Flag Live - February 2022

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2 | flaglive.com | February 3 - March 2, 2022

CONTENTS

F E B. 3 – M A RC H 2 , 2 0 2 2

» VO L . 2 8 , I S SU E 2

The Morning Embers play a show at Flagstaff Brewing Company. Courtesy photo

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12 FEATURE STORY The Morning Embers continue their musical journey

By Sabrina Proffitt

ON THE COVER: The Morning Embers arose out of an unusual situation, playing music for the first time for a friend recovering from surgery.

10 STAGE

16 MASTERS OF BREWTALITY

Theatrikos Theatre Company presents ‘12 Angry Jurors’

Masters of Brewtality try The Mayor

By Larry Hendricks

By Mike Williams

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Letter from Home Hot Picks Nicole’s Impossibly Possible Ideas

College Chronicles

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Contributors Kate Watters, MacKenzie Brower, Mike Williams, Sabrina Proffitt, Larry Hendricks, Nicole Walker, Max Cannon, Jen Sorensen, Jimmy Craig and Drew Fairweather.

February 3 - March 2, 2022 | flaglive.com | 3

LETTER FROM HOME

A home-grown retreat

‌O

n the first day of 2022, the sun rose into a cloudless sky, emerging from star-studded darkness and quiet. With my partner, Mike, I rang in the new year silently, savoring the last hours of a self-directed 10-day meditation retreat at our farm homestead. Outside, KATE WATTERS the garden chimes jingled in the cold morning wind. The quiet was ringing inside my body, an outgrowth of this time we set aside to meditate.

There is no way we would have attempted to do a home meditation retreat without having experienced a formal one. Two years ago, we began the new year at a Vipassana retreat center in Joshua Tree. It was extremely challenging—both mentally and physically. Sitting for 10 hours a day summoned pains from old injuries and places I held stress in my body. A host of negative reactions from fear and doubt, to anger and frustration, arose. The mental state in which I arrived was akin to a bucking, unbroken horse saddled with untamed thoughts. Chief among them was planning and excitement about this new farm and homestead we were in the process of buying.

I asked the teacher how to manage the thoughts. She looked at me with clear eyes and said, “Your mind is like a TV—it’s a distraction. Any time spent here giving those thoughts your attention will be wasted. When this is over, you will be so clear. Keep working.”

My mind, my thoughts were exactly like a TV! It felt like being in a restaurant with someone you really want to talk to, yet your attention keeps getting pulled away to the screen behind them. As a result, you are less present with the person and the conversation and you gained nothing from the TV. At the Vipassana center, they removed most distractions, namely

over. As the days wore on, I noticed how mindfulness extended beyond walking and sitting meditations.

Each activity was infused with mindful attention—standing up, sitting down, putting on clothes, even washing the dishes! I noticed the joy of savoring the glow of candlelight in the morning darkness and the pleasant sensations in my body as I stretched into wakefulness with yoga. I savored the first cup of coffee; the warmth of the cup in my hands and the potent aroma from the first sip to the last, while I slowly chewed my toast.

It was interesting to notice the contrast in the quality of my attention on everyday tasks. I realized that most mornings I gulp the last sips of coffee and shove toast in my mouth as I stand in the kitchen before rushing outside to do something deemed important.

I become frustrated when I can’t get my clothes on fast enough and untangling the twine that supports plants erupts into a frenzy of hurried frustration while I swear under my breath at the plants, twine and even myself.

It is powerful to continue the KATE WATTERS‌ mediation practice and see how Home meditation shrine for concentration, encouragement and beauty. mindful awareness shapes our environment and our interactions in daily life. What are the simthat I did not have to do it all! I could Still, the home environment was cell phones; even scented products ple things that bring about joy, full of distracting objects and the leave my job, and make a livelihood were prohibited. Men and women well-being and creativity? How from my new farm. I left the retreat farm was full of unfinished tasks were separated at all times. The can we cultivate those aspects of that loomed in front of me. rooms were undecorated and books center with my mind clearer than Many areas are still being devel- life? As we emerge into the rushever. and journals were not allowed. ing, distracting world I hope to oped, so during walking meditaWhen I re-entered the stream There were agreed-upon rules tion, instead of focusing on placing maintain the practice of loving, of daily life it was difficult to and a set schedule. Only my mind mindful attention and watching my feet, I was designing a perenmaintain clarity and attention to remained (and the plants growing how this grows on our farm and nial garden. Fortunately, stormy, mindfulness. Quickly old habits along the center walking paths) as beyond. cold winter weather conspired in returned. The home retreat came a distraction from the instructions, with its own set of challenges that our favor, which made it easier which were to sit and follow the are presented in daily life. Remem- to focus inward and let go of the breath and sensation in the body.

