During the early 1990s, alongside The Chemical Brothers and Fatboy Slim, this Las Vegan electronic music duo helped pioneer the big beat sound, inspiring tracks that still bang today. The Crystal Method are making The Trip Home. At 191 Toole. Details here.

Fronted by erstwhile Tucsonan Elizabeth Scarinzi, The HollyHocks bring their brand of alternative country/desert rock from Santa Fe to Che’s Lounge. With the mighty Greyhound Soul. Details here.

From Paris, DJ/producer Dustycloud holds down Resonance Monthly with mad sets of bass/future house at Gentle Ben’s. Details here.

This month’s installment of the smorgasbord of artistic expression known as Ladytowne features the comedy of Linda Ray, interviews with Najima & Tiera Rainey, Shannon Smith, Hannah Levin and the live music of Najima & Stripes520. At Club Congress. Details here.

More than 40 years into their career, these Latin icons have sold a staggering 60 million albums. Enjoying a resurgence thanks to YouTube and social media, exposing their music for a new generation to discover, Amanda Miguel y Diego Verdaguer are at the Fox Theatre. Details here.

Hot chicks playing cool surf. The Surfbroads perform at Free Third Thursdays at MOCA Tucson. Oh yeah, the museum’s current exhibit: Dazzled is a celebration of razzle dazzle, a military camouflage paint scheme used on British ships during WWI and WWII. Details here.


During the 1990s, on the strength of chart toppers “Fly to the Angels” and “Up All Night” these glam-metallists sold more than 5 million albums worldwide. Mark Slaughter performs the hits and a few surprises. In the Paradiso Lounge at Casino Del Sol. Details here.

Have you hiked Tumamoc Hill recently and noticed a little camper parked by the gate at the middle? "Cuéntame Más" the trailer says.

As part of an interdisciplinary oral history project run by scholars from the University of Arizona, a mobile recording studio has been set up to collect stories of hikers walking by.

"It is essentially Story Corps for Tumamoc," said Ben Wilder, director of Tumamoc Hill, in a release. "We want to hear what Tumamoc Hill means to you to better understand the unique connection between people and this place."

The UA Confluencenter for Creative Inquiry and the Desert Laboratory Tumamoc Hill have collaborated on this project and the camper, which opened for storytelling on March 12.

On select days between now and April 7, the camper will be open for hikers to stop by and share their stories. The tales will be taken down on audio, and each speaker has the option of having their photo taken by National Geographic photographer Bill Hatcher.

The images and stories will be shared via Desert Lab and Confluencenter on Instagram at @confluencenteruofa and @desert.laboratory.

"Just as Humans of New York is able to give you a sense of the vibrant culture of a city and intimate stories we all have, Tales From Tumamoc will capture the remarkable stories right here in the heart of our city," said Javier Duran, director of the Confluencenter for Creative Inquiry in a release.

To find out when the camper will be open and collecting stories, and to learn more about the project, click here.

Welcome to March Madness, or something more like March Sadness in the Old Pueblo, given how the hometown Wildcats missed the Big Dance.

With no local vested interest in this year's 68-team tournament for the first time since the 2011-12 season, fans might find themselves devoid of a team to pull for in the tourney.

Rest assured, my sports-crazed friends, here is a list of teams that are surefire picks to root for in the opening round of the tournament, which kicks off on Thursday.

1. The University of Buffalo Bulls (31-3, 7th seed)

Many of you will recall that Nate Oats' squad were the ones that hammered Arizona in Boise in last year's tournament. That, while true, shouldn't discourage you from rooting for the squad this season. Oats has done God's work in upstate New York, turning the program from a one-hit-wonder under former coach Bobby "Fucking" Hurley (who now coaches at ASU) into a regional power. The Bulls' starting five includes three seniors, with CJ Massinburg, Nick Perkins and Jeremy Harris scoring 46.7 points per game this season. What's even better is that Oats' squad could face Hurley in Friday's first round, as the Sun Devils have to play in tonight's First Four round against Saint John's to earn the right to, in all likelihood, lose to the Bulls. That alone should make you feel some semblance of desire to root for Buffalo on Friday.

