May Days

There are some great Happenings over the next couple months! Quite a few festivals, some maker markets, craft classes, experimental art exhibits, nature hikes, and city strolls. A couple festivals are (Something) and Wine festivals. And did you know that May 18 is International Museum Day?

Of course there are Juneteenth celebrations throughout the month of June – including one that kicks off with a ballet collaboration!

There are also outdoor performances of ballet, flamenco, and folklorico. Wanna dance around a maypole? That’s on this List. Go to a space rave? That too.

I mean, really, what you should do now is start skimming through these upcoming Happenings, and see where you end up!

The Happenings List

Events for art, culture, food, and nature lovers with Goodies* starred throughout the List! If you’re not in Arizona, then the Anywhere section is for you, and so are the aspects of Arizona events labeled “ANYWHERE.”

Finally, there may be an Etsy affiliate link or two. Support local makers and this site at the same time!

• Anywhere •

“…the analog activity of observation, drawing, and writing (by hand!) about the natural world is the key to connecting more people to science and nature conservation, as well as a path to personal well-being.”

—Roseann Hanson

Mark Your Calendar

The Art of Exploration: How Field Sketching and Journaling Bridge Science, Conservation, and Well-being

May 2, 7pm MST (UTC/GMT -7 hours) / Livestream on Natural History Institute’s YouTube / Free

Roseann Hanson has been keeping science-based nature journals for 40 years! She’s a naturalist, artist, author, and explorer. In this talk, she’ll share the history of field sketching as a way humans have recorded exploration – starting as far back as the stone age – and explain why it’s still an essential activity.

Protecting One of Arizona’s Last, Best, and Wildest Rivers: The Upper Verde

May 9, 7pm MST / Livestream on Natural History Institute’s YouTube / Free

Rachel Ellis, an expert on rivers in the Southwestern U.S., gives a talk about what makes the Upper Verde River area special and why it should be protected with a federal Wild + Scenic River designation.

“The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act protects more than 13,400 miles of rivers and streams in the U.S. … Designation as a wild and scenic river is our nation’s strongest form of protection for free-flowing rivers and streams.”

—U.S. Forest Service

 

Sew-Along with Allyn

May 17 — December 20, 9am MST / Camp Verde Community Library Facebook / Free

Sewing beginners can take classes at their own pace with new projects posted monthly to the Camp Verde Community Library’s website and Facebook.

• Classes are posted on the third Friday of each month at 9am.
• A list of supplies needed for each project will be posted the week before the class.
• Recommended for ages 9 to adult.

“Museums are an important means of cultural exchange, enrichment of cultures and development of mutual understanding, cooperation and peace among peoples.”

—International Council of Museums

International Museum Day (IMD)

May 18 / worldwide at participating museums

Every year, on International Museum Day (IMD), museums around the world plan creative events and activities related to that year’s International Museum Day theme, engage with their public, and highlight the importance of the role of museums as institutions that serve society and its development.

• Find a participating museum near you!

Meditative Line Drawing

May 18, 10:30am MST / Zoom / Free

Class on using meditative line drawing to create intuitive abstract art. It’s an hour of free-flow drawing dots, lines, and shapes taught live online.

• Supplies: Paper for line drawing, Pen (preferably fine liner pen) in your thickness and color choice
• Pre-registration is required.
• Presented by Prescott Valley Public Library + Silverkite Community Art Classes

Anytime

Watch / tour

• Tohono Chul’s featured videos on “hot topics” like monsoons and the Queen of the Night plant.
• Recorded workshops from Mission Garden.
• Virtual tour of Mission Garden’s different sections.

Read

• Read winning Haiku Hike poems online.
• Photos + poems I posted from a past Haiku Hike.

Shop

• Sedona ArtCenter’s Online Gallery Shop offers purchases without sales tax.
• Lavender gift sets from Red Rock Farms in Concho, Arizona are available online.

• Central Arizona •

Multiple Realities: Experimental Art in the Eastern Bloc, 1960s–1980s

now — September 15 / Phoenix Art Museum, Phoenix / included with paid admission ($10 during free admission times)

The Cold War didn’t stop art. Even behind the Iron Curtain, artists were still creating and experimenting. Multiple Realities showcases the work of almost 100 artists from six Central-Eastern European nations (East Germany, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Romania, and Yugoslavia). Although a number of well-known artists from the region are on display, the focus is on largely unknown women artists, artist collectives, and LGBTQIA+ artists.

“The exhibition traces how a generation of artists … embraced experimentation and interdisciplinary practices to confront at times harsh conditions of everyday life, while circumventing and eluding the very systems that sought to surveil and silence them.”

— PhxArt’s introduction to the exhibit

• Exhibit is included with paid museum admission. During free admission times, like PhxArt AfterHours or Pay-What-You-Wish Wednesdays, a $10 special exhibition ticket is required.
• *PhxArt AfterHours: June 7 + Sep. 6, 5-9pm. Free admission, extended hours live music, art-making workshops, and specialty food and drink.

Dog Days at the Garden: Yes, dogs allowed!

May 4 + 11, 8-11am / Desert Botanical Gardens (DBG), Phoenix / Included with admission

Walk your dog through DBG’s trails on Saturday mornings this spring. There are always plenty of interesting new things to see – and to sniff – especially this time of year when the Garden is in bloom!

• *Free days the 2nd Tuesday of every month.
• ANYWHERE: Online courses from Desert Botanical Gardens that you can take when and where it’s convenient for you. Tuition is $120 or $300, depending on course length.

Barbie®: A Cultural Icon + The Power of Pink

now — July 7 / Phoenix Art Museum, Phoenix / included with paid admission ($10 during free admission times)

Exhibition about Barbie’s identities and influence through the last six decades. It includes over 250 vintage dolls, life-size fashion designs, and exclusive interviews.

