Calender of Events

Central Phoenix
May 2-4
Bead Expo, Phoenix.
Take part in bead and jewelry-making classes taught by world renowned instructors and enjoy fabulous shopping. Phoenix Convention Center, 111 N. 3rd St. 610-232-5735, beadfest.com.

May 7 and June 6
Artlink First Fridays, Phoenix.
Take part in a  self-guided art tour of central Phoenix galleries, art spaces and studios. Free shuttle rides are available. Phoenix Public Library, 1221 N. Central Ave. 602-256-7539, artlinkphoenix.com.  

May 8
Swing Fore Kids Golf Classic, Phoenix.
Michael Young, age 14, of Scottsdale presents his signature golf tournament benefiting Phoenix Children's Hospital’s Animal-Assisted Therapy Program. The tournament includes a lunch reception with live and silent auctions.  JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort’s Wildfire Golf Club, 5350 E. Marriott Dr. 602-469-5666.

June 6-22 Cinderella, Phoenix. 
Valley Youth Theatre presents this timeless tale, which features a special arrangement with R&H Theatricals, New York, NY, and music by Rodgers and Hammerstein. Herberger Theater, 222 E. Monroe. 602-253-8188 ext. 2, VYT.com.

June 14-15
Big Boys and Their Toys 2008, Phoenix.
All the big boy toys will be gathered under one roof. The selection includes automobiles and accessories, luxury homes and properties, electronics for home and business, big screen TV and stereo systems, computers, peripherals, boats and marine equipment, health and exercise equipment, aircraft and aviation equipment, travel and adventure, golf equipment and outings. Phoenix Convention Center, 111 N. 3rd St. 602-331-4744, bigboystoysaz.com.

June 20-22
Grand Canyon State Summer Games, Phoenix. 
This Olympic-style competition includes 31 different sports at sites throughout Maricopa County.  Games are geared toward recreational athletes of all ages and abilities with one category available for elite athletes. Multiple locations. 480-517-9700, gcsg.org.  

East Valley

May 4
The Amazing Sound of the Phillips Symphonic Organ and the Grand Piano, Phoenix.
Enjoy a symphony concert followed by a wine and cheese reception benefit. Doubletree Canyon and Tatum, one mile south of Shea.  602-787-1577, redrocksmusicfestivals.com. 

May 4 and 10
Celebration of Dance, Scottsdale.
Arizona celebrates National Dance Week with hundreds of dancers performing a wide-range of dance styles representing the diversity of dance culture in Arizona. Scottsdale Center for the Performing Art (May 4), 7380 E. 2nd St.; Cactus Shadows Fine Arts Center (May 10), 33606 N. 60th St. 623-465-2720, goldenlionproductions.com.

May 10
Migratory Bird Day, Superior.
Learn to identify birds through a guided birdwalk and a classroom presentation about avian photography by EJ Peiker.  Wildlife rehabbers from the Arizona Game & Fish Department will also present a display of migratory birds as well as other injured or orphaned mammals and reptiles that have been rescued. Maricopa Audubon Society will provide field guides and gear. Boyce Thompson Arboretum, 37615 U.S. Hwy 60, 520-689-2811, http://arboretum.ag.arizona.edu

June 7-14
In My Grandmother’s Purse, Tempe.
A delightful memory game is played between Sonny Boy and his mother, shedding light on a life well lived.  As the game progresses, two very different views of Grandmother emerge and the play explores the way life colors memory and – of course – vice versa. Tempe Center for the Arts, 700 W. Rio Salado Pkwy., 480-350-2822, tempe.gov/tca.

June 27 – July 5
1856, Mesa.
The handcart musical 1856, which chronicles the story of Mormon settlers’ arduous, 1300 journey from Iowa City to Salt Lake in 1856, returns to the stage. Mesa Arts Center (Ikeda Auditorium), 1 E. Main St. 480-644-6500, mesaartscenter.com.

West Valley

May 15
That Thursday Thing! Glendale.
Wear your PJs to “Girl’s Night Out – Pajama Party” in historic downtown Glendale. Shopping, dining, entertainment, giveaways and a myriad of free attractions will be available, including carriage rides, trolley rides, a caricature artist and a photo costume booth. Participants will also receive a goody bag filled with coupons and a map.  Glendale Visitors Center, 5800 W. Glenn St., Suite 140. 623-930-4500, visitglendale.com.

June 7
Family Farm Day, Glendale.
Enjoy a day packed with children’s activities including a u-pick garden, train rides, corn husking, a watermelon eating contest, crafts and more. Tolmachoff Farms, 5726 N. 75th Ave., 623-386-1301, tolmachoff-farms.com

Southern Arizona

May 1-3 
AZ Hog Rally, Tucson.
Enjoy live bands, street dances and poker runs during the annual Hog (Harley Owners Group) rally. Downtown Tucson. 602-955-2658, azstatehogrally.com.

May 1-3
Rodders Days, Tucson.
Arizona’s oldest Rod Run includes a vintage vehicle run to Mount Lemmon, a burger burn,  dinner,  auction, car show and awards. Downtown Tucson, 4th  Avenue. 520-574-3286, tucsonstreetrodassociation.com.

May 3
Canelo Hills Wine & Farm Festival, Elgin.
Hosted by Hills Vineyard and Winery,  the second annual festival will feature wine tastings with three Southern Arizona winemakers, winery tours, farmer’s market, and local crafts. 342 Elgin Rd. 520-455-5499, canelohillswinery.com.

June 7 and 8
Doors Wide Open lodging tour, Bisbee.
Join in a hospitable tour organized by the the innkeepers of Bisbee. Greater Bisbee Chamber of Commerce, 1 Main St., 520-432-5421, discoverbisbee.com.

