December '08 Events

Here's what we've scheduled for December. Click to see January.

Check back often because we update all the time with exciting new events.

Click on our Author & Musician Scrapbook link to get a peek at some past events.

Writing Workshop & Book Debut David Morrell returns to The Well Red Coyote! Tuesday, December 2, 7 pm: David Morrell, father of the modern action novel, returns to The Well Red Coyote for the debut of his newest title, THE SPY WHO CAME FOR CHRISTMAS. In THE SPY WHO CAME FOR CHRISTMAS, it’s Christmas Eve in Santa Fe, but among the revelers on Canyon Road, a decidedly unholy scene is taking place. A desperate man feverishly seeks refuge for himself and the squirming bundle he holds tightly. Agent Paul Kagan’s bundle is a baby who has the power to change the course of global events. His pursuers are his former colleagues—members of the Russian mafia who will stop at nothing to accomplish their mission. Now Kagan is a spy on the run—he must ensure this baby’s survival, even if it will cost him his own life. A short distance away, Kagan will find an unexpected pair of allies—a mother and her young son, who huddle together after a horrible episode of domestic violence leaves them home alone. With the exquisitely honed skills of his profession and the help of a weary woman and a disillusioned boy, Kagan must take on forces that will stop at nothing. In the course of a wild and violent night, the unlikely trio learn lessons of generosity, courage, and selflessness, discovering within themselves the luminous strength of the true Christmas spirit. Signed copies of this well-priced holiday title will make outstanding Christmas gifts. David Morrell is the New York Times bestselling author of twenty-eight books, including his award-winning CREEPERS and SCAVENGER. He is also the celebrated author of FIRST BLOOD, on which the Rambo movies are based. Co-president of the International Thrillers Writers Organization, David, a former creative writing professor, is the most generous of authors, and is always willing to present an impromptu writing workshop, fielding a wide-range of questions on writing and publishing.

		On Poetry Discussion Friday, December 5, 7 pm: Join Sedona poet, Mary Heyborne, for a discussion of writing poetry, and for readings from some of her new, as-yet unpublished poems. Mary will discuss some of the discoveries she made during her early days as a poet, and she will also share some of what she’s learned along the way. Mary’s published books of poetry are WHO WILL PICK THE MORNING ROSE and EPHEMERONS. James Bishop, Jr. writes of EPHEMERONS: “…Heyborne shows the poet’s eye and wields the poet’s pen. Words rarely clog the pen, as her imagination gives form to feelings all numbed humanity shares but are too often left unsaid.” And Joe Neri, co-owner of The Well Red Coyote, describes it as: “…a wonderfully poignant glimpse into the poetic world of Mary Heyborne, whose word pictures touch us all with their universal themes and relevancy to our own lives.” An award-winning poet and professional potter, Mary is also the founder of The Poet’s Corner at the Sedona Arts Center.

		Kids! Meet Rascal, the Tassel-Eared Squirrel Saturday, December 6, 2 pm: Back by popular demand is Sylvester Allred, author of RASCAL: THE TASSEL-EARED SQUIRREL. In the ponderosa pine forest on the rim of the Grand Canyon lives Rascal, a tassel-eared squirrel. Rascal’s tale reveals the lifeways of tassel-eared squirrels, the sometimes cruel randomness of nature, and the teeming and twittering life of a ponderosa pine forest. Sidebars discuss the many natural things that make up Rascal’s world, and Diane Iverson’s vivid illustrations jump off the pages, bringing Rascal’s story to life. An elegantly crafted tale amidst beautiful illustrations, Rascal, the Tassel-Eared Squirrel will thrill kids of all ages who are interested in the natural world of the Southwest. SYLVESTER ALLRED is a biology professor at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Arizona. He has been a researcher of tassel-eared squirrel ecology for the past 21 years, and has observed many of the events in the book while studying squirrels in the ponderosa pine forests. Syl will be happy to sign copies of RASCAL, which make great holiday presents for kids of all ages. And we’ll have Rascal plush toys, which also make great gifts.

Monthly Spirituality Discussion Group Featuring: Richard Hooper Monday, December 15, 7:30 pm: Join Sedona author, Richard Hooper, author of JESUS – BUDDHA – KRISHNA – LAOTZU: THE COMMON TEACHINGS OF FOUR WORLD RELIGIONS, as he facilitates his monthly spirituality discussion group. December’s topic is: The First Noel: History or Mythology? Former Lutheran pastor, Richard Hooper, reexamines Matthew and Luke’s nativity stories in light of modern New Testament scholarship. Richard is also the author of THE GOSPEL OF THE UNKNOWN JESUS and THE CRUCIFIXION OF MARY MAGDELENE.

