EVENTS
CALENDER
Phoenix
March 5 – 8
Arts and Flower Show, Phoenix.
Dozens
of Valley floral designers, inspired by the Phoenix
Art Museum collection, will sculpt floral creations
interpreting works of art in colorful petal forms.
Floral arrangements on pedestals will accompany
the museum’s permanent collection of paintings.
Phoenix Art Museum, 1625 N. Central Ave. 602-307-2050, phxartmuseumleague.org.
March 14
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, plus Friends For Life no-kill
shelter will be present with rescue cats for adoption.
There will be vendors featuring dozens of feline
supplies, accessories and gifts. El Zaribah Shrine
Auditorium, 552 N. 40th St. 602-363-0830, superstitioncats.tripod.com.
March 21-22
Valley Fever Arts Festival, Phoenix.
A new free festival of the arts presents two days
of music, dance, poetry, performance
art and theatrical
performances on three stages. There will also be
street-painting for children as well as a hands-on
art experience for guests in open-air workshops.
Heritage & Science Park, 115 N. 6th St. 602-262-5652, valleyfeverarts.com.
March 22
Not So Silent Sunday Movies, Phoenix.
This month a featured silent film will be scored
by internationally renowned theater organist Ron
Rhode on the “Mighty Wurlitzer” theatre organ.
Orpheum Theatre, 203 W. Adams St. 602-993-7266.
April 4-5
Orchid Spring Show and Sale, Phoenix.
The Desert Valley Orchid Society’s annual show
includes judging by nationally recognized experts
and a plant sale. Baker Nursery, 3414 N. 40th St.
602-697-8332.
April 4
Taizé and the Music of JS Bach, Phoenix.
Pianist Lynne Haeseler, organist Alan De Puy, and
the Sanctorumchanting choir perform the music of
Bach and chants from the French monastic community
Taizé. A chanting workshop will be offered
before the concert and participants will chant
in the concert. Trinity Cathedral, 100 W. Roosevelt
St. 602-955-3611, lhpiano.com.
April 18
Dine with Your Dog, Phoenix.
Enjoy an
evening that includes dinner for two (dog and owner),
a raffle and live auction. The evening concludes
with Phoenix Children’s Animal-Assisting Therapy
dogs taking to the cat-walk to unveil the
latest in canine couture. Private residence, 1561
W. Las Palmaritas Dr. 602-944-9552, dinewithyourdog.org.
East Valley
March 6
Stargazing at McDowell Mountain Regional
Park, Fountain Hills.
The park hosts guided stargazing,
allowing visitors to bring blankets and snacks
and enjoy the stars while also learning a little
bit about them. McDowell Mountain Regional Park,
16300 McDowell Mountain Park Dr. 480-471-0173, maricopa.gov/parks/mcdowell/.
March 6-8
Carefree Fine Art and Wine Festival,
Carefree.
Over 165 juried fine artists from all
over the world come together for Arizona’s number
one art event. Patrons will enjoy paintings, bronzes,
photography, pottery, sculptures, jewelry and handmade
baskets. Downtown Carefree, 101 Easy St. 480-837-5637, ThunderbirdArtists.com.
March 7
Arizona Ag Day, Mesa.
“Food You Eat from
People You Trust” is the theme of this year’s Ag
Day, which will offer participants opportunities
to meet the people who produce the foods we eat
and learn about Arizona’s agriculture. Superstition
Farm, 3440 S. Hawes Rd. 480-986-7781.
March 7 – 8
Great Arizona Beer Festival, Tempe.
The festival features tastes of more than 100 specialty
and microbrewed beers, live music, games and fun
for people age 21 and over. Entertainment will
be provided by the Crown Kings and Mystic Blue.
Tempe Beach Park, Mill Avenue and Rio Salado Parkway.
480-774-8300, azbeer.com.
March 7
Chinese Art Academy Spring Performance
and Art Show, Mesa.
Take part in a global celebration,
featuring a multifaceted blend of dazzling choreography,
vibrant costumes, distinctive music, and traditional
dances from over eight different Chinese nationalities. Mesa
Arts Center, Ikeda Theater, 1 E. Main St. 480-821-0027, caa-az.com.
