Posted By Kara Lipson on Fri, Sep 7, 2018 at 10:30 AM

On Saturday, Sept. 8, Arizona Historical Society Fort Lowell Museum will be hosting a soap making event from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This event takes place every second Saturday of the month and will be available to attend until October, so get your butt over there and make some soap while you still can! Have you ever wondered how to make your own soap? Learn about the history of soap making and be able to make your own scented soap. The scents range from oatmeal to lavender. It is fun for all ages and $4 per person. Just show up to the event or call ahead if you are bringing a large group.

Arizona Historical Society

A soap making event takes place at Fort Lowell Museum every second Saturday of the month.

5 fun facts about soap:

1. Soap making was known as early as 2800 B.C. because there is evidence of a soap-like material found in clay cylinders during the excavation of ancient Babylon.

2. The most expensive soap in world, a single bar of Qatar soap produced by a family-run business in Lebanon infused with gold and diamond powder, costs $2,800.

3. The revenue from a soap and cleaning manufacturing industry in the United States was about $50.75 billion in 2010. Scrub a dub dub!

4. In 1806, William Colgate’s company became the first major soap manufacturing company in the United States.

5. Soap makers today use fat that has been processed into fatty acids as a major ingredient in many soaps. Yum?

Find more information about the soap making event here.

Tags: soap , museum , kids , history , Saturday , scents , fun , Image

Posted By Tirion Morris on Thu, Sep 6, 2018 at 3:16 PM

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Courtesy SAACA

2018 Salsa, Tequila & Taco Challenge at La Encantada

A little rain couldn't dampen the festivities on Sunday night at the Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance's Salsa, Tequila & Taco Challenge. There was plenty of music, food and drink to go around.

39 local restaurants, distilleries and chefs flooded the La Encantada mall this past weekend and the community turned out to circle their way around the many tasting tables and end up on the dance floor. Local band Zona Libre played a combination of "latino urbano" and "pop americano" that set the fun and festive mood of the evening.

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Courtesy SAACA

Zona Libre playing at the Salsa, Tequila & Taco Challenge, Sunday, Sept. 2.

Guests were handed a bag of chips upon entering the mall, and the salsa tasting commenced. A personal favorite in the food category were the tacos from Crossroads Restaurant, which were a tiny meal complete with a side of rice and beans, but all of the salsa and tacos ranging from traditional to unique were delicious.

An abundance of mini margaritas also filled the courtyard, with flavors like prickly pear, mango and citrus. Varying levels of added jalapeno or Tajin (chili lime salt) added a particularly Tucson-esque flair.

Other stand-out challengers included Highwire Lounge, which gave tasters a magic berry to eat that changed their tastebuds to taste sweetness, and then provided a very sour margarita that tasted surprisingly sweet. The only downside to this science experiment was that the sweet taste stayed in your mouth for about 15 minutes after eating the berry, a little problematic when there were other tacos and tequila to taste.

SpunLight Cotton Candy was another a fun stop in the line around the courtyard, and slightly tequila-drunk adults dancing around with large white fluffs of cotton candy made for a comical scene.

Challengers set up their tasting table on both levels of the mall and tasters milled around under the string lights and impressive lightning show overhead.

The event's competition was split into multiple categories, each of which had judges choices and people's choices.

The official results were as follows:

Taco Awards
Judge's Choice 1st Place — Tequila Factory – Tecate Traveling Taco
Judge's Choice 2nd Place – The Living Room — Chilaquiles
People's Choice 1st Place — El Coronado Restaurant - Birria Taco
People's Choice 2nd Place — The Grill at Quail Creek - Pork Belly Taco

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Judge's Choice 1st Place Tequila – Cruz Del Sol Tequila with their Cruz Resposado Tequila

Tequila Awards

Judge's Choice 1st Place – Cruz Del Sol Tequila — Cruz Resposado Tequila

Judge's Choice 2nd Place — 3 Amigos – 8 Year Extra Anejo Tequila

People's Choice 1st Place – The Lodge at Ventana Canyon — Berry White

People's Choice 2nd Place — 3 Amigos – 8 Year Extra Anejo Tequila

Salsa Awards

Judge's Choice Traditional Salsa 1st Place — Crossroads Restaurant — Tomatillo Salsa

