Does anyone else feel like arriving at 2023 is a kind of milestone?

Back when the pandemic first hit and events were being cancelled or postponed to as late as Summer ’22, those dates seemed impossibly far away. I couldn’t imagine where we’d be at that time, much less beyond it. 

And now, here we are. This year feels like stepping into new ground. Like perhaps we can really get down to the business of creating that “new normal” that everyone’s been talking about. Or recognizing that there really is no “normal.” 

So here’s to 2023 and whatever mix of good, bad, and utterly unexpected it may bring! May the year be kind to you. More importantly, may we be kind to each other – and ourselves. 

–S

The Happenings List

The Happenings List is my seasonal selection of goings-on for lovers of art, craft, culture(s), and nature.

Events you can enjoy anywhere are listed after the Arizona category, so if you live outside the state, keep scrolling down. There’s good stuff for you too!

*Goodies: There are little extras and bonus items sprinkled throughout the list and asterisked to make them easier to find.

Fill Me In!

I’m not in charge of any of these events or paid to list them. They’re just things I thought you might be interested in.

That said, I can’t go to every single one and would love to hear about any of these Happenings you’re able to participate in! Send me an email or hashtag social media posts about your experience with #TCJreco.

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Arizona

(Remember, if you’re not planning to be in Arizona anytime soon, just scroll on down to the Anywhere section!)

• Central Arizona

Arizona MLK Celebration: March + Festival

January 16, 9am / Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church to Hance Park, Phoenix / Free.

Why it made the list: It’s a community celebration of Dr. King’s Legacy, organized by the Arizona MLK Celebration Committee, whose events are “designed to encourage all ages, ethnicities, cultures, races and genders to participate and to focus on fulfilling a dream.” The day begins with a commemorative march from Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church (near Jefferson and 16th Street in Phoenix) and ends with a festival at Margaret T. Hance Park.

• 9am: March from Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church to Hance Park.
• 10am-4pm: Festival at Hance Park.

Contemporary Dance Festival Preview: Galleries Become Stages

January 25, 7-7:30pm / Phoenix Art Museum, Phoenix / Free.

Why it made the list: Dancing in the museum! Preview performances from the upcoming Breaking Ground 2023 Contemporary Dance Festival will take place in Phoenix Art Museum galleries, providing a sneak peek into the world of contemporary dance.

• The Breaking Ground festival seeks to present a diversity of movement, subject matter, and multidisciplinary collaborations.
• *These preview performances happen during Pay-What-You-Wish Wednesday, so you can enter the museum free (or with an optional donation) anytime after 3pm.

Desert Plants + Vistas: Watercolor Course

February 4-25 (Saturdays), 9:30am – 12pm / Boyce Thompson Arboretum (BTA), Superior / Course fee: $169

Why it made the list: A beautiful place to learn watercolor techniques, surrounded by BTA’s fantastic variety of plants! The 4-week class will meet Saturday mornings in February.

• Pack drinking water and art supplies and wear your walking shoes.
• Check out the list of wildlife we spotted during one BTA visit.
• *Jan. 3 + Feb. 7: If you can go during the week, check out BTA’s First Tuesday free admission day! Tickets are limited, so advance registration is highly recommended.

Downtown Glendale Arts + Culture Fest: Local Flavor Before Football

February 4, 11am – 8pm / Murphy Park, Glendale (Phoenix area) / Free.

Why it made the list: Over 100 artists and musicians will come together to create a unique local experience in the heart of the downtown with an artisan market, pop-up performances, and interactive art. Like an antidote, this indie artist and small business focused-festival happens the week before a certain very commercial, overhyped Big Game kicks off in another part of Glendale.

• The festival culminates in a performance art installation from 6-8pm.
• *Local First Arizona is creating a savings passport to help the community stay engaged with local businesses after the event.

The Music of John Williams in Concert: Soundtrack Symphony

February 17-19 / Symphony Hall, Phoenix / Tickets $34-$102 (including fees).

Why it made the list: A retrospective of unparalleled film score composer John Williams. Conducted by Music Director Tito Muñoz, the orchestra will play selections from the music of some of his most beloved movies, including Star Wars, E.T., Harry Potter, Indiana Jones, and Saving Private Ryan.

• Tito Muñoz also conducted the Phoenix Symphony’s concert Star Wars vs Star Trek – The Music of Deep Space we saw a few years ago. At one point, he even traded in his baton for a lightsaber!

• Northern Arizona

Clarkdale Rocks: Gem + Mineral Show

February 24-26 / Clark Memorial Clubhouse Auditorium, Clarkdale (Sedona area) / Free.

Why it made the list: If you don’t get your fill of gems and minerals from Tucson’s big showcases (see below) or if you’d just prefer a smaller show, this sounds like a fun one! Vendors will be selling agates, fossils, beads, crystals, geodes, rock slabs, polished gems and minerals, handcrafted jewelry, carvings and other unique gift items. You can enter daily raffles, see demonstrations on geode-splitting and wire-wrapping, and bring in your mineral specimens to be identified.

• Kids’ Corner with free minerals for children 12 and under.
• The Mingus Gem + Mineral Club holds their Gem and Mineral Show and Sale every February and September.
• Clarkdale is located between Cottonwood and Jerome, about 30 minutes outside Sedona.
• *Interactive map showing trails, bike lanes, public lands, etc. in the Clarkdale-Cottonwood area.

• Southern Arizona

More Than: New Old West Art Exhibition

Now – March 19 / Tucson Museum of Art (TMA), Tucson / Included with admission.

