CALENDAR OF EVENTS

‘Fashion Hounds’ Through Dec. 2 Colores 7100 Main St. 480-947-1489 The show features the playful interpretations of man’s best friend in the works of: Trevor Mikula, Lori Faye Bock, Sheridan Brown, Linda Carter Holman, and Mitch Henderson among others. Visit www.wildemeyer.com. ‘Beyond Belief: Objects of Faith’ Opening Reception 6:30–10:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4 SoCa Gallery 4160 N. Scottsdale Road 480-946-2333 An exhibition of religious icons from across the world and across religious convictions. The collection includes illuminated manuscripts from major religions, golden statuary, wooden sacrificial effigies, fetishes, shrines, weapons of dogmatic defense,  and symbols of deities from familiar and obscure traditions. Survey Kachinas, Nuchus, Crucifixes, Buddhas, amulets and many other objects that possess the power of "sacred" imbued by believers. The exhibit runs through Jan. 7, 2009. For information, visit www.socagallery.com. ‘Rope, String, Thread: the Hierarchy of Art & Craft in Contemporary Art’ Lecture 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4 Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, Stage 2 Theater 7380 E. Second St. 480-994-2787 Dr. Elissa Auther will discuss the historical context for the elevation of knitting, lacemaking, and embroidery from "craft" to "art." She will explore the artistic and political issues driving this new work. Cost is $5 for SMoCA members and $7 for nonmembers. All Rights Reserved-Teen Improv Troupe Comedy Show 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 7 Congregation Beth Israel 10460 N. 56th St. 602-264-0402 All Rights Reserved, the teen improvisational acting troupe of the Arizona Jewish Theatre Company, consists of talented teens from around the Valley who have been working together as a troupe since September with professional Improv artist Bill Binder. Troupe members are Aaron Blitz, Courtney Collins and Nick Olson of Scottsdale; Katherine Bluff, Nellie Budetti,  Kayla Hutchings, Corinne Klapper, and Aaron Morris of Phoenix; Brad Miles of Glendale; and Alex Ganssle-St. John of Tempe. The show is guaranteed to tickle your funny bone! Tickets are $5 at the door. Visit www.azjewishtheatre.org for information. ‘Robots in Flight’ Dec. 10-April 24, 2009 Scottsdale Civic Center Bell Tower 7373 E. Scottsdale Mall Scottsdale Public Art, with the support of Clarence and Lona Furuya, is giving artists an opportunity to alter and enhance the Scottsdale Civic Center Bell Tower, a key entry point to the Scottsdale Civic Center Mall. The next installation is, “Robots in Flight” by Toby Atticus Fraley. Fraley recycles vintage household items such as coffee thermoses, vacuum cleaners and picnic jugs into art. Fraley proposes to add to previous series of Robots with a new batch of designs. In the bell tower the Robots will be riding rockets, parachuting to safety, sailing on rustic wings among other ideas. He aims for a chaotic robotic air show. Fraley is a full time artist residing in Washington, Penn. For updated information about this exhibit and its artists, visit www.scottsdalepublicart.org. ‘Knotless Netting with Recyclables’ Workshop 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11 Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art 7374 E. Second St. 480-874-4641 Ann Morton, principal of Ann Morton Design, will teach a simple technique of "looping" to create small bags and basket forms with used plastic shopping bags. Knotless netting is made over a form that is removed when the bag is complete. The netting can also be applied over almost any simple object (e.g. a soft-drink bottle or stone) and left on as an interesting sculptural form. Materials fee $8 per person. Capacity limited. Pre-registration required. SMoCA’s Fall Friday Night Art Lounges 5-8 p.m. Dec. 12 Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art 7374 E. Second St.  480-874-4612 Chill and celebrate the end of the work week once a month at SMoCA when the museum stays open until 8 p.m. Featured in December will be gallery tours of the exhibition Pedro Meyer’s Heresies led by independent curator Lara Taubman and SMoCA’s curatorial coordinator Claire Carter. There also will be dance performances throughout the evening by Fred Astaire Dance Studio, and appetizers provided by Ra Sushi. Admission is $20 SMoCA members/$30 nonmembers. ‘Peace on Earth’ Concert Sonoran Desert Chorale 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14 Camelback Bible Church 3900 E. Stanford Drive The Chorale invites you to celebrate the holiday season with special guest, the Southwest Brass, in a concert of festive seasonal music featuring rousing selections with Organ, Brass and Chorus. In