“My name is Fido and I am a 4-year-old boy. I am a sweet boy who would prefer to be your only cat to get all of your love and attention. In the past I have done well with calm, cat savvy dogs and gentle kids.” Fido (875896) Fall in love with Fido at HSSA Main Campus at 635 W. Roger Rd. You can also give an adoptions counselor a call at 520-327-6088, ext. 173 for more information.

Drawing from traditional jazz, swing and the American songbook, Tucson Jazz Institute hosts JAZZ JAMbalaya. At Sheraton Tucson Hotel...

Friday, Nov. 29

Always wanted to sing in a group? Come kick the tires at this open participation event—turning the audience into a choir. The science shows the therapeutic benefits (neurotransmitters spark the right temporal lobe to life releasing endorphins that make us healthier and happier) and when we sing together this effect is amplified. Choir! Choir! Choir! At the Rialto Theatre...

A descendent of the Tarahumara people, this award-winning artist recognized the connection between hip-hop and indigenous culture. Artson headlines Red Friday: A Traveling Music and Art Festival for Tribal Nations. Featuring Odin Rock, Communal, Dream Team, Tonight's Sunshine, Saint Jamain and Luxy Vinyl. At 191 Toole...

Escape materialism and capitalism and dance for Black Friday. Mexican emo/queer synth popper Flor de Nopal joins DJ Mijito at R Bar...

Is This Thing On? An emo, post-hardcore, punk night rages forth. This installment sees Signals, Taking Back Harambe, Tucson Is The Reason and Annie Jump Cannon take to the stage in the flesh. At Club Congress...

Dreamy, surfy sounds commingle in harmony with Southwestern gothic soul music. Nelene Deguzman (of The Rifle) and Just Najima are at Saint Charles Tavern...

Since 2005, these multiple Best of Tucson winners for Best Cover Band channel new wave classics, pop and power ballads from what could be your favorite decade. 80s & Gentlemen rock on the rooftop at Playground...

Resident DJs W3$T Friday and Elektra Tek host some of the Old Pueblo's top and up-and-coming turntablists. Funk Yo House Fridays goes off at Irene's Holy Donuts...

A night of many rich flavors. Grungy fuzz and indie rockers Feverfew and The Electric Blankets are paired with hip-hoppers Jivin' Scientists and turntablist/beatmaker Halsero. It all goes down at Thunder Canyon Brewstillery...

Saturday, Nov. 30

Not feeling the spirit? Celebrate the anti-Christmas. Festivus—a term coined by Frank Costanza (on TV comedy Seinfeld) stands as a secular backlash to the commercialization of the Yuletide—features Gutter Town, Black Cat Bones, Desert Fish, Nocturnal Theory, Sworn Apart and AJ's Rockabilly Ruckus. At the Rialto Theatre...

Street cred? In addition to releasing three full-length albums under his own name, this L.A. alt-rocker has contributed to recordings by Ty Segall, Thee Oh Sees, King Tuff and others. Mikal Cronin is at 191 Toole...

"The King of Strings," celebrated blues/rock guitarist Carvin Jones returns to The Rock...

Three generations collide on the dancefloor, The Fineline Revisited: DJ Stubbie keeps the infamy alive. At the Surly Wench Pub...

Rock 'n' roll, loud AF, straight up. Reuniting to toast 20 years of noise making. Dirtnap are at EncoreTucson...

Performing on tiny keyboards, musical instruments and non-instruments both variegated and amusing—Thøger Lund, Dimitri Manos and Jeff Grubic—SRS (Spontaneous Response Squadron) explore ambient improvisation at Exo Bar...

Performing original compositions and adaptations rooted in various pan-African nastyles: African Folk, Afro-pop, Afro-Cuban and Afro-Caribbean rhythms. The Key Ingredients of African Soul will perform what Doc Twang says, "...will be our last show for a while." At Monterey Court...

Natalie Pohanic & The Sunset's honey sweet indie-folk songs shine brightly at the end of the day. In the courtyard at Mercado San Agustin...

Let's Get Hyphy finds DJ Jahmar and a mysterious special guest spin Bay Area hip-hop. At Mr. Head's Art Gallery & Bar...

Revealing themselves prismatically in a "Daffodil Daydream" Texan alt-rockers Deliah Blue along with Tucson's In Lessons, Heroes Reunion and Manguera lay siege to the Sky Bar...

Award-winning indie-folk duo Ryanhood perform in a free event at the Fox Theatre...

