event calendar - october 2008

METRO PHOENIX / SCOTTSDALE

RAWHIDE WESTERN TOWN
at Wild Horse Pass 480-502-5600

DOOMTOWN once again descends upon the desert frontier town of Rawhide. We will be featuring a double haunt this year. Witness the madness as “Digger Payne takes over the Haunted Asylum and the Creepy Crypt”. Oct 3-5,10-12,17-19,22-26, 29-Nov 2, 7pm – 10pm, $16.00/person for both Haunts, $12.00/person for a single Haunt, $23/person for Combo Ticket: Both Haunts & Rawhide Town Pass, $12/person for Group tickets to both Haunts only - (NOT including Rawhide Town Pass). A group is defined as up to 10 guests.

FRIDAY NIGHT BULL RIDING is back at Rawhide all month! Oct 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 - Shows will be at 7:30pm and 9:00pm. Tickets prices are $7.00 for adults and $3.00 for kids ages 3 to 12. Anyone interested in competing in Bull Riding can sign up through R.C. Mercer Livestock and Rodeo at 602-237-3000. Prices are: $75 for open bull riding, $65 for novice riders and $1 for sheep riding.

All Month Pumpkin Days & Fall Maze (GLENDALE) AZ Field of Screams, haunted corn maze, 7-11 pm, weekends, $10; train ride $2; corn maze & pumpkin patch; petting zoo, children’s activities, M 9 – 5 pm, Tue-Thu 9 – 9 pm, Fr-Sat 9 am – 11 pm, Su 9 am – 7 pm, $6 admission. Tolmachoff Farms, $2 - $10, 623-386-1301.

Oct 3 Artlink First Fridays (PHOENIX) Self-guided art tour of central Phoenix, galleries, art spaces, studios, first Friday of each month, free shuttle rides, 6-10 pm, free, 602-256-7539.

Oct 3 – 7 6th Annual Scottsdale International Film Festival (SCOTTSDALE) Combination of outstanding international and domestic cinema with celebrity-attended parties. Harkins Camelview 5 Luxury Cinema and Harkins Fashion Square, noon – midnight, $10-160, 602-410-1074.

Oct 4 8th Annual 2008 Arizona Irish Festival (PHOENIX) music, storytelling and genuine blarney, dancing, trendy Celtic fashion, fine art, CDs. Irish Cultural Center, 10 am – 5 pm, 602-308-4601.

Oct 5 3rd Annual Dine Out with Chefs: (SCOTTSDALE) Celebrates the Valley’s exciting dining scene, showcasing 14 of the Valley’s top chefs and sample their culinary creations. Scottsdale for the Performing Arts, 4 - 6:30 pm, 480-994-2787.

Oct 10 – Nov 2 (Closed Mondays) Arizona State Fair (PHOENIX) The state's largest family event featuring food, rides, games, entertainment, animals, headline concerts, exhibits, rodeo, motorized events, and more! See azstatefair.com for discounts, promotions and advance ticket information, 602-252-6771. See Page 88 for more details!

Oct 10 – 12 48th Annual Greater Phoenix Greek Festival (PHOENIX) Ethnic cuisine, cooking demos, cathedral tours, folk dancers, authentic regional costumes, artifacts, entertainment. James A. Speros Community Center, Fri 5-11 pm, Sat 11 am - 11 pm, Sun 11 am - 8 pm, $2, 602-264-7863.

Oct 11 3rd Annual Old World Oktoberfest (PHOENIX) A Bavarian Festival with a beer garten, beer maidens, bands, sing-alongs of old time drinking songs, sausages and strudel, Bavarian dancing, polka competition. Margaret T. Hance Park, 10 am – 10 pm, $5, free for children under 12, 480-609-3978.

Oct 11 – 12 Railfair 2008 (SCOTTSDALE) featuring model train displays and exhibits, moonwalks and other entertainment. The park’s railroad exhibit featuring the Roald Amundsen Pullman car, a former presidential car, will be offering free tours. Admission to Railfair is FREE. Train rides are available for $2 each and carousel $1 each with children under three riding free with a paying adult. McCormick Stillman Railroad Park, 10-5pm, 480-312-2312.

Oct 12 10th Annual Tempe Tardeada (TEMPE) Celebrate Tempe’s Hispanic roots and culture, music, dance, art and exhibits. Tempe Community Complex, noon – 8 pm, free, 480-350-8979.

Oct 16 19th Annual Western ArtWalk (SCOTTSDALE) Top western artists featured at dozens of famous galleries, free opening receptions, demonstrations, live western-themed music, sponsored by Scottsdale Gallery Association. Scottsdale Arts District, 7-9 pm, free, 480-990-3939.

