NOVEMBER 9, 2011

Desert Foothills Theater’s first Main Stage Show of Season, The Music Man, is set for Nov. 10-20

D. Scott Withers directs this Tony award-winning musical

CAVE CREEK – Desert Foothills Theater (DFT), a division of the Foothills Community Foundation, presents its first Main Stage Show of the season, The Music Man, running Thurs., Nov. 10 through Sun. Nov. 20 at Cactus Shadows Fine Arts Center’s Black Box Theater, 33606 N. 60th Street, in North Scottsdale.


Directed by D. Scott Withers, The Music Man is a Tony award-winning musical that became a hit on Broadway in 1957 and later was adapted for film and television. The plot revolves around a fast-talking con man who enters the dull lives of the people of River City, Iowa with a colorful scheme to scam the residents by encouraging them to invest in musical instruments and uniforms for a boys’ band. His plans to skip town with the cash are foiled when he falls for the town’s librarian and piano teacher.

Show times are at 7:30 p.m. for the Thurs., Nov. 10 Preview Night; Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets range from $15 to $20 for children under 18, and from $22 to $30 for adults.

Ticket Price: $15 - $20 Youth; $22 - $30 Adult

Tickets are available at [email protected] or by phone at 480-488-1981.

Harold (Scot Claus) and Marion (Kimberly Cooper) in Desert Foothills Theater’s production of The Music Man running Nov. 10-20 at Cactus Shadows Fine Arts Center. Photo credit: Jeremy Andorfer, Vangelis Productions

NOVEMBER 9, 2011

Art promotion and community giving mission of artist couple

CAVE CREEK – He’s an artist and art teacher who coaches high school track and pole vaulting and oversees student scholarships.  She’s a reputable artist in her own right and for two decades has volunteered to alleviate hunger. Together Mike and Pat Markham create art, mentor youth and better their community.
“I’ve been lucky all my life,” Mike said.  “I was fortunate to have scholarships for my graduate and post graduate studies at ASU plus an assistant teaching job while completing my MFA degree.  I truly had it made.  So, it’s only fitting that we give back.”

Art is the primary vehicle for their giving.
Mike said Pat is a functional ceramic artist who enjoys throwing on the wheel.  He prefers the abstract.  “I’m a non conformist in three-dimensional design and painting.  I like to incorporate various mediums, like ceramics, wood, metal, acrylics and glass.  Every artist has his or her own niche.” 
Both happily create from their spacious backyard studio.

When not designing or painting, you’ll find Mike coaching high school sports or awarding art scholarships. Currently he chairs the Sonoran Arts League scholarship committee. 

Each year scholarships are given to deserving students.  “These kids are incredibly talented but in order to qualify they must be focused on pursuing an art career,” Markham stated.

Another League outreach Mike and Pat support is Empty Bowls, held every October in conjunction with World Hunger Day.  Pat has been involved for 20 years throughout the Valley.

The Markhams distribute donated clay to area artists then pick up and deliver the finished pieces. They create many of their own bowls and open their studio to friends and high school and community college students.  They also help the day of the event.

“One hundred percent of Empty Bowl proceeds are donated to the Foothills Food Bank,” Mike said. “It’s one of their major fund raisers and we’re delighted to be part of it.”

The Markhams have been with Hidden in the Hills four years. “It’s fun.  We get to meet the public and showcase our art.  We don’t make pieces during the tour because what we do is dirty -- we sling mud around!  Instead we show a nice, clean slide presentation.”

The Markhams describe the Sonoran Arts League mission as one that gives to the community, promotes art and art education.  Actually it’s a reflection of their life’s mission, too.

For more information, contact:  [email protected]

The 15th annual Hidden in the Hills Artist Studio Tour is scheduled the last two weekends in November: Friday-Sunday, Nov. 18-20 and Friday-Sunday, Nov. 25-27, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.