Experience Arizona

experience. arizona Festivals, powwows and get-togethers / by CARRIE M. MINER photo SLOT CANYONS work shop

Photo Editor Richard Maack will lead a Friends of Arizona Highways photo workshop to one of the most photogenic locations in the world. The sunlight penetrating these narrow sandstone canyons creates an incredible "cathedral of light." Legend has it that when you enter the slot canyons, a part of your soul stays behind to draw you back again. Richard plans to teach the key elements of landscape photography with the magnificent surroundings of Lake Powell as the backdrop. Don't miss this classic workshop, May 8 through 12. Registration Deadline: April 2.

OTHER WORKSHOPS:

April 18 to 22 Photojournalism at its Best With Bernadette Heath and Janet Farnsworth April 23 to 27 Best of the West With J. Peter Mortimer For a complete schedule of the Friends of Arizona Highways photo workshops, call (602) 712-2004 or toll-free (888) 790-7042, or visit the Web site: www.friendsofazhighways.com.

Arizona Highways Photography Exhibits CELEBRATING NATIVE CULTURES

Photos by Jerry Jacka Through March 11 Heard Museum, Phoenix (602) 252-8840

CELEBRATING THE GRAND CANYON

Photos by Gary Ladd Through May 27 Sharlot Hall Museum, Prescott (520) 445-3122

MAGAZINE GALLERY

Photos by Arizona Highways contributors Permanent exhibit Mesa Southwest Museum, Mesa (480) 644-3417

SAYING IT WITH FLOWERS

February 10-11; Superior Send your sweetheart a gardenia and it means "I love you in secret." A bouquet of irises represents a compliment. And red roses symbolize love and desire. The language of flowers has its roots in ancient Persia and experienced heightened popularity during the Victorian Age. With these secret messages at their fingertips, convention-bound suitors could declare their interest without saying a word, and ladies could encourage or discourage them by simply replying with fragrant message-bearing parcels of their own.

Romantics can learn the meaning of flowers at the annual Language of Flowers Valentine's show held at Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park. Gourmet chocolate samplings and the lilting sounds of an acoustic guitar and violin duet add to the atmosphere. Information: (520) 689-2811.

COWPOKE VERSE AND SONG

February 2-4; Sierra Vista In 1989 Arizona rancher Bud Strom participated in the Great Montana Cattle Drive, on which he first heard the cowboy poet Baxter Black the "poet laureate of cowboys."

Cowboy poets and musicians bring the folklore of the American West to light with stories chronicling the drama and tragedy they faced on a daily basis.

Strom, inspired by this witty wordsmith, now writes his own poems. He also shares his ranching and writing insights with 17,000 aspiring cowboy poets each year. As part of this educational program, more than 50 cowboy performers congregate at workshops and to entertain at the family-oriented Cochise Cowboy Poetry and Music Gathering, held in conjunction with Western Heritage Week. Information: (520) 459-3868 or toll-free (800) 288-3861.

GOLD RUSH FEVER

February 9-11; Wickenburg While walking the banks of the Hassayampa River in 1863, Henry Wickenburg spotted a white quartz butte that became the largestproducing gold mine in Arizona, yielding $200 million in gold. His discovery set off a frenzied gold rush, leading to the unearthing of more than 80 mines at the boom's peak. The town of Wickenburg sprang up to tend to the miners' needs and became the third-largestcity in the Territory. Today's citizens celebrate their golden history at Gold Rush Days. Visitors to the festival can try their hand at gold panning, mucking and drilling contests as well as enjoying the senior pro rodeo, Western dancing, carnival rides and a parade. Information: (520) 684-5479.

JUMPING THROUGH HOOPS

February 3-4; Phoenix Modern intertribal hoop dance incorporates creative designs including animals, butterflies and globes, along with difficult manipulations of as many as 50 hoops and intricate footwork. The variations of dance represent each dancer's distinct traditions and culture. Native hoop dancers from the United States and Canada will converge at the Heard Museum to compete in the 11th Annual World Championship Hoop Dance Contest. For the first time, a woman, Lisa Odjig from Ontario, Canada, will defend the title of world champion. Information: (602) 252-8848.

Other Events

Festival of the Arts; February 3-11; Tubac; (520) 398-2704. The works of more than 125 artists at the oldest European settlement in the state.

Gem and Mineral Show; February 8-11; Tucson; toll-free (800) 638-8350. Mineral specimens from the world's finest museums and private collections.

Territorial Day Festival; February 10; Mesa; (480) 644-2760. Arts and traditions of the Old West in demonstrations of everything from butter-making to blacksmithing at the Sirrine House Museum.

Territorial Days; February 10-11; Benson; (520) 586-4293. Reenactments of early Arizona life, and shopping for old-fashioned arts and crafts at City Park.

Tucson Rodeo Parade; February 22; Tucson; (520) 294-1280. World's longest non-motorized parade, with more than 300 entries.

Lost Dutchman Days; February 23-25; Apache Junction; (480) 982-3141. A search for Jacob Waltz's lost mine and other activities.