Calender of Events

Central Phoenix
March 1 - Phoenix Needlework Show, Phoenix.
View needle art created by some of the Southwest’s finest stitchers. Proceeds from the event will support A Stepping Stone Foundation, a non-profit devoted to providing early education programs for “at risk” children. Shemer Art Center and Museum, 5005 E. Camelback Rd. 480-991-7539

March 6-9 Art and Flowers Show, Phoenix.
Designers, inspired by the museum's collection of fine arts, will sculpture floral designs. The floral arrangements on pedestals will accompany paintings, photography and sketches. Phoenix Art Museum, 1625 N. Central Ave. 602-307-2050, phxartmuseumleague.org.

March 7-9 National Money Show, Phoenix.
It won’t cost a thing to see a billion bucks during the American Numismatic Association’s three-day collector’s show.  The exhibit will showcase examples of $100,000 bills and the redesigned $5 bill that goes into circulation late this spring. Phoenix Convention Center (West Building), 100 N. 3rd St. 719-482-9857, money.org.

March 8 - 9 St. Catty’s Day Cat Show, Phoenix.
See over 175 CFA pedigreed cats and kittens, as well as extraordinary household pets, competing for end-of-season awards.  Kittens and cats will be available for sale and Friends For Life no-kill shelter will be present with rescue cats for adoption. El Zaribah Shrine Auditorium, 552 N. 40th St. 602-363-0830, superstitioncats.tripod.com.

March 13-16 Festival of the West, Phoenix.
There'll be plenty to do, it's sure enough true: toe-tapping music and poetry readings; fast shootin' cowboys and chuck wagon feedings. Rawhide Western Town at Wild Horse Pass, 5700 W. North Loop Rd. 602-996-4387, festivalofthewest.com.

March 15-16 West of Western Culinary Festival, Phoenix.
The 4th annual festival presents over fifty of Arizona's most renowned chefs, along with wines from around the world. Phoenix Art Museum (Sculpture Garden and Great Hall), 1625 N. Central Ave. 602-262-5652, westofwestern.com.

March 28 -29 Bertrand Berry Celebrity Weekend, Phoenix.
Golfers, philanthropists and Valley VIPs are invited to wine, dine and mingle with the stars at this celebrity-studded fundraiser, featuring a golf tournament, gala and football camp. J.W. Marriott Desert Ridge Resort and Spa, 5350 E. Marriott Dr. 480-495-3878, bertrandberryfoundation.org.

March 29 Master Gardener Real Gardens for Real People Tour, Phoenix.
Each of the owners of the seven gardens on the tour have taken their properties from barren desert to restful havens with succulents, cacti, trees, water features, flowers, some vegetables and garden art. North Phoenix (self-guided driving tour), 602-470-1556 ext. 101, maricopamastergardener.org.
 
March 30 Coronado Neighborhood Tour and Festival, Phoenix.
This year the tour features a “green” bungalow, carefully remodeled to maintain the historic look from the front, while using ecologically safe products in the new addition. Walk or ride the shuttle through the streets of Coronado. Coronado Park, 12th Street and Palm. 602-275-5368, gcna.info (tickets), hometour@gcna.info (information).

April 26 Celebration of Dance, Phoenix.
This concert presents a wide-range of dance styles in an exciting evening of dance. Herberger Theater Center, 222 E. Monroe St., Phoenix, 602 252-8497, goldenlionproductions.com.

East Valley

March 21-23 Fountain Hills Fine Art and Wine Affaire, Fountain Hills.
The festival will present nationally acclaimed and award-winning fine artisans from throughout the United States and abroad. Avenue of the Fountain, between La Montana and Saguaro Boulevard. 480-837-5637, ThunderbirdArtists.com.

March 28-30, Tempe Festivals of the Arts, Tempe.
This juried show and sale presents over 350 artists in a street-festival atmosphere of booths. Mill Avenue District, 480-355-6070, tempefestivalofthearts.com.

March 29 Charity Concert, Carefree.
It will be like having Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Tony Bennett, Perry Como, Johnny Mathis, Elvis, Nat King Cole and more entertain you for the evening! The most versatile impersonator in show business, Don “The Don” Walsh will perform in an event to raise money for the Foothills Caring Corp. Christ the Lord Lutheran Church, 9205 E. Cave Creek Rd., 480-488-7712.

March 30 Homes through Time, Cave Creek.
Spend the day touring three distinct homes, including the Empie Boulder Home, the Hoss House and the Hunt House. Proceeds benefit Cave Creek Museum, 6140 Skyline Dr. 480-488-2764, cavecreekmuseum.org. 

April 4-6 Sonoran Festival of Fine Art, Carefree.
The festival features 100 local and nationally-acclaimed painters, sculptors, jewelers, wood and glass artists, photographers, and artists working with mixed media. Carefree Town Center, Easy Street and Carefree Drive. 480-575-6624, SonoranArtsLeague.org.

