EDM and jam band enthusiasts take heed.

After a one year hiatus, the epic synthesis of jam bands, EDM, cutting edge sound and lighting that is Gem & Jam Festival 2020 kicks off its thirteenth installment at the Pima County Fairgrounds. Festival organizers are poised to deliver one of the most stunning shows anywhere.

This year’s lineup: Tipper, Big Gigantic, The Floozies, Twiddle and Billy Strings top the bill. With supergroup TH3 (featuring Michael Travis, Jason Hann and Kyle Hollingsworth of The String Cheese Incident), Manic Focus, Dirtwire, Desert Dwellers, Marvel Years, Cycles, Eminence Ensemble, Kitchen Dwellers and Late Night Radio rounding out the initial Phase One lineup announcement.

Over 55,000 people from around the globe are expected to flood Tucson during the three week Gem and Mineral Show, rekindling a fire for festival organizers.

“We are beyond excited to be able to bring Gem & Jam back for an epic three nights in the desert,” said festival co-producer Josh Pollack in a statement. “We have the best fans out there and cannot wait to share all we have planned for 2020.”

Gem & Jam Festival 2020 returns to the Pima County Fairgrounds, Jan 31-Feb 2, 2020. Visit gemandjamfestival.com for tickets and all the details.

This jazz singer is not content to ride on his father's laurels, adding his own mark to what has become known as the "Prima-style." Louis Prima Jr. and the Witnesses swing energetically on the plaza at Hotel Congress.

Americana/soul singer Hannah Rooth & Wild Hum will perform material from their debut album Wild Hum, such as their striking first single "Divorce in the Water" at Sky Bar.

A cross between Mississippi Fred McDowell and the Staple Singers, master of Mississippi hill country blues Reed Turchi searches for "Just A Little More Faith at Monterey Court.

Bisbee's historic Copper Queen Library earned the recognition of Best Small Library in America 2019 on Sept. 6 from Library Journal, a library industry publication that's been around since 1876.

The Copper Queen was chosen for the honor due to the staff's "can-do attitude and the ability to combine and capitalize on assets and potential in unusual forms," according to a press release announcing the recognition.

LJ Editorial Director Rebecca T. Miller wrote that they were thrilled to honor Bisbee's library.

"This library, chosen from a competitive field, celebrates community engagement, models creativity, and makes the most of partnerships," she said.

The Copper Queen was founded in 1882 before Arizona was a state and it is the first Arizona library to receive the award.

The LJ article commended the library's attention to the diverse community it serves, which has a high population of low income residents.

Library Manager Jason Macoviak gave a lot of credit to the volunteers who are the heart of the library in LJ's article and encouraged other small libraries to be creative and take risks.

“A lot of our success just comes in trying random things and seeing if they work,” he says, then building on what resonates with the community."

Cooper Queen will receive $5,000 along with the cover of the September 2019 edition of Library Journal.

Read the full article from LJ here.

For more information on the Copper Queen or to see the programs they offer, visit their website. 

Have you read Jacob Tobia's (pronouns: they/them) national bestseller, Sissy: A Coming-of-Gender Story?

You really should!

Then join us on October 6 at Murphy-Wilmot Library (530 N. Wilmot Rd.) from 6 to 8 pm for an open and honest discussion about how we can build a world free from gender-based trauma and bursting with trans-inclusive feminism.
"A story of audacity and courage," (Billie Jean King), Sissy explores gender, stereotypes, and growing up not  sure if you're (a) a boy, (b) a girl, (c) something in between, or (d) all of the above.

Among their many remarkable achievements, Jacob is a member of the Forbes 30 Under 30 and the Out 100. They served as the Social Media Producer on the Emmy Award-winning series, Transparent and collaborated with Instagram and GLAAD to produce #KindComments, a campaign for Trans Day of Visibility that was viewed over 14 million times.

This event is brought to you by the Library's LGBTQ+ Services Team, which celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2018. It is generously funded by the Friends of the Pima County Public Library.

Get out your aprons and spatulas, Tucson. It’s time to find the best tailgate cook in the Old Pueblo.

