Sedona Moments

It’s that time again- Sedona moments are coming in from readers of our monthly newsletter and we wanted to share them with you. If you would like to receive our newsletter please click here to sign up. We’re always giving Sedona tidbits, travel information and great deals for your next visit.

Elsie from Connecticut sent us this: “When my son decided to go to college in Arizona, I immediately was on board. Although, nearly 3,000 miles away, I knew he would be happy there. I also was hoping that I would be able to enjoy Arizona. My first time to do this was this past summer. His college is in Prescott, and we decided to drive from there to Sedona one beautiful summer afternoon. We both discovered that Sedona is everything that we had read about and more. But, what inspired me was a slight off-road trip that we took that afternoon. On the way home, we decided to follow a road that led up. We were not really sure where it was going, or how far it would take us, but, for at least thirty minutes we followed it. When we arrived at the top, (or at least as far as we were going to go) we were able to look over the landscape of Sedona (from a different perspective) Yes; the colors of Sedona are beautiful, and inspiring. And, indeed, we did see that. But, we were able to look at all that splendor in a calm and relaxing manner. I am planning another trip out to visit my son in the spring of 2010. What a wonderful chance to win something that would help us to explore Sedona again.”

Carol from Pennsylvania shared a special moment with us: “My Sedona moment is whenever I reach city limits and see the spectacular red rocks.  The first time I drove into Sedona was a few days after my daughter had been killed in Phoenix.  I was visiting from Pennsylvania, and wanted to see just what she thought was so special about those rocks.  It hit me as soon as I saw them, and has every time since.  The beauty and peace that I find every time I drive in is beyond words.”

We truly appreciate everyone sharing their Sedona moments and we do look forward to reading more of them. For all of the latest Sedona information please visit our website at www.VisitSedona.com.

 

 

Red Rock Canvas- This Weekend

This weekend, November 6, 7 & 8, the arts and culture of Sedona will be celebrated at the 2nd Annual “Red Rock Canvas.”  A multifaceted event that benefits Camp Soaring Eagle, Red Rock Canvas is a signature event of the Sedona Gallery Association. Recently for the 3rd year in a row, Sedona was voted in the Top 3 of Small Town Arts Destinations by American Style Magazine.

All are welcome to attend this dynamic event that kicks off on Friday with the 1st Friday Gallery Tour from 5-8pm. A whirlwind of mesmerizing talent, intoxicating images and entertainment, the Sedona Gallery Association tour is one of Sedona’s “things to see.” That evening enjoy the Sedona Trolley, which does continuous complimentary loops to all locations. All of the galleries are featuring receptions with celebrated artists whose work is prized by collectors. Expect wonderful wine, food, live music and sparkling conversation.

This event kicks off an entire weekend brimming with stimulating artist dialogues, demonstrations and delightful events. Please check www.RedRockCanvas.com for a complete listing of each galleries unique interpretation of this year’s event.

This is the second year that the Sedona Gallery Association has supported Camp Soaring Eagle. Currently, there are over 350,000 children in the southwest living with serious illnesses. Camp Soaring Eagle is being created to provide a special place where these children can play like kids again in a medically safe environment surrounded by the awe inspiring red rocks of Sedona.

The Silent Auction begins on Friday the 6th at 3pm and extends through 3pm on Sunday the 8th. Each member gallery has artwork in the auction with a portion or all of the proceeds to be donated to Camp Soaring Eagle.

For more information on this exciting signature event please go to www.RedRockCanvas.com or stop by an SGA Gallery where you can obtain a color catalogue of all silent auction items.

For more information on the Sedona Gallery Association and details of upcoming events, please call El Prado Gallery at 928-282-7390 where there is a complete listing of galleries and a printable map to all locations.

 

L’Auberge de Sedona- Quite an Experience

I was at L’Auberge yesterday- your trusty PR gal Heather Hermen, and had a working lunch at the L’Auberge de Sedona restaurant. We were on a tight schedule so we both ordered soup- she had the New England Clam Chowder and I ordered the Roasted Tomato Soup. Mine came with a large crouton covered in Goat Cheese and Herbs. It has to be the best tomato soup I have ever had. However, to start with they brought us these skinny cracker sticks with kalamata olive dip. Not the typical dip you think chunky olives and lots of garlic. No, this was creamy almost looked like purple cream cheese. It was the creamiest most delicious spread I have ever had. At the end of our meal we both commented on it- what do you know, the server gave us the recipe. Now, I would share it but, I encourage you to go to L’Auberge for yourselves and have a great meal, amazing fall view, and get the recipe.

