Sedona AZ (December 5, 2014) – Tlaquepaque’s Festival of Lights has been a beloved signature Sedona event for over 40 years. If you have never seen the beautiful arts and crafts village awash in 6000 golden luminarias from every courtyard, balcony, walkway and parapet, then you must… on Saturday, December 13th! Spend the day and enjoy a fabulous holiday entertainment line-up throughout Tlaquepaque including: traditional holiday music in the Chapel and courtyards, sweet steel drums, jazz and Latin beats, sublime fusion flute renditions, a stunning violinist, a tabernacle choir, and for tons of laughs, an outrageous Vaudevillian act! Free hot cider, a visit from Santa and his elves, as traditional Christmas carols are sung, and then starting at 5:00 sharp (at the tolling of the bell tower), light your own luminaria and watch Tlaquepaque transform into a Festival of Lights!
Then be sure to stick around for more holiday favorites, cool and hot jazz and Latin ensembles and the inspiring heart-pounding vocal performances from Ron Tolson’s River of Life Tabernacle Choir. This is family-friendly fun at its best and there is something for everyone to bring forth the holiday spirit. Admission is free. Trolley service is available to Tlaquepaque from the Uptown municipal parking lot with continuous round-trip service from 3:00 pm – 8:00 pm. And in the spirit of giving during this holiday season please consider bringing an unwrapped toy for the Toys for Tots program that distributes toys to kids locally.
A very moving and poignant aspect to the Festival is the sponsoring of a luminaria honoring a loved one lost to cancer or someone who is fighting the disease. Each person that sponsors a luminaria can write a message of hope or remembrance, placing the lit luminaria around the fountain in Patio del Norte. “For just $10 you can make a difference fighting cancer,” says Wendy Lippman, resident partner and general manager of Tlaquepaque. “We all have someone in our lives who been affected by this disease. It’s an opportunity to stop and pay tribute to them.” Proceeds support the American Cancer Society, and luminarias can be purchased on site or in advance for $10.00 by calling (928) 282-4838.
Entertainment Schedule:
11:00 – 2:00 pm: Get in the holiday moodwith phenom vocalist Ron Tolson (River of Life Choir master) and pianist Bryan Pace singing traditional holiday music in the Tlaquepaque Chapel. Seating is limited and the space is breathtaking!
2:30 – 4:30 pm: Award-winning flutist Sherry Finzer can do anything with her instrument. Known for her bold musical style, she brings together a new fusion sound blending New Age, Latin, and classical music. The Tlaquepaque Chapel.
3:00 – 5:30 pm: Gather the kids for a visit from Santa and his elves! Bring your camera or whip out your phone for those not-to-be-missed moments with Santa. And enjoy all the traditional Christmas carols and holiday favorites sung by Sedona’s dynamic duo, Tom and Shondra. Patio del Norte.
3:00 – 5:30 pm: Enjoy the get-down sounds of Ritmo Latino, featuring the vocals of Andres Martinez, acoustic guitar, saxophone and Latin percussion. These guys rock and love what they do. Patio de las Campanas.
4:00 – 8:00 pm: Paul McDermand, usually bedecked in a Hawaiian shirt, will bring the island holiday vibe to you, Caribbean-style. It’s amazing what he can do on his steel drums, marimba and more. Check him out in the courtyard next to Secret Garden. Patio de las Rosas.
5:00 – 7:00 pm: From classical to hip hop and lots in between, this gifted, award-winning violinist and composer, Jonathan Levingston, is making his Tlaquepaque debut and is sure to enchant and delight his audience. The Tlaquepaque Chapel.
5:30 -7:30 pm: A perennial Festival of Lights tradition is the powerful and moving performance by Phoenix-based River of Life Tabernacle Choir, directed by Ron Tolson. This thunderous, high-energy choir comes straight from the heart. If you have never seen them don’t miss this! They will rock your world with inspired song, seasonal hymns and holiday favorites! Plaza de la Fuente.
6:00 – 8:00 pm: Check out the Swingtips… hailed as one of the hottest nostalgia pop/swing acts to emerge, their highly-entertaining, over-the-top, interactive shows gets everyone on their feet and dancing ’til they drop!Patio del Norte.
6:00 – 8:00 pm: If you love jazz and holiday tunes the Giant Steps Jazz Combo will ring in the season with their inspired jazz rhythms. Patio de las Campanas.
This time of year Tlaquepaque’s world-class art galleries and specialty shops are brimming with one-of-a-kind gifts for that special someone. All decked out for the holiday season, stores and galleries will be open until 8 pm. And if you choose to dine in any of the exceptional restaurants in the arts and crafts village, reservations are recommended. And be sure to stay warm with some hot mulled cider on us!
Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village is an Arizona and Southwest treasure, and for 41 years Festival of Lights has wowed participants from near and far. Located at 336 State Route 179 in Sedona, AZ., The Art and Soul of Sedona, Tlaquepaque, is home to world-class shops, galleries and four restaurants. For more information, please contact Tlaquepaque at (928) 282-4838 or www.tlaq.com, and shop online at www.shoptlaq.com.
