As former owner of The Carefree Traveler, Paula and her husband Peter invite you to experience true Tuscan living on a unique culinary and wine journey this September. Stay in a charming villa, relax in your spacious en-suite bedroom, and savor exquisite meals prepared by a private chef.
Enjoy curated excursions including the nearby hilltop town of Montepulciano, engage in hands-on pasta-making classes, and relish tastings of regional cheese, wine, and olive oil. Your hosts will be joined by Chef Asia based in Val d’Orcia, expert local guide Lucia Norrito, and Claudia Alfieri, owner of Dream Italian Villa & Tours. Together, they’ll lead you through a week filled wit h flavor, culture, and unforgettable Tuscan beauty.
To book this incredible journey, contact Paula DeDario-Martori | 602.510.0805 | paula@carefreetraveler.com
Fiesta Rocks Art Night
THIRD THURSDAY ART NIGHT
THURSDAY, MARCH 19 FROM 4 TO 7 PM
ARTIST BRYCE PETTIT Bronze Sculpture
THIRD THURSDAY ART NIGHT
THURSDAY, MARCH 19 FROM 4 TO 7 PM Meet Artists and Check Out New Product
This living space is an intimate study in elevated desert modernism, where organic textures meet curated artistry. Sculptural seating and soft, rounded ottomans invite conversation, while a statement console of branch-like wood grounds the room in natural drama. Hand-selected wildlife paintings by Trevor Swanson and bronze accents by Bryce Pettit add gallery-like sophistication, balancing refinement with warmth. Natural materials and warm tones come together to create an atmosphere that feels both luxurious and effortlessly inviting.
f u l l s e r v i c e i n t e r i o r d e s i g n & f u r n i s h i n g s | w w w o m d e s i g n g r o u p c o m
Three American Troubadours | 3/21
Ragtime: The Musical | 4/24-4/26
The Hot Sardines | 3/23
Charlie Chaplin’s SMILE with Philippe Quint | 3/15
Six-time Grammy Award–winning artist Samara Joy | 4/9
Electric Light Orchestra Experience | 3/26
The British Invasion Years | 4/11
photo essay
Spring Loaded photo essay
S ANDERSON LINCOLN
PUBLISHER
Shelly Spence
MANAGING EDITOR
Joseph J. Airdo
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Meaghan Mitchell
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Joseph J. Airdo
Francine Coles
Shannon Severson
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Francine Coles
Loralei Lazurek
ADVERTISING SALES
Cindi Calcinari 860-966-3271 cindi@imagesaz.com
From the Publisher
March arrives in Arizona not with a whisper but with a roar — engines revving, crowds cheering, music echoing across festival grounds from Scottsdale to Sedona. This is the month when our desert comes alive with celebration, when perfect weather transforms parking lots into art galleries and rodeo arenas into theaters of tradition. Spring in Arizona isn’t a season; it’s a declaration.
This month’s issue of Images Arizona celebrates the convergence of art, culture, and community that defines our festival season. We’ve filled these pages with the energy of this extraordinary month: contemporary art fairs drawing international collectors, bourbon tastings under desert stars, rodeo traditions honoring Western heritage, the thunder of chrome on mountain roads, and spring training diamonds serving up culinary adventures alongside America’s pastime.
From wine country festivals to tribute bands, from custom motorcycles as rolling sculpture to craft brews paired with gourmet ballpark fare, March offers a wealth of experiences that remind us why people from around the world choose to spend this perfect month in Arizona.
Images Arizona P.O. Box 1416
Carefree, AZ. 85377 623-341-8221
shelly@imagesaz.com imagesarizona.com
What makes March magical isn’t just the 80-degree days or the absence of summer’s brutal heat — it’s the way our communities gather, celebrate and welcome the world to our corner of the desert. Whether you’re raising a glass at a bourbon festival, cheering from the stands at a rodeo, admiring contemporary art at an international fair or discovering a new festival in a town you’ve never visited, you’re participating in something larger than entertainment. You’re experiencing the creative, generous, innovative spirit that makes Arizona home.
From our family to yours, we wish you a month filled with discovery, celebration, and the joy of gathering with friends old and new under Arizona’s incomparable spring skies.
Happy spring!
Shelly Spence Publisher, Images Arizona
Photography by Loralei Lazurek
Tuesday–Saturday 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
DAVID GROSS FINE GEMSTONE COLLECTION
Each bespoke jewel the David Gross Group creates has its own character, its own story. The spectacular quality of each gemstone is further enhanced by the finest craftsmanship and elegant award-winning design. 7212
Martin Blundell
With bold color and gestural brush strokes, Martin’s contemporary landscape art is captivating and unique.
ARTIST RECEPTION
Thursday, April 16 Wine & appetizers 4–7 p.m.
Grace Renee Gallery
Historic Spanish Village | 7212 E. Ho Hum Rd. # 7 | Carefree, AZ 85377
Hours: Tue.–Sat. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. By appointment Sun. and Mon. 480.575.8080
LEFT PAGE :
“Clouds Over Blue Mesa” 48” by 48”
ABOVE LEFT TO RIGHT : “Desert Memory” 48” by 36”
“Aspen Stand” 30” by 30”
The Texture of Luxury Alishan Halebian’s Gold Standard
Writer Joseph J. Airdo
In a downtown Los Angeles workshop decades ago, an Armenian immigrant nearly discarded a German design magazine. His boss warned him: Make jewelry like that, and you’ll never sell it.
Alishan Halebian took the magazine anyway.
Today, the pieces inside those pages — where form and space triumph over gemstone size, where metal becomes sculpture — define his life’s work. For over a generation, this master jeweler has treated gold, platinum and oxidized silver not as settings for stones, but as his primary palette, layering them with the fluidity of watercolor and the restraint of fine art. In an industry obsessed with carat weight and sparkle, Alishan creates what the cognoscenti call “anti-bling” — jewelry for the confident collector who already owns the classics and now seeks something singular.
“Alishan doesn’t just work with metal; he treats it like a canvas,” says Natasha Lazorova, jewelry curator and head gemstone expert at Grace Renee Gallery in Carefree, where Alishan will showcase his work March 20–21. “He has this exceptional ability to layer gold, platinum, and oxidized silver as if he were applying paint, creating depths and textures that most jewelers simply cannot replicate. In the industry, we think of him as a ‘jeweler’s jeweler’ — the artist who is quietly entrusted with the most complex, high-stakes commissions for major houses because his technical brilliance is unmatched.”
Yet for all that technical prowess, Alishan’s path to jewelry was anything but traditional.
“When I finished high school, I knew I liked art — I liked drawing — and I knew art was going to be my path somehow,” Alishan recalls. “So I went to an art college and took ceramics. That was my start, and I enjoyed it very much. But it was shortlived because I emigrated to the United States in 1970.”
That ceramics training — brief as it was — planted seeds that would eventually blossom into his signature approach. While traditionally trained goldsmiths learn rules, Alishan learned to think in form and space, in volume and negative space, in the language of sculpture.
“I had very little knowledge about the jewelry industry — or jewelry in general,” he says.
Working for that Austrian-trained jeweler in downtown Los Angeles, Alishan discovered those German magazines — publications showcasing European designers who treated jewelry as wearable sculpture rather than gemstone display cases.
“What I was seeing in those pages versus what I was seeing in downtown Los Angeles was completely different,” he says. “The approach, the philosophy — everything was different.”
When his boss prepared to discard part of an issue, Alishan intervened.
“He said, ‘Oh, don’t worry about it. If you make something like this, you’ll never be able to sell it,’” Alishan remembers. “I said, ‘Forget about selling — just give it to me.’ And I looked through it. I kept looking, and I thought, ‘Wow, this is exactly what my understanding of jewelry should be. This is my perception.’ What I saw in those designers’ work was that form and space were the main attraction — which is what sculpture is all about. That spoke to me immediately.”
What emerged from that revelation was a technique that mystifies even seasoned jewelers: the ability to “paint” with metal, creating depth and shadow through oxidation and mixed-metal fusion that appears as effortless as brushstrokes on canvas. The reality is far more demanding.
“Most of our work consists of mixed metals, and the design itself — the drawing — actually dictates what I want to do,” Alishan explains. “If I need a certain contrast, that tells me which metals I’m going to use, which textures I’ll apply. Almost everything we make has hand texture in addition to patina and colorization.”
