Maracay's Community Corner

Jazz in the Garden
Desert Botanical Garden
All spring long, enjoy a weekly jazz concert series with some of the region’s best jazz musicians and singers.  Fridays, 7 p.m. through May, 7:30 p.m. in June.  Garden members $14, non-members $20.

March through June
Desert Botanical Garden
Phoenix
480-941-1225
www.dbg.org

Seussical the Musical
Valley Youth Theatre
Grab your hat – The Cat and a host of other favorite Seuss characters celebrate Dr. Seuss’ birthday.  Various times.  $17 -$33.

Through March 22
Phoenix
602-253-8188
www.yt.com

Arizona Renaissance Festival
Apache Junction
The 21st year for a full season of medieval merriment at a 30-acre festival village featuring artists and artisans, more than 2,000 performers and 12 stages for music, dance and comedy.  10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.  $18 adults, $8 children over 5 years. 

Through March 29
12601 N. Highway 60
520-463-2700
www.renfestinfo.com

Spring Jazz and Wine at El Pedregal
Scottsdale Rd. and Carefree Highway
Find music and more every Sunday at the Courtyard Stage.  Sample food and wine from El Pedregal’s elegant shops and listen to jazz performed by some of the region’s top musicians.  1 p.m. to 4 p.m.  Food and drink tickets available.

Through May 3
Scottsdale
480-488-1072 or www.elpedregal.com   

Mystery Dinner Show
Arizona Broadway Theatre
Murder at Savings & Loan Ballpark presents mystery and mayhem in this parody of the Diamondbacks and baseball.  Call for times.  $48.50.

March 6 -22
Peoria
480-595-7346

The King and I
Hale Centre Theatre
The King of Siam summons the English widow to teach his children how to respect, understand and appreciate one another in this popular musical.  Call for times.  $22-$24.

Through April 4
Gilbert
480-497-1181
www.haletheatrearizona.com

Pinewood Derby
Windgate Ranch
Four-wheelers compete for best design, paint job, theme and originality – and a race.  Exhibition Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., races Saturday beginning at 10 a.m.  Free.

March 12 -14
Scottsdale
480-951-0782

Peoria Festival of the Arts
Peoria Municipal Complex
A world class collection of fine arts and crafts, along with jazz, blues, classical and rock music, roving entertainment and a children’s creative art experience.  5 – 10 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Free – and free parking, too.

March 13 -15
8401 W. Monroe, Peoria
623-773-7564 or
www.peoriaaz.gov/specialevents

Cactus and Succulent Show
Desert Botanical Garden
Central Arizona’s Cactus & Succulent Society presents the 34th annual show and sale Friday and Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Included in Garden admission, $15 adults, $13.50 seniors, $7.50 students, and $5 children.

March 13 – 15
Phoenix
602-941-1225
www.centralarizonacactus.org

Chandler Ostrich Festival
Tumbleweed Park
21st annual festival features the popular ostrich races, a kids carnival, plenty of ostrich burgers, and an array of arts and crafts – many with an ostrich flavor.  4 p.m. to midnight Friday, 10 a.m. to midnight Saturday and noon to 11 p.m. Sunday. Adults, $9, seniors, $8 and children $7.

March 13 – 15
2250 S. McQueen Rd., Chandler
480-963-4571
www.ostrichfestival.com

Ferdinand the Bull
Tempe Center for the Arts
A Childsplay production that celebrates individuality and courage.  Various times.  $12 - $25.

March 14 – April 5
Tempe
480-921-5700 or
www.childsplayaz.org

West of Western Culinary Fest
Phoenix Art Museum
Fifth annual culinary event featuring more than 50 of Arizona’s top chefs, art and cooking demonstrations.  Live music and interactive children’s activities.  11 a.m. to 4 p.m.  $67-$75 adults, $22 youth over age 9. 

March 14 – 15
Phoenix
602-257-1222
www.westofwestern.com

St. Patty’s Celebration
Fountain Park
The Fountain turns green and begorra!  It’s St. Patrick’s Day in Fountain Hills.  Two stages, plenty of Irish music, food and, of course, drink.  10:30 a.m. till 5 p.m. $5 adults, under 18 free.

March 14
Fountain Hills
480-837-1736
www.fountainhillschamber.com

Cuts for Kids
Midwestern University
Professional stylists offer free haircuts in exchange for hair donations of 10 inches or more to benefit Locks of Love, a non-profit that collects hair for children with long-term hair loss.  4 to 7 p.m.  Free.

