Events Calendar

Central Phoenix
January 24-28 36th Annual Arizona National Boat Show and Fishing Exposition, Phoenix. The state’s top marine dealers will display more than 350 watercraft as well as nearly every marine accessory imaginable. The show will also include boating and fishing seminars and demonstrations. Phoenix Convention Center, 100 N. 3rd St. 602-230-7660.

January 26 – May 28 Gunther von Hagens’ Body Worlds 3: The Anatomical Exhibition of Real Human Bodies, Phoenix. Body Worlds 3 features more than 200 authentic specimens, including organs and whole body specimens, that have undergone Plastination — von Hagen’s groundbreaking method of halting decomposition and preserving the body after death for medical study. Arizona Science Center, 600 E. Washington St. 602-716-2000, www.azscience.org.

January 28 – March 11 Music in the Garden Winter Concert Series, Phoenix. An afternoon of music and beauty under the sun brings the Desert Botanical Garden to life. Come and listen to the Valley’s premier musicians Sundays at the Garden. Call for tickets or order online. Desert Botanical Garden, 1201 N. Galvin Parkway. 480-941-1225, www.dbg.org.

February 3-4 17th Annual World Championship Hoop Dance Contest, Phoenix. Top Native hoop dancers from the U.S. and Canada are set to compete for the prestigious title. These accomplished dancers will showcase their skills in amazing performances of the intertribal hoop dance. Heard Museum (Outdoor Amphitheatre), 2301 N. Central Ave. 602-252-8848, www.heard.org.

February 5 Patrick Dougherty: Artist in Residence Sculpture Installation, Phoenix. Internationally acclaimed artist Patrick Dougherty will transform hundreds of saplings into a magnificent large-scale sculpture on the Harriet K. Maxwell Desert Wildflower Trail. Dougherty and Garden volunteers twist and weave the installation for approximately three weeks and will be on hand to answer questions. Desert Botanical Garden, 1201 N. Galvin Parkway. 480-941-1225, www.dbg.org.

February 10-11 The 51st Annual VNSA Book Sale, Phoenix. More than 600,000 books, paperbacks, videos, CDs, audiotapes, records, maps, puzzles and other book-related items available. Most books are half price on Sunday. Admission is free. Arizona State Fairgrounds, 1826 W. McDowell Rd. 602-265-6805, info@VNSAbooksale.org, www.VNSAbooksale.org.

February 17 Oh, You Beautiful Doll, Phoenix. The Sunbonnet Doll Club presents the 29th Annual Dolls, Bears and Miniatures Show and Sale. Donations benefit the Arizona Doll and Toy Museum. For competition information call Karen at 623-486-0507. For tables call Carol at 623-935-9204. North Phoenix Baptist Church, Fellowship Hall, 5757 N. Central Ave.

February 24-25 Dollhouse Miniatures Show and Sale, Phoenix. Free children’s “Make it and Take it” workshops, sales, raffles, door prizes and displays. Arizona State University West, 4701 W. Thunderbird Rd. 623-465-7994 or 480-488-7074.

February 24 – April 22 Feast Your Eyes: The Unexpected Beauty of Vegetable Gardens, Phoenix. This traveling exhibition, featuring images from the Smithsonian’s Archives of American Gardens, illustrates the development and popularity of the vegetable garden through images and documents from its collections. The exhibition also highlights the evolution of the vegetable garden in other cultures such as pre-Columbian Mexico and China’s Ming dynasty. Desert Botanical Garden, 1201 N. Galvin Pkwy. 480-941-1225, www.dbg.org.

East Valley
January 3-30 Fine Art and Sacred Art by Veronica Escudero, Scottsdale. Escudero’s pieces reflect Mexican culture, history and religion and range in style and execution from whimsical and joyous to solemn and reverent. ASU Kerr Cultural Center, 6110 N. Scottsdale Rd. 480-596-2660, www.asukerr.com.

January 10 A Conversation with the Collector, Mesa.  Featuring Albert Hays, the event will focus on his collection, “Grand Canyon Grandeur,” on exhibit through March 18. Mesa Southwest Museum, 53 N. Macdonald St. 480-644-2230.

January 12 – February 22 Coffee at Kerr, Scottsdale. Enjoy free coffee while previewing some of the shows that will be presented at the ASU Kerr Cultural Center this season. Don’t miss sneak previews of the The Alley Cats, Madame Butterfly, Wyatt Earp: A Life on the Frontier, Beauty and the Beast, as well as musical artists and ensemble performances. Reservations are required approximately two weeks before a performance. ASU Kerr Cultural Center, 6110 N. Scottsdale Rd. Performances are held in the mornings. 480-596-2660, www.asukerr.com.

January 13 – April 21 Raku: Spirit Beyond Process, An International Exhibition, Tempe. This exhibition provides a global perspective of contemporary ceramic artists working with the raku firing technique of Japanese pottery. Raku is a centuries-old technique characterized by low firing temperatures and the dramatic effects created by removing the work from the kiln while glowing hot. ASU Art Museum, Nelson Fine Arts Center, northeast corner of Mill Avenue and 10th Street. 480-965-2787, www.asuartmuseum.asu.edu.

