Color Story: Gems + Jewel Tones (part 2)

l had so much jewel-toned goodness to share with you in part 1 of this color story that it overflowed into this whole separate post!

So you can continue to revel in jewel-toned art, nature, artisan goods, destinations, and DIYs.

Hummingbird with iridescent head feathers in the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum Hummingbird Aviary.

Also, I’ve put all the Etsy items from both posts into a Jewel Tones collection, so you can find them more easily. (I’m an Etsy affiliate, so you can click through one of the links on this page, buy something awesome, and you’ll be supporting the site at the same time!)

 

Painting of trees and shadows.

Gem intarsia box - center top: opal, sugilite, lapis-lazuli, and turquoise over four malachite stalactites; additional malachite, azurite-malachite, opal, and gold-in-quartz with 18kt gold hinge.

gem watercolor blank greeting cards

cheesecake with blueberry glaze

Still life painting of plums

1. Amethyst-colored feathers cover the heads of male Costa’s hummingbirds, like this striking fella, who was perched in the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum’s Hummingbird Aviary. / photo by @reenagiolaphoto (avid photographer of birds + her Australian shepherds) via Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

2. “Crystal Trees” oil painting by Erin Hanson. Its palette was inspired by lush springtime in the Texas hill country. / prints + textured replicas are available to ship worldwide

3. “The Sacred Garden Box” made by gem intarsia artist Nicolai Medvedev from opal, sugilite, lapis-lazuli, turquoise, and malachite. / H/T Western Spirit (“Scottsdale’s museum of the West”), which had an exhibition of his work in 2023. / Photo by Harold + Erica Van Pelt

4. A pack of 24 watercolor birthstone greeting cards (blank inside) by The Ritzy Rose.

5. Fabulous Cheesecake with Blueberry Glaze, a dessert re-discovered on a clipping from a 1975 issue of Southern Living magazine tucked into in a family recipe box. / via Food.com

6. Still life with plums, part of the Endless Summer series of 9 paintings by French illustrator Léa Maupetit. / Endless Summer has been exhibited in the artist’s home city of Paris at Klin d’oeil Boutique + Galerie and as far away as 1905 Re-creative Space in Shenyang, China!

 

Since 2018, Love Is Project has been partnered with Mercado Global to bring gorgeous Atitlán bracelets from Guatemala to wrists all over the world. / Three years ago, three sisters, Carolina, Claudia and Wendy began working with Love Is Project weaving LOVE bracelets. They were able to build an extra floor in their home from their earnings to accommodate their mother.

candle in a tin / Enchanted soy candle by A Bearden Project via Bee Hive.

Phoenix Chile festival

bouquet

7. LOVE bracelets, part of a project providing artisans worldwide with fair wages. / Pictured are Carolina, Claudia, and Wendy, three sisters from a village near Lake Atitlán, Guatemala, who earned enough money weaving these bracelets to build an extra floor onto their home! / via Love Is Project

8. “Enchanted” soy candle in a tin made by A Bearden Project. / sold via The Bee Hive, a boutique collective of independent makers in Atlanta

9. Phoenix Chile Pepper Festival attendees mingling as the sun goes down. / We went to the festival in 2016. Unfortunately, I don’t think they hold it anymore.

10. “Woodland romance” bouquet made from foliage with a mix of textures and tied with cascading ribbons. The flowers and other decor were inspired by the woodsy outdoor setting of a wedding reception. / flowers by Lace and Lilies + photo by Lori Kennedy Photography via The Perfect Palette

 

"We Are Star Stuff" by Frank Gonzales

Northern Lights in Norway (Aurora Borealis. Photo credit: Hans Petter Sørensen and FarOutFocus/Visit Norway. Via AFAR Media.)

Globe Glass Terrarium for Succulents Air Plants.

Since 2018, Love Is Project has been partnered with Mercado Global to bring gorgeous Atitlán bracelets from Guatemala to wrists all over the world. / Three years ago, three sisters, Carolina, Claudia and Wendy began working with Love Is Project weaving LOVE bracelets. They were able to build an extra floor in their home from their earnings to accommodate their mother.

Peacock Watercolor Print by Dean Crouser.

11. We Are Star Stuff acrylic painting by Arizona artist Frank Gonzales, whose art is also featured on a large scale in the terrazzo floor of the 24th Street Sky Tram station at Phoenix Sky Harbor.

12. The Northern Lights in Norway! / The photo comes from one of the Sustainable Susie comic books, where the titular character shares responsible travel tips for seeing the aurora borealis and exploring fjords. The books were created by the nonprofit United States Tour Operators Association. / Photo credit: Hans Petter Sørensen + FarOutFocus/Visit Norway via AFAR Media

13. Teal and blue blown-glass terrarium for succulents, air plants, or fairy gardens. / by Garden Outside the Box / mostly blue version

14. Large malachite gemstone in the University of Arizona Alfie Norville Gem + Mineral Museum, Tucson. / I took the photo when I visited the museum last fall. It’s one of Tucson’s top spots to see crystals, gems, and minerals all year round!

