Sedona's Challenge: A New Dimension in its Music and Art Scene
by Gabriel of Urantia
Sedona has all the makings of a progressive music and art city: an international visitation of more than five million tourists per year; a beautiful serene environment of red rock cathedrals; and worldly residents who have experienced life in other progressive cities. So why doesn’t Sedona have a more interactive music scene?
What makes a music town is the welcome-mat put out for performing artists—administrating the city so that musicians are invited to perform on the street or at outside cafes and plazas. This is the reality in cities like Boulder, Colorado; Venice Beach, California; Seattle, Washington; Austin, Texas; San Antonio, Texas; Santa Cruz, California; San Francisco, California; Memphis, Tennessee; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and New York City.
These cities realize that musicians as well as other artists need to be able to earn a living by selling their music and art while they make a name for themselves. Good quality street musicians can actually do quite well on donations dropped into an open instrument case. These cities also understand that a festive spirit and community ambiance are created when music fills the streets and sidewalks. Besides the fun and joy of music, from a business perspective it makes sense. When more people are drawn to an area, increases in profit tend to follow. Businesses might even be able to lower prices, making goods more affordable to low- and medium-income families.
Thousands of the young people traveling through Arizona can’t afford to stay in Sedona, especially since the nearby forest lands are closed to campers. Even though they may not be able to afford high-end products or stay in hotels, these young people, including those from the “rainbow family” and other youth movements, add to a tourist city’s intercultural expression which in turn draws travelers who do have means because the environment is genuinely interesting and exciting.
The "Lunch at the Plaza" concert series at Sedona’s City Hall Plaza offers a nice respite for residents. The Sedona Cultural Park, situated outdoors, was a step in the right direction in accommodating large crowds for popular draws. Future Studios certainly has brought diversified performers from all over the world to Sedona. A next progressive step could be a lively street-scene of musicians and other entertainers and artistic characters like jugglers, clowns, dancers, poets, painters, sculptors, comedians, and mimes who would make Sedona a fun place for all ages—entertaining them while they shopped. It might even accelerate the realization of the vision of the creek-side walkway in the downtown area.
As the Sedona city ordinances stand now, musicians or other artists who perform or create for donations would be considered panhandlers in violation of zoning laws and would be asked by the police to leave. Businesses who would like to have musicians play outside their doors must pay $50 for a conditional use permit. One business that paid for the permit discovered that even with a bagpipe player playing outside, more people came. Many small business can’t afford $50 per day.
Another culture and community builder is the cozy yet stimulating coffeehouse—atmospheres that welcome open communication, cultural differences, and provide a venue for local musicians to play for donations. Coffeehouses of the past, especially those in the 1960s and 70s, were the first venues for many successful musicians. The coffeehouse drew in and gathered an eclectic group of personalities and provided a comfortable place for new ideas to be shared over a good cup of "java" while listening to poets and singers/songwriters. Unfortunately, many people these days have not experienced the friendly, relaxed environment of a coffeehouse that encourages long stays with open discussion of diverse topics.
Tlaquepaque is probably one of Sedona’s most beautiful architectural treasures. Begun in 1971, completed in 1978, and modeled after the Mexican village of the same name, it was to be, like its south-of-the-border inspiration, a place where artists and craftspersons could convene to display their wares and demonstrate their talents and skills. The transmutation into high-end specialty shops, high-priced art galleries, expensive restaurants, and neighboring office space for aggressive time-share salespersons was probably not what Tlaquepaque’s developer and philanthropist Abe Miller had in mind. Rekindling its original spirit—an enchanting 19th century Colonial Spanish village where artists created while people walked through fountained courtyards—within a capitalistic society is both a challenge and a calling.
So, how can you help those people who are already trying to redirect Sedona from its dominant path of a time-share and profit-only venture into a city of true progress—one of music, culture, and genuine community? Support a proposal to the city council to open Highway 89A in West Sedona and “uptown” and Highway 179 from the “Y” to the “Hillside” shops and galleries for performing musicians. Vote-in more community-minded, people-oriented city officials; write to the ones we have now; send them this article, voicing your agreement. The worst thing to do would be to do nothing. The children growing up in Sedona today will want to stay tomorrow if this city becomes the progressive, exciting, family-oriented, music and art city it could be.
For those who live in one of those pioneering cities, perhaps you have some suggestions of what we in Sedona need to do. We welcome your comments.