Fair food takes center stage in a new television show that pits a Michelin-starred chef against revered carnival chefs around the country, and the show’s premiere is set in none other than Tucson.

Chef Richie Farina heads to the Pima County Fair in the first episode of “Carnival Kings,” a new Cooking Channel series. There, he dukes it out with Dominic Palmieri in a cook-off judged by carnival-goers. The challenge? In 24 hours, Farina must put his own spin on a dish created by Palmieri to see if he can wow the crowd.

So what’s he working with? Farina must top Palmieri’s bacon-wrapped duck sliders, decked out with flaming hot Cheetos, and caramel apple slaw.

Tucson also is featured in another episode of the show. Also at the Pima County Fair, Farina faces off with Texas Steak Out’s Nate Janousek and his deep-fried nachos supreme.

The show features eight half-hour episodes set across the country. For more information about the show and recipes (so you can make your own carnival creations at home), visit the Cooking Channel website.

The show premieres at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 12 on the Cooking Channel. Tucson’s second appearance is 6 p.m. Thursday, July 26.

Gun-regulation advocates are re-invigorating the gun violence discussion with a call to hold people responsible for firearm related deaths that came out of negligence.

#URResponsable is being held on the six-year anniversary of the death of 27-year-old Genna Ayup, who was shot by her boyfriend. He said he was putting a rubber grip on the gun and accidentally shot her. Although there were reports that he had been drinking before the tragedy, he was never prosecuted.

Councilmember Steve Kozachik, who’s hosting the event, says we need to find a new way to deal with gun negligence.

“We can no longer allow people a pass,” he said. “If you’re handling a gun in a negative manner in this community, it can’t just be ‘oops.’”

A number of groups will be at the event, discussing gun safety and responsibility, including Moms Demand Action, Everytown for Gun Safety, Emerge! Center Against Domestic Abuse, the Pima County Attorney’s Office, Gun Violence Prevention Arizona, Tucson Now chapter of the National Organization for Women, and Homicide Survivors, Inc.

The event is on Tuesday, June 26, from 6:30 to 8 p.m., at St. Mark’s Presbyterian Church, 3809 E. Third St.

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Summer Safari Nights at Reid Park Zoo. For all the wildlife in Tucson, the first thing you think of when you think of the city probably isn’t a safari. But anything is possible at the Reid Park Zoo, especially when it takes place on a summer evening, when the weather is much more bearable. This week, the program’s theme is “protecting the sounds of the wild,” and will give kids and adults alike the chance to learn about the sounds of animals like dart frogs, elephants, lemurs, lions, tigers and goats. It’s the kind of desert symphony everyone can enjoy! 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, June 22. Reid Park Zoo, 3400 Zoo Court. $10.50 adults, $8.50 seniors, $6.50 kids 2 to 14. Half off for zoo members! Details here.

University Bar Crawl: Back to School Night. Relive your college days with Tucson Young Professionals’ bar crawl through bars right outside of the UA. Rep your alma mater in your college gear and enjoy free food and drink deals like extended happy hours and $3 shots at participating bars like Frog and Firkin, Gentle Ben’s and No Anchovies. $5 for non-members. TYP members get free drinks and food. 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, June 22. East University Blvd. Details here.

Niki J Crawford. With the command of a small-town gospel choir leader and the grace of a woman who’s come of age on camera in Black Hollywood, Niki J Crawford has mad capacity for wide appeal. Only the world needs to catch up (and perhaps pen her stronger material). Crawford’s band ably backs her with a sunny Caribbean flare, bringing out the cheery hopeful tones of a young Whitney Houston in her voice. But she can go deeper, accessing that scratchy, Macy Gray (or Samantha Fish) age-old pain of loving too much, and too hard. “Don’t lose your power/Playin’ it down/Never lose faith/Stand your ground.” Having so far cameoed with The Roots and at Bonnaroo, she’s coming up, hard. She is beautiful and hard-working and well-versed in the BlackExpos and street fests this nation over. Maybe an up-to-the-moment Quincy Jones will step in, someone as versed in songwriting, arranging and soul as they are the gadgetry and gimmick of modern pop stardom. Friday, June 22 at Monterey Court Studio Galleries, 505 W. Miracle Mile. 7 p.m. $10. All ages. —B.S. Eliot. Details here.

