Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Music in the Canyon

Sabino Canyon's 14th annual Music in the Canyon outdoor concert took place the evening of Saturday, March 28th from 5:00-9:00PM. It also happened to be the night for Earth Hour, a global event from 8:30-9:30PM to raise awareness about climate change. The three of us wanted to participate in Earth Hour by turning off all the lights and computers in our house. Since we didn't feel like sitting indoors without lights on, we decided to mosey on over to Sabino Canyon. It was a very dark night with just a sliver of moonlight.
The Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association was having a stargazing party near the parking lot. As we were walking away from the astronomers in the darkness, we saw a spectacular shooting star. It was big, colorful and lasted about three seconds.

Pictured below is the Sabino Canyon Visitor Center at night. Sorry about the poor quality of these photos taken in low light. The little orange lanterns on the ground are luminarias.

Luminarias are popular in the Southwestern states of Arizona, New Mexico and Texas for decorating houses on Christmas Eve. They are simply brown paper bags with sand at the bottom and a lit candle inside.
There must have been hundreds of luminarias set up! They lined both sides of the pathway from the visitor center to the Lowell Complex about a third of a mile away. I'm not sure what the Lowell Complex is, but apparently horses live there.


By the time we arrived, we had missed the Fiddlin' Foresters and Smokey the Bear, but we did catch the end of the Tucson Arizona Boys Chorus' energetic performance.

Arco, with Dale Clark on the electric violin, and Ken Alexander on guitar, closed the program with two or three Carlos Santana songs, Ain't No Sunshine by Bill Withers, Time of Your Life by Greenday and Summertime by George Gershwin.
Between 2500 and 3000 people were expected to attend the Music in the Canyon concert with proceeds of the suggested donation of $5 individual and $10 family going to the Friends of Sabino Canyon to help preserve the recreation area. We fully enjoyed the entertainment of the talented musicians at the Music in the Canyon concert and plan on going next year, even if it doesn't coincide with Earth Hour.

13 comments:

Kay said...

Sounds like a really nice event and I'll bet it's beautiful out there under the stars.

Kay

Phoenix C. said...

What a wonderful event! To be outdoors listening to music is always an interesting experience, and in such a setting it must have been fantastic!

Teri said...

The whole night-time look there is just spectacular!!! It was like Music in the Park (that we have in Wis) and my favorite thing to do.

Thanks for this fun. Love that moon shot.

LisaNewton said...

It looks like a fun night for everyone. Being a previous member of the choir, I always like listening.

Lance said...

Looks like a fun event you went to. And seeing the shooting star - wow, I always find so much awe in them!

Gaelyn said...

How delightful to walk to music under the stars. Love the crescent shot. Good idea for fund raiser also.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Wow Diane, What a neat way to spend a 'dark' Sat. night... I'm sure that concert was fabulous. I would have loved to have heard that Boys' Choir.
Hugs,
Betsy

Julie said...

This looked like a spectacular event!!! Too bad you missed the Fiddlin Forresters! That would have been cool, I'm sure!!!

Martha Z said...

What glorious night photos. That concert reminds me of the times Jules and I went the Hollywood bowl, it was such a wonderful place to have a picnic and listen to music. It is one of the few things I miss about life in LA.

deedee said...

I can't believe you took those with a little Kodak camera. The moon shot is spectacular! What a fun way to spend a Saturday night!

Glynis Peters said...

How wonderful!!
You have an award at Scribbles :)

Icy BC said...

What a wonderful event to enjoy! Glad you and your family had fun..

Naturegirl said...

How wonderful to be in a place where your share the same caring of Earth Hour with others!! I sat on the patio gazing at the stars....so-o-o-o many here in the southwest skies!!