This is good and well as it highlights the great culinary scene in Downtown Phoenix. But it misses out on the full picture.

Read for yourself:

Yet, strangely, despite noting in the guide that it covers the area from 7th Street to 3rd Avenue and Fillmore to Jackson streets, the pull-out map spans from 7th to 7th, all the way up to McKinley, leaving the fringes of the map looking noticeably empty. Is the map doing a disservice to many restaurants within the map’s confines?

Likewise, a feature story on the Urban Grocery & Wine Bar, a block outside of this radius on Pierce Street, is one of the main sections of the guide. But the cluster of restaurants on 1st and Pierce streets do not even receive a spot on the map, let alone a mention in the guide. [source]

One certainly can’t begrudge the DPP for promoting shops, restaurants, venues, and events in its defined area; however, the DPP must realize that it is a mutually beneficial relationship between shops/venues in its formal area and the greater downtown community. A downtown area whose marketing model is to bring people to big events–sports games, concerts, and other big festivals–must realize that the little shops in the area’s periphery keep people in the area. Whilst Roosevelt Row, Grand Avenue, and these areas’ shops/restaurants aren’t within the Downtown Phoenix Partnership’s boundaries per se, they are a part of Downtown Phoenix and are a significant part of the Downtown Phoenix tapestry.

I’m not going to go as far as to say “shame on the DPP” for excluding these peripheral shops. Most tourists to Downtown Phoenix, and most likely most students at the ASU Downtown Phoenix campus, will receive the Downtown Phoenix Dining Guide and think that nothing exists outside of those ninety blocks. This unfortunately paints an inadequate picture of Downtown Phoenix as a place where one goes to participate in big events instead of a place to be.

If Downtown Phoenix is to thrive, it must become a place to be.

-E

There are hundreds and thousands of places in Downtown Phoenix that are intriguing.  The last time I was approached with this writing theme, I discussed the Phoenix Symphony and the amazing things that they do.  But this time around, I’m taking it from a different lens.  Downtown Phoenix is special because of the people of Downtown Phoenix.  It’s special because of the memories I have made in the area.  It’s special because as I have grown and learned more about myself, Downtown Phoenix has grown and learned more about itself.

Consider Fair Trade Café at the Civic Space.  It’s special not just because of the fact that they serve amazing coffee and have amazing food.  It’s special because of the people that are there behind the counter.  I know them, they know me, and they know what my favorite coffee drink is and that I always want a bit of room left in the cup for some cream.

Or consider the greater entity that is the Civic Space Park.  There are people from the community that sit and chat, there are students studying for classes, there are kids playing football (or football), and there are just people being there enjoying the park and its surrounding urban environment.

Or consider the people at the ASU Downtown Phoenix campus.  When I had to first talk to a staff person on the campus, I was immediately surprised at how friendly they are.  Coming from the sea of humanity that is the Tempe campus, where one is not a name but a number, this was a huge culture shock.  Stepping inside to a classroom, one would be surprised that it’s not a lecturer preaching from the altar in a lecture.  There’s discussion, discourse, and even disagreement happening in those classrooms.

What’s special about Downtown Phoenix?  It’s the people.  It’s the memories.  It’s what you make it to be.  Downtown Phoenix is that blank canvas on which one paints one’s memories.

-Edward Jensen

Concerts:

• Friday 26 February, 12.15pm: William Barnett  (past interim organist, Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, Phoenix)
• Friday 5 March 12.15pm: James Gerber (director of music and worship at St Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Phoenix)
• Friday 12 March 12.15pm: Ilona Kubizczyk-Adler (music director, Episcopal Church of the Nativity, Scottsdale)
• Friday 19 March 12.15pm: Skye Hart (director of music and liturgy, St Maria Goretti Church, Scottsdale)
• Friday 26 March 12.15pm: Erik Goldstrom (Canon Musician, Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, Phoenix)
• Sunday 14 March 4.00pm: Choral Evensong for Mothering Sunday

Trinity Cathedral is at 100 W. Roosevelt St., in Downtown Phoenix.  It is readily accessible from the Roosevelt/Central Ave light rail station and the Downtown Phoenix DASH.  All these concerts are free of charge.  For more information, visit azcathedral.org or call 602.254.7126.

