Tempe Conventions & Visitors Bureau

I’ve seen my fair share of Broadway shows and nothing has moved me quite like Spring Awakening. This winner of 8 Tony Awards will stop at ASU Gammage in Tempe for just two nights, January 27 and 28, 2011. If you haven’t seen it, you must go. If you have seen it, you’ll want to see it again and again.

Spring Awakening is a coming of age story set in 19th century Germany. It explores what it’s like to be a teenager and how to bridge the gap between youth and adulthood. The subject matter is definitely mature, so expect some strong language and actions. But, in my opinion, this is a show that everyone should see. It will make you laugh, it will probably make you cry, but most importantly, it really makes you think.

The fabulous rock ‘n’ roll score was written by Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater. The cast is incredible, but the music is the star of the show.

Tickets are still available. Go to www.asugammage.com for more information.

Canines are on the move in Go, Dog. Go! presented by Childsplay, Tempe’s award-winning theatre for young audiences.  Tempe lives up to its reputation as a live music mecca with everything  from blues to rock to jazz in venues throughout the city. Visit our complete listing of Tempe events or call 480-894-8158.

•  January 17: Delphine Cortez with Joel Robin; January 19: Joe Hopkins Quintet, Dave’s Electric Brew Pub
• January 19: Walk in Wednesday with Walt Richardson, Tempe Center for the Arts  
• January 20: Music on Mill, Mill Avenue District
• January 20: Jared Howe; January 21: Anna Chepikova; January 22: Just Us, John Henry’s Restaurant
• January 20: Shelby James; January 21: The Detonators; January 22: Sharrett Miller/Tom Mein Duo, D’Arcy McGee’s Irish Restaurant & Pub
• January 20: The Spin; January 21: The Love Brokers; January 23: Shelby James,
• Rula Bula Irish Pub & Restaurant  
• January 21: Lakeshore Jazz Series: The John Proulx Quartet,  Tempe Center for the Arts
• January 21: Mojo Farmers; January 22: Jinx The Tragedy, Tempe Marketplace District Stage
• January 21: Mellis Calvert Duo; January 22: Gradymusic, Tempe Marketplace Barns & Noble Fountain
• January 23: Childsplay Presents Go, Dog. Go! Tempe Center for the Arts
• January 23: Music in the Garden: Junction 10, Desert Botanical Garden
• January 23: Sunday Night Jam Sessions Led by the Jeff Libman Trio, Dave’s Electric Brew Pub
• January 23: Aebi-Coulson Jazz Trio, John Henry’s Restaurant

Looking for something different to do on a Sunday afternoon? In Tempe, we’re lucky enough to have sunny skies in January and February, creating an ideal backdrop for a fun music, a little dancing, great food and even better scenery. The Music in the Garden concert series at Desert Botanical Garden began last weekend. But don’t worry…you can still go January 23 through February 20.

Music in the Garden is home to a variety of musicians ranging from retro surf rock to the blues. The Garden’s Ullman Terrace is a unique concert venue, with a butte serving as the backdrop for the soothing, yet energetic tunes. Lunch is served during each show, featuring the tasty salads and sandwiches that are always served at Desert Botanical Garden, along with a special of the day. Lucky for us, the special last Sunday was two freshly grilled mahi mahi tacos, accompanied by beans, rice, chips and a delicious salsa.

In addition to the food, music and ambience, the Music in the Garden series now includes a dance lesson during intermission from a local dance school. If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to two-step or salsa, here’s your chance!

For more information, visit www.dbg.org.

It’s another week in Tempe packed with art, music and literature culminating with a favorite annual event that’s a merry combination of music and marathon, the P.F. Chang’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona Marathon & ½ Marathon. Remember this is just a sample. View the complete listing of Tempe events or call 480-894-8158.  