“The exhibition is complemented by original PhxArt exhibition The Power of Pink, which explores the history, science, and associations of the color synonymous with the iconic Barbie brand.”

—PhxArt

Guarding the Art: A Frontline Perspective

now — December 1 / Phoenix Art Museum, Phoenix / included with admission

Exhibition of works from the Phoenix Art Museum Collection curated by members of the Museum’s security, event rentals, and retail-services teams.

• In Rineberg Gallery + Ballinger Gallery
• *Pay-What-You-Wish every Wednesday 3-9pm.

Maryvale Mercado

May 5, 12pm – 4pm / 55th Avenue between W. Campbell + W. Glenrosa Avenue, Maryvale

Family-friendly event with live entertainment and unique goods for sale from small businesses. It is part of the same nonprofit that’s behind the Mujeres Mercado, E.L.L.A. (Empowering Latina Leaders in Arizona).

• Vendors: Local vendors of accessories, apparel/fashion, art, beauty and wellness products, candles, crafts, as well as produce and desserts/drinks.
• Food + beverage: Food trucks and other food businesses will be there.

Cinco de Mayo Phoenix Festival

May 5, 12pm – 10pm / Washington Street + 3rd Avenue in Downtown Phoenix / General admission tickets start at $10, plus ticketing fees / All ages

Phoenix’s longest running annual event. Celebration of culture, family-friendly fun, and Mexico’s 1862 victory over France in the Battle of Puebla.

• Free admission for kids ages 10 and under (with paid adult admission).
• Entertainment: Baile Folklorico, lucha libre, and live music from Big Mountain, War, and other artists. Kids Zone with interactive rides.
• Food + beverage: Traditional food and drinks from a collection of Phoenix’s top food trucks and underground kitchens.
• *$5 off general admission if you arrive before 5pm!

The Cycles of Life Interpreted Through the Medicine Wheel

May 5, 10am / Kaya Holistic, Phoenix / *$20 advance, $30 at the door

Local curandera Patricia Federico shares what we can learn from the Medicine Wheel, an ancient symbol that, in some North American Indigenous cultures, symbolizes balance and connection between humans and the natural world.

The Four Seasons 2024

May 15 — June 1, 8pm / Desert Botanical Gardens (DBG), Phoenix / $60-100 per ticket

Ballet Arizona dances to Vivaldi’s Four Seasons in the Desert Botanical Gardens. The performance will feature costumes designed and hand-painted by Artistic Director Ib Andersen, who also choreographed the work!

Museum Day at Arizona Historical Society Museums

May 18, 10am – 3pm / Arizona Heritage Center, Tempe / Free

In honor of International Museum Day, free admission to the Arizona History Museum (Tucson) and Arizona Heritage Center (Tempe), plus crafts and activities!

• No registration is required.

Valley of the Sun Juneteenth Celebration

June 15, 5pm / Eastlake Park, Phoenix

Black history and culture appreciation event with live entertainment, information about Juneteenth history, and scholarship awards.

• *ANYWHERE: Spotify playlist of Juneteenth and freedom-themed songs.
• *ANYWHERE: Arizona oral histories video series.

Juneteenth Celebration 2024

June 16, 10am / Arizona Heritage Center, Tempe / Free (donations accepted)

Day of recognizing the impact of Black communities in Arizona and the Juneteenth Holiday. Community members can connect with each other and with organizations representing historical societies, action groups, state resources, and the community at large. Guests are welcome to wander, discuss, and enjoy performances, activities, and food!

• Register online to get your e-Ticket.
• You can choose a Free Admission Pass or make a $10 donation by choosing the Supporter Admission Pass.

• Northern Arizona •

“Immerse yourself in the details of life on the riverbanks, feel the rhythm of the flowing waters, and experience the rich cultural heritage tied to this vital waterway.”

—Natural History Institute

Green Guardians: Artists Standing Strong for the Verde River

now — July 12 / Natural History Institute Art Museum, Prescott / Free

Exhibition showcasing a diverse array of artworks – paintings, sculptures, and other installations – calling for responsible conservation of the Upper Verde River. In conjunction with the exhibition, there will be a series of related workshops, talks, and excursions.

• 5/4, 8am: Hands-on wild pigments workshop! $75 fee
• 5/9, 7pm: Talk on why the Upper Verde River area is being proposed for a Federal Wild + Scenic River designation. Registration required for in-person attendees. Free
• 5/11, 8am: Excursion to an archaeological site in the Upper Verde. $75 fee

The Art of Exploration: How Field Sketching and Journaling Bridge Science, Conservation, and Well-being

May 2, 7pm / Natural History Institute, Prescott / Free

Roseann Hanson has been keeping science-based nature journals for 40 years! She’s a naturalist, artist, author, and explorer. In this talk, she’ll share the history of field sketching as a way humans have recorded exploration – starting as far back as the stone age – and explain why it’s still an essential activity.

• ANYWHERE: The presentation will also be livestreamed on Natural History Institute’s YouTube channel.

May the Fourth Be With You Space Rave and Dance Party

May 4, 8:30pm / Orpheum Theater, Flagstaff / $24 per ticket (includes ticketing fee) / 18+ only

Dance party in the historic Orpheum Theater! This Flagstaff Pride event will feature DJ Bear Cole and BG NFTY with pop up performances from Dillon Duvet, Brandy Alexander as Han Solo, Miasma and Planet Cree.

• Costumes encouraged!
• Parking info.
• Full bar will be available.

