April Events 2018
Arizona Calendar of Events
Marjorie Magnusson 602-364-3695
1CLARKDALE: Bunny Express – Verde Canyon Railroad. The Black-tailed Jackrabbit, a Verde Canyon native, may be one of the largest hares in North America but he’s got nothing on Verde Canyon Railroad’s other resident rabbit, the Easter Bunny. Depot guests enjoy hugs, candy and photo-ops with the mischievous hare. The fun continues onboard as the winner of the jellybean counting contest is awarded a giant jar of candies to take along on the ride.928-639-0010 or 800-293-7245 or
3SCOTTSDALE: Keyboard Conversations with Jeffrey Siegel – Leonard Bernstein at 100: A Musical Celebration– Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts. Concerts with commentary combine remarks with performances of masterpieces of the piano repertoire – and conclude with a fast-paced Q-and-A session. 2018 is the centennial of the birth of America's most important classical musician in the 20th century. Siegel performs arrangements of songs from Bernstein's West Side Story, Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue, and Aaron Copland's El Salon Mexico.$29-49. 7:30 pm. 480-499-8587 or
3-8YUMA: 66th Annual County Fair - Yuma County Fairgrounds.Entertainment, concerts, 4H & FFA exhibits, livestock show & auction, demolition derby, Yuma Gem & Mineral Society, carnival. $. 8 am – midnight. 928-726-4420 or or
4FLAGSTAFF: Classical Series: Grisha Goryachev – Shepherd of the Hills Church. Flamenco guitar. Presented by the Grand Canyon Guitar Society. $25. 7 pm. 928-213-0752 or
5SCOTTSDALE: A Taste of Scottsdale: Eat, Drink & Art – Downtown Scottsdale. ArtWalks are each Thursdayevening along Main Street from Scottsdale Rd. west to Goldwater Blvd., and on Marshall Way north of Indian School Rd. to Fifth Ave. Restaurants, museums and trolley and/or horse-drawn carriage rides are available to transport folks from numerous free parking areas throughout the Scottsdale Arts District and Downtown. Free. 6:30-9 pm.
5-8FLORENCE: 2018 Country Thunder – 4 days of the hottest country acts, this year headliners include in addition to 20 other national and local country acts. 866-802-6418 or H z
6PHOENIX: 2018 FORE! Paws Golf Tournament pawsented by The Advantage Mortgage Group – Camelback Golf Club. Gabriel’s Angels 2018 FORE! Paws! Registration will start at 6:30 am and a shotgun start at 7:30 am. Pet Therapy teams will be in attendance throughout the day and on the course to share their love to all golfers. Join us for a swinging time!
6PRESCOTT: Experience the Magic of Manilow and Midler – Elks Theatre and Performing Arts Center.The voice ofTerry Daviesjoins forces with the amazingly talentedSherie Rae Parkerto deliver the Music and Magic of BarryManilowand BetteMidler.$22-25. 7 pm. 928-777-1370 or
6-8LAKE HAVASU CITY: Lake Havasu Marine Association 27th Annual Boat Show – Lake Havasu State Park. Hosts more than 140 exhibitors and vendors featuring boats and marine accessories. The largest boat show in AZ and NV featuring 60+ different brands of family runabouts, ski/wakeboard boats, fishing boats, cruisers, deck boats, pontoons, personal watercraft, kayaks, paddleboards and performance sport boats. $8, 6 & under free.
6-8PHOENIX: Das Rheingold - Symphony Hall. When the dwarf Alberich steals the magical gold of the Rhinemaidens, he unleashes a power struggle with Wotan, ruler of the gods, that will shake the very foundations of the world. 7:30 & 3 pm. 602-266-7464 or
6-8PHOENIX: Central Arizona Cactus and Succulent Society Show & Sale - Desert Botanical Garden. Society members showcase hundreds of their best plants competing for ribbons and trophies with the public invited to choose their favorite, also outstanding cactus and succulent growers from throughout the Southwest present plants for sale.Fri-Sat 8 am – 5 pm. Sun 8 am – 4 pm. 480-941-1225 or or
6-22FLAGSTAFF: Blithe Spirit – Doris Harper-White Community Playhouse. In this intensely funny character-driven play, eccentric medium Madame Arcati holds a séance at the home of cantankerous novelist Charles Condomine, unwittingly bringing back the spirit of Charles’ first wife—whose haunting disrupts his second marriage. 7:30 & 2 pm. 928-774-1662 or
6-22PHOENIX: Blackberry DAZE – Helen K. Mason Performing Arts Center. It is the end of "The Great War," and a small Virginia town is rocked by secrets, seductions and murder. The lives of three unsuspecting women are inextricably intertwined as they each succumb to a force that sweeps through their town and weaves magic on their already mysterious lives. Thrilling music propels this powerful romantic mystery in the key of the blues. $38 and up. 602-258-8129 or
7CLARKDALE: Raptors on the Rails with Liberty Wildlife - Verde Canyon Railroad. As breathtaking as an eagle is in flight, a face-to-face encounter with a raptor is an equallyastounding event.Our friends from Scottsdale’s Liberty Wildlife share the majesty of a rescued bald eagle with visitors at the depot and on the train on select days throughout the year. Everyone has the opportunity for personal interaction.
7DRAGOON: 5th Annual Amerind’s Texas Canyon Trail Run – Amerind Museum in partnership with Bisbee Vogue Inc. present the run, see remote areas of Texas Canyon.This 10k run will take runners (or walkers) through the amazing quartz monzolite rock formations of Texas Canyon on trails that have never been open to the public.
7ELGIN: 40th Annual Blessing of the Sonoita Vineyards Festival - Sonoita Vineyards. No reservations needed, admission includes wine tasting with souvenir glass, souvenir corkscrew, food and wine pairings, it includes tastings, pairings, tours of the winery and vineyard and a procession through the vineyard behind Father Greg, who has been giving the vineyard its annual blessing for years. $20-25, 10 am - 4 pm. 520-455-5893 or
7MARICOPA: the Maricopa Music Fest – Copper Sky Recreational Center. Outdoor Music Fest - 25+ Live Bands, Glow In The Dark Face Painting. Art Walk, Beer/Wine Garden, Cell Charging Stations. Hip Hop, Rap, Rock, Reggae, Pop, Dance. $20, under 12 free. 1-10 pm. 615-569-9138 or h
7MESA: Downtown Mesa Festival of the Arts – A free event featuring unique artistic creations, music, food and fun for the whole family. Features the work of established and emerging artists. Music provided by Peggy and Tim. 10 am – 4 pm.
7MESA: 27th Annual Holualoa El Tour de Mesa – Red Mountain Park. 74- & 26-mile bicycle rides, also 4-mile & 1/4-mile kids fun rides, medallions to all finishers, traffic control, support stations. $15-55. 7 am. 520-745-2033 or
7PRESCOTT: ABBA Fab – Elks Theatre and Performing Arts Center.A stunning tribute to the music of ABBA featuring the sensational talents of some of TAD’s most talented and loved artists and musicians! This multimedia production is a tribute to some of the greatest music produced in the 70s and 80s.$22-25. 7 pm. 928-777-1370 or
7TEMPE: Taylor Mac – ASU Gammage. A 24-Decade History of Popular Music Abridged, a Taylor Mac piece, is a highly immersive and outrageously entertaining crash course in the 240 years (and counting) of the history of American culture and dysfunction. Told from the perspective of groups whose stories are often forgotten, the show highlights various musical styles and artistic voices ranging from murder ballads to disco, Walt Whitman to David Bowie and beyond. 7 pm.
7TUCSON: Music in the Mountains Concert Series: Nancy Elliott – Catalina State Park. Enjoy an evening concert of at the Trailhead with standard park admission, bring a chair and your own food and water, concerts will be canceled during severe weather, sponsored by the Friends of Catalina SP. $7 per vehicle. 5 pm. 520-628-5798 or
7-8ORACLE: 26th Annual Oracle Artist Studio Tour – Self-guiding tour to Oracle artists and artisans showing and selling at their own high desert studios and shared venues, historic ranches and barns; pick up a map from the Visitor Center on American Avenue across from the fire station, all original work, wide-ranging and eclectic, from oil painting to steel sculpture, ceramics, jewelry and woodwork.Free. 10 am – 5 pm.
7-8SCOTTSDALE: Desert Valley Orchid Orchidfest – Berridge Nurseries.Orchid displays, a plant sale, workshops on growing orchids in the desert, orchid culture topics, vote for best in the show.Sat 9 am – 5 pm, Sun 10 am – 4 pm. Free. 602-463-7352 or
7-11TEMPE: 28th Annual Bell Lexus Copperstate 1000 - Tempe Diablo Stadium.More than 70 of the finest vintage motor cars leave and drive 1000 miles of popular Arizona terrain.Celebrates the automotive cultural legacy by featuring some of the finest working examples of vintage, sports, racing, classic and grand touring automobiles manufactured before Jan. 1, 1973, fundraiser for the Art Museum. 602-307-2007 or H
8ORACLE: Oracle Concert Series: Amazing Music in the High Desert – A Chamber Duo – Oracle Center for the Arts. A chamber duo: Sergio Gallo and Milton Masdiadri play music for piano and double bass (if you haven’t seen the double bass in performance, you are in for a real treat).$30-35. 3 pm.