January 13-21 The Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction, Scottsdale. Taking place over nine days filled with special events, the auction will feature more than 1100 of the world’s finest collector and special-interest automobiles. Barrett-Jackson is attended by 250,000 collectors and enthusiasts from around the globe and includes 350 vendors and exhibitors. WestWorld Event Facility, 16601 N. Pima Rd., www.barrett-jackson.com.

January 16-27 700 Sundays, Tempe. Funnyman Billy Crystal brings his Tony Award-winning show to ASU Gammage. 700 Sundays, an autobiographical journey, is an original two-act play in which Crystal plays numerous characters that have influenced who he is today. It deals with youth, growing up in the jazz world of Manhattan, his teenage years and finally adulthood. ASU Gammage, Mill Avenue and Gammage Parkway.  480-784-4444 (for tickets), www.asugammage.com.

January 18-21 The 7th Annual Russo and Steele Collector Automobile Auction, Scottsdale. See 500 European sports cars, American muscle cars, hot rods and customs. Russo and Steele Collector Automobiles, 18601 N. Scottsdale Rd. www.russoandsteele.com.

January 19-21 Carefree Fine Art and Wine Festival, Carefree. The festival accommodates every art lover’s desire with over 165 juried artists from throughout the U.S. and abroad with featured artist Raleigh Kinney and featured musician Paul McDermand. The event also includes a wine tasting. The festival will take place in downtown Carefree on the corner of Easy and Ho Hum streets. 480-837-5637, www.ThunderbirdArtists.com.

January 20 7th Annual Historic Home Tour, Mesa. This year’s tour will feature ten homes in the Evergreen Historic District of Mesa, along with the 1896 Sirrine House Museum, and the 1916 Antique Wedding House. Additionally, the home tour will include the grand opening of the Mesa Historical Museum’s new permanent exhibit, “Searching for Mesa: Finding Ourselves in Our History”. The ticket price includes a lunch buffet at RigaTony’s, a dessert buffet at the museum, a souvenir book and map to tour locations, and live entertainment. Mesa Historical Museum, 2345 N. Horne. 480-835-7358.

January 25-28 Danceworks I, Tempe. An evening of dance with literary, video and Chinese influences. Dance Studio Theatre, 551 E. Orange St. 480-965-6447.

January 29 – February 4 FBR Open, Scottsdale. Annually sporting the largest crowds on the PGA TOUR, the FBR Open has gained near legendary status as being unlike any other golf tournament. Featuring golf and galleries, this tournament event hosted by The Thunderbirds, a group of Valley businessmen, raises money for youth charity programs. TPC Scottsdale, 17020 N. Hayden Rd. 602-870-0163, www.fbropen.com.

February 1 Edvard Grieg Concert, Scottsdale.  In the 100th year anniversary of Edvard Grieg’s death, Norwegian pianist Knut Erik Jenson will perform many of Greig’s musical compositions while integrating a discussion of the composer’s life and music. The concert is sponsored by the Sons of Norway Lodge in Scottsdale. ASU Kerr Cultural Center, 6110 N. Scottsdale Rd. 480-596-2660, www.asukerr.com, www.knuterikjensen.com.

February 1-4 The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Tempe. A Tony Award-winning new musical comedy in which six young people in the throes of puberty, overseen by adults who have barely managed to escape childhood themselves, learn that winning isn’t everything and losing doesn’t necessarily make you a loser. ASU Gammage, Mill Avenue and Gammage Parkway. 480-965-3434, www.asugammage.com.

February 15-17 Sister Moses: The Story of Harriet Tubman, Valleywide. A dynamic performance about a courageous woman’s determination to help free her people from slavery through the Underground Railroad. Bringing together singers, dancers, musicians, and actors, the story is uplifting and inspirational. 480-962-4584, www.desertdancetheatre.org.
February 15: Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler
February 17: South Mountain Community College, 7050 S. 24th St., Phoenix

February 18 Musical Pictures, Scottsdale. Quartet Sabaku uses string quartet classics, golden oldies, and lively new tunes, all written for two violins, viola, and cello, to paint a variety of scenes. Join Quartet Sabaku to find out how the quartet parts interact with each other to create a whole “musical picture” through contrast, texture, color and personality. This fun program includes audience participation and is suitable for all ages. ASU Kerr Cultural Center, 6110 N. Scottsdale Rd. 480-596-2660, www.asukerr.com.

West Valley

January 12-14 3rd Festival of Fine Arts at Anthem, Anthem. The festival encompasses traditional and contemporary artistic expression of 70 top Arizona artists and includes a juried visual art show and sale, a showcase of musical concerts, dance and theater productions, puppet shows, youth art exhibits, a children’s creation station and a marketplace. Anthem Community Center, 41130 N. Freedom Way. 623-680-5815, www.northvalleyfinearts.com.

Southern Arizona

January 3-31 Gallery at the Gardens: Jay W. Smith M.D., Tucson. For the month of January, dramatic photographs containing water and rock in their many forms will arrest the viewer’s attention and provoke emotional response. An opening reception will be held January 10. Tucson Botanical Gardens, 2150 N. Alvernon Way. 520-326-9686, www.tucsonbotanical.org.

