Category: Cultural

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: March 16-20, 2026

Inner Canyon Update: Week of March 16

This week, an Extreme Heat Warning is in effect through Sunday below 4,000 feet, including Phantom Ranch. Visitors are advised to avoid strenuous hiking during the hottest part of the day (10 a.m.–4 p.m.), and to drink plenty of water and eat regularly.

As of Thursday morning, drinking water is now ON at 1½-Mile and 3-Mile Resthouses along the Bright Angel Trail. Many thanks to the Water Utilities team for their hard work in restoring these critical water sources during extreme conditions. You can find the latest updates on water availability across the rim and inner canyon on the park’s Key Hiking Messages webpage.

League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) — Dolores Huerta’s legacy stands on its own

The story of the farmworker movement did not begin with monuments, school names, or holidays. It began in the fields, in the dust, the heat, and the long days of exhausting labor endured by men and women whose work fed this country even as their humanity was too often ignored. It was built by Filipino and Mexican farmworkers in Delano who came together in common cause, by families who sacrificed paychecks and security, by organizers who turned a local strike into a national boycott, and by workers whose courage helped win contracts and lay the foundation for legal protections for collective bargaining and the right to organize.

Coconino County — Grand Canyon Region Long-Term Recovery Plan for Dragon Bravo and White Sage fires completed

Following the Dragon Bravo and White Sage fires, which devastated more than 200,000 acres on the Kaibab Plateau, Coconino County hired AC Disaster Consulting to develop a long-term recovery plan for small businesses, community stakeholders and residents impacted. The process included nine public listening sessions held across Coconino County in December and a community survey that helped shape the final plan.

City of Flagstaff — Regional Plan election Info & upcoming chats

Registered voters in the City of Flagstaff will be asked to vote on whether to ratify or not ratify the Flagstaff Regional Land Use Plan 2045 in a special election held on May 19, 2026. The special election will be a vote-by-mail only election. There will be no polling places on election day.

Did your household receive this card in the mail? If so, a member of your household is registered to vote in the May special election.

The NAU Review — CHHS goes to Malawi and Peru + won’t you be my neighbor?

Connecting the classroom to the field

Students in the NAU Global Health Field School program traveled to Peru and Malawi to put their coursework to use real-world settings and work on public health interventions aimed at addressing health disparities in underserved communities. The goal was to provide an immersive academic program that prepares students to understand global health systems and connect with patients in unfamiliar environments

Sedona Arts Center — Check out these classes and workshops at SAC!

At Sedona Arts Center, creativity is meant to be experienced. Our classes and workshops — from iPhoneography and oil painting to sculpting, stained glass, ceramics, and pottery for teens and beginners — are designed to be welcoming, hands-on, and inspiring. Whether you’re exploring something new or building on existing skills, you’ll learn from working artists in a supportive environment that values curiosity, craft, and creative joy — all in the heart of Sedona.

The NAU Review — You decide who survives

The year is 3035, and humanity has been given one last chance to start anew on one of Jupiter’s moons. Champions from different disciplines will argue that their area of study is the most indispensable for Europa’s new civilization. You choose who survives. The Great Survival Debate is back at NAU, bringing together knowledge, craft and talent for a night of fun and mischief. 

Theatrikos Theater Co. — TheatriKids and Stage Buddies Bring Seussical Jr. to the Stage (this coming)  Weekend, more news, events

Next weekend, the stage will come alive with imagination, music, and the joyful energy of young performers as Theatrikos Theatre Company’s Education Department presents its newest TheatriKids and Stage Buddies production, Seussical Jr.

This year’s production will be performed at Coconino High School, marking an exciting partnership between Theatrikos and the school. The collaboration provides young performers the opportunity to perform on a larger stage while strengthening the connection between local arts organizations and the educational community.

FREE — District 2 Supervisor Jeronimo Vasquez, Coconino Hispanic Advisory Council (CHAC) to present film ‘A Song for Cesar!’ on March 16

FLAGSTAFF — Join Supervisor Jeronimo Vasquez and members of the Coconino Hispanic Advisory Council (CHAC) for a film screening of A Song for Cesar! The film aims to educate generations old and new about civil rights activist Cesar Chavez’s legacy of impactful, peaceful protest.

The inaugural Cesar Chavez Film Screening will be held on Monday, March 16 at 5:30 p.m. at Coconino Center for the Arts.

A Song for Cesar, a documentary film by Abel Sanchez and Andres Alegria, presents a unique view of the life and legacy of Cesar Chavez and the farmworker movement.

United Way of Northern Arizona — The YES! Leadership Summit: 112 Students, 1 Powerful Day

Recently, more than 100 ninth graders from Blue Ridge, Coconino, and Flagstaff High Schools walked into the du Bois Center at Northern Arizona University and emerged knowing something truly special: that leadership isn’t a title, a trophy, or a spot on the student council.

It’s a mindset – and it belongs to all of them.

That was the heart of our very first Youth Experiencing Success (YES!) Leadership Summit, and I couldn’t be more proud of what our team and partners created together.

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: March 9-13, 2026

  100 Years of Interpretation at Grand Canyon National Park On March 6, 1926, the first issue of Grand Canyon Nature Notes was published, marking the beginning of NPS interpretation at Grand Canyon National Park. The bulletin was created by…

Sedona Arts Center — LAST CHANCE to sign up for these March Workshops and Classes!

Art Classes and Workshops
at Sedona Arts Center …and Online!

At Sedona Arts Center, creativity is meant to be experienced. Our classes and workshops — from iPhoneography and oil painting to sculpting, stained glass, ceramics, and pottery for teens and beginners — are designed to be welcoming, hands-on, and inspiring. Whether you’re exploring something new or building on existing skills, you’ll learn from working artists in a supportive environment that values curiosity, craft, and creative joy — all in the heart of Sedona.

Coconino County Parks & Recreation — Seasonal Stewardship, Trails Challenge, & Fair News. See What’s New!

2026 Ramada Reservations
for the Summer Season

Ramada reservations for the 2026 summer season began on March 2. Ramadas are great for your events like school graduations, birthday parties, and celebrations of life.

Reserve online.

Sedona Arts Center — Check out these classes and workshops at SAC!

Fabulous Friday & Florals
with Elizabeth St Hillaire
April 14–16, 2026, Tuesday — Thursday

Be inspired by beloved Mexican painter Magdalena Carmen Frida Kahlo y Calderón aka Frida! You do NOT need to know how to draw faces, I will teach you a photographic transfer technique that works like magic in order to start with a good proportional likeness.

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — Vendor registration open for ‘Full STEAM Ahead!’ Flagstaff Early Childhood Fair on April 11 in Flagstaff

By the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth

Registration is open for community partners to table at the Flagstaff Early Childhood Fair from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, April 11, 2026 at W. F. Killip Elementary School.

In celebration of the National Association for the Education of Young Children’s “Week of the Young Child,” https://www.azaeyc.org/connect/woyc/, we invite you to participate in the fair.

Please click here to complete this application to participate as a vendor. Each vendor must provide an interactive activity related to S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math). Vendors set up at 8:30 a.m.

Applications are due by 03/30/26. You may direct any questions to kfarretta@azhs.gov We look forward to your participation in this community event.

Thank you to W. F. Killip Elementary School for hosting this free event for community partners to share resources and families to attend.

READ MORE​​​​​​​

League of American Bicyclists renews Flagstaff’s silver-level Bicycle Friendly Community status

FLAGSTAFF — The League of American Bicyclists has honored the efforts of Flagstaff to build better places for people to bike with a Silver-level Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC) award. The award recognizes Flagstaff for its commitment to creating transportation and recreational resources that benefit residents of all ages and abilities while encouraging a variety of transportation choices. 

Friends of Flagstaff’s Future (F3) — Flagstaff proposes changes to zoning code for Data Centers

Data centers house the computer servers that run our increasingly digitized world. These centers can be stand alone facilities or portions of a building used to house computer systems, servers, networking equipment, and other infrastructure used for the storage, processing, management, or distribution of digital data. The construction of data centers is on the rise across the US.

