Thursday, November 10, 2016
When cancer strikes it can seem like the end of the world. With a mother that has been diagnosed with cancer not only once, but twice I completely understand the effects that it can have not only on the person, but on the families as well.
With cancer, times can seem rough, at some of the darkest moments it can feel that there is no way out, but if my mother taught me one thing it is that there is always a light at the end of the tunnel, there is always a way to live the best life you can, and there is always a second chance.
In light of my mothers multiple encounters with cancer I have always paid special attention and tried to participate in any cancer awareness event I come across. When I found out that Tucson was doing it's part to join the conversation with the A 2nd Act production, I couldn't help but smile because all I could hear is my moms words ringing in my ear.
A 2nd Act: Survivorship Takes the Stage is an inaugural production put on in Tucson that features local women reading their personal stories and explaining how they took their lives back after the news, how they seized their "2nd Act."
The mission of this production is for these women to inspire others by showing that their live after cancer can be just as meaningful as it was before.
A 2nd Act is a celebration of courage, it motivates the audience to pursue their own "2nd Act" regardless of the situation, cancer or not.
Tickets to this event are $22, and some of the proceeds will go to micro grants and seed money for women who are actively trying to pursue their own "2nd Act" after cancer.
The event will take place on Sunday, Nov. 13 at 2 p.m. It will be held at the Berger Center for Performing Arts, 1200 W. Speedway
Tickets and more information are available at www.A2ndAct.org.
With cancer, times can seem rough, at some of the darkest moments it can feel that there is no way out, but if my mother taught me one thing it is that there is always a light at the end of the tunnel, there is always a way to live the best life you can, and there is always a second chance.
In light of my mothers multiple encounters with cancer I have always paid special attention and tried to participate in any cancer awareness event I come across. When I found out that Tucson was doing it's part to join the conversation with the A 2nd Act production, I couldn't help but smile because all I could hear is my moms words ringing in my ear.
A 2nd Act: Survivorship Takes the Stage is an inaugural production put on in Tucson that features local women reading their personal stories and explaining how they took their lives back after the news, how they seized their "2nd Act."
The mission of this production is for these women to inspire others by showing that their live after cancer can be just as meaningful as it was before.
A 2nd Act is a celebration of courage, it motivates the audience to pursue their own "2nd Act" regardless of the situation, cancer or not.
Tickets to this event are $22, and some of the proceeds will go to micro grants and seed money for women who are actively trying to pursue their own "2nd Act" after cancer.
The event will take place on Sunday, Nov. 13 at 2 p.m. It will be held at the Berger Center for Performing Arts, 1200 W. Speedway
Tickets and more information are available at www.A2ndAct.org.
Your Weekly guide to keeping busy in the Old Pueblo.
Pick of the Week: The Loft Film Fest
The Loft Film Fest continues! Whether you're in the mood for watching an anxious papa hire an “industrial-grade exorcist” or you’re fascinated the eventful and unorthodox life of Pablo Neruda, there’s something worth seeing at the Loft Cinema’s (3233 E. Speedway Blvd.) continuing movie fiesta. Make sure you catch at least one show before the festival’s curtain call on Sunday, Nov. 13. Individual tickets are $10 (or $8 for Loft members).
Some highlights:
Ghostbusters on film: If you're feeling a little nostalgic and are still in the mood for some post-Halloween spooks, of if the female led Ghostbusters has you itching to see the original then check out The Loft Cinema's special screening of the cult classic Ghostbusters on 77 mm film. This event is part of The Loft's 2016 film festival and will feature the real-life Arizona Ghostbusters. This is an all-ages event. 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 10.
The Jazz Loft According to W. Eugene Smith is a film that details the photographs and tapes by photojournalist W. Eugene Smith of the jazz late night jazz peformances and recordings in his Sixth Avenue loft, so much so that it was renamed the “Jazz Loft”. This is first film to make use of Smith’s vast collection of 4,000 hours of audiotape and 40,000 photographs from the Jazz Loft. The directors Sara Fishko will be at the Loft Cinema so come on down and ask her a question, after watching her film of course! 5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 10.