That hand texture — applied by his own fingers, sometimes layered over previous texture to create visual depth — transforms metal into something unexpected.
“We take the metal out of its inherent characteristics, and sometimes it will look like fabric,” he says. “I love that transition. That texture gives us the ability to transform the metal, so visually it appears as something else entirely.”
Alishan doesn’t just work with metal; he treats it like a canvas. He has this exceptional ability to layer gold, platinum and oxidized silver as if he were applying paint, creating depths and textures that most jewelers simply cannot replicate. Natasha Lazorova
The oxidation process itself requires alchemical precision. Using liver of sulfur, Alishan coaxes silver through graduated tones of gray until achieving the exact shade — sometimes nearly black — that creates maximum contrast against warm golds.
“It’s very tedious work because it’s not entirely predictable,” he says. “You have to be extremely precise with the temperature and the amount of liver of sulfur. It’s quite technical. It took us a long period of time to reach the point where we felt comfortable and confident with achieving the exact color we wanted.”
The result? Jewelry that demands closer inspection. Pieces that reveal new details with each viewing. Work that earns Alishan quiet commissions from major houses — projects bound by nondisclosure agreements but whispered about with respect throughout the industry.
“We examine every step of the way, starting from the initial design,” says Lydia Tutunjian, Alishan’s wife and business partner. “Most of our jewelry pieces are handcrafted and fabricated — some are cast, and others use a combination of casting and fabrication techniques.”
The Alishan-Lydia partnership forms the human heart of this artistic enterprise. For decades, they’ve navigated the delicate balance between artistic chaos and business necessity, between creative impulse and client satisfaction.
“It took a while,” Lydia admits. “It’s hard when your life partner is with you 24-7 and you still need to keep the integrity of both the business and the relationship going. In the beginning, it was hard until we each found our own tasks and responsibilities, and we learned how to work together well.”
Their only friction point? The design process itself.
“If Alishan asks, ‘How do you like this?’ and I critique it, sometimes he doesn’t like my critique — or vice versa,” Lydia says. “But we’ve learned how to handle it. I’ll give my opinion, but he’ll have the last word on it. Or if I design something and he has time to execute my designs, then the process works in reverse.”
That partnership — her grounded business acumen balancing his restless creativity — creates the warmth that clients notice immediately.
“Customer satisfaction is our goal, 100%,” Lydia says. “I always like to hear back from clients, or I’ll call them after they’ve received the piece to make sure they’re completely satisfied and love what we’ve created for them. That’s what makes us happy.”
For Alishan, inspiration comes from everywhere and nowhere predictable.
“Inspiration is very important for me,” he says. “I have very little patience — I need to be inspired all the time. Otherwise, I cannot do anything.”
He’s a beekeeper. He listens to jazz when fatigue sets in. He studies African art — not to copy, but to absorb its restraint, its ability to say just enough and then stop.
“These pieces weren’t made to hang on walls — they were created for ceremony, for spiritual and communal purposes,” he explains. “That deeper meaning resonates with me. And here’s what I find remarkable: Every time I look at the same piece of African art, I discover something new. It’s not overdone. It’s executed just enough, and then it stops.”
Alishan Halebian and his wife Lydia Tutunjian have spent decades balancing artistic vision with business acumen, creating a partnership where her grounded approach complements his restless creativity — and where customer satisfaction remains the ultimate goal.
That philosophy — knowing when to stop — defines his work. So does his refusal to follow trends or even acknowledge what other designers create.
“He never follows trends,” Lydia says. “He doesn’t follow other designers. He doesn’t even look at other designers’ work when we go to shows. So he’s not influenced by what’s popular or what others are doing. Everything he creates comes from his own creativity.”
She pauses, considering his legacy.
“What I think really makes him stand out in the industry is that he experiments all the time,” she continues. “Whether it’s with metals — and remember, he’s a selftaught goldsmith — or with other materials like wood, he’s always pushing boundaries. And people love seeing that. It’s so different.”
That difference shows in unexpected places — like the Arizona desert, where shadows and textures echo the restraint in Alishan’s work.
“It’s so serene, so deserted,” Alishan says of the landscape. “Most people pass through and see it as empty, but there’s
so much there — the shadows, the mountains, the textures, the colors. All of it seeps into your unconscious mind. Eventually, when you sit down to work and search for inspiration, it rises up naturally. You don’t have to force it.”
The upcoming showcase at Grace Renee Gallery offers a rare opportunity to meet this quietly influential maker in person — and to understand why human hands create something machines never can.
“I’ve seen beautifully done AI videos — the colors, the movement, the characters, the surrealism — and at first, you say, ‘Wow, this is incredible! This is so beautiful,’” Alishan reflects. “But keep watching that same video over and over again, and notice how quickly you get bored. How quickly the magic fades.”
Compare that to museum art viewed repeatedly across decades, he suggests — paintings that reveal new brushstrokes, new color relationships, perpetual inspiration.
“I think that’s the fundamental difference,” he says. “New technology is wonderful — it absolutely is — and it’s a powerful tool. But it’s just that: a tool.”
What technology cannot replicate is the soul embedded in each hammer mark, each deliberately applied texture, each oxidized shadow. What machines miss is the conversation between maker and metal, the dialogue between artistic intention and material reality.
“We experience this every time we do a show or personal appearance,” Alishan says. “As much as our customers and clients see our work, we learn just as much from them — from their approach, their understanding, even their criticism. And we just love it.”
That exchange — between maker and wearer, between artistic vision and lived experience — completes each piece in ways no studio work can achieve.
“There’s one point of view when I’m sitting at my bench, looking at and finishing a piece,” he explains. “But then there’s a completely different point of view from the person who will wear it, who will purchase it, who will live with it. And that perspective is so important to me.”
Visitors to Grace Renee Gallery this March will encounter one-of-a-kind pieces alongside signature designs — rings, necklaces and bracelets, including a strong collection of men’s jewelry. They’ll also find something rarer: a jeweler eager to collaborate on custom designs incorporating clients’ own meaningful gemstones.
“If someone brings in stones that are meaningful to them, we’ll collaborate to create a custom design around those pieces,” Lydia says. “So there will be opportunities for both ready-to-wear and bespoke work.”
More than that, they’ll meet a maker who still marvels at metal’s possibilities after decades at the bench, who listens to jazz and keeps bees, who studies African sculpture and draws by hand in an increasingly digital world. They’ll encounter jewelry that asks to be examined closely, pieces that reveal new details with each wearing, work that transforms precious metal into something approaching fabric, shadow or light itself.
They’ll discover, in other words, what happens when a sculptor accidentally becomes a jeweler — and never forgets that first love.
gracereneegallery.com
Master jeweler Alishan Halebian in his studio, where he transforms precious metals into sculptural art through hand-applied texture and carefully controlled oxidation — a technique that has earned him the industry nickname “jeweler's jeweler.”