At each University of Arizona home football game, starting this Saturday, Sept. 7 against Northern Arizona University, Casino Del Sol Executive Chef Ryan Clark will search for the best tailgate dishes. His goal? To crown one cook as the “Sol Bowl Tailgate Champion of the Week.”

“As a Tucson native, I’m a huge Wildcats fan so tailgating has always been something I look forward to,” said Clark in a release. “I thought it’d be a fun way to show our support for the home team and let local chefs and foodies boast their game day specialties.”

The weekly competition will take place at each of the six Saturday home games at Arizona Stadium: Sept. 7 vs. NAU, Sept. 14 vs. Texas Tech, Sept. 28 vs. UCLA, Oct. 12 vs. Washington, Nov. 2 vs. Oregon State and Nov. 23 vs. Utah.

Starting three hours before kick-off, Clark will be at the tailgate section of the UA Main Campus Mall looking for tailgaters with the best tailgate masterpieces. He will taste one dish from each contestant and select one winner.

Each week’s winner will join Clark on the field during the game, where they will be presented with an official Sol Bowl chef’s apron from Chef Works, and $500 in gift cards.

Tailgate cooks are encouraged to register online prior to each game at casinodelsol.com/solbowl. Entrants must be 21 or older, have tickets to the game and an official tailgating location at the tailgate section of the UA Main Campus Mall.

May the best chef win!

Friday, Aug. 30

Neoperreo is a mashup of reggaetón and digital culture. Chilean singer, "La Reina del Neoperreo," Tomasa Del Real rose up from the L.A. underground—where she slogged away as a tattoo artist—to the vanguard of reggaetón's freakiest offshoot. Perreo is a sexually uninhibited dance that challenged the sensibilities of Puerto Rican status quo, where it originated, during the '90s. Female-led reggaetón is moving the genre forward. For Del Real this is natural and "parallel to our generation, who is more accepting." Feel the heat when El Tambó presents Tomasa del Real, Ms Nina, San Cha, Mexican Jihad y un chingo mas. At Hotel Congress.

Death metalists Gatecreeper descend into "Sweltering Madness" at 191 Toole. With Candy, Show Me The Body and others.

Club '90s L.A. presents Get Low: Throwback Hip Hop Night. DJs spin 1990s and '00s hits. At the Rialto Theatre... "

And as the Waters Go." Downtuned guitars generate squalls of feedback that set off a sonic cascade. Montreal's BIG|BRAVE share the stage with ambient experimentalists Trees Speak. At Owls Club...

Humphouse spins at Cobra Arcade...

Bay Area post-hardcore trio, Holy Fawn are four creatures making "loud, heavy, pretty noises." They will just do that at Wooden Tooth Records. Flanked by Super Unison and Lychee...

From Illinois, this singer-songwriter tweeted that he "is making indie rock history by being the first artist to eat a whole catering tray of impossible meatballs backstage." Ryley Walker is at Che's Lounge with Wild Pink and Pearl Charles...

During the 1920s, Claire Higgins ran the Pima County Juvenile Detention Center. An austere woman, the mere mention of "Mother Higgins" instilled fear in would-be juvenile delinquents. Billy Sedlmayr & The Mother Higgins Children's Band keep the legend alive at Exo Bar. With folk singer Melaena Cadiz...

Following the arrest of 12 people after a noise demo outside of Pima County Jail on Aug. 14—noise demonstrations are held outside of detention facilities to protest the isolation experienced by prisoners with a display of festive joy and caring towards those held captive on the inside. Perish, BYOM, Hallow, It Might Not Change and Igloo Martian gather to perform a benefit show. At Blacklidge Community Collective...

The polished neo-soul fusion of Street Blues Family along with the R&B/Europop of Seanloui promise to make you swoon. At R Bar...

At once sophisticated, yet whimsical, if not quirky. Two-Door Hatchback perform in the tasting room at Sand-Reckoner...

Pushing Buttons: A Monthly Producer Getdown create beautiful noise at Thunder Canyon Brewstillery...

Fiendishly rad indie rock 'n' rollers The Exbats smack their bubblegum and crank out The Monkees-inspired pop goodness. At Saint Charles Tavern...

Mexican-American singer-songwriter/actor Pepe Aguilar croons at AVA Amphitheater...

