Sedona, AZ: Enjoy one of Sedona’s oldest holiday traditions of music and festivities including the amazing lighting of 6,000 luminarias at Tlaquepaque’s 35th Annual Festival of Lights on Saturday, December 13, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. This event, which is patterned after the 17th Century La Posada – a folk tradition of Old Mexico – will warm hearts and brighten this holiday season.
Plan on spending the afternoon and evening at Tlaquepaque selecting holiday gifts while wandering through the festive courtyards listening to holiday music and carolers. The shop owners at Tlaquepaque will pass out chime candles just prior to 5 p.m., and when the Chapel bell tolls, visitors are encouraged to light the luminarias, creating a dramatic sight at Tlaquepaque. In preparation for this incredible evening, the Soroptomists of Sedona help fill and place the 6,000 luminarias around the entire property.
Returning again this year to the Festival is the critically acclaimed River of Life Tabernacle Choir from Phoenix. This group of more than 100 young singers and musicians from diverse backgrounds 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 event’s favorite for the past 10 years. The choir has had incredible exposure over the years playing for Senator John McCain as well as performing with the Judds and Reba McEntire.
Patio del Norte will have specially designated luminarias honoring cancer survivors, victims and families. The public can purchase and personalize luminaria for $10 in honor of a loved one. All proceeds go to the American Cancer Society for cancer research. These luminarias can be purchased prior to the event on-line at www.tlaq.com. Each bag with its touching message will be on view the entire day at Tlaquepaque.
A full slate of other entertainment and carolers will perform in the plazas and courtyards of Tlaquepaque throughout the evening. Santa Claus will make a special guest appearance at 3 p.m., in Patio del Norte, where he will be checking to see who has been naughty or nice. Shoppers and visitors can sip on complimentary hot cider while listening to Christmas carols performed by Tom and Shondra Jepperson in the Patio del Norte.
Jazz à la mode, a group founded by Frankie and Rosemary Chavez, may be new arrivals to the Sedona music scene but bring years of professional experience. An accomplished drummer and vocalist, the duo recently released a CD together called Sweet Jazz à la mode. They are set to perform in Patio del Norte from 5:30 to 8 p.m.
Tlaquepaque is extending the Luminarias activities by adding a special concert featuring Pace and Tolson of the River of Life Tabernacle Choir. They will be playing piano and singing classical hymns and holiday music in the Tlaquepaque Chapel on Friday, December 12 from 3 to 7 p.m.
