Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance and OdySea in the Desert present a series of free, family-friendly cultural concerts beginning March 2, 2019 OdySea in the Desert and the Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance are pleased to announce the Cultural Connections Concert Series, a free live music and dance series. The concerts will showcase local and global influences from colorful Mexican Folklorico Dancers and powerful Japanese Taiko Drumming, to the dancelike martial arts of Brazilian Capoeira, and fluid choreography of break dancing. The series will offer local performers, professional ensembles, and community groups the opportunity to share the sights and sounds inspired by their own cultural identities and traditions to bridge communities through the arts.
The FREE monthly performances will take place Saturdays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the OdySea in the Desert outdoor courtyard. Coupled with hands-on kids’ activities and over 20 dining, shopping, and amusement establishments, the Cultural Connections Concert Series provides the perfect afternoon outing for the whole family. About the Series: March 2, 2019 Mariachi and Folklorico at Odysea: Celebrate the colors and vibrant sounds of the Mariachi and Folklorico traditions with Arizona's finest student groups and community performers. The rich, cultural history of Mexico explodes with each note of mariachi music as the folklorico ensembles tell stories of heartbreak and celebration of life through traditional dance. April 6, 2019 Rhythms of the World: Jam out to the rhythmic pulse of drums from across the world. Combining highly physical, large-scale drumming with contemporary costumes, precise choreography and innovative visuals, Rhythms of the World will offer an energetic and unforgettable production as the crowd’s energy helps fuel the groups’ performances. May 4, 2019 Beat the Feet: Connect with the Valley's hottest hip-hop dance and capoeira crews in one furious night of footwork. An unforgettable artistic journey around the world through dance, Beat the Feat will highlight the legacy of dance and the storytelling power it embodies. “What a line-up! These acts are diverse, exciting, very visual and highly entertaining,” said David Widoff, Events Marketing Manager of OdySea in the Desert. “The launch of this inaugural concert series will add a dynamic new component to the events at OdySea in the Desert and is sure to make for a memorable experience for all ages.” The concerts are a creative collaboration between OdySea in the Desert and the Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance, bringing opportunities for local performers to showcase their talents and share their unique cultural perspectives with the community, integrating business and the arts in new and creative ways. The full lineup of performers is available at www.saaca.org/culturalconnections.html OdySea in the Desert Cultural Connections Concert Series When: First Saturday Monthly, March – May 2019, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Where: OdySea in the Desert, 9500 East Vía de Ventura, Scottsdale, AZ 85256 Cost: Free Online: https://www.saaca.org/culturalconnections.html Phone: (602) 697-0056 NOTE TO MEDIA: Photos available About OdySea in the Desert entertainment destination OdySea in the Desert is a one-of-a-kind entertainment destination that features world-class attractions including OdySea Aquarium, Butterfly Wonderland, BODIES REVEALED, and Pangea Land of the Dinosaurs in addition to 20 dining, shopping, and amusement venues. The outdoor courtyard regularly hosts a variety of events and family entertainment throughout the year. Parking is free and there is no admission required to enter OdySea in the Desert. OdySea in the Desert is located at 9500 E. Via de Ventura Scottsdale, AZ 85256, within the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. For more information please call 480-951-2100 or visit the website at www.odyseainthedesert.com. About the Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance The Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance (SAACA) is a not-for-profit organization that exists to ensure that, through engagement in arts and culture, our communities produce strong, inspired citizens. SAACA enlists artists, businesses, governments, and individuals to expand artistic and cultural opportunities in their respective communities. To enhance access to the arts and to promote cultural awareness in the communities it serves, SAACA presents large-scale festivals, events and other programs. The Alliance also promotes educational opportunities in the arts and culture for all ages. For more information about programs and events produced by the Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance please visit www.saaca.org. Oro Valley Marketplace will host over 160 classic cars, live music children's activities, smokin' BBQ, Mecum Auctions and more on February 16, 2019 The time, patience and love it takes to cultivate a work of art is no different when on canvas or automobile. Behind each vehicle there is a story, and over 170 car owners will converge in Oro Valley this month to share those stories. Southern Arizona’s preeminent car show, BBQ and Blues music festival takes place Saturday, February 16th at the Oro Valley Marketplace from 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM. The 2019 festival will be complimented with three headlining blues performances, featuring mainstage music with Black Cat Bones, Heather Lil ' Mama Hardy Band, Bad News Blues Band.
