AGP Executive Report

Phoenix Stages: Phoenix Art Museum’s returning SOUNDCHECK series is bringing local and regional groups to perform, while Ballet Arizona’s 2026–27 season showcases a mix of styles. Concert News: Charli XCX canceled her Arizona show after losing her voice, with no new date announced. Orchestral Scene: Phoenix Symphony layoffs were reported this week, while Southern Arizona Symphony Orchestra is launching a new chorus. Arts Education: A music industry professional is sharing recording expertise with students at an Agua Fria arts school.

Arizona Music & Arts: A music-industry professional is bringing recording expertise to Agua Fria High School’s arts program, while Phoenix Symphony layoffs raise concerns for the local music scene. Charli XCX also canceled her Arizona concert after losing her voice, with no new date announced. Wildcats & Sun Devils: No. 25 Arizona routed Iowa State 39-3 behind Noah Fifita’s 308 passing yards and two touchdowns. Arizona State bounced back with a 28-17 win over Kansas State, powered by freshman Cardae Mack’s four rushing touchdowns. Coming Up: Sedona Film Festival presents “Music Across the Veil,” a Día de los Muertos and Samhain concert, on Nov. 1.

Arts Education: A music-industry veteran whose credits include Disney and Grammy-winning recordings helped Agua Fria’s Hilltop School for the Arts build three professional recording studios and train students and staff. Arizona Music: Tucson band XIXA is celebrating a decade of blending Peruvian sounds with borderland Americana, while Phoenix Symphony musician layoffs raise concerns for the local arts scene. Onstage: Charli XCX canceled her Arizona concert after losing her voice, with no replacement date announced; Sedona Film Festival has a Día de los Muertos and Samhain music event set for Nov. 1. Art & Culture: Christian Siriano’s exuberant gown is on display at Phoenix Art Museum, and Mesa is marking 20 years of its Día de los Muertos festival.

Festivals: Mesa’s 20th annual Día de los Muertos celebration fills the Mesa Arts Center with music, food and a community altar honoring loved ones. Music: Tucson band XIXA marks 10 years blending Peruvian sounds with indie borderland Americana, while Sedona Film Festival presents “Music Across the Veil” on Nov. 1. Visual Arts: Sedona Plein Air celebrates its 22nd year, with gallery events also planned in Cave Creek and at Creative Gateways. Stage & Screen: Hale Centre Theatre is staging Annie; Charli XCX, meanwhile, canceled her Arizona concert after losing her voice. Local Sports: Arizona freshman Caleb Holt led the Wildcats to an 85-54 exhibition win, and Arcadia volleyball edged Cactus Shadows in five sets. Community: “Hoarders” personality Matt Paxton shared stories and downsizing advice at a Litchfield Park event.

Local Art: Cave Creek’s visitor center will host a free gallery open house Nov. 6, featuring local artists and works from the Sonoran Arts League’s public art program. Sedona Spotlight: The Sedona Arts Center’s Plein Air at 22 exhibition opens Oct. 26, showcasing paintings inspired by the region’s red rocks and Verde Valley. On Nov. 1, the Sedona Film Festival presents a concert blending Día de los Muertos, Samhain and Southwestern musical traditions. Live and Cultural Events: Scottsdale artist Kay Nari will paint live at Tlaquepaque on Nov. 6, while Yavapai elders and Bird Singers gather there Nov. 7 for storytelling, songs and dances honoring the red rocks. Arizona Arts News: Phoenix Art Museum is displaying a new gown by fashion designer Christian Siriano, and the Phoenix Symphony has laid off musicians. Onstage: Hale Centre Theatre is presenting “Annie.”

Theater: Hale Centre Theatre in Gilbert has opened Annie, with the musical running through Nov. 21. Fashion & Art: A dramatic new gown by designer Christian Siriano is on display at the Phoenix Art Museum. Live Music: The Crystal Method is returning for a show aimed at longtime fans and families, while a West Valley songwriting contest has crowned three winners. Local Culture: Phoenix blues icon Carvin Jones will be honored at a memorial, and new businesses are looking to revive Mill Avenue’s nightlife scene. Concert News: Charli XCX canceled her Arizona performance after losing her voice, with no new date announced.

Concert Update: Charli XCX canceled her Arizona show after losing her voice; no new date has been announced. Tucson Weekend: Gabriel Iglesias brings his Fluffy celebration to the Tucson Convention Center Saturday, while The Who’s Tommy runs at Centennial Hall through Sunday. Arizona Music: Phoenix blues icon Carvin Jones will be honored at a memorial, and Yuma Orchestra opens its 51st season with a free Saturday concert. Arts News: The Phoenix Symphony has laid off musicians, while Phoenix Sky Harbor announced a new art exhibit. Howie Day is also set to perform at the Musical Instrument Museum.

Live Music: Charli XCX canceled her Glendale concert after losing her voice; ticket holders will receive refunds, with no make-up date planned. Arts & Heritage: Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West remains closed after a visitor was killed by a piece of roofing blown off in high winds. Classical Sounds: Yuma Orchestra opens its 51st season with a free movie-music concert Saturday, Oct. 24, at Arizona Western College. Community Style: UA students bring recycled-denim designs to the Dogs N’ Denim fashion show Oct. 29, raising support for dog-focused organizations. Coming Events: Page’s Balloon Regatta returns Nov. 5–8 with live music at its street fair, while Arizona Bike Week’s Battle of the Bands and toy drive is set for Dec. 5. Young Musicians: Two San Luis High School students earned places in the Arizona All-Star Marching Band, which will perform in Phoenix’s Fiesta Bowl Parade on Jan. 2.