March 16
Glendale
602-572-3213

Spring Fine Art and Culinary Festival
Downtown Center
More than 200 art booths, wine garden, culinary pavilion, music and more.  10 a.m. til 5 p.m., small fee for wine garden and culinary pavilion.

March 14-15
Litchfield Park
623-935-9040
www.chamberorganizer.com/southwestvalleychamber

Cool Like That
Kerr Cultural Center
Black Poet Ventures’ BioRhythmic Series showcases works and sounds of jazz icon Miles Davis 7:30 p.m.  $21/$20/$17.

March 12, - 14
Scottsdale
480-596-2660
www.asukerr.com

National Festival of the West
WestWorld
Four days of pure cowboy – shopping, music and all-around fun.  Cowboy poetry and food, too.  10 a.m. to 7 p.m. $14 adults, $13 seniors, $4 children 5 and older, children under 4 free. 

March 19 - 22
Scottsdale
602-996-4387
www.festivaloftewest.com

Appraisal Day
Heard Museum
Annual Native Art & Artifacts Appraisal Day has art traders offering information about Native American treasures, antiques and collectibles.  10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  Free with museum admission.

March 21
Phoenix
602-252-8848
www.heard.org

Sparkling Starry Soiree
Private home
Gala event benefitting Arizona Starlight Children’s Foundation with cocktails, champagne and light dinner, silent and live auctions and jazz by Jay Soto.  6 p.m.  $125 in advance, $150 at the door.

March 21
Private Scottsdale residence
480-280-5289
www.starlight.org/arizona

Taste of the Foothills
Easy Street
More than a dozen restaurants feature complimentary samplings to benefit Foothills Catering Corps, which provides services for homebound people.  2 p.m. to 6 p.m. $25 in advance, $30 at the door.

March 21
Carefree
480-488-1105
www.foothillscaringcorps.com

Treasure Island
FireSky Resort
Gala to benefit the Craniofacial Foundation of Arizona, including a silent auction, dinner and dancing.  6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.  $135.

March 21
Scottsdale
480-753-1800 or
www.azcranio.com

Spring Plant Sale
Desert Botanical Garden
Enormous array of arid-adapted plants, with plenty of garden volunteers, horticulturists and professional landscapers on hand for advice.  Saturday from 7 a.m. to 5 pm. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Free.

March 21 – 22
Phoenix
480-941-1225
www.dbg.org

A Night in the 40’s Big Band Dance
Falcon Field Airport
A sentimental journey through the hangar at the Commemorative Air Force Museum Arizona Wing with a big band hangar dance and WWII musical show.  4:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.  Tickets in advance, $35; $40 at the door.

March 21
Mesa
480-924-1940

Annual Scottsdale Art Festival
Scottsdale Civic Center Mall
30th annual festival with art and crafts from 200 juried artists, dozens of presentations, music and food all weekend long.  10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 10 a.m. til 5 p.m. Sunday. $7 adults, $5 for students and children under 12 are free.

March 20 -22
Scottsdale
480-994-2787 or
www.scottsdaleperformingarts.org

Fountain Hills Fine Art & Wine Affaire
Downtown
Fine arts and crafts, wine tastings, food and music all weekend long at this show presented by Thunderbird Artists.  10 a.m. through 5 p.m. each day; if you’re not a Fountain Hills resident, admission is $3.

March 20 - 22
Fountain Hills
480-837-5637
www.thunderbirdartists.com

Thunder in the Desert
Luke Air Force Base
A two-day open house featuring one of the most diverse air shows in the country, presented by the U.S. Air Force’s aerial demonstration team, the Thunderbirds.  10 a.m. to 4 p.m., no backpacks, no coolers, no pets allowed.  Free, but a slight fee for parking off base.

March 21 and 22
Glendale
www.luke.af.mil/openhouse2009/

Tubac ArtWalk
Historic Tubac
Artists on display and at work throughout the town during this art weekend, with plenty of music and food, too.  10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free.

March 21-22
Tubac
520-287-3685
www.tubacaz.com

4th Avenue Spring Street Fair
Fourth Street
Four hundred arts and crafts booths, two stages, street musicians, jugglers and the Van Grow children’s art pavilion, and plenty of food to sample.  Music at the Winsett Outdoor Performance Center, too.  10 a.m. to dusk.  Free.

March 20 - 22
Tucson
520-624-5004 or
www.fourthavenue.org

Glendale Folk & Heritage Festival
Sahuaro Ranch Park Historic Area
More than 250 performers from folk to bluegrass to cowboy poetry and storytelling.  Plenty of family entertainment, historic site tours, and more.  10 .am. to 5 p.m.  Free.