The festival is proudly sponsored by Hughes Federal Credit Union, the Town of Oro Valley and 805 Brewing by Firestone Walker. The annual Cruise, BBQ & Blues Festival, one of the area’s premiere events of its kind will mark its 11th year of drawing spectators throughout the region to see hundreds of classic and custom cars while supporting Veterans. In addition to the hundreds of classic, muscle, sports and specialty cars, the event will feature fun activities and children’s activities, live musical performances, vendors, and a BBQ food court. The famed Mecum Auctions will also be making their Arizona exhibiting debut, exhibiting at the festival. Mecum Auctions is the world leader in live auctions of collector and classic cars, antique motorcycles, vintage tractors and Road Art memorabilia with events across the US. All proceeds benefit the Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance, a non-profit organization that produces and supports innovative arts engagement and educational experiences for local Veterans and Seniors. The car show is the organization’s primary Winter fundraising community event and has allowed SAACA to provide thousands of local Veteran’s with no-cost arts experiences at the Southern Arizona Veterans Administration. The show will feature cars and trucks in a variety of styles – antique and modern, domestic and foreign, modified and custom. A panel of expert judges will award trophies in categories including Best of Show, Best Interior, Best Paint, Best Engine, Best Presentation and many more. Attendees can vote for their favorite vehicles in the People’s Choice awards. Each year the Cruise, Blues, & BBQ Classic Car Show attracts thousands of attendees, bringing the community together to appreciate classic cars and good food. Entertainment for the day includes the soulful and driving music of three local blues bands on the event main stage. WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE EVENT
LIVE BLUES MUSIC Black Cat Bones (Blues Rock) 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Tucson-based Blues and Rock five piece, Black Cat Bones, is making a name for themselves for their signature mix of classic blues and rock with R&B, featuring smooth vocals and blues jams. The band features Charles Pitts (vocals), Jeff Daniels (bass), Dan Laetsch (drums), Gary David (guitar), Richard Rivera (guitar). Fans of BB King and Johnny Winter will love this band. Heather Lil ' Mama Hardy Band (Blues Funk) 11:30 AM - 12:45 PM Heather Hardy has been playing the violin for 46 years. During her long career, she has studied at the Manhattan School of Music under Raphael Bronstein as well as with well known Jazz violinist and author, Julie Lyonn Lieberman. Heather was inducted into the Arizona Blues Hall of Fame in 2001 and Tucson Musicians Museum in 2016. This recognition was certainly influenced by her 20 year collaboration with Sam Taylor, Jr., a legendary blues artist who was inducted into AZ Blues hall of Fame in 2000 as well as the Long Island Music Hall of Fame in 2006. Currently based in Tucson, she has toured with Allen Ginsberg, throughout Europe and Canada with The False Prophets punk band, and was the house session violinist for Velvet Swan Studios in NYC for over 10 years. To date, Heather has played on the recordings of over 200 artists in blues, folk , jazz, rock, bluegrass. Her most recent CD release is "Heather Lil' Mama Hardy LIVE in Tucson" and this is a LIVE show you won't want to miss! Bad News Blues Band (Classic Blues Revue) 1:15 PM - 2:30 PM The Bad News Blues Band, led by Mike "Johnny Guitar" Blommer, is Arizona's premier blues revue. Co-founder of the band, Johnny's guitar playing is powerful and passionate without being overblown. The rich rhythmic phrasing that is his trademark subtly discloses his early training on drums. Dismissing the boundaries of the fret board, he explores and finds exactly the note he wants. He plays from the heart, giving soulful nods to blues guitar legends Freddy King, Buddy Guy and Albert Collins. Johnny authors many of the Bad News Blues Band's popular tunes and his lead vocals set a strong foundation for much of their four-part harmony. The Cruise, BBQ & Blues Car Show will run from 10 AM to 3 PM on Saturday, February 16, 2019. Tickets will be sold at the door. Adult admission is $5; Veterans and active duty military admission is $4; and children ages 10 and younger are free. Cruise, Blues, & BBQ Classic Car Show When: Saturday, February 16 from 10 AM – 3 PM Where: Oro Valley Marketplace, 12155 N Oracle Rd, Oro Valley, AZ 85737 Cost: $5, $1 off for Veterans & active duty military, kids 10 and under free Online: www.saaca.org Phone: (520) 797-3959 NOTE TO MEDIA: Photos available upon request Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance The Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance (SAACA) is a not-for-profit organization that exists to promote engagement in arts and culture, helping our communities produce strong, inspired citizens. SAACA enlists artists, businesses, governments, and individuals to expand artistic and cultural opportunities in their respective communities. To enhance access to the arts and to promote cultural awareness in the communities it serves, SAACA presents large-scale festivals, events and other programs. The Alliance also promotes educational opportunities in the arts and culture for all ages. |
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