Friday, September 27, 2019
St. Demetrios Annual Greek Festival. It’s back! And although there’s a lot more to do at a Greek Festival than eat and drink, the food is just so good, it’s worth highlighting that alone. This year, the Greek Festival is expanding to offer local artisan vendors along with full-scale carnival rides. But when you aren’t busy dancing, enjoy the authentic gyros, baklava, spanakopita, wine and beer. It’s a celebration of all things Greek, and lucky for you, Greek culture has a lot of awesome things worth celebrating (and eating). Thursday, Sept. 26, through Sunday, Sept. 29. At St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, 1145 E. Fort Lowell Road. Details.
Arizona Wine & Dine. Maynards Market & Kitchen is closing out their summer wine tour with a loving nod to Arizona. This special meal is made by their executive chef Brian Smith and is paired with local wines by Sand Reckoner. This four-course meal includes a cholla bud and emmer sourdough; a salad of grilled green beans, tomato, fresh cheese and pistachio; an entree of baby potatoes, i’itoi onion, mole rojo; and mesquite tres leches, prickly pear and chocolate. Celebrate Arizona and treat yourself at the same time. 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27. 400 N. Toole Ave. $78. Details.
Summer Night Market at MSA Annex. It’s back! On the last Friday of every month, the MSA Annex hosts a big celebration of local foods and crafts. Get out there, because it’s not like you’re going to be wandering around during the daytime heat. This market features live music by DJ Herm, food trucks, art installations and the already-awesome shops at the Annex. It’s a fun time for all, especially the hungry and the night owls. 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27. 267 S. Avenida del Convento. Details.
Bear Down Fridays. There’s nothing quite like living in a college town. Embrace it at these Friday afternoons spent cheering on the football team before home games, preferably wearing your red and blue finest. The Pride of Arizona marching band, Wilbur and Wilma, the UA cheerleaders, the pom squad and the twirlers will all be on deck, so don’t miss your chance to see these Tucson celebs. UA coaches make guest appearances at these events as well. There’s also a kids’ area, food and drink specials and all sorts of sales up and down University Boulevard. Bear Down! 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27. Main Gate Square. Free. Details.
Beavers, Brews & Santa Cruz. Maybe you know a little bit about river restoration, and you probably know plenty about local beers, but how’s your knowledge on the reintroduction of beavers to Southeast Arizona? This event hosted by the Watershed Management Group is going to teach you all about beavers and rivers, and Pueblo Vida, Whiskey Del Bac and Ren Coffeehouse are going to keep you hydrated through it. They’re screening a documentary called The Beaver Believers, and they’re having a panel of beaver experts, including reps from the AZ Game and Fish Department, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, ProFauna Wildlife, WMG and Friends of the San Pedro River. How many chances are you going to get in your life to see a panel of beaver experts? 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 28. WMG headquarters, 1137 N. Dodge Blvd. $20. Details.
Made By: Exploring the Makers Behind Our Collections. The Arizona History Museum is going meta in this exploration of the artists behind the art, and the connections between art producers, museums and museum patrons. Kim Nicolini will be discussing her moving art series Facing Work, which displays paintings of workers Nicolini has seen in her everyday life. She’ll also do a reading from her upcoming book of the same name. Come take a stroll through the museum, and then hear some though-provoking words about what a stroll through a museum, indeed, what many of your everyday actions and interactions, might mean. 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27. Arizona History Museum, 949 E. Second St. $10 GA, $8 seniors & students, $5 for youth 7 to 13, free for AHS members and kids 6 and under. Details.
Spirit Animal Month. The Madaras Gallery is celebrating 20 years this year, and, in honor of the last two decades of art, they’re highlighting a different subset of Diana Madaras’ work each month. For the spookiest month of the year, they’re featuring her spirit animal paintings, which tell the story of her deep, lifelong connection to animals. By the end of the year, she’ll have 20 of these babies—colorful, geometric portraits of birds, fish, tigers, bears, horses and more—completed. Come see them on special display throughout the month. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays. Madaras Gallery, 3035 N. Swan Road. Free. Details.
