{"id":3787,"date":"2018-04-06T10:00:17","date_gmt":"2018-04-06T17:00:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.arizonafoothillsmagazine.com\/bestof\/?p=3787"},"modified":"2018-04-10T10:33:20","modified_gmt":"2018-04-10T17:33:20","slug":"best-of-our-valley-2018-arts-entertainment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.arizonafoothillsmagazine.com\/bestof\/entertainment\/best-of-our-valley-2018-arts-entertainment","title":{"rendered":"Best of our Valley 2018: Arts & Entertainment"},"content":{"rendered":"
by Alyssa Tidwell\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/h5>\n

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Best Local Filmmaker\/Videographer: CS Marketing Studio<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Crissty Santana, owner of CS Marketing Studio, is a marketing master. She does everything from graphic and Web design to video and photography to printing her designs on paper and apparel. A boutique business, Santana works primarily in Arizona\u2019s beauty and entertainment industries, making sure to capture each client\u2019s individual style, be it bold, modern or classy. What began as a woman with a single camera and a computer has grown into a formidable business of loyal clientele. csmarketingstudio.com<\/a>. Also a 2017 winner!\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

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AFM Fave<\/strong>! Best Local Band\/Musician: Michael Land<\/h4>\n

His sultry sound, crafty lyrical prowess and genuine nature makes soulful Michael Land our very own Phoenix version of John Legend or Justin Timberlake. Land\u2019s passion for music began at age 14, when he began honing his skills as a vocalist and songwriter. Today, he tours as a professional musician both locally and on a national scale. michaellandmusic.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Best Improv Group: Chaos Comedy<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Looking for a laugh? Check out Dearing Acting Studio\u2019s improv comedy troupe, Chaos Comedy, as they light up Lighthouse Theater every fourth Friday of the month. Make it a family affair: with hilarious yet clean content, guests of all ages are welcome to attend. And if you\u2019ve ever considered cultivating a bit of your own comedic prowess, Dearing Acting Studio offers weekly adult improv classes\u2014in fact, many Chaos Comedy members come straight out of these workshops. dearingstudio.com<\/a>. Also a 2017 Winner!<\/em><\/p>\n

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Best Annual Gala: Evening to Paws Arizona Animal Welfare League<\/strong><\/h4>\n

(AAWL), a no-kill shelter, hosts the always-anticipated Evening to Paws gala, which honors the animals AAWL saves and the people who have served them. Always a jubilant affair full of music, dance, food and entertainment, past themes have included \u201cCoPawCobana Club\u201d and \u201cSt. PawTrick\u2019s Day.\u201d Among the animals honored throughout the years is retired military working dog, Rex, who served his country in Kuwait, Iraq and Kyrgyzstan as part of the 56th Security Forces Squadron. aawl.org\/ events\/evening-paws-gala<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Best Acting Studio: Dearing Acting Studio<\/strong><\/h4>\n

In operation for more than a decade, Dearing Acting Studio is a sought-after acting academy in Arizona, offering classes like on-camera acting, improv comedy and a master-level intensive course. Founded by notable local actors Matthew and Leeann Dearing, kids as young as five years old and all the way up to adults can improve their acting ability, hone their craft and build their self confidence through weekly courses and private coaching. And students regularly get the chance to apply what they\u2019ve learned to the mainstage at the Lighthouse Theater, located inside the Dearing Acting Studio in North Phoenix. dearingstudio.com<\/a>. Also a 2017 Winner!<\/em><\/p>\n

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Best Annual Fashion Show: Xavier Scholarship Fashion Show<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Professional models sporting the hottest designs, as well as more than 250 Xavier and Brophy seniors, all strut their stuff at the Xavier Scholarship Fashion show at the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort in a yearly charitable event that benefits more than 40 percent of Xavier students who receive financial assistance. What began as a humble alumnae event in the 1950\u2019s has grown into a high-fashion, large-scale spectacle today. This year\u2019s show, themed \u201cShine,\u201d will honor the 75th\/ Diamond Anniversary of Xavier\u2019s founding in 1943. xcpmg.org<\/a>. Also a 2017 Winner!<\/em><\/p>\n

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Best Annual Charity Event: Compassion with Fashion<\/strong><\/h4>\n

For 20 years, the Arizona Humane Society\u2019s Compassion with Fashion has celebrated the heartbreaking and heartwarming survival stories of animals that have endured impossibly difficult circumstances and experiences. A day of high-style fashion and luxurious luncheons, animal lovers come together to support pet rescue, all leading up to the grand finale, where 1,100 guests can watch as homeless pets prowl down their very own fashion runway in the hopes of finding their forever families. azhumane.org\/cwf<\/a>.\u00a0Also a 2017 Winner!<\/em><\/p>\n

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Best Automobile Auction: Russo and Steele<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Known for its exciting, high-octane flagship auction in Scottsdale every January, Russo and Steele collector automobile auction features the hottest European sports cars, American muscle cars, hotrods, customs and late model exotics. Founded in 2001, Russo and Steele also holds events in Newport Beach in June and Monterey in August during Monterey\u2019s Historic Car Week. russoandsteele.com<\/a>. Also a 2017 Winner!<\/em><\/p>\n

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Best Annual Valley Event: Christmas at the Princess<\/strong><\/h4>\n

The AAA Five-Diamond resort, Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, is transformed into a dazzling winter wonderland each holiday season, with a 6,000-sq.-ft. Desert Ice Skating Rink, a gigantic Christmas tree with 70,000 LED lights, plaza shows and tons more. The kids can snap a photo with Kris Kringle himself at Santa\u2019s Secret Headquarters or ride aboard one of the Princess Express Trains at this magic-filled festival. scottsdaleprincess.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Best Children\u2019s Theatre: Greasepaint Youtheatre\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Greasepaint Youtheatre in Scottsdale not only delivers heartfelt theater performances to young audiences across the Valley, it allows student performers to stretch their imaginations and grow within their own acting journeys through professionally-designed programming, taught by expert teachers. Greasepaint productions include \u201cOliver!,\u201d \u201cThe Little Mermaid,\u201d \u201cThe Fiddler on the Roof,\u201d \u201cSeussical,\u201d \u201cHairspray\u201d and more. greasepaint.org<\/a>. Also a 2017 Winner!\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n