 Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum The 75th Annual Hopi Festival of Culture and Arts happens this weekend at the Museum of Northern Arizona. MNA’s Hopi festival was started by Museum founders Harold and Mary-Russell Ferrell Colton in an effort to encourage the survival of Hopi arts and crafts. The festival is now a tradition of Hopi families. Many of today’s artisans remember when they were children and assisted their parents at the Hopi festival. Now Hopis of all ages gather at this unique venue, not only to sell their wares, but also to have the chance to get to know the public better. More than 55 booths brim with fine arts and crafts. Visitors gain insight from carvers, painters, jewelers, potters, quilters, and basket and textile weavers against a backdrop of cultural presentations, storytelling, music, and dancing. Take a taste of Hopi bread or piki baked in outside ovens. Watch Hopi pottery being shaped, painted and traditionally fired. Walk the Museum’s Rio de Flag Nature Trail with a Hopi medicine woman. And take part in insightful discussions about the Hopi values of humility, cooperation, respect, balance, and earth stewardship. Saturday night is opening night for the annual Town and Gown Theatre production. The NAU Department of Theatre and Theatrikos Theatre Company are teaming up this summer to produce Stephen Sondheim’s A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum. Directed by NAU Professor Robert Yowell, the musical tells the bawdy story of a slave named Pseudolus and his attempts to win his freedom by helping his young master woo the girl next door. The plot displays many classic elements of farce, including puns, a two-tiered set with many doors, cases of mistaken identity (frequently involving characters disguising themselves as one another), and satirical comments on social class. Tickets available at the NAU Central Ticket Office or by calling 928-523-5661. Performances July 5, 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19 at 8 p.m., July 6, 13 at 2 p.m. Several events are available to fill your daytime hours on Saturday. At the Pioneer Museum, from 10AM - 4PM there will be “living history” demonstrations including camps (a Civil War camp and a fur trade mountain man camp), of cannon firing and mountain man skills. Also, see traditional crafts demonstrations including woodworking, candle dipping, spinning, weaving, camp cooking, and many others. Admission is free. 928-774-6272. For a map of the location and history of the Pioneer Museum, click here.
The fine arts and crafts show continues at Wheeler Park on Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday afternoon from 2:30-3:30pm you can enjoy Northern Arizona's premier Turkish/Egyptian dance company. Swirling dancers respond to African and Egyptian drums amidst the fine arts fair. In addition to the Town and Gown musical, there will be two music performance on Saturday night. The Arboretum’s Summer Concert Series presents one of Flagstaff’s favorites The Spokes. The Spokes is a high-powered band of veterans who combine amazing harmonies with great musicianship. The group features former members of Limbs Akimbo, The Wazoo Peach Pitters and Flying South—it’s a must see! $10 for members, $12 for non-members 5:30-7pm Pine Mountain Amphitheater at Ft. Tutill presents a music festival featuring Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers, Meat Puppets, Telescope, and What Laura Thinks Says and Feels. Sorry, I’ve never heard of any of these bands, but the promo material claims they are four of Arizona's best acts. $22-$25 $10 off for kids 12 and under! 6:00 pm Sunday morning, don’t forget the Flagstaff Community Market at 119 W. Phoenix (south of the railroad tracks downtown). The market opens at 8 a.m. In its 8th season, the Flagstaff Community Market brings you the best in fresh fruits and vegetables, fresh flowers, salsas, jams, tamales, breads, and more! This is a local and regional farmers market. Yummy! Lowell Observatory celebrates the Independence Day weekend with a special Sunday night Star Fest. This event features indoor programs and numerous telescopes set up for viewing throughout the Lowell campus. 5:30 PM- 10:00 PM $6 adult; $3 ages 5-17; $5 student/senior/AAA |
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