New Arizona Opera director says it’s being reborn through innovation, connection / KJZZ
Arizona Opera has a new leader. Brian DeMaris has taught at Arizona State University for around a decade. But his musical experience is not limited to the genre — he’s also worked in the areas of ballet, musical theater, and symphony.
Phoenix Zoo receives $500K for new veterinary medical center / KTAR
The Phoenix Zoo received a $500,000 grant to help fund a veterinary medical center. The more than 27,000-square-foot center will replace the zoo’s Joyce Corrigan Memorial Care Center, which has been in use for more than five decades.
Bisbee crowned Arizona’s Cultural Capital / myheraldreview.com
According to a new nationwide survey conducted by language learning platform Mondly, the former mining town turned arts haven has officially been voted the “cultural heart” of Arizona — beating out Tuba City and Globe to claim the top spot.
Mesa ponders multi-million-dollar museum re-do / Mesa Tribune/themesatribune.com
The city-owned Arizona Museum of Natural History – which features a life-size dinosaur bursting out of an upper exterior wall in downtown Mesa – is not living up to its potential and is seeing attendance waning, prompting talk of an upgrade.
Tucson composer gets long-awaited world premiere for opera / Arizona Daily Star/tucson.com
It’s taken 18 years, but Tucson composer Dan Asia will finally see his first opera come to the stage. The New York City-based opera company Teatro Grattacielo presents the world premiere of Asia’s “The Tin Angel,” which he wrote with the late poet/novelist Paul Pines.
Phoenix Zoo releases 30,000 Chiricahua leopard frogs / The Arizona Republic/azcentral.com
A batch of 1,000 rare tadpoles raised at the Phoenix Zoo landed in a new home at the Grasshopper Tank in the Tonto National Forest, part of ongoing efforts to boost the population of the threatened Chiricahua leopard frog. The latest release marked a milestone in the recovery of the native amphibians.
New murals celebrate Tucson’s history / Arizona Daily Star/thisistucson.com
The Rio Nuevo District is collaborating with the Mayor’s Office, Visit Tucson, Downtown Tucson Partnership and the Presidio Museum to commission four new murals throughout the downtown area, celebrating Tucson’s upcoming 250thbirthday in August.
Know a theatre: Childsplay / American Theatre
Childsplay is a nearly 50-year-old youth theatre company that offers educational programs and has staged seasons of mainstage performances for young people and families at a variety of local venues.
Upcoming events:
June 14 – 29: Ms. Holmes and Ms. Watson – Apt. 2B: Arizona Theatre Company, Tempe Center for the Arts
Through July 13: Into the Woods, Phoenix Theatre
July 14: Scottsdale Community Arts Grant Program Application Deadline
July 25 – Aug 29: Stay Cool Free Summer Concert Series, Chandler
Through Sept. 28: The World of Anna Sui, Phoenix Art Museum
Through Oct. 27: Poetry Maps • Museum of Northern Arizona, Flagstaff
Through Dec. 2025: Art of Achievement: Celebrating 40 Years of Flinn Scholars, Flinn Foundation, Phoenix (by appointment)