Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art
7374 E 2^nd Street, Scottsdale, Arizona.
480-874-4666

http://www.smoca.org

Free tour every Thursday at 1:30

Admission is $7 for adults and $5 for students, Summer hours (May 26 through September 7) Closed Monday and Tuesday; – Wednesday 10am-8pm; Thursday 10am-5pm; Friday, Saturday and Sunday 12 noon – 5pm.

Fall and Winter Hours:  Closed Mondays; Tuesday and Wednesday 10am-8pm; Thursday 10am-5pm; Friday, Saturday and Sunday 12 noon  5pm

This is a must see when visiting Scottsdale, Arizona.  This is not your typical art museum filled with masterpieces from the past.  This is a unique museum displaying and questioning the present and future.  This is a hugh display of contemporary art works, creativity, expression and the world of innovation.  Just what can be done?  Take a look around at what is possible, it is on display here.  View the incredible designs and ideas and challenge your mind.  The museum offers a variety of classes and workshops led by very creative people of our time.  You can also visit the on site shop and purchase some very interesting gifts, art books and jewelry.

The history of the Southwest is available at the unique and fun Heard Museum.  The doors opened in 1929 when Maie and Dwight Heard’s dream came true.  Their collection was put on display to the public.  It is estimated that over 40,000 original items are currently on display.  The Heard Museum is internationally known for its collections of The American Indian Culture.  The Museum offers something for everyone.  Some of the Valley’s finest catered events are hosted at the museum.  These events are drenched in the history and ambiance of the Southwest. These range from large or small events, corporate presentations, award ceremonies, family reunions, weddings, whatever the event, the Heard Museum can accommodate it.

The main museum is in downtown phoenix and has 10 individual galleries.

Native People of the Southwest -  Signature Exhibit and ongoing

This exhibit includes Hopi Kachina dolls from both the Senator Barry Goldwater and Fred Harvey Company collections.  There is a video presentation, media room and on site artists demonstrating their abilities and exquisite and unique talent.

3/12/2011 through 5/13/2012 Attitudes of Prayer: Retha Walden Gambaro – An amazing sculptor who started her incredible career at age 52.  She is well known all along the East Coast.  This is her first exhibit in the Southwest.

4/2/2011 through 9/3/2012 The Art of Ceremony: American Indian Paintings of the 20^th Century.   Ceremonies are central to the lives of the American Indian and so well depicted in these vivid paintings.   There is a narrative by Dr. Ann Marshall educating us on the history of ceremonies.

4/2/2011 through 2/12/2012 Something Old, Something New: Nothing Borrowed: New additions acquired  by or donated to the Heard Museum.

7/11/2011 through 3/4/2012 More than Child’s Play – American Indian Dolls: Everyone loves dolls and these tell the amazing story of the Southwest American Indians.  Take your time and enjoy this journey back in time.

On going displays include:

Remembering our Indian School Days: The Boarding School Experience.  Did you know there was a time when  American Indians were required by the federal government to attend boarding schools?  These schools were hundreds of miles away from their homes, families and friends.

We Are!  Arizona’s First People:  Did you know Arizona has 21 federally recognized tribal communities?  All 21 are acknowledged throughout this exhibit and there is an audio presentation recorded by each of the 21 communities explaining their customs, histories and cultures.  There are hands on activities for the little ones to enjoy and participate in different cultures.

Every Picture Tells a Story:  This is an interactive exhibit.  You can participate in making your own hand crafted item or listen and enjoy the exhibit and rich history as discussed by different artists.

Around the World: the Heard Museum Collection:  These are exhibits from around the world including North and South America, and Africa.

History and Collections of the Heard Museum –

Arizona is so fortunate to have such an amazing center to display, memorialize and remember the history of the American Indian Culture with all of its beauty, art and wonderful handcrafts.

