Priorities
My husband, Marc, shares enthusiastically that he is meeting with a composer his local orchestra has solicited for a piece of music. As he tells me about her and how they will explore his percussion instruments, he drops the bomb.
“She’ll be here at 2 p.m. tomorrow,” he smiles, as he walks into another room to pull out and display his instruments for her to play. It’s 7p.m. on a Thursday night, and I’m just home after a long day of meetings and teaching. I scan the middle of the living room as she might see it. My ceramic Christmas trees and felt elves sit jauntily together on our bookcases (it’s February).
Mail and books are piled on every flat table-like surface in the living and dining rooms We’ve pulled all of the books from bookshelves in the room where they will be meeting, and they sit haphazardly on the floor waiting to be shelved. The kitchen hasn’t fared any better; pots from homemade Bolognese sauce soak in the sink and dirty dishes are waiting to be washed
In other words, there simply isn’t enough closet space to shove all of detritus into hiding before our guest comes.
“Oh, and she’s bringing her husband,” Marc adds. Of course she is, I think.
I rest my hands on the top of my head and sigh. I’m too tired to even be angry, but now, somehow, we have to make this place presentable pronto. If I could ever have an Erma Bombeck moment, it would be this one, but I’m finding it hard to tell a joke here.
Maybe you’re in the same place I am?
Some kind of post-holiday miasma where all of the things I was supposed to do in January have yet to come to fruition. I haven’t even managed to put away holiday decorations yet. At this point, it feels like I should just leave them up because Christmas is only 10 months away.
Speaking of which, Staples finally called this week to ask when I plan to pick up the Christmas cards I had made back in December. I guess I’d better put that errand on my “to do” list
I think of all the funny memes about cleaning like spraying cleaning products in the air before guests arrive and, although I’m tempted, I do finally bring some order to
the piles. It doesn’t take as long as I thought it would and perhaps this is where I often fail in housekeeping: the idea of doing it is worse than actually doing it.
At one point in my life, I tore monthly chore and cleaning lists out of Martha Stewart’s Living magazine. My aspirations were always slightly unobtainable, and I remember more than once reminding myself that Martha had groundskeepers when she wrote “till the garden” in her March calendar.
My grandmother used to have a simple morning routine that I remember well Open one window just a crack in each room, even in the winter. Take a rag and dust every surface. Sweep the kitchen floor. Wash, dry and store the dishes while coffee percolated on the stove. Her house always smelled of lemons. My mother’s routine is almost the same, sans open windows. It seems that I should have been able to put these routines into play, and yet, I can’t. We’ve had sporadic success over the years with chore lists and rotating duties, but the problem for both my husband and me remains the same: there are just so many damn books to read. My day starts with rolling over to pick up a book to read for three minutes (or is it three hours?) until the coffee maker’s automatic timer starts the brew cycle. From there, writing, grading, reading some more, meetings, teaching. At night, I flop on my chair, home at last, and read
I have no one to blame but myself in all of this. I guess the problem comes down to that pesky feeling of “should.” As in “I should be cleaning,” or “I should be doing something else.” But it seems that it’s taken me a good 40 years to shake off those “should” feelings, so I don’t want to backtrack and return to should-ing myself My new motto is often attributed to Phyllis Diller: housework never killed anyone, but why take a chance?
Which brings me to the post-holiday miasma. Is it because it keeps snowing? Or because it’s been darker than usual? Is it because I’ve been binge-watching the apocalyptic “The Last of Us” on HBO Max? You should see the state of some of those houses. Makes me feel a lot better about the pile of laundry still on my floor.
The next day, I solve my problem in a new and creative way. I leave the house at 1:30 p.m. before the composer and her husband arrive. I take myself to Bookman’s,
My grandmother used to have a simple morning routine that I remember well. Open one window just a crack in each room, even in the winter.
drink some tea, and return home later that afternoon with more books. I walk into the room and see a tidy display of my husband’s instruments, seemingly untouched.
“Didn’t she play anything?” I ask, admiring the still neat rows.
“Oh, yeah. We played everything. It was fun!” Marc gushes as he fills me in on his af-
ternoon I’m glad they had fun and my worries over our not-so-clean house dissipate. Two weeks later, I notice the instruments, still neatly displayed where he left them, waiting to be put away That will happen sometime soon. Hopefully before Christmas. In the meantime, I have some new books to read.
Hannah Fontes is playing herself in this one-night-only cabaret fundraiser for the Flagstaff Shakespeare Festival’s 2023 season. Fontes, who is a long-time actor and the festival’s Marketing Director, wrote the dialogue and composed the music in this stunning showcase of creative self expression. Titled “I Am Playing Me,” the performance highlights the growing pains of life as a young woman in 2023 as she comes face-to-face with loss and embraces love. The show will be held at the historic La Posada Hotel in Winslow, AZ and have a cocktail and appetizer hour before the event which will allow guests the chance to get to know the Flag Shakes team. If you would like to eat dinner in the famous Turquoise Room or even stay the night at the hotel, reservations are highly encouraged. Learn more about the performance on the Flag Shakes website at flagshakes.org.
» SATURDAY | 3.11 KEEP CALM AND LAUGH ALONG
Hey, Flagstaff We need a laugh The beginning of the year has been suffocating with record-breaking snowfall, frigid temperatures and painfully obnoxious political discourses that have been crammed into our unsuspecting ears. Sometimes, all a person needs to weather these storms is a good pun, and lucky for us, Reena Calm, full-time road-comic and master pun-slinger is coming to the Orpheum Theater. Calm has opened for a myriad of comedy legends from Arsenio Hall to Maria Bamford, and her debut album “CALMEDY” was welcomed into the number one spot with open arms. Her autobiographical, silly and charmingly inappropriate humor is refreshing, but perhaps her most impressive quality is her ability to connect with audiences from all ages and backgrounds. She builds relationships during her shows, and by the end you’ll feel like you’re just hanging out with one of your funniest friends. To buy tickets or learn more about the Calm, visit the Orpheum’s website at orpheumflagstaff.com.
» ONGOING | 3.13 – 3.17 SCHOOL’S OUT FOR … SPRING BREAK
Spring Break is often thought of as a time for college students to cut loose and get beach-buzzed, but what about the younger students? What does Spring Break have to offer them other than a few days off? Well, the Museum of Northern Arizona is offering young learners a fun and engaging way to spend their break. On the first day, students get messy by digging into the science of erosion with a sand-art and slime project. Unfortunately, the museum is closed on Tuesday, but it opens back up on Wednesday for storytime with books written by Indigenous authors. Students also get the opportunity to visit the Flagstaff Public Library’s PALSmobile in the parking lot. On Thursday, students will be able to enjoy the museum’s unique puppet show, “Mystery of the Therizinosaur” and enjoy hands-on activities that include the museum’s fossil touch box. On the last day of this Spring-Break celebration, the museum will be exploring the great outdoors, allowing kids to learn about the flora and fauna of the Colorado Plateau. If you would like to learn more about the Museum of Northern Arizona’s special events, visit their website at musnaz.org.
The World’s Best SPRING BREAK SPRING BREAK
» THURSDAY | 3.23 AN EVENING WITH AN ICON
In the abundance of musical talent in Flagstaff, Don Flemons stands out. Raised in Phoenix, educated at Northern Arizona University and brought up by a family with deep roots in the southwestern civil rights movements, Flemons’ experience is one that pulls its riches from a distinctly American–and Arizonan–well; one that gets to the heart of Black music and its influence on contemporary country and folk. Flemons is a songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, producer, actor, slam poet, music scholar, historian and record collector. He is considered an expert player on the banjo, guitar, harmonica, jug, percussion, quills, fife and rhythm bones and has won a Grammy for his distinctive work. Flemons is a uniquely talented artist with a fresh yet familiar sound, and members of the Flagstaff community will be able to see him perform at the Coconino Center for the Arts on March 23. If you’d like to see him perform, visit the Center’s website at coconinoarts.com to buy tickets.
