The Ultimate Blog » Art

Staycations AZ Style – Part 2

Ace Bailey — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 00:12:22 +0000

Prescott!

Another great reason to stay in Arizona this summer!! With all the charm of a small town, cool weather and just a couple hours drive from the “warmth” of the valley, Prescott is a wonderful getaway! Stay at the historic Hassayampa Inn within walking distance of downtown shops and restaurants or the Hotel St. Michael right on historic Whiskey Row. Be sure to visit Sharlot Hall for “An Arizona History Adventure”. Discover the unique galleries, art exhibits, framers market, golf and more!

Here are just a few of the events going on this summer:

Prescott Indian Art Market (PIAM), July 10th & 11th :

One of the premier Native American art markets in the southwest, PIAM features both traditional and contemporary works of art, including distinctive jewelry, exquisite ceramics, sculpture, hand-woven baskets and blankets. An all-Indian artist jury chooses participants on the basis of quality in both traditional and contemporary styles. Attendees stroll among demonstrations of American Indian weaving, Katsina carving, silversmithing, and the making of baskets. Entertainment is provided by Native American dancers, singers, and musicians in the Museum Amphitheater. Also popular is the Navajo fry bread. More information, call 928-445-3122 or visit our PIAM page.

World’s Oldest Rodeo, June 28 – July 4: This year Prescott celebrates its 123rd year as Home of the “World’s Oldest Rodeo”. Events scheduled include Professional Bull Riding, Rodeo Parade and Rodeo Dance, 5th Annual Shootout on Whiskey Row, Kiwanis Kiddie Parade, a Fine Arts & Crafts Show and appearances from Rodeo Royalty around town. Festivities culminate with a Fourth of July celebration, including a fireworks extravaganza, at Pioneer Park. Held at the Prescott Rodeo Grounds from June 28-July 4. Tickets range from $12 – $25.

2nd Annual Prescott BBQ Days, July 10 -11: Join the finger lickin’ fun as over 30 teams of BBQ fanatics from all over the West compete for cash, trophies and bragging rights. A dinner, dance and silent auction kick off the weekend event on Friday, with the tasting and competition on the following day. Held at the Prescott Rodeo Grounds, July 10-11. Saturday adult admission is $5, which includes 2 taster tickets. Additional taster tickets are $2. Children 12 and under are free.

Start Exploring!!

Ace Bailey

Ultimate Art & Cultural Tours LLC

Staycations Arizona Style

Ace Bailey — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 23:04:46 +0000

It’s that time of year again! Get to know where you live. No need to battle security at the airport, crying babies (you don’t know) in the seat next to you and the pesky summer surcharges! (what’s up with those anyway??) Stay and play where you live! Visitors pay thousands of dollars to travel here to do what you can do for much less!

Let’s start with one of my favorites, Hotel Valley Ho. This mid-century property is one of the best examples of preserved mid-century architecture in a hotel property in the country! Home of the original Pool Party their OH Pool was voted “One of the World’s Coolest” by Travel and Leisure magazine! They have mid-week rates starting at $99 and weekend rates from $129. Check back often for specials!

Be sure to indulge in an wonderful meal at Cafe Zu Zu. Executive Chef Chuck Wiley has taken comfort food to the next level! His beef stroganoff is beyond amazing!

While you are at the Valley Ho explore the it in depth on the “Magical History Tour“, a fascinating 90 minute walking tour of the hotel. You’ll go up on the roof, into a condo, into Trader Vic’s (they have one of the happiest happy hours around!! ) and learn about the stars who have stayed and played there!

At the “Ho” you are within walking distance of Scottsdale’s famous arts district, historic Old Town and DownTown where you will find great local shopping. If you don’t feel like walking the free downtown trolley stops right in front of the hotel and will take you all around downtown!

Remember if you want to get a group together Ultimate Art & Cultural Tours will custom design a art event to your specifications!

So come on!! Start vacationing and exploring where you live!!

We’ll be back with more!