Community
THROUGH
MARCH 15
UNCLE VANYA
Director Conor McPherson’s stunning new adaptation of Anton Chekhov’s masterpiece breathes fresh life into the classic portrayal of turn-of-the-20thcentury family dynamics. The production balances comedy and tragedy as it explores the depths of human nature, hidden desires and the quiet significance found in everyday moments. See website for prices and times. The Theatre Artists Studio, 12406 N. Paradise Village Parkway E., Scottsdale. 602-765-0120; thestudiophx.org
THROUGH MARCH 29
ARIZONA FINE ART EXPO
This 10-week juried art show features more than 120 renowned and emerging artists working in onsite studios. Visitors can watch the creative process in mediums ranging from painting and sculpture to glass and jewelry, or explore the two-acre sculpture garden. $12; discounts available. 10 a.m.–6 p.m. 26540 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. 480-837-7163; arizonafineartexpo.com
THROUGH APRIL 19 TEACHING ARTISTS
Writer Joseph J. Airdo
Scottsdale Arts Learning & Innovation showcases the creative dialogue between professional teaching artists from XICO, Inc. and the youth they mentored from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale. Featuring works by Saray Martiny, Martin Moreno, Agustin Vargas, Timothea Haider and Bronson Soza alongside their students’ art, the exhibition explores themes of place, sustainability and community. Free. 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday; noon–5 p.m. Sunday. Center Space gallery at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, 7380 E. Second St., Scottsdale. 480-499-8587; scottsdalearts.org
THROUGH
MARCH 29
CELEBRATION OF FINE ART
Under the signature big white tents, 100 artists set up working studios for the 36th annual exhibition, allowing collectors to connect directly with creators. The event features 40,000 square feet of art in diverse mediums, a sculpture court and the weekly Art Discovery Series on Fridays. $12; discounts available. 10 a.m.–6 p.m. 7899 E. Mayo Blvd., Scottsdale. 480-4437695; celebrateart.com
THROUGH
MARCH 31
MODERN MESSAGES: AHCHIPAPTUNHE AND JACOB A. MEDERS
Scottsdale Public Art presents contemporary artwork by Native artists Ahchipaptunhe and Jacob A. Meders, utilizing modern forms to bridge the past and future while rejecting tropes. Free. See website for hours. Civic Center Public Gallery at Scottsdale Civic Center Library, 3948 N. Drinkwater Blvd., Scottsdale. 480-874-4610; scottsdalearts.org
MARCH 1 CELEBRATE MARIACHI
The Musical Instrument Museum presents the beat of Mexico through the melodies of mariachi, exploring musical traditions with singing workshops, fashion lectures and live performances. Included with paid museum admission; free for members. 9 a.m.–5 p.m. The Musical Instrument Museum, 4725 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix. 480-478-6000; mim.org
MARCH 1 ORFF’S CARMINA BURANA
Sonoran Desert Chorale joins MCC’s Canto Vivo chorus for a powerful performance of Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana, presented in the composer’s dynamic scoring for two pianos and percussion. This evocative cantata sets medieval poems that explore fate, love, nature and revelry, anchored by the iconic opening and closing chorus “O Fortuna.” $25; discounts available. 3 p.m. Camelback Bible Church, 3900 E. Stanford Drive, Paradise Valley. 480-3054538; sonorandesertchorale.org
MARCH 1
THE PLANETS AND TCHAIKOVSKY
Presented by Arizona Musicfest, Maestro Robert Moody concludes the Festival Orchestra Week with a performance featuring British pianist George Harliono, the silver medalist of the 2023 International Tchaikovsky Competition. Harliono performs Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 2, followed by Holst’s orchestral blockbuster “The Planets.” $56+. 3 p.m. La Casa de Cristo Lutheran Church, 6300 E. Bell Road, Scottsdale. 480-4228449; azmusicfest.org
MARCH 3
LUMINOUS BY BROOKE WITH ROBERT PROCOP
Experience an immersive celebration of Luminous — Brooke Shields and renowned gemologist Robert Procop’s celestial jewelry collection, three years in the making. This extraordinary showcase features jewels inspired by lunar cycles, accompanied by authentic moon and Mars meteorites. 4–7 p.m.
Grace Renee Gallery, Historic Spanish Village, 7212 E. Ho Road, Carefree. 480-575-8080; gracereneegallery.com
MARCH 6–8 WORLDWIDE WOMEN’S FILM FESTIVAL
This eighth annual festival returns to Scottsdale to celebrate diverse stories and empower women in the collaborative world of filmmaking. The weekend also includes industry workshops, such as a social media masterclass with Melissa Farley and a funding presentation by Melissa Erickson. See website for schedule and prices. Harkins Shea 14, 7354 E. Shea Blvd., Scottsdale. 602-525-3012; wwfilmfestival.org
Community
MARCH 7–8
HIGH STREET ARTS FESTIVAL
The inaugural festival transforms the High Street district into an outdoor arts destination featuring more than 150 juried artists and craftspeople showcasing paintings, sculptures, jewelry and textiles. The event includes live music, food vendors and wine tastings from 16 Arizona wineries. Free. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. High Street, 5415 E. High St., Phoenix. 623-734-6526; vermillionpromotions.com
MARCH 10
SONORAN SPEAKER
SERIES: MEDICINE OR MADNESS
Desert Foothills Land Trust and Valley of the Sun J present Dr. Ken Sweat of Arizona State University for a fascinating exploration of how nature’s deadliest compounds are fueling medical breakthroughs. The lecture examines how venoms from various species are being transformed into life-saving treatments for human diseases, turning toxic evolution into healing tools. Free; registration required. 6 p.m. Valley of
MARCH 6–7
SCOTTSDALE FAMILY ARTSFEST
Writer Joseph J. Airdo
Celebrating its fourth year, this free festival moves to the Scottsdale Civic Center to showcase the creativity of Scottsdale Unified School District students. The event features live performances by SUSD bands, choirs and orchestras, a special show by Arizona Opera, interactive art workshops and the Alli Ortega Empty Bowls Fundraiser benefiting Scottsdale Community Partners. Free. See website for schedule. Scottsdale Civic Center, 3939 N. Drinkwater Blvd., Scottsdale. 480-4998587; scottsdalearts.org
the Sun J, 12701 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. 480-488-6131; dflt.org/ speakerseries
MARCH 12
MICHAEL FEINSTEIN: BIG BAND BROADWAY
Presented by Arizona Musicfest, the Ambassador of the Great American Songbook swings into the 21st century with the Carnegie Hall Big Band. The performance includes a multimedia tribute to Carnegie Hall’s big band history, honoring icons from Duke Ellington to Frank Sinatra. $65+.
Immerse yourself in the pinnacle of luxury with Grace Renee Gallery’s high jewelry showcase featuring David Gross, Robert Procop and David Weisz. Three master jewelers, each representing generations of expertise, present exceptional gemstones set
in breathtaking designs. Free. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Grace Renee Gallery, Historic Spanish Village, 7212 E. Ho Road, Carefree. 480-575-8080; gracereneegallery.com
MARCH 13–15
EXPERIENCE IRELAND
The Musical Instrument Museum celebrates the culture of the Emerald Isle through its rich musical traditions. The event features live performances by Irish dancers and Celtic bands, alongside storytelling, curator talks and hands-on activities. Included with paid museum admission. 9 a.m.–5 p.m. The Musical Instrument Museum, 4725 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix. 480-478-6000; mim.org
MARCH 15
CHARLIE CHAPLIN’S SMILE
Presented by Arizona Musicfest, Grammy-nominated violinist Philippe Quint leads a multimedia celebration of Charlie Chaplin’s musical legacy. Combining live music with rare vintage images and video footage from classic films, the performance explores Chaplin’s life as a violinist, composer and conductor. $53+. 7:30 p.m. Pinnacle
Presbyterian Church, 25150 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale. 480-422-8449; azmusicfest.org
MARCH
19
IL DIVO
Presented by Arizona Musicfest, the iconic classical crossover quartet celebrates over 20 years of music with “By Candlelight,” a journey through two decades of romance, heartache and joy. $79+. 7:30 p.m. Highlands Church, 9050 E. Pinnacle Peak Road, Scottsdale. 480-422-8449; azmusicfest.org
MARCH 19–APRIL 25
KEN LUDWIG’S TREASURE ISLAND
Don Bluth Front Row Theatre presents an epic adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic novel, bringing high-seas adventure to the stage. $38+; discounts available. See website for times. Don Bluth Front Row Theatre, 8989 E. Via Linda, Suite 118, Scottsdale. 480-314-0841; donbluthfrontrowtheatre.com
MARCH
20–21
ALISHAN JEWELRY SHOWCASE
Experience Alishan’s journey into mixed metals where ancient meets contemporary through opposing colors and bold contrasts. Each handcrafted jewel exudes individuality and elegance — bold yet classic, organic yet refined — demanding to be seen in person to appreciate the extraordinary attention to detail. Free. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Grace Renee Gallery, Historic Spanish Village, 7212 E. Ho Road, Carefree. 480-5758080; gracereneegallery.com
Community
MARCH 20–22 SCOTTSDALE ART WEEK
Scottsdale Art Week returns to WestWorld, celebrating art, culture and Indigenous excellence. This year’s fair will honor acclaimed photographer Cara Romero as its first “Indigenous Artist of the Year.” Explore thousands of works from 120+ leading international galleries and enjoy cultural programming all weekend. $40+. 11 a.m.–7 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Sunday. WestWorld, 16601 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale. scottsdaleartweek.com
MARCH 21
THREE AMERICAN TROUBADOURS
Presented by Arizona Musicfest, this multimedia tribute celebrates the intertwined lives and careers of three iconic singer-songwriters — James Taylor, Carly Simon and Carole King. $47+. 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Highlands Church, 9050 E. Pinnacle Peak Road, Scottsdale. 480-422-8449; azmusicfest.org
MARCH 21–ONGOING TENDER ALCHEMY
Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art presents the first joint exhibition
MARCH 21–ONGOING MARK + MAKING
Writer Joseph J. Airdo
Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art presents an exhibition drawn from its permanent collection, exploring how artists employ linework and mark-making to construct form and convey ideas. Curated by Keshia Turley, the showcase features drawings, paintings, prints and sculptures that highlight diverse approaches — from intuitive, gestural strokes to methodical, repetitive patterns. $16; discounts available. See website for hours. Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, 7374 E. Second St., Scottsdale. 480-874-4626; smoca.org
of Arizona-based mother and daughter artists Beth Ames Swartz and Julianne Swartz, whose distinct practices share a devotion to transformation, healing, and the invisible forces that shape human experience. Featuring paintings, fireworks, multisensory installations, and new sculptures, the show creates a crossgenerational dialogue about spiritual and material transmutation. $13+; discounts available. See website for hours.
Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, 7374 E. Second St., Scottsdale. 480874-4626; smoca.org
MARCH
22
A RHAPSODY OF PASSION AND ELEGANCE
The Scottsdale Philharmonic presents an evening of sweeping romance and virtuosity featuring the music of Rachmaninoff. This concert captures the intensity and lyricism that define the composer’s work, offering an emotional journey through lush harmonies and dynamic orchestration. $20+; discounts available. 4 p.m. La Casa de Cristo Lutheran Church, 6300 E. Bell Road, Scottsdale. 480-951-6077; scottsdalephilharmonic.com
MARCH 22
THE WAYFARER’S HOPE: A NATION’S JOURNEY
The Scottsdale Symphonic Orchestra presents a musical journey through struggle, identity and triumph as part of its series honoring the nation’s 250th anniversary. The program features Mahler’s “Songs of a Wayfarer” and works by Sibelius alongside the premiere of a bold new overture by William C. White, commissioned specifically for the orchestra. $20+. 4 p.m. Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, 7380 E. Second St., Scottsdale. 480-4998587; scottsdalearts.org
MARCH 26
ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA EXPERIENCE
Presented by Arizona Musicfest, this multimedia concert celebration honors the legacy of Jeff Lynne’s ELO with a performance by Evil Woman. The 12-piece band, featuring a live string section alongside electric guitars, faithfully recreates the fusion of Beatlesque pop and classical arrangements found in the original recordings. $47+. 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Highlands Church, 9050 E. Pinnacle Peak Road, Scottsdale. 480-422-8449; azmusicfest.org
Achieve your Best Body
A N D R E S T O R E Y O U R H E A L T H
PP e r s o n a l i z e d a n d D o c t o r -
S u p e r v i s e d W e i g h t L o s s
The Center for Integrative Healing & Wellness’ medical weight loss program integrates FDA-approved medications with a natural and holistic approach to address the underlying biological and physical issues responsible for weight gain
In addition to losing weight and keeping it off, The Center for Integrative Healing & Wellness’ medical weight loss program provides clients with the tools they need to reduce the risk of coronary artery disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes as well as optimize hormones for energy, health and longevity.
T h e M o s t C o m p r e h e n s i v e &
S u c c e s s f u l P r o g r a m A v a i l a b l e
The Center for Integrative Healing & Wellness’ medical weight loss program is designed to help clients be the healthiest they have ever been, in the best body that they have ever had.
Regardless of the amount of weight you want to lose, the spa-like clinic’s Integrative Team will monitor and guide you throughout the process of reaching your goal. Our clients typically lose 15–20% or more of their body weight an average of 53 pounds in 6–12 months
Best of all, the program ensures that patients maintain lean muscle mass and keep the weight they lost off for life. That is because, unlike other programs, our weight loss program looks not only at scale weight but also takes into consideration body fat, muscle mass and water weight, which all affect one’s ultimate goal
P R O G R A M
Community
MARCH 23
THE HOT SARDINES
Writer Joseph J. Airdo
Presented by Arizona Musicfest, vocalist Elizabeth Bougerol and pianist-bandleader Evan Palazzo lead the Musicfest Pops Ensemble in a celebration of France’s enduring romance with jazz. $54+. 7:30 p.m. Highlands Church, 9050 E. Pinnacle Peak Road, Scottsdale. 480-422-8449; azmusicfest.org
MARCH
27–29
SPRING CAREFREE FINE ART AND WINE FESTIVAL
Thunderbird Artists transforms downtown Carefree into an open-air gallery with juried fine art from over 130 artists, wine tastings, live entertainment, and savory treats. Meet celebrated artists including Jason and Danielle Napier, whose whimsical wildlife sculptures have earned international acclaim. $5. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Carefree Desert Gardens, 101 Easy St., Carefree. 480-837-5637; thunderbirdartists.com
MARCH 27–MAY 31
COWGIRL UP! ART FROM THE OTHER HALF OF THE WEST
The Desert Caballeros Western Museum presents the nation’s leading showcase of contemporary Western women artists. The exhibition features works by 60 acclaimed artists. See website for price and hours. Desert Caballeros Western Museum, 21 N. Frontier St., Wickenburg. 928-684-2272; westernmuseum.org
MARCH 28
AN INTIMATE EVENING WITH DAVID FOSTER & KATHARINE MCPHEE
Presented by Arizona Musicfest, 16-time Grammy Award-winning producer David Foster and acclaimed singer Katharine McPhee return for a special performance joined by classical crossover artist Daniel Emmet. $69+. 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Highlands Church, 9050 E. Pinnacle Peak Road, Scottsdale. 480-422-8449; azmusicfest.org
MARCH 28–29
GRAND
OPENING: LOUIS
SANDS IV CENTER
Western Spirit Museum unveils a bold new chapter with the opening of its $12 million expansion. The celebration invites the public to experience the new 12,000-square-foot Louis Sands IV Center and its four inaugural exhibitions: “Visions in Bronze,” “From Earth to the Stars,” “Fire of Ages” and “Working Pardners: Masterworks from the Eddie Basha Collection.” The weekend features live music, Old West reenactors, cultural demonstrations and a whiskey tasting.
Desert Foothills Volunteers hosts a free community event designed to connect residents of the Desert Foothills region with local nonprofit organizations. Guests can enjoy a complimentary buffet lunch while meeting face to face with leaders from groups such as Kiwanis Marketplace, Foothills Food Bank and Desert Foothills Land Trust to learn about their missions and needs. Attendees can explore volunteer options and sign up for training on the spot. Free; registration required. Noon. The Holland Center, 34250 N. 60th St., Scottsdale. desertfoothillsvolunteers.com
WINE FESTIVALS
Sip, savor, and celebrate! Step into Arizona’s most unforgettable festival experiences, brought to you by Vermilion Promotions. Whether you’re an art lover, wine connoisseur, music enthusiast, or a culinary explorer, Vermillion curates an immersive celebration where creativity, flavor, and community come together in perfect harmony. Free admission.
Kierland Fine Art & Wine Festival
Jan. 31- Feb. 1, 2026
Tubac Festival of the Arts Feb. 4-8, 2026
Wigwam Fine Art Festivals Feb. 13-15, 2026
Oro Valley Art & Wine Festival Feb. 28-Mar. 1, 2026
High Street Art Festival Mar. 7-8, 2026
Stagecoach Village Art & Wine Festival Mar. 20-22, 2026
SanTan Art & Wine Festival Mar. 28-29, 2026
LUMINOUS BY BROOKE WITH ROBERT PROCOP
MARCH 3
Tuesday 4–7 p.m.
Experience an immersive celebration of Luminous — Brooke Shields and renowned gemologist Robert Procop’s celestial jewelry collection, three years in the making. This extraordinary showcase features jewels inspired by lunar cycles, accompanied by authentic moon and Mars meteorites.
ALISHAN JEWELRY SHOWCASE
MARCH 20–21
Friday and Saturday 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Experience Alishan’s journey into mixed metals where ancient meets contemporary through opposing colors and bold contrasts. Each handcrafted jewel exudes individuality and elegance — bold yet classic, organic yet refined — demanding to be seen in person to appreciate the extraordinary attention to detail.