April 6 – 9 Bell Lexus Copperstate 1000, Tempe.
As the premier vintage car road rally in the nation and a unique fundraiser for the Phoenix Art Museum, this tour of Arizona attracts enthusiasts from across the country and around the world.  The rally includes over 80 selected sports, racing and grand touring cars manufactured before January 1, 1974. Once again AAA Arizona will be proudly represented among the event sponsors. Tempe Diablo Stadium, 2200 W. Alameda Dr. copperstate1000.com.

April 25-26 McDowell Mountain Music Festival, Scottsdale.
Each year, the festival brings together 13 bands from a wide variety of genres over two days set against the backdrop of the McDowell Mountains. WestWorld Polo Grounds, 16601 N. Pima Rd. 602-343-0453, mmmf.net.

West Valley

March 7 – 9 Arizona International Sportsmen’s Exposition (ISE), Glendale.
The 2008 ISE will feature nearly 400 exhibitors covering the entire outdoor sports experience. Special features include contests, demos and special displays. University of Phoenix Stadium, 1 Cardinals Dr. 800-545-6100, SportsExpos.com.

March 14 - 15 Quilt Show, Glendale.
The exhibit will include more than 300 quilts made by quilters throughout Arizona.   There will also be a Small Quilt Auction on Saturday. ASU West campus, 4701 W. Thunderbird Rd.  602-220-9889, azquiltersgild.org.
 
March 14 Festival of the Arts, Peoria.
The City of Peoria will combine fine art, food, wine, literature, film and live entertainment to create a dynamic festival diverse enough to suit all tastes. Peoria City Hall Municipal Complex, 8401 W. Monroe St. 623-773-7198, peoriaaz.gov/specialevents.

Southern Arizona

March 1 Western Heritage Day, Vail.
Enjoy this family friendly event that will feature demonstrations, arena events, hand-on activities, stage coach rides, living history, live western music, cowboy poetry, western fashion show, great food and more.   Colossal Cave Mountain Park, 16721 E. Old Spanish Trail. 520 647-7121.

March 6-8 Valley Crafter Show and Sale, Benson.
This small juried craft show will feature varied crafts and baked goods for sale. Community Presbyterian Church (Fellowship Hall), 590 S. Huachuca St. 520-586-1908.

March 8 – 9 Civil War in the Southwest, Picacho. 
Each year thousands of spectators descend on Picacho Peak State Park to watch re-enactments of this Arizona Civil War skirmish and the New Mexico battles of Glorieta and Val Verde. More than 200 re-enactors will camp at Picacho Peak State Park with their authentic Civil War camping gear. Picacho Peak State Park, I-10 at exit 219, 520-466-3183, azstateparks.com.

March 15 – 16 Art Walk, Tubac.
Explore the working artists’ studios and fine art galleries for which Tubac is renowned. Tubac Village, exit 34 on 1-19 south of Tucson, 520-398-2704, tubacaz.com.
 
April 5 Taste of Tubac, Tubac. 
A tasting of savory cuisine from area restaurants paired with fine wines, sponsored by the Tubac Rotary to benefit local nonprofits. Tubac Presidio State Park, 1 Burruel St. 520- 398-2704, tubacaz.com.

April 5-6 Catalina Artist's Studio Tour, Catalina
Participate in a self-guided tour through the village of Catalina, located north of Tucson, to view an astounding array of local artistic talent. Pick up tour guides and maps at the Catalina Hardware, 16120 N. Oracle Rd. 520-818-3250, catalinacac@aol.com (request map by email).

April 17-20 Institute of Desert Ecology, Tucson.
Join Arizona experts for a four-day event that focuses on Sonoran desert ecology. Catalina State Park, located on State Highway 77 (Oracle Road) at mile marker 81, just nine miles north of Tucson and six miles north of Ina Road. 520-622-2230, tucsonaudubon.org.

April 22-26 La Frontera Tucson International Mariachi Conference, Tucson.
This conference beckons mariachi and baile fólklorico aficionados from around the country. AAA Members receive free admission to the Paricipant Showcase on April 24. Children and teens under 16 will also receive free admission. Tucson Convention Center, 260 S. Church Ave. 520-838-3908, tucsonmariachi.org.

April 25-27 Last Chance Cat Show, Tucson.
All breeds will be represented, from Abyssinians to Sphynx, in 20 championship and household rings. Inn Suites Hotel (Ballroom), 475 N. Granada. 928-978-0487, coatimondi.com.

Northern Arizona

March 28 – May 4, Cowgirl Up! 
Art from the Other Half of the West Exhibition & Sale, Wickenburg. Cowgirl Up! is the most important exhibition and sale for women artists in the nation; among those showcased are local stars such as Anne Coe, Joni Falk and Linda Glover-Gooch. Desert Caballeros Western Museum, 21 N. Frontier St., 928-684-2272, westernmuseum.org. 

April 11 Grand Opry Night, Williams.
Enjoy country western music by Williams’ Opry Band, Thad Foster and local musicians. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Williams Habitat for Humanity. Rodeo Barn, located on Airport Road. 928-635-0386.