Seanloui could be called the new Seal. Utilizing synths and modern EDM scratches, whirs and sped-up backing vocals, he sings adult contemporary jazz/R&B for the 4 a.m. comedown crowd. And like Sade, too, Loui sounds generic at first, but listen close. His voice floats and lilts atop pulsing backbeats, nuanced and guileless. The songs swell and gently jab in ways that make emotional sense. It’s an earned listen because once night falls and fatigue sets in, his can be a warm bubble bath with a lover and a sweet strain of sativa. The subtle charms of his gentility emerge with no irony—words like romantic, chivalrous, tender come to mind. And belying the Trumped-up, polarized era we live in, Loui sings of the bliss of coming home to a woman he actually adores, the joy of quiet evenings, the way shadows climb and curve and gyrate across his mind’s eye. His up-to-the-minute production ensures that a whole new generation of listeners can discover the simple pleasure of connecting hearts—the songs sound like creative necessities, not bedroom-studio naval-gazes for self-indulgent brand merchants, like so much pop now. With Jaca Zulu and Taco Sauce the Band on Friday, June 22. Club Congress, 311 East Congress St. Doors at 8 p.m. Free. —B.S. Eliot. Details here.

They say that "almost" only counts in horseshoes or hand grenades, but today, Congresswoman Martha McSally (R-AZ02) tried to add lawmaking to those exceptions.

After her hardline immigration bill gathered only 193 votes, Team McSally sent out a press release crowing: "McSally Legislation to Secure Southern Border Nearly Receives Votes Needed to Pass House."

Last we checked, that doesn't fall in the win column—although it does help McSally politically as she continues her flight into hard-right conservatism as she runs for U.S. Senate.

Anyhoo, here's McSally's canned quote:

I’ve been working tirelessly on this bill since September of last year and it’s unfortunate it fell short today because it represents an important step to keeping our country safe. As a representative of border communities in Southern Arizona, I have witnessed first-hand the security threats we face and the dysfunction of our immigration system. The provisions contained in this bill are thoughtful solutions to solve the serious issues that continue to impact communities in Arizona and the rest of the country. Like many pieces of legislation, this bill was not perfect and certain improvements that had been made over the last six months were left out. This large vote total represents a huge victory for those of us who believe the border must be secured and I remain ready to lead and help deliver legislation to the President’s desk that he can sign into law.

McSally's bill was never expected to pass because of cuts to legal immigration and other elements, reports The Hill:

House leadership had expressed pessimism on the chances for either Goodlatte’s legislation or a second compromise bill written with centrists, both of which come as the growing crisis at the border dominated headlines.

The hardline measure faced sharp pushback from both Democrats and moderates, who took issue with a number of provisions including its cuts to legal immigration.

Meanwhile, that compromise bill also doesn't have the votes to pass, so House Speaker Paul Ryan has delayed the vote until next week. Hey, why not? It might give lawmakers a chance to actually read the legislation before they vote on it.

If Saturday Night Live is your jam, the Best of Sketch Show at TIM Comedy Theatre at 9 p.m., Saturday, June 23 should be well worth your $5. You’ll see the TIM sketch team’s favorites of the 28 sketches they’ve staged since their first show in January.

Whimsically named Baby Fish Mouth (an obscure When Harry Met Sally reference), the team fulfills a fantasy of TIM’s artistic director, Daniel Kirby, who actually favors Key and Peele.

“I like their approach,” Kirby says, “because it's in line with the Upright Citizen's Brigade philosophy. A lot of the writing staff is UCB trained.”

That philosophy, Kirby explains, is to establish quickly a who-what-where that everyone can relate to, then focus on one absurd thing, exploring and heightening it throughout the sketch.

Kirby says, “I try to teach that methodology in TIM sketch classes so when we are in writers' meetings and I'm giving feedback that's what I'm filtering it through. Our goal is to set up something that people recognize and then cheat their expectations.”

Kirby’s sketch fandom began in grammar school, but he never tried writing until he joined the UA’s Comedy Corner. That company produced improv and sketches weekly.

“Nobody had official training in that group,” Kirby says, “but writing new content every week was crazy. I might have done it wrong but at least I did it and tried to figure it out.”

