Weekend Events and Entertainment

EVENTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

compiled by Jenny Caster

 

Mountain High Games at the Payson Event Center this weekend

Competitions in eight different activities will take place at the Payson Event Center on Friday, June 1 through Sunday, June 3.  The events include: ATV trail rides and ATV rodeo, mountain bike race, 5K trail run, trucks only demolition derby, horseshoe and archery tournament, dutch oven cooking contest, a pinecone throwing contest and sawdust games.  Open to all age and ability levels with over $7,000 in cash prizes and sponsor prizes in the different competitions.  For more information, or to register, visit the Payson Parks, Recreation & Tourism website at: www.paysonrimcountry.com/mountainhighgames or call: 928-474-5242

ext. 7.  The Payson Parks, Recreation & Tourism office is located at: 1000 W. County Club at Green Valley Park in Payson.

First Friday on Main Street

Visit  galleries, artists and merchants and hear musicians all along historic Main Street for an evening of community sharing and exhibits on Friday, June 1 from 5 to 8 p.m.  There will be a benefit supper from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Community Presbyterian Church, 800 W. Main Street, during First Friday.  Proceeds to benefit the Child Learning Center.  The $5 dinner includes a meatball sandwich, salad, chips, dessert and a drink.

ZUMBA at the Oxbow Saloon

Local ZUMBA instructor Christy Walton will conduct a class at the Oxbow Saloon, 607 W. Main Street, from 6 to 7 p.m. on June 1 during the First Friday on Main Street festivities.  This workout/fundraiser event helps local families who are dealing with cancer.  $10 admission.  For more information, contact Christy Walton at: (928) 595-0406.

Rim Relay for Life

The Rim Relay for Life will be held on Friday, June 1 at 6 p.m. through Saturday, June 2 at 6 a.m.  The event will be held at the Payson High School track at the Longhorn football field, 301 S. McLane Road.  Opening ceremony begins at 6 p.m. on Friday and the Survivor’s Lap and Luminaria Ceremony begins at 9 p.m.  Luminarias can be purchased at the Payson Regional Medical Center’s Senior Circle, 215 N. Beeline Highway or at the Relay for Life event.

Payson Farmer’s Market

Visit the Payson Farmer's Market this Saturday, June 2 from 8 a.m. to noon at the Sawmill Theatre parking lot behind Chili’s.  For more information, contact Katie Klein at: (602) 524-0352.

Breakfast for a Buck at the Ponderosa Bible Church

The Ponderosa Men’s Breakfast invites everyone to Breakfast for a Buck on Saturday, June 2 at 8 a.m. at the Ponderosa Bible Church, 1800 N. Beeline Highway.  The breakfast will also feature guest speaker Larry Derocher who will discuss “Life, divine appointments, and thanking God for answered prayers.”

Reds, Whites, Bronzes and Bluegrass benefit for the animals

A benefit titled “Reds, Whites, Bronzes and Bluegrass" will be held for the animals of the Humane Society of Central Arizona on Saturday, June 2 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Randall Ranch in Rye.  The afternoon features a gourmet picnic lunch, delectable desserts and red and white wines presented by a select group of vineyards; bluegrass and blues by Dirt Music Express; and bronze art displays by Chris Navarro. There will be canine "loose leash and free style" demonstrations, lip print readings and chair massages along with a raffle to win a wine country trip.  $100 per person.  Tickets may be purchased through the Humane Society website:  http://www.humanesocietycentralaz.org.  Sponsored by George and Vickie Randall.  The Randall Ranch is located off Highway 87 in Rye.  Turn right in Rye at the 87 Hash Knife sign, take another immediate right and follow the road two miles to the H Bar Ranch entry gate.  Directional signs will be posted.

Starlight Concert at Community Presbyterian Church

The Starlight band will play on Saturday, June 2 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Community Presbyterian Church, 800 W. Main Street.  The group of local musicians, Howard and Colleen Brown, Mike Casey and Roscoe Dabney III, will perform music by the Carpenters, Chicago, Earth, Wind & Fire, Cole Porter, Rogers & Hart and other artists from the Great America Songbook.  $5 donation requested.  For more information, call: (928) 978-9368.

Mountain High Coffee Works

Every Saturday night beginning at 6 p.m., join the Payson Christian Songwriters at Mountain High Coffee Works, 612 N. Beeline Highway.

MC6 A Capella opens summer concert series at Green Valley Park

Every Saturday evening in June and July, a special outdoor concert will be held at Green Valley Park from 7 to 9 p.m.  The MC6 A Capella band will kick off the season on Saturday, June 2.  The band plays fifties and sixties doo-wop favorites.

Third Annual Charity Golf Event & Silent Auction

Golf competition for the Third Annual Charity Golf Event and Silent Auction begins at Chaparral Pines Golf Club, 504 N. Club Drive, on Sunday, June 3, at 10 a.m.  Shotgun start for two-person scramble teams.  $125 per person; $100 for club members.  Includes green fees, golf cart, range balls, box lunch, fun contests, awards and a $50,000 hole-in-one prize!  Proceeds to benefit the Payson Area Habitat for Humanity.  Sign up on-line at: www.paysonhabitat.com/events or call: 474-0330.

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Looking Ahead

Payson Sprint Triathlon

This tribute to honor Cynthia Pool will be held on Saturday, June 9 and consists of a 50-yard swim, 15-mile bike ride and 5K run.  Check-in time at 5:45 a.m. at the Taylor Pool, 504 N. McLane Road.  Race start time at 6:45 a.m.  Race registration fee is $50 per adult and $75 per team; $10 late registration fee.  You must be age 15 by race day to register.  All pre-registered participants will receive a race shirt. No shirt guarantee with same day registration. Saturday morning packet pickup only. Participant medals for the first 150 who cross the finish line.  New route this year!  To register, stop by the Payson Parks, Recreation and Tourism office at 1000 W. Country Club Drive; or by phone: 474-5242; or e-mail: jblizzard@paysonaz.gov.

John Darst Trio + 1

2 pm, June 10th

Payson Community Presbyterian Church

800 West Main Street

Guitar vocalist John Darst is the hottest thing going in the Showlow area these days.

His band plays every week an assortment of styles from Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett,

Eric Clapton, The Beatles, Nat King Cole and many instrumental jazz greats.

John started playing guitar at the age of 13, and he never stopped playing.

He mentions that he takes his Gibson 335 guitar with him everywhere -- one memorable

experience was playing with a Vietnamese guitar player in Saigon on weekends 

-- they only spoke the language of jazz. Later he attended the University of Utah to

study Jazz. This was when he really turned to performing jazz seriously.

Moving to Los Angeles, he continued to play regularly in clubs, a very competitive

market for musicians. He adds that he obtained a contractors license in order to work

on homes in Malibu, which supported his music career.

John comes to us having played the gamut of bands and various music styles from

country to blues to BeBop jazz. He will appeal to a variety of musical tastes (1st set),

as well as to those who come to hear traditional mainstream jazz (2nd set.)

Joining him will be Bob Veltre on guitar, stand up baseman Chris Long,

plus Gerry Reynolds on drums.

A $5 donation includes refreshments.

Please help us establish an advance headcount by contacting

Gerry Reynolds (gerry-reynolds@hotmail.com or 602-619-3355.)