Oct 18 Via Colori ArtWalk (SCOTTSDALE) celebrating the adjacent Via Colori Street Painting Festival, raising money for charity! Hosted by the SGA in conjunction with the first-ever Scottsdale Via Colori event (18-19) and the City of Scottsdale. Scottsdale Arts District, noon - 4pm, free, 480-990-3939.

Oct 23 – 25 EATS3 – Arizona’s Celebration of Food, Wine & Spirits (SCOTTSDALE) A 'uniquely Arizona' culinary experience with some of the most well-known chefs in America including Jacques Pépin! Events will include chef exhibitions, food & wine tastings, art walk, Iron Bartender Competition, BBQ & Bubbles, and more. Downtown Scottsdale – Southbridge, 480-945-0344.

Oct 24 – 26 54th Annual Billy Moore Days (AVONDALE) Founder's day celebration with parade at 10 am on Sat., carnival, races, street dance, food. Coldwater Park, free, 623-478-3050.

Oct 26 - 28 Arts & Crafts Festival (CAVE CREEK) Elaborate & decorative handcrafted art by artists throughout the Southwest. Frontier Town, 9 am - 5 pm, free, 602-789-7222.

Oct 31 – Nov 2 15th Annual Carefree Fine Art & Wine Festival (CAREFREE) Featuring over 165 artists, paintings, bronzes, photography, pottery, glass wood, live music, wine & micro-brew tasting, gourmet food and chocolates. Downtown Carefree, 10 am - 5 pm, free on Fri, $2 Sat & Sun, 480-837-5637.

TUCSON & SOUTHERN ARIZONA

All Month (Weekends) Nightfall (TUCSON) scary and fun Halloween activities for all ages (with gory stunts, thrilling walk-through adventures, and a trick-or-treat trail) presented as only a movie studio can. Old Tucson Studios, 6 pm, 520-883-0100.

Oct 2 – 5 57th Annual Rex Allen Days (WILLCOX) PRCA rodeo, country fair, country music concert, General Willcox International Turtle Race, carnival, golf, horseshoe & softball tournaments, cowboy dances. Keiller Park, 520-384-2272 or 800-200-2772.

Oct 3 – 4 Bisbee Turquoise Hunt (BISBEE) The annual Turquoise Hunt will take place in what locals call “Number 7,” the Queen Mine’s dump. For two hours each day, rock hounds can scour the earth for the rarest and, some would say, most valuable “Bisbee Turquoise” along with other minerals. For details call the Bisbee Mining & Historical Museum at (520) 432-7071.

Oct 4 9th Annual Traditional Indian Feast & Fundraiser Festival (TUCSON) For the Native American scholarship program, silent auction, dinner of native foods. San Xavier Plaza, 6-9 pm
520-622-4900.

Oct 4 -5 & 11 - 12 Oktoberfest on Mt. Lemmon (TUCSON) Enjoy the sights, sounds and tastes of the German culture in the pine and aspen forest at Mt. Lemmon Ski Valley. Eat at the event or dine at a restaurant on the mountain, free, 520-576-1400.

Oct 10 – 12 St. Patrick's Fall Festival (BISBEE) One of Old Bisbee’s most historic churches hosts this annual event that is fun for the entire family. Prizes, silent auction, arts and crafts, children’s games, food and more. There will be a dance 9 pm to midnight on Saturday. Call (520) 432-5753 for more info.

Oct 10 – 12 36th Annual SAHBA Fall Home & Garden Show (TUCSON) Southern Arizona Home Builders Assn, bi-annual show featuring landscaping, building materials & beautiful arts & crafts. Tucson Convention Center, 520-795-3025.

Oct 11 Wine Festival (BISBEE) Visitors can sample more than 50 Old and New World Wines at the Vintage Bisbee Wine Festival at City Park in Brewery Gulch. Guaranteed to be an afternoon of food, music and fun, 4 - 7 pm, ticket information call (520) 432-3554 or 1-866-2BISBEE.

Oct 11 – 12 14th Annual Desert Thunder Pro Rodeo (TUCSON) One of the largest rodeos, all seven PRCA events including bull riding, saddle bronc riding, roping & barrel racing. Tucson Rodeo Grounds, 520-721-1621.

Oct 12 16th Annual Architecture Home Tour (TUCSON) Part of Architecture Week, a selection of homes throughout Tucson, featuring local residential projects that are varied and represent the unique architectural designs for the diverse lifestyles of Tucsonans, benefits Habitat for Humanity, $25, 520-323-2191.

