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New Year’s Eve at Hacienda del Sol. Not sure where you want to eat for New Year’s, but know you want to eat a lot? Lucky for you, Hacienda del Sol is cooking up a special menu at The Grill, curated by Executive Chef Bruce Yim and his award-winning team. Starters include grilled octopus, tomato crostata, French onion soup, and ahi tartare; Entrées include Kurabota pork chop with white cheddar green chile grits, lobster pot pie, duck breast with candied blood orange, salmon in sweet potato puree, and scallop with shrimp risotto. 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31. 5501 N. Hacienda del Sol Road. Prices vary. New Year’s Eve at Sullivan’s. It’s a four-course countdown at Sullivan’s for New Year’s Eve. They’re breaking out many of their signature items for the occasion, including their filet mignon cheesesteak rolls and iceberg lettuce wedge with bleu cheese crumbles. On the menu is also wagyu bone-in strip, grilled asparagus three-cheese mac, lobster bisque and seasonal salmon. And for dessert, they’re serving banana bread pudding, cheesecake, key lime pie and chocolate-covered strawberries. 3 p.m. to 1 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31. 1785 E. River Road. $85.

NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl. If you’re a football fan living in Tucson, you know about the extra holiday that happens in December: the NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl! This nationally recognized college football competition features teams from the Mountain West and Sun Belt Conferences, and has been held since 2015. The Arizona Bowl is also a nonprofit that works to support local charities and inspire youth, so it’s an all-around feel-good event. This year, the Wyoming Cowboys face off against the Georgia State Panthers. 2:15 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31. Arizona Stadium, 1 National Championship Drive. Tickets start at $15.

The Princess Bride. If you want your New Year’s kiss to have a little more magic this year, stop by the Loft Cinema’s special New Year’s Eve screening of this fairy tale classic. Honestly, how many movies are more quotable than this classic? Get in and enjoy it before some inevitable remake spoils the fun for everyone. More than a film screening, this New Year’s Eve party includes props, a pre-show Princess Bride competition, a costume contest and even a free champagne toast at night. What props are involved? Inflatable swords, of course. En garde! 11 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31. 3233 E. Speedway Blvd. $15.

Monty Python’s Life of Brian. What is organized religion if not something to poke fun at? In Monty Python’s grandest film, the sextet tell the tale of Brian Cohen, born in a manger in Bethlehem who for some reason keeps getting confused for another pious guy. But perhaps the greatest aspect of the Life of Brian isn’t the satire of religion, but the parody of epic Hollywood films of which it is one. And you can’t beat that closing musical number from atop a crucifix, either. For their Tuesday Night Classics series, Harkins Theatres are screening a merry one for the season! 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31. 5455 S. Calle Santa Cruz & 5755 W. Arizona Pavilions Drive. $5.

New Year’s Eve at Tap & Bottle. Depending on your penchant for partying, you have two NYE options at Tap & Bottle. T&B’s downtown location is having a classic NYE affair with a champagne toast at midnight, plus a craft beer toast at 5 p.m. There will also be live music from Febbo Fuentes, DJ Carl Hanni and mariachis. T&B’s northside location is hosting a family-friendly “Noon Year’s Eve” with Ciao Down Pizza food truck, face painting, balloon animals, and even a kid-friendly toast at noon. T&B Downtown: 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. 403 N. Sixth Ave. #135. Free. T&B North: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. 7254 N. Oracle Road. Free. Tuesday, Dec. 31.

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“I am a beautiful 1-year-old girl who will do best in quiet home. I am very shy at first and will enjoy having a safe place to hide. If you give me enough time to get comfortable I will come out and seek ear scratches,” Belinda (872015). Would you like to learn more about Belinda? Give an adoptions counselor a call at 520-327-6088, ext. 173 or visit her at HSSA Main Campus at 635 W. Roger Rd.