Akin to a shaman-led ayahuasca ceremony—through a surreal desert landscape where grinding cumbia rhythms melt like a Willy Wonka chocolate bar into darkwave synth patches propelled by a wicked "Mexican Thin Lizzy" twin-lead guitar attack—XIXA preside over the ritual at Hotel Congress. With Phoenix Afrobeat Orchestra, Maggot Heart, Las Chollas Peligrosas y más...

With roots in witch house and early 2010s rap culture, Wicca Phase Springs Eternal shapeshift sound. While former metalhead turned rapper Dana Dentata will "Make It Bounce" at 191 Toole...

They are Original Hot. Yes, freewheeling retro hell riders Taco Sauce add a sprinkle of glitter to Rockstar Wrestling Aliance's Día De Las Luchas. At The Rialto Theater...

Featuring DJs, live music, freestyle b-girl/b-boy breakdance battles and more, Southwest Shogun Jam slams at Thunder Canyon Brewstillery. Runt and Roch host...

"Do You Really Want Me?" Dogbreth deliver huggable power-pop with a youthful tinge of self-doubt. All-ages mayhem. At Wooden Tooth Records. With L.A. (by way of Tucson) riot grrrl inspired punk rockers Foxx Bodies and others...

From Vancouver, BC, minimalviolence offer a full-throttle ride through a raw techno landscape. With Brazilian avant-garde/experimentalists DEAFKIDS and more. At Owls Club...

In a 2016 project, Cumbia Corridos, Tucson cumbiancheros Vox Urbana explored the plight of the immigrant; Their hopes and heartbreaks too often encountered on a journey through the unforgiving Sonoran Desert. They perform at The Boxyard...

Over the years, man about town Clif Taylor (aka Chick Cashman) has worn many hats (that of filmmaker, musician, designer) as well as his signature Texas cowboy hat and is a beloved fixture in the Tucson music scene. Cashman adds with excessive modesty, "I started playing guitar at age 11 and have not gotten any better." Cashman performs at Che's Lounge with the legendary Kid Congo Powers (The Cramps/Nick Cave), The ExBats and Anchor Baby...

"I'm the most unprofessional DJ...I just youtube and mp3 songs up there on stage on the spot," L.A. producer Nedarb tweeted. He spins along with FoxWedding and Positive Satan at Cobra Arcade...

When this DJ "isn't robbing banks with baseball bats, he's rocking late night discotheques with soul songs for the Armageddon." Zackey Force Funk, Phatsoul and Alias smash at Thunder Canyon Brewstillery...

Take a plunge: Black Renaissance: Immersion is a night of mixed media performances at R Bar...

Little Cloud, Origami Ghosts and Human Ottoman form a trifecta for the win. At Sky Bar...

Singer-songwriter Amy Rude and Mamma Coal unite for an evening of folk songs, country and storytelling. At Exo Bar...

Sunday, Sept. 1

Their mission statement: "Not a band. Not DJs. We throw parties for the music we love." The infamous Emo Nite L.A. hits the Rialto Theatre for the very first time...

With roots in Arizona, this off-kilter L.A. hip hop trio's first two albums, Live From the Dentist Office and Floss, were literally recorded after hours in their producer's grandfather's dental office. The lyrics to "Oh Shit!!!" demonstrate their sense of comedy. Injury Reserve are at 191 Toole. With Fat Tony, Psypiritual & Sadgalnina and Yung Davon...

Lo-fi folkster Bill Callahan's voice conveys solitude. His words hold the power of shared human experience. And on his lo-fi recordings he whispers his presumptions into your ear. Callahan shares the plaza stage with Howe Gelb, Jake Xerxes Fussell, June West and Casey Golden. At Hotel Congress...

With its origins deeply rooted in the Gypsy culture of Spain, this traditional art form presents the interactions between song, dance and guitar, executed on a percussive wooden platform. Tablao Flamenco perform at Exo Roast Co...

Mashing-up Latino/Indigenous/Caribbean/African beats, from Brooklyn, NY, DJ Bembona's work aims to empower and bridge the gap between POC communities and beyond. Sonido Tambó add their distinct flavor to this cultural remezcla. Poolside at Hotel McCoy...

