Ayse Kurt crafts

scarves with oya, a traditional

Turkish lacework.

june 2016 southwest 107

Agenda

JULY 8–10 / SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO

Explore the Art WorldArtists hailing from Cambodia to Cuba will be hawking their wares at the 13th annual International Folk Art Market. Start the weekend at the “Global Gathering Under the Stars,” where you can browse more than 180 booths while enjoying music and refreshments. Jewelry, paintings, textiles, and more from artisans representing 60-plus countries will be available for purchase throughout the weekend. This event is of special importance to The City Different: It led to its designation as a UNESCO City of Folk Art, the first U.S. city incorporated into the UNESCO Creative Cities Network. folkartalliance.org

Where to Go Next

Need a reason to get away

this summer? Find it here.

SET YOUR SIGHTS ONOmaha, NE › Los AngelesReno, NV › Nashville, TNPortland, OR › MilwaukeeRoswell, GA › Santa Fe, NMNew Orleans › Surry, VASpencer, IA › Caseville, MIBoothbay Harbor, MESan Diego › Bardstown, KYNorth Lake Tahoe, CAWatkins Glen, NY › Long Beach, WA › New York City › Virginia Beach, VA Lincoln, NH › El Paso, TXSacramento, CA › Chicago Lake View Terrace, CA

PH

OTO

GR

AP

HY

BY

VLA

DA

MIR

CH

ALO

UP

KA

/CO

UR

TES

Y O

F T

HE

INT

ERN

ATIO

NA

L FO

LK A

RT

ALL

IAN

CE

JUNE 11ROSWELL, GEORGIA

Breathe DeepIf you like lavender, that is. Fans of the purple plumes should make their way to the Roswell Lavender Festival, the destina-tion for all things lavandula. Held on the grounds of historic Barrington Hall, the annual event celebrates the many varieties of the ancient plant, as well as its vast uses. The festival's Zen Zone offers not only aromatherapy, but yoga and reflexology as well. Adventurous eaters should sneak a bite of lavender ice cream or a nip of lavender honey, while beer drinkers will want to make their way over to the Gate City Brew-ing Company tent. (Every year the honor of brewing lavender beer goes to a different Roswell-area brewery.) facebook.com/RoswellLavenderFestival

JUNE 24–26OMAHA, NEBRASKA

Become a Junk JunkieFrom rustic stand-alone pieces to junk that’s been crafted into furniture, the fifth annual Junk-stock promises peace, love, music, and “anything that’s old, cool, weird, and unique.” The nearly 200 vendors bring different wares

each day, so even if you can only attend on Sunday, one-of-a-kind items await. Kids can enjoy magi-cians and pony rides in the Kids Village, and four-legged friends are always welcome. From food trucks with smoked cactus burg-ers and fried Twinkies to classic Southern fare, all foodies will be satisfied. Don’t think this is just a summer fling, either: The “har-vest” edition takes place in the fall. junkstockomaha.com

got junk? / One woman’s trash is another's treasure at Junkstock.

JUNE 25–26LOS ANGELES

Join a Feline FrenzyGo online these days and you’ll be hard-pressed to avoid cat memes, videos, and even merchandise (reserved for the more famous felines). Purveyors of such con-tent, and those that just can’t get enough of it, are guaranteed to pounce on the second annual Cat-ConLA—as are Lil BUB, Nala, and Pudge. (If those names require

PH

OTO

GR

AP

HY

CO

UR

TES

Y O

F JU

NKS

TOC

K

an explanation, there are probably other events better suited to your tastes.) Consultants, Instagram-mers, and other cat-crazy celebrities round out the schedule. Addition-al cats and vendors will be on-site all weekend, so you’ll have plenty of time to grab treats, books, and clothing for yourself and your furry friend. catconla.com

JUNE 26–JULY 2 BOOTHBAY HARBOR, MAINE

Climb Aboard Glide into July on the sails of a wind-jammer. In an homage to Maine’s maritime history, seven restored merchant ships from the 19th and early 20th centuries will dock at Boothbay Harbor for Windjam-mer Days. Pirate-recruit training, tug-of-war, and boat races are just a few of the events on the agenda. If something smells fishy, odds are the cod race or lobster-eating con-test are well under way. Bringing the whole brood? Kids will love the newly added light boat parade and the fireworks spectacular. windjam merdays.org

JULY 1–31RENO, NEVADA

Find Your Inner Aesthete The “biggest little city in the world” gets even livelier during the month of July. More than 500 events take place all across the Reno area for Artown. Started in 1996, the festival

was seen as a way to revitalize downtown Reno and provide a plat-form for local artists and perform-ers. Free and ticketed events bring in more than 300,000 attendees each year, with entertainment that spans from Broadway show tunes to poetry. This summer’s headliners include Rosanne Cash, UB40, and supergroup case/lang/veirs. renoisartown.com