Life of Geronimo

May 4, 11:30am / Black Canyon City Community Library, Black Canyon City / Free (includes snacks) / All ages

Jerry “Geronimo” Martin tells the story of his great-great grandfather, the famous Apache leader known as Geronimo!

ARTX: Art + Ideas Experience Arizona

May 17 – 26 / various Flagstaff venues / Free

10-day interactive festival of free events, presentations, and art-centered experiences from artists, thinkers, and organizations.

Some of the wide-ranging grant funded experiences include…

• Community Comix: A Group Comic Making Experience
• Food Foraging Flagstaff
• The Little Free Art Box Project
• The Flagstaff Tintype Experiment
• The Physicist and the Shaman: Lecture, Meditation + Film
• Read the Room: Art Installation Inspired by Natalie Diaz’s Postcolonial Love Poem

…plus, other expressions of cross-disciplinary learning and discovery in arts and culture.

Sharlot’s Cellar

May 18, 4pm / Sharlot Hall Museum, Prescott / $90 per ticket

Live music, gourmet bites, wine tasting, mead, and mocktails in support of the Sharlot Hall Museum.

“An evening of enchantment and culinary delights … Embark on a sensory adventure where music and the finest libations intertwine to create an unforgettable experience.”

—Sharlot Hall Museum

Smelter Town Brewery’s Clarkdale Beer Fest

May 18, 12pm – 6pm / On 10th Street (westside of Brewery, east of Clarkdale Park), Clarkdale / All ages

A celebration of Arizona craft beers that puts the ale in Clarkdale! Beer vendors will be providing 16-ounce beers for 1 ticket. Purchase 4 tickets for $25 or 2 Tickets for $15. Sister + the Sun and What’s the Big Idea will be performing.

Food + beverage:

• • Breweries: Smelter Town, THAT, Simple Machine, Lake Pleasant, Belfry, Dark Sky.
  • Wine can be purchased inside the Brewery.
  • Non-alcoholic beverages will be available as cash purchases at food trucks: Sidewalk Grill (Burgers, chicken sandwiches), Mad Honey (BBQ) Nana’s Tacos, Dog Town (hot dogs), Kettle Korn, BREWHA

¡Qué Hermoso! Pop-Up Exhibition

June 5 – 28 / Sedona Arts Center (SAC), Sedona / Free

Beautiful Latinx cultural identity and traditions are the subject of this vibrant exhibition. Seen through several different artists and diverse art forms, it highlights histories, familism, forgotten stories, and rich personal and collective experiences.

• *ANYWHERE: SAC Online Gallery Shop offers purchases without sales tax.

2024 Lavender Bloom + Wine Festival

June 13 — July 13 / Red Rock Ranch and Farms, Concho / Free

Five-week fête in lush fields of lavender. Visit this farm in the mountains of Northeastern Arizona when lavender is in bloom, and you can cut your own bouquet! You can also learn how to cook with lavender, visit their gift shop, and purchase your own plants to take home!

• Festival happensThursdays through Saturdays.
• Red Rock Ranch’s wine tasting room will be open during the festival for tastings, as well as for purchasing wine and cheese plates.
• Pets are not allowed at the farm during the festival.
• ANYWHERE: Lavender gift sets available online!

Heritage Festival

June 22 – 23, 10am – 4pm / Museum of Northern Arizona (outside), Flagstaff / general adult, one-day access $20 / All ages

Celebration of artists and traditions of the people of the Colorado Plateau – Acoma, Apache, Diné (Navajo), Havasupai, Hopi, Hualapai, Pai, Ute, Yavapai, and Zuni.

• Online ticket sales begin May 8.
• Entertainment: Dancers, demonstrators, cultural experts, and musicians playing indigenous music from the region. Plus, hands-on activities and experiences for all ages.
• Vendors: Buy authentic pieces directly from Native American artists. Artists take home 100% of their earnings from Festival purchases!
• *Full weekend passes are just $5 more! ($25/adult, $14/youth, free for kids age 9 and under)
• *Free entrance to the Museum with your festival ticket.

Getting there…

• Car: Free shuttle from parking areas.
• Bike: Accessible via Flagstaff Urban Trail System. 2 locations for free, secure bike parking.
• Bus: The Mountain Line Route 5 stops directly in front of the museum.

• Southern Arizona •

Haiku Hike: Poetry Sprouts in Tucson’s Springtime

now — June 1 / throughout Downtown Tucson / Free

Walk along Congress Street and Stone Avenue to find poems in planters! The 20 that have sprouted up are winners of an annual literary competition that anyone can participate in. Winners are chosen by Tucson’s poet Laureate, TC Tolbert.

• ANYWHERE: Read winning poems online.
• ANYWHERE: Photos + poems I posted from a past Haiku Hike.

Time Travelers: Foundations, Transformations, and Expansions at the Centennial

now — October 6 / Tucson Museum of Art (TMA), Tucson / included with admission

Because Tucson Museum of Art turned 100 years old this year, it’s featuring an exhibition of significant artworks the Museum has collected over the past century. The aim is to consider the works’ complex relationships to the past, present, and future.

Popol Vuh and the Maya Art of Storytelling

now — October 20 / Tucson Museum of Art (TMA), Tucson / Included with admission

Mayan mythology is the starting point for this exhibition that mixes ancient art with modern, looking at Mayan image-making and storytelling through the years.

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

‘Amai Mo ‘Am Ṣo:ṣon G Cewagĭ / El lugar donde se forman las nubes / The Place Where Clouds Are Formed

now — August 31 / University of Arizona Poetry Center, Tucson / Free

Multilingual exhibit (O’odham / Spanish / English) examining the intersection of spirituality, migration, and policies that have impacted the borderlands of the Sonoran Desert through the work of collaborating poets, photographers, and artists.