Canadian indie rockers The Courtneys' infectious brand of sunny Flying Nun-influenced pop songs, like worms, burrow into your ear canals. At Wooden Tooth Records. Backed by Hotline TNT, Toner and Stripes...

Roy the Cat presents Loveland—the wonderful and expansive country collective stewarded by the inimitable David Bryan—at Che's Lounge...

Death Bells are Standing at the Edge of the World. Well, perhaps metaphorically. But along with Cold Showers, Marbled Eye, Lié and Droll they are bringing HOCO Fest 2019 to an equally morose and raucous close. Djentrification spins, firing off the final salvos. At Club Congress...

Monday, Sept. 2

Wanna jam? Tucson Eclectic Jazz Jam kicks off at Solar Culture. Trumpeter Glen Gross, saxophonist Malik Alkabir, bassist Michael Grigsby and pianist Gehrig Burnett comprise the core band...

Oh, that Tennessee Tramp!

National touring comedian Janet Williams has brightened some of my favorite holiday weekends at Laff’s Comedy Caffe. Last year her set tickled me so that I bought an extra LeCave’s donut the next morning.

Like me, Williams is up there in years. But so is Dolly Parton! Their boss attitudes and wicked sense of humor are alike enough they could be cousins. Dolly would wear Williams’ handle, the Tennessee Tramp, with pride, but Williams would laugh at the idea of all of Parton’s cosmetic surgery.

Williams’ comedy is as natural as daily life, spun by a force of nature. Her subject matter encompasses all ages, genders, and ethnic groups, and she’s a USO favorite. She’s performed for dozens of fundraisers and appeared on two seasons of BET Comic View.

She’ll be at Laffs Comedy Caffe at 8 and 10:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday, and at 8 p.m., Sunday. Reservations are $12.50 and $17.50 at laffstucson.com. There’s also a two-item minimum.

Because connections are what Tucson is all about . . .

Tucson downtown’s biggest night of the month will include a sampler of Tucson’s amazing indie comedy scene at The Screening Room starting in November. Producer Chris Quinn says his new Second Saturday series will feature two-hour, booked events with all local comedians. Admission will be $5.

In the way of so many Tucson things, the opportunity arose from serendipitous connection of people and inspiration.

Quinn’s best friend, Tyron Engle is a sound engineer and business partner in Cquinn-Ty. Engle owns an eponymous recording studio and handles sound for The Strada Company’s Reel Tucson show at The Screening Room. Reel Tucson, featuring shorts by local filmmakers, is run by drag queens Rew Bee Renard (Andrew Baughman) and Mary Jane (Alexander Robinson). Quinn knows Baughman as his wife’s former co-worker at Bookman’s.

In May, Reel Tucson featured comedy shorts and included a standup comedy show. It was such a success that The Strada Company began looking for other ways to bring comedy into the organization’s orbit. Engle encouraged the leadership to talk to Quinn, who had been thinking along the same lines.

“I've known (Baughman and Robinson) for almost five years,” Quinn says, “and they're like, ‘Hey, we're putting on a comedy show!’ And I was like, ‘Oh yeah, I do comedy.’ And they're like, ‘We know! You're the first name on the list.’ I was like, ‘Perfect’.

In June, Quinn, a relative newcomer in Tucson’s comedy scene, launched Open Mic Comedy Wednesdays at The Screening Room. “The first few mics had 12 to 15 people, which we were anticipating because it was brand new,” Quinn Says. “The last three shows we’ve had 20. We’ve gotten the numbers we were hoping for and we've been getting a bunch of great comics out.”
He and Engle believe there will be plenty to keep the Second Saturday crowds laughing between the bands and food trucks.

Let’s do this again! Comedy at Tony’s Deli

This party was so good in July, they ran out of beer. But there was still plenty of all kinds of pasta for the crowd jammed under the striped tent out back. A great time was had by all, like a family reunion with no kids, where everybody’s laughing, and you all get along.

Organizer and host Roy Lee Reynolds promises another big helping of the same at 7 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 31. The lineup will comprise Andrew Scott, Rebecca Tingley, Paul Fox and local superstar Pauly Casillas.