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The Full Re-Disclosure
Whitey Winchester embarks on the Great Flagstaff Tattoo Crawl
WHITEY WINCHESTER
Full Disclosure: Ol’ Whitey is a traditional tattoo guy. My brain waves coagulated in an era when only sailors and criminals had any ink. Nowadaze seems every Tom, Dick and Harriet sports at least one tat. My kid sez, “Dad, you got old man tattoos.” My retort: “What’s yer point?” At 61 years of age, I’m not only HER old man, but AN old man to boot.
The exertions below got contrived as a vehicle for exploring every single tattoo shop inside the city limits, unearthing the history of tattooing in Flagstaff in the process. Turns out Flag’s been a hotbed of body art since the late 1990s, no doubt due to the patronage of flatlander tourists combined with a constantly refreshed supply of NAU 18-year-olds. That plus, an ever-increasing acceptance of decorated dermis at the tail end of the 20th Century. Help Wanted ads stating “No Visible Tattoos” have gone the way of the dodo.
My original impulse was to get five letters on my left shoulder — MCLMM, about which I’ll discuss later — each by a different artist, all on my December 15th birthday in 2019. That idea got the kibosh when Burly Fish Tattoo and Piercing owner Patrick Sans weighed in: “Sounds like a real recipe for infection. No control over sterility. I wouldn’t touch it with a ten-foot pole.” I saw the wisdom in his words and switched over to the installment plan.
Tattoo Tip: Do yer due diligence or risk a train wreck ink splotch. A little shoe leather revealed that Blue Benson at Woody’s Old School Tattoos and Piercings was willing and eager to tackle the kickoff work. Highly qualified, too. In-house piercer Dan Duke vouched for the fact that Benson could draw a straight line (“Blue did most of the geometric work on my head”), and the deal was done. Benson outlined the letters, shading the “L” with red fading downward to black, declaring, “There’s your Huckleberry.”
While that bit healed, I resumed my legwork. If you want the hot skinny on any town, the best place to find it is a born-andbred local. F’rinstance Rodney Butcher, Head Honcho at Black Bar Tattoo on 7th Street, since moved around the corner on Lakin just off of Steves. He informed me
that to get the genuine gouge, I needed to jaw with David Maestas at Sacred Ground Tattoo and Piercing on South San Fran, which I’ll return to shortly. In the meantime, Butcher filled in the initial “M” to match Benson’s hues spot on.
I figgered the last “M” was far enough distance from the first one so as it could be done without delay more or less hygienically. Angie Cosette at Black Bar got that job. You see, Ol’ Whitey wanted some female juju to balance the testosterone mojo in the other letters. Cosette relocated down the hill to the griddle shortly thereafter, so if you want Venusian vibes injected into yer hide in Flag, go find Hailee Marie or Jara Nez at Mirror Gallery or track down Kate Penn at Turquoise Tiger.
Sacred Ground, a few weeks later.
Then-56-year-old David Maestas colored the “C” on my arm, all the while describing a Flagstaff adolescence ill-spent as a no-shit sawed-off-shotgun-toting juvenile delinquent. Maestas began tattooing at age fourteen with a sewing needle, wrapped in thread as an ink reservoir. When major malfeasance a few years later earned him a stint in the State Pen, he honed his craft in the Chicano single needle photorealistic style perfected in East L.A. by Freddy Negrete and Jack Rudy. True story, I swear on a stack of Bibles. Four down, one to go. Just before the great lockdown of March 2020, Landis Bahe finished off the remaining “M” and put paid to the project. He inclines strongly toward authentic cultural artistry, including Native American themed skateboard decks. Bahe
was slingin’ ink at Tat Fu back then, but alas, that lashup went Tango Uniform due to the plague. He now plies his trade at Mirror Gallery.
For extra credit I added a classic panther to my left forearm, from flash drawn in the style of Pinky Yun (Hong Kong Jimmy Ho’s stalwart) by Ken Williams of Floating World Tattoo on 4th Street. That shop was the newest ink joint in our fair city pre-pandemic, but several more have sprung up since. A dyed-in-the-wool Luddite, Ken skipped town a few months back, embarking on a holy crusade of itinerant bootleg inkwork. Here in Flag, protege Jerimiah Lanza soldiers on with Fourth Street Tattoo at the old location.
Before we conclude, let’s take roll call, March 2023, East to West, North to South:
Black Bar, Underground Inked, Fourth Street, Sacred Ground, Woody’s, Turquoise Tiger, Flagstaff Tattoo Company, Burly Fish, Mirror Gallery, The Wilbury, and Avail. Count ‘em on both hands and add one little piggy. Then pay yer money and take yer choice. Old School or Art School. Why wait?
So, as promised: the meaning of MCLMM. No, it’s not Roman numerals.
But me bein’ a gentleman and all, you’ll have to noodle it fer yerself. It’s a Pulp Fiction reference. Not a race car in the red. Not the Guns of Navarone. Not Superfly TNT. If them hints ain’t done the trick, try “Brain Detail” on YouTube. ‘Nuff said.
The adventurer in me
“Just do it.” The famed phrase of Nike and Shia LaBeouf. This short phrase has also quickly become an electric urge rooted deep in my bones, pushing me to try new things and experience new adventures whenever I can.
Camille SippleSomehow, throughout my life, I have simultaneously been both an adventurous explorer and a frightened deer in the headlights when the possibility of something new and unknown arises.
However, I would like to say that I’ve grown in this capacity since entering college.
I take chances — calculated ones, if I am being honest — but those are still chances! I leap from cli s into freezing water without letting myself think twice about the terrifying height. I climb up steep rock faces despite the voice ringing in my head telling me to freeze or turn back. Although, I probably sound like a massive scaredy cat who just recently started taking these leaps, I really do crave adventurous experiences. I was the kid that wanted to follow the trail in the woods
that looked less like a trail and more like a scu in the dirt o to the side of the main path. Nowadays, this urge typically involves me wandering around by myself until I am just slightly unfamiliar with my surroundings — just to the point where I feel like I have seen something new or done some decent exploring. I always find my way back one way or another.
There is just something about exploring somewhere new, whether it’s an unbeaten trail in the woods or the unending cobblestone paths surrounding your bed and breakfast that lights up my brain unlike anything else.
I guess what I am trying to get at is that lately I’ve been looking toward my future and it scares me a little. However, I’ve recently attempted to simply reorient my view of the future, as if it is one of these adventures. My future is simply an unfinished, unbeaten path just waiting for me to explore it. If you’re like me and the future feels a bit uncertain or scary, “just do it!” It’s just another adventure on the horizon waiting for you to take that leap.
I’m excited for the adventures ahead of me, and I hope you are too.