Kate Watters is a farmer, floral designer gardens and plants. They too are As I stayed present with the breath, bering the clarity I felt after our and creative being. She has led a colorresting in dormancy. first retreat, I was motivated to I noticed how these elements arise ful plant-centered life and now makes For me, the home environment concentrate so I could direct my and pass, and how this is the inher livelihood from a farm oasis in (and my workplace) became the herent state of change at play in the energy toward the vision for our Rimrock, Arizona, next to Beaver Creek. perfect place to notice distractions She grows flowers, medicinal herbs and farm and my business. How can universe. I clicked off the thought when they arose. I resisted the channels, “smilingly” as our teacher our flowers and gardens serve the pollinator habitats to connect people instructed, each time my mind wan- highest purpose of beauty, joy and urge to adjust a crooked painting with the beauty and wisdom of nature. on the wall. I noticed how books healing? dered away. By the eighth day, they To follow her entrepreneurial and artisI’ve had for years suddenly called Mike and I did our best to recame less frequently and a sense of tic adventures arising from the soil visit out for me to read them. I turned move distractions, create a firm calm entered my body. On a walk wildheartfarmaz.com and katewatteraway from the snack shelf over and sart.com. schedule and simplify our meals. between sittings, it dawned on me

4 | flaglive.com | February 3 - March 2, 2022

Hot Picks M O N T H O F F e b rua ry 3 - M ARC H 2

» FRIDAY | 2.4‌

Grammy and Emmy nominee Dom Flemons will play at the Coconino Center for the Arts on February 4. Photo by Timothy Duffy

GRAMMY BLUES G

rammy award winner and two-time Emmy nominee Dom Flemons is coming to Flagstaff. Originally from Phoenix, Flemons is a songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, producer, actor, slam poet, music scholar, historian and record collector. His 2018 release “Dom Flemons Presents Black Cowboys” on Smithsonian Folkways received a Grammy nomination and peaked at number four on the Billboard Bluegrass Charts; he had his major solo debut at the Grand Ole Opry and has collaborated with names like Tyler Childers and shared bills with Carrie Underwood and Old Crow Medicine Show. If we listed all of Flemons’ accomplishments we’d be here all day. Suffice it to say, this is not the show to miss. An Evening with Dom Flemons will take place Friday, Feb. 4 at 7:30 p.m. at the Coconino Center for the Arts, 2300 N Fort Valley Rd. Tickets are $33 in advance, with sales closing Feb. 3.

There will be tickets available on the day of for $36. Visit www.ccaflagstaff.org/upcoming-concert/don-flemons for more.

February 3 - March 2, 2022 | flaglive.com | 5

F e b rua ry 3 - M ARC H 2 , 2 0 2 2

» FRIDAY | 2.11‌ THAT’S FRENCH FOR CATAPULT Le Trebuchet is back. Made up of Jeff Nickell (guitar, vocals), Jay Meyer (guitar), Alec Mayes (drums) and Alec Tippett (bass), the band will be playing for the first time in Flagstaff since a rowdy show at the Annex in June of 2021. The show, which also features the prolific Eric Dovigi and Durango-based band, Noodles, will double as a release party for Trebuchet, launching a six-song release cycle they’ve been working on for the past couple of years. Each song was recorded in March 2020 at Frogville Studios in Santa Fe, including three tracks from Trebuchet’s last tour as well as a set of tunes they call “The Trilogy,” three songs they’ve always played back to back for many years. Local names including Jordan Butler (Pass the Butter, Proud Mother) and Andrew Grosse (Lovely Day Records) contributed to the release as did artist Chelsea Kavanagh. It’s a communal effort and we love to see it. Le Trebuchet will play on Friday, Feb 11 at Firecreek Coffee Company, 22 W. Historic Route 66. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m. For more info, visit www. facebook.com/FirecreekCoffeeCo/ Flagstaff’s Le Trebuchet will be sharing a bill with Eric Dovigi at Firecreek Coffee Company this month. Photo by Eric Hayes

» SATURDAY | 2.12‌ BRING YOUR OWN BOOBEAR Did you read last month’s issue of Flag Live!? To everyone who answered “yes,” we love you. To everyone who answered “no,” we don’t love you. you. Just kidding we still love you. Anyway, if you read last month’s Flag Live! you’d know that a potter named Chas Frisco graced its cover. Lucky for us, Frisco also teaches classes, passing on his years of ceramics skills to everyone who is looking to learn. In celebration of the upcoming holiday of love, Frisco will host a couple’s Valentine’s Day class. Valentine’s Day Claytime is BYOB, that is “bringyourownboobear,” according to the event poster–because you’ll be making a vase together with your person (whether that be a friend, partner, Hinge date, complete stranger or otherwise.) A template, clay, firing and snacks will be provided. The class costs $150 per couple and will take place at The Museum of Northern Arizona’s Guernsey Building on Saturday, Feb. 12 from 5-8 p.m. For more information or to reserve a spot, email Frisco at chasarts101@ gmail.com or send him a message on Instagram @chasarts Chas Frisco will be teaching a Valentine’s Day pottery class.

Photo by Rachel Gibbons

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F E B RUA RY 3 - M A RC H 2 , 2 0 2 2

Pluto’s famous “heart” is known as the Tombaugh Region after Flagstaff ’s Clyde Tombaugh. Head to the 3rd Annual I Heart Pluto Festival for more about the dwarf planet. Courtesy NASA images

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» FRIDAY | 2.18

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Looking to learn from world-renowned scientists? Or see some art from the International Astronomical Artists Association? Look no further than Lowell Observatory and the Orpheum Theater’s upcoming event, A Night of Discovery, marking the anniversary of Clyde Tombaugh’s discovery of Pluto in 1930. This is the keynote event of Lowell’s 3rd Annual “I Heart Pluto” Festival. Panelists range from Dr. Alan Stern, principal investigator of the New Horizons mission to Pluto, to Alan Tombaugh, the son of Pluto discoverer Clyde Tombaugh. The event will take place Friday, Feb. 18 at 5 p.m. the Orpheum, 15 W Aspen Ave. Tickets are $10. Visit www.orpheumflagstaff.com/ to learn more.

• 3 Pools (including a salt pool, a lap pool and an outdoor pool)

Flagstaff punk band VACANT SKIES will be playing an EP release show in late February.