Curiosity Talks: Caretakers of the Land – A Story of Farming + Community in San Xavier

May 2, 5:30pm / Tohono Chul, Tucson / Free

After the Tohono O’odham community in San Xavier lost access to much of their main water source, they came together to find ways to revitalize their land while honoring their traditions. Dr. Jacelle Ramon-Sauberan tells the story of how they did it.

• Open to the public, but registration is required.
• After the presentation, there will be drinks and opportunity for conversation with fellow attendees.
• *ANYWHERE: Tohono Chul’s featured videos on “hot topics” like monsoons and the Queen of the Night plant.

May Day: Dust off those flower crowns!

May 4, 1pm – 6pm / The Meading Room, Sonoita / All ages

• As always, The Meading Room is family friendly and dog friendly!
• Entertainment: Live music and maypole dancing.
• Vendors: Outdoor market with local food vendors selling fresh bread, local goat cheese, unique jams and jellies, homemade ice cream, and baked goods.
• Food + beverage: Mead, cider, and May Wine Punch (maibowle), plus food trucks.

Handmade Book Workshops at CATALYST: Levels Easy to Hardcover

May 4 – 19, 3pm / CATALYST Creative Collective, Tucson / $10-25 fee (includes supplies)

CATALYST Artist-in-Residence Emiland Kray will be teaching a series of book-making classes!

• 5/4, 3pm: Hardcover Accordion Book. Beginner-friendly bookbinding workshop where each participant will walk away with a handmade book and the skills to make more! $10 materials fee.
• 5/5, 3pm: Softcover Pamphlet Stitch. Learn a brief history of the Pamphlet Stitch, a simple binding structure often used in zines, brochures, music, and other printed ephemera. Then make two blank journals using the technique! $15 materials fee.
• 5/19, 3pm: Hardcover Pamphlet Stitch. Learn how to use this simple binding structure and make a hardcover book. Covers will be wrapped with fabric. Each attendee will walk away with a blank notebook made by hand. $25 materials fee.

Flamenco in the Garden

May 5, 6:30pm / Tohono Chul, Tucson / $40 / ticket

Half a dozen flamenco virtuosos come together to create an evening of music and dance in Tohono Chul’s Performance Garden.

“Blending tradition with modern flair, this special Flamenco performance will transport you to the streets of Spain with its stunning costumes, expressive movements, energetic footwork, captivating guitar rhythms, and moving vocals.”

–Tohono Chul

 

Art + Awareness: Watercolors and the Art of Noticing

May 8, 10:30am / Creative Kind at La Encantada, Tucson / $60 fee

Marlies of Flow! Art + Awareness will talk about each person’s unique perception of the world. She will then guide everyone through the process of creating a watercolor painting, while letting go of visual reality and expectations and instead embracing your own essence and creativity.

Train Day: It’s already off the rails!

May 11, 10am – 2pm / the Southern Arizona Transportation Museum (Next to the Amtrak Depot), Tucson / Free / All ages

The Southern Arizona Transportation Museum’s annual celebration of trains! You can climb inside a steam train (Locomotive 1673) and ring the bell.

• The Museum and gift shop will be open.
• Shop model trains and railroad paintings.
• Children’s art activities.
• The flyer also promises “Fun Farm Choo Choo rides” with no further explanation. Maybe the “choo choo” is a kid-sized train. Did it come from the Fun Farm? Is that where it’s going? Where is the Fun Farm? What is the Fun Farm?

​Music Under the Stars

May 12 – 26, 7pm / Reid Park, Tucson / Free (pet food donations accepted) / All ages

Live music for all ages Sunday nights at the DeMeester Outdoor Performance Center in Reid Park.

• May 12: Guest artist Gabriel Ayala
• May 19: Music for the Planet Concert. Live music inspired by nature. Before the concert, there will be booths from environmental non-profits in the park.
• May 26: Memorial Day Concert with the Tucson Pops Orchestra, featuring members of the Honor Guard performing Taps

There is no cost to attend. However, if you’re able, you can bring a donation of pet food for the Southern Arizona Animal Food Bank!

The Southern Arizona Animal Food Bank…

• coordinates the food trucks for the concert series.
• is a nonprofit with a mission to ensure no one has to choose between feeding themselves or feeding their pets.
• has provided free animal food to over 800 families throughout Southern Arizona!

Ceramic Message Board Workshop

May 12, 1pm / Creative Kind at La Encantada, Tucson / $55 fee

Learn how to create a personalized white board from clay! Claire from Marigold Fontana Ceramics will lead the workshop and provide botanical and letter stamps attendees can use to customize their boards. She will then apply a white satin glaze that will make them usable with dry erase markers. Finished boards will be returned in about 3-5 weeks.

San Ysidro Festival

May 18, 8am – 12pm / Mission Garden, Tucson / Free (donations accepted)

“Since wheat was adopted as a valued crop here in the 18th century, it has been harvested on Saint Isidore’s Day. This day was an opportunity to remember San Ysidro [St. Isidore] — the patron of laborers and farmers — and to harvest the wheat.”

—Mission Garden

Mission Garden brings to life traditions of an 18th-century wheat harvest. It begins with a procession, lead by a costumed “San Ysidro,” and blessings at the threshing ground.

Then volunteers will demonstrate how the harvesting, threshing, winnowing, and milling wheat into flour (with the help of a horse!) would have been done in that era. Finally, a lunch of pozole de trigo, the traditional food for this festival, will be served with fresh flour tortillas.

• ANYWHERE: Recorded workshops from Mission Garden.
• *ANYWHERE: Virtual tour of the Garden’s different sections.

