Continuing a long tradition of fabulous food, music, dance and entertainment for the young and old, the Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village (the art and soul of Sedona) announces its 37 th annual “Fiesta del Tlaquepaque”. This Fiesta is a grand celebration of Mexican Independence Day, and will take place on Saturday, September 11, 2010 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Abe Miller, the visionary builder of Tlaquepaque, started this tradition more than 30 years ago and Fiesta attracts people from all over the state and country. This year’s Fiesta promises to be extraordinary!

The flower-strewn streets of  Tlaquepaque will ring with the music of strolling mariachi and fiery flamenco dancers. The charming plazas, patios, and streets of Tlaquepaque will be dressed in a festive wash of color, music, and dancing in the spirit of old Mexico. The lively mariachis, the heart-pounding rhythms and beats of Flamenco dancers, and the mouth-watering tastes of Mexico will fill your day.

Arts and crafts exhibits will offer you a glimpse into the traditional and present artistry of Mexico. “The artists at the Fiesta are a great expression of the diversity, artistry and spirit of the community,” said Wendy Lippman, Tlaquepaque General Manager and Resident Partner.

Admission is free and everyone is welcome to come and enjoy all the festivities at this wonderful celebration! Free Road Runner shuttle service will run from 10 am to 5 pm between Tlaquepaque and the Uptown municipal parking lot located on Apple between Jordan and Highway 89A. For more information about this events and the wonderful galleries located in the village visit Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village.

While you’re visiting Sedona, Arizona on September 7th, make sure not to miss out on the opportunity to see a very special screening of ‘Showboat”. The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to welcome legendary actress and dancer Marge Champion to town September 7th for two very special screenings of “Showboat” at Harkins Sedona Six Theatres at 3:30 & 7:00 pm.

Produced by Arthur Freed and directed by George Sidney, this 1951 version of the saga of riverboat lives and loves has glorious stars (Kathryn Grayson, Ava Gardner, Howard Keel, Marge and Gower Champion) in Technicolor radiance. Riverboat entertainers find love, laughs and hardships as they sail along on the Cotton Blossom riverboat in “Showboat”, which was nominated for two Academy Awards including Best Musical Score and Best Cinematography.

Ms. Champion stars as Ellie May Shipley in the classic, lavish musical. From novel to Broadway smash to three film versions to stage revivals, like “Old Man River”, “Showboat” just keeps rolling along. Turner Classic Movies host Robert Osborne will be hosting the films and conducting live Q&A discussions with Ms. Champion following both screenings. Ms. Champion, who turns 91 just days before her Sedona appearance, is still dancing daily and is featured in the short film “Keep Dancing” which will play before both screenings of “Showboat”. For more information please visit the Sedona International Film Festival.

Poco Diablo’s
Labor Day Weekend “All American Barbecue & Night Golf”

• Barbecue – $12.95 for adults & $6.95 for kids ages 5–12
• Barbecued Chicken, Hamburgers, Brats and Hot Dogs
• Mixed Green Salad, Coleslaw, Potato Salad & Poco Baked Beans
• House-made Cookies & Chilled Watermelon Slices as a sweet finish
• Iced Tea & Lemonade included
• “Night Golf” – $15 for adults and $9 for kids
• The Pro Shop will be happy to assist you with tee times

• First Friday Gallery Walk in Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village
• Red Rocks Music Festival
• Moonlight Madness Street Festival
• “Fiesta del Tlaquepaque – Celebration of Mexican Independence Day
• Celebration of Your Spirit
• Verde Canyon Railroad – Grape/Tequila/ Starlight Tours
• The 5th annual Tlaquepaque State of the Art Event
• Sedona Winefest

Featured Sedona September Events

9/3 - First Friday Gallery Walk in Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village
The First Friday Gallery Walk in September is an exciting time at the Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village! Sedona’s finest galleries, including El Prado Gallery, Eclectic Image Gallery, Renee Taylor Gallery, Andrea Smith Gallery, Mountain Trails Gallery, Rowe Gallery and Kuiivato Glass Gallery will  be hosting visiting artists or special events. Enjoy music in the courtyards, explore the art and enjoy a taste of Arizona wine at the Wild West Wine Store. Visit the galleries in the Village, stroll the courtyards and you will see for yourself why the Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts village is considered the Art & Soul of Sedona.