Comic and Cartoon Creations. Calling all artistically inclined (or even just artistically intrigued) teens and tweens! Who doesn’t love a good comic or cartoon? Ever been interested in making your own? Maybe you have a project that’s already started? At this session, you’ll learn how to draw cartoon characters, create superhero panels and make your own comic book. Feel free to bring your own project to work on, or to create a project along with the art leader. This is especially for beginner and intermediate artists. 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27. Flowing Wells Library, 1730 W. Wetmore Road. Free. Details.
Saturday, Sept. 28
St. Demetrios Annual Greek Festival. It’s back! And although there’s a lot more to do at a Greek Festival than eat and drink, the food is just so good, it’s worth highlighting that alone. This year, the Greek Festival is expanding to offer local artisan vendors along with full-scale carnival rides. But when you aren’t busy dancing, enjoy the authentic gyros, baklava, spanakopita, wine and beer. It’s a celebration of all things Greek, and lucky for you, Greek culture has a lot of awesome things worth celebrating (and eating). Thursday, Sept. 26, through Sunday, Sept. 29. At St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, 1145 E. Fort Lowell Road. Details.
Spirit Animal Month. The Madaras Gallery is celebrating 20 years this year, and, in honor of the last two decades of art, they’re highlighting a different subset of Diana Madaras’ work each month. For the spookiest month of the year, they’re featuring her spirit animal paintings, which tell the story of her deep, lifelong connection to animals. By the end of the year, she’ll have 20 of these babies—colorful, geometric portraits of birds, fish, tigers, bears, horses and more—completed. Come see them on special display throughout the month. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays. Madaras Gallery, 3035 N. Swan Road. Free. Details.
The Sun Serpent. This play at Pima Community College is based on the story of Cortes’ arrival in South America, which is almost as fascinating as it is horrific. The story focuses the young, newly orphaned Anahuac, who sets off on a journey to warn her brother to watch out for the Spanish. Along the way, she must navigate a dizzying combination of the Aztec prophecies and jungles she is accustomed to and the Spanish horses and ships she is not. And it’s actually a children’s play, by none other than José Cruz González, who was once a playwright-in-residence at Childsplay up in Tempe. 2 and 7 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28, and Oct. 5, 2 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 29, and Oct. 6. 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 4. (Sign language interpreters available at the Friday showing). Proscenium Theatre, Pima Community College West Campus, 2202 W. Anklam Road. $8. Details.
Fall Pumpkin Celebration at Apple Annie’s. We did it! We made it to October! Or, close enough! It’s time to celebrate by heading out to get yourself a pumpkin. And at Apple Annie’s, they’re doing it right: an all-you-can-eat pumpkin and pancake breakfast, pumpkin ice cream, pumpkin pies, pumpkin bread and homemade cider donuts. And you can either pick your own pumpkins (plus other veggies, if you want) at the farm, or pick up some pre-picked pumpkins at the stand. A portion of proceeds benefit the Lupus Foundation of Southern Arizona, March of Dimes and Youth Haven Ranch. Breakfast is 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. and lunch is 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays throughout October. Apple Annie’s Produce & Pumpkin Patch, 6405 W. Williams Road. Details.
Tucson Pride: Rise Up. This year, Tucson’s annual pride festival is centered around the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, the six days of protests that followed a police raid of a gay club in New York City. In the six months following the riots, three newspapers were established to promote gay and lesbian rights. Within a few years, LGBTQ+ rights organizations were founded all over the world. In the five decades following the riots, we’ve made even more progress. Celebrate how far we’ve come, and get energized for all the progress we still get to make, with a parade, a pride royalty crowning, a vendor exhibition and lots of live music. Parade at 11 a.m. Festival noon to 9 p.m. Reid Park, 900 S. Randolph Way. $5 to $20. Details.