2. The Wofford University Terriers (29-4, 7th seed)

The Terriers have been the darlings of college basketball this season (and for good reason). Wofford is in the midst of a historic season, having run the table in an ultra-competitive Southern Conference, going 16-0 in conference play. They followed that up by winning their conference tournament, giving the team its first NCAA Tournament berth since 2015. The team, which hails from lovely Spartansburg, South Carolina, lost its four games to North Carolina, Kansas, Oklahoma and Mississippi State (all of whom made the NCAA Tournament). What's great about Wofford is their up-tempo offense, which averages a whopping 83.3 points per game, with senior guard Fletcher Magee leading the charge. Magee might be the best point guard you've never heard of, with the 6'4 senior averaging 20.5 points per game this season. The Terrier's quest for tournament immortality won't be easy, with an opening round clash with Seton Hall on Thursday, and a possible second round matchup with Kentucky awaiting them. Keep an eye on this scrappy bunch of southerners, however, as they could be this year's Cinderella story.

3. Belmont Bruins (27-5, 11th seed)

The Bruins have punched way above their weight class for so-called 'mid-major' conference teams this season, earning an at-large berth into the tournament from the Ohio Valley Conference. The squad put on a show on Tuesday night in the First Four, beating Temple, 81-70, to advance to Thursday's first round. The Bruins, who are coached by legend Rick Byrd, won their first NCAA Tournament game last night, with Byrd, who is in his 33rd season coaching the Nashville team, breaking down in tears in a very emotional postgame press conference. Belmont should have a fighter's chance on Thursday, playing the mystery wrapped in an enigma that is the University of Maryland, who somehow received a six seed in this thing. The Bruins have a unicorn of sorts in their lineup, with 6'8 guard Dylan Windler returning to the lineup after suffering a severe ankle injury earlier in the season. Windler, who leads Belmont in scoring (20.8), wasn't in top form against the Owls on Tuesday, scoring 5 points in 40 minutes of action. The guard did have a huge night on the glass, however, pulling down 14 rebounds in the win. Expect Windler to get his feet under him on Thursday, with Belmont looking the part of a bracket buster.

4. Murray State Racers (27-4, 12th seed)

The Racers, like Belmont, hail from the venerable Ohio Valley Conference, and have one of the best players in the nation. Guard Ja Morant is expected to be a lottery pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, will square off against 5th-seeded Marquette in Thursday's first round. I'm stoked to watch Morant and Chandler's own Markus Howard go head-to-head, with Morant averaging 24.6 points per game this season, while Howard is putting up 25.0 himself. Murray State is a fascinating team, with a dynamic sophomore point guard (Morant), who can literally do whatever you need him to on a basketball court. Thursday's opening round contest between the Racers and Eagles, which tips off at 1:30 p.m. local time, will be appointment television, thanks to having two of the best guards in the nation squaring off against one another. The Racers have a real shot at busting a lot of brackets, with a potential second round matchup against fourth-seed Florida State, who the Racers match up very well against.

5. University of Houston (31-3, 3rd seed)

Who doesn't love a good redemption storyline in the midst of an event of national hoopla? Well, Houston has just that, thanks to its coach, Kelvin Sampson. You might remember Sampson for his tenure at Indiana, which ended with a series of NCAA violations, as well as a series of violations that took place while he coached at the University of Oklahoma (his previous employer before leaving for Indiana in 2006). Sampson, who literally has an entire subsection of his Wikipedia page devoted to 'NCAA Violations' has Houston in a place it hasn't been since the days of 'Phi Slamma Jamma' in the early-1980s. The Cougars have been one of the nation's most dominant teams this season, with a stout defense that ranks 8th in the nation in points allowed (61.0). The Cougars have a pair of explosive guards, Corey Davis Jr. and Armoni Brooks, who combined to average 30.3 points per game this season. It may seem odd, or downright difficult to cheer for a Sampson coached squad, given his previous NCAA sins. I argue, however, that the NCAA's bylaws are draconian and out-of-date, and that Sampson's misconduct had to do with sending too many text messages, so why not cheer for him now? Plus, by holding onto some sort of puritanical standard of conduct, we rob ourselves of enjoying what is one of the sport's best storylines this year. I say we sit back and enjoy watching Sampson's magic unfold, with the Cougars looking like a sure bet to reach the Sweet 16 in the Midwest region. 

