Thursday, August 24, 2017
¡Cultura!
Día de los Muertos Opening Reception. Tohono Chul’s next exhibit honors and remembers the dead in a celebration that is full of color and joy. Pieces by local artists will be displayed until the exhibit ends on Nov. 8, and artists whose work is on display will be present at the opening night reception. 5:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 24. 7366 Paseo del Norte. Free.Closing Reception and Sewing Circle. Bordando por la Paz y la Memoria is a group made of citizens from Mexico and other cities abroad who embroider the names of victims of Mexico’s War Against Drug Trafficking onto white handkerchiefs. These stitched stories are a beautiful and sobering visualization of the suffering real people face in the reality of war. Handkerchiefs will be displayed in the café area, and, while supplies last, materials for visitors to embroider their own tributes and testimonies will be provided. 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 27. Joel D. Valdez Main Library 101 N. Stone Ave. Free.
Museums
Space Night 2017. Sleepovers at friends’ houses are fun, but are they educational? Are there opportunities to use state-of-the-art telescopes? Are there real meteorites available to be touched? We didn’t think so. The Children’s Museum Tucson will be showing sleepover guests how to get a party started with pizza, pajamas, binoculars, thermal cameras, and even meteorite-touching ops. Families are welcome to pitch tents in designated areas in the museum and in the main courtyard, for that highly sought after “pitch-a-tent-in-the-living-room-or-backyard-but-still-be-surrounded-by-fascinating-artifacts-and-unique-educational-opportunites” feel that many a sleepover party host has strived for and not attained. 6 p.m. to 9 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 26 to Sunday, Aug. 27. Children's Museum Tucson 200 South Sixth Ave. $50, $45 for museum members.Tags: Dia de los Muertos , Tohono Chul , Bordando por la Paz y la Memoria , Joel. D. Valdez Main Library , handkerchiefs , Pima County Public Library , Space Night 2017 , Children’s Museum Tucson , Sensory Safari by Flashlight , International Wildlife Museum , 3D Printing , Oro Valley Public Library , 3D printing , fuuuuutuuuuure , Foraging Walkabout , John Slattery , foraging , Chinese Calligraphy , A-Long’s Kung Fu Academy , wax on wax off , Indoor Tin-smithing Demo and Craft Activity , Presidio Museum , blacksmiths , blacksmithing , luminary lanterns , William Turner , Composition in the Field , Digital Photo Academy , Reid Park Zoo , photography class , Angel’s Place for Girls Grand Opening , Girl Scouts of Southern Arizona , STEM , rock climbing , just girly things , Bookmans Midtown Block Party , potato salad , barbecue , Silly Tassie , Stories that Soar , The Loft , Free Family Fun Day , bowling , Vantage Bowling Centers , Fall Youth Bowling program , Sixth Annual EFF Spelling Bee at the Rialto Theatre , spelling bee , Curtis Mccrory , Rialto Theater , privilege , privlege , privledge , Akeelah and the Bee , Nintzel and the Bee , Friends Trivia Night , Ross , Rachel , Phoebe , Joey , Chandler , Monica , Gunther , Janice , Crooked Tooth Brewing Company , smelly cat , smelly cat , what are they feeding you , smelly cat , smelly cat , it’s not your fault , Old Folk’s Home Bing , bingo , adrenaline , Kappa’s Bar and Sandwich Place , Pablo Sandoval , Pueblo Lighting Women’s Rugby , The Riveters , 401 Comedy School , Comedy School Showcase , Tucson Improv Movement , Loft Cinema Movie Poster Sale , Andrei Tarkovsky , 2001: A Space Odyssey , cinephile , movie posters , Bench & Brew , do you even lift , The Nerd Gym , animals , dogs , Pets , Gene Hall , Margot Huntington , Marcy Miranda Janes , Contreras Art Gallery , Dog Days of Summer , DockDogs , Old Tucson , dogs , Pelican , Club Congress , worthwhile Metallica , Illinois , strangely aggressive pop , post-punk , Trail of the Dead , Pink Martini , Rufus Wainwright , Centennial Hall , classical , jazz , big-band pop
Friday Fish Fry. Have you checked this event at the Sabbar Shrine out yet? It’s open to the public, and, even if you have, they have an all-new menu now. It offers different combinations of cod and shrimp dinners, fried chicken, steak or steak and shrimp combinations and Sabbar hamburgers. Sides of coleslaw, French fries or sweet potato fries will also be served. Support the children’s hospital and enjoy a heaping helping of whatever menu item you choose. 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 25. Sabbar Shrine Center, 450 S. Tucson Blvd. Prices vary based on menu item.