Giving soul to the universe, wings to the mind, Still Life Telescope and Max Parallax skew the great divide. At Saint Charles Tavern...

The intrepid Tucson Symphony Orchestra presents E.T. the Extra-terrestrial In Concert. At Tucson Convention Center...

Sunday, Dec. 1

Celebrate World AIDS Day with a party on the patio. Ras Jahge, Lexi Kay Moncada, Veronica Chase, Tucson High Folklorico and Dust Dance Collective are set to perform in this family-friendly event. Free HIV testing is available. At Hotel Congress...

Inspired by ancient Egyptian and near-Eastern mysticism as well as the writings of H.P. Lovecraft, death metallists Nile bring A Vile Caustic Attack Tour to EncoreTucson...

"We're here to tell a story, about fame, decadence, triumph and tragedy." Mercury: A Celebration of Freddie Mercury's Life and Music is at the Fox Theatre...

Happy Thanksgiving! Folk harp and viola delicately commingle to arrive at a mysterious landing. Mariah McCammond and Deanna Cross are The Hatpin Duo. They will pay a lovely instrumental set at Agustin Kitchen...

Disco. Techno. House. The Optimist Club, Tucson's longest running club night, welcomes H.R. Guerin and Lance Fairchild—co-founders of Project Atlas—as the newest resident DJs. At Club Congress...

Arizona's Most Wanted finds outlaws Mark Insley and Damon Barnaby adding a rock 'n' roll twist to a tall stein of alt-country. At Iron John's Brewing Company-Congress...

DJs Atom Energy and Lunarfluxx continue to tap into a rich motherlode of house music, deep from the underground. Like a stick of dynamite, Deeper explodes at Bar Passé...

The City of Tucson is opening its inaugural outdoor ice skating rink on Friday, located at 45 N. 5th Ave., across the street from Hotel Congress.

The rink, which will open at 4 p.m., will operate from Nov. 29 to Jan. 5, and will be open seven days a week, except for Christmas Day.

The rink will be available to the public and for private events during off-hours, with the facility operating from 4-10 p.m. on Monday-Friday, noon-10 p.m. on Saturday and noon-7 p.m. on Sunday.

Open skate will cost $15 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under, with skate rental included in that cost. Socks are required and gloves are highly recommended.

All purchases must be made at the rink, with no discounts given out for bringing your own skates. For more information on the rink and to make a reservation, call (520)-791-4101.

Musician/comedian Steven Yanez Romo hosts, what is rumored to be an "extreme" experience, "the best in town" and "buttloads of fun." Karaoke with Romo. At Thunder Canyon Brewstillery...

There’s a new furry face at the Reid Park Zoo, one with an intense stare and a caramel-tan coat featuring black rosettes.

Bella, a 10-year-old jaguar from the Akron Zoo in Ohio, recently took up residence in Tucson.

“Bella is a curious cat and has investigated everything in her surroundings. She has become comfortable quickly, resting on her back and rolling around playfully, as cats big and small do,” said Sue Tygielski, director of zoo operations, in a statement.

Bella was born in Ohio and was selected by the Association of Zoos and Aquarium’s Species Survival Plan to move to Tucson.

Like many people who move to Arizona from out-of-state, allergies were a factor in this jaguar's move, according to the zoo. Bella has skin allergies, and the hope is that Tucson’s climate will be more comfortable for her. Bella will also serve as an ambassador for her species, raising awareness about the challenges that jaguars are facing in the wild.

Guests can look for Bella in the Zoo's South America loop during visits to the Zoo. As Bella adjusts to her new home, she may spend time between her habitat and behind-the-scenes in her night house.

Bella replaces Simone, a 23-year-old jaguar who passed away in July. Simone was the oldest jaguar at an AZA-accredited zoo, and lived nearly all of her life at Reid Park Zoo. She arrived in Tucson from another zoo when she was just 7 months old. Median life expectancy for jaguars is 18.

Simone was euthanized Friday, July 5 due to age-related health issues. Simone’s sister Nikita passed away in 2017, also due to age-related health concerns.

“Hi there! My name is Monty and I am a fun-loving 3-year-old boy. I love water and enjoy splashing in the kiddie pool at HSSA. When I’m not by the pool I like relaxing inside and will never turn down a snack.” Monty (872453). Bring your family to meet Monty at HSSA Main Campus at 635 W. Roger Rd. Have questions? Give an adoptions counselor a call 520-327-6088, ext. 173.

The Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance and the Town of Oro Valley are once again partnering to bring the largest celebration of the arts and culture in the region back to town in the form of the Oro Valley Holiday Festival of the Arts & Tree Lighting Celebration.

The creative place making event returns Saturday, Dec. 7 and Sunday, Dec. 8 to the Oro Valley Marketplace (12155 N. Oracle Road). The two-day festival includes more than 150 artisans, 30 performances by student and local musicians, family arts activities, food trucks, the TUBACHRISTMAS holiday play-along, an appearance by Santa and plenty opportunities to make some memories with your loved ones.
 
Festivities culminate in the lighting of the 35-foot Oro Valley holiday tree at 6 p.m. on Dec. 7. A community favorite, TUBACHRISTMAS takes place Dec. 7 at 2 p.m.

Entertainment Schedule


Saturday, Dec. 7

10 to 10:30 a.m.: Oro Valley Jazz Band
10:40 to 11:10 a.m.: SASO Flute Ensemble
11:15 to 11:40 a.m.: Maguire Academy of Irish Dance
11:50 a.m. to 12:05 p.m.: One Rehearsal Short
12:10 to 12:40 p.m.: Sons of Orpheus
12:50 to 1:05 p.m.: Wilson Elementary Choir
1:10 to 1:30 p.m.: Wilson Middle School Choir
2:00 to 2:45 p.m.: Tuba Christmas
3:00 p.m.: Santa Arrival Procession with Ironwood Marching Band 
3:10 p.m.: Opening Remarks by Andrew Capasso
3:30 to 3:50 p.m.: Painted Sky Elementary Chorus
4:00 to 4:15 p.m.: Oro Valley Team Dance
4:20 to 5:00 p.m.: Kids Unlimited
5:10 to 5:30 p.m.: Tucson Girls Chorus Northwest Choir
5:00 p.m.: Lauren Lawson performing at Tree
5:30 p.m.: Carolyn’s Carolers performing at Tree 
6:00 p.m.: Tree Lighting Celebration with Santa at Tree

Carolyn’s Carolers will play music through the event from 4 to 5:50 p.m.

Sunday, December 8

10:15 to 10:45 a.m.: Lauren Lawson (Oro Valley Singer-Songwriter)
11 to 11:45 a.m.: Absinthe Beat Cats (Jazz and Holiday)
Noon to 12:45 p.m.: Nossa Bossa Nova (Brazilian Holiday Songs)
1 to 1:45 p.m.: Desert Melodies (Holiday Favorites)
2 to 2:30 p.m.: Coronado Middle School Singers
3 to 3:45 p.m.: The Nazarene Band 

Havin’ a Blast A Capella Quartet will perform music through the event from noon to 2 p.m.

Innovation Station

At this year’s Innovation Station, presented by Pima Federal Credit Union, The University of Arizona Center for Digital Humanities will present a virtual reality station utilizing Oculus VR to display 3D art designs. Attendees can also paint in a “3D immersive landscape” with Google’s TiltBrush software.

Bookman’s will also host a literary pop up where children can hear stories from local authors, or enjoy a superhero adventure with the Comic Bookmobile, hosted by Frank Powers.

Chalk Art

Sponsored by the Town of Oro Valley, the festival will also feature holiday-themed murals from local artists Wesley Creigh and Alex Jimenez in front of the Walmart and Century Theaters. 

Imagine "Sweet Child O' Mine" mariachi style? If heavy metal had a pleasurably sordid affair with mariachi music lots of tequila would surely be involved. It's conceivable that this band of Los Angeles dissenters rose from unconsecrated graves. Like Barrio Viejo's own El Tiradito, where legend holds that Juan Oliveras, a young sheepherder, rests not-so-peacefully after being murdered by his father-in-law, who caught him in flagrante delicto with his enraptured mother-in-law. Metalachi are at 191 Toole. The heavy-as-hell surf music of Shark in the Water gets the party started...

Carefully balancing passion with composure, John Goraj established himself as a singer-songwriter with folk leanings before fronting a rising indie rock band. Soda Sun are at Club Congress...

Poets Sherman Bitsui and Sharon Vap read at Exo Bar...

All three members of this prestigious ensemble are winners of the Naumburg Foundation Prize. Arizona Friends of Chamber Music presents the Naumberg Trio. The evening's program features works by Beethoven. Carter, Schubert and Shostakovich. At Leo Rich Theater...