March 21 - 22
Glendale
623-930-4200 or
www.glendaleaz.com

Run for Ryan House
Market Street at DC Ranch
To benefit Ryan House, which provides essential and respite care for families of children with life-limiting illnesses.  10K and 5K runs and a one-mile family fun run, followed by a celebration.  7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.  $10 - $30.

March 22
Scottsdale
480-538-3582 or www.raceplaceevents.com

Celebrity Golf Classic
Coldwater Golf Club
A four-person scramble to benefit Prostate Cancer Awareness.  7:30 a.m. shotgun start.  $80 single player, $320 regular foursome.

March 25
Avondale
602-547-3806

Agave on the Rocks
Desert Botanical Garden
Margaritas and the cuisine of more than 25 premier Valley caterers and restaurants, plus entertainment by the Valley’s hottest funk bands.  7 pm. to 10 p.m.  $75.

March 27
Phoenix
480-941-1225
www.dbg.org

Music in the Canyon
Sabino Canyon
The Tucson Boys Chorus and local musicians team up for an evening under the stars at 5700 N. Sabino Canyon Rd. Tucson’s Amateur Astronomy Association will set up a telescope to bring the stars – real ones – into close focus.  5 to 9 p.m., $5 individual donation; $10 for families. 

March 28
Tucson
520-296-6277
www.sabinocanyon.org

MDA Stride and Ride
Tempe Beach Park
Join the fun and form a team or gear up and go it alone to help raise money to fight neuromuscular diseases.  7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

March 28
Tempe
480-456-4530
www.mdawalk.org

Tempe Spring Festival of the Arts
Mill Avenue
More than 400 artists, music and entertainment, fun and food at the 32nd annual fair throughout downtown Tempe.  10 a.m. until dusk.  Free admission.

March 27 – 29
Tempe
480-355-3569
www.tempefestivalofthearts.com

Fergie and Friends
Mesa HoHoKam Stadium
A celebrity baseball game with Hall of Famer Ferguson Jenkins and other sports figures matching up against local media personalities and community leaders.  Event benefits the Ferguson Jenkins Foundation and Mesa HoHoKam Foundation.  4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.  $10 - $25.

March 28
Mesa
480-964-4467

Cycle the Arts
Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art
City staff and local experts are guides for this family-friendly bike tour of public art along a five-mile route.  Helmets require.  8 a.m. until noon, leaving every 15 minutes.  Free.

March 29
Scottsdale
480-312-2308

Historic Home Tour
Encanto-Palmcroft
The Encanto-Palmcroft Preservation Association’s biennial home tour and street fair with 12 homes to tour.  10 a.m. to 4 p.m. $15.75 in advance, $18 at the door.  Parking at Phoenix College at 1202 W. Thomas Rd. 

March 29
Phoenix
602-258-0787
www.encantopalmcroft.org

Tombstone Old West Founders Days
Downtown
Tombstone’s Ed Schieffelin Days and the Rose Celebration have teamed up to present Old West Founders Day.  Mining displays and competition, parade and variety show.  Morning until dusk throughout town.  Nominal admission to some events.

April 3 – 5
Tombstone
520-457-9317
www.tombstone.org

Kachina Kennel Club Dog Show
University of Phoenix Stadium
More than 2,000 purebred dogs, including all breed conformations, junior showmanship and obedience/rally and agility competitions.  8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

April 4
Glendale
623-433-7101 or
www.azdogs.com

Peoria Pioneer Day Festival
Osuna Park
In Oldtown Peoria, a family bike ride, parade, entertainment, historic tours, arts and crafts.  Petting zoo, too.  8 a.m. to 2 p.m.  Free.

April 4
Peoria
623-773-7393
www.peoriaaz.gov/speciaevents

East Valley Arabian Association Show
Horseshoe Park and Equestrian Center, Riggs Rd.
Annual Beat the Heat Show in Queen Creek’s newest park.  USEF rated youth and amateur show.  8 a.m. to 10 p.m.  Free for spectators.

April 4 - 5
Queen Creek
480-963-26210
www.evaha.org

26th Annual Gibson Glendale Jazz & Blues Festival
Downtown
Music and more at this annual festival, with performances and workshops throughout the day.  Saturday, noon to 10 p.m., Sunday noon to 6 p.m.  Free.

