Arizona: Calendar of Events Listings: 2009: December

Arizona Events December 2009 Calendar

This calendar of events for Arizona communities in December 2009 has been produced to assist you in making travel and activity arrangements.

This calendar has been produced to assist with travel arrangements or local activities. It is an information guide only and does not constitute a recommendation. Dates for these Arizona events were correct at time of publication. Since dates are occasionally changed, please confirm them in advance. Updates, additions and corrections to any Arizona events are made at www.ArizonaGuide.com.

Catalina State Park, just north of Tucson in Oro Valley, is a popular hiking nd camping spot. The park is located across the street from the new Oro Valley Marketplace on Oracle Road. Watch a video clip of the area, Google map nd park information.

December 2009 Arizona Event Listings

Arizona Activities throughout December 2009

Through December 6 (Phoenix)

Arizona Theatre Company presents George Is Dead, a new comedy by acclaimed writer and director Elaine May. Featuring Julia Brothers, Academy Award nominee Don Murray, and Emmy and Golden Globe winner Marlo Thomas, George is Dead plays in Phoenix at the Herberger Theater Center from November 12 through December 6. Arizona Theatre Company's season sponsors are I. Michael and Beth Kasser and the Arizona Commission on the Arts. Tickets range from $26-$50 depending on date and section choice and are available at www.arizonatheatre.org or by calling the box office at (520) 622-2823. More on ATC. Continue reading about George Is Dead.

Through January 24, 2010  SCOTTSDALE: Unexpected Wegman: From the Collection of the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art –an exhibition of forty-five William Wegman works, exhibition builds on the artist’s wide recognition for his photographic portraits of Weimaraner dogs, an array of other whimsically portrayed subjects in a diverse range of media and forms—from prints, to flipbooks, to video, www.smoca.org

December 3-30, 2009: Las Noches de las Luminarias begins the Thursday, December 3 and culminates on December 30, 2009. This is the perfect holiday event to share with family, friends and out-of-town guests. The Garden’s distinctive and world-renowned plant collection provides the ideal setting to enjoy more than 7,000 hand-lit luminarias that line its trails, buildings and courtyards. A sumptuous buffet dinner is available at an additional cost from Fabulous Food Fine Catering and Events and the Garden’s Patio Café will also be open for ala carte items. The Garden’s gift and plant shop will be open each night of Luminarias and is the ideal place to find unique gifts for the holiday season. Meal tickets are $16.50 for adults and $8.95 for children. Las Noches de las Luminarias is presented by The Arizona Republic, and sponsored in part by US Airways, Fabulous Food Fine Catering and Events and Phoenix Coca-Cola Bottling Company. SRP EarthWise Energy is the entertainment sponsor. Desert Botanical Garden, 1201 North Galvin Parkway (in Papago Park), Phoenix, AZ. For additional information, a full list of entertainment and a detailed menu, call 480-481-8188 or visit www.dbg.org.

December 4 & 5: Lake Havasu City, AZ at dusk. View 50 plus lighted boats decorated with the theme of " A Star-Spangled Havasu Christmas" pass under the historic London Bridge in the Bridgewater Channel. www.lhcboatparadeoflights.com. Contact Dan Remy @ 928-680-4652 or email danremy@earthlink.net.

YouTube Video of Arizona Road Trip

A little mini-vacation to NE Arizona, on the Navajo/Hopi reservation. The trip started at the invitation of Navajo people near Chinle, then blossomed from there. Visits included Canyon de Chelly, Arizona. Video courtesy to YouTube and Arizona Office of Tourism. Watch more Arizona Travel videos.

For additional tourism information and brochures, contact:

The Arizona Office of Tourism
2702 N. Third St., Suite 4015
Phoenix, Arizona 85004

Arizona Chamber of
Commerce & Convention Bureaus

Governor Brewer Reminds Travelers of Passport Requirement

PHOENIX – Arizona Governor Jan Brewer reminds Arizona citizens of the deadline for the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). Beginning Monday, June 1, 2009, all U.S. and Canadian citizens will be required to present a passport or another WHTI compliant document to enter and re-enter the United States by land or sea from Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean and Bermuda.

“Knowing what documents are required and having them ready when you return home will help streamline the entry process and ensure your return to the U.S. is as smooth as possible.” For Arizona, this federal initiative will primarily impact residents and visitors traveling to and from Mexico. Beginning June 1, 2009, the Arizona driver’s license and/or Arizona Identification Card will not be recognized as a valid credential for entry or re-entry into the United States.

U.S. citizens returning home from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean or Bermuda, by land or sea, will be required to present one of the following travel documents: A passport issued by the U.S. Government, a passport card (PassCard), a valid trusted traveler program card (FAST, NEXUS, or SENTRI) or a Military ID with official travel orders. U.S. citizen children under the age of 16 will be able to present the original or copy of their birth certificate, or other proof of U.S. citizenship such as a naturalization certificate or citizenship card.