15. Rainbow Peacock Watercolor Print by Dean Crouser.

 

Beeswax Wrap

Boozy Jam Gems by Moxie + Sassafras

hand-knit socks

At Sky Bar in Tucson, a video that looks like space plays on the big screen

16. Guide for making beeswax food wraps, bee-less vegan food wraps, and snack bags, as reusable alternatives to single-use plastic wrap and baggies. / by Mountain Rose Herbs

17. Boozy Gem Jams by Moxie and Sassafras, a Tucson maker of small-batch macarons, alcohol-infused jams, and other treats with unexpected flavors.

18. Super colorful socks knit by the ever talented + creative Kelli Donley Williams!

19. At Sky Bar in Tucson, a video that looks like space plays on the big screen, while we wait for them to wheel out the telescope. They have nightly stargazing on the patio with volunteer astronomers to guide you and answer questions!

 

FLUORITE LAURENT

Dark Chocolate Mendiants

20. Fluorite and smoked quartz at the Galerie de Géologie et de Minéralogie in the Jardin des Plantes, Paris. It was found on Mount Blanc by crystal prospector Christophe Péray, who had lost his longtime collaborator Laurent Chatel on the same mountain range the year before. In his memory, Christophe named this specimen “Laurent.” / Photo by F. Farges via Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle

21. Dark Chocolate Detox Bites topped with dried fruit that looks just like the red fluorite in Laurent (from #20)! / The sweets are meant to be a healthier version of a traditional French Christmas candy, called mendiants (medallions). / by The View From Great Island

Dark Chocolate Mendiants

Color Story: Gems + Jewel Tones (part 1)

watercolor paper gems

Beyond just decoration, color is elemental.

Think of mineral pigments. The way a body of water takes on shades of what it carries – a cloudy blue glacial stream, a teal bay concealing a forest of kelp, a river that turns mud-brown with sediment. The hue of flames shifting from fuel and temperature changes. Or the impact of heat and chemical makeup on the color of lava, of aurora, of stars.

telescope image of nebula and stars - Webb Telescope image of Pillars of Creation composite image produced by NASA and the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI).

The rich, saturated colors of rubies, emeralds, sapphires, amethysts, and other gemstones are actually from trace elements within them. It’s those so-called imperfections that create the gorgeous palette we call jewel tones.

With Tucson’s gem show season beginning today, it seemed like the perfect time to explore jewel-toned things to make, places to visit, handmade items to shop, and nature to marvel at.

In fact, I found so many gems to share with you that there will be a Part 2!

 

Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals in Hillsboro, OR: The Museum’s main gallery, located on the lower level, contains one of the world’s finest collections of crystals.

Interstellar Collection: Handmade modern polymer clay space earrings by LittleRabbitJewelry.

dragon creature in a mural by Jessica Gonzales

Natural Fluorite Gemstone Tower - Crystal Obelisk

1. Pillars of Creation in the Eagle Nebula, as seen through Webb Telescope filters. / public domain composite image via NASA and Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) / in case you’re wondering: “How Are Webb’s Full-Color Images Made?” + “Where Colors in Telescope Images Come From

2.  Mineral from “one of the world’s finest collections of crystals” in the Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals in Hillsboro, Oregon.

3. Interstellar Collection clay earrings handmade in Tucson by Little Rabbit Jewelry.

4. My photo of the fantastical Gila monster/Quetzalcoatl dragon mural that Jessica Gonzales created for Amazing Discoveries game store in Tucson.

5. Fluorite Obelisk made from natural crystal by Liz Creation Studio.

 

butterfly mosaic

people throwing beads during Mardi Gras in New Orleans via MardiGrasNewOrleans.com

Caramelized Balsamic Goat Cheese Pasta via Half-Baked Harvest.

cooked beets for pasta dish

6. Monarch butterfly mosaic made on sustainable birchwood by Lantern Press Artwork.

7. Tossing Mardi Gras beads from a balcony in New Orleans. / via MardiGrasNewOrleans.com / History of throwing trinkets to Mardi Gras crowds.

8+9. Balsamic goat cheese pasta with roasted beets. / via Half-Baked Harvest

 

Decorative, gem-shaped theater ceiling with chandelier in the center. / Looking up at the ceiling and chandelier of the Byrd Theatre, Richmond, VA. Photo by Florence Womack.

fruit ice cubes in tumblers / Fruit and Tonics via A Beautiful Mess.