STEAMsational Mondays! It’s always nice to fit in a little bit of something unexpected during the holiday season. This week, why not an educational activity focused on art, science and movement at the library? It’s the final installment in this December series at the Santa Rosa Library, and you’ll get to make snowman crafts. We love an event where a group manages to combine education with holiday cheer. It sure is lovely weather for some snowman crafts together with you! Suitable for kids and teenagers ages 6 and up. 4 to 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 30. Santa Rosa Library, 1075 S. Tenth Ave. Free.

Monster in the Closet. No wire hangers! The monster in the closet might just use them as skewers! This 1986 parody of cheesy ‘50s monster movies features a big goofy monster hiding in suburban closets, and it might just get ya. When several locals are murdered in their closets, it takes a journalist, a scientist and Paul Walker in his film debut to get to the bottom of it. For their Mondo Mondays series, The Loft Cinema is bowing down to John Carradine, the man who starred in more than 300 films, including this B-movie mess. 8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 30. 3233 E. Speedway Blvd. $4.

Federal and state officials have denied Pima County Supervisors’ request to use Operation Stonegarden grant funding towards reimbursement costs related to humanitarian aid, according to a Dec. 26 memo from County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry.

Last May, the supervisors voted 3-2 to accept the controversial grant, with a condition stating more than $200,000 of that money should cover the cost of housing and providing services to the large influx of asylum seekers experienced during that time.

Democratic Supervisor Sharon Bronson was the swing vote and sided with Republican Supervisors Ally Miller and Steve Christy to approve the funding. Democratic Supervisors Ramón Valadez and Richard Elías voted against the measure.

Community activists who oppose the use of Operation Stonegarden in Pima County say the program promotes collaboration between local law enforcement and federal immigration agents, which targets immigrant communities within Southern Arizona.

When the supervisors approved it, activists criticized their decision and said the plan to use federal money for humanitarian aid reimbursement would not work.

Now their criticisms have been validated, as Huckelberry explained in his memo that the county learned “indirectly” from Sheriff Mark Napier that US Border Patrol (USBP) and the Arizona Department of Homeland Security (AZDHS) denied their request. He said the reasons used to deny the request were “seriously flawed,” but the department has the authority to do so “unilaterally without appeal.”

Huckelberry wrote that USBP and AZDHS were concerned that the supervisors had previously rejected the Stonegarden funding in 2017. That decision was made after intense public criticism over the partnership between the sheriff’s department and federal immigration authorities such as Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

In a letter from USBP Chief of Law Enforcement Operations Brian Hastings and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Assistant Administrator Bridget Bean, AZDHS was informed that Pima County’s request for the reimbursement funds were denied because they believe “there is no border security operational benefit derived from this reallocation request.”

They also wrote that while reviewing the request for humanitarian aid reimbursement, they took into consideration “the previous voluntary return of over $1.2 million in FY17 operational funds by Pima County, which resulted in the loss of over 11,000 Operation Stonegarden-funded overtime hours.”

Huckelberry took issue with that point in his memo, saying Pima County’s previous rejection of the grant allowed the money to be reallocated to other agencies. Essentially, it was not a loss of funds.
He also argued in a response letter to AZDHS Director Gilbert Orrantia that local non-governmental community organizations were so overwhelmed by the influx of asylum seekers that the county had to take action, or else Border Patrol would have had to “deal with the ill-will from releasing several thousand asylum seekers to the streets of Tucson.”

Huckelberry asked Orrantia if there is any possibility the county can appeal the rejection, but has yet to hear back. For now, the possibility of the county receiving reimbursements for the cost of housing asylum seekers within the Pima County Juvenile Justice Complex remains uncertain.

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Friday, Dec. 27

Cannoli and Beer Pairing at Copper Mine Brewing Co. Take the beer, take the cannoli. Copper Mine Brewing Co. is teaming up with Andrea’s Gourmet food for a wide range of flavors. They’re giving you the option of pairing four different flavors of cannoli with their craft beers. I’m suggesting pairing with their big, bad Imperial Double stout for a diversity of flavors, or their Irish Red for a malty, caramel kick. 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 27. 3455 S. Palo Verde Road, Ste. 135.