Courtesy photo

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» SUNDAY | 2.23

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Brand new local band VACANT SKIES is coming in hot with a fresh EP set to be released in late February. The hardcore punk band formed from what used to be GRIMM, a project that came to an end in 2020 and from whose ashes rose VACANT SKIES. GRIMM’s Larry Reynolds (vocals) and Jade Lloyd’s (drums) conversation prompted it all. “We had a talk about how music is our passion, and how there is absolutely nothing else we could do to fulfill us in the way that music can and does,” Reynolds said. “We agreed we were going to solidify GRIMM’s end publicly, take what we learned and begin a new musical journey.” Along the way, they met Marc Cornejo (guitar) and Eric Corum (bass) and the rest is history. The catchy punk sounds of VACANT SKIES are “an emotional swift kick to the throat that leaves you wanting more,” Reynolds said. Catch the VACANT SKIES release show on Sunday, Feb. 23 starting 9 p.m. at the Monte Vista Cocktail Lounge, 100 N. San Francisco St. For more info, visit VACANT SKIES on Instagram @vacantskies_az.

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February 3 - March 2, 2022 | flaglive.com | 7

NICOLE’S IMPOSSIBLY POSSIBLE IDEAS

The ‘what if’ of combatting climate change ‌I ’m teaching a climate science writing course this semester. On our second day of class, we pulled out the threads of the difficulties of writing about climate change and tied ourselves in a bunch of knots.

The core of the current argument seems to be— Nicole what should individuals Walker do when we know it will take more than individual effort to stave off the worst effects of climate change? It’s a sticky wicket because we are, indeed, individuals and we only have ourselves to commit to change. To foment action in others, we hope to inspire both individual and collective action. And yet, we know we can only inspire by focusing on the small details—the stories of the Eastern Owl’s loss of habitat or the work by climate scientists at NAU who study carbon sequestration in soil.

It’s ironic, or at least paradoxical, that to make anything big happen, you have to take billions of tiny steps and write billions of tiny stories, like the accretion of snowflakes that you hope, one day, accumulate enough to make that avalanche that will create change.

In the speculative fiction writing world, there’s another argument (besides the individual versus collective action argument) that’s riding the opinion waves.

So much speculative fiction about climate change is dystopic. The human race is unlikely to survive in most cases. If some humans do survive, it’s into a Madmax-like, violent, suffering world. In this fiction, we see how humans’ failure to act leads to desertification and dying of thirst, as, say, in Anthony Doerr’s “Cloud Cuckoo Nest,” or being forced onto work farms to till the only fertile soil left as in Matt Bell’s “Appleseed.” I love reading these books because I’m on the same page. The future looks not only bleak but embarrassingly flat and dead. It’s embarrassing because it’s true. We aren’t doing anything. And we are, as the film “Don’t Look Up” showed, on track to destruction, even if climate change is a bit slower than an asteroid.

My charge to my students, and myself, is to recognize the path we’re on, acknowledge the presumably grim ending, but also try to imagine a different future.

How can we hope for a non-dystopian future if we can’t write one?

8 | flaglive.com | February 3 - March 2, 2022

Photo by Larry Hendricks Admittedly, utopias can be boring.

Everyone works together. The orchard always produces apples. Everyone sleeps in comfortable beds with soft sheets. The well never runs dry and the water from it is cold and pure. What kind of story is that? Yawn, some might say.

But let’s imagine that our biggest enemy is climate change. That kind of foe is bigger than Thanos, Ronan, Willem Dafoe, than the CIA or the KGB or QAnon. Then, perhaps our struggle for a utopian dream isn’t so dull. Perhaps every short story about soil sequestration and every essay about the recovering of the Eastern Owls will be as fascinating as a car chase down the steps of a piazza in Rome. We will argue the details.

But, after fourteen minutes of complicated

discussion, we will band together to say, all right folks, let’s do this.

And what shall we do? Flagstaff is a good place to start. It’s small enough that you can visualize the threat of growth, development and climate change, so much so that the pressure to get something done weighs heavily. Flagstaff is full of weightlifters and otherwise athletic folks. Let’s lift this weight.

Begin with particular characteristics of the place. Flagstaff is a train town.

Imagine this: Alongside the Santa Fe/ Burlington Northern Tracks, we build another set of tracks for a high-speed train that takes us from one end of town to the other. We spend most of our lives on Milton and 66 so why not park at one

end and ride to the other without driving your Ford F-150? Perhaps you think this is a truck town—which, you would think, from the number of trucks, that it is. So often I see a single driver, carrying zero passengers in his double-cab, hauling zero tons of anything in the truck bed.

Maybe a truck share program with trucks available at either end of the light rail?

How about nothing but solar power?

People move here for the 298 or someodd days of sunshine, perhaps we could ask the photovoltaic panels to move here with them. No construction without panels. With enough solar panels and investment in batteries, we could heat our homes with heat pumps instead of natural-gas furnaces.

Photo by Erik Sather. kids take the school bus instead of driving them and picking them up and letting line at Dutch Bros, Dutch Bros developed our cars idle while we wait for them?

Or, what if we decided to become a These ideas are impossible, of course, a bike delivery program? Their cheerful plastic-free town? If you want a Diet until they become possible or until it’s too and joyous employees bring you your Coke, you drink it from aluminum cans. late. These impossible ideas aren’t the only drink on their bikes, generous, happy Reusable bags at the grocery store. ones. There are a million individual better Washable containers from your take-out. faces more important than perfectly hot ones. Let’s pick them all and make them and cold beverages. What if we let our What if, instead of idling your car in

happen. Optimism is a radical act.