JULY 6–10CHICAGO

Get Your Grub OnWhether you’re looking for a slice of deep dish or fine dining, the Taste of Chicago has you covered. Grant Park—aptly called the city’s “front yard”—provides the backdrop for this free event. Colorful food booths line Lake Michigan, and a celebrity chef du jour serves up a three-course meal in an air-conditioned, sit-down setup. Pro tip: Long lines generally indicate can’t-miss cuisine. Kids activities are available throughout the day at the Family Village, and

the cat's meow / If you can’t get enough of Lil BUB, CatConLA is the place for you.

PH

OTO

GR

AP

HY

CO

UR

TES

Y O

F C

ATC

ON

LA

live music is a constant. Oh, and that pizza? The fest served 69,000 slices of it last year. tasteofchicago.us

JULY 8–10EL PASO, TEXAS

Go on a MissionIn 1680, in an effort to house Franciscan missionaries, Pueblos

constructed a chapel out of logs, mud, and willow reeds on land that would eventually become El Paso. Over the centuries, that chapel grew to become La Misión de Cor-pus Christi de San Antonio de la Ysleta del Sur, one of the longest occupied religious buildings in the U.S. And every year, to honor that

legacy, the mission hosts Ysleta Mission Festival. The three-day event celebrates the multicultural traditions of El Paso with song, food, and dance. Whatever you do, don’t leave without taking a peek inside the historic structure. ysletamission.org

JULY 14–17NORTH LAKE TAHOE, CALIFORNIA

Find Your CenterLooking to take a break from the day-to-day grind? Wanderlust might be just what you need. Instructors and speakers on topics of yoga and mindful living will converge on 4,000 acres and six peaks in beautiful Lake Tahoe. Each day offers all-levels yoga and stand-up paddle boarding classes, as well as a full lineup of music. (Headliners include Stephen “Rag-ga” Marley and Yeasayer.) After class, partake in a craft kombucha experience from the food co-op, and then browse the artisanal market. And don’t forget to stop

full plate / Taste of Chicago has more to offer than just deep-dish pizza.

PH

OTO

GR

AP

HY

CO

UR

TES

Y O

F TA

ST

E O

F C

HIC

AG

O

by the on-site Beauty Bar by Aveda, where complimentary treatments can get you to your true north. wanderlust.com

JULY 15–17 WATKINS GLEN, NEW YORK

Raise a Glass See, swirl, smell, sip, savor—these are the five most important words for a weekend at the 20th annual Finger Lakes Wine Fes-tival. With more than 80 winer-ies in attendance, the event pro-vides plenty of opportunities for beginner and veteran oenophiles to indulge. Pair your Gewürztra-miner with a shmear of Side Hill Acres goat cheese or a gourmet spread from one of the 100 ven-dors who set up shop. Entertain-ment ranges from ice carvings to cooking demos, with a few live music acts sprinkled in between. If you prefer to soak up the great outdoors while you’re at it, two campgrounds are available for the three-day weekend. Just be sure to pack your homemade toga for Friday night’s kickoff party. flwinefest.com

JULY 16–17SURRY, VIRGINIA

Pine for History (and Pig!)Some historians believe Virginia’s culture was shaped by a triumvi-rate of products. The Pork, Pea-nut & Pine Festival honors that trio with live music, food, and artisan wares. Set in the expan-sive Chippokes Plantation State Park, the 41st annual event is fun for all ages. (Two kiddos will be crowned Mr. and Miss Peanut before the weekend is up.) Be sure to come with an appetite for grilled and fried versions of your favorite pork dishes, along with sides of ham biscuits, peanut pie, and peanut brittle. The festival invites guests to “bring an appe-tite and plan to stay all day,” but we don’t need to tell you twice. porkpeanutpinefestival.org

JULY 19–24NEW ORLEANS

Learn Some Tall TalesTwenty years ago, you were likely to get a puzzled look upon ask-ing a bartender to make you a gin gimlet, or a Boulevardier, or perhaps a pisco sour. Now you can stumble into a corner bar in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and drink the best Negroni of your life. Direct your thanks toward Tales of the Cocktail. Now in its 14th year, the annual bacchanal of all things booze returns to New Orleans with more than 200 semi-nars, tastings, competitions, and meet and greets. For bartenders, the event is an opportunity to test out new drinks, steal a few tips from peers, or sample new brands. (And then take those skills back to, say, Kalama-zoo, Michigan.) For the average cocktail enthusiast, it’s a chance to expand your palate and imbibe with the best of ’em for five straight days. Moscow mule fan? You’re in luck: This year’s cock-tail competition is based on the gingery tipple. Bartenders from around the world will pour their blood, sweat, and bitters into reinventing the drink. As for you, all you need to do is take a sip. talesofthecocktail.com

pour one out / Watch some of the world’s best bartenders whip up craft concoctions at Tales of the Cocktail.P