FLAG LIVE & CREATIVE FLAGSTAFF
we d ng a the E zabe h “L z” C A chu eta County
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o 5 years he V o a Awa ds have been recogn zed by F agstaff s c eat ve commun ty as ou town’s most che shed celebrat on of the arts sc ence and culture Over the yea s th s awa ds show has g own and ga nered a s gnifican amount of acc a m from the pub c cons stently we com ng n new faces and ce ebrat ng the legac es of the most am a and th s yea the ce emony s shap ng up to be the g andest one yet
W th more than 40 nom nees n 1 catego es the commun ty s w de y ep esented as they showcase some o he most o g na and notewo thy subm ss ons n ecent yea s and today in partne sh p w th Crea ve
F agstaff F ag L ve s announc ng he nom nees n the fo ow ng pages you w have he oppo tun ty to ea n a t e b t about each o the nom nees and the many mer ts but more mportant y you w be ab e o catch a qu ck yet encompass ng g mpse at what makes th s p ace and these awards so spec a
And w th that he e a e the nom nees for he 2023 V o a Awards
Excellence in Visual Arts
Pa k nterp ets the natu a wo d to v s tors cu tvates an interest n sc ence and promo es conservat on on a sub m na eve
Shawn Skabelund
Virga: Beneath the Sierra sin Agua “V ga Beneath the S er a s n Agua”was exh b ted at Cocon no Center for the Arts n the fa of 2022
Skabe und sta ed “ Beneath the S er a s n Agua s my attempt o make sense o these th ngs as wo k a one n my s ud o The ast course aught at Nor hern Ar zona Un vers ty n 201 was a p ace-based s e-spec fic nsta at on c ass t t ed Eco og ca & Cu tura Genoc de n Ar zona Th s exh b t on bu ds on what sha ed w th my s udents that semester”
Debra Edgerton
Things Not Seen: Art and Healing through Narratives of Hope Grief Loss and Struggles for Self-Acceptance
The exh b t on “Th ngs Not Seen Art and Heang through Na rat ves of Hope G ef Loss and St ugg es or Se f-Acceptance was conceptuazed by Edgerton the ass stant professor n the Schoo o A t a Northern Ar zona Univers ty The exh b t on focuses on the hreat that menta hea th ssues re a ed to trauma gr ef so at on and death can pose
Baje Whitethorne Sr
Nááts íilid/Rainbow Light
Bu st ng w th co or th s ret ospec ve exh b t at the Museum o No thern A zona presented the fu spectrum of a t by Ba e Wh tetho ne Sr a v sua storyte er acc a med for h s co or u pa nt ngs u of e and energy
Geoffery Gross
ArtMeetsNatu e ACommun tyPondand Wet andatE zabeth“Liz”C ArchuletaCounty Park AMu ticu tura ArtandNaturePark Gross s bronze cast ng s onework carpentry and
Excellence in Performing Arts
Flagstaff Shakespeare Festival
C umbs f om the Tab e of Joy “Crumbs rom the Tab e of Joy” s a nuanced ook ntoaB ack am y sexper ence n1950sBrook yn wr tten by the dynam c and enowned p ayw ght, Lynn Nottage “Crumbs romtheTab eofJoy”wasproduced byF agstaffShakespea eFest va n hespr ngof2022
Julie Espisito
Miracle on 34th Street
“Mirac e on 34th St eet presented by Theat kos
Theat e Company nc uded a cast of 32 actors tha b ought a ho day c ass c to the s age Ju e Esp sto s pe formance as Dor s sh ned as she de vered an exemp a y perfo mance
Michael Rulon
Cemetery Club
n 2022 Ru on pe formed a hys e ca ema e ro e (Luc e Rub n) n the Theat kos product on of The Ceme e y C ub The per o mance tack ed sub ects o death mo a ty and v ng on afte those oved a e no onge there
Monster Universe & Culture
Shock Productions
Robot Apocalypse
Robot Apoca ypse” was a var ety show featur ng robotper ormances nsp r ngfantast ca ar andcosm c comedy he d a Yucca No th on Ju y 9 2022 Th s show brought ogethe an nv go a ng and mag nat vecasto pe fo mersf omeve ycornero F agstaff s creat vecommun ytoc ea eaone-of-a-k ndrobo c apoca ypt c su t y and sensat ona exper ence
Sara Bendel Ryan
The Hardy Girls
“The Hardy G s” s an o g na mus ca wr t en
Please see Award, Page 14
ThingsNotSeen:ArtandHealingthroughNarrativesofHope,Grief,Loss,and StrugglesforSelf-Acceptance
has taught all levels of elementary education with an unbound passion in getting children to reach their full potential while encouraging discovery and a love of learning.
by Flagstaff native Sara Bendel Ryan. “The Hardy Girls” arrive in Northern Arizona in 1900 to work in a new food joint along the railroad, which serves railway clientele and the cowboys. Each Hardy Girl has her own reason for coming to the wild west.
Excellence in Music
Master Chorale of Flagstaff
Safe Harbor: Songs of Refuge & Home
Performed on Sunday, November 13th at Coconino Center of the Arts. The performed music built a bridge with cultural and current events in Syria, Ukraine and East Africa and the U.S. and was sung in several different languages.
Flagstaff Community Band
30th Anniversary
Season Performances
In 2022, FCB celebrated its 30th season with a series of outstanding performances directed by Tim McKay. Performances included service events such as the Memorial Day Ceremony at Citizens Cemetery, as well as several performances in Heritage Square, and a collaborative July 4th weekend concert with Master Chorale of Flagstaff at Ft Tuthill Military Museum.
S.E. Willis
2023 Music Performances
S.E. (Steve) Willis is an accomplished musician with 50+ years of experience performing blues, boogie and Americana music. In 2022, Willis was the headliner for the Flagstaff Music Festival in Heritage Square.
Craig Yarbrough
A Dream We Dreamed One
Afternoon, Long Ago
In 2022 Yarbrough released and performed
“A Dream We Dreamed One Afternoon Long Ago”. He performed these arrangements at the 15th Annual Jerry Garcia Bash at the Orpheum Theater which honored what would have been Jerry Garica’s 80th birthday.
VanSamuel Diggs
2023 Music Performances
VanSamuel Diggs, also known as BGNFTY, has become a familiar face around Flagstaff. A self-taught DJ, Diggs has advocated for events that promote education around the music scene. In 2022 Diggs collaborated with Gold’n Brown and the Southside Community Association to program a Juneteenth celebration at the Murdoch Center.
Excellence in Written Storytelling
Peter Friederici
Beyond Climate Breakdown: Envisioning New Stories of Radical Hope
Peter Friederici is an award-winning author and freelance journalist who writes about climate change, science, nature and the environment. In “Beyond Climate Breakdown” Friederici argues that to address the prospect of climate breakdown, we must empower ourselves to acknowledge and repair
the deep causes of the climate crisis that we tend to ignore.
Kathy Eckles Hooker
Voices of Navajo Mothers and Daughters: Portraits of Beauty
“Voices of Navajo Mothers and Daughters: Portraits of Beauty” is a book in which Navajo grandmothers, mothers and daughters in twenty-one families tell their stories. In a series of intimate, revelatory personal histories prompted by interview questions, the women share about how they have been shaped by powerful cultural and historical forces, the natural world—and by their love for each other.
John L. Vankat
The San Francisco Peaks and Flagstaff: Through the Lens of Time
Vankat is an ecologist, educator and writer intrigued by this region. Over the last seven years, he has focused on precisely repeating historical photographs taken on and around the San Francisco Peaks in the 19th century and first decade of the 20th. Vankat’s book features over one hundred historical photographs and several earlier drawings, each precisely paired with his modern-day repeat photograph.
Susan Johnson
Haunted Flagstaff
Susan Johnson’s “Haunted Flagstaff” is a collection of stories which sheds light on the ghostly shadows of Flagstaff’s past. Johnson recounts many of the longstanding sightings and hauntings claimed by locals and offers anecdotes on the eerie tales that have been passed along through oral tradition.
Andie Francis
A Fresh Start Will Put You on Your Way
“A Fresh Start Will Put You on Your Way” is a poetry chapbook by Andie Francis. “A Fresh Strat will Put You on Your Way” was published by Finishing Lie Press in 2022.
Excellence in Digital Storytelling
Laurel Morales
2 Lives
Laurel Morales has been sharing the stories of her northern Arizona community for the past 20 years through KNAU, KJZZ and NPR. In June of 2021 the Flagstaff-based storyteller introduced listeners around the world to her community through her podcast “2 Lives” –stories of people who have faced darkness and how those moments transformed them.
“We all have two lives. The second begins the moment we realize we have only one.”
Tamara Seaton, DJ Tam Taco
Audio Offerings Season Five
“Audio Offerings” brings you a wide variety of indie shoegaze and electronics, with some true gems in between. Season 5 centered around “Emotions, Space and Music” with each episode focusing in on an emotion and featured an interview with a special guest including DJ LRY, Deidra Peaches and Dapper Dre.