After college, Kirby formed a comedy-based band, did a little stand-up and ultimately connected with other Tucson improvisers to stage late-night shows at the Beowulf Theatre. By the time that closed, Justin Lukasewicz had founded Tucson Improv Movement. Kirby joined the company and within a year began offering classes in sketch writing. Two and a half years later, he had a large enough pool of writers to start TIM’s sketch team.

“We learned kind of on our feet how to perform and run the sketch show best,” Kirby says. “Now we’re executing at a higher level. We're more familiar with the best way to get laughs.” Variety is key, he says. “Writers bring their own perspectives and sense of humor, so we get social satire, absurdity and sometimes just goofiness.”

Mad as hell about those kids?

An organization that provides free legal and social services to detained migrants benefits from a an all-star comedy show at Borderlands Brewing Company on Thursday, June 21 from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 via squareup or at the door.

Billed in the Facebook event as Morgan Murphy and friends, the show features Murphy, who has written and produced for Jimmy Kimmel Live! (388 episodes), and Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. She’s also performed standup multiple times on Chelsea Lately, John Oliver’s New York Stand-Up Show, the Joe Rogan Experience and many others.

Kristine Levine of The Frank Show and Pauly Casillas of The Switch hold down the feature slots, and other special guests are promised.

Juggling?

Laff's Comedy Cafe has a decades-long reputation for bringing the best club comedy to Tucson. So when they book a juggler, we go, "This, I gotta see." Ian Pecel juggles at 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, June 22 and 23. Admission is $12.50 or $27.50 via laffstucson.com. There is a two-item minimum. 

Temperatures are on the rise in Tucson, and here are some choice ways to keep cool this summer at the University of Arizona:

Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium, 1601 E. University Blvd., 621-4516, flandrau.org. Flandrau is open all summer with planetarium shows, family-friendly science exhibits and the dazzling specimens of the Mineral Museum. The laser music show "Laser Stranger Things" will play in the planetarium theater, featuring songs from the soundtrack of the hit Netflix series "Stranger Things." Check the website for hours and showtimes.

UA Museum of Art, 1031 N. Olive Road, 621-7567, artmuseum.arizona.edu. See the world through the eyes of renowned visual artists. The museum has more than 5,000 paintings, sculptures, prints and drawings.

UA School of Art Galleries, 1031 N. Olive Road, 626-4215, art.arizona.edu/facilities/galleries. Exhibits by student, faculty and professional artists in a broad range of media and concepts.

Judith Chafee and "Congressional & Political Archives" exhibit, UA Library Special Collections, 1510 E. University Blvd., 621-6423, speccoll.library.arizona.edu. Judith Chafee was a trailblazer, both as an architect and as a woman in a male-dominated profession. She is celebrated as a visionary modernist whose structures harmoniously blend with their host environments. The "Congressional & Political Archives" exhibit highlights key events and projects from her life and work. These collections document Arizona politics, from its territorial days up through the present, and the historical relationship between the federal government and the people of Arizona. The permanent exhibit highlights materials from the political collections of Ralph Cameron, Marcus A. Smith, Henry F. Ashurst, Lewis W. Douglas, John R Murdock, Stewart Udall, Morris Udall, Dennis DeConcini, James Kolbe and Gabrielle Giffords.

Arizona State Museum, 1013 E. University Blvd., 621-4695, statemuseum.arizona.edu. Established in 1893, the museum is the oldest and largest anthropology museum in the Southwest. As an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, it has a collection of more than 25,000 woven pieces of rare baskets, sandals, cradle boards, mats, cordage and preserved fibers representing every indigenous basket-making culture in North America.

Jim Click Hall of Champions, McKale Center, 1 National Championship Drive, arizonawildcats.com. The Hall of Champions display on the McKale mezzanine features 18 UA intercollegiate sports. The displays are centered on outstanding student-athletes, performances, events and traditions from more than 100 years of UA athletics.

"Longer Ways to Go" exhibit and Heritage Gallery, Center for Creative Photography, 1030 N. Olive Road, 621-7968, creativephotography.org. "Longer Ways to Go: Photography of the American Road" delves into the complex dialogue that photography can enter into with a subject. This exhibition explores the symbiotic relationship between photography and the folklore of the American highway, including the emblematic Route 66. Inspired by the center's legacy, the Heritage Gallery features iconic treasures from the collection alongside more recent acquisitions.