March 12-14
Windgate Ranch Pinewood Derby, Scottsdale.
Get
down and derby at Windgate Ranch where a Sonoran
desert mountain range sets the scene for this pinewood
car racing event. Hundreds of four-wheeled wonders
will compete in categories such as Best Car Design,
Best Paint Job, Best Original Idea, Best Theme
Car and Best of Show. The public is invited to
vote in the Fan Favorite category. Preview entries
on Thursday and Friday and then catch the races
on Saturday. Windgate Ranch, 10190 E. Windgate
Ranch Rd. 480-596-7310, tollbrothers.com.
March 13-15
Ostrich Festival, Chandler.
This year’s
festival will feature state fair-style carnival
rides and
the Kiddie Carnival. Ostrich Alley will
feature ostrich burgers, ostrich jerky and fresh
emu eggs. The main stage will feature live, headline
entertainment each day and the Music Coop will
showcase local community performing groups and
great local bands. Other attractions include an
exotic petting zoo, camel and pony rides, great
food, free kids games in the Kidzone, rows of arts
and craft vendors and everyone’s favorite - ostrich
races! Tumbleweed Park, 2250 S. McQueen Rd. 480-963-4571, ostrichfestival.com.
March 14
St. Patrick’s Day at the Fountain Park,
Fountain Hills.
One of the world’s tallest fountain
turns emerald green twice this year. The celebration
includes live Irish bands all day, “bouncers” for
kids, face painting, beer garden, food and games.
Fountain Park, 12925 N. Saguaro Blvd. 480-837-1654.
March 19-22
Festival of the West, Scottsdale.
Four
days of pure cowboy fun including Western film
celebrities, Western music, cowboy poetry, Western
movie screenings, log home show, chuck wagon cookin’
competition, historic reenactments and a huge Western
retail show featuring art, cowboy collectibles,
clothing, jewelry and anything Western. Westworld,
16601 N. Pima Rd. 602-996-4387, festivalofthewest.com.
March 20 – 21
Bertrand Berry Celebrity Weekend,
Scottsdale.
Philanthropists, Cardinals fans and
Valley VIPs alike are invited to wine, dine and
mingle with the stars at this celebrity-studded
weekend, featuring a myriad of activities. A “Tropical
Illusion” gala gets this philanthropic weekend
— benefiting Childhelp, Leukemia & Lymphoma
Society and the Mable Dean Scholarship fund — underway,
followed on Saturday by the Celebrity Football
Camp. Hotel Valley Ho (Friday), 6850 E. Main St;
Arizona Cardinals Training Facility in Tempe (Saturday),
8701 S. Hardy Dr. 480-495-3878, bertrandberryfoundation.org.
March 20-22
Fountain Hills Fine Art and Wine Affaire,
Fountain Hills.
View world-class art and experience
an extensive collection of domestic and imported
wines that will be available for tasting. A local
microbrewery will also be on site serving Miro
Kenarov premium beers.
Downtown Fountain Hills, 16858 Avenue of the Fountains.
480-837-5637, thunderbirdartists.com.
March 21
“A Night in the ’40s” Big Band Dance,
Mesa.
This glamorous event features a WWII 1940s
musical show followed by a Big Band orchestra playing
sounds of the era to dancing men and women dressed
in period styles - all in the shadow of the vintage
B-17 WW II Flying Fortress bomber Sentimental Journey.
CAF Aircraft Museum, 2017 N. Greenfield Rd. 480-924-1940, bigbanddance.com.
March 25
Fergie & Friends Celebrity Baseball
Game, Mesa.
The Mesa HoHoKams and the Ferguson
Jenkins Foundation will team up to celebrate baseball
and raise money for charity with the second annual
celebrity baseball game. HoHoKam Stadium, 1235
N. Center St. 480-964-4467.
March 28-29
Red, White & Bloom Flower Show,
Scottsdale.
Horticulture, floral design and special
exhibits will be open for public viewing. Mustang
Library, 10101 N. 90th St. 480-451-1572.
