What better way to take shelter from the summer heat than in the oasis of an air-conditioned movie theater? The Loft Cinema’s got you covered with a variety of events over the next few weeks. Here’s a few to check out:

Andy Goldsworthy’s Rivers and Tides
This event spotlights the documentary about one artist’s integration of nature and human change. It chronicles the work of artist Andy Goldsworthy, who uses natural media, like ice and rock, to create works of art in nature. A panel discussion organized by the UA Water Resources Research Center and the Sky Island Alliance will follow the film. 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, July 31. Regular admission prices; general admission $9.75.


First Friday Shorts
Now’s your chance to show off your talents as a filmmaker. Each month, the Loft Cinema holds a short film contest, where any film under 15 minutes long has a shot at making it to the big screen. It’s up to the audience to decide which film wins the monthly grand prize of $200. Limit to show the first 15 films brought in each month. Films must be brought in prior to the start of the show. Some material may not be suitable for all audiences. For more complete rules and terms, visit the Loft's website. 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 3. $5 for Loft Cinema members, $6 general admission.

The Doctor from India
Take a look into the world of holistic health practices with this film, presented by Backyard Healthcare Project with Rupa Ayurveda. The movie follows Vasant Lad, who brought Ayurveda, an ancient medical practice, to the West from India in the 1970s. The movie will follow up with a short Q-and-A session on Ayruveda. 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 4. $10 general admission and $8 for Loft members.


Avengers: Infinity War
If you missed out on this hero-packed adventure when it first came out or simply want to fill the void until the next Marvel movie release, head over to the UA Mall on the University of Arizona campus for an outdoor screening. The movie will be projected on the Loft’s inflatable Solar Cinema screen. Open to the general public. 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 17. Free admission. UA Mall.

The Greatest Showman Sing-A-Long
Belt out your favorite hits from The Greatest Showman with this Sing-A-Long. The lyrics to songs such as “This is Me” and “The Other Side” will be onscreen and ready for the crowd to join in. Don your best circus-inspired outfit for a chance to win a prize. 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 18. $10 Loft members and children 12 and under, $12 general admission.

All events, except the Avengers showing, will be at The Loft Cinema, 3233 E. Speedway Blvd. 

Tucson is brimming with artistic talent, but resources to help support that talent are not as abundant. The LifeBlood Workshop was formed by a group of artists and experts to help facilitate discussions around mental health in the creative field.

This evening from 6 to 8 p.m. the LifeBlood Workshop will be in Tucson to offer a two-hour conversation with the goal of brainstorming solutions and decreasing the stress and anxiety associated with the artistic lifestyle.

According to their website, “the rate of depression and suicide among musicians and creatives is three times that of non-musicians. The pressure of being in the public eye, of having to create and still have some sort of personal life can lead to bad decisions. Professionals may prescribe medication for the symptoms, but it doesn’t solve the underlying problem.”

The workshop will include a panel discussion, followed by a Q&A session and small group settings where artists will be given the chance to tell their stories and talk about their issues in a judgement-free environment. It’s a chance to receive advice from the experts and other attendees who share the same experiences.

The LifeBlood team, which consists of career artists and health and wellness experts, have a singular goal: to provide an alternative approach in helping the creative community manage mental and physical wellness.

The workshop will be held today, July 16, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Spark Project Collective, a nonprofit organization that produces local art to raise money for local children with disabilities. Their building is located at 4349 E. Broadway Blvd.

The workshop is free, but the LifeBlood team requests that attendees RSVP beforehand at thelifebloodworkshop.com/tucson/

“I like how shocked people are when you say 'c*nt.' It's like I have a nuclear bomb in my underpants, or a mad tiger or a gun.” So says Caitlin Moran, London Times journalist and author of "How to Build a Girl." She recently confirmed that "Lady Bird" star Beanie Feldstein will play the lead in that bestseller’s film adaptation.

While we’re waiting for that, we can continue to enjoy Tucson comedy's celebratory riffs on a girl’s anatomy.

Mo Urban and Steena Salido present another in their series, C*nts being C*nts Talking About Their C*nts! at 8 p.m., Friday, July 13. The show is 21+ and admission is $5 at Can’s Deli, 340 North 4th Ave. A portion of the proceeds goes to the YWCA of Southern Arizona Project Period, a program that provides sanitary menstrual products to those who can’t afford them. Donations of sanitary products for the program are also welcome.