Find more Claytoonz here.

Dinner at Dragoon Brewery. This event will finally answer the question: do the hoppiest of IPAs go well with meatballs? Dragoon Brewery is teaming up with Meatball Madness food truck for one heck of a dinner. 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 20. 1859 W. Grant Road. Details here.

Tucson Roadrunners vs. Iowa Wild. It’s “Turn Back the Clock” week at the Tucson Arena, so grab your 70s garb and get down to the ice. Iowa Wild’s team mascot is an animal of unclear species named Crash who, according to their website, is “highly skilled in cowbell performance.” Ours is the ever-loveable, cuddly-yet-fierce Dusty the Roadrunner. Whose team (and mascot) will come out on top? At 70s night on Wednesday, March 20, they’ll have 7 for $70 packages. 7:05 p.m.  Wednesday, March 20. Tucson Arena, 260 S. Church Ave. $10 to $61. Details here.

Open Studios Under the Full Moon. What better way to spend a warm spring evening than outside exploring local artwork? 12 open studios will be open for you to walk and explore wood, glass, steel and bronze artwork. Food trucks and craft beer will be available. This just keeps getting better! There will even be a free concert by Cadillac Mountain in the sculpture garden! 5-8 p.m. Metal Arts Village, 3230 N. Dodge Blvd. Details here.
Events compiled by Briannon Wilfong, Emily Dieckman, B.S. Eliot and Jeff Gardner.

In the summer of 2014, this Finnish country band gained notoriety by posting videos on YouTube playing bluegrass versions of heavy metal classics. Their rendition of AC-DC’s “Thunderstruck” has accrued 77 million views thus far. Steve’n’Seagulls challenge the status quo. At 191 Toole. Bluegrass/folk-poppers ClusterPluck kick off the jamboree. Details here.

Two-Door Hatchback convey a timeless sense of rag-timey whimsy at Public Brewhouse. Details here.

This sibling EDM duo “are all about love, though not necessarily about peace.” Hippie Sabotage’s “Devil Eyes” are coming to claim “Your Soul.” With German trance technician Sebastian Paul at the Rialto Theatre. Details here.

With eyes keenly focused on songcraft and pop sensibilities, Seattle power poppers Supercrush dole out their infectious, hook-laden confection at Wooden Tooth Records. Openers Gardie and Hikikomori set the bar. Details here.

Tucson was treated to a rip-roaring evening of New Orleans-tinged rock music on Wednesday night.

The eight-piece ensemble responsible for a night of toe-tapping and enthralling music were the Big Easy's The Revivalists, who took the stage at the Rialto Theatre downtown.

The octet, who are touring in support of their 2018 album, Take Good Care, hit the stage a little after 9 p.m., launching a night's worth of scintillating music.

Lead singer David Shaw showcased his unique blend of bravado, venturing out into the sold-out crowd several times to get to know those that attended the concert.

Shaw and his bandmates also spent most of the night wandering the elaborate tack-on runway that jutted out several feet in front of the main stage.

The result of Shaw's explorative evening was an audience that brimmed with energy, exploding into cheers of applause after each song wrapped up.

It was a truly unique evening, with opening act, Rayland Baxter, setting the stage for what was to come.

Baxter, who was battling through some sort of sickness, was forced to send his bandmates off-stage due to his limited vocal range.

The Maryland native still kicked ass, however, ripping through his hefty catalog of songs to deliver a 45-minute opener that delighted those that showed up on-time.

The main set lived up to the billing an hour or so after Baxter took the stage, with the Revivalists playing all their fan-favorite songs, with a few twists thrown in for good measure.

The headliners played two covers during the show, in the Clash's "Should I Stay or Should I Go?" and Pink Floyd's "Have a Cigar."

It was pretty awesome watching Shaw and lead guitarist, Zack Feinberg rip through the latter for their final song of the night.

The Pink Floyd classic, which covers a gamut of social issues, features several prime guitar solos, which Feinberg hammered with ease.

It was an unexpected final act from a band that won over Tucson with their debut performance in the Old Pueblo.

It was a performance that would have made Big Easy legends, like Louis Armstrong and Anders Osborne, proud—combining the jazz and rock elements of both with grace and class.

Tucson and the octet had a beautiful introduction on Wednesday night. Here's hoping the show is the first of many in the Old Pueblo in the years to come. 

According to a recent study by Edbuild, Arizona spends $7,613 more per student in predominantly white districts than predominantly nonwhite districts. That would make us the most inequitable state in the nation when it comes to funding our school districts.

Edbuild's study was picked up by media outlets across the country. You can read all about it in the New York Times, the Washington Post and hear about it on CNN and NPR, to name a few major outlets that carried the story. It's also been covered by Arizona media.

If the $7,613 figure comes from a reputable nonprofit which focuses on problems of funding inequality and segregation in the nation’s public schools and is repeated often enough in the media, it must be right. Right?

Wrong. As I explain in an article which will be running in Thursday's print edition of the Weekly, the figure is not only wrong, it's wildly wrong. Arizona may do a lousy job of funding its schools, but it does a reasonably good job of spreading the money out evenly across districts.

For almost 30 years, Arizona has used a funding equalization formula to distribute money to school districts. Before that, schools were funded primarily by local property taxes, which meant districts with expensive homes were rolling in education dough while districts with lower property values struggled to find enough money to run their schools.

Arizona's equalization system is far from perfect. Some school districts, mainly in high rent areas, find ways to game the system and bring in extra money for their students. But compared to other states, we do a fairly good job of evening out the money each district receives.

Instead of being labeled as one of the worst offenders in the way we distribute our education funds, we should be praised as one of the best.

Here are three reasons I know we're doing a reasonably good job of equalizing education funding:

Co-hosts Christopher Boan and Tyler Vondrak return to give you all the insights you'll need to dominate your NCAA Tournament pool.

The dynamic duo harp on their picks for the Big Dance's opening weekend, as well as who they see making a deep run in the tournament.

The gents also remember some of their favorite memories from tournaments of yore, with each handing out their most memorable March moments.

Tune in on Friday for the pair's regular show, when Boan and Vondrak will break down the results from Thursday's opening round games. 

Last week Mike Steber became the newest addition to the Pima County Sheriff Department's correctional staff as a jail population coordinator.

His job is to continuously review the jail's roster and case management system to identify individuals currently in jail for non-violent offenses who correctional officials believe, once released, would be unlikely to miss scheduled court appearances, according to a county press release.

Sheriff Mark Napier explained the necessity of the new hire in the release.

"My job is to not only make Pima County a safer place but to also ensure that we are spending taxpayer funds appropriately," said Napier. "Part of achieving both is ensuring that the right people are incarcerated in our jail for the right reasons. This will reduce costs and keep our county safer."

By consulting with the other agencies such as the county's Attorney's Office and public defenders, they can work with inmates who are willing to seek substance abuse or mental illness treatment, or get involved in housing assistance or social services programs. It's all about keeping the jail population as low as possible while still ensuring public safety.

Steber will also keep an eye out for other programs that can serve as a better alternative to being kept in custody.

"We don't want repeat business," PCSD Chief Deputy Byron Gwaltney said in the release. "In my experience, many people do better and are less likely to re-offend if they remain connected to the community and the social services available on the outside."

Steber's hire comes as the latest move by the county to address issues with incarceration. In April 2016, Pima County received a $1.5 million Safety and Justice Challenge Grant, provided by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, to identify ways to reduce the jail population where necessary. Their goal is to reduce the population by 26 percent from 2014 to this year.