• • • • •

9/3 – 9/5 – Red Rocks Music Festival
The 2010 Red Rocks Music Festival will present three concerts in Sedona starting on September 3rd and running through September 5th. All of the concerts will be taking place at the Sedona Creative Life Center located at 333 Schnebly Hill Road. The three concerts in Sedona are:

• 9/3 – J.S. Bach, A. Vilvaldi & H. Villa Lobos
  A performance with Nokuthula Ngwenyama, violinist & violist and Michael Long guitarist.
• 9/4 – A. Vilvaldi – Four Seasons
  A string ensemble with soloist David Ehrlich and violinist Borivoj Martinic – Jercic.
• 9/5 – Classical meets Latin Jazz
  Works by J. Turina, Haydn, Schulhoff, and Latin Jazz arrangements by Russel Schmidt.

• • • • •

9/4 – 9/6 – Moonlight Madness Street Festival
Enjoy your Labor Day Weekend in Sedona and attend the Moonlight Madness Street Festival. Bring your family and enjoy the sidewalk sales, childrens activities, entertainment and so much more. The Festival is hosted by the merchants along State Routes 89A & 179 and side streets in the Uptown Sedona area.

• • • • •

9/11 – 37th Annual “Fiesta del Tlaquepaque – Celebration of Mexican Independence Day
Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village in Sedona is proud to present their 37th annual “Fiesta del Tlaquepaque”. The charming plazas, patios, and streets of Tlaquepaque will be dressed in a festive wash of color, music, and dancing in the spirit of old Mexico. The lively mariachis, the heart-pounding rhythms and beats of Flamenco dancers, and the mouth-watering tastes of Mexico will fill the day. Kids will be treated to face painting, balloon art, Yo-Yo demonstrations and the mesmerizing talents of  Magical Michael Steele. Arts and crafts exhibits will abound offering a glimpse into the traditional and present artistry of Mexico. The free Road Runner shuttle service will run from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm between Tlaquepaque and the Uptown municipal parking lot located on Apple between Jordan and Highway 89A.

• • • • •

9/18 – Celebration of Your Spirit
Join the Sedona Metaphysical & Spiritual Association for a “Celebration of Your Spirit” at  Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village. This is a first time event for Sedona and Tlaquepaque, showcasing the best source for personal enrichment and spiritual awakening that Sedona has to offer. Be a part of this unique opportunity to interact with over 50 professional practitioners, exhibitors, and musical performers by Sedona’s very own Metaphysical and Spiritual Association.

• • • • •

9/18 – Verde Canyon Railroad – Grape/Tequila/ Starlight Tours
The Verde Canyon Railroad located in Clarkdale (a short distance from Sedona) is proud to present their popular Starlight Tours, Tequila Sunset Limited and the Grape Train Escape (wine-tasting trains) on Saturday evening September 18. Each one enhances the lure of this unique route under illuminated evening skies. These trains depart during the light of day, reach Perkinsville as the sun bids farewell with a vibrant Arizona sunset and returns when the nocturnal beauty of the Canyon awakens.

• • • • •

9/24 & 9/25 – 5th annual Tlaquepaque State of the Art Event
Join Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village for art and all that jazz at the 5th annual Tlaquepaque State of the Art Event. Free entertainment, jazz ensembles and artist demonstrations will fill the Village with magic. Artist demonstrations and receptions through out the weekend including both Friday and Saturday evenings 5:00 – 8:00 pm.

• • • • •

9/25 & 9/26 – Sedona Winefest
The two-day wine festival celebrates the wine growing industry of Arizona, particularly the wineries in the Verde Valley. The wine festival is being presented by the Sedona Fair and is sponsored by the Sedona Airport. This Sedona event will take place on the Sedona Airport mesa. There will be plenty of things to do, taste and experience at this festival including wine tastings, car show, art demonstrations, live music and much more.

• • • • •

Other Sedona Events in September

• 9/3 – 1st Friday Evening in the Galleries
• 9/4 – Jerome Art Walk
• 9/17 – 9/19 – Village of Oak Creek Factory Outlets Arts and Crafts Show
• 9/25 & 9/26 -  Verde River Days

To see even more events for Sedona in September visit our Sedona Events page and to cash in on some great deals in Sedona visit our Sedona Deals page.