Indian Sari Silk Cushion Covers via TheCraftmanship

Printable watercolor paper gems (free!) via We Are Scout

10. Looking up at the cut-gem shape of the ceiling of the Byrd Theatre in Richmond, Virginia. / photo by Florence Womack

11. Fruit and Tonics: Recipe for giant, fruit-infused ice cubes that will give your drink more flavor as they melt instead of watering it down! / Add to gin and tonics, plain sparkling water, lemonade, or a pitcher of sangria. / via A Beautiful Mess

12. Sari Silk Cushion Cover made from vintage fabric in Jaipur, India by TheCraftmanship.

13. Free printable for making watercolor paper gems. / via We Are Scout

 

Desert Forager prickly pear drink

Traditional Palestinian Costume book

Lanterns

bottle wind chimes

BIRDLOVER. Silk Hand Embroidered Women Huipil Blouse with Bird Design by MayanArtisans.

14. Prickly pear juice handcrafted by Desert Forager’s John Slattery. / At Tucson Meet Yourself, he was hustling to ring up beverage orders on one side of his booth while selling and signing his book, Southwest Foraging, on the other! / Return the jar your drink is served in for a discounted refill.

15. Traditional Palestinian Costume: Origins and Evolution by Hanan Karaman Munayyer, a beautiful book I borrowed recently.

16. Lanterns to celebrate Buddha’s birthday (Vesak Day) in Seoul, South Korea. / via Huffington Post

17. Hand-cut glass bottle wind chimes made by Bottles Uncorked. / You can order a set of all 10 colors or choose a single bottle.

18. BIRDLOVER Guatemalan Huipil Blouse, handwoven and embroidered by Doña Juana, a Mayan weaver in Santiago Atitlán, Guatemala. It was a 6-month long project! / via Mayan Artisans on Etsy

detail of hand-embroidered Guatemalan blouse


Photos link to their sources. This post contains Etsy affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission on purchases – at no extra cost to you! Win-win!

The sad one I’ve been meaning to write.

bouquet of white flowers in a vase

A year ago yesterday, I lost my dad.

my dad and I

Yes, he’d been battling cancer for two years. And, yes, he was in the ICU. But it was still a shock.

Ribbon-covered "Tree of Hope" at MD Andersen Cancer Center.

Thanksgiving picnic with family
Phillip, me, Dad, Mom on our Thanksgiving 2015 picnic.

It seems like a million years ago. But also like it was just last month. It seems impossible that he was ever here, living, breathing, just a phone call away. And it also seems impossible that now he’s not.

my parents eating on a restaurant patio
Mom and Dad at having lunch at Main St. Sweets in Mesa.
mosaic on a hospital wall
Mosaic by Rylee Sturgeon at Banner Ocotillo Medical Center, Chandler.

My dad showed me how to notice the little details, especially in nature. He loved a hike, he loved a road trip, was curious about the world, and wanted to make the most of opportunities that popped up along the way. (“As long as we’re here, we might as well… go inside and check out the menu / take a boat tour / drive a few more miles to see a wagon train re-enactment / take a helicopter ride / see what it’s like to park in the desert and watch a dust storm….”)

hiking

He believed in being prepared (often way over-prepared). He liked building things and was actually very big on safety. Thanks to his influence, I cringe when someone on tv is using power tools or handling dangerous materials without the gloves or eye protection that they should be wearing.

landscape of a park in Chandler with a view of San Tan mountains in the background
“Sunrise Over San Tan” by Arizona photographer Marilyn Smith on the wall at Banner Ocotillo Medical Center.

I have started and stopped writing a version of this several times over the past year, and I’m determined to get through it this time – even if it means ending abruptly. (Many things do.)

Dad with us two kids
Me, Dad, and my adorable little sibling Ian!
Dad leaning on a walking stick outside a medical building
Dad with his favorite walking stick outside MD Anderson Cancer Center.

So although I haven’t even scratched the surface of the multi-faceted person my dad was or how he meant so much to me, I’ll just leave you with a few highlights of Dad helping out on this site.

Dad wearing new sunglasses

Top Marty Moments on Travelcraft Journal

1. He wrote a post about he and mom randomly walking into a restaurant in Prescott, where almost everyone was wearing pajamas.

2. The time he agreed to model sunglasses.

3. When he explained how an insulated water bottle works. I had hoped he’d be able to contribute his technical explanations more regularly. We even talked about doing a series where he pointed out Pinterest crafts that were actually fire hazards or otherwise bad ideas.

4. His cinematographer role on our Mt. Lemmon video.

A mountain trail with a hiker in the distance.

Winter 2024 Happenings (Jan/Feb)

Tucson rodeo wagon

New year, new Happenings! Here’s my list of upcoming goings-on and goodies.*

The Anywhere section is for anyone, wherever you are. There are also things you can enjoy ANYWHERE sprinkled throughout the rest of the List.

Mayan artwork
Pieces from the Popol Vuh exhibit at Tucson Museum of Art.

 

What Happenings are you looking forward to this year?