Nicole Walker is the author of seven books, most recently Processed Meats: Essays on Food, Flesh, and Navigating Disaster. She teaches at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff. The words here are her own and do not necessarily reflect those of her employer.

February 3 - March 2, 2022 | flaglive.com | 9

STAGE

Delving into the soul of justice Theatrikos kicks off 50th season with ‘12 Angry Jurors’ LARRY HENDRICKS here is an old saying among sculptors that to find the art in a block of stone, you must chip away everything that isn’t the art.

Similarly, it may be said of jury deliberations in a capital murder trial: To find a just decision, chip away at everything that isn’t justice. Remove prejudice. Remove impatience. Remove preconceived notions. Remove racism.

Easier said than done.

On January 28, Theatrikos Theatre Company kicked off its 50th season with a production of the timeless classic “12 Angry Jurors.” The production, originally a teleplay written in 1954 by Reginald Rose as “Twelve Angry Men,” was later adapted for the stage and to be more inclusive and diverse in casts throughout the years.

“We’re talking about our democratic way,” said production director Bob Yowell, retired professor emeritus of Theatre at Northern Arizona University who has more than 50 years of experience. “Everybody has a right to a trial by jury, and it’s the prosecution’s duty to prove guilt.”

In the case of “12 Angry Jurors,” the prosecution presented evidence to 12 average citizens in a capital murder trial, where a young man is accused of stabbing his father to death. If the jury finds the prosecution proved the case “beyond a reasonable doubt,” they must find the young man guilty of the crime.

Chris Verrill, executive director of Theatrikos, said the production was chosen after the Artistic Committee went to audience members from years past and asked them which productions they would like to see again as part of the 50th season.

“We’re bringing back the best of the best for 50 years,” Verrill said. “This one was near the top of the list.”

Yowell said he was excited to direct the play. He’s a big fan of the film, which features Henry Fonda, among others, because it hits on so many societal narratives of the country that were highly relevant then and continue to be highly relevant now.

“This has been done all over the world,

‌T

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LARRY HENDRICKS‌

Suzanne Casale, who plays Juror 3, practices her lines ahead of Theatrikos Theatre Company’s production of “12 Angry Jurors.” because it’s a great script,” Yowell said.

“It’s about democracy’s fragility and how thoughtful people must bravely work to preserve and protect it.”

The production stars Jan Rominger as the jury foreman, Amanda Delano as Juror 2, Suzanne Casale as Juror 3, Linda Sutera as Juror 4, Mackenzie Johnson as Juror 5, Emily Dale as Juror 6, AJ Maniglia as Juror 7, Lisa Jayne as Juror 8, Sel Wasson as Juror 9, Chris Verrill as Juror 10, Lina Wallen as Juror 11, Mark Dessauer as Juror 12 and Austin Aslan as the Guard. During rehearsals, cast and crew have been wearing masks, but they will perform without masks during performances.

The premise is this: When the first vote is cast to determine the young man’s guilt, 11 of the jurors vote to convict, and one juror, Juror 8, stands alone in a vote for

acquittal. What ensues is an exploration of how the system can be prevented from working for justice when personal agendas – instead of the evidence presented by the prosecution—are brought to bear.

“It’s definitely very tense,” Lisa Jayne, who plays Juror 8, said. “It’s a delicate asking of questions to get people to question their motives.”

Through the course of the play, votes change, tempers flare, and the ugliness of racism raises its head. The main thrust of the guilty verdict consistently remains with Juror 3, played by Suzanne Casale.

“She has baggage that colors her life,” Casale said of her character. “There is a preconceived notion of guilt. A poor, urban minority – from that background, he’s more than likely guilty.”

Jayne said the play, although it was

written more than five decades ago, is relevant today.

“Even when people are faced with facts, it is difficult to change their minds and reach through the biases,” Jayne said. “I think the whole time I’m doing this, it feels so pertinent to ... now.”

Casale said, “It’s an important theme of justice and injustice, prejudices and how people’s bigotry can come into play when making judgments about life and death.”

Jan Rominger, who plays the Jury Foreman, likens the character to a referee.

“How a group of people can start off in disagreement and then turn that disagreement into a consensus, this is very relevant to today, where we’re so divided,” Rominger said.

Yowell and Rominger lauded the ensem-

Theatrikos Theatre Company’s production of “12 Angry Jurors” brings the famous play to Flagstaff audiences while also marking Theatrikos’ 50th season.

Photo by Brian Corbett Yowell added, “The final analysis is ble cast and their passion for their roles. ambiguous. There’s no Hollywood ending “I hope the audiences love the ensemhere.” ble element, in that we’ve all rehearsed “12 Angry Jurors” will run Friday, Jan. together for every rehearsal, which is unu28 through Sunday, Feb. 13. Friday and sual, Rominger said.”

Juror 7 played by AJ Maniglia, questions Juror 11, Lina Wallen, as Juror 8, Lisa Jayne looks on. Photo by Larry Hendricks Saturday performances are at 7:30 p.m.

Sunday matinees are at 2 p.m. at the Doris Harper-White Community Playhouse, 11 W. Cherry Ave. Tickets are $20 to $26 and purchasers must show proof of vacci-

nation or a negative COVID-19 test conducted 72 hours prior to the event. Masks are required. For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit https://theatrikos.com.

February 3 - March 2, 2022 | flaglive.com | 11

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AND SAVE Rekindling my love for reading

‌I

was a bookworm as a kid, all through elementary school. I was always reading at two to four grade levels ahead of my own, spending more time in the library than with friends.