Museum Day at Arizona Historical Society Museums

May 18, 10am – 3pm / Arizona History Museum, Tucson / Free

In honor of International Museum Day, free admission to the Arizona History Museum (Tucson) and Arizona Heritage Center (Tempe), plus crafts and activities!

• No registration is required.

Mariachi Festival and Wine Tasting

May 18, 9am – 6pm / Patagonia Lake State Park, Patagonia / Included with Park entrance fee.  / All ages

A day of international mariachi dancing and bands!

• Park entrance fee is $20 per vehicle (up to 4 adults). Kids 13 and under are free.
• Entertainment: Mariachi and folklorico performances throughout the day, plus mariachi musical chairs, an amateur singing competition, a piñata and other kids’ activities.
• Food + beverage: Local food vendors will be selling tacos, sushi, churros, fry bread, shaved ice, and fruit in a cup. Essential Coffee and Cook’s Kettle Corn will also be there.

Peony Crepe Paper Flower Workshop

May 18, 10:30am / Creative Kind at La Encantada, Tucson / $60 fee (includes supplies)

Sandy of Luna’s Paper Designs will demonstrate how to assemble large crepe paper flowers (with petals, stem and leaves) using pre-cut crepe paper with wire and glue. She will share step-by-step instructions to help attendees create with confidence!

Mercado District Summer Night Market

May 24 — September 27, 6pm – 10pm / MSA Annex, Tucson / Free to shop

Local artisan vendors, plus music, food vendors, and extended hours for MSA Annex shops.

• The last Friday evening of the month, May through September: May 24, June 28, July 26, Aug 3, September 27.

Desert Artisans Market

May 25, 12pm – 5pm / Catalyst Creative Collective, Tucson

Indoor summer market of local artisans with handmade baked goods, paintings, crochet plushies, candles, and more!

• The market will be at Catalyst Creative Collective, which is located inside the Tucson Mall.

54th Annual Tucson Juneteenth Festival

June 15 / Kino Sports Complex, Tucson

Celebration of the moment when the US “finally and truly became the land of the free.” Festivities include a kick-off concert, ballet performance, and festival.

• 6/8, 2pm: Cinderella ballet performance, a collaboration between Dancing In the Streets AZ collaboration and Tucson Juneteenth Committee.
• 6/9, 3pm: Juneteenth Jubilee Mass Choir.
• Tucson Juneteenth Committee is planning a series of events and activities throughout the month of June.

How to Make a 4th of July Charcuterie Board

June 28, 6pm / Antsy Nancy, Tucson / $75 fee (includes supplies)

Workshop on building a sweet and savory charcuterie board that looks and tastes fabulous! Learn how to choose meats, cheeses, fruits, nuts, crackers, and chocolate dipped treats that complement each other – in an Independence Day inspired color palette!

• Attendees aged 21 and over can also take part in a red, white, and blue cocktail demonstration and tasting.
• I gathered some really nice serving boards and other dishes into this Etsy collection.

Tucson Comic-Con

August 30 — September 2 / Tucson Convention Center, Tucson / $69 at the door plus parking / All ages

Is this America’s friendliest convention? That’s the goal of this 3-day community-based pop culture event! It features Q+A panels, workshops, costume contests, photo ops, and a large exhibitor hall. You can also count on special guest appearances by actors, authors, comic book artists, and cosplayers!

• 15th anniversary of the event.
• This is where we met Paul Blake, one of the actors who played Greedo.
• Parking Map: Convention Center lots are at least $10/day, but there are less expensive alternatives on the map.
• *Super Early Bird Special: Adult (Age 14+) Full Weekend Memberships are $40 until May 2! Save $29 versus buying this membership at the door.

New year, new Happenings! Here’s my list of upcoming goings-on and goodies.*

The Anywhere section is for anyone, wherever you are. There are also things you can enjoy ANYWHERE sprinkled throughout the rest of the List.

What Happenings are you looking forward to this year?

The Happenings List

– Central Arizona –

Asian Festival: Sape + Flow

Jan 12-13 / Mesa Community College, Mesa / Free

Community-building festival celebrating Asian cuisine, arts, and traditions in Mesa’s Asian District.

From the organizers: “The Asian Festival mission is to promote a peaceful world by increasing international awareness and cultural understanding.”

• Entertainment: Mathew Ngau Jau, an indigenous cultural guardian from Borneo, will play a traditional stringed instrument called “sape,” as well as giving workshops on how it is crafted. Master Ong will perform Flow Arts, which is a mix of meditation, movement, and juggling.
• Vendors: Over 20 vendor booths.
• Food + beverage: 45 food vendors.
• H/T Visit Phoenix

New Moon PJ Party + Jewelry Making Workshop: Soak in Slumber Party Vibes

Jan 12, 7pm – 10pm / Palabras Bilingual Bookstore, Phoenix

Jewelry-making workshop and lunar gathering with games, food, a place to work on creative projects/crafts, and space to reflect and set intentions.

• Wear PJs, bring pillows and blankets, and a notebook. Optional: bring games and snacks to share.
• Andria from Andria’s Tienda will be hosting a lunar bracelet make-and-take workshop ($10, materials included).
• Wasted Ink Zine Distro, Palabras Bookstore, and Cuentos Café will all be open until 10pm!
• *ANYWHERE: Palabras Bookstore has a $14.99/month Audiobook Membership, which gives you an audiobook credit each month, plus 30% off additional audiobook purchases!

Intro into Keum-Boo: Silver-Gilty Pleasure

Jan 14, 1pm / KP Studio, Phoenix / $160 fee

3-hour, beginner-level workshop on Keum-Boo, an ancient Korean technique used to apply thin sheets of gold to silver. Attendees will apply this silver-gilt technique to a pair of earrings.

