

Kooky Krafts
Things to pick up this week: milk, cereal, $45 Boysaurus, paper clips...









Forget the Farmer’s Market– my new favorite Sunday pastime is spending an hour, or four, at MacAlpines, a traditional soda bar housed in a drugstore circa 1928. Mid-century furniture, pyrex ware, deli-style meals, phosphates and, oh yea, the best vintage closet this side of the Mississippi. - Alyssabeth
“What I love about photography is that you can’t possibly manipulate everything in the photograph exactly the way you envisioned it. You can paint and draw your images until it is exactly the way you imagine it, but with photography, you have to learn to accept the things you cannot change,” says Rachael Koscica. Rachael's Cindy Sherman inspired self-portraits are literally an optical illusion, but, it was her ethereal underwater snapshots that caught my attention. The 19-year old is currently studying Photography at ASU and dreams of traveling the world, working for Vogue.—Alyssabeth
In the '90s, the Nile theatre was Phoenix’s answer to the Whisky A Go Go. The Nile hosted a stage to alternative greats such as Blink 182, Motorhead, and AFI – but in 2002, the venue could no longer hold its own. But glory days resurrected, the Nile re-opened last February. Friday they’re hosting a birthday party where new local legends will be made. Bands on the bill include The Technicolors, Hooves, Radio Drive By, Mike Goodrick, Out Of Reverie, The Riveras and more! (Photo by Jonathan McNamara.) -Alyssabeth
Frances is the place to go when you need a gift but are feeling slightly selfish. Frances’ focal point is by far the jewelry display smack dab in the middle of the store. Pieces are hand crafted, some by store owner Georganne Bryant. Also shop their collection of clothing which includes a great selection of delicate vintage items, novelty home items, and paper products for the school supply junkie. - Alyssabeth
At 14 she discovered her mother's digital camera. At 17 she received two film cameras from her uncle. Now, at 19, it's clear Abbey Lynch (first photo) lives in a parallel state of Arizona. Her dauntingly beautiful photographs of places I pass everyday here in Phoenix become places I have never seen before. Perfecting her craft at Arizona State University, Abbey hopes to one day share her witchy ways with the world and shoot for National Geographic.- Alyssabeth
Artist Morgan McNally has headed several humanity-based ventures here in the Valley including her thousandforathousand project. Morgan has created 1000 paintings priced according to the time a buyer spends volunteering– no receipt necessary. Check out her other projects: Take a Fear, Leave a Fear and Project: Uncomfortable. -Alyssabeth
The first time I listened to Who Are You, I stopped dead in my tracks. The Technicolors is a fitting name for a band that seamlessly blends guitar plucking riffs, slow southern twang, and Celtic undertones into a colorful melody. Then I saw them play live– the show rivaled Elton John's (and we all know how I feel about Elton John). Come see for yourself tonight, when they play The Winter Soulstice at Scottsdale Studios. -Alyssabeth
![]()