Why it made the list: The western genre tends to narrow its narrative to a few archetypes, overlooking  the rest of the people who lived in the Old West and were a part of its history. More Than: Expanding Artist Identities from the American West explores a more inclusive interpretation of the genre, centering works of art created by women, people of color, and persons of intersectional backgrounds. Examples of historic works are creatively paired with contemporary art to make meaningful connections between the past and present. The exhibition includes poetry by former Tucson Poet Laureate TC Tolbert and texts by local community members.

*First Thursdays: On the first Thursday of the month, TMA offers extended hours (5-8pm), pay-what-you-wish admission, art and gallery activities, entertainment, and a cash bar. Reserve your free ticket online two weeks before the event.

• Jan. 5: More Than: + poetry experience
• Feb. 2: Enduring Legacies + panel discussion at 5:30pm

Upcoming talks related to the exhibition:

• Jan. 5, 5:30pm – 7pm: More Than: Words. Immersive poetry experience curated by TC Tolbert, featuring queer, trans, and BIPOC poets. (Part of First Thursday.) / $5
• Jan. 13, 11am – 12:30pm: Curator Spotlight: Art of the American West. Exploration of how TMA is redefining the art of the American West in ways that both celebrate and scrutinize it. / $5

JOY: Rotating Sculpture Collection

now – May / Sculpture Park (in Brandi Fenton Memorial Park), Tucson / Free.

Why it made the list: We enjoyed visiting the Sculpture Park during its inaugural season! Its current exhibit is all about awakening joy. Since it’s completely outdoors, this would be a really nice time of year to visit.

• 16 large-scale sculptures.
• Mar. 17-19: 2023 Sculpture Festival Show + Sale.

Kurosawa Goes Hollywood: Samurai-Inspired Film Series

January 5 – February 16, 7:30pm / The Loft Cinema, Tucson / $11.50 for 35mm screenings, regular admission ($10.50) for all others.

Why it made the list: I’ve heard that many filmmakers cite Japanese director Akira Kurosawa as a major influence. Thursday nights in January and February, The Loft will alternate screening Kurosawa** films from the 1950s and ’60s with some of the Hollywood movies they inspired.

Yuma Medjool Date Festival: Fruit of the Palm for Foodies

January 7, 10am-9pm / Historic Downtown Main Street, Yuma / Free.

Why it made the list: Dates are delicious, and we’ve enjoyed visiting a couple date farms near Yuma! The festival will include free samples, live music, celebrity chef demonstrations, and community performances. Save the date!

• All ages welcome.
• We took a tour of a date garden and had dinner under the palm trees!

Tucson International Jewish Film Festival: Films on Jewish History + Values

January 12-22 / Tucson Jewish Community Center, Tucson / Single ticket $12, full festival pass $120

Why it made the list: We want to make it to this festival one of these years! It helps that it’s now available online, as well as in person. The lineup includes full-length films, shorts, and several post-film talks and Q+As.

• ANYWHERE: stream via the Eventive platform from January 12-31.
• *Buy 5, get one free with a Festival 6-Pack. Mix and match 6 in-person or virtual film events for $60.

Tucson Jazz Festival: Hear That Funky Music

January 13-22 / Multiple venues downtown, Tucson / Ticket prices vary by event.

Why it made the list: Top jazz musicians stage a smooth takeover of Downtown Tucson for a week of cool concerts in a wide variety of styles. Even if you’re kind of blue, swing on by! Live music is good for the soul.

A few highlights:

• Jan. 14, 12-5pm: All Star Jazz Jam. Jazz professionals from all over the country will play in different combos to channel the spontaneity that is the essence of jazz. / Hotel Congress Plaza / $39
• Jan. 16, 11am-5:30pm: Downtown Jazz Fiesta. Annual day of free performances, featuring Swedish singer, dancer + multi-instrumentalist Gunhild Carling. / Hotel Congress Plaza / Free.
• Jan. 19, 7:30pm: Samara Joy in concert / Playground Bar and Lounge / $39
• Jan. 21, 7:30pm: Monterey Jazz Festival on Tour. / Fox Theatre / Tickets $55-96 per person, including fees
• *ANYWHERE: TJF 2023 Spotify playlist.

Sahuarita Art on the Lake Festival: Interactive Art Show

January 14, 10am – 4pm / Sahuarita Lake Park, Sahuarita / Free.

Why it made the list: Celebration of creativity in a city just south of Tucson. Interactive art activities include a community chalk mural competition, performance art, street painting, local artwork for sale, a wine and beer garden, food trucks, and live music.

• *Sahuarita Parks Mural map (PDF)

Lunar New Year Celebration: Chinese Cultural Experience

January 14, 11am – 3pm / Tucson Chinese Cultural Center, Tucson / $5 admission at the door, children 11 and under are free

Why it made the list: As the Lunar / Chinese New Year becomes more widely recognized in North America, why not go to the source and see how people in your town with roots in these traditions mark the occasion? Tucsonans have the opportunity to welcome in the Year of the Rabbit while enjoying Chinese cultural performances. At the celebration, there will also be gifts, food, and drink for sale.

Sonoran Quipu: Immersive Installation of Knotty Art

January 27 – August / Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) Tucson, Tucson / Included with admission.

Why it made the list: This will be an exhibition created specifically for the Great Hall of MOCA Tucson, and the shape it takes will depend on contributions from the community! Incorporating locally-found materials, Chilean artist and poet Cecilia Vicuña will arrange hundreds of hanging knotted fibers and into what she calls a “poem in space” that will speak to the way we are interconnected with each other and our environment.

In fact, poetry is such a big part of the artist’s work that the exhibition is being presented in partnership with the University of Arizona Poetry Center.

