On the Grid

Will politics continue to get worse? What will be the fate of Martha McSally? What is the future of news? That's REAL news. Welcome to the politics issue of On the Grid! Now that the dust has settled on the 2018 election, we have Jim Small with Arizona Mirror to take a look back and a look forward. Jim has a long history of covering politics in Arizona, particularly at the state legislature. He spent more than a decade at the Capitol Times and was executive director of the Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting. He now leads the state’s newest news organization Arizona Mirror, which focuses on public policy and how it affects YOU. Political junkies won't want to miss this one!

The creators of the Phoenix Film Festival have something new up their sleeves and it is the inaugural Peoria Film Fest Oct. 19-21, at Harkins Arrowhead 18. The festival will include a curated collection of films ranging from full-length features and documentaries to shorts. The drama “What They Had” will kick off the festival, written and directed by Elizabeth Chomko, and starring Hilary Swank, Michael Shannon, Robert Forster, Blythe Danner, Taissa Farmiga and Josh Lucas. Listen to Episode 26 of the podcast and come on a filmic journey with us led by Executive Director Jason Carney and see how the Valley has made it on the map with a well-respected film festival and a community of cinephiles and filmmakers living their passion.

The #RedforEd movement rode a wave to the doorsteps of the Arizona Capitol with a falling crest resulting a budget approved by state lawmakers and Gov. Doug Ducey giving teachers a pay raise of about 20 percent by 2020. The movement won over broad support and the sea of red was a sight to see. But with a big election looming, what is next for public education in Arizona? Will their voice continue to be heard among all the other voices? Well, in our 25th episode of On The Grid, we have Allegra Fullerton on the show to fill us in. She’s with Arizona Save Our Schools, a local nonpartisan grassroots organization that has a big hand in the movement here in our state.

Valley resident Myrlin Hepworth has built his career on words, words that eventually evolved into hip-hop. The work of this poet and musician has been featured on NPR and after the release of two mixtapes, he just launched his first album called Remember Why on April 15. A new music video is due out June 1. But another side of his lifestyle is as a youth advocate and teaching artist, working with thousands of kids sharing his poetry, his experience as a Chicano and as a human. In episode 24 of On The Grid, we sit down with Myrlin and discuss art, the creative process and giving back.

Podcast lovers, this is the episode of On the Grid for you!

In episode 23, we explore four local podcasts that make their subject matter the Valley of the Sun and all things in it. Consider this recording a podcast about podcasts. The meta episode if you will! Actually, the Valley is home to many cool podcasts, but unfortunately, we only had an hour to feature a few of the best. So … Sit back, relax and learn about all the things the following podcasts have to offer: Limited Engagement, Hoot N Review, The PHX podcast and Starving Artists PHX. Podcasters unite!

The March 5 deadline President Donald Trump set to essentially end the DACA program has come and gone. And little has changed. But that doesn’t mean DACA recipients are in any less limbo than before. So for our third and final episode of our DACA series, we have Phoenix immigration lawyer Juliana Manzanarez on the show. She shares her insights on what the law says about DACA recipients under today’s circumstances and what the future may hold for immigration under the Trump administration.

At the young age of 21, Patrick Morales was elected to the Tempe Elementary School District Governing Board with a desire to change the status quo. But entering politics isn’t the only way to make a difference. He is also an activist for immigrant rights and our guest for the second installment of our three-part series on DACA. Like our previous guest, Morales is on the forefront of the movement to reform immigration in Arizona. And, now 25, he is running for re-election this year. But it is a delicate balance – fighting for immigration rights while operating within the world of politics. Take a listen to what it’s like trying to make a difference in seemingly divergent landscapes.