Oct 17 – 19 Helldorado Days (TOMBSTONE) Shootouts, parade, 1880 ladies fashion show, Indian dancers, gunfight show under the stars, 520-457-3197.

Oct 18 High Mass (TUMACACORI) Clergy perform the Mass in Latin and attendees dress in the period costume to create a living history experience of Anza and his riders, reservations. Tumacacori National Historic Park, 9 am, free, 520-398-2341.

Oct 18 – 19 18th Annual Power from the Past Antique Power Show (TOMBSTONE) Operating antique engines will pump water, make ice cream, generate electricity, also a static display of antique tractors. Tombstone Courthouse State Historic Park, Sat 8 – 5 pm, Sun 8 – 3 pm, free, 520-457-3311.

Oct 18 – 19 Juan Bautista de Anza Days (TUBAC) A living history celebration of the Indian, Mexican and Spanish Colonial periods, reenactment of Anza's famous trek, costumes, demonstrations, food and entertainment. Tubac Presidio State Park, 10 am - 4 pm, $3, 520-398-2704.

Oct 23 – 26 Tucson Culinary Festival (TUCSON) Dinners and seminars, including The Grand Tasting, more than 70 wineries presenting and pouring their wines and more than 30 Tucson top chefs offering their culinary specialties, also a silent wine & food auction. Loews Ventana Canyon Resort, 520-488-8601.

Oct 25 – 26 9th Annual Tucson Bluegrass Festival (TUCSON) Features top national, local and regional bluegrass bands with performances daily from 10 am – 5:30 pm, jam sessions, music and craft vendors, workshops, food. Desert Diamond Casino, daily $18, weekend $25, 520-296-1231.

Oct 31 – Nov 2 7th Annual Western Music Festival (TOMBSTONE) Live western music, performed on the Allen Street Stage and at the historic Schieffelin Hall, $15, 520-457-2295.

SEDONA & PRESCOTT REGION

Ongoing Predator Feed (CAMPE VERDE) Follow our animal caretakers on a PREDATOR FEED as they throw 800 pounds of raw food to eagerly waiting carnivores. On Predator Feed days, the last Wildlife Preserve Tour departs at 2:00pm. (Handicap accessible.) Out of Africa Wildlife Park, Sun, Wed and Fri at 3:00pm, 928.567.2840.

Ongoing Giant Snake Show (CAMPE VERDE) Wrap-up with the world's largest species of snakes: Anacondas, Pythons and Boas! With the help of a Park Caretaker, you'll be allowed to touch, pet and even hold some of these wild, slithering reptiles. Out of Africa Wildlife Park, Shows are Thursday and Saturday at 3:00 PM, 928.567.2840.

Oct 4 Jerome Art Walk (JEROME) Visit more than 30 of the unique art studios and galleries, meet the artists and see handcrafted art including jewelry, pottery, glass, leatherwork, clothing, paintings and sculpture, 5-8 pm, free.

Oct 4 – 5 18th Annual Sedona Arts Festival (SEDONA) featuring over 150 of the nation’s finest artists and craftspersons, live entertainment, raffle, food and Kidzone. Sedona Red Rock High School, Sat 10 - 5 pm, Sun 10 – 4 pm, $8, under 12 free, 928-204-9456.

Oct 4 – 5 30th Annual Folk Music Festival (PRESCOTT) Over 150 of the best folk and acoustic musicians, singers, songwriters, dancers and storytellers from Arizona and the greater Southwest meet and perform concerts, jams and workshops. Sharlot Hall Museum, 928-445-3122.

Oct 10 Paddy Keenan of the Bothy Band with John Walsh (SEDONA) The most accomplished uilleann piper performing today. Future Studios, 7:30 pm, $16-19, (928) 282-9139.

Oct 11 Fifth Annual Designer Home Showcase (PRESCOTT) This fundraiser takes participants via luxury motorcoach to some of Prescott's most beautiful homes. Includes a gourmet lunch and a wine and cheese reception. Phippen Museum, 928-778-1385.

Oct 11 Spook Weekend (JEROME) Guided walk throughout the town, they reenact spooky real events from Jerome’s history, 928-634-1066.

Oct 11 – 12 Art for Sedona’s Sake (SEDONA) art show on 89A in West Sedona, look for the white tents!

Oct 11 – 12 Fall Fest in the Park (PRESCOTT) Browse or buy in this year's last arts & crafts show on Prescott Courthouse Plaza, 800-266-7534.

Oct 11 – 12 52nd Annual Fort Verde Days (CAMP VERDE) features over 60 vendors, Antique show, arts & craft show, live bands and dances, living history presentations, weapons demonstrations and portrayal of life on the frontier as it was in the late 1870s. Fort Verde State Park, 928-567-3275.