• Jan. 27, 7-9pm: exhibition opening. Poetry reading by the artist, plus music, a food truck, and beer by Barrio Brewing.
• Jan. 28, 12-1:30pm: readings by poets Cecilia Vicuña, Rosa Alcalá, and Daniel Borzutzky, followed by a conversation and the debut of Vicuña’s new publication. Free.
• ANYWHERE: Live stream events in the UA Poetry Center’s Spring 2023 Reading + Lecture Series, including this one. After the event, video will be available on the Poetry Center’s YouTube page.

Goodies:

• *Outside the museum is Mini MOCA, a small artworks exchange in the style of a little free library.
• *Discounts for Downtown Clifton Hotel guests: 2 for 1 admission at MOCA, as well as 10% off any purchase in the MOCA Shop.

Call for contributions: Cecilia Vicuña invites Tucson community members to collect debris from their surroundings for inclusion in Sonoran Quipu!

• Materials should be lightweight and small-scale, such as seed pods, dried plants, twigs, broken jewelry, natural or synthetic fibers, plastics, bits of metal, small pieces of wood, and remnants from things you’ve made.
• Collected items may be dropped off at MOCA during regular hours (Thursdays – Saturdays: 11am-6pm, Sundays: 11am-4pm).
• *Visitors will receive free admission to the museum upon donation.

Savor: Southern Arizona Food + Wine Festival

January 28, 12-3pm / Tucson Botanical Gardens, Tucson / General admission tickets $100.

Why it made the list: I love a food festival, and this one focuses on Southern Arizona’s culinary arts with over 50 of the region’s excellent chefs, wineries, breweries, local foods and restaurants! And it’s happening among Tucson’s gorgeous Botanical Gardens!

The Spirit of Haiku: Writing Workshop + Nature Walk

January 29, 1 pm / Yume Japanese Gardens of Tucson, Tucson / $20 class fee

Why it made the list: Rather than being stuck in a classroom, this workshop includes time to walk through the Gardens after you learn about haiku. Since the iconic Japanese short poem often revolves around seasonal topics and nature, this seems like the perfect place to reflect on what you’ve heard. Finally, the afternoon wraps up with an informal discussion about everyone’s impressions.

• Led by award-winning haiku poet Yukihiro Ibuki and Yume Cultural Director
  Paul Amiel.
• Space is limited. Purchase your ticket in advance to reserve your spot.

Tucson Gem and Mineral Show®: Expo of Things Discovered in Dirt

February 9-12 / Tucson Convention Center, Tucson / Single-day admission $13, children 14 + under are free with a paying adult.

Why it made the list: As I understand it, this is the show that invented the concept of a gem and mineral show. It’s a pretty big deal around here.

• Jan. 28 – Feb. 12: Tucson Gem, Mineral + Fossil Showcase. While the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show® is the original event, there are now dozens of smaller shows around town leading up to it! It makes it feel like a whole gem show season.

La Fiesta de los Vaqueros: Tucson Rodeo

February 18-26 / Tucson Rodeo Grounds, Tucson / General admission tickets start at $18

Why it made the list: I really enjoyed digging into the history of Tucson’s Rodeo and think it’s a neat link to the city’s past. The nine-day Fiesta has been elevating real-life ranch skills and cowpoke culture in Tucson since 1925. Its events include bull and bronco riding, barrel racing, roping competitions, junior rodeo events, and a big parade.

• Parking at the Tucson Rodeo Grounds is $9 per vehicle.
• Feb. 23: Rodeo Parade. Grandstand tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children (ages 3-12). Or watch from the curbside for free (no tickets required).
• *Discounted room block for Tucson Rodeo visitors at Desert Diamond Casino + Hotel February 13-28, 2023. Room block rates start at $139 + tax. (Without the discount, rates during the rodeo start at $159-$209, depending on the date.)
• How the Tucson Rodeo, Parade, and Museum got started.

Oro Valley Riverfront Park Classical Concert Series: Concertos at the Catalinas

February 19 – March 12, 4pm / Riverfront Park Outdoor Grass Amphitheater, Oro Valley / Free.

Why it made the list: These are free outdoor concerts that give classically trained musicians a monthly opportunity to perform! Also, I didn’t want to leave out the Tucson area’s north side.

• Concerts are 60-90 minutes in length.
• Food will be available for purchase from food trucks onsite.
• Limited seating is provided. Attendees are encouraged to bring a blanket or chairs.

Yuma Art Symposium: Artist Con

February 23-25 / Yuma Art Center + other venues around Historic Downtown Yuma, Yuma / Standard registration $190, student registration $95.

Why it made the list: During one of our Yuma visits, we were able to chat with one of the symposium’s co-founders and hear all about how it started. In the early days, artists would literally camp out in her backyard! Now it’s a much larger affair, bringing together both veteran and emerging artists from a variety of disciplines to give demonstrations, lectures, and presentations, while enjoying a sense of community. Other activities include an exhibition of artworks by presenters, student show, silent auction, team metalworking competition, pin swap, and closing night dance.

• *Feb. 23: YAS @ Arizona Western College. Four symposium Presenters will give previews of their presentations free to the public.

Anywhere

Virtual Tucson International Jewish Film Festival

January 12-22 / online + Tucson / Single ticket $12, full festival pass $120

Online access to a festival celebrating Jewish history and values. The lineup includes full length films, shorts, and several post-film talks and Q+As. All films will be available to stream January 12-31, so you can watch any time of day – sunrise, sunset, whenever.

