AZ Speaks

Mexico/New Spain in the 17th and 18th centuries was an area that enjoyed enormous economic prosperity. Each year trading ships from China brought goods to Mexico in exchange for New World silver. Stylistic features and design of many trade items influenced artists and designers working in Mexico. Mexican ceramics displayed the impact of galleon trade […]

Anyone who has ever stared down an angry bull coming full throttle across an arena will understand why rodeo photographer Louise Serpa often uttered the adage, “Never Don’t Pay Attention.” Born into New York society, Louise ended up out west with her nose buried in the dirt & her eye glued to a camera, becoming […]

This presentation covers the broad area from Flagstaff, Arizona to Farmington, New Mexico. In addition to detailing trading posts, prehistoric sites, and the geological wonders of the Four Corners region, this virtual tour uses beautiful slides to present the history, folklore, and legends of this unique domain. Historian Jim Turner was editor of the third […]

This session examines a chronological historic account of the lives, works and influence of The Beatles on contemporary society. We will discuss their phenomenal achievements from a musical and cultural perspective. The lecture will be enhanced with visual backgrounds and audio clips. Our historic journey starts from their early days as a cover band in […]

Global warming presents humanity with one of the most difficult ethical challenges ever faced. More than just a scientific problem this is a collective action problem requiring that we work together to find appropriate strategies for adaptation. It requires recognizing attribution of cause and effect and careful consideration of the likely outcomes of harm to […]

The promise of unimagined riches is what brought many of the earliest colonizers to the Arizona Territory. Following the trail to the discovery of the mother lode, they built, then dismantled and finally abandoned communities when mines played out – leaving behind tantalizing clues of difficult hardships. Some towns survived like Bisbee, Jerome, Tombstone and […]

The promise of unimagined riches is what brought many of the earliest colonizers to the Arizona Territory. Following the trail to the discovery of the mother lode, they built, then dismantled and finally abandoned communities when mines played out – leaving behind tantalizing clues of difficult hardships. Some towns survived like Bisbee, Jerome, Tombstone and […]

Buckey O’Neill was one of Arizona’s legendary pioneers, even author William MacLeod Raine called him “the most many-sided man Arizona has produced”. Before dying in Cuba while serving as one of Theodore Roosevelt’s Rough Riders, O’Neill made his mark in Arizona as a newspaper editor, sheriff, mayor, and prospector, among other professions. Whether chasing train […]

Royce Manuel (Akimel O’odham) best describes his work through the “Tools of Yesterday” using plant fiber, primitive bows & arrows, knapping stone, and making agave plant cordage. As a tribal and cultural educator and member of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, Royce and Debbie specializes in the revival and teaching of artistic traditions while […]