Category: Entertainment

ARTx: Art + Ideas Experience Arizona announces keynote for Ideas Night on May 17

FLAGSTAFF — Creative Flagstaff is pleased to announce the keynote speaker for Ideas Night. ARTx launches its inaugural, 10 day festival on Friday May 17th with a community party called Ideas Night at the Orpheum Theater in Flagstaff. This free open house invites the public to convene for entertainment, a sampling of grantee projects and a keynote by Donna Walker Kuhne.

Ms. Kuhne is widely acknowledged as the nation’s foremost expert in audience development and has devoted her professional career to increasing access to the arts. She has raised over $23 million in earned income promoting the arts to multicultural communities. Award-winning arts marketing consultant, Ms. Kuhne calls the process of engaging audiences “a journey of life.”

NAU to present Global Film Series — La Sociedad de la Nieve (Society of the Snow) on April 10

FLAGSTAFF — Join us Wednesday, April 10 at 7pm in Liberal Arts Room 120 for a screening of La Sociedad de la Nieve (Society of the Snow), the 2023 survivor thriller film based on the experience of survivors of the 1972 plane crash in the Andes and the harrowing decisions they must make to survive while trapped in one of the most inaccessible and hostile environments on the planet. 

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up — April 1-5, 2024

During excavation work at the Mile-and-a-Half Resthouse, as part of the Transcanyon Waterline project, a member of the NPS monitoring team unearthed a rare and entirely new fossil for Grand Canyon and the Hermit Formation. One of the park’s research partners at UC-Berkeley has identified it as an Equisetalean strobilus.

This fossil is approximately 290 million years old and represents the spore-producing reproductive organ of an extinct species of horsetail known as Sphenophyllum. While Sphenophyllum fossils are not uncommon in the Hermit Formation, discovering the fruiting bodies is unprecedented.

The public affairs office is in the process of coordinating public communication efforts including a news release to announce this and other recent paleontological discoveries. Stay tuned for more updates!

The NAU Review — Building a community book festival, former Congress members visit campus and redistributing unused food

From April 5-14, volunteers from NAU will be busy working behind the scenes at the Northern Arizona Book Festival, which hosts more than 40 events in downtown Flagstaff featuring bestselling authors, Pulitzer Prize winners and local writers, publishers, editors and event organizers. These events—and those that the organization supports throughout the year—foster a vibrant literary community in the Southwest and ensure that the Colorado Plateau is recognized as a bona fide place of literature. 

Sedona Arts Center — Celebrate Sedona Wednesday, April 3, 4-6pm!, more news

Celebrate Sedona engages the local community while celebrating and
featuring local and regional arts, food and drink! Held at Sedona Arts Center,
Celebrate Sedona is a celebration of the beauty and diversity of our
community’s music, food, drink, and artistry.

Theatrikos Theatre Co. April Newsletter — ‘The Gods of Comedy’ continues through April 21

Theatrikos is proud to bring Ken Ludwig’s divine farce, The Gods of Comedy, to the Flagstaff stage. The play is a comedic whirlwind of divine intervention and scholarly chaos, centered around a young woman who invokes the gods of Ancient Greece to save her love life. As the gods step in, hilarity ensues in the form of screwball deities, a lost manuscript of a Greek tragedy, and uproarious predicaments.

Ballet Folklórico de Colores de Flagstaff wins the ‘Excellence in the Performing Arts Award’ at the 2024 Viola Awards

Also see: Arizona Daily Sun — Gallery: 16th annual Viola Awards

FLAGSTAFF — Ballet Folklórico de Colores won the “Excellence in the Performing Arts Award” at the 2024 Viola Awards held on March 23, 2024 at the Orpheum Theater. The event was presented by by Creative Flagstaff.

More than a 100 guests celebrated the 42 finalists across 10 categories at the event.

Ballet Folklórico de Colores of Flagstaff was recognized for its “Paseo Navideno: A Christmas Journey Through Mexico” performance held at the Orpheum Theater on Dec. 9, 2023.