HO

TOG

RA

PH

Y B

Y JE

NN

IFER

MIT

CH

ELL

PH

OTO

GR

AP

HY

JULY 27–JULY 31 PORTLAND, OREGON

Become a Brewmaster Travel to the Oregon Brewers Festival in downtown Portland, or, as we call it, Beervana. Eighty-eight craft breweries from across the country all commune around kegs at Tom McCall Waterfront Park. There’s no passport need-ed to enter the International Beer Garden where you’ll sample brewskis from Japan, Germany, and The Netherlands. Currency for the weekend is in the form of tokens, but admission to the festival is free with your pur-chase of a souvenir mug. One token gets you a sample, while four tokens fills your mug. Wor-ried about transportation? The Tri-Met MAX Light Rail stops just a block away from the park. oregonbrewfest.com

JULY 30–31SPENCER, IOWA

Meet Some Old CousinsA family reunion may introduce you to dozens, if not hundreds, of close and distant relatives. But what about 5,000-plus? The Schmidt Family Reunion prom-ises at least that many descen-dants of Hans Heinrich and Bar-bara Rimbach Schmidt, if not double that amount. Any relative should bring their birth certifi-cate, because a Guinness World Record is on the line. However, to be clear, this is by no means a family-only affair. Anyone is

hop to it / Sample international brews at the Oregon Brewers Festival.

PH

OTO

GR

AP

HY

BY

HM

S P

HO

TOG

RA

PH

IC

welcome to partake in the authen-tic German food and music, and learn about German-American history and culture through the various presentations and dis-plays. The Schmidts will go head-to-head in their own versions of Whose Line Is It Anyway?, Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader?, Fam-ily Feud, and more. Don’t miss Sat-urday’s tour of the Grotto of the Redemption, a gargantuan, awe-inspiring castle built out of pre-cious stones and fossils by some of the first Schmidts in America. schmidtsreunite.com

AUGUST 6NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

Start Your EnginesRace to the Frist Center for the Visual Arts for Bellisima! The Italian Automotive Renais-sance, 1945–1975, a celebration of all things fast (and Italian). The exhibit highlights the visu-al dynamism of Italian cars and motorcycles produced during the post–World War II economic boom—think Ferraris, Alfa Rome-os, Lancias, and others. The whole exhibition runs through Octo-ber 9, but, on August 6, author and Italian–car photographer Winston Goodfellow, car critic Robert Cumberford, and Don-ald Osborne, star of Velocity TV’s What’s My Car Worth?, will be on hand to discuss styling and design nuances, engineering attributes, and famous owners. Ken Gross, the guest curator of Bellissima! and an Italian car authority in his own right, will moderate the pro-gram. fristcenter.org

AUGUST 12–21CASEVILLE, MICHIGAN

Take a Cue from JimmyThis summer, go out with a bang ... and a burger. At Cheeseburger in Caseville, celebrate the end of the summer by honoring the “Cheeseburger in Paradise” life-style encouraged by Jimmy Buf-fett’s tunes. The backyard classic

will be available from food ven-dors aplenty, and awards for the cheeseburger-eating contest and “Best Cheeseburger” are at stake. Activities include concerts, sand-castle building, and laser-light shows on the shore. Be sure not to miss the Parade of Tropical Fools, which draws tens of thousands of spectators every year. Some die-hard fans set up their lawn chairs as early as 6 a.m., and with several prizes up for grabs (not to mention Frisbees and beads), you might consider doing the same. cheeseburgerincasevillefest.com

AUGUST 13–14LAKE VIEW TERRACE, CALIFORNIA

Use Your MelonOriginally launched in 1961 as a way to pay tribute to the fruitful harvest of the eastern San Fer-nando Valley foothills, Water-melon Festival is now so much more. Think you’re the best seed-spitter in the Valley? Prove it! Think you’re the best watermelon carver north of the Santa Moni-ca Mountains? Grab a knife and show us what you got. Arts and crafts exhibitors, carving demon-strations, a battle of the bands, and strolling performers help fill out the lineup, while kiddos shouldn’t miss the Melon-Dra-matic Puppet Theater. The best part? With your $10 entry fee, it’s all-you-can-eat-watermelon.

