{"id":5429,"date":"2019-04-24T12:35:57","date_gmt":"2019-04-24T19:35:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.arizonafoothillsmagazine.com\/bestof\/?p=5429"},"modified":"2019-04-25T13:53:03","modified_gmt":"2019-04-25T20:53:03","slug":"best-of-our-valley-2019-arts-entertainment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.arizonafoothillsmagazine.com\/bestof\/entertainment\/best-of-our-valley-2019-arts-entertainment","title":{"rendered":"Best of Our Valley 2019: Arts & Entertainment"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n
by Kyley Warren<\/em><\/h5>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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

Dearing Acting Studio was founded by notable local actors Matthew and Leeann Dearing and, now, after being in operation for more than a decade, the studio continues to serve the needs of aspiring actors and entertainers from as young as 5 years old all the way through adulthood. The studio emphasizes the teaching of hyper-listening through ever-evolving techniques that allow actors to \u201clive their truth\u201d while in front of the camera, on-stage and in their daily lives.\u00a0dearingstudio.com<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

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Dearing Acting Studio<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Best Annual Charity Event: <\/strong>Phoenix Tools 4 School<\/strong><\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Phoenix Tools 4 School provides basic school-readiness supplies for students whose families cannot afford the necessary items to start off the school year. The initiative provides students with book bags, notebooks, writing utensils, college-readiness workshops and other necessary supplies. In just six years, the Phoenix Tools 4 School annual event has impacted more than 30,000 students and family members by providing them with a free meal and the supplies needed to ensure the investment of every student getting to cross the finish line. checkeredflagrunfoundation.org\/programs\/phoenix-tools-4-school<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Best Annual Gala: <\/strong>Evening to Paws<\/strong><\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Arizona Animal Welfare League, a no-kill shelter that rehabilitates and rescues more than 4,000 animals every year, raises between $300,000 and $350,000 at the long-adored Evening to Paws Gala every year.\u00a0This event, which has been held for nearly two decades, has outgrown several venues and is now being hosted at Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia, with attendance between 400 and 450 people. The gala boasts entertainment and fun galore, with live music, tasty food and even fun themes to help create and diversify the event each year.\u00a0aawl.org<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

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Evening to Paws<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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

While you might not peg Arizona as being a particular hub for holiday celebrations, the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess proves why you probably should. Each year, the AAA Five-Diamond award-winning resort transforms into a winter wonderland, complemented by ice skating rinks, hot cocoa stands, a beloved tree lighting and so many more activities and events throughout the season that are truly fun for the entire family.\u00a0scottsdaleprincess.com<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Best Annual Valley Event – Large Scale: <\/strong>Scottsdale Culinary Festival\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The Scottsdale Culinary Festival is a weekend-long event comprised of food tasting, unique epicurean experiences, a beer garden, cooking demonstrations and live music that welcomes nearly 30,000 guests each April. The event is hosted by the Scottsdale League for the Arts, which is a nonprofit volunteer organization of accomplished members who support the arts through social and educational opportunities.\u00a0scottsdalefest.org<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

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Scottsdale Culinary Festival<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\n

AFM Fave! Best Automobile Auction: <\/strong>Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction<\/strong><\/h4>\r\n

Arizona car enthusiasts rejoice at the return of the iconic Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction to Scottsdale each and every year. 2019\u2019s event was the largest auction in Barrett-Jackson history with more bidders, sponsors, exhibitors and cars than ever before and more than $131 million in sales (and nearly $10 million for deserving charities). Barrett-Jackson is the leader in collector car auctions and automotive lifestyle events, and beyond their impact in the world of gearhead entertainment, the company has garnered philanthropic legacy as well, as they have helped raise nearly $115 million for charity to date.\u00a0barrett-jackson.com<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

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Barrett Jackson Collector Car Auction<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\n

Best Children\u2019s Theater: <\/strong>Greasepaint Youtheatre<\/strong><\/h4>\r\n

Greasepaint Youtheatre will be entering its 35th season this coming fall. The company is committed to educating young actors in the skills they need to reach their highest potential; this is a goal they achieve thanks in part to their committed directors and artistic staff who are notable professionals within their respective field. Greasepaint produces seven MainStage musicals per year, plus 10 weeks of summer, spring and fall camps that cater to children ages 6 to 18.\u00a0greasepaint.org<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

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Greasepaint Youtheatre – School of Rock.
Photo: Durant Photography<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\n

Best Civic Organization: <\/strong>Valley of the Sun Active 20-30 Club<\/strong><\/h4>\r\n

Valley of the Sun Active 20-30 Club is a philanthropic organization made up of 68 professional women, ages 21 to 39, who are committed to fundraising for and participating in organized hands-on activities with local children’s charities through its Valley Kids Foundation. Since the club\u2019s inception, more than $2 million has been raised for charities, including Florence Crittenton and Phoenix Children’s Hospital Foundation.\u00a0vos2030.com<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

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Valley of the Sun Active 20-30 Club<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\n

Best Concert Venue: <\/strong>The Pressroom<\/strong><\/h4>\r\n

Located in the heart of the Downtown Phoenix Warehouse District on the corners of 5th Avenue and Madison Street, The Pressroom was built in the 1920\u2019s and the historic 14,000-sq.-ft. red brick building is what once housed the city\u2019s most modern printing press\u2014hence, its name. The venue features an indoor 1,000-plus-person capacity, a full bar, two VIP viewing platforms, in-house intelligent sound, lighting and video wall, spacious outdoor patio and extended premise event space.\u00a0thepressroomaz.com<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

Best Dance Studio: <\/strong>Chandler Dance Center<\/strong><\/h4>\r\n

Chandler Dance Center was founded in 2014 under the artistic vision of Megan Gomez. Presenting a new dance studio model, Chandler Dance Center focuses on family, affordability, positive teachers,\u00a0integrity\u00a0and trust. Families can choose a dance program that is right for their schedule and budget. The beloved studio offers preschool classes, recreational classes and elite classes.\u00a0chandlerdancecenter.com<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

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Chandler Dance Center<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\n

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

We have Dearing Acting Studio to thank for Chaos Comedy, the studio\u2019s own improv comedy troupe that has garnered a favored reputation for their comical yet refreshingly clean performances. The group incites laughter that is enjoyable for the whole family. If you find yourself particularly inspired by their acts, Dearing Acting Studio even offers weekly adult improv classes, which serve as the perfect starting-point to sharpen your performance skills and perfect your comedic timing.\u00a0dearingstudio.com<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n