I looked for the biggest books on the shelf to borrow because I would be back within days if I didn’t. When I was eleven, I read the “Harry Potter” MacKenzie series in a month.

Once, at a parBrower ent-teacher conference, everyone expressed concern about how I didn’t have many friends and used the library pass more often than going to recess. When the teacher decided to limit my use of the library pass, I just took the books outside with me instead.

All this is to say, I loved books—and I lost that passion.

When certain books became required in school, and generally boring literature filled my book list, I lost my love for reading. But I didn’t realize this loss until college when professors urged us to read on our own and learn how to write better stories. We could read anything: fiction, biography, comics, news, short stories.

I just couldn’t do it. I couldn’t settle my brain on the idea. And when I did try to read something small, I would get stuck re-reading words and phrases.

Maybe it was my obsessive-compulsive disorder; maybe it was a habit from reading literature because we were taught to annotate and look for meaning in all the tiny details.

Either way, by the time I started college, reading had become painstakingly

slow and difficult. A recommended book list on my phone continued to build up, a project I said I would start and never did.

I had too many other personal projects, I told myself.

It’s normal to lose interests and change passions, but I genuinely missed throwing myself into fantasy worlds or different realities. I missed the escapism and comfort that books offered.

During this last winter, I finished a large project and found some extra time on my hands, so I decided to choose a title from my book list that jumped out at me. I wanted to read something with advanced writing and ideas that would still appeal to my childhood interests. I chose Oscar Wilde’s novel, “The Picture of Dorian Gray,”which I knew had a lot of imagery and an interesting main character.

My goal was to let the words flow; I wasn’t going to stop and deliberate on their meaning. It’s like I was learning how to read for fun again.

The book is only 100 pages long, and it still took me longer to read than most people, but I finished it, a stepping stone in the right direction that’s given me momentum to read more.

Rekindling my love for reading has been one of the hardest things to do because it’s like trying to be a kid again.

Finding my old passion for books is going to take more than one short novel, but it’s worth the effort to once again explore new worlds.

MacKenzie Brower is a photojournalist. She is passionate about cultural diversity, climate change and the environment. Her goal is to travel and see the world through the lens of her camera.

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BREW

Masters of Brewtality try The Mayor and like it

‌T

his month, Masters of Brewtality are again throwing our standard formula into the funeral pyre because why not? We’re all stuck drinking through a mass death event and, even before that, there was really no grand scheme to anything anyways.

The unfortunate thing for those of us who wander the MOB crypt is that we remember the elder gods and are far too old to frequent the youthful hotspots that define a solid chunk of the downtown drinking culture.

It’s our fault, we’ll own it. What’s even worse is if you’re under 10,000 MIKE years old, this will happen WILLIAMS to you. Thusly, there are spots we just don’t wind up in in beautiful downtown Flagstaff and that’s going to be the focus of our sporadic mini-series, “No, I don’t come here often.”

The first offering is The Mayor.

Frankly, we liked this spot. We hit them up right at opening on Monday and it was already buzzing with the type of collegiate drinkers that we would’ve partied with when we went to NAU. The photography classes still developed darkroom film and the journalism department knowingly emphasized print journalism, despite admitting in their capstone class that it was a dead medium. The good old days!

First and foremost, the staff is fantastic. Super nice, professional, friendly and knowledgeable. We got thoroughly ID checked upon arrival, which is always hilarious. I’ve got 18 years of dreadlocks hanging off my head, a tattooed throat, and a beard that becomes greyer on the daily, but they still physically removed my driver’s license from the wallet and did the whole black light scan thing. Fair warning, this might not be the place to try a budget fake.

First off, the ambiance! Retro chic for decades! They’ve got walls decorated with vintage record sleeves and an entire panel covered in cassettes. Mustard yellow, burnt orange and caramel brown stripes adorn everything like your grandma’s house before she remodeled in the early 90s. Plus, there’s a sick assend of a trailer DJ booth right as you walk in. A classic Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles pinball game is first and forefront, too, and they’ve got a Buckhunter 16 | flaglive.com | February 3 - March 2, 2022

THE MAYOR. COURTESY PHOTO

farther back. That’s gaming entertainment taken care of for us already, but there’s a photo booth and crane games with rubber duckies, too. Upstairs, there’s cornhole and other assorted silliness that befuddled the entire staff of Masters of Brewtality completely.

Seating booths abound and each one has its own propane-fueled fire pit. There’s a small army of heating lamps, too, making for a pleasant outdoor time even in the dead of winter. And they actively encourage smoking and vaping, which is almost borderline exotic given these square times in which we all suffer. Lemme said something along the lines of how natural it is to have a drink in one hand and a smoke in the other and he seemed to have had a pretty good time over the course of his life.

Onto the drinks…This is a craft beer-centric column and we weren’t disappointed. While the only local fla-

vor on tap was the inescapable darling of Flagstaff, Mother Road’s Tower Station, their other offerings were pretty decent, too. Voodoo Ranger and 805 Cerveza from Firestone Walker stood out and, as with most bars catering to the hip youth, they’ve got the standard icon checklist taken care of with Pabst, Coors, High Life, and White Claw.

What really impressed us as the sordid group of degenerate drinkers that we are were the hangover killers. For a modest $35, you and your friends can invest in a monolithic 96 oz pour of mimosas, or for $65 you can make last night’s party into today’s rager with a Bloody Mary. We went with the modestly priced PBR and shot of Ol’ Smokey Blackberry moonshine which ran us $6. While we were hesitant to try a moonshine that wasn’t given to us by a shirtless hillbilly at some backwoods hootenanny, this stuff was actually pretty good. It didn’t burn the lining out of

everyone’s esophagus, which was new, but no big deal.