Standup comedians include imports Amy Blackwell, who performs regularly at the Scottsdale Laugh Factory; Phoenix area favorites Leslie Barton, April Walterscheid and Kerrilynn Gallagher plus Hannah Tighe of Gilbert and Nikki Dinnella of Chandler. Tucson newcomers Chinna Garza and Megan Gossen make their C*nts debut.

Tucson Storyteller Gina Grande Santos and music by DJ Plastic Disease round out the show.

Estrogen Hour Remembers J-Fin

On Sunday, July 15, The Estrogen Hour, launchpad for a dozen or so women now prominent in Tucson comedy, honors one of the funniest, Jennifer Finley, who died last month of cancer.

Organizers Nancy Stanley and Mary Steed launched the Estrogen Hour a decade ago to support the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. According to Stanley, “We're departing from our usual fundraising to celebrate the life and comedy of our late friend whose candor and creativity made her a crowd favorite.” Proceeds go to Finley’s family to help defray her funeral expenses.

Stanley will host the show, a lineup of top local women comics and one featured “Guestosterone,” Dominic DiTolla. Comedians include Amber Frame; KXCI’s Bridgitte Thum; Cindell Hanson; Edna Meza Aguirre; Jessica Stapp, who also performs with Tucson Improv Movement; Mo Urban and Steena Salido, co-hosts of C*nts being C*nts Talking About Their C*nts!; Noel Hennessey of FST (Female Storytellers); and Suzie Sexton, host of the annual Comedy for Charity show at the Fox Theatre.

The Estrogen Hour takes place at 6:30 p.m., Sunday, July 15 at Laff’s Comedy Caffe. Tickets are $15 and there is a two-item minimum. The show is 21+ All proceeds benefit Finley's family.

If the nation's current events are weighing heavy on your mind, consider attending the YWCA's new exhibition opening tonight. Titled "How We See The World," the show focuses on local artists who created visuals in response to today's most important problems and social justice movements.

It's easy to become cynical, despondent or just straight up baffled by the 24-hour news cycle filled with crisis after crisis, but turning inwards to one's own community for answers about this big scary world is a good place to start.

According to their Facebook event, this free exhibit "explores current ideas, issues and movements happening now, such as gun violence, LGBTQ rights, Black Lives Matter, Me Too, Women’s rights, The Resistance and Immigrant rights." The goal is to get people talking about these big ideas and what we can do to create change right here, right now.

If you've got nothing to do this evening, stop by the France McClelland Community Center at 525 N. Bonita Avenue from 6 to 8 p.m. and see whose artwork speaks to you. If you can't make it tonight, the exhibit will be on display until Monday, Sept. 10. The YWCA is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Explore the challenges of life after incarceration for those with mental illness with The Pima County Safety and Justice Challenge this Thursday. The program will present a day of discussions and documentaries at The Loft Cinema that spotlight this subject.

Featured films include Public Broadcasting’s The Released, a 54-minute documentary following a paranoid schizophrenic living in a homeless shelter, and Arizona Public Media’s Not Broken, which follows a group of young locals with mental illness trying to avoid incarceration.

In between the films, attendees can grab a complimentary lunch and sit in on a panel discussion led by Safety and Justice Challenge Program Manager Terrence Cheung. The panel will feature Gisela Telis, co-director of Not Broken; Sgt. Jason Winsky of the Tucson Police Department’s Mental Health Support Team and NAMI Southern Arizona executive director Clarke Romans. The
Safety and Justice Challenge will also reveal an outreach program during the day’s events.

The free event runs 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, June 21 at The Loft Cinema, 3233 E. Speedway Blvd. RSVP for the event on Eventbrite. For more details, please visit The Loft's website.

Shakey Graves is the comfy soundtrack to a long, solitary road trip on two-lane highways through beat, half-boarded-up western towns. See, Graves’ songs are atmospheric and narrative at once. He pens and performs them like the one-man band he once was, with driving, straightforward rhythm—oh, the suitcase kick drum and rigged tambourine. The jangle guitar pairs with endless possibilities of passing scenery, and his voice, well-worn and multi-harmonic, is good as a worry stone in hand. The lyrics are understated and literary: “Well I’m tired of losing/I used to win every night of the week/Back when sex and amphetamine were the staples of our childhood physique.” Jesus. Hailing from Austin, there’s no trace of hipster cred to Mr. Graves, too much musical integrity. Comparable to Shovels & Rope in consistency and candor, Graves deals primarily with the existential versus romantic realm, somehow calling up nostalgia and unpretentious intellect at once. With Lauren Ruth Ward on Wednesday, June 20. Rialto Theatre, 318 E. Congress St. Doors at 7 p.m. $20-25, All ages. Details here.