OPULENCE! A HIGH JEWELRY EXTRAVAGANZA
MARCH 3–14
Tuesday–Saturday 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Immerse yourself in the pinnacle of luxury with our high jewelry showcase featuring David Gross, Robert Procop, David Weisz and many others. Master jewelers, each representing generations of expertise, present exceptional gemstones set in breathtaking designs.
SARAH GRAHAM JEWELRY SHOWCASE APRIL 17–18
Friday and Saturday 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Experience the allure of Sarah Graham’s innovative jewelry designs, where oxidized cobalt chrome meets 18-karat gold and sparkling diamonds. This two-day event offers a rare chance to meet the designer herself and explore her full collection, including one-of-a-kind pieces that embody organic beauty and contemporary sophistication.
Grace Renee Gallery is a refreshingly beautiful way to explore fine contemporary art in the breathtaking shadows of the Sonoran Desert foothills of Carefree, Arizona. Artfully designed jewelry, inspiring sculptures, spectacular wall art, stunning ceramics and more await.
UPCOMING EVENTS
GREGORÉ AND JENNIFER-RABE MORIN
APRIL 24–25
Friday and Saturday 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Meet two of America’s finest jewelry designers, a Santa Barbara husband-and-wife team who reinterpret nature with humor and artistry. Each piece marries technical mastery with whimsical vision, creating singular works where precision craftsmanship transforms the natural world into wearable sculpture.
Arizona Musicfest’s “Carousel: A Concert” from last season demonstrates the theatrical concert format: the Musicfest Pops Ensemble shares the stage with performers, making the orchestra a visible part of the storytelling. “Ragtime” will use the same approach at the Herberger Theater.
The orchestra doesn’t hide in a pit at Arizona Musicfest’s production of “Ragtime.” Thirty musicians occupy the Herberger Theater stage as costars, their instruments glinting under the lights, their presence as essential to the storytelling as the actors downstage. This isn’t traditional musical theater. It’s what Musicfest calls a “Theatrical Concert Experience” — a format that strips away spectacle to reveal the raw architectural power of one of Broadway’s most celebrated scores.
“Any show that has large orchestral resources as the accompaniment will also have very large-scale choral writing,” says Allan Naplan, executive and producing director of Arizona Musicfest. “There are three character communities in ‘Ragtime,’ and when they are all on stage, it creates a wall of spectacular sound. It’s unique and really special.”
That wall of sound arrives at the Herberger Theater Center April 24–26, marking the crown jewel of
Musicfest’s 35th anniversary season. The production reunites the organization with downtown Phoenix’s iconic venue following last season’s acclaimed “Carousel: A Concert,” and it arrives at a moment when “Ragtime” has reclaimed its place as one of Broadway’s hottest tickets.
“A new ‘Ragtime’ production recently opened to great acclaim on Broadway,” Naplan explains, “but patrons don’t need to travel to New York to see outstanding Broadway talent performing this extraordinary and beloved piece of theater.”
The timing is deliberate. When “Ragtime” premiered on Broadway in 1998, it earned 13 Tony nominations and four wins, but it opened in the same season as “The Lion King” — a phenomenon that overshadowed nearly everything else in its path. The musical has remained beloved within theater circles ever since, and its return to Broadway in 2026 has reaffirmed its status as a masterwork.
‘Ragtime’ Revival
Musicfest Marks
Milestone with Broadway-Caliber Theatrical Triumph
“Within the theater world and among theater fans, ‘Ragtime’ is one of the most beloved classic musicals of the last few decades,” Naplan says. “That’s why it’s now in its second Broadway revival and continues to attract some of the greatest talent working today.”
For Arizona Musicfest, attracting that caliber of talent means working on a compressed timeline with artists who already know their roles intimately. The model differs dramatically from traditional theater companies that rehearse for months.
“We bring in major Broadway artists, many of whom are already well-versed in their roles, because we work on a very condensed production timeline,” Naplan explains. “We then pair them with some of the top musical theater talent from the Valley. Having this caliber of artists coming from Broadway and the opera world means we need people at the top of their game — performers who already have full character development and can bring the experience from their Broadway productions.”
The cast Naplan has assembled reads like a who’s who of contemporary musical theater royalty. Mamie Parris returns to the role of Mother, which she originated in the 2009 Broadway revival. Her extensive credits include Grizabella in “Cats,” Elphaba in “Wicked,” and Paulette in “Legally Blonde.”
In the pivotal role of Sarah, Ta’nika Gibson is taking a leave from the current Broadway revival specifically to perform with Musicfest — a remarkable coup for the organization. For Gibson, the role carries profound personal meaning that transcends professional achievement.
Writer Joseph J. Airdo // Photography Courtesy of Arizona Musicfest
Ta’nika Gibson takes a leave from the current Broadway revival of “Ragtime” to perform the role of Sarah in Arizona Musicfest’s production. For the adopted actress, the role carries profound personal meaning.
“I’m adopted,” she says. “When I embody the role of Sarah, I feel like I’m embodying my own biological mother — what she went through in having to potentially give up a child, or fighting for her child, fighting for her love, fighting for this relationship. When I’m holding baby Coalhouse on stage, I think of myself as baby Coalhouse — singing to all the circumstances that happened to me and what it took to get me here. It feels like a full-circle moment.”
The role of Coalhouse Walker Jr. — Sarah’s love interest and the beating heart of “Ragtime’s” tragedy — goes to Justin Austin, one of opera’s brightest rising stars. Named Rising Star of the Year at the 2024 International Opera Awards, Austin regularly performs at the Metropolitan Opera, Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall.
“Coalhouse Walker Jr. is a dream role of mine,” Austin admits. “It’s really a testament to how hard work leads you to where you want to be in life.”
Austin’s connection to the character runs deeper than professional ambition. He grew up in Harlem and built his career foundation in St. Louis — the
exact trajectory of Coalhouse Walker Jr., who leaves St. Louis for a better life in New York City’s Harlem.
“There are just a lot of similarities between me and this character,” Austin reflects.
The role has haunted him since high school. He attended LaGuardia High School of Performing Arts at Lincoln Center, arriving just as his school mounted “Ragtime” — but freshmen couldn’t audition. The same thing happened at Manhattan School of Music. He became an understudy, deepening his love for the piece while increasing his anxiety about whether he’d ever actually perform it.
“When it came back to Broadway, it was bittersweet for me,” Austin says. “With me being in demand in my opera career right now, it just wasn’t the right time. The last time ‘Ragtime’ was on Broadway was 2009. These things don’t come around often. I just thought it was possible that my chance had dwindled. And then when Arizona Musicfest contacted me about singing Coalhouse, I knew that I didn’t have
Broadway actress Ta’nika Gibson, whose credits include “Into the Woods” and “Ain’t Too Proud,” brings her acclaimed portrayal of Sarah to the Herberger Theater stage April 24–26.
Native Arizonan Sam Primack returns home to perform Younger Brother in “Ragtime” on the Herberger Theater stage where he grew up performing with Valley Youth Theatre.
Opera star Justin Austin appears as Coalhouse Walker Jr., a dream role he’s pursued since high school. Named Rising Star of the Year at the 2024 International Opera Awards, Austin regularly performs at the Metropolitan Opera and Carnegie Hall.
You physically feel the live musicians there in front of you, and that’s an effect that just can’t be duplicated by a recording or by music being piped in from somewhere else.
Josh Condon
any time in my schedule. But I was like, ‘I’ll make it work.’ Because I don’t know if this is ever going to come around again.”
The production also marks a homecoming for native Arizonan Sam Primack, the youngest actor to star as Evan Hansen on both Broadway and the national tour of “Dear Evan Hansen.” He returns to play Younger Brother, performing on the very Herberger stage where he grew up doing Valley Youth Theatre productions.
“I really grew up on the Herberger Theater Center stage,” Primack says. “I have so many amazing childhood memories on that stage. So when they asked me to come back for a show that I already love and that means so much to me, it just felt like a perfect fit.”
The shift from the intimate, internal world of “Dear Evan Hansen” to “Ragtime’s” sweeping epic excites him.