This February, Valley Metro is asking residents to “Try 1 in 5” , share the ride via carpool, vanpool, bus or light rail at least one day a week. It reduces pollution, eases traffic congestion and saves money. They also want to help residents find a commuting partner using their new Share The Ride ride-matching system.

As a thank you to residents who are sharing the ride, Valley Metro will be giving out pairs of ASU Baseball and Basketball tickets to their fans and followers this month. They will announce via Twitter (@ValleyMetroRPTA) and Facebook (Valley Metro RPTA) ways that fans can win the tickets, and where they will be to give them out. Valley Metro staff will look for people with transit passes on hand or who are tweeting pictures of themselves on the bus.

I’ll be seeing you on either the light rail or the bus!

-Edward Jensen

Coming in just a couple days (actually, beginning on the 3rd!) is the premiere Arizona Bach Festival.  It’s the logical next step in Phoenix’s American Bach series that just wrapped up a seven-year cycle of the complete JS Bach cantatas as well as his St Matthew and St John Passions at All Saints’ Episcopal Church.

So this month, from the 3rd-7th, the Festival will happen at locations up and down Central Avenue. The orchestra features members of the Phoenix Symphony, the chorus is the Phoenix Chorale (of Grammy fame), the guest concertmaster is Dr. Stephen Redfield, the concert organists are Dr. Kimberly Marshall and Scott Dettra, and the conductor is Scott Youngs.

There are five events: two organ recitals (both at All Saints’), a solo violin recital (in the lobby of the Viad Tower in Midtown Phoenix), a performance of Bach’s Christmas Oratorio (at Central United Methodist Church), and an educational component sponsored by ASU and Arizona School for the Arts.  The events list is online here and tickets are available here.

It's Bach. In Arizona. Can it get any better?

I’ll be seeing you at the Arizona Bach Festival!

-Edward Jensen

Surprise: this is another post on that same topic.  But, as preface, remember that I’m in the Urban and Metropolitan Studies program at Arizona State University, and as such, this is what we study.  What makes cities work?  What makes them not work?

[Author’s note: Yes, I know that Radiate Phoenix is tomorrow night and that this topic is the main item on the agenda.  It’s just that this is horrendous timing with Thanksgiving being a couple days away.  The holiday is pretty important to me and it's big in my family and, as strange as it might seem, I’m going to need all the preparation I can get.  I write this as my two cents’ worth to the discussion.  But I wish you all a spirited and productive conversation.]

Why is Downtown Phoenix not what we want it to be?  How can it get there?  I’m prepared to argue that Phoenix (its downtown, the city as a whole, and the region) focuses too much time and energy on the things that bring people here but not keep them here.  In August, I wrote a series of posts that explored this issue. As proof for this thesis, know that for every five people that are enfranchised by the area and come here, three people are disenfranchised and leave (source: Making Sense of Place – Phoenix: The Urban Desert).

It’s important to take a step back and look at the region’s recent history.  After World War II ended, those that were stationed in the various military outposts in this region came and settled here with their family.  With the land readily accessible, developers built new houses on virgin land outside the central core.  This began, inevitably, a culture and a mindset that if something isn’t just quite right, then just forget about it and build again—anew.  Downtown Phoenix began to become desolate, and so rather than quickly fixing the problem when it would have been an easy fix, we (true to form) ignored the problem and built new urban villages away from the core.  Those who could afford to leave did; those who couldn’t became disenfranchised as policy and governance focused on the new things, because they were politically more “sexy.”

This pattern repeated and repeated and that’s how we’re in this present state.  Rather than maintaining and sustaining present infrastructure, we’re always looking for that next “crown jewel” in the desert.

Downtown Phoenix has many different crown jewels that are already here.  Just because something is new and shiny does not mean that it’s automatically one of those jewels.  Let’s focus on that infrastructure which is already here.  From a physical infrastructure point of view, what’s here already is fantastic.  Now we have to fill in the gaping holes with a sustainable people infrastructure.

What is this people infrastructure?  I’m thinking places where people go: bars, restaurants, coffee shops, schools, parks, etc.  This is what academics like to call third places—places outside of one’s home and office.

