Best Place to Watch the Sunrise 2016 | Phoenix Mountains Preserve | Fun & Games | Phoenix
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Everybody knows that Phoenix has stunning, photo-worthy sunsets. Though fewer people rave about them, the Valley's sunrises are just as remarkable. Maybe the desert's daybreaks have kept a lower profile because it's not as convenient to wake up before the sun to catch these spectacles. Or maybe it's just because people don't know the best place from which to view them. Well, take note, early birds: Phoenix Mountains Preserve holds the best places to watch the sun slowly peek over the eastern horizon. And the best part is that the hikes to get to the vantage points aren't overly strenuous. Stick to the southern side of the preserve, try to get as much height as possible, and watch the Valley light up as the day begins.


We know you've seen it before. The bright, colorful dresses, the braided hair with flowers, the embroidered jackets and pants, the large decorative sombreros. The women and girls dance in hypnotizing circles while holding the hems of their long skirts up in the air, swishing them back and forth gracefully. The men stamp their feet, echoing the beat of the music. This is folklorico, a traditional Mexican dance. And our favorite performers of this historic art form belong to Ballet Folklorico Ollin Yoliztli. "Ollin Yoliztli" means "life and movement" in ancient Aztec, and it's clear to see the meaning of the words incarnate combined with pride in the tradition in the motions of the school's students.

A word to the wise, wey: Don't expect to see any WWE-style pyrotechnics, posturing, or production values at the weekly wrestling events put on by Lucha Libre Por. (You can always catch Raw or SmackDown for that sort of stuff, cabron.) Here, it's all about bigger action, wilder matches, and higher-flying acrobatics, with a majority of grapplers sporting colorful and exotic-looking masks. In other words, all the traditions of Mexican-style wrestling, better known as lucha libre. It's what draws families and fans alike inside the Plaza Del Sol marketplace every Sunday afternoon to cheer and boo the larger-than-life luchadores or chant along en español as the action takes place in the ring. The cozy nature of the venue also allows for up close and personal interaction with the competitors, like when spectators hurl vicious insults their way, resulting in a few heated (but ultimately harmless) exchanges that are all in good fun. Don't worry, they won't lay a finger on you, no matter how badly you've dissed their madre.

Best Place to Learn Mariachi and Folklorico Dance

C.A.L.L.E. de Arizona

History is at the center of everything C.A.L.L.E. de Arizona does. The nonprofit's goal is to share the rich history of Mexican culture through various art forms. Two of these are music and dance, specifically mariachi and folklorico. And they celebrate these traditional arts at the yearly Mariachi and Folklorico Festival in Chandler. But they don't just expect people to show up and enjoy the festival. C.A.L.L.E. de Arizona offers workshops leading up to the festival, so as many folkoristas as possible can participate. This year, the organization employed the talents of Maestro Miguel Angel Arellano Peña to teach the students, so you know the festival is gonna be good.

 

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