating starts at 7:00, and if you want a good seat, get here as soon as the doors open (shoot, if you want any seat at all…). Again, it’s a free concert, but since you love us and love air-conditioned events in the summer, feel free to drop a few bucks one of the many donation boxes (we suggest $5 per person and $10 per family).
Then tomorrow we’re going to hanging out at the Mesa Arts Center for the Get Out Expo from 10 am-3 pm. If you follow us on Twitter or Like us on Facebook, you’ll have several opportunities to win some sweet #swag. (If you can’t tell by now. I love giving out things.) I’ll be posting at the event with instructions, so keep a lookout!
In other business, we have had our first two restaurants sign up to take part in Eat Your Art Out Chandler: Chandler BBQ Co. and Venezia’s Pizzeria. That means that on February 28, 2012, these restaurants (among many) have generously offered to donate a portion, or all, of their profits that day to supporting the arts in Chandler. You’ll be hearing all about it over the next several months, and I’ll do profiles on the restaurants so you can try them out before Eat Your Art Out Chandler.
Finally, who hasn’t signed up for the September 30th #ChandlerHunt? Get your friends to help you or do it alone and keep the glory to yourself.
Tuesday’s Mashup: Back after a long weekend
Boy, did we need the long weekend here at the Center.
Not because we needed that extra day to recover from the sunburns we got while floating down Salt River or because we wanted to sleep in just one more time, but because we needed that day to make sure everything is going to go as planned and send the summer off with a bang. Here we go.
Scavenger Hunt:
This won’t be the first time you’ll hear me talk about the scavenger hunt( or #ChandlerHunt), and you may have already heard me drop some hints. Well, here’s the skinny.
September 30 we’re having our last Free Summer Concert with Sugar Thieves, and we in Downtown wanted to make it a memorable experience. I’ve been working with a handful of Downtown Chandler locations to set up a scavenger hunt on September 30 before the concert. The end of September is usually nice (but that may be 23 years of living in Arizona talking) and it’s a good excuse to get out and explore Downtown Chandler, maybe find something new, and win some awesome swag. You can find out more information and register here. As always, feel free to send me any and all questions and I’ll be happy to answer them.
Chandler Symphony Pops Concert
The Chandler Symphony is always an awesome show, and this Friday they’re putting a little “pop” into their performance. They’ll be giving summer a great send off by performing some of their and their audiences favorite symphonic songs. If you have been to a Chandler Symphony Pops concert before, you know these things pack the house, so get here early. Show starts Friday night at 7:30, doors open at 6:30, and as with all the Summer Concerts, it’s free but we do ask for a donation.
Get Out Expo
After you hang out with us on Friday, join us at the Mesa Arts Center for the Get Out Expo from 10 am-2 pm, where the Valley’s best artists and performing arts venues will be hanging out for the day showcasing what we all have to offer you. And since you are all loyal blog readers, Facebook friends or Twitter followers, you probably already know most of what we have to offer. However, you know me, and you know how I love giving you guys stuff, so show up and you’ll be in for a treat.
Wow, that was a lot. I think I need a cookie to take my mind off my aching wrists. Or you could show up at the Pops Concert, Get Out Expo and #ChandlerHunt and that would make everything all better.
Monday Mashup: Songs that make you feel all warm and fuzzy
On Friday, love was definitely in the air.
Rusty and Kristen were amazing. They sung duets and solos about all aspects of love, from meeting someone for the first time, to looking back on memories of a person and being able to smile. It was a wonderful concert, and one thing I noticed was that the music really hit home with our audience. Our already nice and wonderful audience was nicer (if that’s possible) and couples who came in together left holding hands and smiling at each other. Really, a great thing to see.
But don’t take my word for it, here are a few clips from the show to make your Monday morning a little better.
Kristen’s solo from Thoroughly Modern Millie.
Rusty’s solo Starting Here, Starting Now (Which I think is also a name of a musical, in addition to being a Barbra Streisand song)
And another Streisand song on the cello. I could listen to this performance all morning, and I just might.
Happy Monday, ya’ll!
Weekend Preview: Because love is really funny.
The only reason I’ve ever watched a “romantic comedy” is because I think love is really, really funny.
People do and say the weirdest and most humorous stuff when they’re falling in love that sounds great and poetic at the time, and then you look back and think “What in tar-nation was I thinking?!” (Even if you’re still with the person).
Apparently Kristen and Rusty, of Funny Valentines and Broken Hearts, think the same way (although are more serious about it than I could ever be).
Their show tonight takes the audience through all stages of love through some classic and contemporary songs that celebrate all that love is.
I’m really looking forward to tonight’s show, just because it’s always interesting to see how someone else experiences such a strong emotion. Plus it’s free! Seating for the show starts at 7:oo, and the curtains open at 7:30. Again, its first come, first served, so get there early because this show will fill up fast.
Monday Mashup: Weekend? What Weekend?
This past weekend was an absolute blast, even though it flew by.