		The Well Red Coyote Presents…Another Night of Music Featuring: Alan James Venue: The Well Red Coyote Friday, Friday, December 19, 6:30 – 8:00 pm: Sedona musician, Alan James, will entertain us with his original contemporary blues music, celebrating the recent release of his CD, BACK ALLEY BLUES. Alan’s 30-year musical resume goes from Nashville to Arizona. He is a very talented musician and songwriter, playing not only guitar but also some bass, drums, percussion and piano on his CD. Please join us for a fun evening. And, as always, it’s free!

Special Holiday Gift Book Signing: JEROME Saturday, December 20, 2 pm: In its wild west heyday in the early 1900s, Jerome was known as the wickedest town in Arizona. Nestled at a 30-degree angle on Cleopatra Hill in the Mingus Mountains, its copper rich slopes were a Mecca for gamblers, prostitutes, businessmen, and those seeking work and alcohol. In the 1950's, after many fires that almost burned the town to the ground and after all the copper had been extracted, the mines were shut down and the town received a new name: "Ghost Town." In the 1960's and 70's a counter-culture of hippies, craftsmen, artists, and musicians rediscovered Jerome as an inexpensive place to live. Today Jerome has less than 500 residents but attracts more than 500,000 visitors each year. Its rich and vibrant history coupled with its counter-culture arts and copper crafts is a compelling mixture. Local author Midge Steuber has captured the rich history of Jerome in a new pictorial book, IMAGES OF AMERICA: JEROME. The book contains more than 200 vintage images culled from the Jerome Historical Society’s archives along with those from the author’s own collection. Midge has also included many stories of old and present day Jerome. She writes that Jerome had its own thriving "tenderloin district." Jennie Bauter, Jerome's most notorious madam, offered free passes for life to the firemen to protect her building - the building survived and still stands on Main Street today. Local historian Midge Steuber has been enchanted with Jerome’s colorful history from the moment she first visited the mountain community. Midge first became familiar with the Jerome name in her early childhood where she was raised outside NYC and first heard of Jerome Avenue in the Bronx. Both the Arizona town and the NYC Avenue are named for the same Jerome family who bankrolled our black hills mining camp in the late 1800’s. Midge will share anecdotes from the book and Jerome’s rich past. Signed copies of will make great holiday gifts.

Storytelling: Out of the Darkness and Into the Light

Monday, December 22, 6 – 8 pm: Take a break from your holiday prep for an entertaining evening of storytelling. Presented by Sally Stryker and James Bishop, Jr., this evening’s stories will reflect the theme, “Out of the Darkness and Into the Light.” Jim Bishop is the author of EPITAPH FOR A DESERT ANARCHIST: THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF EDWARD ABBEY.

During this event, donations will be welcome for Barbara’s Park.

For more information, call James Bishop at 300-1301.

The Well Red Coyote Presents…Another Night of Music and CD release Featuring: Scott Beck Friday, December 26, 6:30-8 pm: Make the holidays even more mellow by spending an evening listening to the music of Sedona musician and composer, Scott Beck. Scott will debut and share songs from his new album, SINGING YOU HOME. Over the years at his gigs Scott has had many fans who have asked him to do a CD with just him on guitar and vocals, so this is it. It has a more "rootsy" feel, since it is a collection of his folk songs, fairytales, romantic ballads, and life observations. We think it will please fans of contemporary folk music, and in that sense, is a modern "prairie home companion." Scott’s earlier albums are I’VE SEEN THE LIGHT and BETWEEN HEAVEN AND EARTH. I’VE SEEN THE LIGHT is joy-filled and inspirational, filled with positive themes that help empower the listener. Eight of the songs are in the key of "F," the tone of the heart chakra. BETWEEN HEAVEN AND EARTH offers a look at the changes Scott has witnessed in his lifetime and is introspective, taking the listener back to a time when life was simpler and slower paced, and encouraging them to consider what is really important. One of Sedona, Arizona's natural wonders - singer, songwriter and recording artist Scott Beck, has been performing at house concerts, folk festivals, bookstores, libraries, churches, coffeehouses, park and recreational facilities, and spiritual conferences throughout the southwest for the past five years. The combination of his sweet, soothing vocals, melodic guitar, and thought-provoking lyrics resonate deeply within the heart and soul of his listeners, sometimes caressing them gently to comfort and heal, and other times lifting their vibration to a higher level with inspiring and empowering messages.