Montezumas Castle National Monument

In 1906 Montezuma’s Castle was recognized as a National Monument.  The Sinagua culture,  a native group survived in this area in the cliff dwelling and in huts along the waterways for centuries, long before Columbus discovered the “new world”.  The Verde Valley provided everything they needed to sustain the habitat they lived in.  The public has not been allowed inside the Castle for the past 50 plus years.  This is due mainly to its age and fragility.  Built into a cliff, you will find this 20 room apartment above Beaver Creek. This was not the only structure at that time, however, it is the only one that has survived time.   When you look through the windows you are peeking into America’s past and into the best kept cliff dwelling in the US.  Built by the Sinagua’s  nearly 1,000 years ago it depicts survival and amazing creativity in designing a dwelling to protect them from the blistering desert sun during the day and cool to frigid temperatures at night. At 9am every Sunday Ranger John will guide you through the Montezuma Well which is 11 miles from the Castle. The Well is the result of a collapsed limestone cavern allowing a million plus gallons of water to run through the well daily.  The fresh warm water that continuously flows created an aquatic habitat found nowhere else in the world.  For thousands of years this well has provided an oasis for humans and the local wildlife.   Here you will find animal species you have never seen before. NAU has been researching where the water is coming from and how it maintains its constant and consistent 74 degree temperature.  Somewhere deep in the layers of earth lies the secret of this well.   As you wander through the winding pre-historic dwellings you will find pueblo ruins and an irrigation ditch over 1,000 years old that is still used today by the locals.  In 1933 an excavation crew discovered the Tuzigoot Village, stabilized it and built a museum which holds the Tuzigoot People’s story.  Not a lot is known about the Tuzigoot people.  They were believed to be hunters and traveled along the Verde Valley.  The citadel is said to have possibly house 250 people in its 110 rooms.  The size of the city and the number of people caused them to create solutions to problems and learn how to live together and make good choices to survive.

The Montezuma Castle Visitor Center holds the largest displays of ancient Sinagua artifacts, approximately 23,016 items. They were known for their beautiful textiles and pottery.  You will find the displays incredible.

There is a lot of walking and the summer temperatures are extreme.  Dress appropriately, wear comfortable shoes and bring lots of bottled water to make sure you stay hydrated.  Winter temperatures can range between 14 degrees and 45 degrees, a vast difference from the summer temperatures.

Mailing Address:  Montezuma Castle National Monument, PO Box 219, Camp Verde, Arizona   86322

Visitor Center Phone:  928-567-3322 – Managed by the National Park Services

Park Headquarters Phone:  928-567-5276  Fax:  928-567-3597

Website:  www.nps.gov
Directions:  take the I-17 to exit 289 drive east approximately 1/2 mile to the red traffic light turn left on Montezuma Castle Road.

Hours:  June through August  8am to 5pm;  September through May 7am to 5pm (Closed on Christmas Day)

Montezuma Castle Admission:  Adults 16 and over, $5.00 (good for 7 days) Children under 16 are free

Montezuma Castle and Tuzigoot National Monuments – discounted rate for both together is $8.00 – ask for the pass if you plan to see both parks.  There is no admission fee to visit Montezuma’s Well.

The Casa Grande Ruins National Monument

One of North America’s largest ancient structures ever built is known as the The Casa Grande Ruins or “Great House”.  The purpose of this structure is historically unknown.  Many have guessed but there is no written document or story stating its purpose or history.

There is evidence that Casa Grande was built by the Sonoran Desert people to create the ability to trade and provide irrigation farming which was in effect for over one thousand years and lasted till 1450.  The Sonoran Desert people left behind no history or written language documenting their existence at Casa Grande.  However in 1694 when Padre Eusebio Francisco Kino arrived he started making journal entries to document his activities and the naming of Casa Grande or “Great House” as it has been known.  As time went by and others arrived in Casa Grande, documentation started to emerge reflecting back on what was seen and what was done. Articles were written by  Lt. Col. Juan Bautista de Anza in 1775 and Brig. General Stephen Watts Kearny in 1846.  These and subsequent written articles started to spur interest in Casa Grande and during the 1860’s the area became so popular and well known that a twenty mile railroad line and and stage coach line ran through casa Grande.  This brought in more and more people and the area grew.  Consequently, as the town grew,  more damages and vandalism was done to the town, which is not uncommon as a town grows.