Coconino Hispanic Advisory Council (CHAC)’s César E. Chávez Community Breakfast returns on March 22 with guest speaker Cesar L. Chavez

Event also served as launch of CHAC’s Covid-19 History Project 

FLAGSTAFF — After a several-year delay due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Coconino Hispanic Advisory Council’s (CHAC) finally celebrated it’s sixth annual César E. Chávez Community Breakfast on Friday, March 22, 2024 at American Legion Post 3 in Flagstaff.

The event, which drew nearly 100 guests and local dignitaries, was highlighted by guest speaker Cesar L. Chavez, grandson of the civil rights and farm labor leader, and son of Anthony Chavez, Cesar’s youngest son.

Cesar, who was born and grew up in the farm worker movement, spoke about legacy of the late farm leader and shared personal memories including joining his grandfather to picket lines and demonstrations in the Central Valley plus cities such as Los Angeles and San Diego. They went on hikes together in the mountains surrounding UFW headquarters at La Paz.

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: March 18-22, 2024

The Bright Angel Trail is anticipated to reopen Monday, April 15 following a 4 ½ month closure. 

Contract work is currently on schedule and no delays are anticipated at this time. As a reminder, the trail closure remains in effect for the Plateau Point Trail through March 14, 2025.

More information on the Transcanyon Waterline project can be found on the park website here.

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up — March 11-15, 2024

Latest ‘Behind the Scenery’ Podcast available

On Sunday, the latest episode of the Behind the Scenery podcast aired on Apple podcasts and the park’s website.

In this episode, Canyon Interpretation staff interview Gerald Lomaventema, an award-winning silversmith, a mentor to young Hopi artists, and a runner. He’s also the great grandson of Olympic medalist Louis Tewanima. Louis won silver in the 10,000 meters in the 1912 Olympics and set an American record that stood for decades. He was also a spiritual leader in his community.

In this episode of the Behind the Scenery podcast, Gerald talks about his art, his cultural connections to Grand Canyon, and running and Louis’s legacy in the Hopi community. This episode is available on Apple podcasts and the park website.

Sedona Arts Center — Check out our Gallery Shop Today!

NOW FEATURING:
Nancy Foo,
Lili Anne Laurin,
and Amy Light

Our Gallery showcases the largest selection in Sedona of artwork by local artists. If you are seeking a rare piece of fine art, a gift of exquisite jewelry, appreciate stunning photography, or looking for a lovely keepsake from your visit to Sedona, the Arts Center has it all and more. The Arts Center is a 501(c)3 organization that offers all purchases without sales tax – almost a 10% savings.

Sedona Arts Center — Sign up for an Art Workshop Today!

Distilling the Landscape in Sedona
with Ben Hamburger
March 16 : Saturday, 9am – 3pm

Simplifying what you see is a necessary component of observational painting. But it can also be used as a liberating constraint to explore design, composition, and color. During this class, you will focus on distilling your surroundings into compositions that convey both the essence of the landscape around us and our individual artistic voices. We will begin by focusing on selection and composition exercises before moving on to full color paintings. Discussions on theory and demonstrations will be followed by painting time with guidance by the instructor and group critique. Beginner and experienced plein air painters are welcome, however, this class is a class for people with some substantial painting experience. While demos will be provided in oil paint, both oils and acrylic painters are welcome.

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: March 4-8, 2024

On Friday, March 1, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued new guidelines for respiratory illness, to include Covid-19. The CDC is updating its recommendations for Covid-19 to bring them in line with its advice for other kinds of respiratory infections, including influenza and RSV.

People who test positive for Covid-19 no longer need to routinely stay away from others for at least five days. The CDC now says people who have Covid-19 should stay home until they’ve been fever-free without medication for at least 24 hours and their symptoms have been improving for 24 hours.

However, the CDC still does recommend that people take additional precautions for an additional five days to lower the risk of spreading the virus. These precautions include improving ventilation indoors, masking, and limiting close contact with others.

United Way of Northern Arizona — Will We See You at Our Annual Celebration?

