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…
Author: Tommy Acosta
Read More
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…
Mary D. Fisher Theatre is the home for the opera simulcast and encore events The Mary D. Fisher Theatre is home for the Met Live Opera programs for the 2024-2025 season, presented by the Sedona International Film Festival. The season concludes with Rossini’s “Il Barbiere di Siviglia” live via simulcast on Saturday, May 31 at 10:00 a.m. and the encore presentation on Wednesday, June 4 at 3 p.m. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dX-n0nI8aU Plan to come early as John Steinbrunner will lead a pre-opera talk one hour before the LIVE production on Saturday. The Metropolitan Opera’s 2024–25 Live in HD season comes to a…
The life and art of the most important American woman artist of the 20th century Sedona, AZ –The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to present the Northern Arizona premiere of “Georgia O’Keeffe: The Brightness of Light” showing May 30-June 4 at the Alice Gill-Sheldon Theatre. “Georgia O’Keeffe: the Brightness of Light” explores the life and art of the most important American woman artist of the 20th century. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oM-fw63D0VQ Known as the “Mother of American Modernism,” O’Keeffe exploded on the New York art scene in the 1920s with her paintings of flowers, bones, and the beauty of nature. Nude photographs…
By Joseph Rittenhouse Sedona, AZ –This is not the end. This is the fire before the forge, the storm before the sunlight breaks through. Yes, there is chaos. Yes, there is doubt. The air feels thick with defeat, with fractured voices and scattered hearts. But hear me now: the Democratic Party was born in struggle, forged in battles long before this one, and raised on the idea that the soul of America is always worth fighting for. Do not lower your heads. Do not let the headlines write your obituary before the story is done. You are the party of…
Sedona, AZ (May 23, 2025) – On Friday, June 20, at 7:41 p.m. local time, summer arrives. Rowe Fine Art Gallery is gearing up for the seasonal shift with Summer Soul-stice on Friday, June 6, at 4 p.m. That’s when the gallery will shine the spotlight on some of its more metaphysical artworks, starting with gourd sculptor and basket weaver Shirley Eichten Albrecht, who incorporates geodes, crystals, and semiprecious stones into her art. Shirley gave an impromptu demonstration of her techniques during last month’s First Friday Gallery Tour, and it was so popular that she’ll be back again in June with a new gourd.…
Inspiring Best of Fest Award-winner from recent festival returns for theatrical run Sedona, AZ — The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to present the Sedona encore of “Blind AF” showing May 30-June 4 at the Alice Gill-Sheldon and Mary D. Fisher Theatres. “Blind AF” just won the top award — Audience Choice Best of Fest Documentary — at the recent Sedona International Film Festival. https://vimeo.com/897049899?share=copy An unflinching, emotionally raw story of courage, transcendence and the healing power of self-belief, “Blind AF” tells the journey of a blind female Paralympic champion and multiple world-record holder, Shawn Cheshire as she becomes…
Eric Miller returns to Mary D. Fisher for his first performance this year accompanied by bestselling author A.G. Billig on Friday, May 30 at 7 p.m., presented by the Sedona International Film Festival. Renowned guitarist and songwriter Eric Miller will play a collection of his most popular love songs in an evening of story, song and soulful connection entitled “The 7 Sacred Faces of Love” featuring bestselling author A.G. Billig. What does love look like in its truest form? “The 7 Sacred Faces of Love” invites you on an unforgettable 90-minute journey through the diverse and transformative expressions of love…
Sedona, AZ — The Rotary Club of Sedona Village invites the public to two June community connection events at the Village Library, 25 W. Saddlehorn. June 5: David Key, Executive Director of the Sedona Chamber of Commerce. Join us and discover the numerous Chamber programs offered to the business community in the Village and Verde Valley. The Village Rotary meeting begins at 7:30 AM. June 18: Sedona Chamber of Commerce Village Experience Mixer. Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Sedona Village and the Community Library of Sedona, the 5 to 6:30 PM event will feature culinary delights by Pisa Lisa…
Sedona, AZ — The Jewish Community of Sedona and the Verde Valley, located at 100 Meadowlark Drive off Route 179 in Sedona, is a welcoming, egalitarian, inclusive congregation dedicated to building a link from the past to the future by providing religious, educational, social and cultural experiences. The JCSVV offers soul-enriching services, programs, and classes, all listed on the synagogue website, jcsvv.org. Office telephone: 928 204-1286. Visitors are welcome to attend services after a security check. Those who cannot attend in person can access the service through zoom. Friday evening services on May 30, led by Rabbi Alicia Magal, will begin at 5:30 pm including…