April 4-8
Bell Lexus Copperstate 1000, Tempe.
Phoenix Art Museum’s most unique fundraiser rolls
across 1000 miles of Arizona’s most beautiful scenery.
Considered the premier vintage car road rally in
North America, more than 70 rare and stunning vintage
automobiles will participate in this year’s event.
Tempe Diablo Stadium, 2200 W. Alameda Dr. 602-257-1222. copperstate1000.com.
April 11
Red Rocks Music Festival, Scottsdale.
The Red Rocks Music Festival will present a fun-filled
family concert featuring festival musicians, Un
Corazon Flamenco and children’s stories, narrated
by radio and television personality Michael Dixon,
with music composed by David Y
ang. Theatre 4301
N. Scottsdale Rd. 602-787-1577, redrocksmusicfestival.com.
April 14-19
Scottsdale Culinary Festival, Scottsdale.
Participate in a Southwestern tradition for foodies,
culinary conquistadors and anyone looking to savor
great flavors and soak up a week-long festival
that brings it all to one place. It’s the original
– and still the best. Scottsdale Civic Center Plaza,
7374 E. Second St. 480-945-7193, ScottsdaleCulinaryFestival.org.
April 17-18
Rotary River Rally, Tempe.
This year
the Tempe Rotary Clubs are celebrating the 10th
anniversary of their annual fundraiser for children’s
charities – the Rotary River Rally, featuring the
Great Cardboard Boat Regatta®. A free boat building
clinic will be held March 21 for interested participants.
Tempe Beach Park. 80 W. Rio Salado Pkwy. 480-905-5944, RotaryRiverRally.com.
West Valley
March 7-8
An Affair With The Arts, Surprise.
Come
to a spring art festival featuring artists, craftsmen
and musicians from around the southwest. West Valley
Art Museum, 17420 North Avenue of the Arts, 623-972-0635, wvam.org.
March 29
Handbell Ringers Retrospective, Sun
City.
Enjoy a collage of favorite musical themes
composed/arranged by world renown handbell composer,
Dr. Donald E. Allured. American Lutheran Church,
17200 N. Del Webb Blvd. 623-876-1101.
Southern Arizona
March 1
Picture This! Art for Families: My World,
Tucson.
Contemporary artists such as Richard Misrach,
Vernon Fisher and Sasha Bezzubov are inspired by
the forces of nature and the elements, as can be
seen in their depictions of fire, wind, and water.
In this mixed-media workshop, look at your local
environment for inspiration as you create your
own works. Tucson Museum of Art, 140 N. Main Ave.
520-624-2333, TucsonMuseumofArt.org.
March 5
Reading by Gary Nabhan, Tucson.
Gary Paul
Nabhan is a Lebanese-American writer of literary
nonfiction about place, food, farming, cross-cultural
reconciliation, and wild creatures. Poetry Center,
1508 E. Helen St. 520-626-3765.
March 7
Book Discussion: A Sand County Almanac,
Tucson.
Discuss the classic environmental treatise
on one man’s responsibility and role in nature.
Presented in part by the Arizona Humanities Council
and led by local author Gregory McNamee, the discussion
is free, but space is limited to the first 20 participants.
Tucson Museum of Art, 140 N. Main Ave. 520-624-2333
ext. 122 (reserve book), TucsonMuseumofArt.org.
March 14-15
Tucson Artists Open Studios, Tucson.
Explore the diversity of Tucson's art scene by
visiting artists in their studios and see the creative
process in action. Metro Tucson. 520-319-2322, tucsonopenstudios.com (guide
maps).
March 12
Art, Advocacy and the Arid Land, Tucson.
Conservationist and painter Anne Coe, Phoenix artist
and farmer Mathew Moore, and Elizabeth Grajales,
Public Art Project Manager for the City of Phoenix,
discuss artists’ influence in the shaping of urban
environments and their role as advocates for environmental
issues. Tucson Museum of Art, 140 N. Main Ave.
520-624-2333, TucsonMuseumofArt.org.
March 12-14
Valley Crafter Show and Sale, Benson.