Plan on joining us as we celebrate our collective community impact and share some exciting news that will further our efforts to step up for our youth in Coconino, Navajo, and Apache counties.

Our Annual Campaign & Community Impact Luncheon will start at 11:30 am on Wednesday, March 27 at Little America Hotel.

Tickets are $50 / $375 for a table of 8.

Theatrikos March Newsletter – Gods of Comedy come to Flagstaff on March 29

In Gods of Comedy, a young woman calls on the gods of Ancient Greece to save her love life—but it’s not the gods of love who show up to help. Theatrikos favorite playwright Ken Ludwig (Lend Me A Tenor) is back with a hilariously divine farce filled with screwball deities, carnal complexity, conspicuous consumption, madcap mayhem, a touch of romance, and lots of laughs.

Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces / Museum of Northern Arizona among finalists named for 2024 Viola Awards by Creative Flagstaff

FLAGSTAFF — Flagstaff Nuestras Raices & the Museum of Northern Arizona: 20th Annual Celebraciones de la Gente has been selected as a 2024 Viola Awards Finalists for the Excellence in Collaboration category by Creative Flagstaff.

The winners of the category will be announced on March 23, 2024 at the Orpheum Theatre in downtown Flagstaff.

The 20th anniversary annual Celebraciones de la Gente — Día de los Muertos / Day of the Dead festival was held Oct. 21, 22 at the Museum of Northern Arizona.

The event, a partnership between Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces and the Museum of Northern Arizona, featured the return of the the ever-popular InTlanextli Tlacopan Aztec Fire Dancers, Ballet Folklorico de Colores — Flagstaff, El Charro Bohemia, sugar skull and other workshops, and the display of nearly two dozen ofrendas/altars in the historic Jaime Golightly Courtyard.

Sedona Arts Center — Did someone say Field Expedition?

There is no better way to document your visit to the Grand Canyon than through art, photography and journaling.

This two-day workshop will provide an overview and practice of basic illustration as well as the elements and practice of nature and art journaling. Participants will spend time in the classroom learning and practicing key concepts and ideas. We will then spend a significant amount of time outside exploring the rim of the Grand Canyon hiking and documenting our visit.

Participants must be able to walk at least two miles. We will not be exploring below the rim.

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up — Feb. 12-16, 2024

Friday, February 16: Intermittent road closures on Center and South Entrance Roads

On Friday, Feb. 16, there will be intermittent closures of South Entrance and Center Roads. These closures are necessary to facilitate the transport of two large transformers and a crane being delivered for the APS Substation Project west of Clinic Road.
Friday, February 16 Details:

7 a.m.- 12 p.m.: A single lane closure will be in effect ¼ mile south of the South Entrance station along Hwy. 64. Traffic flaggers will be present and traffic delays are expected in this area.

9 a.m.-12 p.m.: Three separate closures will be in effect for up to 30 minutes each. The closure area will be both lanes from the South Entrance Station to the Clinic/Center Road junction. No vehicles will be able to enter/exit the park via the South Entrance during the closure periods (this includes the employee bypass lane).

4:30-6:30 p.m.: Three separate closures will be in effect for up to 30 minutes each. The closure area will be both lanes from the South Entrance Station to the Clinic/Center Road junction. No vehicles will be able to enter/exit the park via the South Entrance during the closure periods (this includes the employee bypass lane).

Discover Flagstaff — A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Ardrey Auditorium – NAU on Feb. 17 and more events

Shakespeare’s timeless masterpiece comes to life in a special one-of-a-kind performance featuring actors from the Flagstaff Shakespeare Festival, set to Felix Mendelssohn’s music written for the play performed by the FSO! 7:30 p.m.