Archeologists suggest that the Sonoran Desert people are part of an earlier hunting culture.  As the climate became hotter and drier, the wildlife became far more sparse resulting in a difficult place for the people to survive without meat.  The introduction of corn turned them around from hunters to farmers.  Even though the climate was dry and hot they made due by creating irrigation with rivers and mountain run offs to keep the ground productive and the corn growing.  The Desert people, over time created a form  of pottery known as “red-on-buff”.  Much of this is displayed in the museum. Sunday, February 12 and 13, 2011 is the American Indian Music Festival at Casa Grande Ruins National Monument.  This is thr third annual festival and it is a celebration of the prehistoric connection and continuity with today’s modern American Indian cultures.  The similarities are demonstrated through dance and music.  Arts and crafts made by the local artisans are available for purchase and this includes authentic American Indian food delicacies. 

1100 W. Ruins Drive

Coolidge, AZ  85228, 

Take Interstate 10 to the Coolidge exit, follow the signs to the park entrance.

Hours:   9am to 5pm every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day (closed) – Managed by the National Park Services

Admission: $5.00 – Adults (16yrs and up); Children under 15 yrs of age – Free; School Groups call ahead to apply for “Educational Fee” waiver; Commercial Tours Groups – $5.00/person unless visitor has a valid “American the Beautiful” pass

Phone:520-723-3172

Website:  www.nps.gov

The Body Worlds exhibit is back again at the Arizona Science Center. I saw the exhibit last year and it was fascinating, educating, and simply spectacular. This year they are adding information about the human brain in addition to how the body works. They use real human bodies that people have donated after their death. The bodies have been preserved through a remarkable process called Plastination. You actually view bodies in various motions and positions. You can see everything that is beneath the skin. The aim of the show is to educate the public on what diseases and bad health practices can do to the interior of your body. It is interesting and educational for all ages and certainly a unique experience.

It is a great activity if you are on an Arizona Vacation and have never been to the Arizona Science center. If you are renting a home in Scottsdale it is about a 20-30 minute drive to the downtown area and certainly worth the trip. It’s not too far of a drive from our Phoenix Vacation Home Rentals either. You can contact them for pricing and times at http://www.azscience.org/

The Hall of Flame Musuem of Firefighting

6101 E Van Buren Street, Phoenix (602-275-3473)

Dating back from 1725 – 1961 you can find original fire- fighting equipment in the Hall of Flames which is the largest museum of its type in the world.  There are over 100 pieces of mechanized, horse-drawn and hand to hand pieces of fire- fighting equipment.  This is an amazing collection of well preserved fire engines, including a child friendly fire truck for the little ones to sit in and drive, pretend of course.  You can also dress up in all the gear you want to or merely cruise through the various galleries to learn more about our amazing fire fighters.  One gallery is just helmets and there are thousands.  Another gallery displays over 2000 specific department badges.  There are also games and a photo gallery with fire safety tips.  Hours are 9am-5pm Mon-Saturday and Noon to 4pm Sunday.  Admission – $5-Adults, $4-Seniors and $3 children 6yrs to 17yrs.  Children under 6 are free.

The  Arizona  State Capitol Museum is located on the  Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza.  The dome is built from  copper and the building itself is a simple design out of  granite.    The Capitol Museum is the original Capitol building, dating back to 1900 and built 12 years before Arizona became a recognized state.  Starting in 1960 the legislature moved to the building behind the Museum because they outgrew the old building.

Inside the Museum you will find an array of murals showing Arizona’s scenery, how it developed and progressed to becoming a state.  The murals tell the story of Arizona.   A statue of Arizona’s first governor, George W. P. Hunt, many notable photos, as well as the original house and senate chambers are in the museum.  Outside you can journey around the Wesley Bolin Plaza and enjoy a grassy area encompassing 2 blocks of sculptures and monuments.

The anchor from the USS Arizona, which sank during the Pearl Harbor invasion by the Japanese in 1941, is mounted on the eastern end of the plaza.  The anchor serves as a memorial to those who died aboard the ship serving their country.  There are other memorials for both Korean and Vietnam war veterans.

The Museum is open from 8am- 5pm weekdays, admission is free.  The Wesley Bolin Plaza is accessible during day light hours only and is free.  If you make arrangements in advance you can schedule a guided tour through both the Museum and the Plaza.  Tours run 2 times a day. A great place to visit while staying at vacation rentals in Scottsdale, Az.