Watch The Martian with Mark Kelly: Close out the Loft Film Fest with a screening of The Martian, the fictional account of Mark Watney (Matt Damon) surviving on Mars after bening presumed dead and abandoned by his crew. Enjoy a bonus film intro and post-movie discussion with Tucson's favorite spaceman, Mark Kelly. When the discussion wraps up, stick around and eat some cake to celebrate the Loft's 44th birthday.
Pick of the Week: The Loft Film Fest
The Loft Film Fest continues! Whether you're in the mood for watching an anxious papa hire an “industrial-grade exorcist” or you’re fascinated the eventful and unorthodox life of Pablo Neruda, there’s something worth seeing at the Loft Cinema’s (3233 E. Speedway Blvd.) continuing movie fiesta. Make sure you catch at least one show before the festival’s curtain call on Sunday, Nov. 13. Individual tickets are $10 (or $8 for Loft members).
Some highlights:
Ghostbusters on film: If you're feeling a little nostalgic and are still in the mood for some post-Halloween spooks, of if the female led Ghostbusters has you itching to see the original then check out The Loft Cinema's special screening of the cult classic Ghostbusters on 77 mm film. This event is part of The Loft's 2016 film festival and will feature the real-life Arizona Ghostbusters. This is an all-ages event. 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 10.
The Jazz Loft According to W. Eugene Smith is a film that details the photographs and tapes by photojournalist W. Eugene Smith of the jazz late night jazz peformances and recordings in his Sixth Avenue loft, so much so that it was renamed the “Jazz Loft”. This is first film to make use of Smith’s vast collection of 4,000 hours of audiotape and 40,000 photographs from the Jazz Loft. The directors Sara Fishko will be at the Loft Cinema so come on down and ask her a question, after watching her film of course! 5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 10.
Watch The Martian with Mark Kelly: Close out the Loft Film Fest with a screening of The Martian, the fictional account of Mark Watney (Matt Damon) surviving on Mars after bening presumed dead and abandoned by his crew. Enjoy a bonus film intro and post-movie discussion with Tucson's favorite spaceman, Mark Kelly. When the discussion wraps up, stick around and eat some cake to celebrate the Loft's 44th birthday.
There are plenty of reasons you might not have a big, home-cooked Thanksgiving meal planned with your loved ones this year.
But if you’re going to dine out, do not become one of those holiday-themed Hollywood movie characters who’s supposed to epitomize “depressing and/or pathetic and/or quirky” by patronizing a 24-hour chain restaurant or Chinese joint.
Go thou instead to Hotel Congress’s Cup Café, which will offer the exact opposite of a depressing/pathetic experience—just because it’s a cool and classy place. And the food—holiday specials served from 9 a.m. to close—will be as good as anything your Great Aunt Mildred would make, whether your holiday meat of choice is traditional turkey (with all the usual fixins’) or coffee-cured Virginia ham.
Vegetarian? Just go for the pie: apple, pumpkin and pecan by the slice.
Reserve a table at The Cup Café, 311 E. Congress St., at hotelcongress.com/food or by calling 798-1618.
But if you’re going to dine out, do not become one of those holiday-themed Hollywood movie characters who’s supposed to epitomize “depressing and/or pathetic and/or quirky” by patronizing a 24-hour chain restaurant or Chinese joint.
Go thou instead to Hotel Congress’s Cup Café, which will offer the exact opposite of a depressing/pathetic experience—just because it’s a cool and classy place. And the food—holiday specials served from 9 a.m. to close—will be as good as anything your Great Aunt Mildred would make, whether your holiday meat of choice is traditional turkey (with all the usual fixins’) or coffee-cured Virginia ham.
Vegetarian? Just go for the pie: apple, pumpkin and pecan by the slice.
Reserve a table at The Cup Café, 311 E. Congress St., at hotelcongress.com/food or by calling 798-1618.