UA Poetry Reading + Lecture Series

January 12 – May 13 / online + Tucson / free
Livestream of University of Arizona Poetry Center’s Spring 2023 Reading + Lecture Series. It will include readings by nationally-known and Arizona poets, lectures on poetry and literature, interdisciplinary performances, and outreach events. After each event, the video will be available on the Poetry Center’s YouTube page.

Martin Luther King, Jr., National Day of Service

January 16 / wherever you are / free

You don’t need to sign up to honor Dr. King’s legacy through service. Wherever you are, you can set aside time to help improve your community. Pick up trash, plant a garden, help a neighbor, volunteer at or collect needed items for a food bank, refugee organization, or homeless shelter.

Some international organizations looking for volunteers:

• World Central Kitchen
• Habitat for Humanity
• International Rescue Committee
• UN Volunteers (you can filter by onsite or online opportunities)

If you’re in the U.S., you can search MLK Day volunteer opportunities via Americorps.

Goodies

*Goodies to enjoy anywhere:

From Tucson to you…

• Spotify Playlist from Tucson Jazz Festival
• Yume @ Home Virtual Membership: Includes Yume Japanese Gardens of Tucson Online garden visits, a member’s newsletter, and exclusive offerings with insight into the arts, customs and traditions of Japan / $35
• Tucson International Jewish Film Festival 6-Pack: Mix and match 6 in-person or virtual film events / $60

For Valentine’s Day…

• I Heart Popcorn recipe (with white chocolate, sprinkles, and conversation hearts) via Gimme Some Oven
• Geometric Heart Gift Wrap printables via Mini Eco
• More Valentine DIY ideas

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**K, I don’t make films, but if I did, they’d have a samurai.

With all the conversation around rethinking work in a post-lockdown world, I’d like to add an item to the collective agenda: the siesta. Let’s not miss this opportunity to restructure our schedules around not having to go anywhere when it’s really hot!

Summer events where things stay open later to take advantage of cool evening temps are a good start. There are a couple of those on this season’s Happenings List.

You’ll also find….

• Sculpture exhibitions: from large-scale outdoor works to some so small they literally fit on the head of a pin.
• Unusual ways to appreciate nature: from the night sky to the desert flora and fauna.
• Events you can experience from anywhere, in addition to the ones you can go to in person here in Southern Arizona.

I’ve also asterisked goodies that go along with some of the events. Have fun!

 

 

THIRST 2021 Shop

now – Jun 26 / anywhere 

Sale of artwork contributed by artists from all over the country. Proceeds are split between the artists and two organizations supplying humanitarian aid in the desert, Casa Alitas and No More Deaths/No Mas Muertes.

H/T Spring + Vine, whose beautiful Desert Monsoon Mobile has already sold, but there are still lots of great pieces available!

 

In the Eye of a Needle: Micro Miniatures by Flor Carvajal

now – Jun 27 / Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures, Tucson / Admission $11.50, Youth (3+) $8

U.S. debut of Flor Carvajal’s micro-miniature resin sculptures – which are tiny enough to be mounted along the edge of a sewing needle.

• *$1 off tickets purchased online.

 

Rough Terrain

now – Jul 4 / Brandi Fenton Memorial Park, Tucson / free

Inaugural exhibition of SculptureTucson’s Sculpture Park! It currently features 20 large-scale works on two acres in the northwest corner of Brandi Fenton Park (across River Rd. from the Visitors Center).

• Hours are Wednesday through Saturday, 12pm to 5pm – or whenever the gates are open.
• SN: Phillip, Quijote, and I stopped by the other night around 6pm, and the gate was ajar. We practically had the place to ourselves! The evening light was beautiful. However, it seemed like a lot of the sculptures were facing east, so a morning visit might be better if you’re planning to take photos.

 

2020 MFA Alumni Exhibition

Now – Jul 11 / anywhere / free

Virtual exhibition of works by grad students, whose Master of Fine Arts Thesis Exhibition had to be postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

The Rialto Theatre Gallery Project

now – Jul 24, weekly / Rialto Theatre, Tucson / free (donations accepted)

Exhibition of photography and posters from past shows at the historic Rialto Theatre.

• Open Fridays + Saturdays, 6-9pm.
• Patio bar with local beverages and live music from Tucson artists.
• Merch for sale and donations accepted to support The Rialto.
• SN: We got to hear Sharkk Heartt, a singer/songwriter with an amazing voice!

 

Summer Safari Nights

now – Aug 14, weekly / Reid Park Zoo, Tucson / Tickets $10.50, Kids (ages 2-14) $6.50

The zoo opens up on summer Saturday evenings from 5:30-8:30pm for live music, games, activities, food and drink specials, and theme nights.

• Jun 26 theme: “Art in the Animal Kingdom” with music performed by native Tucsonan singer/songwriter Leila Lopez.
• *Listen to Leila Lopez’s music and download free tracks on her site.
• *Not nocturnal? Here’s a daytime deal: $3/person admission on 6/22 + 6/29! Purchase $3 Tuesday Tickets at the gate. (Safari Nights are not included. Regular 8am-2pm visits only.)

 

Our Stories: H.S. Artists

now – Aug 29 / anywhere

Annual exhibition of work by high school artists from across Pima County, selected by local teachers. Artwork in this show was created during the 2020-2021 school year.

• *The free Carnegiea webzine also featured a couple of the students’ work in their Winter edition.

 

Following the Stars

now – Sep 30 / Tubac Presidio State Historic Park and Museum, Tubac / Included with admission: $7, Youth (7-13): $2

Exhibition of works in diverse media – printmaking, painting, photography, glass art – all inspired by Arizona’s magnificent night sky. A percentage of artwork sales will benefit the Presidio, which was the first State Park in Arizona.