What can we do to support this people infrastructure?  Make it a habit to shop and buy local.  Go beyond our elected leaders’ response to shopping local (what seems like mere lip service).  Tell friends, family, fellow students, colleagues, coworkers, anyone, and everyone about your favorite local places.  And go with them to these places!  I cannot tell you how much it pains me to see so many Starbucks cups carried by students, faculty, and staff on the ASU Downtown Phoenix campus, given the fact that the wonderful Fair Trade Café is set in the Civic Space Park.

How do we “fix” Phoenix?  Recognize our past.  Learn from our mistakes.  Diversify how and what we build.  Recognize that a healthy city needs a vibrant downtown core.  Focus on institutions that keep people here instead of those that just attract new blood.

-Edward Jensen

epilogue. Join me in making a pledge to purchase all your holiday gifts at locally-owned shops across the Valley.  If you’re throwing a party or preparing a big meal for your family to mark the season, shop at places like the Phoenix Urban Market or, if you must go to a supermarket, then there’s Bashas’.

Staging aside, the Mayor’s speech left me with more questions than answers.  The first year I went (2007), the Mayor outlined several bold proposals for downtown, including moving ASU’s College of Law to the then two-year-old campus.  The 2008 address was delivered at the then recently-opened Sheraton but with the economy having just collapsed, the highlight of that speech was for all those in attendance to ride the then yet-to-be-opened METRO light rail.

And then there was last night.

The roughly forty-minute speech seemed to lack a specific focus.  Over half of the speech was dedicated to the ASU Downtown Phoenix campus.  So was this the State of Downtown or the State of the ASU Downtown Phoenix campus?

My other impression from the Mayor’s speech is that this should have been delivered 3-4 years ago when the different things he was lauding – CityScape (strangely, there wasn’t one mention of One Central Park East), the UofA medical school, the Civic Space, ASU’s presence in downtown, etc. – were being pitched to the voters for their support.  Except these things had already opened or are very close to opening.

Another theme I took away from the Mayor’s speech was that there is no separation between ASU Downtown Phoenix and the greater Downtown Phoenix community.  The fate of one would affect the fate of the other.  Granted, the two are mutually related and intertwined in some fashion, but if there’s one thing that Arizona’s economy has taught us, it’s that we shouldn’t put all of our economic growth eggs in one basket.

Granted, with the Mayor’s tenure in office coming to a close soon (he’ll wrap up his second and final term in January 2011), maybe he’s trying to cement his legacy.  I’m not giving him any grief about this, but this city has a lot of issues facing it at the moment.

(It never helps with the state legislature is working against the city, or rather against the state.)

If you want to read the Mayor’s full speech, check out the Downtown Phoenix Journal article, “Recap of the Mayor’s State of Downtown Speech.”

-Edward Jensen

www.youtube.com/watch?v=LE4YAyf88UQ

-Edward Jensen

Enjoy a special evening of fabulous Southern European refreshments, live organ music by visiting organist Gary Quamme, a short talk on the history of Romanian Glass icons by Dr Diana Hulick, and live surprise entertainment.

A suggested donation of $20 will be collected at the door. All proceeds will support the November exhibit of Glass Icons by Tudor Scripor & workshops on mural painting and painting on glass. Tudor is an internationally exhibited artist whose work represents Romania in the Vatican collections.

For more info, please call Aiste Parmasto at 602.821.8507 or e-mail aiste@trinityCCA.org.

Preface given. Back a couple of weeks in the Dean’s Office of the College of Public Programs, friend and colleague Lonni Summers were discussing this same thing. Where’s the METRO light rail gift shop? Where can I buy a bumper sticker that says, “My other car is METRO light rail”? Or what about a keychain with a model of the trains?

The Phoenix METRO’s success isn’t really hinged on how many people ride it during the week. A recent New York Times article posited that it was the weekend users that make our light rail a success. My point here is that Phoenicians do it differently.

Why just limit this to the light rail? Who wouldn’t want a little replica of Her Secret is Patience (the art installation hanging over the Civic Space park) sitting on their desk? (I do!) Yes, the Grand Canyon might be the most clichéd and tourist-exploited place here in Arizona, but what about for urbanistas?

The economy is bad. Cities need to be creative in generating new revenue. So why not start here? And I really want my light rail tchotchkes.

