SEDONA, Ariz. – The city of Sedona, in collaboration with the Community Library Sedona, launched the first Poet Laureate Program by appointing Gary Every as Sedona’s inaugural Poet Laureate and Anya Blue Lior as Sedona’s inaugural Youth Poet Laureate at the City Council meeting on May 13, 2025. Both will serve as ambassadors for a two-year term, elevating literary education by promoting an appreciation of poetry in the community and inspiring an emerging generation of literary artists within the local schools. The process of choosing the poet laureates included seven finalists – Every, Lior, Martha Entin, Felicia Elisabeth Grace Foldes,…
Author: staffsedona
VERDE VALLEY, Ariz. – Northern Arizona Healthcare (NAH) announced that Norma Erivez, FNP, has joined the NAH primary care office in Camp Verde. She is accepting patients now. Erivez joins longstanding NAH physician, Steven Taylor, DO, at the office, who has helped families and the community stay healthy by offering personalized preventive and diagnostic care at NAH for over five years. “We are thrilled to welcome Norma to the Camp Verde primary care office team,” said Northern Arizona Healthcare Medical Group President Pasquale Bernardi, MD. “She is a trusted, talented health care provider who brings extensive expertise to the Verde Valley. We know…
Benefit for the International Raptor and Falconry Center features history, heritage and owls Sedona, AZ — The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to partner with the International Raptor and Falconry Center to present “Meet a Barn Owl Up Close” at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 12 at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre. Join the International Raptor & Falconry Center for a captivating evening all about Barn Owls, one of the world’s most efficient nocturnal predators. This engaging educational program will explore their ecology, unique adaptations and role in the environment. And the best part: You will meet the newest…
Festival partners with Basecamp and Sedona Beer Compnay for outdoor film experience Sedona, AZ –It’s “Big Screen at Basecamp” as the Sedona International Film Festival partners with Sedona Beer Company for its “Movies on the Move” cinema under the stars outdoor film experience at Basecamp in West Sedona — every Wednesday in the summer season! The first event of the summer will be Thursday, June 12 featuring the blockbuster big screen sensation “American Graffiti” at dusk. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZ9Gp6Qc8LQ Enjoy the comfort of the Basecamp patio or bring your lawn chairs and your family and friends and enjoy “Cinema Under the Stars”…
Prescott, Arizona (May 27, 2025) – The Yavapai College District Governing Board (DGB) approved the College’s proposed budget for 2025-2026 today at its annual budget adoption meeting. The College did not seek an increase in its primary property tax levy and has gone without a tax increase in four out of six years of President Lisa Rhine’s tenure. The approved budget includes funding for the college’s strategic priorities, initiatives, and improved services for students and the community. The state funds less than 3% of the College’s budget. Yavapai College is the premier place to learn in Yavapai County. This past spring,…
Sedona, AZ (May 27, 2025) – Thanks to the generosity of Village of Oak Crephilanthropists Rob and Alix Schaefer, the first of two approved artworks for the VOC roundabouts has been fully funded by their generous donation of $110,000. Production will begin immediately and is scheduled to be installed on the Jacks Canyon Road/Verde Valley School Road roundabout before the end of 2025.