 

Mt. Lemmon Art Show

now – Oct, weekends only / next to the General Store, Summerhaven / free admission

Local artisan market in Summerhaven on Mt. Lemmon.

• Saturdays and Sundays through October.
• Benefits Southern Arizona Animal Food Bank (SAAFB).

 

Ready to Launch: Arizona’s Place in Space
now – Nov 30 / Arizona History Museum, Tucson / Admission $10, Youth (ages 7-13) $5

New exhibition investigating the impact that the people, landscape, and universities in Arizona have had in space exploration.

• *Free validated parking at the Main Gate Garage (815 E. 2nd Street).
• *The K-2 Museum in a Box curriculum, an online collection of lesson plans and activities that uses primary sources from the Arizona Historical Society’s collections, is free for educators until June 30, 2021.
• H/T Visit Southern Arizona

 

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Tucson Juneteenth Virtual Celebration

Jun 19, 9-10pm / anywhere / free

Celebration of Black culture, history, dance, and song that will be livestreamed by Pima Community College.

 

Mesquite Bean Harvesting Walk with Borderland Restoration Network 

Jun 19, 9-11am / Patagonia / free

Walk through mesquite bosques with local mesquite expert, Martha Muffin. Learn about the natural history of mesquite, its nutritional value, how to select pods to harvest, and how to store them. You’ll also receive mesquite recipes and informational resources.

• ​Space is limited.
• Sign up is required. Email Denisse Ortega Lorona at dortega(@)borderlandsrestoration.org.
• Exact location provided after RSVP.

 

Agaves for Bats with Borderlands Restoration Network

Jun 22 / Appleton-Whittell research station, Elgin

Agave planting with Borderlands Restoration Network staff and Bat Conservation International in celebration of National Pollinator Week.

• ​Space is limited to 20 participants.
• Email horticulture(@)borderlandsrestoration.org to sign up.
• *Recipe: “Batman of Mexico” is both the nickname of Dr. Rodrigo Medellín, co-founder of the Bat Friendly Tequila and Mezcal Project, and a cocktail named for him.

 

MSA Summer Night Market

Jun 25, Jul 30, Aug 27, Sep 24 / Tucson / free admission

MSA Annex shops stay open late (6-10pm), joined by over 40 local vendors, the last Friday of the month, May through September.

• SN: We went to one of the first Night Markets after we moved here in 2019. I’m happy that the market is back!
• H/T Why I Love Where I Live, one of my favorite Mercado San Agustin shops!

 

Santa Theresa Tile Workshops

Santa Theresa Tile Works, Tucson

Hands-on classes using beautiful Santa Theresa tiles. These workshops are currently limited to 8-10 participants. No art experience is necessary.

• Mosaic Table Workshop / Jul 11, 10am – 4pm / Fee starts at $255 for a 10″ table.
• Mosaic Sunset Workshop / Jul 17, 11am – 3pm / Fee starts at  $148 for an 8” x 8”piece.
• Intensive Tile Making / Aug 9-14 / $675 for the week.

 

The Loft Kids Fest At Home

Jul 22 – Jul 25 / anywhere / free

At-home film festival for kids. Each day includes…

• Movie recommended by The Loft Cinema that you can stream on Kanopy (free signup with a library card).
• Animated short.
• *Kids Fest bonus video, created by The Loft Cinema, that includes an introduction to the film.
• *Crafting project with the staff of Mildred + Dildred Toy Store.
• Prize raffles.

 

 

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Happenings on this list are handpicked by me. It’s not an ad – just some good things I wanted to share!

It’s the season of spring fever. Everywhere. Even in the Southern Hemisphere where it is, in fact, not spring but autumn.

We are antsy to get out, to gather, to return to so many activities we used to take for granted.

While we would not have chosen this time of crisis and quarantine, the choice we have – as Gandalf would remind us – “is what to do with the time that is given us.”

And, in this restless time, you can still find ways to break from your routine. Hike a lesser-known trail. Start some seedlings on your windowsill. See a concert with your dog on your lap. Chat with a friend from across their patio. Take a cooking class in your own kitchen.

Who knows? After this is all over, there may even be a moment you miss some of this madness, waxing nostalgic about way back when you could take a puppeteering workshop from your couch or attend a tequila tasting without worrying about a ride home – because you were already there.

With this in mind, here’s this season’s list of online and socially distanced Happenings!

Which would you like to try?

Upcoming

Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum Classes and Activities for Adults: Tucson + online

• INVASION! exhibition: now – Mar 7 in the Museum’s Baldwin Gallery. Conservation artist Rachel Ivanyi explores the complicated concept of invasion. Included with admission.
• Tucson Mountain Botany Hikes: Mar 5, 13, 20. Approximately 2-mile nature walks from different trailheads. Limit nine participants. $33 per person
• Animal Training Behind the Scenes: Mar 11 + 25, May 13 + 27. Opportunity to watch keepers’ training sessions with several animals and talk to the keepers while they work. The trainings take place on the museum grounds, and the price includes museum admission. Limited to 10 participants. $35 per person
• Free instructional videos and handouts!

 

Working from Home: Tucson

now – Mar 28 / Museum of Contemporary Art Tucson (MOCA) / free (donations accepted)

Exhibition featuring new commissions from five artists (Miguel Fernández de Castro, Nazafarin Lotfi, Mark McKnight, Nicole Miller, and Rocki Swiderski) and two poets (Dot Devota and Raquel Gutiérrez) connected to the Tucson region and who each have a unique perspective on this moment of pandemic and protest, as well as on the local landscape. Since the smaller East Galleries remain closed, the entire exhibition is in the Great Hall.

• We really enjoyed visiting MOCA in November and seeing this exhibition!
• The on-site gift shop is temporarily closed, but MOCAshop lists their artists so you can support their online stores directly.
• Frontline healthcare workers can receive a complimentary Individual Membership at MOCA.

 

Plant Portraits: Culinary and Aromatic: online (Zoom)

Mar 2 – Mar 30 / $250

Class on herbs and other plants that are used in aromatherapy and cooking, like lavender, lemongrass, and tulsi (holy basil). Each day, attendees will learn about the history and practical uses of a plant and then create a portrait of it using various media. This class will be online with possible in-person options at the Urban Forest (a non-profit space created by Randiesia Fletcher) in Tucson.

 

Tucson Botanical Gardens Classes: online (Zoom)

Upcoming workshops on topics like gardening, art, and cooking. (A few examples are below.) Fees are usually around $30. Materials not included.

• How to Get a Strong Start with your Container Garden: Mar 4, 11am MST.
• Recipe Writing Workshop: Mar 11, 3pm MST. Learn the art of composing a neat and functional recipe, and explore the importance of recording family history through recipes.
• Calabacitas Con Queso y Tortillas Caseras: Apr 11, 3pm MST. Cook-along class in making this dish of spring squash, corn, chile verde tatemado, and queso fresco with homemade flour tortillas. At the end of class, your meal will be ready to eat!
• Just Add Water: Keeping Your Summer Plants Alive in Desert Pots: Apr 24, 11am MST.
• Color Gardens: May 7, 10am MST. How to plan for a vibrant outdoor space all year long.

 

Puppet Pie Virtual Workshops: online

• Foam + Fabric Patterning with guest artist Steve Troop: Mar 6 + Mar 13, 2pm MST. $70
• Intro to Ventriloquism with guest artist Michael Paul: Mar 20, 3pm MST. $40

Phoenix Geekiness + Cosplay Panels #PHXCC

Tucson Festival of Books: online

Mar 6 – Mar 7 / free

Beloved annual celebration of authors, reading, and literacy.

SN: I haven’t been, but I’ve heard rave reviews from multiple people. Last year, there was so much lament when it had to be canceled due to COVID. I’m glad it can happen in some form this year.

 

Hot Glass Cold Beer: online

Mar 6, 5pm PST / $5

Virtual version of a long-running event that normally combines glass demonstrations, live music, craft beer and local food. Hosted by Public Glass, San Francisco’s public access glass studio and school.

House of Glass

Ag to Art Market: Feeding the Body and Soul: Yuma (southwest Arizona)

Mar 7 / City Hall (front parking lot) / free (no admission fee)

Combined farmers market and artist market with local art, fresh produce, and one-of-a-kind gifts. Monthly on the first Sunday from 10am to 3pm.

Yuma Favorites: Part 2

 

Agave Renaissance: online (Zoom)

Mar 10 +11, Apr 14+15, May 12+13 / free

Series of virtual lectures and agave spirit tastings held monthly, featuring agave experts from around the globe. Registration required.

• Collaborative effort by Desert Laboratory on Tumamoc Hill, Agave Heritage Festival, and El Crisol Tucson.
• Spirits for the tastings are available to purchase through the new Hotel Congress Bottle Shop.

Ancient Agave Tour

 

Arizona Opera Costume Shop Masterclasses: online (Zoom)

Mar 12 + 26

The final two masterclasses in this series by Arizona Opera’s Costume Shop team introduce the skills of fabric painting and using resin. Most materials are covered by class fees and can be picked up the Arizona Opera Center in Phoenix or shipped to you. Class fee $75 or $90 with shipping.

• Find Arizona Opera videos, interviews, and musical story time at the Arizona Opera OnDemand channel.
• New video series LOUD! created by Teniqua Broughton and Luis Egurrola highlights stories about music with sometimes-surprising connections to the world of opera.

 

Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts concerts: Scottsdale + online

Many upcoming Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts shows are either all virtual or offer both in-person and livestream viewing options. Livestream tickets vary by show ($20-39).

• MusicaNova Orchestra: On Wings of Hope: Mar 21 at 2pm MST, Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts or livestream / tickets $27-37. Socially distanced performance of works by Haydn, Mozart, and young composer Quinn Mason (written for MusicaNova).
• Burkina Dreams in the Desert Featuring AZ63: Mar 27 at 2pm MST, Scottsdale Civic Center Park or livestream / tickets $24-28: Performance of a mix of string and percussion instruments from Burkina Faso, the African Diaspora, and beyond.

 

The Big Gem Show: Tucson

Apr 8 – Apr 25 / Hotel Tucson City Center, Tucson, AZ / free

More than 300 gem, minerals, and fossil vendors throughout Hotel Tucson’s 10-acre courtyard. The Show’s focus will be on quality Gems, Minerals, and Fossils. The show is open to the public.

Ongoing

Arizona State Museum OnView+OnLine+OnDemand: online

ongoing / fees vary
Digital collections, classes, and resources from Arizona State Museum (ASM), University of Arizona’s anthropolgy museum.

• Virtual exhibitions of pottery, weaving, illustration, carvings, and ASM collections. Free.
• Behind-the-Scenes Video Tours. Free.

ENCOMPASSING ARIZONA: Tucson + online

Tohono Chul (Main Gallery)

Rotating invitational exhibition that presents a wide variety of artworks from a diverse roster of established and emerging artists from across Arizona.

