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Arts

Bringing hope to life through art, even ­— and especially — now

Free Arts for Abused Children of Arizona became even more important during the pandemic. Children need to use the arts to get rid of icky, scary feelings.

Arizona’s youth theaters roll out creative options to weather the ongoing pandemic

COVID-19 hit the world of live theater especially hard. Typically by now, local theater companies have announced full schedules for the 2020-21 season. Those...

Valley Youth Theater to host a VYTal (and virtual) fundraising telethon

Valley Youth Theatre is replacing its annual fundraising gala with an eight-hour virtual telethon. The VYTal Affair-athon will be streamed live on YouTube, Facebook and...

Curiouser & Curiouser is a new live-theater experience from TheaterWorks

TheaterWorks has reinvented the live-theater experience. Curiouser & Curiouser is an  immersive, multi-sensory, intimate theater production where audience members literally walk into and through...

The Nash opens applications for Phoenix Jazz Girls Rising

The Nash has opened enrollment for its all-female jazz musician program, Phoenix Jazz Girls Rising. Led by local musicians Mary Petrich (saxophone) and Claudia...

Phoenix Voice Academy launches uplifting music video

Need some inspiration? Take a few minutes to listen to some young Valley voices spreading a message of hope. The Phoenix Youth Theatre and Voice...

Storytime Saturdays with Mary Poppins (and Facebook)

Arizona Broadway Theatre is launching "Storytime Saturdays with ABT's Mary Poppins," a 30-minute storytime led by theater alum Renee Koher.

Artsy Thursday: Celebrate the joy and learning children experience when they engage in creativity

Editor’s note: April 13-17 is Week of the Young Child, an annual celebration hosted by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and AzAEYC celebrating early...

Creative ways to indulge in the arts during the coronavirus crisis

The Valley's art scene has responded to the coronavirus crisis with its own creativity, making instruction, activities and inspiration available online — or in easy pickup packets — for children, and their grownups, too.

Resources to keep kids engaged, entertained and learning

With kids out of school, Common Sense Media offers resources to help make all this enforced family time a bit more fun.

Happiness is … (Reflections on life and parenting)

You find happiness in the tiny things that surround you, but you have to pay attention. And the best way to give it to your children is to find it yourself.

Valley Youth Theatre presents its sixth production of “The Princess and the Pea” Feb. 7-23

King Maximillian and his mother, Old Queen Maude, seek the insight of Esmeralda Smythe — the wisest (and only) gypsy in the kingdom. They...

Childsplay brings Mo Willems’ “Elephant & Piggie” to life at Herberger Theater

Need a laugh? How about some Motown-style music and groovy dance moves? Then Childplay’s newest musical, "Elephant & Piggie’s 'We Are in a Play,'"...

EVCT’s “Yes, Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus” takes Mesa Arts Center stage

Her friends told her Santa didn't exist, but 8-year-old Virginia O’Hanlon wanted New York City's "Sun" newspaper to tell her the truth. “Is there...

Kids are spending more time than ever watching YouTube (and much less time reading!)

Half of the kids in the U.S. will own smartphones by age 11, and phone use is on the rise for kids as young...

Childsplay stages world premiere of “Chato’s Kitchen” at Herberger Theater Center

What would you do if you were the coolest low-riding cat in the barrio? If your name is Chato, you invite your new neighbors,...

Party Articles

Out-of-the Box Birthday Party Ideas

Wanting to do something a little extra special for your child’s next birthday party? Maybe it’s a milestone birthday—like turning double digits or entering...

Party Etiquette

Whether you’re hosting a party or attending one, you may be wondering—do people really RSVP anymore? What about goodie bags, are those still a...

How to Throw a Birthday Party that Won’t Break the Bank

I remember the days when birthday parties consisted of colorful balloons, streamers, a simple cake, and the classics like musical chairs and tag with...

How to do a drive-by birthday party

As we get deeper into quarantine, people have gotten creative with birthday celebrations. One result: the drive-by birthday party.

Home pool party? Hire a lifeguard!

Drowning happens silently and quickly. That’s why children are at risk even when — and sometimes especially when — adults are nearby. Even a "designated...