Kamy Smelser

AUG SCOT Issue Cover Photo

Modern Luxury Media

Featured Articles

Explore a featured selection of my writing and reporting for Modern Luxury Media across the nation from Chicago, Scottsdale and Los Angeles below.

SCOT December 2022 Page 38

DISPATC H NOW IN SCOTTSDALE WINTER DELIGHTS Immerse yourself in the decadence of Scottsdale with these new and upcoming experiences. BY KAMY SMELSER Nayon Iovino in The Four Temperaments 38 MODER N LU X U RY PHOTO BY ROSALIE O’CONNOR Taking his place as the new resident choreographer at Ballet Arizona, Nayon Iovino continues his journey with the professional ballet company since joining as a dancer in 2012. Over the years, he has choreographed nine works, and, in 2019, he was selected to attend

HBSC November 2922 Page 72

LIVING IN SCOTTSDALE realty buzz DOMESTIC BLISS The luxury home market continues to sizzle in Scottsdale with new communities emerging and a record-breaking close. By Kamy Smelser Set high above the Silverleaf community, Altitude was sold at a record-breaking $28.1 million, making it the most expensive listing to close in Arizona history. The 21,150-square-foot luxury home was impressively sold under one month of being listed, which is a proud feat for Laura Briggs, a Russ Lyon Sotheby’s Interna

EVAZ Winter 2022 Page 40

DISPATC H PROFILE A CONVERSATION WITH… Gilbert native Frankie McNellis stars in Netflix’s summer musical feature film, 13: The Musical. BY KAMY SMELSER FRANKIE MCNELLIS What was it like leading the song “Opportunity,” which was known as the most elaborate musical number in the film? Working on this number was honestly the coolest experience of my life. I think ‘Opportunity’ is such a unique number in the film because not only does [my character] Lucy break the fourth wall, but there is so much g

HAWA November/December 2022

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022 THE GIVING ISSUE 20 LOCAL ALTRUISTS CHAMPIONING THEIR CAUSE 20人の地元の利他主義者 が原因を解明する ALA MOANA SHOPPING MAGAZINE PLUS: DINING アラモアナ ショッ ピングマガジン ＆ダイニング特集 ハワイのチャリテ ィー＆ソーシャル デートブック HAWAI‘I’S CHARITY & SOCIAL DATEBOOK A REFLECTIVE LOOK AT FASHION ON HAWAI‘I ISLAND’S KONA COAST + OUR ANNUAL HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE ハワイ島のコナ・ コース トのファッションを振 り返る+年間のホリデ ーギフトガイド

HAWA November/December 2022 Page 42

DISPATC H NOW IN HAWAI‘I NEW BEGINNINGS Welcome in the new season with experiences coming to Hawai‘i for locals and tourists alike. BY KAMY SMELSER SHOP Th e Shops at Wailea welcomed Faherty, a premium men’s, women’s and children’s clothing and lifestyle brand that chose Maui as its fi rst tropical home. “Maui is one of my favorite places in the world, and opening our fi rst Hawai‘i store here is defi nitely a standout moment in the nearly 10-year journey of our brand,” says founder and CEO Alex

ANGE October 2022 Page 30

DISPATC H NOW IN LOS ANGELES From top: David Montalba, founding principal of Swiss American fi rm Montalba Architects; new book Place and Space showcases Montalba’s signature projects, such as the Oxnard Beach House in Los Angeles; a carry-on from Globe-Trotter’s exclusive Melrose capsule collection. FALL FINDS Usher in autumn in style with L.A.’s latest launches, from a brand-new Rodeo Drive Jimmy Choo boutique to the arrival of Veuve Clicquot’s world-traveling anniversary exhibit. BY THE EDITO

SCOT October 2022 Page 56

DISPATC H DRINK The refreshing April Showers cocktail Take a sip under the wings of a peacock at Phoenix’s new cocktail lounge, The Rose Garden. BY KAMY SMELSER 56 MODER N LU X U RY ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE ROSE GARDEN TALES OF A COCKTAIL From the owners of Sip Coffee and Beer comes The Rose Garden, a new immersive cocktail bar in the heart of Phoenix. Josh and Chiara Katz knew its location at Monroe Street and First Avenue would be the perfect fit for building a stronger presence downtown. Wi

EVAZ August 2022 Page 22

DISPATC H NOW IN EAST VALLEY BEAT THE HEAT From indulging F g g in a one-of-a-kind soda to being a kid again at a new adult playground, wrap up your summer at one of these East Valley hot spots. BY KAMY SMELSER SEE Experience one of the fi nal four musical performances of the Mirage Summer Music Series at Mesa Arts Center, showcasing a variety of performances ranging from jazz to classical music. Meditative folk songstress Raquel Denis, performing on Aug. 13, brings the audience into a deep emot

CHSO Sept 22 Page 200

THE GUIDE THEATERS Sit back and be enthralled by award-winning productions at these six world-class theater companies in Chicago. BY KAMY SMELSER IN THE SPOTLIGHT From far left: Lookingglass Theatre Company’s performance of The Steadfast Tin Soldier ; Emma Ladji and Nate Santana starred in Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s 2017 production of Romeo and Juliet . adaptations of Invisible Man , Native Son and The Adventures of Augie March , and recently received the 2022 Regional Theatre Tony Award. Up

SCOT September 2022 Page 168

5 QUESTIONS WITH... A GRACEFUL SAUTÉ When Jami Kozemczak isn’t traveling the world, she can be found leading Ballet Arizona (balletaz.org) in exciting directions. Recently named the company’s executive director, Kozemczak shares her reflections and hopes for the future of ballet. BY KAMY SMELSER From top: Ballet Arizona dancers in Juan Gabriel ; Executive Director Jami Kozemczak. Looking back on your time at Ballet Arizona, what accomplishments are you most proud of? One of my proudest moments j

SCOT September 2022 Page 54

DISPATC H MY CITY Favorite Local Restaurants: Cafe Monarch and Culinary Dropout Cafe Monarch, 6939 E. First Ave., cafemonarch.com (pictured below); Culinary Dropout, 15125 N. Scottsdale Road, culinarydropout.com “For a casual, fun happy hour, I enjoy Culinary Dropout at Scottsdale Quarter. Th e energy is lively, the food hits the spot, the staff is friendly and they have a great Aperol spritz. For a special occasion or even a night out with the girls, the outdoor courtyard at Cafe Monarch is rom

HBSC August, 2022 Page 60

LIVING IN SCOTTSDALE hotel buzz JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa’s renovated king guest room By Kamy Smelser 60 THE ENVIRONMENT Set across 316 acres in the Sonoran Desert, JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa wants to bring its guests into the desert from the inside out. “ e motto ‘relaxation and rejuvenation of a life lived outdoors’ provided the overall inspiration for the renovated guest rooms with the goal to provide a place of reprieve, relaxation and rejuvenation for

HBSC August, 2022 Page 54

LIVING IN SCOTTSDALE real estate From top: Street scenes of Camelot Homes Aura and Legacy at DC Ranch new luxury home communities. BEGIN ANEW From contemporary to urban farmhouse, here’s a look at three new luxurious home communities coming to the Scottsdale area. By Kamy Smelser Camelot Homes is bringing 29 new luxury homes to Scottsdale in three home communities—Aura, e Collection and Legacy. “We want to help our future owners customize their home to t their lifestyle and make it easy to envis