• New work installed frequently.
• 50% of all art sales from ENCOMPASSING ARIZONA help fund programs at Tohono Chul.

Other Tohono Chul Goodies:

• Tohono Chul @ Home
• Bottomless prickly pear margaritas and mimosas for $14 with entree purchase.

Tohono Chul

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Happenings on this list are handpicked by me. As far as I know, all the information was accurate when I posted this. 

Also, this is not an ad. No one asked for this. I just compulsively need to share good stuff I hear about. So there you go.

We all had to do an exhausting amount of pivoting in 2020.

Fortunately, people are still making art, getting out into nature, cooking food, learning new things, connecting with their communities. While the format may have shifted – farmers’ markets becoming drive-thru, classes going online, concerts moving outdoors – the essence is still there.

Here’s a list of upcoming Happenings that that have taken safety and social distancing into consideration. About half are online/livestream/virtual things, so you can join in while staying home. And participate from anywhere in the world.

Desert Bloom: A Low-Key, Informal Online “Gallery” Show: online

now – Jan 14 / online / free to view (artwork is available to purchase)

Virtual exhibition of twelve 5”x 5” watercolor and ink illustrations by Adela Antoinette. Each illustration consists of desert plants the artist came across while growing up in the Southwest of the U.S., where she discovered desert plants blossoming during even the hottest and coldest months.

 

Working from Home: Tucson

now – Mar 28 / Museum of Contemporary Art Tucson (MOCA) / free (donations accepted)

Exhibition featuring new commissions from five artists (Miguel Fernández de Castro, Nazafarin Lotfi, Mark McKnight, Nicole Miller, and Rocki Swiderski) and two poets (Dot Devota and Raquel Gutiérrez) connected to the Tucson region and who each have a unique perspective on this moment of pandemic and protest, as well as on the local landscape. Since the smaller East Galleries remain closed, the entire exhibition is in the Great Hall.

• We really enjoyed visiting MOCA in November and seeing this exhibition!
• The on-site gift shop is temporarily closed, but MOCAshop lists their artists so you can support their online stores directly.
• Frontline healthcare workers can receive a complimentary Individual Membership at MOCA.

 

Picturing 2020: A Community Reflects: online

now – March / virtual tour / free

Virtual exhibition of work by more than 150 artists from across Southern Arizona depicting their experience of the destabilizing events of this year. Alongside these new works are pieces from University of Arizona Museum of Art’s permanent collection that resonate with the challenges of the times we’re in.

• Virtual Art Trivia Happy Hour: Jan. 14, 5pm on Zoom. Advance registration required.
• UAMA online resources include digital collections, public art activities, and art-based play for all ages.

 

Yuma Favorites: Part 1

 

Exuberance: An Artistic Botanical Experience: Tubac (south of Tucson)

now – Apr 10 / Tubac Presidio State Historic Park / Included with entrance fee ($7).

Collection of outdoor art installations by local artists and gardeners on the 8-acre grounds of the Tubac Presidio. Installations will celebrate native plants, sustainabilty, and creative approaches for the garden.

 

Ag to Art Market: Feeding the Body and Soul: Yuma (southwest Arizona)

Jan 3, Feb 7, Mar 7 / City Hall (front parking lot) / free (no admission fee)

Combined farmers market and artist market with local art, fresh produce, and one-of-a-kind gifts. Monthly on the first Sunday from 10am to 3pm. Social distancing and other safety measures will be observed.

 

Weekly AARP Arts Showcase: online

Jan 6, 6pm / online (Facebook) / free

Southern Arizona Arts + Cultural Alliance (SAACA) mini-documentary on muralist Ignacio Garcia. The artist will take viewers on location to several of his favorite murals in Tucson, describing the mural creation process, inspiration for each mural, and insight into what has made it such a fast-growing public art medium in recent years. The video will stream on both the SAACA and AARP’s Facebook pages.

• SAACA has been assembling Arts Care Packages with music, DIY kits, and journaling supplies for assisted living communities and hospital patients. You can help support the program by donating art supplies, original music, or money.

 

Tucson Botanical Gardens Classes: online

Jan 6 – Mar 4 / online (Zoom)

Classes on topics like gardening, art, cooking, and meditation. Fees are usually around $30. Materials not included.

• Sonoran Cocido and Galletitas de Naranja: Jan 23, 3pm. Learn the history of this Sonoran beef vegetable stew, while you learn to make it – and orange shortbread cookies too.
• Creating Outdoor Rooms with Pots (2-part series), February 6 + 20, 11am.
• Nature Journaling: Feb 24, 2pm. Learn drawing and watercolor painting techniques that will allow you to quickly capture and communicate flora and fauna you observe.
• Southwest Planting Tips by Month and other community resources.

 

Riders: A Novel Approach to Opera

Lookout Tucson Jazz Concert Series: Sheryl Ann Starlight: Tucson

January 7 + 21 at 5pm / Westward Look Wyndham Grand Resort + Spa, Tucson, AZ / $10 cover charge

Evening of jazz music performed outdoors by the Sheryl Ann Starlight Quartet. Arts benefit cover charge will be added to all bills to help pay musicians and contribute to SAACA. Maximum 30-person attendance.

 

Arizona Opera Costume Shop Masterclasses: online

Jan 8 – Mar 26 / online (Zoom)

Series of 8 masterclasses with the team of Arizona Opera’s Costume Shop introducing various skills related to their field, such as fabric painting and dyeing, hat making, beadwork, resin, and watercolor painting. Most materials are covered by class fees and can be picked up the Arizona Opera Center in Phoenix or shipped to you. Class fee $75 or $90 with shipping.