National Parks Free Entrance Day. There are lots of parts of nature that are free every day, but the national parks, which host some of the loveliest and most pristine sections of it, usually cost money to get into. Not this Saturday! In honor of National Public Lands Day, the National Park Service sites that normally charge an entrance fee—including Saguaro National Park and the 13 other national parks, recreation areas and monuments in the great state of Arizona—will be free to everyone. Maybe this is the Saturday that you finally drive up to see the Petrified Forest National Park, or the Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument. Whatever you do, do it outside if you can! Saturday, Sept. 28. Locations and hours vary. Details.
WWE Live. Are you ready to rumble? You’d better GET ready to rumble. Because WWE Live is coming to the Tucson Arena. Seth Rollins and Baron Corbin are facing off in a street fight, so its Rollins’ famous Curb Stomp finishing move (a running stomp to the back of an opponent’s head when they’re bent over) against Baron Corbin, who, according to his WWE profile, got kicked out of the NFL because he was just too aggressive and full of rage. You’ll also see Roman Reigns vs. Drew McIntyre, Becky Lynch and Lacey Evans facing off in a woman’s championship match, Bray Wyatt, Braun Strowman, the Lucha House Party and plenty more. 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 29. Tucson Arena, 260 S. Church Ave. $15 to $105+. Details.
The All Nite Scream-O-Rama 2019. Pay to get in, pray to get out! The Loft is kicking off the Halloween season just a few days early with this 12-hour horror movie marathon. Whether it’s a zombie flick, a slasher film or just a good ol’ gory horror classic, there’s something for every horror fan here. The films are: Killer Klowns from Outer Space (in 35mm!), Re-Animator, Halloween II, REC 2, Night of the Demons (in 35mm!), 2010’s Piranha and 1979’s Zombie (in 35mm!). Plus, there will be special trailers between the films, “ghoulish” trivia games, and drink specials. Pillows and pajamas are allowed, to turn this into a true cinematic slumber party massacre. 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, to 7 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 29. 3233 E. Speedway Blvd. $17. Details.
Dirty Dancing. It’s Patrick Swayze! It’s Jennifer Grey! It’s the first film to sell more than a million copies for home video! For their latest Movie Under the Stars event, Hotel McCoy is dishing out some classic ’80s romance. And better yet, it’s a poolside screening. So, as they say: Nobody puts baby in the corner, but they might throw her in the pool. 8 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28. 720 W. Silverlake Road. Free. Details.
Goblin performs Deep Red score. Any cinephile worth their salt (or celluloid) knows about the violent, thrilling and artsy Italian film genre known as Giallo. And few directors did more for the genre than Dario Argento and his work with the spooky prog-rock band Goblin, who collaborated on cult classics such as Suspiria. If I haven’t lost you yet, good news! Claudio Simonetti and his band Goblin are touring and performing their soundtracks to the classic Italian horrors of the ’70s. They’ll be stopping by the Rialto Theatre for a live performance of the soundtrack for 1975’s Deep Red (Profondo Rosso) while the film plays simultaneously. It’s a multimedia horror experience! 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28. 318 E. Congress St. $30-$48 All ages. Details.
Keep Tucson Sketchy Reminder
Keep Tucson Sketchy may still be selling tickets at keep-tucson-sketchy.ticketleap.com. They’re $10, now, and $15 at the door. KTS’ previous two shows sold out. Saturday, Sept. 28 offers shows at both 7 and 10 p.m. Details.
Standup with J.R. Brow at 8 and 10:30 p.m. at Laffs Comedy Caffe ($12.50 and $17.50). Improv with The Laugh Tracks and The Game Show Show at 7:30 p.m., followed by Round 3 of the 3 v 3 Tournament at 9 p.m. at TIM Comedy Theater ($5). Family-friendly improv with NBOJU at 7:30 p.m. at Unscrewed Theater ($5 and $8). Details.
Sunday, Sept. 29
St. Demetrios Annual Greek Festival. It’s back! And although there’s a lot more to do at a Greek Festival than eat and drink, the food is just so good, it’s worth highlighting that alone. This year, the Greek Festival is expanding to offer local artisan vendors along with full-scale carnival rides. But when you aren’t busy dancing, enjoy the authentic gyros, baklava, spanakopita, wine and beer. It’s a celebration of all things Greek, and lucky for you, Greek culture has a lot of awesome things worth celebrating (and eating). Thursday, Sept. 26, through Sunday, Sept. 29. At St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, 1145 E. Fort Lowell Road. Details.
Spirit Animal Month. The Madaras Gallery is celebrating 20 years this year, and, in honor of the last two decades of art, they’re highlighting a different subset of Diana Madaras’ work each month. For the spookiest month of the year, they’re featuring her spirit animal paintings, which tell the story of her deep, lifelong connection to animals. By the end of the year, she’ll have 20 of these babies—colorful, geometric portraits of birds, fish, tigers, bears, horses and more—completed. Come see them on special display throughout the month. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays. Madaras Gallery, 3035 N. Swan Road. Free. Details.
Tucson Pops. It’s the last edition of this outdoor summer concert series, conducted by László Veres. This week’s program is featuring two soloists from the orchestra. Cellist Anne Gratz is a member of the Tucson Symphony String Quartet and runs a full private cello studio in town. Jessica Campbell plays the bassoon and contrabassoon for TSO, coaches the Tucson Philharmonia Youth Orchestra bassoon section and runs a bassoon/contrabassoon reed-making business. Also on the schedules are selections from Offenbach’s Bluebeard, Saint-Säens’ The Swan from Carnival of the Animals and plenty more. 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 29. DeMeester Outdoor Performance Center at Reid Park, 900 S. Randolph Way. Free. Details.
The Sun Serpent. This play at Pima Community College is based on the story of Cortes’ arrival in South America, which is almost as fascinating as it is horrific. The story focuses the young, newly orphaned Anahuac, who sets off on a journey to warn her brother to watch out for the Spanish. Along the way, she must navigate a dizzying combination of the Aztec prophecies and jungles she is accustomed to and the Spanish horses and ships she is not. And it’s actually a children’s play, by none other than José Cruz González, who was once a playwright-in-residence at Childsplay up in Tempe. 2 and 7 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28, and Oct. 5, 2 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 29, and Oct. 6. 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 4. (Sign language interpreters available at the Friday showing). Proscenium Theatre, Pima Community College West Campus, 2202 W. Anklam Road. $8. Details.
Fall Pumpkin Celebration at Apple Annie’s. We did it! We made it to October! Or, close enough! It’s time to celebrate by heading out to get yourself a pumpkin. And at Apple Annie’s, they’re doing it right: an all-you-can-eat pumpkin and pancake breakfast, pumpkin ice cream, pumpkin pies, pumpkin bread and homemade cider donuts. And you can either pick your own pumpkins (plus other veggies, if you want) at the farm, or pick up some pre-picked pumpkins at the stand. A portion of proceeds benefit the Lupus Foundation of Southern Arizona, March of Dimes and Youth Haven Ranch. Breakfast is 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. and lunch is 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays throughout October. Apple Annie’s Produce & Pumpkin Patch, 6405 W. Williams Road. Details.
Running for Good. Picture this: You run 25 kilometers. Sounds awful, right? How about running 250 km? How about running 250 km through the Sahara Desert? Because that’s exactly what world-record marathon runner Fiona Oakes did while attempting to set a new global record in endurance racing. This documentary follows Oakes and her goal to “run for those that can’t speak for themselves.” Featuring a Q&A with director Keegan Kuhn, joined by Tucson physician Ted Crawford. This Loft Cinema screening is hosted by Healthier Logic and Performance Sports Therapy. Noon to 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 29. 3233 E. Speedway Blvd. Free. Details.
Coffee Day Beer Release at 1912. In celebration of National Coffee Day, 1912 Brewing is breaking out a seasonal favorite: their Rifleman First Porter. A coffee beer, it’s the best of both worlds! This coffee porter was made with Black Rifle coffee, and clocks in at 6.1 percent ABV with 38 IBU. 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 29. 2045 N. Forbes Blvd. Details.