-Edward Jensen

When Andres Cano decided to attend the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism he knew he would be required to live on the Downtown Campus – a move he was excited about making.

“I didn’t fear living or being downtown because it’s such a lively atmosphere,” says Cano, a freshman from Tucson. “Safety should not be a concern … I think a huge part is the amount of activity going on downtown because of sports and concerts.”

The shift in tone among the freshmen student body is one of anticipation rather than apprehension about what Downtown Phoenix has to offer. The biggest obstacle the city faces in its second year of full-scale operation is promoting an urban atmosphere, not security concern, a feeling that resonates with both students and ASU Downtown Campus police.

[by Janessa Hilliard - read the full article here]

-Edward Jensen

One of these programs is called the College Club Card. For $30, you get free tickets to most of the PSO’s concerts this season at Symphony Hall.

From the PSO’s website:

The Phoenix Symphony’s College Club Card gives Phoenix-area college students the opportunity to attend unlimited Symphony Classics concerts for only $30. Tickets can be picked up – one per cardholder, student ID required – at the Symphony Hall Box Office from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, or online using the preset promotional code COLLEGE. There is a limit of one ticket per cardholder and a maximum of 100 tickets available per concert; therefore, availability is not guaranteed to all Classics concerts. Tickets are distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis.

The PSO’s box office is located on the second floor of 1 N 1st St (the northeast corner of 1st St and Washington, click for map). When you go, make sure you bring your student ID and a copy of your current course schedule.

For the complete list of eligible concerts, click here. And for more information, call the PSO’s box office, (602) 495-1999, or drop by (they’re open 10a-4p, and they’re quite lovely people!).

And I’ll be seeing you at the Symphony!

-Edward Jensen

On the repertory for the evening’s performance was John Adams‘ On the Transmigration of Souls, a piece written in memory of the 11 September 2001 attacks (and how apropos it was played on the eighth anniversary of that terrible day), Mozart‘s Ave verum corpus and Beethoven‘s Symphony no. 9 in d minor.  In those three pieces, the PSO under the ever-capable baton of Maestro Michael Christie reminded us all that they are a tour de force symphony orchestra in the American Southwest.

The evening’s performance of the Adams work was the first time I had heard anything from his pen.  I went in armed with a little bit of knowledge of what to expect, and the piece met those expectations.  The piece is scored for orchestra, chorus, and audio tape with people reading missing person signs, quotes from those inside the two hijacked aircraft, and other 9/11-related texts. Adams’ work is rather dissonant and atonal, but the PSO and the four choirs (more on this later) handled it with ease.  I did find that the tape and choir covered each other up to the point where I couldn’t discern both. All the same, four choirs joined in the fun: the Phoenix Symphony Chorus, the Arizona State University Symphonic Chorale, the Phoenix Boys’ Choir, and the Western Illinois Singers – over 400 personnel on the stage!

Segued on to the end of the Adams was Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s moving motet, Ave verum corpus (KV 618).  Mozart’s work is only four minutes long, and it balanced out the dissonance of the Adams rather nicely.

The main highlight of the season-opening concert came after intermission.  Beethoven’s Symphony no. 9 in d minor is one of those pieces that’s sadly almost become cliché in American mainstream culture because of the finale movement. But the other three movements explore the gamut of emotions en route to the finale movement wherein Joy is discovered.

For whatever reason, the usually lush strings sounded rather hollow during the Beethoven. In the first movement – Allegro ma non troppo, un poco maestoso – Beethoven’s lush string orchestration didn’t carry through by the PSO.  The orchestra didn’t seem to perform this work with reduced personnel, so I can’t quite figure out why.  Still, key passages came through loud and clear and the orchestra was on top of its expression.  Each movement built on the previous, and all were delights to hear in their own ways. The second movement – Scherzo (Molto vivace – Presto) – is frenetic and hurried but accentuated by tympani tuned at an octave. The third movement – Adagio molto e cantabile – is a sublime serenade with sensuous orchestration for wind instruments that (maybe by Beethoven’s design) lulls the listener into a false sense of calm before the finale movement.