Crooked Yoga at Crooked Tooth. When it comes to good deals, Crooked Tooth Brewing knows what’s up. Often, you could spend more than $5 on a beer or a yoga session, but they’re offering $5 for yoga and a pint! Get zen, and then get even more zen by combining their yoga and craft brews for a truly enlightening experience. All ages and skill levels welcome. Bring your own mat. Any person under 21 must be accompanied by a guardian. 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 28. 228 E. Sixth Street. $5.

Holiday Skate Night. If you celebrate Christmas, you might be familiar with the experience of a  little post-Christmas blues. But nothing chases the blues away quite like some time gliding around a skating rink with your pals, right? Whether you’re the type of person doing tricks out in the middle or clinging to the side and laughing at yourself as you try to figure out life on wheels, skating really does have something to offer everyone. And this night has games, prizes, food and drinks thrown in as well. CU L8R SK8R. 6:30 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 27. Tucson Indoor Sports Center, 1065 W. Grant Road.

Last Friday, Last Laugh: Decade Wrap Up. Hooray! We’ve almost survived the whole holiday season! And the whole decade! Now it’s time for the existential dread to set in as you reflect on all of the things you meant to do this year and this decade that you didn’t get around to. Hey! Take a deep breath. 2020 is going to be your year. In the meantime, grab a drink at Hotel McCoy and have a well-deserved laugh at this monthly comedy showcase, featuring Autumn Horvat, Dom DiTolla, Noah Copfer, Paul Fox, Monte Benjamin and plenty more. Pinches food truck is onsite too! 8 to 10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 27. Hotel McCoy, 720 W. Silverlake Road. Free, 18+. Seating is first-come, first-serve.

Amélie. Part of their Cult Classics series, the Loft Cinema is screening this French romantic comedy (but not quite how you’re picturing it) about what it takes to find love. It’s a delightful modern day fairy tale; it’s a parable similar to Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance; it’s... got a really good piano soundtrack courtesy of Yann Tiersen. Amélie, played by Audrey Tautou, helps her neighbors and audience find magic in the mundane. 10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 27 & Saturday, Dec. 28. 3233 E. Speedway Blvd. $8.

Saturday, Dec. 28

Tucson Roadrunners vs. Colorado Eagles. Need a little pick me up to keep your excitement levels high between Christmas and New Year’s Eve? It’s time for some hockey! The Colorado Eagles are coming to town for two games this week. On Saturday, fans ages 16 and under are invited to come down onto the ice for a post-game puck shot. Sunday is Family Night, with a special early start time and a sweet deal: four side tickets and four Roadrunners hats or beanies for just $80. Two hockey games means your weekend will be twice as nice with twice the ice. 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 28, and 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 29. $12 to $61, or see tucsonroadrunners.com for more information on the Family Night deal.

Hands-on Archaeology at Mission Garden. There’s a lot of talk these days about how much technology has changed our lives. But (though in different ways and maybe to different extents), technology has been changing people’s lives for thousands of years. In this program, ancient technologies expert Allen Denoyer will talk about some of the tech of times gone by, and you can explore the replica pithouse. It’s common to reflect on the past year as we approach a new one. While you’re at it, why not reflect on the past several thousand? 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 28. Mission Garden: Friends of Tucson’s Birthplace, 946 W. Mission Lane.

Tucson Mountain Park Ironwood Picnic Area Star Party. Have you ever taken time to look up at the night sky and regretted doing it? Didn’t think so. The Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association and Pima County Natural Resources Parks and Recreation are setting up telescopes for you to view not just stars, but deep-sky objects like planets, galaxies, star clusters and nebulae. It’s a special way to spend a long winter night, and, with it getting dark so early, you can hit this event and get back home in time for a movie and some hot cocoa—or maybe just some reflection on our place in the cosmos. 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 28. 7300 W. Hal Gras Road. Free.