Learn More

February at the Museum of Northern Arizona

Message from Mary –

I often consider February a month of transition, when winter shows a mighty beauty, but we long to see what spring will bring. Now is an ideal time to enjoy the warmth of the museum and explore Selling the Southwest. MNA’s newest exhibit unveils idyllic portrayals of unspoiled landscapes – artworks commissioned to lure visitors to enchanting, unfamiliar lands. It tells a story of transition, one that would bolster early tourism, impact southwestern culture and art for generations, and influence the lives of Indigenous peoples. The exhibit showcases works by Thomas Moran, William Robinson Leigh, Louis Akin, Arthur W. Best, and Gunnar Widforss, as well as pottery, jewelry, and textiles by Native artisans from that period.

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up — February 5-9, 2024

Mark your calendars!
February 14: Intermittent road closures on Center and South Entrance Roads

On Wednesday, February 14, there will be intermittent closures of South Entrance and Center Roads. These closures are necessary to facilitate the transport of two large transformers and a crane being delivered for the APS Substation Project west of Clinic Road.

Board of Supervisors Approves Proclamation Designating February 2024 as Black History Month

COCONINO COUNTY — At the February 6, 2024 meeting of the Coconino County Board of Supervisors (Board), the Board unanimously approved an official proclamation designating February 2024 as Black History Month in Coconino County …

… joining in the nationwide celebration and recognition of the history of the African Diaspora and African Americans who continue to be contributors to the achievements of the United States. 

In designating February as Black History Month, the Board is committed to remember the courage, resilience, and teachings of those who helped build our nation and for those who continue to strive to fight for freedoms, stand against prejudice, advance the cause of civil rights, and strengthen families and communities. 

“We appreciate the opportunity to recognize the great contributions from African Americans not only to American society, but also to the county’s local history like those who relocated here for jobs in the lumber industry and helped develop towns like Flagstaff into modern communities,” said Jeronimo Vasquez, Chair of the Board and Supervisor for District 2. “It is extremely important that we take this time to acknowledge our county’s diversity and continue to learn about all parts of our history.” 

Sedona Arts Center — Sign up for these creative art classes today!

Color Clinic
with Gretchen Lopez
February 17-18 : Saturday–Sunday, 10am to 4:30pm

Learn how to achieve harmony and continuity in your paintings by mixing color from a limited palette.  Have fun as we explore and discover how to use simple methods of mixing paint to gain confidence and a better understanding of how color works.  Get ready to apply what we learn to a still life, abstract, and landscape! Instructor demonstrations and individual attention provided.

Sedona Arts Center — Celebrate Sedona Rescheduled due to impending weather to: Sunday, Feb. 25

FOOD, WINE, BEER, ARTIST DEMOS, SPECIAL EXHIBITION

Celebrate Sedona engages the local community while celebrating and
featuring local and regional arts, food and drink! Held at Sedona Arts Center,
Celebrate Sedona is a celebration of the beauty and diversity of our
community’s music, food, drink, and artistry.

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: January 29-February 2, 2024

What’s going on with the Transcanyon Waterline Project?

Since initial construction activities began on the South Rim nearly a year ago, the focus was on developing the construction sites and various South Rim facilities. Currently, the two new raw water tanks, laydown and staging areas, Staging Road, and contractor support facilities are nearly completed. Construction for the South Rim water treatment plant and Helibase infrastructure are well underway. New helicopter landing pads are completed and much of the concrete foundations and conduit lines are installed for the facilities at both of those construction areas.

Sedona Arts Center — Vision and Sound : An African American Experience

An immersive arts experience, Vision & Sound broadens the understanding and appreciation of African American art and music for multigenerational and multicultural audiences. The educational event, which features an exhibition, lectures, artist demonstrations, musical performances and a symposium, builds supportive relationships to encourage cultural equity throughout Arizona and beyond, recognizing that professional American artists of African descent are too often overlooked.  
 

Theatrikos Theatre Co. — February Newsletter – Charming comedy Harvey playing now through Feb. 11

“Harvey is the first show of our 2024 season,” said Theatrikos executive director Chris Verrill. 2024 season tickets are now available. “Theatrikos has an amazing season of shows lined up for 2024. A season that includes two major musicals, Annie and Elf, plus Men on Boats, a show about JW Powell’s first trip down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon.”
Harvey—February
Gods of Comedy—April
Men on Boats—June
Annie—August
Book of Will—October
Elf—December

Sedona Arts Center — Sign up for these creative art classes today!