April 4 and 5
Glendale
623-930-2960
www.glendaleaz.com

Bike-a-Palooza
Kiwanis Park
The Valley’s most comprehensive bike festival with a 12-mile community ride, safety demonstrations, bike rodeo, giveaways and more.  Free t-shirts to the first 300 participants.  Bring a pair of old athletic shoes to recycle and receive two free bike raffle tickets.  9 a.m. to noon.  Free.

April 5
Tempe (6111 All American Way)
480-858-2215
www.tempe.gov

Avondale Spring Bike Fest
Avondale Civic Center
Kids can participate in the Avondale Police Bike Rodeo, learn bike safety – and win plenty of prizes from Radio Disney.  Kids can enter to win a free bike or bike helmet.  Special appearance by the Easter Bunny.  9 to 11 a.m.  Free.

April 11
Avondale
6 23-333-4200

My Fest Youth Involvement Seminar
Tempe Beach Park
Magellan Youth Leaders Inspiring Future Empowerment present music, art, and entertainment to inspire youth and help them learn about opportunities in employment, community involvement and other activities.  10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free.

April 11
Tempe
www.magellanofaz.com

Dolly Sanchez Memorial Easter Egg Hunt
Peoria Sports Complex
32nd annual Dolly Sanchez Memorial Easter Egg Hunt, with candy hunts for all age groups.  Make and take crafts, carnival games, pony rides and more.  8 a.m. to noon.  Some activities have a nominal fee. 

Peoria
April 11
623-773-7142 or
www.peoriaaz.gov/specialevents

The Emperor’s New Clothes
Nesbit/Elliott Playhouse
A Caribbean musical adaptation of the classic Han Christian Anderson tale, featuring songs in calypso, reggae and ska – and the most amazing loom ever seen on stage.  Various show times.  $15 and $14 tickets.

April 17 – May 3
Mesa Arts Center
480-644-6500
www.mesaartslive.com

Italian Indulgence Musicfest
Desert Hills Presbyterian Church
Italian-style program of masterworks performed by soprano Heather Davis and clarinetist Steve Hanusofski in collaboration with noted pianist Gail Novak.  Limited to 200 persons.  2:30 p.m. $60.

April 19
Scottsdale
480-488-0806
www.azmusicfest.org

Gilbert Global Village Festival
Gilbert Civic Center
A multicultural celebration for all ages, with traditional and contemporary dance, arts, crafts, music and food from around the world.  Parade of Nations 11 a.m.  10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Free admission.

April 18
Gilbert
480-503-6523
www.gilbert.az.us

A Brazilian Affair
Renaissance Glendale Hotel
Melody and movement fuse with the sounds and artistry of Brazil.  Electrifying performances by Arizona native Quetzal Guerrero and The Warriors, Novo Mundo and martial artists Axe Capoeira.  6 p.m. $15 adult, $5 student.

April 19
Glendale
623-935-6384
www.westvalleyarts.org

Tucson International Mariachi Conference
Tucson Convention Center and various venues
Linda Ronstadt makes a special appearance at this weekend-long festival showcasing the greats of mariachi and baile folklorico. Concerts, a mariachi Mass at St. Augustine Cathedral, and outdoor concerts, too.  Times vary.  $48 - $88.

April 22 - 25
Tucson
520-838-3908
www.tucsonmariachi.org

La Vuelta de Bisbee
Bisbee and environs
Three-day staged bicycle race, includes time trials, a circuit race and road race through Bisbee, Hereford and Tombstone.  Entry fees of $80 and $90; free to watch.

April 24 – 26
Bisbee
520-432-3554
www.lvdb.info

Taste 2009 – A World of Flavor
Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix
A world of flavor awaits you. Italian, Japanese, German, and French the list is almost endless. Attracting more than 6000 guests every year, Taste is the Valley’s largest wine tasting event. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. Tickets $150.

April 26
Scottsdale
602.954-8182
www.bgcmp.org

Tucson Folk Festival
Church and Alameda Streets
Tucson Kitchen Musicians Association presents the 24th annual festival with continuous music on four stages. More than 100 local, regional and national groups will perform. Shows are Saturday, noon to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.  Free.

May 2 - 3
Tucson
520-792-6481
www.tkma.org

Global Gala 2009
Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix
Enjoy a sampling of savory culinary delights from wonderful Phoenix restaurants. Experience a downtown event while raising money for the kids and having fun. Bid on fabulous silent and live auctions with items “priced for everyone.” Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Food, libations and live music in unique downtown setting. $100

May 15
Phoenix
602-954-8182
www.bgcmp.org