Before and after our lunch I had the opportunity to stroll around and check out all of the changes at L’Auberge. They are undergoing “Project Elevation” which is a twenty-five million dollar expansion project. It really is incredible what they have done and will do before it is completed in the Spring of 2010.

They are adding a pool with 3,000 square feet of deck and lounge space, a new pool bar, a whole new check in area with circle drive, parking garage, fitness center, and so much more. It really is exciting for Sedona and those of us that work to promote Sedona and the area.

When you are up here next- be sure to stop in- I highly recommend the Roasted Tomato Soup.

www.LAuberge.com

 

Plein Air Festival This Week in Sedona

2009 Plein Air Poster

The 5th Annual Plein Air Festival, hosted by the Sedona Arts Center and the presenting sponsor, L’Auberge de Sedona, will capture your heart and your imagination. For nine days, Oct 24 – Nov 1, 2009, artists, art patrons, art collectors, art lovers and everyone who appreciates fine art will want to be present to participate in the festivities.
Thirty-two award-winning plein-air artists, selected from among the best of the best, accepted invitations to participate in this unique artistic showcase. Opening Day, October 24, offers the Paint Out on Main Street, followed by daily lectures, demonstrations, free plain-air painting classes, the Artists Showcase, A Morning Back in Time at Sedona Historic Museum, A Day in Jerome and two wine receptions with the artists. The festival culminates on the weekend with two major events on the grounds of L’Auberge de Sedona.The Quick Draw event in the morning, Creekside at L’Auberge, and an Evening Extravaganza with the Artists, the Friday evening ticketed gala in the luxurious Monet Ballroom and Garden. The festival ends with a two-day Public Exhibit and Sale, Saturday and Sunday, at the Sedona Arts Center Galleries. For a complete schedule of events, visit the Web site: www.SedonaPleinAirFestival.com.

 

Something Different To Do…

Have you been to Sedona before or maybe you live here and are looking for something different to do? I tried something yesterday that I have never done in Sedona or anywhere else. I have lived in Sedona for nearly 10 years and gourd making was not something that I ever had thought of. But, Imagine Art- our very own paint your own pottery art barn in Sedona is offering gourd making classes. So, I thought why not give it a try and I must say I am glad I did.

Linda Damita is the owner of Imagine Art and she has a true appreciation for all art forms offering a wide variety of classes for kids of all ages. The gourd class was something she put together with the artist himself Robert Brunner. Robert is a local artist in Sedona and offers classes at the Enchantment Resort as well as has his beautiful art forms in 5 locations in Sedona.  During the class, Robert talks about the cultural history of gourds in the American Southwest and around the world. He also gives details on how to dry, clean and care for gourds. His knowledge is amazing and he makes you want to hear without it ever becoming boring.

Robert brought more than enough gourds for us to pick from as well as tools to use, paints, feathers, beads, you name it we had creative items to use for our gourds. I kept mine simple and used the heating element to burn a design around the gourd. I gotta say he made me want to make more and I am already excited for his next class. Check out a few of the pictures I took and make sure you visit Linda’s website to get more information and get a glimpse of some of the upcoming classes she is offering. Sure to be fun just in time for the holidays!  Imagine Art 928-282-4236.

Linda's daughter Isabella

My finished product

 

Sedona Arts Festival- This Weekend!

Fall into the arts as the red rocks of Sedona will once again provide the backdrop for the award-winning Sedona Arts Festival taking place on October 10th & 11th, The Festival will showcase over 150 world-class artists and craft persons, continuous live musical entertainment, great food, an extraordinary raffle, the interactive KidZone and as a very special feature this year – the Tony Curtis Art Tent.  Yes, THAT Tony Curtis!

The Sedona Arts Festival is recognized as one of the best festivals of its size in the nation and this year’s event will be no exception. The artists have been carefully chosen by an experienced jury to represent a wide variety of mediums and styles of the highest quality including excellence in ceramics, fiber art, jewelry, mixed media, photography, painting, sculpture and wood.  Many new artists will be represented alongside the best and brightest from our own community.