And then we get to the fourth movement (Presto, etc.). For those not familiar with Beethoven’s score, the first several minutes of this movement explore themes from the previous three movements in the work’s persistent search for joy. The familiar theme (what many know as the Ode to Joy) is introduced by the basses and celli and is built upon. Christie kept the orchestra under control here, which is notable because this area has great potential to fall apart. Then comes the highlight and the reason why Beethoven 9 is called the “Choral” Symphony: enter the choir and soloists. The baritone soloist did a fantastic job on the piece’s opening récitative (O Freunde, nicht diese Töne!) and the choir was magnificent in its diction of the German text. My common complaint of listening to recordings of this piece is that the German text is difficult to understand. This changed with the Minnesota Orchestra’s 2006 release of Beethoven 9, when the Minnesota Chorale sang the words with phenomenal diction that non-German speakers could transcribe it. And so too did the Phoenix Symphony Chorus.

My persistent observation (bordering on complaint) about Maestro Christie and the PSO is that they have a tendency to rush their tempi. Last season, I noted this in my reviews of Haydn’s Creation and Orff’s Carmina Burana. It has mixed results, but when the orchestra can’t play 110% at that rushed tempo, then why even bother? A couple of sections in the Beethoven come to mind – the Presto in the second movement and the faster sections of the final movement – where the orchestra was clearly scrambling to keep up with Mr. Christie’s conducting.

Finally, as an alumnus of the Phoenix Symphony Youth Orchestra and self-confessed concert-going snob, I was rather dismayed when the audience clapped in between each of the Beethoven’s four movements.  This threw off Christie’s pace but the orchestra recovered quickly. To the audience: you do not clap in between movements of any symphonic work! EVER!

Audience distractions aside, the PSO performed three works fantastically well and only reaffirmed that they are a cultural gem in this desert. Let’s hope that the economy rebounds quickly so that the PSO can keep performing symphonic masterworks for years and decades to come.

-Edward Jensen

The First Friday in October, KBAQ and the Phoenix Chorale (formerly the Phoenix Bach Choir) are teaming up to expose listeners to the vibrant arts scene in Downtown Phoenix through the first-ever First Friday scavenger hunt!

Head to KBAQ.org now to download a virtual scavenger hunt of things you would see on a First Friday artwalk — it may be a new view of a familiar gallery or an unfamiliar art space that could be a fabulous find. Your mission is to identify correctly all images on the KBAQ.org Scavenger Hunt webpage between today and next First Friday for a chance to win a fun Phoenix Chorale prize package.

Then, come visit KBAQ and the Phoenix Chorale on First Friday, October 2 at the Trinity Cathedral (100 W. Roosevelt St.) from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. to turn in your entry sheet and see how many you answered correctly. Stick around to listen to the Chorale’s open rehearsal for its fall performance! Test your eagle eyes against other arts enthusiasts this September – and discover a new part of the Phoenix arts scene — with KBAQ and the Phoenix Chorale.

[source]

Wow. Now this is fun!  Who wants to form a College of Public Programs team?

-Edward Jensen

Sarah Kriehn’s “Abstractions”

Meet the artist during the OPENING RECEPTION, Thursday, July 16, 7-9 pm

Join the Cathedral Center for the Arts and Trinity Episcopal Cathedral for a month long print exhibit showcasing the work of Sarah Kriehn.  An Arizona native and graduate of Arizona State University, Sarah Kriehn’s career in the arts spans over twenty years.  In additional to serving on the Arizona Humanities Council, she was awarded the 2003 Elementary Art Educator of the Year award, and was the 2005 Art Education Nominee for the Governor’s Art Award.

Her prints are created by transferring an image inked onto Plexiglas to paper. Using both biomorphic and geometric abstraction, her images investigate the boundaries of time and space and their relationships to the natural and human world.

The gallery and reception are free and open to the public.

Readers of my blog will notice that I haven’t posted in a week. This is because I was on a family vacation to Colorado.  I enjoyed my time there but I’m rather happy to be back in Phoenix.

I bring this up because although I didn’t have time to prepare a new edition of ASU Downtown Phoenix campus adventures, friend and colleague Amy Freberg read my mind and gave a video overview of the Lincoln Family YMCA from my favorite spot on the ASU Downtown Phoenix campus, the roof deck of University Center.

So, go check out “See the Y from the 9th Floor” and watch the video. You’ll be glad you did.