The Happenings List

– Central Arizona –

Mathew Ngau Jau plays a stringed instrument from Borneo.
Indigenous instrumentalist Mathew Ngau Jau from Borneo. Photo via Asian Festival.

Asian Festival: Sape + Flow

Jan 12-13 / Mesa Community College, Mesa / Free

Community-building festival celebrating Asian cuisine, arts, and traditions in Mesa’s Asian District.

From the organizers: “The Asian Festival mission is to promote a peaceful world by increasing international awareness and cultural understanding.”

  • Entertainment: Mathew Ngau Jau, an indigenous cultural guardian from Borneo, will play a traditional stringed instrument called “sape,” as well as giving workshops on how it is crafted. Master Ong will perform Flow Arts, which is a mix of meditation, movement, and juggling.
  • Vendors: Over 20 vendor booths.
  • Food + beverage: 45 food vendors.
  • H/T Visit Phoenix

 

Horsehead Nebula
Horsehead Nebula via Sky Bar in Tucson.

New Moon PJ Party + Jewelry Making Workshop: Soak in Slumber Party Vibes

Jan 12, 7pm – 10pm / Palabras Bilingual Bookstore, Phoenix

Jewelry-making workshop and lunar gathering with games, food, a place to work on creative projects/crafts, and space to reflect and set intentions.

  • Wear PJs, bring pillows and blankets, and a notebook. Optional: bring games and snacks to share.
  • Andria from Andria’s Tienda will be hosting a lunar bracelet make-and-take workshop ($10, materials included).
  • Wasted Ink Zine Distro, Palabras Bookstore, and Cuentos Café will all be open until 10pm!
  • *ANYWHERE: Palabras Bookstore has a $14.99/month Audiobook Membership, which gives you an audiobook credit each month, plus 30% off additional audiobook purchases!

 

earrings
Via KP Studio.

Intro into Keum-Boo: Silver-Gilty Pleasure

Jan 14, 1pm / KP Studio, Phoenix / $160 fee

3-hour, beginner-level workshop on Keum-Boo, an ancient Korean technique used to apply thin sheets of gold to silver. Attendees will apply this silver-gilt technique to a pair of earrings.

 

children's handprints in the colors of the Palestinian flag.
A poster made at a recent all-ages rally for Palestine in Tucson.

Ceasefire Postcard-Writing Campaign: Craft a Message

Jan 14 + on, 11am – 2pm / Palabras Bilingual Bookstore, Phoenix / Free

Weekly gathering to make, write, and mail postcards to Congressional reps to demand a ceasefire in Palestine. The postcard writing sessions will continue every Sunday until there is a permanent ceasefire.

  • If you’re unable to make it on Sundays, postcards and materials will be available in the backroom seating area anytime Palabras is open.
  • Contributions of stamps, postcards and cereal boxes (to be made into postcards) are needed!
  • ANYWHERE: Viva Palestina: Liberation Movement Resources

 

MLK Day Celebration
The stage during the Martin Luther King Jr. Day community celebration in Mesa, Arizona.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: Going Beyond “I Have a Dream.”

Jan 23, 6pm / Tempe History Museum, Tempe / Free

While many MLK Day festivities focus on Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, the most pivotal years of his life may have come afterward, from 1965-1968. This community chat will focus on Dr. King’s life during those years and his stand against the Vietnam War.

 

dragon puppet
West Point High School Chinese Dragon Dance Team performance via Phoenix Chinese Week.

Phoenix Chinese Week Culture and Cuisine Festival: Dragon  Dances + Dim Sum

Feb 3-4 / Steele Indian School Park, Phoenix / Free

Two-day festival with continuous live entertainment and hands-on activities.

  • Entertainment: Dragon and Lion Dances, folk dances, musical and cultural performances, Tai Chi and martial arts demonstrations, koi pond and other exhibits. Play a game of Mahjong, compete in a chopstick challenge, try a Chinese yo-yo, and have your English name translated into Chinese characters! There’s also an arts and crafts area for kids.
  • Vendors: Merchandise vendors with unique items.
  • Food + beverage: A wide variety of Asian food available from food trucks and food vendors. Also a beer garden.

 

quijote under a bench
Quijote hanging out under a bench at the Shops @ Town + Country.

Local Hearts Club Makers Market: We Get by With a Little Help from Our Friends

Feb 10, 10am – 4pm / Shops @ Town + Country, Phoenix / Free to shop

Market with locally handmade jewelry, one-of-a-kind art, treats, apparel and accessories, and health and beauty goods.

  • Entertainment: Live local music all day and a raffle for prizes donated by vendors.
  • Vendors: Local Phoenix makers.
  • Raffle to benefit AZK9 Rescue.
  • *Happy hour specials on drinks, snacks, and free kids’ meals at The Macintosh (also at Town + Country) 3-6pm, Monday to Saturday – so you could stop by after the Makers Market!