The City of Flagstaff will be discussing proposed changes to the zoning code for data centers starting this week. The first meeting will be a work session with the Planning and Zoning Commission on Wednesday, March 11 at 4:00. This meeting will be the start of a discussion and the city would like to hear from the public as well as commissioners.

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: March 2-6, 2026

New Podcast Episode Highlights North Kaibab Trail Recovery and the Work Ahead

A new podcast episode of the Grand Canyon Hiker Dude Show was released this week featuring Trails Supervisor Adam Gibson, offering an in-depth look at the condition of the North Kaibab Trail following the Dragon Bravo Fire and outlining what recovery efforts may look like through 2026 and beyond.

CCC April Classes: Writing, Flagstaff’s Latino Heritage, AI, Comet Talks, Flower Pressing and Poems

Upcoming Classes Writing and Renewal Wednesday, April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 1:30 to 3 p.m. Through writing prompts, the group will reflect, renew, share stories, and enhance their creativity. Seasoned and beginning writers alike are welcome! Writing – Learn…

March at the Museum of Northern Arizona

March is a wonderful time to reconnect with the Colorado Plateau, and I invite you to visit the Museum to experience two of our latest exhibitions.

Call of the Colorado Plateau summons us to slow down and engage all our senses through art, sound, and scent. The exhibit shares the stories of writers, artists, and explorers who have been shaped by this expansive, remarkable landscape and ultimately invites us back outdoors to see the land not as a backdrop, but as a living presence.

United Way of Northern Arizona — Save the Date! Annual Meeting on April 30th

Please join United Way of Northern Arizona on Thursday, April 30th as we celebrate a year of impact and achievement and the many things we have done – together – to ensure that all can thrive in Coconino, Navajo, and Apache counties.

This past year saw the 20th anniversary of KinderCamp™ and a major expansion of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. It marked the launch of a teen center for the northeast and a region-wide youth leadership summit.

NAU Continuing Education — 7-9th Aspiring Engineers Youth Camp

Engineering Camps are now open for registration in collaboration with the Northern Arizona University College of Engineering! These camps are designed for current middle school students and run Monday-Thursday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. No experience is required, and each camp is $290. Students can choose from exciting topics like Robotics and Video Design or Civil & Environmental Engineering and Semiconductors & Microelectronics.

Registration open for CCC ‘Exploring Flagstaff’s Latino Heritage and Community’ series to be held April 2 through 30

FLAGSTAFF — Dive into the rich and diverse stories of the Latino communities — Mexican, Basque, Spanish, Chicano — that have shaped the vibrant tapestry of Flagstaff. This interactive course offers a dynamic introduction to the people, traditions, industries, and historic sites that have played a vital role in the city’s development.

From prominent families and community celebrations to hidden histories and cultural legacies, you’ll uncover the often-overlooked contributions that continue to define the beauty, strength, and spirit of Flagstaff. Whether you’re new to the area or a lifelong resident, this journey through local heritage will deepen your connection to the city and its multicultural roots.

The NAU Review — Using existing tools to boost student success

Across Arizona, public educators know how to help their students succeed, but they often think they can’t make meaningful change without permission from the state. Permission Granted, a new tool co-developed by NAU’s Arizona Institute for Education and the Economy, aims to show schools there’s more flexibility than they think—and they can use it to their advantage to adjust bell schedules, launch career-readiness initiatives and more.

Sign up for an art class or workshop at SAC today!

Art Classes and Workshops
at Sedona Arts Center …and Online!

At Sedona Arts Center, creativity is meant to be experienced. Our classes and workshops — from iPhoneography and oil painting to sculpting, stained glass, ceramics, and pottery for teens and beginners — are designed to be welcoming, hands-on, and inspiring. Whether you’re exploring something new or building on existing skills, you’ll learn from working artists in a supportive environment that values curiosity, craft, and creative joy — all in the heart of Sedona.