Lowell Observatory
Star Stuff: A Space Poddity
“Star Stuff: A Space Poddity”, by Lowell Observatory, is a conversational podcast recorded on Mars Hill that aims to make astronomical science and space exploration fun and accessible to wide audiences using humor, facts and casual banter. Various members of Lowell’s staff meet to discuss astronomy, planetary science and space exploration via news articles, movie reviews, audience questions, pop culture discussions and guest speakers.
Dawn Kish & Cierra Murrietta
Tad’s Emerging World: Glen Canyon Exposed
“Tad’s Emerging World: Glen Canyon Exposed” is a film from Dawn Kish & Cierra Murrietta. The film tells the story of Kish’s journey documenting Glen Canyon: the hidden treasure of the Southwest. Kish was given Tad Nichols’ 4x5 film camera a few years ago, and in the film, she returns to Glen Canyon to expose what she finds.
Cathy Small, PhD
The Man in the Dog Park (film)
“The Man in the Dog Park” film (2022) is an innovative animated documentary, based on real-life stories, designed to share a poignant message of empathy and dignity about our homeless neighbors. Based on the Viola award-winning book, the film goes a step beyond text in its storytelling, hoping to reach viewers who might never choose to read a book about homelessness.
Emerging Artist
Planet Cree
Cree is a young Havasupai artist who is currently attending NAU. Her work explores a vast selection of subjects but mainly, portraiture. She has started other endeavors besides painting, and performed all over Flagstaff this year as a drag queen and has made an impact on the nightlife.
Dana Kamberg
As a creative artist, Kamberg is highly skilled and versatile in her craft, working in both digi-
tal and fine art mediums. Her work is not only visually striking but also thought-provoking and challenges audiences to think differently. This is especially apparent in her recent project, “Trauma and the Time Traveler”, which is a poignant and thought-provoking exploration of mental health that is both accessible and creative.
Micaela Merryman
Merryman is a 24-year-old Native and African American Poet and a great contributor to the literary and arts community in Flagstaff. She has founded Sonder Zine, an independent magazine which covers historically underrepresented or unconventional magazine topics, hosts the monthly reading and music series “Off the Rails” at Late for the Train, is a board member of the Northern Arizona Book Festival and is now the first Flagstaff Youth Poet Laureate and coordinates the Northern Arizona Youth Poetry Council.
Excellence in Education
Debra Edgerton
Debra Edgerton is an Assistant Professor at the School of Art & College of Arts & Letters at Northern Arizona University. In the wake of the pandemic, mental health awareness has become increasingly important and prevalent. The student-driven exhibition “Things Not Seen: Art and Healing through Narratives of Hope, Grief, Loss, and Struggles for Self-Acceptance’’ was conceptualized by Edgerton and was exhibited in 2022. This exhibition focused on the threat that mental health issues related to trauma, grief, isolation and death can pose.
Janeece Hennes
Hennes is currently teaching multiple concepts in art education at Northern Arizona University, from a children’s art course to current trends in art education. She has taught at multiple Flagstaff schools, and after receiving her Master’s Degree in Education continued to encourage her students in service learning and the arts
Sonja London-Hall
For over 30 years London-Hall has been involved in many aspects of education, including science, music, adult education and ELL instruction. Sonja is currently the band and theater director at Northland Preparatory Academy. London-Hall works hard at blending her love of art with her love of education.
Mary Lara
Lara has taught and served the Flagstaff Community for over 40 years. Starting as a professional educator in Kindergarten, she
Excellence in Collaboration
Frightful Fête
Frightful Fête was a Halloween-inspired aerial performance featuring local and regional performers from Arizona and narrated by Flagstaff local, Dapper Dre. The inaugural performance featured a variety of aerial apparatuses and was created as a celebration of all things weird and spooky.
Safe Harbor Songs of Refuge & Home Concert
Master Chorale performed this concert on Sunday, November 13th in collaboration with the opening weekend of Coconino Center of the Arts exhibition “25 Million Stitches: One Stitch, One Refugee”. The performance began in the gallery amogst the fabric panels and slowly moved into the theater space. The music built a bridge with cultural and current events in Syria, Ukraine, and East Africa, and the U.S. and was sung in several different languages.
Volunteerism: A Pathway to Peace Mural
“Volunteerism: A Pathway to Peace” is a large, vibrant mural located in Downtown Flagstaff. This mural was a collaboration between the major partners of: Rotary Club of Flagstaff, visual artist Lindsey DeStefano, City of Flagstaff and Peace Surplus (Lola’s Kids, LLC.). The mural was a celebration of the Rotary of Flagstaff’s centennial year. This mural symbolically celebrates volunteerism and its impact – direct and indirect – on peacebuilding and making the world a better place.
Fangsgiving
Fangsgiving was a two day music festival held at MOCAF, and Flagstaff Brewing Company featuring the talent of over 36 Hip-Hop performers from all over the Southwest; Rappers, Deejays, Beatmakers and Painters were included throughout the weekend. People traveled from throughout Arizona, New Mexico and Colorado to perform at, or support the show. The event, while a collaborative effort, was spearheaded by Cecil Tso. It was a community fueled, and focused event that celebrated artists and culture from all walks of life and experience.
Community Impact Organization Lived Black Experience CommUnity Project
The Lived Black Experience Project, a program of the Southside Community Association, continues to advance efforts pursuing unity in community through partnerships in hosting numerous events including the 2022 three-day Juneteenth celebration, monthly community dinners and artisan markets, community dialogues and other works advancing the strategic plan adopted by the City of Flagstaff, “Flagstaff’s Lived Black Experience: A Forgotten People Forging a Path Forward”. Through its various programs, community dialogues and offerings, the LBE continues to advance the LBE team’s mission to “create a
better, more holistic, and more fully inclusive Flagstaff community for all”
Native Americans for Community Action
Native Americans for Community Action provides quality healthcare services to the Native and non-Native populations of Flagstaff and other surrounding communities Focusing on holistic and family care, NACA prioritizes the overall wellbeing of patients by honoring their customs, culture and beliefs
Threaded Together
Through inclusive and accessible textile arts programs, Threaded Together partners with participants to nurture community and cultivate agency. By providing educational and economic opportunities like free after-school sewing classes and paid sewing apprenticeships Threaded Together gives kids, teens and adults opportunities to express their unique creative voices and realize their own capacity to make a difference for themselves and others
Liminal Community Center
Liminal is a nonprofit café and community center in downtown Flagstaff run entirely by volunteers, where all purchases are made on a donation-only basis All sales and donations go directly into keeping the space up and running Liminal encourage people to pay for their services when they are able to, so that those in our communities who can’t pay are collectively supported Their programs include live music, art exhibitions, winter clothing drives, poetry slams, Narcan training and much more
Flagstaff Community Band
The Flagstaff Community Band (FCB) aims to enrich the community with free, quality, public concert performances in service to the community, provide a fun, inclusive and welcoming environment for musicians of all ages, and collaborate with other local organizations to serve the community with entertaining and educational musical experiences In 2022,FCB celebrated it’s 30th season
Community Impact Individual
Audra Travelbee
Audra Travelbee is the founder and executive director of Culture Connection AZ,a nonprofit whose mission is dedicated to providing community-led programs,events and projects to foster awareness and understanding of cultures and the humanities in order to create a more informed, compassionate and interconnected community Travelbee works tirelessly through Culture Connection AZ for Flagstaff’s creative community Many of the programs and events at Culture Connection AZ focus on providing space for marginalized artists including monthly events during First Friday ArtWalk which“provided exposure and access to almost 100 indigenous and LGBTQIA artists who had not yet had the opportunity to expose their work”
Owen Davis
Owen Davis is a composer, percussionist and educator based in Flagstaff, AZ He is employed as a teacher at Sturgeon Cromer Elementary School in Flagstaff Unified School District and also operates a private percussion
studio,instructing students at all ages Davis’s contributions to Flagstaff’s creative community are almost too vast to count From his work with the Interference Series to playing with Flagstaff Community Band, if there’s an interesting thing happing in town,Davis is likely tied to it
Dillion Duvet
Dillon Duvet is a young drag performing who works to organize and promote drag shows that bridge the Phoenix and Flagstaff drag communities including a“Flagstaff takeover” event at a venue in Phoenix as well as bringing drag performers from Phoenix to Flagstaff Duvet also participated in the “Get Tested AZ”campaign which provides free HIV testing throughout the state and promotes the campaign through their social media channels Duvet is the President of Spectrum at CCC, which is CCC’s LGBTQ Alliance Club To add to that, Duvet uses their platform as a drag performer to promote LGBTQ activism during the shows Their mission statement is to educate and advocate
Duffie Westheimer
Dufie Westheimer serves on the Townsite Community Land Trust Board of Directors Westheimer has always lived in historic neighborhoods Flagstaff has been her home for 40 years Westheimer spearheaded creating Flagstaff’s first and currently only local Historic Residential District for the Townsite neighborhood She is conducting the Townsite Oral History Project Those two projects led her to found Townsite CLT
Geoffery Gross
Geoffrey Gross is the Natural Resources
Supervisor with the Coconino County Parks & Recreation department Gross designed and constructed the Community Pond and Wetland at Elizabeth “Liz” C. Archuleta Multicultural Art and Nature County Park which was opened in 2022. This imaginative work in the heart of Flagstaff is the culmination of a recently completed, multi-year project to create an Arizona Watchable Wildlife Experience (AWWE) at Willow Bend, with the goal of providing wildlife habitat and educating Flagstaff residents and visitors about wild animals, their habitat requirements and conservation.