History of Pharmacy Museum, 1295 N. Martin Ave., 626-1042, pharmacy.arizona.edu/centers/history-pharmacy-museum. Housed in two College of Pharmacy buildings, the museum is a collection of hundreds of thousands of items, including bottles, original drug containers, books, store fixtures, and artifacts from Arizona (circa 1880 to 1950) and elsewhere.

Richard F. Caris Mirror Lab, 527 National Championship Drive (underneath the east side of Arizona Stadium), 626-8792, mirrorlab.as.arizona.edu/tours. Watch how mirrors are created for Earth-based telescopes such as the Giant Magellan Telescope.

Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research, 1215 E. Lowell St., 621-0984, ltrr.arizona.edu. The tree-ring lab offers free one-hour, docent-led tours, presenting information about its rich history.

Mount Lemmon Science Tour, 9800 E. Ski Run Road, skycenter.arizona.edu. Discover the science and wonders of Arizona's "Sky Islands" region on a drive up the Santa Catalina Mountains, where one of the most dramatic drives in the U.S. meets some of the most fascinating natural science in the world. The temperature is 20 degrees cooler at the top. This free, family-friendly tour features music by the band Calexico. The Mount Lemmon Science Tour app is available as a free download on your Apple or Android smartphone. Then visit the SkyCenter at the 9,157-foot summit for the SkyNights stargazing program. For more: visittucson.org/things-to-do/space/geotour-tucson/mt-lemmon-science-tour-app/

Note from Lulu's human:

Lulu is a Chinese crested and Japanese Chin mix.  She is the last of her clan. She is 15 years old and a lovely old girl.  When she gets excited she twirls around.  She lives on a goat farm in Arivaca but gets to come to Tucson every Tuesday and Friday with her owner. She comes in to visit her friends and play at the cat facility of Saving Animals from Euthanasia. She is also an ambassador for Southwest Hairless Rescue.

In our first annual Ugly Pets Contest, you have sent us dogs, cats and frogs (alongside a few missives informing us that we are cruel and heartless because all pets are beautiful in their own way).

After putting the editorial team to work judging the entrants, we have a winner alongside some of our finalists.

The winner, Lulu, gets a $25 gift certificate for a local pet shop. And her owner, Jacque Howell, also gets a $25 gift certificate, but for something a little more appealing to humans.

Thanks to everyone who entered. While your pets may be a little ugly on the outside, we know they have beautiful hearts on the inside.

2nd Place: Josie

Note from Josie:

My name is Josie. I am a Chinese Crested mix. I am about 7 years old. I have a very happy life in Tucson Arizona, where I am part of a pack of 7 other rescued dogs. I wasn't always so happy. For the first few years of my life I lived in a cage in a puppy mill having babies. I was rescued and came to live with my foster mom. She fell in love with me and adopted me and the rest is history. I am very good at helping other fosters that come into our home to adjust to their new life after rescue. I teach them to howl with the pack and to respect my sunning spot.

3rd Place: Roxi

Note from Roxi's dad:

This is Roxi, aka "The Bean". She is a 7 year old boxer mix, she was the runt of the litter, now she weighs in at about 75 pounds. She has a bit of an under bite, a slightly twisted jaw and a very long tongue. Some have said that she could win the ugly dog contest, but when I look at her all I see is absolute perfection!

Honorable Mention: Majesty

Note from Majesty: 

I'm Majesty, an ugly cat born on the island of Puerto Rico. Not so long ago, I would sweat profusely everyday while I watched the birds as a kitten from the comfort of my window. Now, I'm a solid man cat living in Tucson. My owners say that I'm an Exotic Shorthair (whatever that means). Anyways, I eat food 60 times a day, even dog food. I have a pretty basic schedule... I'm a simple man really. I sleep, wake up, sneeze in my owner's face, watch the birds, watch people, watch my dumb dog friends play; you name it! Of course, all of these daily activities are regularly interrupted for a nap. What is the meaning of life without naps? Some of my passions (besides looking funny) include snoring and staring off into the sunset.You know what else!? I've ridden on a plane a few times too, and I love it. 