Wednesday, November 9, 2016
Still plenty of ballots left to count, but The Range reported earlier today that Republican Todd Clodfelter was within striking distance of state Rep. Stefanie Mach.
After more ballots were counted today, Clodfelter now leads Mach by 230 votes.
More updates as we get ’em!
After more ballots were counted today, Clodfelter now leads Mach by 230 votes.
More updates as we get ’em!
The gentrified streets of downtown Tucson Friday night were packed. Music was everywhere. First, Tom Walbank, armed with a Danelectro electric guitar, a slide, a tiny Marshall amp and a harmonica, entertained an early evening crowd under a small tent in the Hotel Congress plaza. This Englishman (and Tucson resident) is a veritable blues encyclopedia, a devotee of the form. He sang with command everything from Muddy Waters to Hambone Willie Newbern to Tampa Red, and his distinctive blues playing captured the ears of music junkies and passersby as diners ate their repast al fresco.
Over on Toole Avenue, Night of the Living Fest was happening. A behemoth stage, food trucks, a repurposed school bus belonging to Old Paint Records, and a silk screener customizing t-shirts dominated the fenced-off outdoor area. Massive speaker bins bookended the well-lit stage, and the adjacent warehouse boasted an equally well-equipped indoor stage.
Night of the Living Fest, “A celebration of the weird,” took place November 4 through 6, and featured more than 40 bands.
Lenguas Largas
Lenguas Largas took mightily to the stage. Boasting three percussionists—like Cerberus the three-headed dog that guards the entrance to the Underworld—they performed “Ese Culito,” a fever inducing garage/soul/psych jam whose title translates loosely to “That Lil’ Ass” was the highwater mark of their set. As the applause waned a couple of long-haired dudes shouted out, “You old bastards rocked it hard!” Indeed, they did.
The Resonars
The Resonars described as “The Sound of Electricity plus” delivered a rad set of ‘60s folk rock and British-invasion influenced tunes with lush three-part harmonies, Keith Moon-esque drumming and wicked guitar playing. During the pop brilliance of “World Apart,” Matt Rendon reached back and cranked up every remaining knob on his beat-to-shit, yet firebreathing Marshall amp that wasn't already dimed and exploded into feedback-laden string bending bliss. That alone was worth the price of admission.
Feels
Fronted by Laena Geronimo, daughter of DEVO drummer Alan Myers, Feels delivered an inspired set of garage- and punk-influenced songs from their self-titled debut LP on Ty Segall's “home-cooked” Castle Face Records imprint. Three chicks rocked their asses off. Moreover, it was their over-top energy, fuzzy guitars, smart songwriting and swagger that won over the young crowd clamoring at the edge of the indoor stage.
The Sloths
In ‘65, The Sloths released a single “Makin’ Love,” hit fabled Sunset Strip then imploded in ‘66. After a dormancy, they reformed in 2011. Narrative songs like “One Way Out” possessed an epic, “People Who Died” quality; the musicians were solid. But not everyone can be like Jim Carroll was, or dare to try.
Guantanamo Baywatch
Brimming with kinetic energy, a slamming drummer and reverb-drenched guitar tones lifted from the blessed hellride that is The Ventures “Hawaii Five-O,” Guantanamo Baywatch killed with their swampy fusion of surf, garage and rockabilly, and delivered a set of pure trashy fun.
The Shivas
Somewhere ‘round midnight a sizeable congregation stood in devout worship before the stage where The Shivas performed as many revelers began to about-face leaving the personification of the Hindu god—the destroyer of ego and ultimately the universe—behind.
Other notables on the bill: The Canadian American garage rock of Peach Kelli Pop, Newcastle, Australia’s self-proclaimed “shit pop” of Gooch Palms, Hollywood glam combo Hammered Satin and the occult glam of Death Valley Girls.
