info at www.Azbuddhisttemple.org, https://www.azbuddhisttemple.org/?mobile=.
Az Buddhist Temple in Phoenix hosts annual Obon Festival and service on June 6 and 7
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Author Archives: Carolyn Classen
Dino-rigami origami folding workshops at various Pima County Libraries in summer of 2026
“Our presenter Nathalie Monru will take us back into the Jurassic to teach us how to make a stegosaurus, a triceratops, or a pterodactyl origami! We will also be decorating our dinosaurs! Because good hand/eye coordination is required, this is for ages 8 and up. Adults welcome!”
Schedule of the PCPLs below:
May 27 (Sam Lena), June 12 (Nanini), June 17 (Richard Elias-Mission), June 18 (Sahuarita), June 24 (Wheeler Taft Abbett Sr), June 25 (Murphy-Wilmot), June 26 (Martha Cooper),June 30 (Southwest), and July 21 (Oro Valley), July 30 (Valencia).
Registration required at some libraries. Refer to each specific library’s link in our calendar listings.http://www.southernazjapan.org/calendar/
Tucson Repertory Orchestra concert on May 31 at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church
Tucson Repertory Orchestra
Toru Tagawa, Music Director and Conductor
Sunday, May 31, 3pm
Concert at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 7575 N. Paseo del Norte.
J. S. Bach: Concerto for Two Violins in D minor, 1st movement
Featuring students for the TRO members’s students as soloists
Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto
Dr. Emily Chao, Violin
Brahms: Symphony No. 1
Admission by Donation
Suggested Donation: $10 per person
More information at:
Tucsonrepertoryorchestra.org
The Art of Ikebana: Ping Wei workshop at Tucson Botanical Gardens on May 16
May 16 @ 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Tucson Botanical Gardens, 2150 N. Alvernon Way, Tucson
$115 SACA Members / $135 non-members
Registration is through SACA (Southern Az Clay Artists)
Welcome to our second workshop with Ping Wei!
Bring the pieces made in our first workshop, or any appropriate vessels, and learn how to create your own beautiful ikebana arrangements!
We recommend that participants bring a low-walled basin (suiban )with a metal-prong frog (kenzan) and a tall vessel (nageire-hanaire). Fresh flowers and natural materials will be provided by Master Wei.
Master Wei is ranked as a First Grade Komon, the highest teaching qualification in the Sogetsu School of Ikebana in Arizona, and has been teaching since 2001. He will give feedback about everyone’s pieces, so we’re sure to leave with something impressive, even if it’s our first time arranging flowers!
Please direct questions to Alesha: events@southernarizonaclayartists.”
Carolyn’s note: First Pei Wei ceramics workshop was held on Jan. 17, 2026 at Tucson High School.
Taiko Takeover with Odaiko Sonora at Whiskey del Bac on May 7
May 7 at 6 to 8 p.m. Tickets $10
Whiskey del Bac, 2106 N. Forbes Blvd. (near I-10 and Grant Rd.)
“Join us for a Tucson Taiko Takeover at Whiskey Del Bac, featuring local group Odaiko Sonora. Karen Falkenstrom is the founder and Executive Director of Odaiko Sonora, Tucson’s Japanese drumming ensemble. With 40 years of experience in the arts industry, she has held leadership roles in many well-known Tucson arts organizations and co-founded three award-winning nonprofit arts groups.
Karen began studying taiko in 2001. Since then, she has dedicated herself to the practice, traveling extensively to study, and learning to build the North American style wine-barrel taiko. Odaiko Sonora, the taiko group she founded in 2002, is dedicated to providing firsthand experiences of taiko in our region. With programs ranging from huge festivals and in-theater concerts, private/corporate offerings, and school residencies, the group reaches over 150,000 people each year.
During this event, you will learn the origins of Taiko drumming, while immersing yourself in their striking performance, which will be happening right inside of the distillery.
Serving Southern Arizona since May 2002, Odaiko Sonora is dedicated to increasing familiarity with and understanding of taiko in our community. Join us on Thursday, May 07th at 6 pm for a riveting performance, led by the Odaiko Sonora ensemble.
This event is open to all ages, however any guests under 21 must be supervised by an adult. $10/entry fee with a portion of ticket proceeds donated to support Odaiko Sonora, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.”