Judge's Choice Traditional Salsa 2nd Place— The Grill at Quail Creek – Brasas Salsa

Judge's Choice Alternative Salsa 1st Place — Ritz Carlton at Dove Mountain — Sweet Mango Chile Salsa

Judge's Choice Alternative Salsa 2nd Place — The Tequila Factory — Fruit Pico de Gallo Salsa

People's Choice Salsa 1st Place — Angie's Kick Ass Salsa — Hot Salsa

People's Choice Salsa 2nd Place — Ritz Carlton at Dove Mountain — Sweet Mango Chile Salsa

People's Choice Salsa 3rd Place — Angie's Gourmet To Go - Fire Roasted Tomato Mango Habanero Salsa

Display Award

Judge's Choice Most Creative Display — Rigo's Restaurant

The Southern Arizona Salsa, Tequila & Taco Challenge is a fundraising event to benefit the presenting nonprofit organizations. All proceeds that are raised through ticket sales are invested into programs that provide foundational support to the communities' well-being.

Tags: saaca , Salsa Tequila Taco Challenge , food , drink , salsa , tacos , tequila , margaritas , events , Tucson , Image

Posted By Savanah Modesitt on Mon, Sep 3, 2018 at 12:00 PM

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Photos by Moe Irish

Last years Mercado Flee Market displaying unique collectible items.

For the second year in a row, the Mercado Flea Market located near Mercado San Agustin and the Mercado Annex, will be vending a wide variety of vintage and antique items.

Check out a sizable selection of vintage items up for grabs including furniture, collectibles, clothing and more.

The Mercado Flea market will be running on the second Sunday of each month from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m and the market will be open to the public on Sunday, Sept. 9 through May, 2019 at 100 South Avenida del Convento.

If interested in being a vendor, visit the Mercado District website for more information.

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Photos by Moe Irish

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Photos by Moe Irish

Tags: Flea Market , Mercado , Vintage , shopping , things to do , Image

Posted By Tirion Morris on Mon, Aug 27, 2018 at 3:56 PM

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Weekly Staff

Raquel Salas Rivera reading at the Royal Room, Saturday, Aug. 25.

The Royal Room, a wine bar that has been open on the corner of Sixth Ave. and Sixth Street for about a year now, was full to the brim Saturday night for a collaboration with local literary art non-profit Casa Libre. 

The audience squeezed into the warmly lit wine bar for three reasons, wine, Sophia Terazawa and Raquel Salas Rivera.

Terazawa opened the evening with a powerful and theatrical reading of soldier's testimonies from the Vietnam war, at points screaming while at other times holding a large knife to her throat. She captivated the audience, who didn't quite know what she was going to do next, and invited them to scream, cry or look into the eyes of her Hello Kitty stuffed animal for comfort.

After a brief intermission where attendees rushed, the best they could through the throngs of people, to the slate bar to refill their wine glasses, Salas Rivera took the podium.

Dressed casually in a t-shirt and jeans, Salas Rivera joked and laughed with the crowd before diving into the deeply political poetry.

Courtesy

Salas Rivera's newest book of poetry, lo terciario/the tertiary

Salas Rivera read each poem first in Spanish, earning snaps and hollers from those in the audience who understood. Salas Rivera then read in English, the words expressing love for Puerto Rico and anger at how it, and it's people, have been treated.

The first half of the reading included poems from Salas Rivera's books, including the most recent book, lo terciario/the tertiary. Salas Rivera is the author of four published books and six chapbooks. The poems from the newest book felt old, Salas Rivera joked, even though the book only came out in April.


Salas Rivera then read from new works, ever relevant as situation in Puerto Rico continues to evolve after the devastating hurricane that hit the island a little less than a year ago.

While some of the poetry left the audience speechless, a huge round of applause filled the Royal Room at the end of the performance.