8SEDONA: Sedona Spring Music Festival - Fauré Piano Quartet - Sedona Performing Arts Center. The Fauré Piano Quartet has quickly established itself as one of the world’s preeminent piano quartets. Consisting of pianist Dirk Mommertz, violinist Erika Geldsetzer, violist Sascha Frombling and cellist Konstantin Heidrich, the group has earned a reputation as visionaries who challenge tradition. 2:30 pm. 928-204-2415 or
8TUBAC: 16th Annual Taste of Tubac - Tubac Golf Resort.Celebration of Fine Wine & Savory Cuisine featuring great food from dozens of area restaurants, wine and beer from local suppliers, fabulous classic.rock and country music by "Wildfire," and the ever-popular silent auction. Hosted by the Tubac Rotary Club. $60. 5-8 pm. 520-398-2704 or
8TUCSON: Cyclovia – Downtown Tucson.An annual car-free event that opens selected streets to people so that they can walk, skate, run, bicycle, and socialize with their neighbors, it's a free event, packed with activities, open to the public and fun for people of all ages.Free.10 am – 3 pm. 520-261-8777 or
10SCOTTSDALE: Talk Cinema – Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts. Mixing Hollywood flair with the element of surprise, it offers sneak previews of new independent and foreign films. Audiences arrive at the theater not knowing what will be screened and are among the first to see a new movie and then engage in a critical discussion led by film scholars and special guests – destined to start conversations before the films ever come out. $14. 7 pm.
11-15PHOENIX: 43rd Annual Maricopa County Fair - State Fairgrounds.An annual occasion to celebrate & pursue the traditional values of educational opportunity, agricultural prosperity & love of family, midway, commercial exhibits, hobbies, agriculture & youth exhibits, motorized events. $9, children 7 & under are free. 602-252-0717 or H z
13SUN CITY: Ola Gjielo’s Sunrise Mass and Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto – American Lutheran Church. As a community collaboration, ProMusica will be joined by choirs from All Saints Lutheran Church and La Casa de Cristo Lutheran Church for an exciting concert by a chorus of 100 voices that mirrors their March 2018 Carnegie Hall performance in New York City. $12-20. 7:30 pm.
13-14PHOENIX: Elgar Cello Concerto – Symphony Hall. Hungarian cellist István Várdai debuts with The Phoenix Symphony in Elgar’s rhapsodic Cello Concerto – the composer’s swansong, full of melancholy and farewell. Plus, Mendelssohn’s stirring “Scottish” Symphony – a symphonic souvenir of his visit to the highlands. Tito Muñoz opens the program with Nina Young’sAgnosco Veteris, full of striking contrasts of mood and sonority. 11 am & 7:30 pm.
13-5/13 PEORIA: The Bridges of Madison County – Arizona Broadway Theatre. Based on one of the bestsellingbooks of the 20th century (and later adapted into the 1995 feature film starring Meryl Streep and ClintEastwood),The Bridges of Madison Countyfeatures aTony Award-winning score by Jason Robert Brown.Experience this timeless tale of yearning and desire set in America’s heartland.
14CHANDLER: Chandler Craft Spirits Festival – Dr. A.J. Park. Mix, mingle and sip your way through a variety of distilleries from AZ and beyond. Spirits include whiskey, vodka, gin, rum and carefully crafted cocktails. $24 general admission. $75 VIP. 3-9 pm. 480-586-6711 or H
14GILBERT: 14th Annual Gilbert Global Village Festival - Gilbert North Civic Center.A celebration of diverse cultures and heritage. Brings neighbors together in a friendly, educational way to learn more about each other. The family event highlights traditional and contemporary forms of music, dance, children's activities, hands on displays from all over the world, and ethnic foods from multiple countries abroad.Free.10 am - 4 pm. 480-503-6235 or H x
14PHOENIX: Ola Gjielo’s Sunrise Mass and Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto – All Saints Lutheran Church. As a community collaboration, ProMusica will be joined by choirs from All Saints Lutheran Church and La Casa de Cristo Lutheran Church for an exciting concert by a chorus of 100 voices that mirrors their March 2018 Carnegie Hall performance in New York City. $12-20. 2 pm.
14QUEEN CREEK: 8th Annual Over the Hill Gang Classic Car Show - Schnepf Farms.Showing Hot Rods, Custom, Muscle, Classics, raffle, music, vote your favorite car, benefits Hospice of the Valley.Free. 8 am – 3 pm.
