Urban AZ’s first Spoken Word Showcase brings together a range of poetic performers, along with R&B artists Dwele and Bilal with a band, at 8:30 p.m. Saturday, May 18 at Celebrity Theatre in Phoenix.

A free all-day workshop for women in Phoenix this Saturday, May 18, aims to offer a way to “unlock one’s true potential as a catalyst for lasting love, stronger relationships and a greater sense of fulfillment,” says event promoter, Jan Hemming.

Hard rocker Tom Keifer would be among the first to say that life doesn’t go as planned. The long-time musician, best known for his lead role in the band Cinderella, released his first solo album – ”The Way Life Goes” – April 30 after a 10-year process and a long struggle with partial vocal chord paralysis — the ruination of many music careers.

Gilbert Classical Academy will graduate 37 students in its Class of 2013.

There will be 589 graduates receiving diplomas from Gilbert High School this year.

New York • When he first started working with Imagine Dragons, music producer Alex da Kid was looking for some inspiration for the Broadway musical, “Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark.”

Don Williams performs from a repertoire of fan favorites including “You’re My Best Friend,” “Tulsa Time” and “I Believe in You.”

The same local dance company that takes audiences deep into vampire territory each autumn with its acclaimed "A Vampire Tale" is going into uncharted waters.

Emily Woodward-Shaw, a seventh-grader from Chandler's Athlos Traditional Academy, was awarded a gold medal for photography in the 2013 National Scholastic Art & Writing competition. The name of her work was “Standing By."

It may be a “tale as old as time,” but "Disney’s Beauty and the Beast” will never feel old hat to generations of new children or eternal fans of romance and fairytales.

Ahmed Alsoudani says that America is a dreamland. Yet, his complex paintings of violence and warfare are very much influenced by his upbringing.

Children will listen to other children in a way they don’t to adults, says Bobb Cooper — and he’s hoping an awful lot of them get to do just that over the next two weeks.

Start marking your calendars with all the shows you plan to see this season. Arizona Theatre Company has announced its 2013-2014 lineup.

Six months after fire destroyed Copperstar Repertory Company’s offices and scene and costume shops, the East Valley theater company is scheduled to host its first production of “Les Misérables School Edition.”

Get Out is giving away a four-pack of tickets to Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, playing Tuesday, April 9, at ASU Gammage in Tempe. The prize package includes a $100 gift certificate to nearby Z’Tejas restaurant.

“Lord, you made many many poor people. I realize, of course, it’s no shame to be poor... but it’s no great honor either,” Tevye says during one of the opening scenes of “Fiddler on The Roof,” on stage this week with Theater League Productions’ national tour. Although veteran viewers could recite Tevye’s witticisms by heart, cast member and East Valley resident Chuck Caruso believes this production is new and different enough to keep them engaged.

As staff at the Mesa Arts Center began preparation for its second “Festival of Creativity,” MAC executive director Cindy Ornstein said the group was looking for something to pique their interests — a spark, of sorts.

MGM’s “The Wizard of Oz” is the rare film adaptation that has officially become even more cherished than the timeless book that inspired it. Over the years, “The Wizard of Oz” has influenced numerous sequels, prequels, and reimaginings in just about every entertainment medium. Although there have certainly been some good additions to the “Oz” franchise, it’s unfortunate all of them must live in the shadow of an unbeatable classic. While nothing will ever top the Judy Garland version, the most we can ask from a modern “Oz” interpretation is that it remains true to L. Frank Baum’s universe while also sprinkling in something fresh. On that basis, Director Sam Raimi sufficiently delivers in his vibrant and fun “Oz the Great and Powerful.”

Elaine Paige, the British songstress who played the inaugural role of Eva Peron in “Evita” and is known as “The First Lady of Musical Theatre,” performs in Mesa.

It’s hard not to love the colorful and imaginative world of Eric Carle, portrayed beautifully in his numerous children’s books. Three of those books are the inspiration behind Mermaid Theatre Company of Nova Scotia’s magical production, which uses puppetry, live and computer generated animation to bring Carle’s characters to life. It is on stage Feb. 24 at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts.