The weekend’s hail and snowstorm was an unusual but not unprecedented event for March, but it should be the last freak winter storm we see before spring arrives in force.
Springtime in Sedona is delightful, as the natural beauty that has been dormant through the winter begins to bloom, giving life to the stark red rocks around us that have been lifeless monoliths in the winter. We can take in the outdoor activities that we moved to Sedona to enjoy without rain, snow or cold winds to deter us — if we can find parking.
Over the winter, cultural events after the holidays are few and far between, excluding the Sedona International Film Festival, St. Patrick’s Parade and city’s Winter Fest. As the winter chill gives way to warmer temperatures, blooming flora and more public and private arts events and festivals, Sedona springs back to life.
After the colder months, we welcome the mild temperatures and sunny days; the average daytime temperature in April ranges from the mid-60s to mid-70s, making it ideal for hikes, festivals and outdoor pursuits without the sweltering heat of summer that makes the outdoors unbearable after 2 p.m. or turns the cars in Arizona into Easy-Bake ovens, to paraphrase the late slam poet Bernard “The Klute” Schober.
Wildflowers bloom and greenery returns as the slopes of the red rock formations that surround our city come alive with vibrant colors. Cathedral Rock Trail should fully reopen by the end of the month, while West Fork Trail is in full bloom, offering the opportunity to immerse oneself in a miles-long easy hike.
Springtime brings a plethora of cultural and arts events to Sedona, adding to the richness of the experience of living here. The city’s events calendar for April is brimming with activities that cater to various interests. Some notable arts events are coming in the month ahead:
n The city’s Celebration of Spring: This de facto Easter event takes place on Saturday, March 30, the day before Easter Sunday, featuring a series of Easter egg hunts separated by age groups. The babies’ and toddler’s age group is a sweet event, as parents with very young children help them collect some of the 22,000 plastic eggs containing candy.
The age 3 to 5 group is more akin to the opening of “The Hunger Games” as a ravenous horde of child-shaped piranha sweep across the field, consuming every egg they can grab.
My oldest daughter can’t wait.
The older age groups are less gladiatorial, but suffice it to say that not a single egg will survive the day.
- On Friday, April 5, the Sedona Gallery Association will host the First Friday Art Walk when galleries open their doors to the public from 5 to 8 p.m. Residents and visitors can stroll through the galleries, meet artists and enjoy live music and refreshments as they immerse themselves in the art scene.
- For nature enthusiasts, Red Rock State Park offers guided nature walks led by interpreters who give talks on Sedona-area flora, fauna, geology and history while enjoying the beauty of the red rocks.
- The Sedona Arts Center offers a variety of workshops and classes for residents interested in honing their artistic skills. Throughout the month, the arts center will also be celebrating 65 years of creating ceramics with an exhibition and sale.
- The Northern Arizona Book Festival will run from Friday to Monday, April 5 to 15, and includes the Sedona Poetry Slam that I’ll be hosting on April 13 at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre, which will be free admission.
- The Oak Creek Arts and Craft Show. Local artists will exhibit their arts and wares at Sedona Vista Village in the Village of Oak Creek from Friday to Sunday, April 19 to 21.
- Following its final regular-season concert on April 7, the Sedona Symphony will present a concert with guest American Indian flutist R. Carlos Nakai, who will be soloing on some of his own compositions, in collaboration with percussionist Will Clipman on Saturday, April 27.
- The Sedona Open Studios Tour will return from Friday to Sunday, April 26 to 28, hosted by the Sedona Visual Artists Coalition. This self-guided tour allows residents to explore the studios of local artists and artisans, providing insights into their creative processes and the opportunity to purchase unique artworks directly from the creators.
- Chamber Music Sedona will host the final concert of its 41st season, “Star of the Saxophone,” featuring saxophonist Steven Banks and pianist Xak Bjerken on April 28.
In addition to these events, there will be outdoor concerts, theatre performances and other arts events that we’ll feature all month long in our newspaper and The Scene.
Christopher Fox Graham
Larson Newspapers