Meet Elsa and Anna from Frozen. The hype for the first Frozen never even seemed to die down before Frozen 2 was upon us. But, if we had to spend the last few years, and have to spend the next few years, surrounded by an animated cultural sensation, at least it’s one featuring two powerful women and an admittedly hilarious snowman. The sisters will be hosting story time and a mini photo session, and there will also be Anna- and Elsa-themed donuts and drinks. Kiddos are encouraged to dress up! And, if you’re feeling adventurous, RSVP in advance to decorate some donuts for just $10. 10 a.m. to noon. Saturday, Dec. 28. Irene’s Donuts Tucson, 340 N. Fourth Ave. Free.

Adult Coloring Afternoon. The holidays are the perfect time for you to revive your childlike sense of wonder and channel it into things you used to enjoy as a kid. The thing is, you’d probably still enjoy a lot of the things you used to do as a kid, but you just sorta stopped doing them at some point. So! Let’s color! Head over to Mostly Books for the afternoon, where they’ll have crayons, colored pencils and markers on hand for you to relive the glory days. Bring your own coloring book or purchase one (they have tons of cool ones available). 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 28. Mostly Books, 6208 E. Speedway Blvd. Free. 14+.

Better Off Dead. Casa Video is screening one of the strangest, bleakest teen movies ever. Starring a young John Cusack, this follows a high school student and his attempts to off himself after his girlfriend of six months dumps him. Featuring skiing shots, bizarre dinner meals, Korean racers who speak Japanese, all wrapped up into a strange, wintry package. Better Off Dead reminds us that, well, I’m not really sure what it reminds us other than that John Cusack is one fine actor. 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 28. 2905 E. Speedway Blvd. Free.

Russian Christmas! So, technically, Christmas in the Russian Orthodox Church is celebrated in January, but it’s a real party. There’s traditional cuisine, a decorated tree and the gift-bearing Grandfather Frost. Come celebrate Russian New Year early at the Clifton, with the Gipsy Pirate Octopi Band and a shot or two or three of vodka. They’ll be playing both Russian and non-Russian music, Michael Martinez is on piano, and a few more musicians should be stopping by too. Get ready to dance the night away! 8 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 28. The Downtown Clifton, 485 S. Stone Ave. Free.

Sunday, Dec. 28

Mystery of the Flame Intention and Clearing Circle. The Web of Life, your local group of intuitive shamanic animists, is really embracing the eerie feeling that sometimes sets in on the stretch between Christmas and New Year’s Eve, where the nights are long and the hectic nature of the previous few months has slowed down. This circle is a chance to sit together and meditate over a candle while eating a vegetarian soup. Warm up your insides and get in tune with your spiritual self to end this year and start the new one off right. All are welcome. 5 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 29. 2016 E. Broadway Blvd. Requested donation is $5 to $20. Bring a drum rattle if you have one, but there are some available to share.

Sunday Nights at Tanque Verde Swap Meet. There’s something oddly relaxing about the first time you go shopping after Christmas, if you celebrate Christmas. Suddenly, you’re not Christmas shopping. You’re just… shopping. You can buy stuff for yourself. You can buy nothing. You can decide to come back later if you’re not sure about an object. The frantic pressure to find just the right gift is gone. Do your first non-holiday shopping of the year in style this Sunday night, with food, live music and plenty of entertainment (and if you’re not done with your Christmas shopping, no judgment here—you can get some of that done too). 2 to 10 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 29. Tanque Verde Swap Meet, 4100 S. Palo Verde Road.

Filled with glitches and sonic abstractions, like the movement of fluttering butterfly wings that a camera shutter cannot quite capture, his latest release, Prelude, takes a decidedly different approach. The effect is disquieting. Nightmare or a lullaby? One is never quite sure. Brian Lopez returns to Club Congress. The Senators open the show...

Deepening the sense of foreboding that a shift in the balance of power could bring. Or perhaps providing necessary release? Demon Tongue, Exit Dream, Midnight Island, Sworn Apart, For or Against, Ash To Dust and Stands With Fists help Bang In The New Year. At the Rialto Theatre...

Promulgating the same revolutionary political views that won RATM legions of fans. Clenching a "Fistful of Steel," Testify, a tribute to Rage Against the Machine, aim to "Take the Power Back." At 191 Toole. Drawing first blood, Knife Party pay sanguine salute to the music of the Deftones...