Over on Toole Avenue, Night of the Living Fest was happening. A behemoth stage, food trucks, a repurposed school bus belonging to Old Paint Records, and a silk screener customizing t-shirts dominated the fenced-off outdoor area. Massive speaker bins bookended the well-lit stage, and the adjacent warehouse boasted an equally well-equipped indoor stage.
Night of the Living Fest, “A celebration of the weird,” took place November 4 through 6, and featured more than 40 bands.
Lenguas Largas
Lenguas Largas took mightily to the stage. Boasting three percussionists—like Cerberus the three-headed dog that guards the entrance to the Underworld—they performed “Ese Culito,” a fever inducing garage/soul/psych jam whose title translates loosely to “That Lil’ Ass” was the highwater mark of their set. As the applause waned a couple of long-haired dudes shouted out, “You old bastards rocked it hard!” Indeed, they did.
The Resonars
The Resonars described as “The Sound of Electricity plus” delivered a rad set of ‘60s folk rock and British-invasion influenced tunes with lush three-part harmonies, Keith Moon-esque drumming and wicked guitar playing. During the pop brilliance of “World Apart,” Matt Rendon reached back and cranked up every remaining knob on his beat-to-shit, yet firebreathing Marshall amp that wasn't already dimed and exploded into feedback-laden string bending bliss. That alone was worth the price of admission.
Feels
Fronted by Laena Geronimo, daughter of DEVO drummer Alan Myers, Feels delivered an inspired set of garage- and punk-influenced songs from their self-titled debut LP on Ty Segall's “home-cooked” Castle Face Records imprint. Three chicks rocked their asses off. Moreover, it was their over-top energy, fuzzy guitars, smart songwriting and swagger that won over the young crowd clamoring at the edge of the indoor stage.
The Sloths
In ‘65, The Sloths released a single “Makin’ Love,” hit fabled Sunset Strip then imploded in ‘66. After a dormancy, they reformed in 2011. Narrative songs like “One Way Out” possessed an epic, “People Who Died” quality; the musicians were solid. But not everyone can be like Jim Carroll was, or dare to try.
Guantanamo Baywatch
Brimming with kinetic energy, a slamming drummer and reverb-drenched guitar tones lifted from the blessed hellride that is The Ventures “Hawaii Five-O,” Guantanamo Baywatch killed with their swampy fusion of surf, garage and rockabilly, and delivered a set of pure trashy fun.
The Shivas
Somewhere ‘round midnight a sizeable congregation stood in devout worship before the stage where The Shivas performed as many revelers began to about-face leaving the personification of the Hindu god—the destroyer of ego and ultimately the universe—behind.
Other notables on the bill: The Canadian American garage rock of Peach Kelli Pop, Newcastle, Australia’s self-proclaimed “shit pop” of Gooch Palms, Hollywood glam combo Hammered Satin and the occult glam of Death Valley Girls.
Tags: The Sloths , The Resonars , Lenguas Largas , Feels , Guantanamo Baywatch , Tom Walbank
Post-Election Laffs
“It keeps me out of therapy,” Auggie Smith says of his emotionally energetic performance style. “I spent the first 10 years of my career where they wouldn’t turn off the pool tables and nobody paid a cover. I learned I had to be really, really loud, then really soft for no reason. And stop in the middle of sentences so they’d wonder what I was talking about. Then I started writing that way and enjoying it a lot more.”
Smith makes his much-anticipated annual appearance at Laffs Comedy Caffé, this weekend, with shows at 7 and 9:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday, Nov. 11 and 12.
Fans know not to take their eyes off Smith or they risk missing a set highlight. His just-post-election day show could be a house afire with his trademark rants and visceral laugh lines. He won’t be taking sides, though. “The key to political comedy, I think, is you have to find the universal truth everyone can believe.”
Eli Nicolas opens with his unique comic outlook, born of growing up Thai in polyglot L.A.
Laff’s is at 2900 E. Broadway Blvd. Admission is $10 to $15 with a two-item minimum. Make reservations at laffstucson.com. Artist information is at auggiesmith.com and elinicolas.com.
Comedy Fest
The Tucson Comedy Arts Festival 2016 runs from Thursday through Sunday, Nov. 10 through 12 with multiple comedy showcases and workshops. Los Angeles rap and hip-hop improv group 808 leads two workshops and hosts a rap battle after their Saturday night set. A special show for kids, FOMP, Friends of Make Pretend, engages kids in improve and other delights of the imagination at 1 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 12.
Most events take place at Tucson Improv Movement, 329 E. 7th Street. Shows are $5 each; workshops, $50. Show details and workshop registration are at tucsoncomedyarts.com.
Comedy Fest Storytelling
Tucson’s crazy-popular story-telling event FST! (fstorytellers.com), happens next on Wednesday, Nov. 16, at The Flycatcher, 340 E 6th St., flycatchertucson.com. This month’s topic is “It’s Political,” wherein women will tell stories they wrote before the Nov.8 apocalypse. Get there early; the good seats go fast.
Tucson’s crazy-popular story-telling event FST! (fstorytellers.com), meets on Wednesday, Nov. 16, at The Flycatcher, 340 E 6th St., flycatchertucson.com. In a temporary change of format, FST invites the community to come together and share anecdotes and thoughts in the aftermath of the election.
Laughing Stock is a new column by Linda Ray highlighting local comedy and storytelling events in Tucson.
“It keeps me out of therapy,” Auggie Smith says of his emotionally energetic performance style. “I spent the first 10 years of my career where they wouldn’t turn off the pool tables and nobody paid a cover. I learned I had to be really, really loud, then really soft for no reason. And stop in the middle of sentences so they’d wonder what I was talking about. Then I started writing that way and enjoying it a lot more.”
Smith makes his much-anticipated annual appearance at Laffs Comedy Caffé, this weekend, with shows at 7 and 9:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday, Nov. 11 and 12.
Fans know not to take their eyes off Smith or they risk missing a set highlight. His just-post-election day show could be a house afire with his trademark rants and visceral laugh lines. He won’t be taking sides, though. “The key to political comedy, I think, is you have to find the universal truth everyone can believe.”
Eli Nicolas opens with his unique comic outlook, born of growing up Thai in polyglot L.A.
Laff’s is at 2900 E. Broadway Blvd. Admission is $10 to $15 with a two-item minimum. Make reservations at laffstucson.com. Artist information is at auggiesmith.com and elinicolas.com.
Comedy Fest
The Tucson Comedy Arts Festival 2016 runs from Thursday through Sunday, Nov. 10 through 12 with multiple comedy showcases and workshops. Los Angeles rap and hip-hop improv group 808 leads two workshops and hosts a rap battle after their Saturday night set. A special show for kids, FOMP, Friends of Make Pretend, engages kids in improve and other delights of the imagination at 1 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 12.
Most events take place at Tucson Improv Movement, 329 E. 7th Street. Shows are $5 each; workshops, $50. Show details and workshop registration are at tucsoncomedyarts.com.
Comedy Fest Storytelling
Laughing Stock is a new column by Linda Ray highlighting local comedy and storytelling events in Tucson.
As usual, there are plenty of ballots left to count in Pima County (thanks to those irresponsible voters who dropped off early ballots at their polling places), so the election ain’t over yet. The unofficial word: There are 60,000 to 70,000 ballots left to sort through.
There are two remarkably close races out there:
• In Tucson’s Legislative District 10, one of the most competitive in the state, just a handful of votes separate the three candidates for two seats in the Arizona House of Representatives. Democrat and Political rookie Kirsten Engle leads the pack with 37,713 votes; Democratic incumbent Rep. Stefanie Mach is in second place with 37,290 votes; and Republican Todd Clodfelter trails her by just 36 votes at 37,254.