January 18-20 The 59th Annual Southern Arizona Dance Festival, Tucson. There will be square dancing, round dancing, clogging, and vendors. Spectators are welcome. Tucson Convention Center, 260 S. Church Ave. www.sardasa.com.

January 20-21 7th Annual Historic Downtown Street Fair, Casa Grande. The fair features over 150 exhibitors- art, pottery, jewelry, clothing, sculptures, food and entertainment, an expanded Car and Bike Show which includes 21 classes, a Tractor Show at Ed Whiteheads, a book sale at the Woman’s Club and access to the Historic Paramount Theatre. Casa Grande Main Street. 520-836-8744, www.cgmainstreet.org.

February 1-28 Gallery at the Gardens: William Cook, Tucson. William Cook’s watercolors are shaped by his dedication to realism and his in-depth knowledge of architectural design disciplines: proportion, light and shade, strength and beauty. An opening reception will be held on February 7. Tucson Botanical Gardens, 2150 N. Alvernon Way. 520-326-9686, www.tucsonbotanical.org.

February 7-11 Tubac Festival of the Arts, Tubac. Arizona’s longest running art festival, the 48th Annual Tubac Festival of the Arts showcases the work of hundreds of visiting artists, craft persons and musicians from around the country and as far away as Canada. Horse-drawn trolleys, roving entertainers and a food court enhance the festival atmosphere. Tubac Village. 520-398-2704, www.tubacaz.com.

February 8-11 53rd Annual Tucson Gem and Mineral Show, Tucson. The world’s largest gem and mineral show this year features “Australia- Minerals from Down Under.” Includes special exhibits and everything that has made it the most popular in the world. Tucson Convention Center, 260 S. Church Ave. 520-322-5773, www.tgms.org.

February 10 22nd Annual Tour of Historic Florence, Florence. “One Straight Shootin’ Home Tour” is the theme of this year’s event, where visitors can explore the authentic historic town through an award winning self-guided tour. The weekend will include other activities as well. Florence Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center, 291 N. Bailey St. 520-868-4496, www.florencemainstreet.com.

February 17 6th Annual Arizona Animal Fair, Tucson. Hosted by Saving Animals from Euthanasia (SAFE), this fair is the largest event of its kind in Arizona. All proceeds are returned to the animal rescue community. The fair offers a myriad of activities, food, entertainment and services including pet photography, animal adoption, a canine vaccination clinic and more. Admission is free for you and your pet. Reid Park, northeast corner of 22nd Street and Country Club Drive. 520-829-7891, www.safeanimals.com/aaf.html.

February 17-25 La Fiesta De Los Vaqueros, Tucson.  Tucson’s annual rodeo features performances, competition and a parade. Tucson Rodeo Grounds, 4823 S. 6th Ave. www.tucsonrodeo.com.

February 19-25 World Golf Championship-Accenture Match Play Championship, Marana. This championship is one of four World Golf Championship events that is organized and sanctioned by the International Federation of PGA TOURS, and is the only tournament of the four that features a single-elimination match-play format. The Gallery Golf Club at Dove Mountain, 14000 Dove Mountain Blvd. 866-942-2672, www.worldgolfchampionships.com.

Central Arizona

January 20 – March 11 Grand! The Art and Wonder of Arizona’s Magnificent Canyon, Wickenburg. This spectacular visual tour of art and photography spans two centuries. A reception will be held on January 19. Desert Caballeros Western Museum, 21 N. Frontier St. 928-684-2272, www.westernmuseum.org.

January 27 Marriage of Chocolate and Chilies, Wickenburg. A cooking adventure with author Barbara Fenzl held in a gourmet kitchen. Desert Caballeros Western Museum, 21 N. Frontier St. 928-684-2272, www.westernmuseum.org.

February 21 Western Mini Show and Auction, Wickenburg. View two very extraordinary homes and enjoy an evening of art and dining at Los Caballeros Golf  Club to benefit art acquisition. Desert Caballeros Western Museum, 21 N. Frontier St. 928-684-2272, www.westernmuseum.org.

February 24 Planting the Pumpkin Patch, Wickenburg. Kids sow the seeds of history in a new garden just for them. Desert Caballeros Western Museum, 21 N. Frontier St. 928-684-2272, www.westernmuseum.org.

Western Arizona

January 27 Bluegrass in the Park, Yuma. A premier one-day festival featuring five national touring bands: The Bluegrass Brothers, Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper featuring Audie Blaylock, Lost Highway, Honi Deaton and Dream. Yuma Crossing State Historic Park, 201 N. 4th Ave. 209-785-4693, www.landspromotions.com.

February 3, Lets Play Dolls, Yuma.  The 22nd Annual Doll Show of the Yuma Doll Club will showcase dolls, bears, miniatures, doll accessories and toys. Yuma Civic and Convention Center, 1440 Desert Hills Dr. 928-726-9646.

Confirm information by calling the listed numbers before making plans. Information is published on a space-available basis.

Send complete details by January 15 for the March/April issue.
Information may be submitted 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.

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