Bonus submissions: Donny, Ms. TeeTee, Peanut and Rodente

Note from Donny's human:

This is my Plains Spadefoot Toad Donny. He honestly isn’t that ugly and shouldn’t be entered...but the problem is that he just can’t photograph well. Enclosed is a collage of the best pictures of him, which still aren’t great. He just doesn’t love the camera the way some frogs do.

Note from Ms. TeeTee:

I am a Crestie Mix from Tucson, Arizona. Due to some bad breeding I was just not cute enough to sell. Somehow I ended up in the streets. I was owned by a homeless man for a few years. He had several other dogs. We all got taken away from him and I ended up in a rescue and I got a great new home with my foster mom. I was up for adoption for months, but alas, no one wanted me. I guess I am just not cute enough. But my foster mom fell in love with my wonderful spirit, great sense of humor, and my cute little tongue.

Note from Peanut's human:

This is Peanut. We found her 10 years ago, curled up on our porch during a monsoon. She has hair like Brillo pad, nearly-impossible-to-cut nails, and had two rows of teeth! She can perform gymnastic feats to get food off the counter and will gladly act as " doggy dust buster" should you drop anything. She's covered in bumps and lumps, but we have a vet in the family that takes good care of her. We love Peanut, in all her wart covered glory!

Note from Rodente's human:

 I love my dog to pieces. But, she has been the subject of ridicule and so many "she's so ugly she's cute" Her name is Rodenté (french for rodent) I think she is so beautiful. She has saved my life so many many times.

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5 Minute Film Fest. For their monthly Free Third Thursday event, the Museum of Contemporary Art is showing a series of local films that are, you guessed it, five minutes. The films range from documentary to experimental to animation. Including films from local artists: Jazzy Boho, Michael Fenlason, Eric Flores, Scott Graham Bell and many more. 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday, June 21. 265 S Church Ave. Details here.

The UA Art Museum. The UA’s art museum has several exhibitions up right now, including one on the evolution of women printmakers, one filled with art created by local high schoolers, an exploration of light and photography by multidisciplinary artist Richard Slechta and The Altarpiece of Ciudad Rodrigo, one of the most important works to come out of 15th-century Spain. Check them all out, by do try to see the exhibit "X, Y, Z: Art in Three Dimensions" which features art that’s been formed, molded, carved, cast or otherwise arranged. As you take in the art, you can reflect on what it means to take up space, cast a shadow and have texture. "X, Y, Z" is on display through Sunday, June 24. Museum is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday and closed Monday. UA Museum of Art, 1031 N. Olive Road. $8 GA, $6.50 seniors and groups of 10 or more. Free for members, students with ID, faculty, staff, military personnel, AAM members, visitors with a SNAP card or tribal ID and children. Details here.

Meet the Artists: Miniatures by Members of SAME. If you’re ever feeling small, there may be no  better remedy than to head over to the Mini Time Museum of Miniatures to feel big for the day. If you check out the museum’s Community Corner, where work by members of the Southern Arizona Miniature Enthusiasts’ club is on display, you may end up feeling a little lousy and untalented, just knowing what sorts of incredible and tiny art your neighbors are capable of. Once a week, a SAME member is at the museum demonstrating their work and taking questions from the public. This week, it’s Tori West! 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, June 21. Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures, 4455 E. Camp Lowell Drive. $9 GA, $8 military, $6 students and youth 4 to 17, free for kids 3 and under. Details here.

Red, White and Tuna. Live Theatre Workshop is presenting the third in a series of plays that take place in Tuna, the (fictional) “third-smallest” town in Texas. Hey, every town deserves to have some sort of claim to fame. Tuna’s just happens to be more of a claim to lame… Anyway, Keith Wick and Stephen Frankenfield play a cast of more than 20 wacky characters, both male and female, both young and old, Portlandia-style. In this chapter of Tuna’s tale, new town residents crash Tuna’s Fourth of July High School class reunion, and fireworks and funny stuff ensues. Thursday, June 14 to Saturday, July 21. Shows are usually at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 3 p.m. on Sundays. Live Theatre Workshop, 5317 E. Speedway Blvd. $15 to $20. Details here.

Events compiled by Emily Dieckman, Dylan Reynolds, BS Eliot, Ava Garcia and Jeff Gardner.