Good morning, Mesa.

Mesa will celebrate America250 with service projects, neighborhood gatherings, cultural programs and educational events throughout 2026.

Highlights include a Feb. 28 museum exhibit at Red Mountain Library, the Feb. 21 opening of the Arizona Baseball Museum, and a July 4 downtown celebration + volunteer pledges.

Paz de Cristo Community Center has renamed its dining room The Joe + Cathy Celaya Family Dining Room to honor Joe, who served for 35 years until his death in May 2025.

The dining room now serves 175 guests nightly while continuing to offer meals and support to those in need.

New York Times bestselling author SenLinYu will discuss debut Alchemised at Changing Hands today at 7 p.m. at Mesa Arts Center.

Over 500 tickets have been sold, and each ticket includes a pre-signed copy of the book & an exclusive art print.

The U.S. Army Field Band & Soldiers’ Chorus will perform a free show on March 8 at 3 p.m. at the Tom and Janet Ikeda Theater at Mesa Arts Center.

The 60-member band and 29-member chorus will offer an eclectic mix of masterworks, jazz classics and Broadway musicals.

Seven Colorado River basin states must agree by Feb.

14 on a water-sharing plan as Arizona water utilities brace for higher costs and potential rate-hikes. Experts note that early planning could ease financial strain for local systems.

An in-depth look at Arizona’s cotton industry shows that families including Mesa’s Hudsons have shifted from farming Pima cotton to investing in real estate as urban sprawl repurposes farmland — changes in land use and rising costs have led lawmakers to offer tax credits to aid cotton producers.

RMDC Dance Studio will be built at 11245 E.

Warner Road east of the southeast corner of East Warner and South Mountain roads following a Feb. 10 Mesa Design Review Board meeting, and the two-story building will house a studio on each floor plus four tenant suites.

NBA champion Jalen Williams returned to Perry High School in Gilbert for a jersey retirement ceremony attended by family, friends, and Thunder teammates.

The event honored his achievements as the first Perry athlete to receive this recognition.

Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll will undergo surgery after fracturing his right hand during batting practice on Tuesday — he is expected to miss spring training and his assignment with Team USA.

Page & Paige: An Evening of Song & Story

8:00-9:30 p.m. — Mesa Arts Center — $97.50 — Experience an intimate evening of unforgettable songs with Patrick Page and Paige Davis.

Big Patio Party with Live Music by Tyler Nielson

4-7 p.m. — Pedal Haus Brewery — Free entry — Enjoy a vibrant atmosphere with live music featuring guitar and vocal covers across multiple genres.

Family Lunar New Year Celebration

11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. — Chandler Fashion Center — Free entry — Celebrate the year of the Horse with traditional performances, crafts, and fun activities for the whole family.

Moment of Truth Concert

6:30-11 p.m. — The Rosetta Room — $25 — Enjoy a night of live music featuring Outta Pocket, Moment of Truth, Sin Against Sin, and War Prison.

Mesa Arizona Business Networking Event

11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. — The HUB Grill and Bar — $25 drop-in fee after two visits — Engage with local entrepreneurs and build meaningful business relationships in your community.

David Ramirez Concert

7-10 p.m. — The Rosetta Room — Tickets available — Enjoy an evening of soulful melodies with David Ramirez.

Vitamin String Quartet Live Concert

7-10 p.m. — Ikeda Theater — Starts at $52.50 — Experience spellbinding string renditions of hits from Taylor Swift to Daft Punk by the popular Vitamin String Quartet.

Big Patio Party with Casey Ryan

4-7 p.m. — Pedal Haus Brewery — Free entry — Enjoy live music from acclaimed singer-songwriter Casey Ryan while savoring craft brews in a spacious patio setting.

Salt River Brass: Brass Cats Performance

3-6 p.m. — Ikeda Theater — Cost info not specified — Experience an unforgettable collaboration between the Salt River Brass and ASU Jazz Ensemble.

Count Basie Orchestra with Nnenna Freelon

7:30-9:30 p.m. — Piper Repertory Theater — Starts at $53 — Celebrate America 250 with the iconic Count Basie Orchestra and special guest Nnenna Freelon.