On the Grid

There are so many reasons to listen to this, our 17th episode of On the Grid! Not only because we have playwright/actor/etc./etc. Ashley Naftule on to talk about his new play “Ear,” based loosely on painter Vincent Van Gogh. But also because it marks a point of closure. This will be Space 55’s last major production at its 7th Street and Pierce location. Like so many downtown venues before it, Space 55 is being forced to move because the land it sits on was recently bought. The venue has been a safe haven for locals to cut their teeth performing and a place for seasoned actors to try new and experimental things. In this episode, we pay homage to a place that has been a refuge for artists since its creation in 2006. And we take a peek at what may be in store for it. If you’ve ever had any involvement with Space 55, this is worth a listen!

Consider this episode of On the Grid a precursor to the weekend. For our 16th installment of the podcast we sat down with Valley resident and all around multi-faceted artist Ali Tomineek. At the young age of 20 years old, Ali’s newest album Friday Flow peaked at the #1 spot on the Billboard Heatseeker Mountain chart in May. A true child of the new millennium, he’s a master on social media and has thousands and thousands of hits on YouTube. And he’s currently working on his next album, expected to be released in the fall. Take a listen, and get to know one of Hip Hop's most promising young artists. 

You don't have a thriving metropolis without arts and culture, and that includes a vibrant literary scene. Well, the city of Phoenix recently took a big step in that direction by creating their first poet laureate. That would be OUR poet laureate, and On the Grid is honored to have her on the show. In December, Rosemarie Dombrowski was chosen for the post, and she has hit the ground running trying to boost the appreciation of the reading and writing of poetry. On the 15th episode of the podcast, we discuss the power of the pen with Rosemarie and her plan to spread the good of words throughout the Valley.

Sesame Street just introduced its first new Muppet to the show in more than a decade. Her name is Julia and she is autistic. The 14th episode of On the Grid is here for your listening pleasure and we talk to the puppeteer who brings her to life, Stacey Gordon. Hang out with us as we dig deep into the evolution of Julia and dissect the anatomy of a dream of a lady who never stopped fantasizing about being on Sesame Street. Only now, it's real! Press play and we'll tell you how to get, how to get to ...

Remember when pretty much the only place to see stand-up comedy in the Valley was the Improv in Tempe? Well, now you can see it every night of the week at dozens of venues throughout this sprawling land. The stand-up comedy scene has taken off in the last decade, from wannabe comics coming out of the woodwork at open mics to national names commonplace on local marquees. And now we have Bird City Comedy Festival, April 6-9, in its second year featuring more than 100 funny performers from around the country. You'll see stand-up, improv, sketch, storytelling and more. Founder Genevieve Rice sits down with us to discuss comedy and its place in the Valley. LOL!

Episode 12 of On the Grid is yours now to listen to. But to do the episode full justice, you should listen sometime after the evening news. That's because we have Russ Kazmierczak, host of Phoenix Tonight, the Valley's live, local, late night talk show, produced and performed monthly at Space 55 in downtown Phoenix. He's been behind the desk (just like we've been behind the mic) for a year now, and has brought a slew of Arizona A-listers to the studio. So let the evening shade take its course and enjoy some late night comedy with us. Oh and, lover's of comic books take heed -- Russ, has been producing his own comic book for a while now. So, we'll be dipping our toes in that pool, too!  

It's a family affair for On the Grid's first episode of 2017. Host @PhilipHaldiman interviews his brother, @SamHaldiman, who is about to launch  the second long-form theater in Phoenix, which will help expand an artistic community long-bolstered by @TheTorchTheatre. They discuss Sam's new enterprise, @SecondBeatTheater, life in the creative landscape of Chicago and the transformative power of improv. Finally, they'll look forward and pontificate the future of this niche art form and it's place in the Valley of the Sun.

The Trunk Space episode is here! All stripes of artists have found a safe home in this uniquely Phoenix landmark, long located at Grand and 15th avenues. The beloved venue is in a transitional period right now, but it will soon have a new permanent home (likely in December), with all kinds of new opportunities. Take a listen to our 10th installment of On the Grid. Co-founder Steph Carrico takes us on a tour of the venue's past, present and future. It's a snapshot of the Grand Avenue arts district since the turn of the century and the story of a sanctuary for self expression.

The lines of connection are more visible than they've ever been before thanks to social media. Now more than ever it's easier to come together. There is such power in this. And that's the theme of episode 9 of On the Grid, in which we interview social media guru Jeff Moriarty. He's the man behind the Ignite events (check out Ignite Music, Oct. 28!), and the flurry of flash mobs that have popped up throughout the Valley in past years. Click below ... let's weave philosophy about the power of the connective fabric that continues to bring us closer. 

On the Grid and Jenny Poon are in cahoots!

For Episode 8 of the podcast, we talk to the entrepreneur about her co-working space Co+Hoots, which is expanding to a new midtown Phoenix office with a goal of gaining 1,000 new members. The 14,000-square-foot building is three times the size of her previous location and will open Sept. 30.

And she’s got big plans. Co+Hoots is looking to create at least 100 new jobs, and host 400 community events and 52 lunch-and-learns a year. This is the story of start-ups in central Phoenix.