Wine glasses clinked as friends, all somehow intertwined in Tucson's rich poetry community, mingled with the poets, Casa Libre hosts and friends after the reading.

Read Margaret Regan's full story that appeared in last week's issue of the Tucson Weekly previewing the event here.

Tags: poetry , reading , Casa Libre , The Royal Room , Wine , poetry , politics , empowered work , new book , Raquel Salas Rivera , Image

Posted By Linda Ray on Thu, Aug 23, 2018 at 4:17 PM

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NETFLIX

Steve Martin (L) and Martin Short perform Aug. 26 at the Tucson Convention Center.

I jump at opportunities to say I discovered Martin Short, at least in my office. On Johnny Carson, he was the funniest person ever, so the next day I asked the break room comedy fans, “Have you ever seen Martin Short?” It turned out to be a mic drop moment.

Short appears with Steve Martin at the Tucson Convention Center Arena on Sunday, August 26, in “An Evening You Will Forget For The Rest Of Your LIfe.” One hopes that’s a joke given the ticket prices: $55 to $175 via tucsonarena.com.

Short is a smart and physical comic, generating laughs with the merest gesture of any visible body part. A veteran of Second City and SCTV, he is the person Robin Williams first reminded me of, and, to me, he is the star of The Three Amigos.

You know that 1986 movie was made at Old Tucson, right? Steve Martin co-wrote it with Lorne Michaels. Martin, Short and Chevy Chase starred. You should own it.

Titan-of-comedy Martin has been brilliantly picking banjo since he started in show business. He has said he started telling jokes in his juggling and banjo act. Comedy’s won him two Grammys, but songwriting and banjo have won him three, including a Best Country Instrumental.

The show represents a throwback to an era of duo comedy that virtually ended with the Smothers Brothers (Google Laugh In, kids.) and the gamut of TV variety shows once hosted by popular comedians. It includes, in addition to amusing back and forth banter, side-splitting bits from Short’s one-man show, a ventriloquist segment featuring Short as the dummy, a slide show of baby pictures, Martin’s playing solo and with The Steep Canyon Rangers, and a story swap of encounters with Elvis and Frank Sinatra, complete with imitations.

There will be no politics, though. Short told the Los Angeles Times, “We're not social satirists. We're more clowns.”

For the budget conscious, Steve Martin and Martin Short: An Evening You Will Forget is available on Netflix. It’s been nominated for four Grammy awards, but obviously won’t include inevitably entertaining live adlibs.

Note: The Hope After Dope show scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 25 at House of Neighborly Services is being rescheduled. We'll have updates as they are available.

 

Tags: Steve Martin , Martin Short , NETFLIX , Three Amigos , banjo , Steep Canyon Rangers , Tucson Convention Center , An Evening You'll Forget For The Rest of Your Life , Hope After Dope , Southern Arizona Harm Reduction Collective , YWCA House of Neighborly Service , Amy Blackwell , Josiah Osego , Mo Urban , Che Diaz , Vernon Williams , SAHRC , Image

Posted By Sherilyn Forrester on Thu, Aug 23, 2018 at 11:10 AM

Tags: things to do , theater , Scoundrel and Scamp Theater , The Historic Y , Oaf , Image

Posted By Linda Ray on Fri, Aug 10, 2018 at 4:30 PM

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Andy Gold

Comedians Andy Gold and Kurtis Matthews perform in The Addicts Comedy Tour at the JCC on Aug. 16

It’s not funny at all, per se, and it’s almost certainly the world’s worst career choice, but years of addiction have made comedy stars of Kurtis Matthews and Andy Gold … now that they’re in recovery.

The pair perform as the Addicts Comedy Tour at 8 p.m., Thursday, August 16, at the Jewish Community Center, 3800 E River Rd. Tickets are $20 ($12 for groups of 10), at Eventbrite.com.

Gold recently told The Phoenix Entertainer, “I started doing comedy maybe six months after I got clean, and my whole existence at that time was not using one day at a time.”

For addicts, and their relatives, co-dependents and friends who can relate to that, the JCC show offers a rare opportunity to laugh with recognition, insight and occasionally compassion for their addict’s struggles. For comedy fans and everyone else, it’s just plain funny.