Fineline Revisited happens at the Surly Wench Pub. DJ Stubbie keeps the infamy alive and kicking...

DJ Mijito presides over NITECALL: QG. A queer goth dance party. At R Bar...

Electronic folk poppers Sharkk Heart create songs for hopeless romantics with teeth, natch. At Saint Charles Tavern...

You wanna rock? The Dirt: An '80s hair metal tribute band will slay. At The Rock. Solid Ground bolsters the line-up...

From Durango, Colorado, J-Calvin deliver a potent mix of neo-soul/funk. Flanked by the punk-funk of Tongs and the indie-electro of Jillian Bessett. At Sky Bar...

Saturday, Dec. 28

Faithfully reproducing the sound of these country rock icons at the peak of their success—as well as select titles from the solo works of Don Henley, Glen Frey, and Joe Walsh—Hotel California: A Salute to The Eagles will "Take It To The Limit" one more time. At the Rialto Theatre...

Growing up in Nogales, AZ, bandleader Sergio Mendoza jostled between the psychological spaces created as bicultural identities form—germane to life in the borderland. Orkesta Mendoza and Bye Bye Lullaby (from Spain) share the stage. Rumba Catalan takes place at Club Congress...

Ring out 2019. Breaking Glass hosts a pre-game—showcasing new material and "a couple of weirdo cover tunes"—at Saint Charles Tavern...

Latin groove masters Santa Pachita make things move. At Monterey Court. Wear your dancing shoes...

Gipsy Pirate Octopi is a wife and husband duo of Margarita Brosova and Tony Rosano. "I play accordion and sing, Tony plays the piano and baritone. We have tunes in Russian and English and some other languages." Experience a Russian Christmas in the Red Light Lounge at The Downtown Clifton Hotel...

"Fresh off months of touring," Howe Gelb, Annie Dolan, Thøger Lund and Tommy Larkins promise an evening with zero mistakes and absolute pure perfect noise. At El Crisol (formerly Exo Bar). "Bring your Aunt Sally..."

Sunday, Dec. 29

¡Vamos a Guarachar! "As punk as the Sex Pistols and as violent as Perez Prado." Mambo Clásico sees indie mambo king's Orkesta Mendoza celebrate their 10th Anniversary with a gran fiesta. At Club Congress. Salvador Duran & Friends add appreciably to the festivities...

Drawing from a rich treasure trove of musical history: Peruvian, Mexican and with origins in other Latin American countries. Tradiciones tell the story in melody. At The Coronet...

Guitarist Eugene Boronow performs a lovely set of bossa nova y mas. At Public Brewhouse...

Most funny for your money

Laff’s Comedy Caffe is the place for the that New Year’s date: fancy dinner, champagne and a show to help count down the old year, then home in time to cuddle up and watch the fireworks around the world. Or hit the late show for champagne and sweets with your sweetie. Or your Meetup Group or your homies or BFFs. Entertainer Ron Feingold couldn’t be a better choice for an evening everybody wants to leave happy.

A Feingold show is literally all things to all people. He has movie-star looks and swagger but can sing like Kermit the Frog with a vocal technique that makes it sound like a duet. All his impressions are spot on, and his observations craftily twisted.

He can mix things up with intelligent innuendo and a remarkably sophisticated dick joke, when the occasion permits. His website includes clips of his original songs, F-You Button and Prostate. And yet, his career cornerstone is as a comedian and emcee for squeaky clean conference formats. He also offers his own conference presentation, The Power of the Smile, which combines his music and comedy with an almost scholarly grasp of how smiling affects life and work.

Feingold has been acting since he was 10, mostly in musical comedies. By the time he was in college, he was leveraging his comedy theatre experience into a standup career. He became a licensed pilot and earned a psychology degree, graduating Phi Beta Kappa. His life since then has been a steady stream of comedy clubs, cruise ships and corporate events.

Showtimes are 7:30 for the dinner show and 9 p.m. for the dessert bar. Admission is $30 plus drinks, tax and gratuities. Visit laffstucson.com/newyears or call for information and reservations.