Flagstaff City Council supports defined protocols for interactions with federal agencies

FLAGSTAFF — During the March 3 meeting, the Flagstaff City Council received information about protocols to be utilized during interactions with federal agencies. These protocols include a directive on the use of City property by outside agencies, a notice to guide City employees if federal law enforcement personnel visit a City workplace, and a form for members of the community to report concerns. Staff also reiterated that the Flagstaff Police Department does not enforce federal immigration laws but also cannot interfere with or prevent lawful federal activities. 

The Flagstaff Festival of Science announces ‘Driven by Curiosity’

The Flagstaff Festival of Science proudly announces its 2026 theme, “Driven by Curiosity,” celebrating the exploration and innovation that propel discovery and shape our world. The 10-day festival will run September 25 – October 4, 2026, bringing together scientists, educators, students, and lifelong learners for engaging programs across Flagstaff and beyond.

The Festival will open on September 25 with the W. L. Gore & Associates Keynote Presentation in NAU’s Ardrey Auditorium by technology leader Kirk Dunsavage, whose talk explores the intersection of science, engineering, and the human spirit of exploration.

Coconino Center for the Arts — Gallery Exhibition Opening (March 7), FREE Event, Artist Opportunities, and More!

March 7-28, 2026
Youth Arts Exhibition Opening Reception March 7, 4-8 pm
Youth Talent Showcase CCA Theater March 7, 5-7 pm

This year’s exhibition features a record number of 510 pieces by over 300 regional youth artists!!

Coconino Center for the Arts’ 2026 Youth Arts Exhibition invites local youth artists from Coconino County and the regional community to exhibit their recent artwork at CCA. The exhibition is open to and inclusive of all artwork submissions by youth artists, Pre-K to 12th grade, that reflect the theme From Ordinary to Extraordinary.

The NAU Review — March agenda: Learn to write, make a delicious treat + sign your kids up for summer camp

From first cue to final bow, Jacks take the lead

Students in NAU’s theater program don’t just perform—they also produce. Every theater production runs entirely on student power, with Lumberjacks stepping into the spotlight, building sets, programming lights, mixing sound, patching costumes, promoting shows and managing the chaos. It’s all about teamwork, community and hands-on learning.

Our Lady of Guadalupe Chapel 2026 Centennial Celebration to be held May 16

Join us in the celebration Mass of Our Lady of Guadalupe Chapel as we honor one hundred years of faith, devotion, and community. Through scripture, gospel, and uplifting hymns, we celebrate the enduring love for Nuestra Virgen de Guadalupe and the Chapel that has been a safe haven for generations. We remember with gratitude the founding families whose dedication built this Chapel and whose legacy continues to inspire us today. This joyful Mass celebrates a century of shared faith and the blessings that unite our community

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: February 23-27, 2026

Spring Operational Changes Begin March 1

As spring break approaches, visitors and park residents should be prepared for long lines and full parking lots. Traffic congestion at the South Entrance Station is heaviest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Parking lots near the Grand Canyon Visitor Center will begin to fill by noon. The South Entrance webcam (updated every five minutes) continues to be a great way to monitor traffic.

Coconino Center for the Arts — Plan for a Month Filled with Music!

LIMITED SEATS: Sunday, March 1, 7:30 pm 

One of Canada’s finest artists, Bruce Cockburn has enjoyed an illustrious career shaped by politics, spirituality, and musical diversity. The Ottawa-born artist remains deeply respected for his activism on issues from native rights and land mines to the environment and Third World debt, working for organizations such as Oxfam, Amnesty International, Doctors Without Borders, and Friends of the Earth.

Coconino Center for the Arts — Youth Arts Exhibition & Opportunities!

March 7-28, 2026
Youth Arts Exhibition Opening Reception March 7, 4-8 pm
Youth Talent Showcase CCA Theater March 7, 5-7 pm

Coconino Center for the Arts’ 2026 Youth Arts Exhibition invites local youth artists from Coconino County and the regional community to exhibit their recent artwork at CCA. The exhibition is open to and inclusive of all artwork submissions by youth artists, Pre-K to 12th grade, that reflect the theme From Ordinary to Extraordinary.

How can everyday objects and experiences become magical, through art?

Our objective is to engage youth audiences throughout Northern Arizona and support a wide range of art disciplines.