• In the Tucson Unified School District race for three seats, incumbent board member Mark Stegeman leads the seven-member pack with 47,480 votes. Coming in second is incumbent board member Kristel Foster, at 44,297. And in third place: Rachael Sedgwick, with 40,907 votes. But Sedgwick is ahead of three-time candidate Betts Putnam-Hildago by just 927 votes, so as the remaining ballots are counted, we could see Putnam-Hildago narrow that gap. One thing is for sure: Incumbent Cam Juarez, who has just 37,006 votes as of this morning, won’t be returning for a second term, which definitely scrambles the current balance of power on the TUSD board.
Check out the Pima County results here.
Tuesday, November 8, 2016
Democrat Matt Heinz just told the remaining Democrats at the Marriott Election Night gathering that he called Congresswoman Martha McSally to concede the race.
"This has been a very interesting night," Heinz told the crowd.
As of the most recent count, McSally was leading with 54 percent of the vote.
Heinz said he hoped that Trump wouldn't win the White House, but if the GOP does hold the White House and Congress, "I know we're going to get through this because America always does."
Meanwhile, Democrat Tom O'Halleran's chances of victory look good, but he has stopped short of declaring victory of Republican Paul Babeu in Congressional District 1.
"Tonight demonstrated that Tom's message of bringing people together to solve problems has resonated with voters across Arizona's First Congressional District," said O'Halleran campaign manager Jacob Becklund. "We are confident that when all the votes are counted Tom's message will have prevailed."
"This has been a very interesting night," Heinz told the crowd.
As of the most recent count, McSally was leading with 54 percent of the vote.
Heinz said he hoped that Trump wouldn't win the White House, but if the GOP does hold the White House and Congress, "I know we're going to get through this because America always does."
Meanwhile, Democrat Tom O'Halleran's chances of victory look good, but he has stopped short of declaring victory of Republican Paul Babeu in Congressional District 1.
"Tonight demonstrated that Tom's message of bringing people together to solve problems has resonated with voters across Arizona's First Congressional District," said O'Halleran campaign manager Jacob Becklund. "We are confident that when all the votes are counted Tom's message will have prevailed."
Republican candidate for State Representative of District 9 Ana Henderson believes that her campaign got the job done.
"I did the work." said Henderson "People deserve respect and they deserve representation. That's a two way conversation."
As of now, Henderson is trailing her opponents and Democrats Randall Friese and Pamela Hannley.
Hannley is in the led with 35,974 votes, Friese with 31,714 votes and Henderson with 25,790 votes.
"I feel like I was very competitive," said Henderson when asked about her opponents campaigns. " but this wasn't a race against them, it was a race for the people."
The Tucson Weekly endorsed Randall Friese and Pamela Hannley.
"I did the work." said Henderson "People deserve respect and they deserve representation. That's a two way conversation."
As of now, Henderson is trailing her opponents and Democrats Randall Friese and Pamela Hannley.
Hannley is in the led with 35,974 votes, Friese with 31,714 votes and Henderson with 25,790 votes.
"I feel like I was very competitive," said Henderson when asked about her opponents campaigns. " but this wasn't a race against them, it was a race for the people."
The Tucson Weekly endorsed Randall Friese and Pamela Hannley.
Adeir Figueiredo has been in the United Stated for a month, from Brazil. She jumps out of her seat and holds her Trump banner high every time Fox News announces another state win.
She feels he is very sincere, she says in Portuguese. She believes in him.
Her daughter Vania Smith backs him too.
"It's unbelievable that throughout the whole world, she's been supporting Trump since day one," Smith said about her daughter.
Sitting behind Figueiredo, Kita Johnson and David Ferreira take a selfie video for Johnson's YouTube channel, supporting Trump.
Ferreira says his whole life, he's been labeled as having a disability. He's also a life-long conservative.
Johnson says he's the heart of the Republican Party.
"He, to me, is the celebrated unsung hero," she says.
The two just met, and they're already fast friends, in the spirit of celebration.
Johnson says she has lots of liberal friends who challenge her for supporting Donald Trump, but she just sees the world through a conservative, Republican lens.
"Whatever happens, we need to come back as friends," she says.