Philanthropy Award
Arizona Community Foundation
Arizona Community Foundation’s (ACF) mission is to lead, serve and collaborate to mobilize enduring philanthropy for a better Arizona In 2022, ACF of Flagstaff awarded $96,730 to arts focused nonprofits through their Pickard Arts & Culture and Music Education Funds for Flagstaff With the help of this funding,21 organizations are providing cultural experiences and education to the residents of our community
Women Empowering Northern Arizona WENAisa100-who-carewomen’sgivingcirclewiththegoaltogather100women,eachgiving $100, resulting in a $10,000 donation three timesayear They’veraisedover$300,000since theirformationin2014 Organizationstheyhave supported include Northland Family Help Center,ThreadedTogether,Tynkertopia,TheLiteracy Center, Flagstaff Arts Council, Sharon’s Manor and Flagstaff Shelter Services
Troy Gillenwater
Since 2021, Gillenwater has served as the chair of the Museum of Northern Arizona (MNA) Board of Trustees, committing significant time, expertise, personal financial resources and fundraising expertise to the museum during a particularly challenging time not only in MNA’s long history,but across the globe as the pandemic shut down and in many cases, shuttered cultural institutions for good Thanks in large part to Gillenwater’s leadershipandgenerosity,MNAbegins2023on solid financial footing and with a new strategic plan that will chart the course for the museum through its centennial in 2028 Prior to serving asboardchair,Gillenwaterwaschairmanofthe MNA development committee for four years Desert Financial Credit Union Desert Financial Credit Union opened their Flagstaff branch in July 2022 Since their opening, they have made a significant effort to support the Flagstaff community through sponsorship and corporate giving In 2022 Desert Financial Credit Union sponsored many events in town including the First Friday ArtWalk and Flagstaff Oktoberfest in addition to giving to local non-profits Tynkertopia & Lowell Observatory
Viola Legacy Award
Alan Petersen
Creative Flagstaff is pleased to honor Alan Petersen as our 2023 Viola Legacy Award recipient The Viola Legacy Award honors a lifetime contribution to the advancement of Flagstaff as a culturally engaged, equitable, artistic, creative and curious community
Impossible, Possible Snow
It is Valentine’s Day when I’m writing this. When you read this column, a month hence, you will be thinking about St. Patrick’s Day or Spring Break or maybe ahead to Passover or Easter. This particular snow will have thawed although other snow may have come and thawed and come and thawed again. I love snow more than life itself Well, I also love the monsoon storms more than life itself. I love it in the way the my Diné friends keep stickers on their water bottles that read, “Water Is Life ” To live in a place that can be saturated is a gift. That seasons continue to spin despite earthquakes and school shootings and train derailments that explode toxic clouds into the atmosphere helps keep me sane. I don’t know how I would live without seasons. Without the disruption that snow brings Without the measuring by inches of precipitation. Without cursing my shovel. Without complaining with the neighbors about the berm erected at the end of my driveway by the snowplow These communal, collective experiences are part of what make Flagstaff, Flagstaff. We are seasonally afflicted: Snow Wind Fires. Floods. But we are also seasonally connected: shoveling together, hatch battening together. Evacuating together. Sandbagging together I love how on Facebook and Twitter and even Nextdoor App, we plant measuring sticks in our yards and upload pictures of them and of kids on sleds Does weather make a city? Possibly Although, I suppose LA and Phoenix still count themselves as cities even if they are low on seasons and storms and things to do about the weather
I, selfishly, love the snow because I would rather cross-country ski than run. My main exercise is “running,” which I do by taking my dogs in the woods behind the house and perform a kind of gallop behind them. This year, the third greatest snowfall in January since they’ve been keeping record, has allowed me to ski in the woods every day since the first big snowfall—except for the visiting writer trip I took to Maryland including today. When the first storm promised two feet of snow, I refreshed the Weather Underground app every 16 minutes, almost as often as my son refreshed the FUSD snow day alert page. Between the two of us, we sucked up all the internet and
flitted around the house like cat-stalked mice. What if it didn’t snow? How would I ski? Would I have to run? My son asking, would I have to go to school? Do I have to do my homework?
It did snow. My son played Fortnite, promising he’d shovel soon. I trekked into the forest. The first day, the snow was so deep I could only cut tracks halfway to my usual loop. The next day, I cut the second half. The kids shoveled the first round. I shoveled the next. My husband, enlisted in his regular job, his school board job, and a painting around the new doors job, shoveled in the evening. I measured the snow, albeit with the measuring stick planted the wrong way, 22 inches. Perhaps this is an indication of how rare this is. A title of a book from the 70s, “I’ve Been Down So Long, It Looks Like Up from Here.” That’s the surprise of this snow pack. The last ten years have been all frosting but no cake. The snow usually lasts a day and only the most desperate people (like me) try to ski on such thin hope.
But this year reminds me of how Flagstaff is a do or die kind of town. Finding your way through snow is empowering. Thinking you could cross-country ski to the store if you had to. Figuring out where to put the next six inches of snow makes you appreciate both they who do calculus and structural engineers. Being grateful to your neighbor for snow-blowing our driveway, our neighbor’s, our other neighbors. Imagining living in a car-free world where driving is necessary only for the towtrucks who extract they who shouldn’t be driving out of ditches.
To cross-country ski nearly 30 days in a row is an unexpected gift. I shouldn’t be so greedy, hoping for more snow, refreshing weather underground again and again, hoping that tomorrow provides deep and slippery snow.
It has snowed a lot in Utah this winter, too. Growing up in Salt Lake City, my dad wouldn’t take us skiing until the base hit 80 inches. We were privileged in more than one way. Privileged to have a dad to take us skiing. Privileged to believe that the base would hit 80 inches by the end of December, without fail. The Sierra Nevadas, thanks to the ‘atmospheric river’ have catapulted parts of California out of ‘extreme drought’ status to merely ‘severe drought.’ This year, both in Flagstaff and Salt Lake, feels like old times—the shoveling, the berm-complaining, the cross-country
skiing.