Sedona joins theaters around the world to present uncut, new 4K restoration Sedona, AZ — The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to present the “Shall We Dance?” on Thursday, June 12 at the Alice Gill-Sheldon Theatre. An “infinitely touching” (The Washington Post) modern classic from director Masayuki Suo, “Shall We Dance?” is a feel-good romantic comedy that “will sweep you off your feet” (The Austin Chronicle) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RIN-eac86j0 A box-office sensation in North America upon its initial release, Film Movement Classics presents “Shall We Dance?” in a new 4K restoration of the original film, available uncut for the first time…
By Tommy Acosta Sedona, AZ — Could you imagine standing in front of a bullet? Not metaphorically—but literally. Could you imagine charging into live fire, heart pounding, legs trembling, not knowing if your next breath will be your last? Could you imagine throwing yourself on a grenade, or walking into a minefield, or storming a machine gun nest just to give the guy behind you a better shot at staying alive? Most of us can’t. That’s why we pause on Memorial Day. We pause to remember those who could imagine it—and who did it anyway. Who walked into chaos so…
By Tommy Acosta On May 24 poet Bob Dylan celebrates his 84th birthday and is still performing live today. For those of us Baby Bloomers we remember him well as his songs were the catalyst to the awakening of a generation to the great injustices in our society and the profits made by those who peddle war, hate and disease. His music inspired so many songwriters and performers of that era including the Beatles and so many others, as well as myself. In honor of his contributions to the world I wrote and recorded song for his birthday, a tribute…
Sedona, AZ — Set against the breathtaking red rocks of Sedona, the inaugural Sedona Choreography Retreat is an extraordinary convergence of artistic brilliance, innovation, and collaboration. This ten-day retreat brings together world-class talent to create new works that will premiere in an exclusive performance, offering audiences a first look at the future of dance. At the heart of the retreat is Nayon Iovino, celebrated choreographer and Artistic Director of the retreat. Known for his emotionally resonant and visually stunning work with Ballet Arizona, Iovino is creating a new ballet inspired by the hauntingly beautiful music of Christel Veraart. Veraart, an acclaimed composer, musician,…
Sedona, AZ –The Humane Society of Sedona (HSS) recently recognized four area business owners with framed Award Certificates for their exceptional community support. The Awards are part of an annual event celebrating Sedona area businesses and residents for their contributions to homeless animals. The funds are raised one dollar at a time through the Shelter’s Donation Canister Program—those clear acrylic boxes you may see on the counter of your favorite local shop. Bow Wow Pet Boutique Sedona led the pack in 1st place, raising $400.91. Following closely in 2nd place was Anderson Auto with $352.52 and the Sedona Fudge Company…
Camp Verde, AZ — Make your summer bright and colorful with Camp Verde Community Library! The theme for the 2025 Summer Reading Program is Color Your World, and staff at the library have put together 6 weeks of activities designed to encourage summer reading and help children keep learning in a fun environment through hands-on, informal STEM activities that promote creativity, problem-solving, and discovery. Registration begins Wednesday, June 4, 2025 at 8:30am in the Children’s Library, and the program itself will run from Wednesday, June 4th – Saturday, July 12, 2025. Here’s how the program works: Parents sign up their child/children…
Sedona, AZ – May 2025 — The Sedona International Film Festival (SIFF) is exploring a transformative relocation to its original home at the Sedona Cultural Park, with plans to develop a state-of-the-art Sedona Cinema Arts Center that will expand year-round programming and deepen the festival’s cultural impact. The move is being considered after SIFF determined that purchasing its current West Sedona location—home to the Mary D. Fisher and Alice Gill-Sheldon Theatres—was no longer financially viable. The asking price was nearly double its appraised value, leading the organization to shift its focus toward building a purpose-designed venue on land it already…
SEDONA, ARIZONA (May 23, 2025) – At its annual Major Donor Appreciation Reception on May 22, 2025, at the El Portal Sedona Hotel in Tlaquepaque Village, Sedona Symphony introduced William C. White as the organization’s new Artistic Director and Conductor for its 2025-2026 season. Mr. White replaces Janna Hymes, who completed a two-year contract for the Symphony, successfully programming and conducting ten critically acclaimed and well-attended performances during her tenure. During the Major Donor Appreciation Reception, Mr. White also announced the dates and themes for the upcoming concert season. “It is with bittersweet feelings that we say goodbye to Janna…
By Amaya Gayle Living in and as a paradox isn’t easy for the mind that craves certainty. Just as soon as you grab ahold of one answer, the story shifts. It’s a lot like camping. Can you catch smoke from a fire? It may drive you crazy, leave its smell in your clothing. It may even cause you to get up and move but catch it you cannot. It slips right through your fingers, an ethereal will-o’-the-wisp, never the same appearance from one second to the next. That’s life. As much as you want to nail it down, life refuses…