Sunday, Sept. 29: Free open mic at 8 p.m. at Chuckleheads, Bisbee.
Tags: fun , things to do , movies , concerts , experiences , events , Greek , Scream , art , Image
"The Only Dying Girl in New York," Brooklyn-based experimental pop/performance artist Holly Overton demonstrates that "Art is The Fire." With Weekend Lovers and Vasectomy. At The Ervice. DJ Jaime J Soto mans the turntables...
Coinciding with this year's annual Pride festival, like a party-goer gripping a sparkler in hand and running with abandon, Vamp: Neon Pride illumes the night. At 191 Toole...
Led by vocalist Amy Virnelson, Soul Essentials perform classic and modern R&B and soul. With special guest Gary Love on saxophone. On the plaza at Hotel Congress...
Tags: XOXO , music , shows , live music , vocalists , djs , Image
Thursday, September 26, 2019
The dynamic duo of Christopher Boan and Tyler Vondrak then move on to their 'Pac-12 Superlatives' for the week, picking their games to watch in the Conference of Champions.
The final segment of Thursday's episode handles the week in general in college football, with Boan and Vondrak picking their games of the week to bet on.
Tune in each week for a new episode of the Tucson Weekly's sports podcast.
Tags: Arizona Wildcats , UCLA Bruins , Khalil Tate , Kevin Sumlin , Chip Kelly , Pac-12 , Tucson , Los Angeles , College Football , NCAA , Stanford Cardinal , David Shaw , Washington Huskies , USC Trojans , Arizona State Sun Devils , Mike Leach , Washington State Cougars , Utah Utes , UMASS MInutemen , Image
"The Dirty Old One Man Band," aka Scott H. Biram, is a blues-punk, country-metal musician, record producer, and ordained minister among other things. He shares a bill with punk-metal/bluegrass outfit Urban Pioneers and hillbilly swing act The Goddamn Gallows. At The Rock... Raconteur Billy Sedlmayr accompanied by slide guitarist Joe Novelli bring stories to life. At Tap + Bottle-Downtown...
Americana singer-songwriter Nancy McCallion & The Scarlet Lettermen play the House of Bards...
Tags: XOXO , music , live shows , concerts , musicians , things to do , songwriters , edm , Image
Stormin’ the Sazerac. This is a little-known piece of U.S. history, but one worth celebrating nonetheless. Every year, The Parish celebrates the 1949 anniversary of when women stormed a bar in New Orleans, thus breaking the tradition of men only being allowed inside. To celebrate, The Parish is partying all week, hosting live music from local female musicians, extending their happy hour and making specialty “sazerac” cocktails. Celebrate history and drink while you do it! 3 to 10 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 25, throughout Monday, Sept. 30. 6453 N. Oracle Road. Details.
Tucson Greek Festival. Opa! You’d better put on your stretchy pants, because it’s time for baklava, falafel, gyros and other food that will make you want to move straight to the Mediterranean to pursue a life of seaside leisure and tableside deliciousness. Of course, Greek culture is more than just food—this festival also features plenty of dancing, live entertainment and local artisan vendors. There are also full-scale carnival rides, which may not be especially Greek, but will be especially fun. And hey, it’s all Greek to me, anyway, am I right? 5 to 10 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26. 5 to 11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27. 4 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28. Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 29. 1145 E. Fort Lowell Road. $3. Details.
Free Barefoot Yoga. Barefoot yoga is the best yoga. And doing it outside now that the weather is cooling down is a delight. Throw in the fact that this is a free, quick, 30-minute sessions that you can fit in before work, and wow! You better get your yoga clothes on, and your shoes off. The Lohse Family YMCA of Tucson is leading this class in Jacome Plaza downtown to get your Thursday off to a good start—in body, mind and spirit. And if you still have time before work, you can continue to unwind with a game of giant Jenga! 7 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 26. Jacome Plaza Downtown, 101 N. Stone Ave. Free. Details.
Spirit Animal Month. The Madaras Gallery is celebrating 20 years this year, and, in honor of the last two decades of art, they’re highlighting a different subset of Diana Madaras’ work each month. For the spookiest month of the year, they’re featuring her spirit animal paintings, which tell the story of her deep, lifelong connection to animals. By the end of the year, she’ll have 20 of these babies—colorful, geometric portraits of birds, fish, tigers, bears, horses and more—completed. Come see them on special display throughout the month. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays. Madaras Gallery, 3035 N. Swan Road. Free. Details.
Princess Mononoke. Although they’re getting toward the end of their Anime Essentials series, The Loft sure isn’t running out of good films to screen. Grand in every sense of the word, Princess Mononoke was the highest-grossing film in Japan in 1997 and helped solidify anime as a global phenomenon. Featuring fantastical forest creatures, some of the greatest medieval war scenes outside of Lord of the Rings and Joe Hisaishi’s greatest orchestral arrangements, this is definitely a work of art to be witnessed on the big screen. 7:30 to 10 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26. 3233 E. Speedway Blvd. $10. Details.
F Bombs. We at the Weekly love the word “fuck.” In the realm of local journalism, we have it to ourselves, and we flaunt it accordingly.
Tucson’s venerable story-telling gang, Female Storytellers (FST!), has made our pet word the topic of its Sept. 26 show, F*ST! Presents: The F Word Vol. 2, live at Club Congress. We know those FST! Women won’t be holding back with the “u”s.
The show, for ages 21 and older, starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $8 at the door. Proceeds benefit Spoken Futures, Inc. and, as always, ASL interpreters are provided.
Going on nine years, FST! has encouraged and inspired women to read their unique stories for a hundred or so perfect strangers every month. Their website, fstorytellers.org, provides prompts and comfort for the journey. Details.
Tags: movies , music , fun , things to do , activities , events , food , beer , cooking , Greek Festival , Princess Mononoke , Image
Tucson’s venerable story-telling gang, Female Storytellers (FST!), has made our pet word the topic of its Sept. 26 show, F*ST! Presents: The F Word Vol. 2, live at Club Congress. We know those FST! Women won’t be holding back with the “u”s.
The show, for ages 21 and older, starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $8 at the door. Proceeds benefit Spoken Futures, Inc. and, as always, ASL interpreters are provided.
Going on nine years, FST! Has encouraged and inspired women to read their unique stories for a hundred or so perfect strangers every month. Their website, fstorytellers.org, provides prompts and comfort for the journey.
The Liberal Agenda: Feminist Comedy with Em Bowen and Friends
Em Bowen is the best argument we know for “they” as a singular pronoun. They not only own it, they sell it. They identify as “a queer, non-binary educator and comedian,” a phrase that seriously under-represents their comedic sense and laser-efficient delivery, as engaging as it is unpretentious. ‘
A doctoral candidate at the UA, Bowen also co-directs the Tucson Poetry Festival and, note to Dave Chapelle, they model comedy that, in Bowen’s words, doesn’t “tear down vulnerable populations”.
Bowen holds forth at 8 p.m., Monday, Sept. 30, at Crooked Tooth Brewing Company. Friends sharing the stage include Andrea Salazar, Molly McCloy, Mariah Dickson and Nicole Riego.
What’s so funny about being gay? Let Me Look At You
In 2019, all things Pride are at once a bitter and celebratory reflection on the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. Tucson’s main Pride event offers community activities, awards and entertainment all day Saturday, Sept. 28 at Reid Park. Find the details and buy tickets at Tucsonpride.org.
The crown on the celebration, though, will be a week later in two performances of the nationally touring, one-man comedy show, Let Me Look at You, by Mark Pinkosh and Godfrey Hamilton.
Pinkosh’s character is as dark as he is bright. Energetic and drenched in charisma, he’s a crafty survivor of the LGBTQA community’s 50-year journey from decriminalization to a frontier of empowerment. His existence is a tribute to his wits and, especially, his wit. As he relates the adventures and misadventures of his life, we become laughing witnesses to a meltdown. A reviewer describes Pinkosh’s character aptly as “grounded in history and battered by camp.”
Let Me Look at You is staged at Hotel Congress at 8 p.m., Saturday Oct. 5 and 2 p.m., Sunday Oct. 6. Admission is $10 via Eventbrite or at the door All proceeds benefit Tucson Pride.
Keep Tucson Sketchy Reminder
Keep Tucson Sketchy may still be selling tickets at keep-tucson-sketchy.ticketleap.com/ktsep3/. They’re $10, now, and $15 at the door. KTS’ previous two shows sold out. Saturday, Sept. 28 offers shows at both 7 and 10 p.m.
More Laughs
Friday, Sept. 27: Standup with Tom Segura at 7 p.m. at the Fox Tucson Theatre ($43 to $79) and J.R. Brow at 8 and 10:30 p.m., Laffs Comedy Caffe ($12.50 and $17.50). Standup showcase Last Friday Last Laugh at 8 p.m. at Hotel McCoy. Improv with The Riveters and the Lobbyists at 7:30 p.m. and The Soapbox at 9 p.m. at TIM Comedy Theatre (TIM) ($5). Family-friendly improv with Not Burnt Out Just Unscrewed (NBOJU) at 7:30 p.m. followed by Fourth Friday Free Form Friday Fight Night at 9 p.m. at Unscrewed Theatre ($5 and $7).
Saturday, Sept. 28: Standup with J.R. Brow, at 8 and 10:30 p.m., Laffs Comedy Caffe ($12.50 and $17.50). Improv with The Laugh Tracks and The Game Show Show at 7:30 p.m., followed by Round 3 of the 3 v 3 Tournament at 9 p.m. at TIM Comedy Theater, ($5). Family-friendly improv with NBOJU at 7:30 p.m. at Unscrewed Theater ($5 and $8).
Sunday, Sept. 29: Free open mic at 8 p.m. at Chuckleheads, Bisbee.
Monday, Sept. 30: Free open mic presented by Comedy at the Wench, 7 p.m. at the Surly Wench Pub.
Wednesday, Oct. 2: Free open mics at 7 p.m. at The Screening Room and 8:30 p.m. at The Mint.
Thursday, Oct. 3: Free standup showcase Casa de Comedy at 7 p.m. at Casa Marana. Tucson Bullies Vol 1, a comedy album recording session of Roy Lee Reynolds, Tony Bruhn, Andrew Scott and Dom DiTolla is hosted by Joel Martin at 8:30 p.m. at Rockabilly Grill ($10). Free open mic at 8 p.m. at Laffs Comedy Caffe.
Tags: Mark Pinkosh , Femaie Storytellers , FST! , fuck , Club Congress , Keep Tucson Sketchy , Roy Lee Reynolds , Tony Bruhn , Andrew Scott , Dom DiTolla , Joel Martin , Rockabilly Grill , The Screening Room , The Mint , Chuckleheads , Comedy at the Wench , Surly Wench Pub , J.R. Brow , Laffs Comedy Caffe , Tucson Improv Movement , TIM Comedy Theatre , Unscrewed Theatre , Not Burnt Out Just Unscrewed , Tom Segura , Fox Tucson Theatre , NBOJU , Hotel McCoy , Andrea Salazar , Molly McCloy , Mariah Dickson , Nicole Riego , Stonewall Riots , Tucson Pride , Let Me Look At You , Em Bowen , singular pronoun they , Image
Wednesday, September 25, 2019
Tags: Impeachment , Trump , Pelosi , politics , MAGA , cartoons , Claytoonz , Clay Jones , Image
Harper, who works as vice president for a software company by day, has found his calling in carving intricate designs into pumpkins and other gourds in his spare time.
That hobby has blown up over the last few years, with Harper’s art growing more and more detailed.
A quick glance at Harper’s Instagram page shows the extent in which Harper delves for his carvings, featuring everything from a Medusa-like snake-wrapped skull to a man with a cigarette in his mouth.