Looking for some fun Sedona Tours?

• A Day in the West
  “Get Ready for the Ride of Your Life”
• Sedona Trolley
  “The Best First Thing To Do in Sedona, Arizona”
• Arizona Outdoor Adventures
  “Drive our ATVs Through the West Sedona Valley”

“Joan Rivers” is the third award-winning and critically-acclaimed film by Ricki Stern and Annie Sundberg, who are favorites of the Sedona Film Festival audiences.

There will be two screenings of the film at 4:00 and 7:00 p.m. at Harkins Sedona Six Theatres. The producer of the film, Seth Keal, will be in Sedona to present “Joan Rivers” and will host Q&A discussions following both screenings. He spent 14 months almost exclusively with Ms. Rivers as the film was being shot.

• 9/3 – J.S. Bach, A. Vilvaldi & H. Villa Lobos
  A performance with Nokuthula Ngwenyama, violinist & violist and Michael Long guitarist.
• 9/4 – A. Vilvaldi – Four Seasons
  A string ensemble with soloist David Ehrlich and violinist Borivoj Martinic – Jercic.
• 9/5 - Classical meets Latin Jazz
  Works by J. Turina, Haydn, Schulhoff, and Latin Jazz arrangements by Russel Schmidt.

Purchase  your tickets now and plan on staying in Sedona for the Festival. For more information on the artist performing, scheduling of events or to take advantage of special ticket pricing visit Red Rock Music Festival.

Great places to stay in Sedona

• Poco Diablo Resort
  “On eight acres of lush landscaping in Sedona’s Red Rocks”
• Casa Sedona Bed & Breakfast Inn
  “An Invitation to Indulge”
• Best Western Inn of Sedona
  “Unbeatable Views of Sedona’s Red Rocks”
• Wildflower Inn
  “Offering you the comfort and convenience you deserve”
• Kokopelli Suites
  “Voted 2010 Best of Sedona Hotel”!
• Best Western Arroyo Roble Hotel & Creekside Villas
  Awarded “Best of the Best in Customer Care”

“Climate Refugees” was the centerpiece film at the United Nations’ Climate Summit in Copenhagen last December and has premiered in dozens of film festivals around the world to rave critical response and overwhelming audience reaction. Actor and Sundance founder, Robert Redford called the film an agent for social change after its premiere at his festival.

There will be two screenings of the film at 4:00 and 7:00 p.m. at Harkins Sedona Six Theatres in Sedona. The film’s writer/director Michael Nash and producer Justin Hogan will be in Sedona to present the film and host Q&A discussions following both screenings. For more information visit Sedona International Film Festival.

Looking for Sedona Lodging?

• Best Western Arroyo Roble Hotel & Creekside Villas
  Awarded “Best of the Best in Customer Care”
• Casa Sedona
  “An Invitation to Indulge”
• Poco Diablo Resort
  “Making your Sedona Vacation as satisfying as possible”
• Kokopelli Suites
  “Voted 2010 Best of Sedona Hotel”
• Best Western Inn of Sedona
  “Unbeatable Views of Sedona’s Red Rocks”
• Wildflower Inn
  “Offering you the comfort and convenience you deserve”

Poco Diablo’s Red Rock Barbecue & “Night Golf”

• Barbecue – $12.95 for adults & $6.95 for kids ages 5 – 12
• Barbecued Chicken, Hamburgers, Brats and Hot Dogs right off the grill
• Mixed Green Salad, Coleslaw, Potato Salad & Poco Baked Beans
• $2.00 -Draft Beer Special – Killian’s Irish Red
• House-made Cookies & Chilled Watermelon Slices as a sweet finish
• Iced Tea & Lemonade included
• “Night Golf” – $15 for adults and $9 for kids
• The Pro Shop will be happy to assist you with tee times

I am so excited to tell you about a really phenomenal event called the Heart Shrine Relic Tour that will be in Sedona, Arizona from August 20-22 at the 7 Centers Yoga Arts on 2115 Mountain Road in West Sedona. This extraordinary collection of Buddhist relics is one of the most powerful things I have experienced in my life. Most of the relics, those found among the cremation ashes of Buddhist masters, resemble beautiful pearl-like crystals. Buddhists believe these relics are produced as a result of the master’s spiritual qualities of compassion and wisdom. In the presence of the relics I felt as if the Buddhist masters were all standing there bestowing their blessings on me. The peace and tranquility of mind that I experienced was truly amazing.