Tags: End of Summer Pizza Party , Friday Fish Fry , Sabbar Shrine , Harley Davidson , pizza , ice cream , free pizza , free ice cream , steak , shrimp
Wednesday, August 23, 2017
Rose Wine Pairings Dinner. Wildflower American Cuisine hosts this four-courser with food prepared by Executive Chef Kevin Handt and wine pairings selected by Regan Jasper. Wildflower is known for its desserts, but you’re not going to want to miss the courses leading up to it: a compressed melon salad, roasted Alaskan Halibut, and Tortellini pasta with white beans, pancetta and mushrooms. 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. 5:30 Monday, Aug. 28. Wildflower American Cuisine, 7037 N. Oracle Road. $50.
Tags: Sangria , spanish guitar , paella , empanadas , Arizona Sangria Festival , Beat the Heat Sangria & Salsa Festival , Rose Wine Pairings Dinner , Wildflower , Kevin Handt , Regan Jasper , Alaskan Halibut , Tortellini pasta , wine , fine wines
This is a strong documentary from directors Sabaah Folayan and Damon Davis about the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement after the shooting death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri.
The film utilizes stock footage of protesters and their standoffs against militarized cops, and shows you how things got mightily out of hand. It also replays the interview with Darren Wilson, the officer who riddled Brown with bullets after he had raised his hands into the air to surrender.
It’s still chilling to hear the man recount how Brown had “a demon’s eyes” when he was coming at him. Yeah pal, maybe that’s because you were putting bullets into a kid who was trying to surrender. I’d imagine an unarmed man getting repeatedly shot would have some ungodly expressions upon his face.
The film also focusses on protester Brittany Ferrell and her obsessive pursuit of justice for her hometown. This documentary does what it should do. It fuels arguments, it doesn’t fully take sides, and it makes you think long and hard about the ramifications of Brown’s death. The kid stole a bunch of cigars, and walked in the middle of the street when a cop ordered him to the side of the road. His behavior may’ve earned him a trip to the police station and a couple of fines, not a body full of bullets.
This is a movie that will piss you off, and I’m thinking that would be appropriate.
The focus of Tucsonans Against Racism Protest and Rally was County Supervisor Ally Miller, who announced her white pride on Facebook, only hours after a white supremacist mowed down a crowd of protesters in Charlottesville, Virginia, on Aug. 12. For the last week, citizens and fellow board members implored her to apologize for her comments.
And now it seems the time for apologies has passed, at least for the hundreds that gathered on Tucson’s downtown. People want her gone. It was no accident this rally was planned on the day Trump addressed supporters in Phoenix. Inside the Phoenix Convention Center, Trump hinted at pardoning former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio for illegally continuing racist practices, and Trump decried the “very dishonest media,” blaming them for the backlash to his “many sides” statement following Charlottesville. Outside, thousands protested and were finally dispersed when police set off tear gas into the crowd. In Tucson, people chanted—families with toddlers in strollers, old ladies waving American flags, teenagers standing up for their future.
People of every age, creed and color shouted, “This is what democracy looks like,” and held their signs high as cars passed, honking their approval.
Tags: Ally Miller , Pima County Board of Supervisors , Tucsonans Against Racism Protest and Rally , Slideshow
Tuesday, August 22, 2017
“We’ve got three fucking decades of Tucson hip hop up here,” Jivin Scientists’ MC Runt exclaimed. Tucson’s hip-hop community gathered Saturday night at The Flycatcher to pay homage to Marcus “Big Ox” Meridox, who, along with James Ciphurphace and Jivin’ Scientists, in effect, created the scene in the mid-'90s out of Skrappy’s, the now-legendary venue and spawning ground of creativity.
Newcomer act Fated, a Phoenix B-boy duo comprised of emcees Simple Wizdom and Puritan, kicked off the night with lyrical dexterity, trap beats, synthesized washes and bravado. “My skills are unapproachable …” they claimed.
Another Phoenix emcee, by way of Boston, was next. Mr. Riot drew from Atmosphere, Rakim, Em' and others. Riot’s set peaked when “Ground Tremble” literally rocked the house.
Committed to giving back, Mr. Riot is founder of Gladiator Pen, a collective that raises money for Raising A Reader, a literacy program.
“Representing the 5-2-0,” Aquafyde Boogey Bros., slammed through their set. “We’re doing this because we’ve got to stand up. If it ain't building consciousness than it’s bullshit.” A reflection of the times. “Revolution is coming!” They covered every inch of the stage.
When asked about Charlottesville, emcee Brody Ave. kept it positive. “[This] is something that has affected America for a long time. Black people have been in the fight since inception. We need white brothers and sisters to get into the fight. To stop something that we have allowed to fester [too long] as a community.”
Amped, former Tucsonan James Ciphurphace & DJ Grapla, were up next. “Let’s make some noise for motherfuckin’ Ciphurphace.” The crowd jeered, moving closer to the stage. Ciphurphace said, “I moved to Jersey City. But I never forgot my roots.”
Working the crowd, prowling the stage like a cat, confidently. Jumping into the audience, feeding off the energy. The head-nodding beat of “Reflections” set the tone for Ciphurphace's real-world observations: “The rent’s past due/But you’ll spend hundreds at a sneaker store/Walk five miles to wash dishes and sweep the floor.” Urging the listener to “Take a look inside the mirror/Make a change/Get right.”
In a show of respect, Tucson hip-hop institution Jivin Scientists called for a moment of silence for Big Meridox. No easy task in a noisy bar. Yet, the booze-addled abated .. you could’ve heard a pin drop. Church.
Formed in '98, Jivin’ Scientists draw more from analog sounds than sterile beats, after 10 albums, they sure as shit know what they're doing. Their flow killed. Joined by Ciphurphace and Big Ox, they spent more time rapping off stage, and to the crowd's delight.
The energy level in room rose when Big Meridox & DJ Alias went on last. Big Ox’s powerful delivery and cutting lyrics were fierce, enhanced by DJ Alias’ masterful turntablism. After years of gigs, the two are in sync. Straight up, boom-bap beat textures created pumping backdrops for Big Ox's effortless spits and rhymes.
Between joints, Meridox fired raw, anti-racist commentary. “Tucson, Arizona. Stay true. And don't call people niggers.” These are the times that we live in.
Meridox leaves Tucson as the champ. (He's moving east for a better job—his day gig is teacher). As evidenced in “Juice,” off his Beast Of Burden EP, with it’s wicked groove and pugilistic, rapid-fire wordplay, Meridox left ‘em wanting more.
By set's end, Big Meridox turned toward the turntables, where DJ Alias had been spinning. They met halfway and exchanged a bro hug. Big Ox, a gentle giant, perhaps too overcome, said to Alias, “I don't know what to tell you man ... But this is it.”
Writer Josh Levine proclaimed Meridox “unquestionably Tucson's greatest rapper.” After witnessing his farewell performance, there's no question.
Here, Meridox homies share words:
“Marcus means so much to me and the hip-hop community. He has been a mentor to most of us. Part of what makes Ox a great MC is his style. MC's aren't built like him nowadays.”—Pike Romero, Director at Tucson Hip Hop Festival
James Ciphurphace: “My brother Big Meridox. We go way back to the Red Dirt Specimen. He was my partner in rhyme. We were wrecking cyphers left and right. Recording mad tracks. I’ve got nothing but love for him.”
Just before he split, Meridox offered his final farewell. “I just want to thank Tucson for everything. Man, I am in awe. I’ll be back. I love Tucson to death. I am going to miss it …”
Tags: James Ciphurphace , Big Meridox , Pike Romero , Fated , DJ Grapla , DJ Alias , Aquafyde Boogey Bros. , Jivin Scientists , Mr. Riot
It’s the event that your 3 to 5 year olds have been waiting for for up to 3 to 5 years! The Tucson J’s 2nd Annual “Itty Bitty Open,” a golf tournament for children ages 3 to 5. Plastic putters will be provided, as will a golf professional who goes over basic golf terms and etiquette. (That’s right kids! You want the lowest score possible!)