 

Arizona state fairgrounds

VNSA (Volunteer Nonprofit Service Association) Book Sale: Paperbacks for Penny Pinchers

Feb 10-11 / Arizona State Fairgrounds, Ag. Center Building, Phoenix / Free to shop

Annual sale of hundreds of deeply discounted used books, media, and other items. This is both a way to give the community access to books inexpensively, and a way to raise money for nonprofit organizations Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation and Literacy Volunteers of Maricopa County!

  • Arizona State Fairgrounds charges a $12 parking fee that supports the Fairgrounds. VNSA does not receive any money from parking fees.
  • All unmarked standard-size paperback books are $2.
  • *Everything is half-price on Sunday (except for the books in Rare + Unusual)!
  • ANYWHERE: Shop their online bookstore.

 

child mid-jump with hoop in hand
A young hoop dancer. Via Heard Museum.

World Championship Hoop Dance Contest: You Make Me Wanna Hoop

Feb 17-18 / Heard Museum, Phoenix / All ages / Regular adult tickets are $25/day

The traditional art of hoop dancing takes a lot of skill, and it’s amazing what expert hoop dancers are able to do!

  • Entertainment: 100 contestants from across North America, two award-winning drum groups, activities for kids.
  • Food + beverage: Food trucks.

 

– Northern Arizona –

canyon in the Verde Valley
Via Verde Canyon Railroad.

Chocolate Lovers’ Special: Romance on the Rails

Feb 10-14 / Verde Canyon Railroad, Clarkdale / $145/ticket + tax

Valentine-themed excursion on a renovated vintage train! Couples can enjoy the scenery of a red rock canyon, as well as house made truffles, pralines, cupcakes, mousse cups, and other chocolate treats along the way. Passengers receive a Champagne toast upon boarding, service at their seats, and a variety of complimentary appetizers. There will also be full-service cash-bars with S’mores cocktails, strawberry Sangria, and premium liquors on the menu.

From the organizers: “…Since Arizona became the ‘Valentine State’ and the 48th star on the U.S. flag on February 14, 1912, this holiday is the perfect time to memorialize romance on the rails.”

 

famous red rocks of Sedona

Sedona International Film Festival: Sedona is for Cinephiles

Feb 24 – Mar 3 / Mary D. Fisher Theatre + Alice Gill-Sheldon Theatre, Sedona / $660/Gold Priority Pass (free entry to all screenings).

30-year-old festival of independent films from around the world, including features, shorts, documentaries, animation, foreign films, and student films. Over 140 films total!

  • Individual tickets will be available for purchase starting one week before the festival.
  • *Discounts on rental cars and lodging for Film Festival attendees.

 

– Southern Arizona –

piñata wall
Cut-paper mural by Justin Favela in the Popol Vuh exhibition at Tucson Museum of Art.

Popol Vuh and the Maya Art of Storytelling: Two Words — Piñata. Wall.

now – October 20 / Tucson Museum of Art, Tucson / Included with admission.

Exhibition that looks at the traditions of Maya storytelling and image-making from ancient times up to the present. As a starting point, it uses Mayan mythology from the Popol Vuh. Artwork by Guatemalan modern artist Carlos Mérida, which it inspired, complement the ancient work.

  • Fun fact: I thought this exhibition had ended, but when I looked at the date, I didn’t pay attention to the year. It actually runs until this October!
  • *First Thursday. On the first Thursday of the month, TMA offers extended hours (5-8pm), pay-what-you-wish admission, art and gallery activities, entertainment, and a cash bar. Reserve your free ticket online.
  • *Second SundAZe. Focused on intergenerational learning, the Second Sunday of the month features activities and art-making for kids, as well as docent talks, free performances, and pay-what-you-wish admission.

 

desert landscape at sunset
Scenery near Roche Tissue Diagnostics via Visit Tucson.

Art in Oro Valley Gallery Exhibition: OV at 50!

Jan 11 – May 3 / Ventana Gallery at Roche Tissue Diagnostics, Tucson / Free

Exhibition of work by artists who live, work, and/or were inspired by Oro Valley, in honor of the town’s 50th anniversary. It will be housed in an unconventional space – a gallery located on the campus of Roche Tissue Diagnostics!

  • 1/24, 5-7pm: Opening Night Celebration. Experience the exhibition with the artists who created each work. The event will also feature wine, light snacks, and live music. Free admission with registration.
  • H/T SAACA newsletter

 

illustration of a sandhill crane
Illustration of a sandhill crane in Willcox.

Wings Over Willcox: Cranes Convene

Jan 11-14 / Willcox Community Center, Willcox / $20 fee (+ activity fees)

Birding + nature festival that takes place annually during MLK weekend, which happens to be a great time to see sandhill cranes and other bird species in the Sulphur Springs Valley! Activities include field trips, tours, seminars, and a Nature Expo.