14TEMPE: Dance Theatre of Harlem – ASU Gammage. ASU Gammage is proud to welcome back Dance Theatre of Harlem, an iconic American dance company. The company will perform a mixed repertoire that will highlight the brilliance of this one-of-a-kind American dance treasure. The ensemble's 14 racially diverse artists bring new life to the art form of classical ballet by using its familiar language to celebrate African American culture. Dance Theatre of Harlem is an unparalleled institution in the world of dance not only in this country, but around the world. 7 pm.
14-15CAMP VERDE: History of the Solider – Fort Verde State Historic Park.Visitors experience a military timeline of history form the Revolutionary War to present day. Features speakers, reenactments, military encampments and other demonstrators. Honors the dedication, commitment and sacrifice of military men and women from the Armed Forces of all eras. We invite veterans from around the state to attend this event. $4-7. 9 am.928-567-3275 or
14-15GLENDALE: 2018 Fiesta Bowl 3 on 3 Classic – Westgate. The Fiesta Bowl 3 on 3 Classic will create a community festival in Arizona to raise funds for Special Olympics Arizona Unified School Programs, by providing a new inclusive basketball experience for the community. Open to all, from the highly competitive, weekend warriors, family driveway ballers, unified teams and people of all ability levels.
14-15GLOBE/MIAMI: 34th Annual Historic Home Tour & Antique & Quilt Show - Enjoy the territorial architecture of Globe as you are driven in style to each stop where a host will regale you with stories of the early days, point out architectural details and give a history of the building owners. Tours leave from the train depot in downtown Globe from 8-3 Saturday and 9-3 on Sunday. $ 928-425-4495 or 800-804-5623 or not H x
14-15MESA: 34th Annual My Nana’s Best Tasting Salsa Challenge – Sloan Park.This annual culinary competition features over one hundred freshly made salsas and professional “chefs” will compete for the judge’s vote while attendees enjoy all the chips and salsa they can eat! The Salsa Challenge proudly features restaurants, businesses and individuals competing to make the best tasting salsa in their category. Taste freshly made salsas, listen to live music, enjoy margaritas, cold beers, and vote for their favorite salsa chef. $15.Sat 10 am - 6 pm, Sun 10 am – 4 pm.480-837-165 or H y
14-15SCOTTSDALE: Scottsdale Culinary Festival - Scottsdale Civic Center Mall. The festival weekend provides the opportunity to taste as many foods from as many restaurants as your stomach will allow on acres of park bliss. 20 bands, a local lounge showcasing wineries, spirits and craft beer from around the state, wine &beer gardens, family zone, and a vodka lounge. $15 general admission. 480-945-7193 or H y
14-15SHOW LOW: Arizona Family Campout – Fool Hollow Lake State Park. Arizona Family Campout Programs are designed for families who have little or no experience camping. We’ll introduce you to the experiences you can share with your family and inspire you to continue to explore the great outdoors! Learn how to set up a tent and to cook outside, plus you will get to try some fun activities you can do while camping! $90 for a family of up to 4.
14-15TUCSON: Das Rheingold - Tucson Music Hall. When the dwarf Alberich steals the magical gold of the Rhinemaidens, he unleashes a power struggle with Wotan, ruler of the gods, that will shake the very foundations of the world. 7:30 & 3 pm. 520-293-4336 or
15SCOTTSDALE: Ola Gjielo’s Sunrise Mass and Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto – La Casa de Cristo Lutheran Church. As a community collaboration, ProMusica will be joined by choirs from All Saints Lutheran Church and La Casa de Cristo Lutheran Church for an exciting concert by a chorus of 100 voices that mirrors their March 2018 Carnegie Hall performance in New York City. $12-20. 2 pm.
15TUCSON: Rincon Rotary's 10th Annual Taste of Chocolate - Doubletree Reid Park. Come taste all the delicious treats of local chefs and vote for your favorites!Participate in our raffle to win lots of great prizes and, for a nominal fee, enjoy our wine and beer tastings. All proceeds benefit local teachers through Rotary Local. $15. 2-4 pm.
17-22LAKE HAVASU CITY: 20th Annual Desert Storm Poker Run & Shootout – One of the top five poker runs in the nation with world-class performance boats racing on Lake Havasu. Speeds upwards of 160+ MPH from high-performance boats are not uncommon. Wednesday night open house, Thursday street party, Friday boat parade and poker run, Saturday shootout with over 67 runs. Three-day beach party and banquet at Rotary Park. 623-238-13330 or