If you're a fan of Café 54 and have enjoyed a lunch or two there, or enjoyed one of their catered events (I'm telling you, the roasted beet salad, when on the menu, makes me very happy. Pistachios and beets = beautiful combination), then you know that part of eating at the downtown spot off Pennington Road is taking in the art work hanging on walls.

The local spot is part of the good work folks are doing there to help people recovering from mental illness and the art figures into that, too. If you love celebrating and patronizing local business like we do at Weekly World Central, then you'll like this: Sarnoff's Art Supplies partners with the cafe to furnish art supplies at a discounted rate for the artists in the Café 54 Art Foundation program.

The program was established to provide and assist folks recovering from mental illness be able to express themselves through the creative arts. When you really love that beet salad or whatever it is you love at the cafe, you leave a tip (you better leave a tip)—your gratuity goes to the Art Foundation Fund and that fund supplies art supply scholarships to those recovering from mental illness currently working with behavioral health programs and want to express themselves through art.

Those who participate in the art fund are invited to show their work at the cafe—work selected is showcased for sale and all the proceeds go to the artist.

You can see the current show, Tangible Transformations, which goes through Sept. 26. However, on Saturday, August 9, from 5 to 8 p.m., there will be a celebration with live music, a wearable art fashion show, performance art—and yes, yummy food and refreshments. There will also be a raffle with prizes donated by local artists and business—benefiting the Café 54 Art Foundation. The entire evening is open to the public and admission is free.

So get to Café 54. Celebrate. Take in some art. Think local. And buy some art.

For the last 14 years, fine artist and cartoonist David Kish has been drawing his prolific weekly comic, Hoopleville. I met Kish at the Tucson Weekly booth during the Tucson Comic-Con last November. I had never come across him, but had an approximation of who he was based on what I have read in the newspaper.


I recognized he was sharp and witty, but I didn't know how generous and caring he was. When Kish isn't working on art or creating comics, he donates his time and energy to work with children at the Boys and Girls Club. On Earth Day, Kish came to the Weekly headquarters in Airport Heights, and gave everyone a piece of artistry that was cleverly constructed out of cardboard. He had never met anyone in the office except for Dan Gibson and I, but almost every employee received an original piece of art.


Good news if you're a fan of Kish's work or appreciate fine art you can't anywhere else in the world. You can catch Kish's art exhibit "Cardboard Manifesto" until Thursday, July 31, at the Joel D. Valdez Main Library, 101 N Stone Ave. Click here for more information.

The ongoing cultural war between Tucson and Phoenix has been taken from the streets to the failing web portal known as Yahoo!. The idea of having this conversation with a Phoenician makes the hair on the back of my neck stand. No one ever wins the discussion, but we do it anyway.

Leave it to Seattle author Christy Karras to write the Yahoo City Smackdown: Phoenix vs Tucson. Karras does a good job, and brings up some interesting facts that I didn't know about both cities (Did you know that Orange is the New Black's Taryn Manning is from Tucson? I fucking love that show). But was it too hard to find someone that actually resides in Arizona? 

Specialty Cuisine: Tucson is as close as you’ll get to really authentic Mexican food north of the border. The Mexican here isn’t Southwestern; it’s Sonoran. And it’s often dirt cheap. Try Paco’s, El Sur, El Güero Canelo, BK’s, or Poco & Mom’s. Try Sonoran hot dogs, a local specialty: They’re wrapped in mesquite-smoked bacon, grilled, and topped with beans, onions, tomatoes, and condiments ranging from mayonnaise to Jalapeño salsa. Olé!

She talks about the modern streetcar, San Xavier, Sonoran dogs and UA sports, of course. I would have mistaken her as a Tucsonan if I didn't know she was based out of the Emerald City. Honestly, she makes good arguments for both sides, and paints a pretty picture for the red headed step sister of the north.

Must-Do Nightlife: Bar-hopping along the Fourth Avenue Historic Shopping District (also home to an eclectic collection of locally owned shops and restaurants) is a time-honored tradition. Grab an “adult snowcone” at Che’s Lounge, pay homage to America’s largest tiki head at The Hut, or see a drag show at IBT’s. If nerd chic is your thing, head to Sky Bar: solar powered by day and an astronomy-themed bar by night, complete with telescopes.

Obviously, the Old Pueblo layeth the smacketh-down on Phoenix by taking 87% of the votes since Wednesday. Granted, there has been 1078 votes since writing this. We take our victories where we can get them.

Am I right, Tucson?

Pima County Library's free comics convention, MegaMania!, is back on Saturday, July 12. This is the fourth summer the library has sponsored this popular event for teens, those in their 20s and those who just love celebrating all things comics, anime, cosplay and art.

See photos from last year's event here and the complete MegaMania! schedule is here.

From our loveable library people:

Artifact Dance Project has identified a space of their very own—a 3,000-square-foot studio in the warehouse district in downtown Tucson. The space—like all those wonderful old warehouses—needs some work and the dance company needs $10,000 to make it happen.

