Best Phoenix-area things to do in May in museum, theater and arts
As Phoenix art centers continue to reopen, new shows and new art are coming to town.
After shifting to outdoor performances on a new outdoor stage, The Phoenix Theatre Company will hold its final outdoor show before returning productions to its mainstage indoors next month.
Broadway may still be paused nationwide, but The Madison Center for the Arts in Scottsdale will have several theatrical and Broadway productions that kick off in May.
Phoenix Art Museum has launched a new program to celebrate the nurses, hospital personnel, teachers, EMTs, paramedics and firefighters who have given so much of themselves during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Here’s are some art events coming to metro Phoenix in May.
Fashion exhibition at PAM:Here’s how to see the groundbreaking fashion of Rudi Gernreich at Phoenix Art Museum
Frank Sinatra tribute at Phoenix Theatre Company
“My Way: A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra” is the final show on The Phoenix Theatre Company’s outdoor stage. The production includes music performed by a three-piece orchestra and local Phoenix artists Trisha Ditsworth, Matravius Avent, Jessie Jo Pauley and James Gish. Songs include “Fly Me to the Moon,” “I Get A Kick Out of You,” “New York, New York,” and “My Way.” The show runs from April 14 through May 23. Tickets are $59. Masks and temperature checks are required.
Details: The Phoenix Theatre outdoor stage, 1875 N. Central Ave.,
Phoenix. 602-254-2151, phoenixtheatre.com/myway.
Ballet Theatre of Phoenix presents Swan Lake
Ballet Theatre of Phoenix is back and with a presentation of Tchaikovsky’s beloved “Swan Lake.” Choreographed by BTP director Jennifer Cafarella, the performance will be held at 5:30 p.m. on May 29 at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral located at 1973 E. Maryland St. in Phoenix. Tickets are $15. Featured dancers include Fan Shi as Prince Siegfried and David Maurice as Von Rothbart.
Details: Ballet Theatre of Phoenix, 6201 N. 7th St., Phoenix. 602-957-3364, ballettheatreofphx.org.
Arizona Heritage Center photography exhibition
The photography of contemporary artist Katharine L. McKenna will be on display at Arizona Heritage Center titled “Unframed: A Photo Journey through Navajo and Hopi Nations, 1977-1978.” The show opens April 29 and features photos of 24 trading posts, people and scenery as McKenna assisted the museum in collecting woven rugs, pottery, baskets, and jewelry for the museum’s annual Navajo Arts and Crafts Show. Tickets are $12 for general admission.
Details: Arizona Historical Society, 1300 N. College Ave., Tempe. 480-929-0292. azhs.org/tempe.
Free art shows in Chandler
Vision Gallery in downtown Chandler has several new art exhibitions on display in May. First, artists Melissa Sclafani and Ellie Richards examine the idea of play, but through very different lenses in “PLAY HARD” an exhibition on display until May 8. Showing at the Gallery at the Chandler Center for the Arts is Chandler Unified School District’s annual artist showcase until May 6. The “Take a Hike” exhibition features artwork inspired by Arizona hiking trails, it is on display at Vision Gallery and the CCA from May 15 through Aug. 14. Admission to all shows is free.
Details: Vision Gallery, 10 E. Chicago St., Chandler. 480-782-2695. visiongallery.org. Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler. 480-782-2680. chandlercenter.org.
Music in the Garden
The “Music in the Garden” concert series continues May 7, 14, 21 and 28 beginning at 8 p.m. each night. Tickets are $50-$120. Performances include The SunPunchers Trio, BossaNova 77, Sherry Roberson & Friends and Dennis Rowland.
Details: Desert Botanical Garden, 1201 N. Galvin Pkwy., Phoenix. 480-941-1225. dbg.org.
Mariachi Sol de Mexico and Zuzu African Acrobats
There are two live theatrical shows on stage in May at the new Madison Center for the Arts. Mariachi Sol De Mexico de Jose Hernandez will perform May 5 and Zuzu African Acrobats will perform May 7-8. Tickets are on sale now. Jose Hernandez’s group brings the show for a one-night-only Cinco de Mayo performance. The Zuzu acrobats took off after appearing on America’s Got Talent and will perform in Phoenix for the first time.
Details: The Madison Center for the Arts, 5601 N. 16th St., Phoenix. 602-664-7777. themadison.org.
Frontline appreciation days at Phoenix Art Museum
May 5-16 frontline workers and medical first responders will receive free general admission to the Phoenix Art Museum. For complimentary access, workers must present a work badge, ID, business card, or pay stub at the museum’s visitor services desk upon check-in. Two movies will also be shown at the museum’s outdoor theater through a partnership with FilmBar. “La Strada” shows at 7:30 p.m May 1 and “Gimme Shelter” shows at 7:30 p.m. May 13-15. Tickets are $12 for members and $15 for the general public.
Details: Phoenix Art Museum, 1625 N. Central Ave., Phoenix., 602-257-1880. phxart.org.
Viva La Cultura festival in the West Valley
An eight-month celebration of the impact of Latino and Xicanx culture will be highlighted through art beginning May 1 with a festival at The Arts HQ Gallery. The free event is from 12-6 p.m. and includes live music, dance, storytelling, face painting, arts, crafts, vendors and food trucks. The event also marks the opening of an exhibition in the gallery featuring artwork by Hugo Medina, Edgar Fernandez, Adriana Martinez, Cell 13, Diego Perez and more.
Details: The Arts HQ Gallery, 16126 N. Civic Center Plaza., Surprise. 623-584-2626. westvalleyarts.org.
‘Ark of Bulrushes’ at SMoCA
Enjoy “Ark of Bulrushes” featuring works from Texas artist, Diedrick Brackens. Best known for his vibrant woven tapestries that tell the stories of being Black and gay, Brackens’ artwork will be on display at SMoCA through Aug. 22.
Details: Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, 7374 E. 2nd St., Scottsdale. 480-874-4666. smoca.org.
Angel Cabrales at Mesa Arts Center
The El Paso-based sculptor reimagines history in a sci-fi-inspired parallel universe. Titled “The Uncolonized: A Vision in the Parallel, Cabrales shows a world where the western hemisphere was never colonized. Through Aug. 8.
Details: Mesa Arts Center, 1 E. Main St., Mesa. 480-644-6500. mesaartscenter.com.
Navajo Weaving Exhibition
The Heard Museum in downtown Phoenix currently has two exhibitions on display. “The Gift of Navajo Weaving” features 46 intricate textiles from contemporary Navajo weavers. Painter Leon Polk Smith’s exhibition titled, “Hiding in Plain Sight” features more than 80 of his artworks.
Details: Heard Museum, 2301 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. 602-252-8840, heard.org.
Elizabeth Montgomery is Arts and Culture Reporter for The Arizona Republic, azcentral.com. Reach her at [email protected] or 602-444-8764. Follow her on Twitter @emontnews. Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today.