Ace Bailey, President
Ultimate Art & Cultural Tours LLC

Rewind Remix Replay

Ace Bailey — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 22:07:05 +0000

The Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art is known for it fabulous cutting edge shows. Their latest installation includes items donated from individuals all over the valley! I donated 3 “vintage” audio pieces, an 8-track player, 8-track boom box and a set of headphones that are so large they dent your hair! In conjunction with the show the following events are being offered. They should all be great!

WHAT:
Free DJ demonstrations & gallery talks @ SMoCA
Featuring DJs Mark Chai & World Famous Rani “G”

WHERE:
Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art
7374 East Second Street
Scottsdale, AZ 85251

WHEN:
Thursday, January 21, 2010
7:00 pm

VALLEY DJs MARK CHAI & W.F. RANI “G” GIVE TALKS AND DEMONSTRATIONS IN THE SMOCA “REWIND REMIX REPLAY” MUSIC DESIGN EXHIBITION

(Scottsdale, AZ) The Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA) is thrilled to host two Valley DJs who will demonstrate and discuss their diverse styles inside the gallery DJ station currently installed as part of the Museum’s new exhibition Rewind Remix Replay: Design, Music & Everyday Experience. The event will take place on Thursday, January 21st at 7:00 p.m. inside the Museum and is free and open to the public. This interactive occasion features area DJs Mark Chai and World Famous Rani “G,” kicking off the first of many free SMoCA activities this spring investigating music, design and popular culture.

ABOUT THE DJs:
Mark Chai has been a Phoenix house/downtempo/funk DJ since 2000, and he is known to mix house, hip hop, indie disco and dancehall into his sets. Chai is a freelance designer and a founding principal of MarkchiDesign, a Phoenix brand identity and product development firm. Chai has performed for World Life Music, Desert House Productions, ONE, private events and at many Valley venues.

World Famous Rani “G” first began his musical journey on the island of Cyprus at the age of 10 when he blended tunes together using two cassette tape decks. Today, his DJ quest for unique music includes soul, Afro, Latin-driven deep house and world-beat. Rani has hosted many DJ events and has had numerous guest appearances around the country. He recently opened for Mark Farina (OM Records, San Francisco).

MORE UPCOMING REWIND REMIX REPLAY RELATED EVENTS:

WED, FEB 3 NOON “Music and Popular Culture” by Dr. Richard Mook
Free lunchtime brown bag lecture in Stage 2 Theater

THUR, FEB 11 6:30 PM “Rewind Remix Replay” by guest curator Prasad Boradkar
Free gallery talk and walk-through of the exhibition

FRI, FEB 19 7-9 PM Spring Opening Celebration

SAT, FEB 20 1:30-4 PM “iPods, Boomboxes, Turntables, Synthesizers and Guitars”
Free afternoon panel discussion in Stage 2 Theater. Limited seating. RSVP to: SMoCArsvp@sccarts.org
Featuring:
•jasen Emmons, Director, Experience Music Project, Seattle;
•Lyle Owerko, photographer, filmmaker, boombox collector;
•Trevor J. Pinch, Professor of Science & Technology Studies and Sociology, Cornell University;
•Jonathan Hayes, Creative Director, Numark Industries;

THUR, APRIL 29 7:00 PM DJ Demonstrations and Gallery Talks in the Museum
Featuring DJs Maji, dk.strickler and Mr. P-Body.

Explore Downtown Scottsdale

Ace Bailey — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 15:27:15 +0000

Did you know that in downtown Scottsdale there is a wonderful rare book store that specializes in fine first editions, manuscripts, signed or inscribed items? Charles Parkhurst Rare Books and Autographs has a beautiful new location right on the corner of Marshall Way and 5th Ave. This is a not to be missed local treasure. I could have spent hours just browsing and listening to Linda talk about the history of the books and the artwork.

Just down the street is the historic Craftsman Court on the corner of 5th Ave and Craftsman Court. There you’ll find La Bagarie Etcetera a wonderful handbag store that specializes in a selection of hand-bags par excellence. Hand painted bags by Jane Yoo, as well as Bags by Pinky, Viva, Toby Weston, and many more. There is also Back to the Rack, Scottsdale’s Finest Consignment Store, where you’ll find fine quality ladies fashions, home decor and unique gifts. The Angel Store and More has a beautiful variety of all types of gifts and carries not only angels but crosses, jewelry, books, candles and cards. The Loft Art Studios and Gallery is tucked away in the peaceful courtyard and is an eclectic gallery and working studio.