Pima Air & Space Museum

Many museums across the nation have airplanes in the museums but there is no museum quite like the Pima Air & Space Museum. The Pima Air & Space Museum is on the outskirts of Tucson, AZ and makes for a wonderful daytrip from either Tucson or Phoenix. It is said that one can satisfy their cravings for adventure for months and even years by taking the tour of this museum.

Many of the featured planes in the museum are displayed outside, and there are several indoor exhibits as well. You will spend the greater part of your visit to the museum outdoors so dress accordingly. The displays can reach 250 aircraft at any one given time. Some of the planes on display are Aero Spacelines 377-SG Super Gruppy which has the hybrid appearance of an airplane combined with a blimp. This plane definitely looks like the creation of a mad scientist. Some other planes you will quite enjoy viewing are the Mustangs, Liberators, Harriet Jumpets, B52’s, Lockheed Martins and of course the Vikings. This collection of airplanes originates from places all over the globe. You can even view the notorious Wright Bros replica that dates back to 1903.

Do not forget to bring your camera because you will have many opportunities to have some really great shots. The experts that take you on the tour provide a wealth of knowledge on each plane and the history that goes with them. You can find more detailed information about the museum on their website.

You should bring plenty of water to drink, your camera, comfy shoes and a hat come in handy as well. You will be outdoors for the majority of the time so the more comfortable you dress the better your experience will be.

So if you are already in the area looking for company that does commercial property management in Phoenix, take a day trip and come see this fascinating spectacle.

Hours of Operation:

Monday – Sunday between the hours of 9am-5pm

The museum is only closed on Christmas and Thanksgiving

Admission Prices

During the months of June through October

Adults from age 13+ – $13.75

Residents of Pima County – $11.50

Senior Citizens 65 +, AAA, and Military – $11.75

Kids ages 7-12 -  $8.00

Kids 6 and under – Free

Bone yard Admission – $7.00

Groups of 20 + people – $12.50

During the months of November through May

Adults from age 13+ – $15.50

Residents of Pima County – $12.75

Senior Citizens 65 +, AAA, and Military – $12.75

Kids ages 7-12 – $9.00

Kids 6 and under – Free

Bone yard Admission – $7.00

Groups of 20 + people – $13.50

Address : Phone:

Pima Air & Space Museum                     (520) 574-0462

6000 East Valencia Road

Tucson, AZ 85726

The MIM (Musical Instrument Museum)

If you are staying in a rental from a Phoenix property management company, this wonderful place is not far away. The MIM is located in the Northern Phoenix area on the corner of Tatum Blvd and Mayo Blvd. The MIM is a couple blocks to the south of the AZ Loop 101 freeway.

Address: 4725 E. Mayo Blvd. Phoenix, AZ 85050

Phone: (480) 478-6000

The MIM’s Hours of Operation

Mon-Wed from 9am-5pm

Thurs – Fri from 9am-9pm

Sat – 9am-5pm

Sun – 10am-5pm

Admission

Adults ages 18-64 – $15.00

Senior Citizens age 65+ – $13.00

Kids ages 6-17 – $10.00

Kids under 6 – Free

The Vision of the MIM

Music is shared by people of all ages and backgrounds and can give a level of comfort to your life. Music brings people together and is used to celebrate many of the wonderful things in life. Music is something that all people in some way, shape, or form have in common.

The MIM stands for a celebration of all these moments and experiences we share. Music is a gift created by humans and way to celebrate our diverse cultures. People are invited from all cultures and nations to come to celebrate and share this common love of music. The MIM shares the diversity and beauty provided by musical instruments that have originated from all over the world. The MIM tells the tale of each instrument and the sounds they provide tell a story all of their own.

The Mission of the MIM

The MIM has exhibitions for the young and the old. The MIM gives each music lover the chance to experience the museum in their own way. Within the MIM you will find a very diverse selection of music and the instruments used to create it.

The MIM prides itself on displaying and showing artifacts of musical instruments from all the countries in the world. This is the only place you will really be able to capture the gift of music for generations to come. The displays and exhibitions are told by very high technology systems allowing video and audio so that you can see and hear the sounds like they are to be experienced in each of their individual cultures.

The MIM even has live performers from around the globe. This gives the visitor the opportunity to hear the music as it was intended to sound with the awesome acoustics, and super comfy atmosphere. Come hear the music of the world at the MIM.