Browse through a variety of crafts and delicious
baked goods. 590 S. Huachuca St. 520-586-1908.
March 20-21
Splendor in the Desert Quilt Show,
Green Valley.
Presented by the Valley Quilters
Guild, the show features over 100 quilts on display,
vendors and door prizes. AQS certified quilt appraiser
Nora Mohr will provide written appraisals
by appointment. Community Performing Arts Center,
1250 W. Continental Rd. 520-648-2230, vqgaz.com.
March 20-22
The 4th Avenue Spring Street Fair,
Tucson.
Rated as one of the top 100 festivals in
the country, this event is free to the public and
brings together over 400 arts and crafts artisans,
40 food vendors, two big music stages, food, jugglers,
street performers and “VAN GROW” the kids hands-on
art pavilion. Fourth Avenue, between Ninth Street
and University Boulevard. 520-624-5004, fourthavenue.org.
March 27 – 29
Spring Artisans’ Market, Tucson.
More than 100 artists from the southwest will have
their wares for sale in the courtyards and lobby
of the museum. Tucson Museum of Art, 140 N. Main
Ave. 520-624-2333, TucsonMuseumofArt.org.
April 3 – 4
CRUSH Wine Festival, Tucson.
Celebrate
the fine art of wine at Southern Arizona’s largest outdoor fine art and
rare wine festival. Tucson Museum of Art, 140 N.
Main Ave. 520-624-2333, TucsonMuseumofArt.org/crush.
April 4-5
Oracle Artists’ Studio Tour, Oracle.
This special weekend is when Oracle artists open
their doors to the public to show and sell their
work. This is a self-guided driving tour through
the beautiful oak-lined backroads and hills of
the community. Some of the locations will feature
food and music. Oracle, 35 miles Northeast of Tucson.
520-896-2123.
April 9
Fiction Reading by Author Denis Johnson,
Tucson.
Denis Johnson is the author of several
novels, plays and books of verse, including The
Incognito Lounge, Angels, Jesus? Son, and Tree
of Smoke, which won the 2007 National Book
Award for fiction. Poetry Center, 1508 E. Helen
St. 520-626-3765.
April 18
Canelo Hills Wine & Farm Festival,
Elgin.
Celebrate with local winemakers and farmers,
and sample wines from five Southern Arizona wineries,
all in one place. The winemakers from Canelo Hills,
Keeling-Schaefer Vineyards, Charron Vineyards,
Lightning Ridge Cellars, and Pillsbury Wine Company
will pour and discuss their Arizona-grown, handcrafted
wines. Other local farmers will be showing off
their wares as well, ranging from goat cheese to
herbs to alpaca fiber products. Canelo Hills Vineyard
and Winery, 342 Elgin Rd. 520-455-5499, canelohillswinery.com.
Northern Arizona
March 14
St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Festival,
Sedona.
Parade entrants include dignitaries and
local social, cultural, civic, and religious organizations
and businesses. The parade is preceded by the Shamrocks
in the Red Rocks One-Mile Run/Walk and 5K Run and
followed by a festival featuring music and entertainment,
free children’s activities, food booths and a beer
garden. 450 Jordan Rd. 928-204-2390.
April 17-19
Home & Garden Expo, Kingman.
The
expo will feature home and garden products and
services and a kids’ carnival. Mohave County Fairgrounds,
2600 Fairgrounds Blvd. 928-753-2636,
mcfafairgrounds.org.
March 27 — May 3
Cowgirl Up! Art from the Other
Half of the West Invitational Exhibition & Sale,
Wickenburg.
Known as the most important show
for western women artists in the country, Cowgirl
Up! features the work of 58 of the West’s best
artists. Desert Caballeros Western Museum, 21 N.
Frontier St. 928-684-2272 (call for tickets to
the opening weekend gala), westernmuseum.org.
April 3
Grand Opry Night and Spaghetti Dinner
Fundraiser, Williams.
Enjoy a delicious spaghetti
dinner and an evening of music and dancing. Proceeds
benefit Habitat for Humanity. Rodeo Barn, corner
of Airport and Rodeo Roads. 928-635-0386.
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.
Or, 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.