TIM’s Year-End Laugh Out

Wear your ugly holiday sweater one last time at Tucson Improv Movement on New Year’s Eve. It’s good for $1 off beer, wine and White Claw all night, and the theater has stocked champagne for the occasion.

TIM’s intimate, 45-seat theater can be cozy like a party with friends. Its New Year’s events have sold out in years past. Tickets are $10 for two shows, 7:30 and 9 p.m., or $7 each. Advance reservations are via squareup.com or tucsonimprov.com.

The evening’s entertainment, New Year, Who ‘Dis, features a 7:30 extravaganza of 16 ugly-sweater-clad, top TIM improvisers playing for audience interaction and laughs-per-minute. At 9 p.m., TIM’s premier team, The Soapbox, will riff on stories told by five of the most popular monologists who performed with them in 2019.

To help give the year a laugh-loaded send-off, the team welcomes back TIM member and producer of Keep Tucson Sketchy Rich Gary, Unscrewed Theatre member and standup comedian Allana Erickson-Lopez, fashion designer Carmen Melero, founder of the Tucson Fringe Festival Maryann Green and journalist, crime reporter and author, AJ Flick.

Last laughs for 2019 at Hotel McCoy

Hotel McCoy’s popular free monthly comedy showcase, Last Friday, Last Laughs, wraps up its first year with a great local lineup from 8 to 9:30 p.m., Friday, Dec. 27. Full houses have been the rule lately, so plan to arrive early for seating. Pinche’s food truck will be on hand for dinner.

The lineup includes Autumn Horvat, Kev Lee, Dom DiTolla, David Ross, Eli Turner, Paul Fox, Andrea Salazar and Monte Benjamin. Visiting former Tucsonan Noah Copfer rounds out the bill. Copfer now plies his comedy and acting skills in L.A., but apparently returns for holidays. He also stopped in for The Mint open mic over Thanksgiving weekend.

After the show at Hotel McCoy, you can head on over to SkyBar for …

What Really Happened?

Josiah Osego and Alex Kack return to SkyBar for another edition of What Really Happened from 9:30 to 11 p.m., Friday, December 27. The original show invites standup comedians to tell five short stories each, and then let the audience decide which one is not true. Winning audience members get prizes and discounts with their bragging rights.

This month’s comedians include Bisbee comic and open mic host Maggie O’Shea, newcomer Abigail Chesney and up and comers Jesus Otamendi, Tim Maggard and Nick Chant.

Even More Laughs

Friday, Dec. 27, Standup with Ron Feingold at 8 and 10:30 p.m. ($12.50 and $17.50), Laffs Comedy Caffe. Improv with The Riveters, Portmansplain and Choice Cut at 7:30 p.m., and The Soapbox at 9 p.m. ($5), Tucson Improv Movement (TIM). Family-friendly improv with Not Burnt Out Just Unscrewed (NBOJU) at 7:30 p.m. ($5 and $8) and Free Form Friday Fight Night, 9 p.m.(free), Unscrewed Theater.

Saturday, Dec. 28, Standup with Ron Feingold at 7 and 9:30 p.m. ($12.50 and $17.50), Laffs Comedy Caffe, and comedian-magician Rod Wayne at 8 p.m. ($10 via Eventbrite, $15 at the door), The O. Improv with Laugh Tracks and The Game Show Show at 7:30 p.m., and The Dating Scene and Pilot Season at 9 p.m. ($5) TIM. Family-friendly improv with Not Burnt Out Just Unscrewed (NBOJU) at 7:30 p.m. Uncensored improv with NBOJU at 9 p.m. ($5 and $8), Unscrewed Theater.

Free Open Mics

Sunday, Dec. 29, 6:30 p.m., The O, and 8 p.m., Chuckleheads in Bisbee.
Wednesday, Jan. 1, 7 p.m., The Screening Room.
Thursday, Jan. 2, 8 p.m., Laffs Comedy Caffe, and 8:30 p.m., Rockabilly Grill.