• Supplies are included and so are 3 hours of studio time!
• 1/13 is Korean-American Day!
• *Unlimited monthly studio time for $95/month. (A deal if you’re planning to use 6.5 hours a month or more!)
• ANYWHERE: Online classes on metal smithing.

Ceasefire Postcard-Writing Campaign: Craft a Message

Jan 14 + on, 11am – 2pm / Palabras Bilingual Bookstore, Phoenix / Free

Weekly gathering to make, write, and mail postcards to Congressional reps to demand a ceasefire in Palestine. The postcard writing sessions will continue every Sunday until there is a permanent ceasefire.

• If you’re unable to make it on Sundays, postcards and materials will be available in the backroom seating area anytime Palabras is open.
• Contributions of stamps, postcards and cereal boxes (to be made into postcards) are needed!
• ANYWHERE: Viva Palestina: Liberation Movement Resources

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: Going Beyond “I Have a Dream.”

Jan 23, 6pm / Tempe History Museum, Tempe / Free

While many MLK Day festivities focus on Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, the most pivotal years of his life may have come afterward, from 1965-1968. This community chat will focus on Dr. King’s life during those years and his stand against the Vietnam War.

• *ANYWHERE: Free Tempe coloring pages + activity books
• *ANYWHERE: eMuseum online database

Phoenix Chinese Week Culture and Cuisine Festival: Dragon  Dances + Dim Sum

Feb 3-4 / Steele Indian School Park, Phoenix / Free

Two-day festival with continuous live entertainment and hands-on activities.

• Entertainment: Dragon and Lion Dances, folk dances, musical and cultural performances, Tai Chi and martial arts demonstrations, koi pond and other exhibits. Play a game of Mahjong, compete in a chopstick challenge, try a Chinese yo-yo, and have your English name translated into Chinese characters! There’s also an arts and crafts area for kids.
• Vendors: Merchandise vendors with unique items.
• Food + beverage: A wide variety of Asian food available from food trucks and food vendors. Also a beer garden.

Local Hearts Club Makers Market: We Get by With a Little Help from Our Friends

Feb 10, 10am – 4pm / Shops @ Town + Country, Phoenix / Free to shop

Market with locally handmade jewelry, one-of-a-kind art, treats, apparel and accessories, and health and beauty goods.

• Entertainment: Live local music all day and a raffle for prizes donated by vendors.
• Vendors: Local Phoenix makers.
• Raffle to benefit AZK9 Rescue.
• *Happy hour specials on drinks, snacks, and free kids’ meals at The Macintosh (also at Town + Country) 3-6pm, Monday to Saturday – so you could stop by after the Makers Market!

VNSA (Volunteer Nonprofit Service Association) Book Sale: Paperbacks for Penny Pinchers

Feb 10-11 / Arizona State Fairgrounds, Ag. Center Building, Phoenix / Free to shop

Annual sale of hundreds of deeply discounted used books, media, and other items. This is both a way to give the community access to books inexpensively, and a way to raise money for nonprofit organizations Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation and Literacy Volunteers of Maricopa County!

• Arizona State Fairgrounds charges a $12 parking fee that supports the Fairgrounds. VNSA does not receive any money from parking fees.
• All unmarked standard-size paperback books are $2.
• *Everything is half-price on Sunday (except for the books in Rare + Unusual)!
• ANYWHERE: Shop their online bookstore.

World Championship Hoop Dance Contest: You Make Me Wanna Hoop

Feb 17-18 / Heard Museum, Phoenix / All ages / Regular adult tickets are $25/day

The traditional art of hoop dancing takes a lot of skill, and it’s amazing what expert hoop dancers are able to do!

• Entertainment: 100 contestants from across North America, two award-winning drum groups, activities for kids.
• Food + beverage: Food trucks.

– Northern Arizona –

Chocolate Lovers’ Special: Romance on the Rails

Feb 10-14 / Verde Canyon Railroad, Clarkdale / $145/ticket + tax

Valentine-themed excursion on a renovated vintage train! Couples can enjoy the scenery of a red rock canyon, as well as house made truffles, pralines, cupcakes, mousse cups, and other chocolate treats along the way. Passengers receive a Champagne toast upon boarding, service at their seats, and a variety of complimentary appetizers. There will also be full-service cash-bars with S’mores cocktails, strawberry Sangria, and premium liquors on the menu.

From the organizers: “…Since Arizona became the ‘Valentine State’ and the 48th star on the U.S. flag on February 14, 1912, this holiday is the perfect time to memorialize romance on the rails.”

• Available February 10, 11 and 14.
• All cars connect to open-air viewing platforms.
• A portion of all train ticket revenue is donated to Liberty Wildlife Raptor Rescue program.
• ANYWHERE: Train ride video gallery. 
• *ANYWHERE: Oral Histories from Clarkdale residents.

Sedona International Film Festival: Sedona is for Cinephiles

Feb 24 – Mar 3 / Mary D. Fisher Theatre + Alice Gill-Sheldon Theatre, Sedona / $660/Gold Priority Pass (free entry to all screenings).

30-year-old festival of independent films from around the world, including features, shorts, documentaries, animation, foreign films, and student films. Over 140 films total!

• Individual tickets will be available for purchase starting one week before the festival.
• *Discounts on rental cars and lodging for Film Festival attendees.

– Southern Arizona –

Popol Vuh and the Maya Art of Storytelling: Two Words — Piñata. Wall.

now – October 20 / Tucson Museum of Art, Tucson / Included with admission.