AUGUST 13–14NEW YORK CITY

Jazz Things UpFlappers, rejoice! The Jazz Age is back. Well, at least for one weekend. This summer, all the hip cats are flocking to Gover-nors Island for the annual Jazz Age Lawn Party. Learn the hot-test moves of the era, and then enter the Charleston dance con-test. Looking for a more leisurely afternoon? Peruse the collec-tions of 1920s cars and other rel-ics (gramophones and vintage

portraits, anyone?) while sipping on St. Germain cocktails—in honor of Prohibition, of course. Attendees are encouraged to bring a picnic lunch, and, if they’re so inclined, dress in the attire of the times. Michael Aren-ella and His Dreamland Orches-tra will provide the tunes. We hear they’re the cat’s pajamas. jazzagelawnparty.com

AUGUST 15–21LONG BEACH, WASHINGTON

Look Up! The skies of Long Beach, Wash-ington—home of the World Kite Museum and Hall of Fame—have long been painted with color thanks to the weeklong Washing-ton State International Kite Fes-tival. You can fly your own kite or watch seasoned flyers at work. Everything from dragons to octo-puses comes alive in the wind. Other highlights include the Parade of Colors down the beach and stunt kite competitions. kitefestival.com

AUGUST 18–21 SAN DIEGO

Put the Lime in the Coconut Immerse yourself in the Polyne-sian culture at Tiki Oasis. (Tiki culture has blossomed in San Diego ever since soldiers returned from the South Pacific after World War II.) This year’s theme is “Party on Monster Island,” so pack your scare tactics along with your tropical shirts. The itinerary includes a car show, pool parties, live tropical jazz—and lots and lots of rum drinks. Want a change of pace? Check out an authentic luau at the Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa on Friday evening. tikioasis.com

SEPTEMBER 9–11MILWAUKEE

Honor the Nation The largest celebration of Ameri-can Indian culture in the U.S.,

the Indian Summer Festival, returns for its 30th year. The theme is “Honoring Our War-riors,” and attendees can expect tributes for veterans, military personnel, and first responders. From lacrosse demos and tour-naments to traditional pow-wows and artwork, many facets of Native life will be explored. On the 9th, students in third through ninth grade can partici-pate in Education Day to learn more about the history, tradi-tions, language, and contempo-rary culture of Wisconsin’s first nations. indiansummer.org

SEPTEMBER 9–11 BARDSTOWN, KENTUCKY

Mind Your Whiskey Calling all bourbon lovers. The annual Kentucky Bourbon Fes-tival is back, which means a full week of sipping on hooch, lighting up cigars, and wearing out your dancing shoes. Step back into the roaring ’20s with a speakeasy-themed cocktail party, or meet Joy Perrine, the “bad girl of bour-bon,” and pick up a few mixology tips. If you’re up to the task, par-ticipate in the Spirit 5K run, or opt for a relaxing Bardstown histori-cal tour via horse-drawn carriage. There’s something for everyone—as long as you’re a whiskey drink-er. kybourbonfestival.com

birds of a feather / Flock to Milwau-kee for the Indian Summer Festival.

PH

OTO

GR

AP

HY

BY

MA

RIL

YN

WIL

SO

N

SEPTEMBER 16–18 LINCOLN, NEW HAMPSHIRE

Drop the Hammer From pipers piping to highland dancers, um, dancing, you’ll get the full Scottish experience at the New Hampshire Highland Games and Festival. Watch sheepdogs herd a flock, or cheer on competitors as they participate in the hammer throw, stone carry, or caber toss. But to fully embrace the culture, grab a meat pie and don your own kilt and knee-high socks. nhscot.org

SEPTEMBER 10–11VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA

Take to the Skies If you enjoy watching planes climb and dive, then the NAS Oceana Air Show is top-notch entertainment. Free demonstra-tions include everything from parachuting and hang gliding to a jet engine–fueled truck. With more than 25 performances on the schedule, you might go home with a sore neck from staring sky-ward, but you won’t leave disap-pointed. To close out the week-end, accompany flight crews to the Beach Blast, where a U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet will zoom overheard to honor the veterans in attendance. oceanaairshow.com

SEPTEMBER 24SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA

Fork It Over Calories don’t count when the food is this fresh. Plus, it’s only a day of indulgence. Taste the boun-ty of one of the nation’s agricul-tural powerhouses—Sacramento, of course—at the Farm-to-Fork Festival. Vendor-hop until you’ve had your fill, and then stroll down Brewers Alley to taste some of the region’s finest suds. Live music shows and cooking demonstra-tions provide even more fun (and an opportunity to digest). Hungry for more? The Farm-to-Fork Gala, a family style feast, is the follow-ing evening. farmtofork.com