A $15 ticket includes dinner and the show. Tickets are at outlaw-comedy.ticketleap.com/comedy-at-tonys. Reynolds posted on Facebook, “If 25 people pre-order tickets . . . then Rebecca Tingley, Paul Fox, Andrew Scott and I will post a video of us telling our favorite street jokes while eating wings doused in The Last Dab (hot sauce).” You may still get in under the wire.

Last Friday, Last Laughs

Hotel McCoy’s free monthly comedy series continues at 8 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 30. The line-up includes Andrea Salazar, Joel Martin, Drake Horner, Chinna Garza, Em Bowen, Mariah Dickson, Jacob Breckenridge, Linda Ray (me) and Pauly Casillas. There’s usually a food truck

More Laughs

Thursday: Free open mics at 8 p.m. at Laffs Comedy Caffe and 8:30 p.m. at Rockabilly Grill.
Friday: Sebastian Maniscalco,(sold out) at Desert Diamond Casino. Improv with The Riveters and Shatfan at 7:30 p.m. and The Soapbox featuring Kristel Foster at 9 p.m. at Tucson Improv Movement ($5). Improv with NBOJU (Not Burnt Out Just Unscrewed) at 7:30 p.m. at Unscrewed Theater ($8 adults, $5 children).

Saturday: Improv with The Game Show Show and Laugh Tracks at 7:30 p.m. and the Dating Scene and The Family of Things at 9 p.m. at Tucson Improv Movement($5). Improv with family friendly NBOJU at 7:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. at Unscrewed Theater ($8 adults, $5 children).

Sunday: Free Open Mic at 8 p.m. at Chuckleheads in Bisbee.

Monday: Free Open Mic at 7 p.m. at The Surly Wench.

Wednesday: Free open mic at 7 p.m. at The Screening Room.

Friday, Aug. 23

"People Are People." No? '80s Monsoon captures the essence and spectacle of, what for some amounts to, "The Holy Trinity" of English electronic/post-punk/art rock bands—Depeche Mode, The Smiths and David Bowie—in their heydays. Strange Love, This Charming Band and Electric Duke evoke a likeness to truth. All-ages fun at the Rialto Theatre.

Diluvio, Santa Pachita, Salvador Duran, Aztral Funk y mas bare their Hearts for The Barrio: A Community Benefit for Petroglyphs at 191 Toole. Proceeds to aid this emporium after sustaining the bulk of the fire damage when a two-alarm blaze erupted in the Lost Barrio Historic Warehouse District in May.

NiteCall: Future Rave sees guest DJs Betty Blackheart and Self.Destrukt join resident DJ Mijito to drop massive synthwave/techno/electro/cyber dancefloor bombs at R Bar.

Digging through the crates to keep eardrums happy. Wooden Tooth Records' Vinyl Night happens in the beer garden at Tucson Hop Shop.

Performing music from his acclaimed album Desert Sounds—a cinematic ode to the desert Southwest—and material staged during the Night Rider Tour, The Jacob Acosta Band are at Harbottle Brewing Company.

With a known penchant for effortlessly dabbling in various genres, The AmoSphere's intention is to make bodies move at Monterey Court. Denver native singer/guitarist Zach Heckendorf is up to bat first.

Pool party? Indeed. Mama's House continues at Hotel McCoy. Resident DJ Mother Tierra spins an eclectic mix poolside.

Backed by some of Tucson's finest, Parisian guitarist Naim Amor's A Jazz Trio execute jazz classics with aplomb at Exo Roast Co.

Performing a soulful union of acoustic Música desde el Corazón, FebboFuentes are Westbound.

From Bozeman, Montana, out on the We Want More Summer Tour, vocal centric electro/soul duo Dash promise to have you "out on the dance floor, rocking out to the unknown" at Sky Bar. Locals Juju Fontaine and Sur Block add dimensionality to the lineup.

Following in the tradition of Lee "Scratch" Perry and King Tubby, Tucson's dub/reggae masters Dub Society skank at the Chicago Bar.

Dash Pocket, blazing up-and-comers, play Americana, folk and alt-country at The Parish.

The Eugene Boronow Trio spread bossa nova's heart-warming sound at La Cocina.

