The Foothills Focus is Arizona 's fastest growing weekly newspaper. We are your source for community news in Anthem, Black Canyon City, Carefree, Cave Creek, Desert Hills, New River, North Phoenix, and North Scottsdale.

Anthem residents turn out for Apple Beatle Tribute Band Music in May, Anthem’s annual outdoor concert series, continued Friday with a performance by Apple Beatle Tribute Band. Despite threatening skies, a large portion of the community turned out for the second in a series of five concerts.

Bartlett yields record fish Eddie Wilcoxson, a Surprise resident caught a state record flathead catfish at Bartlett Lake last month.

Anthem Art Gallery offers new display The Anthem Art Gallery is featuring the artwork of Gary Bennett from May 18- July 20 with an opening reception set for 7 – 9 p.m., June 1.

Film Festival showcases digital art skills of North Valley youth
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale recently partnered with the Microsoft Store located at Scottsdale Fashion Square to showcase young Club members’ excellence in the area of multimedia art as part of the Digikids Film Festival.

Phone app aids anglers
The App Door, developers of several successful outdoor apps, recently launched the latest in their iFish Series; iFish Arizona is now available and lets anglers of all ages and skill levels know when, where and how to fish a lake in Arizona.

FISHING REPORT
This is a scaled down, North Valley focused, version of the weekly fishing report produced by Arizona Game and Fish.

Carefree man sells historic ballots
Carefree resident Norris Barker is offering a piece of history to investors.

Restaurant Week includes Cave Creek
The Arizona Restaurant Association is pleased to announce the return of the biannual, Arizona Restaurant Week for a ten-day culinary celebration beginning Saturday through May 27.

 

 

 

HIKE OF THE MONTH

Night hike illuminates unique glimpse of Cave Creek The Quartz Trail at Cave Creek Regional Park reminds visitors of the area’s mining history when prospectors on their way to California tried their luck in the Arizona desert.

Black Mountain tests legs, lungs, offers great views Before the summer sun makes being outdoors as appealing as working on your taxes during a trip to the dentist for a root canal, a visit to Black Mountain in Cave Creek offers a challenging, but rewarding hike.

Dragonfly gets series off to flying start The Dragonfly Trail is part of the Jewel of the Creek, which is located in Spur Cross Ranch Park in Cave Creek. The trail, an approximately 3 mile loop, crosses over Cave Creek

 

MOVIE REVIEW - Visual extravagance distracts Great Gatsby audience
The Great Gatsby, written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, is a work of literary art that is open to constant adaptation because of the timeless quality of the themes represented.

Musical Theatre of Anthem hosts summer camp
Musical Theatre of Anthem is conducting its Summer Performing Arts Institute, a two-week program for performers ages 6-19 being from July 22 – Aug. 2.  Students will learn vocal technique, musical theatre dance, acting, improv, tap, and theater etiquette. All levels are welcome, and students will be grouped by age and experience.

ProMusica highlights history with 10th anniversary show Adam Stich said his job is a little like being a good chef. ProMusica Arizona’s artistic director explains that putting together a good show requires certain parts, much the way a balanced meal has the same requirements.

Starlight offers youth theater camp Starlight Community Theater is offering two sessions of Camp Rising Star this summer from June 10 – 22 and then from July 15 - 27.

Desert Foothills Theater brings Aladdin to Cave Creek Desert Foothills Theater’s production of Disney’s Aladdin Jr. runs Friday through May 19 at Cactus Shadows Fine Arts Center in Scottsdale.

Free concert series to take place every Friday night in May Music in May, Anthem’s outdoor concert series returns for the 11th year to the ACC Community Park Amphitheater starting at 7 p.m. this Friday.

MOVIE REVIEW - Painful script yields minimal gain for viewers
We all handle ambition differently. Some become motivated, some become intimidated, while others ignore the feeling altogether.

MOVIE REVIEW - Oblivion lacks creative ending
There is something to be appreciated about a film that isn’t a sequel when the summer blockbuster season looms so close.

Phoenix Film Festival returns for 13th annual celebration
The Phoenix Film Festival is planning a jam-packed schedule for the 13th annual Arizona mainstay aimed to delight film fanatics during the weeklong event set for Thursday – April 11 at The Scottsdale Harkins 101 Theaters.

MOVIE REVIEW - Oz, there’s no film like the original
The Wizard of Oz is a film that endures on the summits of film history, an iconic work of filmmaking magic that garners fond memories for film fans of all ages.

Musical Theatre of Anthem presents Little Shop of Horrors
Musical Theatre of Anthem (MTA) will perform Little Shop of Horrors Feb. 28 – March 10 at their Anthem location.

Musical Theatre of Anthem presents Winnie the Pooh
Musical Theatre of Anthem (MTA) showing of Disney’s Winnie the Pooh KIDS, the musical based on the characters of A.A. Milne and the 2011 Disney animated feature film, will feature a cast of 50 youth when it debut Feb. 21.