MONTHLY PLANNER

Ongoing programs

All Levels Yoga

Mondays and Wednesdays | 9 to 10 a.m.

The Homestead Community Center

Strength and Balance

Mondays and Wednesdays

10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

The Homestead Community Center

Yoga Basics

Tuesdays and Thursdays | 9 to 10 a.m.

The Homestead Community Center

Total Body Aqua Fit

Wednesdays and Fridays

9 to 10 a.m. | Desert Camp Pool

Pickleball Drop-in

Wednesdays | 6 to 8 p.m.

Sundays and Fridays | 8 to 11 a.m.

Desert Camp Pickleball Courts

Speaker Series: The Art of Appraisal

Wednesday, March 1

6:30 to 7:30 p.m. | The Homestead

Ages 21+ | RSVP

Are you a fan of shows like Antiques Roadshow? Join resident speaker and expert art adviser Kat Thatcher as she discusses the factors that go into consideration when appraising fine and decorative arts. Doors open at 6 p.m.; speaker begins at 6:30 p.m. Light bites and beverages provided.

Grapenuts: Wine Madness

Wednesday, March 8

6 to 8 p.m. | Desert Camp

Ages 21+ | RSVP

Join a blind tasting competition to determine which wine from which region reigns supreme. Wine will be provided.

Women’s Club: Spring Social

Thursday, March 9 6 to 7:30 p.m. | Desert Camp

Ages 21+ | Free

Come meet other women in the community for refreshments and friendly conversation on the beautiful North Patio.

Starlight Concert Series

Friday, March 10 | 6 to 8 p.m. Market Street Park | All ages | Free

Enjoy a night of live music under the stars! Residents are encouraged to bring their own lawn seating, snacks and drinks. View band lineup on DCRanch.com.

Events are subject to change. Check DCRanch.com/calendar for the most up-to-date listing information.

Please note: To sign up for all activities, you must create a CivicRec account. Details at DCRanch.com/CivicRec

Social Hour

Friday, March 24

5:30 to 6:30 p.m. | Desert Camp Ages 21+ | RSVP

Mix and mingle during a relaxing happy hour on the North Patio. These casual gatherings provide a nice way to end the week and chat with friends or get to know new neighbors. Light snacks, beer and wine provided.

Landscape Stroll

Saturday, March 25

Session I: 8 to 9 a.m. Session II: 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Desert Camp | All ages | RSVP

Learn about the local wildflowers, different landscape features along the path and trail system and the importance of desert flora in the community during this beautiful 1-mile stroll with DC Ranch Landscape Manager Jeff Rons.

Sunlight Concert

Sunday, March 26

3:30 to 5:30 p.m. | Desert Camp All ages | Free

This family-friendly afternoon concert will feature a local rock band on the North Patio. Bring lawn seating, a picnic and come enjoy the spring weather and live music!

Birding in Sedona

Friday, March 31 | 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Departs from The Homestead Ages 18+ | $55

Travel to Red Rock State Park for a fun-filled day with the Park Manager. Residents will enjoy a two-hour guided hike while learning the best ways to spot birds, bird watching etiquette, and how to use binoculars and field guides. Transportation and a boxed lunch included.

By Kat Thatcher | Resident contributor

Curious about attending this famous contemporary art fair and don’t know which to visit? Basel, Miami, Hong Kong and now Paris has a unique vibe. First, get the pronunciation down; it’s “ba-zzle” like dazzle not basil like the herb.

The fair was founded in Basel, Switzerland in 1970, where a group of collectors and dealers made a splash hosting 90 galleries from 20 countries. This has grown to 200 galleries featuring 4000 artists from 5 continents. Held mid-June, it has a Parcours division for site specific artwork in the city’s old town, which makes strolling the leafy riverside hamlet even more pleasant. The main fair is held in the Messe Basel Convention Center, but there are satellite shows and exhibitions throughout, all easily accessible by the prevalent tram system. This fair attracts European collectors and aristocrats, so prepare to encounter sophisticated Euro culture and cutting-edge performance art. Attendees: 95,000.

In Miami, Art Basel has proven enormously popular. Started in 2002, it began with 160 galleries from 23 countries. It draws a larger Latin American base, mainly showcasing artwork from North and South America, and now includes 283 galleries from 38 countries at the Miami Beach Convention Center. A powerhouse in its own right, it has spawned dozens of satellite shows, concurrent museum exhibits and an enviable nightlife program. Kicking off the holiday season, the fair is the first week of December. Prepare for sold-out venues packed with celebrities, collectors and wanna-bes. Book hotels early, close to the main sites you’ll be visiting and plan ahead, as a 10-minute rideshare during the event is likely to take 50. Attendees: 76,000.

Though I’ve attended the above events a dozen times, I have yet to visit Hong Kong’s version, held every March. Founded in 2013, this is an important complement to the growing contemporary Asian market. This fair returns after a covid-hiatus, with art from 176 galleries and 32 countries at the Hong Kong Convention Center. It also has a strong “satellite booth” presence, a virtual program begun in response to travel bans.