Agave has been cultivated in the Tucson area for hundreds of years.
While tequila might be the most widely known product made from agave (a.k.a. the century plant or maguey), it’s certainly not the only one! Different species of the plant are distilled into different spirits, collectively called mezcal.
Native peoples would also use agave to make food, medicine, and even rope. They developed farming techniques to maximize the plant’s adaptability and drought-resistant qualities, so they could grow it where other crops wouldn’t thrive.
Mural of Mayahuel, the agave goddess, by Rock ‘‘CYFI’’ Martinez.
Here’s my handpicked list of events coming up this summer in Arizona and around the world!
Happenings List
Around the World…
Beyond the Public Theater
You can see plays from The Public Theater in New York, even if you’re not in New York! The Public Theater’s digital programming – performances, playlists, series, music videos, etc. – is on their Public Play Now platform.
For even more ways to watch, check On Broadway and Beyond to see which productions are being broadcast, streaming, and/or coming to a stage near you. Audiences can catch Hamilton, for example, on its North American tour, and later on in England, Germany, or Australia. (If you’re not ready/able to go to a live show, it’s also on Disney+.)
European and American concert tour by a newly-formed ensemble of top Ukrainian musicians, in support of Ukraine and its artists.
As the conductor, Canadian-Ukrainian maestro Keri-Lynn Wilson, put it, “This tour is an expression of love for their homeland and to honor those who have died and have suffered so much.”
July 28: Opening concert at Teatr Wielki–Polish National Opera, Warsaw.
July 31: Proms Festival, London performance will be televised on BBC Four (U.K.) + the audio will be streamed live on BBC Sounds (international).
August 18-20: U.S. concerts in New York and D.C. will wrap up the tour.
Sale of artwork to raise funds for humanitarian aid at the Arizona-Sonora Border. THIRST 2022 will support Tucson based nonprofits No Más Muertes/No More Deaths and The Florence Immigrant + Refugee Rights Project. It also benefits the contributing artists, who each determine what percentage of their sales they’ll keep versus donate.
July 2-9 / online
Screenshot from Virtual Tour of the Pottery Project Exhibit at Arizona State Museum.
Exhibition of quilts throughout the botanical gardens and sale benefiting organizations working to eradicate breast and gynecologic cancers, as well as a portion that goes to TBG.
Now – August 21 / Tucson at Tucson Botanical Gardens (TBG) / Included with admission.
Weekly market providing fresh, seasonal produce that’s grown within a 50-mile radius of Camp Verde. There are also breads, meat, flowers, crafts and live music.
June 25: Kids Day! Oak Creek School students will be selling produce and flower bouquets from the school gardens to raise money toward the school’s Agriculture/STEM program.
BYO bags or purchase reusable ones to support the market’s efforts to go plastic free!
Now – October 1, Saturdays 8am-11am / Camp Verde (Northern Arizona) at Main and Hollamon / Free.
Local artisan market on Mt. Lemmon held Saturdays and Sundays throughout the summer, starting Memorial Day weekend. Part of the proceeds benefit Southern Arizona Animal Food Bank (SAAFB).
Now – October / Summerhaven (Tucson area) next to the General Store
Dogs are allowed in TBG 7 days a week all summer long! Canine companions will find shaded pathways for walks, interesting things to sniff, and snacks at the café.
June 1 – September 30 / Tucson at Tucson Botanical Gardens / Dog admission $3 + human admission ($15)
Release show for Sharkk Heartt’s new single “How to Love” at Groundworks, a nonprofit organization promoting the youth-driven music and arts community in Tucson. Musicians Imogen Rose, Freddy Jay Walker, and Pineross will also be performing.
Proof of COVID-19 vaccine or negative test within 48 hours required.
Masks required indoors.
June 4, 7pm / Tucson at Groundworks (2919 E. Grant Rd.) / Tickets $10. / All ages show.
Hands-on collaborative workshop series that will teach mesquite management and artisan skills that can enhance Southern Arizona habitats. Workshops will be conducted outdoors and will provide practical knowledge on fine woodworking, mesquite as a local food source, and how to manage mesquite on your property.
Register in advance by emailing the Borderlands Restoration Network contact person for your class (listed on the events page).
Classes are limited to 20 participants.
June 10, 11, 24, 25: Single-day summer classes in Patagonia and Nogales, Arizona.
October 14 – 16: Beekeeping and Honey Production, Patagonia.
October 22: Mesquite Pod Milling + Food Safe Processing of Mesquite Flour, Patagonia.
Patagonia + Nogales (Southeastern Arizona) / June 11 – October 22 / Free. / Ages 18+
Eight-day festival of lavender grown in northeastern Arizona’s White Mountains. See the fields in bloom, learn about growing and cooking with lavender, and visit the lavender shop.
Red Rock Ranch is also a vineyard, winery, and producer. The wine tasting room will be open during the festival.
VIP Festival Package ($20) includes a wine tasting, cheese plate, and 10% off wine purchases.
Regular hours for the farm: Saturdays, 1-6pm from July 2 through November.
June 16-19 + 23-26, 9am-3pm / Concho (Northern Arizona) at Red Rock Ranch and Farms / Free.
Family-friendly event featuring live entertainment from local musical performers, educational workshops, a youth essay contest, children’s activities, vendors, and games. Authentic soul food and beverages available to purchase.
Free parking at Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church (15th Street + Jefferson)
Light rail stop: 12th St./Washington or 12th St./Jefferson
Around the first week of July, Indie Week encourages Arizonans to “go local” by supporting as many locally owned businesses as possible. This year, complete 5 Calls-to-Action on your Indie Week bingo card for a chance to win gift cards, tickets to sporting events, and other prizes!
Fine arts and crafts festival that takes place over the Fourth of July and Labor Day weekends in a grassy park in Downtown Flagstaff. A juried selection of 70 artists from across the Southwest will show their handmade work while live music plays throughout the event. There will also be various types of food available and the Shady Beer Garden, featuring beer local and regional breweries.
July 2-4 + September 3-5 / Flagstaff at Wheeler Park / Free.
Shop the nursery’s full selection of native plants and seeds with music and retail booths from local farmers and artisans including Patagonia Flower Farm, Patagonia Plants, and Shooting Star Pottery.
July 16-17 / Patagonia (Southeastern Arizona) at Borderlands Nursery + Seed
4-day festival for recreational birders, featuring a Nature Expo / vendor fair, field trips, workshops, photography events, social hours, and evening programs. It’s organized by Tucson Audubon Society, a nonprofit for engaging people in the conservation of birds and their habitats.
Nature Expo is free to attend.
Registration fee required for festival participants who are attending fee-based activities, like field trips, workshops, and evening programs.
Scholarships available.
August 10-14 / Tucson at DoubleTree Hotel – Reid Park / $30 registration + activity fees