Today I read Craig Childs’ essay in High Country News about Lake Powell’s imminent demise. I love how conflicted he is about the ‘lake,’ which he called it, even though scolded by Katie Lee he was told not to call it. It’s a reservoir. A fake lake. An abomination, to a lot of us And yet, still a fantastic display of so much water in a place where water is scarce. Lake Powell is so low that the turbines used to create hydroelectric power have nearly surfaced. It would take at least 6-7 remarkably good snowpack years to bring the lake even to its half-full point. The Colorado River, which
supplies Lake Powell, is already almost over. The number of people reliant on its water, many of whom live in places without any snowfall and little rain, exceeds the number of gallons per person provided. The snow this year! It is magnificent. We can shovel it and ski on it and sled on it, and, with my son’s good luck, miss school on it. But one year is not enough to catapult us back to the days when my dad 80-inch base or bust. This year has been a dream year of snow But it’s time to wake up What will we talk about in Flagstaff in the winter of the future? How will Flagstaff still be Flag?
Masters of Brewtality gets philosophical at Flagstaff’s favorite “dive bars”
Welcome back, boils and ghouls, to yet another insidious installment of Masters of Brewtality. This month, we spent hours upon hours arguing back and forth about our subject and, as with all things righteous and good, no real truth came out of the endless screaming, breaking of light fixtures and loud sobbing. The simple idea for our March column was, “What are the best dive bars here in Flagstaff?” And things couldn’t have gone off the rails harder. The initial struggle was defining what a dive bar actually is. Certain pillars found their way to the forefront immediately: it should be nearly pitch black, have an overbearing funk of stale beer and the bathrooms have a vibe where someone died from fentanyl-laced cocaine in the stall you’re using within the last five years. Frankly, none of the bars we’re mentioning in this article fits those criteria and that’s why the only thing the freaks and geeks in the MOB crypt are agreeing on is that every single one of the establishments we’re spotlighting is tied for last place. The only winner here is you, our dear reader, that’s about to head out into the darkness and have a freakin’ great night at our “near dive” bars.
Our first stop is Yucca North. We discussed our idea for this column with owner Casey Hamilton and he explained that Yucca North is more “high lowbrow,” versus a dive bar and we immediately flipped the table over while screeching that we know a punk-themed dive bar when we see it. The pinball machines, the skateboard decks on the walls, the presence of Cock Sparrer on the stereo, all the signs were there.
But, the food is fantastic, the cocktails are made with nuisance and skill, and they plugged the death hole in the men’s restroom, so, by our standards, Yucca is a safe and awesome choice for an evening on the town. Bummer!
Next up is Bunhugger’s. This spot off of Milton is the closest we all could agree on as the purest expression of a true dive here in Flagstaff, but their biggest failing is that the staff is too nice. The true dive bar experience should make you feel like the bartender would slice your face open with an easily-accessed straight razor. But everyone there has been nothing but friendly, and we’ve seen them de-escalate tense situations with the utmost professional grace
multiple times. Pitcher prices are on point, and the food is awesome, too. So, Bunhugger’s also fails our standards of sleaze. Third, is the Mountainaire Tavern. If you’re looking for the quintessential afternoon bar crew, you’ll never find a better group than here. We’re generally a lunatic-looking cluster here at Masters of Brewtality, and the regulars have been nothing but accepting every time we’ve stumbled in. The bartenders immaculately walk a line between taking no guff and making you feel right at home, which is exactly what you’d want from any reputable dive bar. Our only complaint is that we had a Nicholas Cage pillow in the MOB truck bed last time we were there
and no one bothered to steal it. Dive bar fail!
We’re going with Dirty Birdies for number four. This spot is popular with our medical professional friends that get off after a 48 hour shift at 6 a.m. and want nothing more than hash browns and a Bloody Mary at 6:05 a.m. The dive bar fails are the immaculately clean bathrooms, the kinda recent Buck Hunter Zombie Edition that greets you upon entry, and the wildly delicious bar food. The mozzarella wedges have sustained the MOB staff through many a rough morning. Our main complaint, again, is that the staff is far too nice, and they all seem to get quality tattoos, which is another huge dive bar red flag. If the staff
doesn’t have a misspelled inspirational quote that came with a side of blood borne pathogens, is it really a dive bar?
Finally, we’re recommending the immortal Sportsman’s. Located a bit north of downtown right by our favorite spooky Basha’s, “Sporto’s” is basically the performance art of near-dive bars in our fair mountain town. While discussing the essentials of what makes a true dive bar, the emphasis on food that no one ever buys came up time and time again, and that is where Sportman’s fails so hard. The wings here are the stuff of legends. Immaculately crispy on the outside, perfectly juicy on the inside, utterly drenched in sauce, and priced so low, your average college student could get a few with whatever is hiding between the couch cushions. There’s always a game on, too, which moves Sporto’s further away from the coveted “Dive Bar” label and into the well-trodden sports bar realm. Which is, of course, just fine. The staff is on you like grave dirt on a zombie as soon as you walk in, the pool tables are level, and the tiny smoking patio out front is one of the best spots in town to make a new friend with a totally rad heeler puppy. Unfortunately, still not dive enough for the freaks and geeks of the Masters of Brewtality crypt, but we’ll still head topside for their tacos any Tuesday.
There’s plenty more near-dives out there, boils and ghouls, and we’re as far from experts as anyone could be. Get out there and check things out for yourselves and make sure you’re good and tipsy when you start arguing about the necessities needed for a proper dive night. This was just a few of our favorites, Flagstaff has an armada of other brew houses teeming with cheap drink specials, great food, and buddies waiting to be found. Cheers!
Picture perfect
Life Is Sweet Photography captures the beauty of
SABRINA GRIMALDI
During the height of COVID-19, it seemed like everyone was looking for a new hobby. Hannah Pohlmeyer, much like the rest of the world took up baking with her mother and formed her own part-time business, Life Is Sweet, selling macarons and other baked
goods.
But, once quarantine ended, this pandemic-hobby stayed a hobby, and Pohlmeyer went back to life as it was before. Later, when she began pursuing photography while in school, the business name Life Is Sweet fell into her lap again because people already as-
sociated her with it. While baking fresh treats was definitely sweet, Pohlmeyer couldn’t think of anything sweeter than being able to capture life’s little moments on camera Life Is Sweet Photography was born, and Pohlmeyer started building her portfolio of weddings, elopements, couples, individuals
and families
Since she shot her first wedding in 2021, Pohlmeyer has focused on learning more about the industry
and honing in her skills One major way that photographers can break into the wedding industry is by second shooting for a more experi-
enced photographer.
“Some people offer couples to hire a second shooter as well,” Pohlmeyer said. “This means that the photographer will hire someone they trust or know to shoot the wedding day with them. Then, the second shooter will give the photos to the main photographer who edits all of them so they are cohesive. As a second shooter, you also can use your images in your portfolio as long as you give credit that you were second shooting with the main photographer”
Pohlmeyer, like many other new photographers, began second shooting at weddings for about a year before she began booking her own wedding clients
“It’s a great experience,” Pohlmeyer said. “You shoot alongside them, but you’re getting the additional angles and you’re in all of the places that the head photographer can’t be. So, if they are with the bride at the beginning of the day, the second shooter goes with the groom and during the ceremony, you’re getting different angles Being able to build my portfolio from second shooting and learning so much from them was a great resource in building my own clientele. Now, it’s really exciting to get to be on the other side of things and have a second shooter
with me.”
Now, Pohlmeyer is able to mentor other photographers by bringing them along with her She loves having the opportunity to mentor and share the wedding world with photography beginners and to learn more about the industry every time. What Pohlmeyer has noticed after shooting multiple weddings and even dipping her toes into the elopement world is how different every single one is.
“Every single wedding and every single elopement is a completely different day and so unique,” Pohlmeyer said. “I love that it’s becoming more popular to go outside the norm and to make the day exactly what you want, and I’m all about that. No two are the
same, and it’s beautiful and happy no matter what”
With her photography, Pohlmeyer said her style can be described as bright, vibrant and true to color. Her focus is on illuminating the beauty of the day and making sure the couple sees it exactly as they remember it. In the wedding world, editing style is a huge deciding factor for couples looking for a photographer and most photographers recommend they find someone who has a style they enjoy.