And I’ll be back next Monday with a new adventure.

-Edward Jensen

If you’re in the ASU College of Public Programs, as most students on the Downtown Phoenix campus are, then chances are that you’ll never have a reason to explore the home for the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication.  This would be sad, because it is a very cool building.  Granted, you might have a class in the first floor, but the focal point for the building is the second floor, home to the First Amendment Forum. During ASU sporting events, the second floor’s 16-foot by 9-foot television becomes a home for Downtown Phoenix campus students to enjoy events that take place on the Tempe campus.

Something that you might not notice in the building, however, is the Clifford Gallery. If one were to look at the giant television screen, the gallery is off to the right.  The gallery is home to many interesting artifacts of journalism history – including cameras, typewriters, and a mixing console – and how journalists covered some of history’s greatest events.  There’s even a newspaper vending machine with the final edition of the Phoenix Gazette (longtime Phoenicians will remember this!).

If you go…
The Clifford Gallery is located on the second floor of the Cronkite School building, 555 N. Central Avenue. It is the building directly north of University Center. Once in the building, take the stairs or elevator to the second floor. You’ll see the First Amendment Forum. Behind the giant television screen is the Clifford Gallery.

More information on the Internet…
http://cronkite.asu.edu/news/gallery-111908.php

-Edward Jensen

So something that I’m starting is a weekly series on places that aren’t so well-known here on the ASU Downtown Phoenix campus. The first stop is over to the Mercado, part of the original ASU Downtown Center (in our pre-campus days!), and their Galleria. If you’re wondering, the Mercado is opposite Van Buren Street from the Arizona Center, and is a quick 5-7 minute walk from University Center.

Students, faculty, staff, and visitors to the ASU Downtown Phoenix campus know about the art collection in University Center, the main building for the campus and home to the College of Public Programs. The building features art from nonprofits that are associated with the University as well as art by faculty emeriti.

Last week, I thought it appropriate to check out the Galleria in the Mercado and see how it compares with the artwork here in University Center.  It is displayed there much like it is displayed at University Center: in the hallways.  It’s nothing special, really.  The exhibition this month is “Transparent Reflections” by local artist and ASU alumna Kathy Mitchell.  Ms. Mitchell’s work was for sale, with prices ranging from $150 for a small canvas to over $1,000.

If you’re in the Mercado taking a class, then check out the Galleria.  But if your travels don’t take you in that direction, then check out the art at University Center.

If you go…
The Galleria is located in Building C of the Mercado at the northeast corner of 5th St and Monroe St.  From University Center, head south on Central Avenue to Monroe Street (two blocks) and then head east five blocks on Monroe.  Once in Building C, take the elevators up to the 2nd floor. The artwork is in the common hallways of that floor.

More info on the Internet…
http://www.asu.edu/xed/galleria/index.html

-Edward Jensen

Next season, the PSO explores the music of German composer Ludwig van Beethoven (you may have heard of him) with their Beethoven Festival from 1-10 April 2010 and also their Opening Night (11/12 September 2009) performance of his glorious Ninth Symphony.

But in between their survey of Beethoven’s music, the PSO will present many other innovative works, and ones I think that you should check out.  After all, the PSO have a great student tickets program, and if you live on the ASU Downtown Phoenix campus, then you have no excuse not to go to these great concerts.

Newbies to the Classical music repertory cannot afford to miss Opening Night and Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony (11/12 September 2009).  The culmination of that work is the majestic Ode “to Joy” that has become so ingrained in our culture.  In addition to the Beethoven at that concert, the PSO will present John Adams‘ On the Transmigration of Souls and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart‘s Ave verum corpus as a memorial to the heroic men and women in public safety.

Some other highlights include Hindemith’s Symphonic Metamorphoses on Themes of Carl Maria von Weber and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony no. 5 (15/17 October 2009), John Adams’ innovative opera Nixon in China (12/14 November 2009), Mozart’s Requiem (18/20 March 2010), and a concert of American Masters (1 May 2010).

There’s more, and I encourage you to check out the entire 2009-2010 season program for the PSO by viewing their online brochure.  And if you need any recommendations for concerts to attend, let me know.

-Edward Jensen

-Edward Jensen