Oct 18 – 19 Sedona Gem & Mineral Club Annual Local Rock Sale (SEDONA) Red Rock High School, 9 am - 5 pm, 928-300-8333 for more information.

Oct 19 The Canadian Brass (SEDONA) Grammy award-winning brass quintet. St. John Vianney Church, 180 Soldiers Pass Road, 2:30 pm, $25-40, 928-204-2415.

Oct 19 – 26 4th Annual Plein Air Festival (SEDONA) A celebration of Sedona's beauty as seen through the eyes of 34 of the finest plein air painters in the country, Paint Out at L'Auberge de Sedona, public art sale on Sunday. Sedona Arts Center, 9 – 3 pm, 888-954-4442.

Oct 24 4th Friday Art Walk (PRESCOTT) over 15 galleries stay open after hours offering food, music artist receptions and demos. Downtown Prescott, 5 pm, www.artthe4th.com.

Oct 24 – 26 Fall Fine Art and Fine Craft Show (PAYSON) Preview Friday night 5-9 pm, $5, Saturday and Sunday, 10 to 4 pm, no charge. Mazatzal Casino Exhibit Hall, 928-472-8147.

Oct 25 – 26 Art & Craft Show (SEDONA) Come and enjoy 35-55 artists with paintings, leather, jewelry, wood, metal, fountains, carvings and many Native American artists. Bell Rock Plaza, 928-284-9627.

Oct 25 – 26 Home & Heart Marketplace (PRESCOTT VALLEY) A holiday shopping extravaganza. Over 100,000 sq.ft. of holiday gifts for the whole family. Tim’s Toyota Center, Sat 9 am – 5 pm, Sun 10 am – 5 pm, (928) 583-6091.

Oct 31 Mall-O-Ween (PRESCOTT) Trick or treat throughout the mall. Stay safe & warm this Halloween. Costume contest for children 12 & under. Prescott Gateway Mall, (928) 442-3659.

WILLIAMS, FLAGSTAFF & CANYON

Oct 1 Flagstaff Night (FLAGSTAFF) Tonight at 7 PM, Lowell Educator Tim Rodriquez will give an indoor presentation about archaeoastronomy. Telescope viewing will also be available. Flagstaff residents (must show valid drivers license or utility bill) pay only half price for entrance into our regular evening programs. Lowell campus, 5:30 PM - 9:30 PM, 928-774-3358.

Oct 3 First Friday Art Walk (FLAGSTAFF) Browse the downtown galleries, meet local artists and enjoy live music and refreshments. Artists Gallery, 6:30 pm, free, 928-773-0958.

Oct 4 – 6 3rd Annual Woodland Wild Country Expo - Wildlife & Nature Festival (PINETOP-LAKESIDE) Fly fishing, star gazing, live wildlife, birding, hiking, nature tours, wildlife art & photography. Woodland Lake Park, 928-367-4290.

Oct 5 & 12 Guided Nature Walk (FLAGSTAFF) through Hart Prairie Preserve. Meet at 10 am at Fort Valley Plaza Shopping Center and carpool to the preserve, 2-3 hours for round trip, easy walk, dress for the outdoors and bring water, 928-774-8892 ext 5.

Oct 10 – 12 Oktoberfest at the Caverns (GRAND CANYON CAVERNS) Enjoy German food, beer and polka music in the world famous Fireside Restaurant, 928-422-3223.

Oct 11 – 12 Route 66 Heritage Days & Taste of Williams (WILLIAMS) Celebrate the history of Route 66 in Williams this weekend with the “Taste of Williams” food and wine tasting expo, Fine Art Show, Scavenger hunts, sidewalk sales, and Route 66 Vendors. For more information contact the Chamber at 928-635-1418.

Oct 12 Autumn Star Fest (FLAGSTAFF) Celebrate autumn with a Star Fest. This special event will feature indoor programs and numerous telescopes set up for viewing throughout the Lowell campus, 5:30 PM - 9:30 PM, 928-774-3358.

Oct 20 Orionid Meteor Shower (FLAGSTAFF) Indoor programs will focus on meteor showers such as the upcoming Orionids. Telescope viewing of various celestial objects is included in the evening’s activities. Lowell campus, 5:30 PM - 9:30 PM, 928-774-3358.

Oct 31 – Nov 2 6th Annual Page Lake Powell Hot Air Balloon Regatta (PAGE) Watch balloons lift off and float over the Lake Powell area, a Balloon Glow and Street Fair, 928-645-2741.

ALL TIMES/DATES/COSTS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE