Third-Annual Scottsdale Festival Offers a Weekend Filled with Family-Friendly, Interactive Experiences ​

Welcoming fall weather has never been more enjoyable. This year, area residents and visitors can embrace the arrival of fall in the desert with the annual outdoor Kierland POP festival, planned for Friday, Nov. 15 and Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019 in Scottsdale. The two-day festival includes a series of interactive, pop-up experiences – featuring Arizona winemakers, art in unexpected places, live music and entertainment, a fine art marketplace, a night run, and more. It all takes place at Kierland Commons and The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa. ​

“During the third-annual POP Art experience, you can appreciate the creativity of local artists and performers along with award-winning, Arizona-produced wines,” said David Hyatt, President of Kierland Master Association. “Our diverse community is the perfect location for these popular, well-attended events!”  

The Kierland POP celebration begins at The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa on Friday, Nov. 15, with a ticketed POP Charity Night that’s open to the public. Held from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and hosted in partnership with the Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance (SAACA) and the Arizona Wine Growers Association, the evening begins with an “Academy Awards” celebration of Arizona wines, recognizing winners from azcentral’s 2019 Arizona Wine Competition.  

“We’re thrilled to showcasing Arizona wine and all it has to offer at this year’s Kierland POP Festival,” said Kris Pothier, President of the Arizona Wine Growers Association. “Guests will have an opportunity to explore wine varietals while learning more about the passion and energy that winemakers put into every bottle.”  
During Friday night’s event, guests will have an opportunity to interact directly with Arizona winemakers and learn firsthand about the family traditions and stories behind the wines that are poured at the event. Attendees can also expect to encounter lively art experiences; culinary samples from local chefs; and live, vibrant music and entertainment. Those 21 and older can purchase tickets at kierlandpop.com for $55 each. All proceeds from the evening will benefit SAACA’s Veterans Art Therapy Program. 

​On Saturday, Nov. 16, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Kierland POP continues at Kierland Commons with an outdoor wine tasting festival at the shopping center’s Main Street Center Plaza. The ticketed Grand Wine Festival will feature wine tasting and sales from more than 30 Arizona wineries pouring more than 200 wines – making it the state’s largest celebration of Arizona wine. Those 21 and older can purchase wine-tasting tickets at kierlandpop.com for $30 each through November 1, or designated-driver tickets for $15 each.  

Guests who attend the POP Charity Night on Friday or the Grand Wine Festival on Saturday can receive discounted rides from Lyft when they use the service to and from Kierland POP events. New Lyft customers can get $5 off their first four rides when they use the code SAACA. Existing Lyft customers can get 10% off their rides when they use the code SAACA19.   

Visitors to the shopping center on Saturday can also expect to enjoy a series of fun, interactive activities, including an art walk featuring local professional artists and emerging artisans; live music and arts performances; kids activities, and a fine art marketplace.   
On Saturday evening, the third annual Kierland POP 5K Walk/Run will take place from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., benefitting local breast cancer nonprofit “Don’t Be a Chump! Check for a Lump!” An all-new course has been created for this year’s event; it kicks off on Main Street in Kierland Commons and celebrates the beauty of The Westin Kierland Golf Club at night on a fast, fun and safe route. The $40 race fee covers race swag, including a T-shirt and medal. To register for the run, visit http://bit.ly/31Y2Av0. 
 
For more information, visit kierlandpop.com or follow Kierland POP on Instagram (@KierlandPOP) and Facebook (@KierlandPOP2019). See the excitement by searching for #KierlandPOP on social media. To view and download hi-res photos from last year’s Kierland POP Experience, visit: http://bit.ly/2Zuq78Z 
 
About Kierland Commons 
Well-placed in the enviable enclave where North Phoenix meets Scottsdale, Kierland Commons is a 24/7, mixed-use urban oasis that is home to some of the most desired lifestyle brands and the region’s most alluring restaurants and nightlife. Top-drawing names at Kierland Commons include Anthropologie, Athleta, Arhaus, Coach, Crate & Barrel, Evereve, Michael Kors, Sur La Table, Aveda and many more, plus nearly a dozen exciting restaurants, including Zinc Bistro, Postino Wine Café, Shake Shack, Bar NoRTH, and The Greene House. Near Scottsdale Airpark and a trove of top-tier business parks and corporate offices, Kierland Commons is the place to see and be seen for young professionals, fashionistas, foodies and resort visitors. For more information, visit kierlandcommons.com. 
 
About The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa  
Set on 250 acres in north Scottsdale, The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa provides contemporary amenities and design paired with an ever-changing collection of distinctive experiences that bring to life the “Essence of Arizona.” A revitalizing desert oasis, the property features a collection of 10 dining venues serving an eclectic mix of the area’s finest flavors: Agave, the Arizona Spa, a full-service  rejuvenating destination showcasing rare, desert-inspired treatments and additional therapies; and The Westin Kierland Golf Club, providing the area’s most innovative golf program with rolling greens across 27 holes and a first-of-its-kind fleet of GolfBoards and golf bikes, Kierland TurfRiders and Segway golf. Complementing the resort’s premier amenities, the award-winning FUN program offers a bevy of rotating Arizona excursions and on-property activities, including the property’s Adventure Water Park. A leading destination for meetings and events, located steps from premier shopping and dining, the resort boasts more than 200,000 square feet of well-appointed indoor and outdoor space, and features the renowned portfolio of signature Westin wellness offerings. For more information, visit kierlandresort.com. 
 
About The Kierland Master Association  
The Kierland Master Association is a 730-acre master-planned community located on the border of Phoenix and Scottsdale, adjacent to the Kierland Golf Club and the award-winning mixed-use destination, Kierland Commons. Woodbine Development Corporation served as the primary developer for the Kierland project, which opened in 1996. The Kierland Master Association was formed to enhance, promote and preserve the values and use of the project, by maintaining and supporting the quality design and character of the community. The Kierland Master Association is professionally managed by CCMC, a community management company that puts people first, encourages leaders to be their best, and infuses life with fun. For more than 45 years, CCMC has been strengthening the community by creating experiences that connect people in the neighborhoods where they live and in the offices where they work. For more information, visit CCMCnet.com. 
 
About Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance (SAACA) 
The Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance (SAACA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the creation, preservation and advancement of the arts. SAACA (formerly the Greater Oro Valley Arts Council) was created to develop cultivated programming that spotlights local creatives and celebrates diversity and culture, while providing direct opportunities for artists to make and sell their work. To date, SAACA has created more than 200,000 arts-driven experiences, from innovative community festivals and cultural celebrations to creative sector development, and accessible arts enrichment programs. SAACA continues to grow its footprint and impact while strengthening the bonds between people, place and purpose through collaborative arts-driven experiences. For more information, visit saaca.org.  
 
About Arizona Wine Growers Association 
The Arizona Wine Growers Association stands as a proud advocate for growth, change, opportunities and strength in all aspects of wine growing, making, selling and drinking.  Representing over 100 vineyard owners, grape growers, winemakers, and supporting businesses, the AWGA is committed to working together to advance the growth, knowledge and reputation of Arizona wine. For more information, visit azwinegrowersassociation.com.  
 
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Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance invites the public to enjoy the inaugural Sahuarita Chalk Art Festival – with artists and community members bringing the pavement to life with colorful chalk murals – at the Sahuarita Lake Park, Nov. 2, 2019 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
 
(SAHUARITA, Ariz.) - The Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance (SAACA) and the Town of Sahuarita will partner to present the inaugural Sahuarita Chalk Art Festival on Saturday, November 2, 2019 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Sahuarita Lake Park. The festival will host eight professional chalk artists creating six-foot visually stunning murals in a matter of hours and inspire community members to grab a piece of chalk and participate in the creativity with a free KidsZone, Emerging Artist showcase and Community Participation Murals.
 
The Sahuarita Chalk Art Festival is a free, family-friendly event, where visitors can watch in awe as local artists transform pavement into magnificent works of art. The featured artists will focus the designs of their six-foot murals on one of three themes: Air and Space; Sahuarita Themed Animals; and Local Landmarks and Culture. The public is invited to watch artists as they create their momentary masterpieces over the course of just five hours. The eight artists will travel to Sahuarita from across Arizona to create their chalk art murals, including:
 

• Wesley Fawcett Creigh (Woodpecker) - Tucson, AZ
• Eli Farias (Astronaut in Space) - Phoenix, AZ
• Ignacio Garcia (Cicada) - Tucson, AZ
• Judith Arnaud Gary (Quail) - Tucson, AZ
• Victor Navarro Art (Folklorico Dancers) - Tucson, AZ
• Annmarie Perry (Solar System) - Surprise, AZ
• Rather Be Chalking (Fish in Lake) - Youngtown, AZ
• Marissa Salazar (Bobcat) - Phoenix, AZ

 
This creative community event offers the public to get a rare glimpse into the way art is created throughout each stage of progress. Attendees are encouraged to interact and speak with the artists during the event and are invited to take photos and track progress as the murals develop into creative masterpieces.
 
“Chalk Art is a great way to see the artistic process in action” says Matt Rolland, SAACA Director of Programs. “In just a few hours, artists make incredible pieces of art that are meant to be temporary, using a medium – chalk - that just about everyone is familiar with.”
 
Attendees interested in creating their own works of art can visit the Sahuarita Chalk Art Festival KidsZone or sign up to participate in the Emerging Artists & Community Participation Murals showcase. The KidsZone is a space where imaginations soar, and children can create their own original masterpieces of chalk art under the guidance of artist facilitators.
 
Community members and emerging artists who wish to participate in the mural-making process can reserve a dedicated painting space at the festival to work on a unique 3' x 3' square mural piece. At 2:30 PM, awards will be handed out by a panel of judges for the following categories:
 

• $100 - Best Town of Sahuarita Inspired Mural
• $100 - Best Family or Group Created Mural
• $100 - Judges Choice Emerging Artist

 
“We are pleased to partner with SAACA on several new signature events, including the Sahuarita Chalk Art Festival, to celebrate the Town of Sahuarita’s 25th anniversary celebration”, said Nanette Smejkal, Sahuarita Parks and Recreation Director.  The partnership also includes new public art murals to be painted in town parks during October – November 2019 and Sabrosita Sahuarita, a feature culinary festival that was held in May 2019.
                                              
Sahuarita Chalk Art Festival
When: Saturday, November 2 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Sahuarita Lake Park, 15466 S Rancho Sahuarita Blvd, 85629
Cost: Free Admission
Online: https://www.saaca.org/sahuaritachalkart.html
Phone: (520) 797-3959
 
NOTE TO MEDIA: Photos available
 
About the Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance
The Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance (SAACA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the creation, preservation and advancement of the Arts.  SAACA strengthens the bonds between people, place and purpose through collaborative, arts-driven experiences.  SAACA (formerly the Greater Oro Valley Arts Council) was created to develop cultivated programming that spotlights local creatives and celebrates unique culture, while providing direct opportunities for artists to make and sell their work.  To date, SAACA has created over 200,000 arts-driven experiences, from innovative community festivals and cultural celebrations to creative sector development, and accessible arts enrichment programs. SAACA continues to grow in footprint and in impact while working to pursue the mission of strengthening the bonds between people, place and purpose.

Town of Sahuarita
The Town of Sahuarita is the 6th youngest incorporated town in the State of Arizona, and will celebrate its 25th birthday on September 20, 2019. Sahuarita is a regional partner with other municipalities, educational institutions, non-profits, and business leaders in Southern Arizona, and recognizes the importance of arts and culture in creating and sustaining well-rounded communities. For more information on the public art partnership between the Town of Sahuarita and SAACA, please visit www.sahuaritaaz.gov/parks.

SAACA invites the public to enjoy Arts in the Plaza – with fine arts, jazz music and great food – at St. Philip’s Plaza, October 19th & 20th
 
(TUCSON, Ariz) The sounds of jazz will swing through the courtyards of St. Philips Plaza for a weekend of outdoor fine arts and music. Over 50 artists will participate in the annual Arts in the Plaza Fine Art & Jazz Festival on Saturday October 19th and Sunday October 20th from 9:00 am until 4:00 pm in the stunning courtyard setting of St. Philip's Plaza, located at the southeast corner of River Road and Campbell Avenue.
 
“The show is a much-anticipated fine art exhibition in the region and continues to grow in popularity,” said SAACA Executive Director Kate Marquez. “The event has met capacity for the last several years, which is a testament to the quality and talent of the participating artists.”
 
Handmade artwork will add to the diversity of fine arts at the show, including oil and acrylic paintings, mixed media designs, pottery, sculpture, leather and metal work, photography, porcelain paintings, gourd art, woodwork and more.
Attendees can also enjoy acoustic musical performances through the weekend on the patio between Union and Reforma restaurants. St. Philip’s Plaza merchants will also offer special discounts, wine tastings, and other promotions for Arts in the Plaza attendees. This year’s main stage jazz performances include:
 
Saturday October 19
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM               Frim Fram Trio (Classics and Standards)
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM                  Cynthia Hilts (Great American Songbook)
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM                   Nathaniel Burnside Duo (Flamenco and Latin Jazz)
 
Sunday October 20
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM               Gus Woodrow Duo (Guitar Jazz)
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM                  Troy Gray (Flamenco and Latin Jazz)
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM                   Elisabeth Geel & Ed Delucia (Originals and New Jazz) 
 
2019 Arts in the Plaza Fine Art and Jazz Festival
When: Saturday, October 19 from 9 a.m. to 4 pm. and Sunday, October 20 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: St. Philip’s Plaza, southeast corner of River Road and Campbell Avenue
Cost: Free admission
Online: www.saaca.org
Phone: 520-797-3959

NOTE TO MEDIA: Photos available
 
About the Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance
The Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance (SAACA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the creation, preservation and advancement of the Arts.  SAACA strengthens the bonds between people, place and purpose through collaborative, arts-driven experiences.  SAACA (formerly the Greater Oro Valley Arts Council) was created to develop cultivated programming that spotlights local creatives and celebrates unique culture, while providing direct opportunities for artists to make and sell their work.  To date, SAACA has created over 200,000 arts-driven experiences, from innovative community festivals and cultural celebrations to creative sector development, and accessible arts enrichment programs. SAACA continues to grow in footprint and in impact while working to pursue the mission of strengthening the bonds between people, place and purpose.