“This show is absolutely an ensemble,” Primack notes. “There are more than 30 cast members — it’s such a huge production. It’s fun because there’s a little mix of Arizona friends and New York friends.”
Rounding out the principal cast are David R. Gordon as Tateh — reprising his acclaimed portrayal from Goodspeed Opera House’s 2025 production — and local Valley favorite Jesse Berger as Father.
Spring Crescendo
As Arizona Musicfest’s 35th anniversary season builds toward the theatrical triumph of “Ragtime,” the organization’s spring calendar offers an embarrassment of riches for Valley music lovers. From jazz vocalists to classical crossover quartets, from big band nostalgia to British Invasion retrospectives, the lineup demonstrates Musicfest’s range and ambition.
Allan Naplan, executive and producing director, highlights three performances as essential viewing.
The Hot Sardines (March 23) return to Musicfest for their second appearance, this time backed by the Musicfest Pops Ensemble under Josh Condon’s direction.
“They’ll tell the evolution of jazz that came from France to New Orleans in this special program they’re doing,” Naplan explains. “They are outstanding artists, both individually and collectively. That’ll be a very fun, entertaining show.”
For fans of classic rock, the Electric Light Orchestra Experience (March 26) offers an authentic recreation of Jeff Lynne’s vision with Evil Woman, a 12-piece ensemble featuring a live string section.
“When some of these tribute bands perform, it’s like the record is leaping off the record player,” Naplan says. “They are so true to the instrumentation, to the purity of what that original music was, that it really is wonderful to hear it. The demand is so strong that we’re filling up two performances.”
Naplan’s third must-see: Samara Joy (April 9), who just extended her historic Grammy winning streak. The 26-year-old vocalist claimed her sixth Grammy Award on Feb. 1, winning best jazz vocal album for “Portrait” — her fourth consecutive year winning at the ceremony. She previously won best new artist in 2023, a category rarely awarded to jazz artists.
“She beat out all the pop and rock artists the year she won it,” Naplan says. “That says so much about this woman’s artistry. With her acclaim and her command of the stage, it’s an honor for Musicfest to be presenting her.”
The season also features Michael Feinstein leading the Carnegie Hall Big Band through Broadway classics (March 12), Grammy-nominated violinist Philippe Quint exploring Charlie Chaplin’s musical legacy (March 15), classical crossover legends Il Divo performing “By Candlelight” (March 19), a multimedia tribute to James Taylor, Carly Simon and Carole King (March 21), 16-time Grammy winner David Foster with Katharine McPhee and Daniel Emmet (March 28), and a celebration of the British Invasion years (April 11).
All performances take place at either Highlands Church or Pinnacle Presbyterian Church in Scottsdale.
Last season’s “Carousel: A Concert” showcased Musicfest's unique theatrical concert model, with nearly 50 orchestra members on stage alongside the cast. This format returns for “Ragtime,” featuring a 30-piece ensemble performing the full Broadway orchestration.
What makes Musicfest’s approach unique isn’t just the caliber of talent, but the theatrical concert format itself. Josh Condon, Musicfest’s resident artist and the production’s conductor, serves as the bridge between the storytelling and the 30-piece Musicfest Pops Ensemble.
“‘Ragtime’ is one of the most heralded scores in musical theater, and it’s playing on Broadway right now to critical acclaim,” Condon says. “We’re really excited and honored to showcase the same size orchestra that’s currently playing on Broadway. There are very few shows — outside of maybe Gammage to a certain extent — that will frequently do full orchestrations. Not a reduced orchestra, not a smaller pit orchestra, not tracks.”
The impact of having the orchestra visible on stage goes beyond aesthetics.
“There’s something that happens to the listener when the orchestra is on stage that you physically feel,” Condon explains. “The sound of the orchestra travels from the stage to the listener and physically hits you. It doesn’t go through a pre-EQ’d, pre-edited mix from a soundboard that’s processing a band in another room. You physically feel the live musicians there in front of you, and that’s an effect that just can’t be duplicated.”
For Austin, this concertized approach feels like home.
“In opera, we have this element to our performing life called the concert or the recital, where we take the grand, macro storytelling of the opera stage and put it under a magnifying
glass,” he says. “In a recital, it’s just you and the pianist and the intimacy of the audience — everyone is there to see and experience your point of view. We as the characters, as the actors, have more of a responsibility to make sure that these themes, these stories, these circumstances come to life in a way where we don’t need the spectacle.”
Those themes — immigration, class divides, racial injustice, and the fractured American Dream — reverberate with particular potency in 2026 Arizona. Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty’s score uses the syncopated rhythms of ragtime, the martial precision of marches, and the graceful lilt of waltzes to represent three colliding worlds: Harlem, the affluent suburb of New Rochelle, and New York’s Lower East Side immigrant community.
“The composers and the orchestrators have done their job to create a really imaginative score,” Condon says. “My job is to serve that vision and bring all those details out. It’s all there in the score already — you just have to interpret it and guide the musicians in such a way that they play with the nuance and intention that will illuminate those details for the audience.”
The production also represents a geographic expansion for Musicfest, which has grown from a local festival into a valleywide cultural force over 3 1/2 decades.
“Even though we have a strong footprint in North Scottsdale, our reach has become valleywide,” Naplan says. “There is truly no boundary for Arizona Musicfest because people love great music all throughout the Phoenix metro area.”
In Arizona Musicfest’s theatrical concert format, the orchestra isn’t hidden in a pit — it's a co-star. This image from last season's “Carousel: A Concert” illustrates the staging that audiences will experience when “Ragtime” arrives at the Herberger Theater in April.
The Herberger partnership makes practical sense — there’s no theatrical venue in North Scottsdale capable of hosting a production of this scale — but it also encourages North Valley patrons to see themselves as part of the broader metro Phoenix arts ecosystem. For those making the drive from North Scottsdale, Musicfest is offering Ragtime Railways — a convenient bus service that transforms the journey downtown into part of the evening’s experience.
As Musicfest celebrates 35 years, the numbers tell a story of sustained growth. Last season, 50,613 patrons attended Musicfest events — a record. This season is tracking at the same pace, with both ticket sales and philanthropy ahead of last year’s benchmarks at this point in the season.
“We’re just getting started in expanding our reach, while offering new types of musical experiences to Arizona audiences,” Naplan says.
For Primack, returning to perform on the stage where he once dreamed of a Broadway career, the full-circle nature of the moment is not lost.
“Arizona will always be home,” he says. “I owe everything to the community — to my teachers, to the community theaters that basically raised me. The community really lifted me up, and I owe so much to it. So anytime I can come back and thank the community, and they’re willing to welcome me back, I’m happy to do it.”
The Herberger stage awaits. The orchestra is ready. And for three nights in April, the syncopated heartbeat of America’s past will pulse through downtown Phoenix, played by an ensemble that’s spent 35 years proving that great music knows no boundaries — geographic, stylistic, or otherwise.
azmusicfest.org/ragtime
April 24–26 // See website for times // Herberger Theater Center // 222 E. Monroe St., Phoenix // $79.50+ // 480-422-8449 // azmusicfest.org/ragtime
photo essay
Photographer Joseph Cyr
J.
Tucson photographer Joseph Cyr transforms fleeting desert puddles into symmetrical masterpieces using nothing more than an iPhone and a willingness to get low.
Ephemeral Echoes
In the Sonoran Desert, water is a miracle. A reflection is the echo of that miracle.
When rain finds its way to the washes and trails around Arizona — whether from winter storms or summer monsoons — something magical happens. Puddles form — ephemeral, fleeting, destined to vanish within hours under the relentless sun.
But in those brief windows, photographer Joseph Cyr finds his muse. Armed only with an iPhone and a willingness to get his knees muddy, he crouches low, angles his lens toward the water’s surface and captures something extraordinary: the desert reflected back on itself, transformed into symmetrical, alien landscapes that feel both familiar and impossibly strange.
This collection of images represents years of chasing those rare moments when the dry landscape holds water long enough to create perfect mirrors. The result is a visual Rorschach test: pareidolia at play as saguaros and rock
formations double and twist into abstract compositions that transcend simple documentation.
“Reflections, by mirroring a given subject, create interesting and unexpected wholes,” Cyr explains. “The human eye is naturally drawn to symmetry, and in the desert, where water is scarce, happening upon it always feels like a gift.”