 

Tucson Jazz Festival: All That Jazz

Jan 12-20 / Multiple venues in Downtown Tucson / Ticket prices vary by event.

Festival created to influence the discovery and celebration of live jazz performance and music education. It features world-class musicians, as well as up-and-comers.

  • Jan 13: Jazz Jam at Hotel Congress. Festival artists are paired together in unique ensembles that perform throughout the day. Tickets $45
  • Jan 15 (MLK Day): Downtown Jazz Fiesta at Corbett’s. Annual day of free performances.
  • Jan 20, 2pm: Blue Note Records 85th Anniversary Concert at Fox Theatre. Tickets $35-104 (including fees).

 

patio
Outdoor seating area of AZ Hops + Vines in Sonoita.

The Speakeasy: Prohibition Party

Jan 13, 6pm / AZ Hops and Vines, Sonoita / $40/ticket

Twenties-themed release party to celebrate the new Tempranillo from AZ Hops + Vines! Dress like it’s Prohibition times. The Speakeasy password will be shared right before the event!

  • Entertainment: Big Band vibes and belly dancers! Live music from Bees Knees, a Pennsylvania band covering danceable hits from throughout the decades.
  • Food + beverage: Admission Includes a souvenir glass, appetizers, and your choice of a glass of wine!
  • ANYWHERE: Buy AZ Hops and Vines wines online!

 

Ben's Bells "Be Kind" mosaic
Ben’s Bells “Be Kind” mosaic outside a Tucson school.

National Day of Racial Healing: Come Together

Jan 13, 1pm / YWCA of Southern Arizona, Tucson / All ages / Free

An afternoon of discussions, cultural performances, and activities for the whole family. The event, hosted by League of Women Voters of Greater Tucson and the YWCA of Southern Arizona, is meant to bring people together and inspire action to create a more just and equitable world.

 

Lion Dancers performing on stage
Tucson Chinese Cultural Center Lion Dancers via Vail Preservation Society.

Sahuarita Art on the Lake Festival

Jan 13, 10am – 4pm / Sahuarita Lake Park, Sahuarita / Free

Second annual festival featuring immersive and experiential activities throughout the park. With REFLECTION as this year’s theme, the event will encourage attendees to explore personal and creative reflection, conscientious art-making, and multi-cultural and generational community performances. It will also feature floating art installations that will take the theme of reflection literally.

  • Entertainment: Live music, community chalk art competition, live plein air painting, mural unveiling, and kids’ crafts. There will also be an eclectic variety of performances unfolding throughout the day, including Mexican Folk Dance, immersive avant-garde, Celtic Dance, mariachi, and the Chinese Lion Dance.
  • Vendors: Up to 25 artisans exhibiting throughout the walkways of the Sahuarita Lake Park.
  • Food + beverage: BlackJack Citrus Infusions (Lemonade), Greater Faith World Church Intl. (BBQ), Moreno’s Roasted Corn, Mr. Ice Guy (Italian Ice), Springtide Catering (American Fare​).

Goodies from Festival vendors…

 

amphitheater in Reid Park, Tucson
Waiting for a concert to begin at Reid Park’s outdoor performance center.

Tucson’s Annual MLK Day Celebration: March + Learn

Jan 15, 8am – 2pm / Reid Park, Tucson / Free

Beginning with a march from U of A Tech Park (MLK Way and 36th St) to Reid Park, this day of commemorating Dr. King’s legacy will culminate in a celebration at Reid Park’s outdoor performance center. There will be live performances, food, vendors, and informational tables.

  • 8am: March begins
  • 10am – 2pm: Celebration in the park.

 

wine bottles
Wine bottles at Maynard’s Market.

Wine and Craft Show: Sipping, Shopping, Charcuterie

Jan 20, 10am – 4:30pm / Old Pueblo Cellars, Tucson / Free to shop

Craft show, wine tasting, and charcuterie boards at a winery in the desert.

  • Reservations are only required for tastings.

 

glowing dinosaur puppets
Via Lightwire Theater

Dino-Light: A Lightwire Act

Jan 26, 6:30pm / Fox Theatre, Tucson / $23-43/ticket (fees included)

Glow-in-the-dark performance that depicts an original story of a scientist who brings a friendly dinosaur to life. The dinosaur wanders away from home and finds a world full of creatures that light up the darkness.

From the organizers: “This glow-in-the-dark adventure is visually amazing and has been praised for its cutting edge blend of puppetry, technology and dance by audiences all over the world.”

 

lots of delicious-looking Chinese foods
.Via Tucson Chinese Cultural Center

Cooking Class: Chinese New Year Nian Gao and Dumplings

Jan 27, 11am – 1pm / Tucson Chinese Cultural Center, Tucson / $65/class

Hands-on cooking class to make two Lunar New Year dishes! Instruction on preparing complete Chinese meals is part of the cultural center’s AANHPI-inspired health and wellness program. This series of classes continues through May.