Finally, the food was standard bar fare, which is a selling point unto itself.

There’s a quiet dignity in not overcomplicating your snacks and The Mayor nailed it. Favorites include the pizza rolls, pretzel bites and the drunken tenders, which are marinated in Tower Station. Tres bien! All in all, we’d come back in a heartbeat and if you get Ericka as your bartender, kick her a good tip as she was a champion.

Until next time, boils and ghouls, from your fiends in the Masters of Brewtality crypt! Cheers!

Mike Williams (your titular Master of Brewtality) is a humble tattoo artist, egotistical writer, relentless beer drinker, unrepentant Hellraiser and connoisseur of all things Doom Metal. You can find him slinging ink at Flagstaff Tattoo Company or at some bar downtown.

Buses to Arizona Snowbowl run every 30 minutes!

NEED A FREE LIFT TO ARIZONA SNOWBOWL?

DAILY FROM DEC. 26 - JAN. 2 & WEEKENDS IN JAN. & FEB. Mountain Express offers FREE service between downtown Flagstaff and Arizona Snowbowl, with a FREE Park-n-Ride at Flagstaff High School.

for a full schedule visit www.mountainline.az.gov/mountainexpress

(928) 779-6624 February 3 - March 2, 2022 | flaglive.com | 17

THE PULSE NO RTHERN A R IZONA ’S D A ILY EV ENT L ISTINGS » F EB. 3 -M ARCH 2, 2022

Ongoing

VARIOUS EVENTS Doris-Harper White Community Playhouse: 12 Angry Jurors. An American stage masterpiece by Sherman L Sergel. Directed by Robert Yowell. Masks required in addition to full COVID-19 vaccination or proof of negative test within 72-hours of event. Runs Jan. 28-Feb. 13. $18-24. 11 W. Cherry Ave. Tickets available at theatrikos.com or by calling the box office at 928-774-1662.

Flagstaff School of Music: The EastSide Show community art market and music fest. Second Saturday of every month. A place for area musicians to share their gift of song. 10 a.m. Free.

2213 E. 7th Ave.

Thu/2.3

MUSIC EVENTS Museum Club: Karaoke night. Every Thursday from 6 p.m.-2 a.m. Free. 3404 E. Rte. 66.

Fri/2.4

MUSIC EVENTS Coconino Center for the Arts: Dom Flemons. Grammy and Emmy nominee. Folk, blues and bluegrass.

Masks required in addition to proof of full COVID-19 vaccination or negative test within 72-hours of event. Doors 6:30 p.m. and show at 7:30 p.m. Tickets $33 in advance, $36 at the door. 2300 N. Fort Valley Rd. Flagstaff Brewing Company: Lucky Overton and Ben Tillman. American roots music influenced by 60s and 70s rock, country and R&B. 10 p.m. Free.

21+. 16 East Route 66.

Yucca North: Tropidelic. Reggae, hip-hop, high energy funk. With Latio raggae/rock band Fayuca. 7-11 p.m. 15 N WC Riles St. Museum Club: Universe Peoples and The Harvest.

Hours of jams disguised as Grateful Dead and Phish. 7 p.m.-1 a.m. 3404 E Route 66.

VARIOUS EVENTS Downtown Flagstaff: First Friday ArtWalk. Art galleries and businesses in historic Downtown Flagstaff open their doors with special art exhibitions, performances, live music, treats and more. 6-9 p.m. Free.

Museum Club: Fifty-cent Friday. DJ playing Country

18 | flaglive.com | February 3 - March 2, 2022

and Top 40 hits. $.50 select drafts, $3 select pitchers, $3 domestic bottles, $4 import bottles $3 wells. $5 cover. Every Friday 8 p.m.-2 a.m. 3404 E. Rte. 66.

Sat/2.5

MUSIC EVENTS Yucca North: Hot Buttered Rum. West coast Americana/high-altitude bluegrass/indie folk.

With Extra! Extra! Brass Band. 7 p.m. $20.

15 N. WC Riles.

Sun/2.6

MUSIC EVENTS Orpheum Theater: Yonder Mountain String Band. Colorado-based folk quintet. With Pixie & The Partygrass Boys. Doors at 6 p.m., show at 7:30 p.m. $28. 15 W Aspen Ave. Flagstaff Brewing Company: Holly Kirsten. Guitarist, singer/songwriter. 2-5 p.m. Free. 16 East Route 66.

Mon/2.7

VARIOUS EVENTS Museum Club: Open mic night. Every Monday from 6-9 p.m. Free. 3404 E. Rte. 66.

Tue/2.8

MUSIC EVENTS Orpheum Theater: Sullivan King Loud and Reckless Tour.

Heavy metal. Masks required in addition to full COVID-19 vaccination or proof of negative test within 72-hours of event. $29-199. Doors at 7 p.m. show at 8 p.m. 15 W. Aspen Ave.

Wed/2.9

MUSIC EVENTS Charly’s: Wednesday night Blues. Rich Neville and a rotating line-up of pals from the local and national blues scene. Every Wednesday from 6:30-9 p.m. $10 cover.

23 N. Leroux St. VARIOUS EVENTS Drinking Horn Mead Hall: Trivia. Every Wednesday starting at 6 p.m. Free. 108 E. Rte. 66.