The logistics require intimate knowledge of place. After nearly two decades of hiking and running Tucson’s trails, Cyr knows exactly where water pools after storms — which bends in the washes collect runoff, which trail dips transform into temporary ponds. The serendipity now lies not in finding the water itself, but in what the light and weather happen to be doing when he arrives.
“That’s exactly why desert reflections are so worth finding and photographing — they freeze the ephemeral, distill a unique vantage point, capture something momentarily substantial before it vanishes,” he says.
Writer Joseph
Airdo // Photographer Joseph Cyr
Bend down and see beyond the mud. Don’t stop at seeing your own reflection when you look straight down. Stretch your legs, your knees and hips, your vision — look outward and upward from that low vantage point we can only achieve when we bow down and forget about making ourselves seem big. Only then can we see differently. Joseph Cyr
We can find ourselves thinking, ‘Oh, this will make a great photo,’ instead of truly soaking up the moment’s beauty. The balance between appreciating the present and wanting to share it later can get lost; the pressures of social media can easily crowd out the presence that photography should cultivate. The meditative benefit occurs when photography teaches us how to see, whether we take the photo or not. Joseph Cyr
We’re more attuned to the everyday gradations rather than just the in-your-face first impressions. But the clichés exist for a reason — the jaw-dropping sunsets, the chorus of coyotes at dusk, the improbable rock formations, the rainbows arcing over saguaros — these still stop us in our tracks. Joseph Cyr
Meet the Photographer
Joseph Cyr’s path to the Sonoran Desert was anything but direct. Born in Seoul, he spent formative years traversing continents — living and working in France, Georgia, Seattle and Nicaragua before finding himself in southern Arizona. Those early memories lingered, and in 2007, after visiting friends in Tucson, Cyr and his wife made a decisive choice: the desert would be home.
By day, Cyr inhabits the high-energy world of high school language teaching, where extroversion is essential. By dawn and dusk, he retreats to the trails with his iPhone on a wrist strap, seeking the quiet introverted restoration that landscape photography provides.
“I truly enjoy the energy of young people, but after a day spent in extrovert mode, the introversion that landscape photography fosters is definitely welcome,” Cyr says. “Both teaching and photography hone one’s observation skills, and both require openness to spontaneity, but photography and time outdoors help me refill the tank so I can be refreshed for a new day.”
His choice of tool — the smartphone rather than expensive professional equipment — was born from necessity and circumstance. A 2011 trip to Asia coincided with his first smartphone purchase, and he began recognizing the device’s photographic potential despite its limitations.
“Despite its limitations, it allowed such spontaneity, while also training me to look at light and composition more carefully,” he notes.
That training paid dividends. Cyr’s mobile photography has placed in international competitions, been published in multiple magazines, been featured on Apple’s Instagram feed and exhibited in several countries. Most recently, his work appeared in Tucson’s Decode Gallery in the Barrio Viejo as part of an exhibition entitled “Light & Shadow” and in Porto, Portugal, as part of the “Mira Mobile” prizes celebrating smartphone photography.
While Phoenix residents brace for triple-digit heat after a record-breaking warm winter, the state’s higher elevations and southern enclaves are experiencing peak season — that narrow window when the desert blooms, the pines are fragrant and every weekend offers a reason to fill the tank and point the car toward cooler air.
This spring, Arizona’s cultural calendar rivals its natural beauty, with festivals spanning literary giants and yoga masters, mountain bikers and master winemakers, birders and bronze sculptors. From the northern pines to the high-desert wine country, March and April deliver a concentrated season of discovery worth the drive.
PINE BELT PILGRIMAGE
Head to the pines at 7,000 feet, where the Flagstaff Mountain Film Festival brings a touch of Sundance to the historic Orpheum Theater from April 9–12. The festival showcases documentary films focused on outdoor adventure, environmental stewardship and mountain culture.
Full Bloom
Screenings provoke thought and inspire action, often followed by Q&A sessions with visiting filmmakers, athletes and activists. It’s perfect for the outdoor sophisticate — an ideal evening activity after hiking the San Francisco Peaks. The communal atmosphere draws an audience that values environmental ethics and storytelling.
Two weeks later, the energy shifts south to Prescott, where Whiskey Off-Road transforms downtown into the Kentucky Derby of mountain biking. Running April 24–26, this is one of the most revered mountain bike events in North America, taking over the historic corridor for three days of culture, music and endurance. While 15-, 30- and 50-mile races draw toptier professionals and amateurs through ponderosa forests, the Off-Road festival on Whiskey Row is the draw for non-racers.
The event closes the downtown corridor for a massive expo, free live music concerts and a beer garden, all set against Prescott’s pine forests and Victorian architecture. The VIP experience means booking a room at the Hotel St. Michael or the Hassayampa Inn months in advance, watching the profes-
Writer Joseph J. Airdo
Whiskey Off-Road // Photographer Eddie Clark
Spring in Arizona is less about escaping the heat than discovering what cooler elevations have quietly cultivated — festivals that celebrate terroir, creativity and the communities that sustain them.
sional criterium races from a balcony on Whiskey Row, and enjoying the seamless blend of rugged outdoor culture with polished downtown festival atmosphere. The energy is palpable, the spectacle bucket list-worthy.
RED ROCK RENAISSANCE
Sedona’s spring calendar unfolds across two weekends in April, each offering a different lens on the region’s creative and spiritual identity.
The Sedona Yoga Festival brings the most comprehensive yoga education conference in North America to the red rocks. From April 23–26, the Hilton Sedona Resort at Bell Rock hosts over 150 sessions drawing internationally
recognized yoga teachers, Ayurveda practitioners, meditation guides and spiritual teachers alongside live music, kirtan performances and specialized immersion courses. Programming spans yoga styles, philosophy, trauma-conscious practice, sound healing and kids’ yoga.
This is a high-touch wellness experience designed for the deep seeker and the curious alike, attracting practitioners and teachers from across North America and internationally. The backdrop of Sedona’s natural landscape, combined with the elevated offerings at the Hilton resort, appeals to affluent wellness enthusiasts who value transformational learning and community.
Sedona Yoga Festival // Photographer Ty Dobbs
For those who prefer paint to pranayama, the Sedona Spring Open Studios Tour runs concurrently from April 24–26, inviting visitors directly into the working studios of over 50 professional artists across the Verde Valley region — Sedona, Village of Oak Creek, Cornville, Cottonwood, Camp Verde and Clarkdale.
Unlike gallery shows, this free, self-guided tour emphasizes direct artist engagement. Visitors view work in creation, speak with painters, sculptors and ceramicists about process, and purchase original pieces directly from creators. It’s an intimate alternative to crowded art fairs, offering authentic access to professional creative practice set against Sedona’s unparalleled red rock backdrop.
WINE COUNTRY WANDERINGS
Thirty minutes down the canyon from Sedona, the Verde Valley unfolds as Arizona’s emerging wine country — and spring is when it shows off. The season opens early with the Arizona Wine Country Artists Village Spring Festival, running March 6–8 in Old Town Cottonwood. Approximately 50 professional artists set up on a level, grassy field at Old Town Activity Park adjacent to Main Street.
Old Town Cottonwood has quietly transformed itself
into the heart of Arizona wine country, anchored by Maynard Keenan’s multimillion-dollar winery and a constellation of tasting rooms within walking distance. Free admission allows collectors to browse paintings, sculpture, fine jewelry, photography and mixed media, then drift into one of 10 nearby wine tasting rooms or settle into an award-winning restaurant. The festival capitalizes on Cottonwood’s position as a 30-minute hub between Sedona, Jerome and the Verde Valley — a spring weekend itinerary that writes itself.
Two weeks later, the Camp Verde Pecan & Wine Festival honors the valley’s two primary agricultural exports under the canopy of heritage pecan trees. Running March 21–22 at the Community Center Field, the event retains small-town charm while the wine tasting tent hosted by the Verde Valley Wine Consortium delivers serious pours from over a dozen local estate wineries, many awardwinners on the national circuit, paired with pecan-inspired culinary creations and live music.
The atmosphere is unpretentious yet high quality, perfect for an afternoon of engaging with the actual winemakers and growers who shape the region’s agricultural identity. It’s farm-to-table authenticity in its most appealing form.