Live Music: Charli XCX canceled her Glendale show after losing her voice during an illness; no new date was set, and refunds are due. Local Arts: The Phoenix Symphony has canceled the rest of its season amid financial troubles, according to a local report. Arizona Landmark: Taliesin West remains closed after a visitor was killed by roof debris blown loose in high winds. Coming Up: Arizona Bike Week’s free Battle of the Bands and toy drive lands Dec. 5 in Scottsdale, with 10 bands vying for spots at the 2027 festival. Arizona Sports: The Suns opened their season against Portland, while Arizona center Motiejus Krivas earned a place on the AP preseason All-America team.

Concert Update: Charli XCX canceled her Wednesday show at Glendale’s Desert Diamond Arena after illness left her without a voice. No makeup date was available; ticket holders will receive refunds, and she says she plans to return to Arizona. Arizona Arts: Will.i.am is back teaching at ASU, where students are using AI projects to tackle local and rural problems. Live Venues: Mesa hired Legends Global to manage the Convention Center and Mesa Amphitheatre for five years. Amphitheatre upgrades are planned, but details haven’t been announced. Onstage: Tucson’s America 250-themed opera gets its first look, while EAC’s Fall Sing brings Halloween harmonies to the stage Oct. 23–24. Arizona Accordion Club president shares how he fell for the instrument. Wildcats: Arizona men’s basketball opens the season ranked No. 5 in the AP preseason poll.

Local Music: The Arizona Accordion Club’s 65 members play everything from Cajun and country to show tunes, as club president Phil Fox shared on KJZZ’s The Show. Arts & Culture: Tucson audiences got a first look at an America 250-themed opera, while Eastern Arizona College’s Fall Sing brings Halloween harmonies to the stage Oct. 23-24. Arizona Landmarks: Taliesin West is closed after a visitor was fatally struck by windblown roofing debris at Frank Lloyd Wright’s Scottsdale landmark. What’s Ahead: Phoenix’s Hondo Rodeo Fest returns in November with Blake Shelton, Tim McGraw and Parker McCollum; Harkins theaters are also bringing A24 films back to Arizona. Sports & Entertainment: The NBA All-Star Game returns to Phoenix in 2027, and the Cardinals opened the week with an 18-16 upset of the Rams.

Arizona Sports: Tyler Reddick ended a 23-race winless stretch with a Phoenix Raceway victory, while the Cardinals stunned the Rams 18-16 on a last-second field goal. Arts & Venues: Chandler Center for the Arts has reopened after a $3 million renovation. Taliesin West, meanwhile, is temporarily closed after a visitor was killed by falling roof debris. Live Music: Papa Roach will bring its “Rise of the Roach” tour to West Phoenix in June 2027, and Samantha Fish is set for a guitar-driven show at Hilltop Theatre. Arizona Events: Phoenix’s fall music-festival calendar offers plenty of local options, while the Hondo Rodeo Fest continues its unlikely rise as a major Arizona attraction. Local Culture: Tucson is celebrating a century of radio.

Arts & Venues: Chandler Center for the Arts reopened after a $3 million renovation, and Mesa’s Gateway Library was named the world’s best new public library. Music & Festivals: Mesa Music Festival returned this weekend, while the Hondo Rodeo Fest is drawing big names including Blake Shelton, Tim McGraw and Parker McCollum. Papa Roach will bring its tour to West Phoenix in June 2027. Film & Stage: A24 movies are returning to Arizona’s Harkins theaters, and the University of Arizona is staging cult favorite The Rocky Horror Show. Games & Sports: Scottsdale’s Time Mission plans more than 25 themed game rooms; Arizona’s men’s basketball team starts the season ranked No. 5 in the AP preseason poll.

Cardinals’ Late Win: Arizona stunned the Rams 18-16 in Los Angeles, with Chad Ryland’s sixth field goal sealing it as time expired. The Wildcats also returned to the AP Top 25 at No. 25 after a weekend of major upsets. Phoenix Raceway: Tyler Reddick won Sunday’s Freeway Insurance 500, while Toyota clinched its first NASCAR Cup manufacturers’ title since 2019. Arizona Arts: The University of Arizona staged The Rocky Horror Show, and Harkins brought A24 films back to its theaters. Taliesin West, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Scottsdale home, has temporarily closed after a man died there. Local Entertainment: Mesa Music Festival returned, and a new feature looks at how Arizona’s Hondo Rodeo Fest grew into an unlikely blockbuster.

Phoenix Racing: Jesse Love won the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race at Phoenix Raceway, holding off Sam Mayer by just 0.128 seconds to claim his second victory of the season and strengthen his title bid. Live Arts: Mesa Music Festival returned this weekend, while the University of Arizona is bringing “The Rocky Horror Show” to the stage for Halloween season. Arizona Screens: Harkins theaters have brought A24 films back to Arizona, and the state’s oldest movie theater is still screening films at 111 years old.

Arizona Stage: The University of Arizona is presenting cult favorite The Rocky Horror Show, while this week’s arts listings also spotlight Tiny Con and swing music. Film: Harkins is bringing A24 movies back to its theaters, and Arizona’s oldest movie theater is still showing films 111 years after opening. Live Music & Arts: Mesa Music Festival promises more than 200 performances, and the Arizona Wine Country Artists Village returns to Cottonwood Nov. 20–22. Phoenix Raceway: Ryan Blaney claimed the pole for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup race, putting him in position to gain ground in the championship chase. Sun Devils: Arizona State fell 53-25 to No. 10 Texas Tech, unable to build on last week’s win.