Exhibition that looks at the traditions of Maya storytelling and image-making from ancient times up to the present. As a starting point, it uses Mayan mythology from the Popol Vuh. Artwork by Guatemalan modern artist Carlos Mérida, which it inspired, complement the ancient work.

• Fun fact: I thought this exhibition had ended, but when I looked at the date, I didn’t pay attention to the year. It actually runs until this October!
• *First Thursday. 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.
• *Second SundAZe. Focused on intergenerational learning, the Second Sunday of the month features activities and art-making for kids, as well as docent talks, free performances, and pay-what-you-wish admission.

Art in Oro Valley Gallery Exhibition: OV at 50!

Jan 11 – May 3 / Ventana Gallery at Roche Tissue Diagnostics, Tucson / Free

Exhibition of work by artists who live, work, and/or were inspired by Oro Valley, in honor of the town’s 50th anniversary. It will be housed in an unconventional space – a gallery located on the campus of Roche Tissue Diagnostics!

• 1/24, 5-7pm: Opening Night Celebration. Experience the exhibition with the artists who created each work. The event will also feature wine, light snacks, and live music. Free admission with registration.
• H/T SAACA newsletter

Wings Over Willcox: Cranes Convene

Jan 11-14 / Willcox Community Center, Willcox / $20 fee (+ activity fees)

Birding + nature festival that takes place annually during MLK weekend, which happens to be a great time to see sandhill cranes and other bird species in the Sulphur Springs Valley! Activities include field trips, tours, seminars, and a Nature Expo.

• *ANYWHERE: Sandhill crane cam!

Tucson Jazz Festival: All That Jazz

Jan 12-20 / Multiple venues in Downtown Tucson / Ticket prices vary by event.

Festival created to influence the discovery and celebration of live jazz performance and music education. It features world-class musicians, as well as up-and-comers.

• Jan 13: Jazz Jam at Hotel Congress. Festival artists are paired together in unique ensembles that perform throughout the day. Tickets $45
• Jan 15 (MLK Day): Downtown Jazz Fiesta at Corbett’s. Annual day of free performances.
• Jan 20, 2pm: Blue Note Records 85th Anniversary Concert at Fox Theatre. Tickets $35-104 (including fees).

The Speakeasy: Prohibition Party

Jan 13, 6pm / AZ Hops and Vines, Sonoita / $40/ticket

Twenties-themed release party to celebrate the new Tempranillo from AZ Hops + Vines! Dress like it’s Prohibition times. The Speakeasy password will be shared right before the event!

• Entertainment: Big Band vibes and belly dancers! Live music from Bees Knees, a Pennsylvania band covering danceable hits from throughout the decades.
• Food + beverage: Admission Includes a souvenir glass, appetizers, and your choice of a glass of wine!
• ANYWHERE: Buy AZ Hops and Vines wines online!

National Day of Racial Healing: Come Together

Jan 13, 1pm / YWCA of Southern Arizona, Tucson / All ages / Free

An afternoon of discussions, cultural performances, and activities for the whole family. The event, hosted by League of Women Voters of Greater Tucson and the YWCA of Southern Arizona, is meant to bring people together and inspire action to create a more just and equitable world.

• The Day is part of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation’s Truth, Racial Healing Transformation efforts.
• ANYWHERE: Find a National Day of Racial Healing event that’s near you or online.

Sahuarita Art on the Lake Festival

Jan 13, 10am – 4pm / Sahuarita Lake Park, Sahuarita / Free

Second annual festival featuring immersive and experiential activities throughout the park. With REFLECTION as this year’s theme, the event will encourage attendees to explore personal and creative reflection, conscientious art-making, and multi-cultural and generational community performances. It will also feature floating art installations that will take the theme of reflection literally.

• Entertainment: Live music, community chalk art competition, live plein air painting, mural unveiling, and kids’ crafts. There will also be an eclectic variety of performances unfolding throughout the day, including Mexican Folk Dance, immersive avant-garde, Celtic Dance, mariachi, and the Chinese Lion Dance.
• Vendors: Up to 25 artisans exhibiting throughout the walkways of the Sahuarita Lake Park.
• Food + beverage: BlackJack Citrus Infusions (Lemonade), Greater Faith World Church Intl. (BBQ), Moreno’s Roasted Corn, Mr. Ice Guy (Italian Ice), Springtide Catering (American Fare​).

Goodies from Festival vendors…

• *ANYWHERE: $3 off 2 bags of black garlic when you order online from Santa Cosecha with coupon code: SAVE$3.00
• *Ask Wear a Touch of Spirit if they’re offering their buy 2 bracelets get 1 free deal at this show.
• *ANYWHERE: Gluten-free Breakfast Cookie recipe by Untamed Confections.

Tucson’s Annual MLK Day Celebration: March + Learn

Jan 15, 8am – 2pm / Reid Park, Tucson / Free

Beginning with a march from U of A Tech Park (MLK Way and 36th St) to Reid Park, this day of commemorating Dr. King’s legacy will culminate in a celebration at Reid Park’s outdoor performance center. There will be live performances, food, vendors, and informational tables.

• 8am: March begins
• 10am – 2pm: Celebration in the park.

Wine and Craft Show: Sipping, Shopping, Charcuterie

Jan 20, 10am – 4:30pm / Old Pueblo Cellars, Tucson / Free to shop

Craft show, wine tasting, and charcuterie boards at a winery in the desert.

• Reservations are only required for tastings.

Dino-Light: A Lightwire Act

Jan 26, 6:30pm / Fox Theatre, Tucson / $23-43/ticket (fees included)

Glow-in-the-dark performance that depicts an original story of a scientist who brings a friendly dinosaur to life. The dinosaur wanders away from home and finds a world full of creatures that light up the darkness.