Go here for more on their Fill the Space campaign:

On the night of June 7th 2014, Artifact Dance Project received the title of, “Best Emerging Arts Organization” as voted by a panel of recognized members from the Tucson Community. We are launching into our 6th season as a professional company, staying true to the very mission that continues to distinguish us as performers, artists and entrepreneurs; presenting dance with live music.

After six years of producing original choreographic works, touring throughout 40 cities in China, collaborating with over 50 artists, providing thousands of dollars in income for local talent all the while pushing the boundaries of both art forms, Artifact Dance Project has found a historic warehouse in downtown Tucson and we could not be more inspired by the smartness of this incredible space. We have accomplished so much in just a few years. Can you imagine the possibilities with a large 3,000 sq. foot facility? Artifact Dance Project’s future is unwavering in our drive to succeed and more importantly, TO CREATE. Join our capital campaign:

FILL THE SPACE...

…with everything a dance and music studio requires to then fill the space with artistic creations. Our goal is set to raise $10,000 at minimum to cover all basic improvements and studio needs. We would like to invite you to join our capital campaign, “FILL THE SPACE” to raise funds for the renovation and upgrade of the historic warehouse that will be the new home of Artifact Dance Project Studios. Every dollar will go towards a large list of items needed to open our doors by September 1st, 2014.

Dear Bridget Everett,

Whatever it is you do, we like it at Weekly World Central and we need you to do it in Tucson. We have tittles in Tucson of all sizes and shapes that bounce in all sort of great way. So yeah ... please, this winter, when you need a break from that NYC cold, we'll be waiting.

H/T Bust:

Bridget Everett, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways. You wear fabulously revealing get-ups for all your sets, you're a lady whose size can rival the guys, you look hot all the time, you make some of the bluest jokes I've ever heard, you have "the voice of an angel," you guest regularly on Inside Amy Schumer, and Time Out named you one of the "funniest New Yorkers."

...

Everett's act has been previously televised on Inside Amy Schumer and Just for Laughs' Funny as Hell. But, you know, tits are like, super offensive when they're in public, so despite growling "BOUNCE, BOUNCE, BOUNCE" while grinding on the crotch of a stranger in the audience, no nip slipped in the taping of those shows.

Wild America, featuring photography from Ansel Adams and Debra Bloomfield, continues through Aug. 30 at Etherton Gallery, 135 S. Sixth Ave. Check out an opening reception from 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday, June 21. Bloomfield will be on hand to sign her new book and Carl Hanni, as always, will be your DJ for the evening. Sure to be fun. More details here.

Some of us get to paint for a living, and others get to live vicariously through working painters on Facebook. Joe Pagac, 2014 Best Local Visual Artist contender, is gearing up for the upcoming Yacht Rock Party at La Cocina on Thursday, June 26.

Pagac was kind enough to share his creative process, and show you exactly what you need to concoct your own wicked, awesome dolphin mural. All you need to do is bump some smooth island jams, pour a fruity tropical drink (like, all tequila) and find a reference to draw from. 

If you follow those simple steps: the dolphins and the babes will come like in that Kevin Costner masterpiece, Field of Dreams.


Click here to RSVP for next Thursday's Yacht Rock bash.

Downtown's Etherton Gallery is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Wilderness Act with a glorious display of photography from Ansel Adams and Debra Bloomfield. Wild America continues through Aug. 30, with a Bloomfield coming to town for a reception on Saturday, June 21. Snowy peaks in an air-conditioned gallery? Can't beat it on a summer day. Details here.

Second Saturdays Downtown gets going tonight at 5 p.m. and this month happens to mark the event's four year anniversary—what's proven to be a popular and important revival of what those stricken with Moldy Pueblo love remember as Downtown Saturday Nights.

Lot's of great entertainment tonight, like Tucson's Japanese ensemble drumming group, Odaiko Sonoran; Tucson Circus Arts stilt dance, Mel Rivers formerly from the Drifter; and some desert surf rock from Shrimp Chaperone.

Being that it's Mother's Day weekend, do me a favor, and between all the activity, stroll on in to the Screening Room, 127 East Congress, for the '80s Music Video Sing Along, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. My fantabulous middle-schooler son organized the event to benefit Pima County animal shelters and celebrate what he loves most (next to Marvel)—80s music. It's his Bar Mitzvah project, and you are welcome to come in, cool off, help out and sing along.

From the Facebook page invite:

Sing along to your favorite '80s music videos at The Screening Room, downtown Tucson during 2nd Saturdays Downtown Tucson. (Happy Fourth Anniversary 2nd Saturdays) Costume contest, karaoke contest and family fun. $3 suggested donation and/or a bag of dog or cat food. All donations and proceeds benefit local Pima County animal shelters.

... Bring the kiddos and the grannies — well especially the grannies who remember the words to "99 Luftballons" And dancing of all ages, and abilities, encouraged — super encouraged.