The Arizona Department of Transportation’s Tucson and Safford districts will be placing temporary variable message signs at their port of entries, which include Lukeville, Nogales, Sasabe, Douglas, San Luis and Naco, four days prior to June 1 and one week after to remind travelers of the new initiative. Information about requirements for special groups traveling abroad can be found at U.S. Customs and Border Protection: http://www.getyouhome.gov/html/lang_eng/eng_sa.html

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Window Rock, Az - The first Navajo Tourism Photo Contest was a resounding success with over 450 images entered by photographers from eighteen states including District of Columbia and nine countries around the world.  The theme of the photo contest was "Discover Navajo" and the awards ceremony scheduled for December 2nd will recognize the entrants who captured the spirit of the Navajo tourism experience connecting the beautiful Diné Bikéyah (Navajoland) and the Navajo people.  An online slide show of contest images is posted at www.DiscoverNavajo.com. The 2009 Discover Navajo Photo Contest Awards Ceremony will take place on Wednesday, December 2nd starting at 11:00AM at the Quality Inn Navajo Nation Capital in Window Rock, Arizona. The ceremony will include the unveiling of the new Discover Navajo Poster featuring the first place winning photo. The ceremony will also reveal the twelve other winners from the photo contest. The Awards Ceremony is presented by the Navajo Nation Tourism Department.  A free poster will be given to all attendees.

Saturday and Sunday, December 5th & 6th 2009

29th Annual Cascabel Community Fair. On the banks of the San Pedro River, 10am-4pm each day. The Cascabel Community Fair is a celebration of rural Arizona beauty, history, hospitality, diversity and artistic expression in an awe-inspiring outdoor setting.  Cascabel is located along the banks of the beautiful San Pedro River about an hour and a half drive from Tucson.  Take I-10 through Benson to exit 306.  Head north through Pomerene.  Follow the signs for 20 more miles on a scenic country road. Event sponsors the Cascabel Community Center and Volunteer Fire Department will serve a homemade lunch and desserts and hold a dollar raffle for a multitude of prizes. Live music adds to the pleasant ambiance of this rural adventure. There are three very different sites all within pleasant walking distance. The Oasis Bird Sanctuary conducts scheduled tours of their exotic birds and sells products that support animal rescue efforts. Akasha Center of Light offers original paintings and unique Christmas decorations by the resident artist. Cascabel Clayworks will have an open house and studio pottery sale. Joining them will be many other fine artisans displaying their work in fiber, wood, jewelry, clay, leather, photography and more. You will enjoy touring the wide variety of locally made products displayed under the mesquite canopy. Handicap parking is available.  There is a fourth stop you won't want to miss.  Visit our friends at Forever Home Donkey Rescue on your way back home. Remember, rural Arizona still has gravel roads!  You'll be travelling five miles beyond the pavement.  Take your time, keep the dust down, and enjoy the scenery.  We look forward to seeing you and sharing some traditional rural neighborhood fun. Contact: Barbara Clark (520) 212-2529 or clayworks@rnsmte.com; see http://www.cascabel.org/fair.html for more information.

Saturday, December 5, 2009

19th Annual Nutcracker Party. Holiday Tradition Benefits Ballet Arizona Entertains More Than 400 Valley Families. About 400 families will enjoy a unique Valley holiday tradition at the Camelback Inn on December 5, 2009, when the Ballet Arizona Esprit de Corps presents the 19th Annual Nutcracker Party. This event features a festive lunch, holiday carolers, a unique shopping village, children’s art and activity stations, and excerpts of The Nutcracker performed by about 30 School of Ballet Arizona students and two Ballet Arizona dancers. Since the 1990 inception of the event, guests were provided a sneak peek of Ballet Arizona’s production of The Nutcracker, and its popularity has soared. Last year, nearly 800 people were in attendance. Proceeds from the Nutcracker Party benefit Ballet Arizona’s community outreach efforts and fund scholarships for economically challenged, talented young dancers to attend The School of Ballet Arizona. The 19th Annual Nutcracker Party presented by Ballet Arizona Esprit de Corps, 10:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Arizona Ballroom, Camelback Inn, Phoenix, Arizona event. The event benefits Ballet Arizona’s community outreach and The School of Ballet Arizona. $75 adults; $40 children if purchased by Nov. 1 ($85 adults; $50 children after Nov. 1). www.balletaz.org

December 12-13, 2009

TUCSON: A Southwest Nutcracker – Tucson Music Hall, with music by the Tucson Symphony Orchestra and guest dancers from the American Ballet Theatre, this original, full-length ballet translates the classic Nutcracker to 1880s Tucson. Ticket prices are $22 and $34. 520-885-0862 or www.tucsonregionalballet.org

November 2009 | Calendar of Events Index

For additional tourism information and brochures, contact:

The Arizona Office of Tourism

2702 N. Third St., Suite 4015

Phoenix, Arizona 85004

Phone: 602/542-8687 or 1-800-842-8257

Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Convention Bureaus

Tucson | Phoenix | Arizona Entertainment Magazine

© 2009 EMOL.org Arizona Entertainment Magazine. All rights reserved.