From the organizers: “This glow-in-the-dark adventure is visually amazing and has been praised for its cutting edge blend of puppetry, technology and dance by audiences all over the world.”

• Throughout North America: Check out Lightwire Theater’s tour schedule for upcoming performances in other cities.

Cooking Class: Chinese New Year Nian Gao and Dumplings

Jan 27, 11am – 1pm / Tucson Chinese Cultural Center, Tucson / $65/class

Hands-on cooking class to make two Lunar New Year dishes! Instruction on preparing complete Chinese meals is part of the cultural center’s AANHPI-inspired health and wellness program. This series of classes continues through May.

• Sign up for the 1/27 class by January 17.

Tucson Gem, Mineral + Fossil Showcase: Treasures Unearthed

Jan 27-Feb 11 / sites around Tucson

Most of these shows are free and open to the public.

• Jan 27 – Feb 3: Colors of the Stone with To Bead True Blue and Artisan Workshops at Casino Del Sol. Free.
• Jan 27 – Feb 11: African Art Village on the Mercado District Festival Grounds. Outdoor marketplace with vendors from across the African continent selling artisan goods.
• Mineral District shows including the 1801 Oracle / Mineral Village Show, Rock Yard Show, and Mineral City Show.
• Gem Show tips: 10 Things to Know About Gem Shows in Tucson

Understanding Color: Know Your Hues

Feb 2-4 / Tubac School of Fine Art, Tubac / $420 fee

Workshop on the elements of color and how to mix oil paint to match what you see.

From the organizers: “Students will understand the strengths and limitations of every color on and off their palette. Students will then see how to choose their palette for each painting to support their specific color goal.”

• *Tubac Day Trip Itinerary 
• H/T Tubac Center of the Arts (TCA)

Tubac Festival of the Arts: Artists Take Back Tubac

Feb 7-11 / Tubac / Free to shop

Over 200 fine artists and craftsmen exhibit throughout Tubac, along roadways and plazas, and woven among the more than 125 art galleries, boutiques, specialty shops, and restaurants. There will also be live entertainment, horse-drawn trolley rides, and a large assortment of festival eateries.

• *50% off select bottles of wine Sunday nights at Tubac’s Stables Ranch Grille (found on TCA’s dining guide).

Tucson Gem and Mineral Show®: The O.G. (Original Gemshow)

Feb 8-11 / Tucson Convention Center, Tucson / Single-day admission $12 (+$1 convention center fee)

The world’s oldest and largest gem and mineral show. The 2024 show theme is “Pegmatites – Crystals Big and Beautiful!” (I don’t know enough to ever really get what their themes are about. )

• Children 14 and under are free with a paying adult.
• There actually are dozen more shows under the umbrella of the Tucson Gem, Mineral + Fossil Showcase from January 27 to February 11!

Arizona Statehood Day Museum Open House: Celebrate State 48!

Feb 10, 10am – 3pm / Arizona History Museum, Tucson / Free

To commemorate Arizona Statehood Day, the Arizona History Museum will have free admission on February 10th, so you can explore the exhibits and learn about history.

La Fiesta de los Vaqueros: Tucson Rodeo

Feb 17-25 / Tucson Rodeo Grounds, Tucson / General admission tickets start at $18

A Tucson tradition since 1925, the Fiesta celebrates real-life ranch skills and cowpoke culture. Events include bull and bronco riding, barrel racing, roping competitions, junior rodeo events, and a big parade.

• Parking at the Tucson Rodeo Grounds is $10 per vehicle.
• 2/22: Rodeo Parade. Grandstand tickets are $12 (+ $2 fee). Or watch from the curbside for free (no tickets required).

Yuma Art Symposium: Year 45, a Reunion

Feb 22-24 / Yuma / Registration fee $220

Series of presentations by both internationally recognized and emerging artists across a variety of disciplines.

Quilt Fiesta: Quilters Get Crazy!

Feb 23-25 / Pima County Fairgrounds, Tucson / $10 admission

Expo featuring hundreds of quilts in Old Pueblo Hall, along with product demos, vendors, raffles, and special exhibits.

• Small quilt sale to benefit Old Pueblo Community Services and Aviva Children’s Services
• Quilts of Valor sit + sew booth
• Food + coffee vendors
• Parking $7 (+ free shuttle)
• *$2 off admission 2-5pm on Saturday or anytime Sunday, if you show their online coupon at the door.
• *$20 for a 3-day Pass (save $10!)
• *ANYWHERE: Paper Piecing 101 Guide (free)
• *ANYWHERE: Dozens of free downloadable patterns (past patterns-of-the-month)

Tucson Together Market: Part Tu

Feb 24, 11am – 4pm / Depot Plaza (also known as the MLK lot), Tucson / Free to shop

The second artisan market hosted by #ThisIsTucson. These events are all about connecting artists with their community and showing the local love!

– Anywhere –

Stitch-In-Public Day: Embroider Out Loud!

Feb 3 / wherever you are / Free

A day when the EGA (Embroiderers’ Guild of America) encourages anyone who sews to practice their craft out in the open and share their passion for needle arts with others!

Met Live Opera: Carmen

Jan 27 / livestream in movie theaters / varies (around $25/ticket)

Gritty, present-day reimagining of the classic opera Carmen. The new production shines a light on the labor struggles, gendered violence, and other power imbalances we are still facing today.

The January 27th performance will stream live to participating movie theaters. If it won’t be showing at a theater near you, you may be able to get a ticket to watch from home.

• Encore screenings on 1/31.
• More information on ticketing, streaming, and Met Opera on Demand.
• *Sale items at the Met Opera Shop!
• H/T Sedona International Film Festival