Each tiny pro-golfer-in-training is required to bring an adult caddy with them (no rolling up to the tournament solo in mom’s minivan), and prizes will be awarded for best-dressed golfer and best-dressed caddy for each tee time.
Tee times are at 9 a.m., 10 a.m. and 11 a.m., on Sunday, Sept. 10, with a limit of 25 participants per tee time. Golfers should arrive 15 minutes prior to tee time, and must pre-register by Friday, Sept. 8. $5.
Tags: Tucson J , golf , mini golf , mini golfers , mini golfing , golf , golf tournament , Itty Bitty Open , 3 to 5 , plastic putters , little birdies , best-dressed golfer , best-dressed caddy , tee time
As aural performance artist, Yves Tumor uses repetitive, hypnotic synths and often-distorted clips of the human voice to examine heavy concepts. Like Laurie Anderson or John Cage, dude is more interested in raising questions and making you think than he is in making pretty music. This is post-modern art, yo—stark, confrontational. In “Limerence,” Yves examines context; a woman’s voice clearly states, “Say something.” At first she seems pissed, but when we hear it again, after learning that she wants her boyfriend to “say something” for posterity, the same clip is entirely different. Fucking brilliant. In “When Man Fails You,” the listener is assaulted by endless, atonal bells, and there’s something empty, sadistic yet purposely overwhelming about this tune. Yves’ music is like walking into a museum video installation and taking in dismembered limbs. Open minds and hearts will likely be provoked, shaken and discomforted. Good! So save those psychs for later—but go—this music is profound enough to challenge your assumptions many times over. Plus, he’s gorgeous.
Yves Tumor - Broke in ft. Oxhy from lowlife scum on Vimeo.
Tags: Yves Tumor , HOCO Fest , Laurie Anderson , John Cage , Video
A gang of losers plots to rob a NASCAR racetrack on one of its busiest weekends, and they do it in a hackneyed way that makes absolutely no sense. Steven Soderbergh comes out of retirement to direct Channing Tatum as Jimmy Logan, a former football player who has fallen on bad times, then suddenly gets it in his head to rob the racetrack in a way that involves sneaking people out of prison, blowing things up with gummi bears, and secret allies within the establishment.
Soderbergh did the Ocean’s Eleven movies, the first one of them having a reasonably fun and inventive heist. This one is sort of Ocean’s Eleven for rednecks, and their ability to pull off the heist is totally unconvincing.
The film is almost saved by some of the supporting performances, including Daniel Craig as an incarcerated safe cracker who digs hard boiled eggs, and Adam Driver as Jimmy’s one-armed brother. But, for every character that’s a plus, there’s a lame one like Seth McFarlane’s heavily accented millionaire that’s not as funny as he thinks he is.
The movie doesn’t come together in the end, and its robbery scheme is too cute to be realistic. The big reveals feel like a cheat rather than a unique twist. It’s good to have Soderbergh back in action, but this is just a rehash of something he’s done before with a Southern accent. Hilary Swank shows up in the final act, a role that feels entirely tacked on.
It’s much ado about nothing. There are a few laughs, but not enough to justify seeing in theaters.
Monday, August 21, 2017
Hi, I'm Bernie!
I am a 5-year-old brown tabby, male looking for the purr-fect home! I came as a transfer from another organization in April. Don't let my tipped ear fool you, I have lived my whole life indoors. I did not like being in a kennel so the nice people at HSSA let me spend my time here in an administrative office.
I am an easygoing cat with a sweet disposition and will allow petting. New people can be scary so I tend to hiss at them to give me some space until I get to know them better. I share my office with Benjy and adore him. I am looking for a home where I can be indoors only and will be the perfect companion for the right person.
Stop by HSSA Main Campus at 3450 N. Kelvin Blvd. and ask to meet me, or call an adoptions counselor at 520-327-6088 ext. 173 for more information!
Lots of Love,
Bernie (841945)