“I really try to stick to the feel and how things looked during the day,” Pohlmeyer said. “I want you to be able to look back
and feel exactly how you felt on that wedding day and remember exactly what it looked like … I try to capture those real and raw moments There’s nothing like telling the story of a wedding day and capturing the love and happiness of that day.”
Pohlmeyer is so happy to be growing her photography business and wants to shoot more weddings and elopements in 2023. To her, there is nothing as sweet as capturing life’s little joys on film.
“As a wedding photographer, I’m there for you,” Pohlmeyer said. “Nothing is a no. I like to make the day all about the couple and their friends and family. I want to make sure they are able to look back on it in 20, 50 or 80 years and remember exactly how they felt in that moment and capture the beauty of all of it.”
Hannah Pohlmeyer or Life Is Sweet Photography specializes in weddings, elopements, couples, individuals and families To learn more about Life Is Sweet Photography, head over to her website at lifeissweetbyhannah com or on Instagram @ lifeissweetbyhannah
ONGOING
MONDAY
Dark Sky Brewing: Locals Monday Every Monday from 6 8 p m enjoy $2 off non-barrel aged pours 10 oz and higher for Flagstaff locals
Museum Club: Open Mic Night Every Monday night from 6 9 p m Bands welcome Many musicians have been asked back for paying gigs
Oeno Wine Lounge:Hospitality Night Every Monday,hospitality workers get 20% off their order Proof of employment required
Tappy Hour Monday-Friday 12-4 p m All wine and beer taps are half off
TUESDAY
Jazzercise: African Dance Class Lessons
THE PULSE
NORTHERN ARIZONA’S DAILY EVENT LISTINGS » MARCH 2–APRIL 5
focus on the traditional dances from Guinea, West Africa 6:45 8:15 p m
Museum Club: Line Dance Lessons Every Tuesday from 5 p m 8 p m
Karaoke Every Tuesday from 9 p m to close
Oeno Wine Lounge: Teacher Tuesday Every Tuesday educators get 15% off wines
Tappy Hour Monday-Friday 12-4 p m All wine and beer taps are half off
Unity of Flagstaff: Join Jackie Labanok for yoga from 10–11 a m
WEDNESDAY
East Flagstaff Community Library: Family Storytime Every Wednesday from 10:30 11:15 a m
Firecreek Coffee: Singer-Songwriter Open
Mic Share your original songs between 7 10 p m
Gopher Hole: Karaoke & Service Industry Night Happy Hour prices for service industry personnel from 6 p m until close with the singing starting at 9:30 p m
Mead Hall: Trivia Night Themed categories, including visual and sound, and prizes for the winners 6 8 p m
OenoWineLounge: Warrior Wednesday All active military and first responders get 15% off
Tappy Hour Monday-Friday 12-4 p m All wine and beer taps are half off
WeatherfordHotel: Blues Night at Charly’s Every Wednesday night from 7 9 p m
Uptown Pubhouse: Team Trivia Join them
every Wednesday for what Flagstaffians are calling “the best trivia night in town!” 7:30 9:30 p m
THURSDAY
Dark Sky Brewing: Trivia Night TAPP’D Trivia! Thursdays 7-9 p.m. at the DSB Beer Garden
Gopher Hole: Trivia Night Doors open at 6 p m with trivia starting at 6:30 p m
Mead Hall: GREENLAW Live Celtic music at the Mead Hall every Thursday at 7 p m
MuseumClub: Free Line Dance Lessons from 5–8 p m
Free Country Swing Lessons from 7–8 p m
Dimes with DJ FRSH Amazing drink specials from 8 p m to close
Oeno Wine Lounge: Wine Tastings Stop by between 5 and 7 PM to enjoy $20 wine tastings and $5 tastings for club members
Tappy Hour Monday-Friday 12–4 p m All wine and beer taps are half off
FRIDAY
FlagTagAZ: Family Friday Laser Tag Get two games of laser tag for only $10 per person from 12 -11 p m
Jazzercise: Casino Rueda in Flagstaff Cuban-style Salsa Dancing followed by social dancing 7:30 10 p m
Museum Club: Acoustic Happy Hour Live country music from 5:30 p m 10 p m Check the schedule for shows and times
OenoWineLounge: Tappy Hour Monday-Friday12–4 p m Allwineandbeertapsarehalfoff
SATURDAY
Museum Club: Live country dance bands every week from 8:30 p.m.—1 a.m.
SUNDAY
Dark Sky Brewery: Pints and Poses: Yoga at the taproom every Sunday morning from 10:15 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. $15 fee per class.
Sunday Funday. Live music every Sunday at the DSB Beer Garden 4—6 p.m.
Jazzercise: Ballroom social dancing. Dance lesson, open dancing from ballroom and swing to latin dance genres. 5:15—7 p.m.
Museum Club: Latino Night. Celebrating Latino and Spanish music every Sunday from 9 p.m.-2 a.m.
Oeno Wine Lounge: Wine Education Night. A 30 minute lesson on wine topics starting at 4:30 p.m. $20 per person.
Fri/3.3
VARIOUS EVENTS
Bright Side Bookshop: Author Signing with Christine Reed and Miles Hooper. Reed, author of “Alone in Wonderland,” will sign between 5-6:30 p.m. Hooper, author of “Dead Friends,” will sign between 6:30-8 p.m.
Downtown Flagsta : First Friday Art Walk. Join us between 5–9 p.m. for a series of special art exhibitions from local vendors, live music and more.
Willow Bend Environmental Education Center: Bug Banquet-A Willow Bend Fundraiser. Join chef Somana Tootsie with Hopi Studio for a delicious showcase of insect-based cuisine. 5:30–7:30 p.m.
Sat/3.4
MUSIC EVENTS
Orpheum Theater: The Emo Night Tour. DJ Party will play the hits of Taking Back Sunday, Fall Out Boy, PANIC! at the Disco, My Chemical Romance and more all night long. 8 p.m.
Yucca North: Paul Cherry. Indie/alternative artist supported by The Mattson 2. 7 p.m.
VARIOUS EVENTS
Willow Bend Environmental Education Center: Science Saturday: Awesome Archeology. Willow Bend is celebrating Archaeology Month with local professional archaeologists. 9:30–11:30 a.m.
Adult Workshop: Basics of Flintknapping. Byl Bryce and Gavin Wisner will lead a two-hour hands-on workshop that will take you back in time to learn the ancient skills of stone tool making. 12:30–2:30 p.m.
Peace Surplus: Ladies Night benefiting Girls on the Run. Theme: Glitter and Tutus. 8 p.m. Sun/3.5
VARIOUS EVENTS
Thorpe Park: Time to Paddy 5k/10k. A St. Patrick-themed run that is perfect for the
THE PULSE
NORTHERN ARIZONA’S DAILY EVENT LISTINGS » MARCH 2–APRIL 5
whole family. 8 a.m.–12 p.m.
Coco-op–Flagsta ’s Maker Space: Ceramics Workshop. Come support local artists and build your art collection of functional and sculptural ceramics. 2–6 p.m.
Mon/3.6
VARIOUS EVENTS
Threaded Together: Monster Sewing Kit: Kids Workshop. It’s #MonsterMarch, and your little one can learn to sew by hand, while crafting a custom “keeper” for all their hand stitching supplies. 3:45–5:15 p.m.
Tue/3.7
VARIOUS EVENTS
Bright Side Bookshop: “Arid Empire”: An Evening with Natalie Koch. Join Koch for a reading and discussion on her book about the entangled fates of Arizona and Arabia.
6–7:30 p.m.
East Flagsta Community Library: Crafty Corner. Express your creativity and get crafty every Tuesday from 3:30–4:30 p.m.