The UA Art Museum. The UA’s art museum has several exhibitions up right now, including one on the evolution of women printmakers, one filled with art created by local high schoolers, an exploration of light and photography by multidisciplinary artist Richard Slechta and The Altarpiece of Ciudad Rodrigo, one of the most important works to come out of 15th-century Spain. Check them all out, by do try to see the exhibit "X, Y, Z: Art in Three Dimensions" which features art that’s been formed, molded, carved, cast or otherwise arranged. As you take in the art, you can reflect on what it means to take up space, cast a shadow and have texture. "X, Y, Z" is on display through Sunday, June 24. Museum is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday and closed Monday. UA Museum of Art, 1031 N. Olive Road. $8 GA, $6.50 seniors and groups of 10 or more. Free for members, students with ID, faculty, staff, military personnel, AAM members, visitors with a SNAP card or tribal ID and children. Details here.

Game Night at Casa Film Bar. Gather your family and friends for a little friendly competition (and drinks) at Casa Film Bar’s Game Night. There will be popcorn and soda, as well as a variety of local beer. The game lineup includes Jenga, Oregon Trail, Cards Against Humanity, chess, Uno and Star Trek Catan. 5 p.m. Wednesday, June 20. 2905 E. Speedway Blvd. Details here.

Treepeople. Built to Spill’s Doug Martsch has long been hailed one of indie greatest live guitar heroes—his ability to harness crowd energy and volley notes with every other onstage instrument makes for an ear-bending orchestra of noise, what some have called epic sonics. Treepeople is the band where Martsch cut his teeth. In the late ’80/early ’90s, Treepeople were the Pac Northwest’s hottest ticket. After losing Martsch to Built to Spill, the guitar-based Treepeople fizzled, but two and a half decades later, he put together this reunion tour and the response is unequivocal. Described as “organized chaos,” (much like the Velvets of yore by the Brits), the band play tracks off their first three albums alongside classic covers including The Smith’s and Dylan, each complete with raging, throat-choke guitar wallops, scratchy (pre-grunge) vocals and some sweet restrained, jangle. With Tucson’s mighty mighty Lenguas Largas, and Prism Bitch. Wednesday, June 20, 191 Toole. Doors at 7 p.m.  $20-25, 21+. Details here.

Events compiled by Emily Dieckman, Dylan Reynolds, BS Eliot, Ava Garcia and Jeff Gardner.

As part of the University of Arizona Poetry Center’s Art for Justice Film Series, the Loft Cinema will screen “The House I Live In,” a documentary offering a look into the lives of those impacted by the war on drugs in America. The 2012 film pieces together glimpses into the worlds of a dealer, a narcotics officer, a senator, a judge, an inmate and more. The film, by Eugene Jarecki, won the Grand Jury Prize for documentary films at the Sundance Film Festival in 2012.

See it at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 20 at The Loft Cinema, 3233 E. Speedway Blvd. Admission is free. For more details, visit The Loft website.

The UA Art Museum: The UA’s art museum has several exhibitions up right now, including one on the evolution of women printmakers, one filled with art created by local high schoolers, an exploration of light and photography by multidisciplinary artist Richard Slechta and The Altarpiece of Ciudad Rodrigo, one of the most important works to come out of 15th-century Spain. Check them all out, but do try to see the exhibit "X, Y, Z: Art in Three Dimensions" which features art that’s been formed, molded, carved, cast or otherwise arranged. As you take in the art, you can reflect on what it means to take up space, cast a shadow and have texture. "X, Y, Z" is on display through Sunday, June 24. Museum is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday and closed Monday. UA Museum of Art, 1031 N. Olive Road. $8 GA, $6.50 seniors and groups of 10 or more. Free for members, students with ID, faculty, staff, military personnel, AAM members, visitors with a SNAP card or tribal ID and children. Details here.

Events compiled by Emily Dieckman, Dylan Reynolds, BS Eliot, Ava Garcia and Jeff Gardner.

