Arts

Valley Youth Theatre stages family favorite “The Hobbit”

Asked to leave his large, roomy and exceedingly comfortable home (or hole) in the ground to accomplish a difficult mission, Bilbo Baggins accepts the...

Award-winning original play “Beauty and the Computer Geek” takes the stage in Mesa

A nerdy Prince Charming and time-traveling teens are part of a modern day makeover of the classic fairytale “Sleeping Beauty” in an original play...

“Hamilton” to offer $10 “lottery” tickets to Tempe shows

Editor's note: A digital lottery for "Hamilton" tickets will begin at 11 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 28 for tickets to the Tuesday, Jan. 30...

Childsplay’s “The Snowy Day” takes the stage in Tempe

While snow has blanketed much of the country lately, greater Phoenix has stayed mostly balmy. If we're lucky, January brings a little rain. Snow,...

Dancer David Hallberg to speak at Changing Hands

I think I’m in love. Yeah, it’s mom-love; but it’s still a thrill, and it’s all because I watched an old audition tape...

Bah humbugs abound: “A Christmas Carol” on five Valley stages

Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” is a perennial holiday favorite, and there is no shortage of opportunities to see it in Valley theaters this...

Noted children’s author-illustrators to visit Changing Hands in Tempe

Picture book lovers of all ages will be grateful for the upcoming post-Thanksgiving trifecta offered at the Changing Hands Bookstore in Tempe. There’s not...

Childsplay stages “Go, Dog. Go!” at Tempe Center for the Arts

Want to attend a musical dog party? Now’s your chance. Childsplay Theatre brings “Go, Dog. Go!” to Tempe Center for the Arts on weekends Nov....

Author Tom Leveen: The brave new world of young-adult media

The world can be a scary place. As parents, our job is to keep our kids safe and teach them to live in it...

Leapin’ lizards! See “Annie” everywhere in Valley theaters

Who doesn’t love the little red-headed orphan and her endearing mutt, Sandy? Annie, with her grit, pluck and optimistic spirit, has been winning the...

Valley Youth Theatre brings “Madagascar” to Herberger stage

After years in captivity, with regular meals and an adoring public, Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Melman the Giraffe and Gloria the Hippo...

“The Book of Dust: La Belle Sauvage” debuts on Oct. 19

Like the song says, “Breaking up is hard to do.” When you love a wonderful character in a great book, you don’t want to...

“Tomás and the Library Lady” celebrates the power of imagination

Tomás, born to a family of migrant workers, loves the stories Papa Grande tells him nightly. Before long, he knows them all by heart....

Get free admission Saturday to Arizona attractions on Museum Day Live!

Smithsonian magazine sponsors Museum Day Live! --- a day of free admission at participating local museums and cultural institutions nationwide --- on Saturday, Sept....

All ages can find inspiration in “The Little Prince” onstage in Peoria

A world-weary pilot whose sputtering plane strands him in the Sahara, a mysterious young prince from another planet who shares his adventures with the...

Family Time: Top October events around metro Phoenix

October brings a bountiful list of outdoor festivals and fairs and a whole lot of comfort food. Get those Halloween costumes ready, because you’re...

PARTY ARTICLES

Money Lessons from Birthday Parties

Teaching Kids the Value of Gifts & Gratitude Between the cake, balloons, and wrapping paper tornado, birthday parties are often all about fun, but they also provide the perfect opportunity to teach kids early lessons...

Time to Paw-ty

Celebrating your favorite furry friend Call me crazy, but when my husband and I adopted our first dog together, we threw her a birthday party complete with cake, streamers, guests, appetizers, games, and more. Was...

Unique Ways to Host a Joint Birthday Party

My brother and I have birthdays that are just one day apart—his on March 3rd, mine on March 4th, and our oldest brother just a few weeks later on March 21st. Fast forward 31 years...

Out-of-the-box Birthday Party Ideas in Phoenix & Tucson

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 the teen years. Or perhaps your child has requested to...

Birthday Traditions & Clever Theme Ideas

Childhood birthdays are unlike any others. I have fond memories of waking up on my birthday morning anticipating all the fun that was in store. With three kids who had birthdays all in the same...

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 the teen years. Or perhaps your child has requested to...

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 thing? Do I need to stay with my child at...

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 a few friends. Times have changed and suddenly it feels necessary...

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 pool watcher" can avert his or her eyes for a...

Hiking birthday party

For a child who loves adventure and outdoors, turn a hike into a birthday party.
Tour de Liam, Biking birthday party theme, bike race, outdoor activites, arizona parties

Bike race birthday party

When there are lots of neighborhood friends who love to ride their bikes together, host a birthday party that feels like an official bike race.

Island birthday party

Pool parties are popular in Arizona. Make a stylish upgrade at your next birthday party by incorporating décor and details that will transport guests from the desert to a tropical island paradise.

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