We had an amazing turnout for Rachel on Friday, and she didn’t disappoint. It definitely wasn’t a “stuffy” jazz show, and was actually fun for some non-jazz enthusiasts who went on Friday. Win number 1.
Party on the Patio rocked, and it’s because you guys showed up in droves and nailed it. Thank you so much for coming out in the heat and getting your lunch from us. We had so much fun and even though I couldn’t hear out of my right ear for the rest of the day, that was the most fun that we had in a long time. Plus, Christopher Robin Band was awesome! Hands up if you think we should have them at the Center. Win number 2
Also, if you have any photos from the concert or the party, feel free to share them on our Facebook.
This weekend we’re having some awesome local talent in the form of Kristen Drathman, Rusty Ferracane and Craig Bohmler in “Funny Valentines and Broken Hearts” on Friday at 7:30 pm. Their performance features classic and contemporary pop songs that celebrate love in all its forms. Now, I’m not a real “lovey dovey” gal, but I’m looking forward to their performance. Kristin and Rusty (who you may know from our kid’s camps) are amazing to listen to and crack me up. I missed their performance last year (for shame!) so I need to make it up to myself and see them this year.
Plus it will be so dang hot out, I won’t want to do anything else but sit in an air-conditioned theatre and laugh. Sounds like a fun Friday to me.
Weekend Preview: Free Concert, Free Party
(I tried to think of a clever Free Tibet joke, but I have none. Moooovin’ on.)
Tonight we have another free concert, with Rachel Eckroth taking the stage at 7:30 and showing us how jazz is done right. I listened to a ton of jazz growing up, and I can’t wait to hear some live in person. In my interview with Rachel on Monday, she said that she’s going to play a good mix of original tunes and some classic jazz songs, so do not miss this.
Tomorrow we’re continuing the “Free” and “Party” themes with a Party on the Patio at Chester’s Harley-Davidson in Mesa. Free food, free music, free high fives with me. The party runs (officially, at least) from 11am until 2pm. It’s in the shade and I’m praying for misting system, so it will be one of the few spots you can go this weekend and not melt into a little puddle.
To recap: Free concert, free food, another free concert, free high fives.
I’ll see ya’ll there.
Monday Mashup: Rachel Eckroth
Phoenix native Rachel Eckroth has an interest in many forms of music, but her true love is, and has been, jazz.
“I’ve been drawn to jazz because it’s music you could create on the spot,” she said. Coming from a musical family, Rachel was surrounded by different types of music and instruments and was singing and playing piano by age 6. When she was 14, she started playing jazz and was drawn to artists such as Miles Davis and Ella Fitzgerald.
Rachel got her start in Phoenix, but her talents soon took her to Las Vegas and New York. Now she spends her time between Phoenix and New York, and her music has taken a turn back to her roots.
“Now, we’re going to be doing a mix of jazz, plus some singer/songwriter stuff,” she said, the “we” referring to drummer and bassist who will be joining her for Friday night’s show.
“On Friday, the audience can expect my energy with some jazz songs, a couple of tunes we’ll covering. Just a bunch of great music with some bass and drum solos,” she said, adding that people may recognize a Burt Bacharach song or two.
“Basically, we’re looking to create something on stage with the band that people can connect to. We don’t always plan it out, we just go with it,” she said.
If you want to catch Rachel live and see for yourself how great she sounds, you can catch her FREE show this Friday night at 7:30 at CCA.
Monday Mashup: We Like To Party
I hope your weekend was wonderful and that you’re happy to get back to work this Monday morning. If either one (or both) isn’t the case, then a little Monday Mashup should be the cure for what ails you.
Bad Cactus Brass Band rocked on Friday night, and even brought a little surprise with them. In addition to their marching brass band, they had a gentleman by the name of Chris Pena on piano who was drop dead amazing.
Hot dang. Makes me wish that I stuck with my dream of playing piano, but moving on. If you didn’t catch Bad Cactus then here’s a clip of what you missed. (Also, I want to see a doctor’s note)
This weekend we don’t have a free summer show, but next weekend we’re really going to party. We have Rachel Eckroth coming on August 19th and then on August 20th with The Christopher Robin Band at Chester’s Harley-Davidson where yours truly will try not to catch on fire and help grill up all sorts of tasty goodness. Keep your eyes out for some more details as we get closer to August 20th.
Weekend Preview
It feels good to get back to our regularly scheduled programming.
Bad Cactus Brass band is going to tear the roof off this joint tonight and I can’t wait. If you’re coming to the show tonight, and you should because it’s free, don’t even worry about seating. Once they get going, you’ll be too busy enjoying yourself and dancing to actually sit. If you’re not sure if New Orleans party music is your thing, you can sample these lovely fellows here. (Note: Don’t do what I just did and forget that you had your speakers turned up at full volume. Yowza.)
