Gospel holiday music and the lighting of more than 6,000 luminaries will set Tlaquepaque Arts and Crafts Village aglow on December 10, during the 32nd annual Festival of Lights.
Dozens of entertaining events, including performances by carolers, musicians and dancers, also will be held at this free community event from 3 to 8 p.m.
Headlining the Festival is the River of Life Tabernacle Choir from Phoenix. This group of more than 100 young singers and musicians from diverse backgrounds and histories will be singing in the Plaza de la Fuente from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The choir’s enthusiastic style of praise has made them the favorite opening act for the past 10 years at this event.
The shop owners at Tlaquepaque will pass out chime candles just prior to 5 p.m. and when the Chapel bell tolls, visitors can help light the luminaries, creating a dramatic sight at Tlaquepaque.
It is a special community effort as the Soroptomists of Sedona help fill and place the 6,000 luminarias around the entire property. Patio del Norte will have specially designated luminaries honoring cancer survivors, victims and families. The public can purchase a luminaria for $10 in honor of a loved one and all proceeds go to the American Cancer Society for cancer research. These luminaries can be purchased prior to the event on-line at http://www.tlaq.com/.
A new addition this year will be The Erroll Foldes Jazz Trio. Errol Foldes, a recent addition to Sedona, plays a unique style of alto saxophone combining elements of bop, swing and the blues, with plenty of his own soul added for good measure. He will be joined by Steve Sandner who is a pianist-singer and Selwyn Reams who will play bass for the evening.
The Chapel gates at Tlaquepaque will be open for viewing throughout the entire day.
The Sedona Swing, a women’s cappella quartet, who combined as a group have more than 50 years experience as quartet performers will be singing from 3:30 – 4:30 pm. Additionally Harmony on the Rocks, a Sedona based men’s barbershop chorus, will be sharing their vocal talents by performing a variety of holiday music around the courtyards from 4:30 to 5:30p.m.
The restaurants at Tlaquepaque – Secret Garden Cafe, Oak Creek Brewery and Grill, Rene, and El Rincon Mexican Restaurant – will be serving throughout the day and reservations are highly recommended. All of the shops and galleries will be open until 8 p.m.
Admission to the Festival of Lights is free and complimentary hot cider and cookies will be available throughout the evening.
For more information, please contact Tlaquepaque at (928) 282-4838 or http://www.tlaq.com/.