Brews & Cues: Team trivia. Wine prizes for each round and compete for the grand prize. Every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. Free. 11 S. Beaver St. Museum Club: Dime beer night. Every Wednesday from

5 p.m.-2 a.m. 3404 E. Rte. 66.

Sat/2.12

MUSIC EVENTS Orpheum Theater: Tow’rs with guest Dos Argentes. Indie MUSIC EVENTS folk-rock. Masks required in addition to Gopher Hole: full COVID-19 vaccination or proof of DLMT and Ryan Shepherd. Canadian negative test within 72-hours of event.

House music. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Free-$20. 23 7 p.m. doors, 8 p.m. $25. 15 W. Aspen Ave. N Leroux St. Flagstaff Brewing Company: Northern Arizona University: Lion Heights. Roots reggae conceived Critically acclaimed vocal supergroup, säje. Part of the NAU Jazz Festival. in Chicago and cultivated in Austin.

9:30 p.m. Free. 21+. 16 East Route 66.

7-11 p.m. 1899 S San Francisco St. Museum Club: Museum Club: Zookeepers. The house band that never Karaoke night. Every Thursday from disappoints. 8:30 p.m. 3404 E Route 66.

6 p.m.-2 a.m. Free. 3404 E. Rte. 66.

VARIOUS EVENTS Willow Bend Environmental EducaFri/2.11 tion Center: MUSIC EVENTS Local expert, Geoffrey Gross leads anProchnow Auditorium: Ashley Cooke and Dylan Schneider with nual wildlife tracking workshop. 10 a.m. support from The Senators. 8 p.m. Free for $10-15. 703 E Sawmill Rd. NAU students, $20 general admission.

Monte Vista Cocktail Lounge: Mon/2.14 Johnny and the Showwalkers. 9:30 p.m.

VARIOUS EVENTS 100 N San Francisco St. Museum Club: Museum Club: Open mic night. Every Monday from Fifty-cent Friday. DJ playing Country 6-9 p.m. Free. 3404 E. Rte. 66. and Top 40 hits. $.50 select drafts, $3 select pitchers, $3 domestic bottles, $4 Tue/2.15 import bottles $3 wells. $5 cover. Every MUSIC EVENTS Friday 8 p.m.-2 a.m. 3404 E. Rte. 66.

Orpheum Theater: VARIOUS EVENTS Leo Kottke featuring Dave King. Guitar Bookmans Entertainment Exlegend with one of the most sought-after change: drummers in modern music. Masks reBookmans dog adoption event with quired in addition to full COVID-19 vacHigh Country Humane. 1-4 p.m. 1520 S cination or proof of negative test within Riordan Ranch St. 72-hours of event. 6:30 p.m. doors,

Thu/2.10

Flag Live gives me purpose...

THE PULSE NO RTHERN A R IZONA ’S D A ILY EV ENT L ISTINGS » F EB. 3 -MARCH , 2022

7:30 p.m. $33. 15 W. Aspen Ave.

Wed/2.16

Thu/2.17

MUSIC EVENTS Flagstaff Brewing Company: The Windy Mesa House Band. Groove garage-soul. 10 p.m.-1 a.m. Free. 21+. 16 East Route 66.

Museum Club: Karaoke night. Every Thursday from 6 p.m.-2 a.m. Free. 3404 E. Rte. 66.

VARIOUS EVENTS Dark Sky Brewing Co.: Arizona Beer Week. Celebrating craft beer across the state hosted by the AZ Craft Brewers Guild. 12 p.m. 117 N Beaver St.

MUSIC EVENTS Hotel Monte Vista: CHKLZ. High energy House, live percussion and beautiful visuals.

9 p.m.-1 a.m. 100 N San Francisco St. Charly’s: Wednesday night Blues. Rich Neville and a rotating line-up of pals from the local and national blues scene. Every Wednesday from 6:30-9 p.m. $10 cover.

23 N. Leroux St. VARIOUS EVENTS Drinking Horn Mead Hall: Trivia. Every Wednesday starting at Fri/2.18 6 p.m. Free. 108 E. Rte. 66.

MUSIC EVENTS Brews & Cues: Monte Vista Cocktail Lounge: Team trivia. Wine prizes for each round and Float Like A Buffalo. 9:30 p.m.-1 a.m. compete for the grand prize. Every Wednesday 100 N San Francisco St. at 6:30 p.m. Free. 11 S. Beaver St. Gopher Hole: Museum Club: Andy See & His Swinging Jamboree.

Dime beer night. Every Wednesday from Roots rockabilly, swinging country, rau5 p.m.-2 a.m. 3404 E. Rte. 66. cous rhythm and blues. 9:30 p.m. 23 N

Leroux.

Museum Club: Fifty-cent Friday. DJ playing Country and Top 40 hits. $.50 select drafts, $3 select pitchers, $3 domestic bottles, $4 import bottles $3 wells. $5 cover. Every Friday 8 p.m.-2 a.m. 3404 E. Rte. 66.

VARIOUS EVENTS Orpheum Theater: 3rd Annual I Heart Pluto Festival. Listen to a panel of world-renowned scien-

tists. Masks required in addition to full COVID-19 vaccination or proof of negative test within 72-hours of event. 5 p.m. doors, 6 p.m. $10. 15 W. Aspen Ave.