“It’s important to us that we support our local artists as well as bringing fresh talent from outside the area to inspire and delight the nearly 5000 visitors we attract each year.  I’m very excited about the roster of visual artists we’re showcasing,” explained Executive Director of the not-for-profit Festival, Gayle Taylor.  “In addition to keeping the Festival fresh and filled with breath taking art, there will be something for every taste and budget.” Click here for more information.

 

Sedona Book Festival- this weekend!

The first annual Sedona Book Festival will be held on Saturday, October 3, from 9 am to 5 pm, in the parking lot of The Well Red Coyote bookstore, located at 3190 W. State Route 89A 9 (corner of 89A and Dry Creek Road) in Sedona, Arizona.

Preceding the festival, on Friday evening, October 2, there will be a special fund-raising southwest barbeque at Yavapai College in Sedona, benefiting the Verde Valley Caregivers Coalition. Keynote speakers Barbara Peters and Robert Rosenwald, founders of The Poisoned Pen Bookstore and The Poisoned Pen Press, respectively, in Scottsdale, Arizona, will discuss “Trends in the World of Publishing.”

In addition, the Friday reception will feature this year’s Guests of Honor, two award-winning local authors who have contributed greatly to the literary culture of Sedona – James Bishop, Jr., and Kris Neri.

The festival itself will take place all day on Saturday and will spotlight local and regional authors, publishers and other organizations dedicated to celebrating the pleasures of reading and writing.

All will be under the main festival tent. In addition, there will be author readings in the adjacent authors tent, live music on our outdoor stage and kids programs in the Well Red Coyote bookstore.

Festival admission is free and open to the public. Free parking is available at the festival site, as well as the nearby Sedona Public Library and Relics Restaurant. Visit their website by clicking here.

 

Tlaquepaque- State of the Art- This Weekend!

Plan your September get-away to Sedona and enjoy fabulous hot jazz and cool art at Tlaquepaque, the Art and Soul of Sedona. A veritable feast of the arts and close-up and personal interactions with the artists awaits you at the Fourth Annual State of the Art. Set aside Friday night, September 25th, 5 pm to 7 pm and all day Saturday, September 26th, 10 am to 7 pm and immerse yourself in world-class arts and entertainment. Designed for the new art collector and the seasoned connoisseur, this end-of-summer banquet of sumptuous art will delight and amaze. Admission is free.

Celebrating Art from Inspiration to Creation is this year’s theme. The beautiful Spanish-style courtyards at Tlaquepaque will pulsate with the sweet sounds of jazz, blues and fusion vibes. Youth and Art, a collaborative effort to recognize young local talent, will award art students from Red Rock High School and  Mingus High School with $1000 in prize money. Youth and Art has become a wonderful collaboration between the art students, their teachers and the community of galleries at Tlaquepaque. “We hope the public will come out, see the student art at the various galleries, talk to the artists and really support these talented young people, and vote for your favorite artist,” commented Wendy Lippman. The two $500 cash awards will be presented to the winners Saturday night at 7:00 pm in Patio las Campanas.

Tlaquepaque’s premier galleries will be highlighting the work of selected artists most of whom are in collections all over the world. “The artists will be on hand to discuss their approach, demonstrate a work in progress and be available for conversation in an intimate gallery setting. The line up of artists this year and the enthusiasm of the galleries is very exciting,” remarks Lippman.

For more information about the State of the Art event contact Tlaquepaque at (928) 282-4838. Home to more than 40 shops and galleries and four restaurants, Tlaquepaque, is located at 336 Highway 179 at the Oak Creek Bridge just south of 89A on Highway 179. It is open daily at 10:00 am. For more information, visit: www.tlaq.com.

 

Sedona Moments

Each month we send out a newsletter to over 50,000 subscribers about Sedona. It has interesting tidbits from Michelle Conway- our Director of Tourism, and she always shares a Sedona Moment. She then encourages others to write in and share their favorite Sedona Moment. So, here we go… happy reading.