Wed/3.8
MUSIC EVENTS
Hotel Monte Vista: The Hajj. A two piece (Guitar and Drums) psychedelic eastern punk/ rock band. 7 p.m.
VARIOUS EVENTS
Flagsta City-Coconino County Public Library: Nuestra Cultura. Spanish Language Cultural Club held every second Wednesday of the month. 5:30—7:30 p.m.
Thu/3.9
VARIOUS EVENTS
East Flagsta Community Library: Lego Club. Use your imaginations and build creativity with LEGOs. Ages 5-11. 2:30—3:45 p.m.
Fri/3.10
VARIOUS EVENTS
Museum of Northern Arizona: Easton Collection Center Tour. Behind-the-scenes tour of the Platinum LEED-certified Easton Collection Center. 3—4 p.m.
Sat/3.11
MUSIC EVENTS
Flagsta Brewing Company: 2nd Saturdaze with Summit Dub Squad. A roots reggae / positive hiphop band from Flagsta . 10 p.m.
VARIOUS EVENTS
Orpheum Theater: Reena Calm. Pun-slinger, one of the most respected and requested comedians in the Midwest and currently, the only woman in the U.S. who is a full-time roadcomic. 7 p.m.
Threaded Together: Tote Bag: Adult Workshop. In this workshop you’ll sew your own custom tote bag. Make a tiny bag for your kiddo or an extra large one for hauling gro-
ceries. 12–3 p.m.
Mon/3.13
VARIOUS EVENTS
Orpheum Theater: Old 97’s. An American alternative country band from Dallas, Texas on their 30th Anniversary Tour. 6 p.m.
Museum of Northern Arizona: Spring Break at MNA: Messy Monday. Dig into the science of erosion and create a sand-art and slime project. 1–2:30 p.m.
East Flagsta Community Library: LGBT+ Book Club. Join Flagsta ’s LGBT+ community and allies to discuss “Red White & Royal Blue” by Casey McQuiston.
6:30–7:30 p.m.
Wed/3.15
VARIOUS EVENTS
Museum of Northern Arizona: Spring Break at MNA: Wordful Wednesday. Stay for fun crafts and storytime with Indigenous authors and storytellers. 1–2:30 p.m.
Bu alo Park: “Step Into Health” Walking Club. Every third Wednesday of the month, join North Country HealthCare for a walk between 3:30 and 4:30 p.m.
Thu/3.16
VARIOUS EVENTS
Bright Side Bookshop: An Evening with Tara Ison. Join Ison, regional Arizona author, for a reading and signing of her new book, “At the Hour Between Dog and Wolf.” 6—7:30 p.m.
Museum of Northern Arizona: Spring Break at MNA: Therizinosaur Thursday. Enjoy a unique puppet show, and witness the creation of individual imprint fossils.
1–2:30 p.m.
Fri/3.17
MUSIC EVENTS
Orpheum Theater: INZO. Denver-based electronic artist plays with luminescent synth and nostalgic vocal samples. 7 p.m.
Yucca North: Wicked Tour—St Patty’s House Party. CHKLZ returns to Flagsta with tour mates PINEO & LOEB to host the St. Patty’s House Party. 9 p.m.
Flagsta Brewing Company: Harvest: Poetry/Jazz Open Mic. An experiment in fusing two of our favorite art forms: jazz and poetry. 10 p.m.
VARIOUS EVENTS
Lowell Observatory: Messier Marathon. An all-night virtual star party, during which you’ll hunt for all 110 objects in Charles Messier’s famous catalog. 7 p.m.
Little America: Kikori Con 2023. A three-day event that celebrates Japanese animation, comics, and pop culture. 11 a.m.
Museum of Northern Arizona: Spring Break at MNA: Family Friday Nature Journal-
ing. Explore the beauty of the flora and fauna that are right in the museum’s backyard with artist Liz Blaker. 1–2:30 p.m.
Sat/3.18
MUSIC EVENTS
Yucca North: Warped Tour FM. Fresh pop punk and emo bangers with a DJ to support. 7 p.m.
VARIOUS EVENTS
Orpheum Theater: Get Lucked Up! DJ Dance Party. On this St. Patrick’s Day, get lucked up with golden drink specials and magical music.
8 p.m.
Little America: Kikori Con 2023. A three-day event that celebrates Japanese animation, comics, and pop culture. 11 a.m.
Sun/3.19
VARIOUS EVENTS
Little America: Kikori Con 2023. A three-day event that celebrates Japanese animation, comics, and pop culture. 11 a.m.
Mon/3.20
VARIOUS EVENTS
Flagsta City-Coconino County Public Library: Senior Book Club. Join Flagsta ’s seniors to discuss “Crying in H Mart” by Michelle Zauner. 1 p.m.
MUSIC EVENTS
Coconino Center for the Arts: An Evening with Don Flemons. Grammy-award winning songwriter and multi-instrumentalist returns to Flagsta . 7:30 p.m.
Wed/3.22
MUSIC EVENTS
Hotel Monte Vista: Snailmate with special guests The Talking Hours and Lilac Cadillac. 8 p.m.
Fri/3.24
MUSIC EVENTS
Orpheum Theater: Zoso. The ultimate Led Zeppelin Experience embodies the golden era in music. 6:30 p.m.
Yucca North: Jahlos & the Rebels, Sammy Ramone, Herb ‘n’ Life and O.G. Clinto. A night of punk, rock and reggae. 7 p.m.
Sat/3.25
MUSIC EVENTS
Flagstaff Brewing Company: Big Lo. Up-and-coming hip-hop artist that’s opened for Joe Budden, Mobb Deep, Geto Boys, Lil Kim, Raekwon and Ghostface. 7 p.m.
VARIOUS EVENTS
Orpheum Theater: Reel Rock 17. This year’s lineup takes you to the most remote corners of the globe, capturing the heart behind the hardest sends, the biggest stories and the wildest ascents. 6 p.m.
Sun/3.26
VARIOUS EVENTS
Museum of Northern Arizona: The Life & Seasons of the Museum of Northern Arizona’s Living Roof. Join the museum to learn about their 14,000 square foot, bioregional native Living Roof. 2–3 p.m.
Thu/3.30
MUSIC EVENTS
Flagsta Arts and Leadership Academy: Chase Coleman. Flagsta pianist will perform a solo concert of piano music by Chopin, Debussy, Brahms, Ginastera and others to support the FALA Music classes and programs. 7–8:20 p.m.
VARIOUS EVENTS
Theatrikos Theater: “25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”: A fast-paced interactive crowd pleaser with hilarious, touching and catchy songs. Preview. 7:30 p.m.
Fri/3.31
MUSIC EVENTS
Orpheum Theater: An Evening with Keller Williams. Enjoy a performance that encompasses rock, jazz, funk and bluegrass. Williams always keeps the audience on their feet. 7 p.m.
VARIOUS EVENTS
Theatrikos Theater: “25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”: A fast-paced interactive crowd pleaser with hilarious, touching and catchy songs. 7:30 p.m.
Sat/4.1
VARIOUS EVENTS
Theatrikos Theater: “25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”: A fast-paced interactive crowd pleaser with hilarious, touching and catchy songs. 7:30 p.m.
Shift: Bake Sale. Stop by to purchase some baked goods from one of the best restaurants in town.
Sun/4.2
VARIOUS EVENTS
Theatrikos Theater: “25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”: A fast-paced interactive crowd pleaser with hilarious, touching and catchy songs. 7:30 p.m.
Tue/4.4
VARIOUS EVENTS
Theatrikos Theater: Anthony Hernandez: Illusions, Comedy and Magic. A high-energy magic show that will take you on an exciting and magical adventure. 7:30–9:30 p.m.
Wed/4.5
VARIOUS EVENTS
Flagsta City-Coconino County Public Library: Game Night. Bring friends, co-workers or family for a night of fun presented by Vault. 5–7:30 p.m.