Harper, who studied art in college, said the hobby took on a life of its own after he found interest in creating 3D designs in the Halloween mainstays.
“This is a full-on hobby. It's turned into something cool because it is a unique thing to carve, a neat thing to do. But yeah, the origin was just like anybody else: carving jack-o-lanterns at Halloween,” Harper said. “And then I have an art background from way back in college and I had to put it aside and I had a family and all that stuff. And about four or five years ago, I picked it back up.”
Harper’s exploits caught the attention of Food Network, which will feature Harper on the Sunday, Sept. 29, episode of "Halloween Wars."
The show, which pits contestants against each other to create the most unique Halloween-themed items possible, was a once-in-a-lifetime moment for Harper and his family.
“What was really fun was getting to know a lot of the other artists,” Harper said. “Tucson is jam-packed with artists. I mean, just loaded. And to even be in the same breath as some of the local Tucson artists is just an honor. And to me, being around some of these hand-selected national artists was really inspiring.”
Harper’s wife, Mindy, made the trip to Los Angeles with him for the show’s taping. She said watching her husband’s television debut in person was a great experience.
“It was great. We would watch the show — and we have three daughters — because we would watch Halloween with them, like, ‘Oh my gosh you are so much better than these people,’ or at least as good,” Mindy said. “Our daughter is the one to really push him over the top to send pictures. He is very humble about his work.”
Harper wouldn’t spill any state secrets about how his debut on the Food Network program fared but said he’s proud of what he accomplished.
He’s hopeful that the exposure will help his artistic career to flourish, as his talents run beyond mere gourds and assorted other vegetable-related carvings.
“The highlight of the show, for me, was getting a little bit more attention or notoriety through the pumpkin carving. It's a really fun thing that I think more and more people should try,” Harper said. “It's a strange way to build your art portfolio, to be on a competitive show like this. But if it ends up getting me a little bit more notoriety, then that's great. But just to be a part of the Tucson art community is probably the most exciting thing.”
Mindy said Matt’s latest exploits are no surprise to the family, as he is constantly on the move, either doing artwork, playing music or helping with local causes.
“First of all, I'll say he's a man of many, many talents,” she said. “I'd say he's kind of like a modern renaissance man, because he will not only be sculpting pumpkins, he's also a drummer in a band in Tucson. He's a swimmer. He's a member of a few philanthropic groups around town. Plus, I don't know, he's just always been very creative ever since I first met him. He does have a lot of creative outlets, which I think is fantastic.”
Tags: Halloween Wars , Food Network , pumpkins , pumpkin carving , art , Matt Harper , Image
The Legend of Georgia McBride. In this show put on by Arizona Repertory Theatre, the protagonist, Casey, is really going through it. In one night, he loses his beloved job as an Elvis impersonator, his landlord demands the rent and his wife tells him she’s pregnant. But then, a ray
of hope: A drag show moves into his old place of employment, and the former king becomes a (drag) queen. You’ll smile, you’ll laugh and you’ll cheer for the production numbers in this heartwarming show. Preview shows 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 21, and 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 22. Show runs Wednesday, Sept. 25, through Sunday, Oct. 6, with 1:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. showtimes, depending on the day. UA Tornabene Theatre, 1025 N. Olive Road. $32 adults, $30 seniors/military/UA employees, $15 students. Details.
Free open mics at 7 p.m. at The Screening Room and 8:30 p.m. at The Mint. Details.
Anthropocene: The Human Epic. The planet is changing, and humans are impacting that change greatly. This is only the jumping-off point for this new documentary coinciding with the U.N. Climate Action Summit. Anthropocene is described as a “cinematic meditation on humanity’s massive reengineering of the planet.” This screening at The Loft Cinema is part of their Science On Screen series, and features a post-film Q&A with New York Times science writer Jim Robbins, scientists from the University of Arizona’s Tree Ring Lab and moderator Susan Swanberg of the UA School of Journalism. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 25. 3233 E. Speedway Blvd. $10. Details.
Tags: Movies , things to do , documentary , open mics , plays , theater , Image