“My first visit to Sedona was in October 2008. I had bought a timeshare the prior year and could not wait until the time came that I could use my time. I had been told by friends who had been to Sedona many times what to expect and the beauty of the city. Even today I cannot explain to anyone just how beautiful it is. I had recently lost my mother whom I had been her caregiver for seven years and needed a much needed rest and peaceful time to mourn. Sedona was the perfect place and I was beginning to experience a calm within that I hadn’t felt in so long. The concierge at the timeshare recommended taking a vortex spiritual tour. I was somewhat apprehensive but decided maybe it would be interesting. The tour guide explained that some people experience the vortex and others don’t. I was not expecting much and was I ever surprised. At each and every vortex I experienced something. At the end of our tour we were walking to a coffee shop to have our cards read and the guide stopped in her tracks looked at me and said what does a small pink box with music and a figurine, and also buttons lots of buttons mean? It was like I hit a brick wall. When I was a child for one of my birthdays my Mom had given me a pink music box with a ballerina that danced to the music.
Also she had a container with hundreds of buttons in it that she had collected since I was a child. When I moved her from her house into mine I told her it was time to get rid of them. My Mom was unable to speak due to having a stroke but she got very upset and kept saying no and pointing to the box we were packing and the buttons had to be moved with her. To this day the button box is where she left them and every time I see them I laugh. I told the story to our guide and she looked at me and said your Mom wants me to tell you, she is fine and wants you to go on with your life. You did everything for us now do for yourself and be happy. All of a sudden all the weight and guilt I had been experiencing was gone and I had a great sense of peace. Sedona is such a magical, beautiful place and I cannot wait until next year to return to my timeshare and experience more of what the city has to offer. Sincerely, Dottie Adams”

“About 5 years ago my sister and sister-in-law and I spent a wonderful 2 weeks in Sedona, exploring the area. Ever since then I had dreamed of coming back some day, and even spending some of our winters there, but when I checked on the availability of places to buy, there was very little at that time. Things changed however and the economics of the country have worked in our favor. I found the perfect house and had planned to come down to see it in about a month or so from that time. However someone else was also very interested in that house, so we had to act quickly – sight unseen. So we did, and I came down in April to inspect the purchase.  It was even better than I had hoped. The red rocks were still so beautiful, even better than in the pictures. There’s something here that just makes you feel good – be it the vortex energy that some people talk about, the beautiful scenery everywhere you look, the fresh air, the sun coming up over the rocks. In addition, it has a real small-town feel, everyone is friendly and willing to help welcome you to the town. I enjoyed every minute of my time there and I look forward every day to returning. To those who are looking for an unforgettable vacation or a place to get away from it all, Sedona has more of what you want, and its more available than ever. Robert & Elaine Fleck, Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada.”

If you would like to subscribe to our newsletter and read Michelle’s moments and contribute your own please click here.

 

Travel + Leisure Picks Sedona Spots for Tops

Sedona is pleased to announce Travel + Leisure has picked Sedona’s famous Mii Amo Spa and Enchantment Resort for top spots this year. Here are the details:

Mii amo, World’s Best Destination Spa

Mii amo, a destination spa at Enchantment Resort, was named World’s Best Destination Spa by Travel + Leisure for the second time.  The intimate spa was also named World’s Best Destination Spa by readers in the magazine’s 2007 survey.

A second Mii amo destination spa is under development by Enchantment Group in Punta Mita, Mexico just 45 minutes north of Puerto Vallarta.  Mii amo Punta Mita, slated to open in 2013, will feature 30 guestrooms, approximately 25 residential condominiums and a Gluckman Mayner-designed spa that will incorporate traditions from the waterfront peninsula’s indigenous Huichol culture.

Enchantment Resort is among World’s Top 100 Hotels, #3 Resort in U.S. & Canada & Best Resort in Arizona

Set in dramatic Boynton Canyon at the heart of Northern Arizona’s red rock country just two hours north of Phoenix, Enchantment Resort, noted for combining the grandeur of the Southwest landscape with luxury and Native American culture, was named the #3 Resort in the U.S. and Canada and the Best Resort in Arizona by Travel + Leisure readers. It also placed #51 on the worldwide list, “The Top 100 Hotels.”

The 70-acre resort, in a vivid region that was and is home to Native American tribes such as the Hopi, Yavapai, Apache and Navajo who have long considered the place to be a source of spiritual inspiration, is designed to honor this special setting and evoke the ancient cliff dwellings that were once home to the canyon’s indigenous people.  Guests select from 220 private, one-story adobe-style casitas with Southwestern-style décor and panoramic views of rock formations and pine forests as their area base camp.  A centrally located clubhouse contains two restaurants, a gift shop and concierge desk, and a rooftop deck provides an ideal vantage point for viewing the countless stars in Arizona’s clear night sky.

For more information please visit their website at enchantmentresort.com.