  • Sign up for the 1/27 class by January 17.

 

large crystal formation

Tucson Gem, Mineral + Fossil Showcase: Treasures Unearthed

Jan 27-Feb 11 / sites around Tucson

Most of these shows are free and open to the public.

 

Landscape painting of Sedona's red rocks at sunset.
Painting by Jessica Garrett-Lawrence via Tubac Center of the Arts.

Understanding Color: Know Your Hues

Feb 2-4 / Tubac School of Fine Art, Tubac / $420 fee

Workshop on the elements of color and how to mix oil paint to match what you see.

From the organizers: “Students will understand the strengths and limitations of every color on and off their palette. Students will then see how to choose their palette for each painting to support their specific color goal.”

 

Sonoita
Landscape near Sonoita, just over Mt. Wrightson from Tubac.

Tubac Festival of the Arts: Artists Take Back Tubac

Feb 7-11 / Tubac / Free to shop

Over 200 fine artists and craftsmen exhibit throughout Tubac, along roadways and plazas, and woven among the more than 125 art galleries, boutiques, specialty shops, and restaurants. There will also be live entertainment, horse-drawn trolley rides, and a large assortment of festival eateries.

 

Large mineral at the UArizona Alfie Norville Gem + Mineral Museum.
Large mineral at the UArizona Alfie Norville Gem + Mineral Museum.

Tucson Gem and Mineral Show®: The O.G. (Original Gemshow)

Feb 8-11 / Tucson Convention Center, Tucson / Single-day admission $12 (+$1 convention center fee)

The world’s oldest and largest gem and mineral show. The 2024 show theme is “Pegmatites – Crystals Big and Beautiful!” (I don’t know enough to ever really get what their themes are about. )

  • Children 14 and under are free with a paying adult.
  • There actually are dozen more shows under the umbrella of the Tucson Gem, Mineral + Fossil Showcase from January 27 to February 11!

 

Arizona History Museum in Tucson
Arizona History Museum in Tucson.

Arizona Statehood Day Museum Open House: Celebrate State 48!

Feb 10, 10am – 3pm / Arizona History Museum, Tucson / Free

To commemorate Arizona Statehood Day, the Arizona History Museum will have free admission on February 10th, so you can explore the exhibits and learn about history.

 

Tucson Rodeo Parade banner

La Fiesta de los Vaqueros: Tucson Rodeo

Feb 17-25 / Tucson Rodeo Grounds, Tucson / General admission tickets start at $18

A Tucson tradition since 1925, the Fiesta celebrates real-life ranch skills and cowpoke culture. Events include bull and bronco riding, barrel racing, roping competitions, junior rodeo events, and a big parade.

  • Parking at the Tucson Rodeo Grounds is $10 per vehicle.
  • 2/22: Rodeo Parade. Grandstand tickets are $12 (+ $2 fee). Or watch from the curbside for free (no tickets required).

 

Large gallery with artwork on the walls.
Gallery inside Yuma Arts Center.

Yuma Art Symposium: Year 45, a Reunion

Feb 22-24 / Yuma / Registration fee $220

Series of presentations by both internationally recognized and emerging artists across a variety of disciplines.

 

black and white quilt.
Carrol’s Garden quilt at Quilter’s Oasis in Mesa.

Quilt Fiesta: Quilters Get Crazy!

Feb 23-25 / Pima County Fairgrounds, Tucson / $10 admission

Expo featuring hundreds of quilts in Old Pueblo Hall, along with product demos, vendors, raffles, and special exhibits.

  • Small quilt sale to benefit Old Pueblo Community Services and Aviva Children’s Services
  • Quilts of Valor sit + sew booth
  • Food + coffee vendors
  • Parking $7 (+ free shuttle)
  • *$2 off admission 2-5pm on Saturday or anytime Sunday, if you show their online coupon at the door.
  • *$20 for a 3-day Pass (save $10!)
  • *ANYWHERE: Paper Piecing 101 Guide (free)
  • *ANYWHERE: Dozens of free downloadable patterns (past patterns-of-the-month)

 

Tucson Together mural by Jessica Gonzales.
Mural by Jessica Gonzales.

Tucson Together Market: Part Tu

Feb 24, 11am – 4pm / Depot Plaza (also known as the MLK lot), Tucson / Free to shop

The second artisan market hosted by #ThisIsTucson. These events are all about connecting artists with their community and showing the local love!

 

– Anywhere –

3 women working on embroidery
Embroidering watch bands at CraftHack.

Stitch-In-Public Day: Embroider Out Loud!

Feb 3 / wherever you are / Free

A day when the EGA (Embroiderers’ Guild of America) encourages anyone who sews to practice their craft out in the open and share their passion for needle arts with others!