Sat/2.19

MUSIC EVENTS Ardrey Memorial Auditorium: Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra. Broad-

Pulse continued on page 20 »

Making connections since 1994

WEE SCOT T Y E

– EST. 1995 –

IN

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W

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U & C RAFT BO

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Sign up for Spring Classes & Summer Camps on www.weescotty.com FABRIC • NOTIONS • CLASSES MACHINE SALES + SERVICING (928) 440-3242 • 18 N. Leroux St. ig: weescottysews • fb: weescottysf February 3 - March 2, 2022 | flaglive.com | 19

THE PULSE NO RTHER N A RIZONA ’S D A ILY EV ENT L ISTINGS » F EB. 3 -MARCH 2, 2022

» Pulse continued from page 19 way stars Teri Hansen and Robert Sims. perform hits from Irving Berlin, Duke Ellington, Cole Porter, George Gershwin, Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein. 3 p.m. $9.50-$75. 1115 Knoles Dr. VARIOUS EVENTS Coconino Center for the Arts: The Whale Foundation 20th Annual Wing Ding. The Whale Foundation’s mission is to restore, promote and celebrate the well-being of the Grand Canyon river guiding community. The Wing Ding is an annual celebration to do so. 5-9 p.m. 2300 N Fort Valley Rd. Orpheum Theater: Anger management comedy featuring Luz Pazos. Masks required in addition to full COVID-19 vaccination or proof of negative test within 72-hours of event.

7 p.m. doors, 7:30 p.m. $15. 15 W. Aspen Ave.

Mon/2.21

MUSIC EVENTS Orpheum Theater: The Wood Brothers with Katie Pruitt.

Grammy-nominated Americana. Masks required in addition to full COVID-19 vaccination or proof of negative test within 72-hours of event. 6 p.m. doors, 7 p.m. $29. 15 W. Aspen Ave.

VARIOUS EVENTS Museum Club: Open mic night. Every Monday from 6-9 p.m. Free. 3404 E. Rte. 66.

Wed/2.23

MUSIC EVENTS

Charly’s:

Wednesday night Blues. Rich Neville and a rotating line-up of pals from the local and national blues scene. Every Wednesday from 6:30-9 p.m. $10 cover.

23 N. Leroux St. VARIOUS EVENTS Museum Club: Dime beer night. Every Wednesday from 5 p.m.-2 a.m. 3404 E. Rte. 66.

Drinking Horn Mead Hall: Trivia. Every Wednesday starting at 6 p.m. Free. 108 E. Rte. 66.

Brews & Cues: Team trivia. Wine prizes for each round and compete for the grand prize. Every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. Free. 11 S. Beaver St.

Thu/2.24

MUSIC EVENTS Orpheum Theater: Sierra Ferrell with Nick Shoulders.

Singer-songwriter and multi-instru-

l l a c e h t g n i r Answe since 1994

20 | flaglive.com | February 3 - March 2, 2022

mentalist. Country heart with a jazz mind. Masks required in addition to full COVID-19 vaccination or proof of negative test within 72-hours of event.

6:30 p.m. doors, 7:30 p.m. show. $25. 15 W. Aspen Ave. Museum Club: Karaoke night. Every Thursday from 6 p.m.-2 a.m. Free. 3404 E. Rte. 66.

Fri/2.25

MUSIC EVENTS Northern Arizona University: Remy Le Boef. Classical jazz saxophonist with indie-rock influences. 8 p.m. 1899 S San Francisco St. Museum Club: Fifty-cent Friday. DJ playing Country and Top 40 hits. $.50 select drafts, $3 select pitchers, $3 domestic bottles, $4 import bottles $3 wells. $5 cover. Every Friday 8 p.m.-2 a.m. 3404 E. Rte. 66.

Sun/2.27

MUSIC EVENTS Orpheum Theater: The Green. Hawaiian reggae. Masks required in addition to full COVID-19 vaccination or proof of negative test within 72-hours of event. 7 p.m. doors, 8 p.m. show. $27.50 15 W. Aspen Ave. Museum Club:

Jesus Ojeda Y Sus Parientes. Norteño, banda and corrido sounds. 9 p.m. 3404 E Route 66.

Mon/2.28

VARIOUS EVENTS Museum Club: Open mic night. Every Monday from 6-9 p.m. Free. 3404 E. Rte. 66.

Wed/3.2

MUSIC EVENTS Charly’s: Wednesday night Blues. Rich Neville and a rotating line-up of pals from the local and national blues scene. Every Wednesday from 6:30-9 p.m. $10 cover.

23 N. Leroux St. VARIOUS EVENTS Drinking Horn Mead Hall: Trivia. Every Wednesday starting at 6 p.m. Free. 108 E. Rte. 66.

Brews & Cues: Team trivia. Wine prizes for each round and compete for the grand prize. Every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. Free. 11 S. Beaver St. Museum Club: Dime beer night. Every Wednesday from 5 p.m.-2 a.m. 3404 E. Rte. 66.

A NIGHT OF

DISCOVERY Feb 18, 2022 | 5-9PM

Feb 12, 2022 | 4-6PM

orpheum theater

lowell observatory

Renowned Scientists Art Show Custom Craft Beer

BBQ Truck Axe-Throwing

Get your tickets now at iheartpluto.org/night-of-discovery

Pluto-Themed Art Axe-Throwing Custom Craft Beer

Face Painting Interactive Theater

Get your tickets now at iheartpluto.org/art-show

February 3 - March 2, 2022 | flaglive.com | 21

they can talk.

COMICS

22 | flaglive.com | February 3 - March 2, 2022

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Each week, Kirsten Mathisen creates an original piece of word art using a past Flag Live! article. This one was made from words found in contributor Sabrina Proffitt’s article “Flagstaff’s New Year’s tradition is finally old enough to drink.”

Find more on Instagram at @kingdom.of.words.

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24 | flaglive.com | February 3 - March 2, 2022