Euphoria unleashed. Specto Entertainment presents Back 2 School Edition: Featuring DJ sets by HouseKneckt, Slama B2B Billy Gatt, Gram B2B Bray, Cursor and Karli. Feel the bass shake the walls at Gentle Ben's.

DJs wei, Alex Anders, Lunarfluxx, Pins & Needles and Kody Black kick off another season of late night vibes (and debauchery, perhaps). Project Atlas: Episode III slams at Solar Culture.

Saturday, Aug. 24

Seanloui presents his latest single, "Bad Things," a simply wicked R&B/Euro pop dance track at Wooden Tooth Records flanked by indie rockers The Rifle and Phoenix rising stars The Deadbeat Cousins.

Under the Sudden Sky, metalcorists Crown The Empire top the bill at Rage Fest with Attila, Veil Of Maya, Gideon and others at Encore.

A brass-propelled Latin fusion soundstream will resound from the rooftop, literally. Santa Pachita are at Playground Bar and Lounge.

Michael P. & The Gullywashers (Americana) ride their big "Pink Bicycle" onto the courtyard at Mercado San Agustin.

Armando Moreno, Crøøked Saints and Juju Fontaine rock at Club Congress, unabashedly.

Benefit Bash for the Hungry finds The Legion of Mario performing the music of Jerry Garcia at Public Brewhouse. Proceeds benefit Felicia's Farm to provide food for Tucson's homeless and vulnerable.

Blues vocalist/violinist Heather "Lil' Mama" Hardy and crew are at Monterey Court.

Blues Hall of Famer guitarist Mike Hebert accompanied by bassist Koko Matsumoto are at Button Brew House in Marana.

Mixing pop, jazz and classical compositions into their repertoire, this eight piece ensemble—comprised of a string quartet and rhythm section—offer a little something for everyone. Hall Full perform for the people at Exo Roast Co.

These desperados make a run for it. Country rockers The County Line kick up some dust at Whiskey Roads.

Country to the core. KIIM-FM 99.5 Country Night features Southern Reins in the Paradiso Lounge at Casino Del Sol.

"A Brain, A Beauty, A Jock, A Rebel and A Recluse." Yes, The Breakfast Club '80s Dance Party explodes with glorious nostalgia. DJ NoirTech spins the hits at the Surly Wench Pub.

The metallic gates of Hades shall part open to release something menacing. Epherum, Conquest Of The Aphids, Decrown The Heir, Sigils Of Summoning and Evasion defile the sanctity of Irene's Holy Donuts.

Sunday, Aug. 25

True to form, country superstars Travis Tritt and The Charlie Daniels Band comprise The Outlaws & Renegades Tour. Pairs well with ice cold beer at the AVA Amphitheatre.

Who says one song can't make a career? The despair of obsessive love captured in "Wicked Game" (1989) triggered a domino effect: A supermodel-cast music video, a mercurial ride to No. 6 on Billboard's Hot 100, a spot in David Lynch's Wild at Heart and a balls-out cover by Finnish gothic metal band HIM. Feel the compulsion when Chris Isaak returns to The Fox Theater.

Hungover? Funk and eggs may be the remedy. Mik and The Funky Brunch serve it up at La Cocina.

Be tragic, or whatever else you may fancy. Tunes From The Crypt finds DJs Nullus and SET spinning goth and industrial from the '80s and '90s to darkwave and witch house from today. Darkness knows no bounds at the Surly Wench Pub.

As the low-watt drone of swamp coolers wears on, acclaimed Americana singer-songwriter/storyteller Kevin Pakulis and his Band offer relief at Borderlands Brewing Company.

The St. Andrew's Bach Society presents The Art of the Fugue with the acclaimed Amernet String Quartet at Grace St. Paul's Episcopal Church.

Calling all artists who live or work in Pima County!

Get ready for the next Call to Artists October 17–23. Submit up to five images as examples of your work—not necessarily the pieces you will show—and an artist statement of no more than 250 words. All types of media will be accepted and considered.

A jury—consisting of members of the Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona, the arts community, and library staff—will convene in early November to go through submissions and select artists who will display their work in month-long shows at the Joel D. Valdez Main Library gallery during the 2020 exhibit season.

