Traveling to an Arizona destination? There’s probably a song about it. “The Ballad of Boot Hill” by Johnny Cash The Man in Black shows his fascination with Arizona’s Wild West history in this poetic country song about the town of Tombstone, “where tumbleweeds tumble in search of a home,” “where the brave never cry,” and where “rope marks on the oak tree are now petrified.” “Flagstaff by Morning” by Joshua Kadison L.A.-based singer/songwriter Joshua Kadison...
When it comes to nuns, none are more colorful than the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. The “charity, protest and street performance organization” of drag queens facilitates all sorts of fun dialogue, and on Saturday, May 29, the Grand Canyon Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence will host a virtual “Interesting AF AZ” event on Facebook. Host Sister Mimosa Romero will be joined by Cody Wagner, author of the award-winning LGBTQ+ trilogy, The Gay Teen’s Guide to Defeating...
Grab a seat around the virtual campfire for some storytelling on May 26. The latest installment of the Gather storytelling series, “Fast Friends,” explores the themes of speed and camaraderie (and multiple connotations of words) through a trio of tales. One of those tales will be told by guest host Marshall Shore, the “Hip Historian” who makes clashing patterns look cool and has spent years digging up the strangest gems about Phoenix to create a...
What’s going on with your ballot? What new laws might make it less convenient for you to vote? Learn what’s happening in the Legislature that could impact your voting experience on May 13, when Arizona Humanities presents “Who Gets to Vote? A Discussion of Voting Rights Today” as part of the nonprofit organization’s Representation Matters conversation series. The free virtual events with experts in fields ranging from journalism to law spotlight the importance of representation...
When writers Terry Greene Sterling and Jude Joffe-Block were researching their new book, they uncovered some interesting history about Phoenix. For example, Sterling says the book details how the word “Phoenix” was post-Civil War code for “rebirth of the South” to the Confederate refugees who founded the town. That tidbit is just the tip of the proverbial dust devils Sterling and Joffe-Block kick up in the book Driving While Brown: Sheriff Joe Arpaio versus the...
A virtual fundraiser with live music, a theater performance, margarita demos, recipes, prize giveaways AND cats and dogs? Sounds like a fun way to spend a Wednesday evening to us. Lost Our Home (LOH) Pet Rescue calls this adorable beast bash Cinco de Meow-O Yappy Hour, and it’s streaming on Facebook Live from 5 to 7 p.m. on May 5. Local media celebrity Jan d’Atri hosts the event, the second annual fundraiser for LOH, a...
Dr. Todd Bostwick | Photo courtesy State of Arizona Research Library Hohokam farmers built the largest system of canals in the New World between 500 CE and 1450, making a network of canals in Arizona’s Salt River Valley totaling more than 1,000 miles. It was a marvel of organic engineering in the pre-industrial era that helped the ancient people sustain their crops and civilization. Archeologist Todd Bostwick has studied the Hohokam and Arizona’s ancient...
“Well Living Lab researchers have studied a variety of factors that impact health in indoor environments, including air quality, light, biophilia and more,” executive director Barbara Spurrier says. Here are five ways to maximize such factors at home: 1. Get some air. Open windows and sliding glass doors allow fresh air to flow throughout your home. 2. Let there be light. Pull aside those window curtains and let the sunshine in. 3. Connect with nature....
Is that some swinging 1960s elevator music in your pocket, or are you just listening to Moonlight Magic on your smart phone? The Phoenix-based band’s blend of bossa nova, lounge music and art pop make it the perfect sonic garnish for the cultural cocktail kick-off of Arizona Tiki Oasis (aztikioasis.com), taking over Hotel Valley Ho in Scottsdale April 22-25. The instrumental quartet will perform at the event’s Meet & Mingle Pop-Up Art Show from 6-9...
Anyone who’s ever cringed at the sound of nails on a chalkboard knows that sound can induce physical sensations – thankfully, they don’t have to be negative feelings. Practitioners of sound healing believe soundwaves can restore balance to one’s body and mind, and they’ve got the gongs to demonstrate. Seekers of such aural bliss could take some notes from the free virtual gong baths conducted by local wellness business Nicole Anne Yoga. All they need...
Get the buzz on the bees of the desert and learn all about a website built for nature nerds in two virtual events hosted by the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum this month. On Wednesday, April 7, University of Arizona doctoral student Kathryn Busby will share her knowledge of the state’s variety of bees, which are the most diverse on Earth. Learn about thousands of bee species here beyond bumble bees and honey bees, and hear about...
Do you believe in magick? Local astrologer and “elemental practitioner” Tanja (just Tanja) does, and she’ll share her beliefs and knowledge of the metaphysical in a series of online classes called “Introduction to Hoodoo and Folk Magick” starting in April. The roots of hoodoo were planted by African American slaves in the U.S. in the 1800s, and it has grown into a broad system of spiritual practices and beliefs with bases in various traditional African...
Photo courtesy Miss Africa Arizona 2021 Women from Africa who are studying in the United States face many challenges, including inequity in educational opportunities and healthcare. The Miss Africa Arizona cultural education scholarship program helps ease some of those burdens so students can pursue their dreams of creating positive changes in policy and perception. More than eight African countries will be represented in this year’s Miss Africa Arizona Pageant, including Burundi, DR Congo, Kenya,...
Are Arizona’s adult education goals achievable?
A pioneering research project imagines the ultimate healthful home.