Flagstaff Mountain Film Festival Photographer Scott Barker
Blessing of the Vines // Photographer KC Rego
As April closes, the Verde Valley Birding and Nature Festival transforms Dead Horse Ranch State Park into a naturalist’s paradise from April 23–27, coinciding with peak spring migration. Professionally guided field trips, workshops and birding excursions traverse the Verde Watershed — one of Arizona’s richest avian habitats — with expert field guides offering extensive knowledge of Sonoran Desert ecology and migration patterns. Participants gain access to premier birding locations including the perennial waters of the Verde River and Oak Creek.
This festival speaks directly to the sophisticated nature traveler — the birdwatcher, ecologist or nature photographer who views spring migration as a pilgrimage. The proximity to Cottonwood’s wine country and Jerome’s artsy character creates a multiday itinerary opportunity that pairs conservation with culture.
OLD PUEBLO PRESTIGE
The Old Pueblo anchors the spring season with two festivals that showcase its dual UNESCO designations as both a City of Literature and a City of Gastronomy.
The Tucson Festival of Books stands as the third-largest book festival in the United States, transforming the University of Arizona campus into an open-air literary marketplace March 14–15 that draws over 350 authors and thousands of readers. Acclaimed novelists, emerging voices, poets and specialists lead
curated panel discussions spanning every genre imaginable, with free admission and unprecedented author access. It remains the gold standard of American literary gatherings, offering intellectual discourse in an academic setting that elevates it beyond typical festival commerce.
A month later, the Agave Heritage Festival represents Tucson’s gastronomic identity at its most refined. Running April 9–12 across various Tucson locations, this four-day exploration of the agave plant’s cultural, culinary and environmental significance in the borderlands features masterclass mezcal tastings, roasting demonstrations, sustainability symposiums and multicourse garden dinners prepared by James Beard Awardwinning chefs.
The programming creates a bridge between ancient Sonoran Desert traditions and modern culinary trends, attracting a younger, affluent, culturally conscious demographic seeking immersive, sensory education that moves far beyond simple tequila tasting into deep dives on heritage and botany.
THE TERROIR TRAIL
The state’s southern corridor offers a trio of experiences that celebrate Arizona’s most established wine regions and artistic communities.
Whiskey Off-Road // Photographer Eddie Clark
The season begins with the Tubac Center of the Arts Open Studio Tour, running March 13–15 across various locations in one of Arizona’s oldest European settlements where art and Old Arizona elegance converge. This juried tour invites collectors inside the private workspaces of the Santa Cruz Valley’s most accomplished artists. Unlike standard art walks, participation requires demonstrated professional merit.
Visitors navigate Tubac’s charming streets and surrounding foothills to witness the creative process firsthand — large-scale bronze casting, oil painting, avant garde mixed media — while enjoying the culinary and historical character of a high-desert enclave that has quietly cultivated a reputation for sophisticated creativity.
One month later, the wine trail begins with the Blessing of the Vines Festival, now in its 48th year. Held April 11 at Sonoita Vineyards in Elgin, Arizona’s signature spring wine festival occupies a designated American Viticultural Area in the highelevation foothills 45 minutes south of Tucson. Nine regional wineries pour alongside food vendors and live music, but the ceremonial blessing of the vines at noon distinguishes this event — a tradition honoring terroir and seasonal renewal that adds cultural and spiritual meaning beyond typical tasting.
The Sonoita region produces premium wines in distinctive high-
desert conditions, making this a genuine pilgrimage for wineeducated travelers seeking authentic regional wine culture.
The trail continues east to Willcox, where the Wine Country Spring Festival offers the most direct access to the source. Running April 18–19 at Railroad Avenue Park, this event gathers the region’s top producers in the historic railroad park. Willcox produces the vast majority of Arizona’s wine grapes, and this festival — ranked by Fodor’s Travel as a top wine festival in North America — focuses strictly on the product: limited production vintages and direct access to winemakers often pouring their own wine.
The vibe is rustic-chic and educational, stripping away pretension. For oenophiles who maintain wine cellars and seek the next great Arizona vintage before it hits the mainstream, the drive to the high desert is essential.
Spring in Arizona is less about escaping the heat than discovering what cooler elevations have quietly cultivated — festivals that celebrate terroir, creativity and the communities that sustain them. From the intellectual marketplace of Tucson to the spiritual immersion of Sedona, from wine country artistry to mountain culture, the road beyond the Valley delivers authentic experiences worth far more than the gas it takes to get there.
Tucson Festival of Books // Photographer Jim Wood
Tubac Center of the Arts Open Studio Tour // Photographer Jared Newton
EXPERIENCE
Arizona Wine Country Artists Village Spring Festival
March 6–8 // Old Town Activity Park
187 E. Pima Street, Cottonwood // Free // artists-village.com
Tubac Center of the Arts Open Studio Tour
March 13–15 // See website for participating locations // Free tubacarts.org
Tucson Festival of Books
March 14–15 // University of Arizona
1200 E. University Blvd., Tucson // Free tucsonfestivalofbooks.org
Camp Verde Pecan & Wine Festival
March 21–22 // Community Center Field
75 E. Hollamon St., Camp Verde // Free // visitcampverde.com
Agave Heritage Festival
April 9–12 // See website for details // agaveheritagefestival.com
Flagstaff Mountain Film Festival
April 9–12 // The Orpheum Theater // 15 W. Aspen Ave., Flagstaff $15+ // flagstaffmountainfilms.org
Blessing of the Vines Festival
April 11 // Sonoita Vineyards
290 Elgin Canelo Road, Sonoita // See website for prices sonoitavineyards.com
Willcox Wine Country Spring Festival
April 18–19 // Railroad Avenue Park 130 N. Railroad Ave., Willcox // Free // willcoxwinecountry.com
Sedona Yoga Festival: A Consciousness Evolution Conference
April 23–26 // Hilton Sedona Resort at Bell Rock 90 Ridge Trail Drive, Sedona // $399+ // sedonayogafestival.com
Verde Valley Birding and Nature Festival
April 23–27 // Dead Horse Ranch State Park 675 Dead Horse Ranch Road, Cottonwood // Free verderiver.org
Sedona Spring Open Studios Tour
April 24–26 // See website for participating locations Free // sedonaartscenter.org
Whiskey Off-Road
April 24–26 // Whiskey Row, Prescott // Free // epicrides.com
ASPARAGUS PROSCIUTTO WRAPS
What better way is there to welcome spring than with these delicious asparagus prosciutto wraps? They are stunning to look at and highlight a beautiful spring vegetable — asparagus. They are easy to make but look like you've worked all day on them. I love the combination of white cheddar cheese, prosciutto and asparagus, all wrapped together in puff pastry then glazed with a honey-tinged egg wash. Add some edible flowers to your platter to make it pop!
Serves: 4
INGREDIENTS:
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 large egg
Freshly ground black pepper
Writer and Photographer Francine Coles thefancypantskitchen.com
Recipe
12–16 medium-diameter asparagus spears
1/4 teaspoon Kosher salt
1 tablespoon honey
1 sheet puff pastry, thawed according to package directions
4 slices prosciutto, 4x4 inches or larger, thinly sliced
6 ounces white cheddar cheese, divided into 8 slices
DIRECTIONS:
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees and line a 12x18-inch sheet pan with parchment paper. Remove egg from the refrigerator and set out to warm up a bit.
2. Melt butter in a small microwave-safe bowl or measuring cup. Set aside to cool.
3. Lay out asparagus on a plate and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with the kosher salt and toss with your fingers to coat.
4. Lightly flour a work surface. If puff pastry is not square, roll it out a bit to form a square. Cut puff pastry into four equal size squares. Rotate squares with a corner facing up and down, like a diamond.
5. Prepare egg wash by adding honey and egg to the bowl with melted butter. Stir well to combine. Set egg wash aside.
6. Top each diamond with a slice of prosciutto, folding as needed to fit over the surface. Top with 3–4 spears of asparagus and two slices of cheese.
7. Fold the left side of the pastry over asparagus and cheese and brush with egg wash. Fold the right side over the first side. Brush the top and sides of the pastry with more egg wash, being careful not to use too much. Sprinkle with fresh ground pepper.
8. Bake until pastry is golden and cheese is nicely melted, 14–18 minutes.
