The No. 1 complaint is Sedona is that there is nothing to do. I hear it from students at Sedona Red Rock High School to artist friends my age, to couples in their 40s and retired people who see me at events around the city, either when I'm performing as a slam poet or attending for a news story.

"I love this small town, but it's a small town and there's nothing to do."

Pshaw, dear reader, pshaw.

For a city of only 10,000 people, the hum of arts activity is off the chart. Sedona has perhaps the highest per capita arts activities of any city in the country, barring Park City, Utah, during the Sundance Film Festival.

In the last two weeks alone, even for someone who works a full-time job, one could have seen a band at the Martini Bar in West Sedona, a spoken word performance at Bistro Bella Terra in Uptown, a writing workshop and a lecture followed by a booksigning at the Well Red Coyote, a classic film at the Sedona Public Library, a live music open mic at Oak Creek Brewing Co., a concert with world-renowned guitarist and pianist Chris Spheeris at Ravenheart Coffee Co., the Abandoned Mind improv comedy troupe at the Sedona Community Center, jazz at Relics, a one-man play at Canyon Moon Theatre Co., and gotten fed a genuine Cajon buffet last night for Fat Tuesday while enjoying zydeco and Dixieland jazz.

Almost every bar and restaurant from Uptown to Mingus Mountain to the Village of Oak Creek with room for a stage has live music or live performers every Friday and Saturday night, sometimes Sunday as well. Even if you don't drink, order a meal or just enjoy the music.

If so inclined, one could go six months without seeing the same musician performing twice.

Every month, there are also two artwalks, Friday in Sedona, Saturday in Jerome — meaning people could appreciate both without having to choose. Food and wine are available at both.

Maybe a taste of something "typical" of Sedona? A drum circle gathers weekly at Oak Creek Brewing Co. and the Sedona Heritage Museum offers actor Michael Peach reincarnating Sedona pioneers monthly. Lectures and presentations are non-stop at the Sedona Creative Life Center.

This doesn't even take into account seasonal and periodic events one could attend in Sedona, such as Sedona Jazz on the Rocks, the Sedona International Film Festival & Workshop, GumptionFest, Chamber Music Sedona, Moonlight Madness, student plays at Sedona Red Rock and Mingus Union high schools, Made in Clarkdale, gallery opening or the occasional feature film at Harkins Theatres.

People can also join a club, volunteer to work with an organization, or take a class from the innumerable arts organizations in the city willing to share their talents.

We try to include these events in our calendars, but some come after our deadlines or don't bother letting us know until it's too late. Still others aren't aware that we try to add every arts event we can to our calendar pages. If you attend an event that isn't listed in our calendar, tell the artist or venue owner to e-mail us next time, every time.