addition, the Chorale will perform traditional carol settings by Stephen Paulus, Dale Warland, Jackson Berkey, Mack Wilberg, John Rutter and more. Single Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for students/seniors and may be purchased by calling the Chorale’s office at 602-765-1554. Tickets also will be available 30 minutes prior to the concert at the door. Visit www.sonorandesertchorale.org for more information. ‘Bright Lights, Big City’ by John Harrel Dec. 18-31 Bonner David Galleries 7040 E. Main St. 480-941-8500 If you’re intrigued by the buzz of city life where each scene tells a different story, you’ll be captivated by the work of cityscape artist John Harrell. Come see his first show in Scottsdale in over a dozen years! Visit www.bonnerdavid.com. ‘Annie Jr.’ Desert Stages Children’s Theatre Through Dec. 21 Scottsdale Desert Stages Theatre 4720 N. Scottsdale Road 480-483-1664 It’s the pint-size version of the Broadway musical about the world’s most famous red-topped orphan! Designed especially for young audiences, this shortened version of the full-length musical “Annie” retains the same lovable story and irresistible music that made this musical a staple of American culture. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; and 1 and 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Tickets are $12 in advance for all; $12 children, $15 adults on day of show. Reservations recommended. For more information, visit www.desertstages.com. ‘Sister’s Christmas Catechism: The Mystery of the Magi’s Gold’ Nov. 28-Dec. 21 Theater 4301, Galleria Corporate Centre 4301 N. Scottsdale Road 480-994-2787 Described as "Forensic Files goes to Bethlehem," Sister's Christmas Catechism stars Patti Hannon as the cranky but lovable nun 'Sister,' who has now taken on the mystery that has intrigued historians throughout the ages: whatever happened to the Magi's gold? Assisted by a local choir and a gaggle of audience members, Sister directs an unforgettable living nativity and employs her own CSI-inspired tools to find the culprit. A sinfully funny alternative to traditional holiday fare. Performance times are 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays. Presented by Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts. Single tickets are $38 at www.scottsdaleperformingarts.org. ‘Night Lights’ Through Dec. 31 Downtown canal banks 480-874-4667 Downtown Scottsdale's canal bank area is awash in swimming fish—images that are projected on water and buildings from 7 to 11 p.m. each night through December. It’s all part of the Night Lights public art installation that will be complemented by a special arts program along the canal banks every third Thursday, wrapping up on Dec. 18. The free program will feature interactive light-based artworks and unforgettable music performances from sundown to midnight. For more information, visit www.scottsdalepublicart.org/NightLights.php. Fiesta Bowl ArtWalk 1-5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 3 Main Street & Marshall Way “ArtWalk the Line” in an artistic preface to the big game. Free. Hosted by the Scottsdale Gallery Association in conjunction with City of Scottsdale. (NOTE: the college football classic will be held on Monday, Jan. 5, 2009). This marks the 11th-annual Fiesta Bowl ArtWalk! ‘Blithe Spirit’ Scottsdale Desert Stages Actor’s Cafe Through Jan. 4, 2009 Scottsdale Desert Stages Theatre, 4720 N. Scottsdale Road 480-483-1664 “Blithe Spirit” tells the story of how Novelist Charles Condomine invites an eccentric medium to his home in order to learn the language of the occult. Little does Charles or his lovely second wife, Ruth, dream that the séance staged by the medium will summon back Charles’ first wife, Elvira, now "passed over" for seven years. Things take an unexpected turn and suddenly it’s one man, two ghosts and a psychic. How Charles manages to extricate himself from these two very blithe spirits makes a hilarious conclusion to this very unusual farce. The show is suitable for all ages. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $22 ($20 seniors/students) in advance and $25 day of show. Reservations recommended. Visit www.desertstages.com. Window-screen Needle Pointing Workshop 6-8 p.m. Jan. 8 Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art 7374 E. Second St. 480-874-4641 Artist/designer Cyndi Coon, owner of Laboratory5 Inc, will demonstrate this funky approach to needlepoint. Participants will layout a design in chalk on window screens, and then use yarn, string and plastic needles to create a variation on needle pointing. Sit and stitch up a quick 10-minute piece or stay for an hour to create your work of art. Materials fee $8 per person. Capacity limited. Pre-registration required.