First Sedona Arts and Culture Week

New to Sedona – the first Sedona Arts and Culture Week, May 28 – June 8, 2014! This includes the fabulous 8th Annual Sedona Bluegrass Festival, and 11 days of films, music, dance, photography and special events set in inspiring landscapes of Sedona; centered around three festivals, Sedona Culture Collaborative has partnered to bring some of the best and brightest stars to Sedona. Make your connection with Earth and Spirit for an unforgettable experience in the Red Rocks.

Each week we’ll update you on what’s happening here on El Portal’s Blog. To start the event off on…

Wednesday, May 28: SCC/Illuminate Invitational Launch Party“24 Peaces” Premiere with local peacemakers and artists
7:00-9:30 pm | Private Home Gathering – Food & Wine served
Experience an intimate evening of film, food, community artists and peacemakers with Artist GENE and Two-Time Oscar winner Director Ron Judkins. GENE, California-based visionary artist shares his journey to meet 24 of the world’s greatest living peacemakers, the likes of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Marianne Williamson, Dr. Deepak Chopra and others. Director Ron Judkins, known for his work on Saving Private Ryan (1998), Schindler’s List (1993) and Jurassic Park (1993) paints the possibility of each peacemaker on film while GENE paints each on a canvas. They share his project and his footage for the first time in a private Work-in-Progress World Premiere. Local Artists/Peacemakers will create the voice of Sedona’s commitment as an International City of Peace. A silent auction of a painting that GENE will paint while in Sedona, along with items from local peacemaker artists will take place. Proceeds benefit SCC, GENE and all participating organizations. http://www.24peaces.org/

Sunday, June 1: Mile…Mile & A Half: A Film, Hike, Music Immersion SEDONA ARTS COMMUNITY EVENT
4:00 -7:00 pm | Sedona Performing Arts Center
A celebration and tribute to ALL members of Greater Sedona organizations that nurture visual and performing arts, as well as organizations that enhance the cultural enrichment of our community will take place. On the closing afternoon of the Illuminate Film Festival, the audience will enjoy the Sedona premiere of “Mile…Mile & A Half “, a humorous, visually masterful film about hiking, adventure-seeking, laughing and being inspired on California’s historic 211-mile John Muir trail. Follow a group of five friends as they tackle the trail under extreme conditions after one of the biggest winter snowfalls in history, lugging many extra pounds of cameras intended to capture the trail’s ethereal beauty. Inspired by the power of human connectedness and connection with the land, embark with fellow movie-goers on a mile…mile & a half hike with musicians, artists, healers, and a Native American Spiritual Emissary and Cultural Guardian, who will offer joyful musical celebrations and ceremonies along the route.

El Portal Sedona Hotel

Monday, June 2: The Spirit of Pete Seeger: A Music and Literary Tribute
7:30-9:00 pm | Mary D. Fisher Theatre
America’s most inventive clawhammer banjo player and storyteller, Michael Miles, will perform his acclaimed “From Senegal to Seeger” one-man show. Engage in an exhilarating, musical and multi-dimensional journey, a provocative political and social history of America as Michael Miles plays music that spans 300 years and charts the transformation of the banjo from an African instrument to the quintessential expression of the American voice. When Pete Seeger first heard Michael Miles, he sent a letter to Michael saying that “in all my 70 years this is among the most beautiful recordings I have ever heard…enough to make me want to learn the banjo all over again”.

Tuesday, June 3: Spirited Creativity Exploration
2:00-4:00 pm | Sedona Public Library
Building on the Spirit of Pete Seeger Tribute, Michael Miles, along with foremost fiddler, Darol Anger, will improvise, jam and tell stories that developed their mastery, as well as a whole new genre in music! Experienced musicians along with music lovers are encouraged to explore musical your creativity as you as everyone participates together. Bring your voice, your stories and your instruments!

Stay at our pet friendly hotel, El Portal Sedona. We are centrally located, beautifully furnished with a lovely, relaxing courtyard, peaceful, inviting great room and delicious gourmet breakfasts daily from 8am-10am!

Call for reservations: 1.800.313.0017 or go online.