Matthews has toured nationally and internationally since 1984 when a second DUI inspired him to give up alcohol and drug abuse. In 1999, he founded the San Francisco Comedy College, the most popular standup comedy school in the US.

Andy Gold is a favorite at treatment centers and in recovery groups, as well as in comedy festivals and competitions all over the U.S. He began his comedy career in Salt Lake City just six months after a nearly fatal overdose.

Epic Roast Battle

Rich Gary hosts a comedy battle among Tucson comics from 7 to 10 p.m., Friday, August 17, at Epic Café; free.

Reigning champion Roxy Merrari, host of Monday night Comedy at the Wench, defends her title against 15 contenders, tournament style. Judges are Mo Urban, Clint Lapsansky and Collin Chomiak.

Contestants include Steena Salido, John Hernandez, Drake Horner, Paul Fox, Kathie Hedrick, Autumn Horvat, Eli Turner, Dominic DiTolla, Joel Martin, Jesse Andrews, Darryl Graves, Phillip Showers, Sam Racioppo, Julian Moreno and Tony Kanani-Bruhn.

Comedy returns to the Screening Room

The Screening Room Presents Comedy Night at 9 p.m., Wednesday, August 15. Marcus Gallegos hosts and Matt Ziemak headlines. Rounding out the bill are Charles Ludwig, Eden Nault, Cindell Hanson, Andrew Scott and Randy Ford. Doors are at 8:30 and the show is free.

The comedy revival at The Screening Room follows a hiatus in programming as the theatre transferred to new owners. The theater’s previous incarnation supported at least two comedy shows weekly, including a Tuesday night standup open mike and a Friday night comedy variety show that mixed standup acts and teams from local improv companies.

Tags: Marcus Gallegos , Matt Ziemak , Charles Ludwig , Eden Nault , Cindell Hanson , Andrew Scott , Randy Ford , Steena Salido , John Hernandez , Drake Horner , Paul Fox , Kathie Hedrick , Autumn Horvat , Eli Turner , Dominic DiTolla , Joel Martin , Jesse Andrews , Darryl Graves , Phillip Showers , Sam Racioppo , Julian Moreno , Tony Kanani-Bruhn , Andy Gold , Kurtis Matthews , Addicts Comedy , Rich Gary , Roxy Merrari , Tucson Jewish Community Center , The J , Image

Posted By Linda Ray on Thu, Aug 2, 2018 at 1:00 PM

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samueljcomroe.com

Samuel J. Comroe performs at Laff’s Comedy Caffe Aug. 3 and 4

Samuel J. Comroe’s performance at Houston Baptist University ended abruptly when, in a post-show Q & A, one student asked the one question, face it, on everyone’s mind, “What’s sex like for people with Tourette’s Syndrome?”

He may answer that for you when he appears at Laff’s Comedy Caffe on Friday and Saturday, Aug. 3 and 4, or we may never know. The person in charge of the University’s entertainment program stopped the show and cleared the room before Comroe could respond.

Comroe addresses his Tourettes and related visual tics in his routine, no doubt to put the audience at ease, but he points out that the issue with Houston Baptist is really free speech. Good point.

So what happens when the reins are off? Like everyone else, Comroe jokes about sex, family and life in general. But not everyone is funny enough to make his debut on Conan.

Comroe’s also appeared on BET’s Real Husbands of Hollywood, won both Ricky Gervais’ and the San Francisco comedy competitions and has over 20,000 fans subscribed to his YouTube channel. You may also have seen him in Season 13 of America’s Got Talent.

See him at Laff’s at 8 and 10:30 p.m.,Friday and Saturday, Aug. 3 and 4. Reservations and more information are at laffstucson.com

However you spell it, burlesque history is no grind

The Surly Wench, a long-time supporter of Tucson comedy, may also be our town’s longest-running burlesque venue. On Friday, August 3, the club’s First Friday Burlesque series presents What’s Burlesque?, a performance inspired by the legends of burlesque in the art form’s ‘40s though ‘60s heyday. The Ribald Stephka Von Snatch hosts Tucson favorites including Bunny Boom Boom, Stormy Leigh, Natasha Noir, Lela Rose, Kitten Minx LaFemme, Nikki Riot and Scarlotta Sparkle, all dancing to popular music of the era.