The NAU Review — The search for new species

VIDEO: The canoe bug hypothesis 
Jut Wynne, assistant research professor in the Department of Biological Sciences, set sail on a 1,700-nautical-mile voyage across the South Pacific in search of new species of invertebrates that could help timestamp the movements of early Polynesians across the islands. Watch his journey and find out what he discovered.

Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra — FREE Concert This Weekend + Recent FSO Highlights Inside

The year is already alive with music at Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra, and this weekend, we bring that energy to a new space in town. Join us Saturday, February 28 at 3:00 PM for our second Max Jerrell Community Concert of the season at Shepherd of the Hills Church (1601 N. San Francisco St.).

FSO musicians and friends perform Dohnányi’s Serenade for Strings and Schumann’s Piano Quartet in E-flat Major, two masterful works of drama and intimacy.

Culture Connection AZ — Cook, Connect, Celebrate: Culture Kitchen Returns Live

We’re thrilled to announce that Culture Connection AZ is relaunching our beloved Culture Kitchen program — live and in person!

Join us on Sunday, March 22 at 11:00 AM at Shift Kitchen & Bar (107 N. San Francisco St.) for a delicious and hands-on culinary experience.

Supporting a local cultural treasure — Ballet Folklorico de Colores — Flagstaff

FLAGSTAFF — Community members and organizations are being asked to rally to support local cultural icon — Ballet Folklorico de Colores — Flagstaff.

The organization has launched a fundraising campaign after it reported it may lose more than $13,000 in funds due to the bankruptcy of the Oakland-based fundraising platform Flipcause Inc.

“Storms don’t break real teams. They reveal them,” the Ballet Folklorico reported on its Facebook page.

“We want to be real with you all about where we are right now.”

Flipcause has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy with more than 3,000 nonprofit organizations owed more than $29 million.

Also see:

• State of California Dept. of Justice — Funds Being Held by Flipcause? You Are Not Alone: Attorney General Bonta Announces Guidance for Affected Nonprofit Organizations
• Oakland Voices — Flipcause files bankruptcy, owing $29 million to nonprofits across country

Discover Flagstaff — Your Weekend Plans are Here!

Discover Flagstaff publishes Flagstaff 365 Happenings on a weekly basis to highlight local events happening in and around Flagstaff. “Flag Happs” is distributed throughout Downtown Flagstaff, displayed in kiosks and storefronts, and also available at the Flagstaff Visitor Center. Below are some highlights of the week.

Flagstaff City-Coconino County Public Library hiring library director

FLAGSTAFF — We’re hiring a Library Director to lead the City of Flagstaff’s library system and the Coconino County Library District.

This full-time executive leadership role oversees multiple city and county branches, supervises senior staff, directs budgeting and strategic planning, manages IT and collections, and serves as a key liaison to City Council, the County Board of Supervisors and community partners. The position plays a critical role in ensuring our libraries continue to meet the informational, cultural and educational needs of our region.

The NAU Review — Get paid to run like a girl + see how NAU profs are mapping roads

VIDEO: Run like a girl

Looking to swing your axe of service this year? Local nonprofit organization Girls on the Run is looking for coaches who can help teach perseverance, inner and outer strength and the joy of physical activity to girls in third through eighth grade. Watch a video to learn more about Girls on the Run, then visit NAU’s Axe of Service website to get involved.

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: February 16-20, 2026

Winter Weather Update for Residents and Employees

Hello, winter! Yesterday’s winter storm brought 3-4 inches of fresh snow to the South Rim. As of this afternoon,Desert View Drive remains closed due to icy road conditions and is likely to remain closed for the remainder of the day on Feb. 19 due to incoming predicted snowfall. As of this morning, admin travel for Desert View Drive has been lifted—however, roads remain icy and snow-packed. For the latest road status updates, call the park roads line at 928-638-7496.

Coconino Center for the Arts — Just Announced! David Huckfelt & Keith Secola (April 3)

Two of Minnesota’s finest musicians team up for an intimate and unforgettable evening.

David Huckfelt is a singer/ lyricist /activist and founding frontman of Minneapolis indie-folk cult favorites “The Pines”. With improvisational mastery, Huckfelt’s shows and songs have earned him a devoted following from small-town opera houses & theaters to national festival stages.