The Joel D. Valdez Main Library welcomes more than 40,000 visitors each month. This level of visibility is unheard of in a regular art gallery. The space is incredibly visible to a vibrant and growing downtown community.

During the Call to Artists, artists should enter their pieces via Submittable. JPG, TIFF, and PNG files will be accepted. If you don't already have a Submittable account, a valid email address is required to sign up.

Need help applying? Come to our drop-in help session on Saturday, Oct. 19 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Joel D. Valdez Main Library. Bring a flash drive containing your images.

Weird.
Irreverent.
Meta.
Nerdy.
Genius.

That would be my laundry list of words to describe Gutenberg! The Musical!, written by Scott Brown and Anthony King, as the debut production for Southern Arizona Performing Arts Company. It’s the perfect show for the person who doesn’t take themselves, or their love of musicals, so seriously that they can’t have fun exploring the tropes and cliches often found in the world of theatre.

Gutenberg! The Musical! is a musical about making a musical. Writers Bud and Doug (played by Carson Wright and Tyler Wright respectively) perform a whirlwind mock-up of their show about the inventor of the printing press, Johannes Gutenberg and the kinda sorta, probably made up, wikipedia-sourced journey of his invention. The show starts with Bud and Doug introducing each other, the musical, and the fact that there are Broadway producers in the audience who hopefully will provide a nod of approval and a contract once they’ve seen the audition. As it progresses, Bud and Doug take on the roles of a variety of characters, delineated by a displayed cache of trucker hats emblazoned with the character’s name (Woman, Beef Fat Trimmer, Daughter, Gutenberg, Monk #2, and more).

Carson and Tyler portray their characters with a grounded humor reminiscent of Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly. There is a beloved earnestness and sincerity that permeates their comedic choices, making them believable and yet ridiculous (in all the best ways). This groundedness is what really sells the rest of the often cliched wrongness of the story they’re trying to tell. Carson has a fantastically confident agility about him that allows him to glide effortlessly between characters both in voice and in physicality. Tyler has a pointed seriousness about him that gives him the unique ability to deliver absurdity with beautiful patience, keenness and impeccable timing.

Given a suggested PG-13 rating; misogyny, antisemitism and abusive relationships are just some of the interwoven themes of the made-up musical, but because of the grounded portrayal by Carson and Tyler, and the truth of the tropes of which they’re making fun, I found myself laughing out loud again and again. OK, there may have even been a snort (or two). Reminiscent of shows like Book of Mormon and Avenue Q, the sometimes shock value of what was being sai, was absorbed by the sincerity of the actors’ spot-on delivery and the super clever, word-nerd level lyrics.

Carson and Tyler, billed as both directors and designers on the show, were able to do what few self-directed casts can achieve. Often it’s difficult to step outside of the creative brain to add a critical eye to the overall performance. But this production doesn’t suffer from that difficulty. The choreography is prudent, funny and a well-oiled machine. The finesse they display in telling both stories (both of the writers and the actual musical) while physically shifting hats, props, and each other, was incredibly deft and polished. All of this was accented and made even more magical by the actors’ incredible singing voices and their equally talented musical accompanist, Khris Dodge.

The show is being performed at Unscrewed Theater, known typically for its improv comedy. The sparse black-box style theater made for a perfect backdrop for the show. Lighting was sometimes lacking, but almost gave the overall intention of the show a bit more integrity as it’s intended to be a grassroots, self-produced show. There were a few times when there were props or choreography that took place on the proscenium or floor of the stage when I couldn’t see what was happening. This was only frustrating because I didn’t want to miss any of the action.

Go see Gutenberg! The Musical! Laugh at the jokes, sing the songs, and allow Carson, Tyler, and Dodge to simultaneously charm, offend, and amaze you with their utterly brilliant performance.

Gutenberg! The Musical! plays at Unscrewed Theater, 4500 E. Speedway Blvd., for only one more weekend with remaining shows on Thursday, Aug. 22 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 24 at 2 p.m., and Sunday, Aug. 25, at 2p.m.

Tickets are $25 general admission; $20 military, students, teachers. For details and reservations visit www.sapactucson.org, email boxoffice@sapactucson, or call 520-780-6119.