Painting the Southwest Desert
with Gretchen Lopez
February 3 : Saturday, 10am to 4:30pm

Not only is life abundant in our great Southwest Desert, but as an artist, I can see wonderful textures, nuances in color and the way light influences the way we see it in the morning and in the late afternoon!

Working from photo references, learn to capture the drama and beauty of our great Southwest. Find out how your brush strokes can create marvelous areas of interesting texture, along with experimenting with color and composition!

Previous drawing skills are a must!

District 1 Supervisor Patrice Horstman — December 2023 / January 2024 District 1 Newsletter

Hello District 1 Residents,
It’s a new year, filled with hope and promise. It’s a good time to
reflect on where we’ve been and look forward to where the new
year will take us. I hope you enjoy this look back at some of the
highlights for District 1. Hopefully, you have had an opportunity
to reflect on your own highlights for 2023.
As we move into 2024, I look forward to working together to
create a Coconino County that serves our large and diverse
District. Wishing you a year of renewal, resilience, optimism,
strength, grace, and peace in 2024.
Onward together.
Patrice

Culture Connection AZ is proud to present the 3rd Annual Day of Love and Friendship Artist Market Saturday, Feb. 10

FLAGSTAFF — This special event celebrating local artists will take place just before Valentine’s Day, on Saturday, February 10th from 11am-3pm, and will feature over 15 local artists and artisans displaying and selling their art and artisan crafts. Culture Connection AZ is proud to host a diverse group of artists, including Indigenous and Native American artists, artists from the LGBTQ+ community, Hispanic artists, and more.

During the event, Culture Connection AZ will also be a participant in downtown Flagstaff’s Annual Chocolate Walk and will host a free Valentine-making table for attendees to create their own special Valentine for a loved one. Those new to Flagstaff and those born outside the US are especially encouraged to attend and gain meaningful connections to our community.

Sedona Arts Center — Don’t miss these art classes and workshops!

THIS FRIDAY!
ONLINE: Painting the Beauty of the Sedona Landscape
with Gretchen Lopez
January 26 : 9:30am to 2:30pm, AZ Time

Experience the beauty and magic of Sedona, as we learn to navigate through some of the iconic formations which make Sedona the world’s most desired place to visit.

Discover the special palette of color used to create the vivid reds  in the Rod Rocks and why toning is very important in the beginning!

United Way of Northern Arizona — Chamber Radio Program Features UWNA

I recently had the honor of being a guest on the Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce’s radio show Bizz Buzz to talk about the United Way of Northern Arizona and our efforts to step up for our youth.

UWNA has been a proud Chamber member for many years. It was wonderful talking with Chamber President & CEO Julie Pastrick and sharing with her audience how we are expanding our efforts in positive youth development.

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: Jan. 15-19, 2024

Did you catch the pink glow the morning of January 17?

Hello, atmospheric optics! The sun emits white light, however, as the sunlight passes through the atmosphere during sunrise or sunset times, long-wavelength (red) light is scattered less than short-wavelength (blue) light. Therefore, red-ish colored light reaches the observer’s eyes and clouds aid to the pink color that could be observed.

Flagstaff City — Coconino County Public Library — Happening at your library week of Jan. 15, 2024

View this email in your browser January 15th, 2024 Connect with your community Library Closures Adult & All-Ages Events Book Clubs Youth Events Technology Help To request a reasonable accommodation for any type of disability, please call 928-213-2331 (Downtown Library)…

The NAU Review — Our most read stories of 2023, a grant to address autism disparities and Sudipta Mallik’s love of math

What happened at NAU in 2023? From exciting grants and university announcements to Homecoming photos and inspirational student stories, relive some of the highlights you may have missed last year in The NAU Review with this list of most read stories (and a few of our other favorites)!

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: Jan. 1-5, 2024

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