Since this is the first free summer concert this year, I’d just like to give everyone a heads up about how they work. The show is at 7:30pm, so the doors to the foyer open at 6:30 pm and seating opens at 7:00 pm. Like I’ve mentioned, it is free to get in, but since you love CCA as much as I do (or more), you have the option to give the Center a donation. We suggest $5 per person or $10 per family. Of course, you’re welcome to give or not give as much as you want (but I have my fingers crossed that you’ll give more). Also keep in mind that seating is done on a first come first served basis, so if you really, really want the third seat from the left aisle in row H, show up early.
Please (pretty, pretty please) don’t forget to Like us on Facebook and follow us Twitter for a chance to win two tickets to Gaelic Storm. Sometime before the show starts I’ll be posting THE video that you need. Do what the video says and you’ll have a shot at winning.
Friday
It is taking every once of self-control to not break out singing that hot mess of a song. Caitie: 1, Urge to act like a goof this early in the morning: Zero.
I dropped a few hints about free tickets in my blog post yesterday, and people jumped all over that. Here’s the deal.
I love meeting people (it is seriously the best part of my job), I love free concerts and I have a soft spot for a trombone players.* To show my love and enthusiasm, I’ve thrown together a little somethin’ somethin’ for the CCA community. It’s ridiculously simple, but you’ll have to be quick about it.
On Friday evening between about 6:00 and 6:30, ish, make sure you’re paying attention to our Twitter and Facebook pages, because a video might pop up that tells you what you’ll need to do to get yourself some free tickets
You down?
*Yes, I’m well aware of what people who play trombones call themselves (4 years of band will do that to a girl) and no I will not say it. Caitie: 2, Urge to act like a goof this early in the morning: Still nothing. Boom, roasted.
Monday Mashup (A Day Late But Not A Dollar Short)
I’m not sure if it was because WordPress was down yesterday, or if my computer hates me, but the return of Monday Mashup had to be postponed until Tuesday. Apologies to all who were looking forward to it.
This weekend things are really starting to heat up at CCA. Friday kicks off our Free Summer Concert Series, and getting things started right is Bad Cactus Brass Band. Take a minute and check them out, I’ll be here when you get back.
Talk about talent, and you get to see them for free! They’re a wonderful New Orleans style party jazz band all wrapped up in Cajun spices, and they are going to bring the house down this weekend. Anyone who can get through a Bad Cactus Brass Band show without dancing must not be listening properly. I mean, how can you sit down when you’ll want to get up and move music coming at you? Any video I get of them might be a little shaky, just because I’ll be dancing around the whole time (which is worth coming out to see itself).
As if free amazing party music isn’t enough to get you to come out, I have a few other surprises up my sleeve. You’ll have a chance to get some fantastic (and discounted) tickets to an upcoming show, and even a chance to win tickets!
I might have said too much. Oh well. Just make sure you’re following us on Twitter and have Liked us on Facebook. I’ll have more details there about what, when and how you can win tickets, as well as information on the discounts.
On Friday, come over and say hi. It’s always nice to meet online friends in real life (and you might walk away with tickets…)
It begins again…
I managed to grab a few photos of our campers already hard at work on their dance routines. At this rate, they’ll be ready to rock and roll next Thursday.
Looking Ahead
I have a few day’s break from our summer camps here at CCA, and I realized that it seems like Camp must be all that we do around here.
I’m not going to lie, it is a big chuck of time, but here’s a look at what else we have going on.
Another episode of everyone’s favorite Chandler vlog is coming up! I’m going on a little walk for this next episode, and I’ll be dropping hints like bread crumbs along the way. Also, are there any places in Downtown Chandler that you’d like to see, or something at CCA that you find interesting but never really got a chance to explore? Let me know, and I’ll make an episode out of it.
(Here are Episodes 1 and 2)
August is when things really get rocking and rolling here.
We have the Free Summer Concert Series kicking off on August 5th with the Big Cactus Brass Band, and that is going to be a blast! I’ve seen these guys perform a few times before, and I haven’t been disappointed. Here is the complete list of the shows during the summer. Find one that works for you, and I’ll see you there!
August 20, come find some of the awesome CCA staffers (myself included) at Chester’s Harley-Davidson for a Party on the Patio. Every Saturday throughout the summer Chester’s you can hang out, have some amazing food and listen to Phoenix bands jam out. The Party is free, but we will be accepting donations at the cook station. I know it’s over a month a way, but I wanted to get the word out there, and I’ll send out some reminders.
We just had our first successful Twitter give-away, and I’m itching to do another one! The prize was 2 tickets to The Official Blues Brothers Revue once we reached 1200 followers on Twitter, and that didn’t take long at all! I did have a few people tell me that they would like to see the contest opened up to Facebook, our e-club and the blog, which is going to happen! Stay tuned for details and why not make sure you’re giving yourself the best possible chance to win tickets by:
Liking us on Facebook.
Following us on Twitter.
Signing up for our e-club. To sign in, use your Ticketmaster user name and password.
(E-club members also get chances to buy tickets before the general public!)
Plus, you get to see all sorts of fun extras that happen around CCA
And I know I said that we have more than just camp going on, but I would like to mention that GLEE camp was so much fun this spring, we’re offering another camp in October. Details are here.