Wishing deportation on an immigrant is really easy if you’ve never actually spoken to one. This sentiment comes from Karina Ruiz, Arizona Dream Act Coalition president. She instead urges people to learn about those who were brought to this country by no choice of their own. You may be surprised to learn she had no interested in being uprooted from her friends in Mexico City, where she grew up. Ruiz is our first On the Grid guest in a series of episodes about immigration and DACA. The mercury on this issue is bubbling and a movement supporting immigrants’ rights is afoot. But after a week of failed immigration talks in Congress, the movement remains in limbo. But Ruiz is one of its leaders in Arizona, and says she'll never give up on the movement. Her story is powerful. If you’ve never gotten to know a DACA recipient, this episode is a great opportunity to do so.

Cult film phenomenon The Room has become so influential that James Franco made a movie about it called The Disaster Artist which opens nation-wide next Friday. Tommy Wiseau's "so bad it's good" movie stars Phoenix resident and host of On the Grid Philip Haldiman. Well, for this episode of the podcast the tables are turned. Producer Chris Ayers interviews Haldiman about his experiences in The Room and his thoughts on The Disaster Artists. Cult film lovers won't want to miss this.

Kimber Lanning might be the quintessential On the Grid guest. She’s spent most of her life in the Valley and from a young age she started contributing to the character of our metropolitan area. At 15, her first job was Zia Records, and at 19, she opened local independent record store Stinkweeds, later opened venue/art gallery Modified Arts and then formed nonprofit Local First. And she is our guest for the 18th episode of On the Grid. Come with us on her journey from music to economic development. You’d be surprised to learn how flawlessly connected these things are. Oh, and we have an announcement about the rescued Wurth House.

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.

Undertow is the hottest and newest bar attraction in Phoenix and we've got everything you need to know and the man behind it. On episode 7 of On the Grid we sit down with Wesley James to give us the down low. And stick around until the end when we remember another great Phoenix underground bar. A place some of may you remember -- the downtown haunt named Monroe's.

Welcome to episode 6 of On the Grid! Lovers of live theater won't want to miss it it. Ron May with Stray Cat Theatre is on to discuss his biggest production yet, Green Day's American Idiot, opening Friday. Put it on your list of things to do this summer. And make this your stop for a great conversation about theater in the Valley.

The David Wright House in the east Phoenix neighborhood of Arcadia is going dark. But you have a few more opportunities to catch a glimpse of the iconic Frank Lloyd Wright-designed home, including a four-film series curated by No Festival Required that will be showing on the grounds of the Wright House, during selected days in April in May. Episode 4 of On the Grid will feature two guests who will speak about the future of the David Wright House and this unique upcoming event. Don't miss it!

Be afraid! The Satanists are taking over the world. Or at least that's what they would like you to believe. Actually, you'd be surprised to learn what the Satanic Temple is all about. Virgin sacrifices and devil worship. No, not so much. Learn more by listening to episode 3 of On the Grid, your source for long form Valley of the Sun discussion.The Satanic Temple has been in the news lately after they put in a request to say the prayer at a Phoenix City Council  meeting in February. Since then, opposition has ensued, debates over First Amendment rights have erupted and storylines went viral. And the story has yet to come to a conclusion, but On the Grid is about to fill you in.

Episode two is all about envisioning. Envisioning what the world could look like outside your front door. Envisioning what you want for yourself, and envisioning what our city could be. Imagine walking Indian Steele Park and envisioning how it could become a true urban park. Or think about the Arizona Canal and what could be done to add character along the waterway. Or in the case of this episode, there is an alley in downtown Phoenix between 1st and 2nd streets and Adams and Washington streets. But this isn't just an alley.Find out more! Listen to Episode 2 of On the Grid. We've got Bar Smith and Monarch Theatre owner Pete Salaz, as well as Quinn Whissen, of This Could Be PHX, on the show. They're bringing their visions to life for a better Phoenix.

Welcome to the first episode of On the Grid!

On the Grid is a podcast about the makers, creators and news breakers that are helping to transform Phoenix, AZ into the thriving cultural metropolis we know it can be. Hosted by Philip Haldiman and produced by Chris Ayers.