Immerse yourself in Elizabethan drama with The Loft Cinema’s free screening of Edward II, a twist on the Christopher Marlowe play “The Troublesome Reign of Edward II.” The 1991 film, newly digitally restored, is regarded as a New Queer Cinema classic. It follows the story of King Edward II (played by Steven Waddington), who rejects his wife (played by Tilda Swinton) and takes his friend Piers Gaveston (played by Andrew Tiernan) as a lover. The resulting shock and chaos offer social commentary on homophobia in England.

The Derek Jarman-directed film will play at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 19 at The Loft Cinema, 3233 E. Speedway Blvd. Admission is free but there is a $5 suggested donation. For more details, please visit The Loft's website.

Summer Safari Nights. Come one, come all, especially dads! Because this week at the Reid Park Zoo’s summer program, all dads get in free with paid child admission, in honor of Father’s Day. It’s a great week for the kids too, and maybe even a way to get them interested in a future STEM career, as this week’s theme is “Earth’s Eco-Engineers.” It’s all about the incredibly unique structures like armadillos, anteaters, elephants and alligators build. The Manhattan Dolls are providing the live music. 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, June 15. Reid Park Zoo, 3400 Zoo Court. $10.50 adults, $8.50 seniors, $6.50 kids 2 to 14. Half off for zoo members! Details here.

Dive-In Movie: Moana. The Ott Family YMCA is giving you the option to fully-embrace the aquatic and summery vibes of Moana by allowing you to view it poolside. The giant, bedazzled crabs and The Rock playing a demigod will seem so much more realistic this way! 6 p.m. Friday, June 15. 401 S. Prudence Road. $3 for members, $5 for non-members. Details here.

The Fifty Percenter with Rich Hopkins and William Sedlmayr. Billy Sedlmayr’s words and vocals ache—they’re sincere, painful and put forth because they had to be. It’s pure hard-won experience, each syllable and breathe summoning ghosts of the Sonoran Desert and the barrio shadows of past mistakes. Rich Hopkins’ guitar playing hums and sparks evoking the boundless liberation and melancholy of lives unraveling beneath open Arizona skies. In 2001, these two Southwestern music legends (Giant Sandworms and The Sidewinder/Sand Rubies respectively, at least) teamed up to create a much-lauded single album, The Fifty Percenter, but they never once played it live—until now. On tunes like “Apology,” Hopkins’ guitar rises on stark, warm gestures, upholding Sedlmayr’s voice, ever-tinged with street-corner regrets and a bizarre resilience: “And over by that tall tree, they’ll bury me with thieves/The snap, the sleep, the rope which sings one last apology.” The characters rise, stumble and swagger throughout, and hooks soar, and the whole thing now feels desert mythic all these years later. Friday, June 15, The Owls Club, 236 South Scott Ave. 8 p.m. 21+.—B.S. Eliot Details here.

Avatar, Guardians of the Galaxy, and Star Trek Movie Night. Casa Video Film Bar is going all-out in celebration of Zoë Saldaña’s 40th birthday. Did you know she starred in all three films? Me neither, but once you think about it, yep, that’s her alright. Now’s your chance to get down to Casa Video and start genuflecting the new queen of sci-fi. Avatar plays first, then Guardians, then Star Trek. 7 p.m., Friday, June 15. 2905 E. Speedway Blvd. Details here.

FIFA World Cup with Spain vs. Portugal. The US may be out of the World Cup already, but that doesn’t mean we have to miss out on the excitement of the games. Playground Bar and Lounge is opening its doors early for World Cup watching on its giant TVs in the main bar and the courtyard patios. Turn game day into brunch with breakfast specials and deals on drinks. $5 Negro Modelo USA drafts and $4 cans of Modelo Especial. 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Friday, June 15. Check Playground’s website to see which other games Playground will open early for. 278 E. Congress St. Details here.

Monsoon Duck Party. Local waterfowl conservation group Tucson Ducks Unlimited is keeping it casual at this event. (Maybe you can even get them to put together a game of “Duck, Duck Goose.”) For 25 bucks, you’ll get a craft beer, wine or soda and plenty to munch on. You’ll also have the chance to get involved with raffles, games and an auction, all in support of their conservation mission. Duck, duck, brews! 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, June 15. Barrio Brewing Co., 800 E. 16th St. $25. Details here.