Many people travel to various parts of the world to take part in religious pilgrimages of one type or another. You only have to travel to Sedona, Arizona from August 20-22, to see and experience these rare Buddhist relics that  will arrive on a pilgrimage of their own. The relics have been traveling around the world bringing peace and tranquility to those who visit them. Thousands and thousands of people have been transformed by the power of these rare relics. When in the presence of the relics people often report experiences of inspiration and healing.  Others are inspired to pray for world peace. While others are overcome with emotion as the powerful effects of the relics opens their hearts to compassion and loving-kindness.

The purpose of the Relic Tour is to inspire people of all spiritual traditions and paths to come together to experience the blessings of the relics. Blessing ceremonies with the relics will be held throughout this event and it is all free of charge. Persons of all spiritual traditions are welcome. I have been truly blessed to have seen the relics before and can’t wait to see them again. I hope you will travel to Sedona, Arizona to experience and receive the blessings these relics have to offer. To learn more, visit Heart Shrine Relic Tour.

Article by Lynn Robie

On August 29th treat yourself and your partner to a night of fun, food, wine and films at the Sedona event ”Flicks at the Farm“. This benefit for the Sedona  International Film Festival will be hosted by Linda Goldenstein and Bill Lacey at their beautiful creek side ramada at 800 North Page Springs Road in Cornville. Enjoy a wine tasting featuring Verde Valley wines from a variety of local vineyards, a four course dinner by Chef Ron of Reds Restaurant, with a “Fresh at the Farm ” slow food menu and local seasonal offerings.

You will also enjoy “Cinema Under the Stars” featuring three short films submitted for this years film festival. After the screenings you get to become judge and jury as you cast your votes for which of the three films will be included in the 2011 Sedona Film Festival. You will also have  a chance to win dining prizes, gift certificates, fine food, wine and more. There are a limited number of tickets available, purchase your tickets now while they last! For more information on this event or to purchase tickets visit “Flick on the Farm.”

Looking for lodging in Sedona?

• Casa Sedona
  “An Invitation to Indulge”
• Best Western Arroyo Roble Hotel & Creekside Villas
  Awarded “Best of the Best in Customer Care”
• Poco Diablo Resort
  “Making your Sedona Vacation as satisfying as possible”
• Kokopelli Suites
  “Voted 2010 Best of Sedona Hotel”
• Best Western Inn of Sedona
  “Unbeatable Views of Sedona’s Red Rocks”

The fun festivities will begin on Friday with a “Drive & Ride the Road”. The procession will depart from the Sedona Airport at 5:00 pm. You are invited to drive and ride the road in your antique car, convertible, motorcycle or family car. The motorcade will end on the beautiful “All American Road” in the Village of Oak Creek where you will be invited to enjoy live music provided by the Sedona Performer’s Guild at Tequa Plaza starting at 7:00 pm. At 8:00 pm, the Sedona International Film Festival will feature an outdoor movie shown on the Jumbo Tron at the plaza. You can wrap up the night with food and entertainment at one of the many great restaurants offering celebration specials including the Hilton Sedona Resort & Spa’s Reverse Happy Hour & the Poco Diablo Resort barbecue.

Then on Saturday there will be more  fun filled activities in Sedona including:

• 8:00 am – Verde Valley Cyclists Coalition – “Celebrate the Red Rock Road” bike ride.
• 10:00 am – 11:00 am – Community Recognition and presentations at Airport Scenic Overlook.
• 11:00 am – 3:00 pm – Cat Black Band at Hillside Sedona Shopping Center.
• 2:00 pm – Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village: Heavenly J’s perform at Tlaquepaque.
• 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm – Hozho Shopping Center: Live Entertainment.
• 7:00 pm – Hillside Sedona: Live Entertainment provided by Sedona Performers Guild.
• 8:00 pm – Hillside Sedona: Outdoor movie presented by Sedona Film Festival.

For more information visit Celebrate the Red Rock Road.