A month from now the East Valley’s biggest bash — the seven-week long Arizona Renaissance Festival — kicks off in Apache Junction. This Friday, you can ignite the jovial flame at “The Bard’s New Yeare” celebration sponsored by Mesa Arts Center in conjunction with Downtown Mesa’s 2nd Friday “Ye Olde Main Street Renaissance Faire.”
Southwest Shakespeare Company will be at MAC staging excerpts from “The Tempest” and “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged),” while Renaissance refrains swirl through the night air, providing background music for the fire juggling, stilt-walking members of the Taylor Family Circus.
A stroll down Main Street reveals further entertainment including kids’ juggling lessons at 7:30 p.m. and a Renaissance-themed costume contest for kids and adults at 8 p.m. at OneOhOne Gallery, 101 W. Main St.
Sarah Moran, Mesa Arts Center Director of Public Relations, wrote in an email that prizes for the contest include theater tickets and gift certificates to downtown Mesa restaurants.
Period actors from the Arizona Renaissance Festival will also be sauntering through town, where you’ll find food and beverage options, arts and crafts and plenty of hot cider.
DETAILS >> 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, Jan. 11. Mesa Arts Center, 1 E. Main St. Renaissance Faire activities continue along Main Street in downtown Mesa. Free. (480) 644-6500 or www.mesaartscenter.com.
Contact writer: (480) 898-5629 or sperrault@evtrib.com