Northern Arizona

May 2-4
Neath the Rim Open Studios Tour and Sale, Payson. 
Enjoy mountain views along with fine art and fine crafts as you tour 17 juried artists’ personal studios. Twenty-eight Payson area artists, representing various professional backgrounds, will demonstrate and display art in many styles and mediums. Free tickets and maps are available at the Payson Chamber of Commerce, Highway 87 and Main Street, and the Payson Public Library, 328 N. McLane Rd. 928-472-8147.
            
May 3 and June 7
Jerome Art Walk, Jerome.
Stroll the winding streets of Jerome from 5 to 8 p.m. and visit the 30 working studios and galleries of Jerome. Upper Park, across the street from Paul and Jerry’s Saloon. 928-649-2277, jeromeartwalk.com.

May 3
Jerome Garden Tour, Jerome.
Discover the secret hideaways and gardens of Jerome’s downhill residents. Wear comfortable shoes for this walking tour. 602-989-9634.
 
May 3 and 4
Sedona Artists Open Studios Tour, Sedona.
This is a unique opportunity to see inside an art studio where some of Sedona’s best artists work and develop their spectacular creations. Many of the artists will provide demonstrations and light refreshments.  928-204-2413, sedonaartistscoalition.org/artists/open_studio.phtml.

May 4
Sedona Bluegrass Festival, Sedona.
Enjoy a day of performances by bluegrass artists. Los Abrigados Resort and Spa (Creekside), 116 Portal Ln. 928-204-2415, chambermusicsedona.org.

May 10
Old Town Film and Arts Festival, Cottonwood.
Presented in conjunction with the town’s annual Art Walk, festival activities will include viewing of motion pictures filmed in Cottonwood and its surrounding area over a 60 year period, as well as a variety of Main Street events. Historic Old Town, North Main Street (Historic Highway 89A). 928-634-7789.

May 10
The Glory of Spring, Prescott.
The annual Iris Exhibit, sponsored by the Prescott Area Iris Society, will feature an amazing variety of irises in all the colors of the rainbow. Come vote for your favorite irises and enjoy this stunning display of blooms from local gardens. Mortimer Nursery, 3166 Willow Creek Rd. 928-445-8132.

May 10-11
Spring Fine Art and Fine Craft Festival,  Prescott.
Juried festival includes art and artisans, food, western reenactments, weaving, woodturning, painting demos and much more. Courthouse Square, 1 Gurley St.  928 445-2510, mountainartistsguild.org.

May 17
Prescott Highland Games, Prescott.
Enjoy traditional highland pipe bands, Scottish dancing, highland athletic games, and much more. Watson Lake Park, 4 miles north of Prescott just off Route 89 North. 928-713-9772, prescottareacelticsociety.com.

May 17-18
Jerome Home Tour, Jerome.
You can shuttle from house to house but stair climbing and walking is half the fun. 928-649-3847.

May 23-24, 29-31
The Man Who Owned the Grand Canyon, Prescott.
An original stage play that relates the story of Ralph H. Cameron, Grand Canyon pioneer, statehood figure, and political dabbler. Sharlot Hall Museum, 415 W. Gurley St.  928-445-3122, sharlot.org.

June 6–7
Everybody's Hometown Quilt Show, Prescott.
Presented by Mountain Top Quilters, the show includes 350 quilts on display, a small quilt auction, quilt turnings, vendors and a boutique of handmade articles. Light lunches will be available. Yavapai College Gym, 1100 E. Sheldon St. 928-776-8154.

June 6-8 
Strawberry Patchers Quilt Show, Pine.
Over 100 quilts and wearables will be on display. There will be handcrafted items and quilts for purchase in the Berry Patch Boutique as well as quilt appraisers and vendors. Pine Strawberry Community Center Cultural Hall, Highway 87. 928-476-2443, strawberrypatchers.com.

June 7
Bloomington Gold Tours Corvette Show, Flagstaff.
View six generations of America’s favorite sports car. City Hall, 211 W. Aspen Ave. 928-527-8388, BloomingtonGoldTours.com.

June 7-8
Folk Arts Fair, Prescott. 
Join in a gala community celebration of traditional arts, crafts, and entertainments of central Arizona. Hundreds of demonstrators and performers will exhibit horseshoeing, woodcarving, quilting, sheep shearing, carding, dyeing, spinning and weaving wool, military equipment, antique photography and printing, blacksmithing, and tin punching. Fiddle bands, folksingers, cloggers and country dancers will entertain. There will be many hands-on opportunities to try crafts from Arizona's territorial period. Sharlot Hall Museum, 415 W. Gurley St., 928-445-3122, sharlot.org.

June 14
The Prescott Garden Tour, Prescott.
This self-guided driving tour features the diverse visions of five dedicated gardeners. They range from very Victorian to xeriscape and natural habitat, from native plantings to multisensory niches, from vistas to charming private spaces. Each garden is a joy and an inspiration. Sharlot Hall Museum, 415 W. Gurley St. 928-541-9341, azgardenclub.org.
 
June 30-July 5
Prescott Frontier Days World’s Oldest Rodeo, Prescott.  
The 121st annual World’s Oldest Rodeo includes eight rodeo performances, rodeo dances, and the annual parade on July 5. Prescott Rodeo Grounds, 840 Rodeo Dr. 928-445-3103, worldsoldestrodeo.com.

Confirm information by calling the listed numbers before making plans. Information is published on a space-available basis. Send complete details by March 15 for the May/June issue. Information may be submitted online at AAA.com by clicking on Highroads and following the links to Calendar.

Send information to:
Highroads Calendar
3144 N. 7th Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85013
fax: 602-241-2917
or e-mail: highroads@arizona.aaa.com

The activity calendar and advertisements for non-AAA approved facilities and products are placed as a service and do not imply AAA endorsement.