On Friday evening, the Flagstaff Folk Project hosts Bill Staines in Concert at Beacon Universalist Congregation. Staines, a New England native, is an intimate, compelling performer, who started out in the folk scene of the 1960s. Staines’s songs include “Bridges,” “Crossing the Water,” “Sweet Wyoming Home,” “The Roseville Fair,” “A Place in the Choir,” “Child of Mine,” and “River.” Aside from his own 22 albums, Staines’ songs have been recorded by other artists including Peter, Paul and Mary, Makem and Clancy, Nanci Griffith, Mason Williams, The Highwaymen, Glenn Yarborough, The Grace Family, and more. His humorous tales of life on the road and observations of everyday people provide an entertaining blend of story and song. He’s appeared on A Prairie Home Companion, Mountain Stage, and The Good Evening Show. 7:30 – 9:00 p.m. $15 at the door. (510 N. Leroux St.)
Or, kick off Spring Break in South Seas style on Friday evening, as Flagstaff Parks and Recreation hosts a Hawaiian Beach Party at the Aquaplex. Enjoy pool games, refreshments, music and giveaways. All ages are welcome. 6:00 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. $2 for pass holders and $3 for non pass holders. (General admission is for the pool area only.)
This month’s Second Friday Night Science Night at Lowell Observatory features The Electromagnetic Spectrum: Radio through Infrared. At 6:00, 7:00 and 8:00 p.m., see demonstrations about the longer wavelengths of light. Take a look through telescopes on the Lowell campus and experience the observatory’s SlipherVision indoor presentations. Included with regular Lowell Observatory admission. 6:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Discovery Hikes at Wupatki National Monument continue on Saturday. Guided hikes provide the only public access to many areas of the monument. These areas are home to a rich cultural and biological landscape. Group size is limited; reservations are required: (928) 679-2365. Full details at the Wupatki website. Well worth the 20-plus mile drive from Flagstaff!
It’s Cool to Be Square on Saturday evening as Flagstaff Friends of Traditional Music (FFOTM) invite you to kick up your heels with square dancing and a performance by Pick and Hollar, playing music from America’s past. Drawing deep from the old time string band tradition, Pick and Hollar features Appalachian fiddle and banjo tunes. They may throw in some Mother Maybelle Blues or old Hank Williams heartbreak to keep the tradition of storytelling through song alive. Pick and Hollar is “high energy old time music to keep the feet moving and the faces smiling.” At Fire Creek Coffee Company (22 E. Route 66), 7:30 p.m. $12 general admission, $10 for FFOTM members, and $8 students/seniors/military.
Or, if square dancing’s too tame for you, how about some Pro Wrestling at The Orpheum on Saturday evening? The Williams Wrestling Alliance (WWA) and The Orpheum present wrestling where future stars of WWE and TNA battle in the squared circle. 7:30 p.m. General admission $10, NAU/CCC students $7, kids $5.
This week’s Cooking Class with chef Randy Walker on Saturday evening at Seasoned Kitchen (106 N. San Francisco St.), 6:00 – 8:30 p.m. features French crepes & salmon, a baked brie appetizer, and pear frangipane. Class size is limited. Reservations required. $45. Call the store or go in (928) 213-5942. Classes are held weekly. See the Seasoned Kitchen’s website.
Also on Saturday evening, talented stand up comic Maurice Northup makes his return to the Doris Harper-White Community Playhouse following a sold-out show here last September. Maurice’s biting material brings to mind icons such as George Carlin, Lenny Bruce, and Bill Hicks, while maintaining his own unique approach. Not for those who are easily offended. Two performances, 8:00 and 10:00 p.m. $15, $10 for students and seniors. Northup hosts a performance workshop on Saturday afternoon. Contact the Theatrikos box office: (928) 774-1662.
On Sunday, there’s St. Patrick’s Day Fun for Everyone at Riordan Mansion State Park (a day early). The Northern Arizona Celtic Heritage Society and the Riordan Action Network host an afternoon of activities that celebrate the Irish heritage of the Riordan family of Flagstaff. A reservation is suggested for guided tours of Riordan Mansion: (928) 779-4395. Kilt not required. Free with park admission. Whiskey tasting is $15. Tours at 2:00, 3:00 and 4:00 p.m. (409 W. Riordan Road)
March is National Youth Art Month, and the annual Youth Celebrate Art & Culture Exhibition is on display at the Coconino Center for the Arts through April 5th. See works by hundreds of local youth from every school in the greater Flagstaff area. Regular gallery hours are Tuesday through Sunday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Living in Flagstaff is great! When you’re ready to give it a try, give us a call or start by visiting our Flagstaff real estate website.