Doors are at 9 p.m. Reservations are via Brown Paper Tickets. Guests should dress to impress and bring tipping money for the dancers. VIP seats, $20, are closest to the stage and sell out early. General admission, $10, does not include seating.

Pining for Comedy in Sierra Vista?

SV Best Open Mic moves its regular Saturday show to 7:30 p.m. at The Horned Toad, 526 W. Fry Blvd. Cover is $5 to see comedy, performance art, poetry, dance, improv, storytelling and music. Search for SV Best Open Mic on Facebook for signup details. Performance time is ten minutes, and a full sound system is provided to run all instruments.

Tags: Samuel J. Comroe , Laff's Comedy Caffe , SV Best Open Mic , The Horned Toad , The Surly Wench , burlesk , Stephka Von Snatch , Bunny Boom Boom , Stormy Leigh , Natasha Noir , Lela Rose , Kitten Minx LaFemme , Nikki Riot , Scarlotta Sparkle , Image

Posted By Pima County Public Library on Tue, Jul 31, 2018 at 3:40 PM

Maybe you've already heard, but it bears repeating...

Pima County Public Library now offers access to Qello Concerts. "What's that?" you ask. It's a never-ending concert ticket!

Qello Concerts =

• The only place to watch more than 1,500 full-length concerts and music documentaries
  
• Features performances of iconic and new artists
  
• Streaming on-demand to your device
  
• Unlimited access so you can binge-watch just like Netflix
  
• Available for FREE with your Pima County Public Library card

Here are some we'll be watching soon... what will you rock out to?

• Carlos Santana
  
• Bruce Springsteen
  
• Billy Joel
  
• Etta James
  
• Blondie
  
• Charles Mingus
  
• The B52s

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Tags: Pima County Public Library , E-Library , Qello , RBdigital , concerts , music , video streaming , unlimited access , Image

Posted By Kathleen B. Kunz on Wed, Jul 25, 2018 at 4:09 PM

Arizona Citizens for the Arts

Unlike gun violence, education funding, or tax policy, arts and culture issues don't really demand attention or ignite fire in the voting members of our society. However, Arizona Citizens for the Arts want to tell you that the arts are important to our community, and they serve vital roles in more ways than you might think.

The arts advocacy group recently launched a "VotesmART" campaign, which will provide information about "how to register to vote and obtain an absentee ballot, the arts and culture issues impacted by elections, and how candidates feel about those issues," according to Catherine Foley, AzCA's executive director.

On their VotesmART website, you can look at candidates' answers to a survey created by AzCA regarding policy for Arizona arts and culture. They sent the survey to all candidates running for governor and the 90 seats in the State Legislature. Foley said that their survey doesn't declare any right or wrong answers, but tries to put arts and cultural issues into the context of other statewide issues and see how candidates view the role of the arts in improving our quality of life.

Contact information for any candidates who didn’t respond to the survey is listed on the website, along with suggested questions that you can ask them directly.

Their main point: Arts and cultural projects matter in our daily lives and for the development of future generations.

The website explains how the non-profit arts and culture industry brings in $166 billion every year nationwide. That includes job opportunities in local tourism and other related industries. In Arizona alone, arts non-profits employ more than 13,000 people.

Foley said that the benefits of arts education for young people’s ability to learn, problem solve and think strategically is well-known, and Arizona’s education policy requires arts to be taught in all of our K-8 schools.

"Unfortunately, we know many schools are not meeting that goal. The issue for elected officials is how do we solve this problem for the benefit of all of our children,” she said.

VotesmART also has information about how other business, civic and community organizations view our candidates and the upcoming elections. AzCA expects to upload additional information about elections before the general election in November.

Tags: arts , politics , community , elections , art and culture , enrichment , Image