 

the character Carmen in the driver's seat of a truck
Mezzo-soprano Aigul Akhmetshina as the title character in a new production of Carmen set in the present day. By The Metropolitan Opera.

Met Live Opera: Carmen

Jan 27 / livestream in movie theaters / varies (around $25/ticket)

Gritty, present-day reimagining of the classic opera Carmen. The new production shines a light on the labor struggles, gendered violence, and other power imbalances we are still facing today.

The January 27th performance will stream live to participating movie theaters. If it won’t be showing at a theater near you, you may be able to get a ticket to watch from home.

People’s Peculiar Park Opinions

Tree-lined pathway through a park.

“I can’t believe this is actually a place to review, but, alas, here it is!”

—J.B.

There are reviews online for just about any space you can be in. Not only for the ones you’d expect, like restaurants or hotels, but also for places like parking garages — and parks. Sometimes they’re helpful, sometimes the reviewer just needs to vent, and sometimes they get a bit absurd.

The weird ones are the best.

large inflatable snowman that looks like it's smiling and waving

Case in point: Amberwood Park in Chandler.

I don’t remember how I stumbled on its Google listing, but I was surprised that over 140 people felt strongly enough to weigh in on this little park – if you can even call it that.

Sign for Amberwood Park

A Park by Any Other Name

“Calling Amberwood Park a ‘park’ may be something of a misnomer. Amberwoood Park is more of a good sized green belt with a small playground for kids on the north side of the park.”

—4-star review by M.R.

That sounds exactly like a park to me.

And deep down, even M.R. (I’ll just refer to reviewers by their initials) knows it too.

park

Philosophical questions about the nature of parkdom aside, I needed to see for myself what all the fuss was about. So last time Phillip, Quijote, and I were leaving the Phoenix area to head back to Tucson, we made a strategic stop in Chandler.

dog running through the park

A Walk in Amberwood Park

“Just a park for the kids and the dogs and the drones, etc.”

–4-star review by T.L.Q.

I can now confirm firsthand that Amberwood is indeed a park.

In addition to the playground, it has lots of open space to run around, park benches, a basketball hoop, a meandering path, and a sand volleyball court. In case you still had doubts, the Chandler Parks Department signs are a dead giveaway.

A sign that says "welcome to Chandler parks," followed by park rules and regulations.

We did see kids and dogs there, but no drones. (Maybe they have a separate off-leash drone park somewhere else-?)

Of course, like any place, Amberwood Park has its detractors.

park

Gone to the Dogs

“Dirty place. Wouldn’t take a classy lady there.”

—1-star review by J.R.

Everyone knows that if you want to impress a classy lady, you take her to a city park. A clean one.

“The play area is covered in wood chips, which is better than sand, but makes me feel like a gerbil.”

—3-star review by J.W.

Which sounds less like it’s about Amberwood Park and more like it’s about J.W.

sand volleyball court

Then there’s this complaint…

“Skateboarders have taken over the children’s playground. You’ll occasionally get the smell of weed wafting in your direction.”

—1-star review by A.C.

Which was followed immediately by this much more chill description of the park…

“Huge and pretty level with decent grass.”

—5-star review from K.M.

Interpret that how you will.

picnic table and playground in a park

For the record, the evening we were there, the playground was populated by small children and a large dog. No stoned skaters. Nor wafting weed smells. It seemed more likely that St. Bernards would take over than skater kids.

neighborhood next to a park

The Neighbors Are Nice

“Every holiday season my family and I come down this road at least once. It’s short but sweet and the neighbors are nice.”

—5-star review by J.B. (continued from the first quote)

When I read this one, I was trying to figure out how big of a park this is to have a road running through it. Then I realized they weren’t talking about the park.

street with lots of holiday lights

Amberwood is just one street over from Upland Drive, one of those neighborhoods where all the houses have over-the-top holiday decorations. It actually has its own spot on the map, listed as Upland Families Christmas Lights. But some of its reviews were left on the park’s listing instead.

yard filled with lights and decorations

“Loved how everyone shared their Christmas joy and allowed us to visit and see the beautiful Christmas lights and how creative everyone is! It was a pretty amazing experience. Thank you to everyone who decided and took the amazing time to decorate their beautiful home.”

–O.F.

According to O.F., this was an “amazing experience,” but not a 5-star one.

decorated house

She continues…

“We give four stars only because we wish more of the neighbors had lights around their house. And for everyone to leave the Christmas lights on until 10.”

—4-star review by O.F.

That is some very specific feedback.

yard with many light-covered decorations

I’m unclear why reviewers feel the need to critique a  neighborhood’s holiday spirit. But I guess every Whoville has at least one Grinch. And anyplace people go, online reviews will follow.

All I can do is say that I hope you’re having a happy holiday season, and may all your neighbors leave their Christmas lights on until 10!

walking a dog at the edge of a park



These are real reviews I edited for clarity.