• Intro to Millinery: Jan 22, 1:30pm.
• Intro to Burnout Velvet Fabric: Feb 12, 1:30pm.
• Find Arizona Opera videos, interviews, and musical story time at the Arizona Opera OnDemand channel.

 

Mercado Flea: Tucson

Jan 10, Feb 14, Mar 14, Apr 11, May 9 from 8am-2pm / Mercado District (along Avenida del Convento)

Outdoor market with antiques, collectibles, and other quirky finds held the second Sunday of the month. Booths are spaced out from Mercado San Agustin to the MSA Annex.

SN: I’ve gone to this market a couple times since it reopened this fall. Things I didn’t buy (even though I kind of wanted to) include a vintage sewing machine, Kool-aid man coasters, and a very cute little potted cactus. There were more people around at the December one but still plenty of space to social distance. (Whether people actually give you space is another story. However, their lack of self-awareness isn’t really the market’s fault. Humans continue to be humans. Sigh.)

 

Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum Classes and Trips for Adults: Tucson

Tucson, AZ / $35 per person

• Animal Training Behind the Scenes: various Thursdays Jan 14 – Mar 25. Opportunity to watch keepers’ training sessions with several animals and talk to the keepers while they work. The trainings take place on the museum grounds, and the price includes museum admission. Limited to 10 participants.
• King Canyon Geology Hike: Jan 30 + Feb 13, 8-11:30am. 2-mile hike in the Tucson Mountains, possibly seeing Hohokam artifacts, and learning about the sedimentary basins, volcanic caldera, and the stretching and cracking of the earth beneath us.

 

Zoppé Family Circus: Drive-In Circus: Tempe + Tucson

Jan 15 – Jan 31 / MSA Annex, Tucson, AZ / Tickets start at $49 per car.

This small, Italian-American family circus has updated their show to be on an outdoor stage with screens above it, so you can watch from your car. They claim to be “The World’s First Multimedia Drive-In Circus,” and I doubt anyone would argue.

• At Big Surf in Tempe: now – Jan 4

 

La Encantada Fine Art Market: Tucson

Jan 16 – Jan 17 / La Encantada Shopping Center, Tucson, AZ / free (no admission fee)

Outdoor fine arts festival with jewelry, paintings, metalwork, ceramics, silks, and different kinds of home decor items.

SN: A couple local spots to check out at La Encantada (outside of the festival): Savaya for coffee and tea + Creative Kind for craft kits and artisan goods.

 

Ancient Agave Tour

OnView+OnLine+OnDemand: online

ongoing / online / fees vary

Digital collections, classes, and resources from Arizona State Museum (ASM), University of Arizona’s anthropolgy museum.

• Virtual exhibitions of pottery, weaving, illustration, carvings, and ASM collections. Free.
• Digital Master Classes on Demand. Next is a Jan. 25 course on the timely topic of Diseases in Human Evolution. $150 class fee supports ongoing  research.
• Behind-the-Scenes Video Tours. Free.

 

Big Boy Trains with a Big Fanbase

Verde Canyon Railroad Chocolate Lovers’ Festival: Clarkdale (north of Phoenix, near Sedona)

Feb 11 – Feb 14 / Verde Canyon Railroad, Clarkdale, AZ / $139 per person

Chocolate Lovers’ Festival on the Verde Canyon Railroad train. Includes a first class ticket, chocolate goodies, glass of champagne, service at your seat, and complimentary appetizers in dedicated “Chocolate Lovers” cars.

 

Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts concerts: Scottsdale / online

Many upcoming Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts shows are either all virtual or offer both in-person and livestream viewing options. Livestream tickets vary by show ($20-39).

• Burkina Dreams in the Desert Featuring AZ63: Feb 28 at 2pm, Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts or livestream / tickets $24-28: AZ63 performs on a mix of string and percussion instruments from Burkina Faso, the African Diaspora, and beyond.

 

Plant Portraits: Culinary and Aromatic: Tucson or online

Mar 2 – Mar 30 / TBD: in Tucson or online / $250

Class on herbs and other plants that are used in aromatherapy and cooking, like lavender, lemongrass, and tulsi (holy basil). Each day, attendees will learn about the history and practical uses of a plant and then create a portrait of it using various media. This class may be hosted in-person at the Urban Forest (a Tucson non-profit space created by Randiesia Fletcher) or on Zoom, pending COVID circumstances.

 

Tucson Jazz Festival 2021 (TJF2021): Tucson / online

Mar 20 – Mar 21 / Armory Park, Tucson or virtual / Single-day tickets start at $75.

2-day outdoor festival featuring eight international jazz acts performing on the mainstage.

• While you can’t actually buy tickets yet, you can (and should!) register to reserve your spot. Once organizers determine it will be safe to hold an in-person event, you’ll receive an invitation to complete your ticket purchase.
• Social distancing protocols will be instituted throughout the Festival grounds, and face masks will be required for all attendees and staff/volunteers working the event.

 

The Big Gem Show: Tucson

Apr 8 – Apr 25 / Hotel Tucson City Center, Tucson, AZ / free

More than 300 gem, minerals, and fossil vendors throughout Hotel Tucson’s 10-acre courtyard. The Show’s focus will be on quality Gems, Minerals, and Fossils. The show is open to the public.

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Happenings on this list are handpicked by me. As far as I know, all the information was accurate when I posted this. But there’s a chance it’s not, and that’s really out of my hands. 

Also, this is not an ad. Event listings are not sponsored. In fact, no one asked for this. I just compulsively need to share good stuff I hear about. So there you go.