• January 10: Beth Lederman Trio, Dave’s Electric Brew Pub  
• January 11: Ali Vincent: Believe It, Be It: How Being the Biggest Loser Won Me Back My Life, Changing Hands Bookstore  
• January 12: Walk in Wednesday with Walt Richardson, Tempe Center for the Arts  
• January 13: Thursday Night Market, Tempe Urban Garden  
• January 13: Music on Mill, Mill Avenue District  
• January 13: Jared Howe; January 14: Anna Chepikova; January 15: Will Metzler, John Henry’s Restaurant  
• January 13: Shelby James; January 14: The McCarthy Brothers; January 15: Tyler Nielson Duo, D’Arcy McGee’s Irish Restaurant & Pub  
• January 14: Phoenix Symphony: “The Brandenburg Festival”, Tempe Center for the Arts  
• January 14: Hello Swindon; January 15: Jed’s A Millionaire, Tempe Marketplace District Stage 
• January 14: David & Amy; January 15: Michael V., Tempe Marketplace Barns & Noble Fountain  
• January 15: Matt Long : The Long Run: A New York City Firefighter’s Triumphant Comeback from Crash Victim to Elite Athlete, Changing Hands Bookstore 
• January 16: P.F. Chang’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona Marathon & ½ Marathon; Free Vertical Horizon Concert, P.F. Chang’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona Marathon & 1/2 Marathon 
• January 16: Sunday Night Jam Sessions Led by the Jeff Libman Trio, Dave’s Electric Brew Pub

I had the pleasure of seeing Dreamworks’ Shrek the Musical last night when it opened at ASU Gammage in Tempe. It will go down as one of my favorite  musicals after The Lion King and Mary Poppins. What a show! It’s just one great big explosion of gorgeous, intensely colored sets, great tunes (with some very funny lyrics) and hilarious sight gags all brought to the stage by an outstandingly talented cast.

There is so much to love about this show that it’s hard to know where to begin, so I’ll just give you a few of my favorite moments:

The opening scenes in which little seven year-old Shrek is kicked out of the nest by his parents. Yes, it’s very funny;

• The Gingerbread Man being tormented with an oversized spatula in the torture chamber (the mere memory of it makes me LOL);
• All scenes featuring Lord Farquaad played with tremendous agility by David F.M. Vaughn who zipped around the stage almost entirely on his knees (ouch), while adeptly manipulating his fake short appendages. I cannot tell you how funny he is;
• Fiona’s dance with the Pied Piper’s rats;
• Eric Petersen as Shrek. What a gorgeous voice;
• The dragon’s big scene. It’s incredible, but that’s all I’m saying because I don’t want to spoil it for you;
• All the weird and slightly warped fairy tale characters;
• The grand finale. I loved it except that it signaled the end of the show.  I didn’t want Shrek to end.

Shrek the Musical is a show for everyone. Kids will love it and so will adults who attend with or without kids. All in all it’s a great show, but don’t just take my word for it. Read Kerry Lengel’s review in today’s Arizona Republic.

Shrek the Musical is at ASU Gammage through January 9. Don’t miss it!

The flurry of holiday festivities has come and gone, but there’s no sign that things are slowing down in Tempe. No way!  There’s plenty going on in Tempe this week, January 3-9, including a visit from Shrek and his band of fairy tale misfits. This is just a sample of things to do in Tempe. For a complete listing of Tempe events, visit www.tempetourism.com/events/Calendar or call 480-894-8158.  

• January 4-9: DreamWorks’ Shrek the Musical, ASU Gammage
• January 5: Bad Cactus Brass Band, Dave’s Electric Brew Pub
• January 5: Walk in Wednesday with Walt Richardson, Tempe Center for the Arts
• January 6: Thursday Night Market, Tempe Urban Garden
• January 6: Music on Mill, Mill Avenue District
• January 6: Jared Howe; January 7: Anna Chepikova; January 8: DJ DJ, John Henry’s Restaurant
• January 6:  Shelby James; January 7: The Tyler Nielson Duo; January 8: Sharrett Miller/Tom Mein Duo, D’Arcy McGee’s Irish Restaurant & Pub
• January 7: Chris Alcaraz & More Love; January 8: Chicks With Picks, Tempe Marketplace District Stage
• January 7: Scott & John of Hello Swindon; January 8: Samba Project, Tempe Marketplace Barns & Noble Fountain
• January 9: The 5th Bösendorfer and Schimmel USASU International Piano Competitions Guest Artist Gala Featuring Sofya Gulyak, ASU Katzin Concert Hall  
• January 9: Music in the Garden: Surfside IV, Desert Botanical Garden
• January 9: Sunday Night Jam Sessions Led by the Jeff Libman Trio, Dave’s Electric Brew Pub