Goth queen Rachel Bess' "Crumpling Space-Time" smoldered in black and blue, alongside the cream, red and gold of Yuko Yabuki's striking portrait of a tattooed saint.
Abbey Messmer's warped pool water mesmerized. Larry Madrigal, Gennaro Garcia and Annie Lopez were must-sees. The exhibition stretched over two days, giving those wary of First Friday crowds a chance to take in the sprawling show.Īnd it reads so silly, but I mean it: It was just plain nice being back at Legend City warehouse, looking at art with other people who like looking at art. The roster felt balanced between newcomers and standbys. The typically annual showcase of contemporary art from Arizona creatives had been on pause since 2019. Randy Slack resurrected " Chaos Theory" and the show felt special for so many reasons. KiMi Robinson 'Chaos Theory' made a supersize comeback That’s how I’ve discovered artists such as Aileen Martinez ( sells prints of her illustrations that depict recognizable venues across the Valley, and businesses like Pot Heads Tea, which sells a lavender Earl Grey tea blend that I can’t start my mornings without. But going to makers markets and finding creatives to follow on social media made me passionate about spending money that stays within my community. Sure, I’ve heard the mantra to “shop local” before, but until last year I never felt compelled to shop with a priority other than finding a good price.
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When small businesses in metro Phoenix suffered the economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic, I was inspired to see so many Arizonans start fundraisers on behalf of business owners, share posts on social media about how to support the businesses and pledge to make online orders whenever possible.
The enthusiasm for local businesses in the Valley is contagious. Johnson Our 'shop local' culture is strong It just smells fresh and clean and lets us forget, for a little while at least, just how hot it’s going to get again. It’s mostly made up of the scent released when rain hits the creosote bushes. When it rains here, we’re treated to that unmistakable, earthy fragrance of the desert when it rains. I think that’s part of why the showers that we do get seem so refreshing. We live in a desert, so it’s common to go long periods without any rain at all, let alone a soaking. The past monsoon aside, it doesn’t rain much around here. Jill Cassidy Nothing compares to the smell of desert rain You can recoup your investment with just a few visits and you can’t put a price on the imprint these places will leave on your soul. You can even use the pass in lieu of Sedona’s Red Rock Pass that’s required at the most popular trailheads. In Arizona, those include Grand Canyon ($35/week) and Glen Canyon ($30/week) but also gems such as Sunset Crater Volcano and Wupatki national monuments in Flagstaff and Saguaro National Park in Tucson (each costs $25/week). That’s the price of an annual America the Beautiful pass, which gives unlimited admission to all federal recreation lands that charge admission fees. It’s impossible to calculate the value of Arizona’s national parks, monuments and recreation areas, but I can tell you how much it costs to explore them to your heart’s content: $80. Love at first bite: Why this Grand Avenue Mexican restaurant is an instant classic National parks passes are a jackpot for Arizonans who love to explore We've got everything here from cheese crisps to chile rellenos and the homestyle burritos of Chihuahua. It's home to one of the most diverse Mexican food scenes in the United States, with restaurants serving the flavors of Guadalajara, Oaxaca, Mexico City and Michoacan. They're the perfect wrapper for mesquite-grilled carne asada or silken refried beans, with melted cheese and maybe a little guacamole tucked in there. And if you're in the mood for another style of Mexican food, metro Phoenix probably has that too. There's just nothing quite like it anywhere else in the country, and it's usually the first thing I crave when I leave home - particularly fresh Sonoran flour tortillas that have a crackle to them, rather than a vapid puffy texture of preservatives. If you've ever eaten a burrito in Idaho, you know what it's like to yearn for the Mexican food of Arizona. Let us count the reasons - 30 to be exact. There is so much to feel thankful for, from natural wonders and great eats to international markets and vibrant art. It's on those sunny spots that we'd like to focus, as we cross days off 2021's waning calendar and look to what awaits in the new year. We've faced another year of times both trying and gleeful, frightening but bright. As the chill of fall sweeps Arizona, it's time to reflect.