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — Your membership, donations support the work of CCC&Y

By the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth

COCONINO COUNTY — We imagine a world where every person lives in peace and is supported by a thriving, resilient community.
The purpose of CCC&Y is bold and your help is needed.

When you become a member of CCC&Y, your financial contribution helps cultivate and strengthen well-informed communities by providing education and resources, bringing stakeholders together, building new systems of communication and more.

Each week, the Coalition produces a weekly newsletter where we share partner news and events in our blog section and links to community resource meetings.

READ MORE​​​​​​​

Creative Flagstaff — Get Excited! Viola Award Finalists Inside! Event to be held April 25

Join us for a night of celebration, reflection, and school-spirit–level pride as we honor the individuals and organizations who have helped shape our community and move it forward. Think: a reunion with purpose, a celebration of growth, and a reminder of just how far we’ve come—together.

Flagstaff City Manager Joanne Keene wins 2026 ATHENA Award

FLAGSTAFF — The City of Flagstaff is excited to congratulate City Manager Joanne Keene on receiving the 2026 ATHENA Award. The ATHENA® International Leadership Awards program is a prestigious initiative that recognizes and honors individual women for their outstanding achievements and contributions in leadership, mentorship, and community service.

City of Flagstaff Beautification – Arts & Sciences — Apply for a Beautification in Action Grant

The City of Flagstaff invites artists, community members and groups, schools, and local businesses to apply for a Beautification in Action (BIA) grant to enliven our community’s public spaces. Projects can take the form of community gardens, neighborhood paths, benches, sculptures, murals, and more. Priority will be given to community-initiated projects that provide a lasting impact—fostering cultural connections, strengthening neighborhood awareness and identity, and deepening how residents and visitors interact with the built environment. All projects must be publicly and visually accessible. Up to $8,000 is available per project.

Sign up for an art class or workshop at Sedona Art Center today!

At Sedona Arts Center, creativity is meant to be experienced. Our classes and workshops — from iPhoneography and oil painting to sculpting, stained glass, ceramics, and pottery for teens and beginners — are designed to be welcoming, hands-on, and inspiring. Whether you’re exploring something new or building on existing skills, you’ll learn from working artists in a supportive environment that values curiosity, craft, and creative joy — all in the heart of Sedona.

Museum of Northern Arizona — Reminder: February at the Museum

Dear Museum Friends,

As we move into the new year, I’d like to share why becoming a member of the Museum of Northern Arizona means a deeper connection to the Colorado Plateau you love, as well as belonging to a community of people who share that interest.

Members enjoy all that MNA has to offer with free year-round general admission to the Museum, early access to exhibitions and events, invitations to member-only experiences, and discounts on select programs and in the Museum Gift Shop. Some membership levels also include reciprocal admission to cultural institutions across the U.S. and Canada through the North American Reciprocal Museum (NARM) Association—an especially valuable perk for frequent travelers and museum lovers.

Coconino Center for the Arts — VALENTINE’S WEEKEND! We’ve got your covered :) More upcoming events

Friday, February 13, 7:30 pm

Over the course of his thirty-year career, Nolan McKelvey has covered nearly every corner of the country and traversed all roads of Americana. From the pavement of alt-country, to the dusty trails of bluegrass, to the gravel roads of classic-country, to the interstate highway of rock-n-roll.

Joining him for this intimate performance is Jesse Valenzuela, founding member of Gin Blossoms. For more than three decades, Jesse has provided the multi-platinum group with hit songs (“Til I Hear It From You,” “Follow You Down,” “Mrs. Rita”), masterful guitar playing and exquisite harmony singing.

Flagstaff Communiversity — Upcoming Programs: Register Now for Programs On Tyranny & On Teaching

Register NOW for Upcoming Programs

Teaching High School in a Time of Polycrisis
begins Feb. 22nd

“How Tyranny Works”
begins March 1st

“Surveillance, Privacy, & Democracy
begins March 31st

Octavia Butler’s Parable of the Sower
begins April 4th