These are just a few of the many treasures in Downtown Scottsdale where there is certainly something for everyone in just a short walk! So go in, meet the owners, find out what makes Downtown Scottsdale so special and a perfect place to do all your holiday shopping!!!

On Ultimate Art & Cultural Tours Free Art & Cultural Trolley you will find out about these and many other wonderful local businesses. The tours are conducted on the second Saturday of each month and reservations are necessary. Contact Ultimate Art & Cultural Tours for more information at 480.634.6850

Be a Tourist in Your Own Town

Ace Bailey — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 20:39:23 +0000

It always seems that the town we live in is the last place we think to explore when it comes to visiting interesting places. For us it’s Scottsdale, AZ and we LOVE it!! Most people would be very pleasantly surprised to find that there are great shops, galleries, restaurants and architecture within a short walk or drive from their own front door. Many of these “hidden treasures” are locally owned and when you shop locally owned businesses, your money is re-circulated over and over and creates up to 75% more tax revenue to your community and state! So grab your camera and go out and be a tourist in your own town! Visit your local Convention and Visitors Bureau get maps and information on local history, arts, tours, restaurants and shops. Enjoy your own home town! And right now is a great time to book a night at a local resort because the rates are super! The Hotel Valley Ho is one of our favorites. To enhance your experience there you can book a historic architecture tour of this fabulous mid-century property.

Ace Bailey, President

Ultimate Art & Cultural Tours

Friday Scottsdale Republic Cover Article Features Ultimate Art & Cultural Tours!

Ace Bailey — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 20:34:14 +0000

Ultimate Art & Cultural Tours was recently featured in the Friday issue of the Scottsdale Republic, on the cover and with a 3-page spread! I am hoping that this article will inspire locals to explore Scottsdale and the valley and experience the richness of our arts and culture.

Ace Bailey — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 02:21:52 +0000

Chihuly at the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix AZ

This once-in-a-lifetime installation will only be at the Desert Botanical Garden until the end of May. My recommendation is to see it in the early morning. The garden opens at 8:00 a.m. and you can find informaiton for reservations by visiting http://www.dbg.org/index.php/plan/calendar/eventdisplay?evt=chihuly

Go and be amazed!

Scottsdale Ranks High In Business, Lifestyle

Ace Bailey — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 23:23:32 +0000

Fortune Magazine canvassed the country to find cities with the best mix of business advantages and lifestyle appeal. Scottsdale came in at No. 25 – the top Arizona city – as among the perfect places to build your dream. Among the reasons for Scottsdale’s high ranking were the city’s great resorts and spas and its revitalized downtown. Other Arizona cities featured were Oro Valley at No. 44 and Prescott at No. 92. Visit http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2008/fsb/0803/gallery.best_places_to_launch.fsb/index.html for more information on the rankings.

Scottsdale Ranks High In Business, Lifestyle And Arts

Ace Bailey — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 23:20:22 +0000

Scottsdale placed No. 2 among all U.S. mid-sized cities in AmericanStyle magazine’s annual poll determining the nation’s Top 25 Arts Destinations for 2008.

“Scottsdale has the most beautiful art galleries in the country,” wrote AmericanStyle reader Linda Homonoff, of Barrington R.I., in casting her vote. It’s a “great art community and shows great contemporary art in a traditionally Western town,” wrote another reader.

Buffalo, N.Y., came in first among mid-sized cities. Santa Fe, N.M., held the No. 1 spot in the small cities category and New York City was tops among large cities.

