March 7 @ 8:30 am – March 14 @ 4:30 pm

Garden Admission

This event is included with Garden Admission

“Join us to witness these ephemeral moments of spring and discover the poetry of ikebana in bloom.

Set amid the blooming gardens, this special event invites visitors to experience Ikebana—the meditative art of Japanese floral arrangement—through the work of local and regional artists.

Rooted in centuries-old Japanese tradition yet deeply attuned to the present, the festival offers a contemplative journey through impermanence, beauty, and attentiveness to the season. 

In spring, this sensibility becomes especially resonant. Buds open, branches lengthen, and color returns unevenly, hesitantly. Each arrangement reflects a precise point in time: a moment held briefly in balance, an encounter between growth, change, and stillness. The compositions capture this fleeting interval, emphasizing emergence rather than abundance—the tension between what has been and what is just beginning.”

https://tucsonbotanical.org/event/spring-ikebana-festival

March 11

6:30 pm (doors open at 5:30 pm)

Fox Tucson Theatre, 17 W. Congress, Tucson, AZ

Zen and the Art of Matcha

“This event is presented by Dr. Weil and Matcha.com

Enter into the world of matcha within the tea culture and spiritual matrix of Japan.

Presented in partnership by Matcha Kari, Neelam Sethi, The Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine, and Tucson Foodie.

Join us for a special screening and celebration of matcha, community, and the stories behind this ancient tradition. This premiere highlights the journey of matcha tea from farm to cup, honoring culture and craftsmanship. Doors open at 5:30pm and screening begins at 6:30pm Attire; As far as attire, we encourage you to wear “emerald ball” green hues..”

RSVP for FREE: https://partiful.com/e/EfS4Rmp9facDO0IMzxLD

February 19 @ 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

In Person Education Building ClassroomThese classes take place In-Person in the Education Building Classroom

Register Here

$50 Non-Member / $40 Member

Class Capacity 16

“The Arizona chapter of the Ohara School of Ikebana is offering an Introduction to Ikebana workshop. Students will learn about the philosophy and art of Japanese flower arranging and create an arrangement.

Vases and kenzan (frogs) will be available to borrow, and students will take the flowers home.”

https://tucsonbotanical.org/event/introduction-to-ikebana

TBG is at 2150 N. Alvernon Way, Tucson, AZ, south of Grant Rd.

The Linda Ronstadt Music Hall (TUC) on Feb 7, at 2 p.m.

260 S. Church Ave. Tucson, AZ 85701

GET TICKETS: https://ow.ly/j0ox50Y6FU0

“Featuring some of the most exquisite arias and beautiful duets ever composed, this critically acclaimed new co-production is grounded in postwar Japan between 1946 and 1953.

Arizona Opera’s production — with Puccini’s ravishing score, an extraordinary cast and orchestra, new sets and costumes, and a design team of all first-generation Asian women — explores the passion for finding a better life, the heartfelt desire to be seen and accepted, and the cost of believing in promises that are built on fundamentally unequal ground.

Madama Butterfly is a co-production of Arizona Opera, Calgary Opera, and Opera Grand Rapids.”

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CAST

Cio-Cio-San: Karen Chia-Ling Ho

Lt. Pinkerton: Terrence Chin-Loy

Suzuki: Alice Chung, mezzo soprano

Sharpless: Alexander Birch Elliott

Goro: Sam Krausz

Prince Yamadori / The Imperial Commissioner: Yichen Xue

The Bonze: Wanchun Liang

Kate Pinkerton: Sedona Libero

The Official Registrar: Mauricio Perusquia

CREATIVE TEAM LEADS

Conductor: Kelly Kuo

Stage Director: Mo Zhou

Scenic Designer: Chika Shimizu

Costume Designer: Mariko Ohigashi

Japanese Culture and Movement Consultant: Asuka Morinaga Derfler

Lighting Designer: Marie Yokoyama

Chorus Director: Kyung-Eun Na

Lead Kimono Dresser and Kimono Consultant: Keiko Onaka

Review in 1/29/26 issue of Tucson Weekly: https://www.tucsonweekly.com/artsculture/listening-to-cio-cio-san-madama-butterfly-comes-to-tucson-with-arizona-opera/

Joy Mills

Sumi-e

“The link between breath and
brush is the meditative
quality of Sumi-e Brush
Painting. Mistakes are not
possible and therefore no
corrections are made. The
aim is to capture the spirit of
a subject using the fewest
brushstrokes possible.

Joy began teaching Sumi-e for Pima Community College
in 1996 followed by the Desert Museum and the Chinese
Cultural Center. Since then, Sumi-e has remained her
primary focus. Her work has been recognized nationally by
the Cooperstown Art Association and the Sumi-e Society
of America. Joy has taught at The Drawing Studio since
2009.“

Jan. 17 ~ Plum Blossom

Feb. 7 ~ Snow Scene

Mar. 14 ~ Cat

Apr. 25 ~ Iris

May 16 ~ Panda

Try It! Sumi-e Inspired Practice

Stand-alone workshops, $55

Sat. 1 PM – 4 PM

Info at: https://thedrawingstudiotds.org/