22 March 7th–March 13th, 2019 phoenixnewtimes.com phoenix new Times | mUsIC | CAFe | FILm | CULtURe | Night+Day | FeAtURe | neWs | oPInIon | FeeDBACK | Contents | Arizona Aloha Festival comes to Tempe Beach Park, 80 West Rio Salado Parkway. The festival opens on Saturday, March 9, with a rich lineup of music, dance, art, and cuisine. Learn to make a tiki, lei, or rattle. Watch traditional and contemporary hula dance. Try food offerings from poke to pot- stickers. Saturday hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. There’s also a 7 to 9 p.m. seminar on tattoos in Polynesian culture happening at the Phoenix Indian School Visitor Center, 300 East Indian School Road (admission is $10). Visit azalohafest.org. LYNN TRIMBLE ▼ NATURE ANIMAL INSTINCT Social media seems to favor puppies and kittens, but there’s a lot more diversity in the desert, and it’s especially intriguing when you can explore it up close. You’ve got plenty of opportunities over at the Rio Salado Audubon Center, 3131 South Cen- tral Avenue. The center has a family pro- gram called Arizona Animal Encounters, which features wildlife ambassadors shar- ing desert creatures, and talking a bit about the animals’ habits and habitats. Liberty Habitat will be showing birds of prey from 11 a.m. to noon on Saturday, March 9. If you’re an early riser, head over at 8 a.m. for a Saturday Morning Bird Walk. Both events are free. Visit riosalado.audubon. org. LYNN TRIMBLE ▼ CULTURE NATIVE PRIDE The inaugural Arizona Two Spirit Powwow is happening from noon to 5 p.m. on Satur- day, March 9, at the South Mountain Com- munity College Performing Arts Center Amphitheater, 7050 South 24th Street. The free event, which is open to the public, is being presented by Native Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG). It’s a gathering of Native LGBTQ/Two Spirit people from 22 tribes, for celebration, cere- mony, and conversation. The powwow will feature traditional performances such as singing and dancing, storytelling, arts and crafts, lectures, panel discussions, and a photography exhibit — as well as a Native market and food. Organizers hope the event will help to foster diversity, inclu- sion, and healing. All powwow dancers and drums are welcome. Visit aztwospiritpow- wow.com. LYNN TRIMBLE ▼ CULTURE IRAN SO FAR The Persian New Year Festival happens on Saturday, March 9, along the Scottsdale Wa- terfront, 7135 East Camelback Road. Head over between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. to enjoy a free celebration of Persian culture, featuring food and drink, crafts by local artisans, chil- dren’s activities, music, and dance perfor- mance. The event is organized by the Iranian American Society of Arizona, which fosters appreciation for Iranian culture, lan- guage, history, and heritage through educa- tion, food, cultural activities, and community events. Persian New Year is cel- ebrated not only in Iran, but also other countries in the Middle East and Central Asia. The festival is a fun way to learn more about Persian culture and traditions. Visit persiannewyearfestival.com. LYNN TRIMBLE ▼ FESTIVAL A CASE OF THE BLUES Springtime in the Valley means music fes- tivals aplenty — and there’s practically one for every taste imaginable. Fans of down- home sounds of the 12-bar, Delta, or boo- gie-woogie variety, for instance, will flock to Margaret T. Hance Park, 1134 North Central Avenue, on Saturday, March 9, for the annual Blues Blast, a daylong celebra- tion of the genre that’s put on by the Phoe- nix Blues Society. This year’s edition will feature sets from such local and touring acts as The Paladins, The 44s, Chuck Hall, Georege Bowman, Cadillac Assembly Line, and Joe Kopicki. The Guitars4Vets Band will also provide a special performance. Art activities and dis- plays, merchandise vendors, and local food trucks will also be a part of the event. Gates open at 10 a.m., the music starts at 11 a.m. and goes until 7 p.m. Tickets are $25. See phoenixblues.org for more information. BENJAMIN LEATHERMAN SUN 3/10 ▼ FESTIVAL FOR THE CAT PEOPLE Disney claims the studio is releasing a “live-action” remake of The Lion King this year, but we all know Simba and his friends will be CGI. If you want to see real kitties on the big screen, head over to CatVideoFest, a family-friendly compilation of animation, music videos, and home movies from all around the world featuring furry felines being funny, mischievous, or just plain purrr-fect. Proceeds from the event will benefit Cat Cavorting, an organi- zation that helps communities manage outdoor cat colonies. The screenings begin at 12:30 p.m. and 2:15 p.m. on Sunday, March 10, at FilmBar, 815 North Second Street. Tickets are $12. For more information, visit the- filmbarphx.com. JASON KEIL MON 3/11 ▼ SPORTS IN YOUR COURT The ball is in your court, whether you’re a tennis novice or practically a pro. Head to Phoenix Country Club, 2901 North Sev- enth Street, if you want to check out the in- augural Arizona Tennis Classic that starts on Monday, March 11. Organized by the Asso- ciation of Tennis Professionals, the event is designed to help find and foster emerging tennis talents who can move the sport for- ward. The tournament, which continues through Sunday, March 17, includes a Clayton Karas Photography Persian New Year Festival Arizona Aloha Festival Get your culture on: Arizona Two-Spirit Powwow (top). Arizona Aloha Festival (bottom left). Persian New Year Festival (bottom right).