Complete results of the annual readers’ poll and profiles of the top three cities in each category are featured on www.AmericanStyle.com

Summer SMoCA Nights “Sputnik”

Ace Bailey — Wed, 30 May 2007 22:23:07 +0000

Sputnik: Summer SMoCA Nights To Celebrate the Opening of the exhibition Space Is The Place

Sponsored by: Blue Cross Blue Shield & Infiniti WHERE: Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art [SMoCA] 7374 East Second Street Downtown Scottsdale WHEN: June 21, Thursday 9:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m. midnight ADVANCE TICKETS: $15 ($10 for members) 480-994-ARTS (2787) The Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art [SMoCA] presents Sputnik: Summer SMoCA Nights on Thursday, June 21, from 9:00 p.m. to midnight. SMoCA Nights is the exclusive tri-annual nightlife event where the Museum is transformed into the ultimate art party, complete with artists, fashion, DJs, bands and performers, for an eclectic evening of cutting-edge culture. This summer event launches the premiere of SMoCAs new exhibition Space is the Place. In true space-age fashion, the event will be complimented by a range of futuristic delights–from the cache of 50s & 60s retro Sci-Fi, where we look back to the future, to interpretations that lie beyond in our own 21st Century. To accompany this time-travel notion, the evenings fashion show will feature a fusion of vintage and futurism under the artistic direction of Ethan Murray and the creative team behind Urban Hair & Retro Redux. Among the highlights will be a cosmos of live music, art and performances including spacey ambience by the electronica twosome Alcoholiday, galactic sounds to set the tone of the runway by Seattle’s DJJD and hypnotic moves by D?É¬©ja Dance. Guests will also witness on-the-spot urban art from the Alphamonster art collective, painting some of the great things that come from outer space! Guests can mingle in SMoCAs galleries to catch four new summer exhibitions: Space Is The Place, Modern(ist) Love: the Dorothy Lincoln-Smith and Harvey K. Smith Collection, Contemporary Scandinavian Art, and the not-to-miss southwestNET: drawing outside the lines exhibition–the innovative group show with regional artists including work by our very own Valley art-stars Angela Ellsworth, Adria Pecora, Deborah Salac, Jen Urso and Steven Yazzie. Be sure to watch Jen Urso in the gallery with the unpredictable drawing (and melting) effects of ice in her art performance titled Ice Flow. As always, SMoCA Nights features free appetizers, a cash bar, prizes and other rotating surprises including some delightfully cosmic accouterments from the new Red Hot Robot store, modernist space-age home decor from Retro Redux, astronaut coiffure survival kits from SHARPS barber & shop, and some Phoenix Valley creative “mission control” from the likes of the new PROVOKE magazine. Also back by popular demand, tarot readings by OZMA to help all of us see the future more clearly! Advance tickets are highly recommended to avoid long lines and a sold-out event: $10 members; $15 nonmembers. Call 480-994-ARTS (2787).

Lead Sponsors: Blue Cross Blue Shield and Infiniti.

In-Kind Sponsorships: Alphamonster art collective, D?É¬©ja Dance, DJJD, Java, Phoenix New Times, PROVOKE, Red Hot Robot, Retro Redux, RJ Cook Photography, Robert Saenz, Sebring Photography, SHARPS Barber and Shop, STUDIO Model Management, Swell Pro Audio, Urban Hair, Velocity Audio Visual, WHERE Phoenix/Scottsdale. SMoCA would also like to thank the many creative team members who made this event possible: STYLISTS: Sherelle Barber, Ambur Gore, Kristin Isaac, Antoinette Messina, Ethan Murray, Sierra Peterson, Jeff Warner; NAILS: Arturo Encinas; MAKE-UP: Michelle, Ginger Champagne, Jillian Clark, Sierra Peterson, Robert Saenz; DESIGNERS: Lisa Jacobs, Justin Lessner, Mirza Pena, Deborah Salac, Jes Switaj, Devani Weaver; STYLIST ASSISTANTS: Debbie Freedman, Haley Hargett, Amanda Locke, Jim Roselle, Meg Scanlan, Pablo Soto; MODEL COACH: Jillian Jacobsen. Phoenix New Times WINNER: SMoCA Nights-Best Place to See and Be Seen

Reps Best WINNER: SMoCA Nights-Best Place to See Valley Fashion